KI-ORIG-EMP

Hank is correct. Parks like Coney Island, before they moved to Kings Mills, operated on a pay per ride basis. You bought a roll of ride tickets and gave the tickets to the attendant at each ride. Rides like the Shooting Star required more tickets than a ride like the Lost River. You also paid a low admission price and or a parking fee, depending on the park. I know lots of older guests have inquired about this as guests like my 90 year old father do not ride the rides but they take their grand kids to the park. In today's age of pay-per-view movies, premium content, closer to the event of a show, the higher the price. The higher the demand for products, the higher the price and so forth. Parks research all ways to increase revenues without raising the cost of admission beyond the point that guest stop paying. They look for a happy medium that satisfies everyone.

The best way to deal with this new plus option is to not buy it. If the demand for this option is not what they think it would had been, they will soon modify it or do away with it. As for the Fast Lane itself, if I have a season pass for the entire season, I have plenty of time during the season to ride the coasters and I can use what I would had spent on the Fast Lane on other things.

Congrats on being hired by Kings Island and welcome. HR does everything online via the JobNet site that you completed the online application. Once you have clicked on the background check (if you are 18 or over), there is a processing link. Click on it and select your date. It will also have a link for your department's training and info on the orientation training for first time employees. If you have any questions, call or email your department or HR. What area of the park have you been hired at? You will have a good time and meet really good people that you will call your friend. Again, WELCOME!

I have not been to Kings Island to partake in the rides since 2006, but was last at the park October 28th of 2012, my last day of work there. I have not been able to ride due to spinal cord issues that had required two surgeries. I hope to take in rides that are safe for me this summer.

Kings Island is in the city limits of Mason but has a Kings Mills (Kings Island) zip code of 45034 as their mailing address. The magazine had some good articles about other attractions and business locations in the area. One of them is and interview with Victor Kidd. He is the owner of Kidd Coffee, pastor of the Living Leaf Church, and city council member. I have known Victor since 1971 when I attended the church that his father was the pastor of. The article about Kings Island is very good and has good insights into its beginnings and progress through the years.

If Pete had been honest 30 years ago, the punishment would still be the same. Bart had an agreement with Pete that after one year, he could apply for reinstatement and then the next day he announced the lifetime ban. It had been rumored that Faye Vincent held Bart's death against Pete but Bart was a long time heavy smoker, with high blood pressure along with clogged arteries. Medical professionals will tell you that gambling is a sickness and the sickness runs your life and rules it. In my mind, Barry Bonds should be banned for life and all of his records should be stricken from the books. This applies to all the rest that has taken steroids and other drugs to enhance their performance, even A-Rod if it is shown that he has taken them. It is my belief that the only person that broke the Babe's home run record is Hank Arron due to the steroid use of Bonds, Sosa and McGuire. But if Hank had broken the Babe's record today, he would had been accused of using enhancing drugs even though he did it on pure physical strength and determination.

The rule should be amended to include any player who takes illegal and or drugs to enhance their performance should be banned for life also and all records not be recognized. This would make the likes of Bonds and company included in the lifetime ban and ban on all marketing endeavors, just like Rose.

I believe that whatever he chose, he would still be given a lifetime ban. As far as I am concern, Pete did not ever take drugs to enhance his abilities like current players are doing or have done. He was not a drunk and get into fights some the HOF have done. But we have players that have or are taking steroids and other drugs and they are still either playing or are still eligible for the HOF. He did not bet against the Reds and did not throw games as the Blacksox players did. Look at players that have abused cocaine and given lots of chances and are still in the good graces of the game as far as marketing and HOF are concerned. If Hank Arron had been playing today and broke the Babe's record now, he would had been accused of using enhancing drugs for his achievements. In my opinion, the likes of Bonds, Sosa should be banned for life for their steroid drug use. But because of Rose's being banned for life, he can not attend on field functions without the approval of MLB, like in the case of the greatest 100 players event. The Reds have been granted the All Star game for 2015 and unless MLB approves, Rose can not be included in the on field activities. They can't even market his likeness or jerseys featuring Rose's #14 on it. He would make a great radio color person but because of the MLB ban, he can't. He should be allowed to be voted into the HOF and if they want to continue the ban from managing or having a part in the on field coaches, so be it. But his jerseys and posters will be on display at the Reds Grill for all to see.

It might not be a giant red steel thingy for 2013, but announce something big and red for next year?

I remember my very first opening day in 1972 as a new Kings Island employee. It was my very first job and the opening day was something to behold. The park was brand new and it was not built up as it is today. My next opening day was 2005 when it was freezing and raining and I was very damp. But we did not show it and we worked on and did the best we could.

The Beast and to some extent, Son of Beast. There was an episode of CSI in which Gill and his team was investigating a homicide at a roller coaster in Las Vegas. At the end of the episode, Gill and the engineer of the roller coaster were discussing coasters and they mentioned The Beast and Son of Beast at Kings Island as being their favorites. Gill loved to burn off stress by riding roller coasters.

I had a blast during those days that they filmed the Brady Bunch while working at the park. I was a litter getter back then and I saw a couple of my fellow litter getters in the background shots as they filmed. We wore all white uniforms, white pants, white shirt and a white golf cap. You might have noticed the two scenes where the litter getter was sweeping up trash. I enjoyed watching it today as it ran again on the Hallmark Channel. It was a blast watching them run from one part of the park to another as they were looking for the plans and then back to the admin building after they found it. One thing, they sure wasted a lot of time going from Rivertown, then running at the end of Coney, across the Antique Cars, through Octoberfest and up and down International Street. Did you catch the scene where the animal character took off his head while in the view of the public? That is a big NO NO. Or talking back to Greg when Greg ask him a question. Or asking the girl for her name and she wasn't wearing her name tag? It was fun to watch again and seeing the park as it was back in 1973. How young I was back then and when I still had a full head of red hair! LOL

Besides calling the park at 513.754.5700, you can contact the group sales department as to your request at the park's web site: http://www.visitkingsisland.com/group-sales The park has a volunteer office that coordinates with groups for these type of events. They can answer your questions that you might have.

It might be true that the die hard season pass holders that visit any where from 25 to 100 or more times each year might be frugal in their spending, but there are lots of pass holders that only might spend up to 10 times each year at the park. There are lots of families that fall into this group and I venture that they do spend while at the park. They will spend their money on refreshments and an gift or toy for their child. The park does know who, the date, and the time that they go through their turnstiles and how often and where they come from. Kroger keeps on sending my coupons based on the products that I purchase and it will be the same thing with the Fun Perks. The ideal is to increase the per cap spending of the guests while they are in the park as a means to increase revenues.

I really missed the dry run days. As employees, we were each given 8 tickets to give to our friends and family for them to enjoy the park while they worked out the kinks and gave the employees valuable on the job training. We were even given a coupon for 2 free slices of pizzas and a soft drink during our lunch. As for grad night, they are no longer held by the park. I remember back in 1973, working my very first grad night when the park used to be open all night until 6 am or so. Kenny Rodgers and Climax Blues Band were the first performers that played the even. I was able to talk with Kenny Rodgers in the back area after the show and he was very friendly and was able to get his autograph.

Now if they would also add an authentic German brass band playing some German music as you dine on brats, sauerkraut and German potato salad, it would be heaven for a German/American like myself! It would bring back the days of old when it was how it used to be when the park first opened.

This position is more in line for the professional person seeking a high level career position inside the corporate ranks rather than a hourly position that resides in the lower to mid level office ranks. LinkedIn is a perfect organization for the person seeking positions in the professional ranks, be they graduated from college and or trade school and want to improve their chances of seeking that job in their career choice. It is great for like minded people to network and post their professional credentials for others to view. My good friend from high school rose in the professional ranks in the business world who a few years back became the Dean of the School of Business at the University of Cincinnati.

I remember working in a constant downpour on a cold, dreary day and it was no picnic. Even wearing the rain gear, I was soaked and freezing. We are told if the guests are out in the rain, then we should work in it also. The only time we took cover was during severe thunderstorms. I was a litter getter during those days and not working inside.

Best would be to ask the park about it. But the only cameras that I know that have been allowed have been by professionally credentialed media types that have filmed POVs for TV shows with the express approval of Kings Island's PR department. But with all the rest of the POVs that are on Youtube, why post your own?

The live show venue featured Kenny Rodgers & the First Edition and The Climax Blues Band when the park held their first grad night. I was able to talk with Kenny Rodgers in the back area for several minutes and got his autograph. Kenny was very nice and was very down to earth.

I would say one of the big changes might be in the news division at NBC and MSNBC and of course, network tv shows.

Personally I would love to see Ohio as a right to work state. Why should I be forced to join a union as a requirement to get a job? Many do not realize it but Kings Island used to have a union for its maintenance employees. When I was hired into maintenance full time back in September of 1973, I had to joint the Bartenders Union (yes bartender) as a condition of working. Thankfully they were decertified later on and now there is no union for full time maintenance workers. It is the same with Kroger's. I recently took a job as a bagger at minimum wage and had to join their union, but due to an injury, could not work there. But the governor is wanting to increase products and services charging a sales tax rather than increasing employees state income tax. He is wanting to lower the sales tax rate some and same with the income tax most likely. Cities charge a tax on motel and hotel stays as a way to pay for services and or new construction. You can be sure this list of services and products being taxed will be revised.

You can bet the perks will be posted as soon as the park has it revised for the 2013 season.

Do you ever stay in a hotel or motel? There is a tax charged for each night you stay. That is how the pay for stadiums and such. Let the people that come from out of the area pay. You will see most cities,states, counties,and such enacting taxes like this. Look at all the taxes they add onto gasoline, beer,liquor,wine, tobacco, and such. Go to the movies and the price of admission includes taxes. They are going this route rather than increasing peoples income taxes. Florida does not have a state income tax and states like them rely on income derived fro sales taxes or like Nevada, from tax on gambling. As for the sales tax on season passes and admission to Kings Island, it is added on to the price that you pay, just like when you buy something. Example if admission is $34.99, it is plus taxes. Same with the season pass. If you already bought it, it is from when the tax in effect at when it was purchased and not retroactive. The charge for a ride that is an up charge would be the price plus tax. Unless the park eats the tax and or increase the price of items in the park. Either way, the price is always passed along to the consumer. Whenever government increases the corporate income taxes to sock it to those filthy rich corporations, they will always add it in the price of their products and or service as a cost of doing business. You can count on this list of items being taxed to be revised due to public input.

I also read besides the sales tax rate being lowered slightly, the state income tax rate would also be reduced. As for sales taxes on admission prices and season pass, it will say it includes all taxes. As for the price to play pinball machines, it would be rounded up to the next whole nickel or dime. If with tax the price is 27.75 cents, it would be rounded up to .30 cents. I guess they are wanting to raise revenues without increasing the state income tax rate. Some states like Texas and Florida have no state income tax and rely on revenues from sales taxes. Some states charge taxes on food items you buy while some don't. There have been calls for Congress to do away with the federal income tax and replace it with either a flat tax that al employees pay or have a national sales tax (not a VAT). So if the tax did go in effect today, the price you paid for the season pass will not change for you nor pay the tax at the gate. But new passes sold or renewed is a different story. The tax would be passed along, like every tax that we pay. But if enough people complain, some of the items that will be taxed (like admission) might change.