Ride Operator Question

My parents and I have a bet going on over something that happened a few years ago at Cedar Point, and I wanted to see if any of you guys knew the answer.

About 4-5 years ago, while I was in the station at Mantis, I looked into the control booth, and I saw someone dressed exactly like Madam Hooch from Harry Potter, (http://images.wikia.com/harrypotter/images/0/02/RolandaHooch.jpg), robe and all. My parents thought I was crazy, but I was sure that the operator had dressed up like that.

My question is, do any of you know if the operators dress up in random costumes during normal park hours? And have any of you Mantis ops ever dressed up as a Harry Potter character?

Thanks!

Gabe

The only thing ride operaters are allowed to wear are hoodies made by the crew other then that we are only allowed to wear is our wardrobe issued clothing. So what you saw was eaither a screamster that came up to the control booth or a ride op not following dress code ( If it was the later I couldnt see him wearing it for long)

Was it late at night? It's possible that it was Mantis ride night and they had a Harry Potter theme. Maybe they were getting ready for it.

theatc99 said:
Was it late at night? It's possible that it was Mantis ride night and they had a Harry Potter theme. Maybe they were getting ready for it.

It was about an hour away from closing time, so it might have been a ride night (I'm fairly sure this happened on a Monday, is that a ride night?)

Sounds like it could have been prep for an employee ride night!

wiggletwigglekat said:
Sounds like it could have been prep for an employee ride night!

Yes! I won! I knew I wasn't crazy lol

Gab3Ru55 said:

wiggletwigglekat said:
Sounds like it could have been prep for an employee ride night!

Yes! I won! I knew I wasn't crazy lol

Yep. My first season that I worked there in 2011, Gemini did a Harry Potter Theme for Ride Night also. btw: Do you know Zach Williams? I'm just curious, because Zach is one of my roommates thism summer. He was telling me that you might stay with us. If that's correct, awesome!! Maybe you can e-mail me: jpadden@zanestate.edu, that way I can find out when you process in, and stuff like that. You will have fun on Maverick. Your Co-TL is a good friend of mine, and I know your TL.

Speaking of employee ride nights, how are those? Like how often do they have them, how long do they last, how many rides are open, etc.?

We typically have them once a week during the summer. Some of the smaller rides will be combined with another location. So there are really like, one, maybe two locations open. We typically pick a theme, and then after we clear out guests we start opening the ride to employees, It'll last for about an hour or so. They check your ID and then let you in. It's pretty fun if the crews get into it!

If you're working at a small location like a car ride, or giant wheel, your ride night will just be during training week because employees have to practice operating these rides with guests on them.

We have themes like, birthday parties if your ride is turning one of the big ages, disaster transport had a funeral last year, maxair did christmas in july, mean streak did angry birds, my first year at twister we did a 'rave'. Its pretty fun :)

That sounds pretty awesome. I will look forward to these!