Busch Gardens Williamsburg Membership Program

[warfelg]

Doesn't hurt BGT that they are right in a major city. BGW has concerts at VB and Richmond to deal with.

 

[jpcommons]

I never bought them separately but I did get the cabanas many times because they included the quick queues.

 

[Nicole]

Me too. Also, I liked the cabanas.

 

[Unagi]

Doesn't hurt BGT that they are right in a major city. BGW has concerts at VB and Richmond to deal with.

BGT also does this to stay competitive with the year round concerts held at Universal Studios’ Music Plaza Stage and Epcot’s America Gardens Theatre, which host similar acts. SeaWorld Orlando even has a pretty good concert schedule. These in-park concerts are big draws for bringing in crowds for the Orlando theme parks. I remember going to SeaWorld a couple years ago when a popular Latino artist was scheduled to perform at the Bayside Stadium and the park was extremely busy.

 

[Nicole]

We have checked the prices for the perks included in the Summer Rewards promotion. From my perspective there is no question that it is a better deal than the introductory rate.

Summer Rewards
Single-use QuickQueue: $7 - $12
One-time digital photo download: $17
Total: $31 - $41

Introductory Offer
Monthly discount: $2
Guaranteed: 12 months
Total: $24

 

[phurst]

So, today was my first visit this season. I had my two kids with me and 4 of their friends, with the intention of using my free passes for out 4 guests. As I mentioned in my previous post about memberships, the CSR I dealt with when I drove to the park back in March to switch out passes to memberships signed us up for Premier memberships even though I asked for Unlimited memberships. So, when I got to the park I handed over my pass for parking. There was some delay, but to the person manning the boots credit, she waved me through and told me to stop by Guest Relations to see what the problem with my membership was. Before getting to Guest Relations, I stopped by the kiosks to get my guest passes. When I scanned my passes, they showed no available benefits. I logged into the pass member website, and verified all 4 of my passes showed, and continued to Guest Services. Once I got there, I explained the situation to the guy at the window. He took my passes and looked up my account. Apparently on my previous visit to switch from passes to memberships, the CSR signed us up for Premier passes, and then, once I pointed out her error, she signed us up for Unlimited passes but did not cancel the Premier passes she issued to us first. As a result, my April payment, which should have been $60, was $140. Despite having plenty of available credit, for some reason, this payment had been declined, though I never got a call or email or anything from BG or SEAS. As a result all of my memberships were suspended. This turned out to be a good thing, as it might have been a few more months before I realized what had happened. The guy at Guest Relations was super helpful, explaining what had happened and what he was going to do to fix it. He canceled the Premier memberships and reactivated my Unlimited memberships (after paying $60), and filled out the paperwork to refund the $80 I paid and was not refunded for my Unlimited memberships. Of course he said it would be 4-6 weeks before I saw that refund, but I guess it's better than nothing. We eventually got everything squared away, and got our guest passes, but it took a full two hours from the time we parked to the time we actually entered the park.

Long story short, everything was resolved, and without having to yell and scream. It was, in my opinion, a major inconvenience and a stupid, careless error on someone's part, but it's all fixed now. What I found interesting was, despite the fact that we were past the introductory period, the CSR had no issue setting me up with EZ-Pay at the introductory rate, so clearly they have some latitude with regards to your monthly rate, even after the introductory period. Of course there was no offer of the April promotions or any other compensation for my troubles, but we all finally got in the park, and the kids had fun, while I spent quality time in Grogan's

 

[Celticdog]

We have checked the prices for the perks included in the Summer Rewards promotion.  From my perspective there is no question that it is a better deal than the introductory rate.

Summer Rewards
Single-use QuickQueue: $7 - $12
One-time digital photo download: $17
Total: $31 - $41

Introductory Offer
Monthly discount: $2
Guaranteed: 12 months
Total: $24

Does this take into account the $5.99 service fee? I did not get charged that fee when I switched from the passholder to the membership plan back in March. So, really my value would be closer $30. The value for new plans would be closer to $25-$36. I know I paid a fee many years ago, but that was part of the passholder plan, not the membership plan. I still consider the March promotion to be the better "deal", maybe not the better perks, but a better deal. I would rather have the $24 to spend on things I really want.

 

[Nicole]

Yes, it takes into account the fee.

From what we have heard, everyone who switched over the phone or signed up on-line was charged for the privilege.

Regardless, I'm not sure I follow your logic.  The fact that you were not charged a fee, should not increase the value, as that is an additional charge, not a built-in cost. It essentially increases the price of the Membership to anyone who does not buy it in person.  

Since everyone is subject to the fee, except those who purchase a Membership in person, it is wash: people have to pay it under both promotions.

While I am glad you prefer the $24 savings to the $41 worth of perks.  That qualitative value varies from person-to-person, and is therefore not useful in assessing a universal comparison.

The only quantitative metric one can use to compare the two is monetary, which is what I did above.

There is simply no logical way to claim that based on straight costs that March was "the best time to buy," as was claimed by Marketing at the time.

 

[deacfan31]

Since we live in NC we haven't gotten our new passes yet. Has anyone ran into any issues getting into the park? Do they still have people going through the employee entrance?

 

[..…]

While I am glad you prefer the $24 savings to the $41 worth of perks.  That qualitative value varies from person-to-person, and is therefore not useful in assessing a universal comparison.

The only quantitative metric one can use to compare the two is monetary, which is what I did above.

There is simply no logical way to claim that based on straight costs that March was "the best time to buy," as was claimed by Marketing at the time.

To play Devil's Advocate, marketing would take the qualitative value into consideration, maybe by estimating the amount of members they believe would prefer the monetary discount and those that would prefer the perks, then weighting their choices based on that information. So I could imagine scenarios where marketing would decide to offer the monetary discount first.

What the park shouldn't have done is tried to candy-coat their choices and say the offers are not "comparable" because they certainly are. I think maybe the park underestimated the amount of people who would compare the two offers on a monetary level, and also didn't take into account that those comparing the offers on an apples-to-apples basis would also be the ones most angry that they didn't get the best deal when they were told otherwise. In my opinion, they should have kept their mouth shut from the very beginning about how the first offer was the best deal. They only dug themselves a deeper hole by making it look like they pulled a bait and switch, then adding an insulting HR move in their reply to you by saying the deals weren't comparable. Customers aren't stupid.

 

[Nicole]

Since we live in NC we haven't gotten our new passes yet. Has anyone ran into any issues getting into the park? Do they still have people going through the employee entrance?

Since the initial hiccup on Sneak Peek Day, we have had no problem using our Premier Membership passes to enter through the Employee Entrance and park in England.

No issues at the park gate (formerly turnstiles) either.

 

[warfelg]

To play Devil's Advocate, marketing would take the qualitative value into consideration, maybe by estimating the amount of members they believe would prefer the monetary discount and those that would prefer the perks, then weighting their choices based on that information. So I could imagine scenarios where marketing would decide to offer the monetary discount first.

On that bit, looking back, I personally would still do it the way I did. I don't use any photo key things. As far as QQ, with my pass I don't feel bad skipping a ride because of the line. I think I would use them to be at the park on a busy day and get in a "primetime" ride on something I want to be on (I guess this year it would be BfE to get out of the heat), but being I'm usually there alone waiting in line doesn't bug me all that much.

So to me, the $2 a month I 'saved' held more personal value than the PK and QQ's.

 

[luseendesi]

Anyone else get this?

I appreciate that the park is starting to put some effort into rewarding members.

 

[Zachary]

The shear number of tickets the park is giving away to Membership holders is pretty incredible. With three different distinct types, it's honestly getting a bit overwhelming too...

In an attempt to collect everything into one place...


All Members

[BGW] Bring a Friend for Free Day(s)¹:

• One Ticket (?) on April 20th, 21st, 22nd, 27th, 28th, OR 29th

[BGW] Bonus Bring a Friend Ticket(s):

• One Ticket from May 4th through 30th

[WCUSA] Bonus Bring a Friend Ticket(s):

• One Ticket on May 19th or 20th

Unlimited Only

[BGW OR WCUSA] Bring a Friend Ticket(s):

• One Ticket from March 24th through July 31st
• One Ticket from August 1st through January 1st

Premier Only

[BGW OR WCUSA] Bring a Friend Ticket(s):

• One Ticket from March 24th through May 31st
• One Ticket from June 1st through August 31st
• One Ticket from September 1st through January 1st

---

¹ In truth, I'm a little confused about the "Bring a Friend for Free" days. The dates are listed with an "OR" suggesting that you can only bring a friend on one of those days. That said, if that is the case, why is it named differently than the "Bonus Tickets?" This separation is doubled down upon in the fine print so it seems that separating the two types of bring a friend admission was very intentional. Baffling.

---

Images for Reference:

 

[Zimmy]

It is this kind of stuff that seems like no big deal that ends up costing them so much rev. I just don't get it.

 

[Nicole]

Anyone else get this?

I appreciate that the park is starting to put some effort into rewarding members.

It looks as if they are marketing the rewards list they sent us last week.

Here is the direct link.

 

[WDWRLD]

The free tickets are getting out of hand. I know already I will get comments that it’s a nice gesture by Busch but to me it’s ridiculous. I understand a free ticket given to passholders to bring a friend to entice them to like the park to buy a membership themselves. But the shear number of free admissions they are giving away is money the park needs.

 

[Zachary]

I have to agree.

I don't want to look a gift horse in the eye... but seriously. I have enough free tickets with my Premier Membership that some random friend of mine without a membership could go to BGW or WCUSA six times this season... That's more times than many casual Membership holders would visit.

I think the originally announced bring a friend ticket strategy (Basic gets none, Unlimited gets two, Premier gets three) was fair and reasonable. Three more granted across the board? That's getting pretty out of hand...

I guess it'll boost the park's attendance numbers at least...?

 

[Mamunia]

Since we live in NC we haven't gotten our new passes yet. Has anyone ran into any issues getting into the park? Do they still have people going through the employee entrance?

Since the initial hiccup on Sneak Peek Day, we have had no problem using our Premier Membership passes to enter through the Employee Entrance and park in England.

Interesting. My mom went on Saturday and they told her Premier parking is in France now. They said England is for buses and you can only park there if you’re with a bus. She was there around 1p. Could they have meant that day only? I know there were a lot of school bands there, and I also seem to recall the fine print only guaranteeing England before noon (not that I’ve ever been turned away regardless of crowd or time). If they are truly moving all Premier parking to France I’m going to be really pissed because the employee entrance/England lot is the *only* reason I pay for that level. IIRC there was confirmation from the park that this was still get that perk? Are they/would they change that?

 

[Nicole]

Technically, Premier is only guaranteed free Preferred Parking, which includes both England and France.

Did she enter at the main gate or did she use the employee entrance? My guess is that you are more likely to be directed to England from the employee gate.

Regardless, when the England lot needs to be used for buses or special events, and when it is already full, Premier will be directed to France.

In fact, the park has not made use on the employee entrance an official perk either:

We have offered entry through the team member entrance as a courtesy to Platinum Pass holders when possible, and will continue to do so. We will extend this to new Premier Members. This is not a guaranteed benefit and may be re-evaluated at a future date.