SFKK opening day WAYYYYYYY later then normal.

I remember when this park used to open up right after Easter. I made a couple trips down to this park before SFGAm opened up for the season.

Now opening day at SFKK is May 10th?

Lack of attendance early in the season? Private outings? SF losing faith in this park?

SFKK operating schedule.

High schoolers not available to work during school? Remember Easter was earlier this year than it will be for another 220 years.

I was disappointed to find out it is not open May 23rd (the Friday of Holiwood nights). I wanted to drop by for a few rides on Thunder Run before going to Holiday World.

Not to mention the fact that it closes on weekday nights at 7:00 all summer. I'm pretty sure that's new.

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a_hoffman50 said:
High schoolers not available to work during school? Remember Easter was earlier this year than it will be for another 220 years.

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It's weekend operation when it opened late March/early April. And this would apply to any park that opens during that time frame so what you are saying would not be the cause for this park opening so late. Even though Easter came early, does that explain this park now opening on May 10th? That is a month gap regardless.

And as what was mentioned above, they have an early closing time on weekdays during the summer now.

Something is up here. I have a feeling Shapiro might be considering unloading this park.

We shall see. *** Edited 4/1/2008 3:26:35 AM UTC by Chitown***

I know that the local news has mentioned the potential requirement of ride ops to be 18 or older. Perhaps the inability to aquire enough persons to operate attractions nixed the parks being open for spring break, which it has been in the past.

Collectively, SFKK has been fighting a losing battle. The waterpark is a draw, that's an obvious reflection of the hours. (Closing the park on weekdays at the Hurricane Bay closure time.) But overall the park also has a low opinion among locals. Add in the hub-bub from last years unfortunate events and the tightening of money belts and you have a slow gate.

So far we have: Abbreviated season, abbreviated hours, a heightened age requirement of employees, the demolition of a former showcase attraction and the closure of an entire section of rides.

*Sniff, sniff* smells like GL to me. Not saying it will, but SFKK could easily go the way of Geauga Lake should there not be a dramatic upswing in the economy.

As many know, I'd not lament the loss.

Shaggy

That would be a real shame. I quite enjoyed SFKK last year -- a lot more than I thought I would. Greezed Lightnin', believe it or not, was the star attraction for me. I could ride that thing for hours.

I just don't think the park was ready to open early this year. They are going to have a harder time staffing, and STOP wasn't completely removed until the beginning of last week. SOMETHING has to fill that spot...

^Yeah, trees and fountains most likely.

Usually around this time of the year I take a road trip down to Florida. On the way up, SFKK was frequently hit up. I've always had fun at the place. I don't go in expecting Islands of Adventure or even Cedar Point, but I don't think it's marketed as such. I take it for what it is...a great Beemer, classic Anton, and a pair of fun wooden coasters. I don't quite see how anyone wouldn't appreciate this- regardless of the setting.

It doesn't have to be "world class" to be appreciated. For the population of the area, I'd say Kentucky Kingdom is allright. There are bigger metro areas with less.

*** Edited 4/1/2008 6:14:42 AM UTC by BullGuy***

i really think they want to get rid of this park, and i hope they do.

they skipped spring break... and two months worth of weekend business,

thats weird.

They are in the process of expanding the season at the other parks. Discovery Kingdom, Fiesta Texas and another park are have very long seasons...

why would they cut back on SFKK if it wasnt a money loser?

Chitown i think the staffing is a good point...

but Six Flags does use international employees to fill the low spots in staffing...

they could have hired those college students in time to get atleast the april weekends... but they didnt.

what a shame.

^What college students were these that they had the opportunity to snatch up and put to work? Early season staffing for a theme park is a nightmare. I can't imagine trying work with new legislative guidlines to fill ride operator slots as well.

College kids worked in seasonal parks in the 70s and 80s. With the exception of some that stick around in seasonal management positions it's mostly high school kids. Parks located near major metropolitan areas like Louisville compete with malls and other air conditioned places that generally pay more.

If they have to hire older employess they will have to pay them more to recruit them. The cut back in hours could be a way to make up the budget lost with increased wages. With the 18 year requirement, then I can imagine HR is scrambling to figure out how to recruit these people and other department are doing budget voodoo to try to figure out how to pay them.

Not sure if it still exists, but SFOT had a program in the operations department a few years back. It was designed to get 18 and older folks to work in the park. They paid them a bit more with the requirement that they agree to work a minimum of 30 hours a week. This was in place to carry the park before kids got out of school. I'm not sure how successful the program was but it was a good idea.

Not sure if the park should be placed on death watch just yet, but it's shocking ot hear enthusiasts saying "good riddance" to possibility of losing more coasters in a park closure. I'm sure the Mexican carnival people are already salivating.... *** Edited 4/1/2008 9:06:08 AM UTC by Cropsey***