no more free beer

[fearfall]

just read this about seaworld, must admit i always looked forward to stopping off there http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/business_tourism_aviation/2009/01/no-more-free-be.html

 

[wayneg]

Thats a shame, I am not much of a drinker but I did enjoy going in and getting a free sample every visit, did about 8 seaworld days this year so got my fair share. Never visited the one at Busch.

 

[paulh]

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/business_tourism_aviation/2009/01/no-more-free-be.html
used to be best drink out there ice cold and best of all free
Paulh

 

[DCLMan]

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's bad. The credit crunch is hitting hard. InBev are obliviously not into giving something for nothing.

 

[PaulaSB12]

Inbev always said they intended to sell of all the theme parks so of course the free beer is stopping.

 

[UKDEB]

We have two threads running on the same topic, so I've merged them.

The Anheuser Busch family connection and that company's philanthropic philosophy was a big part of Sea World's appeal for me. InBev is a fairly big employer in Gloucester (since they bought out Whitbread's brewing operations several years back). I know people who work for them and let's just say I doubt they even know how to spell philanthropy, let alone execute it. The tie-in between them and Sea World is totally incongruous to me. It doesn't surprise me one bit that they've pulled the plug on the free beer sampling. Mark my words, the Clydesdales will be next.

 

[tink too]

DH will be disappointed! I don't drink beer but I did find the Hard Lemonade quite refreshing. AND I did always enjoy the fact that the bartenders asked for my ID even though it's obvious that I am (only slightly) over 21 y.o.

Seems like, just like everywhere else in the world, nice little perks like this are being taken away!

 

[steve_rob]

Now I don't drink, so strictly speaking I shouldn't be too bothered about them stopping the free samples, but actually I find myself agreeing with all of you that it is a sad day as it was a very popular option for the adults, in let's face it, what is a holiday centered 99% around the kids!

However, what really distresses me is the line in the article about the Hospitality Deli closing for a few months to be re-opened as a new style restaurant. If this is true, I hope the new place carries on doing the carvery style deli sandwiches, as this was always the best value meal available in SeaWorld - they were HUGE!

 

[JulieSharp]

oh dear, John used to enjoy stopping off here for a refreshing drink.

Maybe it will stop him buying glasses, beer mats and allsorts of stuff from the little store inside now.

 

[natalielongstaff]

oh dear, John used to enjoy stopping off here for a refreshing drink.

Maybe it will stop him buying glasses, beer mats and allsorts of stuff from the little store inside now.

don't bet on it Julie !

 

[wayneg]

Mark my words, the Clydesdales will be next.

Stag Brewery is next, maybe Clydesdales will follow.
http://money.aol.co.uk/inbev-plans-to-shut-stag-brewery/article/20090106055555080970750

 

[UKDEB]

More on this in today's Sentinel.

 

[wayneg]

The report says a $5 increase on ticket prices also.
Will all this affect ticket sales?
Our Annual passports(2 year option) expired 30th Dec after being passport holders for years, not sure if we will renew this year at all, any increase in price will make it less likely.

 

[DCLMan]

The report says a $5 increase on ticket prices also.
Will all this affect ticket sales?
Our Annual passports(2 year option) expired 30th Dec after being passport holders for years, not sure if we will renew this year at all, any increase in price will make it less likely.

$5 or 6.6% isn't a very big increase.

 

[wayneg]

$5 or 6.6% isn't a very big increase.

Maybe not on its own but its the 3rd increase in 14 months ontop of a lot worse exchange rate for UK travellers. Up from $65 end of 2007(exchange rate peaked at $2.11, 8th Nov 07). To $75 now(exchange at $1.46), take into account exchange rate a one day ticket has increased from approx £30.80 to £51.36. About 60% increase.
OK the increase is not so bad for US travellers, and exhange rate is not the fault of Seaworld but it is not good news for UK travellers.
I will wait and see what increases they put on AP's. Unless there is an upturn in the £ we possibly won't renew. Definitely not renewing Disney AP's.

 

[paulh]

, in let's face it, what is a holiday centered 99% around the kids!

!

well judgeing by the folks on these boards its more the outher way round
Paulh

 

[DCLMan]

Maybe not on its own but its the 3rd increase in 14 months on top of a lot worse exchange rate for UK travellers. Up from $65 end of 2007(exchange rate peaked at $2.11, 8th Nov 07). To $75 now(exchange at $1.46), take into account exchange rate a one day ticket has increased from approx £30.80 to £51.36. About 60% increase.
OK the increase is not so bad for US travellers, and exchange rate is not the fault of Seaworld but it is not good news for UK travellers.
I will wait and see what increases they put on AP's. Unless there is an upturn in the £ we possibly won't renew. Definitely not renewing Disney AP's.

Fair point.