BeeastFarmer

@beastfan11 Without knowing the specific parks you are mentioning, I can only mention what I have experienced and read about on social media: Kentucky Kingdom is operating on a normal calendar, but they have had typically short operating days. Several dry park rides are undergoing renovation (likely delayed by the transition), but food stands and waterpark rides are closed or rotated because of short staffing. Indiana Beach is short staffed and is recruiting teachers as seasonal workers (KI could do this, and may have started to recruit senior workers as I saw more seniors working on my visit last week). Six Flags parks have seemed to keep the calendar intact, but people complain more than ever because of lines, closed food locations and rides. A friend in Orlando says he will not renew either his Disney or Universal pass because of the miserable conditions related to short staffing. BGW has and may still have very limited capacity, with many people posting about never coming back (they will).

I doubt that labor was budgeted for what the current outlay is. All I know is that labor issues are not local to amusement parks--it is everywhere, larger metro areas and small towns. How do you solve that without spending all your income...while still having to pay other obligations?

Evidently, you don't understand satire As far as purchasing a season pass, you encounter risk when you pay for anything in advance. Your agreement to the terms of the pass is explicit, but I can't find the legalize of it in my email. But they have their rears covered legally I am sure. The judge would have to look into the wording. Not being an attorney or judge, I can only speculate but pity is not part of the law. From visitkingsisland.com: **Season Pass benefits subject to change without notice. ***Platinum Passholder benefits may vary by park. Contact the park you are planning to visit for any questions regarding applicable benefits.

As a season pass holder, I have the luxury of visiting whenever I can during the season. I work weekends, so that is out. For me that works out well because the Fight Club seems to happen on the weekends. I don't know your situation, but if you are a current pass holder, I might suggest visiting during the week when Fight Club is not in session. That would address your point #2...less crows=less waits. #3--if the labor situation could be solved, that would solve this. #4--agreed. Finally, we agree on many things in your last paragraph. I look at the current situation and set my expectations very low. For example, last Wednesday the forecast called for 80-90% chance of rain/storms until 7pm. I had planned to meet a friend there from northern Ohio. I was very tempted to cancel my 2.5 hour drive there when my alarm went off, but to see a friend was worth the drive. If the park closed early or stayed open with rain, we made alternate plans. Of course, the rain stayed away for the most part and it was one of the best days I have ever had at the park. For pass preview weekend (I did get that weekend off work), I knew it would be crowded. So I set my expectations appropriately and still had a good day, albiet with long lines.

Are you suggesting they close the park entirely? Have a calendar like KD or Dorney? Require limited reservations for the dry park? Businesses large and small are desperate for workers. $18 for a teenager to scan a pass and hand a cup or git litter? 3 months ago that would have been preposterous. Those workers who have gone to KI have shrunk the labor pool for the region surrounding KI. And poor Sandusky. Cedar Fair has a huge hole to climb out of. They took out high interest loans to cover fixed costs and those will come due. I'd think the budget to cover some of those costs will be reduced to find the labor budget which has to be funded immediately. If you were park president or CEO of the LLC, how would you solve the labor problem?

^ I am both. If things were "normal" and my favorite KI things were cancelled, I would be upset. But things continue to be un-normal and will be for quite some time. I have down graded to gold for a few years now. Between '20 and '21, I have 12 visits in, and I normally do around 14 in a year. So in 2 visits, everything will be what I normally pay for. After that, everything is a bonus. KI has provided a huge value for my investment since 2014, they need all the support they can get because of '20 and '21. So I am pro company which is doing the best they can do to be pro customer. The 0100 closures were addressed pre-Covid. Yeah, it sucks, but corporations have to be good neighbors. You and others have complained about the family friendly Haunt event for a while now. If they don't have enough employees/monsters etc, and it is packed as it normally is with decreased staff, you would complain even more.. You complain about just everything the park does or does not do. While my post was satirical about you being put in charge of staffing, your post reminds me of complainers never having solutions to their complaints. As a previous poster said, there are plenty of other parks to shop around at. If you are that unhappy with KI, you have plenty of time to research. Karen, heal thyself.

I nominate you to be placed in charge of finding way to get all the dry parks and water parks up to 120% staffing levels without putting the company under because of increased labor costs so that the parks can be open every day and until 10, midnite and 0100 as before. But that means you also have to be in charge of neighbor relations at KI who are currently enjoying quiet evenings without Diamondback roaring thru their bedrooms!

^When the notes come due, you have to have cash to pay. If I didn't have cash to pay my financed mortgage, after a few months I would not have a house. In a like manner, the same happen with businesses. Cedar Fair had long term debt obligations (financed) that were managed well via sweeps and pay down pre pandemic. During the pandemic, the company took out high interest loans to cover basic expenses. The minimized cash burn as much as they could. Now, they are looking to optimize revenue. However, one of the largest expenses (labor) has doubled, with operating days and hours cut severely across the company. They have pushed out lots of food and merchandise offering, most are affordably priced--pins, shirts--and some premium--posters--in an effort to bring in cash to in turn pay wages and debt. Now is the time to spend money in the park. Open up those wallets, people! You get some cool stuff and the company gets some relief. Not to mention that the Blue Ice Cream Beer is good, as is the dip in the Brewhouse among other things.

Like every other steel coaster, it will reach the end of service life at some point. Then it will be removed.

Just saw on Facebook that the lift hill chain snapped on GateKeeper today while a train was ascending. No injuries. Cedar Point Connisuers Facebook group for pictures and commentary.

I'm sure the cost involved of moving the elevator would eat most, if not all of that profit. And it might have some allure for a year or two, but then fade away. If they wanted to, they could probably rework on of the current elevators to do the same thing and market it really well as ultra exclusive, it might have more staying power.

There is an easy solution for the slick floor. Non slip finishes--usually paint specialized to the surface with sand added in. I have to admit that I rarely seen the rowdy teens that are so often discussed here and elsewhere that cause "all" the problems at KI. Loud and rambuncious, but not troublemakers. And when I was at the age that the 50' level was open, I was a teen and myself and friends would have never considered throwing things at people. Unfortunately, the few who did, and did/do other things around the park cast the whole lot of teens in a negative. Remember, the people who provide us with a fun experience are mostly teens and have more responsibility that many 40 years old. One has even written a best selling book about the history of the park.

After effects of this pandemic will likely be felt for years. Death counts are not the only negative things to come out of this.

Thanks for pointing out my confusing wording. I have edited my original post.

There has been some discussion of music in the park recently. Specifically, country music in CM and Oktoberfest being on repeat. I did notice it yesterday. I'd like to see this on repeat in those areas: (42) "Weird Al" Yankovic - Polka Face (Official Video) - YouTube (I am a huge Weird Al fan.

That was total compensation, if I am not mistaken. I'm sure that included units, bonuses etc. And you have to remember that he and many other senior managers have specialized degrees, experience and knowledge. The last thing the company needs is for this to become a trend. Opportunity is everywhere right now for those displaced because of the pandemic. I am sure Mr. Duffy will find something as will many who lost jobs during the pandemic. I heard there are $18-$20 per hour sweeps positions in Ohio, which would be attractive to locals who are looking for employment to shore up finances.

Why do you think I would ask that? Camp Cedar...is not...part of....Kings Island.

Seems that Camp Cedar opening has been postponed until late June, as folks are posting on social media that their reservations for earlier on in the month have been cancelled. They do have an office staffed--I called today and asked if non resort guests could eat at the resort. There are no plans for this. I hope that changes once the labor issues ease. It sounds like they are going to have some good food.

It is wisteria. Very invasive and fast growing.

Holiday World released the following statement on their Facebook page last night: Earlier this evening, a female Guest returned to the station of The Voyage roller coaster unresponsive. Holiday World EMTs arrived three minutes later and immediately began to render first aid. The Guest was transported via ambulance to Memorial Hospital in Jasper, Indiana. At this point, the Guest’s name has not been released. A full inspection of the roller coaster has been performed, and it was determined that the ride operated as it was intended to. The ride remained closed for the evening out of respect for the family. Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari officials ask for your thoughts and prayers for the Guest and her family, as well as for Team Members who were onsite.

A half a billion over 10 years is roughly 50 million per year. How much will the new resort cost? 100 million? There is 2 years. Other resorts 3,4,5--how much will they take out of the pot? Construction costs are 30% over what they were pre pandemic--so if they were to build the loege today, they would have to budget 130 million instead of 100 million. The Dollywood Company and Hershchend have done really well and spent a ton of money, but a half a billion sounds much more impressive than 50 million a year.

I had the Pub Burger and Blue Ice Cream Beer yesterday. I'm not a beer drinker, but I did enjoy BICB. The beer aftertaste was annoying, but then again, it's beer....soooooo.... The Pub Burger was really good! It reminded me of an "old diner" burger. The other burgers I have had at CF parks were what a friend referred to as "worm burgers." There was no effort to hide the extrusion process. Visually unappealing and tasting bland, I decided no more CF burgers. The Pub Burger did not look like worms; the patties were thin and pan fried, with a crust. Condiments were tasty. Tots were cold, and I ordered my burger without tomato. Burger was hot, so I surmised that the food is not made to order but is plated up and put on a shelf to be picked up. I did eat barside, so it was great to not have to wait for an hour to be seated.

^I had to take a nap after reading that! The issue is that some posters draw wild conclusions and state their opinion as fact in order to draw attention to a website. And then argue ad nauseum about it to the point of being extremely annoying. Compare that with other posters who suggest ideas and flesh out concepts but who do not have an agenda, they are just exploring. Wild theories, based on some paint and flags and lights being turned on are fun to explore. Just don't be a jerk about it.

^Zoning could also be an issue. I am sure the neighbors on down Western Row Road would not want to have additional traffic blocking their quieter neighborhood.

I think the only way for a resort at KI is if CF were to buy GWL and renovate it. Unless they have renovated it in the last three years, it is still a faux resort. The plot that @Hawaiian Coasters 325 is discussing might be good for a hotel property, similiar to what Carowinds did, but I don't think a resort would do well there.