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Just days after The Beach Waterpark announced it would not issue refunds for season passes, dozens of disgruntled pass holders have filed complaints with the state.

As of Friday evening, customers had filed more than 172 complaints this month regarding the now-closed Mason park, said Mark Moretti, a spokesman with Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine’s office.

Before March, the park had received six complaints dating back to 2006, he said.

• Beach Waterpark to close
• Photos: The Beach Waterpark through the years
• Kings Island to double water park with $10M expansion
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The 35-acre, tropical-themed waterpark announced March 9 it would close for the 2012 season, citing years of losing money and a failure to secure new financing.

But park officials announced Wednesday that it would not be able to issue refunds to customers who pre-paid for 2012 season passes.

Instead, pass holders would be eligible for up to $200 in discounts to area attractions, including Kings Island, Coney Island, Countryside YMCA, Cincinnati Zoo, Ozone Zipline Adventures, Morgan’s Outdoor Adventures, Dave & Busters and Mason recreational facilities.

Season passes to The Beach most recently retailed for $89.99 for adults and $32.99 for children under 48 inches and seniors.

In a statement Thursday, DeWine said customers should contact his office at www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/ConsumerComplaint or 1-800-282-0515 if they wish to file a complaint.

Pass holders who paid more than $50 by credit card may dispute the charges with their credit provider in writing within 60 days after the first bill containing the error was mailed, according to DeWine.

“Many credit card issuers offer protection to the consumer beyond the requirements set under federal law, so it is a good idea to contact them,” he said.

DeWine urged customers to save all letters, receipts, invoices, contracts and other documentation related to the transaction.  He also suggested they keep track of any correspondence sent to or from the business.

“If the company files for bankruptcy, then these letters will give you a better chance of receiving some money out of the bankruptcy action,” DeWine said.

However, DeWine warned that consumers may find it difficult to recover money after a company files for bankruptcy or closes outright.

Longtime pass holder Tina Stroud of Springdale spent $305 on Beach season passes this year.  She says the deals to area attractions don’t interest her and that she’s filed a dispute with the credit card company used to purchase the passes

“[The Beach] did not pay any money to those companies, but they still took my money,” she said.  “I would never visit The Beach again unless it was under entirely new ownership.”

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Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Business, News, The Beach Waterpark |

Tags: Tags: closing, complaints, credit card, disputes, mike dewine, ohio attorney general, pass holders, refunds, season passes, the beach waterpark

It’s official: Customers who pre-paid for 2012 season passes to The Beach Waterpark won’t be getting refunds.

The now-closed Mason park said Wednesday that it will not be able to reimburse those who purchased season passes and instead announced discounts up to $200 for pass holders at a number of area attractions.

“While we regret that we won’t be able to provide refunds to season pass holders, we couldn’t be more proud of how our community partners have come together to support our season pass holders and provide them with valuable experiences,” spokesman Ralph Vilardo Jr. said in a news release.

• Beach Waterpark to close
• Photos: The Beach Waterpark through the years
• Kings Island to double water park with $10M expansion
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Season passes to The Beach most recently retailed for $89.99 for adults and $32.99 for children under 48 inches and seniors.

The discounts begin as early as today and include:

• One free day pass to Kings Island and the opportunity to purchase a Gold pass at a reduced price
• A one-time discount good toward the Mason Community Center, Lou Eves Municipal Pool or the Grizzly Golf Course
• Two free Sunlite Pool & Classic Rides combo tickets at Cony Island Amusement Park
• A free one week family pass to Countryside YMCA and discounted membership fee
• Reduced admission to the Cincinnati Zoo
• Buy one get one free weekday rental at Morgan’s Outdoor Adventures
• Discounted pricing for zipline tours at Ozone Zipline Adventures
• A credit with purchase of a PowerCard at Dave & Busters

The Beach announced March 9 that it will shut down after 27 years in business, citing “a challenging, competitive and economic climate and changing patron entertainment habits” for the closure.

Vilardo said the 35-acre, tropical-themed waterpark has operated at a loss for several years and local investors who own The Beach have been unable to secure new financing.

The company left open the possibility that The Beach could reopen next year. Vilardo said the park’s owners will keep up the maintenance while they try to secure new investments or possibly sell the park.

Since it opened in 1985, The Beach has employed 15,000 people and had 7.5 million visitors, an average of about 275,000 visitors each year.

Vilardo said season pass holders will be contacted by mail with full details regarding each offer and how they may participate.  Details about the attractions offered have been posted on The Beach’s website at www.thebeachwaterpark.com.  He referred consumer questions to thebeachwaterpark@northlich.com.

Angry consumers took to The Beach’s Facebook page expressing disappointment with The Beach’s offer and saying they prefer a full refund.

Longtime pass holder Tina Stroud of Springdale spent $305 on Beach season passes this year.  She says the deals to area attractions don’t interest her and that she’s filed a dispute with the credit card company used to purchase the passes

“I bought a pool pass,” she said.  “Plus these deals are essentially being offered by those companies, not The Beach. They did not pay any money to those companies, but they still took my money. I would never visit The Beach again unless it was under entirely new ownership.

A representative from Ohio Attorney General Mike Dewine’s office declined comment on this particular case, but said that anyone who has pre-paid for goods and services not received by a now closed business can file a complaint with them at www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov or by calling 800-282-0515.

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Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Business, News, The Beach Waterpark |

Tags: Tags: 2012 season pass, discounts, mason, pass holders, ralph vilardo jr. kings island, refunds, season pass, soak city, the beach, the beach waterpark, water park

The Beach Waterpark’s abrupt closing last week has left some customers who pre-paid for 2012 season passes wondering when — or if — they’ll get their money back.

Longtime pass holder Tina Stroud of Springdale spent $305 on season passes this year.  She’s emailed The Beach twice since it announced it would close its gates and received only automated responses in return.

“Of course I would love a refund, but I’m not holding my breath,” she said.  “I don’t think it looks good to be getting refunds.  We’re going to be the last ones on the list.”

Refunds for 2012 season passes are still up in the air, said Ralph Vilardo Jr., a waterpark spokesman.  He said management is still working with creditors and investors to decide if cash refunds will be issued to pass holders.

“There is no refund determination that has been made,” he said.  “It’s not out of the realm, but the refund, it’s not there today.

• Photos: The Beach Waterpark through the years
• Kings Island to double water park with $10M expansion

The Beach announced March 9 that it will shut down after 27 years in business, citing “a challenging, competitive and economic climate and changing patron entertainment habits” for the closure.

Vilardo said the 35-acre, tropical-themed waterpark has operated at a loss for several years and local investors who own The Beach have been unable to secure new financing.

The company left open the possibility that The Beach could reopen next year. Vilardo said the park’s owners will keep up the maintenance while they try to secure new investments or possibly sell the park.

Since it opened in 1985, The Beach has employed 15,000 people and had 7.5 million visitors, an average of about 275,000 visitors each year.

The waterpark’s unexpected closing upset some season pass holders, who say The Beach offered Leap Year pass specials and continued to sell summer season passes even after it announced it would not reopen this season.

Soon after announcing its closure, The Beach shut down its online store and posted a notice on its website referring all consumer inquiries to thebeachwaterpark@northlich.com.

Frustrated pass holders took to social media this week, expressing anger on the park’s Facebook page at what they say are automated email responses with no promise of a refund or bounced emails.

Park management hoped to soothe that disappointment Thursday with an announcement that pass holders would be eligible for special deals from neighboring Kings Island.

As part of the partnership, 2012 Beach pass holders will receive one free visit to Kings Island between April 28 and May 28 and can upgrade their Beach pass to a 2012 Kings Island gold season pass for $49.99 — a 50 percent discount off regular gold season pass costs.

In 2011, a season pass to The Beach cost $79.99 for adults and $32.99 for children under 48 inches and seniors.

“We were trying to come up with some avenues (so) our current season pass holders could utilize the passes they bought from The Beach,” said Vilardo.

However, the offer has met with criticism from some pass holders, who say the deal doesn’t measure up to what they paid for their Beach passes or who already have season passes to Kings Island.

Other pass holders expressed frustration with the limited timeframe in which to redeem their free Kings Island visit, noting they would only have two days to enjoy Kings Island’s new Soak City Waterpark, which opens May 26.

“Something is better than nothing, but I don’t feel that one day at KI is a fair compensation,” said Stroud.  ”At one point KI was offering a gold pass for $15 cheaper than what I paid for my Beach pass.  It doesn’t feel like a comparable trade.”

Vilardo said The Beach management is working on other incentives to attractions in the area so that pass holders can still get “some value for their pass.”  But he can’t say when or if pass holders can expect cash refunds.

“We have all the season pass information and we will communicate that to the season pass database as soon as that is available,” he said.

A representative from Ohio Attorney General Mike Dewine’s office declined comment on this particular case, but said that anyone who has pre-paid for goods and services not received by a now closed business can file a complaint with them at www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov or by calling 800-282-0515.

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Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Business, News, The Beach Waterpark |

Tags: Tags: closed, gold pass, kings island, mason, pass holders, ralph vilardo, refunds, season passes, soak city, the beach waterpark, tina stroud, waterpark