electricsun

It depends on the company. From what I've heard at the large conference I attend, some midway companies charge a nominal fee and then have an contract about how much they will pay the fair based on the percentage or flat rate of ride tickets, food and games. Many non-county fairs and festivals have applications and charge food vendors to set-up at their event. For those situations, the money made by the vendor is kept by the vendor. Entertainers are a different story. Most have a flat fee to come to the fair and a percentage of any concert ticket sales. Others have a sliding fee payable by the fair based on hours and size of the activity/experience. Some will then require tickets of the fair attendee, and others won't. There are lots of different pricing structure models. And just because fair A paid one price, doesn't necessary mean that fair B paid the same price. There are lots of negotiations as nearly all fairs have tight budgets and are trying to make their money go as far as possible. Fairs and festivals typically have non-profit status. The folks that I've worked with have been friendly and very outgoing. It is clear to me that they take their job on the fair board seriously and want to make it a great experience. If you are interested in seeing the variety of vendors available to fairs, this is a great starting point - http://www.ohiofairs.org/index.php/ohio-fairs-associates

I like the random photo of the day thread. The variety of pictures and perspectives reminds me that there is more than one way to see the world around me.

I've talked with and worked with more than my share of fair and festival managers and board members. From that experience, they spend quite a bit of money each year to create an event that does the following: create a great experience for their community, cover costs of the budgeted fair for the next year, and gain additional revenue to assist in capital improvements. Everything you see at a fair costs money...things as simple as a stage for the band to sing on, the bleachers you sit on, the tractor pull, 4-H award ribbons, tents, golf carts, port-a-potties, and even the petting zoo. Those vendors have to cover their costs and fairs have budgets to cover that after all the negotiations are handled. The fair and festival circuit is fascinating. Generally, when attendance is down, revenue typically doesn't meet expectations. Typically then changes are made to meet attendance and revenue expectations.

Wait...clearly I'm slow and have never heard this before...but, seriously? What were they thinking? I understand that in certain industries there may be acceptable levels of life safety risks. However, I can't imagine that most amusement parks would forgo their reputation and guest safety for a ride. That's a dangerous game to play, in more ways than one.

That is some interesting shifting and removing of rides. I think it depends on the rider's height. I like Maverick but can only do two rides a day because of how much my head bangs. I've tried different rows/seats, leaning forward, pushing backward...it just doesn't not hurt. I'm 5'2" so I struggle with OTS harnesses. I'm too short to push my shoulders against the top like my taller friends. I'm happy with the harness system on Gatekeeper and Banshee as I can ride with no pain. I'm looking forward to the new Maverick restraints!

When I drove by last Wednesday, it was strange to see several lights on in the main building and the next building. It is very hard for me to imagine apartments going in that space. I would think that space can best be utilized as a commercial space.

I like how both Gatekeeper and Fury interact with the front gate, just in very different ways. Also, carrying through the hexagon shape and colors throughout the ride experience is nice. That is a great touch that I'm looking forward to seeing in person.

I wonder if it is something like the zombie rooms (http://roomescapeadventures.com/columbus/). A group of folks from work did this last summer and seemed to have fun. I would have been miserable.

Yes! Such a beautiful beach! I haven't made that drive in quite a few years but will have to correct that this May. Anna Maria Island is a gem as well. There is this peaceful Mangrove preserve that if you sit quietly on the boardwalk path, you will get to see Fidler crabs. They are such a blast to watch...just don't move or they scatter faster than you can blink.

Oh that turkey vulture! I remember seeing that as a child and knowing the excitement that waited for me. I'm so sad that I missed seeing it at Haunt. Thanks Delirium13 for posting those pictures.

Next week, I'll be spending two nights in a hotel at the same exit as KI. This work travel would be even more fun if I could pop over to KI in the evening.

I wouldn't let the issues that some of us have had deter you from a Platinum Pass. I've been to Knot's Berry Farm, Michigan's Adventure, Cedar Point, Kings Island, and Carowinds with three different Platinum Passes (no renewal benefit at the time and I may have been worried about losing my pass during the offseason) and have had one problem. If you are concerned about it not being recognized, I would either have a copy of your receipt scanned and emailed to yourself or on your phone or have the physical copy with you.

Not Ghostbusters, that's for sure. Wait...Hrm...never mind.

I can only speak to my issue. On my first visit to Carowinds, my friend and her son went through with no issue. Got to me and she almost wouldn't let me through. Pass came up fine but she said the picture didn't look right and was a fake. It was very clearly me but must look different from their set-up. I had to tell her that my pass was processed at KI (even though that was on the Platinum Pass at the time). She looked very confused and finally let me through. I haven't had issues since but I always hold my breathe when I hand over my pass there...just in case. They at least let me in. Others haven't been so lucky. **coughTheInterpretercough*

Nope, you're not confused. The funnel cake stand isn't moving, just changing format and building structure. At least that is what it looks like to me.

I've been pretty consistent with my music preferences: alternative, late 90's-early 00's college rock, classic rock, some indie pop/rock. I don't mind most pop and rock music - it just depends on the singer and band. I'm trying to stretch myself in my musical preferences - hence Tubular Bells and folk music lately. Not a fan of country, rap, hip hop, and what I call "angry" music that involves screaming and yelling. At work, I typically have one Pandora playing 95% of the time. The main bands are Guster, The Weepies, Jack Johnson, Vampire Weekend, and The Killers. But I also have stations that pull music from Goo Goo Dolls (hello 90's teenager angst!), Sarah Barielles, Jason Mraz, and A Cappela performances. I will admit that I'm one of those people that can't remember many band names/songs beyond my favorite band. I can recognize the song, that I've heard it before and that I like it...doubtful if I remember their name.

I've had a lot of pizza from all across the state - both local and chain. La Rosa's is always on the bottom of my list. I'll eat it if I have to but will not seek it out. The sauce is way too sweet for me. I don't have the ingrained Cincinnati love of sweet sauces for pizza and chili. Give me spice and oomph!

I'll tell ya, it was really impressive to watch. I did some research after the performance and the man that created the original would record himself playing each piece and then layered it for the record. There were points where they were moving mics, guitars, cymbals, sliding across the stage...to see it being performed was like a behind the scenes moment.

When you are at a performance and the beginning of the opening piece takes you back to fall at Kings Island. The first 43 seconds of this:

In my current position, I have to hire at least once a year for normal turnover. What I like to see in my interviewees is that they are excited about the position and what they will do. Think about why you want to work at KI and be ready to answer that question. If you aren't sure how to answer a question, it is okay to take a moment to think through a response. Immediately saying "yes" to everything raises a red flag to me as I worry that someone may not fully understand the challenges of the job. Listen to the questions, pause, think and answer concisely. I ask a lot of situational questions, such as if X happens, what would you do? There aren't necessarily correct answers...but there are bad ones. Red flags for me are things that make fun of guests or hurt the guest experience, safety concerns, and things that negatively impact our program and company brand. Ask questions! Some of my favorites that have been asked of me were: what qualities or skills do you like to see in a good X employee, what was their favorite part of position, what is the most challenging part of the position. Most importantly, just be yourself! Good luck!

As a V-shaped rope bridge, I think it will likely look similar to the rope bridge in the tropical rain forest exhibit at Discovery Place. I couldn't find a decent picture from my last visit; a quick search yielded this: http://patrickschneider.photoshelter.com/image/I0000To_qukt7IVI This view shows more of the V shape: http://patrickschneider.photoshelter.com/image/I0000Za9kHygNYkA It's a unique feature to offer the guests. Many people view zoos, museums and aquariums as a place to visit once a year (if lucky). Bringing in such additions and updates encourage people to visit or buy a membership.

Why can't that area just be a calm and peaceful place? Some kids (and even adults) get overstimulated and need a tranquil place to calm and recenter themselves. Instead of making the long trek back to the hot car, a short walk to Tower Gardens would be great alternative. Fix the fountain, add some more benches and, as NoChickens mentioned, maybe a smaller smoking area in the back, and Tower Gardens could be quite a gem.

If I can make it work, I will be riding it for the first time on a Sunday mid-April, followed by a concert the next night. I'm very grateful that my best friend lives 35 minutes away from the park. I'm a bit sad that I never took advantage of this when I was in high school and college...

While KI Customer Service may not be open this weekend, I would recommend submitting your question online today (here: https://www.visitkingsisland.com/contact-us) or sending them an email explaining that you can't access the site on iOS but would like to buy a pass. They may not be able to do anything....but they may also be able to help you. I don't know KI policies but some business have the flexibility in adjusting deadlines on a case by case basis. It never hurts to ask.

I've been on Gwazi...once during two days at the park with my oldest nieces. I don't remember much about it other than it not being a ride that we went on a second time and we did ride everything else at least twice. In the last nine years, I've spent 1-2 weeks in Florida each year. They live in the Bradenton area (north of Sarasota, south of Tampa). In all that time, I've only visited Orlando once. It was not to go to Disney but to Universal Studios (before Harry Potter). I have never been to Disney and I'm not in a rush to go there anytime soon. Edited to fix my grammar.