Volume 1, No. 6. April 20, 2001
Double dare
It’s an old radio station promotional stand-by married to a nirvana moment among coaster riders. This summer guests at Paramount’s Kings Island near Cincinnati, Ohio, will be able to partake of "Two-for-Tuesdays" featuring double circuits on selected rides.
The privilege is among benefits available to patrons bearing a Gold Pass, a new promotion aimed at pushing season ticket sales. Anybody who purchases a season pass before May 20 ($79.99 for individuals, $279.99 for families) will get a Gold Pass. Guests who purchased their season tickets at the end of last year can also upgrade to a Gold Pass by making up the price difference. After May 20, the cost of season passes rises $10 and Gold Passes will no longer be issued.
The Gold Pass gives bearers access to 800 reserved parking spaces near the front gate, VIP viewing at the top of the replica Eiffel Tower during fireworks shows and early entry to the waterpark. Holders also will be privy to special promotions, like bring-a-friend-for-free days and admission to a selected themed area at 9 a.m., one hour before gates open to the rest of the public. Currently the park is opening its Action Zone to Gold Pass holders an hour early, allowing exclusive ride times on coasters Son of Beast, Top Gun and Face Off, and the tower ride Drop Zone. Next weekend starts a string of weekends when the park will open Hanna-Barbera Land and Nickelodeon Central to Gold Pass holders at 9 a.m.
The most intriguing element of the Gold Pass Program is the double-ride Tuesdays privilege. On Son of Beast, The Beast, Face Off and Drop Zone as well as on family rides Rugrats Runaway Reptar, Beastie, and Boulder Bumpers, Gold Pass holders can show the ride attendant their pass and stay in their seats for a second ride. Front and back rows on the coasters will be excluded from the program.
"We are always looking for new and unique approaches to guest services," said Jeffrey Siebert, marketing communications area manager. "We sat down with the ride operations staff to discus what we could do, and they came up with the double ride idea. They thought it would be fun for their staff, something different for the ride operators."
For guests it will give them a chance to experience something usually limited to enthusiasts during exclusive ride times. Park officials do not anticipate any operational problems or contrary guest relations issues. "We’re just excited to get the program going," Siebert said. That will be May 29, the first Tuesday of operation after the park’s weekend-only spring schedule.
©2001, Minton Enterprises LLC
All rights reserved