News: Kinzel signs pact to stay to 2012

Okay, Fingerprints is out, but there are still quite a few things that can be done to improve the park in profitable ways.

Fingerprints, in my opinion, are a bit too drastic. But I do think a system where you can use your resort room card as a park debit/credit card would be something that would boost sales enough to see a noticeable upswing.

I think it is time for an upper level management change as well. I agree with DBCP in regards to Falfas taking over the role of leader of the chain. I would think that Spehn would be a better fit for the job, and given his history (especially at CP) I think he could do great things for the company in bringing operations about. Doubtless, Jack could do that as well, but, after discussing the issue with some people who have worked with Falfas, I would say that I would feel a bit more comfortable with Spehn at the wheel. Of course, that is just what I've heard around in discussions.

Can someone explain the risk of fingerprints? WDW has that in place along with IOA with its lockers. Seems more secure than anything else.

You don't have to use fingerprints to have biometric scanning. Disney doesn't use fingerprints. They scan the surface of your fingers - basically using their length, circumference and surface area as the formula to identify you. I'm using the same thing for site security on my job that measures people's hands in the same way. Doesn't use fingerprints, but is another effective way of identifying an individual without printing cards that can be lost. Its a brilliant system.

Even if it is fingerprints and not what halltd described, what are all the red flags about finger prints? Everyone who is against it thus far has given no reason why it's "drastic" or scarey. Like it or not that is where we're headed, and honestly how is it any different than having a card number that is scanned? Plus it is much harder to replicate someones fingerprint vs grabbing a security number on a card. And as stated above, it's rather hard to loose ones thumb... or is that what you're afraid of...

Either way having a money free option throughout the park is definately a much needed convenience for the average resort guest.

http://www.pointbuzz.com/news.htm?id=1060

Privacy is a huge concern in this country (or at least it should be). You can't even step outside of your house without getting hit by a privacy notice. There's even a link to one at the bottom of this page. If we go through so much effort to let you know what we do with silly things like IP addresses, and if Chase has a book of fine print related to a piece of plastic with a mag strip, I don't think it's hard to see how fingerprints take it all to a new level.

With the concerns over comparably trivial items, there's no way to convince me that I should trust anyone with something so personal. It's not that far of a stretch to see the information that could be amassed - far more reaching than is already done. Americans have already lost much of the control on how their personal information is used, even without taking it to yet another step in the wrong direction. And we don't need the help. Some people already seem to want to give this information away. But if you can't see the difference between a plastic card in your wallet and a part of your body, then I probably can't explain why you should worry.

And it doesn't take the removal of a thumb to fool the system. Ask the MythBusters.

*** Edited 12/20/2006 1:47:58 PM UTC by Walt***

Jump to Conclusions said:
Personally, I would put in an OC3

Have you ever priced one of those things out? Just the Cisco equipment to run the thing would cost astronomical. Not to mention that Sandusky is 60 miles from Cleveland, and that is about the only place you are going to get that much bandwidth from. The mileage costs would be gigantic. And for why?

And using fingerprints would bother me a lot. I have only surrendered my fingerprints once to the FBI, and don't plan on giving anyone else a copy of those anytime soon.
*** Edited 12/20/2006 2:08:43 PM UTC by bholcomb***

People like to talk about technology nuts and bolts and that's silly. Talk about concepts and then figure out the appropriate hardware.

I know it always comes back to this, but some way to easily charge back to your room is still the way to get people to spend more money. At both Disney and Universal last week, that room key easily stacked up $100+ every single day because it was so convenient. I didn't carry any cash at all, and I know I spent more liberally than I ever would have otherwise.

Speaking of convenience and spending money...I would love to see a system in place where you can purchase merchandise and pick it up when you are ready to leave the park, or better yet have it delivered to your room if you are staying at the resorts. I often find things in Frontiertown and at the other gift shops that I am more than willing to purchase. But I'm certainly not going to pay for a locker to store my stuff when I ride. If I knew my merchandise would be ready for me when I left the park I would almost certainly spend more money in the park.

These things are all part of the evolution of CP's resort side that I think must happen to bring CP to the next level. If the park is to grow attendance and revenue, instead of being flat like it's been, the resort side must be upgraded with new services, entertainment opportunities and room upgrades. All the things we've been talking about here in previous threads, including charging on your key card and package delivery, must happen for CP to just stay even with other resorts like Disney and Universal.

It's pretty obvious that Mr Kinzel hates spending money on infrastructure, but if things don't improve the guest experience will suffer, and the park will suffer because of that.

As Jeff said, this industry is no longer about putting in a major ride every two years. People expect more than they used to in the way of amenities, service and luxuries. Both during the park visit, and after they experience the park back in the resorts. I think Mr. Kinzel misses the mark on that, especially on the resort side.

Although I hasten to add, just in case there are any Cedar Fair folks lurking, people do still expect to see new major attractions every couple years or so. That expectation hasn't gone away. It's only been augmented by more a more savvy and sophisticated consumer mind-set.

Kinzel has done the most amount of good any other person probably could have done for Cedar Fair.

With that said I see it from both ends equally, yes he should see his latest endevor through to the end and yes it is time to see a new captain of the ship. Who that captain is I dont know and I will leave that to the Board of Directors.

As for everybody who is looking for room delivery and the other frills, you are at a * thrill park not a spa, so pull up your panties and carry that stuffed animal for your best gal.

I somewhat agree with the resort room / credit card from the standpoint of it being a possible huge money market for CP but I personaly dont need it or really care for it. I bring a certain amount of cash and that is all I intend to spend and when the money is out thats it end of story. If you are a person like Jeff and have no will power then you will secumb to the ploy and spend extra moolah much to the benefit of CF.

In conclusion, it may be true that Kinzel may have set CF back on the technology front but I belive that he has done the best damn job he could and I congratulate him for that and everything he has done for CP.

Thank you, this has been brought to you by the Dave Sagert drunkin' tangent group.
*** Edited 12/21/2006 12:56:10 AM UTC by David Sagert***
*** Edited 12/21/2006 10:40:27 AM UTC by Walt***

This is good news to me. We still have a chance to get a 500 footer while Kinzel is still around.

David,
I don't think anyone is arguing that Kinzel hasn't done a tremendous job and the company would likely not be what it is without him. With that being said, there is only a limited audience for the tallest, fastest thrill rides.

If you market yourself as a resort you should offer amenities consistent with a resort. Yes you might not care about these amenities if you live within driving distance of the park. But those of us that live 5 hours away and need lodging appreciate them.

Why would I spend $200 a night for a room at Breaker's? What do they offer me that I can't get at another hotel? Early entrance to the park and proximity is not worth an extra $100 a night. Unless there is a change in the services offered by the resorts I can't justify the extra expense.

^ If you call 2.5 hours within driving distance then ok.

Staying on-site which allows my friends who do not have a season pass like I do get in a half hour early and having my parking validated and being to walk to the park from my room are very large assets that I appreciate very much.

Most people are not saying that Kinzel did a bad job but some are saying it is time to go. Since he did pioneer the deal with CBS to buy the Paramount parks then it is only right that he stays onboard to see the concept through.

And to say there is only a limited audience for tallest and fastest thrill rides then you should look at the rating of MF over the past five years as well as the attendence for Magnum, Millenium and Top Thrill Dragster ( which does its best for being a poorly designed ride ) and see how small the market is for tallest and fastest.

mulfinator said:
Speaking of convenience and spending money...I would love to see a system in place where you can purchase merchandise and pick it up when you are ready to leave the park, or better yet have it delivered to your room if you are staying at the resorts.

It might not be quite as indepth as you are speaking of... but I think they have a system like that.

Going with a large group is worth the extra price to stay at the resort, help defray the extra cost. Two of the three trips I make to CP annually are with just my wife so it's not worth the extra $100 for a room.

Granted MF has been rated near the top consistently but how many people in the general public know or care about that? Did the addition of Top Thrill send droves of people to the point? MaxAir? Skyhawk? From my understanding attendance at the park has been fairly consistent over the last 4 years or so. I doubt the addition of Maverick will cause a dramatic growth either. Clearly they are reaching a maximum attendance when the park is marketed the same way year after year after year...

^ This is true with attendence, and as far as I see it, it has nothing to do with no audience for tallest and fastest or to do with benefits offered by the CP owned resorts it has everything to do with the current economy and rising crude oil.

I dont think any park CF or otherwise has reported a vast improvement in attenendce in the past few years.

Skyhawk and MaXair are rides that are very marketable to the family and it did not do much if any for attendence which leads me to belive what I stated in my last two paragraphs.

As for how the general public cares what MF was rated the past few years, simply they dont, but they keep that line at a two hour wait all of July and most of August.
*** Edited 12/21/2006 3:03:51 AM UTC by David Sagert***

I would never consider maXair a family ride. Skyhawk is even stretch too. Both rides are pretty intense.