Does anyone know if Premiere even trains let alone tells their employees how to treat guests properly?
Another thaught- I also hate how Six Flags is executing this whole thing. They are building and investing right on top of everything that is already in the park. GL always had a bad layout. What they should have done is closed the park to the GP early this year, dissassembled all of the rides and gut the park out completely. Then they should have routed new midways that would have made for a better layout. Finish by reassembling all of the rides and building the new ones. Granted it would cost a fortune greater than what they are already spending but, in order to compete with CP, they can't cut corners like they are doing right now. In my opinion, and knowing Six Flags reputation, the park formaly known as GL will always be lame dispite these improvements.
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At the dawn of the new millennium they all bowed down to CP realizing they lost the war.
*** This post was edit by cpboy on 12/9/99. ***
Net I agree with you , Busch Gardens VA is the cleaniest park I have ever been too, I noticed that smoking is allowed in the park, and I never did notice any ashtrays, but I have yet to see a butt on the ground there, that park is the cleaniest I have yet to see! Never noticed one garbage can overflowed either! Even though CP is a clean park and one of the best I have been too, and I have been to about every park in the states, I really welcome the idea of Six Flags taking over GL! They will add alot to GL, and the more parks in Ohio I can go to the merrier! No, no park will ever compare to CP, but thats mainly because, its where the die hard coaster fans go to, thats what CP is, the rollercoast, but I myself like to go to different parks through the year, and I am looking foward to seeing what Six Flags is going to do with GL.
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Likes her coasters like her men, fast and furious!
First of all, Cedar Point is my god, but...
We've yet to see too much out of them out of the last few years...
Before you try to kill me...
The Raptor was not the first inverted coaster, Mantis has easily been topped out record wise, Mean Streak... do I even need to mention it? Magnum was awesome (still is), Power Tower, expensive, Millennium Force... Oh man!!!
This is where the story begins. Millennium Force. 310. Sure, it'll be big, but really is it that revolutionary. You and I know the height record won't stay for more than 5 years.
I want a friggin floorless coaster. I want something new and revolutionary. A 300 ft. coaster? Eh...
Bollinger and Mabillard. What can I say about them? I want a friggin floorless coaster! I want a launched coaster. You ridden Hulk? Man that's swwwweet.
LIM? Omm.. I dunno.
Wooden ROAR/Villain clone? Those things aren't too bad in themselves. But CP does need to do something aboutt their wooden coaster.
I have prepared a little thingy like Nick Bakay does for SportsCenter every so often.
Cedar Point: Mean Streak, Gemini, Blue Streak
Geauga Lake: Villain, Big Dipper, RWB
Advantage: Push
CP: Raptor (B&M masterpiece)
GL: Serial Thriller (Vekoma Hang-'n-banger)
Advantage: CP
CP: Magnum, Millennium Force
GL: Omm... Hmm...
Advantage: CP
CP: Corkscrew
GL: Double Loop
Advantage: CP
CPY2K: Millennium Force
GLY2K: Villain, Superman Ultimate Escape, Batman knight rider
Advantage: (I hate to do this but...) GL
CP: Nice employees :), great ride ops, nice all around
GL: Employees that have, judging by their attentiveness and decentness have probably worked at Arby's once in their life.
Advantage: CP
CP: $30 admission
GL: $30 Coke
Advantage: CP
It's clear to me that CP is better, although I am a bit disapp????? ?? ??? ???? ???? ?? ???? ???? ??? ???????? ???? ???? ????????? ??? ????????? ????? ? ?? ????????
Ummmmm......
As I am using Lynx right now I can't really tell who said it...but someone said something about "what Premier should have done with Geauga Lake"...
One question: Have you looked at any of Michael Graham's photographs? They *did* strip huge chunks of the park (mostly around the Big Dipper) and start over. It remains to be seen whether they took care of the major bottleneck between the gate and the Serial Thriller, there at the cross-path next to the Enterprise...but it looks like they are trying to do something with the park layout. My fear, of course, is that instead of doing what Geauga Lake should have done years ago and putting in a pair of wide midways on either side of the entrance, that they'll go the post-Duell-consultant route and put in lots of twisty paths and dead ends that will make the traffic problems even worse.
Now, I wonder where they are going to put the Rocket Ships.......
--Dave Althoff, Jr.
Mike Graham's site (MAGnum Model Coasters) is linked in our link section. Add it to your Guide!
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Jeff
Webmaster/Guide to The Point
....do you guys ever really go back and read what you guys write???? I really must say that my experience at CP was not any more of a utopia than my visits to other parks. You guys sound like 4 year old children saying "oh yea well my dad can beat up your dad"...come on I've been to 26 parks and CP is one of the nicer ones but give me a break....some people said GL shouldn't of put in 4 coasters...but then chime in that CP should build 2-3...Then My god let someone disagree that CP isn't the mother of all that is Amusement and fear the wrath of the HOMERS DUH!..lol really the commnt about $30 for a coke...did you eat paint chips when you were a kid?...what park have you been to that isn't expensive to eat at...I remember people on this board complaining about the price of Soda at CP not to mention the odd mention of the "Adult beverage" prices...and Jeff yes they are too hi lol. I'm just saying Give them a chance. Let them open and then see what kind of a job they do. I'm sure if someone slamed your ability to do something you haven't got to yet you'd not like it. As for CPboy's coment about ripping out rides and redoing the park well from all the pictures I've seen they have been ripping out alot of things. they may address the problems you said the had but again they aren't done yet.
Now we're four year-old children? Does it have to come to this?
Let's review.
Several people described their bad experiences at Premier Parks, others (or Dave at least) explained positive experiences. Either way, people have explained their position based on their experiences. If you want to resort to name calling, go elsewhere... this is sacred ground you're spitting on here where frankly the park has to really screw up before we're unhappy.
Let's summarize... most of this thread conveys the feeling that many members here feel Premier's way of doing things is haphazard, at best, and this is a condition we've discuessed long before Cedar Point announced MF. I didn't add it when I relaunched, but I for one posted a critique of GL's safety and operations two years ago on this site. The dislike for Premier is not a new phenomenon, just one brought back to the surface in light of their scramble to stay competitive.
As I said before, I'll be the first in line for GL's new rides, but as a resident in the area, with near-equal drives, Cedar Point will still win my heart in the end for capacity, MF, the people and of course the location.
Now would you mind not calling people four-year olds?
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Jeff
Webmaster/Guide to The Point
OK, look i will say that yes BGW is clean, well for the most part, but they have some of the worst trained and worst attitude employees that i have ever seen. And the measuring thing, thats bad, really bad. is it too much to have someone at the front gate with a stick? i dont think so. the funyy thing was, some of the whirl & hurls had people at the gate but not the coasters
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Visit Dave and Jen's Cedar Point webpage
http://www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/Palms/3997
A couple of people said that they are ripping out "sections" of the park. That's great and I already knew that, but I ment the WHOLE park. If they are to change the name and the parks reputation they need to spend more money than they already are and start from scratch. Most of the buildings in the park are runned down and neglected, therefore ned to be rebuilt. They need to turf the entire park and re-landscape it. Move the Big Dipper out from the middle of the midway and open up more space. And the list goes on and on....
Old Timer Tim put it in best terms--"smoke and mirrors". This is just another one of Premiere's PR illusions to make people think GL (or now SFO, still don't like the new name) is a park worth going to.
Overall, unlike SF, I give CP and it's employee's, personel, and above all, Mr. Kinzel a standing obvation for their hard work and excellence.
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At the dawn of the new millennium they all bowed down to CP realizing they lost the war.
What, some people cant like more than one park?? Dont any of you like some varity? Yes CP is one of the best parks around, but is it the only one for some of you? Not that there is anything wrong with that, but dont you like to go to just more than one park? You cant tell me SF is going to make GL worse than it already is! Anything at this point in time is going to be an improvement for the former GL!!
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Likes her coasters like her men, fast and furious!
My 1998 Geauga Lake name badge hangs on my desk as a reminder of just how poorly operated Geauga Lake was. I wanted to work there nights during the summer to have a little fun, so I decide to apply. I attended "Orientation" where they gave us 2 books- one for Geauga Lake standards and procedures, the other covering premier Parks guidelines. Both were filled with rules that must be followed and practices that can not be modified. They even showed us 2 videos- one on the history of Premier Parks/Six Flags, the other on giving excellent customer service. The funny part was no one was really paying attention to any of it, and to top it all off, the "trainers" didn't care either. They just seemed concerned with getting us out of there and bringing the next group of victi...... un- recruits in to repeat the cycle.
I was supposed to be a ride operator. When we left orientation we were told to call the department manager. When i called, they told me "no one is here right now- can we call you back?" I left my home AND work numbers so they could get a hold of me. A week later, I called them back as I had not heard anything. Again, "no one is here, can we call you back?" I said yes, but last time I left my numbers, no one called. Another week goes by- no phone call. One night when I was at the park, I asked the operator of the Rotor (I don't know why I picked him to harass) what I should do to get in. He said they have orientations every Saturday and that I should just "show up". What a joke. Ceedar Point sends out "Employment Agreement" forms telling you what station you have been assigned to and your dates that are agreed upon in advance. At Geauga Lake we were just supposed to "show up" and hope that someone calls us back. Needless to say, I kept the nametag just to remind myself to never attemp working there again.
Sorry so long- I just needed to vent. I still enjoy visiting GL, I just wouldn't want to work there. I know I'm no ??? ???? ??? ??? ????? ???? ???? ?? ? ????? ?????? ? ????? ????? ?? ????????????????? ??
maybe GL should spend some of the money on training (and guest satisfaction) courses for its employees
Bravo Jeff!!
That was a great response and very well justified! As anyone can see, there are always 2 sides to every coin. As some people (not me) look foward to the changes over at Six Dollars in Ohio ($6 is what the admission price would have to be if I were to go.) they are free to post their feelings, and for those of us that simply think the whole thing won't even slightly compare to our beloved park, we are free to post our feelings too (and as you will see, our posts here are thought-provoking and justified).
But if you have to resort to mud-slinging & name calling, YOU are the one that is acting like a four-year-old child.
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Neil
Tertiary Adjunct of Unimatrix Zero-1
All right time to chime in and end this ranting/whining or whatever you want to call it.
TPFKAGL will be a NICE LITTLE park in the Shadow of the premier amusement park in the industry.(THAT IS NOT A HOMER REMARK CHECK THE FACTS CP WAS AWARDED THE GOLDEN TICKET BY IT'S PEERS)
IF SFGL was located in another section of the country it would be an outstanding park. SFGL is very comparable and many may say better than some of the other properties owned by CedarFair.
This board is an opportunity to discuss like adults,(NOT FOUR YEAR OLDS), what is the greatest amusment park in the world.
IN previous posts we have discussed what makes CP so "special", and I summarize by saying, CP is an institution! Mr. Kinzel and the rest of the CedarFair Board are CARETAKERS of the park. Many families have visited CP for GENERATIONS, I remember going to CP back in the early sixties and deciding then I want to be like the kids running the rides. By growing up seeing how it is done right, and then getting your turn to work there, you have pride which will carry you through the job. Not all employees of CP get this, but more CP employees understand this attitude than employees at any other amusement park.
If because I live in close proiximity to CP and have the opportunity to visit quite regularlly. And if when I visit other parks I expect the high level of service afforded me at CP,at the park I'm visiting and I don't receive it I feel the park isn't as good as CP, if this makes me a HOMER ... well I'm proud to be called a CP HOMER then.
If you really look at the WHOLE package offered by CP NO ONE CAN TOP IT.
Is there such a thing as too many coasters? Not in my book!
Cp IS the greatest coaster park ever.MF will be the greatest coaster ever built.They are light years ahead of GL and building a few coasters is not going to change that.Times are good right now so the money is there.Only time will tell if Six flags Ohio is in this for the long haul.You know Cp is.
I have been all over the US and some of Canada JUST to visit coaster parks.There is nothing better than riding a good coaster for the very first time,and any coaster freak has got to belive that.
We are experiencing the largest coaster building boom since the 1920's. Enjoy it...
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Puff'n the Winston..Drink'n a 4-O..Toofast, and I'm gona let ya know.
having the misfortune of SFGAm beong my home park, i have a few words to add here...Premier does not COMPLETELY suck,,,only in certain ways...let me elaborate for you...the last time i went to SFGAm, it was for Fright Fest. we headed DIRECTLY for Raging Bull, and were told, "sorry, it's closed until it warms up. it's too cold to run it. it might get stuck in the turns." i waved my CP shirt at them and said "this would NEVER happen HERE!!!" and stalked away. there was NO ONe in the park that day and we could have ridden all day with minimal waits. anyhoo, i have NEVER heard such a silly thing in my life... get the thing running empty, heat up the tracks, give it a chance. Seems to me like premier skimped a bit on RB there. don't they make tracks/tubing that retains heat so that moisture will evaporate and thus keep coasters running longer in the rain? ever notice how Corkscrew shuts down LONG before Mantis, Raptor and Magnum when it rains? it does not have such benefits. well, if yer gonna spend all that money on one of the best coasters i've ever been on, at least go all the way!!! RB is a B&M masterpiece...i have a good idea of what MF will be like now...it is smooth, fast, comfortable and they only stack occasionally. it is in the area of ride additions that Premier is good. well, except for Shock Wave, but you can't be right all the time. Shock Wave sucks. but Premier built the first inverted(Batman) the FIRST B&M EVER (Iron Wolf), converted what was a Corkscrew clone(Turn of the Century) into the Demon (one of my all-time faves) and no one noticed, is maintaining one of only THREE Schwartzkopf spiral-lift coasters in the world at top operating capacity and conditions(Whizzer) and is not afraid to do it. neither is CP for that matter. the only problem i have with Premier's ride strategy is two-fold...A)they will rip out older, more BELOVED rides to make room for new ones...i.e Tidal Wave gone to make room for Batman. Would have preferred TW over BM in the long run.???? ?? ???? ?????? ????? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ???? ????? ?? ?? ??? ??? ??????? ??? ???? ?? ??? ?? ?? ?? ??????? ????? ??? ??????? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ???? ?? ???? ??? ????? ? ??? ?? ?????? ?? ??? ?????????????? ??? ?? ?????????????????????? ?? ????? ???? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ??? ??????? ?? ????? ?????? ????? ??? ??? ? ?????? ??? ??????? ???? ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ??? ???? ?? ??????????? ?????? ?? ?? ??? ???? ????? ???? ??? ????? ?? ??? ?? ?????? ??? ????????? ??? ???? ?? ??? ??? ??????????????? ??? ??? ?? ???????? ??? ???? ???? ????????? ???? ?? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ????? ???? ?? ??? ??????? ??? ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ? ?? ????? ???? ?? ???? ??? ???????? ??? ??? ?? ???? ??????? ? ????? ?? ?????? ?? ?????? ???? ? ????? ?? ??? ????? ???? ????? ?? ???? ?? ? ???????? ?? ?? ?? ?????? ?????? ???? ????? ??? ??????? ??? ? ???? ???? ????? ?? ?? ???? ?? ? ???????????? ???????? ?????? ?????? ?? ??? ?????? ?????? ???? ? ????? ???? ?????? ?? ?? ???????? ???????? ????? ??? ??? ?? ?? ??? ????? ????? ? ????????????? ?? ???? ? ????? ? ????? ?? ???? ?? ????? ? ?? ?????? ????? ??? ????? ??? ?? ? ??????? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ? ????????? ??????????? ??? ????? ??? ?????????? ??? ?? ?? ??????? ??? ??? ??? ????? ????? ? ???? ?? ??? ?????????????????????????????? ????? ? ????????? ?? ????????
Some rides do operate very differently in different temperatures (Superman:ROS... Intamin better have figured it out for MF), but that's a topic for another thread (not this one, please). Still, I've never heard of a B&M that didn't have enough stored energy to go forever in any conditions (in our case, watch Raptor or Mantis travel from a dead stop at the block all the way home).
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Jeff
Webmaster/Guide to The Point
Oh, REALLY, Jeff? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I do believe Raptor had a rollback once (or twice!). Now, I can't say the same thing for Raging Bull! Hmmm...does that mean CP shouldn't have operated Raptor in those windy conditions? My guess is yes. SFGAm took the precautions to close Bull on the day servo was referring too because it was EXTREMELY cold. They were in fact warming up the wheels using butane heaters. And it DID open up later in the day (I believe 1:00 p.m.) What do you have to say now?
Oh, and servo, again, WHY are you saying Premier removed TW, installed BTR and IW and Shockwave, when the fact is, they had *nothing* to do with it?!
You're right DaBull. All those changes at SFGAm were done when SF wasn't in Premier's hands.
Also a correction for Servo. Turn of the Century was changed into the Demon back in the early 80s. This was when the park was still owned Marriot, not Six Flags and definitely not Premier.
Remember that Premier bought Six Flags only about a year-and-a-half ago. Don't blame them for everything.
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Scott W. Short
sshort@mediaone.net
http://welcome.to/midwestcoastercentral
*** This post was edit by ShiveringTim on 12/10/99. ***
Wind and temperature are two different phenomenon, and I'm not going to be drawn into a pissing contest on the subject (particularly as I mentioned I don't want it in this thread).
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Jeff
Webmaster/Guide to The Point
Closed topic.