So. We heard back from the park on the Member benefits and the Summer Rewards promotion. For their statement, check out our front page update. There also a link to the new Member Rewards program.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg Membership Program
- Thread starter Nicole
- Start date
Apparently the two offers are not comparable. Hmmmmmm. From what I've read here over the last few days, folks have been comparing the shit out of these two offers. So much so, that I would deem them 'completely comparable'. Telling me that money spent, and money saved, are not comparable is like saying that 'saved money', isn't really money. I'm calling BS.
I honestly didn’t understand their claim at all. Nor do I believe we “misinterpreted” anything.
Those rewards are a joke.....and all three levels get the exact same thing. I’m sure they will be the same crappy black and white lanyards they have given out for years, and the coke swag....that’s just free marketing materials from CocaCola. Early entry...for what so we can stand around longer waiting for the park to open?
Actually, Premier Members get bigger discounts on some items. As for the lanyards, we have been getting good designs at Media Events for the past few years, so I think these could be cool.
I don’t know how they will handle early entry, but as Joe mentioned in the Member Rewards thread, it works really well at KD. Just getting in and positioned before the mob sounds good to me. Having access to some of the hamlets, even the donuts in Banbury, would be nice, as well. I would enjoy having a donut, and still time to get to the ride of my choice first.
I don’t know how they will handle early entry, but as Joe mentioned in the Member Rewards thread, it works really well at KD. Just getting in and positioned before the mob sounds good to me. Having access to some of the hamlets, even the donuts in Banbury, would be nice, as well. I would enjoy having a donut, and still time to get to the ride of my choice first.
Nicole said:
We rode Twisted Timbers on early ride time with no wait, but unlike KD I don’t thing anything will really be open. It just gets you in the gate 30 minutes earlier to wait longer for the rest of the park to open. As for lanyards other SEAS parks has been getting them for years. I really expected things this year like the passmember glass from the Seven Seas Food Festival. Again, I feel like we are getting filler crap that does not really cost them anything.
Edit...I do like the 1 free food and wine sample but my concern with this is how it will be applied. I really hope they don’t make so difficult to get the voucher for one sample that it’s not worth the effort. If you have to stand in the hour long line at guest relations it’s useless. The way early entry works at KD is the park opens at the normal time and all of International Street is open to everyone, but you show your pass at to the guard at the rope to get further into the park while everyone else must wait for the time for the rest of the park to open.
Attachments
culinary can attach entitlements to your barcode on the paper pass so you scan your pass for whatevers on it
you cant say these are crap benefits until you use them, implementation is everything
you cant say these are crap benefits until you use them, implementation is everything
VonDerrick said:
Yea I need to see how these all get done before I rip them. Like for early entry if they opened up England, and with your pass you could get into Scotland to ride Nessie early, I would be happy. The one free wine and food thing; that as easy as on the backend hitting a key stroke to put it on the card, and one scan to take it off.
I'm, personally, excited about the additional bring a friend passes, since I my college roommate comes with us for both days of our F&WF review.
Discounts on QQs are always welcome, as well.
I am hopeful that the Christmas ornament is a Member exclusive. BGT has had those, as well.
I am also still holding out hope that they will sell Member-exclusive merchandise throughout the year, especially stuff themed to the major events.
Discounts on QQs are always welcome, as well.
I am hopeful that the Christmas ornament is a Member exclusive. BGT has had those, as well.
I am also still holding out hope that they will sell Member-exclusive merchandise throughout the year, especially stuff themed to the major events.
WDWRLD said:
To be fair, all of these things were suggested in the ideas thread for membership perks. Even the Coke swag was suggested (specifically in connection with a member lounge, but it was still a suggestion). So to say now that the rewards are a joke is a bit harsh, especially since many on the forum found the items they implemented enticing enough to suggest as perks.
WDWRLD said:
I'm unsure of your definition of "filler crap," but of course the perks cost them something. Plus, the park is still a business, so they're going to make sure whatever they spend for perks will be less than the benefits they expect to receive. That's just how it works. I think the QQ discounts are particularly generous because (while I have no proof of this), I'm convinced QQ is pure profit for the park. So foregoing some of that extra profit is a cost to the park, even though I'm sure they expect to gain more in return for the offer.
My point is, the perks they're offering seem pretty reasonable (and in the case of QQ, generous). Anyone with unreasonable expectations of luxurious, gold-plated perks with maybe a unicorn thrown in was destined to be disappointed anyway.
They stand to make more from discounted QQ than they would lose i bet. I never buy them, but would consider it with the discount. I'm sure I'm not the only one like that. I see that as a win win perk.
I agree it's a win-win perk, and that they'll make more than they'll lose. I do buy QQs if I'm there on a busy day because I don't have the patience to spend an hour standing in line. 
warfelg said:
No No No....
You clearly don't understand! It is NEVER too early to decide that something is not just horrible but worse than it was before the improvement! That way when you actually experience the so called, "benefit," you already are prepared to hate it and know what you want to say about it. It works even better when you make up scenarios in your head justifying your vitriol that have no evidence except your negative view.
If you expect the worst and create a set of circumstances to justify at worst you are pleasantly surprised, (which you can hide) or at best be correct and then go back and quote yourself just to show everyone that you know best!
See WIN WIN!
Lolers said:
This is an option?? I WANT ONE!
Ok, maybe I should wait to see how these pan out but I just feel like most things sound great and then they are handled poorly. As far as the Quick Queues how many passholders really buy those? I’m in the park enough to ride everything I want without having to pay to not stand in line. As far as adding things to the pass bar codes, I may be wrong but I don’t see them allowing this to be done at a food booth register inside the park. The Coke swag, that was suggested as part of the lounge idea as an addition, not just that as being it. They had the Coke swag last year and the gift was a coke lanyard. I don’t expect “gold plated perks”, but I do expect new and exciting things from the new membership. I compare what BGW is offering to us to what Busch Tampa gives their passholders. Souvineer cup for $5, $10 Busch Bucks, Food and Wine sampler, which we are getting something g similar, another F&W sampler....$5 off $10 and $10 off $40, $10 off all day dining, free beer samples and pass lanyard, buy one get one 50% off adult entrees after 5pm, Pass bier Fest sampler...purchase required, another $10 busch bucks.....I just see what they get as a better offering.
For what it is worth, as a Member who lives in NOVA and often has to visit on Saturdays, I have bought QQs many times.
I think we should enjoy the fact that they are doing anything for us. They could have just increased the prices, called it a membership, and gave no added benefits with no explanations. Giving anything and perks is a big plus and we should be thankful for that.
WDWRLD said:
Can't speak for any anyone else, but I buy them.
Another thing that does not compare...concerts. BGT has 18 for Food and Wine, Bret Michaels, Kool and the Gang, Cole Swindell, Flo Rida, Sister Hazel, The Fray Soutgern Uprising Tour with Travis Trit Charlie Daniels Band and Marshall Tucker Band, Goo Goo Dolls, Michael Bolton, Boyz II Men, Natalie Grant, TLC and Gank Williams Jr. What do we get....what 3 concerts. And it’s not because they wouldn’t pack those concerts, I couldn’t imagine the crowds they would get if they had some of those acts at BGW.