Fast Pass/ Front of the Line Ticket Thoughts?
I saw a comericial for either IOA or a Disney park where you can purchase tickets that let you move to the front of the line. I was just wondering what everyone thought of this process?
I personally don't think its fair to the other guests waiting an hour or more to ride and have people step right up in front without a wait. I can understand if somone famous is in the park and the heads of the park are showing them around. I just think that all these "special" passes will end up killing the average park goers fun at the park ending up with longer waits. I also see it as a way the park can get extra money out of you at the gate for this luxury.
Does anyone know of other parks that do this or even the prices of this type of pass?
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2000 stats: 135 coasters in 26 parks
Not Too Shabby For A Summer
I personally don't think its fair to the other guests waiting an hour or more to ride and have people step right up in front without a wait. I can understand if somone famous is in the park and the heads of the park are showing them around. I just think that all these "special" passes will end up killing the average park goers fun at the park ending up with longer waits. I also see it as a way the park can get extra money out of you at the gate for this luxury.
Does anyone know of other parks that do this or even the prices of this type of pass?
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2000 stats: 135 coasters in 26 parks
Not Too Shabby For A Summer
As for Disneyland, they work great! Some are more effective than others though.
Good Fastpasses at DL and DCA:
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Indiana Jones Adventure
Grizzly River Run
Soarin Over California
California Screamin'
Bad Fastpasses at DL and DCA:
Pirates of the Carribean (usually 5 min. line)
Star Tours
Haunted Mansion (almost always a walk on)
Muppetvision 3-D (short lines)
It's Tough To Be A Bug (short lines)
Fastpasses can really help you make the most of your day. For example, get a fastpass for Space Mountain, then go on a ride or two with a short line like Matterhorn or Star Tours while you wait for your fastpass time on Space Mountain.
Good Fastpasses at DL and DCA:
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Indiana Jones Adventure
Grizzly River Run
Soarin Over California
California Screamin'
Bad Fastpasses at DL and DCA:
Pirates of the Carribean (usually 5 min. line)
Star Tours
Haunted Mansion (almost always a walk on)
Muppetvision 3-D (short lines)
It's Tough To Be A Bug (short lines)
Fastpasses can really help you make the most of your day. For example, get a fastpass for Space Mountain, then go on a ride or two with a short line like Matterhorn or Star Tours while you wait for your fastpass time on Space Mountain.
No, not Fastpass... coasterpunk is talking about these "special tickets" that are available (I think) only at IOA, & maybe other Orlando places. They cost something like $179 per person per day, and are available to people staying at the nicer (more expensive) resort hotels. If you have this, you wait in no line at all, you are escorted to the FRONT of EVERY ride (usually through a "secret passage") you want to go on, and even get to pick your seat.
It sounds basically unfair to us working stiffs who cannot afford such luxury. If someone is rich enough to afford this, maybe a theme park isn't for them. Not that I wouldn't LOVE to be escorted to the front of every line, mind you.
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"X" marks the spot in 2001!
It sounds basically unfair to us working stiffs who cannot afford such luxury. If someone is rich enough to afford this, maybe a theme park isn't for them. Not that I wouldn't LOVE to be escorted to the front of every line, mind you.
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"X" marks the spot in 2001!
The No line No wait express ride system is through IOA and USF. I will have it in june when I go, It cost nothing extra when you are staying in a IOA resort, I will be staying in the hard rock hotel. Check out there web site, Its just another way to attract more people to the more expensive hotel's. I stayed in Portofino last year, best hotel I have ever been in.
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Army rangers lead the way *** This post was edited by supermandl on 3/14/2001. ***
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Army rangers lead the way *** This post was edited by supermandl on 3/14/2001. ***
Soggy said:
"No, not Fastpass... coasterpunk is talking about these "special tickets" that are available (I think) only at IOA, & maybe other Orlando places. They cost something like $179 per person per day, and are available to people staying at the nicer (more expensive) resort hotels. If you have this, you wait in no line at all, you are escorted to the FRONT of EVERY ride (usually through a "secret passage") you want to go on, and even get to pick your seat.
It sounds basically unfair to us working stiffs who cannot afford such luxury. If someone is rich enough to afford this, maybe a theme park isn't for them. Not that I wouldn't LOVE to be escorted to the front of every line, mind you."
Yea this is the thing I saw! I think these are unfair to the rerular park goer.
I think the other passes people are talking about with the tickets you get at the enterance of the ride can help manage your park time.
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2000 stats: 135 coasters in 26 parks
Not Too Shabby For A Summer
I checked the site for rates. Peak season, (which would be the best time to take advantage of the "no line, no wait" thing) standard rooms are $235-$299 per night (price depends on view). Suites range from $425-$1500 per night, that's right $1500!! Sign me up for a week at that price... NOT!
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"X" marks the spot in 2001!
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"X" marks the spot in 2001!
Fair or unfair...I guess they balance that out by making them pay more for the special treatment. The unfair part is they can usually afford it. And so doubly unfair that these parks are succombing to these people really all in the sake of money.
Have any of you ever been on a ride when it malfunctions? I was on Freefall at SFMM and right when it got down to the end of the big "L" where it twists back to upright mode it just stopped. I swear to God all of us did the same thing...
"What the-?" and then all four of us simultaneously looked back up the tower to see if they were sending another car down (which of course the computer didn't let it.) So they finally fixed the problem about twenty minutes later...all the while we were just sitting on our backs enjoying the Valencia sky...and the guy offered to let us jump in front of any ride we wanted in the park. Didn't sound too official or anything, he just called his buddy up and arranged it. We chose the Riddler cause the wait line for that was just atrocious (it was like a month old at the time).
So we head on up through the exit line of Riddler and make it to the top. The last car arrives and the passengers exit. Then comes that all too familiar moment for everyone in front of the line...they're next! They anticipate their gates opening at just the right time to snag their seats (as if they were to be stolen). But this time the gates didn't open. And I swear everyone in front of their lines did a jerked back when they realized their gates were still closed.
"Hey!!! What the ****?!?" came from almost everyone in the room. Then they allow us to get on the front. Once we were seated and secured (all through the most massive booing I've ever recieved...and I've been to Ren fairs) then they allowed the rest to be seated. They felt betrayed even though they didn't know the circumstances at all. That ruined our ride for us. We felt pretty crappy about it in retrospect.
So if parks want to induce that kind of feeling to their "regular paying" visitors then I just might be going to different parks in the future. I go to parks to have fun...not to hate. Or maybe next time Freefall malfunctions I'll just choose the Gold Rusher instead.
Mormoc
Don't count your chickens...they might be blessings.
Have any of you ever been on a ride when it malfunctions? I was on Freefall at SFMM and right when it got down to the end of the big "L" where it twists back to upright mode it just stopped. I swear to God all of us did the same thing...
"What the-?" and then all four of us simultaneously looked back up the tower to see if they were sending another car down (which of course the computer didn't let it.) So they finally fixed the problem about twenty minutes later...all the while we were just sitting on our backs enjoying the Valencia sky...and the guy offered to let us jump in front of any ride we wanted in the park. Didn't sound too official or anything, he just called his buddy up and arranged it. We chose the Riddler cause the wait line for that was just atrocious (it was like a month old at the time).
So we head on up through the exit line of Riddler and make it to the top. The last car arrives and the passengers exit. Then comes that all too familiar moment for everyone in front of the line...they're next! They anticipate their gates opening at just the right time to snag their seats (as if they were to be stolen). But this time the gates didn't open. And I swear everyone in front of their lines did a jerked back when they realized their gates were still closed.
"Hey!!! What the ****?!?" came from almost everyone in the room. Then they allow us to get on the front. Once we were seated and secured (all through the most massive booing I've ever recieved...and I've been to Ren fairs) then they allowed the rest to be seated. They felt betrayed even though they didn't know the circumstances at all. That ruined our ride for us. We felt pretty crappy about it in retrospect.
So if parks want to induce that kind of feeling to their "regular paying" visitors then I just might be going to different parks in the future. I go to parks to have fun...not to hate. Or maybe next time Freefall malfunctions I'll just choose the Gold Rusher instead.
Mormoc
Don't count your chickens...they might be blessings.
hopefully this won't step on too many peoples toes... but i agree they're unfair.
If you work you're tail off at a job for a summer vacation... then yes the passes would be fine cause you would've worked alot for it.
And once again I don't mean to sound mean... but it becomes unfair when you get to the group of people that don't really have to work for money....
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www.angelfire.com/in3/rct
If you work you're tail off at a job for a summer vacation... then yes the passes would be fine cause you would've worked alot for it.
And once again I don't mean to sound mean... but it becomes unfair when you get to the group of people that don't really have to work for money....
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www.angelfire.com/in3/rct
Hmmm ... we used the "Front of the Line" perk when we stayed at the Hard Rock at IOA in January (although it was largely unnecessary - a cold Monday and Tuesday, with almost non-existent lines - Spiderman was a walk on at one point!). Basically, you showed your room key (which doubles as an in-park credit card - pretty handy) at the entrance and were guided though the exit to the front of the line, although you'd have to wait in the front-seat queue for Hulk and Dragons if that's what you wanted. For us, it was an added bonus as we would have stayed on-site anyway.
As for those that think it's unfair, I respect your opinion, but challenge you to ask yourself this - and BE HONEST - if you did stay at one of those hotels, and therefore were allowed to by-pass lines, would you decline? Remember, this perk comes at no additional charge. It is your ethics question of the week.
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Age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill. *** This post was edited by spewey on 3/14/2001. ***
As for those that think it's unfair, I respect your opinion, but challenge you to ask yourself this - and BE HONEST - if you did stay at one of those hotels, and therefore were allowed to by-pass lines, would you decline? Remember, this perk comes at no additional charge. It is your ethics question of the week.
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Age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill. *** This post was edited by spewey on 3/14/2001. ***
Well, I think the Universal parks are the only ones that have those. Is it fair? Well... if the people are willing to waste that much money just to get to the front of the line, then so be it.
The only time you'd ever really need to use it (at IOA) would be in the summertime... and if you're dumb enough to go to IOA in the summertime... well...
The only time you'd ever really need to use it (at IOA) would be in the summertime... and if you're dumb enough to go to IOA in the summertime... well...
Hmmmmm.........does this significantly increase the waiting time for the people in the regular line? I stayed in the Portofino Bay hotel and used IOA's system, though it was different than it is now. Then, I could only get right on lines for the first 2 or 3 hours the park was open, though there was a large line for Hulk that I bypassed.
I'm not sure if I personally hurt other peoples waiting times, as I basically filled empty seats. What could become a problem is if a large group of hotel guests want to get on a ride. I'm not sure of Univeral's policy on this, but they don't do a great job of keeping the express line out of sight of the regular line, like Disney does.
I do see how they're unfair, however. I was just lucky that my mom was at a conference at the Portofino Bay Hotel, or else I would never had stayed there. It is an incredibly overpriced hotel(though incredibly nice). *** This post was edited by SFAGuy on 3/14/2001. ***
I'm not sure if I personally hurt other peoples waiting times, as I basically filled empty seats. What could become a problem is if a large group of hotel guests want to get on a ride. I'm not sure of Univeral's policy on this, but they don't do a great job of keeping the express line out of sight of the regular line, like Disney does.
I do see how they're unfair, however. I was just lucky that my mom was at a conference at the Portofino Bay Hotel, or else I would never had stayed there. It is an incredibly overpriced hotel(though incredibly nice). *** This post was edited by SFAGuy on 3/14/2001. ***
How many rooms are at the hotel? In other words, what is the maximum number of people that could take advantage of the front-of-line benefits of staying at the hotel? I think it would be rather small in comparison to the rest of the crowds on any given day.
I do like the idea of expensive special tickets that allow one to go to the front of the line. However, they need to cost enough so as to not have a great impact on line lengths. Even if I can't afford one, I like the idea of it being available. For my cross-country travels, I think I would rather save up and simply go every two or three years and not wait in line then pay the travel expenses every year and get limited rides during high capacity times. Of course, I'm thinking along the lines of these special tickets being available at all major parks.
*** This post was edited by Starfire on 3/14/2001. *** *** This post was edited by Starfire on 3/14/2001. ***
I do like the idea of expensive special tickets that allow one to go to the front of the line. However, they need to cost enough so as to not have a great impact on line lengths. Even if I can't afford one, I like the idea of it being available. For my cross-country travels, I think I would rather save up and simply go every two or three years and not wait in line then pay the travel expenses every year and get limited rides during high capacity times. Of course, I'm thinking along the lines of these special tickets being available at all major parks.
*** This post was edited by Starfire on 3/14/2001. *** *** This post was edited by Starfire on 3/14/2001. ***
I hate the idea. Here's the bottom line: I shouldn't have to spend a absurd amount of money to make my amusement park experience as good as all the rich people's (excuse me - the people that worked harder than us lazy bums...) so amusement parks can make more money. But if they MUST line their pockets, then I'd MUCH rather that they impose a flat increase of a couple of bucks across the board than have to watch a bunch of people slip on the coasters in front of me without having to wait.
Sorry if I got out of hand there, but the idea does irk me a little. It probably shouldn't evoke such a reaction when someone pays $1500 to get on in front of me (or should it? :)), but it does nonetheless.
By the way, it's a much better deal to just break a leg and get crutches than to pay $1500. It seems to work just as well. (I really don't have a problem with disabled folks going on in front of me - this is just something that I think of every time someone does it)
One more thing: As an answer to the above question, if I did stay at one of these hotels, I would not take the line jumping pass. I'd rather spend the day waiting in lines than pissing other guests off. *** This post was edited by Lothar on 3/14/2001. ***
Sorry if I got out of hand there, but the idea does irk me a little. It probably shouldn't evoke such a reaction when someone pays $1500 to get on in front of me (or should it? :)), but it does nonetheless.
By the way, it's a much better deal to just break a leg and get crutches than to pay $1500. It seems to work just as well. (I really don't have a problem with disabled folks going on in front of me - this is just something that I think of every time someone does it)
One more thing: As an answer to the above question, if I did stay at one of these hotels, I would not take the line jumping pass. I'd rather spend the day waiting in lines than pissing other guests off. *** This post was edited by Lothar on 3/14/2001. ***
Right on Lothar...it's better to keep the lines fair for everyone then to let some people get in ahead. I could see it working only during the first couple of hours, or maybe if you just got to wait until a seat was available (not all filled from the normal lines) with a max number of trains to wait for before you're on. But this idea of letting someone who has the money to stay in one of the resort hotels (wouldn't we all if we could?--they're nice and right there by the park) have a special pass is just plain wrong, in my opinion.
This had better not be another dumb idea that catches on. The good thing is, at least it would only be in effect for resort parks -- those like SF parks would still be fair.
This had better not be another dumb idea that catches on. The good thing is, at least it would only be in effect for resort parks -- those like SF parks would still be fair.
coaster crazy said:
"I don't when disabled folks do it, but when people with the disabled folks that aren't get to cut it pisses me off"
I couldn't disagree more. Part of the fun of riding coasters is riding with people you know. There's no reason handicapped people shouldn't have this privilege like the rest of us. Take a look at the handicapped exit pass thread for stuff on this.
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