Ever seen, or met, Mr. Kinzel?

Anyone have any interesting stories to share about this guy?

I was at the park this last Monday and had the great privilege of meeting him. He was out walking the midway in the early evening so I saw him, always heard stories (on here) about how nice and approachable he is, and decided to take advantage of my opportunity and introduce myself.

He was a very, very kind person. The first thing he did was ask my name and shake my hand. He then asked where I was from. I explained that my girlfriend had bought me my ticket today as my birthday present because she knows I am such a fan of the park and I've been coming here annually for my entire life, etc etc... I just made some really brief small talk with him because I didn't want to bother him or keep him from something important. I'm not sure how many people approach him like this but I tried to keep it kind of short.

I did ask for a picture with him, which was interesting. He smiled big and replied "Sure!" My girlfriend used my phone to take a picture of us and I thanked him for it. To my surprise, after she took the picture, he asked me a couple of questions about my phone. He took his cell phone out of his pocket and it was the same kind. He asked me a couple of questions about how to upload pictures to his computer from it and how to send them to other people. I was kind of surprised by it because I was trying not to bother him and he began talking to me! After that I thanked him for the wonderful job he has done with the park and how great I thought everything was compared to a lot of other places I have been. Again he reached out to shake my hand, smiled and thank me for coming out and enjoying myself.

That was it. Just a really brief, really great experience that I had with him. It was hard for me to imagine the impact he has had on so many people and the position of power that he has just because he was so friendly and so completely down to Earth. It was a wonderful experience just to have a couple words with him.

Anyone else have a story to share?

I met him once briefly back on OD 2003. I had just gotten off of my first Dragster ride and I spotted him admiring his latest achievement from the midway. I walked up to him and introduced myself, and he asked if I had ridden Dragster yet and I told him that I had just gotten off of it and what a great addition the ride was. (what little we knew then) He then had some other people come up to him so I didn't want to take any more of his time and so I wished him a good day, and he did the same for me. He was a very polite individual.

I'm not sure what year it was (maybe 2002 or 2003), but I was at one of the consession stands on the main midway getting some food, and after I ordered it and was waiting on receiving it, I spotted him walking down the midway. I immediately forgot about any hunger I was experiencing, and I ran out to meet him and shake his hand. I commented on how much I loved what he had turned the park into, and let him go on his way. He is very personable, and I recommend anyone who sees him to go up and meet him.

From what Cedar Point (and Cedar Fair) was before his tenure to what it is now, is truly an accomplishment.

That was one of the things I wanted to make sure I mentioned. I told him that I had been to several parks and places of attractions, but never felt so taken care of and genuinely happy to be somewhere as I do on the midway of a Cedar Fair park.

He asked if I had been to Michigan's Adventure yet (after I said I was from Michigan) and I felt really bad saying that I hadn't yet had the chance, but I wanted him to know, in person, that I was very appreciative of what he has made a park like Cedar Point into. I think it's incredible thing to be in this kind of industry, where your job is to satisfy the masses, and still make someone feel like it's a personal experience.

I too talked to him on monday. My father and I had just sat down at our table at TGI fridays. He walked in with John H. This was the second time I met him. I also saw him closing day last year with the coasterbuzz podcast.

Mikey

I saw him a lot when I worked there a few years ago. At least once a week he would walk through the park. He was always very approachable, to both guests and employees. A few times I saw him pick up trash along the midway.

Never met the guy. :)

Me either. I heard he's cool.

The times I've been there, I never see him. Hopfully the next trip I can. ;)

Never met him personally, but I did watch his speech when ACE gave Cedar Point the plaque for Magnum. I had to choose between Archie Griffin or Mr. Kinzel for a journalism paper, and I chose Archie. I'm sure Mr. Kinzel would of been just as great as Archie. *** Edited 5/10/2006 6:02:40 PM UTC by Chris Mills***

During the 4 summers that I worked there (88-91 in Food Operations) I had the opportunity to talk to Mr. Kinzel several times. I was a supervisor at Bayou Refreshments and usually within the first few hours after opening, Mr. Kinzel would be walking the front of the park. Sometimes I'd get just a wave and a "hi" as he was walking by, but occasionally he'd stop by and "chat" for a minute or two. Cool guy!

That was also something that made me feel better about approaching him. I saw him walking on the midway and began to catch up to him, but I started wondering if I should really say anything. I saw him wave and a flash a huge smile to an employee standing over by Raptor, who waved back, so I thought he was in an alright mood to stop him for a minute. :)

I have talked with Mr. Kinzel many times and every time he is very pleasant and always smiling. I got my picture with him in November 2003 while a group of us were having dinner at Bay Harbor. Mr. Kinzel was entertaining guests there and his guests offered to take our pictures.

He is always a friendly face to see on the midway. He will be missed when he retires.

I have seen Mr. kinzel many times while at cedar point. I've seen him walking thru the park quite a few times and seen him Famous Daves last year.

I've talked to him on several occasions. He's very personal and usually says hi when I see him in the park.

I saw him for the first time on Monday (May 8). I was waiting for the park to open and he was walking back toward Demon Drop. I saw him right in front of me and I was in so much shock he was out of sight before I even told my friend who he was. I would be so excited just to talk to him that I'd completely go blank when it comes time to say something. The guy is very inspiring and did wonders for the company. I hope I'll get the chance to meet soon.

I saw him for the first time on Saturday, around 1PM. I was at Los Gatos waiting for my Macho Nachos, and another dude, waiting for Macho Nachos, said, "there's Dick Kinzel. If I wasn't waiting for my Macho Nachos, I'd go talk to him." He was just strolling by, probably checking out Skyhawk. I didn't really recognize him, but I think I'll be sure to remember what he looks like, so I can approach him next time I see him.

I've actually of had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Kinzel a few times. Just about all the staffers here at CP know his car by first sight. In the interest of privacy, i'll keep that info secret.

I was working at Hotel Breakers the other night when he pulled up. He's really a down to earth guy.

I saw him again yesterday as I got off the Skyhawk. With a smirk, I asked if he had any tidbit of the new coaster going in. he replied with a grin, "What Coaster? That's going to be a coaster?"

I only met him once in the three years I worked there. It was the night of Big Bash in 2002 and he was there. He had on one of those goofy red white and blue felt top hats. lol I have picture of him, my two friends, and myself. It was great. :)

I met him once last year as I was leaving the park one early evening ride around the sky ride station at the front of the park. My girlfriend and I talked to him for about 5-10 minutes and we let him go on his way. Very cool guy. I felt like I was bothering him so I let him go after a few minutes but I got the impression that he would have stayed and chatted longer if I hadn't let him go on about his day. Again, very cool guy!!!