Dark Knight Contruction Tour 3-24-08

[PcMan]

Ok, I'm in the Great Adventure Employee parking Lot on my Laptop connected to my ATT Tilt.  So I thought I would post a few picks before I get back on the road home.

Check back later for more updates - I'm done for now @ 12:53pm so check back later for more updates.

The Lucky few \/



Are we done yet ? \/





entrance to ride \/



Nothing Planned yet for the Old Chiller building no it won't be park of the Q \/











Who is this Man ? \/



TP is coming down \/ will be removing since some of the poles are rotting

[WadeJ]

Great Update so far Tom.  I'm totally bummed I couldn't make it but at least I can feel like I was there .

Dan also texted me some info that can finally be made official:

Johnny Rockets is replacing Fiesta games with limited service
Johnny Rockets is going into Riverbank to join Pappa Johns
They are in discussions about painting Medusa
Rerides are still allowed when applicable!
NO loose articles in queues except for food
El Toro has lockers near entrance

I'm sure there is much more.  Dan, feel free to correct anything when you get home.

Huge thanks to Angel, Jenn and Mark for their time today!!!

[rjholla2003]

Thanks for the pictures.  I ride past it every day at work, but I definitely can't wait to see what you got to look at today.  I saw a crane busy at work through the unfinished part of the building last Friday, so I'd love to see what's going on inside if in fact you did get to take a peek.

[Ogolo]

We would like to have seen what is going on inside of that building too!
There was just too much going on for use to get inside.
No need to delay the project by us getting in the way.

Check the official Great Adventure Construction journal later today for pictures of the inside!

The only thing I have to add is that Jenn did mention that there actually is a "Premium" Season Pass this year.  Buy one before April 27th to get one.  Different pass book and special events.
So if you are procrastinating....renew soon!

It was great to see all the change in the park. 
It seems they really are making smart business decisions now!

Thanks!!

[overlord]

Ahh thanks for clarifying the premium pass option. My girlfriend just bought one the other day and I wasn't quite sure myself if she was given the benefit of the premium or not.

[WadeJ]

What is this I hear about new sidewalks?  Where exactly?

[Ogolo]

Much of the  new sidewalks were in Fantasy Forest area (in front of the Big Wheel).
Seems they had to remove some trees for the Glow in the Dark Parade to fit through.
So the redid the sidewalks on the parade route.
A few more new sidewalks in the boardwalk area too.

[rjholla2003]

And here I thought they might be regrading them for out benefit so that we have less puddles.  My department might get that benefit anyway since some of the new pavement is in old puddle spots.

[CoasterPete]

Its sad to see the TP like that but what can ya do?  Looks like you guys had a great time! Wish I would've been able to get off of work but maybe next time.  Keep the pics and updates coming!  Thanks!

Pete

[Mysterio]

Great tour! It was nice to see the park on how the new management is continuing to try to change the park for the better. I have over two hundred pictures I am currently editing right now..

[CycloneMan]

Mysterio and I with our new coaster.

More updates coming later

[ChuckR]

Is there any track up on the coaster yet?

[CycloneMan]

Supposadly there is, but they didn't take us in.

[CycloneMan]

A few of us were invited to the Off-Season Tour at Six Flags Great Adventure, so here's the update.


My mom and I got there an hour early, so we went to the Prospertown Lake for some shots.



I got all artsy


My mom enjoying the lake.


Josh and I freazing and ready to start.


Everyone waiting to start


Mom and I showing off our cool hard hats.


Josh is ready to head on in.


Harry wouldn't let me get a shot of him, so I snuck one


Angel Aristone will be our guide for the day.


Josh and I with our new coaster.


Pieces of The Dark Knight Coaster.





Dan taking a picture, of me taking a picture (He does this alot)


Ira was happy to be there


Me being a huge nerd, and having to touch the track.


here you can see where they are building the queue.


I tried to get a photo with Dan, but he wouldn't look at the camera.


More track



More of the building.


The Batmobile has a flat!


Batman


This will be one of two new Johnny Rocket's Express this year.


New concrete is being put down for the Glow In The Dark Parade


Did Cedair Fail just buy GA (Sorry...bad joke, bite me!)


The Turbo Bungees will be replacing the Flying Waves


Josh wanted a picture with the...sign?


They were landscaping Houdini...


Hmmm


Continueing the tour...


Angel and I


One of man "Josh and Dainan photos"


Bench: The Ride fell over


White Tigers


At least this attraction was ready for us


Now going to Mexico


Josh was very excited to get back to his bull


To any concerns, La Cocina is staying, just getting updated with a new queue for the 2008 season


El Juanny Rockets...I mean the new Johnny Rockets for Plaza Del Carnivale


Dan and his ride




El Toro has had some minor changes


Josh just can't wait for El Toro to open


New sings


Lockers are now being put in for the major coasters.






Walking to the bridge


I bet many of you can't wait to be climbing this lift soon


We all had to be rebels to get to the other side.


For all you people who had your hopes for seeing Medusa get repainted. You all just got pwnd


Then we all came to this


Me with what's left of the Super Teepee (and yes I am holding a teddy bear in my hand )


I asked to take these home. They said no.


This is what's left of the canopy for the Super Teepee


This moose is what's left of the gift shop


This will be the last time any of us get to be inside the Teepee


I must say, I love this shot I got of Josh


This calls for a Group Shot


Saw Mill Log Flume had a Log Jam


...oh


Ira doing his thang


New Map


Only a few more weeks


On our way back to Gate 5, we came across the new sprinklers for 2008


Josh being...Josh


Me and my favorite attraction, which is still up in the air.


What doesn't belong?


Ah...there we go


Uh oh, into the Old Country we go


This wont open in 2008


Musik Express has seen better days


This looks so weird with no track here


Ah, we found more Dark Knight track


A look into the station


Me and my ride.


The Observitory


Still haning around? Good, I'm off to take more pictures!


Does this mean that who ever bought Chiller got it for $10?


Chiller footers for you footer fetish peeps! (Once again, I wasn't allowed to take it home)


Hey Six Flags New England, what's this?


I look terrible, but hey, it's me with the Dark Knight so who cares!


More track


Josh wants to know if this counts as a credit?


Dan and Matt


Getting ready to leave.


Everybody is out


I didn't realize until leaving, but Geico is still looking over us.


The tour ended with Q&A with Mark Kane


Then we finish off at Cracker Barrel. Here's me and Matt


Mom found something she wanted


Great success


I shall end this update with the best sculpture ever.

-Dainan "I hope you enjoyed reading" Rafferty

[Mysterio]

Well Dainan Rafferty and I were invited for a construction tour at Six Flags Great Adventure today! Of course we are representing our site, Great Adventure Online (GADVOnline.com) were honored to go!























We even got almost over one hundred more high quality pictures on our site! Click the link below to check it out, and happy offseason blues!
http://gadvonline.com/tour08_1.html

[Steve]

You know there is a reason why those trash cans are in one place.

Nice pics guys. Glad you enjoyed the tour.

[CycloneMan]

^We know, it was just a lame attempt at a joke. And thanks

[darkridedan]

     It was a really fun morning. I only had a few hours sleep (as you may tell in the pictures^.) I also forgot to take an Updates/Insider photo! Thank you Dainan, Josh and Tom for lending your cameras for the group photo.
    
     Wade, Tom and Dainan got most of the info out. I'm just going to babble a little to get the thread to the next page.

     Sand getting in the eyes of El Toro riders was brought up and may be addressed.
     Nitro will not have lockers in the station this season.
     Medusa's paint job is a priority to Shapiro. (?)
     Ridership was up tremendously this past season. I'm going to confirm the exact number tomorrow. Removing more rides will help improve this in '08 . (This space for rent.)
     Operations emphasized a 'Back to the Basics' concept last season. Because of how far the Rides Department fell apart through 2006, the effects of new training and refocusing on priorities was easily seen in GA. Making new ride employees feel like part of the family seems to have made the biggest difference. New hires were trained thoroughly and were asked to explain what they learned since the information a person repeats back sticks better with them than what a trainer babbles to them. Rehearsing "what if" situations helped employees learn park procedures and found better ways to handle emergencies. Throughput increased when the employees knew how it could be increased. Rushing the training process for the purpose of getting an employee to pass a test took away from the guest's experience in years past. (This is  commentary and something we talked about allot in training.)
     This season, Operations will "dive" into ways to further improve on the guest experience.
     Enthusiasts were explained the concept of "Load and Go!" (Looking for single riders, re-opening airgates or unlocking harnesses to fill in empty seats takes longer than waiting for the next train.) You have to trust me on this one. It works.

I'll add my pictures soon.      

[Bubba Z]

I want to type something , but I keep deleting it.  Silence is Golden. 

Thanks for the photo's and  UPDATES guys !

[twisterbret]

WOW Every one pretty much covered the pictures and the info but I'll post a link in case you want to take a peek.

http://www.coasterreview.com/twister/index.php?album=D70%202008/March%202008/Dark%20Knight%20Tour&mode=

It was great meeting everyone!

Twisterbret

[Dubya91]

Guys, Seriously, You did a great job with the photos and being right ontop of this, giving it amazing coverage!!!

Its great to see that the coaster is moving along nicely and going up pretty quickly.

Also what Dan said to add in my two cents, Medusa being repainted will make it very very smooth, also the Load and Go philosophy sounds very logical. Also, its good to know that the employees will be friendly, helping and kind, which im not sure if he said, but they will be getting one of Update's frequent posters! (No it is not me)

[GADVwow]

WOW Every one pretty much covered the pictures and the info but I'll post a link in case you want to take a peek.

http://www.coasterreview.com/twister/index.php?album=D70%202008/March%202008/Dark%20Knight%20Tour&mode=

It was great meeting everyone!

Twisterbret

You rang?

WOW, who was impressed with the great updates.  Thanks guys! 

[PcMan]

As ALways the Best Park Host in the Business Angle and Jen Thansk you very much and Mark was very Excited again about the upcoming year.
Great Pics I will have more up tomorrow
just got done work to tired

Also the Old Country area
the area of the bumper cars . chiller building, the Theater  etc.
they have up a wall on each side
and on the new map it is just shown as lawn or green.
so no shortcuts

SO looks like Just Batman and the Dark Knight only rides in this section

edit: Old Country    thanks 

[GADVwow]

You mean the Old Country.  And that's been posted several times here!   Oktoberfest is at Cedar Fair's Kings Island.

[rjholla2003]

Load and Go is exactly what Disney preaches. You really ruin the capacity when you hold up everything for one or two people versus sending the train and letting another 32 go in that same amount of time.  We really got that drilled into our heads at Space Mountain during the holidays since we're supposed to load each rocket with at least 5 people, but sometimes looking for those extra 2 people can set you back a really long way at times.