They raised price of parking

Does Holiday World make a profit ever? How can they afford to have free parking, free soda and free suntan lotion and still make money if the other parks just keep raising the prices of these items?

I think their admission is a bit higher than what you'd be willing to pay if they didn't offer those perks.

Depending on the size of the swallow and how many times he beats his wings each minute...

Sorry, I'm listening to the Holy Grail soundtrack. :)

Holiday World charges $37 for admission, which really isn't that bad considering you get the water park, which is one of the best in the world, and three of the best wooden coasters in the world in the amusement park. Even without the free parking and free soft drinks, I'd pay that. Has there been a parking tax increase that hasn't been mentioned lately?

The Parking Tax was removed in 2004:
http://www.pointbuzz.com/news.htm?id=32

Ironically, it was after it went away that parking went to $9.

Holiday World is a unique experience. They offer those free things, and yes, the admission price is a little bit higher, but the park is just so well run. I've talked to Dick Kinzel a couple times on the midway at CP (and at Geauga Lake, ironically), but I must have talked to Will Koch three or four times in one day while I was at Holiday World. Holiday World has a history book on sale in the gift shops, and all the copies that I saw were personally autographed by Pat Koch, the co-author of the book. The park is immaculately clean, and the employees are super friendly and efficient while doing so. Holiday World is something special, and something that no large chain could ever match, I don't think.

Just goes to show a family run company is always nicer than one run by a corporation. Another FINE example of that is the Walt Disney Company. When the Disney's were running it, it was amazing. Now its just a huge corporate monster that only cares about making money.

edit: poor typing skills :) *** Edited 9/22/2006 2:24:15 AM UTC by halltd***

Besides, Holiday World has Holidog. And the Voyage.

They both rule.

I think CF should try an experiment. We all know that GL is struggling, why not leave the ticket price alone, make parking free, and advertise it as a one year promotion, to entice people to try GL again. And this time, focus on operations inside of the park. I'd be willing to bet there is a significant increase in attendance. It seems to me that GL is the perfect place to experiment, and if all went well, I'd evaluate spreading it to all parks.

halltd said:
Does Holiday World make a profit ever? How can they afford to have free parking, free soda and free suntan lotion and still make money if the other parks just keep raising the prices of these items?

You're naive if you think that stuff is really "free." It's in the price of admission. Sure, it's a perception thing, but perception is reality.

To expand on the conversation Walt and I had, they can and will charge more and more because they can, and take advantage of the fact that we'll pay it anyway. That makes me feel dirty.

You know how I feel about parking anyway. I don't like paying for something that has zero value to it.

You should all visit Philly for a week. By the time you go back home you'll think of $10 as a bargain =:-)

Another way to think of this is if you go by yourself and don't use any admission coupons you just spent $50 the moment you go through the gate.

Go to Niagara Fall Canada, everywhere you park its 10 bucks (Candian). That adds up real fast! I still say its not a letdown. I go to the Greatest park on the Planet, and enter my happy place! No reason for complaining, Go to the NAIAS (Detroit Auto Show) and everything there is overpriced, but I enjoy the eye candy..... so i have to pay the price.

It's all part of the amusement park experience.

For the most part, it's still cheaper than any other entertainment venue I go to. The major outdoor concert halls by me just add 5-8 dollars a ticket as a parking fee!( Car of four equals 20-32) The best is they sell parking tickets($50) too for a lot with easy VIP exit. The rest of the cars have to leave in one lane of traffic.

Plus gas is actually going down big time of late!

It's one dollar people!

To compare Holiday World to Cedar Point is pretty funny. It can't even be compared. It wouldn't be fair to either of them.
*** Edited 9/22/2006 6:38:29 AM UTC by 901liveson***

Pine Knob/DTE Energy Music Theater 'includes' parking on a price of a ticket. $3 on a ticket for 'Traffic Fee' or something, and offers 'free' parking. I have always felt like I am getting a better deal there than anywhere, and have always appreciated the fact I don't need $10-20 cash on hand just to park my vehicle.

They only raised it to cover there tails on the 25cent cotten candy. It does suck that it cost 10 to park but you all know everyone will pay it. I've been taking that doller change and buying 4 cotten candy sticks now i can't even do that ~_^

901,

It's still over $2.25 for a gallon of gas here in PA and eastern OH.

This sucks plain and simple. Seems like the corporate monopoly is rearing it's ugly head and we get to pay for it.

"Corporate monopoly"?

I wouldn't say monopoly. Triopoly? Is there such a thing? ;)