Outdoor Man

Spent almost 2 full days at the Trade Show. In retrospect we should have stayed another full day. Was there on business... and Day #1 was way overwhelming with just the sheer size of the event. We had 6 'confirmed' meetings but only were able to get 3.5 of them to meet. Oddly enough, the larger the organization, the easier it was to get them to agree to meet. Was able to observe several "public" announcements for new rides and some real interesting ride concepts and interactive 4-D experiences. Will write and post more pictures later.

Boardwalk still my favorite resort.

the IAAPA Vendor Pamphlet was as big as our (home) kitchen table.

As far as trip reports go... I don't have time to get into a real long narrative. Registered to attend IAAPA as a visiting vendor a few weeks ago and went (with a fellow KIC'er, who can identify himself here if he so chooses) with the intention to drum up business as a "co-op" organization. Monday (November 16) hopped on Frontier Flight 1166 (CVG-MCO). VERY nervous for flight time-wise, we had a very high-level meeting at an Orlando based operator with little time for delay or error- but managed to have 10-15 minutes to take in 5-Guys before. Meeting met all expectations I had for it. Won't likely lead to anything but served as a great "dress rehearsal" before a senior level audience. That was all the "business" for Monday; headed to our "Priceline" arranged hotel in Lake Buena Vista to part ways for the rest of the day. The Schrute's will be going back to Disney December 20-26 and 'Dwight' went to scope the resorts (currently booked at Coronado Spings, but never stayed there). Also, got to catch the Bengals game at the ESPN Club.

T/R, one of two coming tonight. Two words, 'sensory overload.'

Coming soon (please note, not a one-word post). Suggestions from the crowd at large?

Rather than accost guests as they arrive to have pictures taken with the parking lot in the background, they should have them turn around for a fountain/tower picture. THEN hand the the card and go Disney on guests and disperse through the park and add photos to their "account" with other iconic KI backdrops: Racer in Coney Mall, Vortex, Banshee. They'd sell more this way easily.

Let's try this brilliant play. This will get us a new set of downs...

bush league: adjective informal not of the highest quality or sophistication; second-rate. (thank you Google)

I'd love to have a giant Eiffel Tower/Christmas Tree light up the sky again, but I don't see it happening.

As much as I would love to see it- don't think it'll happen. A scaled down version would still need to be "significant" enough to entice people to walk a giant parking lot to the gate. Much of the parking is quite a distance from the entrance; walking that in 80-degree warmth is a stark contrast to a stiff wind and 20 degrees. I personally think there is a market- having seen the crowds at Cincinnati & Columbus Zoo, but I don't see it happening.

was there on Sunday, and though I wasn't really looking for any of it- don't recall seeing anything, not outside anyway.

So, I wonder if mine will show the # of times the Dining Plan was used... I've had my pass scanned into my images all season and have used my trusty Samsung S5 (now S6) all season. Honestly. something that would be of even more value is to make it so that the Season Pass can have "credits" loaded onto it to be used in the park, thereby leaving the wallet at home.

Well, come on, The Beast is practically an old man at 36. Heck, I started slowing down once i hit 30. The 30's were a blur... now into my 40's...

The only way they would put a significant amount of money into it is if they could alter the current ride experience... give it the Mantis treatment. Vortex is one of those attractions in could see them tethering along for a while. A modified restraint system that didn't jar your head would bump up ridership as well.

It will stick around until the cost of maintenance exceeds the perceived value it brings to the park.

Some of those were probably proprietary and intellectual property of Paramount/Viacom (or whoever the successor corporation was) and it was likely that the contract stated that after use the Reptar would be destroyed.