TEA / AECOM 2012 Attendance Estimates Released

[Unagi]

It's weird, I've never seen Hersheypark ads play here, yet I saw plenty of VA plates up there last Saturday. Not to mention plates from surrounding states.

Hersheypark heavily advertises in the DC/Baltimore area and that includes Northern VA. You can get discount coupons for tickets at all the Giant Grocery stores up there.

Not only that, but the park was crazy packed (think BGW Howl O Scream crowds) on a 90 degree day. Lines for the rides were still really reasonable though despite being jam packed on the pathways. What's Hersheypark doing right that Busch is doing wrong?

It's packed on a 90° day because they have a water park inside.

Also, Hersheypark is in proximity to a larger population base than BGW. It's about a 2-hour drive from DC and Philly and 1.5 hours from Baltimore and 2.5 from New York City. They heavily advertise in all these markets.

 

[destroyer421]

I believe the park now has a valid reason for crappy advertising; money to pay for it is nonexistent. Pay for advertising? Lose money you DON'T HAVE because you have to pay for it. Don't advertise? Lose money because you don't advertise properly. It's a slippery slope that's difficult to navigate.

 

[Party Rocker]

I believe the park now has a valid reason for crappy advertising; money to pay for it is nonexistent. Pay for advertising? Lose money you DON'T HAVE because you have to pay for it. Don't advertise? Lose money because you don't advertise properly. It's a slippery slope that's difficult to navigate.

The park has money to advertise, if they didn't overspend on giant useless bugs, and if they toned down the F&WF just a bit (I know this would make the event less desirable, but hear me out the first year shouldn't be extravagant, but basic, and then as time goes on it progresses, this would allow for more money to advertise) Plus the park does save a big portion of their profits. They could dip into their savings if they really wanted or needed to and I would think this is the time to do it.

 

[destroyer421]

Yes, they could certainly dip into their savings, but budget cuts dictate otherwise.

 

[b.mac]

Not to mention Blackstone takes a cut off the top every year.

 

[I305Evan]

But if they advertised then they would have the potential of getting new people which means more money spent at the ticket booths and shops. So then the advertising would have been paid for.

 

[Marie]

I think BGW needs to decide if they just want to be a local attraction or more than that. If they want to be more than that, then they need to advertise more, at least advertising up to the NY metro area.

Hersheypark advertises quite a bit up here, and I don't think it is half as fun as BGW (JMO).

 

[destroyer421]

But if they advertised then they would have the potential of getting new people which means more money spent at the ticket booths and shops. So then the advertising would have been paid for.

Yes, but a potential success isn't exactly a justified reason for going over budget. It's a risk. It might end up not making any difference. It might make a big difference. It might bring in enough money to break even with the cost of advertising. My point is, it's a risk, and the park isn't in the position to be taking any risks with money right now.

 

[Nicole]

For what it is worth, I have seen TV ads up here in DC. I generally don't watch live television, so I really have no way to gauge how often they run, but I did see one fast-forwarding through something on cable last week.

 

[Ben]

For what it is worth, I have seen TV ads up here in DC. I generally don't watch live television, so I really have no way to gauge how often they run, but I did see one fast-forwarding through something on cable last week.

Down in Virginia Beach, I hear a TON of radio ads, but not a lot of TV ads.

 

[Hoopla]

I have seen an increase of TV commercials up here in Northern VA. They play them so much that it is now annoying.

 

[Nicole]

You know, I wonder how much good TV and radio ads really do? I live in NOVA and visit VB at least monthly, but because I have digital cable, satellite radio, and an iPAD, I have seen/heard exactly one ad all Summer. I do see a lot of those discount coupons for KD and Hersey, when I go to Dunkin, I suppose.

 

[Hoopla]

Now they have ads for tickets and stuff up in our Wal-Mart. I also see a lot of computer ads on the side or top of the screen. I think their advertising has gotten better over the summer. Of course, have a lot of annoying commercials at the END of summer when everyone is getting ready for school. :dodgy:

 

[chickenking]

If you have ever gone through a McDonald's drive-thru you will see advertisements for discount tickets. Also, I saw Teacher Appreciation ticket brochures in the main office of a few schools this week. It's great for Hampton Roads and other locals, but is this kinda thing going on elsewhere in the state? Other states?

 

[Gavin]

Wendy's and Food Lion have discount tix here in Fredericksburg. McD has Six Flags tix here.

 

[Hoopla]

Shoppers also has six flags tickets. Their commercials are equally annoying.

 

[Mushroom]

Busch Gardens & Water Country flyers/coupons are popping up at Chik-Fil-A's near Richmond. Eet mor chiken, ParkFans! No offense, chickenking.

 

[Ben]

Busch Gardens & Water Country flyers/coupons are popping up at Chik-Fil-A's near Richmond. Eet mor chiken, ParkFans! No offense, chickenking.

Any excuse to eat CFA

 

[Hoopla]

Just wondering, what are KD's and BGT's numbers like.

 

[Bill]

Zach linked the full report in the first post: Full PDF

BGT is busy enough to actually rank in the top 25 worldwide, coming in at #23 in 2012. Total attendance estimated was 4,348,000, which was a 1.5% increase from 2011 (4,284,000).