SFNEOnline

I think they have said memberships are being honored until they expire. 

Screamscape is reporting that SF Corporate is now phasing out the Membership program and will be going with pay all up front season passes.  Talk about not being able to make up your mind!!  LOL 

We did the SFNE Holiday in the Park drive thru this week.  The park looked great.  There weren't many cars so we easily drove thru in about 25 minutes. They had a menu of snacks at the gate and a pick up area just inside the park.  It looked pricey and we had just had dinner so we passed on that.  Having the park drive thru Mon-Thur and open with rides Fri-Sun seems like a good strategy.   

On a whim we used Casey's flight benefit to go to Orlando for the day on Monday to go to Universal IOA.  We have been there many times over the years but this trip was mostly for VelociCoaster.  People we respect told us it was awesome and that is an UNDERSTATEMENT.  We rode three times.  All rides were in the front and the last one was in the dark.  Fury 325 has been my #1 for 6 years but not any more.  This Intimin is something every enthusiast should get to experience.   

So SFNE released their ride lineup for HITP 2021.  It is very much scaled back from previous years and no coasters except Thunderbolt.  Previous years had Batman, Riddler, and Joker open.  It probably has a lot to do with available staffing.

After skipping last year due to Covid, The Big E is back!  It runs thru Oct 3.  We spent the day there today and had a great day.  The circus was vastly better than the last couple times and we enjoyed it.  We toured the state houses and had the traditional Maine Baked potato. The Midway was vibrant and we rode a couple of new to us coasters. 

The highlight of the day was participating in the parade.  We bought a spot on a Mardi Gras float to throw the beads to the crowd.  It was so much fun!     We finished the day with some fried pickles that were very good.

The rain pretty much held off all day until we were driving home.  I would recommend a visit to all.  You will find that admission is reasonable, lots of free entertainment, food is pricey.

The long and the short of it is that many people found new ways to support themselves during the pandemic.  And I am NOT talking about enhanced unemployment.  Employers are going to have to understand that they are now competing for workers and the most important thing will be the compensation, working conditions, and perks/benefits.  The old days of minimum wage, take it or leave it, are over.  Workers are using the new leverage to force employers to sweeten the pot.  Those that don't will be the ones crying about people not wanting to work.  They are deluding themselves.  People do want to work, but not for the BS slave wages of the past.  Employers will have to go bigger and decide to make less money or increase their prices.    Cedar Point was having hell filling jobs, was cutting days and crying.  Then they announced all jobs in the park would be at least $20 per hour.  Soon after, they opened 7 days and I didn't hear a peep about closed rides, food locations etc there after the rocky start.  Covid has brought in a new world and employers will need to adjust.  Those that do not adjust risk everything.   

2021 Golden Ticket results are announced. Best wood was Phoenix.  Best steel was Fury 325  Locally in wood it was El Toro #3. Boulder Dash #4. Comet (Great Escape) #20. Locally in steel it was STR #4. Nitro #14. Wicked Cyclone #42.

It is hard to believe that year in and year out that 2 of the top 10 coasters in the world are right here in New England only about 40 miles apart.