BeeastFarmer

I remember this incident well. I was in junior high school and of course rumors were rampant. I usually think of Mr. Hartner when I go up the Tower and say a prayer for his family and friends (whoever they may be, I don't know them but I believe the one I pray to does!). Seeing the face to the legend puts it in a great perspective.

At $4.99 per drink, there is money being made by some entity.

Thanks for the clarification.

So, are you saying he is professional but not competent, or that in essence he is not the representative of the PR staff and Mr. Hart is not competent?

Magenta Lizard, I will private message you his name. I do not want to mention it in public because I think that is frowned upon on the forums here. But I am glad you are willing to do that, I think it is great for the employees who are outstanding, and I am sure the Guest Service folks appreciate compliments as I am sure they hear plenty of complaints.

You gotta be kidding me: http://m.14news.com/14news/pm_/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=od%3A1N3Et1Ny Just when I think the PR staff couldn't possibly be any less competent. The Interpreter, forgive me, but earlier this season, when I stated KK needed to up the ante in the PR arena, you responded that Mr. Mulcahy is a "true professional." Is he no longer the the PR representative? Edit: changed the last sentence because I read the link and saw that Mr. Mulcahy is still employed by the park as a "spokesman."

As I stated in the Overall Food Concession topic (or the thread of a like name), I-Street Skyline was horrible at lunch (~11:30). 30 minute wait in line for food, 2 workers on the front line and the could care less how long the line was (I used a timer on my phone and the average time to open a coney dog bun by one worker was 19 seconds). No food trays, etc. I got some Blue Ice Cream when we first arrived in less than two minutes as there were no lines. I asked for the ice cream to be placed in a bowl instead of a cone; it was not. When I asked for the correct item, she slammed the cone into a bowl. oooookay.... I had the meal plan, so I was not concerned about lines. My companion shared some of my excess Skyline at lunch. At dinner, Festhaus was very efficient, she got some pizza and I got Panda Express. We watched the show and a very good side show by one of the "sweeps" who danced his way around the Festhaus. I did stop by Guest Services to leave a compliment for this employee. Having FUN on the job! At the end of the evening, my companion was "done" with coasters, so I marathoned The Beast while she went to Starbucks. On the walk back to I Street, even though the park was closed, lines were long at the open food establishments and I-Street was packed. We peaked into Skyline after seeing the line, and they still only had two line employees. Nobody was in a hurry to leave even though the park was closed. Overall a good day at the park in spite of the heat and seeing happiness die at Skyline.

In a previous career, the company I worked for was a contractor for PKI; while we were not a food establishment, we provided a much needed service and had prominent signage through the park. We were paid the going rate but gave the park a slight discount to advertise our services. Amyway, back to food service: I don't know, I just assume the frachise scneario for the national brands. I've been wrong before, however.

I would assume they would pay franchise fees/royalties. Eating at the Feshaus now. Short lines, plenty of trays and workers. Very impressive line up and service. Happiness is alive and well at the Festhaus! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

Skyline Chili had a 30 minute wait for food. 2 people working the line. When asked about the lack of trays, the cashier stated: "They all at da Festhaus. They real busy." The expression on the workers faces makes the place feel like a cesspool of sadness, where happiness goes to die. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

I didnt even consider this park. It is about 9.5 hours from where I live. Maybe I will add it to the list. But of course, that will take away from Kings Island and Kentucky Kingdom. Maybe I will have to ask off a weekend and do Dorney Park and some of the other non-FUN parks. Pennsylvania has a few good ones, yes?

I plan on Cedar Point, Carowinds and Kings Dominion.

Thanks for the insight, malem and jcgoble3. I've never gone to a haunt that late, so I wasn't sure exactly how it worked. Back to food service: I will be going to some other CF parks next summer. If others have gone, how has the experience compared to our beloved Kings Island?

Ok, so if I am understanding this correcting...If I am in the park and LEAVE the gate during before Haunt starts, I must re-enter before the 6p or 7p time or I won't be allowed back in. This is important, and I don't want to misunderstand: I most likely will be going on 11-1-15 for closing day; I'm fairly certain I have that day off. I am also thinking of going after work on 10-31; but I don't get off work until 730p, and I have about a 2 hour drive. Will my gold pass get me in to Haunt at 9 or 10pm, or are gold passes not valid for Haunt only?

Albeit one directional after 6pm or 7pm on fall operating nights. So, if one has a gold pass, can one not enter after these times? Do they have a cap?

It appears to have cost them much. But they press on.

Easier said than done. Having employed people in another at-will state, I can say from experience that costly and unnecessary lawsuits can be filed against a business when someone is fired for documented reasons, much less for "I don't want you anymore" reasons.

Not that I am privy to any inside information, but my conjecture is AIG was seeking to protect the interest it has in the Biblical presentation of the Ark. Once hired, it might be difficult to fire someone who espouses a contrary view. For example, if an evolutionist is hired, s/he may float the guests on a different boat. I would see the "faith statement" as a litmus test for new hires.

I just realized that this is the first week since June that I have not been to a park. How do I mark this very sad realization? By watching Vacation on IFC!

The Ark Encounter originally got the OK for state tax rebates via the tourism route (by the 4th year of operation, 25% of the total attendance must come from out of state) but because they would require employees to sign a "faith statement"-the state viewed the operation as a ministry rather than a for-profit business. It's not really the same situation as Kentucky Kingdom, however much I disagree with it. I guess if I wanted to work at the Ark Encounter, I would not want to espouse a belief that is contrary to my employer. The AIG folks wanted to, I would guess, prevent employees who would promote opposite views. Sort of like Kings Island would not want employees who promote (even via non verbal means) boring, bland and lazy days, or fast food service. My personal opinion: If AIG runs this operation as a for profit business, it should get tax rebates. If it is run as a tax exempt ministry, it should not get the tax rebates.

As for Kentucky Kingdom, I say do whatever they can to pack the place. It's a great small park that has great coasters and (from what I've been told) a great waterpark. The park is clean and the landscaping is awesome. I think what they have done, given what they had, is incredible. They have made stumbles, so have other parks. Most people I have talked to have been impressed. For myself, Kings Island will be my go to park because it was what I was brought up with. Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, on the one visit I went, has soured me on SIX properties. The "new" KK has impressed me and I will continue to supplement KI with it, because it is a nice place to visit that is a little over an hour drive verses almost three hours to KI. We can disagree and continue to develop friendships on these forums. I enjoy reading the perspective of others, and hope mine can enrich others. I guess the bottom line is: Will the park be there next season in spite of all the problems that people see with it? I think so.

Two weeks would have been better. But it was on the Facebook page a few days ago. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

Smart business decision to get as many through the gates before the park closes for the season. That leads to increased in park spending. The Interpreter, we disagree again. Other parks, like Kings Island do exactly the same thing. And I appreciate it. Monday, I'll be bringing 2 folks with me for the special pricing at Kings Island. Now, if they would only extend the hours and season of Kentucky Kingdom....that would be an even smarter business decision in my opinion. EDIT: to clarify that I will be going to Kings Island on Monday and not Kentucky Kingdom.

I remember those kicker wheels at the end of the MCBR. I also remember an employee at the top of the first lift hill and 2 or 3 employees on the "landings" on the second lift hill. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

I love The Beast. I want it to stay the way it is "forever." But things change. If it came to a point where the ride was more expensive to maintain as is and the owner of KI has a choice to retire or renovate, I am all for renovate. To me, The Beast is as thrilling today as it was when I was young. I actually like the brake before the helix because it feels more out of control. I like the rickety feeling, I like the fact that it embraces all the senses. In a like manner, I really enjoy Diamondback. It's very thrilling, but feels more like a "fun" ride whereas The Beast feels more anticipatory. I hope they never do an "Iron Beast" but I would take that over No Beast.