Free WCUSA Pass With BGW Fun Card Purchase
- Thread starter Zachary
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Matt Conkle pid=91330 dateline=1391263943 said:
BGT has the "soft opening" pass exclusive weekend that is no additional charge. That event is higher show quality than the first couple weeks of Official HoS here. The Passmember discounts on HoS and CT there are much more favorable as well as the repeat passes being much more favorable.
I want to throw something else out here. I have noticed that I have fewer perks and discounts in the Florida parks than I used to with my Platinum Pass. This change may not be a big deal for most people, but since I go to Florida parks a minimum of twice a year, it makes a huge difference in my vacation plans. I am actually looking at skipping SW and BG parks entirely on my next trip to Florida.
Losing those discounts added with the pricing structures I saw at CT in 2013 makes me wonder about the future of the Platinum Pass altogether. It has historically offered significantly more perks than other similar passes. Maybe they are thinking of phasing it out?
Losing those discounts added with the pricing structures I saw at CT in 2013 makes me wonder about the future of the Platinum Pass altogether. It has historically offered significantly more perks than other similar passes. Maybe they are thinking of phasing it out?
Nic pid=91364 dateline=1391294798 said:
While at the same time free snacks given out, coaster nights with free drinks and snacks, free HoS preview, and a few else. IMO it has gained in some areas while slacking off in others. At least Fl has seen a gain in perks to go alongside the loss of some unlike at BGW. As someone who is also in Fl multiple upon multiple times a year I have kept a close eye on it, as well.. With the addition of certain perks I let the others slide.
Hi everybody-
I've been a long-time reader of this site- I think I first stumbled on it about three years ago when I was looking for information about Howl-o-Scream, and for the next two years I only really followed Howl-o-Scream news and forums, but in the past year I've become a more frequent visitor to the site and have started reading about all aspects of the park, including going back and reading some of the news articles and forum posts from the past several years. I'm a lifelong resident of Williamsburg and have been a Platinum Pass member of the park for as long as I can remember.
So I guess first of all I just wanted to introduce myself and say that I'm very appreciative of the amazing resource that you, the administrators and contributors to BGWFans, have provided us with for all things related to Busch Gardens. Thank you! But now, on to the query that motivated me to "come out of the shadows" and actually post something here.
I see that, as someone else already pointed out on here, lots of people commenting on Busch Garden's Facebook post about this promotion are also distraught that this particular deal seems unfair to/neglectful of pass holders. The most common refrain seems to be that if the "value", if you want to call it that, of the season passes has been decreased as a result of the Fun Card deal, pass holders would like to see Christmas Town admission added to the passes as an additional "perk" to kind of make up for this imbalance. My questions are these:
1. Do you think there's realistically any chance that the park will add in Christmas Town admission to any/all of the season passes, either because they were planning to anyway or as a result of the outcry surrounding this promotion?
2. Would you personally feel assuaged if the park were to include something big like Christmas Town admission to the season passes, for those of you who are upset about this situation?
3. Generally speaking and in your own opinions, what other things could the park (realistically) do to add back some of the "value" to the season passes?
Feel free to give input to any or all of my questions- and I apologize for the long-winded post, I just didn't want to jump right in without introducing myself
.
I've been a long-time reader of this site- I think I first stumbled on it about three years ago when I was looking for information about Howl-o-Scream, and for the next two years I only really followed Howl-o-Scream news and forums, but in the past year I've become a more frequent visitor to the site and have started reading about all aspects of the park, including going back and reading some of the news articles and forum posts from the past several years. I'm a lifelong resident of Williamsburg and have been a Platinum Pass member of the park for as long as I can remember.
So I guess first of all I just wanted to introduce myself and say that I'm very appreciative of the amazing resource that you, the administrators and contributors to BGWFans, have provided us with for all things related to Busch Gardens. Thank you! But now, on to the query that motivated me to "come out of the shadows" and actually post something here.
I see that, as someone else already pointed out on here, lots of people commenting on Busch Garden's Facebook post about this promotion are also distraught that this particular deal seems unfair to/neglectful of pass holders. The most common refrain seems to be that if the "value", if you want to call it that, of the season passes has been decreased as a result of the Fun Card deal, pass holders would like to see Christmas Town admission added to the passes as an additional "perk" to kind of make up for this imbalance. My questions are these:
1. Do you think there's realistically any chance that the park will add in Christmas Town admission to any/all of the season passes, either because they were planning to anyway or as a result of the outcry surrounding this promotion?
2. Would you personally feel assuaged if the park were to include something big like Christmas Town admission to the season passes, for those of you who are upset about this situation?
3. Generally speaking and in your own opinions, what other things could the park (realistically) do to add back some of the "value" to the season passes?
Feel free to give input to any or all of my questions- and I apologize for the long-winded post, I just didn't want to jump right in without introducing myself
.TheMostHappy pid=91381 dateline=1391302793 said:1. Do you think there's realistically any chance that the park will add in Christmas Town admission to any/all of the season passes, either because they were planning to anyway or as a result of the outcry surrounding this promotion?
2. Would you personally feel assuaged if the park were to include something big like Christmas Town admission to the season passes, for those of you who are upset about this situation?
3. Generally speaking and in your own opinions, what other things could the park (realistically) do to add back some of the "value" to the season passes?
Feel free to give input to any or all of my questions- and I apologize for the long-winded post, I just didn't want to jump right in without introducing myself
Welcome TheMostHappy! Nice to see a new face!
1. Because of the outcry? I doubt it. In fact, I doubt that they would at all. The problem is that pass members have shown that, despite complaining, they'll still go buy Christmas Town tickets (or, in the case of last year, a Christmas Town pass). I can't imagine the park just handing over that profit because of some angry pass members. Maybe something would happen if this story broke out on a wider scale, but isolated to Facebook and BGWFans? Nothing is going to be done- I can nearly guarantee it.
2. Actually, I would. Completely in fact. If the park made the Season Pass a true year-round pass (even if they increased the price of it across the board by $12 as they have done with the 2 park pass), I'd have no gripes with the park selling a 2 park fun card for $72. That said, I don't think offering differing perks to the two pass tiers is a good idea at all. As it is, the park's ticketing and pass system is terribly confusing to anyone who doesn't frequent the place. Giving the cheaper tier things that the upper tier doesn't get (even if the upper tier is provided with something that seems like an equal value in its place) would just further that confusion.
3. I'm not really convinced that they need to add value back into the passes directly (at least not the one and two park passes- platinum is another matter entirely)- I think they simply need to stop degrading its value with other promotions. I personally still think that the BGW Season Pass is a great value when presented in a vacuum. Problems only begin to arise when these other ticketing options get thrown in. When you begin to compare them with the other options that are offered, it begins to look less and less enticing year after year. I think that's the root of the problem. We pay a premium and what we get is becoming less, well, premium.
My family, there are 6 of us, have been 2 park pass holders for many years. I would like to offer my opinion on the new fun card get a fun pass deal. I think its total bullcrap and a slap in the face to all season passholders. Thats is all.
This type of promotion isn't as new as most people think, a year or two ago the Bounce and Flex tickets started including Water Country as a bonus during the summer. The Bounce and Flex tickets also include free parking to Busch Gardens which is something that even the Fun Cards don't include.
The big reason behind including WC is probably to compete with every other theme park, like KD, that includes a free water park with basic admission (as someone mentioned earlier).
I think people are getting too personally offended by this because this is less about pissing off pass holders and more about the different consumer markets who visit Williamsburg. I have been a pass member for about 20 years and it will always be a better deal for me because I got to the park more than 2 or 3 times a year. Would I like to see more pass deals, sure, but I also don't get upset everytime I see a ticket deal instead because I know they aren't trying to market to me. I'm already hooked.
Fun Cards aren't for these people.
Fun Cards are for people who normally would only plan on visiting the park once but when they realize that they could come back for free, for the same price, they decide to buy the 'mini pass'. Busch Gardens makes up their money from this because most of their revenue doesn't come from admission sales, it comes from purchases within the park. So now this 'one time guest' is coming two, three, maybe more times and are now spending money on parking, food, games, souvenirs, etc. These same people may also realize how much they enjoy BG and decide to upgrade to a season pass next year. Now with WC added on, they are now going to this other park, that some people probably don't even realize exists, and spending their money there.
The big reason behind including WC is probably to compete with every other theme park, like KD, that includes a free water park with basic admission (as someone mentioned earlier).
I think people are getting too personally offended by this because this is less about pissing off pass holders and more about the different consumer markets who visit Williamsburg. I have been a pass member for about 20 years and it will always be a better deal for me because I got to the park more than 2 or 3 times a year. Would I like to see more pass deals, sure, but I also don't get upset everytime I see a ticket deal instead because I know they aren't trying to market to me. I'm already hooked.
Fun Cards aren't for these people.
Fun Cards are for people who normally would only plan on visiting the park once but when they realize that they could come back for free, for the same price, they decide to buy the 'mini pass'. Busch Gardens makes up their money from this because most of their revenue doesn't come from admission sales, it comes from purchases within the park. So now this 'one time guest' is coming two, three, maybe more times and are now spending money on parking, food, games, souvenirs, etc. These same people may also realize how much they enjoy BG and decide to upgrade to a season pass next year. Now with WC added on, they are now going to this other park, that some people probably don't even realize exists, and spending their money there.
The value of the park has changed greatly over the years and the fun cards don't help. I have been going to the park for four decades. In the 80s going was special treat given by the Shipyard, my dad's employer, once a year. I was young but I rember tons of people in period costume doing all kinds of cool stuff. As a poor kid I could not imagine a season pass.
Then the 90s rolled around and we got season passes! My mother finished school and we spent tons of time there. The passes had real value. I felt like the regular admission people were paying for all the cool people making it the 'Old World' (like paying a ticket for a play).
The 00s was a transition period and it sucked. The fun card is a sign that the park has given up. Let's not sell the park but the stuff inside. Admission to such a special place was the money maker back in the day not glow stands.
Edit: I bought a season pass for the first time in years last year and feel mad at not getting the same deal as the fun card people. It is insulting.
Then the 90s rolled around and we got season passes! My mother finished school and we spent tons of time there. The passes had real value. I felt like the regular admission people were paying for all the cool people making it the 'Old World' (like paying a ticket for a play).
The 00s was a transition period and it sucked. The fun card is a sign that the park has given up. Let's not sell the park but the stuff inside. Admission to such a special place was the money maker back in the day not glow stands.
Edit: I bought a season pass for the first time in years last year and feel mad at not getting the same deal as the fun card people. It is insulting.
Zachary pid=91383 dateline=1391304622 said:
That is when those truly the most unhappy must begin speaking with their wallet. As someone who used to spend 50+ visits a year at BGW in the past, I have changed that. Four days total at BGW in 2013 and with historically spending no less than $20 on just MYSELF, not including the others that used to go with me and no longer, the park lost well over $1,000. If you tack in the family of mine that would go at least 30+ times with me and spent no less than $150 on food and drinks each time you are looking at $4,500 EASY lost. So where did those extra funds go? With the amount I did not spend at BGW I was able to book two cruises in 2013 and renewed my Uni AP. The family also booked cruises. While BGW is bending over to pick up pennies while dollars fly overheard other places are waiting to capitalize. As a family of passmembers and multiple upon multiple friends who have passes (thankfully all Plat so we go to the parks that care) we have spoken with our wallets. We have chosen not to enable the current path the park is going. While we are doing that I can guarantee many many more families are doing the same thing. While they offer near free admission to people who want to sit on a ride then leave they are shafting those who go to the park/used to go to the park that they would make actual money off.
Why do I continue to keep my Plat Pass? My current rate is beyond a value for visiting the Florida parks which I will continue to do. While Passholders continue to cutback financial support of the park the park loses more and more money on these bogus offers.
My tip, speak with your wallet.
Also, something I thought of this morning, this promotion only runs online until March 31st. Because it is something that has to be bought before the operating season begins (minus a week or so) they are essentially forcing people to commit to at least one visit to Busch Gardens in 2014. There are probably quite a few people who haven't started their family summer plans yet or were on the fence about coming and this 'one time only Fun Card Deal' really could be the thing to push someone to decide that they will visit BG this year.
If nothing else, Spring Break this year is in the second half of April (week before and after Easter) so this may help to not only get more people in the park during the Spring, but all of these Spring Breakers are encouraged to return to Williamsburg at least one more time when Water Country opens in June.
If nothing else, Spring Break this year is in the second half of April (week before and after Easter) so this may help to not only get more people in the park during the Spring, but all of these Spring Breakers are encouraged to return to Williamsburg at least one more time when Water Country opens in June.
I want to start by saying I have loved reading everything on here and I love that everybody can give their opinion and people at least think about that angle even if they disagree. I want to put in my two cents and state why I am not mad at BGW for this fun pass buy one get one free offer. One huge perk that we have as Pass members is that we get free parking so while it may cost us $12 more this year for a two park pass and it cost them $27 less they have to pay for parking every time they go to the park unless they have a friend that is a seasons pass holder. So that $27 will seem like not much of a benefit after a while. Also I don't know if it is just when I renewed my pass but I always get the deal for $100 season pass and this year I also had the offer for $120 for a two park pass.
I'm sure some fun carders will pay for parking but I'm also sure many others will just use a friend or family members pass and get all the same perks for alot less cost. I have 6 passmembers in my family. It would be so much cheaper for me to buy 1 pass and 5 fun cards. Save alot of money and have all the same perks. Imagine if every family or group of friends did that. I feel like BG is shooting themselves in the foot as well as upsetting some of their most valued customers. If they even have any customers they value anymore.
Y'know, I didn't have a problem with the fun card offer when it was announced. To this point, I'm still not as upset about it as the majority of you because I am not a passholder and haven't been for years. I opt for fun cards or discounted passes on the occasion that I am able to go to Busch Gardens and I've always appreciated those options.
That being said, however, I was inspired by this thread to do some math in an attempt to see just how much the price difference in the two-park pass vs. the fun card really meant and got a little upset for you those of you who have been dedicated passholders. For two people who only spend about $30 on food and drinks, it takes over five visits for the free parking and in-park discounts to even take effect and make buying a season pass a slightly better deal.
Maybe that wouldn't have mattered the last time they offered a deal similar to this, when attendance hadn't dropped so drastically. When passmembers actually wanted to visit the park upwards of five times during the year. But as for now, at the start of the 2014 season? I can't blame you guys for being this bothered. And no, I don't feel like anyone should feel that the "bring a friend for free" deal makes this alright.
TL;DR the fact that it takes more visits to the park than a sizable chunk of passmembers take to make a two-park pass better than a fun card made me dig up a dying thread for my first post here.
That being said, however, I was inspired by this thread to do some math in an attempt to see just how much the price difference in the two-park pass vs. the fun card really meant and got a little upset for you those of you who have been dedicated passholders. For two people who only spend about $30 on food and drinks, it takes over five visits for the free parking and in-park discounts to even take effect and make buying a season pass a slightly better deal.
Maybe that wouldn't have mattered the last time they offered a deal similar to this, when attendance hadn't dropped so drastically. When passmembers actually wanted to visit the park upwards of five times during the year. But as for now, at the start of the 2014 season? I can't blame you guys for being this bothered. And no, I don't feel like anyone should feel that the "bring a friend for free" deal makes this alright.
TL;DR the fact that it takes more visits to the park than a sizable chunk of passmembers take to make a two-park pass better than a fun card made me dig up a dying thread for my first post here.
^^^ Very good first post, well thought out, polite, and it doesn't come off as immediately offensive to other members of this forums, probably one of the best first posts I've seen in a long time. And I totally agree with it, and I appreciate you doing even more research on the subject, it is greatly appreciated.
Anyway, Welcome to the forums, I look forward to you posting more!
Anyway, Welcome to the forums, I look forward to you posting more!
I just wanted to break down the math a little more to really see how these products compare and I decided to break it down right here. Before I get into my work, I would like to say that I find it nearly unbelievable for someone to have a season pass and not go more than five days. Now I do understand that there are unexpected things that pop up and some people just simply can't get the best out of their pass. I do believe most people who purchase a season pass typically plan to visit I would estimate maybe five times to include two to four times during Howl-o-Scream and Christmas Town, so a total of at least seven times per season. Fun Card holders probably average near the same, but due to the pass expiring by September, I would estimate they visit at least five times per the Spring & Summer.
So here is the math as I understand it:
I am calculating the cost of one visit based on admission and parking alone. In-park spending is an extreme factor that varies upon person to person. In this situation I am ignoring that factor only because there is no way to properly estimate it unless extensive surveying was one which I for one have no time for.
1 BGW Visit consists of - $87
$72 Admission
$15 Parking
The Platinum Pass costs $204, therefore it is equivalent to 2.3 visits.
The 2-Park Annual Pass costs $168, therefore it is equivalent to 1.9 visits.
1 WCUSA Visit consists of - $65
$50 Admission
$15 Parking
The Platinum Pass costs $204, therefore it is equivalent to 3.1 visits.
The 2-Park Annual Pass costs $168, therefore it is equivalent to 2.4 visits.
The Fun Card is $72, with one day visit to BGW and one day visit to WCUSA, and it is $152 for the very minimum.
The way those numbers break down can be confusing; however, the way I understand it is, the 2-Park Pass is paid for in itself by visiting in approximately 5 days if you did not spend any money in the park with discounts. The Platinum pass is paid for in itself by visiting in approximately 6 days. The Fun Card is of course the cheapest deal by far, but based on admission alone it does not give you the most for your money.
I would pay for the Platinum Pass, visit more than about a week and end up saving money in the longer run because I won't have to pay for a Fall or Winter Fun Card. The biggest way I can see relating to this financially is that the Fun Card may give you more instant savings, but in the long run the Annual Pass provides you with the most. Buying a pass or Fun Card is an investment in a sense. If you really look at the long term compared to the short term, the annual pass is definitely still a better deal.
Let's say that someone typically visits the park maybe 5 times in the time frame of Spring and Summer. Your Fun Card would give you the quick return; however when you factor in Howl-o-Scream and Christmas Town, the Fun Card turns out to be a very poor deal. So really is Howl-o-Scream and Christmas Town really worth the extra money to you?
So here is the math as I understand it:
I am calculating the cost of one visit based on admission and parking alone. In-park spending is an extreme factor that varies upon person to person. In this situation I am ignoring that factor only because there is no way to properly estimate it unless extensive surveying was one which I for one have no time for.
1 BGW Visit consists of - $87
$72 Admission
$15 Parking
The Platinum Pass costs $204, therefore it is equivalent to 2.3 visits.
The 2-Park Annual Pass costs $168, therefore it is equivalent to 1.9 visits.
1 WCUSA Visit consists of - $65
$50 Admission
$15 Parking
The Platinum Pass costs $204, therefore it is equivalent to 3.1 visits.
The 2-Park Annual Pass costs $168, therefore it is equivalent to 2.4 visits.
The Fun Card is $72, with one day visit to BGW and one day visit to WCUSA, and it is $152 for the very minimum.
The way those numbers break down can be confusing; however, the way I understand it is, the 2-Park Pass is paid for in itself by visiting in approximately 5 days if you did not spend any money in the park with discounts. The Platinum pass is paid for in itself by visiting in approximately 6 days. The Fun Card is of course the cheapest deal by far, but based on admission alone it does not give you the most for your money.
I would pay for the Platinum Pass, visit more than about a week and end up saving money in the longer run because I won't have to pay for a Fall or Winter Fun Card. The biggest way I can see relating to this financially is that the Fun Card may give you more instant savings, but in the long run the Annual Pass provides you with the most. Buying a pass or Fun Card is an investment in a sense. If you really look at the long term compared to the short term, the annual pass is definitely still a better deal.
Let's say that someone typically visits the park maybe 5 times in the time frame of Spring and Summer. Your Fun Card would give you the quick return; however when you factor in Howl-o-Scream and Christmas Town, the Fun Card turns out to be a very poor deal. So really is Howl-o-Scream and Christmas Town really worth the extra money to you?
Party Rocker pid=92083 dateline=1392165589 said:
Just as we have both witnessed quite a handful of members here not visit the park more than five times in a year. Regardless of that, the dropping attendance rates and upset consumers are still there. This leads me to believe that there will be people who benefit from the passes, just as there will be people who won't, but the numbers of those who won't are higher than they have been in past years. That is all.