Enthusiasts on notice

Mr Scott, you are right. It was the last train before ERT was to begin for the rest of us. MOST of the attendees were at the dinner in the pavillion. So technically, it happened "before ERT". But it happened all the same during SRM, the event, and is related to SRM, and related to enthusiasts by default.

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I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead
http://www.webtechnik.com/ebony/CPLady.htm

For those of us that were at Coastermania 2003. It had been one week since Ms. Fellnar died from injuries sustained after being ejected from the Raven. The speech Robin Innes gave prior to the official start of Coastermania gave me the impression that he was labeling most of us as dangerous thrill seekers who wouldn't think twice about sacrificing safety and park policies just to get that "one" special thrill on a roller coaster.

And during e.r.t., we were getting stapled into rides, especially on Millennium Force. It's been more noticeable since then on the Magnum as well. I am a coaster enthusiast. But I don't break park rules regarding safety on rides, except for raising my hands during the ride (along with most everyone else). Since the tragedy at Holiday World, I wouldn't think about wearing one of my coaster enthusiast shirts at C.P. as I feel that the potential of ride op's singling me out as a carefree thrill seeker is greater and may result in excessive (TTD style) stapling.

FYI... I told you that Cedar Fair's letter would hardly be the last:

http://www.coasterbuzz.com/2003-261-216573.htm

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Jeff - Webmaster - GTTP - My Blog
Blogs, photo albums - CampusFish
What time does the water show start?

It's a sad day indeed when enthusiasts activities are discontinued. I really hope this dosen't happen anywhere else. We enthusiasts need to band together in this time of what would appear to be crises and do everything we can to change this negetive image. Not only in following park rules, but informing others of them as well. If we can prove to parks that we are a valueable asset, rather than a hinderence and a group of trouble makers, perhaps we can rebuild the bridges we have burned.

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Arms down.....Arms down.....Arms down.......Arms down.....Arms down....Arms down...(you think they would get it the first time?!)

TTD-15 Rollbacks-1

*** This post was edited by liebevision 9/18/2003 7:07:01 PM ***

I doubt many parks will offer events, given the response offered here and on internet sites.

Too bad, most are not idiots. But some are. What is to stop them from continuing this behavior? They'll still do it during regular hours of operation...

Sad.

MrScott

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"If we go any faster, she'll blow apart for sure!"
*** This post was edited by MrScott 9/19/2003 4:18:42 AM ***

This letter illustrates to TheOne001 (and others. I don't want to just single him out) EXACTLY why everyone needs to act now.

Now there is a real consequence for the actions of a few, spread out among all of us. I doubt that will be the last letter we see before next season too.

It may be too late already.

Wow, I knew there was going to be some changes in Enthusiasts events, but I didn't think it would be this drastic. Not that I am saying it is wrong of them to do it.

And I really can't blame them for cancelling all the events. It always ends up like that, one person being bad in a big group ruins the day for the entire group.

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"This second hill is my favorite part of the ride. It is so Cool!"
TTD Status: "Contaminates in the system" S.K. Per my conversation
EA Sports "It's in the Game"

Read this and listen to what Paula is saying (Jeff: Please delete if I have done wrong by re posting this)

From:jpwerne@holidayworld.com (Raven Maven)Newsgroups:rec.roller-coaster Subject:Re: Will HW Attend Eastcoaster?Date:19 Sep 2003 19:03:03 -0700NNTP-Posting-Host:63.75.25.193NNTP-Posting-Date:20 Sep 2003 02:03:06 GMTPath:kermit newsfeed-east.nntpserver.com nntpserver.com news.maxwell.syr.edu newsfeed.stanford.edu postnews1.google.com not-for-mail
Coastin_Steve@webtv.net (Coastin Steve) wrote in message news:

> who is still AMAZED that a group of people is being
> blamed for the actions of 1 (or a few)

I hope I can explain this so that most of you understand...I know it's
too much to hope that everyone will get it. :0) But anyway, I'll
try...

So many have posted concerns about possible attendance drops or
financial loss this season. Thanks for worrying, but the big concern
on this end--and the primary reason for the "no events in '04"
decision is an emotional one.

I can't expect any of you to know what we went through this summer.
That awful, awful night. Telling Will. Telling Mrs. Koch. Saying
goodbye to the SRMers. Hugs from so many as they filed past me.
Listening to Will talk to her father on the phone. Handling the first
calls from the media. Worrying about our employees. Tears. Prayers.
Low-flying news helicopters. Inspectors. Police. The coroner.

Crisis counseling. Ministers. Emails from well-wishers. Hate mail.
Flags at half staff. Closed for the day. Satellite trucks everywhere.

Getting up after two hours of sleep and vomiting. Filled with dread
about what the new day will bring. Knowing the truth, but the truth
doesn't change reality. That beautiful young woman who made a mistake
is gone forever.

I haven't trusted myself to say this before...but the cruel names that
have been posted here regarding the ACE member who died that night
have cut me to the core. She has a name. It's Tamar Fellner. She's not
here to defend herself. I pray that she rests in peace. And that her
parents find peace. And I pray they don't read some of what has been
posted here.

At first, Will said we shouldn't talk about whether to have future
events. It was too soon and he didn't want to make a hasty decision.
We should wait till the season slowed down. A few weeks ago, we
started talking about it after a directors meeting. The pained look on
his face convinced me he'd made the right decision even before the
words came out of his mouth.

"I just can't see doing it. I can't see putting our employees through
it."

Next May 31 will be a difficult day for all of us at the park. SRM was
always such a joyous occasion for all of us--we truly looked forward
to it each year. It was like a family reunion. Friends, new and old.

But the thought of sending the ERT coaster trains up the hill in the
dark of the night when the memories are still so fresh--we just don't
want to do that to ourselves. Too many sad, sad memories.

So, you see, it's not all about you the enthusiasts. It's about us. We
have to take care of our own. It's not about lawyers. It's not about
insurance. It's about helping our staff through a rough anniversary.

Please don't clobber me with "Well, what about...?" questions. It's a
Friday night and I'm sitting at home trying to give this to you
straight from my heart.

We don't hate enthusiasts. We're not mad at ACE. We're not trying to
punish anyone. We welcome all those who will follow the rules to visit
us and enjoy their day. But, for '04 anyway, no events. We honestly
don't know about future years.

Please find it in your hearts to at least agree to disagree with us on
this. Don't look for a deeper, more clinical meaning, because it isn't
there. And maybe say a prayer when you have a quiet moment.

Thank you for reading this.

Paula Werne
Holiday World PR

Post Followup

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"If we go any faster, she'll blow apart for sure!"

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Hooper said:
It always ends up like that, one person being bad in a big group ruins the day for the entire group.

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It's not just one person though. There are too many people doing stupid things on rides and thats why parks are pissed. Have fun but be safe!

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Eric Morrison (Coast)
Drag Races: 10
*** This post was edited by Etrain 9/20/2003 4:36:13 PM ***

Well come on, you know what I meant. The Majority of Enthusiasts are playing safe, and the minority are not, so then it ruins it for the majority.

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"This second hill is my favorite part of the ride. It is so Cool!"
TTD Status: "Contaminates in the system" S.K. Per my conversation
EA Sports "It's in the Game"