The last time I played I decided to have a go at using the priority pass system. After the issues that with this that we had in the beta I did so with a degree of trepidation. I was pleased to see that the system works much better now. However, based on what I observed I can't help but wonder if the mechanic has changed a little from what was originally discussed in the livestream.
In the livestream they mentioned that the key was to strategically place information kiosks near to your more popular attractions so that guests who didn't like the look of the queue would be tempted to buy one. It was seen as a way of 'monetising' your big expensive attractions.
What I observed however, was a bit different.
Guests appear to arrive at the park with a pre-formed decision about whether they are prepared to buy a pass or not. Those that don't say things like "priority passes are for suckers" when they walk past an info kiosk. These people can never be tempted to buy no matter how bad the queues are.
The rest are willing to buy and base their decision on a number of things:
- price "I'm not paying that much for a priority pass"
- which rides have priority pass queues (so they won't buy if none of the priority pass-enabled rides are to their taste) "priority pass isn't worth that much to me"
- how long the normal queue is on the rides "I won't save that much time by buying a priority pass"
Why does this all matter?
Because I learned that there's no point in doing what was originally suggested in the livestream and putting info kiosks in strategic locations. The only info kiosk that actually made any sales was the one at the park entrance. Those that wanted to buy one did so on arrival. The info kiosks scattered around the park all closed because the vendor resigned out of boredom because those that were willing to buy had already done so.
Now I guess this is a more realistic way of doing it anyway. Most parks sell their priority pass on entry or even in advance of arrival.
How could we use priority pass in the originally intended manner (to monetise our more popular rides)?
Keep the existing mechanic for park-wide passes. The guests that want one buy one on arrival. Those that don't, don't. BUT give the option to sell 'one shot' priority passes for a single ride at an info booth conveniently placed near the ride entrance.
Customer heads to rollercoaster. Gets to the queue.
"I'm not queuing that long for Rollercoaster"
Customer sees info booth
"Only 5 dollars to skip the queue? Bargain"
Customer buys priority pass, goes on the ride and feels very happy. Park manager is happy because they've squeezed an extra $5 from a guest.
What have other people observed from using priority pass on their parks?
P.S I'm happy with it the way it is now, I'm not saying we have to go back to how it was. Now that I know how it works I can design accordingly. I just suggesting how it could be developed.
In the livestream they mentioned that the key was to strategically place information kiosks near to your more popular attractions so that guests who didn't like the look of the queue would be tempted to buy one. It was seen as a way of 'monetising' your big expensive attractions.
What I observed however, was a bit different.
Guests appear to arrive at the park with a pre-formed decision about whether they are prepared to buy a pass or not. Those that don't say things like "priority passes are for suckers" when they walk past an info kiosk. These people can never be tempted to buy no matter how bad the queues are.
The rest are willing to buy and base their decision on a number of things:
- price "I'm not paying that much for a priority pass"
- which rides have priority pass queues (so they won't buy if none of the priority pass-enabled rides are to their taste) "priority pass isn't worth that much to me"
- how long the normal queue is on the rides "I won't save that much time by buying a priority pass"
Why does this all matter?
Because I learned that there's no point in doing what was originally suggested in the livestream and putting info kiosks in strategic locations. The only info kiosk that actually made any sales was the one at the park entrance. Those that wanted to buy one did so on arrival. The info kiosks scattered around the park all closed because the vendor resigned out of boredom because those that were willing to buy had already done so.
Now I guess this is a more realistic way of doing it anyway. Most parks sell their priority pass on entry or even in advance of arrival.
How could we use priority pass in the originally intended manner (to monetise our more popular rides)?
Keep the existing mechanic for park-wide passes. The guests that want one buy one on arrival. Those that don't, don't. BUT give the option to sell 'one shot' priority passes for a single ride at an info booth conveniently placed near the ride entrance.
Customer heads to rollercoaster. Gets to the queue.
"I'm not queuing that long for Rollercoaster"
Customer sees info booth
"Only 5 dollars to skip the queue? Bargain"
Customer buys priority pass, goes on the ride and feels very happy. Park manager is happy because they've squeezed an extra $5 from a guest.
What have other people observed from using priority pass on their parks?
P.S I'm happy with it the way it is now, I'm not saying we have to go back to how it was. Now that I know how it works I can design accordingly. I just suggesting how it could be developed.
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