Magenta Lizard Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 I was fortunate that with the winds yesterday it was cool enough to sleep in the back seat of my vehicle. I got about a half-hour power nap, and it helped me make it through to past closing, even though I only slept about three hours the night before. I will take the advice given for other places to sleep, though, because I often could use a nap and usually it's going to be like an oven in the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 on top of the Eiffel TowerDo you lie down on the floor? Or do you just sit down?What is the tower operator's reaction to someone trying to sleep up there? I didn't think sitting on the floor up there is allowed. . . much less reclining. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfred Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 ^^^ DANG I was gonna pull out the air mattress for my next trip. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegajone Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 ^ Many groups will allow empty rows to be dispatched while trying to get everyone on the same train. Assigning seats keeps groups together and prevents empty seats. Of course, those who want to wait a train should find people to go ahead of them in their row - but many don't do that. The sad part is, I still saw empty rows going off even with the op assigning seats. Row 16 went off empty in my train. The next few groups of riders were groups of 4+, and by the time he found a pair, we were being strapped in and he didn't want to slow things down by moving them through. Kind of defeats the purpose, I would think. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LovinMeSomeBanshee Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 I can understand the purpose of power hours. But please do not make them so obvious. The Diamondback crew on Monday was telling the crowd, "We'll have you out of the station in 45 seconds" when a train arrived in the station. Personally, that's not something that makes me comfortable or happy to hear. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTD-120-420 Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 I've only napped on the Eiffel Tower once. It was a dead day, and my sister and I were the only ones up there besides the employees. We just sat down and leaned against the side that didn't have opening elevator doors. Nothing was said to us about not sitting, as I woke up an hour later. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest waitinginline617 Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 ^ Many groups will allow empty rows to be dispatched while trying to get everyone on the same train. Assigning seats keeps groups together and prevents empty seats. Of course, those who want to wait a train should find people to go ahead of them in their row - but many don't do that. The sad part is, I still saw empty rows going off even with the op assigning seats. Row 16 went off empty in my train. The next few groups of riders were groups of 4+, and by the time he found a pair, we were being strapped in and he didn't want to slow things down by moving them through. Kind of defeats the purpose, I would think. Due to the empty park yesterday, my friends and I attempted to have a Diamondback marathon in the afternoon. Even though the train was running mostly empty, the ride op was still assigning seats. The second time we rode we were placed in rows 3 and 4, the same as the first ride. We asked if we could switch rows and were told to "sit in our assigned seats" by the monotone op. We followed his directions and figured we could just get a different seat the next time for a different experience. We went directly back in line (only two, half-empty) trains had dispatched as we walked around. The same ride op told us the exact same thing when he placed us in rows 3 and 4 once again and would not listen to our request to sit somewhere else, citing "policy". (All three times we were the next in line after the first seat riders, so the rest of the train was empty when he assigned seats). We were not happy campers and left to go back to Banshee, and every other ride, where they were not assigning seats. I did not understand the importance of speed or assigned seats when mostly everyone getting on the ride in the afternoon was riding continuously, as we tried to do. Not even Firehawk assigned seats when we rode twice earlier in the day. It was great day but the inability to get a different seat on Diamondback was my tiny pet peeve for the day. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LovinMeSomeBanshee Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 The Diamondback crew is bad. And that's sugarcoating it. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magenta Lizard Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 It's weird, too, because I had no problems with Diamondback earlier in the season. But lately, the person assigning seats, more often than not, seems to purposefully put singles in odd rows (so strangers get to sit right up on each other when you would think pairs riding together would prefer to a lot more), blocks people from entering and choosing their own rows then screws around and waits to finally start asking group sizes and assigning rows when the gates are open to load the next train (leaving some rows empty because everyone can't get sorted in time), or does other similar shenanigans that can't be explained by difficulty of the job itself. I don't know what is going on in the current atmosphere of ride ops on Diamondback, but it is making me less and less willing to wait to ride it (especially when I can go to Banshee instead, and see what happens when a crew really has it together). I don't want to wait for a half hour or more to ride (with the wait increased due to inexplicably unfilled seats) when I know I'm going to end up at the inflexible (and also inexplicable) whims of an amateurish despot. So, I only ride it now if it looks to me to be a likely 15-minute or so wait, so I'm not as disappointed when I get an undesirable seating assignment. Because of the weird unprofessional and inefficient turn the operations have taken, it's very rare to have that short of a wait, too. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XGatorHead 8904 Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 The only ride I've experienced a power hour on was Diamondback, and that was a several times over the past few years. Every time I've been to one I feel rushed, which I don't like. Now, I don't take a long time to get in my seat and buckled and restrained, I don't have bags to put in the bin, I know the procedure. Just don't rush me! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noob_rider Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 I've yet to ride Dimondback due to my fear of heights but have wanted to because it looks cool. I was wandering if y'all could share your experience with me so I can get over the hump so to speak 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LovinMeSomeBanshee Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 Noob, the first and second hills are intense. I think it has a total of 8 or 9 hills that you get plenty of airtime on. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcgoble3 Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 The first time I rode Diamondback, I screamed all the way down the first drop. By the time it was over, I was ready to ride it again right away (and did). Go for it! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldiesmann Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 It was odd to hear ride ops counting down the time until they could dispatch the next train on Monday. I'm all for them trying to increase capacity, but trying to have "perfect" capacity is a bit odd, even with the advanced safety features of DB and Banshee that specifically tell the "driver" which seats aren't locked. I'd much rather them take a few extra seconds to do things slowly than have perfect capacity. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver2005 Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 The last time I was at the park, the Diamondback crew seemed agitated. They told guests that trains would leave in 45 seconds, but the tone of voice made it seem they were angry with guests for no good reason. They then try to juxtapose it by doing the 'I say Diamond, you say back' routine or anything to liven things up again, but it falls flat on guests who are being rushed. For one of Kings Island's signature rides, its sure poorly staffed this year. I also overhear the ops speaking to themselves (on Diamondback, Vortex and Beast) saying they are angry with whoever is in charge and taking their time loading trains. I've also heard ride ops manning the microphones put down rides in their own park or even parks in the chain, not in the poking fun way, but in ways that make those other rides seem undesirable (Bat and Adventure Express are the usual rides brought up in that regard). Its like Kings Island spent too much time on training the Banshee crew and forgot to spread that professionalism to the other rides as well. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LovinMeSomeBanshee Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 I thought it was just me that thought the crew was bad. It seems to be the consensus. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 Give ride ops mikes... Automated spiels, please. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magenta Lizard Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 n00b_rider, if you want to catch fantastic air try to get the middle of the train (rows 7-10). I love all parts of the train for different reasons, but for someone a little cautious about riding, I think you would love the middle. You just float for what seems like seconds, absolutely heavenly, at the peaks of the hills. It is unlike anything else, and doesn't feel scary, just weightless. For more thrill, front and back are good. Front because you hang over the tops of the hills and can see down while the rest of the train is holding you back from going anywhere fast (and because of the arrangement of the seats, the second row is almost as good as the first row for it). Rear of the train is great because it feels like nonstop wild speed. Unfortunately with the current ride-op situation, you're probably going to end up wherever they put you. Fortunately, I haven't found a bad seat on Diamondback. They're all fun. If you like coasters, I think you will get over the height really quickly and give yourself over to the intense fun of the ride. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcgoble3 Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 It's worth noting that on Monday night, the KIC group was not assigned seats. We were able to choose our own seats. So seat assignment is not an all-day, everyday thing. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedevariouseffect Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Good to hear, I guess I'm only there when someone at crowd deems it necessary to do such. It shouldn't really happen at all. Only a few times I had to assign seats on a coaster and that was for large groups or if we had a handicap guest/VIP I would work the rows out to easily accommodate without anyone queued being disrupted or getting fussy Assigning seats on flats, oh of course, load balancing is quite important 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 See also Flying Turns...where guests are weighed, though the weights are not displayed. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest waitinginline617 Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Its like Kings Island spent too much time on training the Banshee crew and forgot to spread that professionalism to the other rides as well. I was really pleased with the Firehawk crew on Tuesday. They had the trains on a nice rhythm and were a lot happier and enthusiastic than I usually see them. The ride ended up being walk on almost all day. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KI FANATIC 37 Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Banshee was doing somewhat of a Power Hour today. All afternoon all I heard was " This train will be leaving in 30 seconds. Do not walk across the seats. If you do we will lock your restraint and you will not be able to ride." I'm all for efficiency but when I have my sensor (for reading my blood sugar) in my leg I would like to push down my own restraint to make sure it isn't right on top of it. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LovinMeSomeBanshee Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 This power hour stuff is ridiculous. It's a terrible visitor experience. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KI FANATIC 37 Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 I think the right approach is a happy medium, much like everything else in life. This 30 second garbage should be gone, but the ride ops should work hard to have a good hourly capacity but with the comfort of guests in mind. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegajone Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Its like Kings Island spent too much time on training the Banshee crew and forgot to spread that professionalism to the other rides as well. I was really pleased with the Firehawk crew on Tuesday. They had the trains on a nice rhythm and were a lot happier and enthusiastic than I usually see them. The ride ended up being walk on almost all day. Firehawk crew was fantastic on Monday as well. Very friendly and energetic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedevariouseffect Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 ^^^Nor isn't needed Well organized crews and a cohesive team do not need to have power hours and be rude. Interval will be hit quite consistently when working together and coordinating efforts. Take my main crew early in the season. It took awhile to get used to the flow, how the ride wanted to operate and the norms. Once we all got the hang of it and how to run the ride it was a piece of cake and it dispatched on time just about everytime unless something was out of our control or something was happening on platform. Banshee isn't hard, get someone in crowd to watch the queues, make sure you can load a full train everytime, if not call for what you need & coax them into that row if possible. Train comes in, op in back load needs to be ready to queue the gates (saw a few times he/she forgot to enable gates..which why does KI not use auto gate enables? Never understood that) Let guests through, make sure restraints are up, get em seated, coordinate checks, get it organized, and step back, scan your area once you're done and get ready to clear and dispatch. Order of clears would help speed up platform dispatch, create an extra safety barrier, could decrease dispatch enable panels if desired (I do kind of like the idea if it was a 4 op platform as intended but now isn't needed IMO), and help organize the platform flow. I see about 6 seconds of time wasted on gates to be opened by ops when they should just open when train parks and door raises & locks. Then the time wasted for scan/everyone throwing up a simultaneous clear/enable takes about 11 seconds. This time does add up. Why they don't use one high clear to signal all ops are checked, clears are up, and ready to dispatch is beyond me. It works at many many other parks.d Four high clears, 4 regular clears, all throwing up at once, and the somewhat extra tasks that really could be eliminated, it makes it a bit more hectic for operations. They have it down pat no doubt but it could be easier & eliminate some time on interval. I will say the mics are a great feature, genius idea for that crew, and they do have a good bit of cohesion. But drop the power hour stuff, fix up some operations, and it'll be seamless everytime Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark6495 Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Could you imagine Universal or Disney making announcements about a train leaving in a certain amount of time? I think back to the first Harry Potter ride. We went and the wait was almost 3 hours, but it was a continuous movement. If you have not ridden that ride, imagine Phantom Theater/Boo Blaster ride platform with over the shoulder harnesses. The ride ops were personable and quick to get you in and seated. No one told you that you would be left behind etc. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creed Bratton Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Banshee was doing somewhat of a Power Hour today. All afternoon all I heard was " This train will be leaving in 30 seconds. Do not walk across the seats. If you do we will lock your restraint and you will not be able to ride." I'm all for efficiency but when I have my sensor (for reading my blood sugar) in my leg I would like to push down my own restraint to make sure it isn't right on top of it. It should be noted, that Power Hour does not equal "This train will be leaving in 30 seconds., etc." It's more so a communication to the rest of the crew, from what I'm understanding. I'm sure the whole "Do not walk across the seats" thing is more of a way to tell riders to not go throw their flip flops to the side of the train, the crew will do it themselves (even though it's disgusting). I do suggest telling a ride op that you have a blood sugar sensor and that you need to be careful when pulling the restraint down. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedevariouseffect Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Communication or not..its rude and unnecessary. Just hit interval always and no need for power hours. The ride capacity will work for itself 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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