Fastpass
I was at Cedar Point twice last week (Tues and Fri) and had my first experience with the fastpass system (I think thats what they call theirs). I was under the impression when I was there that it was not a free service (which I found out I was wrong at the end of Friday .... wonderful timing) but I was still very annoyed by it.
I have always considered more than one accompanying person with the handicapped individuals linecutters, and ths seems no different - just park-sponsored line cutting. I had to wait in line for that ride just like everyone else and was told by an employee to wait for a second so these people that have their hand stamped can jump in front of me. Now it really doesn't make that much of a time difference, cause most of these people didn't jump in line for front seat or anything, I just disagree with the whole concept, seems like linecutting to me. Anyone else agree/disagree?
Other than that, it was two of the best days I've ever had at CP - was even asked twice (once by a sweep, once by a manager) if I was enjoying myself and if there was anything they could do to help - very pleasant experience to offset the anger at the fastpass people ;) ... that and the fact that when I was there on Tuesday, bottled water was $3.00 in the machines and on Friday it was $2.50!!!
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Steel - #1 Mantis, #2 Millie, #3 Wicked Twister
Wood - #1 Thunderbolt, #2 Beast, #3 Blue Streak
(I really need to get to other parks ... )
CP started the season with machine pop/water prices at $3 and then dropped it to $2.50. Why would you complain that they dropped the prices?? I'm HAPPY they dropped the price.
As for FREEWAY, the name says it all. It's free. When I go to a new park, or one I haven't visited in a while, I generally check the website for any goodies so I don't "miss out".
Personally, I think Freeway is a good system. CP only allows a certain number of "freeway" stamps per hour, and people are merged into the line. It doesn't add much time to those who are waiting, and is only available for peak hours (I think the first hour starts at 1 pm, and the last one is 7 pm).
Many of the corporate parks are using this kind of system, some you have to pay for (Six Flags), some you get as a perk for staying at one of their expensive hotels (Disney/Universal). I think the Freeway system is better because anyone can take advantage of it for free.
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I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead
Sorry freeway, fastpass - got em confused - I wasn't complaining about the drop in prices ... just I want them to operate like Circuit City and give me back my $1.00 in change I could have saved by buying 3 days later ;)
And the freeway was for all day - people were doing it at 10am when I got there on Tuesday and were still doing it at 10:30pm in the MF line. Well whatever, I just get annoyed at what I see as park-sponsored linecutting.
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Steel - #1 Mantis, #2 Millie, #3 Wicked Twister
Wood - #1 Thunderbolt, #2 Beast, #3 Blue Streak
(I really need to get to other parks ... )
CPLady said:
Personally, I think Freeway is a good system. CP only allows a certain number of "freeway" stamps per hour, and people are merged into the line. It doesn't add much time to those who are waiting, and is only available for peak hours (I think the first hour starts at 1 pm, and the last one is 7 pm).
Many of the corporate parks are using this kind of system, some you have to pay for (Six Flags), some you get as a perk for staying at one of their expensive hotels (Disney/Universal). I think the Freeway system is better because anyone can take advantage of it for free.
....some reasonable opinions....yeah! well, I think the REAL point is that CP keeps enough staff to run it the right way. So many parks have two ops on a ride that it KILLS capacity to have another queue to merge without proper staff........can't even single out a park here 'cause it seems to happen at most parks with these queue-management *systems*....cough.... schemes....darned cough.....
I've used Freeway. Worked OK for me on Millennium Force, didn't need it for Wicked Twister.
CP's implementation is like a poor man's version of Disney's Fastpass. Works OK as far as I'm concerned.
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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com, Sillynonsense.com
"We used to hate people, now we just make fun of them. It's more effective that way." - KMFDM, "Dogma"
Correct me if I'm wrong, someone, but I was sure the Freeway booths didn't open until 11 am, so it's impossible that someone could have used Freeway at 10 am.
I'm wondering if what you saw at 10 am were hotel guests who get ERT on MF and WT.
Yes, it is park sponsored line-cutting. But YOU can take advantage of it too and it costs you nothing, so I don't see how it can be considered unfair.
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I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead
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