Fast Lane

[Hendrick]

I mean that it would be a up for me, but i know that CF main hq doesnt like to give many free bies away to people (not including the already 1 hr and discounts). Maybe when the economy picks up, SP will have Fast Lane for free.

With the current implementation of FastLane, if everyone had FastLane, it would be no different then waiting in line without the FastLane system.

[PhantomTheater]

Fast Lane is being implemented as a revenue source. CP was against it until they saw the profits KI made from it.

[The Interpreter]

More specifically, Robin Innes was against it. Mr. Innes has left the company to pursue other opportunities.

[KIfan73]

I've read posts that say that Fast Lane has been implemented with little or no overhead...those new FL entrances the park has shown on Twitter sure don't look particularly inexpensive.

[LongliveKingsCobra]

Well perhaps with such revenue they made last season with FL they are using those funds for that...

[gigacoaster2k]

I am the type to visit a park on a cool cloudy day when there's a chance of rain, it's like having a fast pass to the whole park.

I know that if I ever God forbid end up at a CF park on a busy Saturday or holiday weekend, and I'm not really riding with anyone, my butt is heading to the Fast Lane booth. I don't do well in large crowds anyway; I'm claustrophobic.

Given all of that, I doubt I'm going to need a reason to buy a Fast Lane pass.

However I do think it's great in the way that a lot of summer travelers come to CF parks. They may only have limited time on the last day of their vacation before they have to pack up and be back at the airport; maybe they want to squeeze in as many rides as possible before they fly back home from their only visit to the park this season.

Tom and I went to Six Flags Great America a couple years ago on a Labor Day Weekend Sunday and Monday. We were told it wasn't going to be busy.. boy were we ever misinformed. The place was a madhouse and it took us 2 days to get our credits. We hadn't brought extra money for Flash Passes but we would have bought them in a heartbeat had we known how packed it was going to be.

A lot of other parks such as Dollywood, Busch Gardens, Six Flags, and Disney have quick queues. I really don't see it as line cutting. It's a special perk that I will most certainly take advantage of if I arrive at a new park and see lines out the wazoo. There may be some kinks in the system but we have to be patient and have faith that it will get worked out as long as we politely communicate with the parks on how it may or may not be working. If you have a reasonable complaint on why it is not working, such as ride lines becoming longer or not having a separate lane for Fast Lane guests, politely email the park with your concerns. Nobody responds well to cussing and name calling.. I am seeing a LOT of that on the CF park Facebook pages. It's unnecessary. We need to help them out as guests and provide feedback so that they can assess what needs to be done.

[CoasterGeek101]

^^ Thats usually my fast pass. Wait for a cloudy, cool day, and if it rains, just wait for a few minutes, the park will clear out A LOT.

[Oldiesmann]

As far as Beast goes, the best time is to get in line about 9:30 at night. As soon as they announce that they're going to be closing temporarily for the fireworks, half the people in line make a mad dash for the entrance...

[Jr for Birdy]

Call me a rebel or old fashioned but i will never give in to purchasing a Fast Lane pass anywhere! IT IS NOTHING BUT GREED BY THE SELLER AND THE BUYER. I will wait in line with everyone else.Ive driven entire days to parks out of state only to ride a few rides cause of the lines its part of life but i will never pay someone to basically let me ditch people in line.YES,i can afford to buy them but what does this teach my children? Were gonna wait with everyone else thank you anyways.

[LongliveKingsCobra]

Do you own a gold pass Mr. Jr for Birdy?

[Jr for Birdy]

yes

[LongliveKingsCobra]

And by extension do you partake in ERTs?

[The Interpreter]

What does it teach your kids that some can afford the frivolity of a park visit while others don't have the money for food, clothing and shelter?

[Jr for Birdy]

Apples and oranges.

[LongliveKingsCobra]

Not really, you pay for the Gold Pass to get Parking, and ERT's and other benefits, you don't wait in like with the other guests then do you? No you go in to the park and enjoy the ERT on the rides. You PAY for that benefit, just like those pay for Fast Lane. (The way I see it, and In my opinion makes sense)

EDIT: oh you were talking to terpy? Oh well, my point still stands.

[The Interpreter]

And you pay to get in the park at all, while others can't pay for enough food, not even apples and oranges. Tell me again how Fast Lane is immoral.

[bkroz]

Right. It's like saying you refuse to go to the park at all because some people can't.

Or you refuse to go to college because some people can't.

Or you refuse to buy a Gold Pass because some people can't.

Or you refuse to buy front-of-the-line passes because some people can't.

Etc. etc.

While in the park, some buy enormous, expensive meals for their entire family to better their experience and create better memories. Should they not do so because some visitors at the park can't afford it?

[Jr for Birdy]

For me Fast Lane crosses the line,haha.Seriously, its just going a little to far to make more money.Thats the way i feel,and my kids are very thankful they have passes and know there daddy works hard for them to have things i never did,but there is a limit to just being greedy and thats what Fast Lane is all about in my opinion.Its not that big of a deal i just like everyone in line like the old days!

[Browntggrr]

its just going a little to far to make more money

Obviously, you must not partake in investing as well.

[bkroz]

It's fine to have the opinion that you want to show your children the value of a dollar, or to say that you wish everyone could stand in the same line. The issue is when you associate Fast Lane with a certain morality; that using it is "wrong" across the board. By extension, you're saying that those who can afford it and choose to use it are immoral, or doing something that is wrong and that they should be ashamed of.

Of the millions and millions of people in the nation who can't afford to go to Kings Island... Would you want any of them saying your decision to go with the money you earned is morally wrong? But people don't think that way. They don't assume you're a bad person because you have enough expendable income to go to Kings Island at all, even though it's a premium over what they can afford. And the folks who buy one day tickets don't think Gold Pass holders are doing something morally wrong by entering the park an hour early - it's a perk they paid for, and one that gives them a significant leg up on getting on rides with minimal wait.

IT IS NOTHING BUT GREED BY THE SELLER AND THE BUYER. I will wait in line with everyone else.Ive driven entire days to parks out of state only to ride a few rides cause of the lines its part of life but i will never pay someone to basically let me ditch people in line.YES,i can afford to buy them but what does this teach my children? Were gonna wait with everyone else thank you anyways.

I go to Universal Studios in Orlando once every three years, and each time I purchase their Universal Express Plus pass, which affords me priority access on the rides. I can afford it. I worked hard for my money. And you accuse me of being driven by greed? I have a short time, and the passes allow me to have a premium experience. It seems silly and bullheaded that you might "drive entire days to parks out of state only to ride a few rides because of the lines," but it's certainly your choice to do so just as its mine to use the money I earned to buy a service that escorts me on ahead. When Hugh Laurie from TV's house visits Kings Island, should he have to wait in line? After all, what's the difference between you and him except money? He's got it, and by God he has the right to spend it! Am I greedy or immoral because this year I decided to trade in a Cedar Fair Platinum Pass for a Disneyland Resort Deluxe Pass? Am I a bad person because I decided to "upgrade" to a "better" park?

If you don't want to participate in the Fast Lane system, that's fine. But assigning it a value of morality is absolutely uncalled for. And teaching your children the equality of life? Noble, but a losing battle. Life isn't fair. People don't go to the same schools, buy the same cars, live in the same neighborhoods, get the same treatment when walking down the street with Skittles, or stand in the same lines.

[kingsrattler]

But then there will be that person, because they are poorer, know they will only be able to go to the park once in the next 10 years. They save up for it, and decide, since they only get to go once in the next 10 years, they are going to save a little more and get the Fast Lane pass, to make the most out of their "once in a lifetime" visit. Is this person greedy because they know they will not be able to go to Kings Island for a very long time, so they want to be able to get in all the rides in one day?

Also, in the good old days, the park didn't have Diamondback or Vortex, or Adventure Express. These were added to make money. Should we do away with these also?

[bkroz]

I think it should go without saying that every business everywhere exists to make money. Call that "greed" if you will, but the idea of a loss leader is that you do something like Diamondback with the idea that it will pay for itself and more in a given amount of time. The higher-ups at Cedar Fair didn't green light Diamondback (or any other ride) out of the kindness of their hearts and hope for nothing in return. It's all a business. Balancing admission, souvenir prices, food pricing, add-ons, premium services, beverages... It's all to make money - lots of money. I can't think of a single business on Earth seeks to "break even." Even non-profits have payroll to manage, etc.

[TromaKing]

Everyone is greedy. I have yet to meet a person that goes to work and on pay day hand their check back to their employer and say "no thanks I got enough money right now". Or come raise time say nah you know what you keep this extra money I don't really need it.

I may not chose to use the Fast Lane pass when I go to KI. But when I go to Haunted attractions I will take them up on their Fast Lane option, because I know that once KI.s haunt starts I will not be able to attend any more and I want to be able to get as many in as possible before then.

[gad198]

People don't go to the same schools, buy the same cars, live in the same neighborhoods, get the same treatment when walking down the street with Skittles, or stand in the same lines.

I think opponents of Fast Lane are objecting to the principle the system is using to allow people quicker access.

Objectively, all Fast Lane is doing is taking a small amount of time from each person waiting in the regular line and giving it to those people using Fast Lane at the ride at any given point in time. If two people walk up the Fast Lane entrance for Diamondback, assuming 90 second regular dispatches, the people in Fast Lane are borrowing 5.625 seconds from the people in the regular line in aggregate. Spoken another way, the regular line would be 5.625 seconds longer on DB for every two people who utilize Fast Lane. Obviously on DB it's not that big of a deal, but on rides like Firehawk where the capacity isn't nearly as good then it creates a bigger problem. This kind of scenario just doesn't present itself too much in the real world so many people are still trying to get used to it.

The lesson is still the same as always: visit on slower days and it won't be an issue. All Fast Lane does for those of you who can only visit on busier days is to give you some options that weren't available before. A Saturday in July at KI or Cedar Point is actually feasible now for many where it wasn't before pre-Fast Lane (or having to shell out the money for a VIP tour).

[jcgoble3]

Let's take my situation: I receive Social Security disability payments that are just barely over the federal poverty guidelines. Yet, by careful saving and budgeting and paying close attention to my spending, I can afford a Platinum Pass, the occasional weekend trip (e.g. HoliWood Nights), even a full vacation if I plan and begin saving far enough in advance—and for the most part, without debt. Part of my April budget includes money for a possible Fast Lane pass for opening day. I set aside $50 last August to try out Fast Lane then.

Am I greedy? I prefer the term "thrifty"; considering that I get less than $1,000 a month, it takes careful attention to my finances to have as much disposable income as I do, and I still have to sacrifice and choose between this or that, because I can't afford everything I want. And if I do create disposable income in my budget, why should I not be rewarded by being allowed to spend it however I choose to? Twelve days from now, I may choose to spend some of that money on a Fast Lane pass if the crowds are large. That's not greed; it's simply a reward for good budgeting and thrifty spending.

[prozyan]

My family is going to Kings Island and Cedar Point this June, first time in a decade. I bought a two Fast Lane passes at both parks, one for myself and one for my eldest son. We're going to the parks on days I doubt we'll need passes, but we're also driving 1500 miles, so I think of it as insurance.

For me and in my view, its not a matter of who can afford what or any silly morality issue. Its being smart. Sure, I'm pretty sure the parks won't be busy the days we are there, and I may have ended up wasting $180. But I'd rather be out $180 than drive 1500 miles and find out every church group in the area decided to visit the park the same day as us.

[kiruler102]

^^ I agree with you! I on the other wouldnt buy a Fast Lane at Kings Island. But, im not saying its immoral or greed its just becuase i go there enough to where if its a busy day i find something else to keep me busy as it's watching a show, people watching or partaking in some enjoyable flats. But, i see your point Prozyan... If i were to travel 1500+ miles for a vacation i would definately make sure to make this the most enjoyable time ever! If its the busiest or the deadest day in the park, you never want to take a chance if your travelling such far distances. I am going to Disney and Busch Gardens Tampa this summer and have every intention to use the fast pass at disney! If i plan on going to a park i've never been to before you bet i will get a Fast Lane/pass if expensives can cover that.

On the bright side... Hope you have a wonderful vacation and make it the best day ever!

[Vortex]

Some of the must fun I had at Kings Island was waiting in line with friends. I do wonder what the people that like fast line would have done back in the day when Kings Island only had four big coasters and long lines?

[Joncars05]

So basically this boils down to if you can't afford/want to spend extra money on a Fast Lane pass; Tough luck. You should have managed your money better? I still think this goes back to the basic principles we are taught in elementary school. Stand in line and wait your turn. BUT if you have more money or come from another state and only visit once you can cut everyone else in line because you have the money to purchase to do so. I don't like it but this is America... CF can do whatever it wants with their company. If they wanted to charge you to get in and then charge you $5 a ride on the DB then so be it. They could charge you every time you use the restroom... I absolutely despise Fast Lane and any other kind of cut-the-line system. But we complain about this and then people will complain about everything from ERT/Free Parking with GOLD/Platinum Passes, Special events (Holiwood Nights), etc etc... So it is what it is... another money making avenue for CF with minimal costs to implement it (paper wrist bands). I can't fault them as a business for trying to make more money. IF you don't like it: TOUGH LUCK!

[The Interpreter]

Holiwood Nights is by no stretch of the imagination a money maker. It could be considered a form of public relations/marketing, but a profit center it ain't.