The way guests pay at family entertainment centers (FECs) and amusement parks has changed dramatically in recent years.
According to a McKinsey Global Survey, the adoption of contactless payment technologies accelerated by three to five years in just six months due to COVID-19.
This rapid shift has permanently shaped consumer expectations, making speed, convenience, and security top priorities for visitors.
Today’s guests expect more than just fun—they expect efficiency.
A recent study found that 56% of attraction visitors now consider contactless technology, such as RFID wristbands and smart turnstiles, a “must-have.” Additionally, guests increasingly look for mobile apps (51%), self-scan checkout (49%), and self-service kiosks (45%) to simplify the customer experience at FECs.
However, many FECs and amusement parks still rely on slow, outdated cash transactions that create long lines, operational inefficiencies, and lost revenue opportunities.
Digital payments offer a better alternative. With cash-to-card admissions, guests can access attractions faster, spend less time waiting, and enjoy a hassle-free visit.
Beyond guest convenience, these solutions help businesses automate FEC processes, enhance security, and unlock valuable sales insights that drive profitability.
Continue reading as we examine how digital payment solutions improve service speed, increase guest satisfaction, and provide deeper financial insights to help FECs and amusement parks operate more efficiently.
The Shift Toward Digital Transactions in FECs and Amusement Parks
Cash transactions are becoming less common, especially in high-traffic venues like FECs and amusement parks.
Guests expect fast, flexible payment options that allow them to spend more time enjoying attractions and less time waiting in line.
Traditional cash handling can slow down transactions, create operational inefficiencies, and lead to lost revenue opportunities.
By adopting digital payment solutions, venues can streamline purchases across concessions, arcade games, and ticketing systems.
A well-integrated arcade card system makes it easy for guests to load funds onto prepaid cards or RFID wristbands, eliminating the need to carry cash. Additionally, cash-to-card admissions simplify entry, helping operators automate FEC processes while reducing bottlenecks at the front gate.
As more businesses embrace digital payment solutions, FECs and amusement parks that make the transition now will move to the head of the line in improving efficiency, enhancing the guest experience, and meeting shifting consumer expectations.
Enhancing the Guest Experience with Digital Payment Solutions
A smooth and efficient guest experience at an arcade or amusement park starts the moment visitors walk through the gates.
Long lines at ticket booths, snack stands, and attractions can quickly turn excitement into frustration.
Slow-moving cash transactions only add to these delays, creating bottlenecks that impact overall satisfaction.
With cash-to-card admissions, guests can load funds onto prepaid cards or RFID wristbands in seconds, allowing them to move through the park without worrying about carrying cash. This means faster entry, quicker concession purchases, and more time enjoying rides and games.
A well-integrated arcade card system also makes it easier for guests to reload funds, ensuring they can continue playing without interruption.
Beyond convenience, digital payments also support guest retention at an FEC by improving loyalty programs and personalized offers.
When payments are linked to a guest profile, businesses can provide tailored discounts and promotions that encourage repeat visits.
Operators can also analyze spending habits to adjust pricing, optimize concessions, and introduce promotions that boost engagement.
By adopting these innovations, FECs and amusement parks create a frictionless experience where guests spend more time having fun and less time waiting in line—leading to higher revenue and stronger customer loyalty.
Protecting Payments While Preventing Fraud
Handling cash comes with risks—both for guests and for operators.
Theft, fraud, and human error are common challenges that amusement parks and FECs face when relying on traditional cash transactions. Shifting to digital payments helps mitigate these risks while improving operational control.
With a cash-to-card admissions system, guests can securely load funds onto prepaid cards or RFID wristbands, reducing the need to carry cash. This not only protects visitors from theft but also prevents employees from having to manage large sums of money, lowering the risk of internal fraud.
Encrypted transactions also provide an extra layer of security, ensuring guest payment data is protected at all times.
For operators, automating FEC processes through digital transactions eliminates cash discrepancies and provides real-time tracking of all purchases.
With every transaction accounted for, venues gain tighter financial oversight, reducing shrinkage and improving overall profitability.
Reducing Costs, Improving Efficiency
Managing cash isn’t just time-consuming—it’s expensive. Counting, reconciling, and transporting cash requires extra labor, adding unnecessary costs to daily operations.
By adopting digital payments, amusement parks and FECs can significantly reduce overhead while improving efficiency.
By turning to digital payment systems, operators eliminate the need for staff to handle cash transactions, freeing employees to focus on guest service rather than managing registers.
This also reduces expenses related to cash security, armored transport services, and manual reconciliation.
An arcade card system also helps businesses optimize staffing by automating transactions at games, concessions, and attractions.
Self-service kiosks allow guests to load funds independently, reducing wait times and minimizing the need for additional staff during peak hours.
By integrating digital payment solutions, FECs and amusement parks streamline operations, lower costs, and improve the overall experience—for both guests and employees.
Using Data to Drive Revenue
Understanding guest behavior is key to driving revenue and improving the customer experience at an FEC.
Unlike cash transactions, digital payments provide real-time insights into spending habits, allowing operators to make smarter business decisions.
With digital payment systems, every transaction is tracked in real time, giving FECs and amusement parks a clear picture of which attractions, games, and concessions are the most popular.
This data allows businesses to adjust pricing, optimize inventory, and introduce targeted promotions that encourage more spending.
Digital transactions also help to enhance guest retention at an FEC by enabling personalized loyalty programs. Operators can offer tailored rewards and incentives based on guest spending patterns, increasing the likelihood of repeat visits.
By leveraging these insights, amusement parks and FECs can move beyond guesswork, using data to refine operations, boost revenue, and create a more engaging experience that keeps guests coming back.
Ready Credit is Here to Help You FEC to Embrace the Power of Digital Payments
Delivering a better customer experience at an FEC starts with faster transactions, enhanced security, and smarter business insights—all of which are possible with the right digital payment solutions.
Ready Credit helps amusement parks and FECs streamline operations with cash-to-card admissions, arcade card systems, and automated payment solutions that reduce costs and improve efficiency.
With seamless transactions, real-time data tracking, and a more secure payment process, your venue can increase revenue while keeping guests engaged and coming back.
Ready to upgrade your payment experience? Let’s talk about how Ready Credit can help.
