Mikewhy Posted October 4, 2005 Share Posted October 4, 2005 We visited PKI on Sunday, October 2, 2005 and had a great time. The park looked beautiful and we loved all the Halloween decorations. We did not come for FearFest (It was a Sunday anyway and we know that Fearfest is only on Friday and Saturdays) but we wanted to come because we knew that since it was not a Fearfest day (Just Nick Or Treat) the ride lines would be down. And most rides had very small lines. We only waited really for Flight of Fear and Scooby-Doo and The Haunted Castle. We rode Face/Off for the first time, and it was much smoother than I thought it would be. It was great fun! Flight of Fear seemed much faster than usual, although I am sure it was my imagination. It is one of my favorite rides in the park and a great experience. We also rode in the front of The Racer, The Beast and Top Gun, and enjoyed them. The Beast did not seem as rough as during my previous visits, and was excellent. It remains my favorite wooden coaster. We also rode Drop Zone (amazing how the wind feels as you fall!), Scooby-Doo (I wish PKI had more dark rides, I love them!) and even the train to the pumpkin patch, which was cute. We also rode Adventure Express, The Beastie (we wanted one more ride on it before they rethemed it), Italian Job (people are too hard on this ride, it is really fun!), Zephyr and even saw FunHouse Express in the Action/FX Theatre. The only negative to the entire day was all the smoking we encountered. I have some health conditions that make smoke a big problem for me, and I was hopeful that the park's new non-smoking policy would help. I am sure it has reduced the smoking some, but I saw plenty of people ignoring the policy and even laughing at the non-smoking announcements being given over the speakers. I would tell people that they really should be in the smoking areas, and they would all respond in a negative and nasty manner. I even saw at one point two park employees near a game in HBL talking with a customer who was smoking right in front of their eyes, and they did not say anything to her. I also at one point reported that someone was smoking to an employee and he just shrugged and walked off. I realize you can not be fanatical about it, but without at least some enforcement of the policy, it is almost useless. If other smokers see people smoking and getting away with it, then they will be more likely to do so as well. I would just like to see more enforcement since the smoking did get to me while eating pizza on International street, waiting in line for a ride, and at other times. Otherwise, the visit was great and reinforces for me why PKI is one of my favorite parks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersRZ Posted October 4, 2005 Share Posted October 4, 2005 Glad to hear you had a good time at PKI. Yes, the smoking ban is not enforced very effectively. Perhaps the main flaw though, is that other than the anouncements over the pa system, a mention of the ban in the park map, and in the designated smoking areas, there is no mention of the ban. You have to practically look for the ban to know that it exists. At Holiday World, they have banners all around the park touting it to be smoke free, so guests see the banners wherever they turn, and it makes people more aware. The thing that gets me witht he smoking is the people that insist on smoking in the ride lines (which has been banned for years). It is not like you can easily get away from them smoking when you are in a queue line with people behind you and all around you. Some people need to have some more common courtesy when it comes to things like this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikewhy Posted October 5, 2005 Author Share Posted October 5, 2005 I agree with you about Holiday World and those banners. I have been there, and all day I never saw a single person smoking outside of the designated areas. Those banners do seem to be effective and Kings Island should consider something like that. I also agree with you about the ride lines. There is no escape from it there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Bombay Posted October 5, 2005 Share Posted October 5, 2005 I always make guests aware of the non smoking areas when they are smoking outside them, usually they are nice about it and instead of forcing them to put out their cigarettes I make sure they walk over to the area, however when they are rude sometimes they dont listen and just flip you off, curse at you, or just shrug and walk away. If you told an employee that someone was smoking and they jsut shrugged at you Mike, you should definently report them. One problem with the ban is that PKI doesnt really have the force to enforce it. While security does a fantastic job, they cant constantly look for smokers and while employees like myself try to enforce it, sometimes we arent taken seriously. Especially the younger ones. Its a shame that it even has to be that way and that some people arent eve courteous at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersRZ Posted October 5, 2005 Share Posted October 5, 2005 I have seen Jeff Siebert several times stop and tell people to put out their cigarettes, as well as several ride operators. It is just hard to enforce a rule that is not advertised enough in park, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikewhy Posted October 5, 2005 Author Share Posted October 5, 2005 I am really glad to hear reports of it being enforced by some in the park. Thanks for your feedback. Hopefully it will get better over time as people become more aware of the policy. I do agree though that more prominent signs would help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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