At Theme Parks, a V.I.P. Ticket to Ride

[Scuba]

The haves must hate having to share space with the have-nots ...

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/10/business/at-universal-park-a-vip-pass-to-help-lift-revenue.html

As stratification becomes more pronounced in all corners of America, from air travel to Broadway shows to health care, theme parks in recent years have been adopting a similarly tiered model, with special access and perks for those willing to pay.

Now Universal Studios Hollywood has pushed the practice to a new level. It has introduced a $299 V.I.P. ticket, just in time for the summer high season, that comes with valet parking, breakfast in a luxury lounge, special access to Universal’s back lot, unlimited line-skipping and a fancy lunch. V.I.P. visitors also receive “amenity kits,” which include mints, a poncho to wear on the “Jurassic Park” water ride and bottles of hand sanitizer.

...

But others see it differently. While there is no “Occupy Universal” movement blossoming, some customers contend that the park has created a conspicuous class system that threatens to overshadow the fun. “It creates haves and have-nots, which is disturbing,” said Robin McQuay, a teacher and fervent fan of theme parks. “There’s this feeling of, ‘Aren’t you a loser because you can’t afford to be a line-skipping V.I.P.?’ ”

She added, “Oh, sure, by all means zip to the front of the line with that grin while the rest of us sweat it out next to the screaming baby.”

Sigh. Oh well, perhaps this will help rouse the rabble to action.

[graham4anything]

1. this is 3x the amount at Disney yet more people love to rail at Disney.

btw, anyone ever go swimming with the dolphins? Do you know how expensive that is for what amounts to what, 15 minutes?

[RockaFowler]

18. $300 - Last I checked

We went to Discovery Cove when it first opened 7 years ago and we paid $100 each for the park (a bit overpriced, too). That gave us free drinks all day and a lunch. It also gave us 7 days unlimited at Sea World Orlando. Now that same ticket is $200 and the Dolphin tickets are $300. That's crazy!

[William769]

2. We did V.I.P tickets two years ago at Disney & Universal.

I thought it would be great. I was wrong. It takes the experience out of the theme park (at least for me it did).

I will not do it again.

[onehandle]

3. In Atlanta, Republicans changed the HOV lanes, to 'pay to pass traffic lanes.'

Expect a lot more of this in the future.

[HughBeaumont]

4. They'd better not do this to the D.C. HOV lanes, damn it!

[Recursion]

5. What do you think the Dulles toll road is?

Or the 66/495 paid interchange?

[HughBeaumont]

6. I'm talking about the 270 HOV lanes, which remain free.

Don't go to Dulles and, thanks to EZPass, can now take the 200 ICC to my sister's, avoiding the 495 circle of danger.

Just don't need another toll road there.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

10. not only is it a fucking rip-off to 'give' those lanes to a toll company

it is also bullshit that they pretty much only affect the gwinnett commuters. i cannot believe they got away with that shit...

sP

[Phentex]

19. I don't remember hearing about it until just before the lanes were changed...

I still think it was a boneheaded idea even when they try to claim how much revenue it has brought in. I don't think the number of people using it makes any difference in traffic at all.

But now at least I have heard them talking about doing it on other roads like I-75. However, I think they plan to add new lanes for that and not just take away a lane.

I still can't figure out what out of towners with a carload of people do. I suppose they just sit in traffic. Before, those with groups could at least use the HOV lane!

[Erose999]

20. I don't suspect that will last, I never see anyone using the pay lanes. Screw Gov. Shady Deal.

[n2doc]

7. They have had line skipping tickets for a long time

And frankly, I wouldn't go to a park without one. Who wants to spend 80% of their time sitting in lines for hours, just to ride a 5 minute roller coaster? As far as I can tell, a lot of the people going to theme parks in Florida are on season passes, and are just there to go on the rides. I only go once a year at most, and it is a special occasion for us to travel all that way. The one time I didn't go for the line skipping passes, we rode 2 rides before the kids gave up. Still had to pay the hefty entrance fee.

Now this- I would not pay $300 per person. But I could see how someone might if they really wanted to make it a special day.

[Nye Bevan]

8. Disney charges $300+ PER HOUR for this, with a 6 hour minimum.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/vip-tour-services/

Universal's $299 per day is quite the bargain by comparison.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

11. but this is PER GUIDE... not PER PERSON

so... still a bargain ...

sP

[Nye Bevan]

12. OK, good point.

But Disney's $300 per hour does not include park admission, while Universal's $299 per person does.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

13. oh, snap ;-)

[madmom]

9. Stuff like this is why I refuse to go to "amusement" parks...

what's so "amusing" about standing in line for hours for a 3 minute ride? What's so amusing about heat prostration? What's so amusing about spending hundreds of dollars for the a fore mentioned "fun"?
Try going camping, visit a national park, go see the Grand Canyon, or the bad lands. This, IMO, is MUCH more amusing not to mention educational as well.

[Scuba]

14. + One Zillion

[Buzz Clik]

16. A zillion? Really? You only get one vote, Scuba.

You're starting to act like you have a DU VIP Pass.

[Scuba]

17. Bwahahahahah. Good one! DUzy

[Buzz Clik]

15. To action? Against a theme park? The ultimate symbol of American decadence?

Don't hold your breath.

[kiva]

21. "It creates the haves and have nots"

Of course, one could say that about going to Universal Studios and other theme parks at all.

Edited to remove unnecessary snark.

[Scuba]

22. Very true.