Silverwood Raises Rates (again)

[coasterlover]

$35.99 for a one-day pass in 2007. Granted, we are getting new attractions, but considering Knott's is basically $40 (and only $33 if you are a California resident) and Disneyland is $63, at what point does Silverwood become "not worth it" for two aging woodies?

I still love SW but I'm starting to wonder how many years in a row they'll keep increasing their prices???

[65skylark]

I think there are a few things you have to factor in when considering Silverwoods admission price as compared to other parks.

I think the biggest factor is location. Silverwood basically has no competition. Now that doesn't mean they should be able to jack up there prices just because they are the only show in town but you really can't compare them to any Southern California park (or any California park for that matter). In Southern California alone, you have two Disney parks, SFMM, Universal, Seaworld, Lego Land, Knott's, and a handful of smaller parks, all within a shorter distance of each other than Silverwood is to Enchanted Village. In a market like that you are going to find discounted prices.

Another factor is Boulder Beach being included with admission. Head to Magic Mountain and you are going to pay upwards of 90 bucks if you want to do the water park too. Silverwood, IMO, is really a full day, if not two, of you really want to stay and enjoy Boulder Beach. And Boulder Beach as it is right now is nicer than Hurricane Harbor at SFMM and Soak City at Knott's IMO. Add the new slide, wave pool, and eating area and you are really going to have a nice water park.

Another overlooked value when visiting Silverwood is parking. 15 bucks to park at SFMM, 14 for Disney, and at least 12 for every other major park in California. Just factoring in what you save for parking makes that 35.99 entry fee more like 28.99 to 30.99 as compared to almost every other park on the west coast.

The last thing for me is when my family and I drive up from Portland we like to spend two full days to really take our time and enjoy both parks. Silverwood's two day price saves people like myself even more of the standard one day ticket price.

I hear what you are saying coasterlover, there comes a point when you want to see things level off at least until another big attraction is installed but I honestly think Silverwood is very fairly priced.

[skinnyguy]

^Well said, though I do agree that at some point it has to level off. One other thought I had is that the things SW adds every year are pretty "major" compared with what's available around here in the PNW. To us coaster junkies, an extra water slide or a drop tower is a pretty lame excuse for raising the price, as it is no big deal. Different story for those who haven't traveled around and experienced thrill rides like us. To many, it could be something they've never seen before.

I don't know if that's entirely true, but it was just what came to mind as I was thinking about this.

[Bud Parsley]

I'm actually one of these freaks who believes that the more you raise rates, the more riff-raff you keep out of the park. I for one would gladly pay $100 for a day at Disneyland if it meant that that's what it takes to maintain a family atmosphere. And I believe this is why parks like SFMM have their problems...because you can pay $50 or so and get in as many times as you want for the entire season.

So if SW needs to raise rates to maintain a quality family park, then by all means, go for it. If it means that this extra $ filters out some seedy guests, all the better. I also believe it helps maintain the park's cleanliness and upkeep, which are also extremely important as the park continues to age and grow.

We don't want SW becoming another Enchanted Village or SFMM. It probably won't because it's not an urban-based park, but at the same time, raising prices can't hurt and it seems to be working each year in keeping SW a clean, safe place to visit.

[65skylark]

^ Another very good point, Bud. I truely believe one of Six Flags biggest problems (if not there absolute worst problem) is there very low priced season passes. You are absolutely right when you say we don't need another Enchanted Village or SFMM.

[styvx]

sw is a destination park and like bud says, sfmm is an urban park. so you have two totally different experiences here. sw won't suffer from those type of problems. most they can suffer from is that they don't get people coming to their park cuz its so far away from everything. so they have to keep people coming back each year, and making the drive, which seems to be kinda contradictory to raising prices.

[65skylark]

^ I agree that SW and SFMM are two very different parks, but SFMM attracts people from much further away than SW. People regularly travel from all over the US to visit SFMM. Portland is about as far away as SW's market reaches. SW is much more a regional park than SFMM, again with little to no competition. If you live in the Pacific Northwest, and you want to ride even ONE good roller coaster, then you can drive to SW in a reasonable amount of time and expense, or you can make a 10 hr or more drive (depending on where you live) or fly to the next closest park with a decent coaster. Yet another reason SW is a good value - it doesn't cost a fortune to get there.