Hershey's Spring Time in the Park "Pay as you Go" is no more

Looks like the "pay as you go" option isn't in effect this year, just the $19.95 admission. I suppose they realized that a) hardly anybody bought individual tickets when the wrist bands were such a bargain, and b) many folks just went there and didn't ride and therefore didn't pay.

Looks like Wildcat, WildMouse and Lightning Racer won't be running for this event.

April 15 (good Friday), 16, and 17 (Easter Sunday)

"Yes... well... VICTORY IS MINE!"

That really sucks, it also looks like Rollersoaker won't be running either (I remember hearing they used to run it without water during Spring Time in the park).

I was considering going but now I'm not so sure. I had planned to get the wristband anyway but I was going to go with some others who just like to ride a few rides (antique cars, train, monorail), but the fact all those coasters won't be running is what really makes me re-think about going.

SLFAKE, since I'm too lazy to check the website for myself right now, do season pass holders get free admission or not? (I'm thinking not.)

I suppose the same policy will be in effect for "In the Dark" and "Christmas Candylane." Although, at Christmastime they rake it in from people not there to ride, but who buy loads of stuff from the shops.

I guess they'll find out whether the pay-as-you-go or the one price reduced admission gets more people in the park, or more importantly, makes more money.

Can't say for sure about the Season Passes...

HOWEVER...

When I had a season pass two or three years ago the policy wast that they WERE NOT applicable to Spring Time in the Park, Hersheypark in the Dark, or Christmas Candy Lane. I think they stated something like any operating day of their regular season.

Granted, back then the special operating days were Pay as You Go or Wrist Bands and that appears to have changed now... but somehow I don't expect a season pass to be good during these days. But then again, I don't know. Best thing to do would be to contact Hershey.

I guess they'll find out whether the pay-as-you-go or the one price reduced admission gets more people in the park, or more importantly, makes more money.

I don't see how it can. You already had a "Reduced Price Admission"... FREE if you didn't want to ride, a reduced price "Wrist Band" if you did (aside from over priced tickets).

Last time I was there the price of wrist bands were $18 (actually I think they were more, but they were $18 the last time that I was there AND Midway America was closed).

Take a family of 4 at even the new price of $20 (Okay... $19.95... that's $20 in my book). In the past, only the kids wanted to ride alot. So Mom and Dad went with them and bought two $20 wrist bands for a total of $40. Mom and dad don't ride (yes, believe it or not... some adults do not ride coaters like we all do)... so their cost is $0. Now, with POP only, the price would be $80 for the four of them. Mom and Dad could very easily say "Sorry... too expensive" now that they have to get in at "Full Price" even though they are not riding a thing.

Good news for those of us who don't mind paying POP admission (i.e. those who would have paid the same price for a POP wristband...) 1) possibly less lines since it may keep some a way (see explanation above) and possible faster dispatch times since the ops don't have to collect tickets and check for wrist bands (seems they never quite caught on to the Kenobles "give tickets BEFORE you get into line" theory)

*** Edited 3/14/2006 1:57:05 PM UTC by SLFAKE***

"Yes... well... VICTORY IS MINE!"

I'm sure some people will think $19.95 for non-riders is a lot. But when you think about it, for limited riders, it still may be a decent deal.

Consider: the tickets last year were 20 for $14.00, or $0.70 a piece. Most family/adult rides were 4-6 tickets. So even if Grandma rode just the tame rides like the Monorail, Carousel, Dry Gulch RR, Kissing Tower, and Skyview, that would have used a book of tickets anyway. Throw in a show at the Music Box theatre and Aquatheatre, and you spent your $19.95 right there. Convincing the public of that might be a different story.

The only downside is that Mom and Dad might balk at paying $19.95 each just to watch Junior ride Convoy 6 times in a row.

Maybe Mom and Dad should suck it up, ride a coaster, and realize that they aren't just for kids and that it is ok for a grown-up person to enjoy something as childish as an amusement park!

*** Edited 3/14/2006 7:50:41 PM UTC by rc-madness***

millrace said:
Maybe Mom and Dad should suck it up, ride a coaster, and realize that they aren't just for kids and that it is ok for a grown-up person to enjoy something as childish as an amusement park!

Please tell me you forgot to put the winky face at the end of that.

coasterimage - lordgonchar

;)

But there is a grain of truth to it. I hear it and see it all the time. I even get criticized about how I should "grow up." Of course I don't listen to them because the moment I "grow up" is the moment I die.

With all that money you'd save by not going to amusement parks, you could go out and by yourself a Crown Vic, or maybe a Grand Marquis. :)

One of the neatest things I've seen in an amusement park-- a couple obviously in their 60s standing in the queue for Great Bear, for the front seat no less.

millrace said:
Maybe Mom and Dad should suck it up, ride a coaster, and realize that they aren't just for kids and that it is ok for a grown-up person to enjoy something as childish as an amusement park!

Are you sure this isn't a Six Flags thread? :)

RatherGoodBear said:

One of the neatest things I've seen in an amusement park-- a couple obviously in their 60s standing in the queue for Great Bear, for the front seat no less.

Okay... but I still don't think they beat the older couple 60ish, perhaps 70ish, on the Carrousel at Kennywood... they were not on any of the horses, but rather standing on the "floor" between the rows of horses slow dancing to the Carrousel organ.

"Yes... well... VICTORY IS MINE!"

Hope it wasn't dirty dancing.

This is actually a better coaster lineup than I've seen in some years past. Comet, Looper, Great Bear, Storm Runner, Sidewinder, and Trailblazer...in addition to The Claw...to ride all of those coasters for $20? Not too bad of a deal, if you ask me...considering that would be the amount of coasters open at any Six Flags park for $50 and upwards ;)

Haha no I'm not giving Patrick the finger

Just a heads up. Hershey will be charging admission for all three seasonal events this year-- Springtime, Halloween (HP in the Dark), and Christmas. No more wristbands and ticket booths. Admission will be $19.95 for both Springtime and In the Dark ($14.95 for Jr./Sr. admission). Admission for Candylane will be $9.95 for anyone over the age of 2.

Season pass holders will be able to purchase a "Holiday Upgrade" for only $25 dollars. That's half the price of a single visit to each event.

Interesting that they lowered the price (since a wristband was $24 last year) for In The Dark. I still hope they have Midway America open like they did last year (since if they lowered the price maybe it means there will be less open).

$9.95 for Candylane isn't a bad deal in itself but I don't think that event should have a forced admission unless they open up at least 1 coaster. For anyone who is too big to ride the kiddie rides, it seems like there has always been very little to ride during that event.

^Unless they figure they make more money when everyone pays $19.95 vs. only some people paying $24.95 and the rest paying less to whatever degree.

See what I posted above re: "tame" rides and ticket vs. wristband prices. Maybe they aren't the most exciting rides, but I think you could get $9.95 worth out of it.