There’s so many perspectives and angles of looking at this topic. Are we too entitled? Would it be different if the said attraction was outside of the parks gates? Should we have to pay? There’s so much to talk about so let’s begin.
Okay, I’ll begin with using the Dungeons at Alton Towers for example. As a merlin annual pass holder we get into these style of attractions free elsewhere. Therefore why would we want to pay for this inner theme park attraction when we could visit elsewhere? I understand the “entitlement” issues surrounding passholders and I get it I really do. But on this topic why would a passholder wish to pay £5 for these dungeons when elsewhere is free?
Outside of the passholder situation. As a day guest who would pay for entry would you fancy paying even more money for inside the park attraction? Personally no I wouldn’t. One of the reasons would be the prices of entry into the park alone. Some UK theme parks cost almost £50 to get into. Therefore I wouldn’t expect to pay an extra £7.50 or more on an attraction which once operated for free under a different theme!
When I think of an attraction which is within a theme parks grounds that I’d happily pay for my mind comes down to Pasaje Del Terror. It’s actually next door to the entry gates therefore you’d expect to pay to enter. I feel some attractions can be justifiable especially ones which may cost more to run therefore it’s understandable to pay to ensure the park makes a profit. The likes of Jungle Escape at Thorpe Park is another attraction I think is fair to charge for. As escape rooms elsewhere aren’t necessarily or free.
Of course the parks have to make a profit to ensure future investments and improvements. Therefore some up charge attractions are fair. Not to forget that the charge will limit the amount of people entering and often come with time slots to ensure the best possible throughputs and minimum queues.
There is so much to consider when discussing this topic and some of which I’ve probably left out, so don’t come for me. I’ve spoken about the fewer facts which spring to mind when talking about this subject. I do understand and respect parks decisions on upcharge attractions as of and when they feel necessarily. But I also feel that if owning an annual pass gets you free entry within a specific attraction outside of theme parks then it should be the same inside a theme park too.
Let me know your thoughts on this topic in the comments or across our socials.
Thank you for reading..