An Opening Day FAIL at Chase Field. Shame on you Diamondbacks.
This is a tough review because once you're seated this is one of the BEST sporting venues in the USA. But the concessions are the WORST that I've ever experienced at a professional baseball stadium and enough to drive me away.
So two reviews:
BALLPARK: 5 STARS
Gorgeous! It's just a fun place to be. Sit back and enjoy the views. Although minor, my biggest frustration was that they don't always show replays and when they do, it's often delayed (like AFTER an official review). But I love how they display the pitch type information - very cool.
CONCESSIONS: 1 STAR
Apparently there was no Spring training for the concession personnel. OMG. The worst managed concessions operations I have ever experienced at any professional sporting venue here or abroad. I expect and don't mind the price gouging ($13 for a foot long hot dog) if the SERVICE is at least decent. But this was just horrible.
- Long Waits: Other stadiums move people through lines faster. A lot faster.
- Inexperienced Staff: Borderline incompetent. Maybe it's a lack of training. IDK. Many had no idea how to use their own equipment. Some had no clue what D-bucks were. And the staff just seemed to not care. They moved slow. Felt like I was at the DMV or Post Office.
- Bad Management: Who do you blame when concession stands repeatedly run out of condiments and fans have to inform already overwhelmed concession workers of this fact? Management (and I use that term very loosely).
- Outdated Technology. Broken scanners, ancient payment terminals. I've seen better technology at Little League snack shacks. This not only frustrates staff but contributes to long lines and waiting times.
- Slow! At one concession stand I counted 50+ people in line with two people working the payment systems and at least 4 people just standing around doing nothing. And ordering from your seat made no difference. It took one hour (no joke) to get peanuts, Pepsi, hot dog and fries delivered (which was about $40 BTW). .
I could go on and on.
Just bad management. I would not return. I'll watch the games on TV.