https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 17 May 2026 12:22:31 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-expect-to-pay-for#post-2413310 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 19:17:42 +0000 Jess1483 2413310@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We will add time if people ask, but that happens rarely (maybe 1-2 times a year and we do over 100 parties a year). 1.5 hours is the base for everywhere around here. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-expect-to-pay-for#post-2413304 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 19:13:18 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2413304@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Most party places I know of start their room block at 2 hours and give the option to pay for additional time in 30 or 60 minute increments </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-expect-to-pay-for#post-2413289 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 19:04:38 +0000 pastemoo 2413289@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Raindrop: right but they are also losing the business of others by making it exclusive, so cost to the facility is higher. I think in my area that would be over $100, probably $150.</p> <p>Eta misunderstood the exclusivity, but with museum tickets it seems reasonable </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-expect-to-pay-for#post-2413286 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 19:03:50 +0000 regberadaisy 2413286@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have been doing a lot of research for my daughters 4th and we have a place like that locally that does parties. I haven't heard back yet but for only 1.5 hours (no way) and no food I would expect somewhere around the lower end of $150-200. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-expect-to-pay-for#post-2413262 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 18:38:27 +0000 HabesBabe 2413262@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted $75-$100 because I think that having it open to the public while the party is going on devalues it a bit. If I was paying a premium for a carousel, I would want it for my party for the time paid. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-expect-to-pay-for#post-2413152 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 17:15:12 +0000 Jess1483 2413152@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: it's easy for us to include drinks in the summer when our concession stand is open. Harder to do in the winter, but I'll look at it. We offer pizza, ice cream cake, or both for additional cost. I think we aren't likely to go over $100 for the base price, so that seems totally reasonable based on the responses here. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-expect-to-pay-for#post-2413145 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 17:07:29 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2413145@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jess1483: honestly I don't know what low COL is to give you a number to charge before you price yourself out. With all that you described I can't imagine getting the same thing where I live for less than $200. I would suggest making refreshments apart of the package even if it means you have two price points- base and premium depending on the choices. </p> <p>I can see people wanting to bring in their own cake and food, but if you included drinks that would be valuable. One less thing to carry in a cooler. My local zoo includes cupcakes, and given the price I doubt I would bring an additional cake. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-expect-to-pay-for#post-2413131 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 17:00:19 +0000 Jess1483 2413131@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: we do have bathrooms, and we also have a super awesome playground (consistently named best in our city). It's always open but of course not quite as usable in the snow...) Party guests also all get a pass to the local children's museum ($4.25 value). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-expect-to-pay-for#post-2413126 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 16:56:31 +0000 Raindrop 2413126@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jess1483: Yeah charge more!! :) Haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-expect-to-pay-for#post-2413124 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 16:55:54 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2413124@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What else is there to do besides the carousel?</p> <p>Are there nice bathrooms close by?</p> <p>I'd pay $150+. To rent my neighborhood park's pavillion with three picnic tables under and clean bathrooms close by is $70. Sure the playground and other park stuff are the amenities, but I don't get an extra helper or balloons. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-expect-to-pay-for#post-2413117 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 16:50:45 +0000 Jess1483 2413117@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: good idea. We have it described a bit more on our stuff, but I'm going to work on a new party brochure when we have new pricing done. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-expect-to-pay-for#post-2413113 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 16:49:46 +0000 Jess1483 2413113@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: yes, the carousel is open to the public, but we have a separate line for party guests and they are let on first. We have a completely private after hours party as well, but I'm just looking for the base to start from. </p> <p>And I know. I was shocked when the director (aka my mom) told me that. I'll be working on that too... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-expect-to-pay-for#post-2413110 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 16:49:29 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2413110@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jess1483: ok. Make sure you bullet out those tasks!! It adds value! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-expect-to-pay-for#post-2413106 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 16:48:08 +0000 Jess1483 2413106@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: we try to keep our ride costs down as much as possible because we are a not for profit. We occasionally lose money on slow days, but feel we are part of the community and do our best to act that way. We have only raised our price for a kids' ride from $.50 to $.75 in 20 years, so we haven't really kept up with inflation there...</p> <p>The private party person helps the party guests get on and off the carousel separately from the general public (would be close to impossible to do without). They clean and set up/clean up the space (which otherwise is available to the public), serve food (whether or not it's purchased from us), and then just generally help to entertain and make life easier for the party parents. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-expect-to-pay-for#post-2413095 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 16:44:00 +0000 yoursilverlining 2413095@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At least $100 base. </p> <p>I'm confused by this: "We are open to the public, but party guests have first shot at it." Does that mean that even if a private party rents the carousel, the public can use it? If yes, maybe price the base lower.</p> <p>"we add the cost of food to the base party without profit" - dude, why aren't you guys making a profit on the food? That's always where I see huge mark-ups! Price that for a profit!! :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-expect-to-pay-for#post-2413088 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 16:38:21 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2413088@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As a clasic ride I was thinking public rates were like $2/kid. </p> <p>Is there a way you could not do the private party person? Or describe more what they would do? I would see the need of food was offered but other than that not sure what we would need them for. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-expect-to-pay-for#post-2413080 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 16:32:19 +0000 Chillybear 2413080@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would think $10/kid - that how i got to $100-125 range - would be completely reasonable </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-expect-to-pay-for#post-2413078 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 16:29:27 +0000 snowjewelz 2413078@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I chose the highest range.. I live in a high cost of living area so for us it'd probably be even more! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-expect-to-pay-for#post-2413072 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 16:22:36 +0000 Jess1483 2413072@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You all are making me feel better ;) We live in a low COL area, but when I was doing DS's birthday this year, I decided we really needed to up our price. It's much lower than our "competitors." </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-expect-to-pay-for#post-2413069 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 16:21:40 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2413069@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd expect to pay at least $150 (probably more) just because renting a party space is always expensive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-expect-to-pay-for#post-2413067 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 16:20:58 +0000 Jess1483 2413067@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Raindrop: Yeah, and then you add in the dedicated employee (which is the most valuable and expensive part of the event). Right now we charge $85, so we're essentially losing money on parties. So obviously we need to adjust... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-expect-to-pay-for#post-2413064 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 16:18:29 +0000 Raindrop 2413064@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Very interesting so basically if all 12 kids are riding contently it would be (12 (kids) x 10 (how many rides you can fit in 1.5 hr) x 0.75 (cost of a kid’s ride) = 90</p> <p>Since most people probably don’t do the break down. I would probably pay 100 dollars for this. Haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-expect-to-pay-for#post-2413050 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 16:12:21 +0000 Jess1483 2413050@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: $0.75 for kids; $2.25 for adults. Generally we can fit 10ish rides into the 1.5 hours, depending on what else they want to happen. Right now it's kind of in an alcove, but we're adding an enclosed room (and taking advantage of this time to up our prices a bit...they're pretty much at cost now.) We have an outside space when the weather allows that's great, too.</p> <p>The space (both old and new) probably couldn't seat that many people, but rarely does everyone sit at once, and generally even then only the kids.</p> <p>We're a not-for-profit, so we try to keep costs as low as possible, but we have employees to pay ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-expect-to-pay-for#post-2413030 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 15:59:55 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2413030@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: that's kinda what I was leaning towards. $100 for riding and then some for the other amenities. Unless there is something amazing in the other amenities not mentioned. For me, I look at paper goods and baloons and say ok I could get that for $5 from the dollar store. So not much "value" there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-expect-to-pay-for#post-2413023 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 15:57:13 +0000 Mamaof2 2413023@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel like this stuff is always overpriced - I voted 150-200 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-expect-to-pay-for#post-2413019 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 15:55:17 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2413019@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also, what space is available for the party. A separate room? A designated area in the general seating space? Is it large enough for at least the 12 kids plus at least 12 adults. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-expect-to-pay-for#post-2413016 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 15:54:15 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2413016@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What is a normal price for one ride? Like for the general public? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-expect-to-pay-for#post-2413011 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 15:52:19 +0000 Jess1483 2413011@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is more for work research than personal knowledge, and it obviously depends on the region, but I'm curious about what you'd expect to pay for this: </p> <p>1.5 hour party at a carousel (it's a big local attraction, inside, wooden, not like a "fair" carousel). Up to 12 "participants" included. Adults not generally counted in that number unless riding most of the time without a child. No food (we add the cost of food to the base party without profit, so that amount doesn't change), but people can bring in their own food. A party host. Plates, forks, napkins, balloons. Rides are constantly available/included. We are open to the public, but party guests have first shot at it. Most people decorate minimally if at all. </p> <p>So given all of that information, what would you expect to pay? </p>