How to prepare your attraction for a smooth and successful opening day

How to Set Your Attraction Up for a Smooth Season

⏳ 3 Weeks Out: Lock Down Systems and Visibility

🎟 Ticketing and Capacity

• Confirm ticket types, pricing tiers, and peak-day rules. (Price Variations help article ↗)

• Sanity-check confirmation emails include QR codes, parking, maps, and FAQs.

📈 Tracking and Marketing

• Set up and double-check your Meta Pixel so it is live and recording.

• Draft your opening campaign: teaser posts in the lead-up, plus opening-day posts.

🔗 Scanning and Integrations

• Choose scanners, Eyoyo or Zebra both work well. (Types of QR scanners help article ↗)

• Run an end-to-end test: buy a ticket, scan it, verify any POS add-ons flow correctly. (How to QR scan help article ↗) plus POS setup guides for [Stripe ↗] or [Square ↗])

✅ Quick wins

• Make a simple tech checklist so you know everything is working before opening.

• Start a living FAQ document for staff based on last season’s pain points.

📅 1 Week Out: Finalize Gate Plan and Staff Readiness

🚦 Gate Operations

• Map lanes for Pre-purchased Tickets vs On-site Purchases.

• Confirm any necessary Wi-Fi or 4G hotspots at entry are fully functioning.

• Assign a floating troubleshooter with authority to unblock queues.

🎡 On-Site Sales

• Enable upsells in your Point of Sale (POS) system, whether at check-in or at concession stands (e.g., hayrides, feed cups, merch)

• Print simple signs with QR codes for self-checkout where appropriate. (Recommended QR code generator ↗)

📊 System Check

• Review dashboards for expected volumes and peak times so you know how many staff you’ll need and when your busiest times will be.

• Share staffing allocations by hour with supervisors.

✅ Quick wins

• Print wayfinding and lane signage.

• Prepare a lightweight “If this, do that” guide for check-in staff. (e.g….)

📬 2-3 Days Out: Schedule Comms and Prep Contingencies

📝 Guest Communication

• Check that your reminder emails (sent automatically 48 hours before) include the right details like parking, weather notes, and rescheduling policy.

• Prepare thank-you emails with links to upcoming events, you can also include a discount code to encourage guests to book again (Discount Codes help article ↗)

• Use Beyonk Custom Emails to automate. (Custom Emails help article ↗)

☔ Weather Plan

• Draft a clear cancellation or reschedule statement.

• Pre-build Broadcast messages by time slot and by full day. (Broadcast tool help article ↗)

• Check SMS credits if you plan to text. (SMS broadcast help article ↗)

✅ Quick wins

• Save the US support number in your phone. 🇺🇸 US: 1 (800) 469-5783 | 🇬🇧 UK: 0800 980 4517

• Print a same-day cheat sheet with top FAQs and escalation steps.

📦 The Day Before: Calm Setup, No Surprises

🔋 Devices and Materials

• Charge scanners and backup phones, pack power banks.

• Print a master guest list as a fall-back.

• Stage lanyards, wristbands, signage, and QR posters.

👥 Team Brief

• Share the run-of-show, lane map, and roles.

• Rehearse edge cases: lost emails, multiple tickets on one phone, code will not scan.

✅ Quick wins

• Put Broadcast drafts and support contacts in one pinned note.

• Walk the entry path and remove friction points.

🚀 Opening Morning: Execute With Confidence

🎟 Check-In and Flow

• Greet warmly, scan quickly, keep lanes balanced.

• Keep live dashboards open and shift staff if one gate slows.

🆘 Guest Support and Backups

• Set a visible Ticket Help Desk near entry.

• Ensure staff know how to search by name or email and how to perform manual check-in.

• Use the FAQ cheat sheet for common asks: lost email, scan failures, time-slot changes.

💬 Feedback Loop

• Note bottlenecks, repeated questions, and any scanner hiccups.

• Escalate through support promptly when needed.

🔄 After First Wave: Quick Debrief, Small Fixes

• Huddle for five minutes, capture one or two fixes, apply before the midday rush.

What This Means for Your Attraction