Lake Winnie requires chaperones under 21

Whether the park serves alcohol or not shouldnt have anything to do with it. ID's SHOULD be checked before serving alcohol to any person in the first place. Also, like others have said, at 18 you are no longer considered a minor, so why the park chose 21 is a bit confusing.

Either way, it was their choice. Probably not a wise one, and i think they may see a decrease in attendance by this. Most teens looking to do something for the day dont want their parents following them around, and the parents probably dont want to be there the whole day either.

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G-Forces: The only positive addiction out there!
CoasterCount: 42

I wonder if that's even technically legal.

For instance, you couldn't institute a rule saying no one over age 65, for instance, for that's age discrimination.

A 21-under policy essentially bans a group of franchised [vote eligible] adults from entering, which is dangerously close.

David, I hear what you are saying, and from a personal standpoint, I may even agree a bit. But from a business standpoint, it just wouldnt fly. I mean seriously, amusement parks are seen as a place "fo' da kids". With the exception of the Disney "Honeymoon" packages, I've never seen the parks marketed as anything but. Moreover, I'd be willing to wager that if you asked around your place of business, you'd get that general response from you co-workers.

Now, there are "amusement" places that try and cater to the 21-plus crowds like Dave&Busters/Jillians, but if you'd notice, once the youngstas clear out, the only business going on is the bar and the pool tables (okay, the darts too ;)). But most of the video games will be still. Mostly because there is an unspoken stigma that video games are for kids. (Even though all of the 20s/30s crowd GREW UP playing these games). Basically, I dont think the 21+ thing would fly. But hey, I've been wrong before.

lata, jeremy

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American troops "have started to commit suicide under the walls of Baghdad. We will encourage them to commit more suicides quickly." Muhammed Saeed al-Sahaf

Wow, that's being a little strict. Even I can't go to this park until my next birthday now.

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I was asked to describe X in one word. The word? -- OhmygoshwhathaveIgottenmyselfintothisisthescariest
thingintheworldhelpmeIamgoingtodieAHHHH!!!

Check out the E-maiL I got from the paper. Heres the mail from start to finish.

-------Original Message-------
>>> "Patrick Mize" <ssm316@cinci.rr.com> 04/24/03 03:16PM >>>
What about the 18-20 adult crowd.
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From: Don Stilwell
Date: Thursday, April 24, 2003 18:03:03
To:
Subject: Re: Disturbance prompts Lake Winnie to implement tougherpolicies Chaperones must now accompany under-

What do you want to know about the 18-20 crowd?

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Will they be able to visit the park alone? If not it seems like a good way for the park to go under. They will loose a alot of adults in the 18-20 crowd if mommy and daddy have to come with there parents. I am 18 and if I can go fight a war I should certainly be able to visit the park.
I understand the parks standing on the issue. Younger teens do cause trouble,but also there a lot of teenagers who will come in and enjoy it for what it is. I could see enforcing buying tickets or a all day pass but not having mommy and daddy with me when I visit.

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Yes, people are expressing some of the same concerns you are expressing. We are also concerned about age issue, as well as some other issues, which we are looking into. Thanks for your email.

Don Stilwell
Publisher

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Lets go its on!
Visit History of PKI!

It seems Lake Winnie IS going for a minimum buy-in if you are under 21, as well as the chaperone rule.

It seems that minors will have to purchase either the POP package, or a minimum of General Admission AND 14 ride coupons.

I do suspect that the age will get lowered to 18 in the near future.

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David Bowers
Mayor, Coasterville

I'm not sure I agree with this policy at all. I'm 32, but I remember when I was 16. I didn't want to hang out with my parents back then. We had very different taste in attractions. They trusted me enough to go to Disney and Epcot on my own while we vacationed. That way, I could ride Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad while they watched The Electric Light Parade.

I'm not sure raising the price of season passes at Six Flags/Paramount (the two cheapest chains) parks are really going to make much of a difference either. If a parent wants their children out of the house, they'll probably pay $20-$30 more. Many of these parks also have waterparks included in admission, which are a huge draw for the locals. Just look at Dorney Park for
example, their waterpark is mobbed during the day. Sooner or later these kids will get hungry, or play video games. They will spend money.
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If you have a problem with clones, the solution is real simple—Stop traveling.

I think they will relax it once they realize how much money they lose.

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Cedar Fair Junkie... I mean... ex-seasonal employee for their ride operations departments at CP and MA

They wil not lose any revenue. As I stated before, they can do what they want, since they are a private operation. You have the choice not to go there. Their mission is a 'group picnic park', and families. If a few teens feel left out, so be it. You have to support your majority market first and formost.

They will probably pull the age back to 18 like Kennywood, but they want to see public reaction fpr awhile. And they also have to appease the local law enforcement, who assist them on weekends and busy group days. They may have facts about crowds in the area that we have no idea about.

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The Empire will Strike Back....
"What do I know, I only work in an Amusement Park?"
"You are paying to get in. Period."

The "cheap" season pass arguement has no merit. ZERO. Not a drop. Currently, there is NO park season pass that is "cost probititive" to buy, especially for a parent looking for a so-called "babysitting service". It is clear to me that anyone making that argument has not been pricing the things that the teens and tweens buy. Sneakers are regularly introduced in the $100 range. "Parasucco" Jeans are about that same price too. And you simply cannot buy a brand new "hot" XBox/PS2 game for under fifty bucks. Yet all of these things are flying off the shelves. Even $200 for an entire summer wouldnt be far out of range for those looking to just "drop off" the kids.

The only way this remotely works to discourage drop offs is to abolish the pass completely.

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American troops "have started to commit suicide under the walls of Baghdad. We will encourage them to commit more suicides quickly." Muhammed Saeed al-Sahaf

How many of you have actually gone to Lake Winnie? This park is one of the oldest family run parks in the country and it also holds the record for having the oldest modern boat shute in the USA which was build just over 70 years ago. During this mini riot, there was some 700 teenagers who went beserk and a few stabbings. About 90% of this was gang related involving mostly black gang members. I live in the same area as Lake Winnie by around 30 miles. Chances are these rules will last just like they have at Hamilton Place Mall which used to be a drop off babysitter for parents on the weekends.

TN,

I grew up in Dalton and I have a lot of memories of visiting Lake Winnie on the weekends when I was little. I moved to away in 98 to go to school and live in Atlanta now. Anyway, I think the rules are fine (Hamilton Place got strict after I left the area). I think this can make the park more enjoyable for families.

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Is that a Q-bot in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

to me as a yearly visitor to Winnie I applaud them....Winnie has always been a place for school rips or church outings or for me and the wife to go to and relax.......a place always felt safe in and no sec. force carrying guns to make me feel that way......

It is there land there PARK as well as there HOME, folks forget the owners also live in the PARK and if this is what it takes for them to feel safe in there own home then so be it!!!

Winnie has survived when many have said they would not and always came out a better place I am sure they will again!!

here is the policy and no Winnie does not serve adult drinks

To guarantee Lake Winnie's tradition of family fun continues, we have a new guest policy. Beginning Saturday, April 26, 2003:All guests under age 21 must be accompanied by a parent or adult chaperone age 21 years or older to enter the Park. Or they must be a member of a chaperoned group pre-registered with the Park and sponsored by a church, school, camp, club or business.

All guests under age 21 will be required to purchase either a combination $3 gate admission and a value strip of 14 ride tickets for $9.50, or a combination $3 gate admission and unlimited-ride armband for $18.

The $3 gate admission by itself will be available only to persons over age 21.