ChrisInSand

I'm not sure how much you all know about Cedar Fair. I've been reading these forums for a little bit, but I'm new. I used to work at Cedar Point 2001 until this Past June. Well, actually I worked at Castaway Bay until June. Anyways. I must say I agree the restrooms at Cedar Point are and have always been terribly unhealthy and gross. I have thought PKI restrooms were the cleanest I have ever seem in a park, I have never visted a Six Flag park before. At the same time I have often found Kings Island to be one of the dirtiest parks I have ever visited. I did recently visted on July 20, I saw a complete 180. I agree it is the effect of Kings Island management, but I think it was probably caused by a memo from Dick Kinzel. He always announces everything in the most politest ways and styles. I remember when CF bought Geauga Lake, everybody in the Full Time staff at CP was in shock because it was unexpected, and most if not all the staff (as I have heard) received a welcome to Cedar Fair memo of sorts just breifly explaining the company and it's values. The company has it's cornerstone values and presentes them as equals in creating outstanding guest service. they are Safety, Service, Cleanliness, Courtesy, and Integrity. CF has always looked highly upon the Paramount parks for their outstanding operation. But that doesnt mean change isn't going to happen. If you want to know what ride policies will be in place next year, all you have to do is take a look at Cedar Points ride policies. There is 1 lady for the entire chain of parks who is incharge of Operations consistency and training. She is one of the nicest people I have ever met. Some things will mainly remain the same like height requirements, but most things will be passed a long to her. However, to me it would make sense if she earned a partner from Paramount Parks to asisst her as a lot of the ride are very different from tradition CF rides. As for cleanliness, when I worked for Cedar Point every day ride crews were requireed to do drastic cleaning. Take off gum, remove graffitti, remove grease and such. The trash crew at night also does power washing at night. Either on midways and especially in high traffic queues. Something I especially like about the Cedar Fair team, is they don't expect to remain the same staffing wise. The organization adjusts and grows to accomodate new growth finiacnially, and has no problem hearing about how there purchased parks have done things in the past. It's more or less a collaboration of ideas as opposed to complete change to Cedar Fair. If an idea fits the cornerstones, and seems reasonable to all parties than it will be adopted. I noticed a lot of changes in CF policy when they purchased Michigans Adventure, and I also noticed changes when they Purchased Geauga Lake. Granted there will be standard changes like the policies I mentioned before. I think CF will adopt a lot of stuff from Paramount parks, and I think the biggest change will come to Cedar Fair as opposed to the paramount parks. This time next year, there will probably be a lot of discussion about all the changes CF has made to KI, but in reality there will probably be an equall amount of discussion on the boards of the older CF parks fansites, about the influence the Paramount purchase has made. I think the biggest adaptation CF will make is the addition of a theming division to their planning and design department. I beleive since CF has very little close to no experience with theming will grasp the opportunity to learn from those who have been doing if for the paramount parks. Granted CF historically has not operated Theme parks. I do beleive that CF is looking to change that and keep the Paramount parks the way they are as Cf has made the purchase with the deals and lisensing exactly as they had been with paramount. Except Paramount parks will now feature Peanuts charaters as well. (I've noticed that merchandise is already starting to show up at KI gift shops.) My predictions from my experience with CF is that at al the Paramount parks, we will see extensive cleaning, and a return of a dress code similar but not as strict as what marlfox_21 decribed. (CF used to be that way, but changed to standard uniforms for departments. Everybody in Ride Operations will wear one thing, and every bodby in Merchandising will wear something else. The physical dress code is describe on Cedar Point website under Jobs. In fact in general anything that that might, not guarenteed, to happen in by opening next year is probably already described on all the CF websites as all the parks are expected to be consistant with each other). I assume that all full time employees will be expected to wear standard business attire, shirts and ties, blouses, and skirts or slacks.... I assume to see a lot of Peanuts test marketing, maybe the arrival of Peanuts costumed charactors. By the end of October there will probably be probably be "practice runs of policis for the following season." This is a standard thing done at Cedar Point. It does kind of confuse some things for both guests and employees but it is a good preview of what is to come. So in my opinion keep your eyes and ears open in October for what kind of changes will be happening next year. However, most aquisitions tend to take 5 years to fully transition into CF. It hasn't been officially stated yet, but Dick Kinzel was supposed to retire at the end of 2007, but has asked the board to stay on for another 5 years and retire in 2012, to see through the Paramount aquisition.... If any seasonal Kings Island employees are reading this, expect more paper work next season. I've talked with many people who have visited CP and many people at parks I've visted, and I think CF has the most detailed complete documentation of every hour that occurs in every park. WHen it comes to complaints be prepared. And guests beware of the highly detailed logs and reports. Probably many similarities, but there is a lot. I hope this has been more informative than confusing. None of the predictions should be taken as fact as I no longer am employed by Cedar Fair and I never had a full time job to be in the know, this was all based on my experiences with the company. The factual information on how the company runs its parks now is basic knowledge that can be read more in depth at the various CF websites. Back on the cleaning topic, Spring cleaning is a major event at CF parks. How much of an event, I've seen employees in April, under the track of Top Thrill Dragster in April pulling leaves out of the gravel and sand under the track. So whoever was complaining about the dirty rides when the park opened this year, with Cf your wish has been granted.