TraderJake

Yeah, I speak for a lot of people when I say this-- the more people the merrier. It definitely helps increase total revenue in all revenue generating departments, and that makes everyone happy. Carowinds??? Really, honestly, since when is a flagship park beaten out by its sister park? But, then it is all opinion, even if the opinion is wrong.

Actually I walked past the place today, and it wasn't open, but it looks awesome, and Lt. Dan's bar definitely looks like a back porch bar. It is very well themed, and they even had a Forrest Gump impersonator there for a TV shoot. The place is definitely looking nice, and it is a great step for the park to make.

Well I didn't get to ride anything as I did work today as I do almost everyday, and I just wanted to let everyone know (as I didn't see this posted yet) that Bubba Gump's Shrimp Shack was open today. I didn't go to the place, but I talked to a crew leader in the Backlot while he was checking out a register bag and he let me know that they were open today. It's pretty nice, the associates in the place get a snazzy Bubba Gump's Apron, and I thought that they also got a hat that says Bubba Gump on it, so it almost looked as though the person did not work at PKI, but actually at a true Bubba Gump's restaurant. Sounds like a great place, according to the crew leader it has a full service bar on the back. Just one thing gets to me-- Wasn't the place supposed to open on Thursday? That's what I was originally told, and that was why I thought some extremely people were showing up to the park.

If you look around the park you can find three locations that sell scooby merchandise-- Gateway Gifts, which is what is now commonly refered to as the Scooby Store, HB Collections at the Emporium, and Animation Station in Hanna Barbera Land. The most scooby merchandise is actually located in the much larger than Gateway HB Room in Emporium. However recently we have been moving out new Scooby Merchandise, such as new games and plush. Yeah, so I had a nice Drop Zone Key Chain that I really liked until it broke, so now I'd say the new fuzzy monkeys are pretty cool, even though I do not own one.

I think the person in the lifeguard chair is the person who greets guests as they enter the metal detector area, and thus makes the whole metal detector experience better for the guest. I'm sure you've heard the person coming in to work though, asking on the loud speaker what rides the guest wants to ride, and general welcomings into the park.

Yeah I'm going to be late, probably won't leave the park till around 1:00 AM, got to love Bring a Friend Free Day (BAFFD).

You know, some merchandise people are nice enough to tell guests that they can get the stuff for free at First Aid. But then, I always go for the profit... Of course... I do... Anyways perhaps the funniest thing that ever happened to me was one fateful day in midsummer. As I was coming back from break at Oscar's and and walking the path towards the old office, I was unsuspectingly drenched by a rider on the speed slide. My coworkers and associates found it so terribly funny when I walked back into our stockroom soaking wet, almost as funny as the people I went on break with. That's sort of funny, but the funnier thing happened when I dressed up as the tin man for our merch olympics, that was most outlandish (and expensive) outfit anyone has seen me in. Too bad only the merchandise peeps saw me in that.

I got to walk on it 4 times on Easter Sunday, just like I walked on almost every other ride I rode that Sunday. Much Fun it was.

If you mean, "Where would be a good place to win something," then Coney Mall is the gaming center at PKI. As for which game is the easiest to win, can't help you there, as I haven't played those games for three years, but when I did, I liked to try to break plates, which if it is still there would be in the arcade building.

Yeah, a groovy 50% discount, but remember, that is for merch returners only.

I haven't tried the cakes yet, but I must make the comment that so far this year everything I have had at Oscar's was not half bad. I was extremely impressed with how the Pizza actually tasted like real pizza. Kudos to the Oscar's crew for providing unusually good food and best of luck to them in trying to keep it that way as full season approaches.

Yeah, unless you are a Merch Returner, you should get a lovely little 40% discount on the book if you work at PKI. Should is a key word there however, as I am not completely sure the book is discountable, but it should be. The book retails in the park I believe for $10.99, and can be found in almost all park owned merchandise stands.

Yeah I've wanted to, I guess, but by the time I have the time to buy one of the books all the registers in my stores are bagged for the night. Oh well, at least I have been able to glance over them.

Of the major Expansions that guests will see, one of the following two options is what I'd like to see: -- A completely reconfigured WW, with many more Slides as well as Water Attractions that are 'high capacity'. Also make entrance to WW much much larger or move the train station so that the train crowd does not create gridlock. Also add a new WW eatery and Surf Shop, Possibly add a new bath house and removal of On Shore --A revamped Coney Mall, complete with new flat rides and new facades/ buildings. Eateries and stores reworked to fit theme of a festival midway. Funnel Cakes, elephant ears, cream puffs begin to be sold in area. Less Major Things that should be done: -- Repainted Back Areas, especially the back areas on Intl. Street -- Revival of the AZ Stunt Show, however the entrance to AZ needs to be fixed so that the show crowd does not impede traffic. -- A Full Service Restaurant

Past Ride= KCKC Coaster= FoF Kiddie Ride= River Adventure Flat Ride= Drop Zone Overall Favorite= Drop Zone

3.5 hours to ride Drop Zone, on its opening day way back in 1999. It was a fun time in line though, enjoyed watching people determined to get on the ride have associates run into the harness so that the restraint was down far enough. Amusing, but sad at the same time.

FOF:1 Beast:5 TRTR: 1.5 SOB:.5 Dark Ride: 1 Drop Zone: 1 Yeah my vote goes for Drop Zone, there is nothing like dropping 260 feet.

Just want to pass along the information given to me at work-- On the upcoming BAFFD (Bring a Friend Free Day) on April 18, the park will be open till 10, rather than the scheduled 8 close. So those who dare show up will have two more hours to roam the park.

Hahahahahahahaha, try admissions there, but then the majority of their revenue goes to Operations, Resale division revenue is the largest profit generator in the park. Food Service Love. Gloating. So humorous. As for where I work, I am a supervisor in Spotlight/ Gateway/ Strollers/ Wheelchairs, all of which are in the Merchandise department. That is why I keep pushing for people to buy those guidebooks from the front gate stores.

While the on ride photo is now gracing FoF once again, there was one casualty in the reopening-- Tomb Raider Photo I believe is no more. (Well that is what the park manager of Merch Concessionaires told me, I have yet to have been in Rivertown yet this year) So those of you who have photos of Tomb Raider, be happy, because you are one of the few.

Most every store has it now, they arrived in park-owned locations on Saturday, so be sure to get your copy from Spotlight Souvenirs or Gateway Gifts-- They're right on the register stands! Look for an acrylic display with the books, which are probably two inches 2-3 inches wide by 8-10 inches tall! Money thing, huh, just remember associates do get a nice discount, and as far as I know we do get a discount on the book.

Typically Opening Saturday hasn't been all too crowded, however like many others have said, the weather will be wonderful on Saturday. That, coupled with new family and thrill rides may make it a little more crowded than last year. But I can assure you one thing, it will be no where near as crowded as good Friday. (BAFFD)

I wonder where that book is going on sale inside the park, I haven't seen it in any of the stores that feature general PKI merchandise, but then I haven't been in Emporium too much, so maybe it is there, or the other more likely explanation is that it hasnt arrived yet. I'll keep looking for it at the park and when I find it I'll post the names of the stores inside the park where you can find them.

Mine's DropThisFar116, barely online though.

Possibility of a bakery and a sit down restaurant? Awesome, truly awesome. The sit down restaurant is much needed, and I hope that is put somewhere that has high traffic, and fits the theme of the area, not the ride. The bakery comment is interesting, there is already La Parisenne, so maybe this 'bakery' will be more like a bakery/ cafe mix. I hope it's on the street. Now on a side note, I do hope the quality of food is raised, since there is an executive chef in charge, especially in a little cafeteria called Oscar's.