My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Covid

Should attractions charge less?

42 replies

heatherj96 · 21/06/2020 14:48

What is everyones opinions on this topic? DH and I have opposite views on it.

For example our local farm are charging the same price as before and all the in and outdoor play areas are closed ( they have a large soft play and park with zip line) also they have a train which is again closed, cafe is take out only and you cannot take a picnic... they don't have a huge range of animals either!

Do you think the price should be the same as usual or less?

OP posts:
Report
Letseatgrandma · 21/06/2020 14:49

It wouldn’t surprise me if the prices will be higher, to cover costs.

Report
user1752463586 · 21/06/2020 14:50

How would they cover their costs?

Report
Tentatively · 21/06/2020 14:52

I think they should charge more not less.

Report
Doyoumind · 21/06/2020 14:54

They need to cover their costs and make up for the months of closure but they also need people through the door. I think it's a balancing act and I wouldn't pay for an expensive day out where I didn't have access to many of the normal facilities.

Report
Browzingss · 21/06/2020 14:58

It’s the visitor’s responsibility to do their research before paying for tickets/entry; presumably these changes due to COVID guidelines are publicly listed, so buyers were aware before deciding to part with their money? They chose to pay the same price whilst being aware they wouldn’t have the same experience as pre-COVID. Therefore I don’t see what the problem is. If they think they’re being ripped off at that price, they don’t have to visit and part with their money.

Report
PersonaNonGarter · 21/06/2020 15:03

I think they should charge more not less.

Hmm

If they are offering less then they’ll need to charge less. Otherwise they will go out of business as they lose customers. Some people may pay more to support the business, some won’t.

Report
helpfulperson · 21/06/2020 15:06

If you want them to remain in business I think they need to charge what they did before.

Report
ClashCityRocker · 21/06/2020 15:25

They'll need to charge what the market will bare (bear?!) and hope that it's enough.

As PP said, it's a balancing act.

There may be an advantage in lowering prices to get more people in, depending on how many they can have in with social distancing measures.

Or they may be able to fill as many places as they are able to at full price, even with the reduced facilities, in which case they would be foolish to lower the price.

Report
KeepYourDistance2m · 21/06/2020 15:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

heatherj96 · 21/06/2020 15:47

@KeepYourDistance2m No not heard of that farm sorry!

I think prices are fine to stay the same, DH believes less people will go as they don't want to pay the same for less which I understand. Especially when you do not have a lot of money to begin with paying £9.50 for a 3 year old to see a few animals then have to leave is a bit steep!

I will be going at some point because I have been going since I was a child and would hate to see it close!

OP posts:
Report
Laiste · 21/06/2020 15:51

Anywhere with livestock to keep feeding/housing/healthy i don't mind paying the usual full price of entry. Plus the cost of keeping grounds tidy.

The animal care and general upkeep is probably what the majority of the full cost goes on.

Taking out the actual of running a few rides would equate to the price only going down by about 50p per head i imagine.

Report
Letseatgrandma · 21/06/2020 15:52

Especially when you do not have a lot of money to begin with paying £9.50 for a 3 year old to see a few animals then have to leave is a bit steep!

Well, you have the choice. If money is that tight, I would be going to the park to feed the ducks.


However, businesses like this have to comply with regulations and people stop going, they will be forced to close.

Report
sweetkitty · 21/06/2020 15:57

I was actually thinking of Walt Disney World (we were meant to be going next month) when it reopens there’s to be no parades, characters meets and greets, shows, fireworks etc plus you have to reserve your actual days you want to go to each park before you go (even a year in advance) and your paying a lot more than this year.

I’m not surprised every attraction will be the same to make up for lost revenue

Report
Laiste · 21/06/2020 16:23

Apart from the loss of revenue over lockdown they will have had to have paid out for all the social distancing paraphernalia and infection control stuff ready to open.

I'd rather pay the same as usual now in the hope that they're still there this time next year and so on.

Report
heatherj96 · 21/06/2020 17:15

@Letseatgrandma I am not talking about myself I am taking in general many family's have 2-3 children so a day out at this farm would be £40-50.

I am lucky that I can afford it and my DC loves animals so its worth it for me she could stay all day 😄

OP posts:
Report
OfUselessBooks · 21/06/2020 17:51

I think it's too to charge the same...but as long as you're up front about it.

We have a season ticket to an attraction. It has been closed for half the season and even now only half of it is open (we bought it for the amazing adventure playground, which is also closed). No events either, which we would have got in for free. I'm stuck thinking that u have to go and walk around some gardens ten times just to get my money's worth! Very cross with them. I am happy to pay for charities though (e.g. rspb), just not private businesses.

Report
OfUselessBooks · 21/06/2020 17:52

Sorry that should have been "fine" to charge the same.

Report
Hugglespuffed · 21/06/2020 18:01

I wouldn't pay that much to get in to somewhere that I can't even take a picnic too. Yes I want places to survive but paying that much, you also need to make it worthwhile.

Report
girlicorne · 21/06/2020 18:35

I think they need to keep their prices as they are to survive even if the service is reduced and if we don’t agree with paying we aren’t forced to go. We have been at our local zoo today, all the indoor viewing was closed probably about 25% of the animals. It was still full prove but I didn’t mind paying as their struggle has been very public. We still had 5 hours there so value for money I think!

Report
DownstairsMixUp · 21/06/2020 18:42

I agree. I've got an annual zoo pass and won't renew until it's all normal, why should I pay full price when a lot of it isn't happening ie the soft play, no picnics, no indoor cafe...

Report
DownstairsMixUp · 21/06/2020 18:43

Also you have to book slots at the zoo and a lot are sold out, if you have an annual pass then I already have paid for days I'm missing out on

Report
helpfulperson · 21/06/2020 18:46

The reason you pay full price is so that is still available to you when you want it. Very many of these places will shut.

Report

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

Heatherjayne1972 · 21/06/2020 19:55

Most attractions will become expensive now
They have to cover their costs

I feel for them. Too high and the price puts people off =less People /money coming in
But too low and they can’t meet their outgoings
Not great either way

Report
BlusteryLake · 21/06/2020 19:59

Lots of leisure activities will become more expensive. Fewer people will go, but fewer people are allowed in at any one time so there will probably be enough people willing to pay more for less for the sheer joy of getting out of the house. So the increased price model probably is sustainable for the short term.

Report
Clymene · 21/06/2020 20:02

I am waiting for all the people who have complained about reduced facilities at the same price to be absolutely outraged that their favourite attractions have gone out of business

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.