Games and Coasters


June 2nd, 2001 (10-4pm)

I got to the Rides office with only a minute to spare. Traffic had been worse than usual -- good thing I had left a few minutes early! So.. I sign in, expecting to hear "Wildmouse", because I had just been at the FunSlides. Imagine my surprise when I hear "Tidal Force". Heck yeah!! Out of the minors and into the majors, about time!

But first... before I get to work Tidal Force, we have to have our morning meeting up by Wildcat. Nothing really happens. "Good job so far guys... etc." After the meeting, I head down to Tidal Force where I meet up with my co-workers. I had worked with the ride-lead before -- always good to know someone higher up ;].

After a quick refresher in the operation of Tidal Force, I was at the controls. There were only a few people in the queue, so we didn't bother to make any announcements. About 10 minutes after we opened, the ride shut down. The water level had somehow risen to high and caused the ride to shut down. Maintenance came quickly and restarted it for us.

About an hour after I came back from break, we suffered a much more serious breakdown. One of the boats had somehow started up the lift when the lap bars came unlocked. The ride immediately shutdown and maintenance was called in. It took them about 15 minutes to get the ride back in working condition. That's a pretty good amount of downtime with people still on the ride.

For my next-to-last rotation spot, I was back at the controls. I adlibbed the speech... here's what I said, "Welcome to the Tidal Force. Please fill each row with no more than four riders. For those of you in line, please step back, the gates will be closing. Once you are seated, push forward pull back on your lap bars."
"Welcome back! Once the boat has come to a complete stop pull back, push forward on your lap bars. Exit to your left across the bridge. Thank you for riding Tidal Force and enjoy the rest of your day here at Hersheypark!"

Hehehe... I wonder what I was supposed to say...

I ended the day at front line, but that was "ok" because I had an absolutely great time on Tidal Force. I can't wait to get it again!