Night Time Coaster Tours

[philvt101]

I find it hard to beleive in this day and age that a fairly large business can't get a piece of software written properly and quckly. How complicated can the code really be to determine how many people are already signed up for a tour at the time of inquiry. I'm sure I could fix that program in a few hours.
What system does the park use anyway? Something like ADP maybe? I'm sure it's probably something that the park has no direct control over, so if there is a problem, like now, they would need to spend time on the phone with a rep exlaining the problem and the desired change. Then that company would have to hand the problem down to their programmers and eventually it would work its way back up the chain. That's why big companies should keep their own programmers on IT.
Where do I apply?

 

[Zachary]

I couldn't agree more. The code for that sort of thing isn't that hard. The chain needs to do this stuff in-house (assuming they don't- which if they do, this shouldn't be a problem).

 

[Cedarva]

Without getting into specifics, all software is built in-house and kept under control by the A-B IT support team in St. Louis still. You now see (one of the reasons why) why there's a new system being put in place next year.

As for "easy fixes", while it seems as though changing small bits of code is easy, keep in mind the system used is used by all the A-B parks. Changing one piece of code for one park is a bit presumptuous. While I can't speak for other parks, I can say that this is only one instance that needs this very specific change. People would have to work to get the coding in, test it, upload it, ensure the system works extensively - meaning the system would be done for a while, etc. etc..

Really, I'm giving very minimalistic explanations because, for the time being, it's all I can give. I know it SEEMS a simple task, but with all the departments, IT being in St. Louis and programming changes occurring effecting places worldwide, it's a bit of an undertaking.

 

[Nora]

Sounds like a "logistical nightmare"; to quote you from above LoveDoc. I like that phrase..... logistical nightmare. It's just fun to say; like the word Mojito. Mo...jito. Family Guy

The real nightmare is not being able to buy a ticket to see these great package options the park has been so generous to offer. My goal is to see them all; but the two ticket thing is going to keep that goal from happening until the system changes.

Changing the system cannot happen until the upgrade; I understand that completely. Therefore, let me offer all the employees still using this system my sympathies. It is frustrating to have limitations that cause both the user and the customer additional stress.

Yeah, I'm sad still over the whole deal, but my faith in the park remains that it will be fixed and I can go back to booking my one person ticket on the various tours - relatively soon.

Happy Sunday everyone! Keep your fingers crossed the thunderclouds stay away long enough for us to go up on all the coasters!

 

[Parkgoer]

I need to find someone to do this with me

 

[Franco]

If I still lived in Ol' Virgini', I'd go with you in a heartbeat!

 

[Parkgoer]

Thanks, my problem is my younger brother has no interest, my parents cannot ride them due to med conditions, and my older brother is off at school. That leaves me unable to do it

 

[Franco]

You need to get some enthusiast friends, which are hard to find... :-/

 

[Zachary]

I would if I had the extra money. :-/

 

[MMMU]

you can really walk to the top of Griffon?

 

[pandorazboxx]

Yep. I think it's better in the daytime though because you can get a picture of the James river behind you when you're up there.

 

[Parkgoer]

you can really walk to the top of Griffon?

You're taken in the hill trolley to the top

 

[Nora]

you can really walk to the top of Griffon?

You're taken in the hill trolley to the top

You are taken up to the top and allowed to walk (within set parameters) around to the other side where the drop is located. It is stunning up there and my favorite part is looking down on top of the Loch Ness and pretty much everything else.

There is a BGW photographer taking pictures of you on top of Griffon. They give you a photo CD of your entire tour after it is over.

This part alone is worth the price you have to pay.

Franco, to recap that tour coverage for the daytime and how it has changed from the beginning of the year: Alpengeist, Griffon, and Loch Ness are the only coasters on the daytime tour that you get to go in the maintenance area. Yet, you get to ride all the coasters. We even rode Grover.

 

[Franco]

We were supposed to ride Grover, we even walked all the way over there, but maintenance trouble kept us from riding it (and screaming children). (I have actually still never ridden it). It's all in the trip report, Nora.

I would really like to be able to see the view from Griffon in daylight, though. The view is stunning from up there. Standing up there, thinking, "Wow, Loch Ness was the tallest coaster in the world way back in '78, and now I'm looking way down on it. Oh, look! Griffon's MCBR is taller than Nessie's first lift. This view is unbelievable!" The interlocking loops seem tiny from up there. It's pretty much amazing!

 

[pandorazboxx]

I did the daytime coaster tour sunday. I felt really bad about hopping on Grover's right in front of a couple of those kids. I couldn't look that kid in the eye. haha.

 

[Parkgoer]

I did the daytime coaster tour sunday. I felt really bad about hopping on Grover's right in front of a couple of those kids. I couldn't look that kid in the eye. haha.

I rode that "just to" a couple weeks ago. That is pretty good and also a good competitor to the former "Goofy's Barnstormer". I would have looked the kid in the eye and given him the "O YEA!," stare.... Yello style!

 

[Ludwig II]

Wow, what a great concept!
Do they still do this?

 

[Gavin]

Damn this thread is old. Feel free to ask that question in another thread, like the Quick Questions one.

Thread Closed.