Do you visit theme parks so often that your friends always ask you for advice before they go? Do theme park employees recognize you since they see you so often? Do people joke that a park can't change the location of a flower pot without you noticing?
Do you take as many pictures of theme park attractions as you do of your own relatives? Does your iPod contain at least one song from a theme park attraction? Have you ever tried to make a churro, Monte Cristo and/or Butterbeer at home?
If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, I'd like to invite you to think about joining a new project I'm starting on Theme Park Insider: Team TPI.
Team TPI will be a great way for fans to get better connected with their favorite theme park, while helping keep other Theme Park Insider readers informed about that park. To help them do that, I'll be giving Team TPI members extra privileges on the website, including the ability to create a new discussion thread without having to wait for approval. Also, Team TPI members also will be eligible to represent the website at special media events at "their" theme park.
In exchange, I'll be asking Team TPI members to write at least one front-page "Blog Flume" post a month about "their" park. It could be a review of a newly opened restaurant. A write-up from one of those press events. Or an in-depth look at an overlooked service or feature at the park. No matter what these blog posts turn out to be, they'll provide a great excuse for an extra park visit. I'll also be asking Team TPI members to be active in helping others readers by spreading word about the great, helpful trip-planning content we've got on Theme Park Insider (such as by "liking" TPI stories on Facebook).
To thank Team TPI members for their help, they will be the first to get the new Theme Park Insider T-shirts I'll be having made this spring. And, at the end of the year, I'll send a gift to Team TPI members who blog frequently during the year. (It won't be huge, but it will be worth more than the T-shirt.)
Sound interesting? Here are the theme parks (and theme park resorts) I need to recruit Team TPI members to write about:
Walt Disney World (at least two Team TPI members, possibly more)
Universal Orlando
SeaWorld Orlando
Busch Gardens Tampa
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Disneyland and Disney California Adventure
Universal Studios Hollywood
SeaWorld San Diego
Disneyland Paris
Tokyo Disney Resort
Universal Studios Japan
Universal Studios Singapore
Obviously, these are top-attended theme parks which get most of the traffic and comments here on Theme Park Insider. I don't want to discourage readers from continuing to submit discussion threads and blog posts about other theme parks, but these are the ones I want to deploy Team TPI to first.
I'm going to make this an open audition process. If you live near one of these parks and would like to be a part of Team TPI, just start posting to the discussion board, Blog Flume and Facebook page with the sort of stuff you'd bring to the table as a Team TPI member. Then let me know you're interested, either through the comments or my e-mailing me privately via themeparkinsider@gmail.com. Over the next month, I'll keep me eyes open and e-mail the folks I'd like to invite to become official Team TPI members.
This will be a lot of fun for the Team and should lead to many more great stories, photos, videos and tips for everyone else here on Theme Park Insider. Thanks to everyone who contributes around here, and I hope that Team TPI will allow some extra recognition for some of our biggest theme park fans.
Got questions? Fire away. And, again, thanks.
Tweet
I visit Busch Gardens very often,and have known about Cheetah Hunt from the beggining(thats how involved in park ideas I am), I have known about it since it was called Cheetaka. I will keep you up to date on all park happenings and plans, I'll make sure this site stays on top with all Theme Parks on the list if I am required!
Just a warning, I am only seventeen so if you want a certain age I might not meet the requirements, but I feel that I could do this better than most adults. Also, I might not be able to cover ALL events at the respective park due to cost restrictions but I will do my best.
I would really enjoy joining Team TPI as a "field reporter" for Busch Gardens Williamsburg. I am a platinum season's pass holder that visits probably no less than 20 times a year including at least 3 times for Howl O Scream and 2 times for Christmas Town. I know the surrounding Williamsburg area fairly well and I have been going to BGW since the mid 80's when I was a kid and they still handed out Eagle Brand Snacks at the exit each night. I would absolutely love the chance to write a blog flume post to promote the "World's Most Beautiful Park." Another great aspect of my situation is that I have several friends who are pass holders so I have a "panel of experts" to draw from.
You need to pick up some northern parks! ;)
I will pay for a TPI swag though!
If you'd like to be considered, why not start by kicking off a discussion thread with a post like one you'd write for the front page? Give me a restaurant review, highlight of an overlooked service or in-depth report on your favorite ride or show? Whatever you think would be helpful to someone planning a trip to your favorite park. You can either make a special trip to the park for, uh, "research" :^) or base your post on a recent visit.
Since I live in the Los Angeles area, I especially need Team TPI members who will write about Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando. Thanks again.
Also, if you post anonymously, I won't know how to contact you. Be sure to e-mail or post while logged in.
If SFGA is ever added to the team, count me in!
I have passes to all Walt Disney Parks, Universal, Islands of adventure, Seaworld, and Busch gardens. I love all of them but I would want to be on the Universal Studios and Islands Team. But i could do whatever tho. lol
We have family and friends that work for Disney, so we spend a lot of time there. We have spent time in the parks with the young (6 mth old) and the old (93 yr old grandmother), and have much to share.
I will try to share a few of the topic ideas I have in the next few days, and I look forward to becoming more involved with the site.
John
@thesneakymouse
Do you take as many pictures of theme park attractions as you do of your own relatives? Does your iPod contain at least one song from a theme park attraction? Have you ever tried to make a churro, Monte Cristo and/or Butterbeer at home?
My wife took about 40 pictures of Cinderella in one parade alone. I'm frequently criticized for having more pictures of construction updates than my friends at Disneyland. Our ipod has an entire playlist of Disneyland resort soundtrack songs, and I listen to it a few times a week. We make delicious Monte Cristos.
I'm asked by friends all the time to share my Disneyland knowledge, whether it is trivia, history, upcoming projects or advice on getting the most out of the park. We go at least once a month.
I'll be sure to contribute a lot in the next month, and beyond.
I'd love the join Team TPI and would happily cover Disneyland Paris.
I normally visit at least once a year and keep up-to-date with everything that goes on at the resort and TPI would be a great platform for me to get some of my articles out there.
Most importantly, remember that childhood is a journey, and not a race. Stop and find the Hidden Mickeys.
Shannon Sullivan, www.meltdownfreedisney.com
@meltdownfreedis
This article has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.
I would love to join Team TPI and would fulfill all of your established requirements, BUT I don't live near any of those parks. If you add Canada's Wonderland to that list, however, I could be your official Canadian Correspondent.