Season pass holder files class action suit against Worlds of Adventure for FastLane program
Posted
According to the West Geauga Sun, a season pass holder has filed a law suit against Six Flags Worlds of Adventure contending that the FastLane program, where guests can buy coupons that allow them to bypass lines, diminishes the value of the season passes and general admission tickets.
Read the story from Sun Newspapers.
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My season pass says nothing about how long I have to wait it says it will get me into the park.
I looked on the back and NO where does it say your equal to everyone going in and you should expect to have the same amout of time to wait.
Now we are both on the same playing fields we are in that's it that's all your pass gets you inside the park.
Everyone who owns a SF SP should look at the back and read the line that says
Your season pass is good for all rides and attractions EXCEPT games,arcades and certain rides and attractions that may require an additional charges.
Right there she loses her law suit, they can say they have warned about the additional charges on SP, it may be not spelled out but its there.
As for the restaurant thing people get VIP treatment all the time at them if they offered a FP for eating I would take that also why wait inline if you have the money.
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Army rangers lead the way
I looked on the back and NO where does it say your equal to everyone going in and you should expect to have the same amout of time to wait.
Now we are both on the same playing fields we are in that's it that's all your pass gets you inside the park.
Everyone who owns a SF SP should look at the back and read the line that says
Your season pass is good for all rides and attractions EXCEPT games,arcades and certain rides and attractions that may require an additional charges.
Right there she loses her law suit, they can say they have warned about the additional charges on SP, it may be not spelled out but its there.
As for the restaurant thing people get VIP treatment all the time at them if they offered a FP for eating I would take that also why wait inline if you have the money.
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Army rangers lead the way
The Walt Disney World FastPass system, which is free to all park guests, works very well. Waiting in line without actually having to be in the queue is great! You wait in one queue while holding a FastPass for another ride. The Six Flags Fastlane seems inappropriate to me because of two facts: (1) guests have to pay an additional fee to use it, and (2) it doesn't simply allow guests to wait outside the queue, it allows guests to SKIP the queue. I guess that's capitalism in action, but this seems like having "first class" and "coach" theme park tickets. Maybe there should be "first class" and "coach" season passes, too.
I personally have no problems with the Fast Lane program. If someone wants to dish out the extra cash to get on ahead of me, more power to them.
Jeff makes an interesting analogy about waiting at restaurants, but you could look at it in another way. Guest X arrives at a popular restaurant at 6:00 pm (prime dining time), and is told there is an hour wait to be seated. Guest Y arrives at 6:15 pm, and is seated immediately because he/she called in advance to make a reservation. I know that this isn't a perfect analogy because the dining reservation doesn't cost any money and Fast Lane does, but this is pretty much my take on Fast Lane. These people paid for and took the time to make a reservation to ride without a wait, so what's really wrong with that?
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"I decipher data,
Computer program the ill chatter.
Brain stimulates sparks every time I reply." - Dug Infinite *** This post was edited by chris on 8/9/2001. ***
Jeff makes an interesting analogy about waiting at restaurants, but you could look at it in another way. Guest X arrives at a popular restaurant at 6:00 pm (prime dining time), and is told there is an hour wait to be seated. Guest Y arrives at 6:15 pm, and is seated immediately because he/she called in advance to make a reservation. I know that this isn't a perfect analogy because the dining reservation doesn't cost any money and Fast Lane does, but this is pretty much my take on Fast Lane. These people paid for and took the time to make a reservation to ride without a wait, so what's really wrong with that?
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"I decipher data,
Computer program the ill chatter.
Brain stimulates sparks every time I reply." - Dug Infinite *** This post was edited by chris on 8/9/2001. ***
Jeff: Actually, the season pass holders are on the same exact level as the other ticket-holders. They both get admission and from there have the choice to buy a fastpass to get through the lines quicker. There's nothing that says season pass holders can't buy a fastpass,
The system itself isn't perfect (their lack capacity having a LOT to do with this), but it does allow your family of four who only goes to a theme park once a year to ride all of the cool rides and still have time to check out some of their other attractions... a big plus if it's your vacation.
The system itself isn't perfect (their lack capacity having a LOT to do with this), but it does allow your family of four who only goes to a theme park once a year to ride all of the cool rides and still have time to check out some of their other attractions... a big plus if it's your vacation.
supermandl: You're over simplifying the issue. Computer software is all for use "at your own risk" and you have to accept the license agreement to use it. If it hoses your computer, you bet you can sue, and people have won suits in those cases.
The fine print rarely protects the people who wrote it.
The suit is legit quite simply because it is a part of the pricing for entry into the park and it was introduced after season passes were sold, thereby changing the rules after they have your money.
People buy season passes so they can frequently visit a park, expecting lines to be whatever they are. Now they're saying that you'll wait longer while others who choose to pay more skip the queue. That's all well and good, but had you known that ahead of time you may not have chosen to buy the pass.
As for the restaurant reservation analogy, that doesn't work at all because what you're describing is Disney's system, where anyone can get that reservation as a part of their admission.
I find it interesting that so many people who won't even buy a soda in the park because of the expense are now OK with this sort of system. I can afford it, but just as a matter of principle would not pay it.
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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
"From the global village... in the age of communication!"
The fine print rarely protects the people who wrote it.
The suit is legit quite simply because it is a part of the pricing for entry into the park and it was introduced after season passes were sold, thereby changing the rules after they have your money.
People buy season passes so they can frequently visit a park, expecting lines to be whatever they are. Now they're saying that you'll wait longer while others who choose to pay more skip the queue. That's all well and good, but had you known that ahead of time you may not have chosen to buy the pass.
As for the restaurant reservation analogy, that doesn't work at all because what you're describing is Disney's system, where anyone can get that reservation as a part of their admission.
I find it interesting that so many people who won't even buy a soda in the park because of the expense are now OK with this sort of system. I can afford it, but just as a matter of principle would not pay it.
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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
"From the global village... in the age of communication!"
Jeff: Actually, I'm not referring to the Disney system (which seems much better than the SF one). I got confused with the Lane/Pass names, and have since altered my post. Sorry to confuse the two.
I've never seen this process in action, but the description I've read indicates that there is a designated period of time issued to the purchaser in which the pass is valid. That pretty much sounds like a reservation to me.
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"I decipher data,
Computer program the ill chatter.
Brain stimulates sparks everytime I reply." - Dug Infinite
I've never seen this process in action, but the description I've read indicates that there is a designated period of time issued to the purchaser in which the pass is valid. That pretty much sounds like a reservation to me.
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"I decipher data,
Computer program the ill chatter.
Brain stimulates sparks everytime I reply." - Dug Infinite
Jeff: your saying the fine print means nothing then, we should just ignore everything on it.
I believe fine print is valid and why everyone tells you READ THE FINE PRINT before signing anything or accepting anyones terms. If she had read the fine print It states for the year 2001 there are rides or amusements that may require additional charges. Nothing has changed from that statement there is an extra charge for a luxury at a park to move to the front of the line, remember your not paying to ride the coaster you did that already with pass, you are paying to go through a shorter line.
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Army rangers lead the way
I've noticed in all of these posts the confussion between the system in place at other parks, and the one at SF. Problem is that the systems (note I say systems, not system) in place at the SF parks is different at all of them. What happends is that as people describe the system in place at a given park, it may look like they are not telling it correctly.
So, I believe that right there is SF biggest problem. Not all the parks have the same system.
I will agree with what Jeff said about the Disney System. For one, its free. Another good plus about it is that you don't stand in line physically while you wait for your time to ride. What I mean by that is that if you go and get your ticket at 11 AM, and your ride is set for 6 PM, between 11 and 6 you are not in line, but enter the line at 6 PM, then wait to ride.
This kind of system to me works the best for these reasons:
1) Its FREE
2) Everyone that goes to the park has the same
right and chance to get these tickets. In fact, (please correct me if I'm wrong here), to get one of the Disney Pass systems, all you do is put your admission ticket into some kind of machine, and it spits our your ride time on a ticket. Each person that goes to Disney has a ticket, and can use this system any time they want.
3) Since everyone that gets in line at their required time is required to walk the line, there is no "line jumping" going on. You stand in line like you would before the system was in place, except everyone knowns what time they need to get in line. This makes everyone feel they are "equal" to each other, and there is no special treatment
going on here.
Now, compair that to the SFGAm FastPass System. Notice I said SFGAm, since again, every SF park has a different system. The one at SFGAm costs you $10, and they only sell a limited number of tickets each day. You are limited when you can enter the line. I believe at SFGAm they are only valid between 11 AM and 8 or 9 PM, and they are only valid for the day you purchase them. But, you can ride anytime during that time frame. But, unlike the Disney system, the Fast Pass lines at SFGAm are not the only line into the ride....yes they are shorter, but you enter the normal line at a given point and then "line jump" in front of people who have not paid the extra $10, and who have already been waiting for a chance to ride.
People have said that $10 is not that bad for 4 or 5 rides without the wait. Here's the problem...if a family of 5 goes to SFGAm on their vacation (lets assume that all people pay the normal gate admission). Check out how much money this will cost them:
Parking: $10
Admission: $199.95 (5 * 39.95)
Total: $209.95.
Now, each person wants a fast pass ticket. That's 5 fast passes, at $10 each. So, add another $50 to that total, and your up to $259.95. Add now since these people are on Vacation, they will eat in the park for at least 2 meals, and buy stuff. This family of 5 will probably spend well over $500 dollas at the park. I don't know of many people who will be willing to shell out $50 more on top of what they already are spending for a day at the park on their vacation. (Not to mention that since they are on Vacation, they have probably got a hotel somewhere, have paid to travel to the park either by car or by plane, paid for driving on the tollway in Illinois, etc, etc.) The cost does add up quickly.
I do agree that if the fast pass systems at the SF parks are set up EXACTLY like the Disney Systems, then they would be a good idea. Any variation from what Disney does is not a good idea in my book. If the problem is that Disney won't allow other parks to "copy their system, with no varriation", then I believe the only choice for the SF parks is not to have one. Disney did a good job on their system. Either do it the Disney way, or don't do it at all.
--Brian
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Brian A. Plencner
E-Mail: saurses@home.com
So, I believe that right there is SF biggest problem. Not all the parks have the same system.
I will agree with what Jeff said about the Disney System. For one, its free. Another good plus about it is that you don't stand in line physically while you wait for your time to ride. What I mean by that is that if you go and get your ticket at 11 AM, and your ride is set for 6 PM, between 11 and 6 you are not in line, but enter the line at 6 PM, then wait to ride.
This kind of system to me works the best for these reasons:
1) Its FREE
2) Everyone that goes to the park has the same
right and chance to get these tickets. In fact, (please correct me if I'm wrong here), to get one of the Disney Pass systems, all you do is put your admission ticket into some kind of machine, and it spits our your ride time on a ticket. Each person that goes to Disney has a ticket, and can use this system any time they want.
3) Since everyone that gets in line at their required time is required to walk the line, there is no "line jumping" going on. You stand in line like you would before the system was in place, except everyone knowns what time they need to get in line. This makes everyone feel they are "equal" to each other, and there is no special treatment
going on here.
Now, compair that to the SFGAm FastPass System. Notice I said SFGAm, since again, every SF park has a different system. The one at SFGAm costs you $10, and they only sell a limited number of tickets each day. You are limited when you can enter the line. I believe at SFGAm they are only valid between 11 AM and 8 or 9 PM, and they are only valid for the day you purchase them. But, you can ride anytime during that time frame. But, unlike the Disney system, the Fast Pass lines at SFGAm are not the only line into the ride....yes they are shorter, but you enter the normal line at a given point and then "line jump" in front of people who have not paid the extra $10, and who have already been waiting for a chance to ride.
People have said that $10 is not that bad for 4 or 5 rides without the wait. Here's the problem...if a family of 5 goes to SFGAm on their vacation (lets assume that all people pay the normal gate admission). Check out how much money this will cost them:
Parking: $10
Admission: $199.95 (5 * 39.95)
Total: $209.95.
Now, each person wants a fast pass ticket. That's 5 fast passes, at $10 each. So, add another $50 to that total, and your up to $259.95. Add now since these people are on Vacation, they will eat in the park for at least 2 meals, and buy stuff. This family of 5 will probably spend well over $500 dollas at the park. I don't know of many people who will be willing to shell out $50 more on top of what they already are spending for a day at the park on their vacation. (Not to mention that since they are on Vacation, they have probably got a hotel somewhere, have paid to travel to the park either by car or by plane, paid for driving on the tollway in Illinois, etc, etc.) The cost does add up quickly.
I do agree that if the fast pass systems at the SF parks are set up EXACTLY like the Disney Systems, then they would be a good idea. Any variation from what Disney does is not a good idea in my book. If the problem is that Disney won't allow other parks to "copy their system, with no varriation", then I believe the only choice for the SF parks is not to have one. Disney did a good job on their system. Either do it the Disney way, or don't do it at all.
--Brian
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Brian A. Plencner
E-Mail: saurses@home.com
But Brian: Disney's system also has the problem that only a limited amount of passes are available and there *IS* still a 'traditional' line that the Fastpassers butt in front of. And since the passes run out early in the day, not everyone has a chance to get one cause if you get there later in the day, you are S.O.L.
Anyway, any convience that is good enought to have for free is good enough to charge for. I see the 'balking' at the cost in the same light as ATM fees. Peopled freaked when the fees first started, but now accept them. Same will happen to these line avoidance passes.
jeremy
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"Nobody writes about the planes that land." Steve Salerno Washington Times 7-10-01
Anyway, any convience that is good enought to have for free is good enough to charge for. I see the 'balking' at the cost in the same light as ATM fees. Peopled freaked when the fees first started, but now accept them. Same will happen to these line avoidance passes.
jeremy
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"Nobody writes about the planes that land." Steve Salerno Washington Times 7-10-01
supermandl: I don't disagree that people should read the fine print but what I'm saying is that legally, given case law, the existence of the fine print does not automatically protect the company. That's not my opinion, that's just the way it is.
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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
"From the global village... in the age of communication!"
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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
"From the global village... in the age of communication!"
Whether or not this lawsuit has merit, from the anger I've read here, to the folks getting yelled at in line etc., this system is not a good idea. You have a handful of people of really love the system and it improves their experience. Then you have a handful (probably more) who are really bothered by it.
Jeff's restaurant analogy was good. Reservations don't apply here because the system involves paying to get ahead...not calling. The reservation system is more like what Disney has in place. I have different issues with that system.
I hope this lawsuit demonstrates to Six Flags that it makes some folks downright angry and that they should probably do away with it.
But you know how it is when someone has an idea and when money has been put into it. Reputations are at stake. Heaven forbid they admit it was a bad idea.
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Yeeee Haaawwww! *** This post was edited by janfrederick on 8/9/2001. ***
Jeff's restaurant analogy was good. Reservations don't apply here because the system involves paying to get ahead...not calling. The reservation system is more like what Disney has in place. I have different issues with that system.
I hope this lawsuit demonstrates to Six Flags that it makes some folks downright angry and that they should probably do away with it.
But you know how it is when someone has an idea and when money has been put into it. Reputations are at stake. Heaven forbid they admit it was a bad idea.
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Yeeee Haaawwww! *** This post was edited by janfrederick on 8/9/2001. ***
Christ, this Fastlane fiasco is reminding me more and more why I'm a socialist. Without gettting onto the soap box for too long I have to ask why anyone on here thinks the normal system of waiting in the line, no matter how long it is, along with everyone else is so flawed for? Everyone is treated equally and on a normal day things tend to flow along pretty decently. Granted, slow operations can make the line bad but as a parent or a member of a large group you're on the same playing field as everyone else. Enter Fastlane and suddenly your long line just got longer unless you've got $10 for you and every member of your family/group. The amusement park was one of the last bastions of faux equality (at least in regards to line wait times) left and now that's going by the wayside as well? I agree with earlier posters that this could end up being only the tip of the iceberg if no one makes their opinions known loudly and clearly in the press, at the guest relations office and to our co-workers and friends. If "normal" guests don't complain there's nothing to stop SF from having the park open from Noon to 5 PM if you only buy a "normal" pass while "Gold" pass holders can be there from 9 AM to 10 PM, there's nothing to stop SF from building that new Giga and then only allowing Fastlane holders to ride it. There's nothing to stop SF from having their pop machines rigged to charge more when it's hotter out, the list goes on and on. How long are we going to take corporate greed as a cost of living in the modern era without doing something about it? SF *is not* a poor company and they *do not* need the extra revenue from this system but the only way they're going to rescind it is if they think it's costing them more than it's making them through bad pr. Support your small and local parks like Knoebel's, Holiday World and The Lake. Give your money to people who actually treat you like a human and not just another nameless, faceless robot with a wallet. I think I've said enough now...
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SRM 2001: No Lights! No Brakes! No Bell?!
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SRM 2001: No Lights! No Brakes! No Bell?!
Exactly janfredrick. The parks are in the business (they want to make money) of "making people happy." The parks are offering a service that makes the people that use it happy, while making some extra dough. If you don't like it don't use it, but don't gripe because others do. It's your choice to use/not use the system.
I realize that spending $10 a piece for a whole family is costly, but also consider that the average family doesn't make multiple trips to a park(s) every year the way we do. $50-$80 dollars for Fast Lane probably isn't really that much of an additional charge for the typical family making their yearly trip to the park, and they'll snap up those passes in a second. I realize that not everybody can afford these things, but that's the breaks.
I'm not trying to be insensitive, trust me there's lots of things that I want that I can't afford. Should I begrudge the person that can afford a pretzel and a hot dog his/her pretzel because I can only afford a hot dog? No, it's just the way it goes. Should someone begrudge me the right to ERT because I belong to a club and registered for an event? That person paid to get in to the park, after all, so why should they have to leave when I get to stay an extra couple hours and have fun? Easy: I chose to/had the ability to take advantage of a service they did not. This is no different than the choice to use/not use Fast Lane, and may be the root of what people here really dislike about it.
People here have a weird opinion that they are entitled to special priveledges that go along with their obsessive love of coasters/parks, and I think it urks some of us to see the dreaded "general public" get over on us for $10. What a let down to see a week's worth of strategizing go down the drain because some kid can spend his allowance on a chance to cut in front of us.
Sorry to sound like a jerk, but I think there are way more important things in life than the fact that someone can get on a ride 20 minutes before me because they had the ambition/desire/ability to dish out 10 bucks.
And yes, everyone does need to get to IB ASAP, and take advantage of what a cool little park it is.
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"I decipher data,
Computer program the ill chatter.
Brain stimulates sparks every time I reply." - Dug Infinite
*** This post was edited by chris on 8/9/2001. ***
I realize that spending $10 a piece for a whole family is costly, but also consider that the average family doesn't make multiple trips to a park(s) every year the way we do. $50-$80 dollars for Fast Lane probably isn't really that much of an additional charge for the typical family making their yearly trip to the park, and they'll snap up those passes in a second. I realize that not everybody can afford these things, but that's the breaks.
I'm not trying to be insensitive, trust me there's lots of things that I want that I can't afford. Should I begrudge the person that can afford a pretzel and a hot dog his/her pretzel because I can only afford a hot dog? No, it's just the way it goes. Should someone begrudge me the right to ERT because I belong to a club and registered for an event? That person paid to get in to the park, after all, so why should they have to leave when I get to stay an extra couple hours and have fun? Easy: I chose to/had the ability to take advantage of a service they did not. This is no different than the choice to use/not use Fast Lane, and may be the root of what people here really dislike about it.
People here have a weird opinion that they are entitled to special priveledges that go along with their obsessive love of coasters/parks, and I think it urks some of us to see the dreaded "general public" get over on us for $10. What a let down to see a week's worth of strategizing go down the drain because some kid can spend his allowance on a chance to cut in front of us.
Sorry to sound like a jerk, but I think there are way more important things in life than the fact that someone can get on a ride 20 minutes before me because they had the ambition/desire/ability to dish out 10 bucks.
And yes, everyone does need to get to IB ASAP, and take advantage of what a cool little park it is.
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"I decipher data,
Computer program the ill chatter.
Brain stimulates sparks every time I reply." - Dug Infinite
*** This post was edited by chris on 8/9/2001. ***
I still say that even people who *do* decide to pay their hard earned money for the fastpass privilige will be quite po'd to learn they *still* have to wait for 1 train. I myself will still wait in line with the other folks. That's part of the fun, anticipation. Like everything else in our society, this feeds this insane desire to do everything fast, everything now. It rips the soul out of what makes the amusement park experience special IMO. Oh well, if there's a market for this crap, what can I say...
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I'd like a tall CCI out and back, and a grande nonfat Latte to go please!
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I'd like a tall CCI out and back, and a grande nonfat Latte to go please!
Yes Chris, there are more important things then getting upset over this. But this is a discussion forum about parks. And it's okay to be concerned with our park experience. If something takes away from that, parks should be aware of it so that they can make better decisions in the future.
It is in all of our best interest that parks keep everyone happy so that they'll keep returning and keep spending money so that the parks can keep building the rides we love so much.
This system makes only some people happy. That's the problem. It makes others unhappy. I guess we'll see if the money collected outweighs the money lost because patrons didn't have such a great time and decided to go to take their family to the lake for their next vacation.
Dare I ammend my earlier quote by saying, "Amusements parks are in the business of making all of their paying patrons happy."
I have an idea...run your rides better. Make the waits shorter for everyone. Patrol the lines for line jumping. Have employees enforcing height requirements at the front of lines.
I'm sure the financial rewards for a park that is run like this will be far greater then sqeezing a few bucks out of a few people who don't want to wait with the rest of the folks.
I was considering buying a Six Flags season pass next year. But if Speedy Gonzales is still there next year, I'm not so sure. Knott's will most likely get my repeat business.
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Yeeee Haaawwww!
It is in all of our best interest that parks keep everyone happy so that they'll keep returning and keep spending money so that the parks can keep building the rides we love so much.
This system makes only some people happy. That's the problem. It makes others unhappy. I guess we'll see if the money collected outweighs the money lost because patrons didn't have such a great time and decided to go to take their family to the lake for their next vacation.
Dare I ammend my earlier quote by saying, "Amusements parks are in the business of making all of their paying patrons happy."
I have an idea...run your rides better. Make the waits shorter for everyone. Patrol the lines for line jumping. Have employees enforcing height requirements at the front of lines.
I'm sure the financial rewards for a park that is run like this will be far greater then sqeezing a few bucks out of a few people who don't want to wait with the rest of the folks.
I was considering buying a Six Flags season pass next year. But if Speedy Gonzales is still there next year, I'm not so sure. Knott's will most likely get my repeat business.
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Yeeee Haaawwww!
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