I don't want to make a new thread, but I'm so excited and over the moon over what happened to me at the park yesterday regarding JP that I have to share my story with you here.
I went to the park by myself for the first time yesterday before my night class. I arrive around 3ish, walked around the upper lot, took some pictures of the DM construction, and was asked by an employee if I was from IU - that's another story for another thread! After that I went down to the lower lot, rode Transformers and Mummy, and then went over to Jurassic Park to say hi to someone. (Out of personal phobias I can never ride JP by myself.) While there, I was wearing my Park Ranger badge, which I purchased from ebay from an Orlando vendor. When I walked up to the ride to look for the person I was saying hi to, I ran into a manager named Alex, and a lovely show lead whose name I can't remember. They noticed my park ranger badge and asked to take a photo of it, which I agreed to. We talked a minute and I told them how much I love Jurassic Park, and how much I love the ride. They then offered me a quick behind the scenes tour. I couldn't believe my luck, and of course I said yes. They called ahead to the control room to let them know they were bringing in a guest, then the lead led me under the first lift into the employee area with lockers and vending machines. She was so gracious and cheerful, making small talk with me and telling me about the ride. Then I finally got to go into the control room that I have wanted to be in for years. I have a photo - which out of respect for their kindness I will not share online, just in case they can get in trouble for it, even though I had management permission - of me standing at the control board. The three ride controllers in the office were also very, very kind, and had been part of the opening day team I was told. The three of them proceeded to tell me all about the ride system, and show me the systems and the e-stop mechanisms. We swapped a few stories about the ride and being there opening day, and realized that all 5 of us in that room at that moment had crossed paths - kind of - 16 years earlier on opening day. It was a really great moment for me.
As I was leaving, I shook hands with her and with Alex the manager again, and was told to come and say hi anytime, and to ask them if I ever needed anything. I left feeling giddy. One of my childhood dreams was to be in that control room - and I've done it now thanks to the kindness of a manager and show lead who were passionate about their ride. I can't express my thanks to them enough. As we were leaving the show lead told me that she wished she could walk me through the actual ride, but since it was operating she couldn't. She remarked that it was like a different world in there. I couldn't agree more.
Thank you Alex and thank you to the female lead whose name I wish I could recall (I'm so bad with names!). You made my silly little fangirl dreams come true.
