Paramount Parks since Cedar Fair acquisition

Wow, I must be lucky. I have not *once* seen any kids passing balls back and forth or doing anything that could endanger another guest with a basketball. I've seen plenty of dribbling and fake dunking (which doesn't bother me in the least).Maybe it's just not one of those things that I notice, but this basketball discussion interests me because I just haven't experienced it.

I'm not saying it doesn't happen or people aren't justified in their feelings, but it always amazes me when many people experience something I just don't. I used to think it was a racial/social thing, where people were just uncomfortable with the aggressive way urban kids play around each other, but I'm not sure that's the case. It does sound like more of a "smoking-type" issue.

Still, I just don't see it. *** Edited 7/31/2006 9:45:35 PM UTC by DWeaver***

The thing is, I am a very laid back, patient person.

I don't care if a bunch of teenagers cuss in front of my daughter. She knows the words and knows not to repeat them. If someone has a basketball and can control it, I don't have a problem.

When said basketballs roll in front of me, tag me in the leg, almost trip over them, or the person dribbling them bump into me because they aren't paying attention, I then have a problem.

You brought up the smoking thing. Same applies, I smoke, and I make sure I don't annoy anyone with my bad habit. Is it that hard for someone to respect others while showing off with a basketball?

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RideMan said:

Inside the park, the ride crews have grown dramatically.

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So, the question is where the people came from. Has anybody noticed a drive to hire new employees at the park or are they just getting reorganized within the park?

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Chitown said:
I still have a bone to pick with you Swoosh as far as Illinois drivers go.

Come to the Chicago area and find out why we don't mess around. Get out of our way or you will find yourself in a ditch.

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But do you really consider yourselves Illinois drivers or do you consider yourselves CHICAGO drivers and the rest of the people Illinois drivers?

Yeah, that's what I thought.... next. ;)

-Swoosh Shaddy rides again! :)

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swampfoxer said:
It appears there will be no capital projects at Carowinds for '07. :(

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And what makes you think that. Apparently construction markers are popping up all over the place in some parking lol...

By the way Chitown, I love you Chicago drivers you guys get me out of Chicago traffic in a hurry. I'm on the interstate on the way to SFGAm and all I have to do is follow the Illinois License plates as you guys take the shoulder/exit ramps/etc. everywhere, it works pretty well lol. Got out of rush hour chicago in an hour...i was pretty proud of myself :)

P.S. I rather see kids bouncing balls and playing with eachother instead of them fighting/cutting in line/trashing the park/etc. I realize it's a minor annoyance but you guys were all kids once, and I will freely admit I'm pretty disrespectful as a 16 year old sometimes, and I know all of you were too...trust me...it might be something you forgot as you grew up...but you were.... *** Edited 8/1/2006 5:57:49 PM UTC by Kyle Fobe***

Kyle....I usually don't see the kids with the balls. 98% of the time it's not a small kid, usually an older crowd. IMO, someone that age should have manners enough to not go nuts with those things, but what do I know :) *** Edited 8/1/2006 6:23:31 PM UTC by Peabody***

On Tuesday night at KI, I saw that ride operators at Vortex now have to stand in green boxes painted on the platform when dispatching trains.

I have a comment to share about KD and also about the basketballs.

I went to KD with my girlfriend on the 19th of July, maybe it was before they started to make changes but all of the usual traits as far as operations were going on (One or two ride ops. checking lap bars, taking their sweet time, some not dressed like they were working, one train op on the woodies). I also had not seen any sign changes or such.

Now as far as the basketballs go, I agree that if the one who won the ball could keep control of it and just hold on to it, then all would be fine. But when they are running into others trying to show how they could be the next Lebron James, or when they start throwing them over ride tracks to their friends, or bouncing them off of a station floor that has a loud echo, then I am not a big fan.

I'd heard something about a possible reopening of FOF next season the other day,as for 07 cap ex I doubt that we'll be seeing anything major at PKD & most likely whatever PCAR is getting had to have been planned & underway well before the CF aqqusition.

Usually the people I see with balls are usually the older guys in there 20's with Basketball Jersey's on who think they are Kobe Bryant. Now, it might be a little annoying, but they mean no harm they are just trying to have fun at a busy amusement park. Especially, when the lines for all the rides are so long. Keep in mind that most of these people probably only get to go to Cedar Point, for example, once or twice a year. So I just shrug it off cuz they are trying to have fun...

I'll admit to doing some crazy things at amusement parks, not anything to endanger myself or anyone else, but just fun things...because I'm there to have fun.

Plus if you figure how much money they probably spent trying to get that ball in the first place...of course they are gonna show it off...just my opinion.

^Well that would be fine if it was TRUE that they only go "once a year" but most of the time it is the same people weekend after weekend with the balls (at least around here). Seriously how many basketballs do you really need?

Kyle: Your fun probably is not incessantly noisey and probably does not hit people :)

Also, if you're basing your opinion on CP it's the wrong park. Of all the major park it has the least number of balls. I swear I've been to some parks where in a 5 minute walk down a midway I've passed 25+ people bouncing balls and have probably almost tripped over at least 1.

^ Thats when you swing your foot back and try to kick a field goal ;)

lol...I've "accidently" kicked basketballs into unfortunate locations before :)

Yeah I see what your saying I haven't been to many parks out of the midwest, save for Disney and Universal. So my opinion may be a little biased. :)

My fun at times can be incessantly noisey, and occasionally my clumsy as hell self does hit someone. But it's all in a days work i suppose. ;)

I take it Peabody has been to SFStL considering his last statement. ;)

When I see a game like that, it makes me think they could do even better by making it easier. Those prizes cost them nothing, and therefore are only a minor substraction from the profit. And by making them easier, more people might be willing to fork out the $5.

Though, I am sure the companies that develop these games have crunched the numbers and done extensive testing to find the perfect balance. But I for one, would never pay $5 to play a game that I feel I have no chance to win. I love playing games at Kennywood since most of them are so reasonably priced. Even fi I don't win, I feel like at least got $1-$2 worth of entertainment.

I was at PCW the week following CF taking control of the park. I notcied more staff at rides and they were actually being more efficient.

Spalashworks was operating with everything open. All 3 body slides were being used which I havn't seen in over 2 years. It could have been a coincidence with the fact that the full summer season was in gear or staffing issues had been ironed out but it was nice.

Also notcied that there was yellow lines painted around the sides of the midway area going from Kidzville towards vortex and torwards Wilde Beast. They looked sort of like wash down crew guides or something.

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Peabody said:

M:TR - It's not the balls, it's what is done with them.

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Somebody had to say it.