SDCFans - The Unofficial Fan Site For Silver Dollar City
Silver Dollar City & Celebration City Discussion => General Silver Dollar City Talk => Topic started by: BackInTime on October 10, 2010, 06:46:43 PM
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Yesterday, I was in the city for the first time this season. I was able to locate a construction marker in the woods around the former WB site. Nothing overly telling, other than proof that something appears to be planned for the area at some point. I must say though, there sure seems to be a lot more usable space in that area than I originally imagined.
Some overall observations from our visit:
1) The park was very clean and all of the staff seemed as friendly as always
2) Food was terrific
3) The park was packed. I've never seen it that busy the second week of October
4) We tried unsuccessfully yet again to purchase a baseball bat with the SDC logo on it and were told HFEC/SDC execs will not allow it. I still cannot figure out how everything else in the park (including custom gifts) can feature the park's own logo, but it's not allowed on a baseball bat their own employees handcraft in the park itself. They're really missing a huge opportunity to probably increase sales for that item by not allowing it.
5) Lastly, while we enjoyed our trip as much as we always do, I was surprised and extremely disappointed that my wife and I had to spend $113 just to enter the park. Of course we paid it, but I think it's absurdly high. Almost $60 for a one-day ticket. Yes, I realize we could have purchased two-day tickets for the same price elsewhere, but we weren't able to commit to two days at the park. Regardless, I think something between $45 and $50 would be more appropriate.
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I completely agree with you about the ticket prices (it's the same way at Dollywood) DW is my home park and I have made it clear to them through E-Mail that I think the prices are too high for one-day tickets. They sent me a letter in the mail saying that they add stuff every year so prices have to increase. I personally think that they can raise attendance if they would just lower there ticket prices to where more people could afford them. Although I don't have to worry about that because I buy Dollywood Season Passes, but still I am concerned that attendance will start dropping alot, because both parks are scheduled to raise prices two more dollars next year!
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FYI: Ticket prices at most Orlando parks for one day tickets are $80+
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That is true and most of those parks aren't even worth paying $80 for because your miserable when you walk through the gates. When I visit SDC, DW my home park, DSC, WW I feel at home because there very family friendly.
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that does seem high for 1 day prices, i do the season pass so that cost almost seems nonexistent.. not sure what hfec could do about single day costs.
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I'm sure to some extent they do have to charge that but at least lower them 5 or 6 dollars. I am with you I also do the season pass it's a much better value and you also get bring a friend free tickets.
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FYI: Ticket prices at most Orlando parks for one day tickets are $80+
With all do respect, Swoosh, I think comparisons to any Orlando parks are irrelevant. SDC is a totally separate experience, in a very different region of the country. And while one might say that the same argument could be made about a park chain like Six Flags, I think that caliber of park is more consistent, or comparable if you will, to that of SDC (generally speaking). That said, my wife and I paid less for two season passes to Six Flags (which is good at far more parks) this year than we did for two one-day tickets to enjoy SDC.
I see no argument whatsoever to justify charging $57 for admission to SDC (or any other non-Disney park for that matter). Especially in these economic times.
It's not necessary for HFEC's survival, it's nothing more than gouging the consumer. Pure and simple.
And if they're going to continue raising prices on an annual basis, there better be a genius strategy in place to ensure annual park attendance doesn't take a Wildfire nosedive in the very near future.
Since re-discovering SDC about seven years ago, I never would have never dreamed I could be disappointed about my SDC experience, but this admission price issue is one that really hit a nerve and worries me very much.
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Thank You Backintime9 for understanding what I was saying. Like i've said on here many times my home park is Dollywood and I buy season passes every year, so even though it's not an issue for me I'm afraid it may lower attendance like you said. One positive thing for Dollywood is that season pass sales have sky-rocketed because people want to come back to Dollywood more than once but they don't want to pay $56 for a ticket so they get season passes. They also have seen an increase in DOllywood Vacations sales because there vacation planning company lets you book everything for a lower fee than buying a hotel and $55 tickets. One thing about Dollywood Vacations that I like is, is that you can stay howeverlong you want in your cabin say (3 days) and get three day tickets at Dollywood for single day prices. So if you stay two weeks you get two weeks worth of Dollywood for a single day price (NOW THAT IS A GOOD DEAL)!
BY THE WAY I FINALLY GOT A PROFILE PICTURE WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK, IT'S A PHOTO TAKEN AS I WAS PULLING ONTO DOLLYWOOD BLVD. AND THEY HAD BOTH SIGNS JUST BEFORE I GOT TO THE PARKING LOT.
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I split this topic off the 2011 thread and moved it here. Let's try to keep the discussions in their appropriate places so we can all follow along better.
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FYI: Ticket prices at most Orlando parks for one day tickets are $80+
With all do respect, Swoosh, I think comparisons to any Orlando parks are irrelevant. SDC is a totally separate experience, in a very different region of the country. It's not necessary for HFEC's survival, it's nothing more than gouging the consumer. Pure and simple.
With all DUE respect, that's the problem. You are expecting Disney-quality attractions at a Six Flags price when you go to SDC. It just doesn't work that way. When you pay for Six Flags quality, that is what you are going to get. Do you go into Olive Garden and complain that you are having to pay more than at Fazoli's for basically the same thing? No, because the QUALITY is higher at Olive Garden.... much the same for SDC and SF
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swoosh, that is probably an accurate sumation on your part... personally i still think the daily price may be a little too high. because i DO expect sdc theme NOT disney theme, i am sure the overhead between sdc and disney is very different.... I choose sdc because it IS sdc...... there may be 1 or 2 parks nationwide that compare. We are lucky enough than one of them is in our area..
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In no way am I implying that SDC is a Six Flags level park. I'm simply saying, it's not Disney. And thus, charging almost $60 for admission seems overpriced to me. SDC is unique not doubt, but I simply can't fathom how prices have risen so dramatically in the past five to seven years. If my memory serves me correctly, they've gone up roughly $12 per ticket in that time. I guess until park attendance suffers, it's not going to be an issue for HFEC.
Anyone know when 2011 season passes go on sale, and how much they'll be?
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agreed! as long as they can sell tickets,, and attendence maintains, prices will remain and possibly raise. They may be pushing for season pass sales.. Hard to tell what they are thinking... :-\
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Season Passes go on sale the first week of November.
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That sounds right.. I have the ticket office on speed dial, and the card is ready! ;D ;D
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that is a bit much for just a one day pass and I could hardly afford to pay that myself. Its hard evough comin up with the dough to go with the season passes I buy which are a way better value. My family has gone 4 times now and plan on going during christmas so it has more than bpught its self back ya know. Maybe the day passes are so much because in reality the season passes are dare I say it, mostly non expensive......
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Agreed, Dollywood and Silver Dollar City are as good as Disney. I was up at Dollywood next to the Thunderhead, and I heard a lady telling her friends that she thought Dollywood was just as nice as Disney. All Herschend parks SDC,DW,DSC,WW are 100 times better than any Six Flags park. I would personally have a tow truck hook me up by my townails and drive off full speed than enter the gates of a six flags park or even Cedar Fair. Themeparkreview told Dollywood's Pete Owens that they did not want Dollywood to become like Cedar Fair because Dollywood and SDC are unique. For instance what other two theme parks let you shop til you drop like DW or SDC, NONE!
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I love Disney's parks to death, but let me say that $80 a ticket is an insult. I always stood up for places like SDC because they haven't been overrun by greed as Disney has been. That seems to be changing as SDC has been raising their prices at about the same rate as Disney except with few and less expensive additions (Disney spends about 100K on their rides).
Also, Disney's operating costs are much higher than SDC's, albiet they have a much higher capacity and sell more tickets. My point is the value would prove it: If Disney were to sell, let's say Epcot today, it would be much higher valued (in dollars) than SDC. That's the truth. SDC has no reason to charge $80 to get in the gates and that's why they don't. SDC is not equal to Disney in cash value, however, memories are priceless and for some people, I'm sure SDC's memories rank higher than Disney's. So while Disney's experience might be more expensive, SDC can be more enjoyable. For me, that's not the case, but I can understand how people can enjoy SDC more than Disney. I do enjoy SDC and am a "fan", but I'm a bigger Disney fan if that makes sense.
A lot of other Disney fans have told me, "If you don't like the prices, don't go." Well, I went to Orlando this summer and guess what, I didn't go to Disney (a hard, but affordable decision). For a one day ticket to SDC, they crossed the line at $50. I was living in Florida for the last couple of years so I missed being at SDC. I moved back in January and went to SDC in April. I just bought the season pass since I knew I would be going back again for Christmas. For over $50 a ticket, I'm more likely to just enjoy being at the hotel relaxing. That's what I did instead of going to Disney and I don't regret it. It was the most refreshing vacation ever for me. I did, however, miss my favorite attractions. The way I see it, I'll go to Disney again, but instead of going yearly, it'll be every few years. Theme parks are just too expensive anymore.
That is my opinion though. SDC's still a good value if you get the season pass and actually use it. I've used mine three times this year, so yeah, it's worth it compared to the one day pass. What I don't like though is that they say that they are raising prices because of expansion when the truth is they are just replacing something most of the time and the attraction count is the same as it was before. What was supposed to be a way to get you to return turn to the park turned into a price gouge. The only years that I really believe SDC should have raise ticket prices was for the Grand Exposition and the swing, because those two things were actual park expansions. PK replaced Buzz Saw Falls and River Blast replaced Tom Sawyer Landing (and at the expense of Splash Harbor and WB).
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Just throwing this out there, but "entertainment" is one of the last things that families will cut from their "expense report" even if they are hurting for money.
SDC's ticket price increases have been lower than the national average AND are way below the average rate of inflation for most consumables.
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your right. entertainment will be one of the last things.. I think people will/would sacrifices other items first.. playtime/relaxation always survives.
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Yeah, the wife, kiddies and I need our time away from the problems of life. To cut loose and just worry about which ride, show or shop to go to next is what we need! We find peace in the shadows of the trees and the smell of the food, the rushing of the water and the delighted screams of children-young or age challenged. Long live SDC and the release it brings!
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yea! what he said!
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I just had a thought. I dont know anything about disney so if anyone has correct info please chime in.......you pay 50 or so dollars to get in for one day right?? Thats steep. But what you just paid for is all the amazing shows and rides as many times as you can get, without paying extra. How much is it to see Jim Stafford one time, or the Baldknobbers one time? If all you are going is ONE time in the whole SDC season then I find it a fair, but steep deal.
Disney......do you pay for the extras???
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Part of the reason, above regular operating expenses, that tickets are so high, is the high cost of some of the attractions...wildfire, powderkeg, thunderation...all multi-million dollar rides that are not paid off in a year or two. (Back in my days of working at the park, ticket price was between $7.98 and $9.98 per day, and we all balked at those prices! :))
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wow! hard to believe! now dinner is more than that! lol...
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I won't cut out SDC or DW from my life. I have bought season passes to Dollywood every year (get 50% off my SDC tickets with a Dollywood Season pass) I plan on renewing them for 2011 to enjoy Dollywood's expansions. I will not cut out DW or SDC i can live without satellite TV or any other ammenties, but I need DW and SDC!
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One thing though usually you can always find a two day ticket for the price of one somewhere and the fact that they have come after 3 the next day is free is a pretty good deal also since you could get almost a day in half off one ticket.
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I, once again, will state for the record that I wish they would create a season pass that worked at all their properties. I think their one day ticket price is a little steep. On the other hand, their season ticket is probably underpriced a bit.
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SHHHHHHH! dont ever say that outloud!!. althought the benefit of 50% off of other property admission is very nice.. I have stated before that i would like to see a substantial discout at dixie stampede in branson.. the discount is only 5.00!! showboat is 50%... like to see that modified.. ::)
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FYI: Ticket prices at most Orlando parks for one day tickets are $80+
With all do respect, Swoosh, I think comparisons to any Orlando parks are irrelevant. SDC is a totally separate experience, in a very different region of the country. It's not necessary for HFEC's survival, it's nothing more than gouging the consumer. Pure and simple.
With all DUE respect, that's the problem. You are expecting Disney-quality attractions at a Six Flags price when you go to SDC. It just doesn't work that way. When you pay for Six Flags quality, that is what you are going to get. Do you go into Olive Garden and complain that you are having to pay more than at Fazoli's for basically the same thing? No, because the QUALITY is higher at Olive Garden.... much the same for SDC and SF
Most of the Fazoli's in me neck of the woods have folded....just sayin.
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We have bought season passes for the past couple of years. We make sure we get them before Jan 1st. to take advantage of the take a friend guest passes. I've talked to people that got pee'd off when I told them I got to take folks for free because they bought theirs after the 1st. I think the package should be the same but priced differently cheaper for the early birds.
It's a no brainer for those of us with kids cause Christmas is a can't miss. We enjoy the park more then than at anytime in the summer, though I heard the place was packed on SAt Oct, Sun Oct 11th was about the most perfect weather one can have at SDC and the ride rides were nearly nil.
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I agree that the price is a little steep. especially for a one day pass, but it is probably the cheapest full day thing you can do in Branson. Everything is over the top expensive there on the strip. Next time I go I want to stay in Branson West and avoid Branson all together. SOTH and SDC are my only reasons for going anyway. I might make an exception if I decide to go to a show, but with all that traffic I prefer to avoid all of that
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thats a good point.. anything it branson that is a show or show and dinner runs 35-55.00.... exceptions being the ducks and the branson landing boats and they are 15 -20 and last about an hour. SO yes dollar for dollar and time involved SDC is probably the best BARGAIN in Branson!!!!
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We stay'd at Shady Acers in Branson West for only $44.00 a night, kitchenette at that! We also stay away from the strip.
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While I would certainly not agree for Silver Dollar City to spike, or jack their ticket prices up, I do believe their Season Pass prices are very reasonable. For one hundred dollars I can ride an old train, ride a bunch of roller coasters, watch dozens of shows, and participate in countless activities anytime I want, and as often as I want from March through December. ;D
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thats right!! ;D
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Getting in a little late on the discussion, but the difference between SDC and 6 Flags is that SDC has FREE parking, whereas you have to pay what, $20 a car just to park at 6 Flags?! And then they don't even have a tram that takes you straight to the gate... you have to walk. Granted, their parking lot is a lot more compacted, so it's not quite as long of a hike as it would be from some of the SDC parking lots, but still. Right there is some of the difference in cost between SDC and 6 Flags. If you take that into consideration, then the cost of the two parks is much more in sync.
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SDC has an atmosphere and an at home feel, that I never got at any of the six flags parks. In fact, after going to SDC, the six flags parks are a real letdown, so I'm not sure that comparing them is really fair to six flags. Sure, the other parks are fun, but they are not Silver Dollar City. I'm not sure if it's the music or the memories of spending time there with my late grandparents, or what. I've been to Disneyland, and it was nice, but it's still not SDC.
To you guys, what is it that makes Silver Dollar City what it is? this may be covered in another thread. If it was
just shoot me a link.
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I think that the season pass price is more than fair. It has gone up with inflation. I have been to SDC every year of my life, and will continue going there because they have a unique theme that sets themselves apart from Six Flags, Disney World, and other theme parks around the country.
However, I think that the individual ticket prices are ridiculous! Many of the people who visit the Disney properties in Orlando/Los Angeles have money to spare. If you look at the cost of living in those places, $80 for a one day ticket is right in line with what they should be charging. However, a lot of the people who come to Branson are camping or staying in cheap hotels. These are advantages that Branson has over LA and Orlando. Try finding a $30 hotel or a $9 campsite in one of those places that you would actually be willing to stay at.
This is not to say that some people don't spend a lot of money when they are here. But most people don't want to throw down $202 just to get their family of four past the gate! Unless you've been to SDC before, you're not gonna be able to resist their $6 funnel cakes and other tempting treats. The fact that people will make an all-day event (or two day if they got the "deal" available at most resorts) guarantees food and drink sales. I would suggest a tiered ticket pricing structure. Depending on how many tickets you buy, you get to save money.
As an example, you are bringing a family of four. Your first ticket is $56. Your second one is $51. Your third (child) ticket is $39. Your fourth (child) ticket is $38. That's $184 instead of $202. You will spend the difference on food and drinks...easily!
What I did here is full price, $5 savings, $6 savings, $7 savings. Obviously, they would want to limit how much you saved for subsequent tickets (probably a max of $7 savings per ticket). Also, to curtail abuse of these savings, they could permit no more than 8 tickets per transaction. If you happen to have a group of 9-14 people...sorry. Groups of 15 or more people get a special rate already. This is something that would make almost everyone happy. Any thoughts?
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No matter how hard you try, you simply cannot adequately compare Six Flags to Silver Dollar City. It just can't be done. Silver Dollar City is so much more than roller coasters, and strangers dressed up in fuzzy character costumes. Silver Dollar City, albeit a theme park, is still a real working community as far as I am concerned.
Just to watch the talented craftsmen perform their magic, and to wrap yourself up in the warm history of the Ozarks, and to interact with the street performers who work so hard to put a smile on your face. Ticket prices are ticket prices. However, you don't go to Silver Dollar City, you experience it. That is something that I consider to be priceless. :)
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Welcome to the forums, Nate. I like your ideas. It is a little steep for my family of 5 to go to SDC. This might be something that helps.
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Thank you, Okiebluegrass. It just doesn't seem right to charge so much when all of the stuff inside the park is expensive as well. Although I did discover that you can save money and eat healthy at SDC. By the Barn Swing they have a fruit stand that sells apples, bananas, etc, for $1. What a great way to tide you over and save some money.
Ozark BBQ, you are so right! The employees are WAY more welcoming and entertaining than any other "theme park" in the country. And rides are hardly the main attraction, there really is something for everyone here. However, I really hope that the ticket prices do not prevent other people from discovering this place that I have known and enjoyed my whole life.
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well I got a big suprise today. I have ordered season passes on Wednesday for my adult children to be picked up at the gate Saturday. I paid $98 apiece for them. I went to my local credit union today annd found out I could get them there for $78 apiece. That is one heck of a difference to be buying them direct from the company.
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oh, thats not good.. :o
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I bought my Season Pass tickets during the off season, and got them for a cheaper price. I want to say it was in the range of 70 something dollars versus the full price of 90 something dollars now.
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that sounds right ozark. I think i bought my tickets n january- 70-71 each (as i remember). Pretty cheap entertainment for all year!
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I got mine in either November or December last year, and with tax and online ordering fee, came up to about $72.
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sounds rightt\..
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Compare the price of a season pass to a ticket to a professional sporting event. The season pass looks like a pretty sweet deal to me.
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So I have a question if anyone has done this or not. Has anyone bought a two day ticket for the price of one and have one person use it one day and then the next day someone else.
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I have heard if that being done, even though that is not what the 2 for 1 was intended for.
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Some background to help my reply to the topic make sense: I have no desire to do Disney. Ever. For any reason. Not my thing. I have been to SF (St. Louis) three times. I had some fun as a kid (seeing the woman lose her top on Tom's Twister was an interesting experience for a teenaged boy), but nothing there appeals to me as an adult. I don't do coasters. At SDC, I do the train, the Flooded Mine, the Lost River; I will try the River Blast later this year (Lord willin' an' the crick don' rise).
I go to SDC for the memories, the atmosphere, the crafts, the food, the shows. My wife is the same. The boys don't do anything more harsh than FiTH; they will ride the rides I do a dozen times, however.
During years we can only get there once, I don't mind paying the current one-day price. Compared to most other things, it's a bargain. This year, we could get down several times. The Season Passes were a steal for us. Twice so far, twice more next month, more yet in September/October, and at least once to OTC all in the works.
Not long ago, I spent almost $100 taking the four of us to a (mediocre) movie. So, for about three movies, I can take 'em to SDC, feed 'em, buy some stuff, and have MUCH more fun, on the one-day pass.
Sure, in a perfect world, SDC would be cheaper, but, given the alternatives, SDC still seems to be by far the best way to spend my money.
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My family and I have season pass. The thing we ran into was when sometimes we have friends that have never been to SDC they have a hard time paying the ticket price. So the thought was by two tickets the two days for the price of one and the. The adults go one day and the. The kids were going to go the next. To me it seemed that as long as you get a person in the park it works out. It just happened that a couple people had said that they were really kinda watching that at the gate. And was curious if anyone had done that before
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^They usually ask for an ID when you go through the turnstiles and check that the names match. It would probably work out better if you found them BAFs.
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So those tickets have signature lines on it
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jmc, let us know when you are planning on taking friends, and maybe we can help you out ;) ;)
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thanks
I find it odd that they check those but the BAF tickets they are not as worried about
oh well
thanks for the offer