Prices in vending machines increased?

It seems as if the prices in the vending machines for pops/waters are now $3.50 instead of $3.

Gatorade is also now $4.

What was Gatorade before? $3.50?

Do they take credit cards on the vending machines? After getting frustrated with the dollar taker on the machine at Six Flags over Texas this weekend, I just swiped my card and out came powerade. Easier than trying to keep the cash around.

It was $3.50 for anything in those, by the way. Sounds like CP is keeping things priced similarly to those in the same market.

That's pretty retarded. Just another reason people can not afford to go out.

Yes, most machines now take credit cards.

No one forces anyone to buy anything from them. If they are charging that much, that means they can (which means plenty of people obviously can afford to purchase it and have been doing so).

Now does that make it right? Totally different story. It's all about the Benjamins baby.

There is a better deal, if you want to call it that, on bigger bottles of pop (maybe water too, not sure if there was any in there) inside the Speed Zone shop by TTD. I can't remember the price, a touch more than the 20oz. but if you break it down, you get more for your money.

Most (if not, all) CP machines do not take credit cards.

Or if you are near the resorts the pop machines, I think are a dollar cheaper.

Surprised nobody has responded yet in total anger or outrage at the prices of food and drink at the point. I'm sure it won't be long.

Not that this price increase was not expected, but why do the $1.50 candy machines accept credit cards, but the $3.50/4.00 pop machines do not? I understand that the candy machines are done by a different company, but this does not make any sense from a business standpoint today.

I guess you could just go up to a midway cart to get a $3.50 pop with your credit card now under the new Micros system they have everywhere, but the convenience in queue lines would bring in more money I would think.

^ I was going to say the same thing. Only the candy machines take cards, the pop machines are still cash only, which makes zero sense. I can't imagine it would take much to get some new machines out of Pepsi (or whoever supplies their vending) and networking shouldn't be an issue since it's clearly already in place for the candy machines.

On an unrelated note since the new payment systems were mentioned. We stayed at Breakers Express over the weekend, and at no time did we find any mention of using our room key to buy stuff in the park. No mention of it at check-in, and nothing about it in any of the in-room information that was on the table. They're definitely missing a huge opportunity if they aren't making any effort to let people know about it.

MagnumFan said:
Surprised nobody has responded yet in total anger or outrage at the prices of food and drink at the point. I'm sure it won't be long.

Are you kidding me? This has been a point of discussion for years, especially with soda pricing.

I remember when it was two bucks in the vending machines, and I didn't feel it was a good deal, but it wasn't a blocker either. Haven't touched it since.

I didn't think the point was that there haven't been discussions about food and drink prices at CP. I suspect the post was made in response to the large number of threads that have discussed those issues on this board over time. I think there was an expectation that any thread in which specific prices for food or drink were discussed would bring out complaints that food and drink prices are too high everywhere at CP.

But it seems to me that we haven't had one of those types of discussions in a while. Maybe I missed it.

Jeff, I was only stating my surprise at the lack of those comments in this thread, not the forum as a whole.

Everytime I'm at the point I hear people complaining about it, it seems.

CF has a fiduciary responsibility to maximize profit for it's unit holders, but no responsibility to it's visitors to make food and beverages affordable.

Having said that, I do not believe the current pricing structure could possibly be maximizing total dollar profit for food and beverage sales. Too many people can't afford it, hurting volume to the point that lower prices may result in higher total profit. Even folks like me who can afford it, choose alternatives such as bringing their own in the bottom of a stroller, or leaving the park to eat. Just because people can afford it doesn't mean the pricing isn't offensive enough to rub you the wrong way.

The concept of lowering prices, increasing volume and increasing profits is extremely basic econ 101. Its not an exact science because there are other variables affecting demand beyond just price. But park management has a lot more info than what we have to make pricing decisions. One element that is subjective is leaving a bad taste in customer's mouths who are buying at any given price. Management has more info there as well. All we have are anecdotes from a limited number of people one way or the other.

Bottomline: If someone is thirsty, and if your in a long line like MF, TTD or Maverick, that person will buy a drink regardless. Especially if it is hot. CP can get away with stuff like that, but I will never fall for it.

I just went back to the car and ate lunch there.
At least employees get good deals on food

Don't forget that you can get free ice water in a small cup for free, you don't have to buy a drink if you are thirsty. The cups are small but you can order as many as you want. I usually order 2 or 3 and that is more than enough.