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[sestree]

So the long awaited announcement was finally made: what price increases would we see at MDRF.

Per the MDRF Website:

Ticket Prices and Group Sales for 2011
At the Gate &

Also Available Online Beginning June 1

Groups (20-99) Groups (100+)
Adults (16-61) $19.00
2-Day Pass $28.00

Fairever Pass
$120.00

9 Day Subscription - $81.00
6 Day Subscription - $60

Comments

[sestree]

I didn't know she didn't have control over gate prices. Yes everything is going up but when that happens, people choose to spend more wisely and thus curtail non-essentials. Faire is definitely a non-essential much as any entertainment is. That is often the first things cut in any household budget. Add the gas prices and it becomes a no-brainer.

Faire has already mentioned a cap on attendance. This would aid in that. If you just take 5% of the regulars and make them non-regulars, then there's room for 5% more people who aren't regulars - people who can afford to spend money recreationally. Maybe that's it? Maybe not. It's not a criticism of the way things are running - just an observation.

Still gate prices rising isn't entirely it - it's the size of the jump. That is making people think.

[sestree]

It is cheaper. Yes. However the economy ain't great so even if it's cheaper or you're getting 12 days free or whatnot, if it's cost-prohibitive it's cost-prohibitive.

We had already thought about curtailing our experience because yes the large crowds are a problem with Jon. Also it wears him out. This just makes it a no brainer. The 6 day pass works.

I applaud the idea of an attendance cap and if you recall, I applauded the idea of fresh music to bring in fresh faces to spend more $$$$. The regulars are a small percentage but we take up space. It probably didn't come into it when the decision was made, that much is quite true. I really did think Carolyn wielded more power.

There's a reason why we haven't been to PARF in a year or two: ticket prices + gas prices + drive + few places to sit = negative cost/benefit in the long run.

[terribleturnip]

The Fairever pass has been relatively underpriced for quite some time. I think the multiple day subscription makes a lot of sense -- captures those folks who would think oh, I'd wouldn't go often enough to justify a season pass, but yeah, I'm sure I'll be there 5-6-8 days

[sestree]

Thank you for putting it more concisely than I did. There are a few that I know of who will be opting for the 6 day or 9 day pass instead. Will the faire feel the crunch of their non-presence? no. Will there be a few more seats available? yes.

There ya go - it's a business and one that tickles me to watch. Geek.

Right now for our cost/benefit, VARF works better. Hotel is cheap. Faire prices aren't bad. I can always find a place for Jon to set - something that's gotten more difficult at MDRF each year (one of the main reasons we bail early). He has to set down periodically. So we'll hit VARF once or twice and MDRF a few times and call it happy.

We'll also look at opportunities missed because we were always at MDRF 9 weeks. The thing is yes, while Jon and I are in a unique position, we are not unique. Others are looking at the cost/benefit as well and many are opting for the multiple day passes. I personally think that was a very good idea.

Good to hear your take on this from a business standpoint. :)

[thedeuce]

With as little as I'm going to be in MDRF attendance (gas already at $4 a gallon, driving 150 miles each way to Faire, my restaurant opening in Oct, etc), the 6 day pass sounds appealing. More so because I'll probably only get to go 3 times, then scalp the pass to someone else to recoup some of my money

[acroyear70]

odds are any passes will not be transferable, whether fairerever or not. given that they're going to an electronic ticket system, this will be easier to enforce now.

[dorei]

No, it just likely means I'll take a pass on faire altogether, just like last year. Besides, isn't it the same thing every year, anyway?

[russell_moore]

almost missed this ....

[kudrasslipper]

Oy. Unless L starts bringing in some sizable bacon - we won't be going more than once or twice.

Yipe.