$ How Much Is Too Much $?

Ok, this topic may have come up many months ago, I don't know... but it is one that annoys me and any park goer.

How much money is too much to pay for parking?
I remember at Six Flags Darien Lake during the 1999 season, parking was $5.00.
During late August in the same year, I went there again, and all of a sudden I see the sign posted that says $6.00.

The next season I go and it's $7.00!!

I heard some places charge up to $10.00 for parking in amusement parks.

I know some parks offer season parking passes... but for parks you visit maybe once, twice... three times tops, it doesn't work out.

So I ask:
How much money is too much to pay for parking?
Do you think they will keep bumping it up in the future, or will there be a ceiling? Salary cap if you will (like in football & hockey!).
How long before parking your car costs just as much as entering the park?

I wouldn't mind you are guaranteed maybe free shuttle services to the gate from certain check-points, or fresh pavement with GOOD space between each car parked... but that's simply not the case. If you get to the park at 12-1pm, you're in for the long haul!

Before I got my driver's license, the public had to pay about $5.00 for parking at my home park. Drove there for the first time and the parking ticket booths were gone! Parking is and still is totally free.

$10 works out to be about A$20.50 and that is way too much!!

Are there any Amusement Parks with free parking?
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Australia's No.1 Coaster Nut

*** This post was edited by CoasterGod on 4/6/2001. ***

Yes Holiday World, Candom Park and Big Chief's! Also to my knowledge Knoebels is free! Those parks set a good example for the money hungry overpopulated corporate parks that rather pocket most of their money than build us a 350 foot gigacoaster! They make enough money on parking ALONE to build one!!!
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PINK FLOYD FANATIC

True, parking costs do suck. I wouldn't mind so much if I knew the money were going toward new coasters at that park, but I seriously doubt it. But from my experience there's always someplace at every non-Ohio park to leave the car and walk in. A little trekking is worth a few bucks to me.

Parking prices are outrageous and absolutely ridiculious. I went to PKD and SFA last year and parking was at least $8. It is absurd that the park's have the nerve to charge so much just to park a car for the day. They are already making 30 to 40 to 50 bucks at some parks and parking should be free for park visitors just like Knoebels offers. I can't stand the parking fees and I don't they will ever stop rising.

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Dave

SFAW's parking is and has been $5.00! I guess Im pretty lucky cuz I go there alot!

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CONNER said:
"SFAW's parking is and has been $5.00! I guess Im pretty lucky cuz I go there alot!"

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I'm pretty sure Six Flags doesn't control the price. If they could get their hands into it, the parking price would rise dramatically. Luckily, like you said, that shouldn't ever happen.

The maximum for parking should be about $8-10. I hate it when parks charge so much for parking.

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MF Drops-15
SOB Rides-2

The thing is most parks pretty much have a monopoly on parking. It will only stop going up when people stop paying to park, which means not going to a park at all.

Of the parks I've been to, I noticed Kennywood was the only one with free parking. This perhaps because it is basically in a city were other spaces are available (also because they're awesome). At places like CP, were else are you going to park! *** This post was edited by Joe E. on 4/7/2001. ***

Parking is usually free (or was when I've been) at Wild Adventures, GA.

I agree that parking costs can get exorbidant, but would you not go to a park because the parking coast $15 or something? They know where to make money, and it isn't always on admissions. Yes, if other parking is available (IE- something across the street) I'd take it and just walk, as long as I knew I wouldn't have to go back to the car and I could park wherever for the whole day, which usually isn't the case. It might be pricey, but you are that much closer and your car won't be towed if you're not back until 12am. :)

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Po!nt of View: A different look at Roller Coasters.
http://www.crosswinds.net/~justmayntz/thrills/index.html
** Updated April 4, 2001 **

doesnt six flags offer coupons with their season passes or is that only SFMW.

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are you ready to go vertical?...V2 SFMW 2001 ...

Well, SFOG's parking price went down a 1.00. It's a start, it's better than it rising a 1.00.
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Georgia Scorcher...OH yeah it's fire baby!!!

Kennywood's system is good. They offer preferred parking near the front for I think $4 or something. But if you walk a little the parking is free. You can also park on the hillside and take Kenny's Parkway(skilift) right to the front.

One of my home parks, SFStL, has $8 parking, but my other home park of Holiday World is free! Try and guess which park I prefer...;)

-Raven_Rider

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"Hold on tight, with all your might, and enjoy your flight on the Raven!"

Parking should be free. If they want us to go to their parks they'd better find us someplace to put our cars.

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Rollercoasters are the secret of life!

http://www.woodencoaster.com

Look out if you go to Coney Island in NYC. We parked in the Marina lot (next to the Cyclone) for $16.00. It did include a ticket for admission to the Marina though. Then after that closed we had to find another spot this time on the street. I think it was like $.25 for every 15 minutes.

I actually don't mind paying a fee for parking at most parks. They have security which makes it safer parking in the lot than someplace on the street. I figure as long as my cars in a safe spot I'll pay the price.

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We came, We saw, We rode, We went home! :)

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Joe E. said:
Of the parks I've been to, I noticed Kennywood was the only one with free parking. This perhaps because it is basically in a city were other spaces are available (also because they're awesome). At places like CP, were else are you going to park!

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Where else would you park at Kennywood?? Only in the shopping plaza, and they'll tow you.

The best thing, IMO, about Kennywood parking is that you can pay $5 to park up close, or park anywhere else for free. Then if you use the free further away parking, they have free shuttle busses and a free ski lift ride that drop you off right at the entrance.

This is the difference between KP, IP, Knoebel's, Lakemont, and others compared to the chains: CLASS. They care about their customers, the owners are out in the park mingling with them, and listening to their complaints.
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I refuse to add a signature. Damn, too late.

I noticed that any place that has free parking in amusement parks (at least all the ones I have been to)... the parking lot isn't in the greatest condition.

For example, at The Great Escape, it's all stone & gravel AND you gotta cross a busy street, but it's free! They only have a few really close spots in a paved lot on the side of the park, but if you're not there by 9am... forget about it!!

At Waldameer Park in Erie, PA & Martin's Fantasy Island in Grand Island, NY... it's all free parking, but these are smaller parks, and need to attract the guests somehow! Plus their lots aren't the best shape either. It's either coming apart, or it's stone & gravel.

I don't mind paying for parking (within reason), but I wish I had an alternative (like parking from a distance for free!)

For a lack of a better phrase... they have you by the balls for everything at amusement parks... parking your car, getting a cold drink in line for coasters, all food, and snacks!! (let's hope they don't start charging for bathroom usage soon!! :) )

SFGAd now charges $10.00, but mind you, their drive thru safari is now free, so it all works out in the end. :)

-rob

The one thing that no one has considered here is that, in some cases, parking fees are imposed to control the amount of cars that are parked. There has to be some way to discourage single or double occupant cars when you have a finite amount of parking. The park formerly known as Six Flags Ohio was a prefect example of this, because single driver cars would take up a lot of space and max-out the parking lot in a hurry.

That's just a minor example... I know that more parks than not are just out to get every dollar they can.

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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com