Runner-Up

"It is my pleasure to let you know that you are a runner up in the Steel Hawg video contest."

Awesome.

"Next week, the state will be out to inspect the coaster so that we are able to open the ride. We anticipate the ride to open on July 4th."

Not so much.

I finally get rewarded for one of the many contests I have entered and I don't think I can make it. That sucks. I've never been to an official public opening of a ride before. It is one of my goals to go to one. Guess not this time.

Sadly though, I have the feeling that the only reason I am runner up is because only three people entered the contest to begin with.

DCI All Star Review Videos

First (and possibly only) drum corp show of the year for me. I would much rather watch drumlines warm up in the lot then shell out a fortune for a ticket.

The Detroit Zoo is Beary Fun

The lady and I went to the Detroit Zoo this past weekend. We fed a giraffe. It was $5 for a little cracker, the zoo must make a killing off of it. The polar bear exhibit was awesome, way better than Toledo's or San Diego's. We'll see how Columbus' compares when they open their new one. More exhibits should have viewing areas like that tunnel. The zoo also has a Kangaroo walk. Besides those three exhibits there isn't much else to be impressed about at that zoo.

To GCI or Not to GCI

From insert in director's cut of "Kingdom of Heaven":

Considering the amazing things (Sir Ridley) Scott has done with GCI over the course of the years, one would think he would use it as often as possible. But that's not the case. Twenty-five years ago, during the production of Blade Runner, visual effects pioneer Doug Trumbull gave him a piece of advice that informs his work even today. "He said, 'Can you do this live?'" Scott recalls. "I said 'Yeah.' He Said 'Do it live. Believe me, it'll be better and it'll be cheaper.' I always remember that, and I always stick with making it as real as possible."

Exactly. Finally, somebody gets it. Thank you.

Queue it Up

Guests are growing more and more tired of waiting in lines for amusement park attractions. There is no way to replace standby lines without going to a completely digital system. With thousands of visitors everyday a digital system would grow very large and extremely complex. The best parks can do for now is improve their current standby lines. Think outside the box. Offer more entertainment and most importantly things to do while waiting for their favorite attraction.
I've heard good things about the Revenge of the Mummy queue at Universal, and of course Disney is a leader with Mr Potato Head/Buzz Light Year animatronics giving a show for the kids in line. But there needs to be more, something for the guests to actually DO. My first and simplistic idea would be like one of the those handheld trivia games you can get at Buffalo Wild Wings. TV monitors would show who has the highest score, maybe that person gets to skip ahead inline or is entered to win free park tickets for next day.