Busch Gardens Tampa Skyride reopens and becomes an upcharge attraction

$5.00 a ride now on the BGT Skyride unless you are a passholder

https://twitter.com/BuschGa...9685267914

It's bad enough to make it an upcharge in general. In a park that has hardly any non coaster and flat rides, that makes it even worse.

I'm curious to see how lines are going to be once it opens. How many people are going to want to pay $10 for a round trip?

When I was at the park today I also noticed they raised the parking cost. Regular is now $32, preferred is $47.

I remember when the Busch parks were often seen as the gold standard for customer service and in park dining. The rides are still great, but I can't believe we're at a point where most Six Flags parks are delivering a better guest experience.

At one time Sea World had a charge for their Sky Tower/Space Spiral/Thread the Needle observation ride. I was shocked on approach to see there wasn’t much of a line and it all came clear with the further shock of a 4.00 charge.
And as I recall the up charge was eventually dropped.
Maybe this is a way to help fund the safari exhibit, the ride provides a good vantage point. Or maybe it’s to discourage shenanigans from high up. Or maybe because these ancient Von Rolls don’t fix themselves.

RCMAC:

Or maybe because these ancient Von Rolls don’t fix themselves.

Yet somehow, parks like Cedar Point and Busch Gardens Williamsburg are able to run and maintain these rides without an upcharge...

Yet somehow nine Six Flags parks, 3 Disney parks, 3 fairgrounds, and 3 Cedar Fair parks (including one at Cedar Point) have removed theirs, in addition to others. And the reasons vary, but mainly it’s safety and maintenance. There’s only something like 13 left.
So good for CP and BG. We’re fortunate to have them.
Where’s Robbie?

The BGT Skyride has never been open when I was there. Not once. I mean, I've been there I assume ten times now, what are the odds?

I’ve seen it run more than not but I guess that goes a while back all together, like back to the 70’s. It’s unusual in that it’s one that turns a corner and that’s fun. Magic Kingdom’s did something similar. BGW’s ride is unique in that it’s one-way only, has three stations, and circles the park in a triangular fashion. If one of these remaining Von Rolls ever stops while you’re on it, beware. It can be unnerving.

Weird, as I just realized that BGW's skyride has also never been open in the times we have been there. 4 visits, but still....what a weird coincidence.

Still, it seems strange to charge for this. We ride the CP one as a niche experience, and not to actually "travel" (we could probably walk faster, as RCMAC can attest to....ha).

Interesting. Never knew there was that much downtime. Got a ride on the Skyride during my one and only visit ever to the park. Maybe I'll go buy a lottery ticket.

RCMAC:

At one time Sea World had a charge for their Sky Tower/Space Spiral/Thread the Needle observation ride.

If you mean Orlando, I think they still charge for it, except for (most?) passholders.

I hope they don't forget to charge for restrooms. ;)

Which would’ve been lucrative when they were giving out free beer…

I was initially put off but he upcharge...but then I got to thinking: How many places in the world can you soar over a zoo? Probably not a lot. $5 is not that bad a deal for a rather unique experience, if you think about it. When I think about what I pay once I'm in the door of the Epcot Food & Wine Festival then the $5 seems like a REAL bargain.

San Diego Zoo has one. Been a number of years but I recall it was included with admission to the zoo.

RCMAC:

Or maybe it’s to discourage shenanigans from high up

This is my thought since the ride goes over animal exhibits. Could be to keep the younger crowd from riding and dropping items into where these animals are. Either way, it kinda sucks that it hurts the older crowd who just want a relaxing ride to enjoy.

It is included in San Diego Zoo.

wahoo skipper:

$5 is not that bad a deal for a rather unique experience

If a one day ticket to BGT was on par with most above average zoos, I would agree. But between the highest parking fee in Florida, a $100+ gate price, and the fact that the park is offering the worst guest experience in its history, it's definitely not a good look.

This park has become a coaster park, and hardly has any attractions for non-coaster riders.

It’s poor business to alienate the non-coaster riders by charging them to ride an attraction after they’ve already paid one of the highest ticket prices in the country for a daily ticket. They’ve been doing the same thing at SeaWorld with the sky Tower.

it’s all about gouging as much as possible out of the customer, and not providing the best experience

RideThroughTime:

Yet somehow, parks like Cedar Point and Busch Gardens Williamsburg are able to run and maintain these rides without an upcharge...

if one park gets away with it eventually it comes to other parks. This is how we got up charge, cut the line passes everywhere.