Back tthe Point- 5/30

I should post this under trip planning/reports, etc..but wanted employees to read part so here goes...

I went to the park yesterday with 5 friends to celebrate my birthday (I have a Platinum pass). One friend had wanted to purchase the ticket which included the BB-Q dinner @ Coral Courtyard. The admissions clerk charged her $90 accidentally, and then proceeded to tell her that there was nothing she could do, but to save her receipt and 'call in' for a refund. Ha!! We proceeded to wait for a manager to adjust the price and refund the credit card. The issue was taken care of and as my friend proceeded through the gate, the girl at the turnstile refused to let her in- because she was given the WRONG TICKET!! The admissions clerk (a younger girl) was nasty, rude and unprofessional. She said we needed to go 'back' to admissions and 'quit scamming them'- whatever that meant. So we go 'back' to admissions and speak to the 'same' manager, who adjusted the ticket again. Afterwards, I encouraged my friend to go to the Guest Relations office. She explained the situation to an 'adorable' and very nice elderly associate who said "I'm so sorry..we've been having issues training the new staff..you'll have to contact us via mail,..here's a form to fill out and send in". So my friend inquires how they will resolve the issue,..and the lady tells her, "Ohh my..well..that's private information dear, I couldn't tell you." Ha!! She was too cute to be upset, but the situation was riDICULOUS!! Believe me, she and I will be filling out a form alright.

After that nonsense, the rest of the morning was pretty enjoyable.Much too hot starting out, it was humid and felt at least 90 degrees, but we were at Cedar Point so I mean..c'mon! :)

All of the ride ops were very friendly and talkative which I LOVE!! They were so good humored and engaging, and that is EXACTLY the upbeat attitude that defines guest service!! As someone who not only has worked at Cedar Point for 4 years, but Disney retail and the retail industry- the service I experienced (for the 'most part'..ha!) was great.

We 'did' ride the Monster (around 12:30pm) and the female ride host was not looking at the operating board or paying attention and kept looking over towards another ride. It took her a solid 5 to 10 minutes to board the ride and begin (with maybe only a dozen or less riders). "THAT" was annoying! She was definitely more interested in another situation.

The Games Hosts were so great to the 2 grade school kids that we had with us. They made it a point to go out of their way and make the games 'extra special' and an 'experience' for the kids, making them laugh the whole time.

Fries for lunch were very standard. Boiling hot on the outside and frozen on the inside. Drink prices were outrageous this year. $4 for a small drink? Really?? And no lids because it presented an issue with the seagulls?? I'm all for animal rights, but ....really? Methinks packing a lunch is "THE WAY" to go this Summer. I was more disgusted with beverage prices compared to food. Highway robbery. There is no excuse whatsoever for the prices.

Caught the last show of "Tropical Heat, Island Beat" and was SO not impressed. Stereotypical, uninspired revue with very talented vocalists singing songs not appropriate to their vocal styles. Imagine "Margaritaville" sung by Ethel Merman. I was hoping for so much more because I am a huge Parrothead (Jimmy Buffet fan) and love Harry Belafonte music, as well as steel drums & slack guitar. The set was awesome though. Kudos to the set designer!!

Then headed to the Country Show at Golden Palace. Was very apprehensive because I'm 'not' a country fan by any stretch of the imagination, but I was proved wrong. I absolutely LOVED IT and was singing along and clapping my hands to every song. Oh my God, it was just great!! I mean c'mon- "Mountain Music", "Hey Good Lookin'", "Thank God Im a Country Boy", "Dontcha Make My Brown Eyes Blue" and "Jose Cuervo". Great entertainment. Way to go cast!!! But (I knew you were waiting for this..lol)...we sat upstairs (the only ones) and there was a Live Shows blue tag sitting in the corner next to the light booth sound asleep. As we started to sing along, he jumped up and looked at us..."pissed"..and then went back to sleep. Not only as a parkgoer, but as a former Live Shows alum...totally not cool. Get up and do your job.

Stopped to check out "Shoot the Rapids" as they were testing canoes with water dummies and then with actual ride hosts (or dummies..lol). The set up and design looks great, but it was a lot LESS than I had expected- height wise, etc. We'll see!! There seems to be a joke going around that all associates were using..."Shoot the Rapids...OPENING.....ummm...soon?"

Took in a gorgeous, relaxing trip on the Giant Wheel around 6:40 and got to chat to the ride host who was very engaging and fun. I felt like we were on that wheel for ages...but it was 10 minutes of relaxation. Took the kids to Disaster Transport (their 1st time) and none of the special effects were running. No strobe light or anything. Took a LOT away from the ride.

Headed to the Starlight Experience and loved the lights as usual. Where was the great Vince Guaraldi Trio music from last year?? Instead we heard some irritating "Pure Moods" style garbage. We then went to the Wave Swinger where I got a 'great' nighttime photo that I'm going to frame. I'll post on Twitter later.

One more walk around and then to the Coliseum to play some Games. It was hotter than hell inside. Good God! It was 'maybe' 9:40pm, and some guy started flashing the lights and screaming "We're closing....everyone out!!" We're closing...let's go!". While I 'get it' and completely understand him, it was very unprofessional.

Walked down the Midway towards the entrance and our gorgeous day was over and this fried zombie was ready to attempt a car ride back to Toledo. Drove down the Chausee with my old CP co worker Matt on the way home and it was just the end to a perfect day.