Kings Island opening an animated dinosaur walk

Facebook comments are funny. A whole lot of unhappy people, when a month ago they thought all they were getting was Windseeker. I mean, it's not like they are taking something out for this. If you don't want to do it, then don't pay to do it. People complain about everything.

The really funny thing is, probably less people would be complaining if Kings Island just announced it without all the silly buildup. People expected something really big, because the buildup was really big. I think the teasing backfired.

I love dinosaurs a lot, but, when I am at Kings Island, I want to make sure I ride everything, and stopping for an hour to see dinos isn't going to be helpful to my plan. Paying $5 to see dinos makes it even less desirable. I might see it once, just to cure my curiosity, but not every time I go.

Whether this attraction is popular or not, it will still make money, so it is a plus for the park any way you slice it. More money for the park means more money for new rides. It will also help with keeping some people out of the lines, which is greatly needed.

Kings Island needs a big expansion already. They are often way too crowded, especially in the afternoon. This will help a little, but they need more.

LostKause said:
I think the teasing backfired.

The cliché term "no press is bad press" leads me to believe otherwise.

I agree that the buildup was a bit much, but the announcement doesn't really phase me either way. I'm pretty indifferent about the whole attraction (the fact that it's a 9-hour drive might have something to do with that), and probably wouldn't do it if I was in the park alone or with my wife. Perhaps I would if there was no charge. But I can almost guarantee I'd go if we were there with my son, and that's how I see this attraction will be a success.

Vater said:
The cliché term "no press is bad press" leads me to believe otherwise.

Normally, I'd agree except that this wasn't press. It was KI's people trying to make something out of nothing.

I still contend that the 'build-up' leading to this was the most non-sensical, unnessecary and poorly done viral-style interest generator any of the parks have done yet.

I do think to some degree it created buzz beyond the reality of the attraction which led to disappointment on the social sites (like Facebook) where you pushed the videos and pics and stuff leading up to it.

I think this one would have benefitted all around from a more traditional kind of announcement where they really could have just sold the attraction.

(Keep in mind that all of this applies only to those of us who follow such things either in the enthusiast community or on social sites like Facebook and Twitter or on the KI site where it was specifically hyped. Outside of those circles, the effect of the poorly done build-up is non-existant)

Dude...you scared me with your avatar. Wasn't expecting that. ;)

I suppose I would agree with that, if I could get behind the thought that the general audience for this particular marketing is primarily enthusiast-based. But the fact that Kings Island has 152,000+ followers on Facebook, and reading many of the comments leads me to believe that most of those folks have just a little bit more interest in Kings Island than most people, but are far from enthusiasts.

I dunno, I guess I was pretty indifferent about the final announcement because I didn't really follow the marketing too closely. I suppose if I had let it build up my anticipation I might have felt more disappointed at announcement time.

Vater said:
But the fact that Kings Island has 152,000+ followers on Facebook, and reading many of the comments leads me to believe that most of those folks have just a little bit more interest in Kings Island than most people, but are far from enthusiasts.

Well, that's why I included those who follow on social media-tpye sites. It's not a small group (still representative of a little less than 5% of yearly attendance) and they were getting the build-up thrown directly at them.

And like Pagoda Gift Shop mentioned, "The response hasn't be very positive."

I do blame that more on how KI handled it leading up to the announcement more than the response to the attraction itself.

Meh. Whatever. :)

Exactly. ;)

And like Pagoda Gift Shop mentioned, "The response hasn't be very positive."

I do blame that more on how KI handled it leading up to the announcement more than the response to the attraction itself.

Actually, looking at it from that perspective, I suppose I do agree with you. Thinking about the potential reaction had the park just announced this thing out of the blue, I'd predict seeing a lot more positive comments along the lines of, "Windseeker was already announced as the 2011 addition, but now we're getting this, too...pretty cool."

It probably would have gotten a better response if it didn't push that it was the "biggest", "longest", "etc.est" in everyone's faces. Had they just said "Hey! We have a cool dino thing for kids and junk" it probably would have gotten the attention of less haters, and more smiles from families.

Has anyone made the "Cedar Fair likes using '___est' statements" comment yet?

I thought I heard on this site a while back that the purpose of a park's marketing department is to 'hype' the new attractions, regardless of how much or little they deserve the acclaim.

SuperDooper Park announces that they are getting something big, and details are coming soon.

A month later, some photos are revealed. A dirt pathway where the new attraction will be located, a pair of shoes sitting on top of a large stuffed dog, and some packets of Hunts catchup in a bucket.

A month later, John Hiplittle, the company's PR guy, posts a video from his office claiming that their new attraction will have one of the largest somethings, and most somethings.

His next video, a month later, is a very short one, and shows Hiplittle being chased in the woods by a giant pig.

Then they announce that they will finally be revealing what the amazing new attraction will be next week.

The big announcement, highly anticipated by all, finally arrives. SuperDuper Park is building a Big Bubba's Hot Dog Shack. It will feature the incredible "Double Footlong" hot dog, the biggest hot dog sold in the amusement park industry. They will also supply the most hot dog condiments anywhere.

They are really surprised that their Facebook fans are providing negative feedback about the new eatery.

True story... ;)

Ensign Smith said:
I thought I heard on this site a while back that the purpose of a park's marketing department is to 'hype' the new attractions, regardless of how much or little they deserve the acclaim.

It is.

It's also their job to do it well. This wasn't.

I took a nap earlier today and dreamed that the giant T-Rex escaped the dino area and ran towards SOB. I chased her, but she was too fast. When I arrived at SOB, she apparently made like a wrecking ball to the wood structure.There were mounds and mounds of wood laying on the ground. Laughing out loud in my sleep, at my damned overexcited imagination, woke me up. :)

I wonder if this dream has any psychic meaning? :p Just something to ponder over. lol

Stop eating ice cream before you go to bed.

KI's GM just tweeted that the Dino movie will be free this year. IIRC A while ago, KD announced the same thing.

Free for people already paying to get into Dinosaurs Alive, or free for GP (presumably to convince them to pay for more dinosaurs)?

Greg Scheid @KIGMGREG
Happy to announce that the 3D Dinosaur movie will be FREE to all guests this summer! If you have not seen this movie, the quality is great!

I'm guessing the theater will be done after this year. Half of it is for a Haunt attraction now anyway. I doubt there will be enough interest, even when it is free. The movie is just clips from a dino film you can buy at Walmart.