Do you perform the Amusement Park Shops on your own or take someone with you? If you worked for PGE or any other company with a Union the tickets are very reasonable. Some of the Theme Parks are raising prices to keep attendance down to levels where your not waiting two hours for one ride. Aside with that, if your only getting one ticket would you accept this assignment if you have a boyfriend, girlfriend, husband or wife? The Shop pay's $5 per shop plus money for Theme Park food, doubt that's enough money to cover the costs of what they charge inside.

When was the last time you decided to be a kid again and do one of these Shops? I think for all the work these entail that two tickets might be a fair trade for all the hassle, dealing with crowds and trying to eat at a place where drinks run $6.00 for a Diet Coke.

IMHO they are not worth it. The reports take hours many requirements and the expenses are not always fully reimbursed.

I did one for Confero in which I received free admission. It involved a lot of walking throughout the amusement park and handing out certificates to the various vendors who mentioned [client deleted?] products. They had to sign papers and I had to send the papers back to Confero. It was really not worth it. I spent so much time visiting the various vendors that I had hardly any time to go on the rides. If they gave me 2 or more tickets I might consider it.

Mod note: If the brand you mentioned is the client, you have created an ICA violation

I think if you want to go to an amusement park and actually enjoy yourself, you're better off doing it on your own dime....

I think that is true for most reimbursement heavy shops.

We can put that in the Mystery Shopper Dictionary now, thank's for helping me hit the "Delete" button!

@DareWright wrote:

I did one for Confero in which I received free admission. It involved a lot of walking throughout the amusement park and handing out certificates to the various vendors who mentioned [client deleted?] products. They had to sign papers and I had to send the papers back to Confero. It was really not worth it. I spent so much time visiting the various vendors that I had hardly any time to go on the rides. If they gave me 2 or more tickets I might consider it.

Mod note: If the brand you mentioned is the client, you have created an ICA violation

Whoops! Sorry! Didn't catch that.

@DareWright wrote:

I did one for Confero in which I received free admission. It involved a lot of walking throughout the amusement park and handing out certificates to the various vendors who mentioned [client deleted?] products. They had to sign papers and I had to send the papers back to Confero. It was really not worth it. I spent so much time visiting the various vendors that I had hardly any time to go on the rides. If they gave me 2 or more tickets I might consider it.

Mod note: If the brand you mentioned is the client, you have created an ICA violation

They used to give two tickets. I don't think I've gone when it's just been one.

I did a shop for an amusement company where I had to "shop" the downtown business district of a city. It was supposed to take 45 min. It took hours because i had to go to various parking structures, look for x number of city employees and city vehicles. It was ridiculous, all for the measly sum of 50.00. Never again.

@calicakes wrote:

I did a shop for an amusement company where I had to "shop" the downtown business district of a city. It was supposed to take 45 min. It took hours because i had to go to various parking structures, look for x number of city employees and city vehicles. It was ridiculous, all for the measly sum of 50.00. Never again.

Thank you for sharing that info. I have never taken that shop (and now I never will).

The ones in my area all require two or more people. In order for the job to be accepted, a minimum of 2 tickets must be purchased. Guidelines say they don't want a single person to stand out. I just wish sometimes they would take into account the area being shopped. These shops in my area must be done on weekdays. I've gone for my pleasure, not a mystery shop, and there are a lot of single patrons just walking around and enjoying a day to themselves. They don't stick out. I don't stick out.

When my area finally decides to offers single ticket jobs, I'll do one for them, Although I have weekdays off, the majority of my friends do not so finding a buddy isn't as easy as it sounds. Then, there were times where a friend is invited to join me but they cancel last minute, now I'm screwed. So, if I go during the weekday, it's on my dime. .

@SoCalMama wrote:

@calicakes wrote:

I did a shop for an amusement company where I had to "shop" the downtown business district of a city. It was supposed to take 45 min. It took hours because i had to go to various parking structures, look for x number of city employees and city vehicles. It was ridiculous, all for the measly sum of 50.00. Never again.

Thank you for sharing that info. I have never taken that shop (and now I never will).

and then they tried to NOT pay me because one of the "downtown ambassadors" overheard me on the phone with the MSC when I was trying to find yet another employee. He reported that I said I was a Mystery Shopper. I did not such thing. They did pay me, but it was a PITA.

@bgriffin wrote:

I think that is true for most reimbursement heavy shops.

Let me get this straight, I will be allowed to do $5 shops by fighting angry Theme Park crowds. They will pay for my parking $20-$25 plus their going to give me $20 for food(That's about $6.95 value after the massive mark-up these places charge. Last time I went it was $6 for one drink!).

Why are they "Sought After", after reading all the experiences once again its time to leave this shop for someone who does not value their money or time. Once again the Crew save's me from making a terrible mistake by signing up for a day of Hell!

@bgriffin wrote:

I think that is true for most reimbursement heavy shops.

How exactly are we enjoying a expenditure a Theme Park is offering if we are not playing on their rides? If were are on a tight schedule to do all the shops for $5, we are actually getting duped! I would rather do a route trip and make $250 than take a Amusement Park ticket so I can do all their shops behind the gates. That's all this shop is, it has nothing to do "Most Sought After or Fun", no enjoyment or being a kid for just a moment again. You are there to work, so what is the "heavy expenditure" we are suppose to be enjoying? I see no benefit performing a shop that costs us money, wastes our time and during the hottest parts of the year. If we were to add the true value of this shop, I bet it make's some of the MSCs people complain about look like Santa Claus. Just my opinion after reading your stories and the scenarios they usually demand of shoppers. We can pretend were the Mad Hatter "I am Late, I am Late", run to the next $5 Shop before another two hour line builds up!


Please do not think I am ungrateful to such a fine company offering me a chance to make $20 or $25 spending all day in a Theme Park than coming home and writing a two to three hour Report. Its one heck of a deal, six hours to eight hours of roaming a congested Theme Park and don't forget the drive and hassle to find a good spot to park, oh that's paid for too. How exactly is this a profitable venture? Where is the Joy?

Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 05/07/2016 08:32AM by GuyFawkes.

The joy is that of the scheduler who got this job taken off their hands.

@cindy55 wrote:

The joy is that of the scheduler who got this job taken off their hands.

Hopefully someone does not ask "What are the Amusement Park Shops Like" next week after all the effort you former shoppers put to show how they operate. Its easier to ask the same question than scroll down two or three pages. Thank you for helping me avoid taking that shop, I almost did thinking it sounded fun until you helped me see its another way of taking advantage of us! Better to save up some cash and hit one of the Brazilian Beef Restaurants like Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse.

@DareWright wrote:

I did one for Confero in which I received free admission. It involved a lot of walking throughout the amusement park and handing out certificates to the various vendors .....They had to sign papers and I had to send the papers back to Confero. It was really not worth it. I spent so much time visiting the various vendors that I had hardly any time to go on the rides. If they gave me 2 or more tickets I might consider it.

I did this shop once as well. The theme park is a bit of a drive from me, but I escorted my teenage daughter and two friends for the day. I figured it was a productive use of my time. I only chose this theme park instead of a closer one, because I'd have something to do while they had fun.

It was a lot of work. I found an email from 2012 asked me to do another one the next month but I told them the single ticket situation made it undesirable. I completely agree, there was zero time to enjoy the park. I visited 7 vendors within the park. I remember trying to pass off some of my purchases to the kids, it was too much food and drink for one person to consume/enjoy. The directions asked for same day entry and I got an extension for that, given the length of the day. There was an issue with receiving the 'signature-required' FEDEX package as well. I had arranged for someone to be around the entire week the package was to arrive, but it did not. We were able to get it switched to 'drop off' status but what a pain. The package included a parking pass, single park entry ticket, and prizes/paperwork.

I also received payment weeks after the stated payment date. Too much preparation, too much follow up required for payment, and there were hassles with vendors within the park not being labeled properly. I would not recommend these shops to anyone either.

They need to give two tickets and parking for these things

Why would anyone do a job like this for anything less than $300 plus 1000 Hero Citations because you will be spending a minimum of ten hours. Professionals reviewing Disney Land in the 1970s were paid over $1000 plus their food and hotel fees. Now your paid $35 after performing five to seven shops, I guess they don't consider the good people shopping these Theme Parks as Professionals.

No, and they reimbursed two tickets and of course, the fees for those 5 vendors. But each time I am inclined to accept the shop again, I am reminded of my late husband's comment for this type of project. He said, "You just got a hammer and konk your head with it."

The job I read only offer's one ticket, your ticket to hours of euphoric bliss and joy!

I just did my first amusement park visit on Sunday. I get $75 dollars from it. I figured out if I paid just my ticket, just the bare minimum on everything else they wanted, I came out on top. Now I took my entire family and it was a little more costly so I looked at it as I got that money back as like a refund for my trip. I got to ride the rides, play in the arcade, and actually enjoyed myself while doing a shop. The company this shop is through is really awesome too!! They grade you on your shop, so we will see how well I did!

@calicakes wrote:

@SoCalMama wrote:

@calicakes wrote:

I did a shop for an amusement company where I had to "shop" the downtown business district of a city. It was supposed to take 45 min. It took hours because i had to go to various parking structures, look for x number of city employees and city vehicles. It was ridiculous, all for the measly sum of 50.00. Never again.

Thank you for sharing that info. I have never taken that shop (and now I never will).

and then they tried to NOT pay me because one of the "downtown ambassadors" overheard me on the phone with the MSC when I was trying to find yet another employee. He reported that I said I was a Mystery Shopper. I did not such thing. They did pay me, but it was a PITA.

I too have thought about doing that job as well but have never gotten around to it. And during the winter (if it is the same one) they added a visit to the ice skating rink with reimbursement for the skate part of it but no extra $$ for all the extra work. thanks from me too for letting me know it is just as much or more work than I expected. At least with the theme parks and museums I can enjoy them a lot and bring someone else along. The downtown job is just work with no fun involved.

Guy, I think you are way off on your assessment of theme park shops based on just this thread you started. I do note that you did mention it is only your opinion but if you are compiling some sort of mystery shop dictionary to share with others than you need to think a bit more broadly. I would recommend that you search for other threads on this same subject and see some of the answers there. There are multiple companies that do these shops and the one I work for always reimburses for two or more people. If you are looking at doing these shops to make a buck or 2 or 75 then no, these, like high end restaurant shops are not the shop for you. But many shoppers have different reasons for shopping. Many of us do shops we enjoy or are happy with doing a shop for a reimbursement for something we want and a fee too. It makes sense to me to spend a few hours on a report and get a meal worth over $100 or a day at a park worth $100 or more rather than pay for those things with after tax out of pocket money. I have done amusement parks where I have "worked" for 2-3 hours inside the park and written up the report when I got home but I and friends or family have spent a very nice full day there, even during the "work" which might have consisted of sitting thru one of the bird or whatever shows they have. I like those types of shows so even tho I spent a half hour at the show only about 5 minutes to catch a name and description and write up whether or not the presenter smiled and was interesting was actually what I considered work. I certainly could have left after the first five minutes, gone on to the next requirement and the next and then gone home. Had that been the way I see these shops then I would agree with you wholeheartedly and would never have done one again.
Referencing the shop above about the downtown mystery shop, there is no visit to a place that has an out of pocket expense involved in that one. It is pure profit for the fee outside of driving to the place and time costs so that one I consider differently as I get no added personal value out of running around a downtown looking for dirty staircases and downtown ambassadors I can ask a silly question of.

I can do this series of shops in about an hour. 90 minutes tops. I do about 6 a year at various parks (I travel all over, so why not?) The reports take me less than an hour.
I have no idea how highly sought after they are. I get as many as I want, every season. Maybe I am the only applicant? Don't know. Don't care.

I usually do their shops and bring my husband and son with me. The two of them can enjoy the visit while I try to get everything covered and it is easier when trying t get someone's name to have more eyes on them However their reports are long. Usually there is never any money left over and I spend more then they offered but on they cover most of the expenses.

I've taken a few "attraction" shops while on vacation. They weren't amusement parks, but still insanely congested, multiple stops, and very time consuming reports.

HOWEVER, they did reimburse two tickets, and I checked to make sure my scheduler was okay with me bringing my toddler along as well (on my own dime). Hubby kept the little one busy with rides and games (I hate the rides anyway, so it made no difference to me that I didn't have time to go on any) while I took care of my shop requirements. We got a full family fun day, got reimbursed for *almost* everything we purchased, and we probably would have taken the little one there anyway, with or without the mystery shop. Added bonus, I got something from the gift shop and a souvenir photo because they were reimbursed requirements- something i wouldn't normally spend the extra money on if going on my own dime.

So, in my scenario, I think we came out just fine since it was money we would have been spending anyway. In pretty much any other scenario, I most definitely wouldn't have taken the shop. Way too much work with very little compensation.

I have taken this shop before and will continue to take it. I have a teenage son who loves this amusement park, but he cannot drive yet. I could drive and drop him off and pick him up later or pay for a day and sit around while he rides with his friends. I am out the money for the park and parking, sitting in the shade for 8 hours waiting for him. Or I can take the shop, get paid to eat and get in for free. I am there already, pay me please.

@ohiogarry wrote:

I have taken this shop before and will continue to take it. I have a teenage son who loves this amusement park, but he cannot drive yet. I could drive and drop him off and pick him up later or pay for a day and sit around while he rides with his friends. I am out the money for the park and parking, sitting in the shade for 8 hours waiting for him. Or I can take the shop, get paid to eat and get in for free. I am there already, pay me please.

The things we do for our kids! I love it when one of us manages to make it work for us!

I get get two tickets and have to walk around ordering drinks and taking pictures and 1 gift shop. My kid rides the rides and I shop. Worth it if you are going anyway.