Kennywood to sell beer?

[The Interpreter]

The Henninger family likely would not do this:

http://m.triblive.com/triblive/pm_5903/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=HrLnQVL0&rwthr=0

[flightoffear1996]

Beer is a great way to generate tons of extra money.

[TombRaiderFTW]

^ ...and, if I had to guess, potential security issues. And PR issues, as this isn't flying well with several people, at least on the park's Facebook page. The idea of Kennywood selling beer corrupts many guests' impressions of the park as a family place, it seems.

[flightoffear1996]

I dont think many people would get too drunk if they charged $6 a beer.

[Browntggrr]

And PR issues, as this isn't flying well with several people, at least on the park's Facebook page.

People crying on FB? Noooooo.......

Things change. Times change. Some really need to get over themselves and understand this is a business decision. There is nothing wrong with having the option of kicking back with a cold brew while the kids are off having fun.

Credit should be given for the decision to not sell beer on school picnic days.

[The Interpreter]

And other people should understand that if some choose not to patronize the park over this, and some will, that's also their choice. We still get to choose where or if to spend our discretionary nickels.

[Browntggrr]

Yeah.

It is too bad some refuse to have an open mind are unwilling to accept change to the point they shove an opinion down others' throats by making threats.

If it wasn't alcohol keeping them home, they would threaten to stay home for some other reason. It is amazing how when those want to see something negative, they actually look for it until it can be seen.

Just because alcohol is beIng sold, does not mean Kennywood will have a rash of drunken idiots roaming the park. Just because "A" happened does not mean it will cause "B" to happen.

[The Interpreter]

Given the neighborhood it is in and some of the clientele it can attract, this may prove interesting. Perhaps far too interesting. We shall see.

[TombRaiderFTW]

Yeah.

It is too bad some refuse to have an open mind are unwilling to accept change to the point they shove an opinion down others' throats by making threats.

If it wasn't alcohol keeping them home, they would threaten to stay home for some other reason. It is amazing how when those want to see something negative, they actually look for it until it can be seen.

Just because alcohol is beIng sold, does not mean Kennywood will have a rash of drunken idiots roaming the park. Just because "A" happened does not mean it will cause "B" to happen.

I find it a little ironic that, in a single post, you've accused all who dislike this change as being closed-minded, yet you seem to base your argument entirely on every person who buys Kennywood's beer being responsible and orderly. I'm not going to pretend some of the people opposing this change aren't being closed-minded, but do you really think introducing alcohol will introduce no new security issues at all? The opposing arguments aren't entirely unreasonable.

And, for the record: I'm not wild about the idea of Kennywood selling alcohol, but I'll still be there sometime this year if possible. I'm not there for the beer; I'm there for Thunderbolt and Potato Patch fries. Given how the park already exceeded my expectations last year, I'm sure they'll handle this just fine.

[Browntggrr]

^^Do you believe Kennywood selling beer will change the atmosphere of the neighborhood or people from the neighborhood will now go to Kennywood because of beer sales?

[TombRaiderFTW]

I think it will have no atmosphere change on the neighborhood, and I think it will have an incredibly minimal effect, if any, on drawing new customers in from the surrounding neighborhood. I do think it presents an influence on the actions of the guests that were going to be there anyway, and you can't promise that that influence will always be positive. I can't promise it will, with any frequency, be negative, but theme parks attract a wide range of folks.

[Browntggrr]

I find it a little ironic that, in a single post, you've accused all who dislike this change as being closed-minded, yet you seem to base your argument entirely on every person who buys Kennywood's beer being responsible and orderly.

First, it is not an arguement, but a healthy discussion.

Second, read some of the FB comments, and you will understand what I am referring to:

Some of my favorites:

Kennywood has been a part of my family since almost when it opened. My great Grandmother, Grandmother, mother and sister all worked there. My Great Grandmother, grandmother and mom for years. Now this will put the final nail in the coffin. I do not want to smell beer or deal with drunks. I get that some people can drink responsibly but for the most part people are idiots when it comes to drinking. I already didn't like a lot of the changes they have made and them adding this well I'll just stick to Idlewild it's more of Kennywood than Kennywood anyway. Too bad they can't leave well enough alone. I'd rather keep the good memories alive.

as I sat enjoying my dinner at Shogun last night with my family, we had the displeasure of being seated with 3 college aged kids that were nursing beers and dropping the f bomb, calling some girl a c***, talking about dog s***, their own bowel movements, etc. Just think...those same immature people will be in the park making something that is already difficult to really enjoy, even more difficult. Some people really only need a few beers to act like fools. I completely admitted, 1 beer and I am tipsy. Add in the factor of them wanting to be tipsy or more to be cool...but yeah, lets compare it to haircuts, blue jeans, and kids with parents that don't care to observe them.

Folks I think you're either going to have to get used to more drunks per square yard at KW or vote with your feet cause it's going to happen, KW would not have gone to such lengths only to back off. I'm sure their profit predictions already factor in making a boat load off of beer sales.

This is a BIG mistake! Please! Don't do this! People are dehydrated & tired & the kids are buggin' them................add 2-3 beers & trouble may follow! DO NOT DO THIS!PLEASE!!!!!

There are MANY more, as well as many from supporters & feedback from Kennywood PR. Those opposed are not even considering what the PR rep is saying as valid.

I'm not going to pretend some of the people opposing this change aren't being closed-minded, but do you really think introducing alcohol will introduce no new security issues at all? The opposing arguments aren't entirely unreasonable.

There will absolutely be more security, as there probably should have been more for some time. More security is a plus for everyone.

And, for the record: I'm not wild about the idea of Kennywood selling alcohol, but I'll still be there sometime this year if possible. I'm not there for the beer; I'm there for Thunderbolt and Potato Patch fries. Given how the park already exceeded my expectations last year, I'm sure they'll handle this just fine.

I cannot possibly predict there will be no issues, but given there have been limited issues at Kennywood to this point (if a drunk wants to drink, they will get their "fix" even if beer is not being sold) especially after they had a trial run last year, and there are few issues at other parks (and even parks where a brewery is across the parking lot & the park is named after said beer), I cannot see how all these terrible predictions will now come true.

[westcoaster]

I do not think it will hurt the park, it will help the bottom dollar though:

[CedarPointer]

Does Kennywood have an "adult" October event like KI? I've honestly never run into very many drunk issues at KI, except during Haunt. I think people are overreacting a bit- would they rather ticket prices go up?

[BB1]

Well i know if any kind of "drunken actions" were to occur, the security would get on it pronto. One good idea for the Kw to try is to limit the amount of alcohol one may buy, yes this may sound constrictive, but it may keep many of the frightened families at the parks, knowing drunkards will not be of any worry.

[The Interpreter]

Does Kennywood have an "adult" October event like KI? I've honestly never run into very many drunk issues at KI, except during Haunt. I think people are overreacting a bit- would they rather ticket prices go up?

Phantom Fright Nights.

And it's had conduct issues from time to time in the past....