Great America, you frustrate me these days...

[Chirojon]

I just want to express my frustration over how they run some things, more specifically how they run these speedway coupons.As you all know or may not know, they have a deal with Speedway gas stations where you fill up (I think it's 8 dollars worth) and get a coupon for buy one get one free at GA. This is a very nice deal, especially since the ticket prices are a rip off to begin with.This is all fine and good, but wait. They restricted the days that you can go, from the coupon, to like several in May, and Several in April. What???!?!?! What is the point in this I ask? Is it to restrict those who get these coupons to going all on those certain days so they can....er....um...it's hard to think of a reason, correct?Well, what it probably comes down to (I'm speculating since I haven't checked into why this is first hand) is that they won't lose as much money for the coupon deal since they restrict people. Here's an example.Joe goes to speedway in May. Buys gas. Gets coupon. He then tucks it in his wallet until June, not noticing the fine lettering stating that it is restricted to those certain days. Low and behold, he takes his family to GA excited with this promotion. Oops, doesn't work anymore because that coupon expired basically, THREE MONTHS BEFORE THE PARK SEASON IS OVER.I think it is extremely illogical and pointless. Very bad PR move and if it is the name of business, a big thanks goes out to GA for their customer loyalties, all in the damn of money.Secondly, I remember when the park used to be open all September. Now the season closes in August!?!? I tried to take my cousins there (from Europe) last August and it was closed! I was shocked. It never used to be that way going there when I grew up.The park, sadly, just isn't the same anymore and is a financial draw from our pockets. I understand inflation, economy, overhead, etc., but for the sake of us, can't they give out those limited number of coupons to apply for the entire season!?!?!Too much to ask GA??Your's truly,a frustrated student in debt hoping to go to the park several times this year but now won't for financial reasons,John

[chiatrain]

Sorry to see that you're frustrated, chirojon. The Coke-can discount is good until early July as well, if I recall. There may be some coupons from fastfood restaurants that may be good for later into the Season. It the Speedway coupon was good in April, that would be a bad deal, because I don't recall SFGAm being open in April this year. I don't know of or don't recall any type of coupons available for Fright Fest in October/November. Also, SFGAm is usally only open on weekends before/after Labor Day, with the final weekend being somewhere in mid-September. SFGAm does gives its Season Pass holders coupons which span for most of the Season.

[stolen_starz]

dude, i thought you had to get 8 GALLONS of gas to get a coupon, not 8 DOLLARS.. i could be wrong where u live, but i live in michigan city and u have to buy 8 gallons for the coupon for buy one get one free.

[CoasterDave316]

Always read the fine print, my cousin was going to go with me this weekend and use the speedway buy one get one free with his sister. But after we read the fine print we found out that it expired the day before. Oh well, hes going next week with a coke can instead.

[stolen_starz]

our speedway things don't expire until august. my dad just got one last week. if u buy 8 gallons of gas, you get a buy one get one free admission.

[SFGA 11]

Chirojon- Now a days most parks don't open that much in September ( except for parks in warm temperatures like in Cal, Florida, Texas etc..), I don't know why,but most parks don't. This year in September SFGAm is open 8 days, and even Cedar Point is only open 11 days. They use that time in September to get ready for their Halloween events, like with decorations and stuff like that.

[Chirojon]

Yea, I understand that GA wasn't open in April this year, I made a mistake in my original post.I also understand that most parks aren't open in Sept., the only problem I have with that is that it used to be open in September. I grew up going to GA towards the end of the 80's and most of the 90's and had passes many years. We would go after school in Sept. A shame that this still isn't the case. Yes, they are open weekends in Sept., but the hours aren't the greatest I guess.Also, to the person who said that they had a Speedway coupon good til August, they are and that is true. Problem is, is that the "buy one get one free deal is offered only a few days in June and May. Completely stupid if you ask me. The other offer the coupon entails is the 5 dollars off the already rip off price of an admission. Much better off buying a pass I guess.

[Clonebiscuit]

It's not as if it's a god-given right to have a discount coupon. Of course the park is going to put restrictions on everything,it's simply smart business. I remember "back in the day",there were hardly ANY forms of discounts or freebies. Hell,if you read the back of a ticket one of these days,everything in the whole park could be closed except for the Whirligig,and they'd still be able to charge full admission price.

[Chirojon]

Hehe, funny comment about the wirligigI know that it isn't a right to have coupons, but it is NOT smart business to anger customers with petty restrictions on coupons. Why not extend the days into July and August for the coupon? Why not make it every day instead of certain days? This just isn't convenient to most.Also, "back in the day"? Back in the day, they didn't need to have promotions up the you know what because they didn't NEED to. I remember when tickets were under 20 dollars and passes were just over 40 dollars. It would never be necessary to have coupons with those prices. I know though, as like I said, there is the factor of the economy and such, but still.....I want one good reason from GA why these coupons are so 'limited' from Speedway. It just doesn't make sense, save for selfish business, not 'smart' business.Don't get me wrong. GA will always be near to my heart. I grew up there, got many passes there, smelled much puke on the ground there, worked there, fell in love there.....etc.I just wish that they weren't so stingy these days

[InsaneNewman]

Yeah, but "back in the day," prices for everything were alot less. It is smart buisness to make limitations, otherwise it wouldn't be a special deal. That's what "all rights reserved" means on the back of a ticket. The park has the right to set operating days and prices. Good reason? Enticing people to the park on slower days.

[Chitown]

$40 a ripoff? Not hardly. That price (if you are to lazy to get a discount), gets you at least 8 hours of unlimited rides, shows, and some attractions.If you compare that to how much you pay for a movie, see a ballgame, see a concert, etc., and those are usually only about 3 hours, you will realize that amusement parks are right in the vicinity of other entertainment for pricing.I grew up with Great America and I dont remember the park being open on weekdays in September. They also used to close the park for the season at the end of September.Now we get operation in October and also the first weekend of November.

[coasterguy]

In my opinion buy a season pass, it is the best deal they offer.

[coasterswimgurl12]

i definatley agree with you Chitown--i really only have one complaint and that is with the handicapp passes....they NEED to bring back the rule of having a doctors note because now i see people who rent wheelchairs and fake it to get a pass.....its really annoying...when my dad comes with us he has to get a pass beacuse he has trouble standing and walking around for a long time and when he does he gets in alot of pain and starts shaking, but now with all these people faking and making the line long for handicapp pass my dad is in pain waiting in those lines(some days arent bad, but when its crowded...yikes!!) whats with the preffered parking??? are they trying to raise money for a NEW ride??? hmmmmm

[Clonebiscuit]

I'd be more than happy if they relaxed restrictions on some of these coupons. Although my gf and I are SP holders,most of our friends are not,and it would be nice to bring a few of em with without breaking the bank. It's not as if the park is running to the bank every night with the day's admission money just in time to cover payroll checks. This is a park that charges 3 dollars for a 20oz Coca-Cola. That makes Disney World look affordable by comparison,and that's no easy task.But hey,I did get that nifty coupon book with my season pass! I can buy one bucket of rings at a County Fair game...and get one free! Finally,something to do other than stare at Deja Vu,muttering things under my breath...

[InsaneNewman]

Disney?!? Affordable?!? Have you been there lately? They're worse than Six Flags in every pricing aspect!

[coasterzak]

Sorry about that John, I know it's very dirty, but the world is all about money. They will do anything for a buck, even trick you into thinking they are saving you money.

[chiatrain]

I'll have to agree with Coasterzak on this one. The world today is all about money. The park charges $3 for a 20 oz. Coca Cola, because there are people who will buy it. SFGAm doesn't have to offer discount coupons via Speedway, Jewel, Empire, Dairy Queen, Coca Cola, or other methods. Perhaps Speedway's offer does have restriction dates, but it's hard to not find other available discounts that may useful during one's planned visit. Speaking of discounts, the new Jewel-Osco mail-saver is advertising a Great America sweepstakes. It states to check the in-store Jewel-Osco Spotlight for details.

[Clonebiscuit]

InsaneNewman,I refer to Disney as "affordable" simply because of the price to quality ratio. True,the Mouse's prices are ludicrist,but at least a majority of the food offered there is better than that offered at any Six Flags park. With the exception of an occasional gourmet burger in Orleans,I simply won't eat anything at GA anymore. I find it easier and more economical to take the 10 minute drive out to the local Chili's or Olive Garden. The last breadstick I had at the park tasted like a paper towel roll soaked in garlic butter and microwaved for 5 minutes.

[chiatrain]

Based on the price:quality ratio, Disney may have an edge. I agree that it's easier to take a short drive out of SFGAm to Subway or a local restaurant. During my visits to Disneyland and DisneyWorld, I don't remember eating outside of the park. I haven't eaten at SFGAm for awhile due to the high prices, but I would say Disney does have decent food(for its price). On occassion, I don't mind shelling out a few dollars to share a funnel-cake or a Churro(best deal within SFGAm).

[Chirojon]

Oooooooohhhh....I love the funnel cakes at GA.. Always have, always will...they melt in your mouthAnyway, the reason that I'm most mad about this coupon thing in the first place is because when I play Roller Coaster Tycoon II, I advertise with coupons with no restrictions. If I did, the customers would be mad. Plus, you can't put restrictions on the coupons in that game. Nevermind, however, that I jack up the park entry fee just because it is a huge money maker oh well, this world is about money most of the time. I just know, that when I practice someday as a Doctor, I plan on putting the patient first rather than soak them for money....It is just not in my heart to do thisso, it can be done. Ga is just another big corporation I suppose

[Chirojon]

I still haven't gotten a valid answer to why GA would limit the days with that one coupon. Really unintelligent if you ask me. With all the other deals and stuff they make money on, there is no reason to aggrevate customers with these limitations. If they don't want the coupons out there in the first place, don't have them. If they want to limit the number of customers that buy them...fine, just limit the number of coupons they put out.But for no reason would you ever limit the days customers can go on. Very stupid

[T_Biggs]

If you want to world to be run on the simple economic model of RCT2, we'd all be screwed. RCT, any itteration, is not real life. And you're complaining about something you were basically given for free. Nothing is truely free, and getting that coupon for filling up is as close to free as you'll get. You can't complain about something thats free, unless it will kill you. SFWoA has Coke cans that are buy one get one free. If it's not Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, it's only a $10 coupon. It only says it in the fine print, but because it's free, you can't (you can, but shouldn't) complain.If you want a good deal for getting in the park, just shell out a wad of money and get a season pass. It pays for itself very fast. Only 4 visits (not 3, like they say, because it's cheaper to get any day passes for 15... Unless that's price went up too.)Here is something I want to complain about. $10 parking! What is up with that!? The only logical reason I can think of is so they can make more thrilling pot holes. They could at least repave the lot if they charge 10-15 bucks for a single stall. I know, I know, it's cheaper to get a parking pass, but I don't go often enough to make it a good buy, and the lot would still have pot holes.

[Chirojon]

Tbiggs, you make quite the valid pointsI thank you for thatI know, everthing that is free should not be complained about, I just feel that they shouldn't have coupons at all that limit the days you can go. It's very very difficult as a student accumulating 10,000 per semester in loans and busy year round, to find time to go. Limiting the days of these great coupons is a frustrating point to me. I understand the pass system and how nice and how much that pays itself off ten-fold. I used to get one every year. But, that's just my opinoin on those stupid coupons.I can't agree with you more about parking. I totally forgot about that. THey have NO right charging that much. Parking!?!?! Why?I mean, they charge enough for entrance, they should be charging no more than 5 dollars for parking. This is an absolute maximum in my opinion.But, that's why I'm going into medicine rather than business. What do I know?

[coasterzak]

Yeah parking is a total rip off. That is why I have season parking and they even limit that. It is a sticker you must stick in your car's window and can't switch from car to car. So, to avoid my $8 parking I must have the ONE car that has the sticker. Mom is at work with that car, dad is out of town with the other, what do I do? I cheat the system. I laminate it and never actually remove the sticker. I can put it in any car I want now. They even try to take advantage of you with the season pass parking. Where is the world going now? I totally agree though with you Travis, nothing is free, and those SFWoA tickets made us mad so we just bought season passes again and that has made us quite happy guests.

[Chirojon]

haha zak, I like the laminated idea. Good way to get around it for sure.I remember in the day when my cousin and I would go into the parking lot through the drop off area (it used to be where it was connected, but obviously they didn't want you doing it). They never caught us and never checked our day sticker thingee, though they were checking cars at that time. It was great as we definately didn't want to pay the 10 parking ripoff fee.