Planning a party should be fun, not just another task on the to-do list, or worse, a game of phone tag and unanswered emails. Today’s party hosts expect the freedom to book and manage their celebration when it suits them, which is why self-service experiences are becoming essential.
From booking online to managing RSVPs and making last-minute changes, party hosts want the ability to do it all, anytime, from anywhere. And with ROLLER’s party booking software, they can.
Why self-service matters now more than ever
We live in an on-demand world, where people are used to doing everything, from ordering dinner to checking in for a flight, with just a few taps. And it’s no different in the attractions industry. Guests expect that same ease and convenience when booking experiences, whether it’s movie tickets, escape rooms, or a day out at your venue.
So when it comes to planning a party, the process should be just as simple. Guests don’t want to jump through hoops or wait around for someone to respond — they want to book, invite, and manage everything online, on their own time.
And the data backs it up. Guests don’t just prefer self-service options; they expect them and are more likely to engage with businesses that offer them.
In fact, research shows:
- 88% of people expect brands to offer self-service options
- 81% try to solve issues themselves before reaching out for help
- 90% of consumers worldwide want access to online support tools
What does this mean for your venue? Simply put: party hosts want control, convenience, and flexibility. If you don’t offer it, they’ll find someone who does.
A better way to book and manage parties
At ROLLER, we’ve built solutions that make the entire party planning journey easier for hosts, and less stressful for your staff. From the initial booking to last-minute changes, everything can be managed online — no need to call, wait, or follow up.
Here's how we do it:
1. Guests book with ease using ROLLER's online checkout
With ROLLER’s intuitive online checkout, planning a party is straightforward and stress-free. Party hosts can easily browse your party packages, choose a date and time, customize their add-ons, and pay, all in just a few clicks.Even better? Our party package product dynamically calculates the number of inclusions needed based on the number of guests selected. That means no guesswork and no back-and-forth to confirm or clarify details.
The entire experience is seamless and tailored, giving party hosts confidence that everything’s covered — no stress, no surprises. And with a fast, mobile-friendly checkout, they can plan their party at a time that suits them, without needing to pick up the phone or wait for business hours. In fact, 43% of party bookings occur between 5pm-8am, according to our industry benchmark report — making it essential to offer a 24/7 booking experience that meets your guests where they are, whenever they’re ready to book.
2. Party hosts manage invitations and RSVPs with party guest lists
Once the booking is confirmed, it's time to invite guests; ROLLER's party guest list feature makes the process effortless. Party hosts can log into their online account to:
- Send digital invitations via email, text, or social media
- Track RSVPs with an easy-to-share link
- Prompt waiver completion ahead of the party
3. Hosts can now make changes to their party online
We’re excited to introduce the final piece of the self-service journey: self-serve parties in online accounts.From their account, party hosts can now:
- Add or remove guests
- Update food and beverage options
- Reschedule the party if needed
Venues stay fully informed with real-time notifications anytime a booking is updated. You can set rules to define what guests can change and how far in advance they can make updates, giving your team enough time to action requests and keep everything running smoothly.
This new feature completes the self-serve party planning experience. From booking and invites to managing RSVPs and making changes, party hosts can handle everything they need online.
Check out our May 2025 Product Spotlight webinar for a demo of the party guest list and self-management features.
Ready to deliver the seamless experience guests expect?
Giving guests the power to self-serve both improves their experience and frees up your team so they can spend less time managing bookings and more time doing what really matters: creating amazing in-person experiences.
Whether it’s a busy weekend or a packed party schedule, self-service tools help you handle more with less effort while keeping guests happy and coming back.
If you’re still relying on manual processes to manage party bookings, it’s time to rethink the experience. With ROLLER, you can give party hosts everything they need to plan their party, all in one place, and all on their own time.
Want help enabling these features? Follow these helpful guides in our Help Center:
Not a ROLLER customer? Schedule a chat to see how we can help you offer self-service experiences for your guests.
FAQs
What is self-service party management?
Self-service party management allows party hosts to not only book their event online, but also manage invites, RSVPs, waivers, and changes — all through their online account.
Can guests update bookings without contacting staff?
Yes — based on the rules set by the venue, party hosts can change guest numbers, update food & beverage options, or reschedule all through their online account.
Will our team be notified when changes occur?
Absolutely. You’ll receive real-time alerts for all booking updates, giving you visibility and the ability to action these requests.
How does this reduce admin for staff?
By removing the need to handle every change manually, either via phone or email. Guests manage their own bookings, which frees your team up to focus on delivering great guest experiences.
Is this part of ROLLER’s party booking tools?
Yes — self-service updates are part of ROLLER’s online accounts and work seamlessly with your party booking setup.
