Outdoor Man

I've had season passes for longer than I care to admit. From where I sit, it seems like the training and/or quality of staff this year (food service and rides) isn't exactly as bad as a Cincinnati Reds Bullpen... but it's in the same conversation.

I think you have to look at incentive as well. Not knocking food service/fast food jobs in any way, but they're fairly common to come by all over the region within close proximity to residential areas/transit. What's the incentive to working in food service at Kings Island when you could find the same type of work much closer? Not to mention, for better or worse (and experiences in service vary wildly by location), but even companies like McDonalds offer actual benefits and regular pay increases on top of year round work. I know this is a simple solution to a complex problem, but that's where I say- hire fewer and pay better.

Have had very similar experiences this year. Yesterday was mild for us... having had terrible guest experiences the first couple of visits, we unfortunately knew what/when to avoid. It seems, though that a number of the lines bunch up at the cashier. Why does it always seem that they place the most inexperienced computer person at the cashier position? A few weeks ago, the Chicken Shack (by Banshee) had two cashiers more interested in flirting with girls on the other side of the door than serving the "line" in front of them. It seems rather epidemic that to solve staffing issues, places (not just Kings Island) throw employee volume at it. Not to get into a political bent on this, but in the whole $15/hour debate.... I've said before- pay more, hire fewer and more mature employees. There's nothing wrong inherently with hiring teens. But, unfortunately, the supervisors tend to be borderline teen/college age and attain the position by tenure rather than qualification- and most want to be the "cool" supervisor, not the one that expects excellence.

I've been away for a little while. Something happening at the park?

Should have never been rethemed from Phantom Theater. Ditch the cardboard cutouts and braindead theming and start over. A remodel has been long-overdue. (that was harsh)

Here's hoping some of that new paint found its way onto the Carousel to spruce that thing up for its 90th season. The organ is back, but that thing has been looking a bit shabby of late.

Should have known that 5 seconds after it's announced from a conference call, it will have already been on this site for 4.

and while I'm at it... wrong thread I know- but did anyone else notice that Cedar Fair is introducing "WinterFest" at California's Great America this year??? Is there hope???????? https://www.cagreatamerica.com/events/things-to-do/special-events/WinterFest

I don't think there's enough theming around Cedar Fair to make it unique enough or anything more than a shopping area featuring shops that are a dime a dozen around town. Under Paramount, however, there was plenty of theming that it could have been built around.. as noted in that Press Release by bkroz.

How about something that would be intriguing... but never successful: a concept like Disney Springs or Universal Citywalk. It wouldn't have a snowballs chance in you know where, but would be a "fun" idea.

Doesn't seem possible that this will be Firehawk's 10th season at the park (right?). Given it's construction as a template coaster that can fit anywhere flat... anyone think it would become part of a coaster rotation with other CF parks like Paramount was prepping to do with its next door neighbor (FoF)?

I miss news stories that just gave me the W's and the H. From what I understand, He was the last wild whale? The rest were hatcheried? Honestly, I didn't read the whole article. Just the headline and skimmed the rest. The discerning public will read less than that -only to the headline- and forward it to the Court of Public Opinion. Couldn't tell you if he was the last one brought in from the wild... I assume they've had some "rescue" whales brought in but really have no clue.

Wow.... they can't seem to buy a break these days. They've got some talented executives- trouble seems to find them repeatedly... http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-seaworld-tilikum-health-declining-20160308-story.html

Speaking of Parking Lot Trams. Stayed at GWL over the weekend and couldn't help but notice that you can see through the trees a large number of parking lot trams.... just sitting there. Why, after well over a decade of non-use, are those things still around? It's interesting how you can take a giant structure like Son of Beast and literally almost leave no traces of it's existence (outside of the loading station)- yet some things stick around in the boneyard with no intentions of reuse... for years. On a side note, couldn't help but notice the Drop Tower lift going up and down yesterday... Just over a month to go (and about 50 degrees).

Probably a new soccer goal game for that side of the park.

Ignored, yes. Hiding and pillows, no. They had been conditioned to anticipate these controversies every few years and to try and address them gave it more airtime and made situations deeper and longer to get past. It was a playbook that had success over the years... Blackfish didn't follow the same rules and took on a life of its own. Much like what you'll find with Dusty Baker and your DC baseball club this year. While in Cincinnati he NEVER adjusted his strategy to the situation and more often than not got out managed (see 2012 playoffs vs the Giants- not that I'm still bitter about that). SEAS went up against PETA and CNN with a years old playbook and didn't modify early on and got hammered by the fact that CNN played and replayed, and replayed, then Netflix grabbed it. Game, Set, Match.

Was a death knell to be a "Six Flags park" in the last 10 years. See: Astro Land Worlds of Adventure Jazzland/New Orleans Kentucky Kingdom Interesting how all met very different circumstances to arrive at the same fate. Am I missing any? Let it be said, however, that Six Flags today is a much different organization. As for GL. If there wasn't a giant lake separating the water park from the dry side they probably could have justified a small ride park built around Big Dipper a la Zoombezi Bay.

Great article. Sad, sad, sad. From where I sit, atmosphere and experience trump thrills any day of the week. Unfortunately within a year, two, or three another $20M+ will be spent on a tall, fast, whatever roller coaster thrill that will in effect take bodies from the Banshee line that used to be in the Diamondback line. Thrills come, go, and fade. The experience is what gets people to come back and ride again and again. I had hopes that the not-so-new CEO would turn that corner. Overall atmosphere I think they have- but ride experience seems to have stayed the same: "Build em bigger, builder em faster." Don't get me wrong, I like Banshee- the atmosphere is great- but the theming stopped too soon. Put some water at the base of the hill(s)- put fog in places during the ride... even if it slows the coaster down a bit. It adds an element to the ride that you can't get at another place. I'd love for another well-thought out ride experience like TR:TR to come along again... but I can't hold my breath that long.

hmmm.... would like to also throw my opinion and vote in for restrooms in that area (and while I'm at it- more food stands/kiosks in the water park- but that's another topic).

Plenty of room and empty/tree-less space where the remainder of SOB was. Firehawk is one of those coasters that is easy to relocate; could be a good entryway. Opening that space would add a tremendous palette of colors to draw a picture of a new park section.

'Terp, were you asleep at the switch? This thread was pulled from the shelf twice by someone other than you... That DC Blizzard must still be affecting you. Wake up; the fast ones are sailing right past you...

Same could be said of Funnel Cakes I suppose, but nothing screams "19th century Rivertown" like... SOCCER.

'scuse my terminology.

I figured. Who was the franchisor? And how did that work with the Dining Plan? I would almost assume that those details would be more trouble than it was worth on both sides. If it were a park-owned kiosk you have reasonable control of the revenue/expense. As a separate franchisor, I assume every time someone used their dining plan at that location, CF had to write a check. It makes complete sense that CF would send them on their way- or at a minimum eliminate it from the DP (it was on the DP last year wasn't it?- that's how observant I am).

And not everyone reads that other thread. I'm happy it was posted as a new topic. I'm surprised you call the customer service "bleh". I've never visited the Cedar Point Chick-fil-A location, but I'm always impressed by how polite and friendly Chick-fil-A employees are at other locations. Someone can correct me, but the Customer Service at the park location may be drastically different from a stand alone store because the employees are employees of said park and not necessarily of Chic-Fil-A, or one of their franchisors and therefore not specifically to the CFA handbook. I didn't go to the KI location often this past year, but don't recall CFA terminology of "my pleasure" and "how can I serve you?"