Busch Parks
LMAO there, AJ...true, safety is NEVER sacrificed...(certainly not on Gwazi)...;). But what I fail to understand is why this "re-evaluation" seems to have left spending unaffected in their other ventures (e.g., Busch Racing). I think what they'll find soon enough though, is that the amusement business requires re-investment...
From a neutral standpoint, I do not work for Busch, though I did want to for some time, and my knowledge of their operation is this: They (the parks) make money, and lots of it. They stopped soda can promotions, large discounts, and other coupons. They really only do the Florida Fun Card and the Orlando Magic pass or whatever the week long promo is, and the Colonial Vacation package in Virginia.
They (Busch) feel they have a superior product in the industry, and they will get their share of destination mini trips with or without a $10 million dollar ride package each year. They are good neighbors in their communities, they have an excellent employee retention rate, and only those parks can 'retirees' actually work in a great environment without mobs of teens hell raising.
They are in that elite group of parks that can 'do no wrong' no matter when you visit, like Kennywood, Santa Cruz, Cedar Point, Knoebels, Morey's Piers, Holiday World, Sea Breeze, Hersheypark, and a few select others. That is the category of the food is always good, the game prizes and great, the retail has nice products, the place is clean, the employees are friendly, and the list goes on. You have to really nit pick to find flaws, and to us, there are none that are serious.
And word of mouth is the best method. If you didn't make it this season, someone you know did, and loved it.
Agreed that their food and employees, environment and landscaping, cleanliness and shows, they really "have it going on" when it comes to attracting the older crowd. You always feel safe in their parks, another aspect that sells to the older folks you'd tend to find in SW FL or in Williamsburg. And the rides they have are reliable and fun...
All that being said, the Fun Card aspect of SWF and BGT to me says "we'll let you come all year for free, just keep coming back". Sure, they don't discount admission, but for one admission you get (hopefully for AB) many visits...bringing back friends and relatives with you!
My FEELING is that there is a flaw in their logic...that is, why get another Fun Card this year if they've added nothing from last year's line-up. I may get the 2-year passes, but I think the Fun Cards were a HUGE success last year (why they're doing it again). But for the price of a couple BADLY needed flats, I'd have something new to advertise AND I improve the park's line-up immensely. (Personally, I'd have gone for an S&S ride or an Intamin drop, both big fun and good new additions that take up little space and not a huge investment cash-wise). Perhaps something a bit *tamer* for BGW...do they even have a train ride, older folks LOVE those....
Perhaps I'm a bit "presumptious", but I think I've got a pretty decent grasp of their demographics....
and that last line sounds a tad...familiar...;)...
*** This post was edited by rollergator on 4/11/2002. ***
I was so sold on Busch parks that Steph and I bought the $200 platinum passes last year (two years, all parks including Sea Worlds). We did this expecting that they'd not add a thing, but that we'd be back anyway. That's how high my opinion is of their parks.
-----------------
Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com, Sillynonsense.com
"As far as I can tell it doesn't matter who you are. If you can believe, there's something worth fighting for..." - Garbage, "Parade"
I'll sort of second Jeff's comment on the pass thing...
My wife and I visited BGW a week ago. We live 4.5 hours away, but we still bought the "Summer Sizzler (Bronze) Pass" and are planning on returning at least 1 more time (as my work schedule permits) this summer. If It would not be for a crazy work schedule this year, our return visits would be more. Granted, not a two year pass and only good at BGW... but still... two I was one of those who though it was nuts to expect anyone who had to travel 4-5 hours to a park to buy a season pass.
In comparrison, we are still debating if we want to get season passes to the old home park, Hersheypark, which is only 40 minutes away.
-----------------
"I wasn't always this cynical, but then I started kindergarden..."
*** This post was edited by SLFAKE on 4/11/2002. ***
I guess at this point it would be...wise...to note that I realize there is a VAST difference between BGT and BGW. Not in the way the parks are run or cared for, but in terms of the different markets they attract. BGT is WAY more of a "city park", whereas BGW has no real city connection....also noting, BGT has no Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Copper, or even Zinc Passes. It's the Fun Card (not available at BGW to my knowledge), the Annual, or the 2-year passes.
So I guess it DOES go to show that Busch does know a little somethin' about their different markets...
Jeff said:
I was so sold on Busch parks that Steph and I bought the $200 platinum passes last year (two years, all parks including Sea Worlds). We did this expecting that they'd not add a thing, but that we'd be back anyway. That's how high my opinion is of their parks.
-----------------
Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com, Sillynonsense.com
"As far as I can tell it doesn't matter who you are. If you can believe, there's something worth fighting for..." - Garbage, "Parade"
I totally second that. If Busch didn't add a single new *anything* for the next ten years, it wouldn't stop me from buying a Platinum Pass and coming back 3 or 4 time s a year. And that's saying a lot, seeing as how I live in NY and it's a 9 hour drive (at least) for me. And our platinum passes will get us into the other Busch parks for free.
-----------------
-----------------
All at once the ghosts come back reeling you in now.
You must be logged in to post
