Family Entertainment Centers (FECs), sometimes called family fun centers or indoor party centers, are the perfect destinations for families looking to enjoy a variety of fun activities and attractions all in one place. From arcade games to go-karts, laser tag to mini-golf, FECs offer an array of outdoor and indoor entertainment options.
As an FEC owner or manager, implementing an efficient ticketing system is crucial to ensure smooth operations and maximize your revenue. In this blog post, we will explore the different aspects of ticketing solutions for FEC’s and provide insights on how to choose and set up ticketing.
What Is a Family Entertainment Center?
A Family Entertainment Center is a facility that offers a wide range of activities and attractions suitable for all ages. These centers often combine arcade games, rides, laser tag, bowling, mini-golf, and more, providing an all-in-one entertainment experience for families and individuals alike.
Should You Sell Tickets Online, In-Person, or Both?
To suitably accommodate guest preferences, we highly recommend offering online ticket purchases as well as in-person options for maximum guest convenience. While some guests may prefer the convenience of purchasing tickets from the comfort of their homes, others might prefer the traditional approach of buying tickets in person. By providing both options, you can cater to a broader customer base and enhance the overall customer experience.
What Type Of Tickets Should You Offer?
Bundled Attraction Tickets: Many FECs offer multiple attractions or activities that can be bundled together. This allows guests to experience various attractions at a discounted rate. Using an online ticketing platform that supports bundled tickets will streamline the purchase process. Not to mention it often incentives guests to explore more of what your FEC has to offer.
All-Inclusive Admission: Another popular ticketing option is the all-inclusive admission ticket, where guests pay a single price for unlimited access to all activities, games, and attractions within the FEC. This ticketing option offers convenience and allows guests to fully immerse themselves in the entertainment experience without worrying about additional costs.
Timed or Date-Based Tickets: Depending on the popularity of your FEC and the capacity limitations of your venue, offering timed or date-based tickets can help manage crowd flow and ensure a balanced experience for all guests. This option allows you to control the number of guests participating in an activity at any given time.
Group Tickets: FECs are popular destinations for parties, events, and group outings. Consider offering group tickets to accommodate group booking options and offer special packages for parties, corporate events, and other celebrations.
Concessions and Gift Shop: Using a ticketing platform that supports add-ons such as concessions and gift shop purchases will enhance your revenue streams. Guests can easily purchase food, beverages, or souvenirs while enjoying their time at your FEC, resulting in a seamless and enjoyable experience for them.
They’re All Good Options
In the end, each of these ticketing options will work for your FEC and you don’t have to choose just one. Guests will appreciate having the option to choose which one works best for them. Some guests will want to purchase an all-inclusive ticket so they can participate in all the activities, while others will be interested in a bundled ticket for their two favorite attractions. Ultimately, you’ll need to choose a ticketing platform that allows you to create multiple ticket types to cater to each guest.
Did you know that Passage offers all these ticket types and more? We offer an all-in-on ticketing system that supports online and in-person sales. There’s no need to sacrifice on customer support, feature selection, or ease of use; so we don’t make you choose which is most important to you. Set up an onboarding call with our team today to see how Passage can make family entertainment center ticketing easier and more profitable for you.
How To Set Up Ticketing For Your FEC
1. Decide what type of admission you'll offer: Consider the various ticket types and determine which one(s) best suit your FEC's offerings and target audience.
2. Choose a price point: Research your competitors and analyze market trends to determine appropriate pricing for your FEC's admission tickets. Striking a balance between affordability and profitability is key.
3. Choose a ticketing platform: Look for an online ticketing platform that offers the features and support that you’re looking for.
4. Set up your tickets: Configure your ticketing system with the desired ticket types, prices, and availability. Make sure to integrate any special promotions or discounts you may offer.
5. Promote your FEC: Once your ticketing system is in place, it’s time to spread the word. You can use social media marketing, email marketing, local advertising, and more to build awareness and interest in your FEC.
If you’re not sure how to get the word out and need a boost, Passage recently launched our ‘Promote Your Event’ feature to take all the guesswork out if it for you. All you have to do is put in a few key details and our partner, Event Vesta, will do all the heavy lifting for you.
Other Things To Look For
Real-Time Capacity Management: FECs need to monitor and manage their capacity in real-time to avoid overcrowding and ensure safety and comfort for guests. The right ticketing platform will offer live updates and real-time tracking for your to monitor your capacity and control traffic flow and safety.
Customer Data Collection: Gathering customer data is vital for FECs to understand guest preferences, identify trends, and improve their offerings. The data that can be collected via your ticketing platform and can offer valuable insights into customer behavior, purchasing patterns, attraction popularity, and more. All of that data can help you make more data-driven decisions.
Customer Support: Never underestimate the power of good customer support. Not only for your guests and any issues or questions they may have in regards to their tickets, but also for you and your needs.
At Passage, we focus our attention equally on you and your guests so that everyone gets the help they need. If you’re looking for assistance setting up your event or have a question, we’re always there to help. Similarly, if your guest has a question about their tickets or your FEC, we’ll do all we can to sort out the issue.
Let the Fun Begin!
Choosing the right ticketing platform for your FEC is an important step in any family entertainment center business plan. The right platform will help you create a seamless ticketing experience for your guests while maximizing revenue. Offering a variety of ticket types, integrating add-ons, and creating bundles can help you cater to a broader audience and give your guests what they want.
