New Chaperone Policy at Kings Island

Kings Island has instituted a new chaperone. Going forward, those 15 and under have to be accompanied by someone 21 or older after 4 PM. I'm not sure this will solve the problem as juveniles are still capable of fighting before 4 PM and outside in the parking lot even if they are accompanied by someone who is over 21. I worked there between 96-02 and never remember there being fights in the park like we see today. I guess its just a sign of the times and a large reason I don't go nearly as much as I used to. Its a shame because I remember going up there at 13 with friends and enjoying some freedom.

On a related note, it sounds like the juvenile who was arrested for having a gun near the park last weekend actually had it inside the park according to the arrest record.

Per new reporting, a guest reported seeing the man slip a bag through a gap in the fence, enter the park through security, and then retrieve the bag from inside the park. Officers gave chase and discovered a loaded handgun in the bag.

This almost was another Kennywood shooting had a responsible person not observed the kid's actions and reported them to police.

I do sometimes worry for the future of our industry given how violent and out-of-control kids are becoming.

Worlds of Fun in KCMO implemented a similar policy a week or two ago. They had some youth fights breakout on opening day.

my question is, what if your under 16 without a chaperone and arrive before 4pm? How will they enforce that?

Ask for ID after 4pm, you can usually distinguish <16 from adults.

This gets a bit interesting in practice. Does this potentially discourage, for example, school groups from staying past 4:00 PM or church youth groups from going and staying after 4:00 PM? I don't think those groups are the target for this (nor necessarily the source of the problem either), but might it discourage them from spending the money on the trip?

For reference purposes, when I was a kid growing up, there always an annual church trip to Cedar Point and many, many school trips as well. Every one stayed past 4:00 PM...

Just like almost anytime bad things happen….

it’s a very small percentage of people who ruin it for the vast majority.

Kings Dominion instituted this policy today as well. Is it chain-wide?

Walt S:

Does this potentially discourage, for example, school groups from staying past 4:00 PM or church youth groups from going and staying after 4:00 PM?

I'd assume any school group would have chaperones.

I just got this email from Kings Dominion, so I guess this is a new Cedar Fair policy across all parks?

CHAPERONE POLICY

As part of that commitment, we are implementing a chaperone policy beginning Saturday, April 22, 2023.

Under this policy, all guests ages 15 years old or younger must be accompanied by a chaperone who is at least 21 years old in order to be admitted to, or remain in, the park after 4:00 p.m. local time to close. The chaperone must present a valid government-issued photo identification with date of birth at ticket entry. One (1) chaperone may accompany no more than ten (10) guests ages 15 or younger per day. In addition, the chaperone must accompany their party during entry, remain inside the park during their visit, and be available by phone throughout their stay. Guests ages 15 years old or younger who are found inside the park unaccompanied by a chaperone will be subject to ejection. This chaperone requirement applies to all Kings Dominion ticket and season passholders.

In addition, the chaperone must accompany their party during entry, remain inside the park during their visit, and be available by phone throughout their stay. Guests ages 15 years old or younger who are found inside the park unaccompanied by a chaperone will be subject to ejection.

Seems inconsistent. First sentence indicates chaperones just need to be in the park the entire visit and available by phone. That to me means the chaperone does not need to accompany the kids all day long. Second sentence says those 15 years old and younger who are not accompanied by a chaperone will be subject to being kicked out. That seems to indicate that the chaperones need to be with the under 16 year olds all day long. Maybe they view you as being accompanied by a chaperone if the chaperone is in the park and can be reached by phone?

Seems like an administrative hassle. And maybe they just want a basis for requiring people to leave the park if there are problems.

I think "4:00 pm to close" is key in this statement. If your causing problems after 4:00 pm, under 16 years old, you need to have a chaperone in the park that security can call in case of an issue. I know Six Flags has had a lot of issues with kids acting up during "Fright Fest" in 2021. So much so, that in 2022, you couldn't re-enter the park after 6pm once you left the park to prevent scenes like this. Fright Fest - Six Flags America 2021. That parking lot where they were jumping on the cars and smashing windows, is exactly where I park my car (because it's in the back and out of the way.) Just one of many reasons, I have never been at the park after dark :)

PhantomTails:

On a related note, it sounds like the juvenile who was arrested for having a gun near the park last weekend actually had it inside the park according to the arrest record.

Per new reporting, a guest reported seeing the man slip a bag through a gap in the fence, enter the park through security, and then retrieve the bag from inside the park. Officers gave chase and discovered a loaded handgun in the bag.

Yeah, Action Zone was evacuated. He apparently jumped a fence into the TimberWolf area to get the bag, and was apprehended soon after.

Carowinds is also implementing the policy.

When people speak of security theater, this policy is just that.

1. Anyone can enter before 4. There is no practical way to police this once people are through the gate. Either it’s an all day policy at the gate or it’s not a real policy that can be enforced.

   
   

2. this only applies to 15 and less. I believe they’ve had lots of trouble with people over 15 including this last incident.

3. The people don’t even have to stay with their chaperone. They have to be able to contact by phone. Again, this does not allow the policy to be enforced easily by employees.

4. They make a no mention of parking lot security. Anyone can get in to the parking lot and do anything at this point.

To me, this is PR. They don’t want to lose one single, trouble making season pass sale.

Knotts just announced the re institution of the chaperone policy. This has the appearance of coming from the corporate level.

CGA also sent emails to passholders with the same policy.

Wonder if this will come to Cedar Point or if their school trip business will exempt it.

They all have school trip business.
But the other parks have already made their announcements. I don’t know what the difference would be, unless the resort nature of the location with several gates and people coming and going all day long would make enforcing it more difficult.
Another thing that might set CP apart is the fact that the place is less of a “locals” park. Someone posting “Rumble at Cedar Point parking lot- 8pm” is less likely. Maybe I’m naive but are there warring teen factions in Sandusky? And would anyone travel from Cleveland, Toledo, or Detroit for such activity?

So, if we were to apply this literally to the letter what happens if you have a child under 15 (say 2) and parent is under 21 but over 18? Technically they don't pass as being properly chaperoned. I get wanting supervision for children but we need to decide are we adults at 18 or not? Yes, the park can make its own rules but it's kinda stupid to create a rule that could leave someone old enough to be drafted into the military unqualified to be a chaperone for a child at an amusement park. I don't see the rule affecting us personally but just seems a little unreasonable for the chaperone to have to be 21 instead of 18.

Touchdown:

Wonder if this will come to Cedar Point or if their school trip business will exempt it.

Cedar point has been more lax than the other Cedar Fair parks. For example, during Halloween, you can re-enter the park at any time.

It’s less populated location probably factors in. However, in today’s USA they should not get too confident and wait until a problem occurs there before they address it

Touchdown:

Ask for ID after 4pm, you can usually distinguish <16 from adults.

You'd have thought that, but I had cabin crew on a flight in the US ask me if I was over fourteen years old and get stroppy with me when I replied with a raised eyebrow.

I'm over 40.