PKI: Convo I had with a worker. What you think?

I was at Pki and had a convo with a worker there, he seemed to know alot about the park. Being rather a newbie there, meaning only three trips, this info was rather striking.

1. He said that most of the rides, i know the flyers were sent to other parks in the chain. He says that the company has sent most of the rides from the park to others, which have no room, why is that when they have a ton of room, over 700 acres from what he said, and only 350 odd used.

2. He says that the industry is going more traditionally to family type rides, which i really dont see. I see it in Kings Island, but some serious coasters elsewhere. Which means is PKI going more family.

3. The last thing is he says that CBS that owns them or is in a working partnership with them has some serious plans to build a family atmostsphere there, and also that the industry is doing the same, so does that mean that we will see less record breaking or intense coasters in the future. it just seems so far fetched.

4. Just because i was there i had to ask why is great wolf willing to put up an indoor water park on the old campsite area, when they are selling their other parks, to investors or other companies. I see the competition factor but are they hurting that much because of competition, and there is none in Mason.

2. Coasters "everywhere"? that word must be pronounced "Six Flags"... other parks space their coasters out reasonably enough.. except maybe CP, but even they have cooled it recently.

3. The Paramount/CBS split is in the news, so that's not a surprise. As for less record-breaking coasters? I think that's true, but not because of CBS. It'll be because companies are realizing there's more to the business than a record.

I agree to the business point, i was telling him were from northern ohio, and i have seen cp cool it the last few years, and the park is doing what it seems to be as far as at least get more rides that people can ride with the family.

The guy had a big smile on his face like Kings Island had a few trump cards up their sleeve, but being an employee right now i can see his points, but i mean the idea is that cp is getting to that direction, as maybe a more family oriented place, but kings island i think is moreso.

The thing is it just seems that Kings Island who isnt landlocked likes to make things that appeal to the whole area. I can take that, but it makes no sense to cast off rides, and claim to keep a family oreinted park. Where some of those rides are for the family

PKI's been heading the familt direction for several years now. Some believe they knew competing with CP was a bad idea...to me, I believe PKI was just looking way ahead, and knew families had always loved their park for the family atmosphere they provided. From Hanna-Barbera, and the Smurfs, to Scooby and NIK, PKI always has provided entertainment for families. Plus, having the golden ticket award for "Best Kids Area" 5 years straight probably goes a long way in the decision-making process.

I believe PKI will still have some pretty big coasters and flats in it's future though because:

1. As said before, Families like thrills too!

2. They know that not everyone has kids. For business sake they'll never forget about the GP who likes the parks biggest thrills! The reason IMO for all the family additions now and over the past few years? Because PKI needed a facelift for these areas. Some of those rides have been around as long as me, (and I'm 35).

Lastly, the people spoke. Through surveys online, and in the park people have said that the kids area/family attractions were evidently MOST important.

"so does that mean that we will see less record breaking or intense coasters in the future. it just seems so far fetched."

I hope so! I've had about all I can stand with "record breakers" and other such nonsense. Give me a good solid ride that is fun and reliable and I'm happy.

Kings Island was a great park, great assortment of rides (balance of coasters, thrill rides, family rides, kiddie rides). As for the "Six Flags" idea, it's a Six Flags when, as you ride a coaster you still see the old parking spaces that the coaster sits on (definition of a TRUE parking lot coaster). There are also variations to this definition, a coaster that, although has new theming (AHEM! Kingda Ka, Superman: UF) is standing on what use to be a parking lot. That's why the Beast is a great ride: IT'S IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE! Kudos to PKI, keep up the good work.

Hey, wait. Two great parks, one state. It must be an Ohio thing.

I don't care if the land formerly was a parking lot. To me it's only a "parking lot coaster" if the parking lines remain (i.e. Scream @ SFMM). Otherwise, technically Talon at Dorney is a parking lot coaster because that land, at one time, was a parking lot for the park.

Ohio was actually much more fun to live in when Six Flags was here. At least there was a little competition for CP and we had pretty much some of everything with the animals. The woodies and Batinator used to run decently at that point as well. Now we have a park with a huge identity crisis. I still can't believe CF turned a potential destination park into a local park that they can't even get the locals to go to. Meh.

+Danny

His understanding of the company isn't much better than your belief that he knows what he's talking about.

1) I don't even know what you're trying to say.

2) The "industry" responds in the way that makes the most sense for any given market. PKI pushes the family angle because in some markets they can't compete on sheer thrill rides (Columbus). Holiday World builds water slides to keep the families coming in, but coasters to get attention. It's whatever makes sense for a given property.

3) If you read the news last week, you'd see that Viacom is splitting into two companies, "Viacom" and "CBS Corp." Right now it's all Viacom. Paramount Parks will go to the new CBS company, along with other Viacom units that are not considered growth businesses.

4) Great Wolf has an arrangement with Paramount Parks to build there. I don't remember the specifics, but the park will retain a minority interest in the resort.

I just saw a commercial for FearFest at PKI on a Columbus channel and there was a shot of what I believe was Millennium Force. Has anyone else seen this? Maybe it was a different coaster that I'm not familiar with, but it looked like a blue Intamin hyper with a blue train. I don't believe I've seen a company use footage of another coaster at another chain for a type of coaster none of their parks have. Eh?

+Danny

Jeff the thing is here, he said the whole industry is going towards the family, i sure wish it was the case for some parks. So far cedar point hasnt had that type of thing going, lets be honest most peolpel go to ride coasters there. The kids and parents have to compromise one way or the other. The six flags chain is attempting that with Great Adventure with the Bugs Bunny thing, but i still see it as a thrill destination. PKI and Kennywood have got it right to the places i have been. They have the balance that makes them ideal for these types of demographics. I also think that the Italian Job in hind sight, although not a great ride in my opinion, like you mentioned months ago for media day, its a great ride to throw the whole family on. Maybe i am just slowly working out my obsession of bigger and more thrilling, but Kings Island is that kinda place, but ah its a great place to also enjoy the nuances of a park thats diverse from other places, but KW still does it better.

So... you are disagreeing with a random employee who is making generalizations about "the whole industry"?

Ok.

I disagree too. What's the big deal?