CoasterBuzz Podcast #210 posted

So how is it that the economy is allegedly so terrible?

As far as I can tell, it's really the tale of two economies. The higher up the socio-economic ladder you are, the more likely that you aren't feeling the pinch much at all. Yes, it's true that a lot of white collar folks lost jobs when the crunch hit, but it was much more disproportionately felt at the lower ends of the employment spectrum.

Going forward, many of those high-end jobs have sprung back, because they are driven by business cycles, not overall hiring/consumer spending. And, many segments of the business world are picking up, generating more revenue and profit, even though hiring hasn't followed suit.

There have been several WSJ articles over the past few years of the bifurcation of income groups---the middle is shrinking, while the top-end and bottom-end grow. I guess the one surprise is that theme parks were an entity that was clearly "middle-class", yet they've done well in the face of this bifurcation. I find that pretty interesting.

I hate to bump this, but I just wanted to share my latest "discovery" (I know, I'm behind a bit). I only recently decided to venture into the world of podcast subscription (thanks to NPR being all music when I'm doing my driving, and I want some discussion) - and subscribed to the RSS feed though Google Listen. Now, I can play the podcast over Bluetooth in my car and stay entertained on my drive home.

I only casually listen to the 'cast, because I can't stand being chained to my PC and listening. This new revelation excites me.

At the rate we've been doing new shows, you can't really be behind unless you dig up something after two months. :)

For real. Someone could start at podcast #1 and probably be done with #210 a good week or so before #211 comes out.

:)

Raven-Phile said:
I only recently decided to venture into the world of podcast subscription (thanks to NPR being all music when I'm doing my driving, and I want some discussion)...

You might want to check out Doggcatcher. It's not free like Google Listen, but it's worth the $7, in my opinion (Google Listen was quite buggy for me).

Also, if you're not already subscribed to at least a few TWiT shows, then you're doing it wrong. :)

Also worth checking out, if you're into celebrity interviews and such, is Kevin Pollak's Chat Show.

Awesome. Thanks! I was looking for new podcasts to subscribe to.

Or, heck, you can even subscribe via iTunes...for all its faults, handling podcasts is something it is actually pretty good at.

Until recently (when something went terribly wrong with the CD changer, rendering the FM transmitter inoperable) I did most of my long-distance driving (i.e. to parks on the weekend) with a computer at my side, running RouteBuddy for navigation and iTunes for music. Great opportunity to keep up with the podcast.

Pity the most recent podcast came out just as my season ended. Don't know when I'll have a chance to listen to it...!

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Perhaps this is the reason you were looking for to go to Smokey Mountain Coasterfest.

Heck, the fact that I signed up to go and failed to make it there last year would be a good reason to go!

(I arrived at the park right at closing time. That Orlando to Pigeon Forge run took longer than I thought!)

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Yeah, not a short drive. I will be going at least 3 times next year. Glad I get about 45mpg on the freeway. :-)

Kerry has to talk about all her Amusement Park visits. I would like to see a whole show of her just talking about it!

Yikes, that doesn't even sound interesting to me. ;) But I thank you for your interest and support. Much appreciated. :)

Carrie, you should really let "Kerry" answer for herself. It shouldn't be your responsibility. ;)

Carrie J. said:

Sooooo... Blueberry, buttermilk, chocolate chip or whole wheat?

Also, do you prefer butter and maple syrup?

Pancakes!

Brian Noble said:

There have been several WSJ articles over the past few years of the bifurcation of income groups---the middle is shrinking, while the top-end and bottom-end grow. I guess the one surprise is that theme parks were an entity that was clearly "middle-class", yet they've done well in the face of this bifurcation. I find that pretty interesting.

I'm going to dance gently around the socioeconomic stratification of society portion and go directly to how parks have strategized effectively: market segmentation.

So what you're saying is that they're pricing poor and unsophisticated people out of the market. :)

Seriously though, that's hardly a new phenomenon. For literally decades we had a view of that here in Ohio, where Cedar Point had crowds leaning middle class and higher, while Geauga Lake had more of the lower income clientele, and everyone seemed OK with that arrangement.

There are a lot of markets where you have certain companies doing that, and I think it's a fantastic strategy. Turning your product into a commodity certainly doesn't serve you in the long run. Disney is like that with their theme parks, choosing not to be Six Flags, who will let anyone in there for nothing. Apple does it with everything they make, but especially with computers, choosing to not chase Dell with low-margin, low spec machines. Whole Foods does it with grocery stores... etc.

Jeff said:
Cedar Point had crowds leaning middle class and higher, while Geauga Lake had more of the lower income clientele

Wow ... Now it all makes sense!!!

Here I always thought my family went to Geauga Lake more when I was kid - although we lived about half way between the 2 parks - because it had more family and water rides that we could all enjoy, and shorter queues.

But it was really because we were poor :)

JOz99 said:
But it was really because we were poor :)

That's why my family went to GL vs. CP.