Terrible predatory price gouging experience. We waited until we got to the park to buy tickets. Unfortunately, the online ticketing system went down and declined multiple forms of payment methods (with 3 different people trying their cards). When we called our bank they said it was on the Adventure Island side of the transactions. I went to the ticket counter to see if they would honor the online price of $40 (walk-up-price is double at $80). They refused and said they could not sell at the online price. They gave me no other option but to pay double. I explained the situation that the online system was down, but there was nothing the employee could do. Pay double, or go home. I have some heartbroken kids.
Advice to management. You need to empower your ticketing customer service representatives to ACTUALLY help your customers. I went above and beyond to buy tickets online (1/2+ hour on the website plus another 1/2+ hour in the customer service ticketing line queue (only 1 person working). Just out of principle - I'm not going to pay double to get in. That's predatory pricing, especially if you consider the $15 +/- transaction service fee for online purchase + $35 +/- in parking on top of the ticket prices.
We finally got ahold of someone on the phone and she was able to help us. Unfortunately, it had been an 1-1/2 hours since we entered the parking lot. That was the tipping point, you officially lost a customer. Never going back and will share this example of predatory price gouging. When we walked out my dad expressed how terrible our experience was. The employee said, "yeah...I know". That says a lot don't you think?