Joshua

I would like to re-iterate that in the story I told, it was the kid who didn't like the idea of being seated next to a stranger. No kid should be forced to sit next to someone if they don't want to, especially when the wait was less than two minutes. That is why I went to guest services.

Last Sunday, in a rare case I thought an employee was actually rude, a ride op forced a kid from an odd-numbered group to sit next to me on Mystic Timbers. You can tell they didn't want to, but the ride op kept saying "Row 5!" The last time she said it was fairly aggressive. The kid didn't want to sit next to a stranger. They shouldn't have had to either. This was on a morning when there were hardly lines at all, and the rides that had lines had them because they were being micromanaged too much. The situation made me feel weird and I couldn't stop thinking about it throughout the ride. When I got off, I went right to Guest Services.

This is why I usually get La Rosa's outside the park. Not only is it better quality, but you can get a whole lot more for a whole lot less.

To me, it seems BLSC still gets decent ridership. Pre-teens and teens seem to enjoy it. And it is a fun ride. I also don't see mismatched theming and potential for something else as a good enough reason to remove a ride. But I would like to see a new Ferris Wheel added to the park. There's a shaded area with tables around that area. Every time I pass it, there's hardly anyone there. Would that area be big enough to fit at least one gap ride?

Great article! At one point, the "theme music" was "The Darkest Day" from Independence Day by David Arnold (approximately when Jeff Goldblum watches the aliens' arrival from the rooftop) and a suspense cue composed by Michael Giacchino for Lost. Does anyone know if there were other themes used for the lift hill? To be honest, I kinda miss it.

Yesterday was a great day for lines. I rode all of the major coasters except Invertigo. The lines were mostly 5 minutes or less, even the rides the app listed as 15 to 20 minutes. The one notable exception was FoF, which was listed as 15 minutes, but was over 30. Man, I love that ride, but its short lines are deceptive. I also hate how they rope you off as you enter the saucer. With the dim, ambient lighting and the "partied out" alien you pass on the way out, it's as if you've been rejected by a bouncer at a night club. "But wait, my girlfriend is in there!" "Lots of people's girlfriends are in there."* *Tell me there is someone here who gets that reference.

That's been happening to me a lot this year. I especially hate when it happens on Banshee, and I, a 33 year old, am stuck with three pre-teens (or even teens) all I can think of is just how awkward it probably is for them to be stuck with some older dude. On a slow day, when the lines are extremely short, the ride is a two-seater and entire rows are being sent empty, I'd rather not be paired with anyone at all.

To be fair, when I experience a "rude" associate, I turn and look at some of the jerks they have to deal with on a daily basis, and shrug. Especially considering when a lot of people say "rude," it usually means "this employee didn't smile, was understandably overwhelmed, are younger and/or make less money than I do, so I look down upon them." I can't say I've witnessed an employee who was actually rude, at least in the way guests are rude. (Because, let's face it, the GP can be real snots sometimes). Not too long ago --I won't say when or where in the park -- I witnessed an employee talking back to a 14 year old. For whatever reason, this kid -- who reminded me of the "My dad says you guys are full of crap" kid from Ghostbusters II, if you've seen that -- asked about Project X. The associate said they had no idea, but "the rumor is it's a new coaster." The kid said," If it's not a giga, I won't be here next year." The clearly annoyed employee responded, "Yeah, you'll be here anyways." I thought about applauding this associate, but I moved on.

^Even the equipment is red and blue. I wonder if one of them runs backwards.

Wow, I didn't notice the license plates. I am surprised she didn't mention the shop names on Killmart's new facade.

Those X-Base bathrooms are coming along quite nicely. It appears they could be a bit breezy though.

I still see no reason why the park couldn't "move" it back to Planet Snoopy in the future. Although I'd like to see Phantom Theater return, I imagine that if theywere to re-theme Boo Blasters, they would want to keep the interactive part, right? Or do you think unreliability* of the blasters would eventually mean their removal? *I've only been on the ride twice since Phantom Theater left and it has been years since I've ridden it, so I can't really comment on how it has been kept up.

Has anyone tried to use their perks yet? For some reason, I foresee some glitches, confusion, and "I'm sorry, but...."

These are good questions. What are the limitations? Does the e-mail include any fine print with specifics? (I'm curious because I am more likely to use a food coupon than a Cabana discount.)

Didn't that "move" to I-Street happen more recently anyway? Enchanted Voyage, Smurfs, Phantom Theater, and Scooby Doo's Haunted Castle were all considered part of the children's area and the average guest probably sees it as such because it is clearly a family ride and the building itself (that also holds the room with Peanuts shows and The Great Pumpkin Coaster) is in Planet Snoopy. I don't see what would stop the park from "moving" it back.

I got "Up to $50 off a Premium Cabana Rental."

If you could get pics inside Hanger 18, it'd be much appreciated.

This reminds me of that candle company that makes scented candles based on smells you experience at Disney parks. Their name is slipping me, but Offhand Disney sometimes promotes them.

#whatsintheshelter

The purpose of the single rider line was to fill up any empty seat so they could full trains. Ride ops are currently trained to do that as they go.

I found that confusing, as well. This in their only post and they haven't logged back on since. So their sole purpose was to post a snarky, nondescript comment over your Tower Johnny article? Strange.

Does anyone know how that Vortex rumor got started?

Three decades of Ohio weather? It would be in the earth's core by now.

Around 6 minutes in.

I study film, so I'm aware of this. (The same is true for IMAX, as well.) Though better than 3D conversions, I still found legit 3D to be "hazy," as Shaggy put it. To me, the effect reminds me of those lenticular cards that came with the Independence Day and The Lost World VHS releases. It just feels artificial compared to a good ole' fashioned 2D shot with genuine sense of depth and contrast. But that's just me. However, what got me excited about Avatar was the rig James Cameron used to program cinematic shots and camera movements in a virtual world. Seeing footage of it in action really blew me away at the time.