How is it like working at KI

[Mystic.Timber1]

On 12/31/2016 at 10:46 AM, Xdog42 said:

So yea, I'm 13 but my dad was talking about what I'm going to do when I get in high school to make a little cash (not a permanent job). So the top things that come to my head was like Fast food or something. But when me and my dad was passing by the exit to KI you know in West Chester, It came to my head I could work in KI.

 

Even though I might be a tad hard getting there considering I live like 30 mins away I could still work there. So I was like "Dad I could work at KI" and he was like sure. So now it's starting to be that place I want to work at when I get to High school. So I have a few questions.

 

1. How is it like working at KI

2. How old do you have to be to work there

3. Do you get to pick what rides you want to operate

4. How much do you get paid?

5.Do you get to test rides (Hey I wouldn't complain if I got to ride DB in the morning)

6.If everything works out right and I have the opportunity to should I work there?

I live in Mason so I have a quick commute. Its fun working at Kings Island its not really like many other jobs. There's also a lot of different jobs at KIand you'll d to chose the best one for you. I work in Merch and ill probably be there till I turn 16 and work in rides. 

[BaileyM912]

Can we start an employee thread/group chat? It'd be cool to be able to know some associates before I go in for work. 

[Mystic.Timber1]

38 minutes ago, BaileyM912 said:

Can we start an employee thread/group chat? It'd be cool to be able to know some associates before I go in for work. 

Sure. Id you need any advice just ping me

[IndyGuy4KI]

46 minutes ago, BaileyM912 said:

Can we start an employee thread/group chat? It'd be cool to be able to know some associates before I go in for work. 

You can add multiple people to a Personal message.

[BaileyM912]

I have GroupMe and Messenger also, if that's convenient. Just don't want to be completely clueless on my first day.

 

[Oldschool75]

Looks like I won't get to work Haunt this year. I just recently found out I'm losing my full-time job in October. My office was in Blue Ash which would allow me to leave the office on Fridays and go straight to KI to work Haunt. To cut cost, my company is closing the Blue Ash office and I'm working from home which is in NKY. This does not allow me time to make it to work Haunt on Fridays and just not feasible with gas.  I'm really disappointed since I wanted to be able to experience what it was like working at KI.  Now my focus is finding a new full-time job to help support the family. Maybe next year if everything works out I might be able to get to experience it.

[JCoaster25]

So I've decided I want to apply to be an AV tech in Entertainment for shows next season. I currently work at a liberal arts school as an AV tech there and have a ton of experience setting up and running lights and sound for various events, and the idea of doing this at KI is incredibly enticing to me, so I have a couple of questions.

1. When does KI normally make applications available for the following year (in this case for 2018)?

2. Is there anyone here that has either worked in, is working in, or knows someone who works in entertainment at KI? If so, what's the department/hiring process like? How does it compare to other departments?

Also, at 26, I'm wondering how common it is for college graduates to get entry level jobs at KI. I'm sure the average age of employees varies between departments, but I'm still curious.

[BaileyM912]

On 9/15/2017 at 10:59 PM, JCoaster25 said:

So I've decided I want to apply to be an AV tech in Entertainment for shows next season. I currently work at a liberal arts school as an AV tech there and have a ton of experience setting up and running lights and sound for various events, and the idea of doing this at KI is incredibly enticing to me, so I have a couple of questions.

1. When does KI normally make applications available for the following year (in this case for 2018)?

2. Is there anyone here that has either worked in, is working in, or knows someone who works in entertainment at KI? If so, what's the department/hiring process like? How does it compare to other departments?

Also, at 26, I'm wondering how common it is for college graduates to get entry level jobs at KI. I'm sure the average age of employees varies between departments, but I'm still curious.

I'm working in entertainment for the fall, and I'm planning to work future seasons after that. I'm an usher/character escort, so interview process may be different from mine but it went very well. I've met many great people in this department, and I've only been employed for less than a month. Overall, it's a great environment, the hiring process is very low-stress, and the interview was quite simple. Not sure on the 2018 application dates quite yet, but I'll be looking out for those as well. Entertainment has interested me as well, since its not your usual burger-flipping, toilet-cleaning type of job, if that makes sense. So yeah, highly recommend this department, and I hope to see you around.

[diamonbackandbeastlover]

Usually applications open in early 2018 for new people and late 2017 for returners

[stashua123]

I have been working at KI for 5 months and I cannot overstate enough just how much I enjoy it. My friend circle has increased dramatically. And I learn skills that cannot be taught except when one is on the job.

Haunt and Winterfest will be very interesting.  And I know that there is no way I am not applying for next year to return, I just enjoy it so much. Sure some days can be long and hard and grueling, but having a bunch of coworkers you like in the same building makes everything better. 

I would recommend anybody who wants to work here to apply next year. Admissions is the department I work at and I enjoy almost every second of it. 

[BaileyM912]

^ I second that. I'm actually disappointed that we won't be open for a while. I had an incredible time working at The Great Pumpkin Fest, and I'm eager to apply for 2018. It's just a fun environment to be a part of. The supervisors and other coworkers in my division are nice, and I've made quite a few friends that work with me. It's fun to be a part of Kings Island from a different perspective than a guest. If anyone is on the fence about applying, trust me, it's the most fun you'll ever have at a job. As for which department is superior, that's a matter of opinion...since I've been working in Entertainment, I may be biased. 

[VortexBFForever]

Proudly representing the Rides Department and particularly the WindSeeker/Vortex crew, I agree with both of you! I’m probably going to cry on the last day, but at least there’s WinterFest! And call me crazy but I’m already really excited for next year’s location training day because I will actually be able to make it!  

Working in Rides is very fast paced and sometimes high-stressed, but I still highly recommend it...especially if you want to learn more about how your favorite ride works. I have learned so much more about Vortex just by working there!!

[BaileyM912]

It’s never too early to count down the days until Opening Day 2018! I don’t know why I enjoy working, it’s just fun, and interesting to see what’s “behind-the-scenes.” I’m not old enough to work in Rides, but I’ve been interested in Entertainment for a few years, and I really enjoyed working in the division this fall. 

[XGatorHead 8904]

This is my 26th season working in the park.  Needless to say, I enjoy it.  Sure, there are tough days just like any other job but overall I've found it to be a fun environment or else I wouldn't have kept coming back.  I've worked in a variety of departments there, in both line and management:

1989: Food Service - Bakery (La Patisserie Francaise on International Street)
1990: Food Service - Rivertown Karts (Frankfurter Factory, Depot Sundae Shop & Thelma's Soft Frozen Lemonade)
Winterfest 1990: Food Service - Bakery
1991: Food Service - Rivertown Karts
1992 - 1993: Food Service - Oktoberfest Gardens (formerly Bier Gardens, now Outer Hanks)
1994: Merchandise - Leather Shop (in Rivertown, now the Olde Time Photo shop)
1995: Admissions
1996 - 1998: Admissions & Ecology
1999 - 2004: Admissions
2008: Halloween Haunt - Club Blood (The Bouncer)
2009 - 2017: Halloween Haunt - Slaughterhouse (Sam the Butcher)
Winterfest 2017:  Entertainment Dept... but not saying where or in what capacity yet!  Details to come next month...

(I also got to work in Rides for a day on Dodgem & Monster when they needed help on a Math & Science Day sometime during the Paramount years.)

I've had fun in all my jobs there and look forward to my new experiences at Winterfest this year!

[PKIVortex]

Proudly representing the Rides Department and particularly the WindSeeker/Vortex crew, I agree with both of you! I’m probably going to cry on the last day, but at least there’s WinterFest! And call me crazy but I’m already really excited for next year’s location training day because I will actually be able to make it!  
Working in Rides is very fast paced and sometimes high-stressed, but I still highly recommend it...especially if you want to learn more about how your favorite ride works. I have learned so much more about Vortex just by working there!!

Exicted that your coming back next year. Hopefully back to Vortex.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

[silver2005]

So with another season essentially over, I'd like to pose a question.

For those who worked at the park, is it everything you thought it would be?  Anything about it you didn't expect? Will you be returning next season or during Winterfest?

[VortexBFForever]

It was definitely exciting and worthwhile! One thing I did not expect was just how quirky/temperamental Vortex can be. It may not be as temperamental as its predecessor (the original Bat) but that doesn’t mean it’s not moody every now and then (as I found out firsthand in July...absolutely crazy July ). I actually enjoy that part of it a lot because quirks are all part of a ride’s “personality.” Working (and driving!) Vortex is literally a dream come true. WindSeeker is cool too, and I appreciate it a lot more. I’m excited to learn to drive WindSeeker next season!  

I do not know anyone who would think that I would not want to return next year. Anyone who would think that is crazy.  Apparently, I’m in a literal depression over the fact that the season is over, primarily because I have been at the park nearly every day instead of twice a month, which makes quite the difference. Plus I had faced Closing Day without a Vortex ride, something else I had never done before. (Stupid Ohio weather lol)

At least I will still get to go to the park for WinterFest, as I am a conductor on the Train! Thanksgiving break and Christmas break will be so much more fun this year.  

[whengodsaysgo]

58 minutes ago, VortexBFForever said:

It was definitely exciting and worthwhile! One thing I did not expect was just how quirky/temperamental Vortex can be. It may not be as temperamental as its predecessor (the original Bat) but that doesn’t mean it’s not moody every now and then (as I found out firsthand in July...absolutely crazy July ). I actually enjoy that part of it a lot because quirks are all part of a ride’s “personality.” Working (and driving!) Vortex is literally a dream come true. WindSeeker is cool too, and I appreciate it a lot more. I’m excited to learn to drive WindSeeker next season!  

I do not know anyone who would think that I would not want to return next year. Anyone who would think that is crazy.  Apparently, I’m in a literal depression over the fact that the season is over, primarily because I have been at the park nearly every day instead of twice a month, which makes quite the difference. Plus I had faced Closing Day without a Vortex ride, something else I had never done before. (Stupid Ohio weather lol)

At least I will still get to go to the park for WinterFest, as I am a conductor on the Train! Thanksgiving break and Christmas break will be so much more fun this year.  

I think I got in one Votex ride all season, and one 'seeker ride.  I'll have to make a point to come see you on the train!

[BaileyM912]

Working at The Great Pumpkin Fest was by the most fun I've ever had, by far. I know that's a bold statement, but I've been eager for a while now. Working Winterfest however, is out of the question for me, considering I can't work past 7. Also, Vortex and WindSeeker are awesome rides, plus they never have lines.