PKI to restrict some rides to Gold Pass Holders
Attending the park is something patrons choose to do, not that they are forced to do. The rides will be open nearly the entire day, so the guests will be able to obtain rides on these coasters earlier than the ERT. Do they miss out on a night ride? Possibly, but even that may not happen. If the queue is not closing until 7:30, it is very probable that night will be falling as those people are in the queue. (I haven't checked sunsets for those two months, but I believe it is in the 8:00 to 8:30 range.)
As for the protest that the park is creating two classes of patron, let me assert that that is a very common business practice. Airlines are a shining example. Depending on where you buy your ticket and how long before your flight, you may pay wildly different prices (in some cases $800 or more different). And most airlines provide different classes within the same plane (coach and first-class). This is hardly limited to large companies, though. Because of the relationship I have built with a local sound and lighting shop, I can pretty much guarantee you that I will get lower prices on sound equipment than anyone walking in off the street.
I'm shocked that so many people seem take it as a personal affront that PKI has made the decision to follow this course. While I think it might be an unwise business choice for PR reasons, I believe that Paramount's marketing and management teams have carefully considered the issue.
Besides, who needs to worry about a closed queue on the Beast or SoB when the Racer is sitting there shouting your name? :)
Jeremy
PKI may see things this way:
A typical season passholder on average will spend more money at PKI during the season than the typical single day visitor. While the season passholder may spend less per visit to PKI, the multiple visits a season passholder makes to the park increase the per season amount. The more a passholder comes to the park, the more money the passholder spends. Therefore, PKI is giving the season passholder more reasons to come to the park. Please note, the gold pass doesn't cost anymore than a normal season pass. PKI is simply rewarding those people who have an increased brand loyalty to the park. There is nothing wrong with this, in fact, it's the right thing to do. For those who have "class" envy consider this. By purchasing season pass, and using it three times I already have a bonus that single day visitors don't have - reduced entrance price. Clearly this is a bonus that I get that you huddled masses don't. Please don't envy me because you think I'm rich.
One more note, My family had gold passes for PKI last year and we loved them. the extra perks that came with the passes at both PKI and PKD made the trip feel even more special. If you are planning on visiting the parks I highly suggest getting the gold pass.
*** This post was edited by PointMan on 3/25/2002. ***
*** This post was edited by PointMan on 3/25/2002. ***
The Jet Coaster:
Thank you for helping me to understand what may really possibly be the mentality of PKI management. I guess it's okay to continue classing people thoughtlessly. I guess it's also okay if it's only for a few weeks. Hey, a few months aren't that bad either. I think also that your comparison of the PKD situation to the PKI situation is an apples and oranges thing. Not the same thing.
Additionally, if I visited PKI and realized their policies toward pushing people as this seems toward getting a Gold Pass, forget it. There are other, nicer parks I could visit. Besides, a season pass is not a loyalty pass - it's a pass that means you as a guest have the time and means of frequenting a park regularly. Excuse me, if I come from a few states away and don't have a Gold Pass or season pass or some other extra charge thing for a park I'm not able to frequent like that. I suppose I should only get a fraction of the offerings.
*** This post was edited by coderGirl on 3/25/2002. ***
Paris said:
For those who seem to be defending the right for PKI to close a marquee ride down early to some at the park, it might seem fine because, heck, the season is still young. You'll be back. Well, guess what? That means you are an annual passholder, so you get the ERT perk during park hours anyway. But to the tourist who will be at PKI just once this season -- maybe it's the first time, maybe it's the last time -- it's obviously an issue.
i'm a gold season pass holder and think this is wrong.
CoderGirl,
I suppose you think you should be able to buy a mercedes for the price of a honda, or go to a baseball gae and get a suite for the cost of bleachers.. Maybe you think hotels should give you their best suites for the cost of their cheapest room. Are you aware that when you go to a bar and order a drink they only use their cheapest alcohol unless you request something else, and then you have to pay extra for it.
PKI has advertised this closure well in advance. It's no different than a park closing for a private party. How come nobody complains about CP all their rides for a whole day for Longaberger?
A few comments (and more serious than my first one):
- While I hate it when a ride is down, I don't like it, but it is acceptable and even understandable (these complicated machines breakdown at times). However, being told I can't ride because I am not a "Gold" pass holder is not acceptable to me.
- Someone commented about "calling ahead to make sure everything is open." No... when a park is open, it is natural to assume that everything is planning on being open for everyone.
- I thought that one of the "perks" of a season pass at a park was to get you in unlimited number of times with out having to keep paying. When has ERT (either before or during regular hours) been added as a "perk"?
- Isn't it reasonable to assume that pass holders for a certain park are going to be people who can get to that park many time during a season and have many oportunities to ride a certain ride? People who are travelling have to make plans in advance. For instance, I live in eastern PA. If I would want to go to PKI, I would have to make plans to take time of work, board the dog, etc etc etc, and then to to PKI. Because of distance, work, etc, I have basically one shot at getting there per year. I already have to hope that the weather (could be a torrential deluge of rain on the day I am planning to go) will be good... now on my "one chance" to get there on my vacation, I will have to worry that the park will not be catering to those who can get there any given number of times?
-as some have said... parks are creating different classes of patrons. First we had Fast Pass (and all variations), now we have ERT during general operating hours for pass holders. Not good.
- Is this really offered as a perk to pass holders... or is it simply a way to sell more passes? In other words, is it a way to make more money for the parks? Parks already charge us for the privilige of parking in their lots, a high price for entering the gate, some charge to go to the head of the queue (with the option of waiting in line if we don't wish to pay), some charge for "up charge attractions", now at least one is even going as far as to close down rides for everyone except those who paid out extra money for season passes.
- someone mentioned... "just pay the extra money to have the ERT". Not an answer. As I mentioned above, parks are already charging high prices to get in the gate. That shoudl be enough. The POP system is a vast improvement over the Pay per Ride system... assuming that the POP means that... pay one price and have everything available. Now, if you pay one price, you can ride everything, but only at certain times... if you pay a higher price, you can ride everything all the time. What is next? Pay your $40+ price for the day and you can not ride certain things... but if you are a $90+ (or what ever the price is) pass holder you can ride everything?
Bottom line... bad idea. Right now it is only certain days, but how long will it be until it is everyday? IF you must give ERT to pass holders (again, getting in for one price for the entire season should be perk enough) open an hour or two before the regular start... or have certain days of the season blocked off when it is only open to pass holders. Do not cut into the regular operating day and force those are only able to get there for one day to sit back and watch while the pass holders enjoy a ride that they could just as easily enjoy the next day, next week or next month.
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Beer, my soon to be wife, coasters, and the FREEDOM OF SPEECH. Is this a great country or what!!
This entire thread has been blown WAY out of porportion... PKI is giving all season pass holders 2 hours of ERT one or two times a month...
Since PKI is giving away a free gold pass upgrade to ALL season pass holders, PKI has decided to interchange season pass and gold pass, this season they are the EXACT same thing...
With that understood, this ERT is a reward for ALL season pass holders. I see nothing wrong with giving a perk to your season pass holders, and I don't see why most of you have a problem with that.
Here is the mailer sent to all PKI season pass holders fro last season: http://www.negativesun.net/pki/pkispltr.pdf (needs adobe acrobat)
These flames of PKI for this policy are WAY undeserved...
-N
Three things -
1) If it was a perk for season pass holders AFTER the park was closed it would not be an issue. But they are shutting down the queue(s) an hour and a half BEFORE closing and only allowing Gold/season pass holders ride. My money for my one trip is for one full operating day at the park. Some of the PKI apologists are saying, "Well, what if the ride is broken down when you are there, you can't ride it then." It is not the same - they are telling me that my money isn't green enough (or that I didn't give them enough of it) because I will only visit the park that one day which is due to the fact that I live 600 miles away.
2) Many of the same people who have skewered Six Flags for fast pass and creating "two classes" of visitors are defending PKI for this move because it is a "perk" for season pass holders. So, if they only offered fastpasses for free to season pass holders, it would be OK because it is a perk? Perhaps something like this will be offered next year at PKI as a Platinum Pass which lets you go up the exit line every day all season?
3) I can only imagine the furor and vitriol that would be spewed here if any Six Flags park had the nerve to do this. The only way this topic could be calmer is if it was CP doing it.
Hey Redman,
You seem to forget. A lot of the complaints against SF's Fast Pass were from season pass holders. In fact, it seemed that those with the biggest complaints were season pass holders.
N said:
This entire thread has been blown WAY out of porportion... PKI is giving all season pass holders 2 hours of ERT one or two times a month...
not true......every saturday in april and may on the parks two most popular coasters.
Pointman,
Obviously, you misread my post. I never mentioned anything about whether or not SF season pass holders were complaining because that is not relevant to this issue.
The reason PKI's season pass holders are mentioned is that they are the beneficiaries of this "perk" while fastpass was/is available to ALL park attendees.
Besides, with fastpass, those who do not feel like paying the additional cost of buying a fastpass are not restricted in their ability to ride the rides while the park is in open to the public.
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Redman,
I was addressing your second point about people complaining about SF's FASTPASS. I was pointing out that many of those complaints came from season pass holders.
One thing, not specifically addressed to you Redman, people on this board don't seem to realize who makes the rules of admission to these parks. It is the parks that make the rules of admission, not you. Just because you think something is fair doesn't mean that it is.
Here are the factual times/dates/etc.:
In April, the line will close around 7:30. In April the park closes at 9:00 pm. This is for one rollercoaster on those saturdays in April.
In May, the line will close around 7:30. In May the park closes at 10:00 on saturdays. This is for one rollercoaster on those saturdays in May.
It is not for "both" coasters for the 2 months. It also says "around" 7:30. I am sure they have plans in place concerning people in the queue and letting them ride. So, if people will be allowed to ride if in line by AROUND 7:30 and the rides last till 8:00, then that is 1 hour lost in April and 2 hours lost in May for one coaster.
This is a business decision. As I have stated several times with respect to revenue models, forecasts, business plans, public relations, coupons, discounts, etc. It is all part of making money. That is what Paramount is about. Yes they should convey a positive attitude and good customer relations while doing that, but the bottom-line is the bottom-line.
Approx. 1 hour on four saturdays for one coaster. Approx. 2 hours for four saturdays one coaster. I am also on record for stating that I have no problem with Lo-Q/FastLane/FastPass/Fastwhatever and my wife and I have have and will always take advantage of those situations if we deem them of value to us. Especially when we are on limited time trips without our children.
Wake-up people. Different services for different prices has been going-on for decades and will continue to go-on and probably increase in everyday life. I have also stated that there is probably a plan in place with respect to discounting general admission tickets in the spring as well. That $40/day price that everybody likes to quote sure doesn't get paid by the majority of spring daily purchasers. Does that make-it any different on either side of the debate? No, but human nature says if people feel they are getting a good deal, then they tend to have more fun.
That is the bottom-line here. The bottom-line and are you getting your entertainment dollars worth. I would hope the people that pay $25/day and get 10+ hours of enjoyment are getting their $2.50/hours worth. Yes, there is parking. Yes there are food costs/etc. That is all part of going to amusement parks, and is obvious to any and all whom go. Now, I am wondering how many people are actually directly affected here in that last hour in April. Especially if they are told by postings that the QUEUE will be closing at 7:30 on a 9:00 night, and there are dozens of other rides they could be riding that last hour.
Not to mention everybody discussing this on message boards are well aware of the policy, and can plan accordingly, so they are not impacted. Also the number of enthusiasts whom already have an PKI or Paramount pass is probably a decent number as well. Whether you like the fact that MOST companies have different levels of service/products for people whom want to pay different pricing, should not impede on you having a good time.
carpediem,
i'm don't agree with pki's decision concerning these evening ERT sessions but your response presented several key variable to this issue that i haven't thought about. thank you for your post. it was very informative.
Thus sayeth N:
Since PKI is giving away a free gold pass upgrade to ALL season pass holders, PKI has decided to interchange season pass and gold pass, this season they are the EXACT same thing...With that understood, this ERT is a reward for ALL season pass holders. I see nothing wrong with giving a perk to your season pass holders, and I don't see why most of you have a problem with that.
(...)
-N"
Sorry, N, I don't think you understand the way the gold pass works.
Anybody who buys a season pass between now and May 19 gets a free upgrade to the gold pass.
Those of us who bought our passes last October could have purchased the gold pass for an additional fee...but then, we also paid less than the current rate for our passes AND got an additional, more valuable perk not included in the current gold pass offer: season parking.
After May 19, the I don't think the gold passes will be available anymore.
The gold pass is a season pass sales booster. Trouble is, there has to be some benefit to the 'gold pass'. And ideally those benefits should be of minimal cost to the park. ERT is a cheap thing the park can do, on a revenue basis, it's probably cheaper than offering food and merch discounts (for instance). Better still, ERT during operating hours means it's not just cheap, it's effectively free because no special hours have to be scheduled for anybody...just have the entrance crew member check for the gold passes after the appointed hour.
--Dave Althoff, Jr.
Who didn't buy the gold pass and rarely visits parks on Saturday anyway.
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