KD is putting quite a bit of focus on dining this year. Their web page has many job openings for culinary positions that are full-time, year round positions. Up until this year, most food related jobs offers were seasonal positions.
What I find interesting is the fact that the park is having a hard time finding life guards for the waterpark this year. In years past, it appeared the park had no problem filling life guard positions. I always thought the water park was better staffed than the dry park during the prime summer season. Many times I saw life guards working the dry side of the park before and after the water parks scheduled operating days.
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Yes, COVID has thrown a major wrench into filling job positions across all industries and businesses. But, the related restrictions and closures seem to be having a far deeper inpact on the US workforce and what work conditions folks want to accept before taking a job. Whether or not this is temporary or permanent remains to be seen.
KD had a lot of long time employees. Not sure if many of them will come back, after finding new jobs. One employee in particular I remember is the one older guy that worked at I305. His notable quote is "HOLD ON TIGHT AND ENJOY YOUR RIDE", right before the Dale Earnhart Jr spiel plays to dispatch the train. Then again, he could have retired a while ago.
As we all know, VA lifted covid restrictions a while ago. It must be Cedar Fair or KD's decision to continue operating as they are. If it's a staffing issue; then they to find a way to get the staff in. If the park closes at 7pm; your not going to get a lot of people from the greater Washington Metropolitan region. As I've said before, there are a lot of people who don't want to arrive as soon as the park opens. They may arrive at 1:00pm or 2:00pm and stay until close; which in the regular world is 10:00pm for KD. But if the park is forced to close at 7:00pm, that in turn changes the psychology of the guest. Arrive at the park at 2:00pm and only ride a few things before they close at 7:00pm. After one ride, food and a game. It doesn't leave you much time to ride.
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