SeaWorld pass loses splash
Annual passes to the theme park look no different than the regular 1-day ticket.
By Walter Pacheco | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted December 31, 2004
SeaWorld Orlando's new annual passes have some regular customers longing for their old status symbol.
When SeaWorld Passport members renew their annual tickets, they no longer get a sharp-looking, credit-card-like membership ID that clearly advertises their status as year-round visitors with exclusive benefits.
Instead, they are issued a thin, bendable-plastic ticket, much like a regular one-day admission.
"If I'm paying for something that costs more than $100, I want it to reflect that price," said Marcos de la Cruz. "I don't think a thin piece of plastic is enough."
Passport members pay from $80 for a silver passport to more than $300 for a platinum passport that offers a multitude of benefits, from two years' free admission and parking at several Anheuser-Busch theme parks to discounts on food and merchandise.
The old Passports featured colorful designs, such as smiling whales and polar bears. The new tickets sport less-colorful designs, but SeaWorld officials say they are just as durable as the old ones -- and more convenient.
"Since switching to the new and improved thin-plastic ticket, SeaWorld guests can purchase their passes 50 percent faster," said Joe Couceiro, SeaWorld's vice president of marketing. "Due to the new technology, these new passes can be purchased at any ticket window, not just at the Passport Center."
And if the new ticket should become damaged or unreadable, SeaWorld will replace it for free, spokeswoman Jacquelyn Wilson said
"I expect that SeaWorld is saving money by switching from the hard plastic to a thinner one," said James Zoltak, editor of Amusement Business, a trade magazine. "But members like the hard plastic because it's a kind of status symbol that you want to share with your friends."
SeaWorld would not comment on any cost savings, but local printers said the company could be getting the new passes for half the price of the old ones.
Of course, Passport holders such as Renee Maldonado are keeping the change in perspective.
"What really matters are the benefits," Maldonado said. "I mean, that's what I'm paying for. But I'll miss the little creatures that I loved showing off to my friends" on the old cards. "I guess they'll make fun mementos."
Walter Pacheco can be reached at wpacheco@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-6262.
Annual passes to the theme park look no different than the regular 1-day ticket.
By Walter Pacheco | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted December 31, 2004
SeaWorld Orlando's new annual passes have some regular customers longing for their old status symbol.
When SeaWorld Passport members renew their annual tickets, they no longer get a sharp-looking, credit-card-like membership ID that clearly advertises their status as year-round visitors with exclusive benefits.
Instead, they are issued a thin, bendable-plastic ticket, much like a regular one-day admission.
"If I'm paying for something that costs more than $100, I want it to reflect that price," said Marcos de la Cruz. "I don't think a thin piece of plastic is enough."
Passport members pay from $80 for a silver passport to more than $300 for a platinum passport that offers a multitude of benefits, from two years' free admission and parking at several Anheuser-Busch theme parks to discounts on food and merchandise.
The old Passports featured colorful designs, such as smiling whales and polar bears. The new tickets sport less-colorful designs, but SeaWorld officials say they are just as durable as the old ones -- and more convenient.
"Since switching to the new and improved thin-plastic ticket, SeaWorld guests can purchase their passes 50 percent faster," said Joe Couceiro, SeaWorld's vice president of marketing. "Due to the new technology, these new passes can be purchased at any ticket window, not just at the Passport Center."
And if the new ticket should become damaged or unreadable, SeaWorld will replace it for free, spokeswoman Jacquelyn Wilson said
"I expect that SeaWorld is saving money by switching from the hard plastic to a thinner one," said James Zoltak, editor of Amusement Business, a trade magazine. "But members like the hard plastic because it's a kind of status symbol that you want to share with your friends."
SeaWorld would not comment on any cost savings, but local printers said the company could be getting the new passes for half the price of the old ones.
Of course, Passport holders such as Renee Maldonado are keeping the change in perspective.
"What really matters are the benefits," Maldonado said. "I mean, that's what I'm paying for. But I'll miss the little creatures that I loved showing off to my friends" on the old cards. "I guess they'll make fun mementos."
Walter Pacheco can be reached at wpacheco@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-6262.
:lol:
