Quick Questions & Answers

[Merboy]

This also happened to me as well. The card on file expired and rather than send any alert whatsoever the park simply allowed three months to quietly pass by until the grace period was over. Then they had no qualms about sending me notices that I had to upgrade to the new membership system which is more expensive.

It took a lot of phonecalls but I got my membership restored and all penalties waived. It really was a hassle but I was livid that they would try that shit and I let them know.

 

[Mamunia]

This also happened to me as well. The card on file expired and rather than send any alert whatsoever the park simply allowed three months to quietly pass by until the grace period was over. Then they had no qualms about sending me notices that I had to upgrade to the new membership system which is more expensive.

It took a lot of phonecalls but I got my membership restored and all penalties waived. It really was a hassle but I was livid that they would try that shit and I let them know.

They did that to my mom too, after the period of free months started. Even though she should have had a year free for keeping her membership current throughout the closed months. They “let” her reinstate her membership and start paying again. They gave her a couple friend tix and 50% off ticket coupons instead. SMH

 

[I64 Trekker]

I was looking at the Platinum Pass from SeaWorld San Antonio and saw it was $216, which is like almost $200 less than a BGW Platinum Membership. Does anyone else here in VA have a SWSA platinum pass? And most importantly, do you have to visit SWSA first with the pass? Cuz if not, this may be something I wanna do within the next few years. I wouldn’t mind less BGW benefits with it.

You no longer have to visit your "home" park first before using your pass at other parks, so no need for you to hustle down to Texas, but note that SEAS has historically blocked the sale of other park passes to those with billing addresses in states with SEAS parks (CA, FL, PA, TX, VA). And you are correct that you won't get typical BGW benefits like free guest tickets, as you would instead get those benefits at your "home" park.

 

[CoasterTalkBob]

You no longer have to visit your "home" park first before using your pass at other parks, so no need for you to hustle down to Texas, but note that SEAS has historically blocked the sale of other park passes to those with billing addresses in states with SEAS parks (CA, FL, PA, TX, VA). And you are correct that you won't get typical BGW benefits like free guest tickets, as you would instead get those benefits at your "home" park.

You sure about this? I just looked less than a year ago and you still had to process your pass at the park you purchased from. Also, as of a year and a half ago it was only Sesame Place that had the residency restrictions which prevented you from buying that pass if you lived in a state that had another SEAS park -- at the time that pass was really cheap but it's since gone up to more than SWSA (IIRC) and I think the residency requirement has been dropped there now as well.

 

[I64 Trekker]

You sure about this? I just looked less than a year ago and you still had to process your pass at the park you purchased from. Also, as of a year and a half ago it was only Sesame Place that had the residency restrictions which prevented you from buying that pass if you lived in a state that had another SEAS park -- at the time that pass was really cheap but it's since gone up to more than SWSA (IIRC) and I think the residency requirement has been dropped there now as well.

The park visit thing changed once they started issuing the pass digitally. You can still exchange it for an actual paper card, but you don't have to. And it doesn't say anything under the legal terms on the digital pass about activation being required at the home park, but it does say it is valid at all SEAS parks.

As for payment processing, that is easier to check. Attempt to buy a pass and if it works, you are all set on that front.

 

[horsesboy]

The park visit thing changed once they started issuing the pass digitally. You can still exchange it for an actual paper card, but you don't have to. And it doesn't say anything under the legal terms on the digital pass about activation being required at the home park, but it does say it is valid at all SEAS parks.

As for payment processing, that is easier to check. Attempt to buy a pass and if it works, you are all set on that front.

Has anyone actually tried this for THIS year? My understanding was that like many chains they waved this during the pandemic but that it went back into effect in January but I don't have hard sourcing on it.

 

[I64 Trekker]

Has anyone actually tried this for THIS year? My understanding was that like many chains they waved this during the pandemic but that it went back into effect in January but I don't have hard sourcing on it.

Good point, but one could always reach out to customer service and ask if a pass needs to be activated at the home park before being used elsewhere. If they need an example, just tell them you want to buy a BGW pass online because you live in VA, but that you won't be able to visit BGW ahead of your Florida trip.

 

[GoHokies87]

Crap I do live in VA . Oh well

Good point, but one could always reach out to customer service and ask if a pass needs to be activated at the home park before being used elsewhere. If they need an example, just tell them you want to buy a BGW pass online because you live in VA, but that you won't be able to visit BGW ahead of your Florida trip.

I'm certain this works. Also, log into you bank/card account, change the billing address, buy the pass, change it back. It might take a day or so for the zip code to update but who uses the billing address anymore anyways.

 

[CoasterTalkBob]

I'm certain this works. Also, log into you bank/card account, change the billing address, buy the pass, change it back. It might take a day or so for the zip code to update but who uses the billing address anymore anyways.

I really don't think it matters regardless.... there's no need to go through this at all. The only park that had residency restrictions was Sesame Place but since they've raised their Platinum price much closer to BGW's price that seems to have gone away (the fine print related to that is no longer on the website).

 

[I64 Trekker]

I really don't think it matters regardless.... there's no need to go through this at all. The only park that had residency restrictions was Sesame Place but since they've raised their Platinum price much closer to BGW's price that seems to have gone away (the fine print related to that is no longer on the website).

I wish Six Flags would do the same. I hate having to drive up to SFA from RVA to pick up a pass before I can use it at other Six Flags parks.

 

[CoasterTalkBob]

I wish Six Flags would do the same. I hate having to drive up to SFA from RVA to pick up a pass before I can use it at other Six Flags parks.

I think CF is the only chain that allows you to buy your pass via any park and process it at any park -- every other chain requires you to process at your home park. They do this because it allows them to set different prices for different markets depending on how many other parks are around and what your local park has. There are some above saying that it's not like that with SEAS anymore but no confirmation on it.

EDIT: James actually told me that he went to SWSD before it procesed his BGW pass. It seems that the thing with SEAS is that you can only "process" your pass at your home park but the processing is quasi-optional as the barcode you get from your order allows you to access all parks. Basically, it seems like SEAS is half and half.... you may not get all of your benefits until you actually process your pass but it seems that you have admission to all parks using your digital or printed barcode after you purchase online.

 

[K8theGr8]

I apologize if this has already been answered, I searched but couldn’t find anything.

Can you visit the park on the exact day that your pass expires?
If it says “expires 3/29,” can you visit on 3/29, but not after? Or is it up UNTIL 3/29 (meaning that 3/28 is your last day)?

 

[Furyous Baco 325]

I visited on the day it said it expired once, so I’m pretty sure you can.

 

[cschnizer]

Referring to the ticket on the bottom, is 5/19/2022 the expiration date?

 

[Nicole]

Based on the information for this year’s Christmas Town Dash (meaning the event in December 2022, it appears that it expiration date is 5/19/2022.

Christmas Town Dash

The Christmas Town Dash is on Sunday December 6, 2026. It includes the following events: Christmas Town Dash 8K, Christmas Town Dash 8K- Competitive Race Walker, and Dasher 1/2 Mile.

christmastowndash.com

“All runners receive one discounted ticket to Christmas Town in 2022 and one day-pass to Busch Gardens good for the Spring 2023 season.”

 

[Irishman]

Hi there everyone! I tried to do the howloscream ticket sale yesterday and I assume that my order did not go through. I tried to do the sale this morning as well but when I clicked the sale link, the page auto directed to the Memorial Day sale. I tried to call the customer service line to explain that I tried to order the tickets but did not receive an order confirmation. She told me there was nothing that she could do and that the sale ended yesterday. The sale page was still working this morning, however when I tried to add them to my cart, it disappeared. She confirmed that she could see the sale still but there is nothing that she could do. I wanted to get advice on the current ticket sale prices and if historically there will be another sale for howloscream tickets!

Thanks all!

 

[Zachary]

Yesterday's HOS deal was definitely a really good one—you're unlikely to see anything that low again. That said, you can expect more sales in the months ahead I'm sure—especially be on the lookout for something when they announce this year's new attractions.

If you're in the market for two or three day tickets (must be within 7 days of first use), the current sale on those looks pretty damn competitive to me—especially if you're buying them with the intention of using them for HOS.

 

[Murphy]

What does the park do about vehicles left in the parking lot overnight? Surely some people overserve themselves and get a safe ride out rather than endanger themselves or others. Do these cars get towed or ticketed in any way, or is the park somewhat forgiving or encouraging of keeping people safe?

 

[horsesboy]

What does the park do about vehicles left in the parking lot overnight? Surely some people overserve themselves and get a safe ride out rather than endanger themselves or others. Do these cars get towed or ticketed in any way, or is the park somewhat forgiving or encouraging of keeping people safe?

I have seen several cases on vehicles left sometimes for more then one day. presumably the park allows it for some period of time before taking action but I know of no official statement to that effect.

 

[Brambo]

What does the park do about vehicles left in the parking lot overnight? Surely some people overserve themselves and get a safe ride out rather than endanger themselves or others. Do these cars get towed or ticketed in any way, or is the park somewhat forgiving or encouraging of keeping people safe?

I have personally left my car there one night when I was staying at a nearby hotel during F&W. All you have to do is notify the guest services members at the end of your day and they will jot down your car / personal info.