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All things Knotts Berry Farm
- Thread starter Phroobar
- Start date
Ismael Flores
Well-Known Member
Knott's announced that they will be extending peoples season passes whatever amount of time the park is closed and they are also still taking payments for people on monthly plans.
Anyone have an idea of how they will handle that especially since their passes are seasonal and not yearly?
So lets say that the park is closed 2 months, that means that every 2020 season pass will be extended till February 28 what happens for those that want to renew for 2021?
Will knott's reduce the rate of the season pass for 2021 the amount equivalent to two months?
I would think that NEW passes would still be effective January 1, -2020 to December 31, 2020 at full price.
OR
Will Knott's revise their policy and do what Disney just announce and reimburse the charges already paid during the closure and suspend payments. They would then maintain their own season pass schedule by ending all passes end of year?
Disney did the change after a few annualpassholders micechat was on the news protesting that Disney was still taking their monthly payments even though parks were closed completely ignoring the fact that the pass was going to be extended.
Anyone have an idea of how they will handle that especially since their passes are seasonal and not yearly?
So lets say that the park is closed 2 months, that means that every 2020 season pass will be extended till February 28 what happens for those that want to renew for 2021?
Will knott's reduce the rate of the season pass for 2021 the amount equivalent to two months?
I would think that NEW passes would still be effective January 1, -2020 to December 31, 2020 at full price.
OR
Will Knott's revise their policy and do what Disney just announce and reimburse the charges already paid during the closure and suspend payments. They would then maintain their own season pass schedule by ending all passes end of year?
Disney did the change after a few annualpassholders micechat was on the news protesting that Disney was still taking their monthly payments even though parks were closed completely ignoring the fact that the pass was going to be extended.
Darkbeer1
Well-Known Member
Cedar Fair is a LOT different. Every one of its parks, other than Knott's, is seasonal.
They have announced they will add operating days at the end of the original 2020 Calendar to make up for it.
https://www.cedarpoint.com/park-update
>>For 2020 Season Passholders, we will be adding days to the park’s operating calendar to accommodate for the days the park is temporarily closed (against original 2020 operating calendar). Additionally, 2020 Season Passholders will enjoy added-value benefits to be announced at time of park opening.<<
At Knott's, they decided to add days to the end of the original expiration date for 2020 SP holders.
www.knotts.com
>>Additionally, for existing 2020 Season Passholders who are unable to use their pass during our temporary closure, we will extend your pass by the number of days Knott’s Berry Farm is closed. <<
Now, Knott's/Cedar Fair failed to address the renewal issue. I presume that Cedar Fair just didn't react that deeply, just making the quick and needed decisions, and waiting to find out the actual dates they can reopen each park, which might be different.
Now, we know for guest relation purposes, it will have to be addressed. The question is how...
The main options are.
1) Give some type of relief to 2020 SP Holders that want to renew. A lower price, a credit based on what they paid, or similar situation. And not just on the actual 2021 SP, but the add on's like the drink plan, the food plan, photo package, etc.
or something a bit more off the wall.
Convert Knott's back to an Annual Pass park.
For the first few years, Knott's operated as an AP park, starting with the Knott's family ownership, and then when Cedar Fair took over. At the time, Knott's was using a different ticketing system than Cedar Fair. (Same as when CF bought Paramount). I had to "sign in" at Guest Relations when visiting Cedar Fair, Canada's Wonderland, etc. with my Knott's Platinum Pass.
Cedar Fair finally got a new ticketing system, including new hardware and software in all parks. This was also when they stopped placing photo's on the passes, and stored them in the computer instead. Knott's went to SP's, and monthly payments became possible, as the computer could easily block passes that the payment didn't go through (and change them back when resolved). Also allowed to streamline and make the SP program a chain-wide marketing effort and calendar.
But that system will be able to accept a different expiration date, due to the extension of the 2020 Knott's SP's.
So instead of worrying about the renewal of the passes. Just start an Annual Pass program for Knott's (Cedar Fair's only year round park).
So when the 2020 SP holders passes expire in the Spring of 2021, they can just buy a new Annual Pass when ready, maybe a small discount if you renew at the time of expiration.
I don't see Cedar Fair suspending payments.
They have announced they will add operating days at the end of the original 2020 Calendar to make up for it.
https://www.cedarpoint.com/park-update
>>For 2020 Season Passholders, we will be adding days to the park’s operating calendar to accommodate for the days the park is temporarily closed (against original 2020 operating calendar). Additionally, 2020 Season Passholders will enjoy added-value benefits to be announced at time of park opening.<<
At Knott's, they decided to add days to the end of the original expiration date for 2020 SP holders.
California's Best Theme Park & Amusement Park | Knott's Berry Farm
Fun is always in season at Knott’s Berry Farm! With dozens of rides, roller coasters, & attractions in five themed areas, there is something for everyone!
www.knotts.com
>>Additionally, for existing 2020 Season Passholders who are unable to use their pass during our temporary closure, we will extend your pass by the number of days Knott’s Berry Farm is closed. <<
Now, Knott's/Cedar Fair failed to address the renewal issue. I presume that Cedar Fair just didn't react that deeply, just making the quick and needed decisions, and waiting to find out the actual dates they can reopen each park, which might be different.
Now, we know for guest relation purposes, it will have to be addressed. The question is how...
The main options are.
1) Give some type of relief to 2020 SP Holders that want to renew. A lower price, a credit based on what they paid, or similar situation. And not just on the actual 2021 SP, but the add on's like the drink plan, the food plan, photo package, etc.
or something a bit more off the wall.
Convert Knott's back to an Annual Pass park.
For the first few years, Knott's operated as an AP park, starting with the Knott's family ownership, and then when Cedar Fair took over. At the time, Knott's was using a different ticketing system than Cedar Fair. (Same as when CF bought Paramount). I had to "sign in" at Guest Relations when visiting Cedar Fair, Canada's Wonderland, etc. with my Knott's Platinum Pass.
Cedar Fair finally got a new ticketing system, including new hardware and software in all parks. This was also when they stopped placing photo's on the passes, and stored them in the computer instead. Knott's went to SP's, and monthly payments became possible, as the computer could easily block passes that the payment didn't go through (and change them back when resolved). Also allowed to streamline and make the SP program a chain-wide marketing effort and calendar.
But that system will be able to accept a different expiration date, due to the extension of the 2020 Knott's SP's.
So instead of worrying about the renewal of the passes. Just start an Annual Pass program for Knott's (Cedar Fair's only year round park).
So when the 2020 SP holders passes expire in the Spring of 2021, they can just buy a new Annual Pass when ready, maybe a small discount if you renew at the time of expiration.
I don't see Cedar Fair suspending payments.
Darkbeer1
Well-Known Member
ALL of Cedar Fair's park, including California's Great America, are seasonal except for Knott's.
The season pass makes sense for Cedar Fair, Six Flags and many other parks. Heck, Universal and SeaWorld San Diego also use it in some form.
Getting people to renew and/or purchase at a lower price, while the parks are not operating gives them a much needed cash flow.
I did mention the possibility of Knott's, and just Knott's, going back to AP's, but I think it is not very likely. Just that it was an option.
I wrote an email asking them this and basically they said they are committed to providing fair compensation for passholders, but won't make a decsion on that until they know how long they will be closed.
Knott's could do what Six Flags is and upgrade everyone's pass one level and adding some extra perks to the highest level in addition to extending passes and coming up with something for those renewing.
Darkbeer1
Well-Known Member
There aren't as many levels at CF compared to SF, But Cedar Fair has publicly stated >>Additionally, 2020 Season Passholders will enjoy added-value benefits to be announced at time of park opening.<<
So extra perks are part of the plan for every SP holder.
The response you got from Guest Relations said it very clearly, when they know the exact date they can reopen, they will announce their actions, based on the length of the closure.
Any rumors on the expected Knotts expansion? I wonder if it has been pushed back a few years or will they still announce it this year?
Darkbeer1
Well-Known Member
Who the heck knows...
As Cedar Fair has been saying, once we know when we can reopen, we will make the decisions on moving forward. And that still stands.
Darkbeer1
Well-Known Member
Dear 2020 Season Passholder,
As we all continue to navigate this unprecedented situation, we want to thank you for your continued patience and support of Knott’s Berry Farm. Our team would like nothing more than to open our park and welcome you back. Clearly that is not an option for us right now, and our priority is to keep everyone safe --- our valued guests, our amazing associates, and our cherished communities.
Given the uncertainty around our park reopening, we want to share how we will manage 2020 Season Passholder benefits:
Sincerely,
Jon Storbeck
Vice President & General Manager
Knott's Berry Farm
Edited to add, Knott's is also suspending payments as of April 4th. When the parks re-open, payments will resume until the pass is paid in full, and then your pass will be valid in 2021.
As we all continue to navigate this unprecedented situation, we want to thank you for your continued patience and support of Knott’s Berry Farm. Our team would like nothing more than to open our park and welcome you back. Clearly that is not an option for us right now, and our priority is to keep everyone safe --- our valued guests, our amazing associates, and our cherished communities.
Given the uncertainty around our park reopening, we want to share how we will manage 2020 Season Passholder benefits:
- 2020 Season Passes and purchased 2020 Season Pass Add-On Products (if applicable) will be valid for the remainder of 2020 when our park is able to re-open.
- Additionally, 2020 Regular, Gold and Platinum Season Passes (as well as purchased 2020 Season Pass Add-On Products) will remain valid through the 2021 Season, ending December 31, 2021.
Sincerely,
Jon Storbeck
Vice President & General Manager
Knott's Berry Farm
Edited to add, Knott's is also suspending payments as of April 4th. When the parks re-open, payments will resume until the pass is paid in full, and then your pass will be valid in 2021.
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Rich T
Well-Known Member
Wait a sec’ —- Better than Ghost Rider?
Ghostrider beats me up too much. Hang Time and Silver Bullet are smooth.
TP2000
Well-Known Member
And that letter was clear and simple and honest, yet polite and genuine. Classy!
Disney and TDA's communications department could learn a thing or two from Knott's.
Most definitely, really they are setting a great example that other parks, including Disney should try to emulate.
choco choco
Well-Known Member
Dear Knott's,
Just received your e-mail about honoring the 2020 Season Pass for all of 2021. For doing such a generous thing, you have guaranteed a pass purchase from me for 2022.
Keep up the good work,
XOXO
Just received your e-mail about honoring the 2020 Season Pass for all of 2021. For doing such a generous thing, you have guaranteed a pass purchase from me for 2022.
Keep up the good work,
XOXO
Ismael Flores
Well-Known Member
thanks for posting this, It answers the questions that we have been asking.
should probably add this whole section to your post …..
-For 2020 passholders participating in our Easy Pay program, we have automatically suspended monthly billing as of today, April 4, 2020, and will continue to do so while the park is closed. When the park reopens, billing will resume.
Passholders will need to be current on payments in order to receive both 2020 and 2021 season pass admission and associated benefits.
The last sentence in that part of the email might be quite important for those on a payment plan.
It specifies that the passholder would need to be "current on payments" in order to receive the benefits. the suspension of monthly payments is probably to help out those that might be out of work at the moment but that statement sounds like those payments would have to be made once parks re-open and before the season ends.
I wonder how they would handle that? would they divide that additional amount and add it to the remaining payments?
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