SDCFans - The Unofficial Fan Site For Silver Dollar City
Silver Dollar City & Celebration City Discussion => General Silver Dollar City Talk => Topic started by: sanddunerider on January 10, 2014, 06:08:02 PM
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Thought i would start this, since we are starting to get sidetracked on the other thread...
Additonal benefits?
How about a real discount to the Dixie Stampede.? ie like they have on the Showboat?
How about a monthly payment system for those who would like to use it? say for 6 months?
What else?...........
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How about a photo pass so one does not have to present a photo ID? I think they could even offer these for an upcharge.
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A better discount for food....20% maybe.
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^As prices for food have increased, I have been more and more discouraged to buy it. A deeper discount might make me spend my money on more food in the City.
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How about a photo pass so one does not have to present a photo ID? I think they could even offer these for an upcharge.
Why an upcharge for a photo ID pass? That is the very department I worked in at SFSL.
They have a room full of computers. You buy a pass, the receipt has a "unique bar code". Go to season pass processing. Scan the bar code on your receipt, enter the personal info (about 1-2 minutes). Proceed to the camera, hand them your receipt. They scan the bar code, your info pops up, they take the picture, hand you the pass, your off and runnin. The whole thing takes 2-3 minutes. From camera to exit takes all of about 45 seconds. --- very cheap blank plastics, a very cheap and simple printer, simple ink cartridge.
Great Idea!!!!
Benefits SHOULD include huge discounts to ALL 26 HFE properties. (Including the basketball boys from the NE) --- how about discounts to repeat pass buyers --- Of course, big (or bigger) discounts to ANYTHING purchased inside the city (food, tshirts, ETC)
Options (at an upcharge) to a season pass SHOULD include. Food pass, Tube pass, Front Of The Line pass, Show Pass, Preferred parking pass. AND an "exchange" program to any business that wants to share. Like-a SP for (lets say Presleys) will earn a 10% discount to SDC admission, in turn a SDC pass will earn you a 10% discount to Presleys
I do understand "some" of these ideas are already in place, Im just saying they ALL need to happen. (or continue as it may be).
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Maybe have the food discount on ALL food items, sayy over 5 bucks, instead of just entree items
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Why an upcharge for a photo ID pass? That is the very department I worked in at SFSL.
They have a room full of computers. You buy a pass, the receipt has a "unique bar code". Go to season pass processing. Scan the bar code on your receipt, enter the personal info (about 1-2 minutes). Proceed to the camera, hand them your receipt. They scan the bar code, your info pops up, they take the picture, hand you the pass, your off and runnin. The whole thing takes 2-3 minutes. From camera to exit takes all of about 45 seconds. --- very cheap blank plastics, a very cheap and simple printer, simple ink cartridge.
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Don't mind me as I destroy this...
SFSL... first strike ;D
Room full of computers... What room would this be at Silver Dollar City? All of your Ticket POS are outside venues, with the exception of GR, and that will only hold 4 Employees on the biggest of days.
Buy a pass, get a barcode, then enter the info, then get a picture... A one step operation just turned into four. ???
2-3 min... yes, per person, that is PRESENT! What about grandma who buys for her family of 15? She has to stand in line to purchase, then they have to stand in line to get "Processed." I know tens of thousands of people who will not like that. (2013 BAF, example A-Z) these were FREE tickets that people had to wait 20-30 min to redeem, and you expect them to take a picture after buying them online or over the phone? HA!
Cheap Backs... $33 for 100 Count. Mind you, you said cheep so the quality will be crap... And you can expect a higher replacement fee when you break it (and you will break it) also, you can bet SDC will want a logo on the back, so $33 turns onto $50... Just saying. http://www.idcardgroup.com/pvc/magicard/m3610-065
Cheap Printer... You will want one that prints color I assume. I found this one on the same site, and the description fits what Silver Dollar City would need. $3,200 (each). Oh yeah, don't forget about upkeep which would include cleaning strips to keep the printer heads from striping the pictures. http://www.idcardgroup.com/printers/fargo/fargodtc4500printer
Cheap Ink... First off, who wants cheap ink on their $100 Season Pass? And again, replacement fee... Ink is an amazing $65 for 250 prints! http://www.idcardgroup.com/ribbons/fargocolor
You forgot cheap Camera... Silver Dollar City is know for its quality, but if you want a modern, cheep camera (not in Ms. Mary's time?) then you are looking at $36.99 (trust me, you do NOT want this camera, but it is cheap) http://www.idcardgroup.com/cameras
So when I do the math and add a new building of substantial size, and 1880's theme ($50-$75,000 on the low end for the construction... We still have not discussed location), Software upgrade from OMNI (it ain't cheep), Cards (50,000 Pass Holders? Might be high...), Printers (I say at least 10), Ink (remember 250 images each), and Cameras (10 plus extras for when they stop working) you are looking at a $250,000 investment, higher Season Pass prices, Longer wait times (especially for those who purchase online and over the phone) and more labor on Silver Dollar City's end. Still want picture I.D.'s?
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How about buy one get 3 free? ;D
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I didn't say I would pay for an upcharge (I despise upcharges.), any more than I pay for preferred parking or a Show Lovers Pass, but I think there is a way for this to be accomplished. As for a building, perhaps it would take a little remodeling, but some of the office space could be used and redistributed, or the side section of the Marketplace could be utilized (The Marketplace is not themed anyway. It's outside the ticket booth and the "exit".). I hate dragging out my license to get into the place, and my wife does not carry her purse to the park, so I have to put hers in my wallet. Another option is to initiate a fingerprint system like Disney, but I predict that would add a huge cost, which could only be offset by getting people in the park quicker and keeping them happier by not having to wait in the bottleneck for as long.
Flimsy? How about the cheap paper passes that we get now? It certainly doesn't look like a high-quality product worth what we pay for it. I know I'm paying for the service, but it would be nice to have something that could double as a keepsake.
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I like the idea of a reward for consecutive-year season passes. We have had season passes for many years, only missing one year. In the same way SDC awards citizens for their years of service, this could be accomplished on the season pass with something special - a silver pass for 25 years, let's say, which provides free Show Lovers and preferred parking services, along with a special entry line that skirts the entry lines. Names could also be acknowledged on a sign discreetly placed within the park. Some people might even be encouraged to keep buying passes for another year or two with the incentives offered. Yes, I could see this as reality.
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I like the idea of a reward for consecutive-year season passes. We have had season passes for many years, only missing one year. In the same way SDC awards citizens for their years of service, this could be accomplished on the season pass with something special - a silver pass for 25 years, let's say, which provides free Show Lovers and preferred parking services, along with a special entry line that skirts the entry lines. Names could also be acknowledged on a sign discreetly placed within the park. Some people might even be encouraged to keep buying passes for another year or two with the incentives offered. Yes, I could see this as reality.
YES! And a discount for the second, third pass. Maybe a "family" pass.
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Hollywood. I do understand what you are trying to say, but you really do not have a clue. Remember I said "I worked in that department".
No you dont use color print Simple black & white is fine.
the plastics are very similar to credit card plastics (which rarely break) I have ripped the paper (chipboard) cards that SDC uses though. I dont think I even seen 1 SF pass break.
the heads would get cleaned every morning before open. Takes a minute. lasts all day.
the cartridges would last a lot more than 250 cards. If memory serves right (from 2010) I think each printer used 3 or 4 cartridges the entire year.
The camera is a basic webcam that you can buy anywhere. We even used the software that came with the webcam.
and you paint the wall of the building a light drab color, for a backdrop.
As far as the wait for a family of 38,000 old people and 83,000,000 kids at 2-3 minutes a person. Well is that any different than a 2 hour wait for OR? In other words, season pass processing is no different than any other line. There are times that they are slow and no wait time. (not trying to be critical, just-a line is a line and can not be helped) BTW you can order your SF pass online or by phone. IF you have a pass for one year, and order by phone/online next years pass. they can use last years info and photo, and mail the complete passes directly to your home. SO no wait time. Im not sure what you meant about the BAFS, but the BAFS are just a paper pass with a barcode. The friend stands in the ticket taker line with the passholder the taker scans both barcodes, and both enter the park. (That is no different than SDC). A daily ticket works the same. You buy a ticket. you get a reciept, The taker scans the reciept, you enter the park. Same as SDC.
A picture ID is a wonderful thing in case of an emergency. We actually had to use the picture ID of a guest once when he got hurt on a ride. A picture pass, is also nice at ticket takers. You no longer need to fumble for your license and pass, just your picture pass is good for entry.
Now HOLLYWOOD---you did bring up one valid point. What building can the city use to do this? That is a great question. In which I do not have an answer, but SDC has the room (should they decide to implement this)
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Your points are valid, but on the business side it will drive up Season Pass Costs.
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Hollywood, maybe you are right, but a SF pass cost no more than an SDC pass $82 at SDC (not including tax)
SF pass is $81.99 (not including tax) for the first 3 passes. Buy 4 or more passes at SF and pay only $71.99 each (not including tax)
Plus you can use your SF pass to get in all 13 Sf parks free.
SDC passes wont even get you in White Water free not to mention Dollywood or the other 24 properties. HFE owns.
OF COURSE---parking is free at SDC. not at SF parks.
Im not saying SF is a better choice. SDC blows any SF park out of the water. But not because of pricing, because SDC is way up there now. --- Im just saying a true regular pass/ID card SHOULD not raise the price at all, of course I agree with you Hollywood. It WILL for sure. There is no reason it will, but it will. (I understand the first year startup costs, after the first year, the costs should not be more than the expensive chip cards they use now). Working in a printing company I can assure you that plastic stock (in this example) costs no more - and even less - than chip paper. Paper costs a fortune these days
I doubt they will ever do this, I dont care either way. I just know that I love "MY SDC" but working part time at SFSL, I do prefer some of the SF ways too. And the SF pass system is really better IMO. thats all Im sayin here.
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You mentioned another benefit that addresses this thread: actual benefits at other HFE properties. It would be nice to get into Dollywood and other locations with my pass. That would definitely be another incentive.
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You mentioned another benefit that addresses this thread: actual benefits at other HFE properties. It would be nice to get into Dollywood and other locations with my pass. That would definitely be another incentive.
Yup, like the Six Flags passes, get into other HFE theme parks free. Only thing those Six Flags don't cover are the stand alone waterparks. I noticed that if you had bought your six flags passes and you got four or more they upgraded you to the better pass and gave you free parking as well. Along with that and the food season passes and now the monthly membership thing. They are getting pretty innovative on that front.
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Guaranteed delivery of each issue of the Times.
And my thoughts on the photo ID season pass. I like it. If the MO DMV can make a drivers license I see no reason my SDC can't do basically the same thing. As for the long waits, yes, maybe at first, but once they cycle through the initial run of pass holders for the year(those that bought before the season started) I think it would be negligible. As for taking the picture, why couldn't they do it at the ticket counter? Stand against the wall and take your pic. I don't see why that would require a whole new building.
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Does anyone know: on a day when 10,000 people are in the park, how many of them are SP holders?
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You get in for 1/2 price at other HFEC properties, FWIW
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As prices for food have increased, I have been more and more discouraged to buy it. A deeper discount might make me spend my money on more food in the City.
I agree on the food discount, I also feel the quality and consistency of the food need some help.
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Guaranteed delivery of each issue of the Times.
I'll second that Larsonsix! I only received one issue last year!
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You get in for 1/2 price at other HFEC properties, FWIW
Which sounds good till you see the SF deal.
With the discount, I'm still paying over 100 dollars for a family of 4 plus parking isn't free at Dollywood.
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A day SDC opens early for SDC season pass holders only
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A day SDC opens early for SDC season pass holders only
Super --- SP appreciation days --- June 2-6, 2014. --- Exclusive ride times 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM just for 2014 SP holders.
I dont think "SUPER" knew this, and thats OK. Thats why he asked. I think this should be extended to include 1 Saturday and 1 Sunday though.
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Back a few years ago my Dollywood Gold Pass also got me into SDC and Whitewater for free with half price admission to Celebration City. That was a great deal as we spent a lot of time in both Branson and Pigeon Forge. HFE did away with those benefits though and cut it to half price admission at SDC and WW. The Gold Pass does get you free parking and 20% off food and merchandise at DW which helps. Dollywood uses photo passes and they don't take too long to get. Remember, you get the photo pass once and use that same one until it wears out. You simply renew your pass over the phone or internet and they just reactivate it. So really the cost of the photo pass doesn't seem too bad when someone renews their pass for several years. Renewal moves quickly because they already have all your info. SDC needs to go to the photo pass.
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I would like to see the appreciations days to run for 9 or 10 days, spanning over 2 weekends. :).
As far as photo-id?.... I also wondered why it could not be reused from year to year.?? With a bar code on a heavy plastic laminated card.. would be easy.
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When I look at the current benefits, we actually used none of them last year with the exception of BAF passes. I think they throw a lot of those in knowing most people will never use them therefore it cost the company very little money. At one time Dollywood was free , but that was several years ago and we all know you make no money giving things away.
Ducks, Dixie stampede , showboat, been there done that so those do not entice me at all. We are not purchasing season passes this year, but some things that might be nice.
Season pass-holder lounge with a few perks.
A certain number of preferred seating's a year at shows.
do not eat food on park, but food discounts seem to be popular with everyone.
Less restrictions on BAF passes. These are slowly being restricted more and more.
Pick a number, say 6 passes a year to bypass the lines on any attraction. Maybe combine these with the show option above.
I for one do not want to stand in line for a photo pass and the time it takes to process it. It goes through the shredder at the end of the year anyway.
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Remember folks...you can always copy your drivers license and laminate it to the back of your SP. I did it for the entire family last year and it worked like a charm.
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I'm just wondering where to draw the line here. I do use most of the perks that come with the pass, especially the BAF's and now that Compton Ridge is closed I'm guessing we will be using the discount at The Wilderness a lot more. But I'm going to play devil's advocate for a minute and ask just exactly how much more do we need? We are after all getting unlimited visits to the park for the price of about 2 one day tickets. I'm afraid if they started piling more and more "perks" on that the price of the passes would start to become unjustifiable for some. Perhaps I will start a new thread entitled "how many or what perks can they take away before you would quit buying season passes" ;D
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Well remember, most of the perks is discounts to "other" places. Not just HFE properties. These perks are not necessarily "costing" SDC anything. These are all basically advertising for these other businesses.
I didnt really use the BAFS this year, but they should be offered with every single season pass!! -- Not there were a number of discounts (perks) at other places like Golden Corral. We used several of those perks in 13. I would not STOP buying passes without these other places offerring discounts. But it sure does make me WANT to buy a pass even more.
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My vote goes for family pass.
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My vote goes for family pass.
HEY. OKIE- you might be on to something here. I never really thought about that, but it sounds like a plan. It has my vote also. (Of course I only need 2 passes, but it would be great for a bigger family). PTB. Listen up. This is a great idea!!!!
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1. A specific entrance for AP holders. We used to have one and it was wonderful.
2. Discount on Showlovers/Trailblazer passes
3. AP ERT nights/mornings (extended magic)
4. Priority seating at the first showing of the "main show" for that festival of the day
5. Early entry into the park (before rope drop) -- even 15 minutes would be fine
6. An AP Lounge with special drink and food choices only available to AP holders
7. Double Ride Thursdays. Flash your pass and stay on for another ride.
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A special add-on sticker for SDCFans