Fast Lane

I never had a problem when I used FL. Never got any boo's, dirty looks, or comments.

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

Ride On_17 said:
^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.

I know they merge now. I was wondering if say Dragster Opens with only the first 3 rows open (tendency to do so), and there is enough people in FL to fill that car, do they have the first say still at the merge point or will they give the front of the actual line first choice at merge?

I don't get why everybody wants it shielded, Disney has been doing this for years and their standby and Fast Pass lines are right next to each other just like Cedar Point.

Maverick00 said:
I don't get why everybody wants it shielded, Disney has been doing this for years and there standby and Fast Pass lines are right next to each other just like Cedar Point.

At Disney, everyone has a chance at Fast Passes during the day. Can't complain someone has a Fast Pass when you could have gotten one or even have one for another ride later. Cedar Point, the "Richer" get Fast Lane Passes, and can use it unlimited times during the day. There is a difference.

Kind of a shot in the dark but do you think they would ever offer a season pass type fast lane

kcpo!ntWof said:
Kind of a shot in the dark but do you think they would ever offer a season pass type fast lane

For Millie and Dragster, yes. Tues/Weds night just for Season passers.

Sealedseven said:
At Disney, everyone has a chance at Fast Passes during the day. Can't complain someone has a Fast Pass when you could have gotten one or even have one for another ride later.

Everyone has access to FL passes at CP as well.

Cedar Point, the "Richer" get Fast Lane Passes, and can use it unlimited times during the day. There is a difference.

So? Only the "richer" can afford to go to Disney in the first place, so how is that fair? Shouldn't everyone have equal access to Disney, regardless of whether or not they can afford it? That seems to be your argument with CP's Fast Lane.

Life isn't fair. Accept it and move on. Teach your kids to accept it too.

A vital lesson. But does it have to be taught at an amusement park?

]

I know they merge now. I was wondering if say Dragster Opens with only the first 3 rows open (tendency to do so), and there is enough people in FL to fill that car, do they have the first say still at the merge point or will they give the front of the actual line first choice at merge?

Typically FL people would go first, however what I saw a few weekends ago was that if TTD opened a bit early, the 10AM Fast Lane start was still enforced. So even though it was basically a walkon at 9:50AM, there were dummies with FL waiting for that line to open when they could have just walked through and rode.

Not everyone is aware, but FL starts when the park officially opens. It is not available during ERT (and apparently not even when they open a non-ERT ride a little early).

djDaemon said:
So? Only the "richer" can afford to go to Disney in the first place, so how is that fair? Shouldn't everyone have equal access to Disney, regardless of whether or not they can afford it? That seems to be your argument with CP's Fast Lane.

CP non-fastlane
$44.99 online
$51.99 at the gate

CP Fastlane
$84.99 online w/ multiple guest discount NON SATURDAY
$91.99 at the gate w/ multiple guest discount NON SATURDAY

Disney
$89.00 Fast pass included and multiple ways to score discounts by buying multiple days etc.

Say what you will about Disney costing more but it's really not that much more when you think about it and if you don't get the multiple person discount OR you go on a Saturday when Fast Lane is $10 Cedar Point becomes more expensive.

Say what you will about Disney costing more but it's really not that much more when you think about it

That's asinine. Disney also costs plane tickets (or whatever travel you have), plus hotels for multiple nights, etc....thousands of dollars per trip.

It's exponentially more.

Unless you live in or around Orlando.

Your argument about equivalent costs only applies to locals on both sides of the table. I would bet that for the majority of posters here, Disney is far, far more expensive.

If you are lucky enough to be able to visit CP multiple times a year because you live close enough, then Fast Pass is not really necessary, unless you feel it is worth it to you. Where it becomes a fantastic perk is for people who can only visit once.

I don't think 50 dollars separates the "rich" from the "poor". If you are poor, you're not at Cedar Point in the first place, much less Disney.

What about the "rich kids" whose parents buy them every trinket and souvenir in the shops? Extra Ice Cream? A new T-Shirt? All the games they want? Should CP just make everything free?

Yes, CP is a great place to escape, and will be with FP or not, but that's an illusion...that illusion of "escape" is the product that is being sold to you.

Ensign Smith said:
A vital lesson. But does it have to be taught at an amusement park?

The lesson that "life ain't fair" is only (or more, perhaps) harsh when it's not an ongoing lesson, in my opinion. If children are sheltered from that reality for the majority of their waking hours, then yes, the harsh reminder at an amusement park is less than optimal. I see that lack of perspective as a parenting failure. Let me be clear - I'm not saying I won't be guilty of that failure. But I think that kids can still have a good time while being confronted by life's unpleasantries.

tcgolfer said:
Say what you will about Disney costing more but it's really not that much more when you think about it...

Well, it was always too expensive for my middle class Midwestern family, who had to endure those commercials taunting us, reminding us just how "poor" we were. And that's not fair! Doesn't the US Constitution guarantee equal access to all amusement parks regardless of ability to pay?

Ensign Smith said:
A vital lesson. But does it have to be taught at an amusement park?

Its a lesson that universally applies in life. So why shouldn't it be taught at an amusement park?

Is it really such a harsh lesson to learn that paying more gets you more?

Kevin that's kind of the point though. If I were from the Orlando area or outside the immediate CP area why would I ever consider coming to Cedar Point when I look it up and it costs about the same for similar kinds of access?

Look I'm not arguing whether it's 'fair' or 'only for rich people'. That's not the point I'm trying to make at all. All I'm trying to say is that I think Cedar Point can and should do better.

What do you mean by "better"?

I've said earlier that I'm not fan of the Fast Lane system and I would rather pay $10 more at the gate and have a Fast Pass type system instead.

Don't get me wrong. I understand the FL works great and is a huge money maker for the Point and is a great tool for people who can't visit the park very often. I guess I just don't buy the argument that a family should have the bad taste in their mouth because they can't afford FL. At least at Disney if you don't have a FP it's typically because you're sitting on one for another ride.

The main problem I guess is that unfortunately CP is, along with every other park, in this to make money.

***EDIT***
I guess the thing that stands out to me is this:

Disney is out to ensure that everyone, no matter what, is having a good time in the park. Period. That's why I love it down there and why I will save for years to ensure I can return. I don't think I can say the same thing about Cedar Point, although Luminosity seems to be a HUGE step forward.

If I were from the Orlando area or outside the immediate CP area why would I ever consider coming to Cedar Point when I look it up and it costs about the same for similar kinds of access?

Because you'd be sick of Disney, just like people around here get tired of CP. We're planning trips to Dollywood this year, Busch Gardens the next, and Disney over the next 3 years. Something different.

I honestly think Cedar Point strives to do the same; it's just a different kind of park that currently caters to a certain demographic more than others. Disney is no different. I know plenty of people who don't like Disney at all. In fact, if we had no children, I don't know why we would go there at all...the rides are not appealing to myself.

Whatever floats your boat.

If Fast Lane puts a "bad taste" in your mouth, it's not the park's fault. I'm perfectly content explaining to my daughter that we will not be buying a Fast Pass (we won't), and she'll be fine with that.

And if you can afford to go to Disney, you certainly could afford to do Fast Pass for everyone once in the summer as a perk. If you wanted to. I don't buy the money argument at all. It's a question of whether it's worth it to you.

I do agree that the FL system could be improved by introducing the FP-type ride "scheduling".

tcgolfer said:
Disney is out to ensure that everyone, no matter what, is having a good time in the park.

But only if you can afford to visit in the first place.

That's what I don't understand about the comparisons to Disney. Yes, Disney offers a super-premium product, but they don't offer it for free.

You say you're willing to save up for a few years to make a Disney trip a reality. How is saving up for a FL-enhance trip to CP any different?