GL - Free Parking Coupon For PA Residents

In the Sunday edition of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette there's a 4-page insert for Geauga Lake.

Aside from the normal advertising appraoch there's a few coupons. A couple for packages including a stay at the Geauga Lake Hotel.

But it's the one on the back that caught my attention. It's a unique approach to pull people.

Quite simply it's a free parking coupon. Present the coupon and a valid PA driver's license and receive free parking for one vehicle - valid any operating day through August 28th. Good for oversized vehicles as well.

Just something I found interesting.

What was the date of paper ? Was it the 26th of June?

It's this weekend's - July 3rd.

Wow, lucky ducks, I wonder if they'll pull anything like that in NY being that Top's Markets up here are already selling tickets, just a thought.

I still say Geauga Lake ought to be "free" parking for EVERYBODY, if only to generate good-will with the shopping center across the street...

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Note that "free" parking is not the same as "free parking".

Too bad they're not trying to compete with any parks further east.

Now if I would go to Geauga, would I hold up the line arguing with some teenager to get free parking even though I only have a PA license and no coupon? Hmmmmm...

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RideMan said:
Note that "free" parking is not the same as "free parking".

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LOL, Dave spent too much time hanging out with gator in PA...;)

good bear,

Chances are that the park's toll people have an accounting system where they need either $9 or a coupon worth $9 or else the cashier will be off. Not sure if it would be worth it for the cashier to let you in. Probably they wouldn't.

'Gator, you know I've been saying it for years. Most amusement parks that charge for parking know how much revenue they take in for parking, they know how many people visit the park, and they know how many people use what admission schemes to get to the park. Given all that information, there is absolutely no reason why they should be collecting parking fees as people enter the parking lots. All that does is make people angry and slow down the traffic entering the park. People aren't going to park in Geauga Lake's parking lot and walk over to Wal-Mart; if they bother with the Geauga Lake lot, they're going to Geauga Lake. So why not collect the parking fee as part of the ticket sale? As a bonus, besides eliminating the parking lot cashiers, they can do away with those people who will park at Wal-Mart and walk to Geauga Lake, thus improving relationships with the neighbors. It's a PR bonus, and it's revenue neutral. It makes so much sense, I don't understand why parks don't do it!

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Why cant i have one! Damn it all living close to the park.

Dave - I was more getting a chuckle out of the "hammer and anvil wordsmithing"...:)

Honestly, though, you couldn't be more right. It just *feels* like a better deal when you pay once for admission...get it done THEN. I shouldn't have to pay for parking, (or inner tubes, or soft drinks, or sunscreen for that matter, LOL).

The *re-charged* parking now being implemented, that's beyond belief in terms of bad PR, and has NO chance for success....an idea whose time never will come.

This move specifically DOES speak to the *rivalry* between K-Wood and GL though, and considering GL can't sell "real" Potato Patch fries, this was something they COULD do... ;)

Speaking of those darned potato patch fries, what the prices on those? I like chilli cheese fries, they have that? or what do they have?

This is obviously a ploy to steal Kennywood's business. Too bad GL isnt half as good as Kennywood...AND Kennywood has free parking for all! Nice try GL, but you suck, arent as good as KW, stop trying to steal business, people will go to the better park anyway, youre dumb, stupid, suck, gay, unintelligent and your ploy will fail.

I think you have issues son. GL and KW are both great parks. why be a hater? Cause you can't accept the fact that GL is a much bigger park, with a reason to charge more? My god they lower the ticket by 10 bucks, which is a steal already, and still offer coupons and deals. For all that park has to offer, and the new WWK which blows sandcastle out of the water, is well worth the money spent. so is KW. chill out man, or is it because you can't get to GL? Just go, have a great time and get over it.

The Parks compete for a few reasons.

First- price is relatively the same a few bucks here or there to Kennywood i believe is still cheaper.

Second- They are pretty close together figure in the turnpike here.

Third- Each has something different to which they think is better to offer. Kennywood with the nostalgia of a great old fashion american park. Geauga Lake with their whole family thing, and now their waterpark. Not cracking on Idlewood.

The thing is hopefully this will help both parks out. Competition should let them have both get a look for those interested.

Kennywood has more play here in cleveland than Geauga Lake. Which makes me wonder if they really are trying to get Ohioans to GL. Hell i want to go to Kennywood looks great to me and a week from today is vacation time.