Too Commercialized?

[PKI Foodguy]

First there was the olympics, then all of the sports arenas and stadiums, is Kings Island next?

Remember the days of our own little park, back then it was just Kings Island. Named because of its location in kings mills and after our beloved coney island. Then before you know it Media Giant Viacom bought the park and decided to stick Paramount before the name. And while I'm not complaining about the names and themeing of our rides, I do wonder about some of the little stuff. Do we really need and official lawn care equipment provider, printer, car dealer, hotdog, film provider, etc...? Remember the days of simple restaurants. Remember when Festhaus was like a German festhaus, or the good ole Oktoberfest Gardens. Now Festhaus looks like a mini mall with all the video games everywhere, and the little pamphlets on the tables, and the signs, we'll get to the signs. And we all know I love Bubba Gumps, but they took our nice little beer garden and stuck a corporate name on it. And remember when we were adimate about only allowing hometown brand names such like Skyline and Larosas. I never thought I'd see the day that the park would have a Subway and a Starbucks. What's next Mcdonalds? And the signs, oh the signs...some of them even advertise for Meijer. What does Meijer have to do with enjoying the day at the park. Next thing you know they'll be licensing out the rides. Bank of America's Eiffel Tower, First Star's face off, Italian Job presented by Fifth Third. The Great American Tomb Raider, Cinergy Racers. Oh and what if we sold rights to P&G? Downy's Drop Zone, Cascade falls, Dawn's Delirium, Tide's Top Gun, Swiffer's Son of Beast, Foldgers Flight of Fear, The Beast by Bounty, Tampax taxi jam,

What do you think?

[King Bowser]

I see what ya mean I miss the HB characters but really I dont mind the changes because things change if I wanted to see HB so badly I would go to Universal in Orlando but if they ever put in McDonalds in PKI you can bet your top dollar I would never eat there.

[Captain Picard]

Things like official lawn care equipment provider is a paid to be there thing.

I bet BMW paid some on IJST, it's all about money. I would also think Skyline, Larosas, Graeters, Subway and so on are all paying to be there.

[PKI Foodguy]

You're right, Kings Island gives nothing away for free. And we actually run the subway and graters franchises, and we pay them a nice chunk of change to do so. My point is, do you think its becoming to commercialized. Of course we have to make money, but at the expense of losing our innocence?

[Coasterfan]

If they change my Beast oh they will pay! I dunno, I just hope it never gets that far.

[jzarley]

I think there is a lot of nostalga for a time that never really existed... Corporate sponsorship of theme park services/attractions has been around every since Walt sold the first concession to help pay for Disneyland in 1955.

Kings Island has ALWAYS had it's share of corporate sponsors. Keep in mind that the whole reason HB characters were such an important part of the early history of the park is because Taft Broadcasting owned HB, and was promoting their media property through their theme park business. (Just like Viacom is doing now...)

Looking at my 1982 Kings Island "Fun Guide" there's a list of corporate sponsors and attractions/services that have their name on them:

Chevrolet: "Celebration" and "City Rhythm" stage shows.

Coca-Cola: "Salt Water Circus" dolphin and sea lion show

Encyclopedia Britannica: "Wild Animal Safari" (it had a corporate sponsor and it still was a $1 upcharge attraction )

Firestone: "Wacky Wheels" ride in HB land

Sohio (now better known as "BP"): Sponsored the parking lot trams

Orange Crush: "Enchanted Voyage" ride in HB land.

There's always been no shortage of companies that want to pay for the right to be part of the park.

Joel

[HabloRM]

If they change my Beast oh they will pay! I dunno, I just hope it never gets that far.

It'll be Beast:Sponsored by Stella Inc.

[TRTR Guy]

Next thing you know they'll be licensing out the rides.

Already been done, such as Top Gun brought to you by Gilette Mach 3, and White Water Canyon sponsored by Huntington Bank (last year the WWC crew had Huntington Bank visors too) , then there was the John Nolan Antique cars a few years ago.

[BoddaH1994]

Right now I think things are done in good taste. I mean, having John Nolan Ford sponsor the Tiques and having Gillette sponsor Top Gun pushes it a little, but I don't think that it has become a problem.... yet.

[tubaman]

Right now I think things are done in good taste. I mean, having John Nolan Ford sponsor the Tiques and having Gillette sponsor Top Gun pushes it a little, but I don't think that it has become a problem.... yet.

I agree...for now.

[LongLiveTheSmurfRide]

When employees at Top Gun actually start handing out Mach 3 razorblades as you exit the ride, then I'll be worried. Until then, it's just money for the park. But they really shouldn't add it to themed rides, because it just kills the theming.

[jzarley]

When employees at Top Gun actually start handing out Mach 3 razorblades as you exit the ride, then I'll be worried. Until then, it's just money for the park. But they really shouldn't add it to themed rides, because it just kills the theming.

Actually...that might not be so bad. I hate paying $10 for a pack of razor blade refills!! (I always just end up buying the new razor with the three blade starter pack...)

But seriously...I agree about the themeing element. If the "commercial" can't be logically introduced as part of the theme, then it should be left out or limited to advertising not part of the ride (i.e., on the guide map).

[HomerJay]

I agree with Joel who cited the list of sponsors who have always been at KI. I remember even as a kid seeing the sign that said the Eiffel Tower was sponsored by Kodak (not sure if it is anymore). There's always been official ground maintenance equipment; that's nothing new. In fact, does anyone remember when they used to advertise pools out by KCKC? I can still remember going up the lift hill and seeing people splashing around in the pool (I don't think they were park guests. . . I think they were paid to do that).

The thing is that sponsorship (okay, save for the pool) used to be relatively quiet. You'd see names on brouchures and maybe a sign here or there by the entrance to the ride. . . and nothing big, just a sign like the ones at the Kodak Photo Op stops. Now we have the huge signs for Gilette Mach 3 (handing them out after the ride is a lot smarter than before). That doesn't bother me because, nor does seeing a Landrover or whatever by Tomb Raider. I simply realize that these rides cost a great deal of money and so the park does have to ask for sponsorship. And aside from a sign outfront, we're not really being bombarded. . . it's not like there are commercials playing in line for Tomb Raider.

But there is a part of me saddened to see a Subway at PKI. On the one hand, I realize PKI has always been home to certain franchises like LaRosa's or Skyline. . . but for me, those were always franchises that I loved to visit because I'm coming from Detroit and so they were special to Kings Island. I got to have them once a year. But I can drive a mile from my apartment and get a Subway sandwich! It destroys the illusion of getting away. Bubba Gump isn't nearly as bad because it still fits within the PKI theming. . . sort of. As for Starbucks. . . technically, I'm against it for the same reason I'm against the Subway. But I have to admit that when my energy runs low from running around the park all day, it might take an espresso to get me going

But the day I see a McDonald's or Burger King lining International Street, I'm gonna puke. . . White Castles might be okay, though :-)

[tubaman]

White Castle!

No BK or McD! I can eat there any other time. Like I am right now.

[Vortex]

Kings Island has alot of ads from day one so I don't think its a big deal. Also the ad money helps pay for the park.

Edited April 20, 2005 by Vortex

[kong fu guy]

I agree^ (3 more post)

[PKI Foodguy]

You're right, the advertising has always been there. But it used to be a little more suttle. The John Deere's or toros behind the Tower was cool. Kodak at the picture booths and in the picture oppournity spots made sense. Mach Three at Top gun, pushing it a little bit, but applicable. My point is that they are throwing more things in front of us. For instance the Dasani Village in the water park, and the big Inkdot sign by the tower. The thing that irks me the most are the big signs everywhere that flip. Sure its cool to advertise for the rides, and we all know its nice seeing a refreshing Bubba Gumps add. But I feel like this big eyesores have become intrusive. I mean look in Festhaus, do they really need nine of those things? And Meijer? The reason people come to amusement parks is to get away from the real world for a little while. But Meijer is just going to remind them of the grocery list, which is going to remind them of laundry, and soccer practice, etc...

And I used to love the fact that we only allowed regional brands into the park. Our beloved Skyline, Larosa's, and Montgomery Inn were all Cincinnati Favorites. They were ours and ours alone to share with the world who came to visit us. Graters fit in very well with this selective group of eateries. But Subway, Chickfila, and Starbucks (although we love it) feels like another intrusion of the real world sneaking into this fantasy theme park.

[Jasper]

I agree. I never went to the park when it was King's Island i dont think i might have but i would love to see it go back for just one day.

[erniebald57]

I can live with the local brands being around. They have always been a part of KI, and they are good, so who can argue with KI supporting the local businesses. There have always been corporate sponsors to help pay the bills, so as long as promotion is done in a tasteful manner, it's no big deal. I really don't care to see Subway in the park, or even Starbucks for that matter. The reason for that is this. I have always thought that amusement/theme parks were supposed to be another world, and bringing in giant corporate chains like Subway, Starbucks or God forbid....McDonalds, is what I would call compromising the originality and personality of the park for the sake of money. In other words, it's called selling out. If you want a sub place, than create one yourself. Coffee is a little different, so the Starbucks deal can slide a little. Theme parks are one of the ultimate forms of escapism, and nothing brings me back down to the real world faster than a giant billboard advertisement or a corporate fast food joint. We are bombarded with products and ads every day, and the last thing Kings Island needs to be is a giant commercial. I understand the need to make money, but in a world of too many commercials and shameless plugs, it's nice to go somewhere where those things don't exist.

[Player]

They are going to use a character like Mr. Six!

[PKI Foodguy]

If you want a sub place, than create one yourself.

We had one, it was called "All Star". And our subs are still available in Festhaus.

[TQZ]

So you give the advertisers more publicity by complaining about them. No one seems to get that concept --especially the media-- make your advert controversial and then you get free advertisement.

Honestly though, other than Top Gun, do you really pay attention to the advertisements? I am there to ride rides. So what if they put adverts on stuff. I dont hear you complaining about billboards or anything else...

Look now, where we have TiVo to help reduce commercials. What do we do? We incorporate a brand right into the script. Where when you are watching a show, and all you see is the Coke brand. Or watching King of Queens and they go to LOWES -- not a hardware store -- LOWES. They have the lows bag and everything... Its obvious.

You just cant get away from commercials. Just think of it this way. Commercials help cut the cost for many things. If commercials werent in the park, expect your ticket prices to raise 5 bucks. Who knows what the real figure would be, but it would be there. Businesses are out to make money.

[Kenban]

About the whole Meijer sign thing. The reason is actually pretty simple they sell PKI tickets and season passes. In addition to that Meijer puts up signs in the stores advertising PKI. I remember a 10 foot tall stand up last summer at my local Meijer with little plastic cards you could take to a checkout to purchase a PKI season pass. Also listen to the PKI ads at the end they say you can purchase tickets at PKI.com the park or your local Meijer store (I might be a little off on the wording). I have also seen Meijer ads that say you can purchase park tickets at the store.

Its just a simple case of two companies advertising for each other. I suspect Meijer makes very little if anything off the ticket sales the whole idea is to drive customers into the stores and to advertise the stores.

Also I am pretty sure the park had an official lawn care company before Paramount purchased the park. Disney already has a McDonalds (actually more then one). For a few Disney examples in Epcot alone we have the GM Test Track, the Exxon world of energy, and of course the AT&T technology area. Normally other then sticking the name in front of the ride name or sticking presented by X the name stays the same.

Really it does not bother me too much because I know it enables the park to have a higher revenue. The more money the park makes the more that will be spent on the park. Companies paying part of the bill for a ride can make it so a ride instead of being a 10 million dollar ride could be a 15 million dollar ride. Or maybe the park can spend the money from a sponsorship in other areas like adding a new flat ride.

[PKI Foodguy]

OK guys, we all understand the financial piece ot the puzzle. The question is, is PKI becoming too commercialized? Are there too many Sponsors and national brand name restaurants? And those darn signs...who else hates those signs littering up our park? I mean, we all know about Boomerang Bay, Gold passes, and Bubba Gumps! Do they really need scrolling signs everywhere to remind us?

[erniebald57]

I don't have to pay any attention to advertisement at PKI, because they have for the most part done a good job of making advertisement a non intrusive thing at the park. It isn't much of a problem for me now. I just don't want to see it get out of hand like it has at places like Disney. I fully understand the need for sponsors and advertisement because they help to pay the bills and make money for the park (there has been a laundry list of official sponsors for years). Outside ticket deals with local business are important, and promotion and marketing is imperative to park success However when it comes to the inside of the park, I think there is something to be said for providing a environment of escape that is pure, original, and free of intrusive crass commercialism.

I think that having the local brands around the park is great. It gives them exposure to those who aren't from the area, and provides great food, but does the world really need another McDonalds or Subway? Does Gillette really need to have another gigantic billboard? Does anyone here really like four minutes of commercials every ten minutes on TV and the radio? I guess I view the theme park experience as sacred, and something that doesn't need to be invaded by excessive commercials, billboards, and chain fast food restaurants.

[King Bowser]

^^ Thats because Disney and McDonalds are''Married'' why do you think MCD's has Disney Channel happy meals and Burger King doesnt.

[KIBeast]

I think I'm in agreement with erniebald. I, for one, don't want to see any more commercial "billboards" (for lack of a better word) pop up in the park. It is a distraction and quickly reminds me of the crappy over-commmericalized world that we live in. Can we not do something without having to look at these? Ridiculous.

[Scooby_Doo]

This reminds me of the episode of The Simpsons when they have to commmericalize there church because homer burnt it down by letting barts rocket go outta control.

[PKI Foodguy]

I think I'm confusing you guys, I love having the regional brands in the park. Its the national brands that I worry about.

[KIBeast]

That is what I was really referring to as well. Meijer is one thing, Gilette is a whole other story.