The Interpreter

Uh, last year, there WERE Dollar Days during Memorial Day Weekend. Gannersdaddy is correct.

"...we were instructed to just 'be a wall.'" Sounds like really bad IMPROV Theater! Separately, welcome back. And I hope your custody battle ends with the best possible outcome. So emotional, so straining. I feel for you. And full-time in college, too. Wow.

...which is why they did (assuming: [sarcasm]That really did not help as far as crowds.[/sarcasm])

Great Adventure and Six Flags Great America: $25.

Weekdays WERE $12...

So, daily parking at the beginning of the season will cost $x weekdays and $z Saturdays and Sundays. By season end, those prices will be $a and $b. Any prognostications?

Anyone can either join IAAPA (it's quite expensive) or one of its affiliated organizations as applicable. Rules as to who can go from an affiliate vary--some ACE officers at least used to get in without charge (they put in more than enough work to make up for it), others have to pay a nominal fee. IAAPA has for years talked of limiting the number of coaster club participants--whether or how they have done that I know not. I do know vendors take IAAPA members, the press and affiliated industry very seriously. It is a business convention of a business for the business. It's really not a party for others nor aimed at the casual observer. That said, I highly commend going to those who work in, write about or want to work in the industry. I went for many years as an IAAPA member (among other things). It's quite the gathering.

And some work full-time 9-10 hours away, and still get to Kings Island multiple times. It can be done. It's about choices.

Note the park is currently slated to be closed to the public April 17--the Sunday after the Saturday opening day...

There is also such a thing as "We can't do that." I grew up lower working class. Disneyland was in California. For us to go there was as realistic as for me to go to private elementary school in France. It simply wasn't going to happen. We didn't have a car that could be trusted that far, Dad and Mom both worked and even had difficulty getting the same DAY off, air travel was for the upper middle class and above (this was long before deregulation) and on and on and on. I grew up with a wee bit of class resentment at Disney. It would be 1999 before I got to WDW. I was determined not to like it. The Disneyland trip was QUICKLY planned upon my return. I've been to both many times since--sometimes staying on property, sometimes in a Red Roof in Kissimmee/St. Cloud. Many families go deeply in debt to do many unwise things to keep up with the Joneses. That's a choice, often a very unwise one. Sometimes, it's not just a question of priorities. Sometimes, "No," is the answer. I knew not to even ask. And I didn't.

Since the operating calendar has generated questions... Good stuff here...

Here are some interesting videos: http://banana1015.com/what-happened-to-boblo-island-amusement-park-near-detroit-videos/

It closed the end of September, 1993.

Camden Park was a trolley park (actually a street car park).

And Central New Jersey has more predictable weather? Terp, who has happily ridden Rolling Thunder (and Beast) in the snow...and The Georgia Cyclone in sleet at 1 AM (ouch).

Thank you so very much for sharing with us. I'm sure Coney Island would also like to see this and will.

A labor of love. Your talent never ceases to amaze me. Your Dad's reaction?

Those are Morgan turnpike cars--not the ones from 1958--the latter being also seen at LeSourdsville Lake and Camden Park.

...or coming debt payments and higher interest rates.

This is one of many reasons I do not believe the TEA attendance figures. NJFTP opens earlier, has more days of operation, doesn't go to weekends only post summer season until after Labor Day, draws from two VERY large metropolitan areas, seems far more packed during BooFest, yet we are to believe Kings Island and Cedar Point have more attendance. Horse hockey!

And yes, last year was like that.

...schools. Nearly impossible to staff the park. And very few visitors.

Hmmm. Great adventures begin Wednesday, March 23. That Kings Island opens so much later than that much more northern (and near coastal--it has seagulls) locale astounds me. It was not always thus.

rcdb.com just put up a new mobile website. In my opinion, it is truly horrid. http://www.rcdb.com Sigh.

Some things merit repeating...