Writing Shotgun

QUEEN’S RANSOM: FUN WITH PARKING

Steve LowerySun. February 10
 

Just got back from “Star Trek: The Tour” at the Queen Mary–hilarious details in future missive–and I’m still shaken but what I was shaken down for regarding parking: $15! Fifteen! When the woman nonchalantly asked for said lucre it suddenly came to me why the Queen is doomed: they are absolutely clueless how to compete.

Here they are, in arguably the most competitive tourist market in America, and they expect to attract visitors back after fleecing them for 15 bucks for parking on a first visit. I took a look at 10 other visitor attractions that the QM competes with in the greater Long Beach/Los Angeles area. Here’s how they stack up …

OK, let’s imagine I’m from some centrally located place, my old hometown of Downey, and I can jump on a freeway to go anywhere. I’m the guy the Queen has to attract. So, first, let’s say I’m just interested in pure fun, here are my parking options:

Queen Mary … $15

Disneyland … $11

Universal Studios … $11

Knott’s Berry Farm … $10

To recap, the Queen Mary charges four more dollars than Disneyland. And Disneyland will charge you eight bucks for a pickle and 10 bucks for the water to wash it down.

Now, let’s say I’m in the mood for something educational. Queen Mary’s got history, don’t it? Here’s how that goes:

Queen Mary … $15

Ronald Reagan Library … Free

Richard Nixon Library … Free

Not only is it cheaper to park at both Presidential libraries–$15 cheaper–their admission prices are less expensive–$9.95 for the Nixon, 12 bucks for Reagan.

My interest has turned to beauty. How will I spend my aesthetically-driven money, parking-wise:

Queen Mary … $15

Getty Center/Museum … $7

Descanso Gardens … Free

Huntington Library … Free

It should be noted that though the Getty charges for parking, admission is free.

If you have eyesight, you may have noticed that the Queen Mary has the most expensive parking in every category. That is not to say it has the most expensive parking of any venue. I found two as expensive:

Queen Mary … $15

Dodger Stadium … $15

Staples Center … $15

So, does the Queen Mary have the most expensive parking around? No. No, their prices are equal to two of the most popular, and profitable, sports franchises IN THE WORLD. How can the Queen lose? Oh …. yeah.

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COMMENTS

  1. 1

    I went to the Star Trek Tour today and then took the Passport bus back to the Pike for dinner. We got back after 8pm… and the arm was up on the exit gate. So you can maybe get free parking at the QM if you just outwait them. :snicker:

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    Posted By Helen on February 11th, 2008 at 12:29 am

     

  2. 2

    So, that’s Hostmark’s new strategy for the QM? How did they ever conclude that the ship’s problems centered around not charging enough for parking? They have some brilliant minds over there.

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    Posted By Juan on February 11th, 2008 at 7:08 pm

     

  3. 3

    I went to the Getty on Sunday, and parking was $8, not $7. I’m just sayin’.

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    Posted By Dave Wielenga on February 12th, 2008 at 12:19 am

     

  4. 4

    Well, up here in San Francisco, garages charge $25 to park. However, you can take BART or MUNI to many of the same destinations for $1.50
    Public transportation is the way to go.

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    Posted By Juan on February 12th, 2008 at 10:18 pm

     

  5. 5

    Expensive parking can remind visitors that there may be other ways to get to and enjoy a venue. As others observed, the Queen Mary is served by public transit, namely the LB Transit Passport bus from downtown — no fare, and no parking required!

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    Posted By Nancy Pfeffer on February 15th, 2008 at 2:55 pm

     

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