Colonel_SoB_fan Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 Wow I am highly disappointed with Kings Island and Dollar General. I am convinced there was more people at Kings Island today than opening day. Dollar General brought an huge crowd today. Some facts from the park. Diamondback was backed up all the way past Rivertown Junction and into the basketball shooting game across from the train. Beast was backed up all the way past the Picture stand. Backlot was a completely filled que house and then some. Racers had half of it que house being used and full. AE was backed up all the way to the sign. FD was all the way into underpass DT had all the outside ques filled Firehawk had a sign that said "The wait for Firehawk at this point is approximatly 3 hours" and people were standing behind it. FOF was all the way into the X-base plaza. Crazy waits and all around disappointing. Kings Island should not let these companies have big events on public days. I am confident that DG could of waited until October for a private event and caused a lot less headache for everyone. Kings Island should not of allowed this mess to happen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Touchdown Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 Yeah shame on them for making money by having the park at capacity! Its a Saturday in July, you should have known better, especially if you knew Dollar General was having their company day there in advance. Also, Ive seen those lines all the time in October, it is a weekly event every Saturday night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colonel_SoB_fan Posted July 19, 2009 Author Share Posted July 19, 2009 Yeah shame on them for making money by having the park at capacity! Its a Saturday in July, you should have known better, especially if you knew Dollar General was having their company day there in advance. Also, Ive seen those lines all the time in October, it is a weekly event every Saturday night. Making money is not what I'm mad about but when every other company buys the park out they wait until the park is closed to buy the park out. Second private events like Dollar General day are not public info so no I didn't know Third I dont do HH, so I wouldn't know Answer me this did you know it was DG day before I posted this TR? Try thinking before posting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Touchdown Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 Sometimes people know before hand thats why I added the qualification "if you knew." Not every company buys out the park, sometimes they have picnics and buy a bunch of group tickets. Its cheaper that way. Even so, if you go on a Saturday in July you should just expect it to be crowded. There is a reason they are open till midnight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopThrill Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 I've been to KI when my dad company had its picnic, during the summer and it was always on a Saturday. I could remember my dad and brother saying that from up to the Eiffel Tower, there are cars as far as the eye can see. And so we stopped going, and went on others days during the week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colonel_SoB_fan Posted July 19, 2009 Author Share Posted July 19, 2009 Sometimes people know before hand thats why I added the qualification "if you knew." Not every company buys out the park, sometimes they have picnics and buy a bunch of group tickets. Its cheaper that way. Even so, if you go on a Saturday in July you should just expect it to be crowded. There is a reason they are open till midnight. I go a lot on saturdays and have NEVER seen a crowd like this. Like I said it was easily worst than opening day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Touchdown Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 Opening day wasnt really that bad, unless you wanted to ride Diamondback at opening. I dont think I waited more then 45 min for anything after my 90 min wait for my first ride on Diamondback. I pretty much stop going to parks on Saturday after the first two weeks in June if I can help it because of the crowds. Much better to go on Sunday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rotag Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 i was there and can vouch for him the lines were rediculouse{sp?}. i wrote about it in my detailed trip report. it seemed like once high noon hit the parks capacity just kept doubling itself every hour till i finally said to myself {using eric cartman voice} screw this, im going home! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colonel_SoB_fan Posted July 19, 2009 Author Share Posted July 19, 2009 I am a very patient person and rarely get upset about stuff but this was crazy and very disappointing, even more when I know big companies like P&G and Cincy Financial, both wait for a day the park closed, not on a public saturday. Heck I went last saturday for Spirit Song was at the park from 9-midnight and had no complaints, mildly crowded yes, long lines yes, but nothing in comparison to what i saw today Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rotag Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 i spent 4 hours just roaming the park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fear the Four Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 Sounds like haunt. This is why I always go on weekdays in the summer. When school is in Weekends are not so bad. The last saturday I went to Kings Island was RWW and I got frustrated and left the park at 3. I can't stand long lines. Kings Island should of not let this happen though that is extremely crowded. They need to have a crowd limit I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gabelogan99 Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 Wow so much for last saturday being the busiest day of the season I guess. Usually Saturday of spirit song is the busiest day of the entire season. I wasn't at KI today but I seriously considered it given the great weather. I think that's probably what drew a lot of people out today, plus the company being there. I'm glad I didn't go. I am instead going to go on Tuesday with my brother. It's going to be a little warmer than it was today--from what I hear it's going to be in the lower 80s which sounds good to me. I'm looking forward to a great open to close vist--possibly my last visit before October! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colonel_SoB_fan Posted July 19, 2009 Author Share Posted July 19, 2009 What was surprising was there were cars parked all the way in the grass, due to a filled parking lot. BUT Gold pass was maybe not even half way filled Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browns4life Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 You wanna see a busy park, go to Magic Kingdom on a Saturday that isnt in value season... Not only is it crowded, its crowded with rude parents pushing their strollers with screaming children. I swear they think they are better than you and dont care that they run into you. The midway was so backed up it took my wife and I 45 minutes to walk from the front to where Peter Pan is... When we got there we said screw it and left! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dvo Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 So if I gather up a large group of about 10,000 people and go to the park on a normal day, am I a bad person? Should KI be blamed for allowing me to bring that many people? Seeing as most of the people on this site are somewhat regulars to the park, couldn't you just go home and come back a different day? I'm sorry you had a bad time, but I don't see the problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rotag Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 thats what im doin, check out my in depth trip report. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 thats what im doin, check out my in depth trip report. ..which can be found at: http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php?...c=18746&hl= Terpy, helpin' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongliveKingsCobra Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 Would you complain if it was 10,000 children from Make A wish or some other equivelent? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colonel_SoB_fan Posted July 19, 2009 Author Share Posted July 19, 2009 Again it was not the crowd that disappointed me, but knowing that companies can rent the park out on a closed day, that what disappoints me. Also that there was no warning to potential local passholders that they would experience abnormally larger crowds. What if you drove 30 minutes or more to get to the park just to find out that the shortest line in the park is an hour and a half? Even Little Bills Giggle Coaster had temporary ques set up today Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyKay07 Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 It may have been cool today, but it was a good day to go weather wise IMO. A friend of mine, who does not frequent the park had asked me if I wanted to go today. I didn't want to go because it was Saturday and I knew it would be crowded. Fortunately, she couldn't go today lol. I looked at the DB webcam to see the line, and I was pleased that she decided not to go. At 11am the line was already at the sign. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dvo Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 ^^Yes, but there are only so many "closed" days that the park has to be bought out. Would you rather have a giant crowd on a Saturday in the peak weeks of the summer, or have them remove another day from the operating schedule because they get bought out by another company? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 ...or have the park close forever, like a certain park did in Northern Ohio, because nearly all days had walk ons to all the major coasters and attractions, except Cleveland Clinic day? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colonel_SoB_fan Posted July 19, 2009 Author Share Posted July 19, 2009 http://mobile.visitkingsisland.com/public/visit/schedule/ I see over 20 days where the park closed, 5 days on the weekend closed. I know of P&G, Cincy Financial, and GE have private days, and im 90% sure one of them was already had their day, but I'm not sure which one or when it was, I could be wrong. So 4 companies 5 free weekends, why not then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIfan1980 Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 I also went today (had been on vacation for a week and are busy from tomorrow through next Sunday)and was amazed at the crowds. I haven't ever seen the parking lot that full and overflowing ever in almost 30 years of park trips. The line for rides reminded me of what it used to be like when the only major coasters were Racer and Beast. So what did me and the boys do - we skipped the lines and instead went up the Eiffel Tower, rode the carrousel, took the KI&MV RR trip, watched Flashback Totally 80's, went to Marty's Party, and mixed in a couple of minor rides like Viking Fury. All in all, we had a great time doing things we often skip on less crowded days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rotag Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 I also went today (had been on vacation for a week and are busy from tomorrow through next Sunday)and was amazed at the crowds. I haven't ever seen the parking lot that full and overflowing ever in almost 30 years of park trips. The line for rides reminded me of what it used to be like when the only major coasters were Racer and Beast. So what did me and the boys do - we skipped the lines and instead went up the Eiffel Tower, rode the carrousel, took the KI&MV RR trip, watched Flashback Totally 80's, went to Marty's Party, and mixed in a couple of minor rides like Viking Fury. All in all, we had a great time doing things we often skip on less crowded days. im not sure but i think i saw your face in the crowd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIfan1980 Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 I see over 20 days where the park closed, 5 days on the weekend closed. I know of P&G, Cincy Financial, and GE have private days, and im 90% sure one of them was already had their day, but I'm not sure which one or when it was, I could be wrong. So 4 companies 5 free weekends, why not then? I'm pretty sure that P&G has two days, not just one, Cincy Financial was in April, and am not sure about GE. Also, I have no idea what it takes to buy out the park, but I'd bet it is a large number of nickels. The 3900 guests quoted above is likely nowhere near the amount needed to make it justifyable to Dollar General to have a private day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colonel_SoB_fan Posted July 19, 2009 Author Share Posted July 19, 2009 and the number of DG employees there today also cost them quite a few nickels. I'm sure the NASCAR sponsership costs more nickles than KI http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3038/275860...0c9c138.jpg?v=0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongliveKingsCobra Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 Doesn't the companys pay to sponser the person, and they have to put they're decal on there? or am I wrong? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersRZ Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 Well, I know in the past that P&G has had two days for their private event in September. These companies likely pay Kings Island more money than other companies, like Dollar General, for the privilege to have the park open only to their employees and their families and not the general public and all the pass holders. These companies pay for that exclusiveness. That being said, companies such as Dollar General, will still utilize group sales to have company outings at Kings Island. These events typically will be on Saturdays because that is when the employees are off of work. Not all these companies are willing or want to pay to rent out the entire park. Regardless, they are still spending money at the park, which is a great thing as it means the park is making money. For example, I worked at Coney today, and we had a TON of company picnics today. The line for the Ferris Wheel was about a three cycle wait (which made the wait time close to 25-30 minutes). There were relatively few pass holders at the park today. While it was less than an ideal day to visit the park if you were a pass holder hoping to ride some rides, if your company picnic was at the park, you would enjoy your fun filled day at the park. As an employee, it was nice seeing the park that busy, because that meant that the park was making a lot of money. After all, group sales is a big money maker at Coney (with the rides being a key attraction to selling group sales). One reason that the rides at Coney were likely so busy today too, is that the cool temperatures likely kept some of the people with the group picnics from spending their time at the pool, and instead were riding the rides. I understand your complaint and gripe about the park being busy. But it is after all a Saturday in the peak season. A busy park is better in the long run than an empty park, as Interpreter pointed out with the Geauga example. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colonel_SoB_fan Posted July 19, 2009 Author Share Posted July 19, 2009 Your right the companies pay for that spot on the car the bigger the decal the bigger the money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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