Okay this response tells me all I need to know about @super7
Much to learn you still have young one.
Early Park Closures
- Thread starter Crunchewy
- Start date
Much to learn you still have young one.
One thing today is the future weather radar was showing the green (whatever that means, usually drizzle) over the park from 11-2 before the yellow hit, and then suddenly there was yellow in the present radar over the park. It was far from optimal for them to wait so late to make the call, but anyone watching the weather can't be entirely surprised.
The biggest reason for KD closing earlier is experience, it doesn't necessarily require any explanation it just is. Most parks, not just KD, only maintain a late crowd when the day was so crowded people have stuff left to do, or an evening event brings in people later in the day. I'd love them to be open later, but can't really justify it.
The biggest reason for KD closing earlier is experience, it doesn't necessarily require any explanation it just is. Most parks, not just KD, only maintain a late crowd when the day was so crowded people have stuff left to do, or an evening event brings in people later in the day. I'd love them to be open later, but can't really justify it.
Crowds were definitely up last year, so far this one is more normal. The deadest I saw KD was 2009 and 2017. The largest sudden influx of crowds was after I305 was announced, also in 2009. I also rode my ass off on slack days in 2003, 1977, etc.
I don’t know what y’all are talking about with the staffing issues. On my last visit this past Saturday, they were training new people at just about every location and if they weren’t training, each ride had every position they have staffed. The only rides that didn’t seem to have much staffing was some of the smaller flats, and even then they usually only have one person at those rides. Hell, flight of fear had 4 people working platform on top of controls and one on unload.
Even on my visit on April 7th, which was a rainy day, every location was well staffed and quick.
So those who are saying they’re understaffed- I can tell you that they are not.
Even on my visit on April 7th, which was a rainy day, every location was well staffed and quick.
So those who are saying they’re understaffed- I can tell you that they are not.
I don't know if they are or are not, as I'm not park management, though the guess is based on last year's operations they decided to fully staff one shift instead of splitting staffing across multiple shifts to stay open longer each day.
Going with that logic and the hours they've posted, it seems to reason they may be doing better for staffing than last year, but still have holes to fill when it comes to employees that are ok with staying for a later closing time.
Even though @super7 is presenting a narrative with no substantial evidence or attempting to provide a coherent logical thought process to be dissected and improved upon via discussing here, I will give them credit for giving more thoughtful community members here a chance to have a rational discussion anyways.
This post violates ParkFans' rules regarding personal attacks. This user has received a warning for this post.
It is all outdoor entertainment though! I'm sorry you're not intelligent enough to realize that. Baseball games will be delayed and rescheduled due to weather this year, same with soccer, football, and other sports, that's part of the risk. Concerts have been cancelled in the past, sometimes literally minutes before show at venues like Hersheypark.
It sounds to me like you just don't like KD, which is fine, it's not a park for everyone. But if you're capable of a single positive thought I'd invite you to spend more of your time on these forums at least posting something positive instead of being a shitstain in this thread.
There is room for criticism in this thread, other users are properly questioning that. You're not, so please either step up or shut up.
Seriously? The nationwide staffing shortage is new? The global pandemic is new? The international travel bans are new? The increased costs of doing business are new?
BGW closes for weather, as well, and it is too early to predict what they will do for the rest of the day. Additionally, the two parks do not necessarily get the same weather. Last week, I left BGW because of the rain and went to KD, where is was complately dry.
Moreover, BGW’s approach to their staffing constraints is to keep the park open with most of the restaurants and a large percentage of their attractions closed. I, personally, prefer KD’s choice of shorter hours with more things to do. People, however, reasonably disagree about which option is better.
What isn’t reasonable is slinging insults at people and making a serious of unsubstantiated claims
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I would remind everyone that we have have a rule prohibiting personal attacks. Please keep the debate focused on the facts and park policies, and refrain from ”Personal insults or attacks targeting any (real) person.”
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I worked in rides back in the late 1970's and early 1980's at KD. The park closed early on low attendance days whether it was due to the weather or not. The park visitors were given a voucher to come back another day.
"Due to inclement weather, Busch Gardens Williamsburg will be closing at 4 p.m. today, Monday, April 18.
We will reopen tomorrow at 11 a.m. as scheduled."
-- noticed around 2:00
We will reopen tomorrow at 11 a.m. as scheduled."
-- noticed around 2:00
You misunderstood my response, you were saying that KD having direct, nearby competition (BGW) is a "fallacy" in my argument for why park hours are reduced as compared to KI and its not nearby competitors.
KD having BGW as competition is not anything "new".
Also, it sounds like @Coasternerd is saying is that he is not witnessing staffing shortages.
I go back to the original question I believe is being asked here, "what is the root cause of the reduced hours?" and "what is the cause of the projected reduced hours for the entire Summer?", as they have not a single day projected to stay open until the "usual" 10pm closing time.
I don't think it is unreasonable to ask these questions.
I don’t think your observation means KD isn’t suffering from staffing shortages — but it might mean that their reduced hours strategy is working. With shorter hours, KD can have employees work a single shift throughout the full operating day, rather than needing multiple employees per position in order to cover multiple shifts (i.e. morning shift and evening shift).
So, seeing lots of employees at the park doesn’t mean the park still isn’t having trouble with staff. If anything, it’s proof that the reduced hours tactic is a good idea — the hours may be shorter, but while the park is open, it feels fully staffed, even though it isn’t.
I’ll just say @Mushroom with our earlier discussion on the topic: this is why I made the comment. People are going to assume KD is “fully staffed” because of this, and sooner or later pushes and complaints of lack of hours despite being fully staffed will hit.
Personally on short staffing I don’t thing there’s a right or wrong answer. Because to some (possibly a majority) neither is the right answer.
Personally on short staffing I don’t thing there’s a right or wrong answer. Because to some (possibly a majority) neither is the right answer.
I was wrong about Busch yesterday. They closed the doors.
It’s a race to the bottom for VA theme parks to see which one is is worst run in the US. They have decided to go the Kennywood route.
I won’t be back in VA anytime soon. What used to be a great 2 theme park trip is now nothing but a minimal hour schedule and possibly entirely closed parks.
You can say good riddance to me but I’m not the only one. They are charging away customers and that never ends well
It’s a race to the bottom for VA theme parks to see which one is is worst run in the US. They have decided to go the Kennywood route.
I won’t be back in VA anytime soon. What used to be a great 2 theme park trip is now nothing but a minimal hour schedule and possibly entirely closed parks.
You can say good riddance to me but I’m not the only one. They are charging away customers and that never ends well
Brambo
Cyberdyne Systems Software Engineer
..... It was freaking downpouring yesterday... Really dont get how you cant see that and realize the justification for closing early. Have a good time in other states, don't think KD or BGW will be upset you don't come back.
No, I didn’t misunderstand.
You said, “What is the difference between the last few years and the last few decades where park hours were not significantly reduced?”
While BGW and KD being located close together is not new, the dramatic reduction in the potential hiring pool is. As I said, unlike previous years, (when they already struggled to get staff, hence things like the Kings Dominion Law) since 2020 we have had a nationwide staffing shortage, a global pandemic, and international travel bans.
@super7: Have you ever answered people's questions about why a park should remain open when all of the attractions in said park have to remain closed? Is it your intention to browse Kings Dominion's gift shops for 6 hours? Seems better to take the raincheck on your park admission and head to a mall instead...
I'm getting the feeling amusement parks really aren't your thing and you should be looking into different hobbies.