The scariest thing about “Frightfest” is the customer service
As a marketer, I’m impressed when someone finds a way to extend the life of a seasonal business. Six Flags has done just that by introducing their fall “fright fest” to capitalize on the ever popular fascination with all things Halloween. Seems like a good idea, right…
Well it works. My Wife & I took our 2 kids & 2 of their friends to Six Flags New England, yesterday. The weather was PERFECT and the place was packed. So whats the problem?
Unfortunately, their signature ride - “Superman” was closed for the season. Bummer. Next, they impose a policy of no re-entry after 4:00 PM. That means that all of the families that packed a cooler (which is banned from the park) and planned on a little picnic at the car had that idea dashed upon entry.
Well, now that the park has built in a crazy demand for dinner, surely they have taken measures to satisfy that demand, right? - WRONG! Every food vendor appeared to me to be understaffed & overwhelmed. At least the food staff didn’t appear to be overly concerned or overly stressed. They moved as if they didn’t have a care in the world and the lines which I counted to be anywhere from 34 - 62 deep didn’t phase them a bit - Bravo!
When I’m forced to pay $9 bucks for 4 chicken strips & fries and $3.50 for a diet coke can you at least get it to me in a REASONABLE period of time. When I have to pay $75.00 for what would amount to less than $20 bucks at McDonalds, can you at least staff the place appropriately. Is this asking too much?
The bottom line is this - when you come up with a great idea like fright fest, don’t treat it like bonus income or icing on the cake. Don’t try to squeeze every dime out of the customer. Don’t go light on the staffing. Maybe even train the staff to give a crap about the consumer.
I won’t be heading back to fright fest or any other Six Flags property any time soon. Am I overreacting, or do I have a legitimate point here?
October 30th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Yes you are being very reasonable,but you have to understand that its an amusement park!
They have to make their money an thats how they make it. I agree that they’re staff could have been better and you could have gotten a better deal, but at amusement parks you should expect some high prices!