Geauga Lake: Separate Admission for 2006?

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PhantomTails said:
it is a fact that a training supervisor announced that she was under the impression that the park was seriously thinking about making Wildwater Kingdom a separate gate.

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Big Difference between this and changing the gate which you heard from numerous "sources." I'm not making anyone's decision but there's a big difference between a training supervisor being under an impression and hearing from numerous sources.

I remember last PFN when i asked my food service supers at KW if they were adding anthing new for 2005. They told me some interesting things. Only about 1 outta the 10 "additions" is actually going to happen. Now I'm not saying that they were lying to me by any means, I'm just saying that things change. Plans change. I actually completely believe PhantomTails 100% because I was in the same situation. I'm just pointing out that was is said now and what is said and done later are two completely different things. Take it as you will. :)

A training supervisor is not in the know about big picture plans. Knowing the culture of that company, a lot of senior people that you would expect to be in the loop are not.

PhantomTails,

My apologies. My posts were not meant to insult you, but I just found it hard to believe that something like that would be said during training. I have gone through training, and none of what you said in your original post was brought up during the sessions.

I don't know who your sources are, but to be honest, I would not put too much trust in anything not officially being announced by the park. Seasonal employees generally aren't told things like this. Cedar Fair is very secretive, and anything you hear from seasonal employees, no matter how high up, is generally speculation. I was very careful last year, when people asked what I thought would be done with the park and former Sea World side, to point out that my ideas were just that, ideas, and I knew nothing about what the park was actually going to do.

I was going to say something like that but I bit my tounge. I wasn't sure how executive of a job training director is and weather or not they're in the loop. Then getting blasted for disgracing Joe the training director who is Bills right hand man.

after all theyre just "seasonals" ... lower than low....

....except that they can make or break your park experience...

We're not saying seasonals aren't important. They just aren't told new attractions.

Im just admiring the arrogance

GL will remain a one gate price. However, the gate price will increase over the years. CF isn't stupid, they know for a fact that taking away the one gate pricing will destroy attendance.

If they really were gonna do that, they wouldn't stress the "affordable family vacation destination" slogan. 2 parks of fun in 1. And in the FAQ on GL site, it is asked if WWK and GL are separate parks, and it is said "No, GL and WWK is one large facility." What a waste of time this would all be just to throw it all away the very next year.

Not to mention the history of the park being the first in the business to offer two parks for 1. CF and Bill Spehn are about the history of the place. Hence bringing back the Lakeside pavillions so people can once again enjoy a meal Lakeside. Hosting Business outings and such GL was always big on, and that is returning full force aswell.

I refuse to believe that CF would be that stupid to pull something like that. The place has to draw from CP and vice versa, and if people know they would have to pay seperate gate fees at GL, then they will just stay at CP and pay for soak city. But if they knew GL was right down the road, with a very large facility for one great price, they will want to go.

Sam, I think for your own good, I would recommend not talking to anyone at the park regarding this online chat. Don't act like you don't know how the company feels about this online chatter. Business people care not about trivial matters such as this topic. *** Edited 4/5/2005 4:26:19 AM UTC by Fun***

it sure wouldn't be trivial if the park didnt listen to the people and really did start charging a two gate fee, resulting in a plunge of attendance. that would definately not be trivial

Actually Fun, Bill will probably see this topic at some point. He likes to know what enthusiasts think about his park, and I know he likes to read trip reports.

Bill Spehn knows everything ;).

Anyway, I apologize if I offended or insulted anyone. I wanted to point out though, that anything you hear from seasonals (including me) should be taken with a grain of salt.

-Sam

Yes, but coaster enthusiasts bumbling over themselves because of *the possibility* of someone mentioning it, is.

Oh, I'm sure he does Sam. He's partly watching just to watch for seasonals who mess up and say something you... er, they shouldn't have. So will you heed my advice and stop while you are behind?
*** Edited 4/5/2005 5:12:10 AM UTC by Fun***

I'm guessing this thread can be summed up in two sentences, especially apropos to Cedar Fair's corporate culture:

Those who know don't tell. Those who tell don't know.

What Brian said. So true.

Spehn used to read this site, as well as the former GTTP. Who knows if he has any time to do it these days as a GM.

Regardless, I think you'd be surprised if you knew who reads the site on a regular basis.

I can't even PRETEND to know all that goes on in Ohio theme park culture, LOL...

That being said, I do think that alot of the "this year it's free, next year we charge, this year it's a *regular* CF park, next year who knows" is going on at corporate with respect to GL, and I think it shows that not ALL of the problems there were related to SF managing the place...perhaps the water at GL causes indecisiveness? ;)

My point is that it's HARD to market something when your marketing PLAN has to continually adjust to the winds blowing at corporate....I'd *expect* that from SF, but not from Paramount or CF...

"Corporate" has veto authority and approves cap ex, but I think you'd be surprised at how autonomous the parks are. GL is certainly watched under a microscope, but look how they were able to choose their own ad agency.

And I don't understand how separate gate water parks at some parks make that a trend. What about Dorney, Michigan's Adventure and Valleyfair? With Geauga Lake, that makes included water park admission the majority, not the exception.

I find the same rule that applies at Michigan's Adventure is applying at Geauga Lake this season. The park is focusing on promoting "Two parks for the price of one". They're trying to tell people that you can come and enjoy two parks under one admission fee. That rules out ANY separate admission for 2005 (which wasn't going to happen anyway).

There has been so much change up in that area over the past few years that I'm sure things are a bit confusing to people who visit the area once every few years after three name changes (now four, if you count a new waterpark) and a brand new waterpark that if they make more change (separate the parks) you're just going to have more people thinking "WTF?!?!?"

It's too early to speculate folks, the 2006 season is more than a YEAR AWAY. A whole YEAR. Go outside, see what the world is like, and enjoy the park when it's open.

BTW, VF's Whitewater Country was originally a separate gate and later became complimentary.

Not that I believe in trends--but if there was one, it's going the opposite direction.

-'Playa

A little off topic but where should I send the check for the book club 'Playa?