The General Complaints Thread

shavethewhales · March 07, 2016, 09:51:23 PM

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.

Pudgy Jones · March 08, 2016, 10:16:57 AM

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!

Jemmicat · March 08, 2016, 12:49:33 PM

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.

Duelist · 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...

sanddunerider · March 08, 2016, 05:47:49 PM

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? ..

Jemmicat · March 09, 2016, 02:33:13 PM

Jay retired it seems about 3 years ago

Duelist · March 09, 2016, 09:02:03 PM

Thanks for the update on Jay- he was a great entertainer!

Junior, too! · March 12, 2016, 03:56:07 PM

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.

sdcfan88 · May 06, 2017, 08:57:04 PM

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.

Gilligan · May 07, 2017, 09:17:14 AM

My only complaint is "No sarsaparilla at the Showboat!"

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.

sdcfan88 · May 07, 2017, 01:48:39 PM

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.

sanddunerider · 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!

Swoosh · May 07, 2017, 08:41:58 PM

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

History Buff · 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?

sirwillow · May 08, 2017, 09:25:47 AM

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.