Thank You for Riding...

For every beginning there is an end; and for every end, a new beginning.

The 2009 season has come and gone, and what a season it was! Closing the park this year marked the end of my 10th season in the seasonal theme park industry, and I can honestly say that I've never experienced one as smooth and enjoyable as this one. I'd like to thank everyone for making it as fantastic as it was.

We have a lot to be proud of. For one, we led the company with our corporate audit score--a feat which is not to be taken lightly. In fact, the auditor that performed our audit said that she didn't think that she'd ever given out a score as high as the one she gave to us this season. Guys, that's huge! She's tough and has an incredible eye for detail.

Plus, you all got to cut my hair.

It's been requested requested that the end of season poem for the Rides department be posted, since we didn't get a chance to read it on closing night (except for a few of you that got a super-exclusive reading in the office), so here it is:

‘Twas the night before opening, when all through the park,
Jess Johnston was crying alone in the dark.
Trainings had been completed in each division with care,
In hopes that the guests soon would be there.
The team members clocked in on opening day,
In perfect grooming guidelines, in the Jen and Steve way.
Joker was back, down in DC,
And Blitz was open, for an additional fee.
But something was happening at the park’s premier coaster.
A villain had graffitied the golden ticket posters.
Suddenly Superman transformed to Bizarro.
It still won first place despite enthusiasts’ sorrow.
Up in the north, thirteen site controllers passed
On July 4th, Tomahawk opened at last.
Team South got slimed at Rides Dept. Double Dare.
A 99% corporate audit led to styling John’s hair.
The Wiffle Ball Tournament had just begun
And it really never finished, so everyone won.
It rained and it rained and it rained and it rained
Then it rained some more but no one complained
Because team members were friendlier than ever
Saying “Boo-woop” before each ride cycle, how clever.
The crews were efficient, faster than Flash.
At every ride – Batman, Skyway and Splash.
Excellent job 2009 rides.
Don’t forget to ATTACK park maps and guides.
That just happened.

Here are a few photos that I took throughout the night:

Skycoaster!

Joe spends a bit of time getting to know Superman!

Supervisor team 2009 (well, at least the ones who were there to open closing day).

 I wear my sunglasses at night.....

Cecil--and his glasses--at the Balloon Race.

Catie showing her true feelings for the Fun-O-Meter at Bizarro

Rawr.

Leroy at the Skyway

You guys should stuff that and mount it on a wall somewhere.

Nick is awfully happy here.

Anyway, thanks again for a fantastic season!  Work has already begun on getting ready for the 2010 season (in fact, we just finished up a conference call with New York about our budget) and we're excited to see all of you back again!

Also, we're still accepting applications for leadreship positions for the 2010 season, so if you're interested, and you haven't gotten to it yet, get those apps filled out!  The information and applications can be found in a post from a couple of weeks ago.

-John