Mr. Kinzel Expects Good Summer--AP Interview

[The Interpreter]

http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/200805...cts_good_summer

[welchce]

Visitors to Cedar Fair parks will find higher food prices this year. The company increased prices by a nickel or so after its food costs came in 4 percent higher over the winter.

"Unfortunately, we have to pass it along," Kinzel said.

Now we know...

[Erosarrow05]

it would be a shame if they couldnt keep the 300% mark up on the food items, heaven forbid it went down to 295%....

[The Interpreter]

Oh, if we are going to quote that thing, here's MY favorite:

...For now, though, [Mr. Kinzel's] just as concerned with how weather will affect the upcoming season and making sure the seasonal employees greet guests with a smile. That's because visitors are looking to have fun and forget about how much they're spending, he said.

It's hard to forget what you are spending, Mr. Kinzel, when your in park prices are so high and your income is largely being spent on things like gas and food....but then, you make well in excess of a million bucks a year in an industry largely built on high capital investment and the backs of low wage mostly teen-age and senior workers, with a few internationals working under a visa program thrown in for good measure. Forget how much we are spending? And a smile from a seasonal worker is going to help us, your customers, forget? Probably not this year, sir. And that goes for you two, too; Messrs Shapiro and Snyder...

[welchce]

Wow, I didn't even read that sentence. I just saw "how weather will affect" and skipped it.

If I were him, I definitely wouldn't have said that to a reporter.

[CoasterKrazy]

I doubt that was a direct quote. It seems quite callous for a man who is trying to attract guests to his parks, rather than repel them. I wouldn't be surprised if the interviewer took a few "journalistic liberties" to paraphrase Mr. Kinzel's exact words.

[The Interpreter]

Perhaps so, but the attitude is not different than that he exhibited during the conference call on Tuesday...the guests are going to eat a corndog, have a funnel cake, etc. Apparently he hasn't observed the parking lots at his parks this year...And who here has seen food prices at Kings Island go up by a nickel or so this year? That certainly has not been my experience...

[CoastersRZ]

Well, Coke prices are certainly higher by more then a nickel of what they were last year. Try about five nickels to be exact!

[WooferBearATL]

Certainly he can't be that arrogant?

Certainly he can't be making quotes like that?

Does he work part time a a gym teacher in Idaho?

[PKIVortex]

I believe the fountain drink prices went up .10cents. 3.49 for a regular, and 3.69 for a large. I think last year it was, 3.39 for a regular, and 3.59 for a large.

[pkifreakhogg]

Still the prices are a little ridiculous. Attendance will certainly be down this year.

[flightoffear4thtrain]

most guests coming to the park wouldn't know about the small price increase

[The Interpreter]

No, but when they buy pizza for four people and four soft drinks, and the clerk says "That will be $35"...they know they won't be eating in the park next time, or not coming back at all....

[PhantomTheater]

A similar article

This one from The Cleveland Plain Dealer. It contains more great Kinzel quotes.

[The Interpreter]

Sounds to me ALL the Plain Dealer did was listen to the conference call....

[Guest kwindshawne]

Oh, if we are going to quote that thing, here's MY favorite:

...For now, though, [Mr. Kinzel's] just as concerned with how weather will affect the upcoming season and making sure the seasonal employees greet guests with a smile. That's because visitors are looking to have fun and forget about how much they're spending, he said.

It's hard to forget what you are spending, Mr. Kinzel, when your in park prices are so high and your income is largely being spent on things like gas and food....but then, you make well in excess of a million bucks a year in an industry largely built on high capital investment and the backs of low wage mostly teen-age and senior workers, with a few internationals working under a visa program thrown in for good measure. Forget how much we are spending? And a smile from a seasonal worker is going to help us, your customers, forget? Probably not this year, sir. And that goes for you two, too; Messrs Shapiro and Snyder...

Well said. It would be one thing if the food was edible, but like i said last fall, you can play baseball with the pretzels....