BeeastFarmer

I've seen 2 KK billboards on 75 in Cincinnati. I think they want to focus on low hanging fruit before more distant markets like Columbus. Sent from my LG-LS993 using Tapatalk

Otherwise known as Coasterstock? Sent from my LG-LS993 using Tapatalk

I'd love to see a HB theme. Also, a Brady Bunch theme Sent from my LG-LS993 using Tapatalk

I love Mystic Timbers, but you would think if it was different music, sound effects and screens, but same basic moving prompts, Holovis could do that remotely. Or give the park a giant hard drive with the programs on it. I know...I am not reality thinking though. Sent from my LG-LS993 using Tapatalk

If this law were not on the books, I am sure the parks would find another solution. OT is generally frowned on. But I do love getting it for picking up an extra shift ever once in a while. (And it's automatic time and a half when I work anything over my scheduled 24 hours/week!)

That's why it would be a definite cultural change. This is not to bash the current generation of supervisors. I know they work hard and are in a hard spot. But from my limited observation, they seem to want to be friends with the teenage staff. That can be a good or bad thing. Dad has never worked OT at his current job, because of state funding, OT is not allowed. There are several days each summer he has to work 16+ hour days, but schedules are adjusted to account for OT elimination. It is not an apples to apples comparison of his job to a food supervisor at KI, but when he has worked those 16 hour days, he is back at it at 0700 the next day. I work with many RNs in their 60's and even 70's who work 12 hour shifts (which typically turn in to 14-15 hour shifts) and are back at it at 0700 the next morning (well, they typically come in early). They run circles around the 22-30 year old crowd. So I don't see how it would be impossible to transfer the concept to food service at KI. It's a shame that they don't pay OT to hourly employees. I understand that is a law that was written to benefit the industry. It would be great if the industry would take a higher road and address the issue, but as long as they are allowed to do it, they will continue to utilize and undervalue those employees. I think any further discussion on this topic should continue on a food thread, rather than a Coney Mall construction thread.

I won't be ice skating because, well, I am old. But the allure of skating on top of the Royal Fountain at such an iconic space would command such a price. It also makes a connection with the guest and the park. When you visit next summer, you can recall skating there and you look forward to the next Winterfest to experience that park in a different special way.

The prices here are probably much different in Cinci. Could be cheaper up there because of more competition, but it could also be much more expensive because of a much bigger book of work available. I used 30 acres as a guess, so of course the price would increase dramatically with 70 more acres. The standard here is that the milled material is hauled off site, sorted, pulverized and added at the plant back into stock blacktop. The milled, reused material cannot be more than 15% of new blacktop. So KI's current blacktop would end up in other commercial lots, highways, streets, driveways, etc. Wherever the projects are that the supplier sends the product to. My best guess is that when they eventually begin parking lot rehab, it won't be a 99 acre job. It will be piecemeal, like the preffered/bus/employee lots have been paved and are in good shape. What would make most sense to me is repave the rest in sections, starting with the most used areas first--for example in one year do from the sign/old tram route down to the road by preferred/bus parking and over to like row 25. Next year, so the same thing except on the south side. But then again, I am not a CF executive to make such decisions. Edit: to change north to south and correct a typo.

1--It could involve a cultural shift. Maybe the supervisors should be older adults. And retirees who are just looking to supplement their income would most likely be working with younger people whether they are in a supervisor or supervisee role. 2--Many older adults look for just thing thing. My dad, for example, is 83 years old. He currently works at a state park during the season-April through October. 3--If these older adults are looking for income supplementation, benefits are low on their priority list most likely. My dad gets no benefits, other than a paycheck and an outlet to keep him active. Please note that I am talking about retirees taking these roles. People who have planned ahead and can still contribute to society. There is also a population of older adults who HAVE to work because of various circumstances. The type of older adults I am seeing in these roles are the types I've seen a lot at KI and Dorney this year at the front gate, who scan your ticket or pass.

I don't live in Cinci, but I called a couple of local contractors who do pave roads and parking lots when I had my driveway repaired this summer. In central KY, the going rate for a commercial parking lot, including milling, patching, repaving and striping the new pavement is approximately $1.25-$1.75 per square foot. Assuming the parking lot is 30 acres, and an acre is 43,560 square feet, it would cost about $2,286,900.00 on the high end. (If I did my math correctly). Of course, residential is much more expensive at around $3.00/square foot, so my driveway was patched, cracks rubber filled and sealed instead.

I think it is a multitude of problems. The employees are often inexperienced and overwhelmed, which leads to frustration and the cycle repeats. I'd love to see KI recruit some older folks for the food stands. Adding in some more experienced folks might help with the inexperienced children the park uses to staff. The POS (point of sale) registers are the true definition of POS (a slang word that I won't go into detail about). It amazes me that the Partnership has an IT structure that will allow them to report third quarter results as a corporate entitiy 2 days after the main season ends, but they don't utilize technology to speed you past the POS. It truly boggles my mind!

Awww thanks. [emoji4] it was nice giving you a pass haha. [emoji4] Giving? GIVING??? My debit card would disagree!!!! [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23] Sent from my LG-LS993 using Tapatalk

I'm surprised at the crowd level, considering the temperature. Sent from my LG-LS993 using Tapatalk

Yes and a cold day! But a cold day at KI is better than a warm day at work! Sent from my LG-LS993 using Tapatalk

I bought my 2018 pass and everything else that goes with it and some extras from@stashua123 last night. Do gate agents get commission? He deserves it! Sent from my LG-LS993 using Tapatalk

I'll be there tonight with my GP friend who is stoked! I'll be there tomorrow and Sunday too. Sent from my LG-LS993 using Tapatalk

Who's excited about Haunt tonight? I am! And my prayers were answered, cool with rain likely. And the cooler temps this weekend will likely mirror how it will feel at Winterfest, so it will be a good trial run for me!

Does anyone reading this know if ticket windows open before the park does? I'd like to renew today before the park opens.

I'd just like to chime in and say that you have good and bad in all coaster groups, just as in "real life." I'm in ACE and might eventually join the Coaster Crew, too. The reason I chose ACE was because I like history and ACE has a large focus on history. At my first and (THE First) Coasterstock, I met a couple of new friends who are in TPR. Nicest people ever and some of my closest coaster friends. And they are nothing at all like Bob Avery! While there are outliers, I've found that at events like Coasterstock, you can have diverse groups of people who would normally never agree on anything, but when at an enthusiast event, those things fall to the wayside.

I'm definitely down to meet up with some KICers. I'm hoping to meet up with [mention=9282]Magenta Lizard[/mention] and [mention=9652]jtro223[/mention] at some point. [emoji4] I'll be there too. Just booked my hotel last night. It'll be fun! @magentalizard@whengodsaysgo and @anyothers. (Not sure if I doing this tagging thing correctly!) Sent from my LG-LS993 using Tapatalk

I may or may not have a friend with me on Friday night. She's GP, so who knows? I'll be there Saturday and Sunday. If your faith allows it, I'd encourage you to come to the park later in the day. The last rides of the season on The Beast are very memorable, and I have come to treasure them. Sent from my LG-LS993 using Tapatalk

If you're going to be at the park this weekend, let's meet up and do some mazes and scare zones. Sent from my LG-LS993 using Tapatalk

I like going into and coming out of the second tunnel on The Beast. You have kind of lost some speed going in, when you are in in the tunnel you pick up speed and coming out you are flying and the noise is spectacular. Add in a springtime ride when the bush honeysuckle is blooming and it's sickenly sweet. (but I'm not a fan of bush honeysuckle.)

Aramark has recently taken over UK's campus food operations. The contract was negotiated well. They have added more facilities and opened national outlets like Steak N Shake. They had to commit to buying xxx amount of "local" food per year, which they got raked over the coals about: They considered Coca-Cola products "local food" because there is a bottling plant in Lexington. That got fixed. I've never eaten on the campus side because Morrison's runs the hospital side. During the week, the food is great. But weekends (when I work), selection is limited and staffing is terrible. (Sound familiar? LOL) At both campus and hospital, there is no indication that food is outsourced. Employees have university badges, but are paid and get benefits from the vendor. They pay rent on the space, build new ones, sell the food and all the university does is collect the top 20%. I'd be ok with a reputable vendor who specializes in food service. But I think it would still be difficult to staff.

However, Kings Island's reputation has taken a beating for food service for years. We saw some positive changes this year, but this is typically something that the general public and enthusiasts agree on--food service is terrible at most times. If done correctly, a corporate specialist like Aramark or Sodexo could take over the operations but the public would never know because it would appear to be the same food service as always--hopefully better speed of service. But I would wonder if an outside vendor would have the same issue attracting talent. But they seem to do well in schools, universities, hospitals and prisons.