BoddaH1994

Obviously the wind and fog is a different thing, but things like not being prepared for the first week, greatly cutting down shows, etc, is a result of their, “we have their money, why would we deliver any more than we absolutely have to?” mentality. They believe that they can diminish the product and people are so stupid that people will keep coming back. Perhaps they’re right. None the less, thanks for towing the company line again. This has been such a shining-star year to really cheer on the park. Hopefully you tell the SPX how great the trivia thing is instead of a show once he comes out of hiding and takes a selfie with you instead of doing his job. I know you find that impressive. Personally, I think the guests deserve better.

This is pure speculation. I’ve noticed that GC is suspiciously absent from the “Seasons of Fun” campaign this year. This could mean one of two things: 1. They made the creative decision to change it to “Four seasons of fun.” With that, they’d omit GC since it’s not exactly a season. Spring, summer, winter and fall are all represented. TBH I thought this would have made more sense from the beginning. 2. Either there is no GC next year, or at least they aren’t sure if it is coming back. Thoughts? l

No difference under Ouimet. The investment is reactionary in many ways. Going into a questionable economy and knowing that a $1B note is coming due while facing the increasing likelihood of having to revolve it at a high interest rate is all stuff they have in mind. Fortunately they aren't making the same mistake that Six Flags made and simply refusing to invest. My concern is not the structure, but rather if anything major will be cut from the project. That conversation will, and always will, come up as late as the 11th hour with every project. Given the climate, it may be more likely this time. They're not going to cut the coaster or anything like that, but things like repainting, thematic elements, and the scope of the play structures would be an easy target. The concept art looks really good, so I hope I'm wrong. Whomever the CEO is won't carry a ton of weight unless you get some sort of wack job. Much of this is on the park level. You need people that will push for projects, not "yes men." Without naming names, there was a guy who worked in entertainment that was very good about asking for what he needed, selling corporate (and his colleagues) on his vision, and executing the plan. A lot of things peaked under his watch. When he (rightfully) moved into a higher role in corporate, a lot of that stopped. I'd bet you dollars to donuts that if he were in his old role at KI we wouldn't have had the... version... of Grand Carnival that we had this year. He would have sold them on giving guests the whole experience. Same is true for capital. When corporate comes down saying they want something downsized, unless there is someone there to stand up for the integrity of the project then it's going to happen every time.

That whole event was a game of “good idea, BAD idea.”

Every enthusiast and their mother wants that job, although most don’t understand the scope beyond Tweeting. They use that as leverage to pay less. I spent the week with someone who works for a roller coaster company last week. They told me something that is likely true for this. Something like, “It’s cool that I’m designing rollercoasters, but when it comes down to it, it’s a lot of hard work, so for the most part it’s like any other job.” I hope the job goes to Kyle. He seems to be building a life for himself at KD, but I imagine he still wants to come home. He could also be a vehicle to repair the parks relationship with the enthusiasts.

I think @Gordon Bombay is right. That’s the only one they used from Surf Cincinnati. The dead end platform that housed those slides is still there to this day. Since this will also come up - the slide in the parking lot was from the Columbus Zoo. They got the slide but I do not believe they ever got the blueprints. They used parts of it to repair other slides. It wasn’t uncommon for trees to fall on the slides and do serious damage. When the pet center was built a few years ago, it was found that part of their boneyard was on their property. Most of the stuff there was moved to the park, but the water slide was put on Craigslist for free. Someone came and got it saying they were going to rebuild it in their yard. I wonder how that went.

Who remembers where they sold elephant ears at KI? It was either where the French Corner is now, or where that snack stand to the left of it is. I’m thinking French Corner was the bakery at the time because I want to say that the snack stand was the Chippery in the time frame I am thinking about. 2004/5ish

There are a certain percentage that will use the meal plan dozens - if not hundreds of times. Those are few and far between. Most will see the $100 (or whatever) price and assume if they got $110 worth of food then they came out ahead. What they don’t factor in is whether or not they would have spent the initial $100 if they didn’t have the meal plan. That’s the theory behind it. I’m sure the company loses money on some people, but it’s probably in the dozens. For most, they’ll use it five to ten times and the park will come out pretty far ahead. The way that it’s realized is there is a drawdown account and each time you use it, it draws a certain amount. It’s likely that oddball price that appears on your receipt. I’d bet you dollars-to-donuts that they count that as in-park per capita spending. So that would account for how per capita is often record breaking.

Oh yes. I’d take a pay cut for that. Especially for the work environment!

The job that was held by Don Helbig has been posted. More information at the link below. Oh, the original description says it’s at Kings Island but the title says Schlitterbahn. The correct information is it’s for Kings Island. #KIComms https://www.simplyhired.com/job/l75_IFKIyYH8mLjf1Ef6gCliaPfxmjzwf3PWvvcetIG2b4R_9j0U3A Here is a better link for anyone honestly interested in applying: https://jobs.cedarfair.com/job/mason/manager-digital-marketing/42509/55301330848

:::waiting on @Tr0y to justify age discrimination for the sake of KIC’s “relationships” with the park:::

Literally the park has pulled bait-and-switch strategies on myself and countless others. This continues up to and including today when Mr Selfie, who you think is doing such a bang up up job despite getting zero coverage for Haunt’s opening weekend, put out the list of dining plan options for Tricks and Treats only to have several items quietly removed. This is after selling the daily meal plan to several guests. As with Prestige Passes, terms are subject to change. No refunds. You may think what they are doing is just dandy, but the paying customers of Kings Island deserve better.

I know you’re mocking, but they put out damaged and defaced props assuming that most are too stupid to realize it. There’s always going to be a few people who prove their point.

I want to leave this up in the interest of fairness. This is not the real KI account. Is a very crafty clone. I apologize to the comms team. This time it wasn’t them.

https://x.com/kingslslandpr/status/1705798389969875455?s=46&t=Zl4tfOSUx8ou9AWrqZJlzA Park’s response: Animated gif saying “we do not care” Source (before it’s taken down): https://x.com/kingslslandpr/status/1705798389969875455?s=46&t=Zl4tfOSUx8ou9AWrqZJlzA Looks like Mr Selfie is saying the quiet part out loud.

I didn’t get to see it up close so I don’t know if it’s like last year, but from afar I could see they certainly did something. I also saw them messing with lasers on the web cam the other night. I don’t think they did the audio to start Haunt that tied in. If they did then I missed it. Hope it stays intact. That was actually pretty cool!

Curious as to what people think of this year’s Nyte Walkers vs last year’s.

I can’t tell you how many times, even running this site, I was told to reply to various posters calling them liars if they had any kind of critique. This was countless times by countless associates. I was told that those who made mention of the fact that SIX and SEAS had nice, indoor VIP lounges were “entitled” and should appreciate the lean-to that they built. A former employee (not Don) told me an anecdote in which, when they were being trained to host the Gold Pass holder breakfast was told that it was their obligation because that’s what the “entitled” season passholders demand. This was a while ago, but it was an advertised perk, so it’s not like the season pass people demanded it out of nowhere. The whole fiasco with the bait-and-switch with Prestige, without Mr Selfie or Koontz ever addressing it. That’s in addition to putting the VIP between the restroom and the very active dumpster. These are just some small examples that I saw myself. It is quite evident that their culture is that, the more loyal a guest is, the more they dislike them. Defacing Don’s grave doesn’t not prove that they hate you, it’s just a symptom of it.

It’s only been put out as of today. It was fine last year. Even if it isn’t intentional (I believe it is), why are they putting out defaced props and then expecting you to vote for them as the US’s best theme park Halloween event? If they can’t put care into the details then how can they earn your vote? I was at Halloween Horror Nights last week. This is better than that? My theory is that they were told to rip Don’s name off the grave. It was stuck on enough that they just ripped off enough so it was unreadable. I don’t know that for sure, but that’s what it looks like to me.

Don Helbig spearheaded enthusiast events, including three KIC-exclusive events, at Kings Island. He was also the person most responsible for the fan-favorite Coasterstock. The biggest advocate for KIC, ACE, the Facebook groups, and KI guests in general. Two months after his departure, this was done to his prop grave. Several other former employees are still marked on their graves. This was clearly intentional. They hate him because they hate you. Remember this when they’re begging you for USA Today and Golden Ticket votes.

So THAT is where they went.

I don’t know what would be worse: buying a Six Flags pass by accident, or having to admit that you have LaRonde pass.

But you get Pass Perks in metric.

I’m okay with them charging for No Boo. The event involves scares in the midways. If you want a unique experience then there should be a premium for that. Also, everyone’s statements about roomers are true; however, the biggest benefit to KI is that even when the house lines are long, people can feel as though they participated.

Clearly Matt Ouinet.