Anyone been to a theme park lately?

[screembloodymurder]

It's been a while for me and I was shocked to find myself relegated to the back of the bus (line) because I didn't have a "Fast Pass". I was infuriated by this attempt to impose a two-tiered, class structure on my grandchildren. How common is this practice?

[Redstone]

1. Never mind. I thought it was something else.

Redstone

[nonconformist]

8. Why not? It saves TONS of time waiting in lines, and it is for everyone with a theme park ticket

I don't get why it's "bad".

[Redstone]

23. Tha'ts why I changed my post.

Redstone

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. No idea. I've never set foot in a theme park.

What is a "fast pass"? Do you pay extra for it or something?

[nonconformist]

4. No. Anyone can use a fast pass.

Fast Pass allows people to come by an attraction and get a "ticket" with a time window on it to come back to ride the attraction. When your time window opens up, you go back to the attraction and have little to no wait.

It's fabulous. I really don't get complaints about it, since it's available to EVERYONE.

[screembloodymurder]

7. You pay extra for it at some parks.

and people were scalping their Fast Pass to the highest bidder.

[nonconformist]

10. My experience is limited to Disney parks and Cedar Point. Free there. nt

[Hailtothechimp]

20. Disney has trademarked the term FAST PASS

so when you use that term, especially with capital letters, you are in fact mentioning Disney.

[Lerkfish]

24. Paramount Kings Island in Ohio had something similar for more money

As I understood it, it allowed you to park closer to the entrance, and get preferential positions in line for rides. But I checked their site and no mention of it now. It WAS called a gold pass, and they advertised the heck out of it on the radio a few years ago, assuming I understood their commercials correctly. Since I can't find it now, I guess I remembered incorrectly.

[liberal N proud]

3. Assuming you are talking about Disney

All guests have the opportunity to use Fast Pass. All you have to do is take your ticket, run it throuh the Fast Pass vending machine and come back at the time printed on your pass.
I don't see how it creats two classes .

[piedmont]

5. Is there a fee?

If so, how much?

[nonconformist]

6. No. nt

[piedmont]

11. Sounds ok to me then. Thanks. nt

[liberal N proud]

15. No fee, it is for all guests

The only rule is each pass can only get one fast pass issued each hour.


It can greatly increase the park experience. You get a fast pass then go wait in line for another attraction return later and virtually walk on.

[screembloodymurder]

16. Twenty bucks.

$20.00

[Kerrytravelers]

21. Where were you?

[Raine]

9. The "fast pass" is free

and everyone has an equal chance to get one so why let that keep you from some place. :shrug:

[screembloodymurder]

17. That's not true at all parks.

[walldude]

22. True, Universal Studios has a VIP ticket that works like a

fast pass. It costs about 20 bucks extra. However anyone can get fast passes at any park for free as well. The only catch is you can only have one fast pass at a time. It's a decent system especially for parks that get really crowded. I try to go to parks in the off seasons when there are no lines...

[Raine]

25. If they aren't free I can see

why you wouldn't want to go back, they should be offered free since you had to pay your way in.

[jobycom]

12. Oh, good grief! Class structure?

:rofl:

Six Flags don't have them, but Disney does. Anyone can get a Fast Pass on one ride at a time. So you can get a FP for a ride with a long ride, go ride some other rides, come back during your alloted time, and not have to wait in line as long. It not only helps you get on a popular ride without waiting in line for hours, but it also reduces line length. That's not class structure, that's egalitarianism at its finest.

[Hailtothechimp]

13. Much better than the old days

I remember waiting for a ride (but can't remember which one, ironically) at epcot for 2 1/2 hours in the late 80s. Talk about horrible.

The Fast Pass is like making an appointment. You can still wait in line if you want to, or you can go do something else while you would otherwise be waiting in line. It's a no-brainer for me.

If you want to complain about Disney, they open the park early on some days if you stay in their resorts. So if you're staying at the Days inn instead, you're SOL on that score. But their property, their rules, I guess.

[screembloodymurder]

18. Who mentioned Disney?

Not me.

[nonconformist]

19. Then what theme park are you talking about? nt

[Kerrytravelers]

14. Fast Passes are available for everyone.

You use your admission ticket and put it into a vending-type machine. You'll get a Fast pass in return, which tells you when to come back (although the return times are always listed before you get the pass.) When you return, you go into a separate line and move quicker to the front. When at the front, a park worker will merge you into the front of the line. The wait is usually less than 20 minutes. It actually moves people through rides at a much quicker pace. We're Disney pass holders and we use it all the time.

There is no conspiracy behind it. It simply helps in crowd control. If you're unsure of something, I'd ask a park worker what the situation is all about.

[screembloodymurder]

26. My mistake, it's a Flash Pass and you pay for it at

Six Flags.

[Kerrytravelers]

27. I haven't been to a Six Flags in a long time.

I hate that Disneyland has Club 33- a membership of $5K a year (as I was told my a family at a private school I use to teach at) per person (not family) and it basically gets you into a really fancy restaurant- and you still have to pay for the meal.

[MrSlayer]

29. I like the Flash Pass.

I don't mind paying a few extra bucks for the convenience of getting on the rides quicker.

[Cleita]

28. Forced and expensive entertainment. I refuse to partake.

Next time take the kids to a National Park. It's not only entertaining but educational and it makes one appreciate nature's wonders.