Does Amusement Park Food Have to Be Low-Quality?

We have the world's largest underground parking garage here in Redmond. It's epic. And half-empty most of the time.

^^Oh, believe me, I understand your point. Frankly, I was slightly amused to see that wow, it does suck elsewhere, lol. The whole university thing just reminded me that I have seen the same problem elsewhere.

I am a bit surprised at the numbers you're posting, though. A whole hour for the second shift?!

When I was working 2nd, I'd show up 45-an hour beforehand, and drive around looking for a spot. You have to factor in the walk to your desk, too.

Most afternoon shifts here are 3-11:30, where most day shifts are either 7-3:30 or 8-4:30, so you've got a whole shift of people showing up before the first one leaves. After 4:30, it's easy to get parking around here.

Raven-Phile said:
I'm with you there, Dave. Salaried professional, hospital employee. They keep "expanding" the patient and visitor parking lots, at the expense of employee parking. I have to show up at least a half hour early (an hour for the people who work 2nd shift) to be able to find a parking space, and even then I have to walk a quarter mile to the door, then I have to venture into the hospital for a good 5 minute walk to my desk.

It never gets easier, and it's definitely not specific to amusement parks or seasonal jobs.

Those darn patients screw everything up. The nerve of them.

University parking makes amusement park parking down-right attractive.

Just happen to be on a college road trip with my daughter this week. Spent $16 in Philly yesterday to park in a super-cramped lot for 2 hours for a campus tour. $10 to park at Dorney seemed like a bargain afterwards.

Slightly on topic, we ate lunch on campus Monday. Service was fast, food was decent quality, and priced not far out of line with what I would have expected in the general area.

RatherGoodBear said:

Those darn patients screw everything up. The nerve of them.

I know, right? Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, either. I'm just pointing out that it's really not all that uncommon, and it's not like they're "screwing" employees on purpose. They're just making the best of what's available.

Whenever the lack of parking is brought up by anyone, the numbers are laid out. It costs nearly $5,000 per space to put in a surface lot, and about $15,000/space for desk parking. I don't know how accurate that is, but that's what we're told.

WhyBoblo said:

$16/parking comparison.

I saw a concert a PNC park in Pittsburgh on July 10th - costs $35 to park EVERYWHERE. Didn't matter how close or far away, parking was $35.

I still had a great time, but man, I felt horrible forking that over, especially after gas and tolls driving in.

Raven-Phile said:

I saw a concert a PNC park in Pittsburgh on July 10th - costs $35 to park EVERYWHERE. Didn't matter how close or far away, parking was $35.

OMG! PNC Park is going to go out of business with those high prices!

:)

There are parking garages in Duntun Picsburgh that charge $5.00 for ten minutes, so $35 could be seen as a bargain.

Lord Gonchar said:

OMG! PNC Park is going to go out of business with those high prices!

:)

Actually, Alco Parking is. :) The best part, thought, was that they didn't even cover up the $6.00 normal price sign, they just left it out there and hung a little hand written "$35 today" sign up under it.

I knew it was coming before I got there, so I kind of laughed it off.

Yeah, that's that "house edge" that I mentioned somewhere when this thread was still on track. Alco Parking played it.

Walk across the bridge. The city owned lots in downtown are either $5 or $6 (depending which lot) to park for unlimited hours as long as you enter after 4pm. Even on event nights. The three lots directly across the bridge from PNC park are closer to the stadium than most of the stadium lots, too.

Yeah, but we started tailgating at 2. :)

We were in Gold Lot #1, so we were pretty close. Can't complain too much.

A lot of folks do not like to walk, at all and certainly not very far. And in big cities, the further you get away from venues, the surrounding areas tend to be less than desirable particularly late at night when events are over. Parking lot owners understand that and price accordingly.

I'm not going to take that as a personal slam until proven otherwise. ;)

However, my dad was with me, and both of my parents have arthritis to the point where a handicapped permit is needed. I don't think its unreasonable to want to park closer when you have a disease that is made worse by walking long distances.

Not a slam at all. There are a number of reasons to pay the premium for closer parking. Issue is whether its worth it to the party paying the premium. To me, paying more to park closer for parents who have trouble walking distances is totally reasonable (tho my father in law, who is frugal as anyone I know, would shoot me for even thinking about paying the premium). I have paid a premium at times to park closer for parents/grandparents who didn't have specific problems walking distances just so they wouldn't have to anyway. If its worth paying the premium, folks will; if not, they won't. Whats worth it to some won't be worth it to all.

To be honest, if it was just me, and I wasn't tailgating beforehand, I'd rather walk the distance, and save $30.

That's only because I don't see the value in parking (when there's not a tailgate involved, of course). There are other premium services I'd rather spend my money on, like Q-Bot and VIP. :)

I'd rather pay that kind of money for VIP and Q-Bot than parking too. At least you'd get something for your money. :)

Yay! Look who's finally coming to his senses. :)

No. :)