[Jonathan]

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.

I don't think it's a gift horse. It's a marketing tool and probably a very successful one that enables them to sell more season passes.

[CarowindsFan]

Has anyone contacted someone higher up than the parking attendants to make sure that parking should indeed be charged. It may just be something they overlooked.

[Edwardo]

Jonathan, it very much is a marketing gimmick. I agree. But they could have implemented another gimmick that didn't involve a free day. So it's still, IMO, tacky to complain about getting in (a $60 value) free while having to pay to park.

I bet 2015 pass holders who choose to use their day this weekend won't get the SP appreciation pass holder discounts. As they shouldn't.

And if you're a new customer who just spent a hundred bucks on a pass likely aren't complaining about a $15 charge to park.

Enthusiasts, OTOH, want more free stuff. Again, I think it's tacky. They obviously didn't see the value in continuing with giving the rest of this year away for free, as they ended that a few years ago. They could pull this too and use another marketing technique like a free upgrade of some sort for the next year and not give anything for the current year...

[Capler]

Jonathan, it very much is a marketing gimmick. I agree. But they could have implemented another gimmick that didn't involve a free day. So it's still, IMO, tacky to complain about getting in (a $60 value) free while having to pay to park.

I bet 2015 pass holders who choose to use their day this weekend won't get the SP appreciation pass holder discounts. As they shouldn't.

And if you're a new customer who just spent a hundred bucks on a pass likely aren't complaining about a $15 charge to park.

Enthusiasts, OTOH, want more free stuff. Again, I think it's tacky. They obviously didn't see the value in continuing with giving the rest of this year away for free, as they ended that a few years ago. They could pull this too and use another marketing technique like a free upgrade of some sort for the next year and not give anything for the current year...

I agree with you 100%. When I have done this, I have never expected free parking. I'm actually pretty grateful I'm getting into the park for free. Also I tend to wait till I get to the park to purchase the pass, so when I'm paying to park, I don't have anything that would even qualify me for free parking. Now, if you wait till the park opens next year, and buy the 2015 pass, I can see them refunding you the parking in the same way, they will discount you the single day ticket you bought if you upgrade to a pass.

I'm also coming from a time when you had to have the expensive Platinum pass to get free parking and everyone paid something to get into Scarowinds. If you look at it that way, the Gold pass is a very good deal, even if you have to pay for one day parking. BTW, the high parking fee is designed to sell Gold passes. It pays for itself in less than two 2 visits.

[Kurgan316]

Jonathan, it very much is a marketing gimmick. I agree. But they could have implemented another gimmick that didn't involve a free day. So it's still, IMO, tacky to complain about getting in (a $60 value) free while having to pay to park.

I bet 2015 pass holders who choose to use their day this weekend won't get the SP appreciation pass holder discounts. As they shouldn't.

And if you're a new customer who just spent a hundred bucks on a pass likely aren't complaining about a $15 charge to park.

Enthusiasts, OTOH, want more free stuff. Again, I think it's tacky. They obviously didn't see the value in continuing with giving the rest of this year away for free, as they ended that a few years ago. They could pull this too and use another marketing technique like a free upgrade of some sort for the next year and not give anything for the current year...

It doesn't specifically say that only 2014 Season Pass holders get this discount.. as a matter of fact it appears to be a marketing gimmick to specifically get 2015 season passes sold and renewed (I don't qualify for the raffle because I already renewed my pass.. you have to renew on the 6th and 7th in order to be included in the raffle).

Now to the OP's post... has it been specifically stated that 2015 new passholders do not get free parking on that day? I couldn't find anything on the site so I'd say it can't hurt to ask the park about it.

Now here is a question.. anyone happen to know if the Free Fastlane pass can be used to get a frightlane pass (with skeleton key)? I'm only asking because on the site it makes no distinction between the two). I'm thinking I have to buy a fright lane pass but won't waste the chance to save 44 dollars if it's there.

[arby]

Now here is a question.. anyone happen to know if the Free Fastlane pass can be used to get a frightlane pass (with skeleton key)? I'm only asking because on the site it makes no distinction between the two). I'm thinking I have to buy a fright lane pass but won't waste the chance to save 44 dollars if it's there.

Last I looked, the website didn't have that information. However on the email I got from Carowinds on 8/21 it did state: **Fast Lane Plus ticket excludes SCarowinds

[kirkgun]

I guess I should have dug a little deeper into this forum (my first day, and this is my second post).

I just called and asked about the parking (bought 2015 passes last night). Nope. No free parking to go with my free admission. I can't be upset about that though. I didn't expect it. I'm grateful for the free admission. But it would have been nice to have that information posted somewhere online (besides an unaffiliated discussion forum).

But do you know what I can be upset about? The weather that's moving in for tonight and Saturday. Now that's a load of crap.