Imagineer

Hey. I did my dissertation on Disney World. I've got some articles which may be of some help. I studied how Disney World 'simulates' real life but there may be some use in there for you. Definitely some useful quotes. You should definitely check out Baudrillard and Eco's work on Disney which should feed into your dissertation nicely. Anyway, some sources that I used are in the document attached. (Some may not be relevant...sorry!) Bibliography.doc

I would be very surprised if you would be paid more than £7 an hour. Not sure how old you are? You say you live nearer Thorpe so I doubt that the money you'd earn would be worth the cost of the public transport down there. This is purely from a quick google and being a former employer of seasonal staff in a theme park.

I love themed music. I've got folders full of the stuff on my laptop. I really like the HISTA themed music from Epcot - but anything by Disney really. The 4 Parks One World album is must buy.

If it is to be a "new" ride, surely it is better that is doesn't just re-hash parts from the old one. Surely one of the major complaints about the Bubbleworks conversion to Imperial Leather?

Just got back from a half day in this park and it is lovely. Helix is a really nice ride but could pack a bit more of a punch. I really enjoyed Balder, probably my ride of the park.

I'm going this the weekend after this. Anyone know if everything will be open? What's recommended to do, (apart from Helix obviously!)?

I think it must also be something to do with the climate. Britain is a lot wetter than Spain; this must have an effect of the maintenance requirements. Plus there appears to be a desire by the 'public' for something 'New' every year. If perhaps demands changed parks would invest more money on refurbishing/maintaining attractions rather than having to create something new every year.

That's my bad.

Oh Graham.

Because they look terrible? The rest of the building is themed really nicely with hand-painted signs. And the shop gets two printed boards? Horrible!

Seriously. What the hell? Even if a fence is required (and I really cannot see why one would be) could it not be a more suitable colour or style? To match the rest of the fencing in Wild Asia?

I'm hoping the shop sign is just temporary and the chipboard under is to cover the real sign? Because the sign just isn't up to the same standard as everything else!

This isn't the first time this has happened, I doubt it'll change things.

Entertainments are always the first to go.

How can an effect still be broken when it's been down for so long? Just...that is inexplicable. Sad that the lighting is terrible too. Do the people in charge have no idea of how immersive theming works? Or do they just not care?

Guest recovery like this is great. When I used to work at Disney we had the power to do things like this as regular cast members - made life so much easier!

This used to happen on Friends and Family day which was, traditionally, the day before MAP day. And it isn't so much of an evacuation as "get everyone inside".

Is "Food Loop" not a Europa Park name? I suppose it is establishing a food brand. In the same sense that some people, when travelling, will go for the brand restaurant because they know what they're getting. The problem is I don't think the quality is good enough.

The problem with Chessington is that it's name is such a mouthful...and and eyeful. It means that logos will always appear cluttered. I think I prefer the 'flat' logo - new or old. It looks less 90s cheese.

I've work at both Walt Disney World as an Attractions Host & Operator (a ride and a show) and in the Entertainments Department at Chessington. 1. At what point did you get a reality check? At what point, did you go 'nah, I want to be'....'a (insert job here) instead!'. Disney was great - but you are just a 'number'. It was a summer programme so I always knew it would be limited. I would love to go back. Chessington was, generally, awful. Money was awful and the hours I was expected to work for them horrendous. . 2. Have you guys ever had any experience in the trades? I wrote my MA dissertation on Theme Parks (Epcot & Theming) Disney was a summer job in between university years and I worked at Chessington for one and a half years. 3. Why did/n't you stop? I was actually made redundant from Chessington, but I would have quit not long after that anyway for the reasons listed above. 4. What was your dream role? It would be involved in the creative design of the theme parks, or in ensuring park standards of 'show' and efficiency.

Entertainment Staff leaving? Irreversible damage during storage? No money to replace anything? That doesn't sound like Chessington at all...

For me it has to be Drayton Manor. I used to visit every year with my (extended) family. We used to take up a whole row when the car parks were at the 'front' of the park by the hill near the Buffalo. I loved Pirate Adventure, and I gradually built my way up the roller coasters there including the Klondike Gold Mine! I still remember my first de-masculating ride on Shockwave and have a great on-ride photo from it! I rode the Crypt but can't remember a whole lot about it, and the Jungle Cruise was always a family favourite. I remember going to the Slot Machine Museum on the mini train and one of the staff giving me some coins to use in them. Great memory! It basically started my love of theme parks. This was supplemented by school trips (in September - so less queues!) to Alton Towers. We always had a sleep over at mine the night before so we could plan out our day. Which basically always resulted in running to get a (free!) fastpass to Nemesis or Air and then queuing the five minutes for the other. Then working our way around the park. I always used to go with a friend who couldn't use the skyride so spent many a time walking through the valley! It was our first trip to Disney in 1996 that really did it for me though - and made me realise that I wanted to work in theme parks and especially Disney World. Which I did actually manage to do in 2009!

I didn't think those were wreaths and crackers I thought they were leaves and sweets (I.e. trick or treat rewards.)

We bought them at the entrance. As you enter the plaza from the car park they're on the left hand side. There is a particular 'window' you have to go to, look at the screens above but it's towards the far end closest to the park. But annoyingly you have to buy your tickets first then you can buy your express pass - so it's basically a double queue.

I just came back from Gardaland. (Well...end of July) and we bought the Adrenaline Express pass - cost €35, but also included entry to the Sea*Life centre. Managed to get on everything no problem with no wait times. Went in at 10, left by 4pm. Oblivion had the largest queues whilst we were there - so perhaps worth a 'run' to that with your express pass then you can do it once with a small queue and then a second time with your express pass.