Cedar Fair Platinum Pass 2011 pricing

I understand how the virtual queue system should work and it does not work that way at Six Flags.

The way Six Flags manages their Flash Pass system, it increases lines for those that do not want to pay to use it. If those that are queued up go to another ride at all, it increases the ride for that line they are actually waiting in. It allows one to wait in 2 lines at once, increasing wait time.

Also, it allows you to queue for another ride as soon as you report to the one that you are queued for. You can wait in the virtual line while you are actually riding another ride, or while you normally would be spending time walking to that ride. Increasing wait time.

To top it off, they don't even manage the wait times properly. Some rides show shorter wait times on the Flash Pass than what the actual wait time is, thus allowing you to cut in line. Increasing wait time for those that do not have it. And that is on their "regular" Flash Pass.

The upgraded Flash Passes without a doubt increase wait time for others, because they let you cut in line.

If Flash Pass was managed properly (only a true virtual queue with the correct wait times, not allowing you to queue until you are actually at the ride, and somehow not allowing you to ride other rides while you are queued (but i know that is impossible), there would be nothing wrong with it. It is always much nicer to walk around the park than to stand in a winding queue line. But the simple fact is it is a pay to cut system, and the price is very high and out of reach for most families who attend. Which just makes their day more unpleasant if they cannot afford it.

At Great America, just about every major coaster has those rip-off $1 lockers. They are basically charging you another $1 to ride a ride that you have already paid for, if you are carrying something around. These lockers have a time limit, so they are a designed to gouge money out of those wanting to ride the rides. They sell you those souvenir refill cups. then expect you to pay $1 everytime you want to ride a major coaster!

I have visited Cedar Fair & Six Flags parks this year, and i felt much more fleeced at the Six Flags parks when i left. To the point i don't want to return to Six Flags. They definitely sacrifice customer experience for short-term profits.

So yeah, Six Flags will sell you a cheaper season pass, but they are planning on the passholders spending $ on their other gouges to make up for it.

Ugh.

Actually, photos published here earlier this season indicate that at least one Six Flags park has come up with a long-overdue solution to the souvenir bottle problem (you know that those things don't actually fit in small lockers, right?) by putting a bottle rack on the station platform.

I thought it was a pretty cool solution.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

super7* said:
I understand how the virtual queue system should work and it does not work that way at Six Flags.

The way Six Flags manages their Flash Pass system, it increases lines for those that do not want to pay to use it. If those that are queued up go to another ride at all, it increases the ride for that line they are actually waiting in. It allows one to wait in 2 lines at once, increasing wait time.

At Great America, just about every major coaster has those rip-off $1 lockers. They are basically charging you another $1 to ride a ride that you have already paid for, if you are carrying something around. These lockers have a time limit, so they are a designed to gouge money out of those wanting to ride the rides. They sell you those souvenir refill cups. then expect you to pay $1 everytime you want to ride a major coaster!

I have visited Cedar Fair & Six Flags parks this year, and i felt much more fleeced at the Six Flags parks when i left. To the point i don't want to return to Six Flags. They definitely sacrifice customer experience for short-term profits.

So yeah, Six Flags will sell you a cheaper season pass, but they are planning on the passholders spending $ on their other gouges to make up for it.

Hmmm...that's weird. I know at cedarpoint, they have lockers at top thrill dragster, millennium, and wicked twister where they make you store items.

The ride at great America that you need a locker for loose items is superman ,because of the type of ride it is. Not sure what other coasters require you to get a locker at the park. I am not sure what they are making you store in a locker, as I never have to get them. I solve that problem by wearing cargo shorts and a fanny pack.

I don't feel like getting into another flash pass discussion, but if the people that did not have the flash pass had to wait in line with you, the line would be just as long as it is now with flashpass. It's another way for the park to make money, AND make guests happy as well if they want to spend the money on the option.

As rideman has pointed out, they now have the drink holders that are free to use. You can put your $12 all you can drink souvinier cup in there while you ride for free. Is there a place for you to put your $5 soda pop at cedarpoint? Here is what we are talking about..

http://coasterbuzz.com/Forums/Thread/57833.aspx?id=818150

Have you ever ate a meal at a cedarfair park? If you did, I am 100% sure that you would come away feeling fleeced.

You know what? I've had three not terrible food experiences at CF parks recently. At CP, I had the meatball sub at Joe Cool Cafe, which was actually pretty good (even if it was still overpriced). Last week, I had my first meal at Midway Market*, and again, it wasn't too bad...the desserts especially were nom, nom, nom. Then this weekend, Skyline Chili at KI had a special: three cheese coneys for $8. Not horrible for what is, after all, the best coney dog out there (with regrets to Nathan's).

*Edit: I meant to say, 'my first meal this year'.

crazy horse said:

but if the people that did not have the flash pass had to wait in line with you, the line would be just as long as it is now with flashpass.

I disagree with this, but, like Vater said...

Skyline is killer.

I am a very happy person, because the meijers by me sells cans of it. Now if we could only get a skyline restaurant near us....

That's an outside restaurant company, and not cedarfair food. It has been years since I have been back to the buffet at cedarpoint after the bad experiance we had there twice in a row. That's a shame to, because it was one of the last places in the park that we would still eat. I hear they keep raising the price of the buffet. Last I heard, it was $20 for dinner.

If someone put a gun to my head and made me eat inside cedarpoint, it would be panda express, or joe cool. Joe cool has pizza hut pizza at a decent price. But other than that, we leave the park to eat.

Ensign Smith said:
You know what? I've had three not terrible food experiences at CF parks recently. At CP, I had the meatball sub at Joe Cool Cafe, which was actually pretty good (even if it was still overpriced). Last week, I had my first meal at Midway Market*, and again, it wasn't too bad...the desserts especially were nom, nom, nom. Then this weekend, Skyline Chili at KI had a special: three cheese coneys for $8. Not horrible for what is, after all, the best coney dog out there (with regrets to Nathan's).

*Edit: I meant to say, 'my first meal this year'.

Two thoughts: First, I just had a Nathan's at Coney recently, and IMO there is no comparable product anywhere in middle America. Wow was that delicious and crunchy. I was even able to bypass the world's second-greatest hot dogs the next day (Texas Wiener #2 on Rt. 22 near Bowcraft) - Matt just doesn't know how rare it is for me to drive past that place.

Second, "first meal ever" is funny even if inaccurate, considering the recent discussions of the bowsprits on Ocean Motion and the breastfeeding brouhaha.

I tend to eat very well at CF parks - by going to coaster events...have to say the prime rib and trimless rides on I-232 were exceeded, somewhat, by the KC barbecue and Prowler ERT. Honestly, at $10-$15 for that kind of food and a few hours of ERT, with drink wristbands and cool prizes (and a midday nap while the crowds are thick)...those platinum passes are a pretty good deal IMO! ;)

Risking the probability of being called a talking-out-one's-ass-talker, I have to admit that I've never had Nathan's. But I simply can't conceive of a coney better than Skyline, so therefore it (solipsistically speaking) can't exist. :)

I would personally like to start a database of amusement park rides with breasts. Call it rcwtdb.com. Let's see, there's Flash Mountain.... ;)

I have had both, and prefer a skyline coney for sure.

:)

Sorry, Gator. I just don't "get" Nathan's. Maybe we should start a new thread...

I really, really love Skyline's hot dogs. YUM. I think that I taste some Greek seasonings in their food.

---

Flashpass really does make lines longer. Really it does. How could it not? Holding two or more places in line for one person causes longer lines. It's stealing from one "guest" to give to another. That's why parks used to not allow line jumping until LoQ got bold and figured out a way to make line jumping profitable.

Being the resident Flashpass hater here on CoasterBuzz, I agree with practically everything that Super7* said on the subject, but I really, really don't want to get into that here. I could talk for months on the subject. Maybe it's time for a Flashpass thread. ...Anyone want to start one? :)

LostKause said:
It's stealing from one "guest" to give to another.

Actually, it's stealing an insignificant amount from all of the guests and returning it to only a few as a significant amount.

But we all knew that already. It's just not as much fun when we can't whine about it.

I've never so wanted to put a gun in my mouth. :)

When even I'm sick of the sport of debate - it's probably time to let it go. 10 years has been enough. It's staying, you lost.

We all lose when it comes to Flashpass, Gonch. Many of us just don't see it. If families want to ride rollie coasters, and the only option is a local Six Flags, it's either put up with Flashpass crapping on your day, pay up and enjoy Flashpass, or don't go. We all lose.

Or go when crowds are light, FTW.

I don't lose by purchasing a Flashpass. I have buckets of extra money.

I don't lose because...well, there's no significant loss.

It's like the kid at Carowinds taking my 80 cents when he rounds up. I have bigger concerns. I can afford it.

If Six Flags takes 60 seconds every time I get in line, no biggie. I have bigger concerns. I can afford it.

Not only do I have buckets of money, I also have buckets of time.

Someone will never understand that he'll wait in line the same amount of time regardless of whether the people in front of him are standing in the same line or another one.

Ensign Smith said:
...the best coney dog out there (with regrets to Nathan's).

...I simply can't conceive of a coney better than Skyline...

rollergator said:...I just had a Nathan's at Coney recently, and IMO there is no comparable product anywhere in middle America.

Heresy!!!

Am I correct in thinking that Flashpass is a virtual queue solution? And not a "pay x number of $" and go to the front of the line system?

Lord Gonchar said:

Not only do I have buckets of money, I also have buckets of time.

The buckets of money I'm okay with. I do not have buckets of time, which is why I'm more than happy to pay the extra $30 to maximize my fun. :)