Here is Will’s first HoliBlog post:
As opening approaches, everywhere I go in town, people ask me, “Are you ready?”
And I always respond, “No. But we will be on opening day.”
They also want to know whether I’m nervous about getting the park open. The funny thing is that I always (honestly) reply that no, I’m not nervous at all.
And I’m not
We have such a great team of Directors, Managers, and Staff who’ve been with us for many years and who just know what needs to be done that I don’t have to worry.
I know that our parks are in capable, caring hands, and that the work will get done. There are always a few battles that we’re fighting or things that we’re waiting for as we come down to the wire (this year it’s the concrete embedments for our new Applause Hands fountain in the entrance plaza—we’re 10 days from opening, and some of them still aren’t here) but by and large, our staff just gets the job done.
The parks are a beehive of activity during these weeks (watch out for golf carts, mules and gators in the walkways), and it can be a little scary walking around and thinking about all of the things that need to be done before opening.
Heck, we have a water tower sitting in The Legend Parking Lot in three big blue, red, and yellow pieces right now.
At the same time, it’s also satisfying to know that all of our rides have been set up, tested, and passed state ride inspections. I feel good that Raging Rapids, Frightful Falls, The Wave, and The Congo River are already full of water, with filters running.
With luck, we’ll start filling Bahari, the new wave pool, on Friday. It will be ready for Splashin’ Safari’s opening on May 14. I’m extraordinarily proud of our staff for never missing an opening date with a new ride or attraction. This time of year, it’s interesting to read the press releases from other parks that are explaining how their new attractions will open late due to bad weather. The weather hasn’t been perfect here, either. But Bahari will be open on May 14. Enough said.
Anyway, we’re getting ready.
We’ve “built it”
Now, I have to face the issue I really do worry about: “Will they come?”
Stay tuned.
