Fast Lane

Ensign Smith said:
The whole idea of an amusement park is escape--escape from worries, from drudgery, from rank or station or class, even sometimes from terminal illness.

While I generally agree, I feel that there are reminders of the "real world" all over the park, even without FP. It's just that people have become accustomed to those reminders, and tune them out. With FP being new, it's not easy to tune out.

djDaemon said:

Ensign Smith said:
The whole idea of an amusement park is escape--escape from worries, from drudgery, from rank or station or class, even sometimes from terminal illness.

While I generally agree, I feel that there are reminders of the "real world" all over the park, even without FP. It's just that people have become accustomed to those reminders, and tune them out. With FP being new, it's not easy to tune out.

Ya. I get very upset when I see all of the people "cutting" in front of me. I think that FL is a horrible idea.

Went to SF Great America yesterday and the Flash Pass they have seemed to do a good job integrating the users with the normal line. We didn't wait any longer than an hour for any rides and the impact on us was minimal. They use a pager type system and they assign you times to ride. Or you assign your own times, I guess. They limit your rides and offer different tiers. And its on par with CP pricing for FL but the benefits are a lot less. No immediate rerides, and if you miss your time you're SOL. X-Flight was not on the list either. Seemed like a good system. I have bought the FL at CP and it was a great day but without it, it doesn't seem to be any different than the 'old way' with waiting in line. I'm ok with it and it won't stop us from going but I could see how some may have the thought that they will feel slighted and not go.

Well if Cedar Point was to install a system like Six Flags, they would need a new digital line system. I think it would be great, but the cost would be through the roof.

I personally don't mind people using Fast Lane to get in front of me. I get to the park numerous times a year, I don't throw a fit when people cut in front of me and I get one less ride that day.

However when I go to Disney, I use Fast Pass for everything. The thing about Fast Pass is that there's a limit per day, you can only get one like 2 or 3 hours after the previous. But I don't feel bad because that's the way amusement parks are now, you pay to get to the front of the line. If you don't want to pay, your days not going to get ruined. It's a max 10 minute longer wait.

I'm wondering if the Fast Lane needs to be open all day for each ride. For example, there could be certain windows where it is or isn't open. Different schedule for each ride. That way, at any hour of the day, 7 or 8 fast lanes are open including at least 1 or 2 of the big 3. Then maybe the last 2 hours of the day, all Fast Lanes are open. Might have to ask a little less for the Fast Lane pass and it would probably be okay with the buyers because you can still ride Fast Lane all day. Then people who don't want to be cut in front of will have a window in which that would not happen. Of course, the regular line might be longer then if everyone is keen to the Fast Lane schedule. Just trying to think outside of the box. I like the general idea...let someone else run with the specifics if they like it!

How about a time limit. If the line is longer than 45 minutes, fast lane is available. If its shorter than 45 minutes, fast lane not avaliable.

Why not just implement a Fast Pass type system? Sure it would be expensive to start with but I feel like it would make the experience much better for everyone involved.

tcgolfer said:
Why not just implement a Fast Pass type system? Sure it would be expensive to start with but I feel like it would make the experience much better for everyone involved.

I agree. FL needs to be modified and limited at least on the top 3.

The FL as it is, has got to be a huge turn off for season pass holders CP only (minus platinum). It has been a big turn off for me and I have a platinum pass. At least I still have the one hr early entry ERT, even though I have to visit the park 12 times to get the same amount of short line ride time as a FL purchaser.

The FL-er has 12 hours of short lines from 10am to 10pm, I have one hr. With the cost of my pass, purchasing FL on busy days in the summer is not gonna happen. I already shelled out $800.00 for the passes for my family. To buy everyone a FL would be another $215.00, not in the budget for me at least.

Each platinum pass is essentially the same cost as a ticket plus 2 FL passes. To get equal short ride time (24 hrs of FL for two passes) with my platinum pass, I will have to visit the park 24 times to get an equal amount of short waits during early entry ERT. This is only to ride Raptor, MF, Mav., ID and WS. This is assuming I don't stay for the evening ERT sessions. I still have to wait and extra 20-30 minutes for TTD due to the FL situation. We used to go to CP even during the busy season because on the days we go we would rarely see TTD, MF and Mav with more than 1 hr waits. Now with FL, I will probably visit less or go home earlier. We have gone home earlier than usual our last 2 trips and ate lunch/dinner outside the park instead.

As I said previously, we usually go to CP many times per year, it is close to where we live and we love the atmosphere. We eat lunch and/or dinner there each visit and stay at the resort 1-2x per year. We will be doing less of this and less of my money to CP since we will completely avoid the busy season after July 4th or just go home earlier than usual. I know that they are making a lot of money off FL and will make up for the loss of my cash, but how many other season pass holders and regular park goers are going to end up doing the same thing?

They have added more ERT sessions for season passholders: "NEW Bonus Ride Time after park close on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for all Passholders! Get extra ride time on Millennium Force or Top Thrill Dragster." They must be getting some bad feedback from season pass holders that do not have platinum and early entry ERT as well as others.

Now if they would add at least TTD and perhaps another to early entry ERT, I would feel like my pass had not diminished in value so much since I can get a ride on the top 3 during early entry ERT.

Fast Lane has not negatively affected my enjoyment of the park at all, on the contrary I'm glad they have it because if I do go on a busy day I will buy Fast Lane and enjoy myself. I won't wait an hour for a ride, not when I can get what are basically walk-on's during the less busy times of the season.

Fast Lane is a way to make the busy season fun if I feel like spending the day riding, that's an option that did not exist before. If I have to wait an hour to ride, I'd rather just sit and take in the atmosphere and eat an ice cream or drink a beer.

If the Fast Lane passes were modified, it would take the value out of it completely. The bottom line is most people won't buy this pass because it is $55. It is expensive especially if you are with a group of people.

It doesn't really affect the normal queue and we all should stop bitching about it and start praising it.

I think its a lot better to complain. Its the new American way, isn't it? LOL

Ewilson001 said:
Hey JLinsky.

Relax and have a great time and don't feel guilty about that FL wristband. I took my two daughters on a Tuesday in May and we did not get them and did not need them. We had a great day and rode everything we wanted as much as we wanted to. My good friend was there today with his son and he did buy them and his text to me was "WORTH EVERY PENNY". We both live in Nashville and I make it there once every five years and this was his first time. Make it your goal that you and your daughter make memories of the BEST coaster park I know of. Don't forget to give us a trip update. Have fun!

We leave in twelve hours! Stopping at the rock hall to sign sir paul's bithday card, then off to the point. I am so over any guilt about buying FL. Me and the kid are gonna rock that park and ride everything we can as much as we can. Thanks for the advice Ewilson! At the end of the day this trip is about time together, doing something we both love to do, and that is what we are gonna do!

The FP will allow my husband and me to visit CP now! I am so happy because before my husband's disability, we loved CP, and it was one of our favorite vacation spots. With FP, we can still go because he will only have to wait a short time while i go on a ride. If I had to stand in line for an hour or more, it would not be enjoyable for either of us because he can't stand for that long to be in line with me and I don't want to stand in line for that long all alone. Not to mention the fact that we want to spend time together. Before FP, it wouldn't have been worth it to just do the things he can do, which is just the shows and the pool at Soak City.

While I didn't like the idea of Fast Lane earlier in the season, CP has done a great job with shortening the wait time for even standard guests on all of the rides now, so I don't have any complints with it.

MHW said:
The FP will allow my husband and me to visit CP now! I am so happy because before my husband's disability, we loved CP, and it was one of our favorite vacation spots. With FP, we can still go because he will only have to wait a short time while i go on a ride. If I had to stand in line for an hour or more, it would not be enjoyable for either of us because he can't stand for that long to be in line with me and I don't want to stand in line for that long all alone. Not to mention the fact that we want to spend time together. Before FP, it wouldn't have been worth it to just do the things he can do, which is just the shows and the pool at Soak City.

I'm glad you guys can finally get to enjoy the park. But did you ever try to stop in at Park Operations and get a special access pass for your husbands disability? Its bsically a pass that allows you to come up the exit instead of wait in line. For example: say its 12 o'clock and you and your husband want to ride Raptor and the wait is 45 minutes long, give your pass to the ride host at the exit, and they will mark your boarding time for 12:45 on there. In the mean time, you guys could go and catch a short show, sit and enjoy the atmosphere on a bench, or grab a bite to eat. Then when you return to the ride's exit, just show them your pass and they will save a seat for you for the next ride cycle. Its a pretty easy concept and I hope you guys check that out as well.

Also, all rides that have stairs and not ramps that lead to the station platform have elevators new for this year. The park is actually pretty handicapped accessible now.

Just wondering but do Fast Lane people still have First Ride access on Dragster? Or are they allowing some people waiting in the real line first? (Ride Opening)

^When I was at the park both fast lane and regular line people could get access to the front, which would allow anyone to have a chance of getting the first ride.

Sealedseven said:
Just wondering but do Fast Lane people still have First Ride access on Dragster? Or are they allowing some people waiting in the real line first? (Ride Opening)

The two lines merge right at the point where you pick between front & back train, so anyone from either line can choose either side.

I finally had the chance to experience two days of the Fast Lane.
I must say it sure is a fantastic deal as far as these type of passes go in comparison with other park chains. I do feel that the Fast lane que should be shielded from the general population que on rides such as Dragster and Mantis. It does create hard feeling when walking past people waiting multiple hours, even though everyone qualifies to purchase the fast lane, if someone is already waiting in a long que it just is a bad show in my opinion to have people just walking right by. I do like how the park deals with the fast lane cue on rides like Millennium force (the fast lane is not visible from general cue).

I would like to see a wall or some screen erected for TTD and Maverick to prevent the animosity from occurring.

There should also be more sineage perhaps in the Fast lane entrance explaining that everyone can purchase this upgrade (if not sold out) for a low fee of $50 dollars or less depending on day and quantity purchased. It is a incredible deal, Less then 4 dollars a hour based on a 12 hour day and $50 purchase price! That is less then purchasing one soda pop per hour.

We were able to ride all the main attractions in only a couple hours and we were not marathoning any rides (even though it is not specifically forbidden we felt it is not in good taste) we waited at least 30 minutes or more for re-rides. Considering we always waited for front row which even with fast lane, takes the full front row wait time once in cue.

Suggestions for 2013 season:

-Bar code scanners for Fast Lane verification at each fast lane entrance (this will also allow the park to be able to analyze real time and daily metrics of fast lane usage.

-On busy days 45 minute cool down period between re-rerides of same attraction Bar code scanner would flash Red or Green based on eligibility. Cool down period can be adjusted depending on attendance expectations. Cool down period would be clearly listed at main gate or fast lane purchase locations.

-Better shielding and separation of Fast Lane and general public lines (to decrease potential hostility between general cue and Fast Lane cue guests) Maverick and Dragster come to mind. Millennium force cue's have very good separation (use Millennium cue as a model for a positive fast lane experience) Creating a sheltered walkway or putting up a scrim can be a simple solution. As more park guests learn about fast lane this will become less of a issue. Everyone is entitled to purchase fast lane and the price of Fast Lane is very cheap in comparison with other park chains (minus Disney, until they offer the Fast Pass Plus)

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JD83 said:

-Better shielding and separation of Fast Lane and general public lines (to decrease potential hostility between general cue and Fast Lane cue guests) Maverick and Dragster come to mind. Millennium force cue's have very good separation (use Millennium cue as a model for a positive fast lane experience) Creating a sheltered walkway or putting up a scrim can be a simple solution. As more park guests learn about fast lane this will become less of a issue. Everyone is entitled to purchase fast lane and the price of Fast Lane is very cheap in comparison with other park chains (minus Disney, until they offer the Fast Pass Plus)

I too got to experience FL for the first time and I was thrilled with the concept. I agree with you that CP needs to put in a separate line shielded from the regular queue line like MF, although this might be tough on a couple of the rides, like MaxAir. I felt like I had a big "RED X" targeted on my back when I was walking up the FL line on Dragster, even some people in the regular queue was boo'ing my family when walking in front of them.