Kings Island Gold Lane

[bkroz]

Out of curiosity, do you think Kings Island ought to do some sort of Universal Express / Quick Queue service? They're so incredibly easy to set up. For example, Busch Parks & Universal just have you pay like, an extra $25 to get a wristband, walk up the ride's exit, and get on the ride. It honestly costs nothing for the park but to set up the cheap signs with arrows pointing at the exit that say "Gold Lane" or whatever they'd chose to call it.

It isn't even an issue with normal line passengers getting testy and being cut or anything - the Busch parks that have it have like, two rows at the middle of the train roped off in the station so normal queueing visitors can't stand in those lines, then let 4 / 8 people at a time from the Gold Lane line into the two designated rows. There's never a backup, it costs nothing for the park, and they can get $15+ for each Gold Lane wristband.

Kings Island is a destination park for families who only come once every year or less, and I imagine they'd definitely invest in such a system. When I visited Kings Dominion, I would've paid top dollar for such a system, like neighboring Busch Gardens had. None of the lines were especially long (like at Kings Island, 15 - 20 minutes), but it really was just nice to know I had a day with no waiting ahead of me. And it's not like it's some huge investment that might not pay off... Every single dollar made from it is straight income. I can see how it's not necessary at many parks, but Cedar Point, the King parks, and Knott's would HUGELY benefit from such a system.

I know Paramount had the Gold Lane for Gold Pass people, but this is different. It's also nothing like the Point's failed stamp system... It's just a wristband. At Busch Gardens it was like, $20 for one front-of-the-line per ride, $40 for unlimited all day. How could that not pay for itself in a matter of days when the only expense is the directional signs?

[TylerRider]

Well what if too many people do it?

[Diamondback96]

Don't forget the cost of the wristbands.

[flightoffear1996]

You could limit the amount of wrist bands you sell.

[TylerRider]

I would most likely not take up this kind of offer. I normally try to get enough for a drink and burger. It would not be in the budget.

[Guest TombraiderTy]

Personally, I'd support the introduction of this system. I've considered it in the past, collecting these points and details about it:

-The system could be done through separate passes, add-ons on pre-existing tickets, wristbands, lanyards, or any other item.

-The extra queues already exist for several attractions (the remnants of the defunct Gold Pass Speed Lane program, found on Wild Thornberry's River Adventure, Scooby-Doo and the Haunted Castle, The Beast, Backlot Stunt Coaster, and a few other attractions)

-Visiting families who don't normally come to Kings Island would be the target audience for the system

-The system would limit users to only one-time for each attraction

-The number of passes/whatever sold each day would also be limited

-Prices could vary, depending on expected crowds. For example, weekdays could be cheaper than weekends.

-Gold Pass Holders and Great Wolf Lodge guests could get discounts on the system.

-This system would not greatly interfere with guests waiting in the regular lines

Just my ideas, anyway.

My family has taken advantage of similar systems at both Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood in the past, and we would easily spend the money to use them again at these parks. Having the opportunity to visit Kings Island anytime during the season, however, I would not be one to utilize the system if the park introduced it. I still think it's a good idea, however.

[Dvo]

Kings Island is a park that doesn't really need this, in my mind. There are very few days throughout the summer that you can't get on virtually all of the rides in the park. In parks near large markets, I can see it.

[Coney Islander]

Don't they already have this for people with platinum passes? I remember people using the exit to get on Invertigo numerous times...

[TheSonofBeast]

Don't they already have this for people with platinum passes? I remember people using the exit to get on Invertigo numerous times...

That would either be VIP pass people (doubtful) or handicapped people that cant wait in line, or make it through the line. No such platinum pass perk exists...

[standbyme]

I think this is a great idea...after all, why should people who have more money be expected to stand in line with all of "those" people...their time IS worth more money. Plus, periodically the park can keep adding an additional higher level line...that way the people who have even more money than the people who have more money than the people...

[DropZone99]

I think it's a good idea. On Drop Zone, Delirium, and Crypt they could have 5 seats always reserved for gold lane people, and if no gold lane people happen to be in line, than the ride opts. can let the general public sit in those seats. And on Diamondback they could just use the single rider lane, and just let them skip the main queue, but make them wait in the station for any seat they want. And just about every ride they would just have the gold lane people walk up the exit and if the line is super long make them sit in a certain seat, but if the line is only the station, than have them just chose any seat?

[Avatar]

First off many parks who charge for such a feature look at it as a way to generate more income and try to avoid the appearance of income class opportunities. I have bought a front of the line pass when I visited the Halloween event at Universal a couple years back, this was to make sure I was able to get every attraction done as I had a very limited time to do so. I could not afford to do that with most trips but it was worth it for that particular situation. I think Disney does their Fast Pass system the best there is no charge and it is available to everyone. Many use the Speed Pass as a marketing tool to attract guest to their on-site resorts.

Speaking of Marketing; I believe Kings Island Speed Pass/Lane was created to attract more season pass sales. It worked in our case as we live about 2 hours away, we always enjoyed coming and would liked to go to Kings Island more often but driving two hours to and from in the same day or more expense to stay in the area. To be truthful as much as we liked Kings Island it was not worth coming that many times to stand in line all day. When Paramount offered the Speed lane we bought and became regulars to the park. They have since cut the perk out and replaced it with ERT, well for those who live far away like us we need to leave around 7AM to enjoy that perk (we hardly ever make it). So the next thing excites us to come more often is the special events which are open to everyone. This past year with the economy down and the high prices at the park coupled with the special events and less enticing season pass perks our visits dropped off in a big way. It's hard to point to one thing but when they all are combined it was not as enticing to us (this is not a negative statement to the park but an opportunity to express an honest assessment of why we stayed away more last year). I think the ERT is good for the locals but I think many will buy anyway in the local area as it is less expensive and hassle to go for a few non busy times here and there. I think if Kings Island would like to sell more Season Pass and to get those Season Pass guests to attend more regular then they need to offer more appealing opportunities for their more distant fans. Speed Lane was the hook for us otherwise we would still be a once a year family as we are drawling closer to that number as the perks are getting less advantages and enticing for us. I hope that helps.

So yes count us in as a vote for bring back Speed Lane as a Gold Pass Perk. I do not think that will happen as the park is looking to cut expenses and I think it is probably cheaper to run a ERT for one ride than to run Speed Lanes during the peek days. So that brings the question of is it the lack of guest attendance that brings cuts or is it the cuts that cut attendance. I don’t know the answer to that question as a whole but I know how it plays out for this family.

[DaveStroem]

I am not a fan of these paid line cutting options. While I have used them in the past at Six Flags Great America & Great Adventure, I would have still gone to the parks with or with out them. As Jesse said, we traveled quite a distance and since the parks were quite busy they made the most of our 1 day at the park.

As to Disney, I agree that their fastpass system is by far the best & fairest since everyone can use it. On the flip side, it does require a lot of extra walking for utilize it to full potential.

If the park did not have fast/flash passes, I feel that the regular lines would have moved much quicker for all guests.

[bkroz]

I think this is a great idea...after all, why should people who have more money be expected to stand in line with all of "those" people...their time IS worth more money. Plus, periodically the park can keep adding an additional higher level line...that way the people who have even more money than the people who have more money than the people...

I can't even respond to that. ^ Hahahaa. I think if you went to Universal for only one day, you'd invest in the Express Pass. If you have only one day, why wouldn't you? If that makes you have a superiority complex (or an inferiority one if you've not purchased it), that's a personal problem.

Also, Disney's Fastpass is irrefutably the best system working right now - the thing is, though, it costs a LOT. People in this thread have argued that Kings Island can't afford a "QuickQueue" service because we would need to print off wristbands... With a Fastpass system, you need seperate machines, computer programming, paper, and unified tickets to scan. I can't help but think that this "free" service is why Disney charges $80+ for a one-day ticket, $113 for a one day with parkhopper. And no, that's not comparable to Universal, which is 7 days for $99.00. Buy an Express Pass for two or three of them and you're still $100 less than 7 days at Disney.

I just feel like Kings Island doesn't actually cater to that many people per day. So charging $10 - $15 for a front-of-the-line wristband would be totally acceptable, only a small portion would actually be interested (again, those who have to make a significant drive, those on vacation, etc.) so it wouldn't be overcrowded. Not to mention, when you start having features like that in the park, you can make adjustments to packaging. For example, Universal's most expensive pass (comparable to the Platinum Pass) can be flashed at their Express Lanes to get you front of the line access after 4:00pm. It's a brand new incentive for buying a pass. And of course, you can have a "package" day that includes, say, a one day ticket, one meal at the buffet, and Gold Lane. It practically sells itself to out-of-state vacationers, and it wouldn't take many people at all for the marketing of such a deal to pay for itself.

[XGatorHead 8904]

I agree that Disney's FastPass system is the fairest, and I use it every time I'm there. But Dollywood's QBot system is amazing! I used it on our trip a few weeks ago. For those of you who don't know about it, you rent this device ($15 for one person, $5 each addtl person, up to 6 people). You can reserve seats for shows at the time you rent it, and they hold seats for you up until 5 minutes before the show starts (you also get to enter the venue through a separate entrance). The device will beep and vibrate 30 minutes before the show's start time.

The device itself will also allow you to "reserve" a spot in line at certain rides (I think there were 6 rides available), much like Disney's FastPass. It shows you the wait time for each ride, and with a few pushes of the buttons, you're given a time to go to the ride. Once you get to the QBot entrance at the ride, a ride op takes another QBot, holds it next to yours and clears out your reservation for that ride (and you can then reserve another ride), and you're right on the ride.

Visiting with a 5 year old, this was perfect. The show lines were VERY long, and I couldn't imagine waiting in them with GatorGirl. The QBot also allowed us to do other rides in the the Country Fair section while we "waited in line" for Sky Rider, and it allowed me to make better use of my time when I split off on my own to ride Mystery Mine and Thunderhead, while Mrs. Gator and GatorGirl rode the Ferris Wheel (yes, they only rode one ride while I was able to ride 2, and attempted to ride a 3rd... but I just couldn't squeeze into Timber Tower..., using the QBot).

The advantages of QBot over Disney's FastPass are: the ability to see queue line wait times from anywhere in the park, the ability to reserve your spot in line without having to go the actual ride to do so, and the ability to reserve seats for shows. It really helped us make the most out of our one day at Dollywood.

Now, does KI need such a system? For the most part, I don't think so, but it would be nice. If I only have one day to visit a park, which is often the case when I go elsewhere besides KI, I want to make the most of my day. FastPass/QBot definitely does that. But most days at KI, you're able to get on rides fairly easily. The exceptions would be Saturdays, and days with special events. As a passholder, I wouldn't use it at KI, but if I were a once a year visitor, I definitely would.

[pcc]

I would love to see a system like that implemented. We drive 5 1/2 hours one way to get to the park, and given my school schedule and my husband's work schedule..we can usually get in a full day on Saturday and partial day on Sunday, then we have to come home. Normally we make 1-2 trips per year. This year was a bit different since my husband's job hours were reduced, so we were able to get away several weekends. Anyways, with 3 kiddos, our time is very valuable. Sometimes we do not get in all of the rides everyone wants. Something like that would be a great help to us.

[gad198]

I agree that Disney's FastPass system is the fairest, and I use it every time I'm there. But Dollywood's QBot system is amazing! I used it on our trip a few weeks ago. For those of you who don't know about it, you rent this device ($15 for one person, $5 each addtl person, up to 6 people). You can reserve seats for shows at the time you rent it, and they hold seats for you up until 5 minutes before the show starts (you also get to enter the venue through a separate entrance). The device will beep and vibrate 30 minutes before the show's start time.

The device itself will also allow you to "reserve" a spot in line at certain rides (I think there were 6 rides available), much like Disney's FastPass. It shows you the wait time for each ride, and with a few pushes of the buttons, you're given a time to go to the ride. Once you get to the QBot entrance at the ride, a ride op takes another QBot, holds it next to yours and clears out your reservation for that ride (and you can then reserve another ride), and you're right on the ride.

Visiting with a 5 year old, this was perfect. The show lines were VERY long, and I couldn't imagine waiting in them with GatorGirl. The QBot also allowed us to do other rides in the the Country Fair section while we "waited in line" for Sky Rider, and it allowed me to make better use of my time when I split off on my own to ride Mystery Mine and Thunderhead, while Mrs. Gator and GatorGirl rode the Ferris Wheel (yes, they only rode one ride while I was able to ride 2, and attempted to ride a 3rd... but I just couldn't squeeze into Timber Tower..., using the QBot).

The advantages of QBot over Disney's FastPass are: the ability to see queue line wait times from anywhere in the park, the ability to reserve your spot in line without having to go the actual ride to do so, and the ability to reserve seats for shows. It really helped us make the most out of our one day at Dollywood.

Now, does KI need such a system? For the most part, I don't think so, but it would be nice. If I only have one day to visit a park, which is often the case when I go elsewhere besides KI, I want to make the most of my day. FastPass/QBot definitely does that. But most days at KI, you're able to get on rides fairly easily. The exceptions would be Saturdays, and days with special events. As a passholder, I wouldn't use it at KI, but if I were a once a year visitor, I definitely would.

Excellent post. I truly believe that Dollywood's got the best system going right now. It's cheap, you get into the shows withough the hassle of standing in lines before the doors open, and because you're still waiting the same amount of time as everyone else for rides, just not in line. You therefore know that someone isn't getting two or three rides in the time you might get one (ala the Gold Flashpass at Six Flags parks).

Someone previously mentioned that pay-to-cut systems are straight profit. That is true to some degree, but I know I've seen reports that for the Lo-Q system (Q-bots) that Lo-Q gets half of the proceeds. Even if that's not completely true then Lo-Q has to get something for providing the system, so saying that it's 100% profit isn't exactly true even if there's not the huge capital investment.

[standbyme]

I can't even respond to that. ^ Hahahaa.

Obviously that’s not true!

If that makes you have a superiority complex (or an inferiority one if you've not purchased it), that's a personal problem.

OH! So now I’m being psychoanalyzed by a fellow member…where should I send the bill?

It actually has nothing to do with either…I just would like to work on a simple concept…the same one that we all learned in grade school…EVERYONE waits their turn! Why did they bother even teaching that lesson if that is not what they consider to be the fairest method? If the world is supposed to work on the “richer you are, the “better” you are“ principle, why not have 2 water fountains, 2 slides…at school, one for the “common” children and one for the more affluent…after all, the children only have so much time during recess, why shouldn’t the one’s who’s parents can afford it be able to slide more?

I think what REALLY bothers me is that it all comes down to money…not whether the person is deserving. I would like for ANYONE to explain how it is fair that you can have 2 families that each drive the same distance for the same amount of time at the park and the only difference is the family’s disposable income…why does it seem fair that the family with more money is allowed to step in line ahead of the other family? (And might I add, making THEM wait longer in line…which means they get LESS for their money?)

Can you imagine a system that allowed the bigger/stronger people to skip ahead of the line? (Please, no Kings Island line-jumping jokes!) No one would consider that a fair system…why should someone’s income be any different?

So, at the end of my rant I will say that no, I am not naïve to how the world truly works…but it doesn’t mean that I have to agree with it or help it along.

P.S. goodyellowkorn182, I hope you did not take my original post as a direct insult to your original post…I did not mean it that way. I re-read my post late last night and worried that it might have been taken that way…I hope you know that I ALWAYS like hearing what you have to say.

[IndyGuy4KI]

Since I am from Indy, like Avatar, I do miss the Gold Pass Lanes. I do like ERT, but if I am taking the family, getting them out of bed and moving to leave the house at 7ish to make it to ERT is hard. Being an enthusiast, if I am coming solo I can't wait to get out of bed to make my trip over for ERT. I don't know if I would want to give up ERT for the Gold Pass Lanes though?

[Avatar]

Standbyme really good job on your avatar and in true fashion I thank-you for the Christmas wish. The down side of a forum is sometimes post come across as more stern and can be taken that way versus coming across with another opinion in a conversation. Standbyme you are a asset to this site you always speak your opinion in a respectable way while backing up how you came to your opinion. In all the years I have been here I have never seen you deviate from speaking your opinion popular or not. I can see how you would come to you conclusion with the Front of line Pass. I like to think that if a park offers the option for a price then it is an option to all guests no matter what their income is and not one that the park checks your bank account to separate the have and have not’s. I think it is more of a choice and priority. I could ramble on but I think I just got to the jest of my response so I will end my post here.

[Guest TombraiderTy]

^Agreed- the park is not diving its guests into customers who would pay for the service and those who would not. Instead, park guests have the option to pay for the system, just as they have the option to pay to ride Xtreme Skyflyer, or the option to buy souvenirs, or even the option to spend an untold amount of money for the whole family to eat at Rivertown Junction. If a family chooses not to buy line-cutting passes, it's their own decision and they can still enjoy their day at the park. For all we know, they may have simply chosen to invest that money elsewhere- possibly dinner at Rivertown Junction, or souvenirs, or anything else.

[CedarPointer]

Let's bring gold pass perks back first. Real perks. Besides the ERT, there's not many good gold pass perks.

[Guest TombraiderTy]

^Not directing this directly at you, but you brought up another point I wanted to address in response to some opposition of the line-cutting system idea: Several members are saying it's unfair that a person can pay for extra benefits. However, this is exactly what's happening when the park sells both regular Season Passes and Gold Passes. Gold Passes offer benefits and features that the regular Season Passes lack. How is this any different from charging to "cut" the lines?

[Beast1979]

I had the pleasure of using the Speed Lane system at Universal Studios. It's a very efficient system, and most likely very profitable. You can buy it online or at the park, and they will give you a ticket with a bar code on it. Also, as you enter the park, there are several stands set up with lanyards on sale to put your card in. Not only would they make money with the tickets, but also lanyard sales. When you go to a ride, there's the normal line, exit, and speed lane. An employee stands at the speed lane entrance, scans your bar code, and in you go. Lines can be cut from an hour to 15 minutes. It's hardly "Cutting in line", you're paying for it, so you should be allowed to! It's just like saying "Gold pass people are getting unfair ert time because they payed $50 more."

I would love to see a system like this at Kings Island, but unfortunately I don't see it happening because of the market of the park. Universal Studios is a destination park, with thousands of customers a day, most of which stay in a hotel on site and visit only once or twice. Kings Island is a seasonal park, something you decide to do on a summer day, with plenty of season pass sales. Not only are lines not consistently long enough to make a decent dent in queue time, but also the passes are a one day thing that many of the season pass holders would not be interested in.

My $0.02

[Guest TombraiderTy]

^Great points, Jackson. However, I do disagree about Kings Island's lines not being long enough to justify the system. Depending on the day you visit, you may find all of Flight of Fear's hangar filled, or Diamondback's queue spilling onto the Rivertown midway, or Drop Tower's small shelter jammed-full of guests.

It honestly costs nothing for the park but to set up the cheap signs with arrows pointing at the exit that say "Gold Lane" or whatever they'd chose to call it.

Although I still support the system, this is not entirely true... An additional employee would have to be staffed at each attraction's entrance, scanning the lanyards/wristbands/whatever.

However, it's worth noting that several of the possible "Quick Queue" attractions already have employees stationed at their entrances to answer questions and check heights.

[CedarPointer]

And Firehawk even has an existing q-bot line- oops, I mean alternate line.

[standbyme]

Several members are saying it's unfair that a person can pay for extra benefits. However, this is exactly what's happening when the park sells both regular Season Passes and Gold Passes. Gold Passes offer benefits and features that the regular Season Passes lack. How is this any different from charging to "cut" the lines?

I do see a difference...the park has it's REGULAR operating hours...the Gold Pass members are paying extra for the additional operating hour(s)...so a normal pass-holder or ticket holder is not affected...at least not as blatantly as letting people walk right in front of them.

I am always amazed when you & I end up on the opposite side of a topic...and remember when I posted that I would hire you if I ever owned the park...well, your butt better start rethinking this subject now...otherwise you can start filling out that McDonald's application now!

[The Interpreter]

...I just would like to work on a simple concept…the same one that we all learned in grade school…EVERYONE waits their turn! Why did they bother even teaching that lesson if that is not what they consider to be the fairest method? If the world is supposed to work on the "richer you are, the "better" you are" principle, why not have 2 water fountains, 2 slides…at school, one for the "common" children and one for the more affluent…after all, the children only have so much time during recess, why shouldn't the one's who's parents can afford it be able to slide more?

I think what REALLY bothers me is that it all comes down to money…not whether the person is deserving. I would like for ANYONE to explain how it is fair that you can have 2 families that each drive the same distance for the same amount of time at the park and the only difference is the family's disposable income…why does it seem fair that the family with more money is allowed to step in line ahead of the other family? (And might I add, making THEM wait longer in line…which means they get LESS for their money?)

Can you imagine a system that allowed the bigger/stronger people to skip ahead of the line? (Please, no Kings Island line-jumping jokes!) No one would consider that a fair system…why should someone's income be any different?

So, at the end of my rant I will say that no, I am not naïve to how the world truly works…but it doesn't mean that I have to agree with it or help it along.

P.S. goodyellowkorn182, I hope you did not take my original post as a direct insult to your original post…I did not mean it that way. I re-read my post late last night and worried that it might have been taken that way…I hope you know that I ALWAYS like hearing what you have to say.

But there ALREADY is such a system. What about those who cannot afford to go to Kings Island AT ALL? Why should they not get in free? Why should they not be allowed to ride?

As for the rich kids' water fountain/slide, etc...it exists. They are, largely, at private boarding schools in New England, England, etc., and do not wait with the hoi polloi for their sup or slide.

I see both sides of this argument, and well. Know that Jane Cooper was violently opposed to virtual queing, and fought it and kept it out of Paramount Parks. After she left/was ousted, Mr. Webber began experimenting with it at Kings Dominion. When Geauga Lake was Six Flags Worlds of Adventure and their flash pass was putting pressure on Cedar Point, Cedar Point put in freelane, which it abandoned when it acquired Geauga Lake and no longer had to compete against it.

The reality is those with more money already get a superior experience at Kings Island, should they desire it. It's called VIP, and Cedar Fair started it...and it ain't cheap, to put it mildly.

[Avatar]

I am always amazed when you & I end up on the opposite side of a topic...and remember when I posted that I would hire you if I ever owned the park...well, your butt better start rethinking this subject now...otherwise you can start filling out that McDonald's application now!

Well we can tell who is from Illinois; lets see threats, blackmail, and intimidation all in one sentence.

[The Interpreter]

And I must ask, what's wrong with working for McDonald's? There are highly paid positions available with that company, and many an American (and others) got their start with the lower level store positions as well.

Terpy, who interviewed for a very high level position with McDonalds in Oak Brook when he matriculated from graduate school...