I don't disagree with "VIP" stuff. What I am against is the wholesale, in your face, up-sell that just reminds you continually of everything you don't have with a Standard or Premium pass. It's the wording I object to, and the brash marketing practice, not the idea of what are actually premium, not VIP, services.
Do they valet park your car?
Offer you drinks upon your entry, and special area for you to sit with complimentary this or that?
They nearly get it right with fireworks as a special treat thing, so long as it doesn't encroach on the normal guest experience who pays plenty to visit already. Nothing wrong with those kinds of services at all. If you want to treat yourself or someone else, why not?
The "VIP" pass is not a VIP pass. That's not the worst though, it's the whole "VIP" rubbish that's everywhere - all over park, VIP this, VIP that - get this front row seat or that experience etc - all the while other people are looking at their pass thinking, well wtf am I paying for then?
That's more my point. There's nothing wrong with choosing different service packages depending on what you want, it's when it cheapens the experience of everyone else and actively advertises how it encroaches upon your experience as a normal paying guest, or different level card holder.
But then, that's EXACTLY why they do it. It's no mistake, it's a heinous attitude towards their other customers to cream off more coin.
Really crap attitude. Kind of things I'd stand face to face with Varney and challenge him on.
One day.... one day. (Not in a creepy way lol!)
I think the problem with the passes is that more and more people are buying them (probably because entry to the theme park goes up, but the passes are still really good value).
I believe the original reason for the standard and premium pass was because of London, and too many people turning up with passes in London. So they introduced the two passes, standard had no parking and no London in August (pretty much). However this has clearly meant over time more and more people have bought premium passes and less have bought standard, which leaves us with what we have now. A standard pass full of so many terms and cut off dates most people wouldn't know them, and a premium pass which also seems to be getting more and more terms.
They have kind of gone wrong with their whole system, prices have been too cheap and heavily promoted throughout the year, which has meant they have sold so many, meaning too many annual pass holders are turning up unexpected. Thorpe you now have to pre-book for any events no matter what pass you have, and the same seems to be happening to the London attractions.
It wouldn't surprise me if next year they introduce a new "premium" pass which once again has no real restrictions but at a higher cost than what we have now.
Has anyone actually contacted Merlin Annual Pass about the renewal prices sent out in the email?
This time? It happens every year. Then people forget by Feb half term and carry on handing their money over.
I'm still struggling to subscribe to people's grievances here, and I am far from pro-Merlin, but fair is fair.
The sale is for new passes and not renewals. The renewal price is more than last time..........prices do rise, I do not understand the issue really.
Forgive me, but the price of a new pass has fallen to £119/£149 - that is the sale.
The sale is for new passes, not renewals - I literally cannot be any clearer.
As said Tescos can't sell a bottle of wine for £8, then increase the price to £12 and immediately say they have a sale of £9. It's price gouging, that is what people are annoyed at.