BeeastFarmer

https://fox4kc.com/news/worlds-of-fun-workers-say-staffing-maintenance-budget-leading-to-ride-shutdowns/

@brenthodge, Brent I completely understand and appreciate your sentiment. It was evident that their gratitude was genuine, and their commitment to creating memorable, multi-generational experiences was deeply rooted in their strategy. It was a deliberate effort to foster a sense of tradition and shared memories. This authenticity made the experience believable and impactful. However, as you said, we fast forward to 2024, it is clear that attempts to replicate this sentiment in "Under the Stars" fall flat. While "Fun, Fireworks and Fifty" did pull at the heart strings...I still get a lump in my throat and a tight chest when I watch it on YouTube, the short version of the current show is logistically better to keep the drones active. But it doesn't elicit the same emotions. Granted, I've only seen it online and not in person, but this is my feeling. In short, I have not visited much this semester except for the spring conference and a very short visit in June...and I live two hours away. The FUN has been gone.

@brenthodge, Brent, the promotional show, 'Fun, Fireworks and Fifty,' represented a strategic and deliberate effort to position the park's fiftieth anniversary as a mere prelude to an even more grandiose future. The nostalgic undertones and emotionally charged rhetoric employed in the campaign were designed to cultivate a sense of anticipation and excitement, implicitly promising that the park's best days were yet to come. And then 2023 happened. Hilda Bovine sang, the streak was over after this. That's the scariest thing.

@brenthodge Brent, your assessment is accurate, but I would argue that the period from 2017 to 2020 warrants inclusion in this discussion of peak performance. The introduction of Mystic Timbers in 2017 marked a significant departure for Cedar Fair at Kings Island, demonstrating a commitment to immersive theming and a high level of execution. While Firehawk, Diamondback, and Banshee were undoubtedly thrilling additions, their thematic elements were relatively superficial. However, the return of WinterFest in 2017 showcased the park's potential to create truly magical experiences through comprehensive theming and atmosphere. The following years saw continued progress, albeit at a slower pace. 2019, in particular, was a standout year with the revitalization of International Street, the reintroduction of the Glockenspiel and restoration of the beerstein and the successful execution of Grand Carnivale. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted operations in 2020, but the park's response and subsequent performance in 2021 and 2022 were commendable. It is, therefore, disheartening to witness the current trajectory. A return to the levels of innovation and guest experience demonstrated in these previous years would be a welcome development.

@brenthodge You're absolutely right, Brent. It’s disheartening to witness the park's downturn after the phenomenal 2022 season. That year was truly exceptional, a high point I haven't seen matched since my first visits in the 70s. I'm hopeful for a turnaround in the future. Perhaps when you next connect with Mike Kootnz, you could suggest that Mr. Zimmerman would benefit from gaining insights directly from a guest's point of view. Their firsthand experiences could offer valuable perspectives on what's working and what's not, helping to inform decisions that could revitalize the park.

Cedar Fair's once-lauded portfolio has suffered a catastrophic decline, with Kings Island bearing the brunt of this mismanagement. The park's inexorable degradation since 2023 is a testament to corporate negligence and a profound disregard for its legacy. It is disheartening to observe the creeping apathy among patrons who seem to have resigned themselves to this decline.

^ @brenthodge...you expect them to IMPROVE year over year? They follow the opposite model where they devolve year over year. The event is a whisp of what it was; from my perspective, corporate is just thinking about today instead of five years from now. So much hard work by the implementation team and performers with what they were given to work with. But as long as people buy cheap season tickets and meal plans, this is what we get. Corporate thinks they are killing it. Until people vote with their finances, they will continue to chop the meat awat and leave just a little tiny bit of fat for flavoring the gristle they are going for.

My initial impression of your idea is that it's good. However, I worry that that would be overwhelming. The midway lights, the International Street lights, the float lights... would all that be too much?

I think we could combine our thoughts for a logical solution. I propose to keep the show near Starbux and conclude with a final performance at the Eiffel Tower. This presents an intriguing opportunity to optimize guest flow and extend dwell time on International Street. By strategically placing these show stops, the park can effectively funnel visitors towards key retail areas, stimulating impulse purchases and increasing overall revenue. The potential to integrate the parade floats into the Eiffel Tower show is particularly noteworthy. This not only enhances the visual spectacle but also offers practical advantages in terms of post-park closure logistics. However, careful consideration must be given to the potential challenges that may arise from this revised layout. A surge of visitors towards the Eiffel Tower at the conclusion of the second show could create congestion and negatively impact the overall guest experience. Implementing effective crowd management strategies, such as additional entertainment options in the area, will be crucial to mitigating these risks. Furthermore, it's essential to evaluate the impact of this change on the overall park narrative and guest experience. Consistency and cohesion between the show stops and the overall theme of International Street are paramount to maintaining visitor engagement. To fully assess the feasibility and potential benefits of this proposal, a comprehensive analysis of guest behavior, traffic patterns, and operational implications is necessary. Gathering data on guest spending habits, show attendance, and crowd density in the target areas will provide valuable insights to inform decision-making.

It seems the placement of show stops is strategically designed to maximize foot traffic and consumer spending within the retail and dining areas. However, the configuration of the 'front' and 'back' International Street appears counterproductive to this objective. Such an arrangement is likely to concentrate visitor flow at the beginning of the "front", leading to a potential mass exodus once the show stop concludes.

As predicted,

You must not have paid attention to the uproar when the legacy Six Flags chain bounced SP prices all over the place. When someone bought a pass for XXX and a month later it was X, that was VERY relevant to them and the others. Yes, I know that this post will be met with your typical pompous pseudo-educated diatribe, but that's to be expected with about any post you make.

No International Chicken Tenders?

Well how am I supposed to know THAT when I'm not in that MSA? Weird to me that other markets would just fill time with something that's totally out of their market.

I rescanned my TV antenna this week and now have WAVE TV from Louisville. Guess who now is doing the Don't Waste Your Money in Louisville? That's right, John Mattress! It was the same segment that aired in the Cincinnati market! It's like Dolly said in Steel Magnolias "He's a chain!" Except she was speaking in first person. I know @Hawaiian Coasters 325would want to know! I apologize about the unintentional italicized text after the segment title. My mobile version would not allow me to change back the font.

Marcus LeShock is reporting on Facebook that his home park, SF Great America has ceased to enforce the $1.30 purchase surcharge and that it is going into effect at all Six Flags properties! Good move leadership! (If you don't know, Marcus is a news anchor at WGN Chicago and a coaster nerd.)

Lots of good info on the podcast, I'd highly reccommend it!

YOU of all people, are advocating for removal of vegetation at a Six Flags park? I NEVER thought I'd see this day!

I love that noise!

I'm sorry. On the bright side...Carowinds had what you wanted!

SIX no longer exists. It's all FUN now!

Did you ask for the ICEE cup and lid? If it's that big of a deal, you could always escalate it. To me, it's not that big of a deal though. To each their own I reckon.

They have turned up the lights on the floats this year. It looks like they have figured how to complete all four show stops. They are running the route up The Area Formerly Known as Coney Mall, then in front of Enrique's and air brush shop. Then behind the Eifel Tower, around to the south side of International Street, then the north side. Then back thru AP and The Area Formerly Known as Coney Mall. The show stops on International Street feature enhanced lighting effects on the buildings, pavement, trees and fountain. The float lighting are synched up to each other.

Less plastic waste at Kings Island. I say bravo!

Thanks for the correction...I forgot '22 was skipped in lieu of the 50th March of Celebration.