CoasterMania worth it?

My guess would be it would cost around $25-$30 and the proceeds would likely go to GKTW or A Kid Again.

People are still concerned with ERT? I just like to hang out. A couple rides is a nice bonus, but it's all about the experience..

Also, I'd say it's hard to gauge whether the ERT is actually going to be 'worth it' because there's always the weather factor. If I were in your position, I'd just plan on going.

Coastermania ERT is typically one of the longest time periods of any ERT available. It also covers more rides. It sounds like this year they are going to make sure it remains "exclusive" by limiting the total attendance as necessary.

You do have to be willing to get up early and then stay up late.

I was at the ACE holiday party when the CoasterMania details. were announced. He did not know what the capacity would be on the limited event. He tossed around a number of maybe 1,200. Also, you will be pre-purchasing your ticket in advance which will eliminate the morning registration issues so many of us are familiar with.

It was the "entitled" people that caused so much grief for Tony and his staff is big reason why these changes were implemented. Also, charging for the event puts it in line with other parks and what they charge for their events. That is essentially what Tony told us.

I agree about the comment on the entitled folks. I personally witnessed someone rip when of the front gate workers last year before opening because he couldn't be standing at the ride when ERT started. We tried to tell the guy to knock it off, but he just ignored us.

Just curious, what do other parks charge similar events?

e x i t english said:
People are still concerned with ERT? I just like to hang out. A couple rides is a nice bonus, but it's all about the experience..

That's why I don't attend that many events anymore. It's not about the quantity but quality of visiting the park, just to hang out and relax.

Adding a fee won't eliminate the whiners. Might actually increase. You will always have the bad apples that don't appreciate anything. Myself, as a paying attendee, would expect more. What do I get for my money. I ask that where ever I go. If it's free, I tend to bite my tongue. I haven't been to a CM for many years. But have always enjoyed going. Yes, hanging out with coaster family is great, but ERT is an important aspect of the event. Honestly, I look at that first whenever I see event listings. I know you can't please everyone, but having more than one ride open helps disperse the attendees with some variety.

The last GOCC event, there was only one coaster for ERT (park decision, not GOCC). Even if I had still lived in Ohio, I would have not gone. I love the club and attended many of their events over the past several years. Always have a good time. But, when it comes to a park that you normally go to on regular basis, you question yourself when it comes to paying extra to go there. Especially CP, as experiences have gone downhill the past several years. Three things keep me going there: Magnum, Famous Dave's, and my coaster family. :)

I paid $25 to go to Fall Freak Out in September and I thought it was well worth it even though there was only 1 ride for ERT. I liked the lunch and the haunted house tour. I actually prefer that event over Coastermania.

I'm willing to pay SOMETHING because the park does spend money on the meal, the giveaways, and the extra staff time. I'm a fan of the place and want to see them do well financially so they can keep building new things and improving the place in general. I don't want them to take a beating because of a bunch of enthusiasts.

Having said that, I also have a significant chunk of dough tied up in season passes for my family so we can go any time. Of course there are still costs associated with going like gas, food, and hotels, so I really do spend a decent chunk of change on CP trips each summer. Coastermania is worth SOMETHING to me, but I'd probably skip it if they set the price above 20 bucks a person. I'm happy to pay for the meal and chip in a few bucks on top of that, but I'm not eager to sink more money into riding rides that I can already ride all summer. If they add value in some other way, I might reconsider within reason, but Coastermania, or any event with a meal and some ERT is only worth so much to me.

I had originally thought the fee would eliminate the whiners, but Jerry raises a good point about paying customers expecting even more. I think if anything, the fee will cut the number of people who go down to something more manageable. I think they could do other things to manage the crowds too like allowing you to print your credentials at home or at least pick them up the night before. The check in last year was a disaster, but there are other ways to manage that effectively.

I'm generally happy to pay for events. Frankly, one appeal to me is exclusivity: I like being able to access a park for a couple of rides during ERT and then leave once the park's open to the public.

I agree with MDOmnis, we have a group of 7, 5 of them can't do ERT due to height requirements ;) So under $20 would be appreciated. Or if they say "under xx age, free/Jr price", that would be fantastic. Will see what happens when they list the price in the future.

I agree with Jerry, paying people will have a tendency to complain more, that they aren't getting "more for their money". You are NEVER going to keep everyone happy, no matter what you do. The more CP does, someone else will want more.

"Give a mouse a cookie, he will want a glass of milk"

It is really too bad that someone/some people ruined something else for the rest of us once again.... I mean, really sad that it takes less than 10 people to ruin it for thousands.

Magnum "Candy" Man said:

Adding a fee won't eliminate the whiners. Might actually increase. You will always have the bad apples that don't appreciate anything.

My expectation is that along with a fee, the specific details of the event would now have to be given up front as well. If you have a complete itinerary, with exactly what the food will be or the souvenirs given out will be, then (hopefully) the complaints will be minimized since people now know exactly what they're getting before they sign up. At the campouts and smaller club events everyone knows what the event details are when they sign up, and I generally hear very little complaining at these events. It's the free events like media day, coaster mania, and the free event when Halloweekends opens that have had the most problems with whining guests, often since the (free) souvenirs weren't "good" enough, or they don't like the (free) food. Now, if you don't like the details of the event, all you have to do is not pay for it and not attend.

That's a very good idea. I'm curious to see how it goes this year.

Tyler,

They do post information as soon as they can (I have seen it a couple of months in advance-when I look). CP gives an ERT itinerary, food list (lately anyway) and disclaimers about rides could be down for various reasons and they would adjust schedule as they saw fit.

No need to mention of added "gifts/freebies" that they give out. What they give extra, the RESPECTFUL thing to do would be show appreciation, NO MATTER WHAT SIZE THE SHIRT IS (what I guess was the complaint last year????)!

Just my opinion.

I was hearing a lot of "WHAT?! No hoodie?!" comments last year. :P

I heard lots of people complaining that the food wasn't good as years previous, the freebies weren't as good, and I even heard one guy complain because he didn't get a Mantis souvenir. That is what ruins it for the rest of us who are grateful just to be included in such events. I've been to 3 coastermania events, and the Gatekeeper media day, and was completely grateful for all the CP staff did and will continue to be grateful regardless of any food or freebies they offer. To me, it's all about the experience, the quality of it, not the quantity.

Even if there weren't any freebies, I'd still be perfectly content. It's things like the boat ride back in 2013 with my friends that I cherish. Not a shirt or cup that will just sit in my closet. I use to wear all my event/coaster related shirts but now they just sit in my closet. Some due to being too small but mostly because I'm an adult and I tend to go out in public. :)

Went to my first Coaster Mania this year, was very happy with event. Only disappoint was Top Thrill Dragster was not able to run that night for it's ERT. The next morning tried to get a ride in before we had to leave, but it was broke down.

^ Yeah Top Thrill Dragster is temperamental at times.