Fast Lane allows line jump at Six Flags Worlds of Adventure
Posted
In a move that will likely spark controversy among enthusiasts, Six Flags Worlds of Adventure will now offer "Fast Lane" passes for $10, which will allow guests to enter a much shorter line on any five of the park's bigger attractions.
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Where was this uproar over the Alton Towers deal? Where was it when Universal started letting people who stayed at their hotel go to the front? Where was it when Universal started selling the VIP tickets? Hell, where was it when SFGAM started using the exact same system before SFWoA ever did. I can't help but feel most of this is *just* because the park in question is SFWoA. Sad...
It’s interesting that you can’t pick your own seat or sit in the front. I wonder how they are going to manage this. Are they going to reserve a couple of seats for the fast lane (like at SFNE) or leave it up to the operators? And can you buy a bunch of tickets at once (like $50’s worth), so you don’t have to wait all day? Either way it sounds like a big hassle for the operators and guests.
It’s like those tickets they used to have at Disneyland many years ago. Who wants to plan their day around how many tickets they have left. When I go to a park, I don’t want to have to think that much. It’s much easier to just look at the number of people in the queue and the decide whether to wait or ride something else.
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Bob M.
It’s like those tickets they used to have at Disneyland many years ago. Who wants to plan their day around how many tickets they have left. When I go to a park, I don’t want to have to think that much. It’s much easier to just look at the number of people in the queue and the decide whether to wait or ride something else.
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Bob M.
I think it's great, you just go up the exit ramp whenever you want. In fact i'll go buy some next time i visit. BTW, almost all rides are running as many trains as they can, RWB is the only one. I have only been there twice when X-Flight was running 1 train and that was opening weekend!
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HurricaneGeauga- Just in case
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HurricaneGeauga- Just in case
I just used it at SFGAm and I think it's a good Idea. Many of the GP don't know about it, so not that many people use the fast pass. And when they do, it barely makes the line longer. You might wait two more minutes because two people cut in front of you. It works at GAm, so I would like to see it work at other parks too.
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There is no such thing as a stupid question, just stupid people.
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There is no such thing as a stupid question, just stupid people.
Any idea if you'll be allowed to pick any seat when using the fastpass?
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Chris B.
http://sfwoa.tripod.com/
Radioheader08@netscape.net
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Chris B.
http://sfwoa.tripod.com/
Radioheader08@netscape.net
SFGAm has had the system for about 2 weeks now, and they also charge the $10 for the card. But, I know of two rides (Raging Bull and Wizzer) where the fast pass line does NOT dump the guests into the train directly.
In the case of Raging Bull, the fast pass line does go up the exit, but right before the normal line goes up the stairs into the station, there is a gate in the fence, and that is where the fast pass people get in. So, you do get a choice of seats in that case. Problem is, you do "cut" in line at that point. So, if there are like 20 people in line for the fast pass system, the wait for everyone else just got even longer.
Same story on the Whizzer. The fast pass lane takes you directly into the station, but you still need to wait in the station to ride (and are allowed to pick whatever seat you want).
I see this as being a big problem at SFGAm. Now, the day I was out there, the lines were not that bad (only 15 minutes for RB), but on a good day, when the line is well over 2 hours...watching people "jump" in line at the bottom of the stairs is not going to make the GP very happy, considering that they can do that by paying extra money.
I agree with super7 and slithernoggin: If we don't like this system, then we need to go to the Guest Relations department at the parks and tell them. In fact, the next time I go out to SFGAm, I'm going to again tell them about that stupid green wall they put up between Hometown Square and Co. Fair!
--Brian
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Brian A. Plencner
E-Mail: saurses@home.com
In the case of Raging Bull, the fast pass line does go up the exit, but right before the normal line goes up the stairs into the station, there is a gate in the fence, and that is where the fast pass people get in. So, you do get a choice of seats in that case. Problem is, you do "cut" in line at that point. So, if there are like 20 people in line for the fast pass system, the wait for everyone else just got even longer.
Same story on the Whizzer. The fast pass lane takes you directly into the station, but you still need to wait in the station to ride (and are allowed to pick whatever seat you want).
I see this as being a big problem at SFGAm. Now, the day I was out there, the lines were not that bad (only 15 minutes for RB), but on a good day, when the line is well over 2 hours...watching people "jump" in line at the bottom of the stairs is not going to make the GP very happy, considering that they can do that by paying extra money.
I agree with super7 and slithernoggin: If we don't like this system, then we need to go to the Guest Relations department at the parks and tell them. In fact, the next time I go out to SFGAm, I'm going to again tell them about that stupid green wall they put up between Hometown Square and Co. Fair!
--Brian
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Brian A. Plencner
E-Mail: saurses@home.com
You know what? I think I'm going to flip my original position on FASTPASSES and say that it is not a bad thing. Why? Because no one has presented me a persuasive arguement that it is really a bad idea.
The first and likely knee-jerk reaction is that people will be mad that people are cutting in line. Well, while Disney did have some inital skirmishes, it is obvious to me that the overall response has been positive, elsewise, they would not have expanded the program.
The second thing that some say is that people dont mind waiting in lines. Well this isnt true. People *do mind* but there is no other alternative. When you see how many participate in all these FASTPASS programs, you will see how many people would rather *not* wait in line.
Third, there's the argument of classism (that was *MY* big thing), but when I think about it, it is no different than many other things in our society. For example, first class airline tickets. You pay the extra money for the big seats, the free drinks and the better meal. Here you are paying extra money for quick access. If that is not important to you, then you dont *have* to pay it.
But I can imagine a family of 5, mom, dad, and young kids enjoying a day @ SFGAm. Well, mom and dad want to show the kiddies a good time, but they also want to hit the "biggies" too. If you know kids, they have very short attention spans and insatiable appetites. Mom or Dad standing in a two hour line for Giant Drop is unnacceptable. However, by spending an extra $20, Mom and Dad can each run up the exit, get on and off in less time than it takes to buy and ice cream cone. You still think FASTPASSES are of no value?
Another example, a body finds herself with an evening off from a convention out in LA and decides to stop @ SFMM, where she has never been before. Her time is limited, but she wants to ride as much as possible. Unfortunately, the lines for Goliath & S:TE are each two hrs long. You dont think she would want a way around the line?
My point is this, these passes can be of great value to those who are working with limited time. While they may be of little value to someone who goes to the park all the time, they might be useful to the once-a-year, Saturday-in-July visitor.
NOW MY PROBLEM WITH A FASTLANE @ SFWOA IN PARTICULAR:
SFWoA is notorious for running their lines @ less than peak capacity (I've not seen max cap on DL, RWB, B:KF, or BD..I'll leave X-flight out because it's still having growing pains). It is extraordinarily poor judgement to offer to sell a way to avoid a line that shouldnt even exist! SFGAm runs top notch so I can swallow it better, but instead of offering me a way to avoid a 1hr two-train op B:KF line, just put the other damn train on and cut the line that way.
Alright, I've said enough for now!
love, peace, and hairgrease,
jeremy
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Who cant wait to read the CB responses when CP finally unveils their queue management system
The first and likely knee-jerk reaction is that people will be mad that people are cutting in line. Well, while Disney did have some inital skirmishes, it is obvious to me that the overall response has been positive, elsewise, they would not have expanded the program.
The second thing that some say is that people dont mind waiting in lines. Well this isnt true. People *do mind* but there is no other alternative. When you see how many participate in all these FASTPASS programs, you will see how many people would rather *not* wait in line.
Third, there's the argument of classism (that was *MY* big thing), but when I think about it, it is no different than many other things in our society. For example, first class airline tickets. You pay the extra money for the big seats, the free drinks and the better meal. Here you are paying extra money for quick access. If that is not important to you, then you dont *have* to pay it.
But I can imagine a family of 5, mom, dad, and young kids enjoying a day @ SFGAm. Well, mom and dad want to show the kiddies a good time, but they also want to hit the "biggies" too. If you know kids, they have very short attention spans and insatiable appetites. Mom or Dad standing in a two hour line for Giant Drop is unnacceptable. However, by spending an extra $20, Mom and Dad can each run up the exit, get on and off in less time than it takes to buy and ice cream cone. You still think FASTPASSES are of no value?
Another example, a body finds herself with an evening off from a convention out in LA and decides to stop @ SFMM, where she has never been before. Her time is limited, but she wants to ride as much as possible. Unfortunately, the lines for Goliath & S:TE are each two hrs long. You dont think she would want a way around the line?
My point is this, these passes can be of great value to those who are working with limited time. While they may be of little value to someone who goes to the park all the time, they might be useful to the once-a-year, Saturday-in-July visitor.
NOW MY PROBLEM WITH A FASTLANE @ SFWOA IN PARTICULAR:
SFWoA is notorious for running their lines @ less than peak capacity (I've not seen max cap on DL, RWB, B:KF, or BD..I'll leave X-flight out because it's still having growing pains). It is extraordinarily poor judgement to offer to sell a way to avoid a line that shouldnt even exist! SFGAm runs top notch so I can swallow it better, but instead of offering me a way to avoid a 1hr two-train op B:KF line, just put the other damn train on and cut the line that way.
Alright, I've said enough for now!
love, peace, and hairgrease,
jeremy
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Who cant wait to read the CB responses when CP finally unveils their queue management system
That true, but i think i rather just spend ten buckers to get like 1/2 hour out of the way and just wait like 10 or 20 min, in the station.
Either its 2 hour or 20 min. Let see witch one?
Come on people think of the odds...
If the GP does not like it, then they, can use it to. Just wait a yr. or shorter and let SF Inc. figure things out.
It took Disney Parks a long time too.
Either its 2 hour or 20 min. Let see witch one?
Come on people think of the odds...
If the GP does not like it, then they, can use it to. Just wait a yr. or shorter and let SF Inc. figure things out.
It took Disney Parks a long time too.
$10 isn't a whole lot of money, and if too many people get in on the idea then it will just be useless...
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.:| Brandon Rodriguez |:.
http://www.coasters2k.com
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.:| Brandon Rodriguez |:.
http://www.coasters2k.com
Good parks that I have been to offer this for free. The Disney parks have a fastpass that is available to all guests. It gives you an hour window to ride. As far as picking seats, Rockin' Roller Coaster seats are given to you, but that is for everybody who rides (like Millennium Force). That might have changed by now. I also have been to Kings Dominion which offered the service for Volcano. Again they gave you an hour window to ride. Basically every so often a train is reserved for the guests with fastpasses, and they fill the train. This has advantages as well as disadvantages. For a park that handles high volume of riders a day well, like Disney, this can work. However, hearing how bad SFWoA is with running rides at full capacity, this will only add to the problems. This is completely greedy, and hopefully this does not become a trend in the amusement industry. That's just my 2 cents.
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