BAF's being replaced with "guest pass"

thelarsonsix · November 03, 2011, 05:29:25 PM

After some speculation in another thread about this, I asked about this on their Facebook page today:

Quote from: Silver Dollar CityThank you for asking David! The 2012 Season Passes should be available for online purchase by Saturday, November 5th. And yes, the new "Guest Program" that is in your November Times is replacing the past "Bring-A-Friend" program. We look forward to seeing you in 2012!

This is how they are described on the back page of the Times:

Quote from: SDC November TimesSeason Pass holder must accompany guest & present pass, photo ID and matching voucher valid during the correct date at any ticket booth to receive your FREE guest ticket

So I'm guessing they are actually going to start keeping track of who is using the free tickets. Sounds like the passholder will actually receive vouchers that have to be exchanged for actual tickets at the park. I really wonder how much thought they've given to this considering what it's going to do to the ticket booth lines. For example, we buy 6 season passes and frequently take 5 or 6 people with us to use the BAF's. Now, according to their instructions, all 6 of are going to have to go to the ticket booth, show our ID and season pass, give them the voucher and get the actual ticket one at a time. Take that x the number of pass holders each year who use baf's x the 5 different date ranges they are available and it sounds like an absolute disaster waiting to happen at the ticket booths.

shavethewhales · November 03, 2011, 05:41:16 PM

Interesting. I assume they've got the the details figured out though, I'm sure they think these things through more than we might think.

It's good that they're overhauling a system that's been abused so much though. It's gotten crazy how many people try to sell their BAF passes these days, and how many people are out there are constantly begging for them just to get cheap tickets.

This way, they keep the functionality without getting rid of the perk entirely. It was nice being able to treat some people with them through the forums though.

sanddunerider · November 03, 2011, 06:04:33 PM

I am also glad they are redoing the system.. WAY too many people abusing it! ..

rubedugans · November 03, 2011, 10:16:05 PM

Check eBay...hundreds of dollars are spent each day by people buying the BAF coupons. Though this does bring revenue to the park, it is not the right way of doing things. I have never sold, nor have I exchanged them for anything...I figure it is not something for me to profit from since it was free to me in the first place.

thelarsonsix · November 03, 2011, 10:54:44 PM

I'm not saying I don't understand the reason-I do. The execution of the new plan is what I have my doubts about. They could have very easily fixed the BAF abuse by having the pass holder go thru the turnstile right before or after the BAF and scanning the tickets. That seems a lot easier and a lot less delay causing than going and exchanging each voucher for a ticket, but I guess they would rather hold up the ticket booth line than the turnstiles. I'll see how it works but if I'm going to have to stand in line for 30 or 45 minutes each time I want to take someone to the park with me then I probably won't be doing that very often anymore. No one that I've ever taken has left the park spending zero money. If they stay at home because I don't feel like the hassle of the ticket exchange then the park makes nothing on them.

BAF's are a big part of why I buy everyone in our family a season pass. If this turns out to be a tremendous hassle for us, then SDC may see a lot less of my money in 2013. I could buy 3 passes and use the "guest passes" for the other 3 members of my family.

I hate to sound like Chicken Little here but I really don't see this as a step forward or good at all for guest relations with pass holders. Perhaps I'm wrong and each time we'll only be delayed at the ticket booth for a minute or so. But somehow I doubt it.

mhguy77 · November 03, 2011, 11:31:24 PM

QuoteBAF's are a big part of why I buy everyone in our family a season pass. If this turns out to be a tremendous hassle for us, then SDC may see a lot less of my money in 2013. I could buy 3 passes and use the "guest passes" for the other 3 members of my family.

You hit that on the head. If they make this difficult I will only buy 1 pass and 2 of us will go on prescribed guest dates. They are trying to fix the loss of ticket sales but these BAF tickets are being used as a " break " in these tough times, and I mean a financial break.
I HAVE given my BAFS away and not shown up with my " guests" at the gate. The last batch I gave to a young guy at work for him his new wife and child. This made me feel good to help someone on a budget get to enjoy a day at the park. They would not have gone had it not been for the BAFS, this guy also spent $60 at the candy store.

I enjoy helping others get in free but I don't necessarily want to go with them and play entertainer. It makes it easy that I can just give them away. If this is taken away then the seasons pass will begin to look less attractive. It would be my bet that a lot of people use them like this and many may be put off by this change. If they screw with this much there may be a backlash. One they might not see coming in 2013.

oldsdcer · November 04, 2011, 12:29:12 AM

Over the laast few years I have not seen the season pass holder ever open. This would save a lot of time in the ticket booth lines to separt passholders from the daily ticket buyers.

pintrader · November 04, 2011, 06:12:59 AM

Quote from: oldsdcer on November 04, 2011, 12:29:12 AM
Over the laast few years I have not seen the season pass holder ever open. This would save a lot of time in the ticket booth lines to separt passholders from the daily ticket buyers.

I agree it would save time and be a plus for guests visiting the park. But with attendance being down SDC probably doesn't want to add more people when they are getting the job done with less.

U Smell Smoke · November 04, 2011, 06:07:21 PM

I hope this new guest pass program works for them. Just curious...how often does everyone have to show their picture ID when entering with their season pass? It seems like almost all of the time I pick the line where you have to show ID while the line next to me is not required to show anything. Maybe I look as though I should be on a "no fly" list. I still wish SDC would switch to a season pass similar to Dollywood with the picture already on it. It's great, you don't have to get a new one every year, they simply reactivate when you renew and they are much more durable.

thelarsonsix · November 04, 2011, 06:13:37 PM

I have always been asked for ID. Anymore I just have it out and ready. My kids are asked for the birth date most of the time as well.

sanddunerider · November 04, 2011, 06:59:20 PM

i give them my ID every time... they always look and check and I'm on my way!

cheesehead57 · November 05, 2011, 03:40:19 PM

We always give our ID's with the passes and get a howdy welcoming us back .

Gilligan · November 05, 2011, 05:53:43 PM

We have ALWAYS been asked for i.d.

cocodane3 · November 05, 2011, 07:02:46 PM

Season passes should be made like a drivers liscence. Agreed?

sanddunerider · November 05, 2011, 07:04:58 PM

agreed.

Somebody else had mentioned that the DW passes have pictures on them.

BAF's being replaced with "guest pass"

pintrader

cocodane3