I agree with you - it feels like amusement parks are moving away from storytelling and spokespeople, and are just posting things like “new ride open, buy your season pass.”
The thing is, when a record-breaking coaster or a nostalgic attraction opens, the value is already there. I already want to ride it because of what it is. But when the messaging is just “buy your pass”, it shows where the priorities are - the transaction instead of the experience.
For example:
“Orion is open, buy your pass now”
vs.
“Come ride the record-breaking Orion at Kings Island, with a 300-foot drop, over a mile of track, and speeds over 90 mph- you won’t want to miss it! Secure your season pass today at VisitKingsIsland.com.”
Both are basically sales pitches, but one tells a story that builds excitement. I know I need a ticket to enter the park - that’s obvious. Storytelling, though, makes me feel like the park is earning my business rather than just demanding it. In the long run, that’s better for customer retention than simply shouting “buy, buy, buy.”
I think a lot of companies are just so fast to sell that they have honestly forgotten what they’re selling: entertainment…stories…memories…