A few months ago, Kennywood announced a new Chaperone policy. Many guests were upset about this. Today, I wanted to talk about why this policy is stupid, why it won't work, and how this could cost the park money. I also want to give my solution to the problem.
Part 1: What is the Policy?
First, let's go over the new policy. The policy states that anyone under 18 needs to have a chaperone who is at least 21 after 4 PM. Furthermore, at Happy Hauntings, Phantom Fright Nights, and Holiday Lights, the same policy applies at all times!
Part 2: Why is the New Policy Here?
Now, let's quickly go over why the policy was implemented. Kennywood never gave a reason for why, but I can make an educated guess: the events of Opening Day 2018. For those who don't know, there was a massive riot on Opening Day 2018 at Kennywood. People were injured, and the park even had to close early, I heard.
In 2020, there were also 1 or 2 semi large fights amongst teenagers.
The policy seems to be in place, though, because of 2020 being accident prone, overall. Tons of anti maskers were in the park, there were a couple fights, and a man almost died in the park (because of a heart-attack not ride related).
Part 3: Why this Policy Is Stupid
First, I just want to mention that this policy is just unfair. This means that Emancipated Minors, High School Graduates, and Pregnant Teens or Teen Moms, who are legal adults in Pennsylvania, may not be allowed in without someone over 21. This is literally an example of Age Discrimination (Ageism).
Now, let's talk more about why this policy is idiotic. Like I said before, the policy is basically a textbook example of Ageism. Furthermore, though, I should also point out that the policy also is an example of Favoritism. In case you don't know, in Pennsylvania, you can get a work permit when you are 14, and it is necessary to work until you either graduate High School or turn 18 (whichever comes first).
At Kennywood, people working Food and Beverage Services (other than bartending), admissions, and catering only have to be 14, which makes it very popular for high schoolers to work at Kennywood. Furthermore, people working in Ride Operations and Cash Control only have to be 16. These people don't have to be constantly supervised, and they can get in just as much trouble. The main difference here is that the workers are being payed to be there and the guests are paying to be there. That detail just makes this policy even worse!
Part 4: Why this Policy Won't Work
(Quick Disclaimer: I am going to use some examples of things that likely will be done. I am against violence and vandalism, and I don't think that people should be doing either of those things, and especially not at a family friendly amusement park. Please do not vandalize the park and please do not start fights in the park. The only reason to fight in public is if it is self defense in an emergency, so that it the only time to do it.)
Next, let's just talk about why this policy won't work. The main problem here is that people just won't listen, and there are loopholes to the policy. After bringing it up on Instagram, Kennywood stated that chaperones don't have to ride with the kids. This means that, if the kids really wanted to start a fight or vandalize something in the park, it would still be very doable.
For example, let's say that you're at Skyrocket. You are riding in Row 6 and your chaperone is in row one. The line for the front gets longer, and that is when you start a fight. Your chaperone just can't do anything about it, and the policy becomes useless. If someone was determined to start a fight, they would find loopholes and exploit them. It wouldn't be hard.
Part 5: How This Policy will Cost them Money
Much of the park's revenue comes from 2 groups of people: Teenagers and Families. Teenagers will often get Season Passes, go to the park with their friends, and get a lot of food and merch. They will more often buy photos from the park and are the main people that the arcades and midway games are meant for. Here is just an idea of what a teenager may buy for 2021 (if the policy was never implemented), and how much it would (likely) cost:
-Platinum Pass ($160)
-Dining Plan ($100)
-Arcade Points ($20)
-Midway Games ($30)
This isn't even including the lockers they may buy, merch they may buy, and the tickets for friends that don't have passes. If you add up the costs I gave, that's $310 per teenager, and a lot of teenagers will likely buy passes. This is why they will often make a lot of money from teenagers.
They make a lot of money from families, too, but the removal of Kangaroo and Paratrooper may lead to more people just going to Hershey, Waldameer, Cedar Point, or Kings Island.
Also, this is going to make School Field Trips rarer. Many schools throughout Pennsylvania and even out to Ohio and other states will come to Kennywood once per year. At my school, I'd estimate that about 300 people go on the Kennywood trip. Tickets cost $25, and pavilions are rented. If there are 300 tickets bought, then that is $7500 coming in. That is also just from one school. Most middle/high schools in Pittsburgh Public Schools will do this, and that leads to thousands, possibly millions, of dollars made. There is just one problem: chaperones were never required. The school won't want to pay teachers to babysit groups of kids, and there wouldn't be enough chaperones. The groups would be too big to all ride at once, and the kids would be separated from the chaperones. That will likely mean that, if they want to follow the rules,
Part 6: Summary of Reasons
Overall, this new policy is Ageist, Hypocritical, it won't work, and it is going to prevent a large amount of income. The new policy combined with the choices for ride removals will lead to a large amount of guests choosing to not come in 2021, which will lead to a large loss in revenue.
Part 7: Alternatives
I do have some ideas for what can replace the new system. Here are just some ideas that can be implemented.
My first idea is to introduce a new security system. Start using new x-ray type security systems. This will be faster, more convenient, more secure, and it will also require fewer staff.
There are currently around 5 metal detectors. My proposal is that you go into the building, scan your pass or ticket, and then just go through. This likely only require 2 devices. This would be about $7,000. Each current metal detector would sell for around $2,000, so this could even make the park money.
Using that system, more security could be brought around the park. Then, they could help prevent fights.
Another idea I have is to introduce a new system for teenagers who are in the park alone. This would be a sort of membership. There could be a required Security Deposit for kids to go alone. The security deposit would be payed by the teens or their parents.
The membership would be free to sign up for. The security deposit would be added to the account, and it would stay on the account for all visits until some major damage or fight happens. If that happens, then the teenager would be either warned, suspended, or banned.
Minor, unintentional damage would only result in the person being told off and some privileges being suspended (such as free drinks for Platinum Passholders or some discounts or a dining plan holder's snack). Money would be owed to Kennywood and could be either payed there or taken from the security deposit.
Something like mild vandalism would lead to suspension from the park. Money could either be taken from the security deposit or would be payed up front. If the person apologizes and cleans it up, it would only require a small fine and park suspension for a couple days. Otherwise, 1-2 weeks would be the max and a larger fine would be introduced.
For something like a major fight and/or major damage, it would lead to the entire security deposit being taken and, depending on how bad it was, may lead to either a long-term suspension or a permanent ban. This would only be for offenses that would result in needing lots of security or the police to be called.
To add on, there could also be a permission slip system. This would mean that the parent/guardian would be responsible for any damages. This would go directly with the security deposit system. If the parent signs the permission slip, it would either be added to an account tied to the Season Pass or the membership with the security deposit.
Another thing I want to mention is that employees should be allowed to attend the park alone, and damages could be taken out of their pay.
Finally, I think that there should be a reporting system in place. There should be a number to be able to call so that, if you witness some sort of incident that needs reported, it can be reported. This could be added to a Kennywood app, and that could allow for pictures, descriptions, and letting security know what is going on. This could allow for fewer incidents happening because more people would be willing to report it, leading to fewer people wanting to risk it. There could also be a reward for people who step in and help prevent something bad from happening (say something like preventing a fight or convincing someone not to vandalize. The reward could be something like a coupon, arcade tokens, or something like that).
If these ideas are implemented, I think that it would end better than the new Chaperone policy. The policy should only apply to those under 14.
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