Kings Island

[Dogtown]

Getting back to Kings Island for a second, it seems to me that they were a more friendly, family oriented place before being bought out/reorganized a few times in the last two decades or so.

 I've been contributing to a multi-week fundraiser for military folk and their families who wanted to go to the park while back home on a short leave period. The local KI honchos initially made the troops a commitment for a low price or even free entry, but when it got kicked upstairs to corporate (wherever they are) the deal got jerked away pretty badly as I understand it. So much so that a retired vet hereabouts decided to have some fundraising events to cover the difference, which was sizable. So far our efforts have totaled well over $1000 but there's a ways to go yet.

My point is I don't think that would have happened when the park was more locally controlled.

[David Strotman]

1-Holding elections every two years holds a high degree of accountbility to the politicians. I have to face my constituants shortly, what do they want from me?

2-Holding elections every 2 years brings politics to the forefront of city government in almost all its decisions. What will get me reelected vs. what is best for the city.

There are 2 diametrically opposing views of this issue. What is the best way forward for this city? I would have to think long and hard  about this one. One decision I would not have to  think about is bringing this issue to the voters. This is a Republic, thought to be a Democracy. I am all for the people having their say about this issue. The closer to the people, the more effective the government. Let the peoples voices be heard.

 

[Don T.]

Dave
Yes Dave you are among the people who contact me to voice our concerns.
There are 2 council person who do not want you to have a vote on switching to 4 year stagger terms for St. Bernard council. I FIRMLY believe in a Government OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE.

[David Strotman]

If nothing else, my voice is/was  heard. Increasingly in America, people are satisfied with poor service, poor government, and the like. I now want my voice to be heard. I have written my congressmen/women. I have written the state government. As Don Tobertge will testify, I have written my City Government. As Americans and living in a Republic, we get the government we deserve (or expect). It doesnt take long to Call, E-Mail, or Snail Mail entities which impact your life. Get involved, it doesn't take much of your time, and I know for a fact it will help you feel better, it makes me feel better!

[David Strotman]

I then sent this:

Thats fine if you are competing against other amusement parks or want to be
the same as these other venues. I assumed you wanted to be better. 
Something else to consider is you are your main competition as far as
amusement parks are concerned. Isn't Six Flags filing bancruptcy?

As I stated, I bring 40-80 dollars each trip and you end up with less than $10 of it.
If your O'k with that, thats your right. Lower prices and higher volume just might
mean more profit, but you know best!

For instance, if your mark up is 75% (which it at least seems to be) you make
$7.50 off of my family each trip. If your mark up was changed to just half
of that (35%) and I spent $40.00  you would make a profit of $14.00.

Judging from just your bottles of Coke, your mark up is well over 300%.
Maximimizing profit is different than maximizing profit revenue.

David Strotman

[David Strotman]

I recieved this E-Mail in return:

> Dear David:
>
> Thank you for contacting Kings Island. We appreciate your feedback so we
> can continue to improve our park.
>
> Thank you for your suggestions. The food and beverage prices you will
> find at Kings Island are very competitive with other major
> amusement/theme parks and sports and entertainment venues around the
> country. We offer the Backyard BBQ for just $12.99 per adult and $6.99
> per junior or senior to help our guests get the most meal for their
> money.
>
> Again, thank you for contacting us. Please contact me should you have
> any additional comments or concerns

[David Strotman]

The older I get the less excepting I am of things which bother me. I made a resolution to try more productive means of voicing my displeasure than merely B%$#@!@#$. I speak up more often, I write letters. For example heres a sample of a letter I wrote to Kings Island:

            Kings Island is a nice park but has a few problems. Besides the fact the
last owner put in some real crappy rides (Son Of Beast and Italian Job come to
mind), your park has become a 5 hour park!
 
             A typical visit for me and most of the people I talk to consists of
a large meal, a 20 minute drive to your park, stay until your hungry and thirsty
for something besides the complimentary Ice Water then leave and get something
to eat and drink on the way home.  My wife and I both work
and we find  your prices  outrageous. I would grudgingly pay $2.oo for
a bottle of pop but your priced so far above that it just makes me angry!
 
             Being just a 5 hour destination I next weigh whether its worth my
time to travel up there with all my kids if were only going to stay for 5 hours.
More often than not we find something else to do. Lowering your food and drink
prices might just attract more people to view your park as a good value. It most
certainly will increase your sales volume. Profit margin will go down, but net
profits should skyrocket. Instead of leaving the park and spending my dollars,
my family could stay and eat at Kings Island.
 
              Bottom line is this: I bought a Family Gold Pass. Each time I take
my family to Kings Island I bring $40-$80. Of this money I only spend @ 10.oo
at Kings Island and the rest I spend outside your Park. In effect, outside of my
innitial purchase, you make very little of of me as a customer and its YOUR
fault! Instead of recieving $40.00-$80 each visit, you get less than $10.00. 
Whats more, I end up visiting less also.
 
              If you think I'm the only one, or my family is unique, you are
sadly mistaken. This is how the majority of season passholders use your park. 
 
David Strotman