Someone at Six Flags told me something re: Fastpass

[Sarah H.]

Last weekend, I went to Six Flags over Texas. They have a program called FastLane, which in theory is similar to FastPass. However, instead of inserting your ticket into the whatchamacallit and getting a little stub that says your time range to return to the ride, at the front gate, you rent a little electronic gadget, similar to a pager. You then take this pager and hold it in front of a special scanner at the front of the ride, which , then shows the name of the ride and your reservation time, as well as how many are in your party. Then as it gets close to your reservation time, the pager beeps and vibrates. When you get to your reserved ride, you hold the pager up to another scanner at the ride exit, then enter the ride through the exit. You are then ushered to the front of the line, and are next to enjoy the ride, similar to FastPass.

The advantages of this system were that there were no little stubs of paper to keep track of, plus you can reserve times on as many rides as you want. For example, you could reserve a time on all the big name attractions, then the pager would just beep in the order that your reservation time came up. The reservation time is based on the current queue wait. If the wait is 90 minutes, your ressie time will be 90 minutes away. If the queue line is 10 minutes, your ressie time will be 10 minutes away.

The disadvantage was that there was a rental fee: approximately $20 for 2 in our party. (You can have as many as 6 people on one pager. You pay according to how many are in your party.) Another disadvantage was that there was a very short "window of opportunity" for each ride. Where at WDW, I remember getting an hour-long range to return on my FastPass, with the FastLane system at Six Flags, it seemed the range was only 10 minutes or so.

This system must be very new at Six Flags, as there were very few people using them, and we got quite a few angry stares and angry comments as we went ahead of them in line. (But we didn't feel bad at all, as the devices were available for anybody to rent.)

As we were renting the device, I was talking to the woman helping us about WDW's FastPass system, and comparing the two. She said that WDW is planning to implement this very system (meaning the electronic gadgets) in the future.

DH and I were discussing it. If this is true, WDW's guests aren't going to be pleased to have to rent a device to replace the currently 100% free FastPass. Even if they do offer it for free or for a deposit, what's to keep people from swiping them, and thus raising the operation cost of this system?

Does anyone know if this rumor is true?

 

[EUROPA]

Originally posted by Sarah H.

As we were renting the device, I was talking to the woman helping us about WDW's FastPass system, and comparing the two. She said that WDW is planning to implement this very system (meaning the electronic gadgets) in the future.

DH and I were discussing it. If this is true, WDW's guests aren't going to be pleased to have to rent a device to replace the currently 100% free FastPass. Even if they do offer it for free or for a deposit, what's to keep people from swiping them, and thus raising the operation cost of this system?

Does anyone know if this rumor is true?

For WDW to do this it wouild mean they wouild have to change over X number of FastPass machines for 4 parks and buy X number of gadgets for 4 parks. With little to no benifit. I don't see it happening anytime soon. Unless this can be done with the "My pal Mickey" thing they have planned.


"what's to keep people from swiping them" - deposit of more then or equal to the price of one.

 

[KNWVIKING]

**** The advantages of this system were that there were no little stubs of paper to keep track of ****

Maybe no little piece of paper,but instead an electronic device. Is it water proof ? What expense if you lose or break it ?

It may be a great idea and hopefully it works great.

 

[Bob O]

Any fastlane/fast pass system that makes you PAY is AWFUL!!!!!! And six flags is the WORST when it comes to these systems. Escpecially since it has been my experience that six flags will INTENTIONALLY run their most crowded rides at less than full capacity so as to force more people to psned the extra money on a fast pass ticket.

 

[CM Tinkerbell]

I recently went to Six Flags in Jackson, NJ. As we were leaving the park, we passed by the little shop that rents these and the line to get one was ridiculous! I thought that sort of defeated the purpose.

 

[Sarah H.]

Originally posted by KNWVIKING


What expense if you lose or break it ?

That I couldn't tell you.


As for if it's waterproof or not, they told us it's not, but they did give us a bag to put it in on the wet rides.

At least for DH and me, it was a bit easier to keep track of. Instead of both of us having to keep track of a little bit of paper, DH just hung the pager off his fanny pack with the attached cord. On the wet rides, he put it in the bag and then in his fanny pack.

When we rented it, we did have to supply our home address and information, so they could track us down if it were damaged! LOL!!

(edited to correct some puntuation, but I'm sure there's more errors! LOL!)

 

[Sarah H.]

Originally posted by CM Tinkerbell
I recently went to Six Flags in Jackson, NJ. As we were leaving the park, we passed by the little shop that rents these and the line to get one was ridiculous! I thought that sort of defeated the purpose.

I can only speak for my situation, but when we went on a Sunday at the end of June, there was no line whatsoever to get the pagers. In fact, at the table they had set up, they had several employees standing there, waiting for customers, but we were they only ones there. We were in and out in a matter of minutes. I don't know if it has to do with the day of the week we were there, or the time of the year, or the time of the day we actually rented it. (We got there at park opening.) *shrug*

We were at the park all day, and we saw only one other party with a pager.


We enjoyed the convenience of the pager, as I hate standing in lines. But doesn't everyone! If the line was very long to get one, I don't know whether or not that would have affected our decision to rent one.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Hi!
I just went to Six Flags (for the first time in many years- even though I live less than an hour away and drive up that area all the freakin' time LOL... just had some pregnancies and little babies and so I haven't been in awhile... it's not exactly like WDW in that there's a whole lot for little ones to do....) the other day and it was the first time I've been there since they started the FastPass. I think they started that last year- but I could be wrong and maybe it was started sooner? All I know is my sister said they had it last year when she went.

I used the FastPass but I'd prefer WDW's fastpass system over it.
I did like that it was a pager rather than little bits of paper to keep up with, keep from getting wet, etc. BUT since this was a "mommy going to Six Flags by herself" outting- I was trying to not have to carry stuff. I stuck money/etc in my pocket and had my tiny cellphone on my pocket- everything else was in a locker. Something I've never been able to do there before (usually with stroller and all the other child/baby stuff you have to take). I did quickly figure out it was best to wrap the cord around and around my cellphone hanging off my pocket. They should make the cord longer so I could put it around my neck! I mean it would fit around my neck- but it wouldn't be comfortable where the pager would lie almost at my neck instead of lower chest or something.

And ofcourse I had to take it off the cellphone everytime I had to scan it because they have the scanners kinda high up. So that meant off and on and off and on- wrapping it around the cellphone there. Also on some rides you can't keep loose belongings- so you have to set it in cubicles while riding a ride- then worry if it will be there when you get off the ride! Anyone could snatch it & use it - no one ever said anything about what to do if one is lost or stolen. That's the same as paper fastpasses at WDW ofcourse- but you don't have to set it in cubicles to ride rides either!

I do NOT like not knowing ahead of time when I can ride the rides I've "reserved" with the qbot pager. It only shows you the next ride's time- not the one after that/etc. It wasn't very busy the day I went- but still would have had to wait longer in the lines and I was only going for a few hours (have a season pass so I can go for a few hours whenever I feel like it- instead of paying about half the price for a one day ticket and then feeling like I need to stay open to close to get my money's worth!) -so it was worth it to me to not stand in those lines, do less, and all the while about to die of heatstroke in the lines.

Hello- heard of a/c? I honestly asked people if Six Flags didn't believe in a/c or what. The queus often had you going through tunnels, buildings, etc and there were no blow fans, no a/c, etc. I swear I think they were trying to kill us while in line. LOL Someone mentioned they were cutting costs and that's why no a/c's and stuff. I know it's been a long time since I've been -probably about 7 or 8yrs or so... except one Halloween night but I think even that was atleast 6yrs ago- but I distinctly remember "inside" places in the line being airconditioned or having huge blow fans strategically placed. But they aren't there now! Oh they have huge "mister" fans all over the place- OUTSIDE but not in the lines! I don't like getting wet- I just want some AIR.... please. I'm used to Texas heat- ofcourse- and even for me being inside buildings/tunnels/etc in the middle of the day in a Texas summer was a bit too much. I don't normally sweat hardly ever- and I was sweating from pores I didn't know could sweat. LOL

Oh and I really got a laugh out of the signs/paperwork/etc saying to reserve the ride and then enjoy the stores, have a meal, etc. before riding. HA! Maybe it's different when it's busier- but there was no way I could eat or even go to the bathroom in between the rides! Soon as I rode one and came off of it- the beeper went off. Oops,I have 10 minutes, or 7 minutes, or one time THREE minutes to get clear over to the other ride, find the darn machine to scan it and then ride it. Keep in mind you don't get to know this ahead of time- you might even be thinking when you get off this ride maybe you'll get a drink or go to the bathroom- but FORGETABOUTIT... soon as you get off and find out you have to go that quickly to another ride- you have to practically run to do it. They do give you 10 minutes past the time it says for you to ride- but you never know if you'll go the wrong direction and take forever to get your hiney over there- so you hustle anyway. LOL

(which btw- it was kinda confusing to find the right machine. I kept finding the one you use when you come BACK to ride it- instead of the one you have to go to -to reserve it!)

The whole dang place is confusing. Using the map is useless... and mind you I've been to Six Flags probably a bazillion times in my life -until the past years... and I kept having to backtrack. I hate the way they make it only ONE way to get to such and such place- unless you go clear across the country (so it seems) to get there the other way if you messed up and didn't go the right little passageway.
Thank goodness for the tall rides so you could atleast get your bearings and figure out where the heck you are on the map and find your way back to where you want to be. LOL

Oh anyway, I used the fastpass (which btw is $10 for the rental of the qbot and $5 per person for the use of it- so 1= $15, 2=$20, 3=$25 and so on. So if you are with a larger group- it really becomes a bargain after awhile.... considering what you pay for one person!) and I am glad I did. I was able to ride all the big rides that used the fastpass plus a few of the ones that didn't (since it wasn't extremely packed on a weekday- Wednesday) and see a few quick shows all within about 4hrs. But it sure wasn't DisneyWorld.... that's all I'm saying.

(LOL and that's a Texan saying that about SFOT... so that means something by gosh!)

 

[AspiringCindy]

We are annual pass holders for Six Flags Great Adventure and find it absolutely appalling that you should have to pay at all for Fastlane. They should have it available to pass holders free of charge. The prices also vary from park to park. GA charges more than $20/2 people. I believe it is closer to $40/2 people. What a waste!

 

[treesinger]

Originally posted by EUROPA
For WDW to do this it wouild mean they wouild have to change over X number of FastPass machines for 4 parks and buy X number of gadgets for 4 parks. With little to no benifit. I don't see it happening anytime soon. Unless this can be done with the "My pal Mickey" thing they have planned.


"what's to keep people from swiping them" - deposit of more then or equal to the price of one.

That is damn scary! Having to get PalMickey for fast pass privileges? I hope they haven't thought of this yet.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Originally posted by AspiringCindy
We are annual pass holders for Six Flags Great Adventure and find it absolutely appalling that you should have to pay at all for Fastlane. They should have it available to pass holders free of charge. The prices also vary from park to park. GA charges more than $20/2 people. I believe it is closer to $40/2 people. What a waste!

Honestly, I like that it costs. I went again Tuesday with my oldest daughter and bought the fastlane thingy again. I only saw a few other people using these the entire time- although many asked us how they worked/how much they cost/etc. If it was available to pass holders free of charge- I would hope they would change it to how WDW does theirs because the way it is now... the fastlane people would make up the entire line I bet. LOL It doesn't have a time frame or window of time to wait to get your next reservation. And so far, in 2 visits as my "experience", if you go around getting all the reservations first- then you go around riding one ride- next ride is up in 10 minutes so you go straight there and ride almost immediately, next ride is up in 10 minutes so you go straight there and ride almost immediately, and so on.

First time I was able to ride all the "big" (e-ticket so to speak) rides within a few hours just going from one to the other with very little wait time at all. Second time was the same- we were able to ride all the "big" rides (except 2 she was just slightly too short for- about 3/4 of an inch too short- ohwell.... next year LOL) and some of them 2 or 3 times- plus many other "non-fastlane" rides (which didn't have the long lines like the fastlane rides did), in less than 5hrs. Had a blast and did it in record time! It sure beats standing in lines for hours- which is exactly how it used to be before they got the fastlane qbots available like this. We used to go from open to close (usually 10am to 10pm) and still not ride half the rides... and they had less rides back then also!
TOTALLY worth the $15 for myself or $20 for myself & daughter.

Unlike WDW, which is free for everyone ofcourse, there is no hours of waiting for a ride time (which there usually are at WDW for popular rides- when using the fastpass system... and sometimes unable to get a fastpass at all if they've all been given out for that day for that ride) nor having to wait till atleast 2hrs or until you have used the fastpass for one ride before getting a reservation for the next one. It's really quite different- I don't think it would work well if free for everyone, not the way it is now!

 

[AspiringCindy]

Bibbidy.., which park did you visit? $20/for 2 wouldn't be a bad deal! Last week when I was at Great Adventure, I asked a couple that had the bot, "What was the price"? and they answered $50! For some reason, GA also has the most expensive AP rate out of all Six Flags Parks.