From Don Neal on July 17, 2009 at 5:55 AM
Good topic Robert. A lot of people assume that everyone should just know how to write or communicate these types of situations but most don't. Topics related to online and written communication like this are very valuable to improving and sustaining communities like ours. So the more the merrier! THANKS! :)

From 151.145.238.91 on July 17, 2009 at 7:41 AM
All I have to say about this is AMEN!!! I work at a theme park in VA. People usually love to "cast a stone" before they hear the story. Excellent topic Robert. The situations will speak for themselves as I have found working where I do.

From Marc Ricketts on July 17, 2009 at 8:25 AM
About this sentence: (It's because I'm trying to protect certain parks or chains, or because I'm hostile to certain types or classes of people - all accusations I've had throw at me over the years.). Can I assume that you meant to insert the word "not" in there somewhere?

From Anthony Murphy on July 17, 2009 at 8:27 AM
Good points.

Anyway, I do not think the people in charge are really reading TPI carefully enough to realize or care. Or are they???

But yeah, some of the complaints on the website (some you can find in accident reports) are pretty charged and wild. People gotta tell the park.

From Brian Emery on July 17, 2009 at 4:01 PM
First folks like to Bitch just to Bitch, makes them feel important…

Secondly, Millions, really, Millions…. Hahahaha

From Mark Hollamon on July 18, 2009 at 5:53 AM
With all due respect to TPI, if a reader or customer of a park has a major complaint they should be directing their attention to the park and not this site. Regardless of what anybody that deals with this site may think, very few (I want to say nobody, but that would be rude) from any theme park "complaint" department goes to this site looking for constructive critisizm or new complaints to deal with.

Voice your concern in an adult, educated and thoughtful manner at the theme park and you will be surprised at the result you will receive most of the time.

If you don't receive satisfaction from your concerns, you ultimately have the biggest power of all. Don't go back!

Also, if you are willing to go out of your way to report when you are unsatisfied with something, try to do the same when somebody goes above and beyond. I can assure you the reaction from people most of the time is not equal for both ends of the scale and the good gets lost in the shuffle.

From rick stevens on July 19, 2009 at 12:09 AM
Not sure who might see this, but you always have to keep in mind that the reader is not you. The reader will interpret your writings in the mood they are in, not necessarily the tone of your writing. This holds true for e-mails, discussions, and comments. I have been misinterpreted many a time and have had to apologize. Keep this in mind when you post, you may think you are straightforward in your writing, but it might not be read that way. Hopefully I have not been misinterpreted......LOL.

From 24.188.125.148 on July 21, 2009 at 8:40 AM
The main point I think everyone should take from Robert's article (which was great) is that when reporting a complaint/compliment/suggestion to a park, or a website such as TPI you should be 'objective'. By doing so, you take the personal emotions out of the equation and the commentary is considered more credible. I do alot of mystery shopping at various amusement parks which requires a complete evaluation of park operations from rides to food to employees. The last thing a park wants to hear is someone complaining or threatening their establishment. Even if a situation was upsetting, the best way to handle it is to be mature and understand that the only way to improve a situation is to provide constructive feedback that the parks can use to improve their ops. If they choose to ignore it, then you can always choose to send your business elsewhere.