Vala's Pumpkin Patch — How Nebraska's Premier Fall Destination Streamlined Operations and Scaled to 100K+ Visitors
When Vala's Pumpkin Patch wanted to manage peak-season crowds more efficiently while delivering an exceptional guest experience, they turned to SimpleTix. See how they transformed their ticketing operation and grew attendance year over year.
About Vala's Pumpkin Patch
Founded in 1984, Vala's Pumpkin Patch has grown from a small family operation into Nebraska's premier fall destination. Over 35 years, they have expanded to include over 50 attractions, multiple food stands, and family-friendly activities.
[ADD FROM INTERVIEW: Mission statement, unique story about the business, what makes Valas special to the community and families]
The Challenge: Managing Peak Season Crowds
Vala's needed a solution that would allow them to manage peak attendance without sacrificing the guest experience. Previous systems struggled with the high volume of traffic, leading to long wait times and frustration for both staff and guests.
- Long lines at entry and checkout stations
- Manual ticket verification and tracking
- Limited visibility into real-time attendance
- Difficulty managing capacity and timed entry
- Paper waivers and cash handling
- [ADD: Other specific challenges from interview]
The Solution: An Integrated Ticketing Platform Built for Scale
Vala's Pumpkin Patch partnered with SimpleTix to create a seamless ticketing experience from purchase to entry. The implementation included:
- Timed Entry & Capacity Management: SimpleTix's timed ticketing system allowed Vala's to spread attendance throughout the day, reducing wait times and improving the guest experience during peak season.
- Mobile Tickets & QR Code Scanning: Guests receive mobile tickets with QR codes, enabling fast, contactless check-in at multiple entry points. Staff can scan tickets from phones or tablets, eliminating the need for dedicated hardware.
- Square Payment Integration: Seamless integration with Square ensures all transactions—online and on-site—sync automatically, simplifying reconciliation and reporting.
- Digital Waivers: [IF USED] Guests sign waivers digitally during checkout, eliminating paperwork and speeding up entry.
- Season Passes & Memberships: [IF USED] SimpleTix's membership features enabled Vala's to launch season pass programs, driving recurring revenue and building loyalty.
[ADD: Other specific features used – check internal account data for: reserved seating, white-label branding, email flows, add-ons, etc.]
The Impact: Growth, Efficiency, and Better Guest Experience
Since implementing SimpleTix, Vala's has seen significant improvements across all key metrics:
Process Efficiency: Ticket scanning is now lightning fast. No more lines or frustrated staff. Real-time data allows Vala's to make informed staffing and operation adjustments on the fly.
Looking Ahead
With SimpleTix as their operational backbone, Valas Pumpkin Patch is exploring new ways to enhance the guest experience, including expanded event programming, VIP experiences, and year-round bookings for private events.
[ADD FROM INTERVIEW: Future vision, expansion plans, how SimpleTix enables their growth strategy]
SimpleTix Products Mentioned
Timed Entry
Manage capacity and spread attendance throughout the day with flexible timed ticketing.
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Square Integration
Seamlessly sync payments with Square for unified reporting and reconciliation.
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QR Code Scanning
Fast, contactless check-in with mobile QR codes and multi-device scanning.
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