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My pass paid in full and is good all the way to the beginning of October so I'm covered for the majority of this coming year. As such I don't care what they try to do I'm not switching over to one of the new memberships as I won't shell out any more money to do so regardless of the extra benefits of the Unlimited Membership as that is what I'd most likely go with. Right now I have the 1-Park pass which is perfect for me and the Unlimited is essentially the same. Going with the Basic Membership is going backwards too much for me over what is currently provided under the 1-Park pass.

Getting WCUSA in the membership is aggravating to me as I'd be paying for something that is of absolutely no benefit to me. If they would take this off and make it separate add on to the memberships that would be perfect for me.
 
VonDerrick said:
All current passes on EZ Pay should stay the same, pricing and all until you hit 5 years from the time you started EZ Pay, it's in the fine print.

After that, they will likely have you switch over to a new plan.

Passes paid in full will probably just expire when they are supposed to and force you to a new plan.

The 5 year rule came about within the last few years. I've had my EZ Pay plan for about 10 years. I recently ran across the original paperwork, and it does not say anything about 5 years. I'm not sure if they can/would begin applying that 5 year rule to me or not. I certainly won't be happy if they do.
 
I'm about to say something very unpopular so brace yourselves:

Maybe people should be paying more for Busch Gardens Williamsburg today than they were 15 years ago.

I believe the park should be finding ways to thank long term pass holders for their patronage, but maybe freezing prices forever really isn't the right way to do that.

SEAS is hurting. Admission and pass prices are skyrocketing throughout the chain. It honestly seems sorta silly that the park would continue to let someone in for $5 a month when the market price is double that.
 
Zachary said:
Maybe people should be paying more for Busch Gardens Williamsburg today than they were 15 years ago.
Very good point here as the park has extremely loyal fans who I imagine would be fine with a small price increase. But, being apart of the minuscule group that was grandfathered in during a promotion in 2002 or 2003 for a life time Platinum Pass price this does make me wonder if this will be cut? However, at the same time all the other SEAS parks still follow the current pass structure. Either way these new pass member tiers seem like a great change to the aging system.
 
Zachary said:
I'm about to say something very unpopular so brace yourselves:

Maybe people should be paying more for Busch Gardens Williamsburg today than they were 15 years ago.

I believe the park should be finding ways to thank long term pass holders for their patronage, but maybe freezing prices forever really isn't the right way to do that.

SEAS is hurting. Admission and pass prices are skyrocketing throughout the chain. It honestly seems sorta silly that the park would continue to let someone in for $5 a month when the market price is double that.


Are you speaking of BGW Silver and Gold passholders only?

Because if you include Platinum Passholders I disagree 1000%.

As a Platinum Passholder for over 15 years and one who makes frequent annual visits to BGW, SeaWorld Orlando and BGT, the company gets way more money from me than your average passholder when I spend money in all three parks on every visit.
 
It would appear that BGW has finally transitioned to the new website platform that the rest of the chain is using. With the new website, it also looks like they are preparing for the new "Membership" program, though they are currently still selling the old Annual Passes:

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I think there is a perfectly reasonable discussion to be had about the actual value of BGW admission—I, for example, believe that $90 for a single day at BGW is completely and totally asinine—almost to the point of being insulting.

That said, I don't think that someone deserves to pay 50% less than market value just because they've held a pass for more than a decade.

I think these are separate issues.

BGW prices are, in my opinion, too high. BGW prices, in my opinion, also shouldn't vary wildly depending on when you "got in."

Just because someone has gone to a movie theater once a month religiously for 20 years doesn't mean that, tomorrow, when they make their next visit, that they should pay anything other than the fair, current, market price.

Value SHOULD be added for long-term customers through incentive programs—for instance, maybe that movie theater has a punch card—the long-term customer can earn a free movie every now and then. That is a much more sane solution in my mind than locking in that customer's movie ticket price to the 1998 price he/she had 20 years prior.

Furthermore, even just adjusting for inflation, people who paid $6 a month back in 2003 should be paying $8.14 a month today. BGW is eating the inflation on people's passes and, I'm sorry, but that just isn't right.
 
Zachary said:
I'm about to say something very unpopular so brace yourselves:

Maybe people should be paying more for Busch Gardens Williamsburg today than they were 15 years ago.

I believe the park should be finding ways to thank long term pass holders for their patronage, but maybe freezing prices forever really isn't the right way to do that.

SEAS is hurting. Admission and pass prices are skyrocketing throughout the chain. It honestly seems sorta silly that the park would continue to let someone in for $5 a month when the market price is double that.

I couldn't agree more and I say that as a pass holder that has had one ling enough to not be limited to the 5 year range. One only needs to look at the cost increases in the world in general and you can see why the park prices are going up.

That said my ideal way of the park handling me and others.like me would be this way. Announce that the last day that easy pay passes will be good for is 5 years from the last day that the park sales them for. This covers their contractual obligations to those who recently purchased them. Then offer an invite in pricing to switch over sooner then that time frame.

As a side note I wonder if the company is using BGW as a test bed for a possible company wide roll out.
 
DJTLG said:
The 5 year rule came about within the last few years. I've had my EZ Pay plan for about 10 years. I recently ran across the original paperwork, and it does not say anything about 5 years. I'm not sure if they can/would begin applying that 5 year rule to me or not. I certainly won't be happy if they do.

The old EZPay contracts were extremely simple compared to the current contract.

Here is mine from 2011 on a 2 Year Platinum Pass:

2011 EZPay Contract said:
P1 :BGW/WCW Platinum 2Y Vch
Admission only benefits to any SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Parks for Two Years from date of purchase. Pass is non-transferable, non-refundable, remains the property of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Parks and will be revoked without restitution for m

----------------------------------------------------------------------

By accepting below, I agree to pay the down payment (first monthly payment), and thereafter to pay the remaining number of payments, which will be billed monthly to my credit card. I may prepay my outstanding balance at any time. I UNDERSTAND THAT I AM NOT PERMITTED TO CANCEL MY EZPAY PLAN UNTIL ALL MONTHLY PAYMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE. IF I FAIL TO PAY MY MONTHLY PAYMENT, THE ENTIRE REMAINING BALANCE WILL BE DUE AND PAYABLE IMMEDIATELY (acceleration not applicable to Virginia residents) AND MY BAR-CODED PASS MAY BE CANCELLED. If I fail to make payments for a period of 10 days or more, at the sole discretion of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment (SEA), I will be charged the costs of collecting my outstanding debt, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs. I may be assessed a late fee of up to 5% of each late installment. (California residents: 5% late fee is not applicable. California residents may be assessed a late fee of up to $10 if they are 10 days late, up to $15 if they are 10 to 15 days late and may also be subject to a delinquency charge if they fail to notify SEA of any change of address or to communicate with SEA 45 days after failure to make a payment.) EXCEPT FOR ANY PASSES PAID IN LESS THAN 12 MONTHS, THIS CONTRACT WILL RENEW AUTOMATICALLY ON A MONTH-TO-MONTH BASIS FOLLOWING THE PAYMENT PERIOD until I terminate it. I hereby authorize SEA to charge my credit card (or any other credit card which I supply SEA) for future payments. I may cancel my automatically renewed pass(es) at any time after the first full EZ Pay Plan has expired. SEA will advise me of any rate changes. Payments will be made in accordance with my Credit Card Issuer Agreement. I understand that I am not permitted to contract for additional EZ Pay accounts if my balance under this contract is past due, and that any payments made by me to SEA may be used by SEA to settle past due balances under this contract before applying the payments to other sales transactions. In addition, regardless of the number of times a pass is used, there are no refunds of amounts paid on my EZ Pay account. Notice to Buyer: Do not sign this contract before you read it or if it contains any blank spaces. You are entitled to an exact copy of the contract you accept. Keep it to protect your legal rights. I am at least 18 years of age, and I consent to the use of my personal identification information for my EZPay Account. I ACCEPT THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT.

I ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF A COPY OF THIS CONTRACT.

No where in it does it say that they have to honor it for 5 years, but what it does say is that after your initial contract period, in this case two years, that SEAS must notify you of a change in the monthly price. If I interpret that correctly, that means they aren't required to keep anyone that has the Season Passes that came out before the five year price lock on the same price. SeaWorld has just chosen to do so.

I'll have had this Platinum Pass for 7 years in May. I wasn't able to find a copy of my EZPay contract for my old "2 Park 2 Year BGW/WCUSA Pass," I'm pretty sure I bought that one in 2008, but I am sure it is the same or similar.



For comparison's sake, here is the current EZPass Contract:
2018 EZPay Contract said:
EZ PAY TERMS AND CONDITIONS

By accepting these terms and conditions, I agree to pay the down payment (including any applicable taxes and fees), and thereafter to pay the remaining number of payments, which will be billed monthly to my credit or debit card.  I may prepay my outstanding balance for the Initial Term (as defined above) at any time, but prepayment will not automatically terminate this contract unless I notify SEA of my desire to cancel my EZ Pay membership.  I UNDERSTAND THAT I AM NOT PERMITTED TO CANCEL MY EZ PAY PLAN UNTIL ALL MONTHLY PAYMENTS FOR THE INITIAL TERM HAVE BEEN MADE.  IF I FAIL TO PAY ANY MONTHLY PAYMENT, THE ENTIRE REMAINING BALANCE WILL BE DUE AND PAYABLE IMMEDIATELY (acceleration not applicable to Virginia residents) AND MY MEMBERSHIP MAY BE CANCELLED.  If I fail to make payments for a period of 10 days or more, at the sole discretion of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. or its applicable subsidiary (“SEA”), I will be charged the costs of collecting my outstanding debt, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs.  If I fail to make payments for a period of 10 days or more, at the sole discretion of SEA, I may be assessed a late fee of up to 5% of each late installment  (California residents: 5% late fee is not applicable.  California residents may be assessed a late fee of up to $10 if they are at least 10 days late or up to $15 if they are at least 15 days late and may also be subject to the actual and reasonable costs of collection if they fail to notify SEA of any change of address or to communicate with SEA 45 days after failure to make a payment). EXCEPT FOR PASSES FOR SESAME PLACE ONLY WHICH WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY RENEW, THIS CONTRACT WILL RENEW AUTOMATICALLY ON A MONTH-TO-MONTH BASIS FOLLOWING THE INITIAL TERM UNTIL I TERMINATE IT.    TO TERMINATE THIS CONTRACT EFFECTIVE AFTER THE INITIAL TERM AND PREVENT AUTOMATIC MONTH-TO-MONTH RENEWAL OF THIS CONTRACT, PLEASE CONTACT SEA  C/O SEA WORLD CONTACT CENTER, 8403 SOUTH PARK CIRCLE, ORLANDO, FL 32819 TEL: 407-545-5550.  I hereby authorize SEA to charge my credit card (or any other credit card which I supply SEA) for future payments.  I may cancel my automatically renewed membership(s) at any time after the Initial Term has expired (automatic renewal not applicable to passes for Sesame Place usage only).  If I permit this contract to renew automatically on a month-to-month basis and continue to pay my monthly payments on time, SEA will not increase my monthly payments prior to the fifth (5th) anniversary of the date that I accept the terms of this contract and purchase an EZ Pay membership, but SEA reserves the right to do so in its sole discretion after such five (5) year period, in which case SEA will advise me of any rate changes (automatic renewal and 5-year price lock guarantee not applicable to passes for Sesame Place usage only), CHANGES IN BENEFITS OR TERMS, OR DISCONTINUATION OF THE EZ PAY PLAN.  I UNDERSTAND THAT IF I DO NOT TERMINATE THIS CONTRACT THAT MY CREDIT OR DEBIT CARD WILL CONTINUE TO BE CHARGED EACH MONTH AFTER THE INITIAL TERM HAS EXPIRED, EXCEPT FOR PASSES FOR SESAME PLACE USAGE ONLY WHICH WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY RENEW.  Payments will be made in accordance with my Credit Card Issuer Agreement.  I understand that I am not permitted to contract for additional EZ Pay plans if any balance under this contract is past due, and that any payments made by me to SEA may be used by SEA as a set-off to settle past due balances under this contract before applying the payments to other sales transactions.  In addition, regardless of the number of times a membership is used, there are no refunds of amounts paid on my EZ Pay plan.  I am at least 18 years of age, and I consent to the use of my personal identification information for my EZ Pay plan.   Any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or connected with this contract or the use of any park or membership SHALL BE RESOLVED INDIVIDUALLY, WITHOUT RESORT TO ANY FORM OF CLASS ACTION, and solely and exclusively in a federal or state court located in the state in which the park is located and you hereby submit to the sole and exclusive personal jurisdiction of said courts and irrevocably waive any and all rights to object to such jurisdiction; provided, however, that for multi-state memberships,  this contract is made in the state of Florida and shall be governed exclusively by the substantive laws of the state of Florida without giving effect to any conflict-of-laws rules requiring the application of the substantive law of any other jurisdiction.  If any provision of this Agreement is deemed to be invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the balance of this Agreement shall remain enforceable, and such invalid or unenforceable provision shall be enforced by such court to the maximum possible extent. I understand and agree that  any electronic signature shall have the same force and effect as a written signature. SEA’S MAXIMUM LIABILITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE AMOUNTS PAID BY THE EZ PAY MEMBER AND THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVE ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

EZ PAY MEMBERSHIP IS NON-TRANSFERABLE, NON-REFUNDABLE, AND MAY BE REVOKED FOR MISUSE.

NOTICE TO BUYER -- DO NOT SIGN THIS CONTRACT BEFORE YOU READ IT OR IF IT CONTAINS ANY BLANK SPACES. YOU ARE ENTITLED TO AN EXACT COPY OF THE CONTRACT YOU SIGN. KEEP IT TO PROTECT YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS.

I ACCEPT THE TERMS OF THIS CONTRACT. I ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF A COPY OF THIS CONTRACT.
 
I just renewed my one park season pass in January. I hope they make the transition smoothly. If I have to finish my ez pay for my current pass, and than be forced to ez pay another membership program on top of the current payments, I’m going to be pissed. I hope that the park does something where current paying members can “upgrade”, or “switch” to a different plan, and simply continue the ez payments for the new membership. I’m sure a transition like this would make people extremely happy.
 
I'm not too familiar with ez pay since I just pay yearly. But it sounds like you are/were "punished" by paying the whole year upfront vs. paying in monthly installments, in that you can be subject to a price increase any time when you renew yearly. Was there an auto-renew that I missed?

In any case, it looks like my questions are moot. I am on the pass member's site and don't see any option to renew my pass. It simply lists my pass as "BGW/WCW Platinum 1 Year Rnwl Rdmpt (Inet)" - I'm guessing that means I won't be able to renew it.
 
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If your pass is expired and you want to get in under the wire at the current price, I would call and renew that way. I don't know anyone who has tried it, but I imagine it can still be done over the phone.

Anyone who has a paid in full pass that expires after the launch of the new membership program will be forced to upgrade to the new structure from what I understand.
 
Zachary said:
I'm about to say something very unpopular so brace yourselves:

Maybe people should be paying more for Busch Gardens Williamsburg today than they were 15 years ago.

I believe the park should be finding ways to thank long term pass holders for their patronage, but maybe freezing prices forever really isn't the right way to do that.

SEAS is hurting. Admission and pass prices are skyrocketing throughout the chain. It honestly seems sorta silly that the park would continue to let someone in for $5 a month when the market price is double that.

SEAS is not Disney or Universal. Their own CEO has stated multiple times they have to think like a regional theme park instead of competing against their larger competitors.

Yes, SEAS is hurting for attendance and in-park revenues. But a one day ticket closing in on what Disney charges per day, or passes that may become 2/3rd the price of Disney or Universal, isn't thinking like a regional theme park, it's more an effort to close the gap on revenue loss from less people through the gates and/or in-park spending compared yet again to their larger competitors.

CW has tried this attempt at higher ticket pricing and less options for multi-day, yearly or even local passes and they are right now in the same spot as SEAS. Less people paying, attempts at possible charging for DOG Street entrance and other revenue generating ideas instead of innovation and thinking differently.

Disney and Universal can charge $100 - 110/day because they have an endless stream of visitors. SEAS and BG doesn't.

I will say it again, attempting to become Disney Jr. will hurt them more than help and again I am a firm believer that SEAS cannot survive on their own but for so much longer in the face of increased better funded competition and should be acquired by Merlin who has expressed interest. And no I am not a stock holder so I have no position nor would benefit in any way of an acquisition.

Just my opinion considering the heavy price hike about to hit.
 
It's going to be interesting, and quite possibly a shock, to see what the prices will be for the new membership program levels especially since, unless things change, with the addition of CT and WCUSA to the membership that probably equals a decent size price hike.
 
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Long time lurker here, as your discussions are always so informative. I have shares in SEAS as well, and as I remember from one of the quarterly conference calls, Joel specifically mentioned that BGW has a very high percentage of pass holders compared to day guests. They talk on the conference calls about increasing pass membership at all of the other SEAS parks, but this could prove to be counter productive. Are the prices rumored to be that much higher?
 
musicman3204 said:
Long time lurker here, as your discussions are always so informative. I have shares in SEAS as well, and as I remember from one of the quarterly conference calls, Joel specifically mentioned that BGW has a very high percentage of pass holders compared to day guests. They talk on the conference calls about increasing pass membership at all of the other SEAS parks, but this could prove to be counter productive. Are the prices rumored to be that much higher?

They mentioned bringing the pass member increase to other parks in the 2nd Quarter Call. The membership prices, and plans are going to be revealed later this week as confirmed by the park. As of now, I doubt the prices will exceed 200 for some of the higher up BGW only plans that include CT. If they do a membership plan that includes all parks kind of like the current Platinum Pass, I can see that going over 250. At this point only time will tell.
 
MadridBot said:
They mentioned bringing the pass member increase to other parks in the 2nd Quarter Call. The membership prices, and plans are going to be revealed later this week as confirmed by the park. As of now, I doubt the prices will exceed 200 for some of the higher up BGW only plans that include CT. If they do a membership plan that includes all parks kind of like the current Platinum Pass, I can see that going over 250. At this point only time will tell.

I always thought the Platinum Pass was very under valued considering what parks you get, so I can see the price increase on that. The added perks would be a plus to me. Also, I have had my platinum pass four years as of last October. So, I pay just $15 per month.

However, I'm not sure I can see the value being much higher for single or two park memberships. I guess we will just have to wait and see.
 
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