And for CT with the very few rides that are open, without the CT overlay and shows theres really no point of going.....at least for HOS a small amount of decor but with normal rides could be nice still with cooler weather.
COVID-19’s Impacts on BGW
- Thread starter WDWRLD
- Start date
I wouldn't be surprised to see a rides-focused CMT in 2020 if the park is allowed to reopen.
I agree this could well be the strategy, but temps could really ruin a show-less or show-lite event. Guests buying certain day tickets are not going to be happy if rides largely end up closed and there are hardly any shows to see.
They should just move food & wine to the fall for this year. Doing a haunted house seems like a waste of time. I'd be happy with a fall festival theme.
But, I do want a pumpkin booth. Pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, pumpkin seeds. Also, an apple booth, with some cider (both alcoholic and non). I think it would be a good alternative, as somebody who loves halloween a lot, I just can't see myself getting into any mood to be spooked. just toss up some decorations, actually decorate the park, and have some food booths and I'd call that a win.
But, I do want a pumpkin booth. Pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, pumpkin seeds. Also, an apple booth, with some cider (both alcoholic and non). I think it would be a good alternative, as somebody who loves halloween a lot, I just can't see myself getting into any mood to be spooked. just toss up some decorations, actually decorate the park, and have some food booths and I'd call that a win.
Thing is for CT if they "focus on rides" is many cant open so your not going to get paying day guests to shell out $100 to ride the train and teacups so they will mainly only get passholders that they arent making money off of for park entry. Heck even with the CT overlay the past few years hasnt been that busy as they once were. I really feel BGWs 2020 season is doomed.
How much planning lead time is needed to do the fall festival in lieu of food and wine in the spring - are we close to or past the point to where the planning needs to be in full swing?
I don't think the season is completely ruined if they can open in the next few weeks and assume they can attract non-passholders and increase in-park spending. It won't likely be a net positive year, but not everything would be down the tubes either.
I don't think the season is completely ruined if they can open in the next few weeks and assume they can attract non-passholders and increase in-park spending. It won't likely be a net positive year, but not everything would be down the tubes either.
If we go back to step 2 like the governor was talking about earlier this week that would do it in for the year but way I see it if they can open for HOS or CT I don’t see many or if any shows taking place if there are no Showa at CT it would almost be worthless going,.
There's no easy answer to what a (still very hypothetical) reopening in the Fall/Winter looks like. But as much as it would be weather-dependent and the absence of shows could create no reasonable "cold contingency" if the coasters aren't able to run, I do think that it makes more sense to skip Howl-O-Scream (for which they can't run the houses safely, and which would create both a setup and teardown of decorations) and just focus on Christmas Town. If they're able to open in September/October, just focus on a "Welcome Back" marketing plan primarily focused on Members/locals, and then move to Christmas Town in November and see where things are from there.
Just received an email from SEAS stating Sesame Place is opening next Friday, July 24th. Any bets on which of the last two SEAS markets (San Diego and Williamsburg) stays closed longer?
I’d imagine Williamsburg will stay closed longer due to the rapid spread of cases in bordering states. Since SWSD relies mainly on animals for entertainment purposes with rides as a supplemental piece during the day, the park could possibly find a way to operate not as a theme park, but rather a zoo. Knott’s is opening up Ghost Town for a Taste of Calico event with a ticket that includes tasting samples for a price of $25 and a pass holder discount. SWSD could quickly bring back the Seven Seas Food Festival and possibly open up the park as just a zoo. The event was planned to run from March until May of this year and I imagine many of the booths are still standing. If the park were too implement this plan it would save on the cost of not having to run rides, promote in-park spending with less attractions, and require less employees to operate the park. Although, most parks are sitting shuttered right now in California and with SWSD being a rather controversial park in the area, it may not be the best move to open up first.
So... About BGW running as a zoo?
Although highly unlikely, I think it's feasible assuming they can block off pathways to use them as temporary animal habitats/viewing spaces, as well as limit crowds and all the other safe practices.
Without going much further into concepts territory, I think it could be feasible if the right planning was in place to increase in-park spending and attract paid admissions while also keeping an overall low overhead.
My general thought is, if it were feasible, at least the park could start recouping on the sunk costs of animal care while also getting their animals some more stimulation from human observation/interaction.
This could also be a way to small-scale test park operations to be safe during the pandemic to prove they're capable, and this be able to have a more solid set of plans to keep everyone safe once they are allowed to open.
And who knows, maybe they'd have a renewed focus on animal welfare and inclusion within the park.
Although highly unlikely, I think it's feasible assuming they can block off pathways to use them as temporary animal habitats/viewing spaces, as well as limit crowds and all the other safe practices.
Without going much further into concepts territory, I think it could be feasible if the right planning was in place to increase in-park spending and attract paid admissions while also keeping an overall low overhead.
My general thought is, if it were feasible, at least the park could start recouping on the sunk costs of animal care while also getting their animals some more stimulation from human observation/interaction.
This could also be a way to small-scale test park operations to be safe during the pandemic to prove they're capable, and this be able to have a more solid set of plans to keep everyone safe once they are allowed to open.
And who knows, maybe they'd have a renewed focus on animal welfare and inclusion within the park.
Not sure BGW could pull off being a zoo....they really dont have many animals and even less care facalities. Ive heard that all the Pet Shennagins animals are no longer around. They have all been adopted out or sent to new homes. So that leaves a few horses......have heard conflicting stories on them, the cow/cattle thing by the skyride, a owl, and the eagles. Im sure im forgetting something but not nearly enough to open as a zoo.
Oh but I'm sure they could rent some animals similar to what KD does during WinterFest.
Not sure that would work, they would probably need to be classified business as a zoo to start with.
I can 100% confirm that the Pets are gone. The company that ran it is pretty much bankrupt for all extensive purposes and down to ONE show contact for the Cincinnati Zoo. I heard fairly reliably but not 100% that the park is down to 1 pair of wolves (old age and previous health problems to blame not the shutdown) I have also heard that they were looking at downsizing the clysdales but can not confirm if that happened. No info on the birds, sheep, or cows.
Not sure how that would work with their zoo licence. Those facilities are under much different and tighter rules. Even the pet show animals were required to have a full USDA site visit and inspection twice a year as part of that lisence.
FYI - Here are the benefits provided to Sesame Place platinum passholders, which could be an indication of what BGW pass members get, assuming the park ever reopens...
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Your New Benefits Are Now Ready!
As a thank you for being a valued Season Pass Member, we have introduced new and exciting benefits to allow you and your family to enjoy more family fun. We have automatically extended your Season Pass through July 23, 2021 and removed all blockout dates for the remainder of the 2020 season (1/3/21).
Additionally, we have added complimentary rewards and upgraded benefits as a token of our appreciation. Please note that you will keep your current Season Pass but will now receive additional upgraded benefits and rewards through 1/3/2021. To redeem these special benefits, please print a Benefits Upgrade Card under the redeem option at the Quick Ticket Kiosk on your next park visit.
Your original Season Pass will still be used to make reservations, access parking, enter the park, and get your in‑park discounts. To redeem added rewards in‑park, present your Season Pass and Benefits Upgrade Card. Please note that the Season Pass you purchased will still appear in your Season Pass Member Dashboard online and at the self-serve Quick Ticket Kiosk.
Pass Members who deferred payments or were not up to date with their payments during the park closure are not be eligible for the extension of time or the upgraded benefits.
WHERE TO REDEEM YOUR NEW BENEFITS
Your Platinum Season Pass has been upgraded with additional benefits through Jan. 3, 2021!
Here are the new benefits you can now find on your online account:
• Up to Three Free Guest Tickets Now Valid at 11 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Parks.
Your originally issued Three Free Guest Tickets are now valid for admission at all 11 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Parks. Expires 1/3/2021.
Here are the new benefits you can now redeem at the kiosk:
• $50 Sesame Place Cash - Expires 12/31/2020.
• One Free In-Park Photo
Here are the new benefits you can now enjoy when you visit the park:
• 30% Off Dining and Shopping - Show your Pass and Benefits Upgrade Card at restaurants and shops in-park. Discounts not available online.
• 30% Off Character Dining - Show your Pass and Benefits Upgrade Card at Guest Relations or Photos and Rentals. Discounts not available online.
--
Your New Benefits Are Now Ready!
As a thank you for being a valued Season Pass Member, we have introduced new and exciting benefits to allow you and your family to enjoy more family fun. We have automatically extended your Season Pass through July 23, 2021 and removed all blockout dates for the remainder of the 2020 season (1/3/21).
Additionally, we have added complimentary rewards and upgraded benefits as a token of our appreciation. Please note that you will keep your current Season Pass but will now receive additional upgraded benefits and rewards through 1/3/2021. To redeem these special benefits, please print a Benefits Upgrade Card under the redeem option at the Quick Ticket Kiosk on your next park visit.
Your original Season Pass will still be used to make reservations, access parking, enter the park, and get your in‑park discounts. To redeem added rewards in‑park, present your Season Pass and Benefits Upgrade Card. Please note that the Season Pass you purchased will still appear in your Season Pass Member Dashboard online and at the self-serve Quick Ticket Kiosk.
Pass Members who deferred payments or were not up to date with their payments during the park closure are not be eligible for the extension of time or the upgraded benefits.
WHERE TO REDEEM YOUR NEW BENEFITS
Your Platinum Season Pass has been upgraded with additional benefits through Jan. 3, 2021!
Here are the new benefits you can now find on your online account:
• Up to Three Free Guest Tickets Now Valid at 11 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Parks.
Your originally issued Three Free Guest Tickets are now valid for admission at all 11 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Parks. Expires 1/3/2021.
Here are the new benefits you can now redeem at the kiosk:
• $50 Sesame Place Cash - Expires 12/31/2020.
• One Free In-Park Photo
Here are the new benefits you can now enjoy when you visit the park:
• 30% Off Dining and Shopping - Show your Pass and Benefits Upgrade Card at restaurants and shops in-park. Discounts not available online.
• 30% Off Character Dining - Show your Pass and Benefits Upgrade Card at Guest Relations or Photos and Rentals. Discounts not available online.
The joy of Pantheon, the smells of food at Trappers, the sound of Apollo from the parking lot...none of it excites me as we go through this. The magic of BG is literally on hiatus for me. Screaming inside my heart like Japan advised, I am screaming, because it's just not the right time.
First instance where I haven't gone to Busch Gardens every year since 1990. What a time to be alive, but not feel alive as we used to. Be safe y'all, and wear a mask!
First instance where I haven't gone to Busch Gardens every year since 1990. What a time to be alive, but not feel alive as we used to. Be safe y'all, and wear a mask!