Major Chain Considering Free Parking and/or Free Drinks?

Brian Noble said:
On the other hand, the airline industry has given pretty good evidence that the paying public prefers unbundled pricing---even Southwest, where bags fly free, has dipped its toe in the unbundled waters with their early-bird boarding scheme.

Have they given good evidence that the paying public prefers it that way, or are they simply trying to justify using ridiculous fees to conceal what is really a fare increase? What the airlines have done is to trick the unwary traveler into buying the lowest available fare, then paying more for it.

That the airlines get away with it is no different from amusement parks charging more for parking than they do for gate admission. I'm not convinced that the customers actually like it that way, it's just that the businesses in question don't give them much choice.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Fair. But, that's "evidence that the paying public prefers it." That the paying public is also stupid is not the airlines' fault.

...and now, today on their FB page, Busch Tampa announces you can eat and drink free all day with a day-ticket. It's the new "Play and Dine" program...obviously, some restrictions apply. ;)

http://tinyurl.com/2cynqq2

That's only $10 more than an advanced purchace ticket. That's a good deal.

Even though the regular ticket price has reached a ridiculous price of $75, at the gate, without any discounts, this is still a good deal. For $75, you get admission to the park, and all-you-can-eat, all day. I don't know if, at this price, anyone would be saving any money if this was offered a few years ago, when the ticket price was $50, but now-a-days, it is a really good deal.

And, as all of my relatives know, if you want to get me to go somewhere, just offer me free food! ;)

Hope this extends past 9/30/10. Didn't think about going to Busch Gardens on my upcoming trip, but this could be possible if extended to February. I like this deal alot! It is a warm feeling knowing that my food and beverage is taken care of for the day.

DaveStroem said:
Epcot already has free sodas as long as you want some Beverly.

No thanks. One taste of that was all I needed. I would rather dehydrate! ;)

I am all for free drinks (excluding Beverly..lol) since I am constantly thirsty at parks. Don't all parks offer free cups of ice water? I know KI and CP does. I didn't know if that was a law in Ohio or if it was just somthing parks did at their own discretion. I assume any park would considering it's worth keeping everyone hydrated.

Still, it would be nice to see little soft drink kiosks all over the chain parks someday, or at least in some of the medium-sized parks like Kennywood.

-Tina

You may want to check out holiday world.:)

Only $10 for all you can eat and drink? Wow, that's a great deal. What makes it even better, is that busch has some of the best food that I have had at any theme park.

I coulden't even get a dry, crappy tasting burger and fries with a drink at cedar point for $10.

Just to be clear, I have to interject/reiterate- it's "only $10" if you were already buying a single-day park ticket online...the FL one-day park tix are...well, to be frank, outrageously-priced. IMO. ;)

crazy horse said:
Only $10 for all you can eat and drink? Wow, that's a great deal. What makes it even better, is that busch has some of the best food that I have had at any theme park.

I coulden't even get a dry, crappy tasting burger and fries with a drink at cedar point for $10.

This is the exact reaction that the park wants you to have. Your entire focus is on what the $10 adder buys you. But stop and think about it. That deal at BGT = $75. Paying face value for a ticket at CP = $46. That gives you $29 to spend on food and drink. I think is debatable which park is offering the better deal.

It is all in how the park spins it.

Actualy it's really not a bad price.

If you look at what they have to offer, and all the attention to detail, the higher prices are worth it. Not to mention all of the great shows and animals.

Look at a park like cedar point for example. You pay $46 to get in, and you will spend more than $25 on really crappy food and drink durring your day. So now your up to what you are spending at busch.

The only differance is that you don't walk out of busch feeling ripped off.

I agree it is not a bad price for the package and you would be a fool not to take it. The meal deal makes up for the really high gate price.

But is the shock value of the $75 too much for the average Joe?

Shades said:

But stop and think about it. That deal at BGT = $75. Paying face value for a ticket at CP = $46. That gives you $29 to spend on food and drink. I think is debatable which park is offering the better deal.

$29? That's what, a burger w/fries meal? :)

A dry, burnt buger at best.

A two dollar increase in park admission probably wouldn't even be noticed by most parkgoers.

One of the plusses, I'd guess, of rolling things into the admission price is that once you do so each and every person entering the park is paying for everything. Soda pop, even if all they drink is water, parking, even if they ride their bike to the park* and so on.

*when I go up to Great America I just ride my bike in and lock it up on the bike rack near the entrance. Most people don't, I realize that, but if Six Flags raised the gate price by five dollars and offered free parking, well, I'd be paying for parking.

Shades said:
But is the shock value of the $75 too much for the average Joe?

Yes. $300 for a family of four to visit the park for ONE day? That is simply ridiculous. The average parkgoer does not spend $25 on food per day. Well, at least, no one I know does.

I absolutely love BGT, and I believe the rest of my family does, as well. In fact, it is one of my favorite parks. However, is it worth $75 per person for a single day? I can't think of much that is.

DantheCoasterman said: The average parkgoer does not spend $25 on food per day.

If a person is in the park all day - opening until close - they're going to buy at least two meals. $12.50 per meal, not including additional drinks and snacks throughout the day, sounds about right to me.

DantheCoasterman said:
The average parkgoer does not spend $25 on food per day. Well, at least, no one I know does.

Yes they do, actually. Easily in most cases.

I'm in agreement with Moosh and Jeff. Maybe enthusiasts don't. But, people who visit once or twice a year do. I even find myself (an enthusiast who doesn't normally spend a whole day at a park) spending $10 to $20 per trip.

Let me add a "me too" to this as well.

In today's entertainment world, $75 for a park admission and all the food you care to eat is a ridiculous value.

I'd be pleased as punch to leave the park at the end of the day knowing it only cost $300 for my family of four.