So, we got a free food sample and the 10$ bucks out of all of those lists. Totally not worth the price increase to us. How about offering a truly equal rewards system that everyone has access to? Say like, I don't know, all year round?
Busch Gardens Williamsburg Membership Program
- Thread starter Nicole
- Start date
Presumably they meant free preferred parking and not general parking, right?
I had pretty much made up my mind not to renew after this year. I pay in full so I don't have to keep track of a monthly charge. I don't use plastic anymore than necessary. Last year I was FORCED to go to membership as opposed to just keeping what I had. I paid something close to $80 more just for that privilege. Then they announced the "rewards" and I agree with BGW Family. That is not incentive enough to be worthwhile. What's up with the cup and free refills on the day of purchase? That has ALWAYS been the case! Add to that the fact they reduced the price when they opened for the season and still offer free tickets like giving out candy at Halloween. Last spring I was slammed on this blog for having the audacity to express that I thought a senior pass would be a good idea. Just FYI, I have been a passholder since 1981 when I finished working shift work. I have visited the park every year since their opening. How many of you remember before the trams they used the double decker busses like the one used for the kiosk in England? I would guess not too many. There are probably some that don't remember the free beer at the Hospitality House and the monorail ride to get there. Anyway, I just don't get it. They obviously are trying to discourage seniors from becoming pass members. I will miss BGW but it just doesn't make financial sense to me anymore. Add my stein club membership (since the beginning of that program) and just for the pleasure of coming to BGW and walking for exercise the cost for my wife and I has gone over $500 now. For somebody on social security/fixed income that is a disgrace to be charged that much.
Anyone who has a Basic/Unlimited membership should be thrilled about these changes. It's a restructuring without a price increase. That's a rare thing. Hell, anyone who had a Basic/Unlimited membership and doesn't want Water Country USA access will come out of this saving $2 a month off their membership. For many people, that is great news.
The issues with these changes are at the top end, not the bottom.
Also, I'm not saying I approve of this at all (because I most certainly do not), but it has become super clear over the last handful of years that anyone who isn't on EZPay is probably going to be screwed out of something one way or another. Signing up for EZPay is basically just the right course of action these days it would seem. ?
The issues with these changes are at the top end, not the bottom.
Also, I'm not saying I approve of this at all (because I most certainly do not), but it has become super clear over the last handful of years that anyone who isn't on EZPay is probably going to be screwed out of something one way or another. Signing up for EZPay is basically just the right course of action these days it would seem. ?
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How about the free bags of chips and snacks as you walked up the hill after exiting the park at night. Yea, I have been visiting the park my whole life and have been a continious passholder since 1991. The perks this year were useless to me. I also hold passes to Kings Dominion and Walt Disney Wolrd and dont understand why BGW makes it so confusing. Everything you do you have to fight for. I dont know how many times I go to do something and the team member said "we dont do that", "you cant do that", "we dont offer that" when in fave I know how it works and have to explain it to them. We pay more and get less, but then they are still giving the park away. I agree there should be a senior ticket and no I wouldnt be eligable for it for a while. Most seniors just want to come to the park and walk around, maybe see a show occasionally and ride the train. Do they even still have the "Soarin Eagles" anymore? That was a great offering. I thing there will be a wake up call at Thanksgiving when they see they have solid competition for CT right us the road. I just hope this wake up call dosent stir up another price hike for those that are visiting the park to pay to make up for those that arent. I can see the change in HOS crowds this season already, Years past you would never have empty lots on a Friday or Saturday night but this year there are.
Soaring Eagles was ended a few years ago.
Honestly, though it is somewhat off topic, I want to say something about a Senior Pass of some sort.
BGW has painted themselves into a corner with the Pre-School Pass. Offering reduced admission prices to seniors and free admission to children would mean grandparents could bring their young kids to BGW for essentially nothing at all.
To bring this back to the Membership program...
Now that the "everyone pays for everything" philosophy of the program (which was highlighted to us publicly and privately ad nauseum) has been completely thrown out the window only a handful of months after it was initially pitched, BGW should seriously consider abolishing the Pre-School Pass and reintroducing age/height-based ticketing. Alongside such a change, a senior ticket/pass should also be made available.
Honestly, though it is somewhat off topic, I want to say something about a Senior Pass of some sort.
BGW has painted themselves into a corner with the Pre-School Pass. Offering reduced admission prices to seniors and free admission to children would mean grandparents could bring their young kids to BGW for essentially nothing at all.
To bring this back to the Membership program...
Now that the "everyone pays for everything" philosophy of the program (which was highlighted to us publicly and privately ad nauseum) has been completely thrown out the window only a handful of months after it was initially pitched, BGW should seriously consider abolishing the Pre-School Pass and reintroducing age/height-based ticketing. Alongside such a change, a senior ticket/pass should also be made available.
I'm glad that I have to pay $7 more per for benefits I never use so people can save $2 to not have to pay for WCUSA.
The park got back to us with answers to our follow-up questions:
1. Will Old Premium and New Platinum Members also get re-ride privileges, reserved seating, and other “Platinum” benefits at non-Virginia parks, as we have in the past.
The ride again privilege is new for Busch Gardens Williamsburg Platinum Members for Griffon, Apollo’s Chariot, Alpengeist & The Loch Ness Monster, and is available at the home park where purchased. Ride again privileges and reserved seating at non-Virginia parks are honored where available.
2. How will staff at all of the parks be able to differentiate between old and new Memberships? We worry that parks outside of Virginia especially won’t know that grandfathered memberships have different perks. Additionally, we have heard about Premier Members being denied entry to other parks. Is there someone we can contact if we are in Florida/Texas/California/Pennsylvania and have a problem?
Old & New Memberships can be determined by the product name and barcode located on their Membership. Please proceed to the ticket window or guest service at each park visited should you have any questions.
3. We are hearing stories about people being denied their 50% ticket discounts at SWO (by Guest Services supervisors). Who can they contact to get a refund?
Guests should contact our guest correspondence team directly to determine appropriate next steps. BGW.GuestRelations@buschgardens.com
4. Understanding that at some point Old Premier Memberships will increase in price, we have a question: will the price increase mirror New Premier or will we all be moved to the Platinum price? Or will ours increase differently than both?
We do not have any plans at this time to increase prices of our old Premier Memberships.
1. Will Old Premium and New Platinum Members also get re-ride privileges, reserved seating, and other “Platinum” benefits at non-Virginia parks, as we have in the past.
The ride again privilege is new for Busch Gardens Williamsburg Platinum Members for Griffon, Apollo’s Chariot, Alpengeist & The Loch Ness Monster, and is available at the home park where purchased. Ride again privileges and reserved seating at non-Virginia parks are honored where available.
2. How will staff at all of the parks be able to differentiate between old and new Memberships? We worry that parks outside of Virginia especially won’t know that grandfathered memberships have different perks. Additionally, we have heard about Premier Members being denied entry to other parks. Is there someone we can contact if we are in Florida/Texas/California/Pennsylvania and have a problem?
Old & New Memberships can be determined by the product name and barcode located on their Membership. Please proceed to the ticket window or guest service at each park visited should you have any questions.
3. We are hearing stories about people being denied their 50% ticket discounts at SWO (by Guest Services supervisors). Who can they contact to get a refund?
Guests should contact our guest correspondence team directly to determine appropriate next steps. BGW.GuestRelations@buschgardens.com
4. Understanding that at some point Old Premier Memberships will increase in price, we have a question: will the price increase mirror New Premier or will we all be moved to the Platinum price? Or will ours increase differently than both?
We do not have any plans at this time to increase prices of our old Premier Memberships.
I agree preschool passes need to go, but think the Senior Pass would be nice. I also think a long term program would be nice. Something that you earn after so many years of being a continous passholder/member. It could be soemthing small, like front of the line access to things like the train, skyride, seating in Globe, Abbeystone, use of park entrance through exit turnstyle. Im not talking 2 years or 5 years but more than 10 years.
I feel like this is the blanket statement for everything. If you go to another park and have trouble getting in go to guest relations. Then you spend the first 30 minutes of your day there trying to get something straight and miss the valueable morning ride time. Half the time I go to guest relations with a issue I feel like they tell me anything just to get me to go away anyhow.
I'm just going to leave this here...
Comparing Pre-Membership Annual Passes (Jan. 2018) with Their Post-Restructuring Membership Counterparts:
1 Park Annual Pass: $144 -> 1 Park Unlimited Membership: $180 [25% Increase]
2 Park Annual Pass: $192 -> 2 Park Unlimited Membership: $204 [6.25% Increase]
Platinum Annual Pass: $228 -> Platinum Membership: $348 [52.63% Increase]
This all seems royally out of whack. A 25% cost increase is insane. A 52.63% increase is absolutely, positively flabbergasting. Even wilder is that these massive price hikes happened while 2 Park Passes went up only 6.25% in cost.
Comparing Pre-Membership Annual Passes (Jan. 2018) with Their Post-Restructuring Membership Counterparts:
1 Park Annual Pass: $144 -> 1 Park Unlimited Membership: $180 [25% Increase]
2 Park Annual Pass: $192 -> 2 Park Unlimited Membership: $204 [6.25% Increase]
Platinum Annual Pass: $228 -> Platinum Membership: $348 [52.63% Increase]
This all seems royally out of whack. A 25% cost increase is insane. A 52.63% increase is absolutely, positively flabbergasting. Even wilder is that these massive price hikes happened while 2 Park Passes went up only 6.25% in cost.
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This is very eye opening, and don't get me wrong, but I cannot blame them Even with these seriously large increases on two of the pass options. When you compare to SEA's peers, Cedar Fair charges the same thing for its highest season pass no matter the park, and you get the benefits at any park. That cost is $195.00 Six Flags has minimal differences ($2-3 per month) in the cost of the highest membership based on your home park. Some of the benefits extend to sister parks and others do not. I see this as SEA's waking up and realizing they're missing out on income.
With that said, I have never understood why my platinum pass (and now premier membership) cost less than the Florida Park pass. Nor have I understood why my pass costs more than San Antonio. At the end of the day, we all get the same parks with the platinum. Yes one could argue that you have four of the major theme/water parks within an hour of each other is the reason, or, argue that San Antonio are smaller parks, but at the end of the day they still get the same parks we do. Truth be told, the chain wide pass should have always been the same whether I bought it from Williamsburg, San Antonio, San Diego, Orlando, Tampa, or Langhorne. This my opinion and I know others won't share it, but if you're going to visit other SEA's parks from San Antonio, then you should be paying the same as me in Williamsburg. Pricing (currently) for each market is below.
San Antonio's regular priced Platinum Pass is $189.99.
San Diego's regular priced Platinum Pass is $203.88.
Orlando/Tampa Bay's regular priced Platinum Pass is $336.00
Williamsburg's regular priced Platinum Membership is now $348.
I fully believe that Orlando/Tampa Bay's passes will go up to the $348, and this is just a re-alignment of all of the parks passes, as others have mentioned here. I honestly have never seen a reason why the four destinations should have differently priced Platinum Passes, and if they had always been the same, we may not be having this conversation. Again, these are my opinions, and honestly why I don't see as big of a problem with the adjustments. Yes the adjustments are big and sudden, but I always felt it should have been like this. Now if they continue to offer lower chain wide passes at other markets, then my opinion will remain and I'd probably even be upset that they leveled Williamsburg with Florida, but not the other two markets. Only time will tell now.
Edited to correct mistakes.
Not only do they have four Florida SEAS parks within a short drive of each other but the price has always been higher due to the fact that they are neighbors with Disney and Universal. It's the local market value of the pass that determines the pricing down there. This is no different than going to NYC and seeing a Broadway production and paying much higher ticket prices than seeing a touring version of the same show.
So I spent some time yesterday thinking about this. And I just kept thinking about something.
Last year I was on board with the changes. There were some good changes. I was even on board with them telling people with grandfathered passes that they would have to change over. It (IMO) was a bit of a 'joke' that someone that's lived in the area for 10+ years was paying FAR less than I was because they had a pass and BGW/SEAS/INBEV never raised their rates to reflect the changing market price. Last year to me was a bit of 'market correction'.
And that was fine.
But this one is absurd.
I know not everyone loved the WCUSA being part of your pass, and I feel like I'm seeing some people that complained about it being forced on them are now complaining about it being off of there, but I really liked it. Why? I like taking my days off and doing a half day at WCUSA and half day at BGW. Now I have to pay more for that right, and I personally feel it's because there were that many complaints about it.
I don't understand, and hopefully someone can ask anyone high enough in SEAS to get this answer, why there's such a discrepancy between the lowest to highest level memberships; why there's such a huge discrepancy between parks; why is BGW higher than BGT/SWO; when the Florida market has many more parks (4+1 with the DC discount ability); why don't all of my benefits transfer to other parks? Lastly WHY IS IT SO HARD TO GET US A DAMN PLASTIC MEMBERSHIP CARD WITHOUT AN UPCHARGE!!!!!!!!
I really think BGW/SEAS overdid their 'market correction' in charges and benefit alignments this time. They might have gone too far. And I know I've said it before, but I feel like they realized for a family living 3-4 hours away, that getting passes and coming 2-3 times a year was cheaper than individual tickets each time, and are trying to correct that and make the memberships more beneficial for living closer.
I just don't get why BGW/SEAS cant adopt the SF/CF model. 3 levels. I'm going to make my pitch of memberships for BGW/SEAS right here; and consider this an application to any BGW people watching:
$13-15/month EZPay - Bronze membership. Good from Spring through Fall. Christmastown excluded. No WCUSA access. 10% off food/merchandise when visiting. Discounted parking, no discounts on upgraded parking. Discounted friends and family tickets. WCUSA discount passes.
$16-18/month EZPay - Silver membership. Good year round. Access to WCUSA. 12.5% off food/merchandise. Free parking, discounted parking upgrades. 1 free friends and family pass a month, discounted extra tickets. Discounted passes to other SEAS parks. 1 free photo key, 1 free festival item, 1 free quick queue per month.
$20-22/month EZPay - Gold membership. Good year round. Access to all SEAS parks. 15% off food/merchandise. Free parking, free upgraded parking via employee entrance (when available). 2 free friends and family passes a month, discounted extra tickets. 1 free photo key, 1 free festival item, 1 free quick queue per visit. Select ride re-ride availability.
Available on all passes: Add a pre-school pass for $2/month. Add a pet pass for $2/month (unlimited kennel stays). Year long VIP parking for $5/month.
Additional bonuses: Flash 'sales' for BGW experiences (the different tours available, F&W experiences, Beerfest experiences) of 25/30/40% based on membership. Flash sale 1 day QQ available for the course of the week (ie July 1st-7th you get 1 day of QQ).
All the same levels with benefits at all parks. Price ranges to reflect what park is your home park. BGW in the middle, BGT/SWO up near the top, SWSD/SWSA near the bottom.
Last year I was on board with the changes. There were some good changes. I was even on board with them telling people with grandfathered passes that they would have to change over. It (IMO) was a bit of a 'joke' that someone that's lived in the area for 10+ years was paying FAR less than I was because they had a pass and BGW/SEAS/INBEV never raised their rates to reflect the changing market price. Last year to me was a bit of 'market correction'.
And that was fine.
But this one is absurd.
I know not everyone loved the WCUSA being part of your pass, and I feel like I'm seeing some people that complained about it being forced on them are now complaining about it being off of there, but I really liked it. Why? I like taking my days off and doing a half day at WCUSA and half day at BGW. Now I have to pay more for that right, and I personally feel it's because there were that many complaints about it.
I don't understand, and hopefully someone can ask anyone high enough in SEAS to get this answer, why there's such a discrepancy between the lowest to highest level memberships; why there's such a huge discrepancy between parks; why is BGW higher than BGT/SWO; when the Florida market has many more parks (4+1 with the DC discount ability); why don't all of my benefits transfer to other parks? Lastly WHY IS IT SO HARD TO GET US A DAMN PLASTIC MEMBERSHIP CARD WITHOUT AN UPCHARGE!!!!!!!!
I really think BGW/SEAS overdid their 'market correction' in charges and benefit alignments this time. They might have gone too far. And I know I've said it before, but I feel like they realized for a family living 3-4 hours away, that getting passes and coming 2-3 times a year was cheaper than individual tickets each time, and are trying to correct that and make the memberships more beneficial for living closer.
I just don't get why BGW/SEAS cant adopt the SF/CF model. 3 levels. I'm going to make my pitch of memberships for BGW/SEAS right here; and consider this an application to any BGW people watching:
$13-15/month EZPay - Bronze membership. Good from Spring through Fall. Christmastown excluded. No WCUSA access. 10% off food/merchandise when visiting. Discounted parking, no discounts on upgraded parking. Discounted friends and family tickets. WCUSA discount passes.
$16-18/month EZPay - Silver membership. Good year round. Access to WCUSA. 12.5% off food/merchandise. Free parking, discounted parking upgrades. 1 free friends and family pass a month, discounted extra tickets. Discounted passes to other SEAS parks. 1 free photo key, 1 free festival item, 1 free quick queue per month.
$20-22/month EZPay - Gold membership. Good year round. Access to all SEAS parks. 15% off food/merchandise. Free parking, free upgraded parking via employee entrance (when available). 2 free friends and family passes a month, discounted extra tickets. 1 free photo key, 1 free festival item, 1 free quick queue per visit. Select ride re-ride availability.
Available on all passes: Add a pre-school pass for $2/month. Add a pet pass for $2/month (unlimited kennel stays). Year long VIP parking for $5/month.
Additional bonuses: Flash 'sales' for BGW experiences (the different tours available, F&W experiences, Beerfest experiences) of 25/30/40% based on membership. Flash sale 1 day QQ available for the course of the week (ie July 1st-7th you get 1 day of QQ).
All the same levels with benefits at all parks. Price ranges to reflect what park is your home park. BGW in the middle, BGT/SWO up near the top, SWSD/SWSA near the bottom.
While I fully agree with you and understand why they do it, it just never made any sense to me. As a BGW Platinum Pass Member (before creating the memberships) you still had access to this market at no additional cost with your pass.. So, in my opinion, everyone should pay the same. Just because I am closer to the Williamsburg market, but want access to the Florida Parks, doesn't mean I should be paying less for access to that market. I guess that is my reasoning.
Like I said, I agree with your point because of my understanding of it. Heck, I have taken advantage of the situation. However, presented with the situation to have upgrade and pay more, I wouldn't hesitate. I look at it like this, just because I buy my Platinum pass at Kings Dominion, doesn't mean my cost should be less. At the end of the day I have the same access to CP as locals do, and they have to pay more for it, and so should I.
I definitely disagree there. In all other business realms you charge more for your premium product over the lower level product. I don't pay for a standard Marriott and expect the Ritz treatment; and I don't expect paying Ritz prices at the Marriott level product.
KD isn't CF's top entry, so I wouldn't be happier paying the same as someone with a park that has better options. Same here for BGW. If I were a member at SWSD, I wouldn't be happy paying the same as BGW knowing BGW has better coasters, possibly looks better, and it's water park is much closer.
This all reeks of bad management and PR research. I can hear this line in a meeting, "Well we changed it once and they bought so I think we can do it again. They'll do it, look at our attendance numbers."
Honestly, if I had access to all of the same benefits across every park, equalizing Platinum Membership prices across the chain wouldn't bother me anywhere near as much.
I mean seriously. If we're paying $84 a year more than what we were previously for access to all of the SEAS parks, would it actually be any issue for SEAS to offer the Monthly Rewards and whatnot across the chain?
For example, if I could get a SeaWorld Christmas ornament when I'm in Orlando this December, I would probably go out of my way to make a previously-unplanned visit to SWO. Guess what happens when I visit SeaWorld? I buy overpriced food and merchandise. Sometimes I even get QuickQueue and a tour. That said, since there is nothing drawing me to their park this December, I'm almost certainly not stopping in.
Ultimately, I've always had a huge problem with SEAS' home-park bullshit. That said, I could put that bitterness aside since we were previously paying substantially less than Platinum pass holders in FL. If we're going to pay the same (or more like right now), I sure as hell want equal perks.
I mean seriously. If we're paying $84 a year more than what we were previously for access to all of the SEAS parks, would it actually be any issue for SEAS to offer the Monthly Rewards and whatnot across the chain?
For example, if I could get a SeaWorld Christmas ornament when I'm in Orlando this December, I would probably go out of my way to make a previously-unplanned visit to SWO. Guess what happens when I visit SeaWorld? I buy overpriced food and merchandise. Sometimes I even get QuickQueue and a tour. That said, since there is nothing drawing me to their park this December, I'm almost certainly not stopping in.
Ultimately, I've always had a huge problem with SEAS' home-park bullshit. That said, I could put that bitterness aside since we were previously paying substantially less than Platinum pass holders in FL. If we're going to pay the same (or more like right now), I sure as hell want equal perks.
I understand where you are coming from. I just believe that if I am getting access to CF's top park, I should be paying what those that have easier access to that top park pays. To me that is what is fair. Then, when I am done needing access and that pass is paid in full, I can downgrade again to just my home park pass. I know others will have a difference of opinion.
Completely agree with your points @Zachary. I think the benefits should be the same. If I am able to get to all SEA's parks in December, I should get a ornament from all parks. I should get ride again access to all parks. My pass shouldn't say, BGW/WCUSA Platinum. It should say, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Platinum. Sure, it can list my home park if they want.
@Zachary, I have 0 issues with your points there.
But, as a counter point, what's the fair middle ground on a flat price across the chain?
According to the Sites right now SWSD is $203.88 for their top pass, SWO is $336.00 for their top pass, SWSD is $132 now but normally $189. BGT is $336 like SWO, BGW $347.88.
That would mean if you straight up averaged it, the price is $282.55. That's a $65 savings for BGW (highest price); but a $93 increase for SWSD. If your main park is BGW, you are getting a hell of a savings for potential visits else where. And if your a member with SWSD as your main park you are paying 1 heck of a premium for the potential to go to other parks.
But, as a counter point, what's the fair middle ground on a flat price across the chain?
According to the Sites right now SWSD is $203.88 for their top pass, SWO is $336.00 for their top pass, SWSD is $132 now but normally $189. BGT is $336 like SWO, BGW $347.88.
That would mean if you straight up averaged it, the price is $282.55. That's a $65 savings for BGW (highest price); but a $93 increase for SWSD. If your main park is BGW, you are getting a hell of a savings for potential visits else where. And if your a member with SWSD as your main park you are paying 1 heck of a premium for the potential to go to other parks.