In the past few days, Merlin Entertainments have revealed a string of changes to the popular Annual Pass Drinks Capsules that can be bought at Alton Towers. On Friday, the changes were revealed in a note on the Official Merlin Annual Pass Facebook page. In previous years, the capsules were available for £16 and then allowed unlimited refills of the cup throughout the year at Alton Towers, THORPE PARK, Chessington World of Adventures, LEGOLAND Windsor and Warwick Castle. Passholders often commented on the good value of the product as it allowed 12 months worth of free refills.
From this season, the capsules will instead cost £1.99 – but refills will be charged at 75p each. This means that if you fill your cup more than 18 times in the year then you will be worse off under the new payment scheme. According to Merlin Entertainments who carried out a survey on 900 passholders, “[they] visited nine attractions each year, filling their capsule twice each time” which was what the new pricing was based upon. Obviously some people will genuinely receive a saving or better value from the new scheme, but others are wary of it – saying that they will lose out.
Alongside the price change, the new capsules will be “smaller to make sure your drinks stay fresher and fizzier for longer” and will feature an “Anti-Wasp message” in order to stop people from tipping their drinks out into nearby bushes. Equally, a non-fizzy option will be added so that people not fond of fizzy drinks can be catered for. Despite these improvements, the atmosphere on the Official Facebook page has been rather hostile. The original note has amassed over 500 comments and a further post of clarification has received over 1,000 comments – most of these negative. An unofficial Facebook group entitled “Say NO To Merlin Pass Drinks Capsule Price Increase” has also been set up.
Frustration generally seems to stem from the fact that during the recent January Sale (and still currently on some attraction websites) the 12 month unlimited drinks capsule was advertised as a perk for passholders. Members of the public appear to feel misled as this offer has been revoked before the season even began. Equally, people are wary of the small print that went with the announcement – stating that the prices of capsules and refills can be changed at any time with no notice.
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Update
Merlin Entertainments have today (Monday 17th February) released a further statement on their Facebook page. They state that they have been following the comments posted on their page over the weekend, however “as is very clear in the terms and conditions of the Pass when your purchase, these benefits may be subject to change at any time.”
They go on to say “It is also a decision we have made primarily for practical reasons, both to minimise waste and in response to visitor complaints relating to mess around our attraction food outlets and its potential to attract wasps and other insects, particularly on warm days.”
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