Busch Tampa selling annual passes on installment plan

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

In order to encourage sales of annual passes during an attendance slump, Busch Gardens Tampa is selling their annual passes on an installment plan so guests don't have to pay for the pass all at once. Adults will pay as little as $8.96 a month for a two-year pass.

Read more from The St. Petersburg Times.

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Tamapa, kinda just rolls off the tongue.
Claude! Now we have to put season passes on lay-a-way?!?! If it's that much of a hassle, maybe some people just dont need to go...
jeremy

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"When I take action I'm not going to fire a $2 million missile at a $10 empty tent and hit a camel in the butt. It's going to be decisive." GWB

How much is a BGT pass?  Quick math indicates that $8.96 over 24 months (2 year pass) equates to $107.52 per year.

I agree, when they start offering easy financing on season tickets, something is seriously wrong.  And why take on that administrative headache when there are countless credit card companies that would handle the purchase.  BGT must really be hurting or seeing a bleak future to take these steps.

Ya know though, in the April, 2001 issue of "Amusement Today" the editorial cartoon depicted a man talking to a bank loan officer about taking out a loan to finance a day at the amusement park. When most of us think about season ticket purchases we think of one ticket for ourselves, we don't often think of it as 4 season tickets for a family. 

Jeff's avatar
I don't blame them. My wife and I have the two-year platinum passes that get us into all Busch parks (including Sea World), and at $200 each that's not exactly cheap.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
"From the global village... in the age of communication!"
Watch the grass grow!

janfrederick's avatar
Yah...I think it's a good idea. I'd like to see them do that for Disney. Then I'd consider.

Then again, with Knott's right around the corner....

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Yeeee Haaawwww!

Lord Gonchar's avatar
Actually our local news here in Jacksonville said last night that ALL the Orlando parks were doing this. I don't know if the info is correct or not but they mentioned BGT, SWF, WDW, and Universal as all doing this for next year.

They also made it seem as a way to encourage more visitors in these questionable times rather than a cost effective way to get people to buy them who may not be able to afford them otherwise.

That's one reason I'm going to be sad to leave Florida next year...passes. We got a year long pass to BGT for the price of one admission. Got the same deal for SWF. The only blackout day on both those passes was July 4. We also got a 4 day park hopper for WDW for just $99. That's like getting two days free. This year I've spent 4 days a WDW, 5 at BGT and 6 at SWF. Total cost: Under $200. Buying single day admissions would've been $750. - (15 admission x $50 = $750)

And that's just one person! Add my wife and daughter and we saved about $1650 this year. Plus our BGT and SWF passes don't expire until December 26, so we still have 3 months to use them.

It might actually be a smart move on this par's part, but we'll just wait and see, huh?
Actually, if you've ever spent time at BGT during the winter months like I have, it's easy to see why they'd do something to boost attendance.  The place can be EMPTY on a weekday in Jan./Feb.  I like it that way, I'll admit, but I think Busch prefers a few patrons in the park if they're going to pay employees, etc.
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rollergator - intent on improving the "guest experience" - coming soon to a park near you
That's quite a odd idea.  It's a way to get pass holders to come more.  But I don't think it will last.
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Cameron Willis
"You mean I can't pay with all pennies?" Six Flags Execs. buying coaster after emptying all the wishing ponds.
Well, many pro teams make season tickets available on an installment plan so it seems logical.  When will they offer parking passes on the installment?

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