Busch Gardens Williamsburg Membership Program

[Mamunia]

Thanks for the good info, Nicole. My mom did go through the employee entrance, so I’m guessing it was the special event that was going on. I’m kind of surprised the gate attendant didn’t clarify it was for that day; from what they said she thought it was a permanent change. (A manager in the park didn’t know and said she could ask customer services, but the line was so long she didn’t want to wait.)
Anyway, good to know.. I was a bit concerned because it seems like a lot of stuff has been changing rapidly.

 

[horsesboy]

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...?

My question is how much addition revenue this might generate through in park sales. Not saying that I totally disagree that they might be being to generous with them but they also might have internal data on in park sales that might be influencing this.

 

[b.mac]

My question is how much addition revenue this might generate through in park sales.  Not saying that I totally disagree that they might be being to generous with them but they also might have internal data on in park sales that might be influencing this.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Kings Dominion both have unnaturally high spending per guest numbers compared to the rest of the parks in North America. Kings Dominion itself is 4th in the Cedar Fair chain and if I remember the numbers right BGW was slightly higher than that.

 

[Celticdog]

The free tickets now make a lot sense to me. April and early May tend to be slower. Crowds won't start to build until F&WF. Getting people in now boosts food and merch sales, and maybe even a few additional memberships. I personally won't be able to take advantage, but I'm sure there are plenty who will.

 

[belsaas]

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...?

My question is how much addition revenue this might generate through in park sales.  Not saying that I totally disagree that they might be being to generous with them but they also might have internal data on in park sales that might be influencing this.

Speaking from my own experience, I'm bring friends now to BG that otherwise would not have come were it not free for them. Once they are in the park, they then buy meals, snacks, maybe a t-shirt or hat, often with the justification that they did not have to buy a ticket. I'm sure they have math folks crunching the numbers saying we're bringing enough folks like this to keep things profitable.

 

[Nicole]

While I am sure that they have crunched the numbers, I want to point out a fallacy that I see here a lot. Someone who buys food and merchandise is not pure profit for the park. That person will create trash, use the facilities, and add to the crowds, possibly requiring additional staff. BGW has to pay a certain amount for each person, who enters the park.

 

[..…]

While I am sure that they have crunched the numbers, I want to point out a fallacy that I see here a lot.  Someone who buys food and merchandise is not pure profit for the park.  That person will create trash, use the facilities, and add to the crowds, possibly requiring additional staff.  BGW has to pay a certain amount for each person, who enters the park.

I'm in econ-nerd love. :heart:

 

[Unagi]

While I am sure that they have crunched the numbers, I want to point out a fallacy that I see here a lot.  Someone who buys food and merchandise is not pure profit for the park.  That person will create trash, use the facilities, and add to the crowds, possibly requiring additional staff.  BGW has to pay a certain amount for each person, who enters the park.

Good point but I'd like to point out that parks make more than enough money to cover the additional expenses just from the exorbitant food and drink prices they charge. Having worked in the food industry for many years I can tell you that many of the basic food and drink items that the parks sell cost next to nothing to a few dimes.

Think about this... that $12.99 pizza you get from Papa Johns, Pizza Hut, Domino's etc., cost the company about $1.00 or less to make. They each rake in billions of dollars in annual sales because one pizza is marked up over 1000%. The crappy cardboard pizza at BGW probably cost them a nickel to make. A 32-ounce soda at the park? It costs them a couple pennies yet one sells for a few dollars. Holiday World gives sodas away for free because they easily make it back in food sales. My cousin's wife use to work culinary management at several of the WDW parks and the money they make in food and drink sales is staggering, especially at Epcot.

 

[Nicole]

I don't disagree, and as I said, I am sure they have crunched the numbers.

I have just seen several posts, which seem to imply that the park's cost are constant, regardless of the number of people who show up. It is something to take into account, when thinking about the implications of the free tickets.

 

[Luke]

Still no refund.....livid.

 

[WDWRLD]

My refund is IN THE BANK! But there’s more.....we upgraded on March 3rd from EzPay Platinum to EzPay Premier. We were told we were getting a $180 refund by mail in 4-6 weeks. Well it wasdirect deposited in my account on April 17th but the refund was more than we were told. We received $192 which was 4 months of what my old pass EzPay was. To say i’m shocked I got any refund is a understatement!

 

[Luke]

Yay I got my refund! Thomas got his too.

 

[Thomas]

Yup, 4 months of payments refunded.

 

[Luke]

Did you get yours Nicole?

 

[Nicole]

Yup.

 

[Luke]

 

[BenWilkerson]

So with the new memberships do they have hard cards like plastic cards?

 

[Zachary]

Nope. Same paper cards the park has always offered.

A $7 donation at guest services will get you the hard plastic Conservation Fund card though.

 

[b.mac]

When I went on the 13th they were out. They openly let you change your membership to different cards as long as you have your current one, so next time I go I'll get the plastique.

 

[Nicole]

The park has announced the May promotion for those who purchase new Memberships.