[iball]

I am terrified of bees and wasps. And all they ever want to do is hang out at carowinds on thunder road and elevated areas. I really wish carowinds people would put bug spray up on thunder road. And the station of intimidator is elevated too. I am probably going to suck it up though. What do you think about the bees and wasps situation?

[rctdcifreak]

Carowinds has a multi-maintenance staff. Maintenance takes care of everything from upkeep on rides to electrical wire to spraying areas for bees and insects. Every year before opening, gardeners and maintenance staff plant vegetation and kill wasp hives, etc. The main reason for insects and bees and other small animals inhabiting the park is because during the off season animals such as geese and insects come "live" in the park. My past supervisor put it to me like that. I know last year while I was working White Water Falls, we had a mind blowing number of baby frogs come out of the wood work. If you should see a wasp nest on thunder road or else where, talk to a supervisor and even guest services and something will be done about it. Many times people "complain" about these things but never mention it to anyone so it never gets resolved. You can't solve a problem if you don't know that there is a problem in the first place. As far as when the wasps really come out, they tend to come out and make hives generally around july but sometimes earlier. This is true locally around the Charlotte area. Just mention it to someone capable of having the matter resolved.

[iball]

I usually see them a lot in the first couple of weeks and then they see that people are here a lot and get out. But the first month is all for me.

[Jay]

[PhantomCat]

The baby frogs did try to take over last year. What in the world was that all about? I even ran a few out of the restroom. I stepped on a few but I didn't mean to. They actually crunched under my weight. I felt like a god. Anywho...

I agree, please tell someone about the insect pest.
One wasp was very brave last year. It tried to build a hive in a certain boat at Lil Bills. It kept flying off and coming back, building a little each time. We had to shut the ride down for a few minutes, but not only did myself and two other ride associates destroy the growing nest, we also killed the lone wasp with a broom - knocked it right out of the air. Mind you, that was not an elevated place either.

We also have wild rabbits which are out at 9 AM, but go into hiding by opening time, and an albino squirrel that makes a park appearance every now and again. I don't think you'll have any problems from him. He likes to mainly hangout at the employee entrance. Strange looking character - like a cat with red eyes. What the freak?!!!

[rctdcifreak]

We also have wild rabbits which are out at 9 AM, but go into hiding by opening time, and an albino squirrel that makes a park appearance every now and again. I don't think you'll have any problems from him. He likes to mainly hangout at the employee entrance. Strange looking character - like a cat with red eyes. What the freak?!!!

I flipped out the first time I saw him. I thought the park was getting an early test start for SCarowinds material with that squirrel.

Heck, I remember there were a couple of times where a wasp would somehow find its way inside the driver's booth at WWF and I would step out of the booth for someone to go in and kill it since im kinda allergic to them stupid pests. One time my supervisor played a mean joke on me, he found a dead wasp outside and put it on the control panel just before my shift to drive the ride. I knew it was him and later got him back.

That is one thing I miss is all the fun my crew had with each other. Its really cool how even in just as little as 8 months or less how you can become friends with your coworkers and act as if you knew everyone of them for years.

[PhantomCat]

rctdcifreak
Let's see what's new in wild life in the park this year. Mother nature has many tricks up her skirt. Have you see the interesting looking dragon flies hanging out over water rides in the past? Most of them are really beautiful. They sometimes fly in really close to people as if to say, "Take a look at me." I know they don't bite or sting, but they look like they'd do some damage if they did.

I have yet to experience a crew becoming really close, but I can already see something special happening with the pit-crew at The Intimidator.

Do you still work in the park? Have we met yet?
Please introduce yourself sometimes.

[rctdcifreak]

Sadly, no. I no longer work for the park. While I was attending Winthrop University it was easy and convenient for a summer job. However, long story short, I am now living back at home in Greenville, SC. So I will not be working for the park this year, but do plan on making many visits this year for many reasons. When I know when I will be making a visit I will PM you a week or two in advance to see if you will be working on a day I will be visiting. I am sure we met before. I know for sure I remember you vividly from CoasterStock. That was fun. Plus you have a great singing voice! If you happen to be working on a day I visit, you will find me easily. I might stop by Personali-Tees and get a custom made shirt with my SN on it so you can see me get on the Intimidator.

As far as the crew goes.......remember no matter where you go in life there will always be "drama" but my crew bonded together since most of us stayed at our location almost all season long. We would look out for one another, and help each other out. I have all sorts of memories. The main key to a crew bonding together like ours did is one thing, RESPECT. I am friends with many of my coworkers now outside of the park because of our time together.

[carowindsman6654]

I'm scared of spiders.

[PhantomCat]

I'm scared of spiders.

Ahhh... Another arachnophobian.

When I worked the kid area last year one of my team members confessed she was afraid of clowns...clownaphobia.
My question is, what happened to her in her childhood?
Now where did I put that red nose? Dang it!

[PhantomCat]

rctdcifreak
You really are a person of "worth and character" who speaks from the heart. That's some serious stuff you're talking about. I wonder if anyone on my team will want to keep in touch with me when the season is over? I'm talking about bonding, something real! It's no fun when you're the one holding the so-called friendships together. When I stop initiating the e-mails, the visits, and the phone calls, the so-called friendships end. No wonder the old saying goes, "You can count your true friends in life on one hand."

I have taken Greyhounds to Florida in the past and one of their favorite places to stop on the way back to Charlotte is Greenville, SC. Every time I was there it felt homey. Some places have that effect. Does it still feel friendly?

[rctdcifreak]

Friendly? No doubt about it, Greenville is such a beautiful place with many beautiful people. Beautiful on the inside that is. I can drive down the highway and pass someone and have at them on I-85 and 9 out of 10 times I will get a wave back. Just like the old South Carolina slogan: Beautiful places, Smiling faces. Not a day goes by that I remember this. I accredit most of my spoken heart to my upbringing in such a wonderful place, a wonderful community, a caring family, and my lessons of life learned from some of the organization I have been blessed to be a part of. I am sure you be able to find friendships like I have while working at Carowinds. All you have to do is open the door and leave an invitation for people to want to become your friend at it will happen.

[rctdcifreak]

And thank you for those kind words.

[carowindsman6654]

Friendly? No doubt about it, Greenville is such a beautiful place with many beautiful people. Beautiful on the inside that is. I can drive down the highway and pass someone and have at them on I-85 and 9 out of 10 times I will get a wave back. Just like the old South Carolina slogan: Beautiful places, Smiling faces. Not a day goes by that I remember this. I accredit most of my spoken heart to my upbringing in such a wonderful place, a wonderful community, a caring family, and my lessons of life learned from some of the organization I have been blessed to be a part of. I am sure you be able to find friendships like I have while working at Carowinds. All you have to do is open the door and leave an invitation for people to want to become your friend at it will happen.

Thanks.

[PhantomCat]

From wildlife to friendships.
This conversation is getting pretty interesting.