Admission Costs

A number of posters have mentioned the non-riding friend who goes along to a park, or the older, larger or otherwise obvious non-riders who are widely seen in parks everywhere.

But the question is, how often do these non-riders go to parks? I'd say it's likely only once a year. Do you really think these people go to a park every week, or several times a week, or do multi-park tours spanning several states just to pay an admission price but not to ride?

I know in my own family, when the niece and nephew come to visit, their grandmother as well as several aunts and uncles are willing to go along to Knoebel's. They'll even squabble over who gets to buy the tickets, food, drinks, etc. But at the same time, they're less willing to go to Hershey, which is basically the same distance away, because they have the feeling that it's too expensive. They don't want to pay admission when they go on very few rides themselves.

At Knoebel's they can ride the train and a few other select rides, get dinner, a soda, and an ice cream cone without feeling they broke the bank. They'll spend money, but feel they got their money's worth. They wouldn't say that about a paid admission, even though they'd all qualify for senior admission, even "super" senior.

It all comes down to a matter of priorities. For many people, the cost of going to a park is worth it, and many other people won't understand that. Personally, I don't understand how people can afford to buy ATVs and run them all weekend long. But at the same time, few families can afford to drop several hundred dollars at a park more than two or three times a year, if that.

Right now, the economy seems to be doing well enough to keep parks busy and thriving, and to keep people coming willingly through the gates.
And the parks may be benefitting from those who are deciding to go to a park instead of a vacation or cruise elsewhere.

But it would be foolish to assume that the present condition will go on endlessly. Don't forget there was already one "golden age" followed by several decades of decline where many parks went under and many rides ended up in the scrap heap.

(Looks at the calendar)

Man the off-season topics start sooner each year. *sigh*

I like what Danny-boy said about Hight Quality Shows. I second that. When we were younger, my whole family and extended family would go to PKD (pre-P days), and while my grand parents would ride the water rides, that was about all. They spent the day eating and watching shows. My parents don't do coasters, but they do everything else. They always enjoyed the day.

Plus you get to people watch in an interesting atmosphere.

Entertainment is expensive these days. I didn't go see Madonna this summer cause I wasn't paying $300 a ticket (or, in this case, about $100 an hour for Maddie's time). That, to me, was rediculous. Heck, I wouldn't pay that for Janet. However, I did pay $250 the last time I saw janet, but that was for 2 tickets off ebay cause stupid me forgot to get tickets. Never again.

I think we look at things differently than most GP. GP will gladly fork over the $200 bucks for a family day @ the park cause they usually only do it once or twice a year. Most families that go more get family season passes.

As for my family, we always got discounts before we went to the park, and I'm sure people do that today as well.

Not trying to sound all high and mighty, but if a family of 4 can't afford to go to the park, then they shouldn't. There are other things that can be done for recreation. What you do is based on your limits (the ones we place on our selves, and the ones placed upon us). We can either live with those limits, or do something to change them.

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Rob Ascough said:
...Or better yet, read all of my posts. I'm saying it was an idea worth considering and you're acting like I'm preaching it as the new amusement park bible.

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No need to get your panties in a twist. I read your posts, and I still disagree with you.

No cheap, non-rider admission, thanks, and keep those quarterly distributions coming!

Don't worry... it takes more than a disagreement to get them twisted.

"The Panty Twister!" Now that sounds like a good name for a ride.

is a Panty Twister like an ejection seat ride called the Joltin' JockStrap???
just curious....
(i almost said Erection Seat... booo)

It might be something along the lines of the Ultra Twister at SFAW.

Wedgie: Ultimate Escape

I was thinking more along the lines of Panty Twister: Ultimate Wedgie, but W:UE works. Although I preferred this conversation more when you were talking about strippers at pro sports events, strippers at the ballet, etc. ;)