Flash Passes & Other "Queue Skipping" systems

[coastercrazed49]

For parks that you have to purchase line jumping passes its almost as though people who make a good amount of money don't have to wait in line. Thats why Disney parks where fastpasses come with park admission is a better way to go for people who just have enough money to go to the park and not pay extra for line jumping passes or anything like that.

[Hercules]

I am targeting Six Flags because I feel like they are worse then other parks in terms of trying to empty your pockets. They have the highest parking, food and drink prices and the VIP combined with flash pass just adds to it.

 

Or it could just be bias.

 

Would I go to those parks that were mentioned? Probably but only on a day where I could avoid lines and line cutting (unless it was very minimal), Disney being the exception since everyone can use Fast Pass. Dollywood doesn't seem as bad since the price for Q-Bot is much more reasonable but I still don't like it.

 

That is far enough. But what if you catch it on a bad day? What if you do all of you planning and you get there and it is a busy day at the park? Are you just going to moan and complain about having to stand in line while other people are getting to get ahead?

[Hercules]

For parks that you have to purchase line jumping passes its almost as though people who make a good amount of money don't have to wait in line. Thats why Disney parks where fastpasses come with park admission is a better way to go for people who just have enough money to go to the park and not pay extra for line jumping passes or anything like that.

 

It's not so much that people who are rich are the one's that are reaping the benefits. Do you think the 15 year old kid that has a part time minimum wage job really has the money to go spending it on a Q-Bot a Six Flags? No, he just blew his whole pay check on that thing, but he doesn't care. He wanted to buy it. Not everyone that gets the skipping line stuff really have the means to do it. They just do.

[Groteslurf]

I really like Disney's system. Everyone can put their ticket in the machine and get a ticket out with the return time to come back and ride.

It's free and available to everyone.

 

It is free but you can also 'buy' one (at least in Disneyland Paris) : if you book a suite or a Castle Club room in one of the hotels, you get a VIP fast pass, giving you unlimited access to the fast pass line.

[palmerleeberry]

I hate the whole idea of fast passes, especially this is the #1 why I wouldn't return to any Disney parks.

 

For example, I went to the Magic Kingdom and got a fast pass to ride Thunder Mountain Railroad. I had to wait a least an hour before I could go on (due to the time restriction listed on the fast pass), so I went to stand in line to ride Splash Mountain (they were next door) and waited an awful long time. After I finally rode Splash Mountain, I barely beat the one hour time window listed on my fast pass to ride Thunder Mountain. In all, it took me 90 minutes to ride both rides. I feel if the fast passes weren't being used, I probably would have ridden both rides in under an hour (that's my opinion).

 

As for the Q-bots, there aren't that many riders that used them, so I don't feel affected, still I wish there weren't such a thing as fast passes.

 

In other words:

I HATE THOSE (use your own swear word here) FAST PASSES!!!

[ernierocker]

In order to compare things to Flash Pass, you have to look at it in the right context.

 

For instance, paying for first-class on an airline would not be as good of a comparison if that flight was a short 2 hr or less flight. However, if we are talking a cross-country or an international flight, it is a GREAT comparison to buying a Flash Pass on a crowded day like a weekend. In both cases, you are paying for an extra service that will have a momentous effect on your experience. I'd say sitting in coach for 6 hours in cramped seats that won't recline is very comparable to waiting in a two-hour queue line with no air condition. Now, sitting in a leather reclined seat next to a model drinking champagne (like in that Seinfield episode) is comparable to using a Gold Flash Pass to wait 15 minutes instead of 2 hrs.

 

Flash Pass systems are the most efficient on peak days with a proper design and adequate park staffing. If all those are true, I just can't see how you can make a strong argument that they don't serve a useful purpose. Unless, you are just someone who is unable to change their opinion.

[ginzo]

I hate the whole idea of fast passes, especially this is the #1 why I wouldn't return to any Disney parks.

 

Disney makes it the easiest of all to avoid crowds and lines, at least they do at WDW. Their hotel prices vary depending on how busy they project a particular time to be. The slowest time is called "value season". If you go during value season, lines aren't going to be a problem.

[cfc]

^OK, it is moved that all Flash Passes should come with supermodels and chilled champagne. All those in favor say "aye."

 

All opposed, say "nay."

 

Motion carries. On to more new business.

[ernierocker]

^OK, it is moved that all Flash Passes should come with supermodels and chilled champagne. All those in favor say "aye."

 

All opposed, say "nay."

 

Motion carries. On to more new business.

 

Don't forget the motion that all those who do not get Flash Passes must be forced to eat the kosher meal because the guy who ordered the kosher meal got the regular meal by accident.

[robbalvey]

I am targeting Six Flags because I feel like they are worse then other parks in terms of trying to empty your pockets. They have the highest parking, food and drink prices and the VIP combined with flash pass just adds to it.

 

Or it could just be bias.

I agree. The more he posts the more that's what it sounds like to me.

 

I don't think Six Flags is doing anything different than any other park. I visit to Universal is just as expensive if not more expensive than a visit to Six Flags.

 

--Robb

[Scaparri]

^I definitely agree.

 

It just seems like SF is price jacking because they raised the parking price so much, but think about it... A single day ticket to one Universal park is $71 dollar. Their parking fee is $11, just $4 less than Six Flags. However, almost all Six Flags admission tickets are between $40 and $50 dollar. Yeah, the parking sucks compared to other parks, but the ticket price is still pretty good. And besides, unless you go to a smaller, less corporate park, the food pricing is going to be comparable everywhere. Who's really doing the price jacking? I don't think it's SF.

 

If you were to get a Q-bot at an SF park, it's still not going to be that much more than a day at Universal, and you don't have to wait in lines. And don't even get me started on season pass prices. There is NO argument.

[Hercules]

I think it is that people think they are getting less out of a Six Flags park. When people hear the phrase Six Flags, they just think "sucks". You can't even use Six Flags and Disney or Universal in the same sentence with some people. Now, I can see some of their points, but they just beat it to death. The parks are just different experiences from each other. If they don't like Six Flags parks, then don't go. Just like they don't have to buy from the vendor in line, they don't have to go to the parks.

[ernierocker]

I hate the whole idea of fast passes, especially this is the #1 why I wouldn't return to any Disney parks.

 

For example, I went to the Magic Kingdom and got a fast pass to ride Thunder Mountain Railroad. I had to wait a least an hour before I could go on (due to the time restriction listed on the fast pass), so I went to stand in line to ride Splash Mountain (they were next door) and waited an awful long time. After I finally rode Splash Mountain, I barely beat the one hour time window listed on my fast pass to ride Thunder Mountain. In all, it took me 90 minutes to ride both rides. I feel if the fast passes weren't being used, I probably would have ridden both rides in under an hour (that's my opinion).

 

As for the Q-bots, there aren't that many riders that used them, so I don't feel affected, still I wish there weren't such a thing as fast passes.

 

In other words:

I HATE THOSE (use your own swear word here) FAST PASSES!!!

 

In my opinion, you didn't use Fast Pass properly. If you have an hour before you can ride Thunder Mountain do not get in a line that is over an hour as well. Instead, find the lines that are shorter in that area which is usually Haunted Mansion or Pirates of the Caribbean. Or you could go over to Tom Sawyer Island. Then on your way back to ride Thunder Mountain when it is time, get a Fast Pass for Splash Mountain and repeat the same procedure by finding shorter wait times while you wait. Magic Kingdom is about the right side for Fast Pass to work effieciently if you have the know how.

 

As far as riding both rides in under an hour if there was no Fast Pass, I strongly disagree. Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain had long waits before and after Fast Pass. I'd say the wait times you witnessed on the day of your visit would of been the same if not longer before Fast Pass. I don't get how you came to that assumption.

[RIP Psyclone]

The funny thing is, at Disney parks where fastpass is free, I've never been subjected to, or witnessed any unhappy people in the standby line. I guess they are not bitter because they could have had one too. It seems to be the fact that money was paid, institutionalized bribery as was said earlier, that ticks people off. I'll make it clear that I am all for it, and agree that the price needs to be set high enough so that only a handful of people will pay for it. I just wish SFMM had a more extensive flash pass system that just getting 4 rides total. $50 for unlimited rides would be worth it to me, at least on a busy day.

[robbalvey]

I just wish SFMM had a more extensive flash pass system that just getting 4 rides total. $50 for unlimited rides would be worth it to me, at least on a busy day.

The do have something like this:

 

THRILL PASS

This is the way to get the most out of your visit to Six Flags Magic Mountain. Only $79 plus the cost of park admission the Thrill Pass includes The Flash Pass with unlimited ride access and an all you can eat buffet at the Mooseburger Lodge (served from 11:30am to 2 hours before the park closes) with tax and gratuity included. You'll also get reserved seating for shows (required check-in 5 minutes prior to the show - excluding concerts), a 5x7 main gate entrance photo and 25% off all merchandise purchases! Available at the park

 

You can always just buy 2 strips of Flash Passes for $40 and get on 8 rides without waiting. Or you can get an Xtreme Pass and get Flash Passes included every time you visit.

 

--Robb

[Jew]

Here's a better question: premium options like flash passes/Front of the Line/express/etc., VIP tours, preferred/valet parking, and so on...

 

Or...

 

No new rides, less staff, parks going out of business, etc.

 

That's really what it comes down to. Take away those added revenue streams, and then what?

[Teacups Make Me Sick]

But heck, if a person wants to buy into a product that promotes spending more $...thats fine by me...I just wanted to give my 2 cents.

That theory is flawed anyway since so many parks have vendors in long lines for more popular rides. So even if you are standing in line, you STILL have the ability to *choose* to spend more money.

 

I feel like I waste so much time in line when I could be doing other things. And if I choose to spend more money in the park instead of waiting in line, I'll do it.

 

A park is out to make money. If they have figured out a way to convince you to spend more money, they have reached their goal!

 

 

Of course making money is the parks goal (I recognize that it is a business)...BUT I think by being so obvious that by principle I wouldnt buy one of those. Its just like a supermarket that puts milk in the back of a store.

 

I guess my pet peeve is when a company is obvious in tricking people to spend money.

 

Six flags is picked on b/c:

 

A) They dont offer much to do other then spending money. I guess you can see one of the 2 shows they might offer but other then that, they are putting you in a situation where you feel that you need to keep entertained (translation: spend money) while you are waiting for your ride time.

 

B) I've seen what Yoshifan is talking about skull mountain where a full empty train will go through the station b/c there are no fastpassers on it. OR the ride ops will let on one train fast-passers and one train of "regular" people. If they want people to be happy...I think the key word is blending.

[mike robinson]

This is why these systems hurt people who go to their home park a lot. Can you really justify spending that much money for a family of four that goes once a week?

 

Seems like parks did just fine for a long time just running at capacity.

[Cameron]

I'm not a big fan of any current implementation of line-jumping schemes, and feel quite strongly that the whole system is flawed. I have used it in the past (several versions), and will again, but I still think it makes the original problem worse.

 

The original problem is of course: long lines and over-crowding.

 

See if I have an "appointment" to ride (let's say) Raging Bull at 2pm, then I am effectively in line for Raging Bull. But I am also physically standing in line for Viper, so now I am in two places at once. Scale this up to all the people with a QBot, and you have effectively dumped a whole lot more people into the park.

 

So far this hasn't seemed to be too bad of a problem because the percentage of people who use these systems is still quite low - but eventually the scale will tip and we'll actually end up in a situation worse than we were in when the whole thing began.

 

Basically what I'm saying is that there's no replacement for capacity.

 

Now that said, I think the technology is exceptionally cool (especially the QBot stuff - good on Six Flags for taking the gamble with that). I would love to see a park try out something were every attraction was "by appointment" and there were no real lines at all. I think that would be a really fun experiment.

 

As for the "equality" thing - people with more money are "better" than people with less. That's life, get over it. I wish I could own a brand new, all-wheel-drive 911; but I can't. It's not "unfair", it's just life. Instead I'm not going whinge about it, I'll just find cool/fun stuff to do with the money I do have.

 

Cameron.

[mcjaco]

I owned a Dodge Neon, therefore I hate Robb.

 

Second, if you rode Skull Mountain 4 times in just a six hour visit, what are you complaining about? I'm betting there were other rides packed into that six hours too.

[Jew]

This is why these systems hurt people who go to their home park a lot. Can you really justify spending that much money for a family of four that goes once a week?

 

Seems like parks did just fine for a long time just running at capacity.

 

If you go once a week, I doubt you care about hitting all the rides all the time.

 

As cliche as it is, 9/11 changed the industry forever. Changed travel habits, oil prices, affected our economy, etc. Parks had to create new revenue streams to survive.

[denning]

As per Saint Cartman:

 

Don't you see? Forever it has been my dream to have my very own theme park, so that I could be alone in it, all day, every day. I love theme parks. [zoom in] But the lines! Everywhere you go, people, crowds, [shot of people waiting to enter "The Mine Shaft"] The rides are great, but... [a shot of crowds on Main Street] All the lines, lines, LINES! [shot of people waiting to enter a ghost ride, another shot of a kids' mine shaft ride; another of Cartman pissed off, eyes squeezed shut, with waiting times floating past him] If there's one thing I hate, [a shot of two lines of people entering his head] all the lines, lines, lines, LINES!! [opens his eyes, and a moment later...] And then there get to be so many people [his eyes roll around independently of each other] that they make FastPass. [a shot of people in a FastPass line] So then there's lines for FastPass. [zoom out to show Cartman in line for a FastPass] You stand in line to get a ticket to stand in line later. Then there's lines for the bathrooms [two lines for the Waterworks Restrooms], lines for the drinks [Astro Food line], lines for cantakuras [seussian characters play strange instruments for the people in line] and rare Kartankulas Plinks! [a vendor sells them - they are a fruit treat shaped like strawberries] ...And, so you see, this park is for me. Nobody else will be allowed in it.

[mike robinson]

I would care about riding the newest and most popular rides. I used to go to Astroworld just to ride the Texas Cyclone.

 

Lots of things have changed post 9/11. I sure don't like flying as much because it a huge PITA.

 

And I don't like going to parks as much because virtual queues have made them a huge PITA to me. Not everyone, I can only speak for myself, but these systems make my day more of a pain than its worth.

[Hercules]

This is why these systems hurt people who go to their home park a lot. Can you really justify spending that much money for a family of four that goes once a week?

 

Seems like parks did just fine for a long time just running at capacity.

 

Or wouldn't a family of four that goes to a park once a week buy season passes, thus saving them money in the long run? And, enabling them to go at their leisure, and at times they know crowds will be light? Plus, if a person goes that often, they tend to know the park, where to go when, how to hit what etc.... I'm not so sure they would really be all that obsessed with getting an insane amount of multiple rides per visit like an enthusiast in their first visit to a park.

[Wes]

Can I get a Flash Pass to skip to the end of this thread?