Major Change To Express Pass?

[Bluer101]

I was just reading about this device on the Six Flags website on how they use it. They call it Flash Pass.

A Regular The Flash Pass allows you to enjoy your day at Six Flags by avoiding long lines at your favorite rides. With a Regular The Flash Pass, you wait as long as everyone else is waiting, but not in line—you can enjoy your free time elsewhere in the park.

With a Gold The Flash Pass, you enjoy a significant reduction in wait time allowing you to ride more rides with less wait.

Platinum The Flash Pass allows you to enjoy riding our rides with the least amount of waiting! Consecutive Riding allows you to WAIT ONCE and RIDE TWICE. Quantities are limited.

HOW TO BUY
The Flash Passes can be purchased online and at the admissions window at the main gate. You can also buy passes at The Flash Pass booth located on Main Street past Season Pass Processing.

Prices for The Flash Pass vary, depending on level of service and number of riders. Regular The Flash Passes are priced from $40.00 for the first person. Gold
The Flash Passes are priced from $60.00 for the first person and Platinum The Flash Passes are priced from $90.00 for the first person. Up to 5 extra riders, can be added to your The Flash Pass for an additional charge.

A valid state-issued drivers' license, Passport or current Season Pass will be required to rent The Flash Pass. The ID will be held until The Flash Pass is returned in the same condition it was rented.

AVAILABILITY
A limited number of The Flash Passes are available for purchase each operating day. The passes will be available only while supplies last, and are valid only on the day of purchase. The Flash Pass may be used on the following rides, although rides can vary by day. Please see The Flash Pass booth for a list of specific rides available during your visit.

If they do this for just the purchased express passes and leave the hotel ones alone (new ones with photo, maybe no more scanning either ) this would I guess be fine for me. It's limited quantities just like it is now.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

This is the first time I have heard about adding pictures to room keys, and it is something I fully support! As long as the process is quick and simple, I see no problem with the extra protection when it comes to keeping the express lines down. I do wonder how it will work though? Are they going to set up "screens" near the check-in areas at the hotels to have your picture taken? Will the image be placed right on the card or will it be like most cruise ships where the image is stored to the barcode on the card and when it is scanned, the picture shows up?

Here is the process to my understanding:

Hotel guest goes to designated kiosk (there are several in each park). They scan their hotel key, remove hats and sun glasses (important!), get their photo taken (you probably have to press a button when ready), then the machine will print out your unlimited express pass with your photo, name, and length of stay. So try not to lose your room key or unlimited express pass!

 

[patster734]

Here is the process to my understanding:

Hotel guest goes to designated kiosk (there are several in each park). They scan their hotel key, remove hats and sun glasses (important!), get their photo taken (you probably have to press a button when ready), then the machine will print out your unlimited express pass with your photo, name, and length of stay. So try not to lose your room key or unlimited express pass!

In the other express thread, it sounded like a person could issue a new unlimited express pass if they lost the original one. My 2 question to that is : 1. Does Universal Studios have a way of deactivating unlimited EPs when a new one is issued (which I would expect)? ; 2. Will there be a charge if an unlimited EP has been reissued a few times?

 

[damo]

Hopefully they will put a kiosk in each hotel. I don't want to be wasting my park time standing in line to get my express pass.

 

[kamcgrory]

I think a big question is how thouroughly the attendent standing in line really looks at the picture. On really busy days, I'm sure they will push you right through without a glance at it. I'm really curious to hear some trip reports to see.

 

[Melanie230]

Hopefully they will streamline it and do it at the reservation desk when you check in. That seems to make the most sense. Just add a webcam to the computer, stand in front and click! I am so happy they are doing this....should be interesting to see how much shorter the EP lines will be.

 

[schumigirl]

Hopefully they will streamline it and do it at the reservation desk when you check in. That seems to make the most sense. Just add a webcam to the computer, stand in front and click! I am so happy they are doing this....should be interesting to see how much shorter the EP lines will be.

Oh please no to getting your picture taken at check in...........We will have been awake nearly 20 hours by the time we check in to RP.........I don`t need to carry THAT picture around rest of my trip

I certainly agree with having the Express Pass with your picture on it though............I do like the idea of Kiosks at hotels so you can just do it when you`re ready.............................. just need to shower and get my hair done first

 

[DCTooTall]

Oh please no to getting your picture taken at check in...........We will have been awake nearly 20 hours by the time we check in to RP.........I don`t need to carry THAT picture around rest of my trip

I certainly agree with having the Express Pass with your picture on it though............I do like the idea of Kiosks at hotels so you can just do it when you`re ready.............................. just need to shower and get my hair done first

I'm going to assume they won't force you to add your picture at check-in without a way to do it later as well for several key reasons.

1. It could add a lot of time to the check-in process (especially for groups with kids) which can really impact their turn-around time.

2. There are quite a few families who don't all line-up and stay together for the check in process. You could have one adult in line to check in, while the other adult (and kids) could be off exploring the resort grounds. It'd be one thing to keep the group together at times when there isn't a wait to check in, but even the shortest of lines/waits can cause kids to get impatient.

3. Even for those who aren't traveling for 20+hrs, There are those who can sometimes look just as worn down after a 3hr flight and all the resulting airport stresses. I could see quite a few guests who just wouldn't want to deal with getting their picture taken first thing upon arrival without a chance to freshen up first.

 

[Bluer101]

I'm going to assume they won't force you to add your picture at check-in without a way to do it later as well for several key reasons.

1. It could add a lot of time to the check-in process (especially for groups with kids) which can really impact their turn-around time.

2. There are quite a few families who don't all line-up and stay together for the check in process. You could have one adult in line to check in, while the other adult (and kids) could be off exploring the resort grounds. It'd be one thing to keep the group together at times when there isn't a wait to check in, but even the shortest of lines/waits can cause kids to get impatient.

3. Even for those who aren't traveling for 20+hrs, There are those who can sometimes look just as worn down after a 3hr flight and all the resulting airport stresses. I could see quite a few guests who just wouldn't want to deal with getting their picture taken first thing upon arrival without a chance to freshen up first.

4. Not everyone who stays at the hotels use the parks.

 

[phamton]

Kiosks are self serve at the hotels and a few areas elsewhere in the park. I know they will have them at Guest services at both parks but don't know where else in the parks. You don't have to do it at check-in. It is self-serve. I'd do it at the hotel as it will be easier and less hassle. It isn't implemented just yet but soon. If you lose your card, the lost card will be cancelled so it won't scan and you will just get a new one. The cards will still be scanned and the picture ID matched. You can't be wearing a hat or sunglasses when you take your picture.

 

[AlexandNessa]

Maybe it's just us, but we are always nosy when folks show their passes at the express line. Maybe it's just when we visit, but most of the passes we see are the purchased express passes. Only a few hotel keys. But im sure there is good reason for adding pics.. just hope they add pics to purchased express passes. Just anecdotal experience of course, but we see a lot more sharing of these passes than hotel keys.


Speaking of pics... A few comments:

1. Am not thrilled about having to carry around an extra pass now. Wish they could do something like on cruises, where they take quick pic at check in. Your photo is not on the key card, but when you scan your card top get off and on the ship, the computer shows your pic.

2. I assume that you only need to go through this express pass process once during your stay...that you can put in dates and get just one express pass that is valid for the length of your stay? If I have to do this everyday of my stay, all bets are off for us.

 

[Melanie230]

I am not 100% sure...but I dont think people would share the purchased EP, because I think it is only valid one time per ride. It isn't unlimited like the hotel EP.

 

[Melanie230]

I think a big question is how thouroughly the attendent standing in line really looks at the picture. On really busy days, I'm sure they will push you right through without a glance at it. I'm really curious to hear some trip reports to see.

You might be right...however someone would have to be crazy to risk that possibility. Makes you wonder what the parks would do if they did catch someone sharing their EP with a non resort guest.

 

[damo]

I am not 100% sure...but I dont think people would share the purchased EP, because I think it is only valid one time per ride. It isn't unlimited like the hotel EP.

If they use the q-bot system, that will be eliminated because the q-bot will only allow you to make one reservation for the number of people registered on it. The way it is now, often the TMs don't mark the purchased express and it can be used more than once.

 

[AlexandNessa]

I am not 100% sure...but I dont think people would share the purchased EP, because I think it is only valid one time per ride. It isn't unlimited like the hotel EP.

We have seen people share if one person isn't interested in a ride, then they will let someone else have it for that ride.

 

[phamton]

2. I assume that you only need to go through this express pass process once during your stay...that you can put in dates and get just one express pass that is valid for the length of your stay? If I have to do this everyday of my stay, all bets are off for us.

They are length of stay passes. No need to take another picture unless yours are lost or stolen. They have been implemented now but haven't heard of any problems or complaints yet.

 

[pixeegrl]

Anxious to see what they look like!

 

[Bluer101]

Anxious to see what they look like!

X 2.

 

[JessicaR]

Onsite hotel guests will have to get an express pass with their photo on it. The express pass they receive will still be unlimited use.

Just returned and this is exactly what we were told.