Last year the Ontario Place opened its doors for a Chinese Lantern Festival which displayed numerous complex and extravagantly designed lanterns by Chinese Master Craftsmen from the China Colour Lantern Museum of Zigong. My family and I went to check it out and were definitely impressed by the lanterns. What we were not impressed about was the fact that a general ticket costs $25 (seniors and children $20 with children under 4 entering for free) and yet there was only a measly four or five hours to enjoy the exhibit. Keep in mind that there were two IMAX films to watch, each one an hour or so in length and the extremely long lineups for these films. Put that together with events, performances taking place, as well as purchasing some food if you’re hungry, and you barely have any time to check out the lanterns so you end up rushing around or deciding to sacrifice one thing for another.
Should I see the lanterns? Should I watch the movie? Which movie?
I said screw the movie …
This year according to the website, the schedule is as follows:
July 19 – Sept. 3, 2007 — 7pm to 11pm
Sept. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 27-28 & Oct. 4-5, 2007 — 6pm to 10pm
Sept. 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 29-30 & Oct. 6-7, 2007 — 5pm to 10pm
I have heard complaints from this year’s customers about the fact that holding the exhibition from 7pm to 11pm in the middle of summer is ignoring the fact that on a typical summer day here in Toronto, Ontario, the sun begins to set at around 9pm which gives barely any time for people to walk around and admire the lanterns in the darkness of the night.
Ontario Place, why not extend the time to midnight? It is the weekend after all and you are charging people $20-25 to enjoy the Chinese Lantern Festival (emphasis: Lantern). Let people actually enjoy the lantern festival as it is meant to be enjoyed, not a rushed experience. Allow people to get the most value out of their trip to the festival. Why not?
If they’re not satisfied, word will get out (like this) and while your first time customers will continue to grow, past customers that are not satisfied will likely take a pass on it. Customers who enjoy it one year, will take the word and spread it, and they will return again with friends and family.
Forcing your customers to choose between attractions that they paid for is a bad idea. Chances are that if given alternatives, they will choose not to return. Sure, there aren’t really any alternatives in this case, but only considering this situation would be poor short-term thinking. In the long-term, you want your customers to love you!
