Annoying habits of guests

[MarketingExpress]

My first experiance with metal detectors at a park was many years ago, first a Kennywood, and then later that year at PKD.

My first impression was, "What happened hear that they now need this type of security?!?" Quite honestly, it made me nervous at first.

While the detectors may be an effective deterrant, they in no way prevent anything. A person could get anything into the park at anytime. Granted, you have to do some creative thinking, but it would not be hard. Oh yeah, I forgeot to mention that a person that would want to bring in (a weapon in this case) has to be rather sick in the head.

Is the park safer that the detectors are there? Sure it is somewhat safer. I also believe that when any establishment tries on promoting security that is easily seen (for this discussion, the detectors), it also promotes someone who is rather imbalanced to try and do something just to see if they can get away with it. It is kind of like waving a red flag in front of a bull.

What happened that they now need this type of security?

Obviously the September 11, 2001 attacks had a key role in this. Lets all face it, if 8 guys were able to walk on to a plane, hijack it, and fly 3 planes into buildings to make their point then walking into a crowded amusement park with 25,000+ guests and lets say 3,500+ emplyees would be a piece of cake.

Any employee up at the park could tell you that at one point or another you come across that guest who just fell off of their rocker because of something minor like their kid being just a bit to short to ride The Beast or their fries aren't hot enough. They get mad and go into a rage. It is usually in this rage when that person reacts in ways that they normally wouldn't. Well, without metal detectors in place, who's to say that someone in their rage remembers that they have a knife in their backback, or even worse a gun pulls it out and holds the crew hostage or hurts someone because some employee was doing their job.

Now your other point that you made about them getting it in if they really want to. Ok, there are 2 ways to look at this. Some punk teenager who wants to sneak in a pocket knife to impress his friend and win a bet. Chances are the metal detector will pick that up and he can pick it up when he leaves. People who really want to get something into the park to cause bodily harm will not be stopped by a metal detector or the security at the front gate. The chances of that happening are probably .0001%. The point of the metal detectors is to catch people who are trying to sneak weapons or other items into the park that shouldn't be there.

Metal detectors create a safer atmosphere both for guests and for employees alike.

[Browntggrr]

What happened that they now need this type of security?

Obviously the September 11, 2001 attacks had a key role in this.

Metal detectors create a safer atmosphere both for guests and for employees alike.

And prior to 9/11? Like I said, many years ago.

If you wanted to get a gun into any park that had detectors, it would not be difficult, like I said, creative thinking. Toss the gun over the fence. A measly chain-link does not prevent that much (please refer to US- Mexico border). And chances are, even at a park that does not have detectors at the front, this is still the easiest way of getting a weapon into the park.

How about when there are special events? Going through the employee entrance is convienant, just not exactly with security in mind. And how about vendors dropping items off at the park, are they checked out?

Sorry, detectors look great. And may be effective in some situations, just not at an amusement park. There are areas that are too easily accessible that a person could get to unnoticed.

Granted, you have to be a really sick person to even try and do something. But to have a secure environment, everything needs to be secure. Not just the people in the park that went through the front gate.

[scotty]

Something to chew on...

Kings Island has metal detectors, and they have been in use for some time.

Geauga Lake had them when it was Six Flags, and they wee removed when Cedar Fair took over.

Cedar Point draws a large percentage of its attendance from Detroit, one of the most dangerous and crime infested cities in the country, yet they never have had metal detectors.

Makes you wonder sometimes....

[Browntggrr]

^ I was thinking about the same thing about Detroit.

The only rational thing that I can come up with is even though many from the Detroit area are guests at CP, CP is in Sandusky, not near Detroit. If CP was 20 miles from the city, there would probably be detectors. I guess being 115 miles from Detroit makes the CF officials feel that is a long enough distance for the violent element not to show up at the park.

I kind of felt that way when I traveled to Detroit for robot training. Auburn Hills was far enough away from the city where I did not feel threatened- at least the part that I was in. But when I went downtown to one of the casinos, to put it mildly, I did not feel like I was in Kanas anymore.

[odettekitrigisele]

Ryan and I had this Wednesday. People who stand in line and tell others people fell out of the ride and died, in line for the ride.

Ha. When I first read that I left out the comma in "died, in line" and it read in my head as "people fell out of the line for this ride and died" to me. I may just have some form of lexdysia.

But you definetly hear those supposidly true stories a lot.

I have noticed that, I try to keep from laughing when I hear people standing in a line saying "You know five people died on this ride."

I just want to say " They did not! Quit freaking your kids out!"

I was at KI June 12 with my friend and the line rumors did not occur. This was refreshing but the basketball bouncers were there!

[Firehawk Freak]

i dont mind the basetballs but the fat people in tight shorts, bikini, no shirt, or whatever cover it up PLEASE! I understand some of it like in Boomarang bay u have to wear a swimsuit I hate when you ride a ride with someone you do not know and they take up the whole armrest or when putting there arms up during the ride continue to hit you in the face! The spitters in line who hit you with there luigis I got hit by a nice big one last year in line for SOB and I was not happy. I hate the people who throw money, Passes, ID's, trash or whatever on rides scenery or anything they feel cool doing The mean employees annoy me when i went Tuesday I was the last ride on The Beast and we had fun talking to the employee in the room props to him and when we got back we chanted "One More Time" and they employee looked at me rolled his eyes and yelled NO we have to go home too I hate the Flip Flop people I dont like hearing CLAP CLAP CLAP every second I hate the people who when there is an open seat ride by themselves because they dont want to ride with someone else I dont mind the rail seating though when you're a little tired from a whole day at KI but when they climb on them or when employees tell them to stop that is not cool I hate the people who rumble the gates of a ride

[Raptor66]

I hate it when people refuse to use punctuation. That was painful to read.

[Firehawk Freak]

I hate it when people refuse to use punctuation. That was painful to read.

Sorry

[welchce]

7) People who refer to rides with the word "The" in front of the name, even if it's not appropriate (ie The Son of The Beast, The Firehawk, The Flight of Fear).

These people are probably from TOSU (The Ohio State University).

[tubaman]

Just today, some a**hole got the bright idea to spit on Vortex-guess who was the lucky recipient.....

Something similar happend to my friend at SFoG. We are walking to the exit of the park, as it is about to close. Well, we cross right under their chair/ski lift ride, and guess what happens. My friend stops us and is like "Guys, look at my shirt."

Well, somebody spit what looked to be tobacco onto his shirt from up above. He wasn't very happy.

[Coasterfan]

The spitting on rides is what really gets to me. I can't even remember how many times I got hit in the face on The Beast last year by someones flying spit-wad. Hasn't happened this year though.

[PKIVortex]

I have never gotten spit on. But I have had Icee spit on my while in the TR:TR line. I was mad I had a white shirt on. I let the girls know too. LOL, this was several years ago.

[James78]

Years ago I was on Adventure Express riding in the back, when the people a few seats up thought it would be good to throw up their cup of water guess who got hit with the cup. It was just a little plastic cup, but still if you can't hold on to things while you ride then don't take them on the ride. I almost took some sunglasses to the face on The Beast once but I was lucky enough to dodge those. The only thing I've been hit with on TR:TR is change that people think will magically stay in their pockets.

[WooferBearATL]

Just today, some a**hole got the bright idea to spit on Vortex-guess who was the lucky recipient.....

Something similar happend to my friend at SFoG. We are walking to the exit of the park, as it is about to close. Well, we cross right under their chair/ski lift ride, and guess what happens. My friend stops us and is like "Guys, look at my shirt."

Well, somebody spit what looked to be tobacco onto his shirt from up above. He wasn't very happy.

I swear it was not me.

I never spit off the rides.

[Jasper]

7) People who refer to rides with the word "The" in front of the name, even if it's not appropriate (ie The Son of The Beast, The Firehawk, The Flight of Fear).

These people are probably from TOSU (The Ohio State University).

Same here i cannot stand those people. This is a different example but at Cedar Point when people are like lets go ride The Magnum or The Mantis.

[tubaman]

Just today, some a**hole got the bright idea to spit on Vortex-guess who was the lucky recipient.....

Something similar happend to my friend at SFoG. We are walking to the exit of the park, as it is about to close. Well, we cross right under their chair/ski lift ride, and guess what happens. My friend stops us and is like "Guys, look at my shirt."

Well, somebody spit what looked to be tobacco onto his shirt from up above. He wasn't very happy.

I swear it was not me.

I never spit off the rides.

I would never think of you, even though I really don't know you, to be the type to do that. People on forums like these generally have better things to do, and are a little more intelligent than whoever did it.

[bparrott03]

Things that erk me.

People chewing gum (big wads mind you) and spit it right in front of you. Ok, I really dont want your dirty mouth germs on me. I don't know you! You could have some gross diease! (not to pun anyone)

Hawkin' Lugies with the Kin folk in line. (this happened to me at Cedar Point)Please do NOT spit while sitting, standing, walking, or whatever it is people do to the metal railings. Its bad enough you broke a rule and wont stop, and we must listen to the ride op get tired of saying "get your butt down", but thats not enough! theres nothing like topping that wonderful experience off with stepping in a pool of your freshly made salaiva. YUM! My all time favorite! (esp. when you drop your wallet, and it lands RIGHT there!)

I am down for PDA, as long as you respect others when showing affection. Holding hands, and a few kisses are cool with me.. But when the humping and sucking face comes on, I just want to embarass the crap out of you. Heh.

Also, Ladies... Ladies.. Ladies... (my friend did this, and I got on to her about it). I mean I know it is hot outside.. But when your "Lady lumps (as fergie said" are coming out of your top.. I think its time for a sweater your Great Grandmother made you. You know, the one with love in every stich (spongebob).

I really dont like that I feel that I can't take my little cousins to the water park, or anywhere out of Nickeloden Universe because a bunch of girls are letting things pop out that shouldnt.

Also.. Guys.. I know fads are fads.. Im young.. I dont like tight pants either.. But I really dont like being about to see your entire buttox when going to the park because your waistline in your pants are down past your knees.

Why even wear pants then? doesnt that defeat the purpose?

I hate eating at Festhouse because people like to cut in line.

I would always eat at the old WIngs diner instead. It was rarely packed.. Plus they had Montgomery inn!

I'm not trying to be rude or offend anyone, by any means nessicary. (I kant spel. I kno!)

[Raptor66]

Urg. Just got back from KI. Had a great time and all like I usually do, but it really ticked me off when some smart-ass teenager, (and I'm a teenager myself) thought it would be fun to grope me from the seat behind me nearly the entire duration of The Beast. Perfectly good ride spoiled because of him. People like him REALLY but me in a bad mood!

[PKIVortex]

Something else that bugs me. Your a single rider and you go to sit down, just to find the person behind you sitting beside you, and they don't even ask if it's okay if they ride with you. I know some rides you can't help this on such as IJST and Firehawk.

[RWildman424]

Something else that bugs me. Your a single rider and you go to sit down, just to find the person behind you sitting beside you, and they don't even ask if it's okay if they ride with you. I know some rides you can't help this on such as IJST and Firehawk.

I did that exact thing on Magnum-XL today. I can see where you are coming from. As soon as he saw me the small little smile went off his face and I felt bad. I would have gotten back off but the gates were closed...Oh well. It was still a good ride.

Today I witnesed a boob on Maverick(if it won't stay in, wear more clothexessive cussinging), Smoking in lines, boxers, lots of boxers, people stopping in the paths, line jumping, lots of sticky spots on the ground where people can't hold on to their drinks (its not that hard to hold on to your drink, now I understand a bump and accidental spill, but they were everywhere today!!!) and thats just all I can remember right now.

[James78]

Something else that bugs me. Your a single rider and you go to sit down, just to find the person behind you sitting beside you, and they don't even ask if it's okay if they ride with you. I know some rides you can't help this on such as IJST and Firehawk.

I've had that happen to me a few times. What makes it really bad is when they forget their RightGuard. If I'm by myself I usually wait another turn because chances are I don't want to ride with them as much as they don't want to ride with me. I have no problem if someone asks. I've asked once this year. It was crowded and my day was cut short. The person was nice and didn't mind though so it was cool.

[Vortexlover2]

okay, well this didn't happen at Kings Island, but its still really stipid.

One time I was at Cedar Point and the dragster had been closed all day, so when it finnaly opened we went to get in line, which wasn't alloud in the que yet. We were about the 50th people in line. So when they open the ride, and people start filling the que we have to stop and wait while someone in my group checked if he was skinny enought to fit in the seat.

Well, he wasn't skinny enough so he stood up, and told us to give him our cell phones and stuff, because we were just going to put them in zipper pockets. So we gave them to him, but it took about 20 seconds.

Durring that 20 seconds a lot of people thought it would be okay to pass us. So when we started moving forward again we were about 75th in line. Then the people who were behind us at that point accused US of line jumping. We calmly explained to them what happened.

They swore at us and demanded we let their group pass. We didn't want to cause trouble, so we let them. THAT was a bad idea, because after that we were about 100th in line.

Another thing I hate is when people sit next to you without asking and then cover your face for the on-ride-photo that you were going to buy.

Also, I once saw a shirt that said something along the lines of "GET OUTA MY WAY YOU ******* *****"

vl2

[Firehawk Freak]

7) People who refer to rides with the word "The" in front of the name, even if it's not appropriate (ie The Son of The Beast, The Firehawk, The Flight of Fear).

These people are probably from TOSU (The Ohio State University).

Instead of saying the when it is a voul you are supposed to use Thee instead of the and they did that to seperathe them from the The Oklahoma State University.

[PhantomTheater]

My complaint is that when I go to put something in the bins, I have come back to find my seat taken by some idiot. Then they get angry when I try to tell them to step back.

[Browntggrr]

If I'm by myself I usually wait another turn because chances are I don't want to ride with them as much as they don't want to ride with me. I have no problem if someone asks.

Why should someone have to ask to sit in a seat that is next to yours? You don't own the seat. I would rather see a full train cycle than a train with single riders in multiple seats.

If the ride operators do not attempt to fill all the seats, that only means longer waits for the people behind you.

My wife and I are still using the parent swap program. We understand that chances are, we will not ride together. Most times, both of us will get multiple dirty looks from guests that do not understand the program. The last thing I would ever do is have another single rider wait an extra cycle because I am not willing to let them sit down unless they ask.

[The Interpreter]

And heaven help James78 when he gets to Kennywood. There, being a single rider on Thunderbolt (and this once included Jack Rabbit) is NOT a possibility. You won't ride UNTIL you find a partner. On light days, the park may help you find one. On busy days, you are frequently on your own to do so.

On really busy days, the park normally does not dispatch ANY ride with an empty seat. Cedar Point has been known to do this, too.

More than once I have been at Kennywood apparently alone (actually my riding partner was in a shop or restroom) and been desperately approached:

Please ride with me!

[WooferBearATL]

Ohhhh, that's really bad customer service.

It's been a while since I've been to Kennywood. They used to be really focused on good customer service. That's kinda sad.

[Vortexlover2]

On really busy days, the park normally does not dispatch ANY ride with an empty seat. Cedar Point has been known to do this, too.

Not when I've been there! I rode Raptor and we only had 3 chairs filled, they dispatched it. My dad rode Magnum without a partner. The person in front of me rode TTD alone. We didn't need a 4th rider for demon drop. We didn't need someone next to me on iron draggon or corkscrew (not sure if that's spelled right...)

But the whole sitting next to you without asking thing probably really bugs alot of people because of that whole riding with a stranger thing. I don't really like sitting there for 2-3 minutes with someone I don't know.

Also, I agree with phantom theater about the bins.

[Browntggrr]

But the whole sitting next to you without asking thing probably really bugs alot of people because of that whole riding with a stranger thing. I don't really like sitting there for 2-3 minutes with someone I don't know.

Not to start a big pi$$ing contest, but where do you get the authority to decide if someone gets to ride with you or not?

Everyone paid to get into the park. They have as much right to ride as you do.

Also, why is is uncomfortable to ride with someone you don't know? Keep an open mind, you could find a person that is rather unique and become good friends.

This whole thing reminds me of the Looney Toon cartoon where Bugs is with Christopher Columbus and they find the New Land.

CC sticks his flag into the ground and says "No Bugs Bunny, this is my land!" (or something like that)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hare_We_Go

[WooferBearATL]

It is an issue and there are some people that would be very uncomfortable being placed into that situation.

I've met some that would actually have a panic attack in just such a situation.

Seems that a park would be opening itself up to litigation in such a situation.