Ah, well ya boy STONEY made it out to Howl O Scream last night!!! It was def an interesting experience
We got through the gates right at 7:00 before any real rainfall. Headed towards Apollo and was told it was closed down due to “approaching storm” and told all the houses were still open. Heavy rainfall started, and I was able to get to Inferno where there were literally zero other guests so my partner and it felt like my partner and I had a personalized walkthrough of the maze. Seemed well staffed and engaged actors.
Walked out and trekked through the rain to festa Italia and was told that maze was closed. Went over the bridge to Witch Woods to see that was closed as well… I assumed that meant Nevermore was closed so we walked all the way back through to Ireland and went through the Diner which was pretty decent. Walked around more and discovered pretty much every coaster was still closed. Closer to 9, we were able to get on Verbolten and Pantheon with zero line, straight up walked on. We managed to get to Nevermore, and then walked onto Apollos Charriot at 9:30, it was closed the entire night but opened right as we were about to head to the gate.
Maybe you all can give me some insight though, because I was a little put off by a few things during this visit. First thing is, I am an unlimited pass member and for some reason I recalled there always being an option to purchase member discounted guest tickets. Struggled to navigate the online portal to see if this was still a thing, if I read it correctly they only offer guest ticket discounts for certain dates? So, I paid full price for a ticket for my partner.
In the past, I had always been told they will issue a readmission ticket if weather causes ride or operations closures. The thing is, I understand and was aware of the chance of a storm that day… but it was a complete mess trying to navigate the park even after the rain stopped close to 9. For starters, most of the attractions didn’t have a “closed” sign at the entrance signaling the ride was closed, and no staff seemed to be aware of what was operating and what wasn’t. We walked to Loch Ness Monster at 9:10 and saw no one at the entrance and walked all the way through the queue to reach the station for the employees to tell us it was closed. The same thing happened immediately after when trying to get on Apollos Charriot.
So, around 9:40 we were making our way to the front to leave and I decided to inquire about a readmission ticket just for the fact that most of our time spent there was walking back and forth trying to find out what was actually open. Guest services seemed to be very annoyed at my request. I was very polite and explained that we got there at 7 and most of the attractions were still closed after the storm passing. They called a supervisor or manager over who seemed reluctant to give the readmission telling me
“Just so you know…. If you stay here longer than 3 hours, you’re not supposed to get ANYTHING!”
I looked at my watch… it wasn’t even 10 yet so we were definitely there for less than 3 hours? Then he was telling me I also shouldn’t be getting a readmission due to the fact that I asked for one towards the end of the night. It wasn’t even 10 yet, we waited out the storm and walked around for nearly 2 hours trying to find open attractions, were able to do a handful at 9 o clock, then asked for it then.
I’m not sure if I was in the wrong for asking for the re-admit, or if they were unreasonably rude about it? Like… come on, I’ve been a pass member for literally 20 years, I used to get WAY more benefits in the past I’m certain. We spent money last night while the park… you already got my money for the admission ticket, what’s the harm in letting my guest come back so we can spend even more money? What is the point in making some sort of statement on how I’m technically not entitled to a readmission due to some stipulations… when they don’t even seem to apply as I was there less than 3 hours? I thought the readmission policy was there to encourage people to come out and spend money and not worry about weather and ride closures ruining their experience? After seeing that it was some sort of ordeal to get a readmission, I don’t think I’ll ever go back in the chance of rain. In the end, they still gave me the readmit… if they didn’t, I was prepared to cancel my membership on the SPOT! And never return!
Idk, maybe I’m overthinking it a little bit, but overall it seemed like most the employees there last night were annoyed and irritated by me being there. Employees in shops just sitting on the counters on their phone rolling their eyes and sighing at me when I’m asking them questions.
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