Our local zoo used to have famiy passes for the year that were very affordable for a family my size. It was cheaper to buy the pass than to pay single entries for just one visit. But when we got the pass, we had to list by name and age every family member. so it actually had, Martha, Rob, D, C, J, E, K, A on it. So they knew exactly which kids should be entering.
Two yeas ago, they changed the pass to only include two adults and 4 kids, but it still has names on it. Making it more expensive for me to get the pass and pay for extra kids than to just go once a year. We used to use our pass to go probably once a month. Now they might be saying they can’t afford it, but the ticket is usually only the beginningof the expense. We’d have lunch at their grill, the kids would all get a little something in the gift shop, they’d all buy a bit of feed for the petting zoo area… Plus membership put on on their mailing and VIP list, so we tended to go to more special events that we’re free, only discounted for members. Now we don’t get those invites and don’t attend them. Plus, we really enjoyed goign with another family or two, who would either buy a membership too or pay single admissions. Of course, they’d eat and shop and such too some of the time.
In the long run I think it costs them more to reduce their pass size. We rarely go to the local zoo for anything at all now. And the last time we went, the cost of admission was such that we didn’t spend a single dime otherwise.
This has been the case with every membership/group discount we’ve ever had - the cost of admission is usually just the beginning of the possible expense.
I don’t know if I can say it’s discrimination, but I do think it’s bad business.
A resturant would be different.
I agree about the their choice to limit family size being bad for business. If I have to spend an arm and a leg to go to place, we’ll either not go or go with just some of the kids ( for instance, my little ones are enjoy the zoo, but the older kids would prefer to stay home) and spend even less. When a business is friendly to larger families, I make a point of doing business with them.
The buy one adult meal, get two kids meal, is beginning to work for us. My 15 yo gets an adult sized meal, so we can then get 6 free kids meals (DH+DS+ME=6 kids free). Since the baby just nurses, the rest of my kids get a free meal.
As for hotels, we have to usually get two suites. Fire code limits how many people to a room, so we don’t balk at this. If we have to go to a hotel, we find one with perks that we know we’ll use (ie: free breafast like at Embassy suites and a kitchenette in the rooms, for the other meals.)
There are many ways large families are discouraged/discriminated, but I know business can’t always afford to give too much away. But when it comes to family memberships at things like the zoo or a museum, it should be just that: FAMILY memberships, not just partial family memberships. If grandparents can have grandparent memberships for all their grandkids, why can’t parents take all their kids?
I think the real discrimination that effects larger families is in regards to many of the new environmental rules and regulations and such. Those drive me bonkers. Why should a little itty bitty car get special parking at events when only two paying adults can fit in the car. yet a large 15 passenger van, spending less gas/person be put in parking spaces further away?? More people = more money at their event. You;d think they’d want us there.
That’s just one thing that irks me…lets not talk about trying to get car seats for all the kids the law demands to be put in car, yet they frown upon us for driving larger cars? Ugh…I could go on.
My children are my responsibility, and I do not expect freebies. I just see more and more laws and regualtions that are making it harder on families that are open to God’s gifts.
Well, that’s a bit more than :twocents:
