Tag: zerotohero

Pros and Cons: My Favorite Hotel Brands for Travel

Posted in Blog, Touristician ReviewsTagged , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

When I am not working, one of my favorite things to do is to travel around and explore new places that interest me. Along the way, I have documented my travels and experiences on some of my trips. I always stay at branded hotels, and it’s often the same brand or within the same company. Depending on the duration of my trip, budget, and needs during my trip, the hotel I choose will vary. Below, I have listed my top favorite hotel brands I stay at and the pros and cons of each. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

Home2 Suites by Hilton:

By Far my favorite Hilton brand without a doubt. Home2 Suites is an all suite extended stay hotel brand featuring larger rooms with kitchenettes, living spaces and larger bathrooms. The brand was created to complement the existing extended stay Hilton brand Homewood Suites and to compete with TownePlace Suites by Marriott and Candlewood Suites by IGH.

While I haven’t featured this specific brand on the blog , my previous stays include the following locations:

  • Home2 Suites by Hilton Richmond Short Pump
  • Home2 Suites by Hilton Taylor Detroit

Pros:

  • Larger rooms than a traditional hotel at an affordable price. Most often cheaper than other select service hotels or full service hotels with smaller rooms.
  • Curtain divider in the room makes it easy to section off the room so someone can watch tv or read a book while someone else is sleeping without disturbing them.
  • Super functional kitchenette with microwave, dishwasher as well as dinnerware.
  • Larger bathroom offers larger vanities and shower stalls making getting ready in the mornings and at night a breeze.
  • Extremely comfortable beds, linens and pillows. I hate hotel pillows! But not at Home2! They are some of the most comfortable pillows out there.
  • Home2 Suites hotels are new build hotels meaning they are built from the ground up and aren’t existing hotels converted or renovated into Home2 Suites. This means most locations are newer which means a more comfortable stay. 

Cons:

  • Limited breakfast selection. This sort of makes sense since the rooms have kitchenettes most guests cook their own meals in their rooms. However, despite the smaller breakfast selection, the food is very fantastic. 
  • While the locations are new builds, this often means it is harder to find a location in some areas since there are not a lot of Home2 Suites in some areas since this is a newer brand. However, as time goes on more Home2 locations are being built in certain areas and it is getting easier to find one. (Note this may not apply to cities or large tourist areas).
  • With larger rooms and more amenities in the room, sometimes may come with a higher price tag. While this may not be true for every location, it may be possible in some markets where there are a lot of hotels or not many extended stay hotels.

Tru by Hilton

When I think of top hotel brands, Tru definitely has to be up there! Tru is a select service brand that focuses on minimal yet detailed oriented and meaningful design and experiences. At Tru, you get all the essentials in a perfect balance of form and function. With tons of storage, plenty of spaces to charge your devices, a mobile desk, and our big, bright bathrooms, everything you need is in easy reach. Tru really is a very detail oriented brand taking into account the smallest of details to make the overall stay better.

While I haven’t featured this specific brand on the blog , my previous stays include the following locations:

  • Tru by Hilton Lancaster East
  • Tru by Hilton Denver (PA)
  • Tru by Hilton Roanoke Hollins

Pros:

  • One thing I love about Tru is each location has unique touches and nods to the area and community it is located in. This gives it less of a cookie cutter feel despite being a franchised hotel.
  • I can’t talk about Tru without mentioning the amazing breakfast! Tru provides a large selection of hot foods, baked goods and of course the main star, pancakes! A full pancake topping bar and cool pancake machine are the true highlights of the mornings.
  • Considering the rooms are smaller yet more detail oriented, the bathrooms are very spacious and offer plenty of hooks to hang towels on. Finally a hotel brand got this detail right! I’m so tired of hotels forgetting about hanging towels or clothes up while you are getting ready. 
  • Blackout curtains are mounted inside the window frame meaning there is no annoying gap on either side of the curtains. This really makes a huge difference in making the room dark for sleeping no matter the time of day.
  • I love the lobby design! The lobby offers plenty of seating, places to get some work done and even some games like foosball and pool to pass the time.
  • Tru hotels are new build hotels meaning they are built from the ground up and aren’t existing hotels converted or renovated into a Tru. This means most locations are newer which means a more comfortable stay.
  • Yet another thing Tru remembered is putting in an automatic night light in the bathroom so you can see as you walk to the bathroom in the middle of the night! Anyone else tired of tripping or bashing their legs into furniture? I know I sure am! Thank you Tru! Someone finally also got this detail right!

Cons:

  • Keep in mind these rooms are smaller and don’t offer coffee makers, microwaves or have large walk in closets. There is more focus on the small details and essentials.
  • I personally wish there was more lighting instead of just having one desk lamp, and overhead lighting above the beds. While I like the lights over the bed, I wish there was a way to turn off only one side without turning off the whole thing.
  • Be aware there are not many room types at Tru. Tru focuses mainly on rooms with one king size bed or two queens as well as accessible rooms. If you are looking for a suite or larger room, this may not be the brand for you.

Hampton by Hilton

Wow! Noticing a pattern here with Hilton? They are really on a roll here! I definitely couldn’t make this list and not include Hampton. 

Hampton is a midscale hotel designed to compete against other limited service brands like Fairfield Inn by Marriott, Holiday Inn Express, and Comfort Inn/Comfort Suites. As of December 2019, Hampton by Hilton includes 2,544 hotels in 30 countries and territories with 266,933 rooms, including 72 that are managed with 10,061 rooms and 2,472 that are franchised with 256,872 rooms. 

In my latest post, I reported and commented on the new prototype Hampton Inn has that is about to be rolled out. In some aspects I was a little more tough on the chain since I love it so much. One of those reasons has to do with the service alone. I find that along with many other Hilton hotels, the service is unparalleled. That paired with excellent designed and modern rooms makes for a perfect stay.

A quick fun fact before we jump into our pros and cons, did you know the Hampton Inn chain was originally started by Holiday Inn? It wasn’t until 1999 that many Hilton chains like Hampton Inn, Embassy Suites, and Homewood Suites would join Hilton under a massive $3.7 billion dollar purchase. Could you imagine how different the hotel industry would have turned out if that purchase never happened?

I previously featured this brand on the blog many times in the Touristician Reviews series. Previous stays include the following locations:

Pros:

  • Very easy to find a location especially when traveling on a major highway. You could legitimately take a rock and hit several Hampton hotels. (Although I wouldn’t recommend doing so while driving. Not only is that dangerous, it is also very illegal). 
  • Extremely consistent service and rooms. There are not as many locations left that are old or run down. Additionally, the service is always impeccable and never fails to deliver. 
  • While some hotels don’t provide microwaves anymore, Hampton Inn is one of the few out there that still does. 
  • Plenty of room for storage in spacious closets, dressers and cabinets. Perfect for families with lots of luggage.
  • The perfect place for anyone traveling for business, vloggers, or college students who need to get work done. Large desk areas with desk lamps, and amble outlets provide the perfect place to work as well as relax.
  • Extremely spacious bathrooms offer oversized backlit mirrors, ample counter space, plenty of storage for liens, as well as plenty of towel racks/hooks. I always loved how Hampton over stocks the liens in the bathrooms and doesn’t put them over the toilet. (I always hate when hotels have a small towel bar and lien storage above the toilet. It is honestly disgusting). 

Cons:

  • While I personally have not had this happen to me, Hampton is supposedly more noisy compared to other chains. However, I personally never had an issue with this at Hampton as I tend to stay in newer or renovated locations.
  • Inconsistent bathroom design across the brand. To be honest this is to be expected with a long established chain with several thousand locations. However, I notice there are more inconsistencies with this brand than other Hilton brands. For example there are a lot of different layouts, shower designs (walk in, shower doors, bathtub combo, etc).
    • I’d suggest you do your research before picking a Hampton location. If there are multiple locations, pick the most updated and higher rated location.
  • Take note because there are so many Hampton Inn locations, there may be multiple locations within the same town or city you are staying in often only minutes apart. This may confuse your travel plans. Make sure you really research and know exactly what location you are booking and going to.

Holiday Inn Express by IHG

Built upon the spirit of the original Holiday Inn chain, Holiday Inn Express was created in 1990 aimed to revolutionize select service travel for the newer generations. Compared to a full service Holiday Inn, the Express variation focuses on limited service with no on site restaurants, room service or ballrooms. Instead Holiday Inn Express features free breakfast each morning, fitness and pool facilities, and higher end more detailed rooms. 

The brand aims to provide a perfect balance between offering a place to get work done yet offering a relaxing environment to recharge your batteries with a restful night’s sleep. As of 2021, the brand hit a milestone during its 30th anniversary year opening its 3,000th location. 

I previously featured this brand on the blog many times in the Touristician Reviews series. Previous stays include the following locations:

  • Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lancaster – Mount Joy
  • Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lancaster East – Strasburg (Not featured on the blog)
  • Holiday Inn Express Baltimore at the Stadiums (Not featured on the blog)
  • Holiday Inn Express Atlantic City W Pleasantville (Not featured on the blog)

Previously I used to say this was my favorite hotel brand ever. However, this brand is starting to lose its place as one of my favorites. Last few times I have stayed there were many issues and inconsistencies some of which keep happening over and over again. The last time I stayed was the straw that broke the camel’s back. However, I did still decide to include this on my last as I did enjoy a majority of my stays before these issues and am hoping that maybe next stay will be better. 

Pros:

  • Very detailed oriented rooms include embroidered pillowcases to help mark the firmness of each pillow, reading lights over the headboards, and ample storage space.
  • Rooms do include a microwave which is a huge plus since most hotels do not offer this in rooms anymore. (From observation, it appears to be an industry wide trend).
  • Spacious bathrooms with plenty of lien storage, backlit mirrors and plenty of counter space to get ready in the morning.
  • Perfect balance between business and leisure. Rooms offer large work spaces while the hotels themselves offer business centers and meeting spaces all while keeping focus on leisure. Even if you’re not traveling for business, you’ll find this isn’t a turn off. 
  • Most locations offer king size suites that feature larger living spaces, a small kitchenette area and larger bathroom. This is a huge plus since some select service brands don’t offer suites.
  • Good service at the properties and very responsive customer service from the brand.
    • Honestly nothing to rave about. It isn’t horrible yet isn’t over the top amazing. I would say Hilton does a much better job with service and pulls out all the stops everytime and consistently. 
  • Easy to use mobile app allows for mobile check in to be a breeze. I actually did this before and it was so easy and well worth it. All I had to do when I got to the hotel was pick up my keys. I do wish there was a digital key option for the rooms on the app, but that isn’t a huge deal.

Cons:

  • Extremely inconsistent and poorer quality breakfast. Last few times I have stayed, I noticed the breakfast choices were very slim and the quality of the food went down hill drastically compared to a few years ago. Take our cinnamon roll incident from Mount Joy as an example.
  • Cleanliness issues appear to be more common especially in the bathrooms, on the flooring and on the appliances (fridges & microwaves).
  • Like Hampton Inn, there are so many Holiday Inn Express locations which often means there are multiple locations within the same town or city that are only minutes apart. This may confuse your travel plans. Make sure you really research and know exactly what location you are booking and going to.

Final Thoughts:

In conclusion, the journey of discovering and experiencing various hotel brands has been eye-opening and enriching. Each stay has offered valuable insights and memorable encounters, shaping my perspective as a traveler. As I look ahead to future adventures, I eagerly anticipate the evolution of these hotel brands and the new experiences they will offer. With a blend of nostalgia for past stays and a sense of anticipation for the future, I am grateful for the diverse range of hospitality experiences that have enriched my travels.

What do you think of my top hotel brands? Do you agree with this list? Let us know down in the comments section below, and as always, if you are enjoying our content, be sure to subscribe to never miss a single post.

Follow Us

Get new content delivered directly to your inbox.

Exploring SeaWorld Orlando: A Fascinating Journey into Marine Wonder

Posted in Blog, Touristician ReviewsTagged , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Welcome back to the blog! Previously, in my last post, I began reviewing my experiences from Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure while on my vacation in Florida. Today we are once again back in the fabulous Sunshine State and we are enjoying the sights and sounds of SeaWorld Orlando!

About The Park:

SeaWorld Orlando, located in Orlando, Florida, is a theme park and marine zoological park. It is associated with neighboring parks such as Discovery Cove and Aquatica, all falling under SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. The park is also affiliated with Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. In 2022, SeaWorld Orlando welcomed around 4.45 million guests, making it the 10th most visited amusement park in the United States. This high visitation highlights its status as a major attraction, drawing visitors to experience its entertainment and marine life conservation.

SeaWorld Orlando has been a significant part of the Central Florida entertainment landscape since its opening on December 15, 1973. Joining the ranks of the SeaWorld chain as its third park, it quickly became a pivotal attraction, effectively transforming Central Florida into a multi-park vacation destination. Notably, the park’s establishment followed closely on the heels of the opening of Walt Disney World Resort’s Magic Kingdom by a mere two years. This proximity in timeline solidified the region’s status as a premier global destination for diverse, world-class theme park experiences.

Following its initial introduction, SeaWorld Orlando experienced changes in ownership that further shaped its trajectory. In 1976, the park was acquired by Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, marking a pivotal shift in its stewardship. Subsequently, Anheuser-Busch, renowned as the owner of Busch Gardens, assumed ownership of SeaWorld, adding another layer to the park’s rich history. This transition in 1989 not only altered the park’s ownership structure but also contributed to the evolution of its offerings and strategic direction, reflecting the dynamic nature of Central Florida’s entertainment landscape.

Busch was more experienced with theme parks and thus developed SeaWorld in a competitive and aggressive manner, moving the park from a show-based to a ride-based park. The park joined in the Disneyland-started simulator ride wave in 1992 with Mission: Bermuda Triangle (later rethemed into Wild Arctic). The nation’s first combination roller coaster and flume ride, Journey to Atlantis, was installed in 1998. In 2000, the Kraken, a Bolliger & Mabillard floorless roller coaster, was added to the park. The flying coaster, Manta, came to the park in 2009 and won the Theme Park Insider Award as the best new attraction.

After being in business for almost 30 years, Busch Entertainment expanded by adding two parks next to each other. Discovery Cove opened in 2000 and Aquatica water park opened in 2008. The company was sold to a private equity firm in 2009 after Anheuser-Busch was purchased by InBev. This led to the closure of the Hospitality Center in February 2009. Over the years, Sea World has introduced several new attractions such as Mako, Ice Breaker, Sesame Street Land, Infinity Falls, and the latest one this year: Pipeline.

SeaWorld’s commitment to marine conservation and education has been a hallmark of its brand, with initiatives aimed at promoting awareness and understanding of marine life. However, throughout the years while trying to achieve this goal, SeaWorld has faced hefty backlash for serval incidents, including safety violations and significant fines related to one of its main orcas. However, despite some of these challenges and issues, SeaWorld has successfully created a harmonious balance between enjoyment and education, providing visitors with a deeper appreciation for the oceans and the creatures that inhabit them.

The acquisition of SeaWorld by new ownership has brought about significant changes in the park’s operations, with a renewed focus on guest experiences and environmental stewardship. This shift has seen the introduction of innovative attractions and experiences, aimed at captivating audiences while also fostering a greater understanding of marine ecosystems.

In recent years, SeaWorld has continued to expand its attractions, with a keen eye on incorporating cutting-edge technology and immersive storytelling. The addition of rides like Mako, Ice Breaker, and Infinity Falls has enhanced the park’s appeal to thrill-seekers, while Sesame Street Land has delighted younger visitors with its vibrant and interactive offerings.

Moreover, the introduction of Pipeline, the latest attraction unveiled this year, underscores SeaWorld’s ongoing commitment to providing fresh and exciting experiences for its guests. This thrilling new addition is set to further elevate the park’s reputation as a premier destination for entertainment and adventure, solidifying its position as a leader in the realm of marine-themed attractions.

SeaWorld’s journey reflects a dedication to evolution and adaptation, embracing new opportunities to captivate audiences while remaining steadfast in its mission to inspire conservation efforts and foster a deeper connection with the natural world. As SeaWorld continues to chart its course into the future, it stands poised to continue delivering unforgettable experiences that blend entertainment, education, and environmental awareness.

SeaWorld Orlando’s fascinating transformation in the summer of 2014 marked a significant milestone for the renowned company as it celebrated its 50th anniversary. The park underwent a reorganization, dividing into distinct areas known as “seas,” each meticulously crafted to embody a unique thematic essence. This innovative approach invited visitors to embark on a captivating journey, starting from the lower center and unfolding seamlessly in a clockwise direction, offering an unparalleled adventure at every turn. This reconfiguration helped to enhanced the guest experience, and also exemplified the commitment to continuous evolution and creativity that has been synonymous with SeaWorld’s legacy.

Port of Entry

The main entrance of the park features a Florida-inspired theme with tropical landscaping and a large artificial freshwater marina with a Shamu-themed iconic lighthouse.

Sea of Shallows

This area showcases most of the shallow water sea animal exhibits at the park as well as the Dolphin Theater. In addition, the Manta roller coaster travels through this section and the former Turtle Trek, A 360 degree dome film, which featured the story of a turtle. All of the Key West at SeaWorld area is inside of the Sea of Shallows. It is designed to mimic the appearance of the city of Key West, Florida with architecture and landscaping reminiscent of the area. Animal exhibits in this portion of the park include lesser devil rays, cownose rays, southern stingrays, green sea turtles, hawksbill sea turtle, loggerhead sea turtle, Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, greater flamingos, West Indian manatees, American alligators and brown pelicans. The stingray and dolphin habitats offer opportunities for guests to feed the animals.

Sea of Legends

The Journey to Atlantis is a captivating boat ride that incorporates thrilling roller coaster elements, creating an unforgettable experience for visitors. This attraction draws inspiration from the mythical legend of the lost city of Atlantis, adding an intriguing and immersive narrative to the adventure. Additionally, visitors can also enjoy the adrenaline-pumping excitement of Kraken, a remarkable floorless roller coaster that further enhances the overall thrill of the theme park. The combination of these exhilarating experiences ensures that visitors can look forward to an action-packed and unforgettable time at the park.

Sea of Ice

Sea of Ice, originally named Antarctica, is themed around the Antarctic continent. Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin is the sole attraction in this area as a penguin exhibit. This is where the brand new ride will be based, named Penguin Trek, in 2024.

Penguin Trek is being promoted as an unforgettable family launch coaster adventure capable of reaching speeds up to 43 miles per hour. The ride is themed around viewing the breathtaking vastness of Antarctica from a snowmobile while dodging and narrowly escaping the crumbling hazards of an icy cavern. The ride ends with the rider discovering a real penguin habitat.

Sea of Delight

The Sea of Delight is truly a captivating section of the park, offering visitors a delightful experience reminiscent of a seaside Mediterranean village. The charming sub-area called The Waterfront is a picturesque representation of this, complete with quaint architecture and serene views. One of the highlights of this area is the iconic Sky Tower ride, seamlessly integrated into the theme of The Waterfront village when it made its debut in 2003. This merging of thrilling attractions with the thematic essence of the village adds a unique allure to the overall experience.

Moreover, within this enchanting enclave, guests can also enjoy the captivating Pets Ahoy show, which was hosted in the Seaport Theater. This engaging animal show provided a memorable experience for visitors, becoming a cherished part of their time in The Waterfront. Notably, just beyond The Waterfront lies the Sea Lion and Otter Stadium viewing area, offering a perfect vantage point to observe these fascinating marine animals in their natural element.

The Sea of Delight, with its exquisite blend of attractions and thematic elements, truly stands as a testament to the park’s artful curation of immersive experiences.

Sea of Mystery

The Sea of Mystery is where you’ll find the Shark Encounter exhibit and the Sharks Underwater Grill, as well as the Nautilus Theater, which they use for seasonal shows and events. Mako, a Bolliger & Mabillard steel hypercoaster, was introduced in the area on June 10, 2016. They spruced up the current shark exhibit and the surrounding area, turning it into Shark Wreck Reef. By 2018, they also added the rapids ride Infinity Falls in this area, set in the sub-area of Sea of Infinity. This spot has a rainforest vibe and also features a food spot called Waterway Grill.

Sea of Power

The Sea of Power is where SeaWorld puts on its killer whale shows. Right in the middle, you’ve got the Shamu Stadium, and right next to it is the Wild Arctic indoor pavilion. Inside the Wild Arctic, you can check out some cool animals like beluga whales, Pacific walruses, harbor seals, and there used to be polar bears, too. Right now, the Shamu Stadium is running the “Orca Encounter” as its main show, but you can catch “Shamu Celebration: Light up the Night” and “Shamu Christmas Miracles” during the holiday season.

Sesame Street Land

Formerly named Shamu’s Happy Harbor and Sea of Fun, Sesame Street Land is a kids’ area right next to Shamu Stadium. Here, you’ll find fun stuff for the whole family, like Super Grover’s Box Car Derby (a mini rollercoaster) and a cool water play area. This is the only part of SeaWorld Orlando inspired by the educational TV show, Sesame Street.

My Rating: 6/10

While I enjoyed my time at SeaWorld, my main complaint was the crowd level as the theme park was hosting the Madi Gras celebrations as well as its Seven Seas Food Festival. I am kind of disappointed I didn’t get to try any of the foods but decided it would not be worth the price, but all of the stalls were uniquely themed and the menus did look interesting. A big complaint I have for SeaWorld is their locker policy or their usage of the locker system. You do have to put items in a locker for most of the thrill rides, but they are not free like Universal’s sadly. The system was a bit more confusing to use and took a bit for me to understand fully. I wish they would use the ticket or something similar to Universal, then offer the free lockers that are smaller and paid lockers for bigger items. I loved the different walk-thru exhibits and educational posters that helped teach kids about the animals and how to save the animals. That is something that I think really makes SeaWorld a good place to visit with kids. The live action shows with animals were cute and I did enjoy watching the shows, though I think they missed out by not making the screen at the Orca Encounter in the shape of a whale tale… but eh, that is just my opinion. I did learn that the SkyTower is a charge of fee ride, so that was a bit disappointing. When I did get to the SkyTower, it was either closed or the line was too long.

My biggest disappointment was the meal ticket plan I had gotten. The restrictions of where to eat and what to eat are utterly ridiculous. I feel they could expand this a bit more to include some of the better restaurants… I didn’t really get the bang for my buck with this item and I dont not suggest it.

Tips & Tricks

Just like Universal, Sea World does have an app you can download that will help you keep track of ride times, show times, and more. I suggest just like Universal to see if you look up a calendar to show when Sea World expects a crowded time and try to avoid going to the park during those times. For the small kids, I say you really need to check out Sesame Street Land. It’s a really cute and interactive land for the younger ones, while the thrill junkies can go ride the coasters. It even has a parade of characters, but you can imagine that it causes a bit of a backup even if you are trying to get from one part of the park to the other.

And with that, the review is officially done! Though, we did go to Disney Springs before heading home on the 4th day… I feel it was unnecessary for me to give a full review on the shopping district area as we didn’t spend much time there. Again, the main complaint, the crowds were utterly ridiculous. The line for the Lego store wrapped around the store itself, if that gives you an idea on how busy it was during that weekend. 

I thank you all for joining me on my great adventure. I look forward to hopefully sharing more with you all again next time. For now, here are some more pictures from my trip! Enjoy!

Six Flags & Cedar Fair Merge Under Insane $8B Deal.

Posted in Blog, Industry News & Highlights, Six FlagsTagged , , , , , , , Leave a comment

A few months ago, we looked at and discussed the rocky future Six Flags had with new leadership coming in and stirring up turmoil company-wide. Since then, there have been massive rumors circulating regarding the future of Six Flags. There was, at one point, talk about Six Flags selling off all their real estate to a real estate trust company while they kept operating the parks. Ultimately, this was pure speculation and rumors that never occurred.

However, massive news just dropped in the theme park community regarding Six Flags and its competitor Cedar Fair. Under a new massive $8B deal, the two companies will merge to become one massive joint company. The combined company, which will operate under the name Six Flags, will boast 27 amusement parks, 15 water parks and nine resort properties in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

As the deal was announced early morning on Thursday, November 2nd, Cedar Fair CEO Richard Zimmerman gave the following remarks:  

“Our merger with Six Flags will bring together two of North America’s iconic amusement park companies to establish a highly diversified footprint and a more robust operating model to enhance park offerings and performance”. 

Under the new leadership structure, Zimmerman will be president and CEO of the combined company. Meanwhile, Selim Bassoul, President and CEO of Six Flags, will become executive chairman.

While I am personally very skeptical about Selim Bassoul and the Six Flags leadership, I am very glad that Cedar Fair is taking control of the leadership while Six Flags is the brand and providing support to Cedar Fair. 

When you compare the two companies, Cedar Fair is the better and stronger company out of the two. Cedar Fair focuses a lot more on quality compared to Six Flags where the emphasis is on quantity. I think Cedar Fair could definitely improve the Six Flags parks by a lot, with their higher standards, attention to detail, heavy theming and minimalist in park advertising approach.

One major benefit that would come with this merger, is both operators will have access to each other’s intellectual property brands such as DC Comics, Looney Tunes and Peanuts. One thing Cedar Fair lacks is themed attractions centered around a character or movie. By having access to the DC brand, it would allow Cedar Fair to step up and compete on a themed attraction level with the Marvel superhero rides at Disneyland and Universal Studios Orlando.

On the flip side, Six Flags struggles (in my opinion at least) with theming and creating attractions for children and a younger audience. Cedar Fair has the Peanuts brand and with it, they do a very good job creating some unique and well organized kids areas. I feel like Six Flags often overlooks or forgets about these kinds of areas/lands so with Cedar Fair bringing this to the table, it would be a huge win for Six Flags. 

There is a huge push and hope from the theme park fan community that the newly formed company will create a new season pass program that would allow pass holders to access all 27 parks across the portfolio. I think this would be a smart idea since it would allow guests to experience the best that both operators have to offer. For example one could enjoy Cedar Fair’s top parks in Southern California (Knott’s), Ohio (Cedar Point and Kings Island) and also enjoy Six Flags’ top parks in Los Angeles (Magic Mountain), Chicago (Great America) and New Jersey (Great Adventure). 

As it stands now, Cedar Fair-Six Flags will only have two overlapping areas in both combined portfolios in Southern California and the San Francisco Bay Area. This overlap will not remain for long however, as Cedar Fair has sold California’s Great America and the park will cease operating within a few years. After this, it would only have Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in the Bay Area market.

When asked about if there would be any potential closures or sales to any of the joint parks, Cedar Fair CEO Richard Zimmerman said on a call with investors that there are no plans to close any of the parks following the merger.

“These are irreplaceable assets. How do you grow if you shrink your portfolio?”

There are still so many questions and details to work out with this merger. I think only time will tell how well this merger goes for both operators and what will become of it. Keep in mind this was only announced on Thursday, November 2nd so there is not much additional information available. It is definitely going to be interesting to watch this merger further progress and unfold. 

So, what do you think of this insane merger? Let us know in the comments below and be on the lookout for more YouTube videos and blog content coming your way soon!

Ferret Bites and $5,000 Jackpot: Unbelievable Hotel Story!

Posted in Blog, Work ExperiencesTagged , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

I previously wrote about my craziest hotel stories in two previous posts as well as my craziest restaurant stories coming up in two future posts. However, just recently I think I have finally got a story that tops them all! 

Anyone that has worked in the industry always knows the craziest things always happen on the swing or night shift. This weekend was no different for me… So what exactly does a ferret and $5,000 dollars have to do with each other? Well… buckle up cause this story gets crazy real quick…

Disclaimer: The following blog post does not reflect the views, action or position of MGM Resorts International. All views, opinions and reflections expressed are solely my own. Some details may be modified to ensure privacy and confidentiality.

The Ferret Saga:

I am honestly not even sure how to explain this story, that’s how crazy it is! I was working the swing/night shift at the front desk. I was just wrapping up my shift when I heard another one of my co-workers talking about a phone call they just received from another department regarding a guest’s issue upstairs. The guest was staying on the 32nd floor of the hotel and while they were walking back to their room, there was a loose ferret running around on the floor causing mischief. Apparently, said ferret supposedly bit the guest as they were walking back to their room. Security was immediately called to check on the guest and to try to investigate where the ferret came from and who was responsible for it. (I kid you not…. I am not making this up, I swear! Just wait, it gets better)! It took multiple security officers to wrangle the ferret and safely handle it so no further harm was done to the animal or other guests. At this time, I do not know who owned the ferret, how it made it into the hotel, or what happened to it. All I know is that animal control came to pick up the ferret.

Now, here’s when the craziness really comes in… Apparently the guest later at night decided to go downstairs on the casino floor and play to get their mind off what happened. As the guest was playing they hit a jackpot and won $5,000! I do not know about you, but that is some crazy luck getting bit by a ferret, then also winning a $5k jackpot in the same day! This guest definitely has some luck! Maybe they should go play the lottery after this! This hands down tops every single story I have told on this blog so far and that says a lot since I have plenty more stories to tell!

What did you think of this story? Do you have any interesting stories of your own? Share them with us in the comments section, send them to us via email, or message us on social media and we might include them in a future post.

I hope you enjoyed reading about this craziness. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to leave a like, subscribe to our blog and follow us on social media so you never miss a future post!

Navigating Toxic Workplaces: Advice, Tips & Guidance for Dealing with Managerial Challenges

Posted in Blog, Work ExperiencesTagged , , , , , , , , 3 Comments

I recently had the pleasure of returning back to my community college and got to speak as an alumni speaker. I discussed my experiences in college so far, challenges I faced in the industry and where I am currently in my career. I wanted to take some time to discuss the challenges I faced and shed some light on some of these topics as I know many others may face these challenges too and may need some advice on what to do. 

One of my main goals when I started this blog was to dedicate specific content to act as guides and provide advice to those just starting out. I’m hoping within the next few months to really expand that area of the blog with more content and ideas I have in the works. In the meantime, I hope you find this useful or at least somewhat insightful. 

To clarify, the following incidents, challenges and hardships all happened at my last hotel job not at my current place of employment. Additionally, I would like to state for the record, my co-workers, front desk manager (at the time) and operations manager (at the time) were all amazing people. When I’m speaking about these topics, I’m talking about the managers above them and corporate.

Toxic Work Environment:

It wasn’t always this way… When I first joined the company I did their intern program and was very impressed with their family culture and values. But just like that it all came crashing down in a fiery ball. It was as if one day it was at the drop of a hat. Perhaps this was all going on before I came on and it just snowballed? Who knows… 

I constantly dealt with a certain specific manager who just never respected me, other employees and treated the hotel like a dictatorship. It always felt like this manager had it out for me. They always treated me differently than everyone else but not in a good way. It felt like I always had a target painted on my back. 

Let me give you an example. One day I’m working at the desk with one of my other co-workers and it was slow. Seeing it was slow, I decided to go use the restroom before I got busy again and while I had the chance. So I go to the back office so I can head to the bathroom and this manager stops me and gets into an attitude with me. This is how this interaction went (summarized of course):

Mngr: “Where are you going? You should be at the desk!”

“(Co-Worker) is at the desk. I’m using the restroom while it is slow. I needed to go but couldn’t since it was so busy”.

Mngr: “Oh well…next time you gotta ask or say something. Can’t you just disappear on me”.

“Oh… I have to ask permission to go to the bathroom now? I didn’t know I had to. What is this elementary school? I’m a grown adult. If I need to use the bathroom, I’m going to go nor will I ever just leave the desk unattended. As I said (Co-Worker) is at the desk. I’m sure it will be okay for a few minutes while it’s slow”.

Mngr: “Well… you can’t just leave them alone..”

“… As I’ve said multiple times, it’s slow. Plus they know since I told them I’d be right back… So  I’m going to the bathroom now”.

It was at this point I was so confused and couldn’t understand why I was being lectured and disrespected for simply being a human and going to the restroom. Can you imagine getting in trouble for going to the restroom? This is just one of several examples of the toxic work environment this manager and corporate (more on them shortly) caused not only for me but the other employees.  

At first I tried to give this manager the benefit of the doubt when they first came to the hotel. After many incidents (there are several… you’d be here for a week reading this if I included them all) I tried sitting down with them and speaking with them one on one about the incidents and how I found them unacceptable but this never did anything. 

When things got really bad, I complained to HR and their attitude was “Well it’s your word against ours. Good luck proving it. You have no ground to stand on. All this is verbal plus the messages you showed us don’t really do anything for your case. At this time we will not be making any changes at the hotel. If you are that unhappy, you can just put your two weeks in”. 

WOAH!!!! Did the Human Resources department just tell me I can quit and threaten me by saying “good luck proving it”? THEY SURE FLIPPING DID!!! Oh but wait… It gets worse! Every Time someone complained, HR and corporate ignored us and didn’t do anything about it. Seems every time this manager got wind we complained, they made it hell for us. Which brings me to my next topic…

Fear Tactics & Fear Driven Management

For those not familiar with the topic, Fear based leadership is when leaders lead by fear, threats or combination of both. Threats may include retaliation, disciplinary action, termination, etc. More often than not, fear-based leadership stems from the boss’s lack of confidence in their own abilities. Rather than let the light shine on them and reveal their flaws, they use fear so that they can survive—at the expense of the people they’re supposed to be inspiring to do their best work.

I never really knew how to describe how this hotel manager and corporate style of leadership was at times until I learned of this ineffective style in my principles of management course. Looking back and reflecting on everything, there are definitely examples of this happening. For example a normal leader would tell their team “Hey, please make sure we do (insert a task) like this from now on please because (insert reason). When we do it the other way it causes (problem or issue). Thank you”. 

Unfortunately, I got the opposite style which really got insanely difficult to deal with. “Do this like this or else I’ll write you up”. Most times when I heard this statement my thought to myself would be ‘Well you never specifically said or told us to do it like that before, This is the first time you are saying something about it. How are we supposed to know you wanted it like that? We are not mind readers”. Of course I’m thinking that but I would say something similar but choose my words carefully so I remained professional and did not make the situation worse. Again like I said, I could honestly write 50 blog posts about this stuff but I think you get the picture here.

Micromanagement

I never understood why managers think this strategy ever works. Do they know that this makes things worse by making employees less confident, more stressed and makes them more nervous. For crying out loud, just TRUST YOUR EMPLOYEES and let them do the jobs they were trained to do. Clearly they know what they are doing and are qualified otherwise they wouldn’t be working there. 

Now I get it as the manager of the hotel you’re on the line for everything and responsible for the entirety of the operation but come on… There is never an excuse for this kind of tactic. Again as I said TRUST YOUR EMPLOYEES!

One thing this manager always did was leave way earlier than they were supposed to when the hotel was sold out or if there were multiple events going on in the hotel. Typically, the manager was supposed to stay until a certain time when we were sold out and if there were events it was their job to check on the events and if needed jump in and help. Then instead of staying, they would constantly blow up my phone every five minutes and when I wouldn’t answer my phone they’d get mad and get disrespectful. It was worse when this happened in person since it’s not like a phone where you can just silence it and ignore it. 

Again, trust your damn employees. We don’t need you hawking over us every five seconds. Please just let your employees do their job, be there to support them and give them the tools to do their jobs successfully!

Advice, Tips & Guidance:

So what can you do if you find yourself in any of these situations?. The advice I offer is solely based on my situations and what I found works. Each situation is going to be different and may not be able to be handled the same. Always use your best judgment and do what you think is best. With that, here is my advice:

Speak Up!

Stand up for yourself! Don’t let any manager or supervisor treat you with disrespect, or treat you poorly! Now I’m not saying to just scream, yell or attack them for the littlest thing. What I’m saying here is if you find they keep acting disrespectful or treating you very poorly, it’s best to nib it in the bud but remain calm and professional. For example, pull them aside and speak with them privately after the incident or after the shift. If you don’t do this, you are setting a tone that this behavior is okay and it will only get worse.

Stay Positive:

There’s always positivity to be found in a negative or non ideal situation. One of the things that kept me around this job before moving on, besides other factors, was the people I worked with. We were like a tight knit family and became very close with each other. We made each other laugh and smile even on the toughest days when it seemed the odds were stacked against us. 

My best advice is for any sort of environment that is toxic, hostile or sounds similar to what I discussed, get out of that environment as soon as you can. It’s not worth your mental and physical health dealing with that day in and day out. If for some reason you can’t get out of there right away, try to find the positive things and remember what brought you there in the first place.

Know Your Value!

If you are constantly hustling, being a team player and aren’t getting any recognition or shown any appreciation, don’t get discouraged! Keep working hard and remember, when you go to apply for your next job, your future employer will see your value. How so, you may ask? If you put all you do on your resume and cover letter, people will notice you and recognize your value. Overall, if you’re not getting appreciated, definitely find yourself another place of employment/environment where you will be! Trust me, during the first few days of my new job when everyone was encouraging me and supporting me, it really was a welcomed change and reminded me it was all worth it in the end since I wouldn’t have ended up where I was without starting somewhere.

Work, Life, School Balance:

Remember you are not meant to be working 24/7 with no breaks or time for anything else. You have to remember to balance enough time for your college life (if applicable), your social life, and life in general. If you don’t, this is how you get mental and physical burnout. 

Burn-out is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions: feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativity or doubt related to one’s job; and reduced professional efficacy.

If you find yourself feeling burnt out, it is best to stop and take care of yourself. This is your body’s way of telling you it’s time to recharge your batteries. Here are somethings I found helpful for dealing with burnout:

  1. Get plenty of sleep each night.
  2. Go outside and take long walks in nature. 
  3. Relax to your favorite music, podcast, tv show or movie.
  4. Kick back with a good book.
  5. Immerse yourself in your hobbies.
  6. Meditate everyday or when stressed. (Deep breaths in, deep breaths out)  

Now I am not saying by any means to not work while in college. I think working while you are in college is extremely beneficial. I found taking what I was learning in the field and bringing it into the classroom really helped me grow and learn. Same goes for taking classroom knowledge and bringing it into the field. My other piece of personal advice is to never stop learning! Always be curious, ask questions and keep pushing to become better.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, while my last year or so at this company was not a pleasant experience, I feel like I did learn a lot, grow as a leader and become better prepared for the future and how to handle similar experiences if they arise. I am extremely grateful to my co-workers, supervisors and line level managers for all they have done. While we may have had our ups and downs together, I loved the time we had together and am grateful to still be close with them all. 

I hope this post was insightful and helpful for anyone facing similar challenges. If you are unsure what to do in your situation, write to us using the Career Advice & Tips button on our Career Resources page! 

Stay tuned for upcoming posts where I document my newest journey in the casino industry!

Kicking Back Hampton Style – Sweet Eats, Chill Vibes & More!

Posted in Touristician ReviewsTagged , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

We’re officially back after being on the road experiencing even more of what Pennsylvania has to offer! This time we are in the Harrisburg Hershey area. From chill vibes in the hotel to the sweet eats, to exploring caverns, this trip had it all. So without further ado, let’s dive into today’s review!

Hampton Inn Harrisburg-East (Hershey Area)

Customer Service – 5/5

I’ve got to say Hampton Inn is starting to become one of my favorite Hilton brands and my go to hotel brand. Much like Holiday Inn Express, every time I visit a Hampton location the service is always on point and I never have issues with the service I get. Unlike Holiday Inn Express, Hampton always seems to go that one extra step and really blows you away. I’m not sure if it’s just because Hilton standards are different from IGH, but I’m seeming to like Hilton more and more every time I go.

Upon checking in, the front desk agent was very polite, respectful, talkative (in a good way) and overall on point! I’ve mentioned this in previous reviews and I’ll say it again. I absolutely love seeing fellow front desk agents out there just doing amazing at their jobs! It was honestly nice to be on the receiving end this time instead of the giving end.  

Later on in the evening, the room next to ours (we had the adjoining door so we could hear into the next room slightly) went out for a while. While they were out, the alarm clock in their room kept going off for about 30 mins. I waited a bit to call since I wanted to give the neighbors the benefit of the doubt and I also didn’t want to be that person that complains. When I did call, the front desk agent was once again on point and came upstairs and took care of it right away. 

Sadly for this front desk agent, he would later have to come back upstairs again around 10:30pm. The neighbors when they got back were blasting their tv all night long, talking overly loud (almost to the point where it was screaming) and making a lot of noise. Being I work at a hotel, I know what it is like having to deal with situations like these all the time. When I did call, the front desk apologized and shortly after, I heard them in the hallway knocking on their door. I heard them ask the room to politely turn the tv down and keep the noise down a bit. After that, I didn’t hear a peep out of them the rest of the night. The front desk handled that like a champ!

Rooms – 4.8/5

Out of all the rooms I have stayed in so far, this has been one of the best rooms I’ve stayed in. From top to bottom everything in the room was brand new being the hotel was recently renovated. One thing I love about this brand is their attention to every detail in their room designs. In addition to being very well kept and updated, the rooms were also spotless! As someone who works in the hotel industry, one of the first things I always look for and expect is cleanliness. Got to say, Hampton never disappoints when it comes to this. Only minor issues I noticed with the room were a few small areas that were just cosmetic and didn’t affect the room at all (just two tiny areas that had wallpaper peeling & the back of the bathroom door needed a bit of touch up paint). Other than those few very minor things, this room was perfect and well worth the price!

Amenities – 5/5

Of course what’s not a hotel stay without the free breakfast in the morning. I do have to say Hampton Inn’s breakfast is definitely far superior than Holiday Inn Express since it’s more consistent, the food selection is larger and their breakfast is always cooked and prepared perfectly.

I always make sure I hit the waffle maker section of the breakfast area. There’s nothing better than a fresh waffle topped with a vast amount of toppings. I always make chocolate chips, peanut butter or sprinkles. Usually I top half with chocolate chips then the other half with peanut butter. Of course I can’t resist the maple syrup either!

On a quick side note, I totally found it pretty cool and astonishing how the staff wrote positive messages on the bananas for the guests! This is the first hotel I have stayed at that did this. It just goes to show the level of care the staff have for guests and providing excellent guest service. Nice touch Hampton!

Final Thoughts & Rating

Overall, this entire stay was flawless and perfect just like I expected it to be. Customer service was beyond excellent, the rooms were nearly perfect and breakfast was on point as always. 

Rating the hotel on a scale of 1 to 5, I would rate this location a 4.9/5! But hang on, that’s not the end of the review! Up next, we’ll be covering all the restaurants I stopped at during the trip as well as a brief review on Indian Echo Caverns.

Restaurant Reviews

The Original Golden Eagle Diner – 2/5

This was definitely an interesting diner from slot machines, a full bar and weird decor stuck somewhere between the 1960s & 1970s. Yes you heard that correctly, this diner has a full service bar which operates around lunch time and diner. However, I believe they do use it at breakfast only for mimosas and other breakfast cocktails.

Overall, the experience was not very good and I honestly wouldn’t recommend this diner. Cleanliness was a major issue from the very start. The silverware I got was not clean so I sent it back and got another set, only another dirty set. I once again asked for another set and it too was dirty. I had to combine pieces from the sets. I had to have a completely clean set. The issues didn’t stop there with cleanliness, the table I was seated at was a bit dirty to the point I had to take the sanitizing wipes they had on the tables for Covid, to reclean my table. Lastly, being I was on the road, I used the restroom prior to leaving and it was totally disgusting! It was as if nobody ever cleaned it for a long time. It was so gross! 

As far as food goes, don’t expect much either. The food was really bland, and didn’t taste that good. I was expecting better because the reviews were so good for this place. Sadly, that was not the case as I ordered what I expected to be pancakes but instead got overly sugary, cake like “pancakes” which did not even taste like pancake batter.

Lancaster Brewing Company – 5/5

This honestly wasn’t my first time eating at Lancaster Brewing Company. It was back during (year) when I stayed at Holiday Inn Express in Lancaster, PA. One thing I enjoy about LBC is the wide selection of food available and their large drink selection (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic).

Check out their menu here: https://www.lancasterbrewing.com/dine/lbc-harrisburg/

I’m not much into drinking alcohol however, I did try their Peanut Butter Beer they had on tap as well as bottled. It actually tastes a lot like peanut butter and isn’t overpowering like I thought it was. 

During my last visit, I ordered the LBC burger which is 1/2 pound of our signature chuck/sirloin house blend, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and house-cut fries. LBC has very good cuts of meat and burgers. One thing I also enjoy about their burgers is when you ask for it to be cooked well done, they cook it perfectly. Sometimes when they cook them well done, they tend to overdo it and cause the burger to have a burnt taste. This visit however, I didn’t go for a burger and went with a thin crust pepperoni pizza which was absolutely amazing!

Indian Echo Caverns

Our last stop of our trip found us at Indian Echo Caverns just outside of Hershey with beautiful sights hidden within plain sight thousands of feet underground. The caverns have a long history dating all the way back to the 1700s. The temperature in the caverns is a consistent 52 degrees which feels absolutely amazing on a hot summer day or freezing winter day. Let’s take a look at some photos:

And with that, this officially concludes our PA road trip in the Harrisburg Hershey area. Thank you for your patience during the past few weeks with no new content. Stay tuned for loads of new content on its way. I recently started a new job in the casino industry working on the hotel side, so expect lots of casino related content, more crazy hotel stories and travel tips. Additionally, (Zach) Hyrax recently went on a Florida trip. From Universal Studios to SeaWorld, his trip had it all. Stay tuned for the blog posts all about it!

Behind The Scenes Tour – Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino

Posted in Blog, Industry News & HighlightsTagged , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

I recently had the fabulous pleasure of having the ability to take a field trip to the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City with my college’s hospitality club. Join me as I take you with me on a full behind the scenes tour. We’ll get a sneak preview of the 770 room hotel tower, banquet spaces & more!

Starting The Day:

Our tour kicked off at the lobby where we met the Director of Sales for the property as well as a Sales Coordinator. We began the day inside the beautiful meeting room upstairs poised above the lobby. We all introduced ourselves and got a sense of the property, how Covid has affected the day to day operations and how the city has seen an increased competition from more neighboring states legalizing gabling over the past few years.

Hotel Tower Tour:

After this, we were shown around the 770 room hotel tower where we got to tour a basic standard room, a junior suite, a normal suite, and a VIP/Penthouse suite. These rooms were just stunning and mind blowing! The views of the entire city, the ocean and bay were stunning! 

Would you believe me if I told you the last time the rooms were renovated was in 2012? Yes 2012! These rooms are in fantastic shape and well kept for being long overdue for a renovation. All of us students were all mind blown when we were told this. We were told there are plans to soon renovate one floor of the tower at a time shortly after the holiday season. If the rooms looked this good now, I can’t wait to see what they will look like after all the upgrades and improvements are made.

Casino, Restaurants & Marina Tour:

From here, we went downstairs and got a tour of the casino floor, as well as all the restaurants on the gaming floor. Unfortunately, we were strictly prohibited from taking photos or videos on the casino floor. From what I can tell you, the casino floor is definitely smaller than the other casinos in the city but it still offers plenty of slot and table games. Personally, I think less is more for the space they have. The way the casino is set up, it’s not overcrowded or empty. It’s perfectly designed for the space there is and it works. It doesn’t dominate the property or is up in your face which is perfect. The property markets itself as a boutique casino hotel that goes more for a luxurious resort feel. With the casino set up in the manner that it is, it works perfectly to achieve that goal and feel they are going for. 

After taking a brief tour of the gaming floor, we were granted a sneak peak inside the Chart House which is one of their top restaurants in the resort. The restaurant overlooked the entire marina and had stunning views across the entire dining room. Most of not all the walls were covered with floor to ceiling windows.

From here we descended down a spiral staircase and were taken down to the lower level where the Marina is and one of many of their outdoor patios/decks. This outdoor space was personally my favorite since you had stunning views of the city, ocean as well as the neighboring Borgata and Harrah’s resorts. Besides this outdoor space, there are also two outdoor rooftop decks one near the pool and one directly next store to that. These roof top decks are so massive, that they have the ability to host events for a couple thousand people! Speaking of events, our guided tour headed there next.

Ballroom & Event Spaces Tour:

At this point, everything I saw on the tour was impressive enough but my jaw dropped even more when we were taken into the grand ballroom and The Wave nightclub. My first thought was how many of my hotel ballrooms could fit inside the grand ballroom (most likely between 4 – 6) and the sheer capacity it had. When I heard the kinds of events they have there, it honestly made sense. We were told the ballroom hosts anything from large dinners, fundraisers, conventions, weddings, concerts, shows and more. I’ve seen first hand at my hotel what goes into running large events but it’s mind blowing to see that on a far larger scale. 

From here, we were shown The Wave nightclub which as the name implies, is Gold Nugget’s night club and premium nightlife spot. Ironically enough, the club is marketed towards an older, middle aged crowd instead of a younger crowd. The club hosts a lot of cover bands and well established DJs. I think the coolest thing about this space is how when the club is closed during the day, it is used as an event space. You wouldn’t think a nightclub would be a good fit for an event space but honestly the space works very well.

Lunch & Guest Speakers:

After this, we took back upstairs off the lobby where we started the day to take a lunch break. We were not only welcomed to a great lunch but also guest speakers from the property as well. We got to meet the Director of Food & Beverage, Human Resources Team, the Executive Director of Player Development & Front Desk Operations and of course the sales team who was showing us all around. 

This honestly was one of the best parts of the tour in my opinion since we got to ask questions about the property, casino operations, career advice and any other questions we had. One thing that amazed me was the one human resources lead worked in Atlantic City for 40 years! She told us her experiences at all of the casinos she worked at and shared insights with us on how to help our careers. This was really eye opening and inspirational. I recall telling my professor after the fact, how it was so cool to get a taste of the culture and the morale just in a short 2-3 hour span.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, I got to say I was super impressed the entire time while on the tour. From the rooms, hotel operations, employee culture and more. It honestly really won me over and gets me excited for the future. I am extremely thankful for the hospitality we received during our tour and glad to have met everyone. This was the first casino hotel I took so far down in Atlantic City and now that I will be going to school down in the area, I can’t wait to go on more tours like this.

Autism in the Workplace: Challenges, Job Options, and Employer Support

Posted in Blog, Misc., Work ExperiencesTagged , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Welcome back to our blog. Today is going to be a rather emotional blog about something that affects many people, including myself. So, let me explain a few things. I was diagnosed as a teenager with Asperger Syndrome, including OCD (Obsessive-compulsive disorder) and ADD/ ADHD (Attention deficit disorder / Attention deficit hyperactive disorder). It made things a bit difficult for me as a kid and of course, later on as I got into the workplace. I am hoping that this blog will shine a light on something that is hidden in plain sight.

What is Autism?

Autism is a developmental disorder that affects information processing. People with autism have difficulties with social and communication skills. They have restricted interests and engage in repetitive behaviors. They also tend to experience sensitivity or discomfort from sensory stimulation such as certain lights or sounds.

Because autism’s symptoms vary greatly, the condition is said to exist on a spectrum, referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder. Asperger’s syndrome refers to “high functioning” autism, but it’s no longer a formal diagnostic term.

Autism usually manifests by age two. The condition is diagnosed four times more frequently in males than in females, according to the CDC, although women are often overlooked and misdiagnosed. The frequency of diagnosis has surged over the past 20 years; it is not clear whether the incidence is truly increasing, whether experts are more aware of it, or whether the diagnosis has shifted to include lesser degrees of impairment.

There is no cure for autism, nor is one universally sought: Many people argue that autism should not be framed as a medical condition in need of amelioration. For those on the lower-functioning end of the spectrum, targeted practices and therapies can help alleviate symptoms.

Symptoms of Autism

While the severity of symptoms varies greatly, there are invariably impairments to social and communication skills. Some children with autism do not talk at all and remain mute throughout life, while others have mild social challenges. Children with autism also show restricted interests and repetitive behaviors.

Parents may notice that their infant avoids eye contact or doesn’t respond, and it may be difficult for them to form emotional bonds and parental attachment. Children with autism may have unusual responses to sensory stimulation and may be highly sensitive to certain sounds, textures, tastes, or smells. They may have deficits in motor coordination and poor muscle tone.

Autistic children exhibit many kinds of repetitive behaviors early in life, such as hand flapping, body rocking, and making sounds. They may arrange or stack objects over and over again. Some children inflict injury on themselves by repeated actions such as hand biting and head banging. They also have an early preference for unvarying routines of everyday life.

Causes of Autism

No one fully understands what causes autism. The number of children diagnosed with the disorder has increased significantly since the turn of the millennium, but experts are not sure whether that reflects an improvement in diagnostic awareness or a true increase in prevalence.

Research shows that genetics is a factor because people who have a sibling with autism are more likely to have autism themselves. Autism is also more likely in individuals who have an older parent. Very low birth weight is also a risk factor, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, and ASD occurs more frequently in people with some genetic conditions, such as Fragile X syndrome or tuberous sclerosis.

Treatments for Autism

There are many effective approaches for managing or treating autism. Early intervention with highly structured behavioral, cognitive, and communication therapies can sometimes dramatically help children with autism learn skills. School-based educational programs designed for children with autism can be effective in improving intellectual functioning.

Programs that make use of applied behavior analysis (ABA) have become widely accepted as the standard of treatment. In most programs, parents are encouraged to be highly involved in their children’s care.

While no medication can correct the impairments common to autism, psychoactive drugs including antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants are sometimes prescribed to help control specific symptoms. Anticonvulsant medication may reduce the number of seizures a person has but not eliminate them.

Autism and Related Conditions

Autism is often accompanied by a range of medical or psychiatric conditions, such as anxiety, ADHD, epilepsy, sleep problems, and gastrointestinal problems. The scientific understanding of this overlap is often elusive.

Addressing co-occurring problems won’t eliminate the core features of autism. Yet treating specific symptoms that people are struggling with can tremendously improve daily life for those on the spectrum.

Autism and ADHD

Studies estimate that 30 to 80 percent of children with autism meet the criteria for ADHD, and 20 to 50 percent of children with ADHD meet the criteria for autism. Clinicians can now provide a dual diagnosis for children with both conditions, per the DSM-5.

Autism and ADHD can look very similar, as both involve struggles with communication, social cues, attention, and impulsivity. Scientists are currently investigating the biological and genetic roots that the conditions may share.

People with both conditions may be more impaired than people with either condition alone. Individuals with autism or parents of children with autism may want to seek a diagnosis if they believe they have ADHD, as that could influence treatment options, such as the decision to prescribe stimulant drugs.

Autism and Anxiety

Nearly 40 percent of children with autism also have an anxiety disorder—which might include social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or a specific phobia. The overlap of autism and anxiety may be due to the features of autism, such as sensory overload, communication barriers, social challenges, cognitive rigidity, and task frustration. Distinguishing whether symptoms of autism contribute to anxiety or result from anxiety can be challenging.

Parents of children struggling with anxiety can aim to identify what specifically triggers anxiety in their child, and then plan for or modify those triggers. They may explore treatment options such as medication or cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Autism and Depression

People with autism are four times more likely to suffer from depression than neurotypical individuals. This trend may be due to genetics as well as the loneliness, bullying, or rumination that some with autism face.

Depression is difficult to spot because people with autism can struggle to express their feelings. There are similar barriers to treatment, such as the ability to explore emotions in therapy and tolerate the side effects of medications. Still, cognitive-behavioral therapy and antidepressants help some, while social support and employment programs are valuable for all.

There are other conditions that are included but I will not list them all. You can find the full list here at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/autism/autism-and-related-conditions

Keep in mind that no case of Autism is the same and will have different conditions, symptoms, and more. 

Now I am going to move on to the main focus: Autism in the Workplace.

Autism in the Workplace

Individuals with autism can face substantial challenges navigating the workforce. Recent research suggests that 20 percent of adults with autism are unemployed, while other estimates are much higher. This gulf may begin at a young age: Only 58 percent of people with autism aged 18 to 25 worked for pay, while 74 percent of people with intellectual disabilities and 95 percent of people with other learning disabilities worked for pay at the same age.

However, companies are increasingly recognizing the value of cultivating a diverse workforce and embracing those with autism for the unique perspective they contribute. Programs have sprouted up at large companies, such as SAP and Microsoft, which actively hire and support people with autism. The government also provides financial incentives for companies to employ people with disabilities such as autism. These approaches open up the possibility for those on the spectrum to transform their natural interests and abilities into marketable skills.

What are the challenges?

Many adults with autism confront unemployment and underemployment throughout their lives. They may struggle during the interview process, which often relies on eye contact, a bold personality, and creating a bond with the hiring manager. Once in a new role, people with autism may be unable to navigate the social dynamics of a workplace—with regard to assignments, clients, or office politics—and eventually, lose their job.

What are good job options for autistic people?

The passions and fixations that are a hallmark of autism can translate into valuable skills in the workforce. People who are drawn to patterns or puzzles may excel at software testing, quality control, or other roles in the technology sector. Other positions in autism-friendly companies include working on stockroom operations, production lines, data entry, and accounting. Autistic people should explore how their natural interests and talents overlap with the needs of particular positions in the job market.

What are the benefits of hiring employees with autism?

People with autism face a high unemployment rate, but employers and society both gain from hiring workers on the spectrum. Higher functioning individuals can excel in jobs that fit their abilities and interests, from folding laundry to coding software. As autism becomes increasingly prevalent, it’s key for companies to take an abilities-centered approach by identifying what autistic employees are uniquely suited to do and recognizing that they can be reliable and hard-working.

Companies may also be eligible for tax credits and deductions when hiring employees with disabilities. These financial incentives aim to encourage companies to hire differently-abled employees and offset any costs that accompany their condition. Some adults with autism believe that this is the best approach for individuals on the spectrum to obtain and sustain employment.

Should I tell my employer that I have autism?

The decision to disclose an autism diagnosis is a personal choice. It’s up to you to choose when and how you want to have that conversation—with your employer or anyone else in your life.

It’s valuable to discuss the decision with a mentor or loved one ahead of time. Reflect on what you hope to gain, who you want to tell, and how they might react. If your goal is to receive accommodations at work, consider having a discussion with a human resources representative and being specific about what you need. You may also be protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act, under which employers must provide reasonable accommodations for workers with disabilities.

How can companies support employees with autism?

Clarity is key for building an autism-friendly workplace: Managers can give clear directives and deadlines to employees, and then help clear any obstacles that prevent those directives from being accomplished. Managers can be open, honest, and appreciative of creativity and different ways of thinking. They can also provide a quiet place to work if the office is loud and ensure that lights are not flickering to address the sensory symptoms of autism.

The traditional interview process focuses on conversation and connection. Replacing that with an aptitude test or skills-based task can help companies hire more capable employees with autism.

In Conclusion

Autism is not really that scary now that you have learned more about it. Those who have autism just function differently, but we are still human. The best thing you can do is to support those who have autism, whether it be as a family member or as a fellow co-worker. When I am working, I often find that if I am at a breaking point, taking a small walk outside helps clear the mind. It could also help to bring along fidget items like a spinner or cube to help with our sensory issues. I want to thank everyone for their support in this.

You can find out more autism by going to:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/autism

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men  are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

 Founding Fathers, The Declaration of Independence

Celebrating One Year Of Touristician

Posted in Blog, Misc.Tagged , , Leave a comment

This post is officially dedicated to our first year of blogging! One year ago this month, Touristician was officially created to cover all aspects of the Hospitality industry from our personal experiences in the field to even our own travel experiences. Over the past year, we’ve covered a lot of ground and began growing! We couldn’t have been happier with the results and can’t wait for the future. We thank you for all your support you have given us thus far. Each of us would like to personally thank you!

Our Personal Thank You

Blake – Founder & Lead Writer

I would like to take the time to personally thank each and everyone for all their support. From our audience and viewers to the people who help me with the blog, a big thank you! Looking back, I never could have imagined having my own blog where I can showcase my passions, stories and experiences. I am definitely happy I started this blog and I enjoy every minute of working on it. I know posts have been going out less frequently or not as often, this is due to my college schedule and work. I rather take our time with the content we create than rush it and not put in a full effort or our passion into what we do.

Co-Lead Writer – Hyrax

Thank you for your support! We hope to continue growing every year. It’s been an amazing year and hard to believe we are celebrating our one year anniversary. Cheers to a great future!

Major Milestones

Before we touch on our plans for the future and what we have in the works, we would love to share some major milestones we hit this past year:

-500+ viewers 

-Readers in 32 countries across the globe

The Future Is Bright

As we begin to grow and expand, so do our ideas and ambitions. We are currently working on some content we have in the works. In this batch of new content, it will be a good mix of reviews, blog posts and experience recaps. As mentioned above, you may have noticed content has been spread out and not as frequent. This is mainly due to our schedules and also due to the fact we are hard at work behind the scenes on new projects! Without giving too much away yet, you can definitely expect some more video content and some upgrades to how certain content is presented. Once we finish developing these projects, we’ll begin to announce them. Until then, stay tuned!

Germany in the Georgia Mountains? – Oktoberfest Celebration Guide

Posted in BlogTagged , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Imagine if you will, you are driving down a road when suddenly you see a bavarian-style village on the other side of the hill. Before you panic and try to grab your passport, let me explain that you are still in the United States. You have just stumbled upon a city that looks like it belongs on a postcard… the Alpine Village of Helen, Georgia. Willkommen Freund (Weclome friend)!

What is Alpine Helen, Georgia?

Helen was platted in 1912, and named after the daughter of a lumber official. The town was incorporated in 1913.

Formerly a logging town that was in decline, the city resurrected itself by becoming a replica of a Bavarian alpine town, simply in the Appalachians instead of the Alps. This design is mandated through zoning first adopted in 1969, so that the classic south-German style is present on every building, even on the small number of national franchisees present (such as Huddle House and Wendy’s).

In 1975, DOCUMERICA photographer Al Stephenson documented the life, recreation, and economy of the Helen area before and during the construction of Alpine Helen. The City of Helen does have a sister city:  Füssen, Bavaria.

Modern Day of Alpine Helen, Georgia

Tourism is a key economic activity in Helen, catering mostly to weekend visitors from the Atlanta area and also motorcyclists who enjoy riding the roads in Helen and its surrounding areas. Helen can be crowded in late October when autumn leaves typically peak. It also hosts its own Oktoberfest during September, October, and November. Events and festivals are held throughout the year, including the “Southern Worthersee”, which is a stateside Volkswagen and Audi event that pays tribute to the Worthersee Tour in Austria. An annual hot-air balloon race is also held here on the first weekend in June.

The main road through town is north/south Georgia 75. The Helen stream gauge (HDCG1) is located on its bridge over the Chattahoochee in the middle of downtown. A parallel route to the west is labeled Georgia 75 Alt to identify it as a bypass route around the town and its traffic jams in the autumn and on some weekends.

Unicoi State Park and Lodge, spanning 1,050 acres (420 ha), is located immediately northeast of Helen on Georgia 356. The park encompasses Unicoi Lake, a 53-acre (21 ha) freshwater lake, offering outdoor activities for all seasons. Among these are a swimming beach, trout streams, wheelchair-accessible fishing docks, seasonal canoe, kayak, and paddle boat rentals, seven picnic shelters with charcoal grills, three playgrounds for children, spots for birding, 7.5 miles (12.1 km) of hiking within the park (with adjacent trails in the Chattahoochee National Forest), 8 miles (13 km) of mountain biking trails within the park, and several places to enjoy the natural environment of the lake and park. Unicoi State Park also offers lodging in several forms, including in its unique barrel cabins. Access to Anna Ruby Falls, part of the Chattahoochee National Forest, is through the park.

Hardman Farm State Historic Site is also located near Helen, along with the Sautee Nachoochee Indian Mound and the beautiful Mount Yonah for those hikers who wish to challenge themselves.

Oktoberfest in Helen

The Oktoberfest is the world’s largest Volksfest, featuring a beer festival and a traveling funfair. It is held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. It is a 16- to 18-day folk festival running from mid or late-September to around the first Sunday in October, with more than six million international and national visitors attending the event. Locally, it is called d’Wiesn, after the colloquial name for the fairgrounds, Theresienwiese. Oktoberfest is an important part of Bavarian culture, having been held since the year 1810. Other cities across the world also hold Oktoberfest celebrations that are modeled after the original Munich event. However, things are much different in the town of Helen. 

Celebrate the start of Oktoberfest with a parade at noon on Sept. 10, 2022, in downtown Helen. Helen’s Oktoberfest runs from Thursday to Sunday through September and daily from Sept. 29 to Oct. 30, 2022. 

Like its German counterpart, the celebrations are different from weekday to weekend. Weekends are popular with tour and college groups, while weekdays tend to be a bit more family-friendly. The event is open to all ages. Admission is $8 during the week, $10 on Saturdays, and free on Sundays, with food and drink available for purchase. The doors open at 6 p.m. throughout the week and 1 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Unlike its counterpart in Germany, Helen continued its Oktoberfest celebrations during the COVID pandemic, though all guests were required to wear face masks and many of the events were postponed till the next year.

Where to Stay in Helen for Oktoberfest

Accommodations book up for Oktoberfest quickly, so make plans in advance. Alpine-inspired hotels like Valhalla Resort Hotel and The Heidi Motel are popular options for their amenities and quirky suites, respectively. There are also outposts of national chain hotels in town.

If you’re traveling with a group, a rental cabin can better accommodate you, which you can find in Unicoi State Park and Smithgall Woods State Park or with companies like Cabin Rentals of Helen, Georgia Mountain Rentals, and Pinnacle Cabin Rentals. Some have hot tubs and others have full kitchens.

Campgrounds are another option, whether you’re looking for basic tent sites or RV sites with all the bells and whistles. You can also stay in nearby communities like Cleveland, Dahlonega, and Blairsville. Helen is an easy drive from Atlanta, less than two hours, and only an hour from the Lake Lanier area.

What to Do in Helen for Oktoberfest

Enjoy live music and dancing

The event has a rotating group of musical acts, playing traditional German tunes and modern favorites. Dance the polka and others with festival regulars. Sing along with the songs like “Ein Prosit.”

Eat and drink

The Festhalle has the ceremonial tapping of keg like you’d see at the Munich version of the celebration. The tents have a selection of German and American beers for those who are of age.

You can’t visit Helen for Oktoberfest without trying some German food! Hofer’s of Helen is where to start your day with delicious pastries or, later in the day, Reuben sandwiches made by Germans who immigrated to the town in the 1950s. Cafe International and The Troll Tavern are also lunch options. Bodensee has authentic favorites like spaetzle, goulash and wursts. The Heidelberg German Restaurant, Old Bavaria Inn Restaurant & Lounge, Muller’s Famous Fried Cheese Cafe, and Hofbrauhaus are additional options.

The bars and restaurants in town have Oktoberfest specials. It should go without saying, but if you’re going to imbibe, make a plan to get home safely via taxi or designated driver.

Explore nearby attractions

While you’re in the area, take advantage of the natural surroundings with a hike to Anna Ruby Falls or visit one of the many nearby vineyards for a tasting. Test your putt-putt skills on one of the many mini-golf courses in Helen or take a ride down the mountain on the Georgia Mountain Coaster. Maybe you want to take a boat out on the nearby Unicoi Lake or try to make your mark in the Archery range at Unicoi State Park. There is so much to do in the city and surrounding area for everyone of all ages! Who knows… maybe you will find some gold while panning.

In Conclusion

As you can see, the city of Helen is so much more than a town. It’s a celebration, a festival, and a party. It may not be the biggest alpine village in the United States- but in my opinion, it is one of the best. With some much to offer year-round, maybe it is time to make plans for a visit. So pack your lederhosen and practice your yodel. We will see you in the Mountains! 

Prost, mein Freund <Cheers, my friend>