There are a host of perks that memberships get and grandfathered passes don’t.
Many of which would cost more with the grandfathered passes. I had a big long response typed out to all of this, but I decided to forgo it. Because it's going to turn into "Why get the high level membership if I have to sit in the same traffic as low level membership." There's base level business stuff that's always ignored in these conversations that I should learn better. (Sorry
@Nicole this wasn't directed at you, just using your post as a springboard of something to get off my chest).
I would find it interesting for people who say "What does my extra cost get me", track how many times you go, and how much you save from discounts through the year. I bet after your 5th trip, BGW is actually losing money on you and not making money. With the number of people that post about cheating the system I'm not super shocked BGW can't change anything without a storm of hissy fits or actually enforce the rules without being made to look like the worst place in the world. Especially compared to places that literally don't give discounts and overcharge for every little thing.
(EDIT: Sorry for posting something that should have been here from the first place)
Continuing on this rant a little more (I guess I wasn't done) - It just gets tiring at times. I normally let people rant, but the continued insistence that everything always be fully open regardless of crowd levels is a little (dare I say it)....entitled. Like having a pass/membership means things should somehow always be perfect. Having the membership isn't like a VIP card that lets you have no lines, rides no one else goes on, or somehow expedited anything. It's just a way to return to the park, and get discounts as a "thank you". The most expensive passes are costing you $360, then only save you money on things you get in the park from there. About the 7th visit you are basically either going for free or you are having a massive discount on admission depending on how you look at it.
So it's not "what's my money getting me" but rather "how much is BGW losing on you".