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We all, in some form or another, take ownership in the park. Every single one of us should be outraged that this happened at a place as beloved as Kings Island. The mere fact that this has occurred makes me sick on my stomach. For the love of God there were families and little, little children there. Its simply disgusting. I trust in the park's leadership enough to know this sort of thing will not be tolerated. If that means hard rules must be instituted, fine by me. I support any measure the park takes to ensure the safety of ALL guests, and ALL employees.

I have seen videos of at least four separate incidents that happened yesterday. I also personally witnessed a “brawl” while leaving the park last Saturday (May 15) just outside the metal detectors. This isn’t “one” random fight. And one of the videos i saw happened in a quite crowded line for Delirium. When guests just standing in a queue with no place to escape to get caught in a melee then you have a real problem.

Id LOVE to have every park in the country do what KK did, this is another example (in my opinion) of that park "doing it right" as others should do. Parks ARE NOT, repeat for those in the back, ARE NOT intended to be babysitters for obnoxious adolescents.

A few notes from today- - LOVE the TLC they did to Adventure Express. The tunnels being brought back to life, especially the last one, is a great refreshing touch. Also love the Tomb Raider music in the station. Loved that music building up the ride back in the day. - Spotted signs of potential painting and other things going on at Bat, cones with flags on top of the station along with brown and white tarps along with buckets and even a pulley. Also a dumpster with wood and plywood panels around underneath the station and brake run, plywood was grey (from Wolfpack or Blackout maybe?) - Heat made all the steel coasters haul a** today -Impressed with the staff overall for being this early in the season, glad I didn't let last night deter me from going, had a good day

If I was a local I would be hesitant to support a chaperone policy too quickly---I'm sure many that live around the park have kids that behave 100% of the time or at least such that no one would notice. I have the utmost faith that KI will figure this out one way or another though. In very general terms they need to send a message to those that might be inclined to cause trouble that KI is not the place to do it. It won't be tolerated, so let's not go there---let's go somewhere else to cause trouble, it's no fun to do it there.

All great points. On the other hand, if the gate is being given away, the entertainment value per dollar spent spread out over a season cannot be beat and that is a great motivator for many people to keep coming back. Where else can you get fed two meals per day all summer for the price of the season long meal plan? At this point, I think the larger crowds not allowing for a Best Day ever experience will turn people off more than the chaperone policy. Time will tell if that policy comes here. Has anyone done an analysis of attendance and revenue for parks that have implemented similar policies - if any exist with a long enough history to see a trend? I would hope though that KI doesn't knee jerk this and implement the policy that then becomes another policy they cannot enforce. I'd rather see a beef up of security and enforce the policies already in place. I mentioned here many years ago that instead of having ride-op's station the front of rides and the occasional roamer in queues, the changing behaviors of guests over the years probably needs to make those positions as security personnel instead. The abuse ride-op's take trying to enforce the policy of no bags for example is horrible. Now these same people would probably mouth off to a security guard as well, but it would stop some from making a scene and those that do make a scene can truly be dealt with. A 16-year old wants to be a ride-op not a security person...

100% correct.

Kentucky Kingdom did it. Shopping malls have done it. Stores around schools have done it. A few bad characters results in measures to prevent it from happening. The gold pass did not substantially go up when they added Winterfest and they could have legit made that a reason for an increase. The price of passes have not kept up with inflation. Many have used KI as summer daycare. The price of a gold pass and add-ons is less than a week of daycare. Granted this isn't the demo that the policy is targeting, but it doesn't take many bad characters to ruin it for everyone... But all age groups have bad characters that ruin it for everyone, but the under 21 crowd is an easier policy to implement... The pricing model is another story though happening in other threads LOL.

Several Mason PD cops and Sheriff deputies parked out front right now as well as a large congregation of security. Seems KI is going to do everything in their power to prevent another incident tonight. Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

I would not be surprised if the park took significant action. After a disastrous opening weekend, Cedar Point slashed available reservations, removed 8 operating days from the calendar and significantly increased their salary offering... All in less than a week. If KI, staring in the face of a likely VERY busy holiday weekend and coming off an embarrassing night for the park that has made the news, decides to copy the Kennywood/Kentucky Kingdom chaperone policy and bring back reservations effective immediately... I would not be shocked at all.

If Kings Island simply hired more security guards to roam the park, I think that would make a huge difference. There already are some security guards that roam the park keeping an eye out for misconduct while also interacting with guests and asking how their day is going. Kings Island needs more of that in the park.

Maybe they should follow Kentucky Kingdoms lead and have a chaperone policy. Seems the individuals causing trouble at Kings Island were primarily juveniles, according to one of the articles posted.

I think Kings Island has been improving each week operations wise. Lines have been moving faster and almost all food locations have been open. Kings Island could have done nothing to prevent what happened yesterday. Let’s just hope an incident like this never happens again. I know Kings Island will now probably do everything in their power to prevent such an incident.

While it would help. I don't think it would fix everything. I witnessed a different one, which definitely contained a decent amount over 16 & over 18 years old, so I don't know how much it would help there. I hope this is a one time thing, and hopefully, we won't have to worry about it later down the line. Part of me thinks everyone was already on edge from the crowds and lines.

Not if the chaperone was stuck in a drink line or waiting an hour for a $14 slice of pizza.

I’m much more upset about the 45 minute drink line. Because that effects me. Some kids beating the **** out of each other has 0 effect on anyone other than those fighting.

I’d find this concerning. I feel like a portion of the reasoning for the downfall of the American mall is because teenagers were treated what they would consider to be unfair in the early 2000’s. Now those teenagers are homeowners and have been sour on this ever since. I think you and I went back and forth about the same concept with not allowing phones in lines, which would push a lot of people away and would have a long lasting effect.

I'm gonna tack onto what Brad is saying because I'm pretty hot to trot about the way tonight was handled. They also forbid re-entry. I typically run out to the car before LROTN to take my evening medication. Tonight I was told I could go a) go take my medication and not re-enter Or b) stay in the park and forego my medication That's just unacceptable. I, for one will be calling on Monday and raising he** about it. A guest should not have to forego medication because KI changed the rules unannounced and decided to forbid re-entry. I can't delay taking my medication so I had to leave the park, not get my LROTN...because...you know...I take medication.

Not at the park today, I had to work. But all my KI Facebook groups are filled with stories of fighting at the park. What in the world? One post said there was a particularly violet fight near Sweet Spot/The French Corner with heads being bashed into the pavers. This was told by someone who identified themself as a Sweet Spot employee. Also, parking lot and drop off area fights. I hope the people who were involved with these fights (if the reports are true) are banned and fully prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

I can’t disagree with this statement more. IMO the problem is their risk managers have been ignoring the problem for years and have failed to take the steps to prevent these types of incidences. Starting with shoulder shrugs at running, smoking and line jumping. Not suggesting tossing their asses out on Columbia Road for a first offense but taking proactive deescalation measures. Short story back in 77 or 78, a year or so before the infamous Skyride accident at SFSTL my buddy an I took the long bus ride out to the park for a summer day of fun probably in 6th grade. We got the dumbass idea to have bombing runs with ice cubes, got reported and 2 security guards were waiting for us at the station. They chewed out as for a couple of minutes but then lightened up and just started talking to us about what fun was to be had the rest of the day and shortly let us on our way. We probably passed them half a dozen times the rest of the day and they always waved or stopped briefly to ask what we had just ridden and maybe made a suggestion of where we should go next. We also knew if we screwed up again they would have our parents on the phone or just boot us out. They problem as I see it is the total Laissez-faire approach KI has taken towards the small incidents in the past years is leading to these kids to think there are no consequences for their actions. So when the park does get overcrowded and there is nothing to do but wait in ginormous lines for the simplest things problems will arise they can’t control. The old idiom “Idle hands are the Devil’s tools.” comes to mind. IMO what the park needs is more security roaming the grounds, not out to bust heads but getting out ahead of the situation with small talks with guests about expected good park-goer behavior. If management remains laser focused on only next quarter earnings and not the long term health of the park unit holders need to start thinking about an exit strategy.

^But the roof of the station? That's where the buckets, tarps, cones and flags, and pulley were located. The wood in the dumpster appeared to be mostly poles and some of the plywood. More of the grey plywood was sitting next to the dumpster and a pile was also seen under Bat's brakerun. I would check the SOB station for missing Wolfpack bits though.

I would imagine what happened is probably in their top five worst nightmare. Give them a break they did not throw a punch. I would imagine that most of us would have the same reaction. I don't think their risk managers could have prepared for this, but they can learn from it.

Maybe they should announce a new coaster! Possibly a dive where Vortex was?

I agree, this seems to be mostly a one off incidence. If this keeps happening sure institute new policies but this situation really seems to be blown out of proportion in some respects, especially with the video calling it an “extremely violent brawl”. While having fights in an amusement park is despicable, this fight didn’t seem like it put any guests in danger besides the ones engaging with the fight.

Part of me thinks all that was a little planned a bit given the scale of it all.

Sounds like he definitely has some type of agenda against KI, makes you wonder why he paid to even be there if he's so against them... Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

Is KI parking lot at closing the new high noon? Was cincy photography looking for trouble to film Saturday or coincidence?

As a person who absolutely loves this park so much, it hurts my heart to see some of the videos of the fighting that happened. This is a place of families and happiness and great memories made. And now this, makes me sick to my stomach. What is going on in this world? I never thought I'd see this type of behavior at the park...I just don't get it.

It may be grown ups who need a chaperone if the trouble makers were over 21.

And after observing people in the US across all different demographics in the past year and a half (yes, it's a hobby of mine) none of this surprises me in the slightest. This all stems from the 10 to the 100th power of causes du' jour that people have to cling to in order to exist on a day to day basis in this country lately (again greatly exacerbated in the last 15-18 months) and combined with people who have become somewhat institutionalized mentally with the lockdowns and restrictions caused by that thing I will no longer mention in my day to day vocabulary and the fact that everyone just HAS to be "right" and everyone else wrong. Add a nearly 90 degree day to that, and we have this result, which will be the norm instead of the exception for all of this year, and likely beyond.

That's horrible. Such trouble makers have no place where there are families with young children.

My two cents on the subject. Before Fast Lane, I could ride everything I wanted at both KI and CP even on busy days because of the excellent capacity. For example, when the line for Diamondback was all the way to Reds Hall of Fame ( sorry but the new name of that place escapes me.) the wait would just be 45 minutes-the same from the entrance to The Beast with full switchbacks. Now the waits have doubled. The wait for Maverick at CP has especially become a nightmare. I am realistic and know Fast Lane is here to stay but I don't understand why the system is supposed to make it so those who cannot afford it should have miserable time at the park so that those who can afford it can have a great time. This is in no way meant to criticize those who buy Fast Lane-the issue is not their problem. I am just wondering if the parks are selling too many Fast Lanes. At any rate I just might get Fast Lane next time I am at KI. I guess if you can't beat them, then join them. lol.

It just isn’t possible to have a “best day” when a park is this crowded. Or even a good day. It had to be miserable.

You mean like chaperone policy that Kentucky Kingdom just implemented ...

Not an excuse and still unacceptable to force a guest to leave to go take medication. Edit: I'm normally willing to give the park some slack. But not anymore. I'm flat out disgusted right now.

It's easy to hype a new coaster, it's difficult at times like this....

The other thing is teens make up a good portion of visitor attendance. I understand it's for the safety of the guests, but punish the thousands of other teens wanting to enjoy summer with their friends over the poor choices of a few other peers. If KI can find another way around, I think increased security or crowd control might be in order, but as long as it isn't a repeat problem, I'd hold off on the chaperone policy if possible.

I saw security from an outside company today. Like a rent-a-cop. Is that normal? That video while there is a large crowd, it looks like younger teens doing the fighting. Impulse control isn’t the strong suit of 14yro’s at all. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think if Kings Island were to do this to teenagers now, they wouldn’t come back when they are older and bring their kids. A lot of parents grew up going to Kings Island with friends, and now they bring their families back. And their kids will eventually bring their kids back. A chaperone policy is just not the answer to combat fighting. Heck, Kings Island used to have a Grad Night where every high school graduate in the area had free admission. Kings Island just needs to enforce the rules. I hope they banned everyone who caused problems last night, so those people won’t cause problems again. I know some rides threw entire parties out for line jumping yesterday, and that is great because it deters guests from doing the same thing again. If the park has a zero tolerance policy, a lot of future fighting will be avoided.

I've seen some videos of the fights yesterday up at Kings Island. What a shame a people act that way. Hopefully, this is a one time thing and KI beefs up security. I never thought our 'home' park would have individuals acting a fool like that.- -EDIT- We are not talking about a small fight... we are talking about large groups of people swinging punches.

I am talking about people under 21 who want to visit Kings Island together. Not all groups of teenagers are bad. Some people under the age of 21 come to Kings Island by themselves, and not all of them are bad either. I just hope this doesn’t happen again.

Kings Island literally raised the price of a Gold Pass to as high as its ever been. While they extended 2020 Gold Passes into 2021, they didn’t have a choice. I don’t know how old you are, but have you ever gone to Kings Island with the some friends when you have not been over the age of 21? How would you feel not being allowed to attend? I don’t think many people would appreciate a chaperone policy even if it sounds like a good idea in theory.

I really don’t want Kings Island to do that. There are so many well behaved people who visit the park who are under 21. They shouldn’t have to pay for the actions of others. Kings Island’s attendance would plummet with such a policy. While some fights do break out at Kings Island, it isn’t very common, so I hope this is only a one time occurrence.

I live very close to the park. I realize the park hit capacity and entrants were not allowed in after about 5pm… but many locals are stating that the park did fireworks at 930 tonight and started moving guests out early due to fights breaking out through the park. Possibly gang related Anyone there tonight to confirm? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Tonight might have been an exception for the reentry due to the security issues the park was dealing with.

Demand is SO HIGH. If these CF parks could staff and have a better operating calendar I think they'd see record attendance.

I love Banshee's vests over the old OTSRs. Are you wanting a whole new design?

I've ridden Banshee too many times to count, and I've always loved it. I just had my first ride on Raptor last weekend and wow, was that intense. It seemed much faster than Banshee to me. It could have been that the ride was running really well that afternoon, but I was expecting Banshee Part 2 and got something way more intense.

Every YouTuber is clearly an expert

It’s open vaccine season. With the exception of the very small percentage of the population who can’t get the vaccine, if you choose to not get the vaccine, that’s kind of on you at this point.