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?
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.
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.
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?
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.
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?
