good pics Swoosh. Thanks for the effort.
On the money note. I used to HATE fees and piddly charges, but Im starting to understand them more. The IDEA behind them are good. I just wish they would pan-out as planned. While I DO NOT want SDC to turn in to SFSL or even WOF. I really dont mind the locker idea much. SDC is already tons cheaper than SFSL (if for no other reason-FREE parking).
--Now think about this. Since I used to work at SFSL just a few short years ago, I do know this. Every single day that SFSL is open, there are 2000 employees on hand. If everyone was paid Min. Wage (which only about 500 are, the rest get paid more). The total payroll bill for a day (at min. wage) is $14,700. If memory serves, the average weekend attendance at SFSL is approx 15,000. Weekday is about 3000 I would guess. Now you figure all the season pass entrants (especially during the week). I can remember them saying that actuall paid attendance $$ during the week was (at times) was as little as $500 and weekends can be as small as $10,000
--Generally I remember them saying that (day-to-day) paid attendance on a weekly basis, very rarely did better than breaking even with payroll. Then consider power bills/insurance/maintenance/ETC. These parks MUST throw extra fees and exhorbant food/souvenier costs, just to stay alive.
Now SDC is a bit different, because SFSL is a lightly populated park with about 80% attendance is season pass. SDC is probably NOT that heavily populated with season pass traffic. Likely more daily paid attendance, just because Branson in itself is basically tourism.
And realize (unlike SF theme parks). SDC is basically by itself (Yes I know HFE has many attractions). SFSL doesnt really make money, but SF parks in other areas do. (Like Chicago, and several in CA). SDC must rely primarily on SDC Without having "sister parks" to help cover losses.
