I figured that with the way pricing models seem to be heading in the industry, this could be an interesting read.

Link: http://www.wthr.com/story/25727937/2014/06/09/indianapolis-zoo-changes-ticket-pricing-method

Yea you are starting to see this model in other places as well, for example the Reds. The idea is that you should be able to get the same amount of bodies in each and every day by changing the pricing to meet demand.

Indy Zoo is not supported by tax dollars, yet if you read the comments section people are upset about how they cant afford to go etc. Heres my thing, and Im sure I will take some flak for this, if you want to go, you find a way to pay for nice things. Some people are upset because of the pricing and how high it might be on a weekend. Well, maybe dont go on a weekend. Maybe save money somewhere else.

Well some people may not have the luxury to be able to go on the weekend, if they have a Monday-Friday job and can`t take time off.

Definitely interesting concept. I wonder if amusement parks will ever go to dynamic pricing.

It wasn't that long ago that people were talking about Disney doing dynamic pricing.

The zoo cited the new orang exhibit as the sole reason for dymanic pricing. According to their models, once the zoo reaches 9k people inside the gates, the experience diminishes greatly for the average guest. By shifting to this model, the zoo hopes more people will pre plan their trip and book online in advance. The prices will reflect that.

I can't blame the zoo for doing it. I wonder how many of the "I can't afford it" people would be complaining if the zoo was too crowded...

DC. National Zoo. No admission fee.

Your tax dollars at work.

And mine.

Terp, DC taxpayer (and how).

^And a great zoo it is! I have fond memories of seeing a cheetah for the first time at the National Zoo.

I'm actually surprised that parks like the respective Disney properties, Universal, and Sea World haven't gone to this sort of pricing model yet, especially for single day tickets.

This has been a common business model of airlines and hotels (the latter refers to it as yield management) for years. I'm actually surprised more parks & zoos haven't moved to this model sooner.

Terp--The Indy zoo gets 0 tax dollars from the government to help run it. Therefore, things like dynamic pricing serve to help its bottom line.