Theme Park Review Premium Membership Questionnaire

[Lindis]

As a casual UK member who posts very rarely, I don't think I would get a benefit from the premium membership sorry. But for US members who would make full use of the benefits then its probably a great idea. I do understand that costs must be high and perhaps you need to do something, and hope you will be able to keep the site free for "casual" readers for a long time to come.

[disneytails]

Ok, here are my thoughts:

 

1) The premium membership is a FREAKIN GOOD DEAL for TPR members who have the financial resources and time to go to one or more theme park trips every year. Most of the benefits that come with this membership are targeted to such members. I'm not one of them yet, so that's the only and MAIN reason why it wouldn't benefit me to buy this membership.

 

2) I don't know how feasible this would be, but what if you could offer two types of membership? The PREMIUM and perhaps a LOWER type of membership for the rest of us members who can't make it to the trips? I mean, I'd still love to have access to the exclusive forum and special deals on local theme parks. You could also give away a free DVD each year, or something like that. I don't know, it's just an idea.

 

~Tails*^*

[CorkscrewFoley]

I said no ONLY becuase of number four. I would have the money to join, but my problem is, I would be bumping someone else off, and quite frankly, I wouldn't want that happening to me. I mean, the way I look at it, someone's worked their @$$e$ off for this trip, took the time off, and because they're not premiums they are out of luck (I'm quite away they would get their money back).

 

Personally, I like TPR as it is.

[george greenway]

Id support the membership idea

I'm also in favor of supporting a site which is ad free

Being based in UK, its tougher to attend events in US, so having some incentives like being able to use Robs airmiles card would be of benefit.

Id like to see a per day invite on the European trips for us europeans so we can catch up with the TPR crowd.

[c anderson]

Whilst i can understand the reasons behind the requirement for money to keep the site going, I do not agree with an special grade of member. In the UK we have different classes of people, I thought that Americans were above this and people were equal ?

[larrygator]

I would just like to clarify a couple of things about the Premium Member forum. The forum would be just to discuss events that are exclusive to members, I think having this in a seperate forum will do more to prevent a schism between paid members and non-paid members.

 

This will be similar to the trips boards that already exist for TPR Trips. Content in those forums is to help Trip Participants form a mini community (so everyone isn't a complete stranger before the trip starts) and also builds anticipation for the trip by providing details on what to expect. I envision that if this content was on the main board for everyone to see, this would create an elitist attitude and jealousy. Do people not going on a trip really need info about the trip posted ad nauseum and do they want to read a bunch of people posting about how excited they are for 9 months? Probably not.

 

I trust from prior Trip Board experiences that Robb and Elissa will not let the Premium members become Elitist in their posting.

[Ccron10]

I'd be interested. When I first thought about it, it seemed a little steep since Coasterbuzz want their membership for $25 a year, but after when you look deeper, you don't really seem to get a lot. With what you guys are offering it seems worth the cost (plus you guys don't charge with removing the annoying advertisments).

I'll have my $40 on stand-by.

[coreysjunk]

I voted YES because I will probably take advantage of the offerings and I also want to support the site.

 

However,

If too many little senseless things are given only to PREMIUM members (coaster count banner for instance), it creates a sort of segregation that makes the forum less fun.

 

I guess what I am saying is: The Premium membership should not change the forums at all. Keep everybody on the same playing ground. Keep the perks to physical and opportunistic perks.

[65skylark]

I'd be interested. When I first thought about it, it seemed a little steep since Coasterbuzz want their membership for $25 a year, but after when you look deeper, you don't really seem to get a lot. With what you guys are offering it seems worth the cost (plus you guys don't charge with removing the annoying advertisments).

I'll have my $40 on stand-by.

 

Just to add to this, I think people really need to understand what they are getting, not just in the cost of the membership, but in having a site with TPR's track record to back up what they are offering.

 

Regardless of your personal opinion of this site, you can't argue that TPR has set themselves way above other enthusiast sites. They actually have an established track record of parks all over the world working with them on a level not even ACE gets anymore. What other coaster site can say that? None.

 

I see this as a no lose situation. I don't think the premium membership would be for everyone, and for those people, you continue to use the site as you always have. For those of us who plan on going on trips, attending park events and using the TPR store, it is a great benefit.

[Ccron10]

^I don't have anything against TPR, infact like I said above, at first sight I thought $40 was a little steep, but after reading the extras and bonuses that we get, it is worth the cost.

For how often I visit this site it would be worth it.

[Bubba83]

1. I think the idea is good, I don't see anything that could possibly be negative about it. You're giving the people who want to pay to receive more out of TPR, more out of TPR.

 

2. I can't think of anything off the top of my head.

 

3. This does not personally interest me.

 

4. The way I am currently using TPR (forum discussion, meeting people, getting info on the latest coasters), I don't think that the membership benefits would make sense for me to buy, unless I planned to change how I use TPR.

 

5. Sally forth!

[DegoRed]

1. What are your initial thoughts?

 

I'm in!! $40/year is very reasonable for all the perks we already get through TPR, so this just makes it that much better.

 

2. Can you think of anything else we could be offering?

 

Not at the moment

 

3. Is this something that interests you?

 

Definitely

 

4. Why would you NOT be interested in this?

 

N/A

 

5. Any additional feedback you can give us based on the information you see here.

 

Not at the moment, but it sounds like a great idea!

[haiderodes]

1. I think its a good idea for those members who are heavily involved, always going to events, etc.

 

2. It looks like you have it all covered.

 

3. I am interested in the idea that site membership becomes a one-stop shop, providing "membership" for those events requiring it and the ability to do premium events seems intriguing.

 

4. My main concern would be the ability to take advantage of all the potential benefits. I live a good four hours from the closest major park, so I'm not sure I would benefit as much as others.

 

5. $40 compared to other memberships along proposed benefits isnt bad. HOWEVER, for a first year out, I would rather see a lower cost until it could prove itself. Perhaps scaling back a couple of the benefits to make an intial membership closer to $25 would be more attractive to me. Perhaps a t-shirt instead of the $15 store credit could help that.

[SFOGdude25]

I vote yes!

 

1. So you're hopping on the official coaster club bandwagon. I like it.

 

2.As others have said before, it would be nice to have a discount on store items. It would also be cool if you offered discounts to TPR trips (if there are not discounts already offered. I'm not sure).

 

3. Absolutely!

 

4. N/A. No need to answer this question.

 

5.I think it's a great idea! As a member of ace, I have only gone to one event (Coastermania 2008), and that was a park sponsored event. It's mostly a waste of a membership. I am much more involved with TPR. I could still go to park-sponsored events, which I really like, and I'm also interested in the perks. By all means go for it!

 

EDIT: Oh ok, never mind me saying this would be an official coaster club. Just my initial thoughts. I learn more as this thread goes.

[kcjensen]

1.

- It sounds like an awesome idea. I haven't been on TPR for very long, but it seems like a logical step for the website to take.

 

2.

- I cannot think of other things to add.

 

3.

- It sounds like an exciting thing to belong to. It would also make a nice gift for your theme park fanatic friends.

 

4.

The cost is defiantly something to consider. I consider myself lucky if I can scrounge up enough money to visit my local parks every summer.

 

5.

- If there was extremely detailed descriptions of everything that would be offered in the final membership package, I might consider joining. I've got to watch my pennies.

[robbalvey]

I just want to go on record to say I'm a little disappointed that anyone would think we would let TPR become "ACE" or anything like that.

 

We absoultely would NOT allow our Premium Members to become a clique or a seperate class or anything of that sort.

 

If we had called this "Club TPR" instead of a "Premium Member" would that have changed some people's minds? Maybe it's our terminology? Just curious.

 

The fact that we actually had the thought to put up a poll and solicit feedback from our members is already a huge step beyond what other organizations would do.

 

Give us a little credit that if we were to do this, we would do it "right."

 

--Robb

[CoasterDude211]

1. I think it is a great idea. Many websites or applications have the free version and the pro version (IMDB). The pro doesn't take away from the free, but simply provides more for regular visitors. It makes sense that this should be offered.

 

2. Not yet. All the perks sound great and worth the fee.

 

3. Yes, the benefits seem worth the price.

 

4. If there was a year in which I was unable to participate on trips or meet up with TPR, I might not sign up for the membership.

 

5. I really like the that the $15 TPR store credit is included and that priority would be given to premium members, especially after seeing how quick seats were filled for the 2010 round of trips.

[doublersides]

I voted YES because the $40 is a good value for everything you listed as a perk for the membership. I have seen many other clubs offer much less for much more money. The $15 credit in the TPR store is very generous. Most offers are a small discount in the store instead. (5% or 10%). My only concern is the sub-forum becomes the most active forum, so we as members will have to remember that this site needs our public posts to stay beneficial to those who can't read the private forums.

[pupkick]

1) I wouldn't reap the rewards, but it would help keep the good times rolling at TPR.. holla

 

2) TPR Hoodies in Fatboy sizes.

 

3) Yes

 

4) Not active in trips/meets/(and sadly theme parks in general in the past few years)

 

5) TPR HOODIES IN FATBOY SIZES

[robbalvey]

My only concern is the sub-forum becomes the most active forum

I can assure you we would not let that happen.

 

--Robb

[nowaymang]

Here is my feedback for my yes vote on this topic.

 

1. What are your initial thoughts?

I feel this is a step in the right direction to more firmly plant TPR as a product in the roller coaster enthusiast community. I believe this is a step that TPR needs to make in order to continue providing all the FREE content they have done and will continue to do for it's casual visitors. I see this as a win/win for both the casual visitors and the administration

 

2. Can you think of anything else we could be offering?

At this time the package seems thorough. I realize this is a rough draft that probably was combed over a few times before it was even posted. I expect some items or wordings to change as this process continues.

 

3. Is this something that interests you?

Yes this interests me.

 

4. Why would you NOT be interested in this?

The pricing is really the only issue I can foresee that could ever be an issue for not wanting this potential service. It's sort of a lifestyle decision; "Is this something I want to devote time and finances to?". I figure if I'm committing money for membership, I want to be in a position where I can utilize the benefits provided.

 

5. Any additional feedback you can give us based on the information you see here.

I have no other feedback but to say.. Wow! What a project to jump into after the holidays. Good luck with this Robb and Elissa. I can see in this thread already that it's going to be a long road ahead. Enjoy the journey!

[BeemerBoy]

My only concern is the sub-forum becomes the most active forum

I can assure you we would not let that happen.

 

--Robb

 

Can you assure me you won't promise to build a coaster museum with the proceeds?

 

If so, then I think this idea sounds completely fair and reasonable for the TPR community.

[neovortex2k]

1. What are your initial thoughts?

 

Sounds good. I like the idea if it is done properly, but fair play to you guys for consulting with the members of the site. Great first move.

 

2. Can you think of anything else we could be offering?

 

Perhaps a discount on an item of clothing with a pic of the members at a coaster event for premium members??!!

 

3. Is this something that interests you?

 

Yes I would be very interested to join even though a lot of the perks would not apply to me

 

4. Why would you NOT be interested in this?

 

I can not avail of a lot of the perks

 

5. Any additional feedback you can give us based on the information you see here.

 

Hope it works out well and doesnt rip the site into two different classes cause this really is a great community and would hate to see anything bad happen to it.

 

P.S. i would still use the normal thread as much as i do even with the premium forum.

 

Good luck guys

[mcvays99]

Robb, I think that a lot of people are just worried that the TPR experience will change. You guys have done a great job in making TPR a great site where everyone is equal and treated the same. I have no doubt that this would continue to be the case and I would gladly pay for a "keep TPR ad free and earn perks" membership. If you are succesful in implementing a "keep TPR ad free and earn perks" membership while keeping the same great experience, you will be the first club ever to do so. I think that's why people are cautious because most other clubs' experience is crap. Anyway, I know that whatever you do will be great and still allow ANYONE, new to TPR or a veteran, to experience the many great things about TPR that we are used to.

 

I do have a few suggestions:

It would be really cool if our membership card or account would keep track of the number of events or trips we went on. We could have fun with different levels of cards like the cruise ships do. Again, not to put anyone in a higher class but just for fun. It could also help with trip placement.

 

I also think that if it kept track of TPR store purchases you could come up with some kind of perk or reward for certain levels. We know that purchases help TPR out so the more people buy, the more they have helped TPR and thus could receive a perk or something.

 

My last suggestion would be to allow members to donate their $15 credit to someone in need. I am sure there are a lot of people who would love to attend a TPR event but are unable to because of financial need or medical reasons that cause financial distress. It would be cool to be able to help someone out who really needs it.

[georgeriley15]

1. What are your initial thoughts?

Good for park "locals", bad for park "commuters".

 

2. Can you think of anything else we could be offering?

ERT on Giant Dipper in Santa Cruz

 

3. Is this something that interests you?

If it's the only way to obtain ERT then yes; otherwise no.

 

4. Why would you NOT be interested in this?

Too much like the other massive unmentionable organization. Costs about the same too.

 

5. Any additional feedback you can give us based on the information you see here.

Concerned that "membership dues" of the masses would be put toward lowering the cost of individual events that are not equitably attended (for example Europe and Asia).

The best laid plans—(fill in your own imaginative ending). Tread carefully on the slippery slope, Robb...