Complaints have always been a common topic on this board. It's not that we're negative folk - in fact I always discourage negativity for the sake of it - but we are a fanatical bunch to be following a board like this. In general, this board represents a user base that the park is shifting all the more rapidly away from. We grew up with a park that was not quite a theme park, not quite a cave attraction, not quite a living history village, and not quite like anything else in existence. These days, for better or worse, it has nearly completed the transformation into a solid resort theme park. It's a great park, no doubt, but it's certainly lost a few things along the way.
Like I said, I've always tried to damper negativity on these boards, but sometimes as part of the "old crowd" you just need to bitch a little about how the park has gotten away from what you grew up with. So here's a space to do that without mucking up the other threads so much.
One thing I've always noticed and admired is one of the cables that support the suspension bridge. It is up near the Wagon Works restaurant. At some point in the past, they covered it with faux tree bark so it wouldn't stand out. That's the attention to detail that used to exist that I miss in today's new projects! If you've never noticed it, look for it on your next visit to the City!
The thing I miss the most is the ORIGINAL shows that they had when I was a kid. Things like Timothy Turnbuckle and The Hatfield Haint. Shows that showcased the talent that was there in the late 70's and 80's. Wayne Milnes, Jana Henleben, Terry Sanders, Jay McFerron. Terry is the only one left... But I imagine they could do those shows again. They have moved on to canned shows brought in and lost the magic that comes from doing their own shows.
A lot of us miss those shows! I thought Jay McFerron was still around- seems like he was hosting the Echo Hollow show a couple of years ago...
Quote from: Duelist on March 08, 2016, 05:38:29 PM
A lot of us miss those shows! I thought Jay McFerron was still around- seems like he was hosting the Echo Hollow show a couple of years ago...
The last 2 years Shannon Thomason has been the Emcee at EH, before that Jay was there.. I don't know for how long? ..
Jay retired it seems about 3 years ago
Thanks for the update on Jay- he was a great entertainer!
I heard a year or two ago that Jae was at Branson Landing, seems like in retirement he was selling show tickets at a discount, and maybe selling time share condos.
Thought I would revive this for the 2017 season. Has anyone had any concerns to talk about in regards to how the park is handling things this year, if any? I will be heading back up there tomorrow.
My only complaint is "No sarsaparilla at the Showboat!" ;D Seriously, I have no complaints; I can't believe how crowded it's been so early in the season this year. Bad for visitors - great for the park. Oh, I guess I should mention that I hate those new signs.
LOL Not sure if this should qualify as a "general" complaint but I got stuck on Powder Keg for about 20 minutes. Just got off of it a moment ago. The next train after mine did it too. Apparently, they are having sensor issues again.
On a side note they got rid of the gift shop inside the Frisco Train Station. It's now a mandatory photo booth and they are making everyone stand in line outside the station to process and photograph before entering. This is gonna be a problem on busy days as it makes this area impossible to navigate. This also appears to be hampering riders from entering Flooded Mine.
Quote from: sdcfan88 on May 07, 2017, 01:48:39 PM
It's now a mandatory photo booth and they are making everyone stand in line outside the station to process and photograph before entering. This is gonna be a problem on busy days as it makes this area impossible to navigate. This also appears to be hampering riders from entering Flooded Mine.
This is just a bad idea all around!
Quote from: sdcfan88 on May 07, 2017, 01:48:39 PM
On a side note they got rid of the gift shop inside the Frisco Train Station. It's now a mandatory photo booth and they are making everyone stand in line outside the station to process and photograph before entering. This is gonna be a problem on busy days as it makes this area impossible to navigate. This also appears to be hampering riders from entering Flooded Mine.
This is no different than the SOP at Dollywood's train. Honestly the way they are doing it now is the best solution they've had so far with the photo op
Quote from: sanddunerider on May 07, 2017, 05:32:39 PM
Quote from: sdcfan88 on May 07, 2017, 01:48:39 PM
It's now a mandatory photo booth and they are making everyone stand in line outside the station to process and photograph before entering. This is gonna be a problem on busy days as it makes this area impossible to navigate. This also appears to be hampering riders from entering Flooded Mine.
This is just a bad idea all around!
Mandatory? Wanna bet?
Quote from: sdcfan88 on May 07, 2017, 01:48:39 PM
On a side note they got rid of the gift shop inside the Frisco Train Station. It's now a mandatory photo booth and they are making everyone stand in line outside the station to process and photograph before entering. This is gonna be a problem on busy days as it makes this area impossible to navigate. This also appears to be hampering riders from entering Flooded Mine.
Absolutely hated this when I worked on the train when it was in the station. Hate it now as well. Loved that shop that was there and if they could have made so much more money with it if they'd cared about some of the stock (and nothing against the guys, but they put the wrong people on that shirt with the photo of "Alfie and Ralphie"- it should have been Rick who's been there forever.
It's a horrible location for the photos. We gave them several other spots and locations that all would have worked much better, not caused the traffic and "conflict with guest and employee" issues that this does, and made them just as much,if not more, money. But they ignored all of those. Won't get into more details, but just shaking my head over it.
If they have started this, then where next? PK? WF, FITH? New coaster for 18, ?? .
^ I wouldn't think they would try that at coasters because that would cause really long waits. They justify it for the train because of the 30 minutes between trains. Anyway they do the picture at PK and Outlaw Run while you're riding so they've got that covered 8)
The whole picture taking fiasco is so out of date. I would say 90% of the people do not buy the pictures and they print every one. So all of that photo paper goes to waste. Not to mention the fact that there are people like me who REALLLLLLLLLYYYYYY hate having their picture taken for a lot of reasons. Knowing this, I will now either not ride the train or will blow by that and make people angry. I don't like the wastefulness or the time suck it creates...
Quote from: History Buff on May 07, 2017, 08:42:28 PM
Quote from: sanddunerider on May 07, 2017, 05:32:39 PM
Quote from: sdcfan88 on May 07, 2017, 01:48:39 PM
It's now a mandatory photo booth and they are making everyone stand in line outside the station to process and photograph before entering. This is gonna be a problem on busy days as it makes this area impossible to navigate. This also appears to be hampering riders from entering Flooded Mine.
This is just a bad idea all around!
Mandatory? Wanna bet?
Agreed!
Quote from: Gilligan on May 08, 2017, 09:51:53 PM
Quote from: History Buff on May 07, 2017, 08:42:28 PM
Quote from: sanddunerider on May 07, 2017, 05:32:39 PM
Quote from: sdcfan88 on May 07, 2017, 01:48:39 PM
It's now a mandatory photo booth and they are making everyone stand in line outside the station to process and photograph before entering. This is gonna be a problem on busy days as it makes this area impossible to navigate. This also appears to be hampering riders from entering Flooded Mine.
This is just a bad idea all around!
Mandatory? Wanna bet?
Agreed!
Me too. I have done it before. I will politely pass on through.
They will let you pass through without taking a picture, thought they might "strongly encourage" the photo. My last couple of visits I skipped past without taking one, though they were a bit goofy about making me wait for the couple of families in front of me taking a photo when there was plenty of room for me as a single to walk by unobtrusively on the side.