Impressed!

So, yeah. I came home from closing weekend and went to school on two hours of sleep. Totally sad and tired I arrived home after school and saw a package from CP that had come in the mail. On the label it had the initials RLK in red over the CP mailing address. It felt squishy. What could it be?

I opened it and saw a yellow shirt, but I opted for the letter right away. Before even reading I looked at the bottom of the page; it read "Sincerely, Dick Kinzel." OMG! What is a letter from Kinzel doing at my house?! My hands holding the oh-so-beautiful CP stationary shaking, I read on.

I just wanted to let you know that I received a copy of the newspaper article featuring you and your love of Shivering Timbers!

It is such a delight to hear how much our guests enjoy the park. You sound like a true coaster enthusiast. Our general manager at Michigan's Adventure has told me a lot about you, including you had your senior pictures taken at the park! What a great idea for someone as captivated by amusement parks as you seem to be!

As the CEO for Cedar Fair, I appreciate hearing about your enthusiasm and pleasure in what we provide. I hope that your long-range plans of working for an amusement park brings you all the happiness and success you desire..I know it has for me!

Sincerely,

Dick Kinzel (signature)

Why is this so cool? Because I didn't contact him in any way about the article. I have two guesses as to how he knew: CoasterBuzz or Camille. Regardless, he sat down and wrote a personal letter to me. He also took it so far as to included a Wicked Twister shirt. How many other park chains would even write the letter? You and I both know the answer to that.

This letter completely changed my outlook on the management of Cedar Fair. I now realize why so many people would defend CF's management until the end...and I find myself as a part of that group of individuals now.

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Kara (car-uh)
1024 Laps
621 in '02
52 visits to 4 CF parks in '02 with a season pass, free. Knowing I saved $1603, priceless.

While I too am impressed, I'm not surprised that you would recieve a package from Mr. Kinzel. These are real people running a great chain of parks...

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Jes
Jes's Roller Coasters DJ Jes
Six Flags Worlds Of Adventure 2002 Ride-Ops Crew! Have fun trying to find me!

That is so awesome, Kara. I think a "thank you" letter is in order... just happen to mention your plans for next summer in it. :)
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- John
I resign from the game of life if I have to play with stupidity.

Wow, that's really a class act. Sure we can dog CF management for the dumbest, only-an-enthusiast-would-care reasons (character signs, anyone?), but when it comes down to it, they are some of the most caring in the game. This shows that they really are about much more than money grubbing and record breaking. Nice job Mr. Kinzel!

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- Chris Moore
You survived the Gemini 100...You braved the DT 80...
Can you survive...THE CHEESE-ON-A-STICK 5??? Coming soon!

That reminds me how every year I always e-mail the Point, asking for their yearly poster. But what do I get the next day on my doormat besides a poster in side of a poster tube? Tons and tons of pictures, post cards, a little booklet about all of their rides, and other Cedar Point paraphernalia. Did I mention they some how crammed a poster in there? It just goes to show how far they will go. I too am one of those who defends CF's management until the end.

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-Matthew
When it's good, it's very good...
When it's bad, it's wicked

That is awesome Kara. Very Very Awesome!

Dick Kinzel is a real class act who got himself to the top from starting at the bottom. He takes the time to talk to anyone who asks him something. Our incident with him last night proved that, right Chris? LOL

yesterday made me realize how much I really love CP. I could have cried last night after getting off of Maggie.

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Welcome back Magnum riders how was your ride?

Wow Kara, that's really cool that Kinzel would write you. That guy is really a class act, and I have yet to hear anything about him that didn't make me like him even more. I'd definately say a nice thank you letter would be in order.

BTW Kara, I saw you on closing day, but didn't get a chance to say hi because my friend was dragging me by the arm because he wanted to see the construction area.

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-Chris Woodard
"If you're standing in an uncomfortable position, that means you are in the right position because you are riding Mantis!" - Mantis ride op doing spiels on closing day.

It's nice to see a large business being run with a lot of class. Kudo's to Kinzel and Kara!

Let's hope the attention to the customer continues!!

WOW......that's just awesome! You certainly deserve it. What a fitting way to end the season. He does plan to pass your record with Mean Squeak laps right? :)
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"I had a good summer. I went to Great America, then I got Mono." - Wayne Campbell, SNL
Model coasters and rides

And that is why I would love to work for Cedar Fair.

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I fool so feelish...

Hey Kara, if you gave a copy of that article to Camille (and I think you said that you did), you can bet she sent it on to Coprorate.

Good, positive PR for amusement parks is something you don't see that often in this day and age of sensationalism. Kudos to Dick Kinzel for demonstrating just how big CF's heart really is.

MrScott

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"If we go any faster, she'll blow apart for sure!"

I'm so happy for you Kara. I know it's been a little tough on you seeing your "park" being changed to fit the corporate image of Cedar Fair, and some of the changes have not been happy ones.

This is the first year I've actually met and talked with some of the Cedar Fair management (the Witherows) and I was impressed not only with how friendly and honest they were with an "unknown" guest, but that Janice who first met me at Timbersfest remembered me and chatted with my son and I at CP.

You have to give credit to management who honestly cares about the people who support their parks.

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I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead

After my story (front page Sandusky Register, May 5th '01 ;)) appeared, I too recieved a thank you letter from Mr Kinzel. Along with a Raptor button, a Raptor keychain, a Raptor pin, a CP hat and a copy of the paper. I introduced myself to him in '01, and he has never forgotten my name in the times I've seen him since. . I saw him one morning in the park and he stopped and asked me if I was working on Raptor again this season. I even took a picture with him Sunday night!!! :)
A nicer, down to earth guy you'll never meet!! :)
Congrats Kara!

Jo
2000/2002 Raptor Crew
Lifetime Raptor flights: 708 :)
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It's all about getting around the barrels, or over the fences, right leads, no faults, fastest time and looking pretty when done. What's so hard about that? :)

ST Kara....

You are a very pretty gal! I was wondering um.....if a...... well you know......if you had a.......um...........a ah............... um.....a ........boyfriend. If not I am single and I am not that ugly either! So you might think I am cute and you might be interested on going out with me. But of course a beautiful girl like yourself I'm sure already has a boyfriend.

If this helps any, I live 90 minutes west from Muskegon. I love Shivering Timbers! And I Love Cedar Point!

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"Poop...poop...I like lots and lots of poop. When you poop, you have to go pee, because its been like that for eternity. Ever since you've pooped, you had to go pee...." Tom Green

I guess it just goes to show you how CFair is appreciative of their patrons/fans. When the Golden Ticket Awards were announced, I sent a short e-mail to CPoint that said congratulations, but in my book, CPoint is #1 in every catagory. About 2 weeks later, I get a letter in the mail from Mr. Kinzel thanking me for taking the time and sharing my kind words. I remember thinking, "wow, what a cool guy to write to little ol' me!"

So, PIAC lives either in Illionois or Lake Michigan.

I've sent a letter to CP complimenting them on the season and their other parks, and less than two days after I sent it out I received a personalized and signed letter from the head of PR. It showes that they really do care about the people who visit their parks. This is in contrast to other parks I have been to. Thank you CP!

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AKA...Somewhatchewy
"Some guy walked up to me on the street and asked what is punk. So I kicked over a trash can and said, thats punk. He kocked over a trash can and said, so that's punk? I said no, that's trendy." Billy Joe Armstrong, Green Day

Stalker! Leave my little sister alone!

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Jeff
Webmaster/GTTP
"There's nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, when it's all in your mind. You gotta let go." - Ghetto, Supreme Beings of Leisure

What's all this poop stuff lately? Poopy pants, poop in a cup, etc., etc. Sometimes I eat lunch while ready this forum and all this poop stuff is going to make me loose a few pounds.

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Florida may have Disneyworld and Key West,
but Ohio has Cedar Point and Put-In-Bay.
It's great to live in Ohio!

Looks like somebody splattered all that poop with a big ol' Banhammer. DUCK!!!!

There's a vast chasm between funny and just plain tasteless....and it's certainly poor form to start off trying to dance on the jagged edge.

-'Playa
(who's starting to wonder if he should preface some posts with MTV 'Jackass' disclaimers)

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The CPlaya 100--6 days, 9 parks, 47 coasters, 2037 miles and a winner.....LoCoSuMo.