thedaveyboyshow

Can I ask the $64,000 question here... Just like with the meal plans, consumers jumped to conclusions. However, feedback was given and the park listened and made no changes. Has anyone directly contacted the park to ask for clarification of the policy? Call me Pollyanna, but I am finding that Kings Island/Cedar Fair is being highly receptive to their customers. I am also reading into trepidation based on past experience. That said, please take into consideration management at the highest level has changed and certain operational values are changing as well. I think it is worth going directly to the source, asking the question, and distributing the information given with the group. I get the feeling from my communications with the customer service people they know they need to do their absolute best, may not have done so in the past, and are trying their best to do so going forward. I have to give them kudos for that.

I agree...I have had a two day ongoing conversation with someone from the customer care team at Kings Island after sending an initial inquiry via the website. I honestly feel they realize they have not fully listened to customer feedback in the past and are actively listening to what is brought to their attention now and in the future.

I am emailing back and forth with their Customer Care team. I believe they are listening to the concerns of their patrons. I was told they are considering bringing back the drink wristband option - I weighed in quite heavily in favor of bringing back this option. I know I would rather have a wristband than have to carry a cup and rent a locker to ride Banshee. I believe I would even accept a slightly higher price point on a wristband just to not have to bother with a cup all day.

Now...I have asked the question directly regarding purchasing Drink Bottles versus purchasing Drink Wristbands to see if I can get a clear answer on that hot topic. I can get access to the park, free parking, two meals per day at all of Cedar Fair parks with the current options available on my season pass. If I can get a wristband for $9.99 or thereabouts for beverages all day with a wristband and not have to carry around a drink bottle all day...2015 will be a very good season for my circumstances. As stated earlier...yes, having all of these key elements in place will entice me toward purchasing Fast Lane/Fast Lane Plus at least once during the season. I have to say (preemptively at least) thank you to Cedar Fair/Kings Island for listening to our feedback.

The verbiage on the website in regard to the All Season Dining Plan: The verbiage on the website in regard to the All Day Dining Plan:

I just got a response from Jes McAdam-Sellers, Admissions & Guest Services Manager via email on the question above. Here is the response: It appears that since we have spoken, the folks at Cedar Fair have decided to listen. Hopefully, this remains true.

I am going to submit the following question in writing via the online form on the site I will let you know the exact verbiage I get as a response. :-) I am a huge fan of having things in writing.

One wonders if it's actually a training/education issue for the staff and not a technical issue... I am in customer care for IT....I promise this sounds like a training issue, not a technical thing.

Sounds like there needs to be a Cedar Fair Platinum Pass hotline. We are paying the premium...why not fully support it?

Now I am a bit concerned, as the final email from Kings Island customer care was.... Kind of makes me concerned now...

I was a new season pass holder last year and had the same questions, I can relate. My experience on the weekend after opening weekend last year was I was told I could use my paper print out and scan it in every time at the gate until the season ticket processing gates had calmed down or I could go ahead and process in. I ended up scanning my paper and getting in the park at first and processed in my pass as I left that evening (as the line was nearly nil). That said, if you wish to process in prior opening day, the park is open for you to do that during certain hours: https://www.visitkingsisland.com/hours-directions/season-pass-processing but that does not pick up until April 4. Good luck and have fun this season...enjoy your visits.

I renewed my Platinum Pass this year and plan on going to Carowinds prior to Kings Island to experience Fury 325. I wanted to make sure I was clear how the renewal process worked, since I live almost 3 hours away from Kings Island. I sent a quick email to the "Contact Us" link on visitkingsisland.com and found the customer care representative to be very responsive (even to my follow up questions). I work in customer care for a somewhat large company who utilizes both onshore and offshore support staff. My experience with (at least the written form) the customer care team at Kings Island has been very good. Once you have opened up a question and received an answer, you not only have your customer care rep's contact, but also an email of their supervisor is included in the signature line. I was very satisfied with the follow up of my questions.

Can I share a triumphant moment with you today? I went to Kings Island on Saturday, and was able to catch a couple of rides on Banshee (thanks to the amazingly fast lines). At the start of the season, I had literal panic attacks worrying about being able to even fit in the big boy row. It was snug at the start of the season, but the crew wedged me in. Every time I ride, I hate to be “that guy” who has to request the big boy row, but I do it so I know I can ride. I hate having to have my friends be stuck riding certain rows as well. Well, Saturday…I was not at the front of my group…we were walking through the station to the ride, and I realized we were heading to Row 2. I had a moment of fear… BUT I FIT!!! I must say, everything everyone has posted about every seat being a different experience is absolutely true. I have ridden every position in Row 4 and Row 2 is a completely new ballgame! Again, wonderful design and execution of the ride Kings Island!!!!

Let me share my experience with this drink pass with y’all. On Saturday, I went to the park. I went to the stand near Banshee (across from The Chicken Shack) and asked for “an all day drink wristband.” The cashier was friendly and knowledgeable, and explained the wristband (which has a barcode on it) was indeed available. I purchased three of them and used my Platinum Pass discount. I had no previous souvenir cup. I paid about $9 per pass. I personally found this to be FANTASTIC, and was able to walk up to any counter all day, have them scan my wristband, and be hydrated with the Coke product of my choice. After my initial drink and first refill, the pass had paid for itself. To me, this is a no brainer. I hate, hate, hate carrying around that plastic cup all day. This is a golden idea! KUDOS to Kings Island!!!

Personally, I think the locker rental is reasonable. Heck, the locker rental at Kings Island is exactly the same as it is at my local roller rink! I also am amazed at how quickly the line moves for Banshee. I do not have the facts and figures to back anything up, but I have a gut feeling that the continual movement in line and contantly seeing trains on the tracks has to be due in part to the no bin policy. I have "bin" nothing but pleased with this policy.

This is wonderful!

I have to say a huge kudos to Kings Island and Cedar Fair for the wonderous job they did with the creation and execution of Banshee. This ride should be considered a triumph for the park, and is a wonderful inclusion into an already robust array of rides already there. I have made the travel to Cedar Point the past few years to get my roller coaster fix. I finally took the plunge and visited Kings Island on Pride Night last year after having not gone to the park in over a decade...am I glad I did! Kings Island has done so much to modernize the look and feel of the park. Yes, there are changes to the fascades and rides have come and gone, but I feel the essensce is still there. I was slightly apprehensive about Banshee, especially after how amazing Gatekeeper at Cedar Point turned out to be. I never thought a ride could be as fluid and exciting as Gatekeper...was I ever wrong! Banshee is exceptionally paced and the near stop during the roll maneuver is a brilliant touch. I have to give the park credit for the wonderful theming they did with the entire area. Thank you Kings Island for this wonderful addition to your park lineup, and making my desire to travel the extra distance to Cedar Point wane more and more with every trip I make.

First post, and I must say... The Chicken Shack is a must eat location. Have been twice this season and twice have gotten food there. Not so sure the combo is much more expensive than a meal at Applebees (or comparable) would be.