PARK SPY THE QUESTION: I’d like to come there for the day, but do I have to wear a mask? What if I don’t have one? Facial coverings have become a bit of a lightning rod due to the politicization of the health crisis. The Spy purposefully didn’t call as an anti-masker, because we wanted to see how staff presented mask requirements, not get into an argument over the merits of wearing a mask. Thankfully, none of the staffers let their feelings about mask-wearing come out in answering the question. All of them stated the mask rules, with varying degrees of empathy and thoroughness. Send us a question for the Spy to ask! Seriously, do it. We won’t tell anyone the question came from you. Plus, if we use your question, your park will be immune for that issue! Send questions to sarah@adventureparkinsider.com.
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PARK #1, WI Answering phone: Automated message that goes into detail about COVID-19 protocols and when the session times are. Prompts people to make reservations online. First contact: Female. API: Stated question. Staff: We don’t require masks outside; inside we ask that the clients use them. Our staff uses them while zip lining. API: Ummm, OK. If I do need to go inside and I don’t have a mask with me? Staff: We have some. API: OK, do you know how much they are? Staff: Honestly, I think they give ’em to you because they are the disposable ones. They might be a dollar, but I am quite sure they are free. API: OK, and it looks like online there are just a couple times available for the adventure course? Staff: That is correct. You are only with your group either on the zip line or adventure course. API: Great. I like being with my group only. Thanks. Staff: Thanks for calling, hope you have a nice day. Score: 8 Comments: She was friendly, and answered my questions well. This
place has a great outgoing message to let people know what to expect.
PARK #2, GA First contact: Female. API: Stated question. Staff: You do have to have it when you are within six feet of our guides. You do not have to wear it on the zip line itself, when zipping from one end to another, but you will need to have it when the guide is putting you on and taking you off. API: OK, great. And if I don’t have a mask, do you have any that I can buy? Staff: We do not have any for sale here. You would need a mask, or a scarf, something that goes across your face. API: OK, well, I might be coming in a couple weeks and just wanted to see what was in place. Staff: Yeah, we will have these same rules in a few weeks. API: Thanks. Score: 4 Comments: She was pretty nice, but definitely left me wondering how serious this place is about COVID safety. Requiring masks and not having any available for guests isn’t OK nowadays. What if I wore a disposable mask and it ripped?
Would I get the boot since there aren’t any available on site?
PARK #3, VT Answering phone: Automated message providing all of the CDC rules, hours of operation, and letting people know to expect something different, with a CTA to go to the website for details. First contact: Female. API: Stated question. Staff: Yes, you need to wear a mask. We were actually doing it before the state mandated a mask, but it is required at all times. API: OK, if I don’t have one, do you sell them? Staff: Yep. API: OK, do you know how much they are? Staff: They are just a dollar for the disposable ones. API: Cool. Staff: Yeah. We have the adventure course open, but the zip line is closed. The adventure course is open because we have so many harnesses that they go into a wash after an individual uses them. The zip line does not have as many harnesses, so we cannot sanitize them after each use, which is why it is closed.