Changes I think that PKI needs

[TopThrill]

I very much agree with the prices being very high. If I can think of it, on one saturday during FearFest. This one lady ask me a Q when I was changing a can. On how about the way the park can take your tickets (which they paid about 32.99 or somthing like that) and then not have all the rides running. I do feel that the smoking rule would be enforced if the park would make some frenky SIGNS telling people were to smoke and were not to smoke. But the only place you can see were it says that is in little fine print under Park Guidelines & Information, and then under the CDBB Water Park Resort attracions info. I've even talk to secrity gurads were they have been telling the park that they need signs. Then look at the pki's web site it doesn't say anything about smokeing.

My 40 cents

[PKIWorker19]

Alright, yes I know prices are high, even as a food employee myself I think they are rediculous. On another note, someone said that it was rediculous to pay 6 dollars for chicken nuggets from Chick-fil-A. I used to work there and yes, it is expensive, but hey, that is really not that much more than the VOA store price. Kings Island can not afford to bring back the international restaurant. It just can't happen. The kitchen would take extensive work to bring to code and it would also take a lot of new equipment. There are still parties (for associates and VIP's and what-have-you) but the food is made in different food stands around the park. Too much money basically. Festhaus is getting new equipment for winterfest since the complexity of the meals, we can't make it with the stuff we have now. The front area of Festhaus is also getting revamped I believe. PKI works hard to enforce the no smoking rule, but there are times when you have to pick your battles with this. Sometimes there is just not enough time or you just do not feel like getting yelled at for 20 minutes about how "stupid this rule is and how they hate the park now that you can only smoke in certain areas." There are 19 stations... pick one!!!!! None of them are out of your way either. My last point is that KI tries hard to keep the park neat and tidy. however, when you have guests that think the ground is a trash can, it gets very hard to keep up. I work in a food stand and I can clean the front of my stand and in 5 minutes, it will be trashed again. No doubt. Sometimes you have to realize that the park can not always look its best, but we try our darndest to make it look good.

[BoddaH1994]

My last point is that KI tries hard to keep the park neat and tidy. however, when you have guests that think the ground is a trash can, it gets very hard to keep up. I work in a food stand and I can clean the front of my stand and in 5 minutes, it will be trashed again. No doubt. Sometimes you have to realize that the park can not always look its best, but we try our darndest to make it look good.

You do make a very good point, on the other hand Disney parks have a theory that the park should always be clean, but the guests should never see anyone cleaning it, which is something they pull off for the most part. I think the ecology of the park improves by a great leap forward every year, but near-perfection is quite possible.

[Gordon Bombay]

On how about the way the park can take your tickets (which they paid about 32.99 or somthing like that) and then not have all the rides running.

GUests can be so stupid, they shouldve read when they bought their tickets that is a LIMITED OPERATION DAY. But that would require effort on their parts, and most dont seem to like to put forth effort.

[FOF/Z 4-ever]

On how about the way the park can take your tickets (which they paid about 32.99 or somthing like that) and then not have all the rides running.

GUests can be so stupid, they shouldve read when they bought their tickets that is a LIMITED OPERATION DAY. But that would require effort on their parts, and most dont seem to like to put forth effort.

I 2nd that. Most of the people who complain about the park are the ones who are breaking the rules.

[Captain Picard]

PKI is bad about the rides not opening with the park or not at all. Most parks I have been to have them running before open and let you in early. I don't how they would make it in a 365 day operation like they do in Florida.

My trips in the last two years to PKI SOB was never running at 10am and the same for IJST this year. I understand things happen but it shouldn't be every time I go.

This maybe part of their plan to keep you in the park longer. It don't work for me, it ****es me off. I drive 200 miles to PKI and don't have time for it.

Parks like Kennywood put it on their web page if a ride is down. The only way I know one is down at PKI is reading about it on PKI Central or when I show up at the park.

[RailRider]

Running a park is based on continual improvement and I think PKI has done a great job of that, but heres what I would like to see changed....

I could not have described Wings better, it needs major attention and fast.

When you win a basketball you win a deflated basketball. I hate all of the moron that bounce their ball all throughout the park and look like they have never touched a ball. I dont care how good or bad a dribler you are, just stop it. Anyone else get the erge to steal their ball and smack them upside their head with it.

The dinning at PKI is not that great. CedarPoint has amazing dinning options throughout the park and as a former seasson pass holder I have sampled them all numerous times. They truly have something for everyone. PKI has fast food and thats it and I dont want to see BobEvans or AppleBees. I want something unique like BubaGumps. Something I cant eat at two exits away.

If the park is nonsmoking, enforce it.

Allow nonseason pass holders to enter the Boomerang Bay entrance. Not all of my friends have seasson passes. Kinda dumb that they have to go through the main gate then leave the park and drive down to BB with their hand stamped.

If you are going to make a themed attraction, take care of the theme just like you do the ride. Top Gun, Adventure Express, Flight of Fear.

Return the Festhaus to its orginal glory and make it one of the central locations in the park like it use to be. Can I please have a polka band and flowing beer again.

[Robert_Waring]

Sometimes there is just not enough time or you just do not feel like getting yelled at for 20 minutes about how "stupid this rule is and how they hate the park now that you can only smoke in certain areas." There are 19 stations... pick one!!!!!

I still think KI needs to assign areas as official farting zones. The park could do with at least 19 of those too.

[Robert_Waring]

Anyone else get the erge to steal their ball and smack them upside their head with it.

yes, and how.

[TopThrill]

All the smokeing stations need is a simple sign right behind it that says "Please smoke here". That would be so great.

[coastergirl]

  This one lady ask me a Q when I was changing a can.  On how about the way the park can take your tickets (which they paid about 32.99 or somthing like that) and then not have all the rides running. 

PKI also posts outside before you enter the park which rides are running and which ones are not. If they are that concerned that their favorite ride is not operating they can come back another day. It may be disappointing for them to get all the way there to find out their ride is not running but they have a choice if they want to enter the park or not.

[BoddaH1994]

My two cents:

Festhaus: The place has gone to hell over the past few years... when was the last time Screen 4 worked? According to CoastersRZ, the screens aren't coming back next year, and we know for a fact that the place is getting revamped this offseason. Does this mean it will be returned to its former glory? Who knows? I sure hope so.

Smoking Areas: I think the placement of them is fine. I agree with everyone in saying that the park hasn't done enough to inform people of the change. Granted, it's on the map and there's that infrequent announcement, but if we're talking about the GP as a whole, it's really just not enough.

Themeing: It would cost a LOT of money to revamp the old themed rides, but what about IJ? You'd think they learned their lesson, but in less than 2 months the speakers were destroyed. Vandalism is 100% responsible, but anything that sits right in front of the guests should be vandalism proof.

Food: I think in the past two years the park has gone in the right direction in food. My personal favorite addition is Happy Days. In my opinion, you get TGI Friday's or Applebee's quality food for about the same price as you would by going to one of those establishments.

Rides not opening: I guess I'm a lot more tolerant of this since I go to the park 40 times a season. I do sympathize with the people who drive long and far and expect the park to be 100% operational. People spend a lot of money to get in there and the park should be in top-notch condition every time. Granted, things will go down... they're mechanical devices.. that's what they do, but I think a valient effort to have things in working order every day should be standard with a park of this calibur.

[adam47303]

Don`t worry the lights on the rooflilnes of the International Street buildings will be back, at least for Winterfest.

Actually lights on the rooflines used to be on there even during the summer time.

[DeLorean Rider]

My last point is that KI tries hard to keep the park neat and tidy.  however, when you have guests that think the ground is a trash can, it gets very hard to keep up.  I work in a food stand and I can clean the front of my stand and in 5 minutes, it will be trashed again.  No doubt.  Sometimes you have to realize that the park can not always look its best, but we try our darndest to make it look good.

You do make a very good point, on the other hand Disney parks have a theory that the park should always be clean, but the guests should never see anyone cleaning it, which is something they pull off for the most part. I think the ecology of the park improves by a great leap forward every year, but near-perfection is quite possible.

Yes but this is because of how the park is on the second level of disney world, and most of the trash cans are chutes that go underground where they are pulled.

Also it is true, please throw your trash in the trash cans, if one is erupting like a volcano, please put it in the can that is 10 feet next to you. And places like under the catwalk inside tomb raider, or over the fence in white waters line, or over the edge of top guns line are not places to put trash.

[adam47303]

Sometimes there is just not enough time or you just do not feel like getting yelled at for 20 minutes about how "stupid this rule is and how they hate the park now that you can only smoke in certain areas."  There are 19 stations... pick one!!!!!

I still think KI needs to assign areas as official farting zones. The park could do with at least 19 of those too.

There is nothing wrong with farting. Farting is a body function that has been going on long before the invention of manners. I say if you have to fart just in public just do it. Who cares about farting zones. Smoking is a bigger issue.

[Gordon Bombay]

BElieve me, if a ride is not working PKI is in no way happy about it, if its done it has a good reason to be down. The park loses money when the things break, also as a guest, you should take the time to read your ticket and receipt to see that the park doesnt guarantee the operation of any ride on any particular day nor does any other park. You think Kennywoods so good about keeping up maintenace, well there you have a smaller park, with smaller rides, which gives their maintenance staff more time to work on things. Basically what it comes down to is.....PKI's maintenace does what they can to ensure your safety and ensure that you have a good time on the ride, if your too lazy to see that it blatantly says no ride operation is speciffically guaranteed then thats your fault for driving all that way. The Delerium and SOB closures have both been posted on PKI's main website.

[WooferBearATL]

well there you have a smaller park, with smaller rides, which gives their maintenance staff more time to work on things.

Have you been to Kennywood recently?

[Gordon Bombay]

Not recently, but i looked at it on RCDB, their website, and browsed the intraweb before making the post.

[WooferBearATL]

Ya really need to make a trip to Kennywood.

I've been to the park several times. The first time I went I was not expecting much as I had never heard a lot about it. I was absolutely floored by the maintenance, the creativity and cleanliness and calibre' of rides that they have.

Top off that the do have great attractions and coasters, they also have some very old traditional rides that are higher maintenance than many of the newer ones.

[Captain Picard]

PKI also needs hire employees with some respect for their guest. They are not all bad just some. Could be why they don't get the Golden Ticket.

[Delirium_Guy]

Ya really need to make a trip to Kennywood.

I've been to the park several times. The first time I went I was not expecting much as I had never heard a lot about it. I was absolutely floored by the maintenance, the creativity and cleanliness and calibre' of rides that they have.

Top off that the do have great attractions and coasters, they also have some very old traditional rides that are higher maintenance than many of the newer ones.

Agree! Not to mention, an even better assortment of flat rides than PKI. You are very correct in talking about the older attractions at Kennywood that are higher maintanance, but thats what sets it apart from our corporate theme parks. Yet another reason why I almost always prefer the smaller, traditional parks to the big ones. Sad thing is, I used to lump PKI in the very same category until the past few seasons.

Things I would change? STOP removing rides unless its ABSOLUTELY necessary. The number of rides that have been removed in the last 10 years is unbelievable, especially compared to the number that have been added. PKI used to have a pretty well rounded collection of flat rides. Today, its lacking. It was nice to see Delirium....it was a great addition. I thought that was a sign of things to come, but then we lost TWO MORE rides last year.

I'd love to see the landscaping get a bit more attention. After visiting Carowinds and PKD this summer, both parks trumped over PKI in that aspect.....especially Carowinds. Of course, one of the nicest looking areas in the Park (the Tiques location) is now nothing but gravel and steel.....which is WAY nicer to look at :-/

Winterfest looks promising, lets hope they don't drop the ball with this one and it truly is as magical as it used to be.

[Jasper]

I have never been to Kennywood but from the pictures i have seen i am impressed but they have to keep up with a lot less than PKI does.

[KIfan73]

I definitely don't consider myself a PKI expert, just a fan. But, if I had to guess, I would say that somewhere along the line, years ago, that for whatever reason, PKI management really let the upkeep of the park go for too long, and it is just taking years to get a majority of the stuff taken care of.

For some reason, money was going somewhere other than into the park.

My main concern is that PKI keeps looking to the future so that we always have it!!

[Mikewhy]

I love PKI and I am very passionate about this topic!

1) Smoking - I agree the non-smoking policy needs to be more agressively enforced. If you go to Holiday World, you will see that no one smokes there except in designated areas. I hardly ever see anyone break this rule. For one, they have non-smoking signs everywhere you look, but in a way that is not unattractive. There is no way a smoker can claim ignorance of the police there! They also have very nice, attractive areas for the smokers to go, which helps.

Some members of the PKI staff are too lenient and do not tell smokers to stop. I see it ALL the time. I have even seen employees TALKING politely to park visitors who are smoking and not even mentioning they are doing something against PKI rules. If they would simply tell people more often to stop, it would help. (I am aware that some employees do this, and I am grateful.) Even if smokers are aware of PKI's policy, many of them WILL smoke if they see it is not being enforced. Outside or not, the smell and the smoke are dangerous to asthmatics like myself, and I would like to see the park make more of an effort to enforce this, at least in outdoor dining areas where smoking can be really irritating.

2) The lights on the buildings on International Street. I agree they need to be brought back for the entire season! I always loved this when I was little and I never understood why they were removed. It seems many little things like that are no longer part of the park, and that is sad. I still miss the arbor tunnel. Its removal (I know part of it is still there!) still makes no sense to me.. it was a nice piece of landscaping. The same goes for the bridge that used to be across Swan Lake. Even the theming of the different areas has been deemphasized. Octoberfest used to be really nice, and is currently a mere ghost of itself. They do not even mention the names of the different areas like Rivertown on the latest park maps.

3) Merchandise - I would like to add my voice to the chorus asking for better retailing at the park! Even when it comes to the cheaper items, I can not find what I want. For example, I rarely see any good magnets. I can not find keychains, bumper stickers, updated postcards (the ones I see seem old and with little variety). There is some ride merchandise, but not too much. I wear a Beast shirt I bought a few years ago all the time, and I have people come up to me all day asking where I got it. I tell them they no longer seem to sell that shirt there, and they look disappointed. I would also like to see higher quality items as well for those willing to spend more. Most of the stuff seems cheap and undesirable. I think you need both expensive and cheaper items.

4) Food - As far as fast food, I think the park is among the best. I love the pizza, burgers, fries and so on. I would like to see more non-carbonated drinks though. I would also like to see more sit down dining, although I would like to see some unique places and not the same restaurants you can go to on any street corner. Would the cost of bringing the International Street restaurant up to code really be THAT high compared to some of the new rides they install? If so, perhaps a restaurant like it elsewhere? It would also be nice if the park had character meals with the Nick characters. It blantantly copies Disney, but kids love it and it seems like a guaranteed winner to me.

None of this means I am massively unhappy with PKI. I love this park so much and go many times a year and I am a proud season pass holder and always will be. It is because I love the park so much that I have these wishes to see it better!

[jzarley]

I think that PKI does a pretty good job with counter service food as well. Fast food quality & service is as good as any other park (including Disney), but they definitely could use a full-service restaurant. I'm sure Great Wolf will have some full service options, but that will still mean leaving the park. With the whole move toward themed "eatertainment" a restaurant that is an attraction in and of itself seems like a natural fit for PKI. I'm surprised they haven't made a move in that direction, especially since Paramount Parks already operates one of the best ("Quarks" at ST:TE). (I'm a big fan of the "Warp Core Breach" drink )

Cedar Point has some good full-service options...that BBQ place at the Marina is great! Although, my absolute favorite park restaurant is the Crown Colony at BGT. You sit out on a second story terrace overlooking the Serengheti (sp?).

The absolute worst food service? The Columbus Zoo!! Quality is terrible, service is incompetent and rude...overall a horrible experience everytime I've been there. (Jack Hanna needs to go out and hire a new F&B director )

[Scooby_Doo]

I really like Cincinnati Zoo's Food...I love PKI's Food...The only thing I disagree with is the smoking ban PKI needs to enforce it I'm sick of taking my nephew around the park and having smoke blown in his face by people who dont care and only want what they want...a smoke.. 2nd hand smoke does kill.

[Gordon Bombay]

Not to just start a fight with you Scooby, cause Im against smoking as well and hate how rude smokers can be and how the ban is not enforced, as an employee I enforce it when I can, but where is your proof that second hand smoke kills? Ive been all up and down websites like Truth and havent seen any proof, just 2nd hand stories. I agree smoking is rude, but there has never been any factual proof that 2nd hand smoke has the ability to kill people on a large scale, or else it would be big news.

[RevengeofTheSmurfs]

Second Hand Smoke Does indeed kill you dont need proof its common sense..all those toxic vapors floating in the air if your exposed to it enough yeah it can kill thats why when Iam at PKI I stay away from those smoker sections but the sad thing is most people dont even bother to go there and smoke I cant tell you how many times I have seen people smoke while in line/ or walking to an attraction when I was at FearFest 3 weeks ago.

[Gordon Bombay]

And what toxic vapors would those be? Lets see proof. Theres toxic vapors in everything, in the gas you pump, in the cleaning products you use. Those dont seem to be killing anyone indirectly. Once again, wheres the proof of your claims?

[WooferBearATL]

Some of the Second Hand Myths dispelled.

http://www.davehitt.com/facts/index.html