BGA Question-Quick Queue

[orangeblue]

I was wondering if anyone knew how the new quick queue system works at BGA/BGE. There isn't any information yet at their websites, but from the sound of the news information, it dosen't seem like this is a q-bot system, but instead a literal front of the line pass. I was wondering if it worked like the express pass system at Universal, where you don't have to wait at all (even in a virtual queue), but can only use the pass once per ride. If this is an unlimited use item, then it would be an incredible deal.

 

In any case, I'll probably give it try the next time I make it out to BGA. Should make marathoning Sheikra easier!

[bgeguy]

It's kind of like a coupon booklet with one time front of the line passes for the major rides, and costs $25 (for BGE at least).

[TheStig]

Don't quote me on this, because I just saw it briefly. The way it works is you pay $20 and with it get a wristband that has 20 "stubs" on it. At each ride, they tear off one stub and you go ride. Thats for BGA anyway, and honestly I didn't see a single person actually use it.

[Johnny Upsidedown]

I asked about it today while out at the park..

Its 24.99, and 19.99 for season pass holders.

You get a one time skip the line preveledge on most of the major attractions. I beleive the lady also said that you get one extra on any attraction you choose.. So you get to skip the line one time only on the rides listed below and one extra time on one ride..

 

Drawbacks... Montu you go up the exit lane and you are put into row 2, you dont get to choose seat...

Kumba you have a special line you enter which dumps you into the general Q house. (not needed.)

Sheikra you enter into what is the single rider line which dumps you out at the top of the stairs into the rest of the lines..

As for the rest of the rides not sure how it works..

 

Is it worth it, in my opinion NO... If you have limited time and just want to hit the rides once then maybe its good...

 

The lines are rarely large enough that this is needed except on a saturday mid summer... BGA moves people through the lines... Today while there Sheikra was one train wait, Montu one train wait, Kumba was a walk on...

 

Below is the flyer that lists the rides on the QQ adenda..

[orangeblue]

Thanks for the info, you're right, it sounds pretty useless with BGA's short lines. I generally never have any trouble getting on all the rides there as many times as I want with the regular queue system. Now, if this had been an unlimited ride option, or a traditional q-bot than that would have been awesome, but I can't honestly see many people using this.

[Johnny Upsidedown]

If it were un limited I might consider it but really not worth it unless your time is very limited..

I would imagine for a family that likes a schedule and like to see and do all there is like shows and stuff. I would think that it might benifit some of them as it allows a family to ride together quickly, get on and off a ride and move on..

 

Generally though as most people know Busch has a good way of moving the lines pretty well. Except on super buisy days then you just have to go with the flow.

 

Otherwise, just another thing for people to pay extra for to get that I am better then you feeling of cutting in line..

[ajinaz]

I was in Tampa for a few hours last Saturday and went to BGA for a couple of hours at closing to try and get some credits. I went to Gwazi and waited for around 15 minutes as they were dispatching very slowly.

When the gates opened for me the girl told me I would have to wait for the next car because someone had a front of the line pass.

I said OK.

The next train came in and the gates opened and the same girl told me I would have to wait because someone had a front of the line pass. I told her this was the second time she made me wait. She said that the pass holders must never wait. I told her that this was bad customer service on their part. She then went up to to the front of the train and told her friend what I said while pointing at me and laughing.

I left and won't be back.

[Canobie Coaster]

^ That's horrible. I wouldn't expect it from Busch Gardens.

 

A similar thing has happened to me at Six Flags New England's Batman various times. You can't really wait for a certain seat unless you ask the attendant for one. I've seen people wait for the front, only to have to wait even longer if Flash Pass people show up, since Flash Pass people get to always choose their seat with no wait.

[sam06pr]

^ That's horrible. I wouldn't expect it from Busch Gardens.

 

A similar thing has happened to me at Six Flags New England's Batman various times. You can't really wait for a certain seat unless you ask the attendant for one. I've seen people wait for the front, only to have to wait even longer if Flash Pass people show up, since Flash Pass people get to always choose their seat with no wait.

 

Trust sometimes BGA employees can be a pain in the AS*. And I dont blame them, since we work way too much in certain areas. It is hard for us to put a smiling face and pretend that we love it here so much. I know sometimes I tried not to be in a bad mood but you can't always be happy.

 

I think she is just doing he job since thats what we are told to do...and not that we like it but we have to do it. And one should not judge for one bad service and quickly get into the "i am not coming back here again because of that one time and that one place for that one thing" mood

 

Queue Quick is only for the big coaster, rhino rally and some other rides, i am just glad not to deal with them. I really do think they are pointless so do not waste your money

[orangeblue]

I was in Tampa for a few hours last Saturday and went to BGA for a couple of hours at closing to try and get some credits. I went to Gwazi and waited for around 15 minutes as they were dispatching very slowly.

When the gates opened for me the girl told me I would have to wait for the next car because someone had a front of the line pass.

I said OK.

The next train came in and the gates opened and the same girl told me I would have to wait because someone had a front of the line pass. I told her this was the second time she made me wait. She said that the pass holders must never wait. I told her that this was bad customer service on their part. She then went up to to the front of the train and told her friend what I said while pointing at me and laughing.

I left and won't be back.

 

Wow, that sounds like the kind of crap you hear happening as Six Flags parks; I must say that I am dissappointed in my home park for not handling the situation better. Honestly, there are always plenty of empty seats on coaster trains, so there's no reason why they can't just use the Flash Pass/Quick Queue systems like single rider lines and place people in the empty seats so that they don't have to bump people off of rows when they were legitametly waiting to ride. Or, at the very least, have a car or row blocked off for Quick Queue riders like on Montu, that way you don't disturb the regular guests.

 

As far as customer service/employee quality at BGA, I've always found it to be a little lack luster. Sure there are a few friendly employees, but most of them look as disinterested as zombies. I recently visited CP, and the employees there were the complete opposite of those you find at BGA. They were enthusiastic, friendly, and most importantly very efficent. For example, on Raptor they stacked the trains much less than on Montu, despite the fact that they were actually running 3 trains compared to the 2 train operation that has unfortunatly become standard on Montu and Kumba (not to metion the fact that Raptor is a shorter ride than Montu). Even on Blue Streak/Mean Streak, which has the same type of trains as those found on Gwazi (restraint wise), the dispatch time was much better (seriously BGA, Gwazi's dispatch times are down right pathetic).

 

Now, while I sound pretty harsh, I do understand that the employees at BGA have it a lot harder than those at most other parks. They work year round, instead of seasonally, so they don't get a break from the repetative grind or ride operating, plus, they have to contend with the hot and humid Florida summer for 8+ hours a day. Overall though, I hope that BGA as a park can improve, especially with the implementation of the new Quick Queue system. Guest satisfaction is not something that management can just shrug off, and nothing makes guests more dissatisfied than being treated unfairly.

[NegaDuck]

Good idea with the special car just for the quick queue people, but then people would complain about why they can't get on that car! Haha

 

I'm on the BGE team and you did accurately describe the QQ system, but I will say that its really not much of an issue either way. The lines are so short at BGE I wouldn't see those frustrations arise. There will always be that day where nothing goes right, of course...

 

There is a really unique angle to take on it, though. Virginia visitors, if you visit the VAVacationer site, you can a hold of tickets at a great reduced price (almost $25 off, not bad). With that said, taking advantage of the discount AND considering the QQ might be a nice plan of attack next time you visit. It cancels out the added cost, and you're free to fly to the front just in case its one of those days...