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From the Mind of the Editor - Theme Park Website Drama

6/30/2019

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If you've been living under a rock maybe you haven't heard about some recent theme park blog drama going around. We aren't going to get into the specifics (because it's quite literally ridiculous) but what we do want to talk about is some of the reasons this may be happening. 



Written by Gregg Condon
Before I get into the meat of this I just want to preface with this: 
​T
here are some AMAZING websites/social media accounts that are based in FL. Some I've been following personally for a VERY long time. These are websites that give their opinions in a non-biased way, that play by the rules, don't generally get involved in the drama and do a damn fine job of sharing the joy and love they have for theme parks. This article has NOTHING to do with them. =) 

Drama between theme park websites is nothing new, heck, drama in all of the internet is something that is nothing new. Even though this website is only about 5 1/2 years old right now, I've actually been involved in theme park websites in one way or another since 2001. 

My first Disney message-board was on Laughing Place, and also around the same time WestCoaster (because I actually like more than Disney, go figure). I eventually became a moderator on WestCoaster and on another site I won't name when they started their message-boards. I was also a moderator/admin/writer on MiceChat for quite a few years before starting this site 5 years ago. In fact, you can still see me in a lot of their YouTube videos including the most viewed video on their site ever, media day for Lex Luthor Drop of Doom at SFMM. (Yep, MiceChat's most viewed video has nothing to do with Disney). 

But even with all of that history, for the most part, I get along with everybody that I worked with on those sites, and through them have developed some of my most cherished friendships. 
Calico River Rapids POV with our friends from Theme Park Duo
There was a time however when the different Disney/Theme Park Websites in CA didn't get along. There was a very us vs them mentality that thankfully does not really exist in CA anymore (for the most part), and we are better for it. 

No, it seems most of that drama has now shifted to the websites/blogs that are based in FL. Not ALL mind you, 90% of the websites are amazing and get along great. 

And I think I may know at least part of the reason for this, so bear with me for a minute. 
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From our first update ever
When we started this website we had some existing connections because I had written for those other sites, so we had kind of an advantage over some other start-up blogs. Heck, our first media day for Fright Fest at Six Flags Magic Mountain was actually the reason this site even exists as it didn't exist before that. You can read more of that story here. 

I had PR contacts at Knott's and Universal Studios Hollywood that I reached out to pretty early on. 

For awhile we were not included in media "events", which was totally understandable. We were growing our numbers via park updates and whenever a park would send us a press release we'd get them posted ASAP (something we still strive to do today). Because our thought was if a park was giving us a chance to essentially "prove" ourselves, then we should make sure we were being good stewards of that chance. And again, to this day we feel this way. 
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We also had a goal. When we started the site it was just around the time things were starting to move on Wizarding World Hollywood, and our goal was to be invited to that media event. I'm happy to say we met that goal. 

But here is where the difference is between CA and FL. If this site were based in FL, we would have never been given that chance. There seems to be a disconnect in how parks handle media requests, even among the same park chain (this also happens with Cedar Fair and Six Flags parks, you'll see no media/press releases from Cedar Point and Six Flags New England on this site as an example, not by our choosing but because of the media standards those parks utilize). 

In CA, due to the sheer number of theme parks and seasonal (Halloween) events, it seems that it's easier for a newer site to be included. Sure, we still have to prove ourselves, but it seems that parks/events are more willing to give a site a chance vs just relying on "numbers". (Disney is the exception here)

However, in FL, it's ALL about the numbers. We were probably 2 1/2 to 3 years old before we reached out to any of the FL parks, because we knew it was this way. And still, to this day, we've only been invited to media events at one park in FL (Busch Gardens). We have however been on the "press release" list for many of the parks. 
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And I think this is where the current issues are coming from. 

In FL there is a "competition" factor at play. Everybody is trying to be "first". First to break a story, first to confirm a rumor, first to post that POV. 

In CA, when we're all at media events, there seems to be a general camaraderie. Sure, we're all there to do the best job in promoting whatever park/event we're at and do the best for our followers, but we all kind of get along. I'm FB friends with people from a variety of websites. If another site has a great story/scoop, we'll share it. And people have shared ours as well. 
I'm not going to sit here and say that the drama is 100% because of the spirit of competition that is seemingly happening in FL (and also, remember, I'm 2,500 miles away, so I'm only seeing the online component of this). You also have very strong personalities at play here. 

But I think when you couple the strong personalities and the competition factor that seems to be at play then you get drama and not the "love and joy" of theme parks that I mentioned at the top. 

And that's really the greatest issue at play here. Due to all of this drama that even Disney has had to address this week, we're losing the joy and love for theme parks. That's certainly why we do this. 

Related Updates: 
  • From the Mind of the Editor: It's an AMAZING time to be a Theme Park Fan
  • From the Mind of the Editor: Can't We All Just Ride Coasters? 
  • From the Mind of the Editor: Hey Traditional Media
  • From the Mind of the Editor: Enjoy All The Things
  • From the Mind of the Editor: Why So Serious? 
  • From the Mind of the Editor: Enthusiasts


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From the Mind of the Editor - It's an AMAZING time to be a Theme Park Fan

6/12/2019

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And don't let anybody tell you any different ... 
Written by Gregg Condon
Originally Published 4/19/17

Update 6/12/2019: 
We're now a few weeks into the new era at Disneyland after the opening of Galaxy's Edge. In addition, Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure had it's premiere last night. 

And even with all of that, the inevitable comparisons have already begun with the usual suspects taking their side of Disney Good/Universal Bad or Disney Bad/Universal Good. 

Seriously people, are you not entertained? Get over yourself and go ride and actually have some fun. 
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Aaaaanyway, here's a repost of this again. And we'll keep updating and re-posting this as long as we need to. - Gregg ​

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Look, I get it. Your favorite park is Disney, or it's Universal, or it's Cedar Point, or it's a Six Flags park. You think Disney is too crowded (OK it might be) or that Universal uses too many Screenz (maybe they do) and Cedar Fair and Six Flags don't theme their coasters (what's the point when they're going 70 mph). So for ALL of these reasons and more, you'll only visit one theme park chain. 

​

​But why? It's probably the greatest time in the history of theme parks to be a theme park fan. They are all trying to one-up each other and it's AMAZING. 

In the 90's and early 00's we had the great coaster wars. Amusement Parks from, well really Illinois to New Jersey were trying to one-up each other with taller and faster coasters (California and the West Coast somehow got left out of this). But that didn't do anything for fans of Disney or Universal parks. 

Disney was the king of the themed environment for decades. Not only themed rides, but lands around those rides. A recreation of New Orleans for a Pirates themed ride. Old west themed lands. Castles. World's of "tomorrow" that never really came to fruition (but that's a whole other article). 

But the fact is, Disney was the top. Even after Universal Studios Florida opened Universal was really second fiddle to Disney and it seemed that's where they were destined to stay. 
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Six Flags and Cedar Point kept trying to one-up each other in the early-mid 00's
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Disney was the king of the themed environment for decades
And then in the late 90's and into 2001 Disney built a couple of parks that weren't quite as successful as they probably should have been, because Disney was trying to save some money. Disney was always the "first offer" when it came to franchises to create themed environments for (yes, even Potter) but they were famously hesitant to give up any control when it came to the final say over what was in their parks. 

And it is for that reason JK Rowling found the perfect partner to re-create her Wizarding World of Harry Potter ... and then everything changed. 
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On May 10, 2010 the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened at Islands of Adventure and thus started the theme park war that we now see ourselves in. 

No longer would off-the-shelf mouse coasters themed to Dinosaur parking lots or twisty roads in the Santa Monica Mountains be enough. Swing rides that looked like oranges, gone. Special effects shows featuring crappy war movies, gone. 

But the impact wasn't just for Disney. It opened up a whole new era for Universal Studios across the world which has probably benefited the Hollywood Park more than any other. 
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Just look at the timeline for Disney and Universal just since Wizarding World opened: 
  • 2010 - Wizarding World of Harry Potter (IOA) 
  • 2011 - The Little Mermaid (DCA) 
  • 2012 - Toy Story Midway Mania (DCA and DHS)
  • 2012 - Transformers The Ride (USH) 
  • 2012 - Disney California Adventure 2.0 (CarsLand)  
  • 2013 - Transformers The Ride (USF) 
  • 2014 - Diagon Alley (USF)
  • 2014 - New Fantasyland (Magic Kingdom) 
  • 2015 - Springfield (USH)
  • 2016 - Wizarding World Hollywood (USH)
  • 2017 - Avatar: The World of Pandora (DAK) 
  • 2017 - Volcano Bay (UOR) 
  • 2018 - Fast and Furious (USF) 
  • 2019 - Star Wars Galaxy's Edge (DL)
  • 2019 - Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure (IOA) 
  • 2019 - Star Wars Galaxy's Edge (DHS)

Unknown opening as of this time: Tron Coaster (MK), Guardians of the Galaxy (Epcot), Marvel Land (DCA), Nintendo Land (USF/USH), Secret Life of Pets (USH)

​And these are just the highlights, and that's just in the US, so much has been done at all of these parks since 2010. And we're just getting started. 
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In addition to these attractions at Disney and Universal, the other park chains are starting to catch on to themed rides and environments. We've seen the Justice League rides at Six Flags parks. Coasters with themed elements like Mystic Timbers at Kings Island, Cobra's Curse at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Verbolten at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

The complete re-do of Ghost Town at Knott's Berry Farm. Interactive dark rides at Legoland. Even smaller parks like Glenwood Caverns are opening themed rides that fit their parks. 

And of course for the coaster fans we've seen the complete re-imagining of classic wooden coasters thanks to Rocky Mountain Construction, the continued success of B&M Hyper Coasters and the infusion of newer manufacturers (to the US) like MACK and Gerstlauer. Parks like Lagoon are even building their own coasters. 
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Love them or hate them, RMC has revolutionized the Coaster World
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Lagoon created their own coaster in-house and it's AMAZING
As I said, it's an AMAZING time to be a Theme Park Fan. 

​Sure, there are always there are those who will find fault with anything. Guardians of the Galaxy Tower, Volcano Bay, World of Pandora, Soarin' Around The World, duplication of rides at Six Flags. There is not ONE attraction opening up at any park that is beyond critique. No matter the chain, theme, ride system, fan-base ... inevitably somebody out there is going to hate it, or at least give the perception that they hate it. 
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But now that the theme park war is almost a decade old it shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, with all of the rumors going around with Tron coming to Magic Kingdom, Guardians and Ratatouille coming to EPCOT, NintendoLand coming to Universal, more Potter coming, Marvel and of course Star Wars Land there is going to be more choice than ever. 

For those of us that can look beyond what company is creating what environment and enjoy lots of different things at different parks, it's absolutely amazing. For those that continue to support only one company while still criticizing everything that company does you are likely going to be continually disappointed. 

IP's aren't going anywhere. Screenz aren't going anywhere. Overlays of existing rides to fit what's new and hip aren't going anywhere. Synergy is where it's at. And why not. When you have franchises that are pulling in BILLIONS of dollars every year at the Box Office it's no surprise that corporations want to capitalize on that with attractions and most importantly, merchandising. 

So you can either continue to be disappointed with the highest quality attractions theme parks have ever created or just go with the flow and enjoy the ride ... 
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​Related Updates: 
  • From the Mind of the Editor: Can't We All Just Ride Coasters? 
  • From the Mind of the Editor: Hey Traditional Media
  • From the Mind of the Editor: Enjoy All The Things
  • From the Mind of the Editor: Why So Serious? 
  • From the Mind of the Editor: Enthusiasts


If you enjoyed this update please share with your friends and make sure you "like" us on Facebook and "follow" us on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. 

If you have any comments, please share them below
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In My Opinion: Enthusiasses - R.D. Dewberry

9/13/2018

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A word or two on being an enthusiast...or an enthusi-assholes.

I'm writing this today after hearing and seeing some rather nasty behavior among our own community. In fact, having witnessed it in person, it is degrading to so many people - including yourselves who are doing it.

Let me be clear here: The majority of our community are well behaved. They know not to do stupid shit such as 'selfies' on ride, or their own private POV videos for YouTube, etc. They're smart enough to figure out that they cannot jump over a fence to get their hat when it is dropped off on a ride.

​ Or are they?
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Recently I've seen reports from close friends & other people that behavior at some of the enthusiast events is... deploring. No, I take that back, it's downright rude, arrogant and cruel. Of people getting pushed out of their way because somebody was racing to get on the waiting train FIRST. Even when broadcasts of "We're holding the train for you" were being heard, they still pushed somebody out of the way.

And then rude, cruel comments on the operating crew of a particular ride for not moving fast enough for their own liking. Insulting operators, being belligerent towards them, and degrading them.

​Seriously, folks?
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Believe it or not, those people are earning a reputation in the theme park/hospitality industry. They might think they're anonymous... they are not. And for those who think they're immune to the consequences: Wake up time. You're not.

Let me be CRYSTAL CLEAR here: Ours is a secret society that has no secrets. Everybody in this business, from the park operators to the ride ops to the enthusiasts SEES AND HEARS EVERYTHING. There are no secrets. And names do get passed around. Your facebook comment about a park or their management? It's seen. It's passed around. It's shown to others.

This isn't to mean there's a big, beautiful conspiracy going on, but let's face it: Gossip fuels the business. Whether it is a new coaster going up at (Choose your park here) or somebody is doing something at (Choose your park here), everybody hears the gossip by the time the "SEND" button is pressed on a mobile device. And it gets around like wildfire; entire websites are set up to discuss the latest rumors, gossip and such.

And if you think for one second that a given person's rude criticism of a park or a ride isn't seen by management - you're wrong. Parks and their staff read up too. Every crack made at a park is watched (Even I've been hit with this shit stick before) and is discussed.

​Not to mention: Your name is attached to it - and is seen. Nothing is private in the digital age - nothing. You trash one enthusiast's view - odd are, people are watching. There is <ZERO> trust between media forms.
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All of this bad behavior is getting around, it is seen, it is being discussed. Parks see the assinine behavior and attitude, and it is NOT working in our favor. In fact, it's putting a bad image in their heads. And as a whole, we will be the ones to suffer.

We, the majority, are being punished by they, the minority.

It's time to stop this. It is time to put the bad boys/girls out to pasture - and to let them know: Your bad attitude, bad behavior, and personality defects aren't welcome here. We're a community that goes for decades in any direction, and the misbehavior of some will not be tolerated by the majority.
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  • First rule: If you have nothing nice to say, shut the hell up. The parks know if a ride has problems. They did not build it for you, the jackass Enthusi-asses. They built it for their own needs, wants and desires. They do NOT need to hear your constant bitching about their rides, or how much better they would be if they'd gone with (Insert ride builder here). And for F***S SAKE, quit your bitching about whether a ride needs to be renovated by another company. The parks aren't blind. They know what they're doing. In many cases, they've been doing it since before you were even thought of.
  • Second rule: If a park gives you ERT, say thank you for it. Your complaints aren't warranted, desired nor needed. In short, if something isn't going right: SHUT THE F*** UP. You're not their boss. They're doing something for you. And that is above and beyond what the HAVE TO DO. It's a courtesy, not a right.
  • Third rule: YOU ARE ENTITLED TO NOT A GODDAMN THING: Just because being a theme park or coaster enthusiast grants you absolutely ZILCH among the parks. You make up an extremely small part of the theme park dollar. Thus, you are entitled to NOTHING. The parks do not owe their existence to you; you owe your existence to THEM. Stop acting like you are their most important client. Stop pretending like you're a big fish in a small pond. You're a minnow like the other minnows in the park.
  • Fourth rule: Treat other people with respect & dignity: Trashing one person because you don't like their opinion is not only cruel & mean, belittling them in public because you don't like what they think or speak? That makes you an asshole. The same goes for trashing others because they don't support your opinions over one park or ride company vs. another. Guess what? People see that shit. And they do pass it along. Ride companies & parks distance themselves from people like that for obvious reasons. They will not want to have ANYTHING to do with you for treating others badly.
  • Fifth rule: You are not a deity among us for your prowess at a game: Sorry, kid. Just because you're good at Planet Coaster or RCTII, or NoLimits/NoLimits II does NOT make you the next Alan Shilke. It doesn't mean that you have RMC knocking down your door to join them. MACK is not having you design the next coaster for Europa Park. S&S is not relying on your skills to build a new version of the Free Fly. In short: STOP LYING TO YOURSELF AND TO OTHERS. You are NOT the next builder the world bows down to. Why? It takes 20-30 years... YEARS... to build up a battery of knowledge, engineering skill, prowess and for that matter mistakes to be a designer of note. Notice that for the most part, every single coaster designer & builder is over the age of 40? It's not a coincidence. It's EXPERIENCE, something you do not have. And just because you went to a community college and got your pre-engineering degree does not mean you're going to be building coasters next year either. You still have a long way to go kid. Until the day you cut the ribbon on your own first coaster, you are not a coaster designer or engineer.
  • Sixth rule: Be honest about yourself - and about the coaster world: Stop lying to others that you know EVERYTHING - that somebody told you in confidence that YOU KNOW. YOU DO NOT KNOW. Sorry, kid. Again, you're lying to yourself and to others that YOU KNOW. And after a while, people will see this as your mistakes keep piling up and people will stop believing you. You will have a reputation for being a liar, and that's not good. Parks see this as well, and they will be sure NOT to hand you anything as they can see you're spreading around manure rather than keeping quiet. Confidentiality is something that people in the business know, and know who to talk to about. You, dear child, are not one of them. Stop acting like it.
  • Seventh rule: Your actions towards others in how you treat them will come back to haunt you: That guy you trashed on Facebook for their opinion? They know people. They know a LOT of people. And you never know WHO they know - or how well. Or how well connected they may be. Drunken ranting on somebody for their own thoughts? It can easily be copied, sent to a company anonymously... and follow you for the rest of your life. Attempting to try to be a big-shot when you're a have-not? They see that too. And they're watching. Remember: It is legal for a company to look at your resume as well as your facebook page (There's no existing law to stop them) and that shitty crack you made at somebody could mean your dream job just became working at a McDonalds someplace. In short: Be nice, be respectful... and you may find yourself in a better position than you were before.
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​We are a group of people who all love and cherish the same thing: Parks & their rides. It is what draws us together every year for our vacations, our rest, our relaxation. And for many events too - whether group led or park led. At the same time, a small group of enthusi-asses are jeopardizing our good times the parks give us. It's time to take a stand, tell these people to stop their bad behavior - and to distance ourselves from them. We do not need to lose what we have because of their asshole actions and thoughts towards parks - as well as towards our own community.
​
R.D. Dewberry 9/13/18

Related Updates: 
  • September 14, 2017 - X Atencio and Me (RD Sussman-Dewberry)
  • August 28, 2017 - Six American Flags Over Texas (Andrew Cunningham)
  • June 11, 2017 - The Gayest Hobby Around (RD Sussman-Dewberry)
  • March 18, 2015 - Line Jumping & other Park sports (RD Sussman)
  • February 9, 2015 - American Idiot(s) - RD Sussman


If you enjoyed this update please share with your friends and make sure you "like" us on Facebook and "follow" us on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. 

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