XGatorHead 8904

I disagree. That's a blanket statement, but it depends on the individual. Paraplegics have impaired use of their lower extremities. Some, like my friend Brian, can stand unassisted and walk short distances while holding on to something. I've had him hold on to me for support while transferring into and out of coasters and other rides at Kings Island, Kentucky Kingdom and Canada's Wonderland, as well as plenty of go-carts in Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. But most of the time, he just rolls the chair up next to the ride and uses that for support to transfer in, then I or someone else will roll the chair to a place that's out of the way while we ride. I was shocked to learn years ago that Brian is actually classified as a quadriplegic. I had always thought that quadriplegics couldn't use their arms at all. Brian has use of his arms, but his hands are basically curled into fists. He can move the fingers with help from his other hand, but has limited digital mobility on their own. Because of that, he's considered a quad. So even some quadriplegics can ride coasters! I've learned much over the 19 years I've known him. I remember the first time I saw him stand up out of his chair, I thought "What the h%$& ???" Spinal cord injuries are interesting; slight differences in where the spinal cord was damaged, as well as an individual body's response to physical therapy, can cause a world of difference in how one's body is able to move. I know I gave KK a glowing review after opening day, but until they get these issues straightened out, they have joined a few other select companies on my boycott list (not that I was planning on going back there until next year at the earliest, but still...). Because of Brian and the thankfully short amount of time that my sister had to use a wheelchair to get around while battling lymphoma, this is an issue that is close to my heart.

No kidding. I saw the topic title and thought it was going to be another "I was profiled" story.

Sorry, I didn't mean to ignore your question. I didn't realize that I haven't looked at this topic since May 23rd. But yes, that was me in the Banshee shirt opening day! It's good to see KK had reversed it's policy, but it's completely inexcusable that that was even allowed to happen in the first place! "Inexperienced staff members couldn't perform the specialized loading procedures for people in wheelchairs while still maintaining the security of the general public"? Then train your staff on the proper procedures to ensure everyone can ride! It shouldn't take that much longer in your training. To do otherwise is blatant discrimination. Kentucky Kingdom and problems with riders in wheelchairs? Who knew? Sounds a little familiar though... Oh yeah, I know where I've heard that one before... 16 years later, and you'd think things would be different. Apparently not at the Kingdom...

Hydra, that song is stuck in my head again! I hadn't thought of it since we heard it over and over again waiting to sign in at Coasting for Kids! While watching that I couldn't help thinking there should be a Haunt version of this, with some of the iconic characters from Haunt doing the dancing. Better yet, have it start out with the people in the current video, then the scareactors come in, chase them off and take their place. Maybe dance for a little bit to "Best Job Ever" before The Undertaker or The Overlord makes everyone come to their senses and cues up a more Haunt-appropriate tune.

WHAT?!? No bacon?!? Well, at least they have gravy!

Without the long walk to the ride, the "Highway to the Danger Zone" would only be a side street to the Danger Zone.

Yup, already being discussed in this topic: http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php/topic/29490-new-haunt-attraction-near-the-beast-this-year/ Especially of interest starting around post #47.

So would I. It would make that long 6.5 mile drive home after working Haunt so much shorter! (Just kidding... kinda. I'm very fortunate to live as close as I do to the park, but I'm physically worn out after working Haunt, especially on Fridays when I've put in a full day at my regular job before that. I've said it many times before and I'll say it again... Haunt is exhausting work, but completely worth it!!!) Gee, how did we ever manage working later than planned when I was a minor working at the park back in the late '80s and early '90s, before cell phones were common, not to mention the nearly two decades the park was open before I started working there? Oh yeah, we were allowed to call home using the park's land lines to let our parents know to pick us up later! I know what you mean. I used to get sucked in by comments made by the uninformed, especially on Facebook. That's why I rarely, if ever, look at responses to the park's posts anymore. It's just not worth getting worked up over, especially after trying to correct someone and having them just display their ignorance even more in return.

I don't mind it. I figure I'm touching the handrails already, so by proxy I'm already touching eveyone else's hands that's been in line that day, and the day before, and so on, and so on... One more isn't going to hurt anything.

One can only hope. Trail of Terror was consistantly one of the best Haunt attractions the park ever had. I like the Dinos, but don't like that it displaced the trail.

I agree with everyone else: great book, horrible movie. They just didn't do Michael Crichton justice with that one.

I remember a friend of mine worked it one night and she flung a head that was hanging from a string towards the riders.

Sometimes it takes everything I have to remind myself of the naiveté of youth...

Yeah, but IIRC they're bolted into the cement. As I said above, take out those screws/bolts and the fence is gone. They were probably done this way to prevent people/guests from moving the fences and gaining access to an area that's off-limits to park guests this time of year.

From what I've seen of those fences, take out a couple of screws and voilà... the fences are gone, ready to open the lines to those buildings.

Family of 5 arrested at Canobie Lake Park for not complying with a request to return the knives that were clipped to their belts to the car. Charges are riot, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and trespassing. Also, the mother faked a seizure. This, to me, is more interesting news than "Banshee stuck on lift hill." http://www.newser.com/story/188646/family-of-5-arrested-in-amusement-park-brawl.html

^It struck me as funny that shark6495 "liked" that comment about the former Amity area of USO, home of the late, great Jaws attraction. RIP Bruce! We're not technically staying on property, but kinda... A friend's parents have a house in Celebration that we're staying at. If you know anything about Celebration, you know the close ties it had/has with Disney. I've never been there but from the pictures I've seen it looks like a nice little town. So no ERT perks or anything, we'll just make the best of our time and the crowds, knowing we can't do everything. We always prioritize what we want to do there anyway and make sure to hit those things up first!

I always where a sleveless shirt in the waterpark. I got a really bad sunburn on my back & chest two years ago and have worn one ever since. It's nice not having to have Mrs. Gator put sunscreen all over my back. Plus, no one really needs to be exposed to my big bare belly!

^But then every year could be a "rebuilding" year!

The first time I encountered that, I was driving west on Symmes and when I got to Bypass 4, I thought "What do you mean I can't go straight?!?" Having to turn right, make a U-turn and then another right just to continue on the road I was originally on makes absolutely no sense to me! Try him? I have to live with him!

We'll be down there the week of New Year's. I have to work the day after Christmas so we're leaving the 27th and coming back January 4th. I'm sure it'll be packed that week, but we usually go during the summer so we're used to crowds there... just maybe not as crowded as we'll see it then!

Kentucky Kingdom are the same they are super convent Super Convent... secret lair of The Flying Nun. Sally's willing to Field any questions you may have on the subject.

I was dragged to see this show last time we went to DHS because I was outvoted 2 to 1 by the Gatorettes. It was actually pretty decent, better than some other attractions I've seen in the park (namely Sounds Dangerous with Drew Carey and Monster Sound Show). But given the sagging ratings of American Idol, I can't really say that I'm surprised at this announcement. We're planning on going back down in December, so Mrs. Gator & GatorGirl will want to see it again one last time. I never understood those that say DHS can be done in half a day. Sure, there's not all that many rides, but throw in all the shows, One Man's Dream and The Magic of Disney Animation, we easily fill up a full day there every time. And that's even without seeing Lights Motors Action, something I've wanted to do the past two times but couldn't (the first time due to them re-surfacing the performance area and the second time due to it being cancelled for rain).

^Yes, that was definitely the most fun I've had on BLSC! Another great tradition is singing while on The Racer. This year included the Coasting for Kids standards "We Are the Champions" and "Bohemian Rhapsody", as well as selections from Frozen such as "Let It Go", which was sung several times but I once changed the words to "The rain never bothered me anyway" after one of our rainy rides, and when I changed the first two lines of "Do You Want to Build a Snowman" to "Do you wanna ride The Racer? C'mon let's go again!" Then there was our rendtion of Pitbull and Ke$ha's "Timber" where as we were cresting the top of the first hill, we started singing "We're going down, we're yelling TIMBEEEEEEERRRRRRR!" and holding that last word all the way down the hill. Good times...

The lockers at Universal are great, but the ones at Holiday World are excellent as well, possibly even better. The lockers use waterproof wristbands to open. You can get up to two wristbands from the self-serve kiosks and up to four wristbands if you purchase from the rental booth. That way there's no keys to lose or codes to chance being seen by others. We used these lockers last year and they were the best ones (along with Universal's) that I've ever used. Here's the Holiblog about them from last year that includes a video on how they work: http://www.holidayworld.com/holiblog/2013/05/29/are-you-smarter-locker/