SaiyanHajime
CF Legend
Another demonstration that Erol does not know everything, then. 
Merlin announce no more free parking for Annual Pass holders
- Thread starter WelcomeToOblivion
- Start date
Thats really bad David. Just read it again and you need to be a pass holder there not just a hotel guest. Well Merlin and Blackstone partners so that explains that.
At the moment pass holders at Sea World and Busch get free parking, bet that will change as well.
Disney only charge if you want someone to park the car for you.
At the moment pass holders at Sea World and Busch get free parking, bet that will change as well.
Disney only charge if you want someone to park the car for you.
SaiyanHajime
CF Legend
Most US parks don't give free parking if you're a regular season pass holder. You have to dish out for their equivalents of premium passes, so Merlin isn't really doing anything different.
I don't have an issue with that concept per-se, but it's the cost of the passes that's a joke. If you're going to deny visiting certain attractions in certain months and charge for parking, then the standard pass should be NO where near the £150 mark. The standard pass should at least have discount parking.
Merlin have actually made their passes cheaper this year to encourage people to overlook the free parking of the 2010 pass. If anyone wants that free parking, they might wanna buy a new pass before the 4th of January. See here for more details. http://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/what_ ... prices.asp
I don't have an issue with that concept per-se, but it's the cost of the passes that's a joke. If you're going to deny visiting certain attractions in certain months and charge for parking, then the standard pass should be NO where near the £150 mark. The standard pass should at least have discount parking.
Merlin have actually made their passes cheaper this year to encourage people to overlook the free parking of the 2010 pass. If anyone wants that free parking, they might wanna buy a new pass before the 4th of January. See here for more details. http://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/what_ ... prices.asp
^ That's a good point about the American parks Joey. Six Flags and Universal in California were doing a 'buy a ticket for a day get a season pass' deal last time we visited. If you do that then you can't really winge about the extra money for parking.
I think it's the clubcard vouchers that are doing it. For example, if you buy one, you may think well, I might as well buy a premium one now because it may work out better (obviously depending on each indsividuals' circumstance). With clubcard vouchers, you can only have a standard annual pass, and since you are getting the pass for 'free' people will presumably feel less annoyed about the parking charges than those who have paid £150 for one.
I know, this is the trend in America, but can you remember the fuss when Alton first introduced a parking charge? When people are told a trend will change and have a negative impact upon them, there's bound to be uproar.
But that's my view. I propose less 'bonuses' for the standard, more for the premium, and only the standard will ever be available with clubcard vouchers. If it's considered free, you can't complain.
I think it's the clubcard vouchers that are doing it. For example, if you buy one, you may think well, I might as well buy a premium one now because it may work out better (obviously depending on each indsividuals' circumstance). With clubcard vouchers, you can only have a standard annual pass, and since you are getting the pass for 'free' people will presumably feel less annoyed about the parking charges than those who have paid £150 for one.
I know, this is the trend in America, but can you remember the fuss when Alton first introduced a parking charge? When people are told a trend will change and have a negative impact upon them, there's bound to be uproar.
But that's my view. I propose less 'bonuses' for the standard, more for the premium, and only the standard will ever be available with clubcard vouchers. If it's considered free, you can't complain.
Nemesis Inferno
Strata Poster
Chessie have gone exceptionally random with their parking charge...
Just the date makes little sense to me, as does the pricing... A quid is random when everything else started at 2 quid...
EDIT - Here's the link btw - http://www.chessingtonholidays.co.uk/faqs.html
Just the date makes little sense to me, as does the pricing... A quid is random when everything else started at 2 quid...
EDIT - Here's the link btw - http://www.chessingtonholidays.co.uk/faqs.html
Screaming Coasters
Strata Poster
Joey said:Another demonstration that Erol does not know everything, then.
I do know everything
Chessington do not own the grass car park at all.
alexdude98
Mega Poster
I've had enough of these rumours!
If they're true Merlin are full of **** !
But, I'm sending them a letter requesting a FULL table of EVERYTHING they will be charging for at EVERY attraction for passholders in the 2011 season!
Hope they'll write back soon!
If they're true Merlin are full of **** !
But, I'm sending them a letter requesting a FULL table of EVERYTHING they will be charging for at EVERY attraction for passholders in the 2011 season!
Hope they'll write back soon!
Nemesis Inferno
Strata Poster
Re: Merlin announce no more free parking for Annual Pass hol
And Merlin's PR machine keeps rolling on regardless of reactions...
Hmmmmmmmmm...
And Merlin's PR machine keeps rolling on regardless of reactions...
MAP Facebook said:
Hmmmmmmmmm...
Re: Merlin announce no more free parking for Annual Pass hol
Hahaha, yes, Gavin, the page is alive with that.
I'll continue to buy a pass because I'm a high-level user and I feel that I get value for money out of mine, especially with the free parking and 20% discount.
I just hope they say honestly and clearly why they are increasing it after the recent "pricing restructure".
They'll be plenty of bitching by the vocal minority as always, but most people will still buy one.
Hahaha, yes, Gavin, the page is alive with that.
I'll continue to buy a pass because I'm a high-level user and I feel that I get value for money out of mine, especially with the free parking and 20% discount.
I just hope they say honestly and clearly why they are increasing it after the recent "pricing restructure".
They'll be plenty of bitching by the vocal minority as always, but most people will still buy one.
Re: Merlin announce no more free parking for Annual Pass hol
Tbh the way things are at the moment with the economy I am not shocked that they have to increase their prices. Its not like them to increase the price during the year though but we were hoping to get one just before GF with clubcard points so will have to see how much the increase it.
I really wish I could have got one this year as we cannot just pop to the parks to see people etc, when you dont have one you really end up missing it.
You can near enough get the cost of it back in one day but getting the pass in London, just visit all the attractions and you break even there and then.
Tbh the way things are at the moment with the economy I am not shocked that they have to increase their prices. Its not like them to increase the price during the year though but we were hoping to get one just before GF with clubcard points so will have to see how much the increase it.
I really wish I could have got one this year as we cannot just pop to the parks to see people etc, when you dont have one you really end up missing it.
You can near enough get the cost of it back in one day but getting the pass in London, just visit all the attractions and you break even there and then.
Re: Merlin announce no more free parking for Annual Pass hol
From the CF news item:
http://www.coasterforce.com/news/park-n ... nnual-pass
Or what you'll pay online/phone:
Premium: £167.40
Standard: £140.40
From the CF news item:
http://www.coasterforce.com/news/park-n ... nnual-pass
CF said:
Or what you'll pay online/phone:
Premium: £167.40
Standard: £140.40
T0M
Hyper Poster
Re: Merlin announce no more free parking for Annual Pass hol
I can't get too worked up about these increases, they are slightly less than I was expecting. If you think the pass was good value before, you should still think the same. If you think it was a ripoff before, then obviously you should still feel the same.
I'm sure many Standard holders are probably considering upgrading to a Premium next season having been effectively forced to by the changes in terms, conditions and restrictsions. I think it's what I'll be doing (I haven't decided as I'm not up until October, by which time I may not renew at all).
The premium pass seems worth it (don't confuse that with good value for money). This is only because when you compare it to today's Standard pass, and all of it's can't dos and don't includes. It's very much a case of Premium or nothing to most of us enthusiasts - particularly the drivers among us.
I can't get too worked up about these increases, they are slightly less than I was expecting. If you think the pass was good value before, you should still think the same. If you think it was a ripoff before, then obviously you should still feel the same.
I'm sure many Standard holders are probably considering upgrading to a Premium next season having been effectively forced to by the changes in terms, conditions and restrictsions. I think it's what I'll be doing (I haven't decided as I'm not up until October, by which time I may not renew at all).
The premium pass seems worth it (don't confuse that with good value for money). This is only because when you compare it to today's Standard pass, and all of it's can't dos and don't includes. It's very much a case of Premium or nothing to most of us enthusiasts - particularly the drivers among us.
Re: Merlin announce no more free parking for Annual Pass hol
Eh, price increases happen. As operating costs increase (taxes, employee wages, GASOLINE, etc.) so must the price of admittance.
For instance, over the course of my time of working at Cedar Point in 2009, ticket prices went up $2 over one season, for no real reason.
Eh, price increases happen. As operating costs increase (taxes, employee wages, GASOLINE, etc.) so must the price of admittance.
For instance, over the course of my time of working at Cedar Point in 2009, ticket prices went up $2 over one season, for no real reason.