So, as a BGW Platinum Member I have had a decent amount of less than stellar experiences at my home park due to a variety of factors: under staffing, bad weather, and even good weather bringing unexpected crowds during the slow season. Still, I usually have perks that make it worth it on those days like QQs, Busch Bucks or Free Sample Items. Yesterday my wife and I visited BGT after a quick weekend in Orlando (Universal Meetup Friday night, SWO Saturday morning/afternoon and Disney Springs Sat night), and I honestly felt like it was being run like a BGW Jan/Feb event. It was a gorgeous Sunday with sunny 70 degrees weather, the last day of the park's Mardi Gras but so many rides were down or at reduced capacity: Sheikra, Kumba, and the Skyride were closed. Cobra's Curse was down until maybe 4pm, and Iron Gwazi was running one train. The Mardi Gras booths were very limited and had run out of some items including Hurricane drinks. They have a Passmember Landing Lounge which was pretty underwhelming...they had water cups and chairs, that's about it. Compared to SeaWorld (lounge has soda fountain, 7 Seas Festival is the best of United's food & wine festivals) it was definitely lacking, even though I've had great trips to BGT in the past (including a year ago at this time). I was able to flash my membership at a store and get some weird cutting board for members (I don't know if this was due to the app/kiosks not working but I'll take it). On a positive note, flying out of Tampa was so much easier and smoother than flying out of Orlando.
