My Opinion on the Future of Cedar Fair

[BoddaH1994]

I was bored and started looking at the web sites of other Cedar Fair parks and noticed that Canada's Wonderland offers a very nice set of perks for season passholders.

On top of typical perks similar to what you have at KI, they also offer:

25% off food from Thrill Burger, Hot Potato, Java Joint, Medieval Funnel Cakes

20% off merch at Lockerroom, Rock, Funshop, Kiddzville Candy

20% off Pro Golf or City Zoo Golf Lazer Blast and $1 off Skyflyer (before noon)

During the conference call at the end of Q1 FY 07, Kinzel more or less implied that he wanted to convert some season passholders to walk-up ticket buyers. Simply put -- passholders just don't spend the money that they once did. It is FAR more profitable for someone to visit the park once or twice, spend the day in the park and spend boatloads of money while they're there.

Can you argue with that? How many of you guys leave the park to eat, or eat out of your car? I can tell from pure observation that it's common, very common. However, I think that the variable that was not accounted for was the Paramount Parks, all of which have had a huge season pass base for years now. I've heard figures as his as 1/3 of all people in attendance on any given day are passholders. This certainly strikes me as a 'bread and butter' situation. It is essential in terms of organic growth and the going concern of this company that people NEED to stay in the park, they NEED to spend money in the park, and they NEED a reasonable justification to spend said money.

In your opinion (as a passholder) don't you think you would be far more enticed to spend money in the park if you had the small discounts listed above? I certainly would.

Think of it this way: in Q2 FY07, Cedar Fair reported per capita spending of $40.54. Which means, that the average person spends $40.54 per visit. Simply put, if a passholder comes into the park for a few hours and spends nothing, it is offset by someone spending $81.08. Under that jurisdiction, if passholders were more enticed to spend money in the park, per capita spending would go up greatly. I'm also willing to bet that although margins on a lot of per-transaction basis are lower, the gross margin dollar would be much much higher.

If I had to implement a plan for Kings Island, this is what I would do:

1 - Emphasize guest experience. Allow guests to speak about their day and meet their expectations about what they expect in return for their hard-earned money. Even if they visit once a year, I'm sure they'd like to still make their yearly visit next year.

2 - As stated above, implement an incentive program similar to what is in Canada now. Make the program well known and post the passholder prices along with the regular prices. If a guest sees the perceived value of a pass, they may just upgrade (which would of course raise their per capita pretty darn high for the day). Also as stated above, this would entice passholders to spend more money inside the park and thus raise per capita spending and capital gains.

3 - Emphasize entertainment in the park. Make Kings Island more than a place just to ride rides. Almost all of the rides will be there next year, but the shows are constantly dynamic. Schedule the shows later in the day. This would both gives guests a reason to stay in the park longer, but also create an attractive nightlife, which would also entice patrons to remain in the park after their typical departure time. Having Hot Island Rhythms end right as the Fireworks Spectacular begins is a start. In their latest conference call, Six Flags CEO Mark Shapiro stated that they intend to integrate the Dick Clark Productions into the parks by replacing shows with videos from the intellectual property of the acquisition. He stated that their surveys reflect that people typically don't care about the shows; they just want somewhere to sit down and cool off. I can think of at least three times when I have gone to the park specifically because I felt like seeing Endless Summer, and twice to see Twistin' to the 60s, and I know that studies have shown that people attended the park specifically to see the parade in past years. Sorry, Mr. Shapiro -- it's not that people don't care, it's that your shows are typically just god-awful.

4 - Add more security to the park. Patrons WANT and NEED to feel safe. Having a security presence is vital to such an action. This would also be helpful in lowering the amount of disturbances, locating lost children, enforcing rules such as the smoking ban, and deter potential situations.

5 - Emphasize quality across the board. If you're going to charge high food prices, so be it, but don’t dish them a meal that they don't think is worth half the value in which they paid for it. For example, the high prices at Panda and Happy Days don't sit well with most people, but they'll be far more likely to accept it over the mediocre-at-best food in the Festhaus.

I know I'm going to have some mud slung at me for this one, but I saw that page on Canada's Wonderland's site and this kind of came to mind. Feel free to share your thoughts.

Ryan

[The Interpreter]

Excellent ideas, but may I add that those discounts should be at ALL the food stands, not just the ones with less business (the ones listed at Wonderland are not the highest quality or even the busiest).

And Mr. Shapiro said he intended to replace ONE show at SOME parks. This is the same company that just added a Broadway style production at Six Flags Over Texas, and that has had similar quality productions at Great Adventure in the past.

I do believe that season passholders at Paramount Parks were, for the most part, different animals, than those at most Cedar Fair parks.

And I also would add two more things to your plan:

Drop the idea of paying off the debt so quickly. Drop the (almost for sure) idea of selling out rather quickly to someone else, thus, perhaps for the first time ever, now having the quarter to quarter emphasis Cedar Fair in the past was never known for. Back in the old days, Cedar Fair was a conservative company that built high quality experiences over long periods of time, typically financing them from cash on hand while paying out high, ever increasing quarterly distributions. Part of the madness currently is trying to maintain those distributions (they even borrowed extra money to cover them) while paying off nearly atrocious levels of debt, and doing so very quickly. Your guests are not going to totally finance the acquisition in such a short time. And the experience is going to suffer.

I would also treat the employees far better than Cedar Fair seems to now, in areas from pay to empowerment. I'd have kept more management from Paramount Parks than they did, not dropped as many incentives, and made it clear that employees are the most important asset the company has, and that they are THE key to making it possible for guests to have a safe, wonderful day. They are not just interchangeable commodities.

[DeLorean Rider]

I agree pretty much across the board with everything you just said. I think that every bit of your 1-5 list needs to be emphasized 100 fold at Kings Island. I think it's pretty obviously that so far, Kings Islands been lacking in each and every area listed. Oh well I guess its just "not in the budget" for guests to enjoy themselves. I wish I had something more profound to say but... its early.

On a side note, back in 200_ when ever the metal dectors were added, did you know that Kings Island did a large research study with people from all over the surounding areas about how they felt about Kings Island's security. The result of this study was several changes most notably metal dectors. Not because Kings Island felt that bad people were coming to the park, but because guests requested them, and felt more comfortable once inside the gates having passed through security.

[Dvo]

I remember being at the park one day either the year they installed the metal detectors, or the year after, and I heard that there was a man trying to get in the park with a knife but security obviously wouldn't let him. So he threatened to kill himself if they didn't let him in. I don't really know what happened, but I think they negotiated with him. My brother works as a police officer for KI and was telling me about it that day.

[DeLorean Rider]

Man that guy sure knows how to negotiate.

They wont let me take my knife in so I'll become suicidal. That way they'll definately let a suicidal man in with a knife.

[welchce]

Let's see:

1 Yes. People like to be heard

2 Yes. People usually go out of their way to take advantage of incentives

3 Yes. And maybe not just stage shows but street performers (a quartet or something) that walk around certain areas of the park. This would help enhance guest experience I feel

4 Yes. It has been said several times that people like feeling safe but it can't go to a point where they see too many security and wonder if there's a problem with unruly guest and feel unsafe

5 Yes. Most definitely. That's one of the reasons I leave to eat. Why would I want the same quality burger from KI that I could get at McDonalds that I could be paying a dollar for instead of 6?

[KIfan73]

I've had lots of thoughts about directions KI should take (different eating experiences, new parts of the park, etc.). However, on my last trip to KI, instead of walking to my car, I took a hike over to GWL to check it out. IMO, this is EXACTLY what KI needed, and the sad thing is is that is not theirs. To me, this should be the "Kings Island Inn". I would have liked to have seen it actually share the entrance with KI, and really have it a part of the park. The design of it just goes so well with an amusement park. The gift shop in it could have had all "KI" goods. And, with the indoor water park, Kings Island could have moved into being billed as a year-round park.

Please remember, I don't claim to be any expert at amusement park management. Just my opinion as someone who visits KI alot. I feel that a hotel/attraction like GWL could have taken KI/Cedar Fair to that "next level". But now, I guess, it just competes with the park.

[Captain Picard]

I don't know how they would have a clue to how much a pass holder spends. I know I spent around 100 on our last visit on warm pop, cold pretzels and shirts.

If they gave deals to a pass holder they would have a better idea on what they spend.

[Dvo]

I don't think that GWL competes with KI. I bet that most of the people that stay at GWL go to KI at least one day. I think people that were originally trying to plan a trip to KI see GWL as an upgrade for the hotel that they had previously intended to stay at. I doubt that many people go to GWL ONLY for GWL.

[jondrewfoo]

I don't think that GWL competes with KI. I bet that most of the people that stay at GWL go to KI at least one day. I think people that were originally trying to plan a trip to KI see GWL as an upgrade for the hotel that they had previously intended to stay at. I doubt that many people go to GWL ONLY for GWL.

lol my family did, but only because it was like 0 degrees outside, and school was cancelled due to snow. that was an amazing little waterpark... especially when noones really there because it was so dang cold outside, noone thought to go there. although the firealarm system did go off unexplicably three times... it was still a good trip.

[KIBeast]

I vote Ryan and Interpreter co-presidents of Cedar Fair.

Seriously, I think if you took what both of you stated originally and implemented them, KI would be on par and ahead of many other parks in the CF chain.

[Outdoor Man]

Actually DVO- you would be surprised to know that the number of people who stay at GWL to go to KI is actually in the minority. Believe it or not, CF actually views GWL as competition to their product and has only grudgingly adhered to many of the agreements and handshakes that Paramount put in place- including a park that would have a GWL entrance as well as be open April-November and December. GWL is looking to be their own destination, and though KI is a perk for location, anyone who has been there would agree that KI and GWL cater to two different wants.

I don't work for GWL but can say from professional acquaintance that the partnership as the "official" resort of KI was supposed to be a little stronger than it is. I know from my dealings with KI in various capacities is that the management turnover has not helped them beyond their parking lot. We used to work with a very professional and "seasoned" staff. Most of the people we deal with now are polite, but less than professional, near college age, and have less than a year or two experience and don't quite understand how business "works" yet.

It kind of reminds me of the perennial "rebuilding" of the Reds. Turnover the experience, reduce the payroll, and let the inexpereince build... and in a few years we'll have a solid team. I hope it happens.

[BoddaH1994]

Have you guys taken any of the exit surveys this year? I did last year and it was pretty awful.

Basically it was:

What's your zip code?

How many visits did you have this year?

Thank you.

Yep... tells you nothing... maybe where to direct your advertising, at best.

Why not ask what they did today? What did they like? They're leaving at 5:00?... why aren't they staying until close? Are they going to come back?

[The Interpreter]

That's probably because you didn't qualify for that particular survey. They must have been looking for people who have only visited the park once (or maybe twice). Some surveys are for people who go a lot, others are for people who go only once, etc. Those first questions are qualifiers (like the ones that ask "Do you work for so and so?" that phone polltakers used to ask...I wouldn't know these days, I don't answer the phone!)

And usually they are only surveying for one thing at a time.

Now, at Six Flags Over Georgia opening weekend, I got picked for a survey that took about ten minutes and asked six bazillion questions, about things from food quality to food pricing to entertainment to security to suggestions for the ways the park could improve. I suspect Mr. Shapiro really wants to know what they are doing right and, perhaps more importantly, what they are not doing right.

[The Interpreter]

Well, it's been more than two years since this thread started, and it seems time to bring it up again. What do y'all now think the future of Cedar Fair is? How have they implemented those suggested initiatives that Ryan proposed?

I'd be most interested in your opinions, and I trust that Mr. Kinzel and Co. would as well....

[TheKlockster]

I read through this whole thing not realizing that it was two years old.

A friend of mine went a few weeks ago. I think he got discounted tickets somewhere. He isn't a coaster enthusiast or anything like that. He went with his sister, and they basically just hit Diamondback then spent a few hours in the water park then left. He didn't see any reason to stay longer.

He didn't spend any money other than the discounted tickets that he bought and the locker rental fee. So I don't think convincing some season pass holders to buy tickets is going to help anything. And if someone was planning on visiting more than once why would they not buy a season pass anyway? Do they just enjoy giving Cedar Fair more money than they could otherwise give them by being a pass holder? Is over spending a hobby?

I think Ryan's points are very well made. I think that #1, #2 and #5 are the major ones. The park kind of has a vibe of "We're glad you came but if you hadn't it's all the same. Plenty of other people out there to give us money." Look at a park like Disney World or Busch Gardens or Holiday World. Guest perception is so much better at these parks.

As far as security I think they could make the place seem more safe without actually adding more security. Just do some things more neatly - like the metal detectors. Even some cosmetic things done to some of the rides make the place seem more safe - even if it doesn't directly involve security. Rides missing lights or in need of painting give guests the idea that the ride might not be 100%.

[Outdoor Man]

I've awakened from the crypt of two years in this thread to read my post above.

Much has changed since then. Most of that was back in the days when Cedar Fair was trying to deconstruct Paramount Parks, and though I have little to no dealing with management on any level at Kings Island anymore- I do still with GWL. It is interesting how in Sandusky GWL and CP lock horns with regularity- but in Cincinnati it has become a easy two-way street.

On Ryan's Post:

1) Guest experience has improved greatly since the initial purchase. Though there are a good number of "indifferent" employees... there are some smiling faces out there. My wife and I ALWAYS go to Guest Relations after a visit to tell of the Great Job someone (usually in Nick U) does (I hope the message is passed on). I'm a little amiss at the music that they play in the Kids area.... and the music tends to be loud- but doesn't detract from experience. Landscaping and cleanliness have taken an uptick. Though they don't seem to be into guest opinions like Paramount was.

2) don't know anything about that.

3) entertainment. Is OK... aren't a few of the shows reruns from last year though? Saw Marty's Party with my little one today.... that was 20 minutes of my life I won't get back.

4) Security. good, in my opinion... actually never felt unsafe in the park.

5) Quality.... eh.... it's an amusement park. I think they would get people to spend more money if they weren't trying to score a winning lottery ticket with each food purchase. I think Paramount figured out early that if they didn't price the t-shirts and other clothing items too high, they'd sell more. Same with the food. The prices they charge literally force people to pack and eat in the parking lot. My family and I were there today for 7 hours.... money spent: $0. Not that they have to price the same as McDonald's down the street but if it wasn't double the price people would spend more there.

I think the CF ownership of KI is, has been, and will continue to be beneficial. I think the construction of Diamondback states a commitment to building. Unfortunately, though- KI is no longer the flagship park in a chain. As far as competition goes- this will be tough. Competition between Kings Island, Cedar Point, and Six Flags WoA- produced some good strategic moves by all three parks. One is literally gone and the other is owned by the other. It's no longer competition; CP is a sibling (the first born and favorite child).

[markr]

I feel that Cedar Fair has brought back the KI that I grew up loving, which included the wonderful live shows and great, world class thrill rides. ( DB-need I say more on this subject?)

My only complaint is the high prices of the food and the quality of the food. It seems like the only place where they seem to "get it" is Outer Hanks with wonderful food at a reasonable price and huge portions.

[CedarPointer]

KI still doesn't offer decent food discounts- they offer a few dollars of one of the most expensive restaurants in the park... and... um... some family 4-pack which I don't think anyone actually gets...

[The Interpreter]

There is the gold pass deal on the Backyard BBQ...which is itself a very good deal, though.

[Mr. Coastermania]

Yes the backyard bbq is a real great deal.

Most years i make 6 to 9 trips a year to ki and 3 to 6 trips a year to other parks.As a pass holder i always find it helpful when the park offers great deals.Other than food prices the only other reason my family would leave the park is to get away from the crowds and just rest a bit then go back and have more fun.

I would think the best way to make the park more money and keep it's guests happy would be to offer better discounts.

Say the more you spend the more you save.Have a spending perk program that allows you to earn free things like say a free season pass or free food so as you spend more money,you earn something back.This would make the park a winner and keep them making money while guests become a winner knowing that they earn free goodies the more they spend.

[gad198]

I agree with everyone in regards to the food prices. Outside of the fudge I have purchased only one food item in any CF park this year (been to five different parks in the chain so far) some chicken tenders at Outer Hanks (thanks to everyone who posted about this, excellent suggestion!). Neither the quality or price of the food compel me to purchase anything. I could definitely be swayed by a season pass discount, but it'd probably have to be in the neighborhood of 20% before I'd start thinking about it. The only reason I eat anything at Dollywood is because of their 20% season pass discount. The discount has to be across the board, though. It's much easier for everyone if you facilitate it that way, because then both season pass holders AND employees know about the discount and don't have to wonder if any discounts apply at any given location.

The only other big thing I see is how their Platinum Passes program operates. I've been to five different parks in the chain outside of KI (Cedar Point, Carowinds, Dorney Park, Canada's Wonderland, Worlds of Fun) and have had a wide range of experiences using the pass for parking and admission into the park. Cedar Point, Carowinds and Worlds of Fun presented no issues with either parking or admission. Dorney Park I only had issues with the parking but not with admission.

Canada's Wonderland; I've not only had problems with parking (on both visits) but then was initially denied admission this last time. They indicated that my PP was only valid through 08. I explained to them that I had renewed the pass at the park in 08 for the 09 season, but they couldn't see that on their computer systems. I told them that I had been to KI, Cedar Point and Worlds of Fun with that pass all within the last month but again, they couldn't see that. I asked if they would call KI and verify that the pass was good, and they finally agreed to do so. 25 minutes later they came back and said that the pass was good, and suggested that I get a new PP when I got back to KI, updated for the 09 season. Uh, no, not when I've already used the pass dozens of times to get into various parks!

Perhaps it's just Canada's Wonderland that needs to be integrated into the system, but what CF needs to do is simply have a "Cedar Fair" Platinum Pass, not a "insert park X" Platinum Pass and integrate all the parks on the same system. I know the current system is there for accounting purposes, et al, but I don't know why the system can't be tweaked to find another way to allocate season pass sales to the individual parks. If I make 10 visits to CF parks total, 5 at KI and 1 visit each at five others why not just allocate half of my PP sales to KI and then 1/10 to each of the five others. It's not like this would be hard, but again, this is assuming that all parks would have access to a common system.

Overall I think CF has been great for the parks. They've either recently added or will be adding rides that each individual park has desperately needed (well, except for Great America, but that's more due to the current situation IMO). CF will continue to invest in each park and try and make each park better, something I didn't necessarily feel was entirely true just before CF took over. I would simply ask that they continue to look at ways they can make the guest experience better, and if they do that then I'm sure everyone will be happier.

[DaveStroem]

We have been to a lot of parks this year. When a park offers something that seems like a value, I will spend the $$$ for is. Case in point: at BGE they have a meal deal that is $20 per person. This included 2 meals that included entree, side or dessert and drink + 2 other drinks during the day. We normally pack a cooler & eat at the car. This time I spent $80 and bought the meal deals. They had value.

Another example is the Sky Flyer. At KI they offer this for $5 early in the day or to gold pass members. When they are doing this there is always a wait for the Sky Flyer. At other parks they want from $25 -$40 for this and they sit empty. Which is better, having your staff doing something and making some $$$ or having them sit on their thumbs watching the crowds walk by.

[Diamondback FOF]

1 - Emphasize guest experience. Allow guests to speak about their day and meet their expectations about what they expect in return for their hard-earned money. Even if they visit once a year, I'm sure they'd like to still make their yearly visit next year.

2 - As stated above, implement an incentive program similar to what is in Canada now. Make the program well known and post the passholder prices along with the regular prices. If a guest sees the perceived value of a pass, they may just upgrade (which would of course raise their per capita pretty darn high for the day).

3 - Emphasize entertainment in the park. Make Kings Island more than a place just to ride rides. Almost all of the rides will be there next year, but the shows are constantly dynamic. Schedule the shows later in the day. This would both gives guests a reason to stay in the park longer, but also create an attractive nightlife, which would also entice patrons to remain in the park after their typical departure time. Having Hot Island Rhythms end right as the Fireworks Spectacular begins is a start...

4 - Add more security to the park. Patrons WANT and NEED to feel safe. Having a security presence is vital to such an action. This would also be helpful in lowering the amount of disturbances, locating lost children, enforcing rules such as the smoking ban, and deter potential situations.

5 - Emphasize quality across the board. If you're going to charge high food prices, so be it, but don't dish them a meal that they don't think is worth half the value in which they paid for it. For example, the high prices at Panda and Happy Days don't sit well with most people, but they'll be far more likely to accept it over the mediocre-at-best food in the Festhaus.

1. Yes. I think that definitely needs to be a priority. I have fun when I go, but I'm not worried about the small things since I go so often. But, for a family that goes once a year, those small things helps make the trip not just good, but spectacular.

2. That would help us out a lot. We wouldn't mind eating in the park so much. Yesterday, my niece and I went to KI. We got there about 11:30, and had taken a lunch. We had the option of leaving about 5 or 5:30 and coming home to eat dinner with my sister, mom, and some family friends, or staying at the park until 8 pm when it closed. If we took the second option, we would've eaten at the park. I decided for us that we would just come home and eat because the food is so expensive. We were having better food at home, plus it was healthier. So, KI lost our money...again. There have been some merchandise items I've seen at the park that I wanted, but I haven't gotten them because they are so expensive. Maybe if they had a deal, I would.

3. I don't care about the entertainment too much. The only time I see a show is if I'm eating in Festhaus and their is a show going on. But, it would be nice if KI had some shows that returned every year. Some people would grow to like those and come back more to see those.

4. I think security has increased some over the last couple years into the beginning of this season. But, starting a couple months into the season, security started deteriorating. Metal detectors have been turned off, and there are far fewer officers up front by the metal detectors. Yesterday, no metal detectors were on and there was one officer for every three to five metal detectors for them to check bags. But, they weren't even checking bags. That needs to be changed, specially with Haunt coming up and people acting crazy.

5. My mom is doesn't like the high prices at Juke Box Diner. BUT, she eats there mostly every time we eat dinner at the park. So, I guess that helps CF because they still get her money. She LOVES the burgers they sell there. I think they are worth more money, but not $8+ for the sandwhich and a drink. My mom feels the same, but she still does it. There were a couple times she didn't eat there because of the high prices. She wanted to eat 'cheaper' some. I think the chicken tenders (or nuggets) and potatoes at Potato Works are worth their price. We had went to KI one day and ate their for the first time. It was my sister and her daughter (my niece), my mom, and me. My niece and sister eat got a cup of chicken, and they shared a thing of fries. My mom and I shared a thing of chicken (I didn't eat chicken too much) and shared some fried. Well, we each ended up taking some fries home, and my sister and niece had chicken to take home. The next time, we all shared a cup of fries (could've used a few more, but we still had enough) and my sister and I shared some chicken since my mom ate Juke Box and my niece had Subway. Long story short, for our family of four, two cups of chicken and one cup of fries would be enough. That ends up being I believe $18, or $4.50 per person. I think that is very reasonable for an amusement park (it is $5.50 each with a drink [we have two souvenir cups, so two refils is one dollar per person]). Also, I think the food there is of good quality (If you're not worried about eating fried food). If KI could find a way to have quality food in the entire park like that plus have it at a decent price, that'd be great.

Another thing about the food prices at KI. There have been a few days in the last couple years where we decided to eat lunch before going to to the prices, plus we decided to eat a late dinner (like 7 pm) outside of the park. That is two meals of food that we didn't buy due to the prices. We usually eat one meal, but we didn't that day. We figured we could go to a sit-down restaurant with a wider selection of higher quality food for about the same price. KI needs to come up with a way of doing that.

In summary, the biggest thing for me and my family for season pass holders is prices. We don't care about the entertainment too much, we are satisfied with our experience, and I'm not worried about being attacked at the park. But, the prieces of things affect us. We would probably eat at the park more if things were cheaper. We would buy items if things were cheaper...like fudge. I always get samples of fudge when at KI. I want to buy some, and so does my mom. We haven't because the bars are either $6 or $7. I realize they are buy two, get one free, but that doesn't make it worth it.

Well, it's been more than two years since this thread started, and it seems time to bring it up again. What do y'all now think the future of Cedar Fair is? How have they implemented those suggested initiatives that Ryan proposed?

I'd be most interested in your opinions, and I trust that Mr. Kinzel and Co. would as well....

I saw the date was August something on someone's post so I thought it was a newer thread I hadn't seen. And then I see your post and look up, and it's like "Wow!"

... And if someone was planning on visiting more than once why would they not buy a season pass anyway? Do they just enjoy giving Cedar Fair more money than they could otherwise give them by being a pass holder? Is over spending a hobby?...

Well, regular discount tickets are $32.99, so they would have to go three times to make a pass worth their. Same thing if they buy the Pay Once, Visit Twice tickets which are $47.99. They would have to buy two to make it worth their money.

[/soap opera] I'm sorry about the long post, as most probably won't read it so it just takes up space , but I really did think about this and posted my 2 cents. worth.

[KIfan1980]

DB FOF - that was at least a nickel, maybe a dime's worth

Terpy - thanks for bringing this thread back up. Good topic.

My opinions:

• Guest Experience: KI is doing a pretty good job at this, as someone else mentioned - the KI of 2009 reminds me more and more of my "good memories" from the 80's (and not just due to the shows!). Its cleaner, associates are more friendly, and it has some excitement again.
• GP/PP Incentive Program: KI is getting more of my $ where they offer incentives (a few games, a few pictures), but is totally missing on the food for multiple reasons - lack of incentives, quality, healthy options, accurate data for those with food allergies. I agree with those that indicate a much higher spend IF KI would give some of a deal for passholders
• Entertainment: I watch more shows now than ever - I say keep up the good work. Oh, and they should totally put Peanut on the payroll! The number of people watching/cheering her at ISBandstand on Friday night before the last show was incredible. My boys stopped and wanted to dance as well - and both mentioned it as something they liked to me the next day.
• Security: I think the impression of security is fine - I'd like to see a harder line taken on some offenses. Line Jumping is not a sporting event at KI and (should be) cause for removal from the park
• Quality: Could still be improved.

[gigacoaster2k]

As much as I love Kings Island, they need to take a long, hard look at Holiday World. The outstanding guest experience at HW completely and totally blew me away. NEVER IN MY LIFE before HW have I visited a park where I've walked, talked and joked with the park owner like we had been friends all our life.. or a place where it feels like they focus on the customer, not on making more money for the park.. in fact, it is only 1 of 2 parks that when I leave, tears sting the back of my eyes because it does indeed break my heart to leave.. you can ask violakat03 about that one, in fact, she witnessed me wiping tears from my eyes on our way out the exit when she and I went a few months ago. It takes A LOT for a park to grab a piece of my heart like that and not let go, but HW does it, every time..

[Justin_M17]

DB FOF - that was at least a nickel, maybe a dime's worth

Terpy - thanks for bringing this thread back up. Good topic.

My opinions:

• Guest Experience: KI is doing a pretty good job at this, as someone else mentioned - the KI of 2009 reminds me more and more of my "good memories" from the 80's (and not just due to the shows!). Its cleaner, associates are more friendly, and it has some excitement again.
• GP/PP Incentive Program: KI is getting more of my $ where they offer incentives (a few games, a few pictures), but is totally missing on the food for multiple reasons - lack of incentives, quality, healthy options, accurate data for those with food allergies. I agree with those that indicate a much higher spend IF KI would give some of a deal for passholders
• Entertainment: I watch more shows now than ever - I say keep up the good work. Oh, and they should totally put Peanut on the payroll! The number of people watching/cheering her at ISBandstand on Friday night before the last show was incredible. My boys stopped and wanted to dance as well - and both mentioned it as something they liked to me the next day.
• Security: I think the impression of security is fine - I'd like to see a harder line taken on some offenses. Line Jumping is not a sporting event at KI and (should be) cause for removal from the park
• Quality: Could still be improved.

I completely agree with everything you've said here! Especially the part about putting Peanut on the payroll! She is absolutely adorable! Not to mention i've spoken with several people who only go to the 80's show to see her pre-show and mid-show dancing

[CedarPointer]

Peanut has a futer in KI entertainment.

[Dalefan]

When i go to KI, i eat at the cheapest places or pack a lunch. I have a few times went to GWL to eat at the bar. I must say that for the $10.00 i spent on a sandwich, fries and water (im cheap lol) i got more food at GWL then i would of got at KI. The meal i got at GWL was bigger as far as how much stuff they give me. When i go to CP, i eat at Famous Daves, Johnny Rockets or i pack a lunch. Both places are not to bad price wise. Famous Daves also has a few meals under $10.00 I also found out that East of Chicago Pizza which is right outside of the causeway is pretty cheap. They have an all you can eat thing for under $8.00. TGI Fridays to me cost to much money. CP has 2. 1 on CP's land and 1 at Castaway Bay.

[Browntggrr]

If the people wouldn't pay for it, it wouldn't cost so much.

While I hate that saying myself, it is the truth. Even this year when I went to the Browns pre-season games (which are full price for 1/2 talent-or less- on the field) I noticed the prices.

$7.00 for a draft beer

$8.50 for a mixed drink

$5.00 for a regular sized hot dog- I got sick when I saw that

$5.00 for a large pop

$7.00 for a "bottomless" tub of popcorn

$12.00 for a steak sandwich

Yeah, just like the parks we go to, we bring lunch & drinks with us to the game.