BoddaH1994 Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 The one from the cigarette ads was Joe Camel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jzarley Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 The one from the cigarette ads was Joe Camel. Yeah...he just looked cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 And his name was almost certainly selected because it had a ring of familiarity to it..."Where HAVE I heard that before?" I thought the merchandise was cool, and I didn't even smoke, then or now. Joe Camel himself, though, I considered rather hideous: Joe Camel: http://www.artofsmoking.com/camel-pilot.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hank Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 If people quit going to the parks and quit spending money when they do go, you watch - CF will come up with something to make it work better - for us and for them. (Maybe they'll have to outsource the ride operator positions to people from India or China) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kennywooddude Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 Why dosen't Dick just SAY that Maverick isn't bringing in the guests that he thought it was going to bring? On the upside, no negativity on GL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ragerunner Posted August 1, 2007 Author Share Posted August 1, 2007 Why dosen't Dick just SAY that Maverick isn't bringing in the guests that he thought it was going to bring? On the upside, no negativity on GL. That would mean admitting that their strategy of big coaster development might not be working as well as it did in the 80s and 90s. This reminds me of Bobby Knight the basketball coach. In the 80s and early 90s his style of coaching was really working, but when coaching strategies and play changed he was unwilling to adjust. Now he's at Texas Tech and doesn't even make the NCAA playoffs that frequently. I think Dick is kind of the same way. His approach has been (most of time) build a coaster and they will come, I honestly don't believe that is a sound strategy for 2007. Six Flags has figured this out, Busch, Herchend, Hershey, etc... also understand this. Why has CF been so determined not to modify their appoach. This doesn't mean a coaster is not part of the system, but dark rides, family areas, theming, dining, shopping, etc... should be a significant part of the package as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jzarley Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 ^ that's a good point, and the diverse approach to new offerings had seemed to be something that Paramount Parks had a handle on... It would be interesting to see a by park comparison of attendance. The SF parks have increased in attendance, while CF has decreased. Why? Is it more related to local economy (more parks in the Midwest vs. the sunbelt) or something else? I think the gas price theory makes sense on the surface, but SF has those same market forces at work, so why would that be an issue for CF from not SF? This is purely anecdotal, but I just got back from a week in Myrtle Beach...it was packed! Gas prices certainly didn't seem to be hurting tourist traffic in MB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ragerunner Posted August 1, 2007 Author Share Posted August 1, 2007 I think another piece to this 'puzzle' is how much was spent on each chain for new attractions. It appears that CF spent significantly more on new attractions this years than SF yet CF investment seems to be having less return on that investment. I am not saying SF is doing everything right and CF is doing everything wrong, but it does seem something besides gas and local economies are the problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WooferBearATL Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 ^ that's a good point, and the diverse approach to new offerings had seemed to be something that Paramount Parks had a handle on... It would be interesting to see a by park comparison of attendance. The SF parks have increased in attendance, while CF has decreased. Why? Is it more related to local economy (more parks in the Midwest vs. the sunbelt) or something else? I think the gas price theory makes sense on the surface, but SF has those same market forces at work, so why would that be an issue for CF from not SF? This is purely anecdotal, but I just got back from a week in Myrtle Beach...it was packed! Gas prices certainly didn't seem to be hurting tourist traffic in MB. Yeah, I just don't see much of an affect on driving with the gas prices. Seems that all the tourist attractions in and around ATL are still busy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RingMaster Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 Lack of free tickets? I was talking to someone who works at ki and i think they said they got like 15 free tickets? now times that by how many employees there are. Whoa, wait a second. New management's only given us four tickets this year. JUST four tickets. For the entire year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WooferBearATL Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 Lack of free tickets? I was talking to someone who works at ki and i think they said they got like 15 free tickets? now times that by how many employees there are. Whoa, wait a second. New management's only given us four tickets this year. JUST four tickets. For the entire year. Maybe saying "Thank You" for giving you something that they really didn't have to give at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersRZ Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 What he was referring to is that from past years, the number of comp tickets that the park has given to its employees is down. Granted, they don`t have to even give you any tickets. But, if you listened to the conference call, Dick Kinzel stressed how they reduced the number of comp tickets given out at the former Paramount Parks in an attempt to not "give away their product." They also mentioned that they have reduced the steep discounts that used to be offered for admission. They seem to think that charging people more to get into the place will result in them spending MORE once they are within the gates of the park. Granted, they may stay longer if they had to pay $40 to get in versus nothing, but if you pay $40 per person, how many $3.50 Cokes are you going to want to buy? Whereas if admission was cheaper guests might be more apt to spend even more than they already do within the park. But I`m not in charge at Cedar Fair, those are just some casual observations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WooferBearATL Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 What he was referring to is that from past years, the number of comp tickets that the park has given to its employees is down. Granted, they don`t have to even give you any tickets. But, if you listened to the conference call, Dick Kinzel stressed how they reduced the number of comp tickets given out at the former Paramount Parks in an attempt to not "give away their product." They also mentioned that they have reduced the steep discounts that used to be offered for admission. They seem to think that charging people more to get into the place will result in them spending MORE once they are within the gates of the park. Granted, they may stay longer if they had to pay $40 to get in versus nothing, but if you pay $40 per person, how many $3.50 Cokes are you going to want to buy? Whereas if admission was cheaper guests might be more apt to spend even more than they already do within the park. But I`m not in charge at Cedar Fair, those are just some casual observations. Comp Tickets to employee's were something that started when the park opened. We used to get 6 tickets and get additional comp tickets during Apple Card and Employee Party Raffles. Of course the best award was the year end car giveaway. <G> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 And the employee awards for staying the entire season have also been sharply reduced...to put it mildly. Treat your employees well and they will treat your customers well. Treat your employees less well and...well, you get the picture... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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