bkroz Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Oops…..we messed up! [...] presented management with a reason to consider closing the park an hour earlier. Due to internal miscommunication and confusion [..] [...] For those that may have been inconvenienced, you have our heartfelt apology. Moving forward, management has adopted the policy of honoring the posted hours. It's like... It's like some kind of circus. Is this an empowered teenage intern given the park's social media passwords? Or is there actually a professional, college-degree PR representative in an office who's cooking up these wonderfully "candid" messages? Sorry Commonwealth of Kentucky taxpayers. "Internal miscommunication and confusion" among management. You know how it is! Does a heartfelt apology help? 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoddaH1994 Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Yeah that... probably shouldn't have been said... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Hard to believe the park's GM is Bart Kinzel's Carowinds predecessor. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkroz Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Sometimes, parks close early. Don't make a lick of sense to stay open for a few dozen guests. Employees don't want to lounge out in the rain, staffing rides for an empty park. Keep guests safe and happy. Answer to the taxpayers. Treat employees as you would want to be treated. Unfortunately, part of that is "The park needs to close now. We apologize for the inconvenience." If rain checks are part of your policy, make them available. If not, keep it in mind as you reform policies in the future. To follow it up with 'internal confusion and managerial miscommunication had us close the park when we shouldn't have. We made a big mistake and we apologize.' Okay... who was the intended recipient of that fabulous public post? The guests who were asked to leave an hour early today? Yeah, I'm sure they were sulking but are now much more encouraged and pleased with Kentucky Kingdom. That's all it took was a heartfelt apology and an admission of wrongdoing. Meanwhile, now everyone knows. I can see this making its way into local papers: Kentucky Kingdom apologizes for early closing blunder; cites managerial confusion and miscommunication. C'mon. I don't know what'll come of the park, but this list of do's and don'ts is amassing at a rapid pace... and more of the latter than the former. Precedents, all. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 I suspect a politician called the park and raised Holy Hannah. Perhaps a Governor. Thence came this apologia. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkroz Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 So now they'll stick to the policy of sticking to posted park hours. Come hell or high water. Literally, as the case may be. Well, in case of the latter... Or both? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 "He who pays the Piper calls the tune." Which raises the interesting question of what happens to the Kingdom should the next Governor of Ye Olde Commonwealth be from the Grand Old Party. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcgoble3 Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 On August 27, 2012, Wet 'n Wild Orlando closed at 11:00 AM, one hour after opening, because there were fewer than 50 guests in the park, which was in the far outer edge of Tropical Storm Isaac (rain, but no wind). By 12:30 PM, the rain had quit and the sun came out and stayed out the rest of the day. On August 22, 2013, The Beach Waterpark closed at 2:00 PM after a single line of thunderstorms passed through. By 3:00 PM the rain and lightning had quit and the sun was back out for the rest of the day. I was present for both of those. Both annoyed me to no end. As far as I know, neither park ever issued an apology of any kind for either premature closing. And I still have not had a chance to get back to Wet 'n Wild Orlando and fully experience it. At least someone at Kentucky Kingdom saw fit to apologize on the same day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Because they were informed they must. Election time's a comin'. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkroz Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 On August 27, 2012, Wet 'n Wild Orlando closed at 11:00 AM, one hour after opening, because there were fewer than 50 guests in the park, which was in the far outer edge of Tropical Storm Isaac (rain, but no wind). By 12:30 PM, the rain had quit and the sun came out and stayed out the rest of the day. [...] At least someone at Kentucky Kingdom saw fit to apologize on the same day. As one of those 50 guests, the apology would've meant something to you. However, the Facebook post apologizing would also be seen by the other 65,000 fans that Wet 'n Wild Orlando has on Facebook. "Oh, the park closed early?" they might say. "I didn't know they did that! What a stupid decision! I can't believe they'd take those peoples' money! That's unfair! It was sunny the whole rest of the day!" etc etc. Suddenly tens of thousands of people would know that the park closed, when only 50 were due an apology. Water parks have to close during thunderstorms. Employees and guests must get away from the water. That means, go home. Get to safety. Most people don't want to be out in a thunderstorm, and that includes lifeguards. They don't want to huddle in the park's office waiting for the storm to pass so they can go back to work on the water. Could they have re-opened that afternoon if given the all-clear? Sure. I guess they decided it wasn't practical to call back their employees all for the no-doubt-insignificant number of visitors who would return after that for the early evening. I don't blame you for being annoyed. I'm certain you were. Believe it or not, the park apologizing on Facebook probably wouldn't have made you less annoyed in the moment. What I'm really saying is that from a PR point of view, issuing a public apology to those guests really only serves to alert the EXPONENTIALLY LARGER crowd who were not even influenced by the shut-down that it happened. I get Terpy's spin on it too. That makes sense. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Mr. Hart's business partner in Kentucky Kingdom is Mr. Bruce Lunsford, former treasurer and money man of the Kentucky Democratic Party. The effort to reopen Kentucky Kingdom had died on the Fair Board end until the current (Democrat) Governor insisted it be revived. If the Kentucky governorship changes parties, the Kingdom's future looks bleak indeed. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RailRider Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Due to internal miscommunication and confusion, This is the perfect way they could have answered all the questions regarding the numerous newsworthy issues at the park this year. Ooopppsss... We messed up. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Well, well, well. Remember the 9.95 admission for non-season passholders to Kentucky Kingdom during the State Fair? Unless you buy your ticket in advance at certain Kroger stores, forget it. Now it's going to be $19.95 at the gate, PLUS fair admission and parking, if applicable. http://m.bizjournals.com/louisville/news/2014/08/12/kentucky-kingdom-offering-free-admission-to-season.html?r=full Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MantisMan Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Not surprising.....the release of the $9.95 price point was just a simple case of internal miscommunication and confusion. 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndyGuy4KI Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 There sure are a lot of kinks still being worked out in a park that has almost a full season under its belt! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IBEW_Sparky Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 All I have to say about the park.....sorry taxpayers. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dieseltech20 Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 Well, there goes my chance to visit the park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westcoaster Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 Crazy communication to the masses from this Park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkroz Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 All precedents, I'm telling you. I think the literal list of flubs will be remembered for a long time. They'll probably also be cited as a way to recover from such situations... or how not to. That remains to be seen. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 That $9.99 price got a lot of attention across Kentucky. There's going to be some disappointed, surprised, shocked and angry people at the Kentucky Kingdom gate during the fair. Not to mention how late the park opens..well after the carnival midway. How the park handles these people will be yet another indicator of its future. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LovinMeSomeBanshee Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 I've seen commercials for the Kentucky Kingdom $9.99 state fair pricing here in Lexington that made absolutely no mention of the requirement of purchase at Kroger. There will be a lot of very upset people at the window. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dieseltech20 Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 Not to mention those of us that know and will not be showing up at the window. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RailRider Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 Due to internal miscommunication and confusion we have decided to honor the $9.95 price at the gate. Back Room Internal Communication: King of the Kingdom - "Hey, who is the idiot that authorized a $9.95 gate price, only available at Krogers?' Yes Man/Troll - "Sire we terminated him after the breastfeeding incident" King - "Thats just great, who do I blame now? Bring me one of the confused and under trained employees." Troll - "Yes Sire, what excuse do we use this time? How about due to miss numeration or the so-called employee suffered from dyslexia?" King - "That might just work, now someone get this wheelchair ramp off these steps. Its good to be the King!" 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medford Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 Sure seems like a lot of "Whoops!" going on down there, especially on things that are not all that complicated. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB1 Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 Only in Kentucky....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkroz Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 Don't go there. Metaphorically. I'm not telling you not to go to the state. GYK, who was banned. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LovinMeSomeBanshee Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 Don't go there. Metaphorically. I'm not telling you not to go to the state. GYK, who was banned. Give it up. You were called out for stereotyping and now you're being a baby about it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcgoble3 Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 I think he's just trying to warn the user who posted above him not to make the same mistake. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkroz Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 Don't go there. Metaphorically. I'm not telling you not to go to the state. GYK, who was banned. Give it up. You were called out for stereotyping and now you're being a baby about it. I'm not opening this can of worms. Suffice it to say, my original post on the subject was concerned NOT with how awful your state is, but with the pre-concieved notions that MANY people have about it (just as they have about Ohio, California, West Virginia, New Jersey, etc. just upon hearing the name). Kentucky Kingdom incites bias. It just does. Sorry, wish I could help! BB1's "Only in Kentucky..." post above is only verification of those biases and the fact that it's a bias we have, culturally and psychologically, whether we like it or not. I said that my psychological biases against Kentucky gave me the impression that I would not feel welcome there. Humorously, your way of "calling me out" for stereotyping was a guns-blazing, yee-haw style monologue about how Kentucky didn't need me and to not show my face there because I was unwelcome. Uhh... sort of verified my stereotype, didn't it? GYK, who's being a baby about it... by still waiting for a response from the apologetic and clarifying PM I sent you day of... EDIT: And even if we're all going to brush it under the rug, I still think this whole biases / stereotypes thing does affect Kentucky Kingdom. I just think it does. I think Bluegrass Boardwalk would've been read differently. I know. I'm a bigot or something. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APE Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 Tennessee and Virginia are much worse than Kentucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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