Author Topic: El Toro's Student Media Day Recap (Read 8664 times)

ChuckR · « **on:** January 18, 2006, 03:25:35 PM »

Well today, I was given the opportunity to go to El Toro's Student Media Day for the local high schools journalism students. It was very cool and I got to watch a time-lapse construction video that was awesome. The students got to watch the El Toro preview video and have Q&A with Dave and Jess Peranteau who are in charge of the Exotic Animals in the Golden Kingdom. They also got Q&A with Al Rubano and Rick Rhodes about the construction of El Toro where I found out some interesting stuff about them and Toro. We would of got a construction tour but the weather was really bad so that was that. Oh yeah, I also got interviewed from a few schools so all the kids from High School check your local school paper about this.

Anywho, heres a few pictures I took...

As you can see they have begun the turn to the drop...

Overview from the parking lot of Toro, KK, and RT.

Dave Peranteau talking about his job with Cleapatra.

These pictures were taken during the event.

sfgadvfreak · « **Reply #1 on:** January 18, 2006, 05:44:43 PM »

That's pretty cool man. Bummer that you couldn't take a tour, but there will be other opportunities.

Bubba Z · « **Reply #2 on:** January 18, 2006, 06:15:27 PM »

How many more bents until the turn around? What did you learn about the ride that we shouldn't have a clue already about. Where is the tunnel going? Man, I wish I could have gone today . I totally dropped the ball on that one. Great photo's and glad you had fun.

innervision · « **Reply #3 on:** January 18, 2006, 07:06:24 PM »

It's 30% done material wise. I didnt know that.

WadeJ · « **Reply #4 on:** January 18, 2006, 07:21:08 PM »

I'll add more later when I have more time.. Today was really awesome. Even without a tour.

We were hoping to be delivering another onsite update day. It didn't happen. We'll get back though and honestely, there wasn't much more to see right now.

Lets see, another new thing I learned today was that NJ was a no-touching state. Exotics can only be touched by authorized people and trainers.

THAT is why the animals they are looking at for BBNP (yes, they are adding MORE animals!) are more traditional and "safe" for kids to touch.

sfgadvfreak · « **Reply #5 on:** January 18, 2006, 08:44:27 PM »

Goats and Ponys Wade, goats and ponys. :lol:

More animals= more family friendly= better atmosphere= better park.

chilled182 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 18, 2006, 09:34:26 PM »

i was thinking penguins, giraff's and donkeys!

Probably your typical farm animals.. horses and whatnot

GADVwow · « **Reply #7 on:** January 18, 2006, 09:46:06 PM »

As long as it is not a "dog and pony show."

WadeJ · « **Reply #8 on:** January 19, 2006, 12:24:23 PM »

Quote from: "GADVwow"

As long as it is not a "dog and pony show."

That was bad lol

I don't really want to ruin any surprises but I will say that the animals won't be anything like what you guys have guessed at.

They are going for a wilderness theme (National Park) which will likely bring wildlife that is typical for a National Park.

Also, here are two other little facts we can share...

The hotel is on hold. We were told this bluntly. Its definately on hold and that came directly from the park.

A neat little factoid we learned was that the total combined man hours to check all of the coasters as Great Adventure exceeds 100 hours :shock:

ChuckR · « **Reply #9 on:** January 19, 2006, 12:25:58 PM »

I just got to agree with what Angel said yesterday, this season will kick butt!

KingdaKaRuler05 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 19, 2006, 01:58:39 PM »

Sounds like you guys had a great time. Nice pics Chuck. It seems like they put a few more bents up for the top turnaround.

As for the animals, I think putting in a petting zoo would be an awesome idea. You can have your regular farm animals like horses, goats, etc, and have some small animals like bunnies, etc. I think that would be pretty nice for the National Park.

-KKR05

sfgadvfreak · « **Reply #11 on:** January 19, 2006, 03:06:59 PM »

Quote from: "KingdaKaRuler05"

Sounds like you guys had a great time. Nice pics Chuck. It seems like they put a few more bents up for the top turnaround.

As for the animals, I think putting in a petting zoo would be an awesome idea. You can have your regular farm animals like horses, goats, etc, and have some small animals like bunnies, etc. I think that would be pretty nice for the National Park.

-KKR05

I strongly disagree with that. When you think petting zoo, you think crappy county fair or something along those lines. I think were gonna get somethign really amazing, that will suprise us all. Think NATIONAL PARK here. Think of some of the cool animals that you can see roaming around there...I have some pretty good ideas of some of the animals that might be there..but ill just let you guys take ur guesses.

Metsman. · « **Reply #12 on:** January 19, 2006, 05:20:55 PM »

I really like the concept of a "Student Media Day." It's nice that they are reaching out to the local HS students like that. It's some free advertising, and the event gives SF some positive PR.

blazzinmatt · « **Reply #13 on:** January 19, 2006, 06:57:46 PM »

That is really cool of SF to do that. It definitely gives them a more positive PR.

coastermom · « **Reply #14 on:** January 19, 2006, 07:29:17 PM »

OK, a Petting zoo is a good idea. When my older two were little, we always went to the petting zoo part of BGW (before they closed it :cry: ).We always enjoyed the stop and the kids loved feeding the goats. I would think our park could do something on those lines . Good Idea .

GADVwow · « **Reply #15 on:** January 19, 2006, 07:33:34 PM »

Interesting.

Holiday World just took theirs OUT, due at least in part, we were told, because of concerns from the health department. Kids put their hands in their mouths all the time. Animals don't wash their hands or coats (well except for cats) after they use the potty.

Not a good combination. A lot of county fairs have had this problem.

I hope they have thought about this....

WadeJ · « **Reply #16 on:** January 19, 2006, 10:21:39 PM »

It won't be a petting zoo. Just a tad more elaborate than that.

The "touching" part is more of a thing that might occur during sessions with groups such as schools, small groups and other programs.

The animals will not be just on display to walk around and pet like a petting zoo. In my head, I'm picturing more Disneys Animal Kingdomish. We'll see I guess.

coasterrider1998 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 19, 2006, 10:35:22 PM »

Hey Chuck, are their any other pics?

WadeJ · « **Reply #18 on:** January 19, 2006, 10:39:44 PM »

I can probably vouch for him that there are no more pics. There wasn't really anything else to take pictures of indoors and obviously, we couldn't do much else outdoors in torrential rain and 50Mph wind gusts.

I didn't even both posting my pictures. They are almost identical to Chucks.

Sadly, this tour was a bust. We still had a great time though and we should be getting back there soon

ChuckR · « **Reply #19 on:** January 20, 2006, 12:29:17 AM »

Thats all the pictures I took. I mean theres only so much you can see from the parking lot. But, as Wade said hopefully we will get back there soon. :wink:

WadeJ · « **Reply #20 on:** January 20, 2006, 10:52:37 AM »

Since I'm clearing my memory card anyway, I'll post 3 more that are very much like Chucks...

FIGURES! On the way home, the sky was clearing up!

PcMan · « **Reply #21 on:** January 20, 2006, 01:13:14 PM »

These pics really show how tall Kingda Ka is
I was thinking the Hotel may be on Hold since they are trying hard to recover some debt.

I will ask again at the ACE event Eastcoaster in 2 weeks as all PR folks from most local parks will be there with Video Footage and updates always a great time.
If anyone is going I will see you there I will be wearing a Tsunimi Tshirt or Sweatshirt and Seated near the front of the stage stop and say hi .
Name badge will say TOM C.
I will also write on it Pcman

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Author Topic: El Toro's Student Media Day Recap (Read 8664 times)