Parks that don't allow just anyone to enter...

[jamesdillaman]

As long as you call first to make sure the park is open to the public, you should never have a problem with private functions on long trips. If you don't make sure the park is open on the day you drive there, the only person you have to blame is yourself.

 

-James Dillaman

[ginzo]

The niche you're describing, coaster enthusiasts willing to drive to the middle of nowhere who also can't make it on the two public days, adds up to very few people.

 

I'm not sure that's a valid statement, to be honest; speaking as someone who doesn't live in the United States I'm not hugely enthusiastic about visiting your country around either of the two public days; the July 4th weekend costs a small fortune in flight tickets, and August is way too hot for those of us used to western Europe.

 

How many overseas people have even heard of Stricker's Grove? I think you're one of like 5. Your situation is quite singular and not cause for Stricker's to drastically alter their operating schedule. It's a VERY local park. Heck, I think most people in this area barely know it exists.

 

Why don't you send them an email? Maybe they'll get a kick out of someone from so far away wanting to ride their coasters and make some sort of special arrangement for you.

[Frankie]

As long as you call first to make sure the park is open to the public, you should never have a problem with private functions on long trips. If you don't make sure the park is open on the day you drive there, the only person you have to blame is yourself.

 

Hmmm; that depends... If a park advertises, it should mention that they are only open to certain groups, closed on certain 'special' days, etc.

 

Suppose I see a commercial or read an advertisement, telling me about a wonderful theme park that's open every day from 09:00 till 22:00 hours, except on sunday, and nowhere in the commercial or ad do they say ANYTHING about being open only to certain groups... And suppose I travel there, only to find out that It is closed to me... Then, in my opinion, I would have every reason to be upset.

[larrygator]

How many overseas people have even heard of Stricker's Grove? I think you're one of like 5.

 

 

There were at least a dozen foreigners on the TPR Midwest trip who know of Stricker's Grove.

 

I found it very tough to finally make it to Stricker's Grove for one of their two "OPEN" days. Independence Day usually involved other plans and I also never wanted to be overwhelmed by the summer crowds at the other Ohio parks in August, so I never traveled to Ohio that time of year.

[coaster05]

^^ that is why he said to call first. If you call and talk to someone in guest services they would inform you if the park is reserved. In all my trips to parks this has happened to me ONCE. Then we bought extra tickets from the motorola people, they also gave us food vouchers and we spent all day waiting in 5 minute long lines at SFGAM. It was the best day I ever had at the park. This is not so big of a deal that this discussion should still be going on. It is important for parks to make money and if this work's for them keep it up.

[larrygator]

Many of the US parks have the days they are closed to the public for private events listed on their websites.

[jamesdillaman]

 

Hmmm; that depends... If a park advertises, it should mention that they are only open to certain groups, closed on certain 'special' days, etc.

 

Suppose I see a commercial or read an advertisement, telling me about a wonderful theme park that's open every day from 09:00 till 22:00 hours, except on sunday, and nowhere in the commercial or ad do they say ANYTHING about being open only to certain groups... And suppose I travel there, only to find out that It is closed to me... Then, in my opinion, I would have every reason to be upset.

 

I've never seen a commercial that gives the operating hours for a park on it. The only place I've seen that is on the back of brochures or on park websites, and they always clearly state when the park is open to the public and when it is not, in my experiences.

 

-James Dillaman

[ginzo]

How many overseas people have even heard of Stricker's Grove? I think you're one of like 5.

 

 

There were at least a dozen foreigners on the TPR Midwest trip who know of Stricker's Grove.

 

I found it very tough to finally make it to Stricker's Grove for one of their two "OPEN" days. Independence Day usually involved other plans and I also never wanted to be overwhelmed by the summer crowds at the other Ohio parks in August, so I never traveled to Ohio that time of year.

 

Maybe they should move one of the open days to earlier in the season. Doesn't the difficulty in getting the Stricker's Grove credits make them more desirable than they would be if the park had more regular operating hours?