Member Sneak Peek Day 2019
- Thread starter Gavin
- Start date
No, the bar code scanners is what either shows good or not valid.....or as I saw yesterday for Military passes "not a valid barcode". The same guests that I entered with yesterday were turned away from the HOS preview using the same passes, but yesterday their passes scanned throught just as mine did.
They did. But even at that rate with the number of times I use them it's a steal.
He gave a shoutout to BGWFans at the end of the video too which was cool!
Anyone have any insight in to why the crowds were so much larger than expected this past Sat? The weather was nice but I don't feel like that totally explains it. They had to use overflow parking, which is like a Saturday in the summer, not a Saturday during the spring. Have they sold that many new memberships? Is this something to be expected now going forward?
Membership sales have, reportedly, been through the roof. I also think the park has just gotten a lot better about communicating that these events exist.
I can easily say that was the busiest pass member/membership preview day I've ever been to. Pretty remarkable considering that they didn't even use to restrict the event to people with season-long admission.
I can easily say that was the busiest pass member/membership preview day I've ever been to. Pretty remarkable considering that they didn't even use to restrict the event to people with season-long admission.
This was our sixth Pass Member Preview Day and by far it was the most crowded! We arrived just after 10:30 and traffic was backed up to the Rt. 60 overpass off the interstate. We have one premier pass the rest unlimited passes. We were lucky to get down to Rt. 60 and use the employee entrance. There was only a 3 car wait there.... We had no problem getting in and parking in England. I am sure if we used the main park entrance, it would have taken us over a hour. There was minimal wait getting through ticketing and the metal detectors. There appeared to be a few guests that were having problems getting in, but we did just fine. Everything we rode was a walk-on until 12:30 or so. About 1:00 we were riding Apollo's and noticed that parking was still a nightmare. Traffic still backed up as far as we could see to Rt. 60 and the Ireland parking lot almost full. We left at 3:30 and the line getting through the metal detectors was crazy and Trams were shuttling from Scotland. I am glad we got there when we did and left when we did. Overall, we had a great time and it was nice to be back!
Up until last year, they used to open the park at normal opening time - 10am on Member Preview Day. I liked the 10am opening a lot better. I wish they didn't change it.
Up until last year, they used to open the park at normal opening time - 10am on Member Preview Day. I liked the 10am opening a lot better. I wish they didn't change it.
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We were there at the parking lot at 9am. When they opened the toll gates they only had one person working each booth so 1 person for 2 lanes. That made the backup worse as they were moving extremely slow. Ive never understood why it takes them so long, just scan the pass and if you get a parking tag hand it to them. But no at BGW they have to scan the pass, then ask for ID (why they cant get the photo to come up like thye do for park entry is beyone me), then print you a paper reciept, then get another slip telling you about the day, then turns around and has to find the marker to put the date on the preferred tag......that is too much time. Kings Dominion you barely even have to stop your vehicle, just hold you pass up and they scan it. At BGW again, they have to take your pass to scan it.
As far as the park it fely about like a normal amount of crowd for the passholder preview days. We rode Apollo, Verbolten, Alpen, Invadr, Griffon and Temperso between 2-4pm and the longest wait was 10 min at Invadr, the rest was bascally just waiting for the next train. Food lines at Festhaus were long, but the food service was moving fast it was the drinks holding everything up in both lines. They were serving the walkup drinks every other person and that was the hige slow up there. The registers were also slow as always and some were not set up for the 2 for 11 refillable cups. Overall the day ran better that any previews in the last few years in my opinion.
As far as the park it fely about like a normal amount of crowd for the passholder preview days. We rode Apollo, Verbolten, Alpen, Invadr, Griffon and Temperso between 2-4pm and the longest wait was 10 min at Invadr, the rest was bascally just waiting for the next train. Food lines at Festhaus were long, but the food service was moving fast it was the drinks holding everything up in both lines. They were serving the walkup drinks every other person and that was the hige slow up there. The registers were also slow as always and some were not set up for the 2 for 11 refillable cups. Overall the day ran better that any previews in the last few years in my opinion.
Yes, I have a Premier membership so we used the Employee entrance and when we arrived at 10:45, there were 6 or 7 cars in front of us but it went quickly. We parked in England and then I used the kiosks next to the gate to print my son's Preschool Pass (since he had one last year, they didn't require the Zone A verification again) and we entered easily. My neighbor, who was right behind me on 64, has an Unlimited membership so she went through the front entrance. Between the parking line, the line at Zone A to get her sons' Preschool Passes and the line to enter, it was 1 PM before they were in the park. So 2 hrs and 15 mins to get in. Madness.
One day someone from BGW will realize that one paying vehicle through the toll gate will cover the cost of paying a team member for two hours working that lane. The quicker they get people in the quicker they will be buying drinks and merch. They arent spending money in the park when they are sitting in their car getting pissed off and burning fuel.
I have observed several times that part of the problem at the tollbooths are the people who don't hand the guard their ID with their pass. The requirement to give them both isn't new; I always provide both at once.
I'm not saying BGW couldn't improve their processes. They cannot, however, be blamed for their guests' inability to follow instructions.
I would also point out that just as people in this thread observed how much more crowded it was this year; so too I imagine the park was surprised by the numbers of Members who participated. I would not be surprised to learn that they simply didn’t plan for the crush of cars and people.
Finally, as I point out every year, the Sneak Peek (Preview) days are essentially dress rehearsals. Everyone should come expecting problems, as the park and its employees work out the kinks in their operations.
I'm not saying BGW couldn't improve their processes. They cannot, however, be blamed for their guests' inability to follow instructions.
I would also point out that just as people in this thread observed how much more crowded it was this year; so too I imagine the park was surprised by the numbers of Members who participated. I would not be surprised to learn that they simply didn’t plan for the crush of cars and people.
Finally, as I point out every year, the Sneak Peek (Preview) days are essentially dress rehearsals. Everyone should come expecting problems, as the park and its employees work out the kinks in their operations.
Whats the point of handing back my ID then asking for my zip code......you just had it on my ID? Nothing about the parking was opening day jitters, it was running just as it did the last day of last season. Its a slow process that desperatley needs a overhaul. One thing in the park I didnt notice that I usually do is a overabundanve of employees. In past years I would always see more employees on every ride, sweeping, or doing whatever than they actually usually use during the season. I always assumed they were trying people out and some just dont cut it, decide they dont like it, or they work more than needed to train many people at once. This year the rides were on skeleton crews, bolt had one in the tower and two working loading the trains, all the rides we did were like that, just normal staffing so I thought that was odd.
I've never been asked to hand over my I.D.
I just regurgitate the words I've heard spoken for years; "Passmember preferred", they scan it and take a tenner, we roll through.
I just regurgitate the words I've heard spoken for years; "Passmember preferred", they scan it and take a tenner, we roll through.
What I don't understand is writing the date with a marker. Either preprint the date on the tag or at least have someone write it on enough to get through the morning rush before they open.
Exactly.....they are more worried about saving a penny than making a dollar. I understand what they are doing, they dont want to date too many and have to throw them away.
- Then they have the same tag all season and can order bulk better.
- Do too many and you wasted inventory and money.
- Do too few and they have to hand write them anyways.
This was the first year they asked for my ID at the employee entrance. Typically they just see my Premier Pass and scan us through. This year, I had to produce my ID to verify it was me. Don't worry, I was prepared...... I have it in my lanyard to it is easy to show.
I agree with Nicole.... If most people had their ID ready, things would go a lot smoother. Even though they never asked for it at the employee entrance, I always have it ready. On the rare occasion we come through the main entrance, it only takes a few seconds to get in if you have everything ready for them to scan.
I agree with Nicole.... If most people had their ID ready, things would go a lot smoother. Even though they never asked for it at the employee entrance, I always have it ready. On the rare occasion we come through the main entrance, it only takes a few seconds to get in if you have everything ready for them to scan.
Thing is they dont ask every time, you can go through 10 times and have the ID ready and they never ask, then as soon as you dont have it out they ask. There is no reason they should need it, they should have the photo come up, they can do it to enter the park so there is no reason they cant write the code to make the photo come up at the toll booth as well. Is there even a sign that says have ID ready? If not then there is no expetation that the guest should have it out and ready to present it.