Preferred Parking

[BB1]

As many know, people are gobbling up the new pass deals for Kings Island. I guess someone somewhere began a rumor about Prestige getting everyone into the VIP section if one person in your party has it (That is a myth, you get two VIP passes per year for non prestige guests), coupled with the passes dropping with the benefits it basically created an influx of new passholders. This, combined with preferred parking purchases, has created a literal nightmare for the past several weeks at the park in terms of using Preferred Parking. Last weekend had a corporate outing sure, but I had to basically go around the lot several times to get a spot. Today, I circled the lot like a shark for 15 minutes trying to find a spot; it was full and there was no way I was finding a spot. This created headaches for me, but I had to park at the end of the parking lot next to the exit and walk back to the front to get in.

While walking back in, I witnessed not one but two altercations in the parking lot. One was a car was sitting waiting for another to get out, then one car sped down to get the parking spot the other car was waiting on, which led to the original waiting vehicle to speed into the spot which almost created a crash. Well, the individual who sped down to almost snatch the spot got out and walked straight to the other car's driver door and started a verbal argument over a parking spot. Yes, you read that right, an argument over a parking spot. I was watching the whole thing, as to be honest I was worried that it would lead to a physical attack. The individual, noticing I'm standing there watching, walked back to their car and drove off, but not even before she got back in her car another argument erupted in the next lane over for parking. At this point, they were yelling so loud and getting heated I went to security to report the matter as it was escalating. 

My main point is that Preferred Parking has become a serious thorn in my side and an issue for guest experience. They do not cap entry, they let people go in and circle and better yet, regular individuals who are not Prestige using the Preferred Parking benefits are using the lot with purchases. I'm at the point where I would rather see it become a Prestige exclusive to give some benefits, or for them to expand the preferred lot in one way or another as it is unattainable at this point to where people are literally getting into fights over it. 

Would love to hear some feedback/thoughts from others here as I know a few are Prestige passholders, others not but have certain views on the situation with the Preferred lot. 

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

I am shocked that there is no way for them to track how many cars are currently in the Preferred Lot and that they don't even have a "Lot Full" sign that they can put out. In my opinion, these larger parks either need to convert the lot into a Prestige Pass Lot (still with limited access) or find a new way to expand the lot while making up for the fact that you're not really getting the close parking spaces. Make it similar to the old Paramount Gold Pass lot, but with better accommodations. Covering the whole thing in solar shade structures and finding a way to regulate the amount of people that get let into that lot would do wonders for it. I don't think it should be too hard to automatically count how many cars are in the lot based on the number of pass scans coming in and the number of times the exit gate opens. 

The real answer: Limit the amount of cars who can enter the Preferred lot and stop selling the upgrade at the parking tolls entirely. All of the people who bought the Prestige Pass will be clamoring to get into that lot and some will make proper fools of themselves if given the chance.

 

The entire parking lot obviously needs a major redesign, but starting with the preferred lot and going out from there would probably add initial value and improve the overall guest experience. I've heard a sentiment that the park has made it so the trams can never easily come back, but I think any parking lot renovation would easily be able to include a new tram route that doesn't use the old route. I've got more opinions on it, but I'll save those for later.

[Coastercrush]

SIX had you reserve your preferred spot.  What's the big deal?  You are going to be walking in the park whats another couple minutes?

[BeeastFarmer]

Do you think they really care?

They have your money. I'm sure there is verbiage in the terms and conditions that allow for "availability" of spots. 

Poor Saleem. He wanted Six Flags to be the Target of the industry, not the Walmart. Now, we have sunk below Walmart, Dollar General.  We are that Mennonite store that sells expired rejects from the Amazon return pallets after they've been crushed and excreted on.

[disco2000]

If they cared they would have expanded it previously before cutting the Prestige pass price.

It is basically full already today and probably will be most days as these passholders tend to visit more.

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

I don't think they even know a problem exists beyond the fact that the Preferred lot fills up. The only associates in the parking lot are either at the main toll building or are the singular associate manning the entrance to that lot. Security seems to either always be up near the park entrance in the Handicap lot or parked out by the main tolls as well. That's why there are always cars parked in the accessibility aisles and up in the non-spaces near the bollards. Nobody is there to witness the fights and parking violations.