Seems a bit of an odd decision to remove passes from sale now, with just over a month of the theme park season remaining. There was a time my pass expired around this time of year, I'd have been livid if I hadn't been able to renew and found myself without access to scarefest and fireworks. Maybe they've got something lined up?
Seems a bit of an odd decision to remove passes from sale now, with just over a month of the theme park season remaining. There was a time my pass expired around this time of year, I'd have been livid if I hadn't been able to renew and found myself without access to scarefest and fireworks. Maybe they've got something lined up?
What’s new compared to the old date checker? The new one gives me the same expiry dateNew MAP expiry date calculator can be found here
https://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/information/new-expiry-date-calculator
The extended expiry date is no good if you can't make use of your pass.
For some reasons, I had vision that greedy M£rlin will still run it's pass discount promotion over the winter despite the fact that it is virtually impossible to use them
What’s new compared to the old date checker? The new one gives me the same expiry date
AgreedCan't believe that many people would want to renew in the current climate anyway. People should tell 'em to stick their passes somewhere not very nice until they officially confirm that they're lifting restrictions on passholder bookings completely, or at least limit passholders to having a maximum of 2 'live' bookings and make it possible for passholders to book a day if there are still fully paid day tickets available. They've treated passholders with disdain this year and don't deserve the custom. Each to their own though if you're THAT desperate to line Merlin's pockets.
I think the removal of the booking fee was in part due to complaints, the T&C’s didn’t allow a booking fee unless it was classed as an “event” they couldn’t argue every day was an “event” so removed it to avoid issues.Agreed
There’s a fine line between getting revenue back through the gates and then blatantly telling ppl that have already paid you can’t get in. Shocking behavior. I’m sure there some consumer credit act that can be applied. Seems like the virus is a good excuse for Merlin.
Do we know what the annual pass numbers are on weekends and half term as no booking available at all.
Maybe taking the £1 fee off Prebook was a bad idea
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But under term 25, Merlin can change the terms and conditions as long as they give 30 days notice. They could've quite easily changed the terms and conditions due to the current operating conditions, which, let's face it, are far from normal at the moment.I think the removal of the booking fee was in part due to complaints, the T&C’s didn’t allow a booking fee unless it was classed as an “event” they couldn’t argue every day was an “event” so removed it to avoid issues.
I believe terms like that are typically unenforceable. General rule being if the business can change something with no consequence, but the customer cannot, it's invalid.But under term 25, Merlin can change the terms and conditions as long as they give 30 days notice. They could've quite easily changed the terms and conditions due to the current operating conditions, which, let's face it, are far from normal at the moment.
I'm surprised they've been selling passes over the last six months though. I don't think I'd buy or renew one right now.
I believe terms like that are typically unenforceable. General rule being if the business can change something with no consequence, but the customer cannot, it's invalid.
For sure a court would have no interest. Consumer rights journalist who had a bad day out though...For a £1 booking fee, I really don't think it would be an held up in court if people really did try to complain its an unfair additional term.
But they should have managed the bookings by limiting it to two live bookings per park per pass instead. Or if they really couldn't get the tech to do it, then a larger refundable deposit.
For sure a court would have no interest. Consumer rights journalist who had a bad day out though...
Also interesting that all park specific passes were removed yesterday at the same time. I get the feeling the pass system might become more tightly controlled by Merlin, rather than having parks generate their own products in competition with Merlin.
Given Thorpe Park have been offering annual or season passes at around £50 for years, Merlin definitely know and I don't think that is the issue.
I think it is the capacity issues at Fright Nights and ScareFest is the main current issue. Given basic tier passes are valid for those anyway there is no point selling more season passes anyway.
Agree on the current issue being capacity, and it's about this time park passes start to disappear and replaced with next year's passes being advertised.
The questions in the MAP survey really make me think they're moving pass management entirely to Merlin. Options for single park passes, theme park passes, full attraction passes, entry time options, and drinks options. Makes me wonder if we might even see a bolt on pass system appear similar to some US parks.
Is there any chance the Season Pass won't come back next year?
I hope it does, as it's great value, i know the survey was for Merlin annual passes but one of the option was for a park specific pass (season pass under a different name) but the price was much higher.
While the situation since the Covid outbreak hasn't been ideal, with season pass holders struggling to book due to reduced capacity, i don't think we should be arguing for big price hikes as a good thing somehow.
"Pay once, come back all year" is a lot better than "Pay a much higher price, and only get in after 2pm"