Busch Gardens Williamsburg Adds 5% Surcharge to In-Park Sales

[rvadude85]

Are you tired enough to the point you have stopped paying it?

Between the sharply higher menu prices for subpar food and outrageous beer prices, I drink less and eat outside of the park when I visit now. It’s a win for me and a loss of revenue for the park.

Pretty sure that they aren’t removing the 5% anytime soon, they are simply too reliant on that extra revenue now.

I would however SPEND MORE at the park if the 5% scummy charge was removed.

 

[bgw enthusiasts]

Nearly.

 

[halfabee]

For the first time ever, I have suggested to a group of 10 friends that when hanging out for an extended summer weekend in VA we hit Kings Dominion instead of Busch Gardens.

Never thought I'd see the day.

The 5% surcharge alone isn't responsible for that, but the juxtaposition of stupid junk fees on each purchase and declining food options is finally tipping me away from the advantages of going to BGW over KD (setting, novel add-ons).

I just think we will have a better overall time, feeling the value and experience are there in return for the money spent and the way it is charged, at KD.

Again, I just never thought I would say that, ever. I mean ever.

 

[RKRCC]

I can’t stand these hidden fees. I have been to several places in the last month or so and have noticed a ‘transaction’ fee, a ‘convenience’ fee, a ‘processing’ fee and others on my transactions. They are small like BGWs, 3% and 5%, but they are there nonetheless. Worst of all, I don’t know they are there until after I pay. I feel like we are in the age of hidden fees and excessive tipping….

 

[willrobs3]

I can’t stand these hidden fees. I have been to several places in the last month or so and have noticed a ‘transaction’ fee, a ‘convenience’ fee, a ‘processing’ fee and others on my transactions. They are small like BGWs, 3% and 5%, but they are there nonetheless. Worst of all, I don’t know they are there until after I pay. I feel like we are in the age of hidden fees and excessive tipping….

Which is why it blows my mind that everyone throws a hissy fit about the surcharge at the parks. This practice has been around for years.
Why do all of the complaints about the surcharge fall on deaf ears? Misdericted hostility.

 

[Zachary]

It is completely reasonable and justified for people to be furious about a new, bad practice coming to an industry in which it was not previously prevalent. This industry did not have surcharges before 2022. Now, both United Parks and Legacy Six Flags have them. We SHOULD be angry about that.

 

[willrobs3]

It is completely reasonable and justified for people to be furious about a new, bad practice coming to an industry in which it was not previously prevalent. This industry did not have surcharges before 2022. Now, both United Parks and Legacy Six Flags have them. We SHOULD be angry about that.

You are correct. People should be furious about surcharges... but you've missed my point. Increased costs are always passed down to the consumer - the frustration seems to be with a larger issue and folks are lashing out, justifiably, at something that has emotional value to them. It's become tiring listening to everyone complain and provide no constructive or viable options that would allow United Parks to cover their increased costs through some other means that won't upset their customer base.

Everyone can dislike what I'm saying as much as they'd like, it's just a different perspective.

 

[Jonesta6]

You are correct. People should be furious about surcharges... but you've missed my point. Increased costs are always passed down to the consumer - the frustration seems to be with a larger issue and folks are lashing out, justifiably, at something that has emotional value to them. It's become tiring listening to everyone complain and provide no constructive or viable options that would allow United Parks to cover their increased costs through some other means that won't upset their customer base.

Everyone can dislike what I'm saying as much as they'd like, it's just a different perspective.

Not privy to the balance sheets, but I think much of the issue is corporate greed - there's plenty of evidence to support this thought across various threads in this forum.

Yes, this kind of shit is happening everywhere these days. But this is a theme park forum, thus the outrage at company practices that either screw the consumer or fuck over the staff... Or sometimes is a two-fer.

 

[horsesboy]

You are correct. People should be furious about surcharges... but you've missed my point. Increased costs are always passed down to the consumer - the frustration seems to be with a larger issue and folks are lashing out, justifiably, at something that has emotional value to them. It's become tiring listening to everyone complain and provide no constructive or viable options that would allow United Parks to cover their increased costs through some other means that won't upset their customer base.

Everyone can dislike what I'm saying as much as they'd like, it's just a different perspective.

For me it's less of an issue in price increase and more in the idea that it's OK to hide it then hit me with it at the end. On top of that the "discount" my membership provides for food sells essentially disappears at this point after taxes and surcharge it's actually more then the listed price was before the discount.

 

[Zachary]

It's become tiring listening to everyone complain and provide no constructive or viable options that would allow United Parks to cover their increased costs through some other means that won't upset their customer base.

BGW Ticket for Tomorrow (Dry Park Only) with Current Promo: $72.99
KD Ticket for Tomorrow (Water & Dry Park) with Current Promo: $59.99

Quick Queue Unlimited Plus for Tomorrow: $199.99
Fast Lane for Tomorrow: $85

Year-Long Amusement + Water Park Access without Blackout Dates at BGW: $240
Year-Long Amusement + Water Park Access without Blackout Dates at KD: $115

We can look at United Parks prices and profits. Both are massively outpacing the industry—even before a 5% surcharge.

 

[TPSMattM]

For me it's less of an issue in price increase and more in the idea that it's OK to hide it then hit me with it at the end. On top of that the "discount" my membership provides for food sells essentially disappears at this point after taxes and surcharge it's actually more then the listed price was before the discount.

Thats exactly it I understand rising costs add that to the price of the item and let me decide if its worth it. Don't hit folks with a surprise 5% at the end thats just dirty and wrong.

 

[bill s]

First time was charged the surcharge I thought it was a tax increase. Considering some places have meals tax bringing taxes to 11%, which would cancel out the basic pass discount.

 

[warfelg]

I wouldn’t even mind the surcharge if they used high quality meats that see random spikes in availability and cost.

 

[Zachary]

I wouldn’t even mind the surcharge if they used high quality meats that see random spikes in availability and cost.

Considering they mainly use digital menu boards these days, market price adjustments should be painless to implement. Using digital menu boards with fine print in the bottom corner notifying you of a 5% surcharge is really just like an all-in-one debunk of every defense I've ever seen for the surcharge.

 

[warfelg]

Considering they mainly use digital menu boards these days, market price adjustments should be painless to implement. Using digital menu boards with fine print in the bottom corner notifying you of a 5% surcharge is really just like an all-in-one debunk of every defense I've ever seen for the surcharge.

For the record I wasn’t trying to defend that part of it. More just stating I wouldn’t mind doing it for good ingredients that see spikes in pricing.

I forget what baseball game I was at (O’s, Nats, or Bowie) but it was a video board where they had an asterisk in the corner not much bigger than BGWs print, and had a 5% surcharge for those items due to limited availability.

In that case the business manager told me that it’s far easier for them to do it that way because all the stand supervisor had to do was activate a node that tied the asterisk to the item. Otherwise is times requires a full redesign to the board to do the dynamic pricing because it changes spacing and alignment issues (they space numbers so that everything from $7.99 to $34.75 looks the exact same size).

 

[horsesboy]

For the record I wasn’t trying to defend that part of it. More just stating I wouldn’t mind doing it for good ingredients that see spikes in pricing.

I forget what baseball game I was at (O’s, Nats, or Bowie) but it was a video board where they had an asterisk in the corner not much bigger than BGWs print, and had a 5% surcharge for those items due to limited availability.

In that case the business manager told me that it’s far easier for them to do it that way because all the stand supervisor had to do was activate a node that tied the asterisk to the item. Otherwise is times requires a full redesign to the board to do the dynamic pricing because it changes spacing and alignment issues (they space numbers so that everything from $7.99 to $34.75 looks the exact same size).

Hate to break but in my experience using them that answer is about 90% BS and 10%. Unless you are changing to something that addsba diggit to the number it's basically just highlight and replace with the new number. Adding to the length of the number is slightly more comple but if you gave done it a few times it's still fairly easy on every system I have used.

 

[warfelg]

Hate to break but in my experience using them that answer is about 90% BS and 10%. Unless you are changing to something that addsba diggit to the number it's basically just highlight and replace with the new number. Adding to the length of the number is slightly more comple but if you gave done it a few times it's still fairly easy on every system I have used.

It may be BS. But the ease of a supervisor just being able to hit an activate button to put that in there vs having to go in, edit the boards, proof, and “print” makes sense.

 

[ciffar]

You are correct. People should be furious about surcharges... but you've missed my point. Increased costs are always passed down to the consumer - the frustration seems to be with a larger issue and folks are lashing out, justifiably, at something that has emotional value to them. It's become tiring listening to everyone complain and provide no constructive or viable options that would allow United Parks to cover their increased costs through some other means that won't upset their customer base.

Everyone can dislike what I'm saying as much as they'd like, it's just a different perspective.

If the park wants to adjust for inflation, there's nothing stopping them from simply increasing prices so people can see what they're getting instead of adding extra hidden fees.

 

[cricket]

BGW Ticket for Tomorrow (Water Park Only) with Current Promo: $72.99
KD Ticket for Tomorrow (Water & Dry Park) with Current Promo: $59.99

Quick Queue Unlimited Plus for Tomorrow: $199.99
Fast Lane for Tomorrow: $85

Year-Long Amusement + Water Park Access without Blackout Dates at BGW: $240
Year-Long Amusement + Water Park Access without Blackout Dates at KD: $115

We can look at United Parks prices and profits. Both are massively outpacing the industry—even before a 5% surcharge.

The thing is, you're getting better quality at BGW than KD. Better rides, actually good shows, better food, and a much nicer park. The increase in cost is because you are going to be getting a full experience, rather than just some rides.

 

[Nicole]

I don't think many people who have tried food at both parks recently believe the food is still better at BGW, actually. Additionally, with the increased focus at KD on theming and experiences like the new lounge, a strong case can be made that BGW is not "nicer" across the board anymore.

The characterization of KD as a park with "just some rides" ceased being valid years ago, in my opinion. In fact, I believe BGW is relying on its past reputation, rather than continuing to improve (or even maintain) guest experience. KD still has a lot of problems, but the old stereotypes (for both parks) no longer fit.