Ride On_17 Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 So today marks the start of Haunt and HalloWeeekends and various other Halloween-related event kickoffs. This unfortunately means that summer is slipping away and fall in taking its place, and that the end of operating seasons for regional amusement parks are fast approaching. So, out of all the parks you've been to this past year, which ride at which park do you think has the best ride crew? Were they very efficient? Helpful and kind? Made you and the rest of the guests in the station laugh? I had many great experiences so far, but I'd have to say my favorite has been the crew at Millennium Force at Cedar Point. I've laughed many times, and they create a fun, upbeat atmosphere before getting on the ride. Dragster would come in 2nd. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fire-Beast-OF FEAR Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 RACER!!! But in all honesty I do believe this. Capacity and spieling was awesome. MF comes in close too for the same reasons. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTD-120-420 Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 Railroad at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoungStud Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 Mf#1. DiamondStack: worst. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombieninja Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 Any crew at Holiday World. Watching them perform their job was like watching clockwork. Yet, even with their level of attention to efficiency and cleanliness, everyone there still manages to keep a personal level of friendliness with their visitors. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fanofFirehawk Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 Best: Gemini Enthusiasm: Magnum/Gemini Humor: Top Thrill Dragster/Gemini Efficiency: Millenium Force/Firehawk Honorable Mention: Doctor Dooms Fear Fall (Islands of Adventure) and Wicked Twister. Diamondback, guys, step it up. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 Nitro: Great Adventure. Fast, efficient, safety minded and otherwise silent as church mice. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonofBaconator Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 I think the railroad crew was awesome this year but The Beast's was the best. The ride op was talking like Batman the whole entire time we were in line. "Enjoy your ride on the world's longest wooden roller coaster. I'm Batman" 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 How does an awesome, inverted B&M coaster in Gurnee, Jackson, Atlanta, etc., talk? 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TombRaiderFTW Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 Raging Bull. Those guys were very aware of how long it was(n't) taking them to get trains loaded and sent, in part thanks to the station countdown clock. But seriously, they were rocking it in July. Shoutout to the Gatekeeper crew, too. They were doing really well each time I rode that ride. Noticeably speedier than even the rest of Cedar Point, which has maintained its already superior operations from years past. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBEASTunchained Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 For 2013, I'd probably have to say either The Racer at Kings Island or Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point. The TTD crew were focused, fast, and as Terp worded above, safety minded. But were they as silent as church mice?....Very much so The Racer crew were focused, fast, and having fun with everyone, which always makes it a good time. When the ride-ops are happy, more guests are happy. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayblazer Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 There is a ride op on The Beast crew named Kyle, he is by far the best ride op ever. He screams non stop sounding like King Leonitis. Has the whole platform excited with his Rick Flair like "Wooo's " and it just makes for an all around better experience. Then if you talk to him away from the ride he is the quietest most bashful guy. Hyping crowds is what he was born to do. He loves it as much as the station does. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ride On_17 Posted September 14, 2013 Author Share Posted September 14, 2013 Shoutout to the Gatekeeper crew, too. They were doing really well each time I rode that ride. Noticeably speedier than even the rest of Cedar Point, which has maintained its already superior operations from years past. I agree. Honorable mention goes to Gatekeeper. Thet crew really gets trains moving. I heard that they have come very close to reaching the desired capacity, which is a great accomplishment. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterfanatic83 Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 Racer's crew was very good on several of my visits this year. Also, Gatekeeper was exceptional as well. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Nemo Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 Gatekeeper, as much as I disliked the ride had the best crew in terms of capacity. Diamondback this year has been awful though. Did not once see them even attempt so called 'power hours'. Sorry DB, you went from the best crew in '09 to the worst. But then again many of the '09 DB crew were originally part of the '08 Beast crew, Which was regarded as the best crew in the rides history. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elyk Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 Honestly i thought Vortex had a really good crew. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver2005 Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 Diamondback had a stellar crew this year as always. Beast was definitely good except for that guy who mans the microphone and has the 300 spiel at night (at least the nights I ran into him). Adventure Express' crew deserves some nods as well, they definitely made their ride fun despite being one of the more under appreciated rides. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayblazer Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 That was Kyle, I always loved how he hyped the crowd. But I can understand how it would have been annoying to someone "not in the mood". As for Diamond Backs crew this year, I thought they were really bad. Before this season I didn't even know what the term stacking meant. I saw Young Stud call it "Diamond Stack" ,and he was right. I have ridden it soo many times this year and they almost never got the train dispatched before the other was back. I have also seen where one of the ride op's would not send the train till everyone was yelling back at him loud enough, to the point that all three trains were just sitting.. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeastForever Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 Holiday World: Efficient, friendly, safe, and best of all no spiels. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fanofFirehawk Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 ^^ I believe, when a spiel is done correctly it can make the day. If you look at my series of awards, Top Thrill Dragster, and Gemini didn't win( in my mind) the most funny award by being completely silent. Nor did I think that Magnum and Gemini's crews were the most enthusiastic because they were completely silent either. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedevariouseffect Posted September 16, 2013 Share Posted September 16, 2013 Kings Island: Flight Deck is my #1, next go to Racer, Skyflyer, Drop Tower, or FOF for operations and procedures Worst Crews: Vortex, WindSeeker, and Diamondback, for operations, and just lack thereof for motivation/work ethic Cedar Point: Gatekeeper wins, hands down. Perfectly hand selected crew, works flawlessly, and just way above par Close seconds have to be Power Tower, Gemini, Raptor, or Sky Ride in terms of operations and procedures Worst Crews: Giant Wheel or Tiques. Possibly Mantis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCrypt Posted September 16, 2013 Share Posted September 16, 2013 ^I agree with your point about WindSeeker. Literally every time without fail that crew since its inception has been very sluggish. It's no doubt a hard ride to operate, but you'd think with that many associates on the floor you'd be able to get good dispatch intervals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoungStud Posted September 16, 2013 Share Posted September 16, 2013 Holiday World: Efficient, friendly, safe, and best of all no spiels. They get a 2-5 minute breather due to one train operation. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeastForever Posted September 16, 2013 Share Posted September 16, 2013 Ugh, don't remind me. A full-station wait for Voyage when I was there took a half an hour, I kid you not. Unacceptable. All 3 coasters had single-train operation that day. I don't think I'm going to risk another trip next year to Holiday World. Also, apparently Voyage isn't getting Timberliners any time soon... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver2005 Posted September 16, 2013 Share Posted September 16, 2013 What's with all the hate towards Diamondback's crew? Sure they had their off moments, but I wouldn't put them anywhere near worst. If its just because of the stacking, well...a majority of coasters have stacking issues at some point. As for WindSeeker's crew, I know most of them and a lot of them hate the ride, basing it off of a lot of the GP's dislike of the ride plus the incidents the others have gone through, overseeing the fact that ours has been one of the more reliable ones. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoungStud Posted September 16, 2013 Share Posted September 16, 2013 B&m coasters are made for capacity especially the hypers. You just have a clambshell restraint to give a quick check, no seatbelt, and you dknt have to bend over as low like on other coasters. Other parks has a 60second clock in the station. Ours would have to be 180 seconds. It would take no time for two people to run down one side checking 16 restraints each, but they have 6-8 crew members checking restraints. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedevariouseffect Posted September 16, 2013 Share Posted September 16, 2013 For WindSeeker operations hinder the ride as well...look and watch the ride...the op in controls also checks restraints. So if they need to unlock s row or whatever he has to stop his job and do that. Combine this with bad operations practices, and then the minor employees...it's just a disaster Vortex...terrible enthsiasm, poor dispatch intervals, no cohesion (saw clears up and train was stacked, controls busy day dreaming) Diamondback...we all have seen the posts...also personal disappointment in a few employees like from kic day earlier this year...ect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhantomTheaterKiss Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 I think best crew, in part, depends on your personal preference. Do you like chatter and jokes? Or do you prefer quiet, with a small quick spiel? Of course we all desire efficiency, speed, and safety. I enjoyed The Beast's crew this season, both chatty and quiet days/shifts. They seemed quick, efficient, safe, yet understanding. Several times I seen riders having an issue and the crew was not exasperated or snippy with the guest, but helped them with a smile and kindness... something missing from more than few places in the park and world. The Vortex had a terrible crew this year. Rude, boring, and seemingly they could not care less about what they were doing. There was an incredible lack of communication the last several times I rode. In the end, the crew can enhance or detract from a ride experience, but a terrible crew doesn't keep me from riding. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedevariouseffect Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 The only issues I had with beast crew was spiels, doing stupid stuff (saw a blue tag rip open the gates once, then when they closed pushed them closed, camera on ride, not stopped, ect), and it was just spotty quality all season, just inconsistent. They were good, but not the best, or worst for me. I will say the people saying the same crews over and over for rides is pretty impressive... I will give WindSeeker the fact it's operational procedures are lame, but that's it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamondbacker Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 Kyle on The Beast, give him a raise, man! He was great on and off mic. Invertigo's crew is just lazy and unenthused. Diamondback's crew is really nice (spent an hour in the station with them during rain on announcement day), but they could be more efficient. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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