$163 for 4 people to bowl for two hours at the bowling alley in Spanish Springs!?!?!

[DaddyD]

Was looking for something to do with friends who are in town visiting & went online to reserve a lane at the bowling alley in Spanish Springs--midweek @ 7PM they are charging $163.24 for 4 people (one lane, including shoe rental)!

I'm sure there are coupons available, & there are probably discounted rates available on different days / times, but when did bowling become so expensive?? I get it that $40/person for lots of Villagers may not break the bank, but how can a normal working class guy afford to take his family bowling anymore??

Is that a crazy price, or have I turned into that guy--an old man screaming at the clouds??

[Pairadocs]

Was looking for something to do with friends who are in town visiting & went online to reserve a lane at the bowling alley in Spanish Springs--midweek @ 7PM they are charging $163.24 for 4 people (one lane, including shoe rental)!

I'm sure there are coupons available, & there are probably discounted rates available on different days / times, but when did bowling become so expensive?? I get it that $40/person for lots of Villagers may not break the bank, but how can a normal working class guy afford to take his family bowling anymore??

Is that a crazy price, or have I turned into that guy--an old man screaming at the clouds??

Fully understand. I realize time flies, things change, but when we built our home here there were $2 matinees; and that was common in retirement areas all over Florida, kept the movie houses full on weekday afternoons and sold a LOT of very profitable soda and popcorn. Same with bowling, weekday afternoon bowling in areas with a heavy retired population, kept the AC bills paid at the alleys when the evening leagues and weekend crowds were at work. Things have DEFINITELY changed, and although of course prices must rise, the PERCENT of our income it now takes to bowl, go to a movie, or a simple entertainment at a Villages box office event in now totally out of range because our income has definitely not increased to the point of percentage increase of these relatively simple entertainments.

[Stu from NYC]

Used to bowl from time to time but at those prices sayonara

[villagetinker]

Just send a thank you note to BOWLERO, as they are the new owners of both Bowling houses in TV. All the bowling leagues also went up, I think $2 per week.

[JohnN]

I remember as a kid bowling 3 games for a buck. Times change

[bagboy]

Bowlero is the worst thing that could ever happen to the game, sport, and business of bowling. The link I provide gives a little insight into what Bowlero is all about. They bought our two centers and yes, invested in improvements that really made very little difference to their customers. Then, proceeded to raise the lineage rate drastically for league and open play. All the while, driving out long time employees and drastically reducing staff to include mechanics and more importantly, cleaning personnel. Speaking of Spanish Springs, it's a dump. We are down to bowling once a week, and my wife experiences allergy like symptoms at night, I'm thinking from the accumulation of dirt and dust.
And I'll add one more tidbit. Recently a bowler I know, upon finishing his league play, went to the counter and complained his hands were filthy from dirt on the lanes. I saw the pictures, his hands were black. The response from the area manager was, ( I don't like customers complaining to staff) maybe you should spend your money elsewhere.
Bowlero is making a concentrated effort to fill our two centers with new bowlers, no tap bowlers, and bad bowlers, along with sporadic open play. None of which will complain about much of anything. Read the article, then decide if it matters to you.
Private Equity–Backed Firm Bowlero Is Ruining Bowling (https://jacobin.com/2024/05/private-equity-bowlero-ruining-bowling)

[Stu from NYC]

Bowlero is the worst thing that could ever happen to the game, sport, and business of bowling. The link I provide gives a little insight into what Bowlero is all about. They bought our two centers and yes, invested in improvements that really made very little difference to their customers. Then, proceeded to raise the lineage rate drastically for league and open play. All the while, driving out long time employees and drastically reducing staff to include mechanics and more importantly, cleaning personnel. Speaking of Spanish Springs, it's a dump. We are down to bowling once a week, and my wife experiences allergy like symptoms at night, I'm thinking from the accumulation of dirt and dust.
And I'll add one more tidbit. Recently a bowler I know, upon finishing his league play, went to the counter and complained his hands were filthy from dirt on the lanes. I saw the pictures, his hands were black. The response from the area manager was, ( I don't like customers complaining to staff) maybe you should spend your money elsewhere.
Bowlero is making a concentrated effort to fill our two centers with new bowlers, no tap bowlers, and bad bowlers, along with sporadic open play. None of which will complain about much of anything. Read the article, then decide if it matters to you.
Private Equity–Backed Firm Bowlero Is Ruining Bowling (https://jacobin.com/2024/05/private-equity-bowlero-ruining-bowling)

Wow wonder how long they will survive acting like this

[Shadow8IA]

It’s less than $12 to bowl 2 games. You don’t have to rent it by the hour. The price went up about $1 when the new owners took over. I bowl there every other week & have never had dirty hands or a flare up of my allergies in Spanish Springs.

[Papa_lecki]

Bowlero is the worst thing that could ever happen to the game, sport, and business of bowling.[/url]

Worse than the bowling alley closing? Because that is what would have happened.

Electricity is up 8%, wages are up, cleaning supplies up. You have 7% annual inflation this happens.
It’s not 1973 anymore.

[JoeVentnor]

Was looking for something to do with friends who are in town visiting & went online to reserve a lane at the bowling alley in Spanish Springs--midweek @ 7PM they are charging $163.24 for 4 people (one lane, including shoe rental)!

I'm sure there are coupons available, & there are probably discounted rates available on different days / times, but when did bowling become so expensive?? I get it that $40/person for lots of Villagers may not break the bank, but how can a normal working class guy afford to take his family bowling anymore??

Is that a crazy price, or have I turned into that guy--an old man screaming at the clouds??

I thought it was expensive living in Palm City, Martin County, and have only been living in TV for a short time, but i cannot believe the prices here for good and services. They must think you have a printing press and just keep cranking out the cash! $163 for bowling can not be justified at all. By not patronizing these places maybe it will sink in, but i highly doubt it!!

[TomPerry]

You think that’s expensive??? Take 4 people to Disney World or Universal!!!

[golfing eagles]

I thought it was expensive living in Palm City, Martin County, and have only been living in TV for a short time, but i cannot believe the prices here for good and services. They must think you have a printing press and just keep cranking out the cash! $163 for bowling can not be justified at all. By not patronizing these places maybe it will sink in, but i highly doubt it!!

$163 for 4 people, 2 hours = $20.37/hour of entertainment. Compare that to other forms of entertainment. Golf in TV, low season----$54.50 + tax, 4-hour round---$14.57/hour. Show at the Sharon, $80-120, 2 hours = $40-60/hour. Caribbean cruise, 1 week for $4,000 = $23.81/hour not including tips/drinks/incidentals/excursions + you pay to sleep 25-33% of that time.

So, put in perspective, not outrageous at all.

[coleprice]

Actually, Executive Golf in The Villages is at No Additional Cost over our Amenity Fee, just like dozens of other things available at The Villages. If you don't play golf, try Bocci, Shuffle Board, Putting Greens, Corn Hole, Horse Shoes, a leisurely swim in one of our beautiful pools, etc. We have lots of things to do here in The Villages, so you don't have to pay exorbitant prices to bowl.

[SuzSmith]

Last month a bunch of us went to the bowling Alley on 44. I think it's a Leesburg address but it's not far. Got a Groupon. $36 for 2 hours for four of us! We bought food and drinks and still paid less than $100 for four.

I get your point that the regular price should be reasonable. But it takes just a quick search to find a deal.

[Spinnaker]

Groupon

[wsachs]

Was looking for something to do with friends who are in town visiting & went online to reserve a lane at the bowling alley in Spanish Springs--midweek @ 7PM they are charging $163.24 for 4 people (one lane, including shoe rental)!

I'm sure there are coupons available, & there are probably discounted rates available on different days / times, but when did bowling become so expensive?? I get it that $40/person for lots of Villagers may not break the bank, but how can a normal working class guy afford to take his family bowling anymore??

Is that a crazy price, or have I turned into that guy--an old man screaming at the clouds??
Why not go to AMF Leesburg? The Superstar package for $22.99 per person includes two hours of bowling, two entires and one side from a select menu, shoe rental, unlimited soda, chips and salsa, cookie cake. It's on 44 not far from Morse Blvd going towards Leesburg.

[RoseyRed]

The $195 amenity fee looks better and better!

[Shelbyh]

Was looking for something to do with friends who are in town visiting & went online to reserve a lane at the bowling alley in Spanish Springs--midweek @ 7PM they are charging $163.24 for 4 people (one lane, including shoe rental)!

I'm sure there are coupons available, & there are probably discounted rates available on different days / times, but when did bowling become so expensive?? I get it that $40/person for lots of Villagers may not break the bank, but how can a normal working class guy afford to take his family bowling anymore??

Is that a crazy price, or have I turned into that guy--an old man screaming at the clouds??

Yes that’s insane.

[rsmurano]

The same outfit owns leesburg amf lanes too. I bowl there and I think it’s up to $8 or more a game. That’s 10 mins of bowling for me. You do the calculation for price per hour, it’s expensive.
You have to make $50hr to break even for a hour of bowling.
II can go to a concert at the Sharon for $35 for 2 hours, I can play at a championship course for 3 hours of play cheaper than $150, the cost of bowling for 3 hours.
I love bowling but not at those prices.

[RDulac]

Was looking for something to do with friends who are in town visiting & went online to reserve a lane at the bowling alley in Spanish Springs--midweek @ 7PM they are charging $163.24 for 4 people (one lane, including shoe rental)!

I'm sure there are coupons available, & there are probably discounted rates available on different days / times, but when did bowling become so expensive?? I get it that $40/person for lots of Villagers may not break the bank, but how can a normal working class guy afford to take his family bowling anymore??

Is that a crazy price, or have I turned into that guy--an old man screaming at the clouds??

Since Bolero took over they have raised prices out of control. Even their drinks are ridiculous. The bars no longer attract any customers. I spoke with a bartender and she replied that on a Friday night she made $3 in tips.

[MSGirl]

Was looking for something to do with friends who are in town visiting & went online to reserve a lane at the bowling alley in Spanish Springs--midweek @ 7PM they are charging $163.24 for 4 people (one lane, including shoe rental)!

I'm sure there are coupons available, & there are probably discounted rates available on different days / times, but when did bowling become so expensive?? I get it that $40/person for lots of Villagers may not break the bank, but how can a normal working class guy afford to take his family bowling anymore??

Is that a crazy price, or have I turned into that guy--an old man screaming at the clouds??

That’s $20 per hour per person. Doesn’t sound too unreasonable

[Beats]

Was looking for something to do with friends who are in town visiting & went online to reserve a lane at the bowling alley in Spanish Springs--midweek @ 7PM they are charging $163.24 for 4 people (one lane, including shoe rental)!

I'm sure there are coupons available, & there are probably discounted rates available on different days / times, but when did bowling become so expensive?? I get it that $40/person for lots of Villagers may not break the bank, but how can a normal working class guy afford to take his family bowling anymore??

Is that a crazy price, or have I turned into that guy--an old man screaming at the clouds??

Question is , was that just for the bowling or was there drinks and or food in that cost?

[nn0wheremann]

Was looking for something to do with friends who are in town visiting & went online to reserve a lane at the bowling alley in Spanish Springs--midweek @ 7PM they are charging $163.24 for 4 people (one lane, including shoe rental)!

I'm sure there are coupons available, & there are probably discounted rates available on different days / times, but when did bowling become so expensive?? I get it that $40/person for lots of Villagers may not break the bank, but how can a normal working class guy afford to take his family bowling anymore??

Is that a crazy price, or have I turned into that guy--an old man screaming at the clouds??
$41 each for bowing? This will not stand, man. This The Dude will not abide!

[Skunky1]

Dixie Bowl – Open Bowling – Dixie Bowl and Ken Bowl (https://dixiebowl.net/dixie-bowl-open-bowling/)

[bagboy]

Why do you still bowl there if you hate it so much? Do you also go get root canals for fun?

Seriously, if it is so bad you are allergic to the place, why keep spending money there?

. My family has spent decades in and around bowling. From early days of practicing, pot bowling, managing and owning bowling centers, to bowling regionally and nationally on the professional level. From very competitive league play to now basically recreational bowling. We have two Hall of Fame members who have dedicated a lifetime not to mention countless hours and dollars to improve and preserve the sport of bowling.
Bowling for us has been a big part of our lives. It's not something one walks away from easily. I can go on and on but sure, for a twice or three times a year family outing, or a company party, or a date night, it doesn't matter so much the cost. But for bowlers who have invested so much already, it matters.