brenthodge

Wow. Great job. Much better allocation of resources this year to create themed areas. Coney had the energy it was lacking last year. The passage around the tower “wintetfest way” has the more organized look if lacked last year. Just an all around great job. There were of course a few technical glitches like no moving lights in candy cane lane, but I’m sure they’ll be addressing all of that as the event continues. I’m still amazed at the detail they put into trim elements (decor in the wreaths and trees) that is barely visible after 6 when it’s dark. They certainly could open earlier and it would look great. It’s an event that is definitely NOT just all about lights like the zoo.

Its so refreshing to hear honest talk about operational issues instead of cinnamon bread loving "I'll have great time even if it's closed" don't bash the park-res that populate TPR. A lot of people really love Dollywood and want to see success, but are honestly frustrated about the closures and question their ability right now to successfully deal with the situation. I for one thing DW is a superior park, but am getting a little nervous about what this situation is also doing for their long term growth plans, which Im sure were based on the revenue lift and attendance lift that this attraction would bring. Buying that Lighting Rod shot glass right now is a little like salt in the wound if you are one of the MANY that have not been able to enjoy it.

I think at this point the public (those who don't follow forums like this and know the recall was for a cylinder for the restraint system, and the delays and recall were never for safety) don't know what the delays and closures are for are are starting to assume it is for safety reasons. I was at the park last week and - got to ride it during a few hours of up time, but definitely heard a lot of "you'd never get me on that thing - its not safe" type comments while people were standing there gawking during all the down times. The longer the park plays the "its just commissioning - technical rehearsal" card the more it starts sounding like they are hiding something. Truthfully at this point I think they should really explore the idea of PUBLICLY STATING that the ride - while totally safe is having serious operational issues, and that the ride will not open for the remainder of the 16 season so that they can readdress those issues and have a successful "relaunch" next year. The on again, off again operation certainly isn't doing anything for their marketing, merchandise sales, and must be playing havoc with payroll as you have ride ops and hosts show up to "maybe" work a few hours, then sit - wait - be redistributed to other areas of the park, be called back to LR - be sent home etc etc etc. Its a shame, because it IS a great ride. It COULD be an awesome calling card for the park, but the longer it goes on like it is the more damage I fear it is doing to the long term perception of the ride and the park.

Its a forum to express opinions - Mine are expressed. If you don't like them - sorry, but I can still have them and express them. Im not negatively affected - I don't sit at home for hours as a pastime dreaming of Kings Island - I just see the potential in this park that would appeal to me.

Oh and "moved on" from a Starlight Spectacular but left half of the lights hanging out of the half dead trees - Replaced it with nothing in the way of evening entertainment (except for the 5 min firework "spectacular" set to the oddest chopped up soundtrack I've ever heard. These have all been GREAT changes.

and the "huge" Starbucks is unthemed to anything other than "Starbucks" and the petting zoo looks like a temporary event that just stayed. We also tore down a nonfunctioning waterfall and added MULCH to an area that looks disgusting with dead trees filling all the old stream beds and nothing but a few shrubs filling the "Tower Gardens" while the haze of smoke fills the air of this "relaxing spot" right next to the grand carousel with burt out light bulbs, chipping paint and missing wood detail.

My point exactly - ONLY A SEASONAL AMUSEMENT PARK. It's just interesting the difference between the parks owned by the same corporate company. They know their "markets" and the customer base. I just wish we weren't that customer base. Kings Island - from the music, to the landscaping, to the ride theming is nothing special and getting less and less. Its clean, tidy and looks like an average shopping mall. I don't get the "see also Banshee"comment. What is the context and placement? A big metal coaster in an area of concrete, pavers and "sun shades"? Whats the theming? A few tombstones with lots of much and a few grasses scattered around. I guess the theme fits the overall theme of "slightly modern, minimal mall-ish look with easy to maintain shrubbery" That could be said for Diamondback as well. That goes along with the non-theme mall directory style "touch and go" maps throughout the park, the bad TV time infotainment all over the park and the sans serif metal lettering on the now painted over and unthemed german style "Festhaus". It just feels like there should be a Best Buy on International Street and a Hobby Lobby in Action Zone and we could make a day of it.

Its sad (and amazing) that these two parks have the same corporate parent. Why can't we have even HALF of the investment in KI that Knotts sees? KI is a sad shell of what was once there - bland, shopping mall style landscaping and bad pop music blaring - heck the new area mall has better theming than this park. Just frustrating that our regional park is left to become an amusement park - nothing more. http://micechat.com/114489-knotts-berry-farm-ghost-town-75th-anniversary-celebration/

I don't think having a huge building on a main artery of the park closed the majority (all of the regular) season counts good use as an attraction. Haunt is a seasonal "extentsion" and as such should use temporary structures or at least not tie up major structures that that be used for full season attractions. If there REALLY is no plan for the space that fine, but to say its in use isn't really a fair statement. If the building was a main season attraction then received a halloween overlay, then that would be better. Even the action theatre is not as bad since its basically hidden and hard to get to unless you really need to get back to it. The only thing helping the TRTR (crypt) issue is that the landscaping has finally grown in to look the way it was intended to from its opening day of a tomb deep in the jungle and it hides it better.

just turn on the radio - there...Kings Island Playlist

I think it should be good for ONE walk on for each of the rides - not unlimited walk on. OR go with the TimeSaver method that Dollywood uses where you reserve a ride time. then you can always reserve another ride time later. All this does is slow down the boarding process for the regular line. Overall lines would move faster if they weren't feeding in "Fast Lane" riders and I do think multiple rides - when they get off and get back on another time or two before you get on from the regular line even once is annoying.

I think unless the music is incorporated throughout the entire experience it seems odd on just the lift - always has to me. I don't think in this case it adds a lot. I think it feels tacked on and unnecessary especially since its continually interrupted for the safety announce. If they had recorded that INTO the music then it would have been better - especially if there were areas throughout the ride that the music was heard again to "accent" what was happening - like the tunnels etc. But overall I won't miss it - It would have been better to have had themed music playing in the station instead of ONE DIRECTION

Well, to be fair, there is only so much one can do with such a large are of Concrete and Pavers. One giant parking lot with some Trees here and there isn't gonna be much more than a Shopping Mall. One has to work with what they are given. Well, to be fair, there is only so much one can do with such a large are of Concrete and Pavers. One giant parking lot with some Trees here and there isn't gonna be much more than a Shopping Mall. One has to work with what they are given. No one doesn't have to work with what one is given when one owns the park and can change what is there when they so desire - IF they so desire and they don't. Yes the park was a mess from Paramounts attempts at "improving" it, but the infrastructure was there. CF has chosen to not repair, but remove a lot of it (clock on Festhaus, Water features throughout the park, Richer landscaping) in favor of easy to maintain "nice" shopping mall parking lot looking landscaping and details. I don't think it should look like a lush flamingo encounter at the zoo, I just think there are things that can be done that look better. In areas of mulch you can tell there used to be additional bushes are trees by the way things are spaced, but instead you get acres of much with one or two lonely bushes because the others died and they just removed and remulched. Again it looks NICE but thats about all it looks.

I agree with the coney mall sign. It seems like - with all of the design of the new additions to the park - that they are moving away from themed areas all together and going for a generic - outdoor shopping mall modern look throughout. The new tv monitor directories - while "nice" look like something id find at my nearest "shopping village" advertising the sale at HOT TOPIC. I guess if you're going to play generic pop music everywhere theme be darned then why bother with signs saying your in a different area when it certainly doesn't look or "feel" different. I feel like Paramount totally muddled the themes - then CF just figured why bother. The new "shade tarps" are the same everywhere in the park - just different colors. The landscaping is essentially the same. the music the same, the annoying TVs playing the same loops, the directories the same, the uniforms the same etc etc. I think the themed area ship has LONNNNNNG sailed. Its amazing to me that Knotts and the other Cedar Fair parks are even run by the same company when looking at the changes to Knotts in recent years to restore theming and "immersive experiences" (Calico Mine Train, Timber River) and other CF parks are going for this generic "airport-office complex look" see the new entry complex for Carrowinds - YIKES Mall Modern! Its sad because I truly appreciate well themed areas and the variety of experiences that these give to a park, but I see more and more that I am not the KI demographic. AMUSEMENT PARK not THEME PARK anymore.

what so interesting is that as much as CF (at least in years past) doesn't or didn't invest in thutheming, it still makes a difference. Last night (opening night) the park was packed and my two kids were tired of waiting in every line for rides. It was interesting while waiting for Backlot Stunt Coaster that my daughter (who was finally tall enough this year) said - we have to with all this time to ride this?!!?! to which my son replied - It's a long wait but its SO worth it because they built it so well (theming, police cars, explosions etc) now I WISH he could have ridden it during its first season or two when it actually had all that was INTENDED to be there, but even as minimal as it is now, just that little bit of story makes it "worth the wait"to him. Same with Adventure Express (sorry state of that theming as well) they love that its not BIGGER FASTER TALLER only. I hope that current direction can blend the two a bit. I realize we will never see a "DISNEY" dark ride (or even the level that Paramount did with TRTR) but when some of the infrastructure is still there (Adventure Express) or easy to incorporate, I think CF is missing an opportunity to connect with a market. I think Dollywood has done a good job of overlaying theme to "off the shelf" rides in ways that tell a story without breaking the bank.

MULCH - lots and lots and LOTS of mulch. Cutting out or removing dead bushes and adding more and more mulch does not equal landscaping. Replacing the bushes and using a variety of plants to create textural and layered visual is landscaping. My hope is that as the seasonal crews come in there will be more color added. As of now LOTS of mulch. Overall the park is looking nice and tidy - thats about all I can give it in the aesthetics department - NICE nothing great - not really WOW - nothing that really makes me want to sit and soak up the atmosphere just nice in a sort of "that new generic shopping mall sure looks nice" way.

Like the avatar - BTW hows that formerly star attraction running now? Not tip top anymore is it?

My point exactly - and to say "they have other things to worry about other than a clock and some lights" lets them off the hook way too easy. These things are there in full view and part of the marketed product just like roller coasters. You can ride some roller coasters and other rides at a carnival or amusement park. I guess that is where I don't really understand what this park wants to be anymore. I guess just an amusement park with random, maintained rides with little filler or theming to connect it into a cohesive whole. I guess thats the product I am looking for and why I no longer want the product they are selling.

its not just SSS - that just illustrates a bigger issue. There - short enough for you?

I resent the implication I am a "fan boy" I hate that term anyway. I didn't grow up in Cincinnati, I didn't spend my youth at Kings Island etc etc. I am simply a paying customer who after a couple of years not going to the park, bought season passes for my family and wanted a quality product for my money. I had been to the park several times years ago and had a point of reference to a few things. I have always seen opportunity to create a better product. To say that I am a fanboy because I can point out some rather glaring observations is to over simplify things and give the park management a "get out of jail free" card when it comes to their excuses. What is wrong with expecting a product that offers what it is advertised to do. To say that few guests care about SSS (or any of the other things I mention) is not an excuse. The park built these things, incorporated them into their marketable product - therefore have a responsibility to properly maintain them or they are doing a disservice. If they have seen little to no ROI on SSS then they should remove it - not try to limp along without spending no money hoping "the few who care won't really care that much". If they have decided that there is no ROI in maintaining a clock above Festhaus, then they should ensure it is removed or remodeled to erase evidence of what was there. All of these "lets just leave it broken because no one seems to care" examples show a lack of concern for their product, and to let them slide because I'm a "fan boy" and no one else cares is to make it too easy for them to continue to market and sell a sub-par product. By the way I am not a fanboy who regularly is on this site, I simply stumbled onto this while searching for info on SSS and seeing if anyone else was as annoyed by the state of it (and the park) as I was. We are concerned guests who pay money for a product - to reduce our expectations to "fan boy" is rude. And if they know the state of the park and choose to do nothing about it - that is a problem. If paying guests don't at least mention things, then they will continue to thing "most don't even know what it is" so we can continue to slack off there.

I think that is my point This would have been a very appropriate response. The total lack of one really shows a commitment (or lack thereof) to guest feedback and satisfaction. Not renewing season passes this year - lost revenue for them.

For what its worth - the text of the email. I know it was very long, and that is my problem. I tend to bottle up observations, and it may have not been goverly positive, but I also had a whole "seasons worth" of things that just kept bugging me. I tried to indicated how much we want to love and be proud to "show off" the park. This was sent (at his request) to Robert.Hartshorn@visitkingsisland.com when I noted on the feedback page that it was challenging to provide feedback in 250 words or less. Its very interesting the number of people saying they dont get any response. That to me is amazing in a business that it all about entertainment and guest experience. That is really the only "product" they are selling, and to not address guest's preceived shortcomings in that "product" shows a fundamental inability to connect within their hospitality business model. First let me begin by saying I consider KI our "home" park as we live 20 min away, had passes this year and visited many times. That being said, I feel a lot of frustration each time I visit seeing the potential that the park COULD have and seeing it fall short. Our family hasn't really been to the park a lot since the Cedar Fair acquisition until this year with our passes. I think we may have come 2-3 times over the past few years - not enough to really take in the details. Our kids are nor 8 and 5. Our 5 yo girl LOVES rides and wants to go on everything. Our 8 yo son loves any well themed ride with an EXPERIENCE (like stunt track with the police cars) and is only starting to like bigger rides (and only then if there is a theme to distract him - like Adventure Express which he is loving. We got passes hoping to really let "Thrills Connect" like your slogan says. Through this season, I have just gotten more and more frustrated with the opportunities I see to be an amazing park, not just the average place it has become. This past Sunday (9/1)on a major holiday weekend, when you could have put your best face forward, it all come full circle and I cant just complain to my wife anymore. I'll just go down my "list" INTERNATIONAL STREET • The "front door" of the park needs love. Many of the buildings are in real need of paint and refurbing. 24 million would go a long way toward that •Lights along the rooflines are spotty at best. Lights in the trees could make it really special at night, and probably improve bottom line as people might want to hang out here more and buy more. •The music is ANNOYING While I don't mind top 40 in Coney, what happened to more dramatic, instrumental music that actually set a mood and created an impact. I can hear what plays throughout the park on my radio in the car. I want to come to this place to escape and have an experience - not feel like I am blasting my home stereo speakers through my open windows. •The food options provide no "international" feel and remind my how overpriced the park is, since all that is there is stuff I can get right outside (Auntie Ann's) for a lot less money. If I had food options that I didnt have a "real world" comparison to I wouldn't mind as much. •The clock on the front of Festhaus is a total embarrasment - the door is broken open with a character half in and half out, the clock doesn't work and all the flags are missing - again, where is the experience? Would 24 million help that out? •Tower gardens is a sad looking smoking porch. Where are the flowers or details to make this little corner actually something worth going into - why are the waterfalls off? •The flower clock - can you really not afford flowers to plant the whole clock? Mulch is fine, but come on - its a major centerpiece to the entrance to the park and its only half planted. Maybe some of that 24 million? •The fountains are only half lit at night. The new show at Canadas Wonderland is exactly the type of show KI should be moving toward, but in the mean time the blue lights should be replamped so what we have still looks great • The carousel has peeling paint all around, and why has the caliope been removed? Those are the little details that make a park special - those and the topiaries that used to be around the carousel like the horse, the Eiffel Tower, the bell, the hanging basket - all the things that don't go fast, don't go upside down, don't make you any money, but make the park a place I WANT to show off to out of town guests. • Whatever is left of Starlight Spectacular is unbelievably embarassing. I am surprised that the park even lists this in the entertainment guide. I honestly cant believe the state it has gotten in in only three years. I remember this from its first year. It was an odd idea, but well done. On Sunday it was one bush with a few red lights. A few stars with only a few red parts lit up. A few floodlights in the trees and one color - not all working - of the zigzag on the tower lit - not cycling. Only one of the characters was lit. The flowers haven't moved all season. Most of the trees are dead and removed around the tower. What trees are left dont even light up half the time. This to me shows that the management really doesn't care about keeping the "extras" going. The posts from where there was a sign for the "spectacular" a few years ago are still there with no sign even on them. If I was "showing off" my home towm park to people I would be embarrassed by this. There are so many ways to keep guests in the park later and keep them spending later, that I dont understand the total abandonment of this area. I hope there are some plans to use the technology and infrastructure that is there for some other type of evening light show as it is sad to let it all go to waste the way it is Planet Snoopy • Why not play some Peanuts instrumental music here mixed into the "kids bop" stuff that plays at WAY too loud volume? • Why not use the Starlight Spectcular characters and idea here to show the fun "year round" the peanuts gang can have - like the Starlights at your other parks • Why not create a fun, family dark ride using the Peanuts characters to create an immersive ride experience and make new fans. I bet 24 million could develop an awesome family ride that had themeing and immersive elements • Many of the characters in the Boo Blasters don't work anymore - the one family dark ride in the entire park only half works RIVER TOWN •Would 24 million dollars make a dent in creating an awesome, truly original attraction for that really large - formerly awesomely themed building thats just sitting there like a sore thumb? Maybe something "New" and innovative instead of just a longer, taller or slightly different coaster? • Is there no way to put area appropriate games in the "themed" areas of the park? Why even have themed areas anymore when there is an NBA basketball shooting hoops game in what should be a frontier "river town" I know CF doesnt do themeing, but maybe the new leadership has some ideas from his old place of employement? • Why not play country or blugrass music in this area? It could even be "new" country - just something that fits the area better. OVERALL EXPERIENCE • It really annoys me when the ride ops have personal conversations over the headsets (and the speakers) while waiting to load the ride. I dont care what they did last night, and I dont want to hear about it over the speakers. I think its unprofessional. • There are concrete footers everywhere where elements have been removed. These footers just look sloppy and makes you wonder what cool elements might have been there before they got ripped out. If CF is never going to put some of this themeing or other elements there - at least get rid of the "evidence". Again, it just looks lazy. I could go on, but I know this is all pointless, since I guess I have different expectations for the in-park experience that the management has identified as its core customer. I just get frustrated when I see so many things that aren't being cared for or maintained, and you are spending 24 million an a new (I sure many will like it) ride. The irony of this is that if you say "thrills connect" they really dont, since my 8 and 5 year old cant ride some of the rides. My poor 5 yo want to ride everything, and she cant even ride the white water raft ride that she rode endlessly at Dollywood. As I said, we have come a lot, and spent a lot this season, yet most of the times we come, my wife and I spend most of the time apart with our two kids since she cant "connect" on many of the rides. It seems like real "family" experiences are missing, yet we are spending 24 million to put in yet another coaster that "breaks records" but isnt even a new or innovative experience as suspended coasters have been around for years. I want to really love the park. I really want to "show it off" to my out of town friends. I want to see a park that really takes pride in itself, but right now, I don't see that. Thanks for listening. I hope to see some "improvements" next season.

In customer service - especially when you have been given by the specific contact their email address to send them correspondence, it is good guest relations to at least acknowledge the receipt of the letter. I don't expect a personalized bullet pointed action plan of how they will be implementing all my grand ideas with budget amounts, I think it is "good face" to at least respond with a "thanks for your thoughts" letter. It seems to show what stock they place in feedback. I also realize they are busy with haunt prep, but I highly doubt the person who I sent the email to is stringing cobwebs each day. Email transmits immediately so there really isn't "lag time" is transit. Also the letter addressed a lot more than simply starlight spectacular. In my business, if a guest brought up valid complaints and mentioned preferring instead to purchase a season pass to a park several hours away - potentially loosing revenue of food, concessions, good will and positive word of mouth, I wouldn't let it sit for 12 (now) days without even a form response.

11 days and counting with no acknowledgement of the letter I sent. I love the commitment to great guest service!

I like that this thread about Starlight has opened up a pandoras box of the shortcomings of CF to maintain a theme and to create a wholistic atmosphere! Thanks for pointing out all the other observations - it goes much deeper than some Christmas Lights.