Team Heroes - Stanza V: Patch 'Em Up

[spacemt354]

Alright, there's only one person who can settle this. @James G. what course of action should we take? Should we just invite everyone in our PMs?

It specifically says in the prompt that everything is in public and there are no PMs.

This I assume is a stipulation put into place for all the reasons I have mentioned. (Team access, and less alerts for guest reviewers)

• Similarly, there is no PM. Everything is public. @S.P.E.W can see you.
• Communication will be key!

 

[TwilightZone]

It specifically says in the prompt that everything is in public and there are no PMs.

This I assume is a stipulation put into place for all the reasons I have mentioned. (Team access, and less alerts for guest reviewers)

Alright, then it is decided! Anyone who has PMs invite everyone!

 

[spacemt354]

Alright, then it is decided! Anyone who has PMs invite everyone!

No no no -- I will make the public threads for each park, and then you brainstorm there.

That is how this prompt works.

 

[TwilightZone]

No no no -- I will make the public threads for each park, and then you brainstorm there.

That is how this prompt works.

Alright. Well, expect a lot of work moving!

 

[spacemt354]

Here are the 4 brainstorming threads for our 4 parks - these threads are where the park-specific brainstorming will take place.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Team Heroes - Stanza V: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

HERE IS THE BRAINSTORMING THREAD FOR THE SANTA CRUZ BEACH BOARDWALK STANZA V - PATCH 'EM UP We’re a long way from Disneyland! Welcome to the untamed wilderness of Regional Parks. Out here, even Six Flags and Cedar Fair are too corporate. Our attentions now turn to independently-operated...

forums.wdwmagic.com

HersheyPark

Team Heroes - Stanza V: Hersheypark

HERE IS THE BRAINSTORMING THREAD FOR HERSHEYPARK STANZA V - PATCH 'EM UP We’re a long way from Disneyland! Welcome to the untamed wilderness of Regional Parks. Out here, even Six Flags and Cedar Fair are too corporate. Our attentions now turn to independently-operated parks and their...

forums.wdwmagic.com

Holiday World

Team Heroes - Stanza V: Holiday World

HERE IS THE BRAINSTORMING THREAD FOR HOLIDAY WORLD STANZA V - PATCH 'EM UP We’re a long way from Disneyland! Welcome to the untamed wilderness of Regional Parks. Out here, even Six Flags and Cedar Fair are too corporate. Our attentions now turn to independently-operated parks and their...

forums.wdwmagic.com

Silver Dollar City

Team Heroes - Stanza V: Silver Dollar City

@Pi on my Cake or anyone else who wants to chime in, starting thread for S.D.C discussion. As @spacemt354 noted, very helpful last year to have these separated out from the main group discussion.

forums.wdwmagic.com

We can all see what everyone is doing, and everyone's progress.

We then use this thread as the 'main hub' and bring the project together into one cohesive unit here after the brainstorming is complete.

 

[ᗩLᘿᑕ ✨ ᗩζᗩᗰ]

Honestly, I have no idea what I'm reviewing just yet. Also...my head doesn't swivel 360 so it's a bit difficult keeping track of everyone off in different directions. Then again, it could be because I'm just tired at moment. From what I can gather though "communal spitball brainstorming" is enough to make anyone dizzy. But, I'm enjoying the frenzy and chaos. Keep the idears flowing! Just wish it were contained so I can see exactly what's goin on when and where.

UPDATE: Thanks spacemt354 for the links!

 

[spacemt354]

Honestly, I have no idea what I'm reviewing just yet. Also...my head doesn't swivel 360 so it's a bit difficult keeping track of everyone off in different directions. Then again, it could be because I'm just tired at moment. From what I can gather "communal spitball brainstorming" is enough to make anyone dizzy. But, I'm enjoying the frenzy and chaos. Keep the idears flowing!

Just wish it were contained so I can see exactly what's goin on when and where. But hey, that's just this guys opinion.

For this project I would stick to this thread so you don't lose your head!

We will provide updates about our work throughout in this main hub - that should be plenty to track the progress.

This round is chaotic by nature - so try to simplify your following as much as you can!

 

[TwilightZone]

Here are the 4 brainstorming threads for our 4 parks - these threads are where the park-specific brainstorming will take place.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Team Heroes - Stanza V: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

HERE IS THE BRAINSTORMING THREAD FOR THE SANTA CRUZ BEACH BOARDWALK STANZA V - PATCH 'EM UP We’re a long way from Disneyland! Welcome to the untamed wilderness of Regional Parks. Out here, even Six Flags and Cedar Fair are too corporate. Our attentions now turn to independently-operated...

forums.wdwmagic.com

HersheyPark

Team Heroes - Stanza V: Hersheypark

HERE IS THE BRAINSTORMING THREAD FOR HERSHEYPARK STANZA V - PATCH 'EM UP We’re a long way from Disneyland! Welcome to the untamed wilderness of Regional Parks. Out here, even Six Flags and Cedar Fair are too corporate. Our attentions now turn to independently-operated parks and their...

forums.wdwmagic.com

Holiday World

Team Heroes - Stanza V: Holiday World

HERE IS THE BRAINSTORMING THREAD FOR HOLIDAY WORLD STANZA V - PATCH 'EM UP We’re a long way from Disneyland! Welcome to the untamed wilderness of Regional Parks. Out here, even Six Flags and Cedar Fair are too corporate. Our attentions now turn to independently-operated parks and their...

forums.wdwmagic.com

Silver Dollar City

Team Heroes - Stanza V: Silver Dollar City

@Pi on my Cake or anyone else who wants to chime in, starting thread for S.D.C discussion. As @spacemt354 noted, very helpful last year to have these separated out from the main group discussion.

forums.wdwmagic.com

We can all see what everyone is doing, and everyone's progress.

We then use this thread as the 'main hub' and bring the project together into one cohesive unit here after the brainstorming is complete.

I am watching them all! Keeps things exciting.

 

[James G.]

Here are the 4 brainstorming threads for our 4 parks - these threads are where the park-specific brainstorming will take place.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Team Heroes - Stanza V: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

HERE IS THE BRAINSTORMING THREAD FOR THE SANTA CRUZ BEACH BOARDWALK STANZA V - PATCH 'EM UP We’re a long way from Disneyland! Welcome to the untamed wilderness of Regional Parks. Out here, even Six Flags and Cedar Fair are too corporate. Our attentions now turn to independently-operated...

forums.wdwmagic.com

HersheyPark

Team Heroes - Stanza V: Hersheypark

HERE IS THE BRAINSTORMING THREAD FOR HERSHEYPARK STANZA V - PATCH 'EM UP We’re a long way from Disneyland! Welcome to the untamed wilderness of Regional Parks. Out here, even Six Flags and Cedar Fair are too corporate. Our attentions now turn to independently-operated parks and their...

forums.wdwmagic.com

Holiday World

Team Heroes - Stanza V: Holiday World

HERE IS THE BRAINSTORMING THREAD FOR HOLIDAY WORLD STANZA V - PATCH 'EM UP We’re a long way from Disneyland! Welcome to the untamed wilderness of Regional Parks. Out here, even Six Flags and Cedar Fair are too corporate. Our attentions now turn to independently-operated parks and their...

forums.wdwmagic.com

Silver Dollar City

Team Heroes - Stanza V: Silver Dollar City

@Pi on my Cake or anyone else who wants to chime in, starting thread for S.D.C discussion. As @spacemt354 noted, very helpful last year to have these separated out from the main group discussion.

forums.wdwmagic.com

We can all see what everyone is doing, and everyone's progress.

We then use this thread as the 'main hub' and bring the project together into one cohesive unit here after the brainstorming is complete.

@spacemt354 I owe you my thanks for this. I had a couple of personal issues hit me yesterday that both distracted me and clouded my judgement. I was made aware of this situation and instead of dealing with it properly I made a half-hearted attempt and pretended everything was fine. Thank you for stepping up when I let us down. I can't say I won't ever do it again, but I will say that I will do better in the future, and if those attempts don't work, please, everyone, let me know. The biggest problem with a relative "newbie" in here is that I still feel about 87% stupid, and trying to both lead and learn at the same time is rough. I'll be working a lot of hours the next several days so I'll be absent much of the time, but I know you'll all be working on your individual parks, and hopefully also checking up on the other parks and their progress. It's like a football game- you're all on specialty teams, working for the common good of victory over the Villains. Remember, while they can see what we're doing, we can also see what they're doing:

Team Villains - Stanza V: Patch 'Em Up

STANZA V - PATCH 'EM UP As a show of good faith, Team Villains will be competing publicly as well. @AceAstro, @kmbmw777, assemble!

forums.wdwmagic.com

I'll do better. You all deserve that.

 

[James G.]

Heroes, Sorry I went a bit silent for awhile there. I had a personal event hit me that I've been having to deal with (don't you hate it when "life" gets in the way of "fun"?! I've still be noticing that there's been a lot of work happening in your individual parks- great job! Before we get too deep into this, we're going to have to establish a general theme, a concept, the raison d'etre for what we are doing. I started an idea I had with the short story I shared about why we're fixing these four parks and why the loser (but still VERY dangerous) Villains got their parks. I think most if not all of you have read it by now. Here's my next section- bear with me here. Carl Kalnow, the Chairman of the Board of the Americana Resort, has decided to create a lose confederation of American independent theme and amusement parks called the "Association of American Independent Theme and Amusement Parks" or AAITAP for short (and PLEASE!- somebody come up with a better name for this!). You know how every big town seems to have a bunch of car dealers all on one street, side-by-side, that get together and pool their advertising to get people to shop for cars at one of their member dealers? That is the idea behind AAITAP. Independent theme and amusement parks across the country unite to work together to promote each other, honor each other's season passes (or at least offer a reduced rate) and get people visiting their parks who might be in the area on vacation. Carl has four parks that want to join this confederation or association, our four parks. He's already rejected four parks for not meeting his standards (guess which four parks THOSE are?). He has offered to give each of our parks $250 million to rejuvenate them and bring them up to the Americana Resort's level of quality, BUT he wants to hear what they propose to do with the money before he give it to them and allows them into the association. (I never said this was realistic).

We post the short story perhaps a day or two ahead of the scheduled due date, as a teaser, then when we're ready we post the final presentation, which involves each park making their presentation to Carl to convince him that they will put his money to good use and earn themselves both the $$$ and membership in the association, which will almost guarantee them a major boost in attendance.

This way we can have each presentation be a little bit different, unique, and special to that particular park. We use this frame story to unite four different proposals into one unified presentation, thus allowing us to make each presentation different, original, yet showing the judges (personified by Carl Kalnow, the fourth richest man in America) that we ARE the team that knows how to make the best use of the money.

Ideas?

Since nobody seems to have run away screaming from this idea, and unless somebody comes up with a better one, I'll start working on a rough draft of it. It might take me a few days to have anything worth looking at, but as you're working and creating your proposals for your individual parks keep this in mind.

This will be presented as a "frame" story, like the Canterbury Tales (you darn kids, go look it up!). There will be a story where each park (of which you will be the representatives of) will be making a presentation to the Chairman of the Board of the Americana Resort. He has given you $250,000,000 to improve your park enough to be allowed into a lose confederation of theme and amusement parks, where you will still be independent but will work together for the common good. Each of you will have a section where you showcase, in whatever style you feel is best and most effective, how you are going to bring your individual parks up to regional, destination-park caliber. Of course, all of you will do this easily, your parks will be admitted into the association, and because of a side-bet that the Chairman made with the three Villains we're also going to win their four parks. If we lose-WHICH WE WON'T- three of us (myself included) go on trial.

I have heard some concern about the presentation potentially being long. SO WHAT?! Make your presentation as long as it needs to be to showcase the amazing work you're creating. It's the job of the judges to read what we write and watch what we create. Be concise- don't pack unnecessary fluff in that doesn't help showcase the improvements we're making in these four parks, and be sure to include just enough factual information (ride put-thru/hour, attendance growth, that sort of stuff) to show the judges that we've made these improvements on factual needs for the park and not just on a "wow-that-would-be-so-cool!" basis. If the improvements really are "cool", then BONUS! But make your presentation both professional, interesting and inspiring, so that the Chairman of the Board and all the judges want to grab a shovel and starting the renovation projects themselves because our ideas really are "cool!"

 

[James G.]

Please, please, take a few minutes and go over to the Villains thread and see how they're working through this. They're villains, but they're good and you KNOW they're watching us. KNOW YOUR ENEMY!! If what they're doing and how they're doing it helps us to create a better final proposal, learn from it and do it BETTER!

 

[spacemt354]

I have heard some concern about the presentation potentially being long. SO WHAT?! Make your presentation as long as it needs to be to showcase the amazing work you're creating. It's the job of the judges to read what we write and watch what we create.

I agree with everything you have to say about the story/premise of the project -- except for this I'd caution that writing too much could cause synergistic issues the project (ie certain parks to be longer than others.)

The key here is synergy - we have a ton of people who I know would love to write forever about their project, but then we have others who might not write as much.

The project would look very uneven if Holiday World and Santa Cruz for example were the Dickens length novels, then Hershey and Silver Dollar were short stories.

Also while it's their job as reviewers, it's also a volunteer position, that up until this round didn't hold any responsibility when determining the results.

So let's make sure we give them the benefit of the doubt and go easy on them - let's keep these things in mind when we are writing/condensing to the ultimate project.

 

[spacemt354]

Think about it this way, if you come home from work or wherever - and have an hour to spare to read the projects, are you going to pick up every little detail within pages and pages of content? Probably not - realistically speaking you'll skim some parts (at least I would)

However something that is readable in one sitting - I'd be much more inclined to read every word and analyze it.

 

[Disney Dad 3000]

I agree with everything you have to say about the story/premise of the project -- except for this I'd caution that writing too much could cause synergistic issues the project (ie certain parks to be longer than others.)

The key here is synergy - we have a ton of people who I know would love to write forever about their project, but then we have others who might not write as much.

The project would look very uneven if Holiday World and Santa Cruz for example were the Dickens length novels, then Hershey and Silver Dollar were short stories.

Also while it's their job as reviewers, it's also a volunteer position, that up until this round didn't hold any responsibility when determining the results.

So let's make sure we give them the benefit of the doubt and go easy on them - let's keep these things in mind when we are writing/condensing to the ultimate project.

I'm inclined to agree with you space. The benefit they have is a small number so very easy for them to ascertain the level of detail, presentation per project which you know from last season.

Since the guest reviewers are going to have 2 large scale projects (what is likely the biggest of the season), just need to keep that in mind for them. I know there's an 84 page joke out there somewhere.

 

[Outbound]

How are we going to present this? I think throwing it all onto a forum post would make that page very long. A site might make more sense in this regard if it were to be divided into five sections- the homepage/company backstory and the four parks.

@James G. I don't think I have responded to the company concept yet but really like it! If you would like, I can create a video ad for the AAITAP to accompany your writeup.

 

[James G.]

I have a bad habit of writing early in the morning before the coffee has had time to work, and sometimes I don’t think things through completely that early. I agree that there does need to be a limit to the length of the proposal. This would both make it more manageable for the judges and force us to keep our presentation more focused.
This is a rough outline of how I am seeing it organized. Please, if anyone sees problems with this or knows a better way to present it, say so and say so soon (some alliteration there!).

• An introduction section, where the frame story is established. One thing that will help keep this shorter is if we do post the short story I wrote, “A Deal with a Dog” ahead of time, perhaps a day or two before we post the final proposal. At the end of this section, we present the video that @OutboundFlight has offered to create, using it as “incentive” for the different parks to do their best jobs in their presentations.
• Video advertisement for the theme park association
• Presentation of each park’s proposal. Each park would be introduced by the COB, invited to make their presentation to him, with a brief section between each park. Each section should be roughly the same length, so that no one park dominates and each park is “forced” to be focused without getting too wordy. Each park can and should have their presentation be slightly different, in organization, in technique, etc. since each park is- in the framework of the narrative- making their own presentation. They wouldn’t all look alike.
• Conclusion section, where the brilliance of the presentations is proclaimed…don’t worry, I know what to do.

Those with more experience at this would do better at determining how much space is needed for each park’s presentation to be complete, detailed but not too long.
I seem to have taken this on without asking anyone else if they want to do the writing of the frame story, and if they do I have no problem with that. I promise that this will NOT become a story about Americana- I only proposed it because I know it so well, and I will only use it to establish the framework needed to bring such disparate parks together in one situation. This story is about the four parks that you all are doing such amazing work on, and working so well together on.
I hope this allays fears about how long this proposal could be, and those fears are well-founded. The main focus of this must be the work you’re doing on the parks. If I can get started on the frame story, I’ll build the places into the narrative for each park’s presentation to be inserted.
Now, if this is the final form of the proposal, I need for those of you who know how to create some of the terrific presentations to work on those presentations. Since we’re doing four different parks we can have four different styles- this will show the judges just how much talent we have here.
OK, this went longer than I thought, but there was a lot to cover. Please share your thoughts!

 

[James G.]

How are we going to present this? I think throwing it all onto a forum post would make that page very long. A site might make more sense in this regard if it were to be divided into five sections- the homepage/company backstory and the four parks.

@James G. I don't think I have responded to the company concept yet but really like it! If you would like, I can create a video ad for the AAITAP to accompany your writeup.

I love the offer, and you do such great work! I've changed the name to AITAPA- the Association of Independent Theme and Amusement Parks of America (it just rolls off the tongue easier, at least off my Ohio-accent tongue).

 

[Outbound]

I love the offer, and you do such great work! I've changed the name to AITAPA- the Association of Independent Theme and Amusement Parks of America (it just rolls off the tongue easier, at least off my Ohio-accent tongue).

Honestly, I think that name is way too long. It would be hard for the everyday consumer to remember Association of Independent Theme and Amusement Parks of America. Here's a list of the most popular theme park companies in America:

• Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
• Universal Parks and Resorts
• Merlin Entertainment Group
• Cedar Fair Entertainment Company
• Six Flags Entertainment

All are very easy to recall off your head. You go to the kiosk and ask, "are you affiliated with Cedar Fair Entertainment? I have a pass for their parks". Saying AITAPA is a bit harder... the acronym doesn't make a word nor are the words it makes up of memorable. I think we should go with something shorter, such as:

 

[James G.]

Honestly, I think that name is way too long. It would be hard for the everyday consumer to remember Association of Independent Theme and Amusement Parks of America. Here's a list of the most popular theme park companies in America:

• Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
• Universal Parks and Resorts
• Merlin Entertainment Group
• Cedar Fair Entertainment Company
• Six Flags Entertainment

All are very easy to recall off your head. You go to the kiosk and ask, "are you affiliated with Cedar Fair Entertainment? I have a pass for their parks". Saying AITAPA is a bit harder... the acronym doesn't make a word nor are the words it makes up of memorable. I think we should go with something shorter, such as:
View attachment 350454

Honestly, I agree completely with the length of the name, but was unsure if I was getting too overwhelming with the Americana-thing. If nobody objects, you have my 100% agreement! I LOVE THE LOGO!!! I'm working on the storyline right now and will get the name changed.

 

[James G.]

Here is the link to the frame story so far. It's not done, but I wanted you all to get a change to look at it and hopefully understand what I'm think of and how your parks fit into it. Please share your thoughts with me. It's not done, and still need both careful proofreading, editing and changes, but it's a start.

Americana Entertainment Group

“Mr. Kalnow, may I ask why all the heavy security and cloak-and-dagger secrecy around this meeting?” asked an older gentleman, identified only as “James G.” by the nametag he wore on his suit coat. “We had to pass through two metal detectors, were patted down by your security guards and even had...

docs.google.com

I'll be gone most of Saturday until later evening and the same Sunday, but keep working, keep brainstorming, and if you're park is coming along well and you can stick your nose into another park that might need some assistance, PLEASE do so! We all are relying on everyone else to make this work, to help us out and to lift us up...ok, sorry, too early in the morning for more inspirational talk. See you soon!!