[FrightRisk]

Did I miss reading this somewhere or is this just another surprise you have to find out about once you get to the gates? I can't find the small print that says free parking is free unless you take advantage of your free 2014 day. They do a great job of advertising free parking as an incentive to buy a season pass, but no apparent mention that it doesn't apply to your 1 free 2014 visit.

[Tawny71]

Well...technically, you don't have a 2014 pass, so it makes sense to me.

[Chris]

Here you go. https://www.carowinds.com/ticket-category/Season-Passes-8-14-14-25.

It says...

"Free Season-Long Parking"

What it doesn't say is...

"Free Season-Long Parking... and Free Parking during your 2014 visit!"

[Edwardo]

Park-"here's something free"

Enthusiast-"you mean I don't get free everything!?"

[formeryogi]

Not smart.

First, I don't buy the "technically you don't have a 2014 pass" argument.

Remember, the ones who are getting the "free" day are NEW customers. ...and the very first visit you want to leave them with a negative impression? That's just not smart.

What ticks off a customer is surprises. The "surprise" could have been eliminated by a simple *2014 visit does not include parking.

[Chris]

Remember, the ones who are getting the "free" day are NEW customers. ...and the very first visit you want to leave them with a negative impression? That's just not smart.

This would be under the assumption that most think parking is free in 2014. I have a feeling most realize you won't get free parking in 2014. Common sense.

What ticks off a customer is surprises. The "surprise" could have been eliminated by a simple *2014 visit does not include parking.

So now Carowinds needs to start putting asterisks next to anything that they think may cause people to assume?

[highlight=#00ff00]Fury 325*[/highlight]
* Only the height is 325 feet. The drop is actually less.

[Jonathan]

When did the park stop doing it where next year's pass was good for the rest of the current year?

[Chris]

I wanna say it was with the sales of the 2010 season pass when Intimidator was going to debut.

[Tawny71]

The first year I was here was 2011, and it was just a free day when you bought the next years' season pass. (I paid for parking that day. )

[jsz1002]

When did the park stop doing it where next year's pass was good for the rest of the current year?

Was parking included for the rest of the current year when they did it this way? I have no clue since i've had a season pass every year since 2001.

[Jonathan]

I believe it was.

[Capler]

Maybe it is just me but I feel people are expecting too much. The pass is cheap to begin with and they are giving you a free day admission, why not at least pay for parking on the free visit? Next year and subsequent year's parking will be free if you keep renewing your pass.

[coasterfreak]

I'm pretty sure (someone correct me if I'm wrong) if you get a 2015 pass, just pay the parking for the day this year, take your parking receipt along with proof of your pass purchase to guest services and they'll give you your parking money back. I'm pretty sure I've done that in past years.

[Edwardo]

Parking and SCarowinds were not included in the SPs when you got the rest if the year for buying next year.

Seriously, this is a nonissue. The park could stop giving out free days for a purchase if next years pass.

Looking a gifthorse in the mouth is disrespectful.

[Axel]

Not smart.

First, I don't buy the "technically you don't have a 2014 pass" argument.

Remember, the ones who are getting the "free" day are NEW customers. ...and the very first visit you want to leave them with a negative impression? That's just not smart.

What ticks off a customer is surprises. The "surprise" could have been eliminated by a simple *2014 visit does not include parking.

totally agree about first impressions and surprises... seems like a poor marketing technique to me too.