Fast Lane is coming to the park

There is a special access lane on several of the major coasters that was used for a few years in an unsuccessful attempt at a free version of Fast Lane. It was called "Freeway."

The rides that I can recall having it are:

Millennium Force, Magnum XL-200, Top Thrill Dragster, Wicked Twister, Mantis

Was is on anything else?

Raptor had it too.

oh, I think I might know what you are talking about for the millenium entrance. Is it the unused queue that's to the right of the ride attendant sitting outside?

yes

What's that one entrance in Magnums queue towards the end before heading up the stairs? It leads to the mid way but there's a gate at the end. I always wondered what it was used for. Is it what was used for freeway? It mergers into the line so I would think thats it.

yes, that's it

I remember Cedar Point doing this same thing a few years ago. and it failed completley. What makes them so sure its going to work this time?

They make money off of this one. That is all they care about.

Well with Ouimet coming from Disney, I'm sure he will make some changes as the years go on in order to make the system work better. If not, then I guess we will see if they would remove it again. I do think it is unfair for everyone having to pay extra in order to use the Fast Lane, but if people are willing to pay for it, Cedar Fair will definitely try it out.

I know for a fact that I won't be buying a Fast Lane pass during my visits to the park this season. After 17 years of going to Cedar Point, I am used to the average 1-1.5 hour lines at the park. I know not to go on Saturdays when the lines can sometimes be up to 3 hours long. I go during the weekdays, and this past season, I rarely saw the lines exceed 1.5 hours.

The Fast Lane will be good for families who come from other parts of the country who want to be able to doEVERYTHING that Cedar Point has to offer from the thrills, dining, different shows, Soak City, and Challenge Park. When I go, I don't want any of that except the thrills. It would be impossible for a family who has never been to the park before do all of that in just two days (well impossible for my family at least). With the Fast Lane, they might be able to get on twice as many rides in one day compared to the visitors who are not using the Fast Lane. This would allow the Fast Lane users to have more time to enjoy other activities in the park instead of worrying if they will run out of time.

Even though I won't be using the Fast Lane, I am a little excited to see how it is going to work out. I hope they can find a way to have it without people abusing the system like I have seen at other places.

It's a good idea, but I myself can't spend $50 extra for Fast Lane. If you can, all power to you!

I'd rather Cedar Fair attempt to increase revenues through services like Fast Lane as opposed to $10 hot dogs.

^ That's why I bring a cooler! My $7 meal from the Subway out by the freeway along with some fruit and snacks from home is able to keep me full for the day :)

Walt said:
I'd rather Cedar Fair attempt to increase revenues through services like Fast Lane as opposed to $10 hot dogs.

Or egregious in-park advertising.

Walt said:
I'd rather Cedar Fair attempt to increase revenues through services like Fast Lane as opposed to $10 hot dogs.

You make it sound like an either-or proposition...

The service and overall experience you get when ordering one's over-priced food can go a long way.

Thanks, Walt. Now I'm craving Pink's.

Not sure it's exactly either-or Ensign, but you do need to increase costs somewhere in order to offset something else.

Let's say they want to improve the housing/wages/benefits for the employees to make them happier. That money has to come from somewhere. From what I have heard, FL was a huge success financially for KI, which is the only reason it's coming to CP.

Higher quality food, which we all shout for, is also going to cost more.

Anyone forsee a ticket price increase in the future? I don't believe that question was ever raised.

Agreed, Kevin. Staffing (including all associated costs) is where I would assume much of the focus will go (and rightfully so).

Regarding the price increase, I think right now it may be risky to raise the gate substantially. The parks are doing well despite the recession, but that might be a delicate balance, especially in the Midwest.

However, if Ouimet succeeds in his vision of growing the demographic and improving the park experience by way of the little things, the gate could probably be safely hiked up significantly in the future.

Now i would like the idea if youcould ad it on to your season or platnium pass for an extra 50 dollars. Then again that might just cause another head ache as in two lines for every ride...

I hope they're stupid enough to only charge $50 for season-long FOL access. :)