Welcome to the forum LoveDoc143;
One thing I would like to add is the maintenance crew. After Blackstone purchased the parks, much like the Landscapers, the maintenance crew belonged to a subcontractor. The best part of ending the contract with the subcontractor is that all the maintenance personal were hired by Seaworld Parks and Entertainment and still maintain their duties within the park. This saves the park a ton of money as now the work is being done in house. Good decision if you ask me.
Blackstone, being an investment Corp, know the value of money and good business. If anything, the park will hopefully become more efficient and still remain the quality park we all know and love. I am sure everyone has noticed the increase in landscaping and environmental improvements. Blackstone has been very giving with the purse strings if you ask me.
Regarding the BBW, it is true about maintenance costs. I feel the real reason is not for the cost of parts entirely. Safety is a major part of BGW's lively hood and they have extremely high standards when it comes to their guests safety. Doing my research... I believe the concrete reason behind the removal was the fact that replacement parts would no longer be made by the contractor that had been doing work for Arrow back in the day. This particular company decided to stop making parts for old Arrow suspendeds because it was a dieing breed and no longer profitable. Thusly, BGW would then have to find another company to make parts for the BBW- a quality downgrade they did not wish to make (this goes for any of their rides). Honorable perhaps, but for me... still a bummer. That ride was magical.. I liken it to seeing Santa for the first time.. the coaster that I saw the park build from the ground up when I was seven.. waited until it opened... ran there on opening day...waited three hours... and then rode it. It was like seeing a mythical creature and then taming it. Grr...Irreplaceable I say! (Since you are new LoveDoc.. I thought you may need to know that the Wolf is a little special to me... ... ahem)
Chris is right about the Clydesdales. Being that I know several folks who work with the animals, I know just how much care and effort goes into their maintenance and health. Did you know that most of the animals do not belong to BGW? Many of them are owned by a non-profit organization. Just so you are aware, many animals on the endangered and threatened list cannot be owned by anyone other than a non-profit group. Going back to the Clydes... I admire Blackstone for bringing in the new horses. I feel that they did so to keep the iconic imagery of the park; while slightly changing it to keep things new. The addition of the sheep, herding dogs, and Barn Owl are, in my opinion, very welcome! BGW was not able to keep horses that were owned directly by AB. Still, I am sure those horses are back home and are well taken care of.
I know that Italy will be added to Christmas Town; that it is will be decked and gold and themed with angels. There will be more food and desserts as well as a musical performance. Something also tells me there may be more of those magnificent lighted trees...like the one that was in Italy last year, more things to see on the train, more vendors in the square, more rides that are operational, and perhaps sleigh rides??? This bit of info is not concrete of course... but there have been whispers. I wonder if there will be more Monks in sparkly robes? Heh~
One thing I would like to add is the maintenance crew. After Blackstone purchased the parks, much like the Landscapers, the maintenance crew belonged to a subcontractor. The best part of ending the contract with the subcontractor is that all the maintenance personal were hired by Seaworld Parks and Entertainment and still maintain their duties within the park. This saves the park a ton of money as now the work is being done in house. Good decision if you ask me.
Blackstone, being an investment Corp, know the value of money and good business. If anything, the park will hopefully become more efficient and still remain the quality park we all know and love. I am sure everyone has noticed the increase in landscaping and environmental improvements. Blackstone has been very giving with the purse strings if you ask me.
Regarding the BBW, it is true about maintenance costs. I feel the real reason is not for the cost of parts entirely. Safety is a major part of BGW's lively hood and they have extremely high standards when it comes to their guests safety. Doing my research... I believe the concrete reason behind the removal was the fact that replacement parts would no longer be made by the contractor that had been doing work for Arrow back in the day. This particular company decided to stop making parts for old Arrow suspendeds because it was a dieing breed and no longer profitable. Thusly, BGW would then have to find another company to make parts for the BBW- a quality downgrade they did not wish to make (this goes for any of their rides). Honorable perhaps, but for me... still a bummer. That ride was magical.. I liken it to seeing Santa for the first time.. the coaster that I saw the park build from the ground up when I was seven.. waited until it opened... ran there on opening day...waited three hours... and then rode it. It was like seeing a mythical creature and then taming it. Grr...Irreplaceable I say! (Since you are new LoveDoc.. I thought you may need to know that the Wolf is a little special to me... ... ahem)
Chris is right about the Clydesdales. Being that I know several folks who work with the animals, I know just how much care and effort goes into their maintenance and health. Did you know that most of the animals do not belong to BGW? Many of them are owned by a non-profit organization. Just so you are aware, many animals on the endangered and threatened list cannot be owned by anyone other than a non-profit group. Going back to the Clydes... I admire Blackstone for bringing in the new horses. I feel that they did so to keep the iconic imagery of the park; while slightly changing it to keep things new. The addition of the sheep, herding dogs, and Barn Owl are, in my opinion, very welcome!
BGW was not able to keep horses that were owned directly by AB. Still, I am sure those horses are back home and are well taken care of.I know that Italy will be added to Christmas Town; that it is will be decked and gold and themed with angels. There will be more food and desserts as well as a musical performance. Something also tells me there may be more of those magnificent lighted trees...like the one that was in Italy last year, more things to see on the train, more vendors in the square, more rides that are operational, and perhaps sleigh rides??? This bit of info is not concrete of course... but there have been whispers. I wonder if there will be more Monks in sparkly robes? Heh~
