Pay For A Map? - CoasterBuzz

We had our first theme park trip this month (Bit late) and were looking forward to a new season. Thorpe Park was the chosen park. It's part of the Tussaud's group (Now Merlin) so we knew they're a bit money happy.

Entry prices are sky high but I think EVERYONE uses vouchers now so you kind of half the gate price. Not a problem.

What was a problem was being charged for a map! Not even a good map. I know this might help on wastage and might save a tree eventually but come on! I usually like to grab a couple of maps on the way out to keep as a souvenir but avoided it this time. They're really not worth it!

Is map charging a common thing elsewhere in the world?

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I've never heard of it here in the US.

All of my RCT parks charge for a map. ;)

Did you have to pay for the restroom too?

- R.A

It depends on the quality of the map usually. Some are basic free maps and some parks sell souvenir maps in gift shops.

These are poor quality folding maps. You know the type, FREE ones!

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Although I think it's ridiculous they're charging for maps, it's only 50 pence, right? So, that's like a buck. If I was at a new park, I think I'd get one. I might even be a little miffed at having to pay. But, it's not like they were charging £5 or something.

Do they have ads all over them? If they have ads, I'd be upset. But, if not, no big deal. It actually might be a good idea to save unnecessary waste.

I would like them to give you the first map free but you make pay for any others. That would cut down on waste.

What the hell kind of park charges for a crappy paper map that lists the park basics? That's total b.s. I can see the need to cut back on paper waste but that's ridiculous, like charging for napkins or toilet paper.

or parking and soft drinks? ;)

If the issue is waste, then they should give you a map when you pay your admission. One per adult, kids don't need their own. That would prevent people from running back and grabbing maps they only lose all over the park anyway.

If the issue really is to make money, then raise the admission price by the cost of the map and hand out "free" maps.

If parks started charging for napkins and toilet paper (Gonch would probably think that's a great idea), people would start using the maps as t.p. Can you say clog?

It's worthy of note that you can print out a free pdf version of the Thorpe Park map from the park's website.

Chattanooga needs a [B][I]ITG2[/I][/B] Machine!

If parks started charging for napkins and toilet paper (Gonch would probably think that's a great idea)...

Hey, I say it all the time. I remember that early 80's pay toilet thing that lots of places tried.

Ironically, the one park I seem to remember it at was Conneaut.

EDIT - added link :)

*** Edited 6/27/2007 4:36:49 AM UTC by Lord Gonchar***

coasterimage - lordgonchar

Hope this doesn't catch on elsewhere...I don't believe I've ever heard of a park charging for small guide maps.

However, I remember a lot of parks use to have the large poster-size souvenir maps for sale. I've got several from Opryland USA, Six Flags Over Georgia, and Carowinds.

However, I remember a lot of parks use to have the large poster-size souvenir maps for sale.

Six Flags gives those out for free at the parking gate.

(well, they're as free as the drinks and parking at certain other parks ;) )

coasterimage - lordgonchar

actually this does not sound too uncommon considering the location, there are still spots in europe that charge for the use of a public toilet.

Rihard said:
All of my RCT parks charge for a map. ;)
Did you have to pay for the restroom too?

LOL, I'd charge 5.00 apiece for a park map in RCT2 and 3 and they'd buy 'em.

Conneaut used to have 'pay-toilets'. They were a dime.

lol, caught that error... (maybe that's why some of their food smelled funny...)
*** Edited 6/27/2007 4:10:59 PM UTC by FLYINGSCOOTER***

Great Lakes Brewery Patron...

-Mark

Lord Gonchar said:

Hey, I say it all the time. I remember that early 80's pay toilet thing that lots of places tried.
Ironically, the one park I seem to remember it at was Conneaut.

I wonder if there's a correlation between Conneaut's pay toilets in the 80's and their current troubles?

Can't you buy a over-sized map of Cedar Point for around a dollar? Like poster size?

I like to collect maps of where I have been, and I have even been mailed maps of places I forgot to keep one. The parks always do it free.

University of South Florida....literally across the street from pretty much the best place ever....BGA

Camden had pay toilets. They've since been disabled (the pay feature, not the toilets themselves). Curiously, the accessible stall was always free.

I remember when Seaside Heights had pay toilets. Maybe they still do- I don't recall using the bathroom last time I dropped by for a couple of hours. Even as a kid I found it odd to have to pay to do something that I really couldn't control!

Maybe pay toilets have gone the way of the dodo because it was discovered that people will make their own "free" toilets if they don't feel like paying for one?