BoddaH1994
-
Posts
17,601 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
266
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Calendar
Posts posted by BoddaH1994
-
-
1 hour ago, Gordon Bombay said:
To clarify, I was referring to "Facebook Nonsense" in the sense of click bait news fodder (like when a certain local tv news station posts "they said WHAT" over the a headline about a b-list celebrity), not necessarily sharing Coney stories.
“Coney Island puts rides up for sale and you’ll never believe what happens next!”
-
2
-
1
-
-
On 3/3/2024 at 7:37 PM, silver2005 said:
I'm curious what happens at Six Flags if this doesn't go through. By some things I've read and heard, they're kind of up s*** creek without a paddle.
That may be true for both. It would be dependent on how the next few years go.
-
1
-
-
14 hours ago, Gordon Bombay said:
I mean, it’s probably way more hassle than it’s worth. Both of those structures probably require additional infrastructure where if you’re going to put a new pool/plumbing in — why not just spend the money on new attractions at that point? And we’re talking about two attractions that, while great for Coney, would be relatively unnoticed among the swath of KI offerings.
Also, yeah it would be a good PR move in the sense that a few local tv news stations might use it as feel-good-fodder for the older crowd still watching the news and spreading Facebook nonsense, but how much is that really worth?It’s tragic what happened to Sunlite Pool and hopefully MEMI preserves Moonlight Gardens/some history, but the park truly died in 1971, not 2023.
Under certain conditions the purchase would make sense. For example, The Beach got their play structure from a defunct water park in Michigan. Since time and - let’s be frank, quality - wasn’t of the essence, they were able to get it running. Additionally, it could be sold for parts. I’m not sure what kind of shape they’re in, but the pumps alone are worth tens of thousands of dollars. That’s even in non-working condition. So no, I think the attempt to sell is honest and not “Facebook nonsense.” They’ll really sell them.
-
18 hours ago, guy1115 said:
Didn't say they were Broadway caliber shows, but through Paramount ages, those were the highlights.
I’m 100% on board with School of Rock. Magic of the Movies? Not so much.
-
1 hour ago, IndyGuy4KI said:
Keep in mind, we are very early in the year. Knott's is the only park dealing with the new passes so far. I understand the hesitation with what we have seen with the Prestige pass. When the park saw this thread, they reached out and made sure things were right. The acknowledgment and willingness to verify with other parks and their IT department that all should be working as advertised, really does speak highly of the KI GM. No mater the decisions that corporate might be making (most likely not under their control) the local parks do want to do what they can to make things right.
I think we ALL agree that Mr Koontz was proactive, professional, and demonstrated that he cared to rectify this situation. People reached out to Knott’s and got conflicting info. This was dispute the web site very much suggesting that the answer was yes. Clearly this was an IT/communications breakdown. No one went to Mr Koontz; however, he heard of the problem and rectified it. His efforts are not unnoticed.
-
4
-
-
1 hour ago, DispatchMaster said:
All that list tells us is that Elizabeth is more excited for one ride versus another. Interpreting anything beyond that is meaningless conjecture.
"She would have been more excited for Roller Coaster 1 if only KI had sent her a better media packet" is a giant, nonsensical leap that also happens to be insulting to her intelligence.
Maybe she prefers the theming of HW's ride. Maybe, as ACE President, she understands that GG is a more interesting debut for HW - considering it's their first family coaster - than SSBR is as an addition to the much more mature KI coaster lineup. Maybe she prefers GG because it isn't KI's bland, off-the-shelf model that has existed at other parks for the better part of a decade. Or maybe she just prefers red track to yellow.
There are obviously plenty of earned, valid criticisms of KI's marketing team without resorting to nonsensically blaming them for nearly every perceived negative outcome.
Agreed, but I still stand by the idea that, no matter which park you are, if you are omitted from any of these “listicles,” management will want to know why.
As you probably recall, they were left off of locals lists such as “Top 10 Things To Do in Cincinnati” when they had things like WF or Haunt opening that weekend. If it was just this one, you may be right, but since this is a common subject then I think most would agree that it’s indicative of a much larger problem.
-
1
-
-
On 3/1/2024 at 2:10 PM, DispatchMaster said:
Because, as far as I can tell, the list appears to be the coasters the ACE President happens to be personally looking forward to, which is a pretty meaningless and arbitrary metric. Obviously it's better to be on the list than not, but I think trying to figure out "why" SSBR is not on the list is silly, given how completely subjective the list appears to be. Ask 10 enthusiasts what their most anticipated rides are, and you'll likely get 10 unique lists.
See above. That it's not on this list appears to simply mean that Elizabeth Ringas isn't personally looking forward to it. As the President of ACE, she is, no doubt, aware of the ride, so I don't see how marketing would have much, if any, effect on whether or not she is personally excited for the ride. HW adding their first family coaster is bigger news than KI expanding their already well-rounded family-friendly offerings.
Then again, if one's preconceived notion is that poor marketing is the reason for all things bad, then of course that's the lens through which everything will be viewed. Objectivity is hard, I guess.
They don't build rides for "awareness" of the ACE President, they build rides to entertain guests. And so long as the ride's operating cost per rider metric is met, then it is "fulfilling the plan for the funds".
So you’re saying that Elizabeth not listing Soap Box as one of the “most anticipated” when the ACE is holding their Spring Conference is not a referendum on the Kings Island Team’s relationship with ACE? What about top-of-mind awareness?
Both of which are the responsibility the same team.
Under some circumstances I could see your point; however, they are in the midst of planning a huge event at Kings Island. Despite Kings Island being their main business focus right now, they still chose to forgo Soapbox for a very similar ride. It’s quite telling.
-
2
-
-
They said something about a cancelled project on their earnings call, which many believed was this ride.
-
3 hours ago, guy1115 said:
Remind me.....who was running Paramount Parks when CF acquired them? And how was the entertainment then? History seems to have a way of repeating itself when the same people are at top.
What’s funny is that I remember thinking about the 2006 season, pre-merger. If I recall, they had the second run of School of Rock in the KIT, and karaoke on the bandstand. Showplace was dark.
Fortunately, I think we have it marginally better than that this year.
-
1
-
-
I can confirm that my friend was reached out to by Knott’s on behalf of Mr Koontz. It seemed like they were under the belief that they made him pay. As I stated earlier, they didn’t, but warned him as a one-time thing. He’s still going to reply to tell his story. If it happened to him, it’s happened to others. Communication has been so bad in that company recently.
-
1
-
-
17 minutes ago, IndyGuy4KI said:
So the park just reached out to me, they have confirmed that the pass should work for parking at Knott's. The park has called Knott's Berry farm they confirmed with the IT department of Cedar Fair, and talked with the GM of Knott's of the situation. Cedar Fair wants to make sure this is working correctly for all parties.
Great to hear that Mr Koontz made things right!
The issue wasn’t really that the pass didn’t work, it was that it didn’t work and the associate and supervisor told him that it didn’t. It looks like that they are working hard to ensure that the communication is out there. He truly does care.
-
2
-
-
I was able to get through to Knotts.
The lady on the phone was very nice and said she “thinks” the APP covers parking.
So assuming that’s true, why was BB1 told otherwise and why were my friends turned away?
-
1 minute ago, Kenban said:
It’s still listed in the terms and conditions that everyone gets free parking at all parks with purchase of the all parks passport.
Most of the benefits including the lounge and what it contains are just promises on the website, the parking is actually spelled out in the actual legal terms which is more difficult to modify and has not been changed since last summer. I just cannot imagine walking back the free parking in 2024.
No matter what, it’s baffling.
You correctly laid out why the conditions would be odd.
But even if that’s not true, why were people turned away? Why was BB1 told “no” when he called?
I tried to call Knott’s myself but gave up after about 20 minutes on hold.
-
People in the Facebook groups are saying with authority that Retrospect will be back, but has yet to be announced. That would be strange, but possible. Maybe it’ll just be during Carnivale.
-
1
-
-
They also, as of this writing, did not list the dates for the country show.
-
1
-
-
VERY short run for Bubbles. Better than the theater being dark.
-
2
-
-
35 minutes ago, disco2000 said:
2024 is the first year the KI Prestige is good at CP (and other parks with Prestige) for the lounge and front of the line pass.
In August 2022 when Prestige pass went on sale it was good at other parks that had Prestige. Then by September it was revised to home park only for lounge and front of line pass.
So literally folks went to CP with KI Prestige one weekend and got in the lounge and the front of the line and the next week they were denied.
In 2023 the Prestige benefits (other than admission and parking) was only valid at home park. But it was inconsistent. I know folks that went 3 consecutive days to Carowinds and got front of the all 3 days but only into the lounge one day. Same for folks I know that went to CP. I think when the folks got the benefit it was because the associate didn't want to enforce the policy.
Supposedly in 2024 Prestige benefits are good at other Prestige parks.
The benefits were widely used at CP until mid-October when Tony Clark put in his blog that they are only good at your home park. Then it became inconsistent.
-
I go every couple of months or so. I was there last weekend.
Did you catch the Mardi Gras parade?
I think my favorite thing on property is the Bourne Stuntacular.
-
2 minutes ago, Kenban said:
That's my hope at least. I have also wondered if part of the issue might be what park the pass was purchased from. I know there have been issues at Knott's in the past when using a pass from a park that has not yet opened for the season. My understanding is the pass that worked was from Canada's Wonderland. I could see a Kings Island or Cedar Point pass possibly having issues because their add-on's did not work last year.
It has been a few years but I personally had issues at Knott's early in the year before Kings Island opened. Guest Services could see my meal plan but it would not work at restaurants and I had to get managers to over ride every time I wanted a drink or meal.
Maybe, but they got into the park without a problem. They never did get the green light to park. The person just let them through as a one-time thing.
-
Just now, BB1 said:
Knotts proper they stated verbatim that gold APP does not apply for parking at Knotts Berry Farms.
Thanks for doing that.
I guess we’ll need to reach out to some other parks this week to see where it works and where it doesn’t.
-
1
-
-
2 hours ago, BB1 said:
At this point I'm half tempted to call Kings Island or Knotts to confirm this policy as if this is not true I am going to have to upgrade. I was told verbatim that I get the same benefits of a platinum pass when I purchase the 2024 Gold Pass and the all park passport addon. If this isn't true, then I'm going to have to re-evaluate my pass moving forward as the value of the Platinum pass includes that parking availability.
Update: Just called the park, GP APP does not include the parking benefit as stated on the Kings Island website that your platinum pass originally had. Prestige passholders get free parking however. Very upsetting as I was planning to either fly or road trip out to Knotts
Did you call Knotts or Kings Island?
-
I suppose what we need clarification on is whether the bait-and-switch just pertains to Knotts, or for all Cedar Fair parks.
Of course, we’ve seen their willingness to change the game (and the language on the website) half way down the stream.
-
This is anecdotal; however, I think it’s important that people know what their getting when they spend their money, especially after the Prestige Pass fiasco of 2023.
A couple of friends of mine went to Knott’s over the weekend. They had already renewed: Kings Island Gold Pass, All Parks Passport (APP) and all of the other augmentations. They went to park and the attendant tried to charge them. They said they have the APP and it included parking. The associate told them that the parking with APP doesn’t work at Knott’s. The supervisor came over and confirmed. Fortunately, they allowed them to go through as a “one time exception.”
I was always under the impression that adding the APP was tantamount to a Prestige Pass, which includes parking.
My questions are: has anyone else had this experience in 2024 at Knott’s? Does parking only work at your home park, or is this unique to Knotts? If this is incorrect, then why did the system deny them, the associate firmly tell them that they didn’t get parking, and the supervisor confirmed the information?
Hopefully this was just a chain of misinformation and not a sneaky little surprise.
-
1
-
-
10 minutes ago, DonHelbig said:
The new parking tolls had news placements across the country, including The New York Times. Woodstock Gliders and Snoopy’s Space Buggies made it out of the park’s backyard too, including The New York Times, Boston Globe, Houston Chronicle, Orlando Sentinel, and a couple hundred others.
When The Beast turned 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, news placements were garnered in outlets across the country. It was the cover story on magazines for the 30th and 35th anniversary. The 40th? Pretty much just the Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus markets with the story placements. It turns 45 this year. You won’t see Google alerts popping up in your email about the anniversary in many places.
It’s all about how the story is pitched and selling why it matters to the news outlets’ audience. You can sell snow to an Eskimo if the story is compelling enough.
Plus… why is Good Gravy “most anticipated” but Soapbox Racers isn’t?
There’s no doubt that this is a great fit for the park; however, if GG is on this particular list but Soapbox isn’t then it’s a referendum on the effort put into it, not the quality of the ride.
Just remember- they spend this capitol to get an ROI. The ride can be great, but if the awareness falls short then it’s still not fulfilling the plan for the funds.
-
5
-
Another Cedar Fair park adds off season event
in Other Amusement Parks & Industry News
Posted
I wonder when we’ll get an announcement from the Kings Island T…. :::laughs profusely:::
Very cool announcement out of Valleyfair!