robintodd

My wife and I are here for the weekend. They did severely cut number of reservations. At 6:17 line for SV is 1 hour and Maverick is 45 minutes.

CP has a Pre-K pass. It's free and you can get it as long as they haven't turned 6 yet. Hopefully the rest of CF parks will follow suit.

KI had significant issues their opening weekend. The credit card machines took 4-5 times as long to process and lines for food were the longest I've ever seen at the park (with the exception of fall fest). I'm guessing the days of the $99 pass are gone. We are in a captialistic society that runs on supply and demand. If widgets sell out, and you can't make more widgets, raise the price of the widgets because demand is high. If they raise the price to $115 and sell 90% of the passes they sold for $99 they actually will make more money. Remember last year was the first full year for the CP 99 gold pass. With the pandemic happening when it did it was a perfect storm. There's a thin line between having a full park of half disgruntled customers and a half full park of happy ones. This is one example where I believe FLP hurts those with season passes. If the park has the lines look long, they sell more FLP. So the more people in the park means more FLP sales. So it seems they want to sell season passes for less to make the lines longer and therefore sell more FLP. If the passes were more expensive (let's say $120) and they only sold 80% they would almost make as much money compared to 100% but would have 20% less season pass holders in the park (adjusted because some of those people would come for a traditional visit). The last 2 Saturdays KI has sold out of FLP. If this keeps up, expect the cost of FLP to go up and in the future FLP annual fees. Some thought parks like KI would money after last year. I'm sure that so far the FLP sales are taking a bite out of that loss. I stand corrected. I should say they gave pass holders like me an extra year. I live north of Cincinnati and go to KI almost every week and CP 3 times a year. I always stay at the Breakers and for 2 of the trips get the Platinum rooms for the discount and find it an exceptional value considering I don't have to drive in and out of the park every day. Living within 5 hours of 2 CF parks is not something many people have the luxury of and therefore I would guess they don't buy platinum passes. It would be interesting to see the breakdown of gold/platinum pass holders by state. I'm guessing Ohio would outnumber Platinum passholders in other states. Other people living near other CF parks will make their own decisions but I doubt hundreds of them come to CP every weekend. CP and KI are unique in that several people could be considered 'locals' to both parks. As far as Haunt and Winterfest in 2020 there were actually some parks that did a drive thru for Xmas and of course there was fall fest. Thinking of Fall fest I'm not sure Haunt will ever be the same after seeing the LONG lines for the food offerings this past season in the Fall. Those food passes sold like hotcakes are a lucrative upcharge for the park. To set up another food stand to handle long lines is much cheaper than building another coaster and the staffing takes less people as well. Look at the pop-up food places they do for Carnivale. I'm not saying Haunts will be completely gone, I just don't think they'll have 6 or more of them, especially at KI where the emphasis is more on families. The Fall Fest last year, even in a pandemic, was a success. They'll continue to build on that. I wouldn't expect an indoor haunt till 2022. In the end the choice to renew or not is just that a choice. I was mostly considering CF to other parks. Did Dollywood pass holders get and "extra full year". They got one from the time the gates opened in 2020, not the full 2021 season. My point is we got more than most. It was a move CF didn't have to do. Not doing it may have hurt them in the short term but in the end they are an amusement park company and eventually the crowds would come back. As Americans we are addicted to them. Not sure if they had time to do that or not. The first two weekends were the only weekends that had special pricing for platinum pass holders this season so I'm pretty sure some people saw/heard about KI and decided to go the 2nd weekend instead of the first. I'll try and find out. My wife and I are going this weekend. One bonus is that the Breakers is open Sunday night so we'll get a full day in the park on Sunday instead of checking out and leaving around 4 or 5 (we live 3 1/2 hours away). Wish they would do that during weekends in the fall (we always go the last weekend). P.S. I saw the paddleboats going, did they do a soft opening on them? Didn't think they were supposed to open till May 29th. (I hope to ride them this weekend).

1. True, hopefully next year will bring back the international visas. Also, CP only has 50% of the workforce population of KI since no one lives in the water. 2. I concur. 3. I laugh (and concur) I couldn't agree more. Seems like people are forgetting that CP gave us an extra year for the passes and any add-ons. I believe that a TON of people went ahead last year and added on a meal plan at least (some even Fast Lane) to their passes since they would get 2 years out of it. This is just going to be a different year. Busy with lines as opposed to last year that was busy with social distancing and ride capacity restrictions. As I stated last year my wife and I will be renewing our platinum with meal plans. The move to be one of the first to act last year and to make such a generous move with adding all of 2021 sealed me for a customer for years to come.

All I can hear in my head now is the character Goldmember

I've said it for a couple years now. I would like to see a tip of the hat to the old closing. If memory serves me correctly there was a hot air balloon launch, a bi-plane (snoopy) vs tri-plane (red baron) and skydivers. May be a bit hard depending on the condition of the tri plane but I'm sure the last two came from warren county airport. And of course on the show side I would love to see Celebration back. Such a classic show.

Maybe they tier it with one price for 1 time rides and another price for unlimited (like FP is now). One thing is for sure I can see all parks going to a Flash Pass (like six flags) option in the future. Basically you reserve a virtual place in line and get notified when it's your time to ride. This means more people spending time and money around the park than being in line for 2+ hours.

After thinking further about it, this year is probably an anomaly as far as fast pass goes. I'm sure many people bought the all season Fast Lane last year (considering it would be good for 2 years) and with the stimulus more people are buying fast pass this year when they visit. I'm expecting fast pass lines to be longer than normal this year, but they will be back to normal next year.

I see your point but still think that if they can allow me a meal every 4 hours or drink every 15 minutes with the meal plan, then they can pull this off with the Fast Lane as well. Another thing they should do is allow the app to show you how much time you have left until your next meal or drink. I think they have the logistics to pull it off, they just need to find a financial reason to do so.

I think Fast Pass should be re-worked. I would like to see it be allowed for 1 ride per day. This way it keep people from marathoning and still ensures that everyone get's to ride that bought one. They do it with the dining plan, seems like they could do it with this. The person at the front of the line could verify you had a pass (wrist band) and the person at the end could scan you in (in case the ride breaks down or you get out of line). Going to a park and seeing someone ride 5 times while you're in line for 2 hours just because they threw money at the park is a deterrent for people to buy season passes. I understand people come from a long way away to come to the park so maybe the price of such an offering could be tweaked. This could also be expanded/used for the Haunt as well. They could even put a 1 time use code for the new attraction attached to every season pass sold as a perk. They could also allow 1/2 price for season pass holders on slow days, etc.

Had the Big Dog at the Brewhouse and a Shotgun Wedding IPA (fantastic). Service and food was great. Definitely the best day 1 experience I've had for food in any park. Very impressed with the consistency from last year. Well Done!

I inquired about this and was told probably sometime in June. It was very popular and probably 1/2 the time my wife and I went on a Saturday was just to try it. No matter what it was, it was always top notch.

Couldn't agree more. The first half of the ride is butter smooth. Problem is it makes the last half seem rough. Not that it's rough, just not as smooth as the 1st half. Here's hoping the do the last half so it may be enjoyed for 50 more years!

Must be a day ending in 'y' :)

I loved it, my wife loved it, my grandkids loved it.. The response was so big and positive that Cedar Fair is doing it at more parks this year (including a 150 year celebration at Cedar Point). It reminded them of something at a Disney park. By far I believe the best 'parade' they've ever done at KI. The music was catchy, the floats were elaborate and the chance for guests to participate in it was a nice bonus. Everytime I saw it both sides of the route were packed. That being said I'm sure there are other people who didn't care for it.

Thanks, this is Fantastic. Tried looking for this but didn't see it under "Special Events". Thought that is where it would be. I'll be looking forward to it!

So I'm guessing we won't be getting Grand Carnivale this year?

I stand corrected. No approval yet (which just keeps it from being sold to individuals or sold by private companies, it must be distributed through specific channels). I assure you I have intelligence and personal attacks are not required. As I stated I'm simply wanting to inform. Seems like you don't like to see anything that you don't agree with. The truth is out there, you just have to look for it. Again, I pulled nothing from a news channel or some guy with a bow tie who admittingly in court has an opinion show not a news show. There is no debate. You may not believe in the virus, but the virus believes in you. As far as requiring a vaccine for admittance, last time I checked this was America where capitalism is an accepted thing. A business may run any way with any rules it sees fit. If you don't like the rules, don't support the business. Discussion and debate is what we need more of in my opinion. We all agree on certain things and disagree on others. It's called being human. The ability to have an intellectual debate and sharing of ideas as well as having the freedom to do so is what makes this country very special indeed. You showed me there is a difference between emergency use and approval, hopefully you learned something as well. It's the only way we grow. Cheers.

It's not a right or left thing it's a SCIENCE thing. I was merely pointing out the facts. Hours of research isn't the answer as I found the articles in a simple google search. Understanding the vaccine is serious because the disease is serious (3,000,000+ deaths worldwide, 590,000+ in the US). Not sure where you're getting that they are not approved, they all received emergency approval. (https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/covid-19-vaccines) Both Moderna and Phizer are mRNA vaccines, not your traditional vaccine. mRNA vaccine research has been going on for decades and the ability to react to a new virus was seen in the current vaccines. (https://www.oligotherapeutics.org/facts-about-mrna-vaccines-and-the-decades-of-research-that-went-into-creating-them/) They went through rigorous tests as well (https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-did-we-develop-a-covid-19-vaccine-so-quickly#Rigorous-guidelines-for-clinical-trials). My intention was to inform. Not just you but others who may see your statement and want to be informed of the facts. Information is power. Facts are important. I try to reference sites that are scientific in nature (nothing from Fox, MSNBC or CNN). Just remember there are anti-vaxers out there that don't believe in the vaccines you would consider guaranteed. They are basing their beliefs on rumors that were spread at the start of those vaccine roll-outs. I'm just trying to dispose of the rumor's before we have this same problem with the COVID vaccine in the future. When people don't get vaccinated they allow the virus a chance to mutate. If a new vaccine resistant strain get's a chance to spread then we'll be back in the same situation we were last year with restrictions on Theme Parks, etc. and I think we can ALL agree we don't want that.

Asking if you've been vaccinated is NOT I repeat NOT a violation of HIPAA. HIPAA only governs your clinician, a hospital or others that provide your health care. I can't believe the number of people that believe this. My wife is a nurse and has her masters in research. If a nurse or doctor tells you about a patient's health information without the patients consent, THAT is a violation of HIPAA. https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/wellness-prevention/who-has-a-right-to-ask-if-youre-vaccinated https://www.vox.com/recode/22363011/hipaa-not-hippa-explained-health-privacy

Great podcast!

While we're on the subject I also believe waiters and waitresses should get the $15 minimum wage as opposed to relying on 'Tips' to make up the difference. If a server is doing a poor job, they should be trained or let go. Managers should manage and not rely on customers to do employee evaluations on a continual basis. A raise in the minimum wage benefits EVERYONE. More tax revenue as well as more money in the economy. Someone making $15 is more likely to work harder than someone making $8. They also have less worries about paying rent, etc. https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/economy/reports/2021/02/25/496355/small-businesses-get-boost-15-minimum-wage/ And no, putting the minimum wage at $15 would NOT raise the price of a Taco Bell Burrito to $38. (yes, that is out there) https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/politifact/2021/01/21/biden-raise-minimum-wage-affects-myth-taco-bell-burrito/4245883001/ OK, off my soap box. In the end we're all in this together. If it means keeping a roof over someone's head and feeding their child, I'd gladly pay a little more. As the good book says "do unto other's as you would have them do unto you".

Actually a single income households with only the husband working was at 38% in 1965, in 2010 it was still at 21%. https://taxfoundation.org/america-has-become-nation-dual-income-working-couples/

The comparison shouldn't be with inflation, rather the cost of living. How much does that minimum wage get you in today's dollars. True the minimum wage was $1 in 1960 with in today's dollars is $9.62 (Still above the current minimum wage) but the median value of a single-family home was $11,900 (equivalent to $104,346 in today's dollars). A gallon of gas was 31 cents. In 2009 (last time the federal minimum wage was raised, it's been a record 12 years) the minimum wage was raised to $6.55 an hour. The median price of a newly constructed home was $214,300 and a gallon of gas was $2.35. Basically the price of the house adjusted for inflation has more than doubled ($104,346 vs $214,300) while the minimum wage adjusted for inflation went from $9.62 to $6.55. https://www.businessinsider.com/how-much-us-minimum-wage-and-its-value-has-changed-over-time#2008-2009-22 And to be more precise wouldn't it be nice if what you got paid to do kept up with what you did? The minimum wage is WAY behind in productivity. If it tracked with productivity the minimum wage would be $25 (that's where the $25 is coming from). Granted I think that is way to high, but $15 is a nice compromise. https://cepr.net/this-is-what-minimum-wage-would-be-if-it-kept-pace-with-productivity/ Companies like Wal Mart are making out at the taxpayer's expense. They pay workers sub par wages and sometimes only part time (to avoid having to supply insurance) and these WORKING people still get government subsidies paid for by our tax dollars. I think that if subsidies were taken away for ANYONE who had a job it would require companies to hire full rather than part time. Instead of hiring 2 part time people making a combined $15 and hour, they would hire one at $15 and hour and the other would be on subsidies. https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/opinion/2017/04/08/walmart-tax-every-american-taxpayer-pays/100188002/

I never paid my kids an allowance. When my oldest son asked for one, I told him he was already getting an allowance. We sat down and I listed all the bills for the house including the mortgage and food costs and divided the number by 5 and (we had 3 kids at home at the time) and told him that WAS his allowance. I also told him how much an apartment would cost him, etc. and he was convinced he as getting a much better deal at home even without an allowance