I Work At IOA, And I'd Like To Say Hey!

[Timmy Boy]

Hey everyone! I've been on this board for a while now, and I forgot that I still had a username. I got my password reset, and I'd like to start posting here again. I'd like to introduce myself, and if this is the wrong board to do it in, please move it to wherever.

Well hey! My name is Tim and I'm a sophomore at UCF. I go to the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, and I'm going into Theme Park Management. I've worked for Disney before. I started at Tower of Terror at MGM. Was there for a year, then I switched to the Monorails, for three months. I really didn't like those at all, and I went to Adventureland Attractions. I was in a rotation where I ran the Tiki Room, Aladdin's Magic Carpets, and "oversaw" the Treehouse. Wasn't that great...

I'm in a club at school called the Future Theme Park Leaders Association. We have guest speakers come from the industry and talk to us about how they got to where they are now, and what their days are like and so forth. Each Disney Manager we had come in, was such an embaressment. When we had Universal Managers come in, they knew soooo much about the industry. They weren't as immature as the Disney ones seemed to be. They actually made me want to work for Universal, so I gave them a try.

So I went for my interview and I got hired into Dueling Dragons. I was sooo pyched. I've never worked a roller coaster, and I'm really into them (I know lots about them, know who makes them etc.). So I've been there now for almost 4 months, and I really do enjoy it.

I read the boards and I see some of the Universal bashing. Saying things like "they don't care about anything." When you actually work there, and see how much work goes into making the guest experience work perfectly thoughout the day, you'll understand why sometimes, things don't go as planned. Things such as "Dragons was down all day... Disney would never do that." It's safety reasons. If Disney had a safety problem that could not be fixed in a timely manner, they too would take their ride down as well.

The thing is, is that both Resorts are in it for the same reason. They both have their way of doing things. I honestly feel that I'm going to stick with Universal, and just stay seasonal at Disney. I get treated better at Universal as a Team Member, and I can see myself moving up faster over there. Which is what I'd like to do someday.

But that's me! I'll be posting around here shortly.

 

[bubba's mom]

Hello & welcome back

 

[AlexandNessa]

Wow. You are making me regret my career choice. OK, it wasn't a choice so much as I just fell into it. How cool to be able to study Theme Park Management!

Anyway, welcome back to the boards. DD is one of our favorite rides.

 

[Melisa1]

Welcome back!!!!!!

What a cool job you have!!! I would love to work at US/IOA!!!!!!!!

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Hi Tim,

Wow what a great story. Will you be working on Dueling Dragons, on President Day Feb 19th?

If so, I will stop buy with my DS & my DD12 and say Hi, will bring you a little something

Any suggestions, on which rides to go on first in IOA? We did purchase the express fast pass.

This will be our first time, & we are really excited!!! I have a "big secret" I am kinda scared of big rides I am not telling my family, I am just going to try everything (as of now) wing it. lol

Any game park plan would be great. I am going to the libaray today for universal books.

Thanks

Patirica

 

[Timmy Boy]

Hey Patricia! I'm glad you all are getting excited about coming!

Unfortunately, I won't be working on the 19th. I'm not scheduled on Mondays. Have you been to the parks before?

If you're doing the express pass, you should be alright. Try and get there early, as everyone says. A lot of attractions there for "little" kids are actually quite fun, and even I enjoy them. (Then again, I'm a theme park nerd). Attractions such as Cat in the Hat, and One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish I always have a lot of fun on.

The height requirements for Dragons and Hulk are 54 inches. We are pretty strict about it, and if your children are questionable in height, they will be pulled aside and remeasured more than once.

Doctor Doom is 52 inches. It's a short ride, but it's a lot of fun. The theme and anticipation is what makes that ride. After work sometimes I'll run over there and get in the single rider line and get like 4 rides in before I leave.

Spiderman is 40 inches. It's a great attraction. It's very impressive, and really is an immersive environment. Everytime I ride it, I always see new things to look at.

Ripsaw and Bluto are fantastic as well. I'm not sure what the weather will be like the, as it's been hot and then super cold lately. If you sit in the back on Ripsaw, you won't get as wet. Bluto's, you're getting soaked no matter where you sit. Bluto's has a great story as well though.

Jurassic Park is amazing. The whole island is wonderful. Camp Jurassic is something your kids should like, and even you might too. There's some amber mines down in there with a cave like environment. The River Adventure is a great ride, and is something everyone can experience.

Flying Unicorn is the cutest little ride. It's a little longer and higher then Wody Woodpecker at USF. It's a good ride which is very re-rideable for the little ones.

I hope you have fun. Take the time to explore the islands, instead of hitting ride after ride. There's a lot to see that people pass up. Also, if you get to Dragons early, and there's no line (5-10 min.) don't use the express. Here's why:

The express line merges with the regular line before the Choose Thy Fate Tower (where you choose Fire or Ice). So you'd walk past the best parts of the castle, then merge, and then the line would start. So there would be no point in it.

Also, if the wait is low, go through the regular line. The castle is amazing. Read Merlin's spellbook. Look at the sayings on the walls in the Graffiti Room (where the Fire Dragon has destroyed) and in the Catacombs where the skeletons build up. It's a wonderful queue. I appreciated it, then again, I'm kind of into that stuff.

I hope you have a great time! PM me or respond here if you need more info!

 

[Figment22]

Welcome back to the boards. It's nice to have you here on the Universal forum.

I'm in a club at school called the Future Theme Park Leaders Association. We have guest speakers come from the industry and talk to us about how they got to where they are now, and what their days are like and so forth. Each Disney Manager we had come in, was such an embaressment. When we had Universal Managers come in, they knew soooo much about the industry. They weren't as immature as the Disney ones seemed to be. They actually made me want to work for Universal, so I gave them a try.

I loved reading this part. Even though we were AP holders for many years, we haven't been to WDW in about six years and it truly was because I felt that customer service had fallen to an all time low. We'd go to USF or IOA and be delighted with the service there and then find out that many of the great employees in question were former Disney employees who no longer worked there because they weren't happy with the way they were treated by the Mouse.

Anyway, I'm glad you're happy in your position at IOA. I love Dueling Dragons, especially the zero gravity part when you're on Fire and it flies over Ice. That is SO cool!

 

[ColleenS]

Tim, thanks for posting. I'm going in June and the advice in your second post was really helpful. So which Dragon is your favorite?

 

[Timmy Boy]

I prefer the Fire Dragon. The elements on that coaster are a bit more spread out than on Ice. But Ice has some stuff thart Fire doesn't, such as the castle wall "scrape" and the barrel roll under Fire, which is crazy fun.

 

[PlutoLuvr]

Hiya, Tim! So nice to have you over here. The list of oh-so-helpful TMs on these boards is just awesome.

No coasters for me. I can usually be found at the nearby bar enjoying a tasty beverage waiting for DH while he does the coasters

But I'll tell DH to ask any TMs he sees around DD if they're named Tim and to say hey.

 

[Metro West]

I prefer the Fire Dragon. The elements on that coaster are a bit more spread out than on Ice. But Ice has some stuff thart Fire doesn't, such as the castle wall "scrape" and the barrel roll under Fire, which is crazy fun.

Welcome Tim and I'm right there with you on Pyrrock...it's the best of the two dragons. I love the flyover and looking down while Blizzrock is turning underneath.

 

[MSWint]

Since we are talking height requirements .... what is the "tallest" height requirement at both US and IOA? I'll have to measure DD10, but am hoping she will be able to ride everything ... if I can talk her into it. Guessing that Hulk would be the most strict.

How tall to do everything?

 

[Timmy Boy]

Both Dragons and Hulk are 54 inches, and they are the tallest height requirements in both parks. If your daughter meets that height, then she's good to go!

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Tim, this board, as well as IOAC are watched by Management. Just so you know...

 

[MisunderstoodLilo]

Tim, you sound like a well rounded individual! I appreciate your initial post and enjoy how you are fair to both parks in the industry.

Your major sounds very interesting as well as the clubs you're involved in. If I knew something like that even existed when I was in college (forever ago!) I may have signed up! You're very lucky!

Welcome back. I'm looking forward to your input as I learn more about US/IOA for a future trip!

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Tim,

It is so nice, that you have given us so much advice before our trips.

Thank you so much for sharing this with us, along with your excitement & love for Universal. I am sure the that the staff of Universal is proud to have someone like you working for them, especially since it seems that you care deeply about your job and is willing to help the public.

This is something you don't see to much.

Again thanks for sharing all of the tips with us, especially the height requirements. I am going to measure my daughter 12 years of age before our trip, so there isn't any disappointments.

Much thanks

Patricia

 

[aurorasleeping]

Hi Tim!
I just wanted to say welcome! I used to work at ATT to... I wanna make a joke about it...but I think I've managed to repress most of those memories...

 

[bjakmom]

Hi Tim ! We love having TMs & CMs on the DIS !! We just returned from a long weekend at both USF and WDW - we love BOTH (and visit several times a year)!!
Every TM we encountered at USF was AWESOME !! DNeph is only 9 and doesn't do all the coasters yet (except for Mummy, which he only did once out of pity for me!) - but he LOVED the shows - Beatlejuice (sp?), Fear Factor and Horror Make-up - the level of talent (and fun) was the best. There were tons of character photo ops this trip. Just wanted to say thanks for all you TMs do to make our little 'reality escapes' so enjoyable !!

 

[Tigger22]

Hi Tim,

I'm not usually on the US/IOA board, but my husband and I LOVE IOA. Big coaster fans.

We just have one thing that we don't understand about the parks (not bashing, just wondering) - We like the single riders lines, but it seems that so many times we watch rides go off not filled. I think because Disney doesn't seem to let this happen, we were just wondering why. I'll admit, it also drives us nuts at other parks (Bush Gardens, 6 Flags) etc., because it just prolongs the wait time for everyone else.

Any idea why?

 

[damo]

Hi Tim,

I'm not usually on the US/IOA board, but my husband and I LOVE IOA. Big coaster fans.

We just have one thing that we don't understand about the parks (not bashing, just wondering) - We like the single riders lines, but it seems that so many times we watch rides go off not filled. I think because Disney doesn't seem to let this happen, we were just wondering why. I'll admit, it also drives us nuts at other parks (Bush Gardens, 6 Flags) etc., because it just prolongs the wait time for everyone else.

Any idea why?

Which rides at Disney offer single rider lines other than Test Track and Everest?