BoddaH1994

Unfortunately, some tours like The Beast backstage tour will likely never be wheelchair accessable. I really did feel bad for those who weren't able to do some activities for that reason. However, next time we will work closely with the operations department to see if there is something we can do that is a little better on that behalf. Maybe take a different route or something. Of course, IF there is another KICentral event (and it seems like most of the forum members, staff, and park employees want it to continue) then everything will certainly be mixed up. We certainly NOT going to have the same event each year. Every year we'll find the most interesting, most obscure, most unheard of, most unseen places to bring the crowd. Our goal on this site is to emphasize Kings Island -- not just the rides, but all of the attractions. You'll likely see more work done with the entertainment department as well as special events in future endeavors.

I was bored and started looking at the web sites of other Cedar Fair parks and noticed that Canada's Wonderland offers a very nice set of perks for season passholders. On top of typical perks similar to what you have at KI, they also offer: 25% off food from Thrill Burger, Hot Potato, Java Joint, Medieval Funnel Cakes 20% off merch at Lockerroom, Rock, Funshop, Kiddzville Candy 20% off Pro Golf or City Zoo Golf Lazer Blast and $1 off Skyflyer (before noon) During the conference call at the end of Q1 FY 07, Kinzel more or less implied that he wanted to convert some season passholders to walk-up ticket buyers. Simply put -- passholders just don't spend the money that they once did. It is FAR more profitable for someone to visit the park once or twice, spend the day in the park and spend boatloads of money while they're there. Can you argue with that? How many of you guys leave the park to eat, or eat out of your car? I can tell from pure observation that it's common, very common. However, I think that the variable that was not accounted for was the Paramount Parks, all of which have had a huge season pass base for years now. I've heard figures as his as 1/3 of all people in attendance on any given day are passholders. This certainly strikes me as a 'bread and butter' situation. It is essential in terms of organic growth and the going concern of this company that people NEED to stay in the park, they NEED to spend money in the park, and they NEED a reasonable justification to spend said money. In your opinion (as a passholder) don't you think you would be far more enticed to spend money in the park if you had the small discounts listed above? I certainly would. Think of it this way: in Q2 FY07, Cedar Fair reported per capita spending of $40.54. Which means, that the average person spends $40.54 per visit. Simply put, if a passholder comes into the park for a few hours and spends nothing, it is offset by someone spending $81.08. Under that jurisdiction, if passholders were more enticed to spend money in the park, per capita spending would go up greatly. I'm also willing to bet that although margins on a lot of per-transaction basis are lower, the gross margin dollar would be much much higher. If I had to implement a plan for Kings Island, this is what I would do: 1 - Emphasize guest experience. Allow guests to speak about their day and meet their expectations about what they expect in return for their hard-earned money. Even if they visit once a year, I'm sure they'd like to still make their yearly visit next year. 2 - As stated above, implement an incentive program similar to what is in Canada now. Make the program well known and post the passholder prices along with the regular prices. If a guest sees the perceived value of a pass, they may just upgrade (which would of course raise their per capita pretty darn high for the day). Also as stated above, this would entice passholders to spend more money inside the park and thus raise per capita spending and capital gains. 3 - Emphasize entertainment in the park. Make Kings Island more than a place just to ride rides. Almost all of the rides will be there next year, but the shows are constantly dynamic. Schedule the shows later in the day. This would both gives guests a reason to stay in the park longer, but also create an attractive nightlife, which would also entice patrons to remain in the park after their typical departure time. Having Hot Island Rhythms end right as the Fireworks Spectacular begins is a start. In their latest conference call, Six Flags CEO Mark Shapiro stated that they intend to integrate the Dick Clark Productions into the parks by replacing shows with videos from the intellectual property of the acquisition. He stated that their surveys reflect that people typically don't care about the shows; they just want somewhere to sit down and cool off. I can think of at least three times when I have gone to the park specifically because I felt like seeing Endless Summer, and twice to see Twistin' to the 60s, and I know that studies have shown that people attended the park specifically to see the parade in past years. Sorry, Mr. Shapiro -- it's not that people don't care, it's that your shows are typically just god-awful. 4 - Add more security to the park. Patrons WANT and NEED to feel safe. Having a security presence is vital to such an action. This would also be helpful in lowering the amount of disturbances, locating lost children, enforcing rules such as the smoking ban, and deter potential situations. 5 - Emphasize quality across the board. If you're going to charge high food prices, so be it, but don’t dish them a meal that they don't think is worth half the value in which they paid for it. For example, the high prices at Panda and Happy Days don't sit well with most people, but they'll be far more likely to accept it over the mediocre-at-best food in the Festhaus. I know I'm going to have some mud slung at me for this one, but I saw that page on Canada's Wonderland's site and this kind of came to mind. Feel free to share your thoughts. Ryan

The rides are inspected daily... ALL of them. Boards are replaced daily on all wooden coasters. That's why every once in a while the rides (especially the woodys) open late. That doesn't even necessarily mean that something was wrong with the ride. Sometimes it rains in the morning or the conditions are less than ideal and maintanance will wait until they feel it is best to "walk" the track. All of this is done in the interest of rider safety.

IF the park were to build a coaster and wanted to make it a signature steel, they need something that doesn't have inversions. While we're on the subject. Click here to see a simulated Crystal Beach Cyclone POV.

You won't see another stand up at KI.... or anywhere else for that matter for a long time. It was a trend which is LONG dead and gone.

Yes, they will! In fact, we have a lot more LeSourdsville Lake/Americana photos. Those were just the ones I could cram into 4 minutes! The other promotional videos? I'd have to get permission, but I doubt it would be a problem. Scott Hayward was kind enough to give me his copy of the DVD after the presentation.

Thanks for coming Maureen!!!

LOL Not every post I make is a press release, you know?

Due to the fact that Dane and I were tied up during the event on Saturday, we're calling on you guys to help share your experience with others who couldn't make it. If you have any photos you'd like to contribute to the site please feel free to do so! Only a few stipulations: Please Resize Photos to 800x600 before sending. Please limit your contribution to your best photos. Included in the email should be the name which you would like credited on the watermark. All contributions are subject to KICentral and Cox Ohio Publishing's rules for intellectual property contributions. See this site's Terms of Service for details. If you are going to contribute more than one photo, please send a zipped file. Before contributing, please look at the photos currently in the gallery and try to contribute photos from activities which aren't already covered. Thanks a lot in advance, and I look forward to seeing your photos! Please note that not necessarily all photos will be used, only the best, so please review your selections before sending. Ryan

Seems like there's a bit of clarification as to who's who: Don Helbig: Don is the PR director of the park. He was the bald guy dressed in a tie. Josh Hackenberg: Other park employee. 21 years old (I think he's single, ladies!) Also dressed up. Ryan Suhr: (Me) I was the one who did all of the announcements and stuff in the PT Dane Thomas: White shirt, black pants and a tie. Bill Ware: Collared shirt -- worked the registration table. Tom Wilson (SOB_TOM) : Wore the Bengals jersey and worked the table. I'm sorry that I didn't get to introduce myself to as many of you as I would have liked to. I was kind of tied up that day quite a bit for obvious reasons. I was, however absolutely flatter and excited to see that so many people brought their family. It means a lot to the staff that you feel comfortable doing that.

You're the first person to mention the Americana video. What did you guys think of it?

Scott was all excited about playing with the whipes. We started screwing around with those a few days before. ha ha

What do ya want? A press release??

Dane and I both figured that if people were going to drive long and far and pay money to come to our event, the least we can do is be professional about it. It certainly was hot out there, but I think we both mentally prepared ourselves for it. I realize that capitalization was off on some of the lanyards. That was all Word. I had a cell matrix set up and it kept thinking that every time I put in a username, it was the start of a new sentence. I'll turn that feature off right off The Bat next time. And one more thing, Ryan... if/when there is another VIP day and we have lanyards... remember, it's "deb" not "Deb". It's all good! And on a side note... did you have 40 lbs of sweat on your shirt? I have NO idea how you weren't that drenched in sweat (I saw your collar at IR) after the FoF tour. I was already sweating then, and I generally DON'T sweat. whew it was HOT! deb

^ He's right. They remove the themeing in order to be able to move equipment in there.

Perfect replica of the Crystal Beach Cyclone. If you don't get that joke, do some homework. It's funny... I swear.

This Thursday, August 9th, Kings Island will host the Sean Hannity Freedom Concert in the 10,000 seating Timberwolf Ampetheatre located behind the Action Zone section of the park. To purchase tickets non-season pass holders can go to www.55KRC.com and use the key word 'Freedom Concert' to purchase tickets or call (800) 329-5454. Tickets cost seventy dollars. People who already have season passes can purchase tickets at Kings Island's front gate for sixty dollars. Those who have tickets to the Freedom Concert can watch Sean Hannity broadcast his radio show live in the Paramount Theatre from 2pm to 5pm. Hannity has raised about eight million for scholarships, said Tom Kilgannon, president of the Freedom Alliance. About one million has been awarded to 105 students going to college this fall. Kilgannon said the rest is in a trust fund. Country singers LeAnn Rimes, Montgomery Gentry and Lee Greenwood are set to take the stage at 7 p.m. Also scheduled to appear are presidental contender Rudolph Giuliani as well as former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Oliver North and possible presidential hopeful former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson. Also on August 9th, Kings Island will launch its new military discount ticket program which last through labor day. All active duty, reserve and retired military personnel can purchase up to four all day admission tickets to Kings Island for just half price! All branches of the United States Military, including the National Guard, are invited to take advantage of the discount ticket offer.Individuals must present a valid military photo ID at the Kings Island ticket window. Military discount is not valid with any other discount offer or on Junior/Senior, Starlight or two-day admission tickets. The staff of KICentral.com would like to once again thank everyone who helped make our event such a success. I must thank Don Helbig, Josh Hackenberg, and Scott Hayward from Kings Island and everyone who attended for making this event a success beyond our wildest dreams. Thank you! Click here to see some photos of the event! Remember to keep checking back to Kings Island Central for news, photos, rumors and any information about Kings Island Amusement Park! Regards, Ryan $40.85 $ 40.85 40.85 $40,85

As Reported by KICentral.com's corperate affiliate, Cox Ohio Publishing: Presidential contender Rudolph Giuliani will visit Kings Island on Thursday to share the stage with other prominent Republicans and country music stars to raise money for scholarships for the children of U.S. soldiers killed in combat. Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Oliver North and possible presidential hopeful former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson are expected to appear during talk show host Sean Hannity's Freedom Concert on Thursday at the Mason amusement park. Hannity spokesman Phil Boyce said they invited Democratic presidential candidates, but there were no takers. Country singers LeAnn Rimes, Montgomery Gentry and Lee Greenwood are set to take the stage at 7 p.m. at the 10,000-seat Kings Island Timberwolf Amphitheater. Hannity started the concerts five years ago to support the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund, a trust that raises money for college scholarships for children of slain U.S. military personnel. This year he is staging five concerts. More than 8,000 tickets have been sold. Ticket holders can sit in on Hannity's radio show, which will broadcast live from the Paramount Theater from 2 to 5 p.m. Hannity has raised about $8 million for scholarships, said Tom Kilgannon, president of the Freedom Alliance. About $1 million has been awarded to 105 students going to college this fall. Kilgannon said the rest is in a trust fund. "These kids who are losing a parent today are at a young age between 4 and 8 years old," he said. "So the need is going to be greater down the road when they come of age to go to college. We want to make sure the money is there for them at that time." How to go What: Sean Hannity's Freedom Concert When: 7 p.m. Thursday Where: Timberwolf Ampitheater, Kings Island ADMISSION Season pass holders purchase tickets at the gate for $60. Non-season pass holders can go to www.55KRC.com and use the key word 'Freedom Concert' to purchase tickets or call (800) 329-5454. Tickets cost $70.

As reported... again and again and again.... it should be a new Fearfest attraction.

Certainly. We thought about that after most people had left the IR. We'll certainly commit to it next time.

The FoF train launch is something that's entirely up to maintanance. They have to do all of their checks and make sure the ride is fully operational and ready to go ESPECIALLY with people inside. Up until we let everyone know it was going to happen, we were under the understanding that a train launch wasn't going to happen, but fortunately Don specifically asked for it. That's the thing about these events, we'd love to have everything down to the perfect second but there are always a bunch of swerves. The SOB thing was bitter sweet. A lot of people enjoyed the scavanger hunt, but I do agree that it was kind of hot to be running around the park like that. The reason for the delay was that the Son of Beast tour was supposed to happen at 12:30, which obviously didn't go as planned. The nice part is, at least you had the option of finding some air conditioning. Actually, the staff went to check out an earlier showing of Endless Summer in the interval. The SOB walk is a long, hot one, so having a little bit of free time instead probably wasn't the worst thing in the world for most people. We will BY ALL MEANS have the next event be a community planning effort. If you have any suggestions about additional tours you would live to have seen, make sure you let us know. We're always looking for more ideas. I do agree that having the event in August didn't really pan out perfectly. We'll look at different options in the future. I don't have the scavanger hunt answers. I just graded the darmn things. If anyone can help deb out on that, we'd appreciate it. Thanks for your feedback! Ryan

I agree 100%. In fact, we weren't sure if someone was going to speak or not at the tours, but it definitely would have added a lot. If we do this again (an yes, it looks like we probably will) then we'll make sure that we have a host for any tour we may do. Sorry -- we were having technical difficulties with Mr. Mike so switching between yelling and being amplified threw in a curve ball. I was made aware of this and we'll make sure we're good on that front on the future. Karen, didn't you say that was your grand daughter that was asking all of the questions at Endless Summer? Adorable! The cast just ate her up. I didn't want to have cut her off, but I had Don nudging me from one side saying that we needed to get to The Beast and Scott nudging me from the other saying that I should let them go as long as they wanted. Wasn't the show just great??

I seriously can't thank you guys enough for taking part in our event. I hope you guys had at least half of the fun that I did!! Please take our survey and let us know what you thought and leave us some suggestions, feedback, and constructive criticism. Thanks in advance! Ryan

Please leave us as much feedback as possible if you attended the event. What did you like? What didn't you like? Was there anything we could do to improve the event? Were there any activities you wish we could have done but didn't put on the agenda? Did you find the ticket ordering system to be user-friendly? How did the KICentral event compare to other events you may have attended? Any information you can provide will be greatly appreciated for future planning. Thanks so much, Ryan

Nothing you could have seen on the SOB tour would have been anything you couldn't see from the ride anyway. From the looks of it, it seems like the scavanger hunt went over rather well. Give it up to Josh and Don for that one! Ryan