One of the most popular theme parks in the country is facing massive backlash from Guests after quietly increasing its prices.
With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is impossible to deny the many changes that have happened in many aspects of our lives. Changes have been felt worldwide in one way or another, from problems with supply chains to inflation. Guests visiting theme parks have also experienced different health measures being updated and enforced, including mask mandates and social distancing.
Credit: Busch Gardens
These changes have caused theme parks to try and adapt as best as they can, trying to maintain a pleasant experience for Guests while still making a profit out of Park operations. This has recently led a couple of theme parks to make questionable decisions.
Credit: Busch Gardens
Guests recently noticed a price increase almost hidden at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, which is now adding a 5% surcharge, on top of taxes, to all checks. While the purpose of these surcharges is not specified, it is most likely due to issues stated above, such as supply chain issues and inflation. While small, this is still not something most Guests will like to see while visiting an already pricey theme Park.
Credit: Busch Gardens
An image of these surcharges was shared by BGWFans (@BGWFans) on Twitter, who received it from an anonymous friend of the site. It is pointed out that the use of small dark text on a constantly changing screen makes the announcement hard to notice for Guests.
Just how scummy is this new surcharge? An anonymous friend of the site sent us this photo from Trapper’s Smokehouse. The new disclaimer is in small, dark text on a darkened background on a digital menu screen where the prices could have been changed just as quickly. Disguising.
Just how scummy is this new surcharge? An anonymous friend of the site sent us this photo from Trapper's Smokehouse. The new disclaimer is in small, dark text on a darkened background on a digital menu screen where the prices could have been changed just as quickly. Disguising. pic.twitter.com/u4uxYmdOPV
Hastin (@hastin) added to the conversation by comparing it to when SeaWorld Orlando implemented a similar system. He commented that both Parks use digital menu boards and could easily adjust the prices on the food directly instead of adding the 5% in such a hard-to-distinguish way. It is worth pointing out that the SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment company operates Busch Gardens and SeaWorld Parks.
This killed me at SeaWorld Orlando too. You have digital menu boards – raise the prices!
(Unless there’s something they know about the current prices – consumers see them as too high already.)
Busch Gardens Williamsburg, in Virginia, is an incredibly popular theme Park that welcomes thousands of locals and tourists annually. Home to attractions like Apollo’s Chariot, Verbolten, Invadr, Griffon, Tempesto, The Lock Ness Monster, and Escape From Pompeii, Busch Gardens Virginia packs thrills and joy for the whole family to enjoy! And let’s not forget Pantheon, the Park’s newest coaster, which opened recently.
Credit: Busch Gardens
Pantheon is a roller coaster capable of competing with the most thrilling in the world, including Jurassic World VelociCoaster at Universal Orlando Resort. The company describes the ride as follows:
Pantheon, the world’s fastest multi-launch roller coaster, is officially launching at Busch Gardens® Williamsburg on March 25, 2022. Members will have exclusive opportunities to ride on select dates, Now – March 13! Harnessing all the speed and strength of five of the greatest Roman gods, this record-breaking coaster stands 180 feet tall with a top speed of 73 mph, and features a 95° drop, 4 launches, 5 air-time hills and 2 inversions.
Credit: Busch Gardens
We recently saw Busch Gardens Williamsburg launch and modify a challenge involving five of the Park’s most popular coasters, Griffon, Alpengeist, Pantheon, Invadr, and Verbolten, which sparked polemic as some of these coasters were unavailable during the first day of the challenge.
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Credit: Busch Gardens Williamsburg
