OT - Six Flags Flash Pass

[Princess Roo]

DH is a really good sport and doesn't get much roller coaster time when we're at Disney, since we're more focused on the kids. I'm surprising him this weekend by taking him to Six Flags (GA) for his birthday. We haven't been since we were in college, and I'm wondering if anyone could give me advice on whether it's worth the extra $42 for the two of us to get the FlashPass. (We're so spoiled with free Fastpasses!) Also, is it beneficial to be there right at opening for fewer crowds? We only have about 6 hours to spend at the park. Or, if there is a big difference between Saturday and mid-week crowds at this point, we could do a mid-week day in June instead (that would still be ~6 hours, and we wouldn't be able to get there at park open in that case). Thanks for any advice! I really want to make this special for DH, but could use that money for another part of his gift instead if it doesn't make much difference.

 

[iheartdisney]

We've used the flash pass at Magic Mountain, so we can tell you about the experience there.
rather than Disney's fastpass system, where the lines merge when you get close to the loading, the Flashpass had specific seats set aside for Flashpass. For example, on Tatsu, we only sat at the back with the Flashpass.
So this made the Flashpass worth it in the beginning of the day, but around 7, when the cutoff was for flashpass, the flashpass line was still 45 minutes. But earlier in the day, the guys got on and of Superman 3 times in a row. So I think earlier in the day it is worth it, especially if you have limited time in the park.
Oh, and we were at Magic Mountain at opening, and still had an hour wait for Tatsu by the time we got back there! So I don't know if the early crowd rule applies at all parks.

 

[dis75ney]

It's going to depend on the park...

At my local Six Flags, there are two levels of Flash Pass (at least there were last year...may have changed since then). The regular Flash Pass worked like the Fastpass system...you would punch in your ride of choice and the Flash Pass would buzz when your return time approached. The Flash Pass Gold allowed a user to go through the Flash Pass line at any time without having to wait for the Pass to buzz you through.

Also, the lines at my park work like WDW - there is a specified entrance for Flash Pass users that merges with the regular line either at the ride platform or close to the entrance.

I prefer the former Flash Passes that were paper based and the attendant would just punch out a ride...I had a really hard time figuring out the new technology and eventually gave up until we were done at the water park and were headed into the rest of the park...managed to figure it out right before we left for the day.

 

[emh1129]

I bought this for DH when we were at the NJ one. I was really pregnant and didn't want to be hanging around, waiting for a long time in the heat, but I wanted him to be able to ride the coasters. It worked out great.
It's a bit pricey, but it was worth it for us that day!

 

[Princess Roo]

Thanks for the advice! I think we'll go ahead and get it (and I'll make DH figure out how to use it - LOL).