Photokey

[Jahrules]

So, I thought a lot about where this post belonged. Member benefits could have worked since certain pass levels get varying degrees of photo benefits; but you can buy photokey with no membership. Christmas town could have worked because this is (so far?) Unique to CT. But it might not be...

Today at the park, there was a new photo op in France. Pictures in Santa's sleigh.

The worker informed us that this was a "special photo op" and therefore was separate from photokey... It's a flat $15 and no personal photos allowed. (There's a sign saying the same).

What?

I'm not even able to excuse this away with park disclaimers... There's no fine print to be seen that I've found.



"Collect all your photos throughout the park".

No asterisk. No subtext. No "at participating locations".

Penny grabbing to the extreme.

The offending location: (excuse the quality I took it as a walk by snap so they didn't tell at me for violating the no personal photos)

 

[GoHokies87]

The penny pinching in this chain is getting pretty disgusting TBH.

 

[qdeathstar]

I would feel pretty boned if I shelled out 65 bucks for the “Christmas” photo key and then was asked to pay an extra 15 bucks for a Christmas photo.

 

[horsesboy]

I would feel pretty boned if I shelled out 65 bucks for the “Christmas” photo key and then was asked to pay an extra 15 bucks for a Christmas photo.

especially since I seen people saying that KD will let you take your own.

 

[warfelg]

I feel like we had this the last two years where there was a photo key available but one photo experience was left off.

Personally if there is one that’s more expensive I don’t mind they do it. I do mind they aren’t more open about it. Then again it’s hard to asterisk every sign with every exemption.

 

[horsesboy]

I feel like we had this the last two years where there was a photo key available but one photo experience was left off.

Personally if there is one that’s more expensive I don’t mind they do it. I do mind they aren’t more open about it. Then again it’s hard to asterisk every sign with every exemption.

No but you could but something like at available at selct locations or exceptions apply on them to let least make it known that there maybe some.

 

[rswashdc]

My assumption was the sleigh ride photo was done through a 3rd party so they weren’t taking photo key. The bigger issue is they were requiring picture purchases at Santa to get the photos on your photo key. That is definitely not disclosed and a real cheap tactic to get people to pay more.

 

[warfelg]

No but you could but something like at available at selct locations or exceptions apply on them to let least make it known that there maybe some.

Don’t disagree with this at all. I wasn’t trying to absolve BGW. Just pointing out it doesn’t feel like the first time and wouldn’t be unprecedented.

Like, my personal take on this is I’m not shocked a business is trying to ensure they make money. The unfortunate thing is with publicly traded companies, stock holders and profits take priority over customer satisfaction and happiness.

But that’s not to say I don’t get the anger over it. I’ve held for a long time on here, the way people boasted over paying less than half what others payed for the same pass, gaming the system for extra free meals, abusing passes to stack discounts; that complaining about BGW doing something profits based annoys the crap out of me (not saying that’s what is happening here fwiw). I get buying the pass figuring there’s an experience that might cost just as much and you get a bunch of extra pictures “free” feels really slimy.

 

[mikes]

I was shocked to learn that I had to pay for the Santa photos, I ended up doing it because the whole reason I was in that place was for a damn photo. Maybe this isn't new, but I don't remember doing that in 2019.

 

[Jahrules]

I was shocked to learn that I had to pay for the Santa photos, I ended up doing it because the whole reason I was in that place was for a damn photo. Maybe this isn't new, but I don't remember doing that in 2019.

I think that's not new; though photokey used to be a qq for santa and other photo ops.. and that has stopped as well.

 

[warfelg]

I think that's not new; though photokey used to be a qq for santa and other photo ops.. and that has stopped as well.

And I can get why. Most other photos throughout the park (on ride or wandering) doesn't really cost BGW extra. They are paying the cameraperson anyways, that on ride photo is being taken anyways, and the cost of printing up the photos is minimal.

Santa and posted pictures is one that costs extra. They are paying a Santa. They are paying extra people to help. They are using space that could be making them money somewhere else. Not including it isn't a 'sin' because it's costing them extra and would be irresponsible to not try to make something off of it. I do agree the problem of not being more upfront about it.

 

[rswashdc]

I think that's not new; though photokey used to be a qq for santa and other photo ops.. and that has stopped as well.

The issue is they don’t disclose this when you buy the photo key, but other photos (e.g. Rudolph or Jack at Halloween) are included. There’s no way the average park goer is going to know that and finding out after you’ve visited Santa leaves a really bad taste.

 

[Jahrules]

The issue is they don’t disclose this when you buy the photo key, but other photos (e.g. Rudolph or Jack at Halloween) are included. There’s no way the average park goer is going to know that and finding out after you’ve visited Santa leaves a really bad taste.

Honestly I think the park made a huge miscalculation this year when they gave free photokey to premier.

Yes, they corrected this over the summer; but they were still stuck giving everyone on premier a voucher for the remainder of their contract period. So after spring next year it'll be back to platinum or self pay with the full photokey benefit.

It'll be interesting to see if they revert some of the benefits after that like the qq.

 

[BGWnut]

So, I thought a lot about where this post belonged. Member benefits could have worked since certain pass levels get varying degrees of photo benefits; but you can buy photokey with no membership. Christmas town could have worked because this is (so far?) Unique to CT. But it might not be...

Today at the park, there was a new photo op in France. Pictures in Santa's sleigh.

The worker informed us that this was a "special photo op" and therefore was separate from photokey... It's a flat $15 and no personal photos allowed. (There's a sign saying the same).

What?

I'm not even able to excuse this away with park disclaimers... There's no fine print to be seen that I've found.

View attachment 25362

"Collect all your photos throughout the park".

No asterisk. No subtext. No "at participating locations".

Penny grabbing to the extreme.

The offending location: (excuse the quality I took it as a walk by snap so they didn't tell at me for violating the no personal photos)

View attachment 25363

This is a 3rd party that operates this location. In prior years it was in the building across from the Canada shop where antique photo is located.

They are the same group that operates the antique photo in new France. That has never been included in Photo Key. So the park definitely isn't doing anything different this year with Photo Key. However, I will say that they should be more explicit about the fact that there are 1 or 2 exceptions.

 

[Nicole]

And I can get why. Most other photos throughout the park (on ride or wandering) doesn't really cost BGW extra. They are paying the cameraperson anyways, that on ride photo is being taken anyways, and the cost of printing up the photos is minimal.

Santa and posted pictures is one that costs extra. They are paying a Santa. They are paying extra people to help. They are using space that could be making them money somewhere else. Not including it isn't a 'sin' because it's costing them extra and would be irresponsible to not try to make something off of it. I do agree the problem of not being more upfront about it.

Didn’t they previously include photos with the Rudolph characters with PhotoKey?

 

[tursiops]

I can't even get into my photo key account. It keeps saying it's down. They added Rudolph pictures to mine, but i can't get in to confirm.

 

[Red Drum]

My son has a premier membership and we've never figured out how to redeem the photokey benefit. 😂

 

[Jahrules]

My son has a premier membership and we've never figured out how to redeem the photokey benefit. 😂

You just go to the photokey booth in England.

 

[Red Drum]

You just go to the photokey booth in England.

Ha. Thanks. We never spend any time in England so I guess I've never noticed the booth!

 

[Nibbins]

And I can get why. Most other photos throughout the park (on ride or wandering) doesn't really cost BGW extra. They are paying the cameraperson anyways, that on ride photo is being taken anyways, and the cost of printing up the photos is minimal.

Santa and posted pictures is one that costs extra. They are paying a Santa. They are paying extra people to help. They are using space that could be making them money somewhere else. Not including it isn't a 'sin' because it's costing them extra and would be irresponsible to not try to make something off of it. I do agree the problem of not being more upfront about it.

They are paying Frosty, the Gingerbread man and Rudolf as well and use helpers and space that could be used otherwise. All of those pictures are "free" with a Photokey.

They know exactly that a lot of people will want a picture of their kids with Santa, especially after waiting through the line for an hour. No mention anywhere I have seen that the pictures will cost extra, even if you have a Photokey, until you hit the register and try to add it to your account. It's just a cash-grab at a spot where they know they can get away with it.