Will Branson attractions lower prices like Six Flags over Georgia?

[rzrbkman]

I just heard the announcement on the Paul Harvey show that Six Flags over Georgia is lowering adult admission prices from $49.99 to $39.99 in order to boost attendance at the park. I believe other theme parks may have to mirror this move as long as fuel prices are like this.

[ggh]

It would be a welcome gesture, however....

Branson has a history of having record breaking numbers of visitors when the economy is at it's worse. When gas is high, folks tend to stay closer to home to vacation, and Branson is a centrally located Vacation destination for mid America - many folks can be in Branson in less than 6 hours drive time (if they all decide to come at the same time, I hope they'll let me know so I can stay home, lol).

I wouldn't anticipate seeing SDC, White Water, Celebration City or any of the theaters decrease their prices by any significant amount.... but it WOULD be a nice gesture!

[BeagleDad]

I know that Six Flags Over Texas has always been cheaper than SDC. The 'gate' price may be close, but you can always get a $10.00 off coupon anywhere you look. I have never paid full price for Six Flags, and have never paid anything except full price at SDC (with the exception of a season pass).

I don't think SDC is competing against other theme parks as much as they are competing against other Branson attractions. A round of mini-golf and 30 minutes on a go-cart, (or 2 hours at a show) and you have spent about half the price of a full day at SDC. That appears to be a good deal.

[OkieAnon]

I don't know about today but in the past if you would look at web sites on other properties that SDC owned in other states they had better ticket deals, better season pass benifits than they offered in Branson.... so they may raise their prices.

since a lot of us already have our season passes bought i'd love it if they'd cut prices inside the park a little bit on food and drink.

it wouldn't shock me to see some of the smaller places like the mini golf's or lesser known shows offer some family deals, better kid prices to entice people in... but as long as business is good that's probably a remote option.

[rzrbkman]

Originally Posted by OkieAnon

since a lot of us already have our season passes bought i'd love it if they'd cut prices inside the park a little bit on food and drink.

I agree OkieAnon. I realize that SDC has relaxed a lot on allowing visitors to bring snacks and drinks in, but since that is an unadvertised policy, I'm sure 80% of those same visitors are not aware of it. SDC has full right to charge whatever they want to for food, drink and souvenirs. However, as I look around at all those people that are in the park the same day that I am there I see visitors that are attempting to enjoy a real "family" place which is what SDC is. No vulgar language, obscene action allowed. All of that is wonderful and visitors pour into SDC each by the thousands buying $2.50 boxes of popcorn(probably the lowest cost to produce item in the park), $2.99 hot dogs etc. No one is forced to buy any of that but try explaining all of that to children. SDC provides many wonderful memories but I also have one memory that I will never forget. One of the 1st years that Lost River was open and of course the lines were long all day to ride(late 80's?). 16 oz glass bottles that regularly sold for 69-89 cent in most convience stores at the time, SDC was selling same size Coke products for $1.50 a bottle to all those in line that were thirsty and wanted to buy one( I bought one and it was good). I worked at large supermarket for 8 years but I guarantee you SDC still outsold the store I worked in and that size bottles could be purchased by the truckload for 45-50 cents. My point is it looks like SDC could still lower some food prices and still make a huge profit. I then might be inclined to turn around and buy some souvenirs, that I don't normally purchase, when I realized that I had spent a lot less on food/drink.

SDC is a wonderful place to get lost in for awhile and just get away from some of the daily turmoil of life, but at the same time I believe, in my opinion, SDC could be a little more family-friendly in their food prices. They don't have to but thats what I believe and that is my message for this board.

[ggh]

SDC has always allowed you to go into the park, get your hand stamped (or use your pass/ticket) to return to the park. As a child I can remember going to the car and having sandwiches and chips, and returning to the park... and we've done the same thing numerous times with our children.....now they do it with theirs.

SDC, has the least expensive food/drinks inside an amusement park I've seen. It's not as cheap as buying it at the grocery store, and fixing it yourself, but it's reasonably priced, IMO.

[BeagleDad]

One thing I will give SDC credit for is their free general parking. They are one of the few places that doesn't charge $5.00-$10.00 just to park your car. That is equal to about 4 'free' cokes in the park

[djmrl68]

I don't see Branson losing a lot of tourists this year because of the gas prices, since most of them come from a 300-400 mile radius. However, I think that the tourists that come will probably cut back on their spending once they get to Branson to make up for the difference in fuel spending. (Most people have a certain amount of money budgeted for vacations--once they reach their limit, they stop spending.) Branson already has a Gas Busters gimmick. They'd be wise to take that to a higher level, giving 5-10% discounts off of participating attractions/shows/hotels instead of $1 off here or $1 off there. That way people wouldn't have to cut their trips shorter or shave expenses on food/lodging/attractions. Branson would probably see an increase in traffic and spending if they offered something like this.

[rzrbkman]

Originally Posted by ggh

SDC has always allowed you to go into the park, get your hand stamped (or use your pass/ticket) to return to the park. As a child I can remember going to the car and having sandwiches and chips, and returning to the park... and we've done the same thing numerous times with our children.....now they do it with theirs.

SDC, has the least expensive food/drinks inside an amusement park I've seen. It's not as cheap as buying it at the grocery store, and fixing it yourself, but it's reasonably priced, IMO.

"Reasonably priced" to some may not mean reasonably priced to others when they think of that term. Do you think, for example, that the oil companies believe that fuel prices are currently "reasonably priced"? On the other hand, if you asked the next 10 adults that you meet on the street if fuel prices are reasonably priced I'm sure you would get a different opinion.

[rzrbkman]

Originally Posted by BeagleDad

One thing I will give SDC credit for is their free general parking. They are one of the few places that doesn't charge $5.00-$10.00 just to park your car. That is equal to about 4 'free' cokes in the park

I never did understand the concept of charging those people who are already coming into a place of business to spend money, an additional fee to park. I'm glad that I rarely have to deal with that. The last time was 2 years ago at a Royals-Cardinals game.

[OkieAnon]

Originally Posted by ggh

SDC has always allowed you to go into the park, get your hand stamped (or use your pass/ticket) to return to the park. As a child I can remember going to the car and having sandwiches and chips, and returning to the park... and we've done the same thing numerous times with our children.....now they do it with theirs.

SDC, has the least expensive food/drinks inside an amusement park I've seen. It's not as cheap as buying it at the grocery store, and fixing it yourself, but it's reasonably priced, IMO.

I agree I think they're pretty reasonable on their food prices as well, guess what I was thinking about is that if they're looking at ways to draw folks in during the hard times right now, wish they'd make cuts someplace besides the ticket price. if they do cut the ticket price then at least throw us something for those that bought season passes early. part of the sales pitch was to get a better price, or get extra baf's to buy early, now if they would turn around and cut prices it seems like we'd be getting the raw end of the deal.

but then reading the attendence figures over the last couple of weeks that have been posted here.... I don't think they're close to cutting anything.... if anyone makes cuts it'll be the smaller places in town that have to compete against SDC

[ggh]

Originally Posted by rzrbkman

"Reasonably priced" to some may not mean reasonably priced to others when they think of that term. Do you think, for example, that the oil companies believe that fuel prices are currently "reasonably priced"? On the other hand, if you asked the next 10 adults that you meet on the street if fuel prices are reasonably priced I'm sure you would get a different opinion.

Compared to other entertainment venues, SDC's food/snack prices are less. Springfield Cardinals wants $7 for a hotdog, $2.50 for a coke (or is it $3.50?). A beer at the game is $5.50, and popcorn is $3 or $3.50. I haven't been to Six Flags in years, but I'm betting you can eat for less at SDC.

Go to a restaurant, and eat a smiliar meal to what you'd eat at SDC, and the prices are going to be about the same. Granted, you won't find a $1 value meal at SDC. Is a funnel cake at Cakes and Cream less than one at SDC?

---- Granted, I could fix a good Nathan hotdog, with grilled onions and peppers, on a whole wheat bun, with a little mustard and have a coke at home for roughly $1.50. If I buy beer by the case, It's gonna be less than $1/bottle, and even with the price of flour the funnel cake wouldn't cost more than .50 to make it at home.

Don't forget to use your SDC season pass discount when you eat at SDC to make the prices even more 'comparable'.

[StarsRUs]

Originally Posted by ggh

SDC has always allowed you to go into the park, get your hand stamped (or use your pass/ticket) to return to the park. As a child I can remember going to the car and having sandwiches and chips, and returning to the park... and we've done the same thing numerous times with our children.....now they do it with theirs.

SDC, has the least expensive food/drinks inside an amusement park I've seen. It's not as cheap as buying it at the grocery store, and fixing it yourself, but it's reasonably priced, IMO.

Us too ggh...we've left the park to go have a sandwich in our car. Left the park to go eat at a restaurant and then returned..and we've always taken bottled water and snacks into the park with us.

You're also right, compared to other venues of that type, SCD is reasonable on their eats.

I don't see them lowering any of their prices, though it would be a nice gesture!

[Jalva2]

SDC's food prices are very much in line with theme parks all over the country. You're a captive audience, they can charge more. No different than zoo's or any other such place.

They charge what the market will bear. No more, no less. Judging from recent posts, SDC is already booming this year. I wouldn't expect a price break given that, and I don't blame SDC a bit for not providing it. Only when crowds begin to thin, or when in-park sales begin to decline, will you see more than the normal discounts emerge.

[Tyann]

I think Six Flags in St. Louis charges $12 -$15 just to park.

And when you go to a Cardinals game, you are looking at $12 -$15 also to park. However, if you can hike, park down at the landing in St. Louis for only $5, and then walk up to the stadium.

The free parking at SDC is a great benefit!