Compare to the FUN & ONLY commercials of today:

See the difference in tone? In target market?

It was a very different time.

Wow how times have changed!

Thanks for sharing Terpy!

And that is what amusement parks should be about.

I remember what one of my managers told me at Coney my very first year working there (all the way back in 2002). It was a long busy day, and he stopped by our ride to check on us. He said "Look at all those kids that have big smiles on their faces that will make memories today to last a lifetime."

"I'm gonna remember this day forever, daddy!"

Nothing else needs to be said.

Compare and contrast:

Diamondback...Your First Ride May Be Your Last

and/or

Come and smell the funnel cakes.

One way ("I'm gonna remember this day forever, daddy!") tugs at the heartstrings and makes me want to visit.

The other...the less said, the better.

Terp, who sometimes thinks Cedar Fair DESPERATELY needs a new ad agency and new leadership at the very top...

I see this as just who a company wants to target.

This ad obviously wants to attract family members and people that will remember a day for a very long time.

Now it seems that Cedar Fair wants to attract the teenagers or kids who just want a quick good thrill.

The only park that I know of now in the local area that uses the same kind of advertisement technique is Holiday World, even then it's not fully attracting just family like this Droney commercial.

Thats just the amusement industry now...It's all about attracting teenagers, It will change over time. For better or for worse.

...because everyone knows teenagers spend the most money of anyone when they are in parks.

...and make most other groups feel very welcome.

...and stay long periods of time and buy lots of food, souvenirs and don't take up a lot of time in the ride lines.

Yep, an absolutely brilliant strategy by Mr. Kinzel & Co.

Kind of like Shoot the Rapids at Cedar Point...nice little family ride that. Great replacement for a log flume.

Then again, Mr. Kinzel thinks WindSeeker is the ideal ride to attract thrill seekers and teenagers.

Sigh.

...because everyone knows teenagers spend the most money of anyone when they are in parks.

They do?!? I could swear this is how it goes...

"Hey mom can you drop me off at Kings Island?"

"Sure, I don't care.."

"Can I have 50 dollars while your at it?"

Thanks for the info! Saturday looks to be a nice, not too hot day so that may be the winner. Wish we could go on actual Labor Day since I've heard that is a pretty empty day as well.

Remember Saturday is the Employee Reunion and the Cincinnati Tea Party movement is going to be at the park.

Pssh, that commercial was terrible, what they should've done was had a bunch of disney-esque looking pre-teens bragging about how they're "Ride Mercenary's" or something or the other. They ride the front seat all the time, every time, so long as they're back to meet their parents at the Festhaus by 4.

Watching this commercial reminds me again of two thoughts:

What is the target audience for Kings Island. As far as I can tell, it seems to be two groups:

• "thrill seekers" who you'd typically find in line for the big coasters and flats (DB, FOF, FH, Drop Tower, Delirium)
• "families with young kids" who you'll typically find in Planet Snoopy, watching Shows, and growing into the family coasters and flats (FD, AE, Racer, Shake Rattle & Roll, Viking Fury)

What is missing from Kings Island. Enough rides and attractions that allow multiple generations to come and enjoy a day at Kings Island as the commercial indicates. I think a couple of more family flats (my vote would be to start with Antiques) would be a welcome addition.

Another thread that deserves a read.

Five more years have passed.

The Grand Old Dinosaur has retired.

Time to ponder.

I wouldn't mind seeing Dorney go back to the type of park it was back then. I like the major coasters like Talon and Steel Force that probably would not be there if it had not become a corporate park but at the same time I miss the classic feel of the park and how Cedar Fair removed a lot of unique and older rides after they took over like Journey to the Center of the Earth, Rockets and Water Skooters. Cedar Creek Flyers was a step in the right direction and I guess I should be happy they still kept the Whip and Zephyr.

Missed opportunity?

Last week my family and myself visited HersheyPark , Knoebels , and Dorney Park , in that order BTW . Just a incredible difference going from Knoebels one day to Dorney the next ! There were various references to the "pre-corporate" Dorney throughout the park (especially while riding the Zephyr) Seems like there is a lot of regret now that such unique attractions are gone .