go pros allowed?

[NightRider785]

I also highly doubt that story. Just to add to why it's bad, mounting something to the handle bars could cause cosmetic damage. When SF does it, or allows someone to do it, the put a decent amount of gaff tape over that spot so that the mounting screw doesn't dig in to the bar. So if you really did get the person to say its ok, they were not very intelligent. And if they had been caught allowing it, they probably would have gotten fired.

[Goku1910]

He should pat himself on the back he nearly cost someone their job....actually several people their jobs.

[PfightingPolish]

He should pat himself on the back he nearly cost someone their job....actually several people their jobs.

Considering there was an op visible in the vid, maybe he already has.

I think this kid's taken enough of a beating. Hopefully it's clear, though, to future folks thinking of the idea -- and reiterating a point I tried to subtly make upthread, but will now make more forcefully:

Don't do this without clearing it with park management (that means someone sitting in an office, not a ride op). Bad idea.

If you're a pro photog or with a news organization, go through park PR and get permission to shoot, like you would for any other event. If you're not, you probably still want to try and get permission before you do something.

[Luxornv]

As far as wanting to do it, it's just a hobby for some people. Personally, I'm more into photography and not video, so I'll take a lot of pictures at the park. I've even been there for half a day with my DSLR and tripod. Even though there are pictures of the rides all over the internet, it's still something fun for me. I would just rather try to capture an image myself than look at a picture the park posted. Not to mention, when you know how to use your camera, you can do some cool things with it. However, my photography doesn't break any park rules since they do allow you to bring in any camera equipment you want for personal use. This becomes an issue though if someone tries to sell any pictures they took at the park. Without proper permission, the park can take legal action against you if they find out about it.

[PfightingPolish]

As far as wanting to do it, it's just a hobby for some people. Personally, I'm more into photography and not video, so I'll take a lot of pictures at the park. I've even been there for half a day with my DSLR and tripod. Even though there are pictures of the rides all over the internet, it's still something fun for me. I would just rather try to capture an image myself than look at a picture the park posted. Not to mention, when you know how to use your camera, you can do some cool things with it. However, my photography doesn't break any park rules since they do allow you to bring in any camera equipment you want for personal use. This becomes an issue though if someone tries to sell any pictures they took at the park. Without proper permission, the park can take legal action against you if they find out about it.

Well, and the other part is, pictures of the rides, structures, etc., from OFF the rides is one thing. Obviously the park is visually appealing and a day there is supposed to be special for folks. When you're not actually riding the the rides, by all means, I think the park wants you to take as many pictures as your heart desires (and will even gladly take pictures of you and sell them to you, if you'd like).

The problem is trying to take pictures while ON the rides. That has potentially disastrous ramifications for the riders, rides, park, employees, etc.

[carson123]

Ok guys I have ben reading the forums for a looonng time and this is the time I have to join. Ok first of all this is Bullsh*t, this "RagingBull14" guy is a phony. He lied thats not his POV its mine its my youtube account. He lied about every thing, and I cant believe he has the guts to even say thats his video. I shot it with my GoPro Hero 2 (With permission from Dameon Nelson and the park) He was there in the ride op booth telling the ride ops that it was ok for me to film. RagingBull14 is a liar, he doesn't deserver to be here taking MY youtube account and video and saying its his. If you don't believe me I have proof, because if it was his how could he have a video of MY KIDS Harlem Shake they made (Tommy, Wyatt, Lennon). That Just Pisses me off . Guys, Im sorry for all the trouble he caused you.

[tribar]

^So what makes YOUR video "OFFICIAL"? And why do you need to post it twice?

[PfightingPolish]

Quoted from the other thread this unfortunate topic created:

A meta-argument about something that shouldn't have been done in the first place over something as meaningless as a video of an experience we've all personally had multiple times and will probably have again multiple times. Awesome.

It's moments like these when I ask why I, as a 31-year-old grown man, with a committed girlfriend, a condo, a job at a well-known major university, a nice side career doing contract sports work and a pretty meaningful life on the whole, bother with these forums.

To the video shooter, any ride ops involved, anyone creating fake profiles, the whole lot of you involved: Grow up, or at least grow a semblance of a brain. Go to /b/ or Reddit to be trolls.

[Goku1910]

Ok guys I have ben reading the forums for a looonng time and this is the time I have to join. Ok first of all this is Bullsh*t, this "RagingBull14" guy is a phony. He lied thats not his POV its mine its my youtube account. He lied about every thing, and I cant believe he has the guts to even say thats his video. I shot it with my GoPro Hero 2 (With permission from Dameon Nelson and the park) He was there in the ride op booth telling the ride ops that it was ok for me to film. RagingBull14 is a liar, he doesn't deserver to be here taking MY youtube account and video and saying its his. If you don't believe me I have proof, because if it was his how could he have a video of MY KIDS Harlem Shake they made (Tommy, Wyatt, Lennon). That Just Pisses me off . Guys, Im sorry for all the trouble he caused you.

You're not helping, my statement still stands if it's your youtube:

I mounted mine on the Giant Drop and they didn't seem to care

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mRLIPfpnbk

Good for you? No one here really cares that you defied the parks policies. Sfgamworld doesn't acknowledge rule-breakers. http://sfgamworld.com/about_us/forumrules.php

Now I need to rant a little.....What's the point of recording it when there's already 10,000 plus videos of the SAME thing? Some people just lack the ability to create their own youtube content so they do what everyone else is doing, Copy>Paste. And what makes your video "OFFICIAL"? Was it sponsored by Great America? No, did you get permission to post it? No. Then what makes it "OFFICIAL"?

[Ilovthevu']

To change the subject a little bit though I'm also curious, does Giant Drop even get a line anymore? I stopped going on it because I don't trust that type of ride anymore (And to me it's okay. It's not great in my opinion, but definitely not worth it to me to risk if does happen again.), but how long is that line usually? Also, if it's a 30 minute line, I would want to know if they are using all the cars, or half? If the line is 5 minutes usually, that's not that great because it's not a higher capacity flat to begin with - with 24 people.

[PfightingPolish]

To change the subject a little bit though I'm also curious, does Giant Drop even get a line anymore? I stopped going on it because I don't trust that type of ride anymore (And to me it's okay. It's not great in my opinion, but definitely not worth it to me to risk if does happen again.), but how long is that line usually? Also, if it's a 30 minute line, I would want to know if they are using all the cars, or half? If the line is 5 minutes usually, that's not that great because it's not a higher capacity flat to begin with - with 24 people.

I, too, do not do Giant Drop much (just not my bag), but I've seen it with a semblance of a line on busy days -- never out past the "mining tunnel," though. What I've never seen is them not using all the cars, though. Generally speaking, seems like an all-or-nothing thing with Drop.

[DejaVu2001]

Giant Drop typically runs 6 cars. There are 3 factors that may cause it to run less than 6 cars. First, if there is a lack of employees or very few guests in the park, they will only run 3 cars and use 2 employees instead of 3. When this happens, they either run cars 6, 1, and 2, or 3, 4, and 5.

They may also disable individual cars for maintenance issues.

The third issue, the one that is most often to blame for Drop running less than 6 cars is wind. As soon as the wind causes a car's cables to blow enough to hit the tower, the crew calls maintenance, and that car (or those cars) will be disabled and parked at the top of the tower.

[tribar]

GD had a decent sized line last Wednesday. Right as you exited the mine. I don't think it was filling the first set of switchbacks but it might have been filling the ones closest to the actual ride.

and that car (or those cars) will be disabled and parked at the top of the tower.

How come they put them on the top and not the bottom. STT does the same thing

[DejaVu2001]

^ When the cars are at the top, the cables are inside the tower so they can't blow around.