Park Ambassadors Cut In 2024

[BoddaH1994]

It is widely being reported on social media that the park ambassadors were told that their positions were being eliminated this year. Unfortunately, this appears to be affirming that, as predicted, there will be very noticeable budget cuts for this season.  
 

As I imagine that many of them may not be returning for other positions, I want to thank all of the ambassadors from the past few years. You guys are great! 

[SonofBaconator]

I know you’re going to get budget cuts with mergers across the board but I hope this isn’t the theme of the new company for the rest of the decade.

[chad_1138]

If true, this is absolutely disgusting.  We had one ambassador take care of us when one of our boys got a really bad nosebleed after riding The Beast a couple of years ago.  He stayed with us in the restroom, made sure we were taken care of, and then even gave us a free front of the line pass for our family after all was okay.  These are the types of interactions that guests remember.  If the ambassadors are truly gone, a piece of what makes Kings Island special, at least for my family, is now gone.  A very sad day.

[RedSummit20]

1 hour ago, chad_1138 said:

If true, this is absolutely disgusting.  We had one ambassador take care of us when one of our boys got a really bad nosebleed after riding The Beast a couple of years ago.  He stayed with us in the restroom, made sure we were taken care of, and then even gave us a free front of the line pass for our family after all was okay.  These are the types of interactions that guests remember.  If the ambassadors are truly gone, a piece of what makes Kings Island special, at least for my family, is now gone.  A very sad day.

they are gone, they were told last night...sadly. I can confirm at 2 of them im good friends with. 

[IndyGuy4KI]

Very disappointed to hear this. I think they did an amazing job and really helped people have a better day. 

[SonofBaconator]

I’m just worried about attractions down the road. Are CF parks going to get Larson Loops, and other six flags esque installs?

[BoddaH1994]

14 minutes ago, SonofBaconator said:

I’m just worried about attractions down the road. Are CF parks going to get Larson Loops, and other six flags esque installs?

Distinct possibility.

[Sonofbeast2.0]

I used to be an Ambassador a few years back. And I can tell you it was the most fun, rewarding, and sometimes challenging job ever. But it was the best job I've ever had.

 

The Ambassadors played a big part in many of the things in the park. Some of the things being if a ride was a go down with guest on it, the Ambassadors are one of the first to respond to it. To not only make sure everyone is okay but if it took longer than expected to take care of the guess as well. They also helped with the family for the tree lighting ceremony, helped with the parades, helped with cleaning throughout the park, giving random acts of kindness to the guests, If you were a lost kid and hungry  we would take them to Family Care and offer to get them some chicken tenders or pizza, or if all your supplies went missing and had no way to pay for food now, we would take care of that, they used to do a family of the day a few years back, they used to choose a family to light the fireworks at the end of the day, find families for a special pizza party with Snoopy at the end of the night, and if an associate needed water or help/supervisor, usually an Ambassador stepped in. Just to name a few things.

 

One of the most rememberable experiences for me was there was this little girl who just hit the 48in and it was just her and her mom. The little girl did not want to ride by herself and the mom did not want to go with her as she is not too big into roller coasters. At the time, we were allowed to ride with guest, so it was a wonderful opportunity that I got to take the girl up the exit of a couple rides, and get a ride photo print out for her from The Beast. It wasn't even so much about me having fun or trying to enjoy that experience. It was that I know that guest absolutely loved it. She actually gave me a hug afterwards...

 

I will truly miss the Ambassadors and what they did for the park... The program/role ran from 2013-2023.

[jdf21972]

These Rockstars were the true superheroes of the park. Lost in the park? they knew where that ride or food stand is located. Stuck on a ride? they were there to assist with a bottle of water or ride exit pass to help with the issue of guest services. They were around the park talking and interacting with guests making sure they have the best day ever! They helped with parades, handing out maps (when they had them) , help a family make their day by getting a front row ride, or ice cream fell off the cone, they would get you a new cone. just a great guest service department that was a great success and hopefully will return in the future. 

[CoasterJack]

19 minutes ago, SonofBaconator said:

I’m just worried about attractions down the road. Are CF parks going to get Larson Loops, and other six flags esque installs?

 

I think even SIX learned their lesson about Larson Loops . Though I thought they learned their lesson from Skyline Attractions...

 

  Unfortunately these things are always a byproduct of mergers. On paper, especially from a corporate accounting standpoint, it's an obvious place to cut cost. It's easier for corperate to make cuts when they don't personally see the impact of certain positions. But the financial numbers don't take into account the impact on guest experience. I've had many wonderful experiences with these ambassadors willing to help in any circumstances, so I'm sad to see them cut, and hope any workers affected can find meaningful positions elsewhere in the park or in the industry.

  My look is still hopefully optimistic for this merger. I think in the long term it'll be good, but in the short term it's gonna be rough. I see lots of cost cutting to payoff the debt, scanning to see where spending can be trimmed. I can see parks going without some major attraction investment for a period, but what really matters is that things are maintained well. These rides are some of the parks biggest assets, and letting things fall into disrepair will only hurt them more in the long run. Additionally, you can only trim staff so much. Going with less experienced full-timers because they're cheaper doesn't always help in the long run either . People are truly the greatest asset to a brand/company, not just the tangible assets.

Here's to a hopeful future in which some of these wonderful people and positions can return. Ambassadors were the true stewards of the park experience...

[PKIDelirium]

Ultimately, CF is the controlling stake of the merger and very little of existing SF corporate will remain. CF rejected SF when an offer was made that would have been the other way around, but agreed with this.

I'm not expecting cookie-cutter cheap carnival rides like the Larson Loops, at least one park has already removed theirs, although down the road it's possible that the DC Comics IP could come into use.

[DonHelbig]

23 hours ago, PKIDelirium said:

Ultimately, CF is the controlling stake of the merger and very little of existing SF corporate will remain. CF rejected SF when an offer was made that would have been the other way around, but agreed with this.

I'm not expecting cookie-cutter cheap carnival rides like the Larson Loops, at least one park has already removed theirs, although down the road it's possible that the DC Comics IP could come into use.

Controlling stake doesn’t mean they’re going to be making all the calls on how the parks will run, all of the personnel decisions. 

[disco2000]

1 hour ago, DonHelbig said:

Controlling stake doesn’t mean they’re going to be making all the calls on how the parks will run, all of the personnel decisions. 

Exactly!!!

Plus their "controlling stake" isn't but a few percentage points.

Further the board initially is split equal numbers between the two companies and it will only take one CF board member to side with SIX on an item or agenda or whatever and the "controlling stake" is tossed out the window....

And the Chief Integration Officer assigned to develop plans to bring the two organizations together is a SIX employee....so when the decision is made on who to put where, this person is going to go with who they are comfortable with and have an established working relationship with...and that will be a SIX employee.  Sure some CF folks will get some key positions, but whenever there is room for an either/or, human nature will be for the Chief Integration Officer to put in a SIX employee that they have a working relationship with.

[3dgyrat]

so being the ambassador position is no longer a thing, im guessing that means ki isnt going to be as pleasant of an experience. maybe for just me atleast. i saw them around everywhere and often times since me and my friends are fascinated by coasters and how theyre built, designed, marketed, etc, we would talk to the ambassadors frequently. always nice people. my season cups got stolen last year because i couldnt afford a locker to put them in when getting on Mystic Timbers, so the ambassador i talked to went and had my season cup transferred to the season long paper cup pass, but still gave me two season cups since they were actually my family's. i have nothing but good things to say about ambassadors. 

i do remember last summer seeing an ambassador and manager escort someone out of The Beast line that was threatening to fight someone who wouldnt move in line since there was a giant vomit spot in front of them that they didnt wanna risk slipping in trying to jump over it. was probably the funniest encounter ive had 

[disco2000]

Maybe the responsibility will fall under the PR team to be out and about more and talking to guests 

[Taylor.B03]

2024 is the year of the budget cut. Hours, PR (though it happened mid 23), Ambassadors, Events, Hourly pay. What's next?

[beastfan11]

26 minutes ago, Taylor.B03 said:

2024 is the year of the budget cut. Hours, PR (though it happened mid 23), Ambassadors, Events, Hourly pay. What's next?

They’re gonna cut an extra 50 feet from the first  Orion drop to reclassify it as a hyper. 

[super7]

This merger will definitely not be improving any park, and it definitely will not uplift the Six Flags parks to Cedar Fair level.   Cedar Fair Parks will end up in the same gutter as the Six Flags parks….. the worst run theme parks in the world.

They have been using a Six Flags pricing strategy for years   These cheap season passes and meal plans are just going to end up with wonderful theme parks absolutely gutted by budget cuts

 

[Benjamin22]

Yikes, terrible sign for the future of the park. Grateful I grew up going to the park pre-covid so I got to experience that Version rather then whatever this is.

[BeeastFarmer]

2023 was truly a let down, but for perspective...2022 was arguably the BEST season for Kings Island.  So there's that. 

The park ambassadors were a true asset, but in doing their job flawlessly, they were largely invisible.  I do think it's a portence of things to come.

 

In fairness though...Cedar Fair historically runs great parks. I dont think 2024 will be anything close to the terrible Viacom/ CBS years. 

 

[super7]

21 hours ago, BeeastFarmer said:

2023 was truly a let down, but for perspective...2022 was arguably the BEST season for Kings Island.  So there's that. 

The park ambassadors were a true asset, but in doing their job flawlessly, they were largely invisible.  I do think it's a portence of things to come.

 

In fairness though...Cedar Fair historically runs great parks. I dont think 2024 will be anything close to the terrible Viacom/ CBS years. 

 

In 21 they had an attendance increase because everyone had been shut in for a year. In early 22 they were still running the parks with the 21 mindset. 
 

it was mid 22 when Cedar Fair decided they wanted to chase off more customers budgets everywhere possible. And then 23 was nothing but that. 
 

The company is filled with executives that only care about filling their own pockets in the short run and will do anything to do that. They don’t care about increasing attendance in the long run.
 

Matt Ouimet is gone. He was the reason Cedar Fair parks were run correct a few years 

[BoddaH1994]

17 hours ago, super7 said:

In 21 they had an attendance increase because everyone had been shut in for a year. In early 22 they were still running the parks with the 21 mindset. 
 

it was mid 22 when Cedar Fair decided they wanted to chase off more customers budgets everywhere possible. And then 23 was nothing but that. 
 

The company is filled with executives that only care about filling their own pockets in the short run and will do anything to do that. They don’t care about increasing attendance in the long run.
 

Matt Ouimet is gone. He was the reason Cedar Fair parks were run correct a few years 

I don’t think that’s a fair statement. I think the budget cuts are necessary. With mergers, debt, etc it just has to be done. Where I have a problem is the lack of transparency. They may add hours in the future? Yeah right. They gutted the VIP Lounge because people were stealing? Uh hu. Don’t tell me it’s a desk lamp when I can clearly see that it’s an end table. 

[Stoan]

I have already warned my children for 2025. CF and by association Kings Island has been removing and cutting back in droves while increasing my prices. Last year was really teetering on the edge of "worth it" on most aspects aside from just a plain gold pass, and this year will really determine if they have fallen off the edge. I've cut back on most things that I don't use consistently which is just the park in a general sense. Very little effort in "perceived" gains for these increased costs. Honestly with the jokes we make about the VIP area, the prestige pass is actually probably my most used feature.

It was perplexing and infuriating seeing some of my favorite rides go from setups that could run with 1 person, but could swap in a 2nd or 3rd if it was busy being ran the entire season with 1. Then those same ride essentially had the fences remodeled to completely remove the possibility of getting an extra operator (looking at you Dodge'ems). They are making more cuts to the rides group which will most definitely impact the flat rides my family and I enjoy the most. This feels like yet another example of Hannibal and Eric Andre meme. They cut back on flat rides, so less people want to / can ride them, so ridership goes down, so they cut back more because now it is overstaffed, so less people go on them. What a confusing consequence, why would our visitors not want to wait longer in artificially lengthened lines for rides that I am almost positive that they have also lowered the actual ride duration of as well.

Either way, ranting cut short, cutting back on Customer Service in a business who's business is almost entirely Customer Relations is not a good sign. Either in terms of a business's health, or simply their care for their customers. Going a bit extremist, if unfortunately seems like CF is taking a hard look at simply being bean counters, and not an enjoyable experience.

[CorkscrewMcPuke]

Been getting some General Motors vibes from CF this past year. I am nervous about what rides may come to be the Pontiac or Oldsmobile of Kings Island.

[kirbias1]

Does anyone know if Cedar Point's Park Ambassador program has been cut?

 

[Orion-XL200]

1 hour ago, kirbias1 said:

Does anyone know if Cedar Point's Park Ambassador program has been cut?

 

Have not heard, but they had the employees in the kiosks throughout the park that they brought back during the 150 celebration.

[kirbias1]

11 hours ago, Orion-XL200 said:

Have not heard, but they had the employees in the kiosks throughout the park that they brought back during the 150 celebration.

Yeah, they won't cut it at CP. Just like they didn't cut CPs operation calendar like they did at KI. Just like they didn't issue a chaperone policy at CP like they did at KI  (even though CP does have issues with fights and line cutting as well). Etc.... 

[DJSkyFoxx]

All of these cuts sort of make me wonder if renewing is worth it this year. On one hand, I want to. As a lover of KI and other CF parks, I want to be able to know I have the ability to go whenever I want and enjoy them as needed. But on the same token, seeing the cuts in areas that could affect the guest experience makes me leery what other things might get cut throughout the season. Seeing important positions get cut is heartbreaking for a myriad of reasons. I never had a reason or need for a park ambassador on my visits, but knowing that they helped make such a positive difference for so many people's days is a terrible loss to be had. And seeing the wage cuts I feel will impact staffing numbers as well as the quality of staff. You go from paying folks $18-20 an hour back down to the $14-15 an hour range...that is going to turn a lot of possible prospects away. All these cuts and yet the prices for things remains at a premium. I guess I will decide by April if I will renew. I feel sad for saying that, but if I am going to drop the coin on a fully loaded pass I want to be certain I am willing to accept any further cuts that will inevitably be seen/felt throughout this season. I feel sad saying that as a passholder since 2010. But this is the reality. 

[RedSummit20]

1 hour ago, DJSkyFoxx said:

All of these cuts sort of make me wonder if renewing is worth it this year. On one hand, I want to. As a lover of KI and other CF parks, I want to be able to know I have the ability to go whenever I want and enjoy them as needed. But on the same token, seeing the cuts in areas that could affect the guest experience makes me leery what other things might get cut throughout the season. Seeing important positions get cut is heartbreaking for a myriad of reasons. I never had a reason or need for a park ambassador on my visits, but knowing that they helped make such a positive difference for so many people's days is a terrible loss to be had. And seeing the wage cuts I feel will impact staffing numbers as well as the quality of staff. You go from paying folks $18-20 an hour back down to the $14-15 an hour range...that is going to turn a lot of possible prospects away. All these cuts and yet the prices for things remains at a premium. I guess I will decide by April if I will renew. I feel sad for saying that, but if I am going to drop the coin on a fully loaded pass I want to be certain I am willing to accept any further cuts that will inevitably be seen/felt throughout this season. I feel sad saying that as a passholder since 2010. But this is the reality. 

TBH i know the cuts and prices going up suck but also ive been going there my whole life, nothing will stop me from going, even if i dont agree with an option the park makes, theres nothing we can do about it. Just cause you say youre not going to go, thats not going to affect the park at all if 1 person dont go. I love Kings Island and alway have. So i will support the park by getting  a pass every year and making memories. Does it suck some of my good friends dont work there anymore, yes, yes it stinks. But theres nothing you or i can do about it. I feel bad for them 2 of the park ambassadors were good friends of mine. But day in and day out is a business decision. Good luck and hope you return to Ki!   

[robintodd]

43 minutes ago, RedSummit20 said:

TBH i know the cuts and prices going up suck but also ive been going there my whole life, nothing will stop me from going, even if i dont agree with an option the park makes, theres nothing we can do about it. Just cause you say youre not going to go, thats not going to affect the park at all if 1 person dont go. I love Kings Island and alway have. So i will support the park by getting  a pass every year and making memories. Does it suck some of my good friends dont work there anymore, yes, yes it stinks. But theres nothing you or i can do about it. I feel bad for them 2 of the park ambassadors were good friends of mine. But day in and day out is a business decision. Good luck and hope you return to Ki!   

Totally agree.  Part of this is the result of the passes being extended an additional year.  CF won me when they made that decision as early as they did.  Season passes are still the best deal around for the money.