The energy was almost a pulse in the room, just absolutely contagious. I walked into the Boardwalk Event Center at SeaWorld San Antonio to a thumping beat, down a dark hallway until entering to see a changed room. Changed not by decorations, but by the sheer fun and excitement flowing from every team member.
It was my first SeaWorld San Antonio Rides Rally and I was just blown away. I expected to have fun, how can you be around some of the most enthusiastic team members at the park and not crack a smile? But I wasn’t prepared for the sheer exuberance from this group. The Rides Rally is an event hosted by the managers of SeaWorld San Antonio’s Ride Operations Department. Imagine combining a pep rally, congratulations for passing training, reminders while in the park working with guests with a dance contest and you might have something close to this extravaganza. Each ride was represented by hand-painted T-shirts the team members working it wore. Rio Loco team sported navy blue, the Great White team was decked out in black, you get the picture.
The team members started the rally with a Fan Tunnel that would have made ANY sports team proud. Throughout the entire event, chants and cheers broke out from each ride, sometimes so loud my ears hurt. As an honorary rides team member, I got to cheer along with the rest. I even presented the Steel Eel team with their plaque commemorating their winning of the 2008 SeaWorld Coaster Challenge.
I was just so amazed that even though each ride had an individual team and will compete against the other rides for guest comments throughout the season, all the team members understood that they were just part of the whole Ride Operations department. This is an incredibly delicate balance to achieve in any work setting. The ability to walk the tightrope between representing the smaller, individual, competing ride teams and then coming together as a cohesive, whole department with such young and new team members is a great credit to their leadership. Later this week, I’ll post pictures from this almost indescribable event.
Only 3 more days to go until the Rides Team gets to strut their stuff for the public. We can’t wait!
Related posts:
- Ride Scenario Training
- Vote for Team Spirit
- Celeb Team Member Chuck Cureau Rides Journey to Atlantis
- Kiddie Rides Return to Happy Harbor!
- Wanna Run A Coaster?
Posted in Coaster Connections
