disco2000

Is attendance more important than revenue? Seems to be the case. Giving the gates away equals increase in attendance, but not necessarily in-park spending. Once upon a time folks would probably say something like "Wow I get in for $10, I ought to buy a meal/ice cream/etc. with the money left over" Those days are sadly gone. Mentality now is "$10 to get in and $15 for a meal, no way - lets go to the fastfood joint down the street". I am probably in the minority when I say "The season pass is such a great value that I will pay more for in-park food to support the park". I for one was a fan of Fun Perks and am a fan of the discounts given for having a pass - it shows the park that I contribute to per cap numbers and not one of the many who have spent nothing in the park other than the season pass purchase - those are the ones that really cause revenue to be down, especially at a season pass park like KI. And I am sure some on this forum fall in this category! Once the industry goes to attendance as the primary success factor = admission is free and pay per ride.

I agree with BoddaH1994 that the comments on here are not negative for the deal and are not looking/kicking a gift horse in the mouth, but rather pointing out a potential problem that may or may not present itself with such perk. I personally am all for "free stuff" as long as it doesn't devalue the experience/enjoyment for others - case in point the Share a Coke machine that was at KI where you could stand in line to get your name and a friend on the can - it was free and doesn't devalue my experience/enjoyment of Coca-Cola, but rather enhanced it. In this instance, I think the potential of a 2-hour Fast Lane queue full of free Fast Lane users due to season pass renewals will devalue the Fast Lane experience for those unfortunate that pay for it that day. I think the last thing the park/chain is interested in is a devaluing of the cash cow Fast Lane and this has the potential to do it! Again I hope these concerns expressed in this topic do not occur as it would be real shame for a "perk" to result in more harm than good. And again for the record, for me, I do not need incentives to renew my pass as the price is already reasonable for the opportunity and experiences it brings. Now I do realize some need the incentive to do so and I sincerely hope this one works and doesn't backfire, particularly with a huge season pass park like KI.

Some people don't have the extra cash to renew in the fall. I usually wait till I get my tax refund in February to renew my Platinum Pass. So it has nothing to do with wanting to spend more money it's just the way it is sometimes. Plus purchasing in the fall ensures we do not see another story on the news the following year about some kid who had a junior pass and grew and was asked to pay the difference for an adult pass! Many reasons why folks don't renew in the fall - available funds is high on the list; as would be not knowing if your interests would be the same the following year; maybe you are contemplating a job change or move; maybe you feel worn out of KI after visiting so many times this year; and then just plain ole procrastination! But if it waters down the Fast Lane line such that its line is of equal size or larger than the non-Fast Lane line, then it probably has done more harm than good. Inevitably there will be someone that didn't get to use the Fast Lane perk this year (either park met quota for day or every Sunday is horrible weather or something else) and then we will hear the complaints again. Just look at this forum or the park's Facebook page with complaints about the free food exclusive event at Soak City this year. Personally, I haven't bought Fast Lane and I am more in line with your thinking. Some of my best memories are standing in the long lines and talking with friends. However it is (well potentially was now!) nice to know that Sundays in fall could be the ride days due to lower crowds. With it being season pass holders, I can't see the per cap spending increase in the fall, but the perk may increase attendance. Personally, I think the price of the pass is incentive enough and all the perk needed to purchase. If they were to add anything, I would like to see them continue with items that will hopefully encourage in-park spending by pass holders, such as meal deals, discounts, etc.

According to one of the workers at the Carousel, it broke again but is being worked on - no date or anticipated schedule known though.

So, if you take the tweet literally, it says those that renew on Thursday get the Fast Lane Plus - is that offer only valid on a renewal this Thursday or is it valid if you renew anytime between then and the end of the operating season? And I do believe/agree the perk will cause more harm than good - it has been duly noted/witnessed/experienced by members on this forum that pass holders come out of the woodwork for "free stuff" - some of the longest waits of the season for Banshee was on exclusive ride time for pass holders; reported almost 2 hour lines for free food at Soak City event, etc. We may see the Fast Lane lines be longer than the general public line on Sundays in the fall! It will probably turn the pass holders that are not fans of Fast Lane into even bigger haters; and could potentially tick off those that do not have a pass that purchase a Fast Lane for a Sunday in the Fall and experience Fast Lane lines longer than the non-Fast Lane lines and cause them to never want to visit again as they would not see the advantage of a Fast Lane perk! We all know that even with a low attendance, folks still purchase Fast Lane. Take today for example - in many instances I would follow a Fast Lane person into the respective general public ride line and get on same train as them and even once ahead of them! Another problem I see - are the "free" Fast Lane Plus wristbands for renewals included in the allotted/supposed 20% cap of Fast Lane passes sold each day based on historical attendance numbers? If so, what happens if more than 20% of the pass holders wait until the last operating Sunday to redeem and are then denied the free perk. And if the free perk is not part of the 20% cap, then potentially you could see the abovementioned problems of a larger percentage of Fast Lane holders to non-holders. Now if the perk is only valid if the passes are renewed this Thursday, then I don't think it would be as big of a deal as I don't think the entire renewal population would even know about the renewal offer and even if they do, would probably procrastinate on it. But if the perk is extended to a renewal anytime between Thursday and the end of the season, look out!

What are the hours they are promoting today at park - website says 8pm, yet their show schedule guide I picked up yesterday has shows for Boyz at 8:30 and Playlist at 9:00 and 10pm for Sunday August 17th?

Gave this a try yesterday - amazing at how bunched up it gets at the "temporary" entrance where they enforce this. Highlight of the watching - saw a guy in the line forming before the temporary entrance with the Banshee cup that he just filled - gets to worker and is told he can't take that in the line - proceeds to toss it in the garbage can next to her and continues in the line!

and unless it was a last minute change, the web and the schedules being handed out indicate they have a 7pm showing today as well. (will have to walk by and see if it was changed on the sign).

So, are they going to recover, and if so, now would be the right time to buy stock!

Leaving the park, I overhead a man telling his family that Son of Beast was removed because it was so rough that one person died, two backs were broke, 3 necks were broke, and 15 concussions were given on the ride. His wife told him she thought it was removed because the park didn't like the ride experience. He told her if someone didn't die and all the backs/necks broke and concussions didn't happen, they would have happily kept the ride. She then just rolled her eyes at him!

I am hoping the original intent was valid until Labor Day and they changed it. It was verbally mentioned to me, yet I haven't seen anything in writing to indicate that is indeed accurate, so here is hoping it is valid thru Nov 2nd! I still purchased it because it was an incredible deal even if it ends Labor Day.

Wait until all the guests with the season long plan that finds out it doesn't work after labor day! Unless it changed, and it is subject to change, when purchased, they informed me it was only good until labor day.

Saying we have Banshee simply because of Fast Lane may not be correct - what about all the previous rides installed before Fast Lane came into existence - was this just a farm field with tractors and horses to ride until Fast Lane came into existence? It may have been a farm prior to Kings Island, but since it's inception, it has periodically made improvements to keep it relevant and encouraging folks to visit - they had the award winning Planet Snoopy, The Beast, Vortex, Drop Tower, etc. etc. all built before Fast Lane. Heck, Diamondback, adjusted for inflation, is comparable to Banshee spending and Fast Lane did not exist at that time. We will never know for sure what the money goes to - one can assume it is rides, but it could be bonuses to execs, paying down debt, minimum wage adjustments, additional staffing, or any variety of things. It could even be used to help keep daily entry and season passes at the prices they are now! Unless you have seen the accounting books to know for sure that Banshee would not exist without Fast Lane, it is simply speculation as to what the funds generated really go to. Parks have to make these investments periodically to keep them relevant and I think Banshee would exist with or without Fast Lane money. And raise the daily admission price as well! Some folks on here have assumed that Fast Lane profits go to new rides, which I do not believe is the case. See one of my previous post quoted above from May where I suggested that maybe Fast Lane is simply allowing daily entry and season pass prices to be so low - perhaps it is showing now, and that lowering the gate price encourages Fast Lane usage. I am thinking the thought process might have been something like "You know, if we add this Fast Lane option, we can lower the gate price and increase attendance by bringing in an additional economic demographic that could afford lower gate prices. In turn, those that are used to paying more or have the funds can purchase the Fast Lane option if they don't want to wait in increased lines. This will increase attendance by introducing an economic class that may not have visited previously, as well as increasing profit from those purchasing Fast Lane." What sounds good in theory may not work out in actuality. The unintended consequence is perhaps a perceived devaluing of the park experience by those that frequent the park; longer lines for those that gave the park a chance for their entertainment dollar at the lower gate prices and were turned off by longer lines and watching folks pay to cut in front of them; and perhaps the lower gate price did not drive up attendance like they thought, or simply brought in folks that were not going to spend a dime once in the park. Perhaps increasing admission costs would lower attendance numbers, but increase profit and enhance the overall experience for everyone in attendance. Or not. They are simply dealing with a price point issue and the perceived value for a consumer dollar. The general population attitudes, spending habits, etc. are changing and the business practices and mindset that worked previously may not work with the current population environment. One only has to look at the struggling golf industry as to the impact that a changing economy has had in that industry. Many country clubs that historically had waiting lists and hefty initiation fees are now basically giving away memberships in an effort to try to draw in enough monthly revenue to simply sustain operation. And public courses are suffering worse and many around Kings Island have been/are being turned into homes. However, each are enjoying the game at the same time (granted a little science lesson means you may see and hear the hit a fraction of a second later than those behind home plate), but your enjoyment of watching and experiencing the game isn't delayed 45 minutes. Even in the cheap seats, hot dog and beer vendors will visit.

Exactly my point earlier - these articles rarely result in the general public saying "wow that family is stupid for not reading what they signed"; instead it is "wow that company sucks". If these folks are actually concerned about a few bucks, then why are they not renewing/purchasing in the fall when the full gold pass is cheaper than the junior gold pass offered at the beginning of the season and why doesn't the media point that out to them. If I were in media and did my research on prices for the story, I would point that out! Had this family purchased in the fall, it would not have been an issue. The children relatives in my family have had the regular pass since age 3 and even though one is now 7 and still has not reached 48", it was cheaper to have a regular pass bought in fall than to wait for spring and get a junior pass.

Cross-threading - this is a problem with the media today and general public today - this is really a non-story. If it is the policy and it was agreed to by such at purchase and signature, then the media should have told this family "sorry but we investigated and this is policy". In fact, it cost WCPO more in gas/staff time to go to this family's house than the difference in such said pass. But what media outlet is going to turn down an opportunity to make a company look bad. Unfortunately, no matter how balanced it is presented, the general public will have a field day with it negatively against such company. And if such media outlet did nothing, the family would simply go to another and another until a media outlet made a story out of it. If I were in media (and wouldn't last long), I would have made the family look bad for wasting my time on a non-issue. Let's face it - this type of media coverage is no different than the frivolous lawsuits brought forth every day that have no merit. Let's have Judge Judy settle it and have a field day on this family! They make it out like it is the park's fault because the family didn't read what was on the back. I love the general public that goes on the media and says "Well yea I signed it, but I didn't read it". Why doesn't the media go off on that person instead of making a company look bad. As far as the park is concerned, sometimes you have to stand your ground simply for the principle behind it. You cannot roll over every time someone goes to the media or you set yourself up to roll on every situation. I am waited with baited breath for the story tonight about someone that got a little rain on them and left the park and is upset they were not issued a raincheck!

two busted: http://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/warren-county/mason/two-women-stole-wallets-credit-cards-from-lockers-at-kings-island-officials-say

Two guys in front of me talking about Drop Tower - one says to the other "you know that thing isn't free fall, you can feel the ride pulling you down".

yep, some collect pens instead of pins

Too each their own! Some collect military coins, badges, stripes, stamps, currency from all around the world, travel to many amusement parks, travel the world, collect shot glasses, count their coaster rides, etc. I am sure in turn you do something that this 10,000th rider would say is crazy! This young man used riding the coaster as a release of years of suppressed hazing and bullying memories. More power to him. There are much more worse things he could be doing with his time. BTW - I do not keep track of my coaster tally, counts, or rides either...

And cross-threading with other topics - if this "disturbance" was serious, why did the media not pick up on it? I mean they want to pick up on every time Banshee stops on the lift hill (which is normal, acceptable, and expected), yet a disturbance out of the ordinary that many are claiming resulted in the increased security was not mentioned by the local media? (Sarcasm here as to what the media does and does not pick up on!) Personally, I would really like to see zero posts regarding security at the park. We really do not need to have posts saying that people were being checked or not checked at front gate. All it does is give the person with ill-intent additional information to figure out how to disrupt. Even if it is random days of checking, that in itself is a pattern with which one can formulate a plan. And to the original poster - you made a complaint and they called you back. End of story.

What a moral/ethical dilemma that has surfaced! I wasn't present at such event/situation so I cannot speak to what happened. Is it a case of someone simply not getting a shirt; someone that came down from CP; not having a shirt their size, etc. but had met such requirements set forth to participate and most on here are not aware requirement was met, or was it indeed truly someone that failed to meet the requirements and tried to sneak their way into such event. If it were the latter, was such person escorted away from event and/or park or was nothing done? Now, because the person hasn't been named, folks like jcgoble3, PKIVortex, and others are wondering if someone thinks it was/were them. And worse, maybe now someone that didn't know incident occurred remembers seeing someone with the shirt from last year and assumes incorrectly that person is it, thus eroding reputation of such innocent person. Does the accused individual know that they are being "called out" and is it accurate? Since this forum could loosely be considered "media" (people do get info about park from this site and members get to attend media day after all), should the individual accused of such infraction be named - unless a minor, unless being tried as an adult? Do admins ban such individual from forum? Is this the final blow that either brings the site down or causes it to be a "paid" membership? Lots of questions, many that will go unanswered for some time.

Despite what others posted about it taking weeks to re-open, I expected it would be open today - I mean it was an overheated motor - that happens all the time - I use my drill too long and it overheats and smokes. Let it cool awhile and it works again. same with my shredder. Slow media day is all I have to say. And the comments posted about the ride in the newspaper article - it is stuff like this why companies start going after false information that people post. I have been to KI plenty of times and a lot of the food places have a line out the door well beyond closing time!

These type of posts here and on other social media are the ones that drive most folks crazy - just say what it was already and quit looking for attention from 20 more posts asking what happened! There is actually a name for these types of posts - vaguebooking - Urban Dictionary defines "vaguebooking" as the following: "An intentionally vague Facebook status update that prompts friends to ask what's going on, or is possibly a cry for help." I am sure most of us would prefer to not have to scroll through 2 pages of posts asking "what happened" - just say what the "incident" was in the original post so that everyone can move along. End of rant

They are probably just training on a "light day". They may be in use this weekend as the place will probably be packed given the holiday weekend, free military, and nice weather forecasted, or maybe not. I never have anything to hide, so I cannot tell you when it was last used and when it wasn't (although I bet some folks on here can name specific dates it was in use!).

I understand where you are going with it, but I do recall a time The Beast had just a buzzbar and no seatbelt and I do not recall anyone flying out? I recall the ride being more enjoyable then, as well as a little scarier! The sad thing is because of the lawsuit crazy society we live in are the reasons all the additional "safety things" happen. It should be the rider's responsibility to know the rules and guidelines of the ride and obey them. I know the lapbar came down the required amount and that my seatbelt is secure and having a speed check by an employee doesn't make me feel any safer. But again, I am not the individual that is done for. I witness on almost every trip a rider that thought the seatbelt was optional on one of the rides I am in line with. And then when we get the individual with a pre-existing condition (bad back, obese, etc.) and either gets denied the ride or worse like injury or death, we then see additional measures put in place, even on rides nothing like the one where an incident took place. I don't know this for a fact and I am sure there are exceptions, but I would think most of the rides probably cannot dispatch if the lap bar/restraint is not secured, so the employee speed check is more for insurance liability reasons and redundancy than anything else. Now I do realize that none of the seatbelts have this feature, so they are checking that. I get into my vehicle and strap my seatbelt on and never has anyone done a pull on it to insure that I secured it properly, yet statistically, one is more likely to be injured or die in an automobile accident than an amusement park ride accident.