Opening coverage: live.pointbuzz.com

I'm glad I worked at GL before cellphones with cameras were common place and definitely before smartphones. They're such a headache from an operations stand point now.

Free lockers are definitely the way to go long term IMO. If they want people to pay for them install the lockers that also have device chargers in them. People may perceive they're at least getting something in return other than storage for a cellphone/bag/etc.

WolfBobs said:

If they want people to pay for them install the lockers that also have device chargers in them. People may perceive they're at least getting something in return other than storage for a cellphone/bag/etc.

Genius idea, actually… Better yet if that same locker is free (since required). Having another small perk such as free cell phone charging while those guests wait in line would actually be a very nice move by the park.

Place a nice sign up front saying “We are sorry, for your safety no loose articles of any kind permitted on ‘insert ride’. However, we offer FREE lockers for use while you wait in line, complete with complimentary charging”.

Something like that, to me, would be a very respectable thing for the park to do when enforcing a rule most people won’t like. At least you at least tried to turn a negative into a positive.

The same company that CP currently uses for their lockers, also has charging station lockers and many more different options. Has for years.

It may seem like a great idea till someone charges a galaxy note 7 and burns down a block of lockers.

Not much return on that parking fee.
Maybe they should offer complimentary wash and wax.

The thing is, it makes more sense to have free lockers than it does to staff 3 extra ride hosts AND a security guard in the queue. The whole thing is an absolute unnecessary hold up.

And while we’re on the topic of SV, after a couple of years, I would really love to see the whole Fast Lane plus line go away and become more of a merge point. The whole “let’s fill half of the train with FL+ and the other half with regular line guests” doesn’t really make the line move much. We knew SV wasn’t going to be a people eater in terms of capacity, but I feel like the line is literally at a standstill for the majority of the wait.

I think that’s the difference between Fast Lane and Fast Lane Plus rides... The Plus rides dump you right at the station, the others have a merge point before the station.

^Almost all FL+ rides were built after Fastlane started with the exception of Maverick and TTD. Both however had queue set-ups conducive to dumping in the station as they have double loading stations. Maverick used to divide the line at the bottom of the stairs for station 1 and 2, same thing with TTD at the bottom of the ramp. Now they just use those divisions for FL+.

I just think going forward CF (all parks not just CP) will design their queues to allow direct station access for Fastlane/FL+. I have a feeling Gatekeeper will drop off FL+ when they build their next coaster.

WolfBobs said:

Maverick used to divide the line at the bottom of the stairs for station 1 and 2, same thing with TTD at the bottom of the ramp. Now they just use those divisions for FL+.

My (admittedly hazy) recollection is that the left hand staircase (now used for FLP) was originally the single rider line.

^I could be wrong too, my memory of 2007 opening is also hazy lol. I do not recall Maverick having a single rider line. Either way, while Maverick was built prior to FL+ the queue was set-up in a way to easily add a direct to station line compared to rides like Magnum, Raptor, Millennium which all have merge points.

djDaemon said:

WolfBobs said:

Maverick used to divide the line at the bottom of the stairs for station 1 and 2, same thing with TTD at the bottom of the ramp. Now they just use those divisions for FL+.

My (admittedly hazy) recollection is that the left hand staircase (now used for FLP) was originally the single rider line.

You're correct. The left staircase was the single rider line.

Regarding FLP merge point implementation, my hope would be that capacity is taken into account when deciding between merging at the station or a bit before. For example, GK's capacity makes it far more conducive to having a merge point at the station as compared to MF.

^ Exactly this. Gatekeeper is so fast paced, the line will always move. I also think it has much to do with how the station is loaded in comparison to how fast the trains are dispatched. Having personally worked Millennium Force before, it is more efficient to load the station with only 2 riders per row (with the exception of the front and back) and not crowd the heck out of the station. By the time all rows are loaded, those riders are boarding the oncoming train. Once the platform gates are closed, repeat the process. Hence why Millennium’s line moves quite a bit.

DSShives said:

djDaemon said:

WolfBobs said:

Maverick used to divide the line at the bottom of the stairs for station 1 and 2, same thing with TTD at the bottom of the ramp. Now they just use those divisions for FL+.

My (admittedly hazy) recollection is that the left hand staircase (now used for FLP) was originally the single rider line.

You're correct. The left staircase was the single rider line.

My memory might be hazy as well.... but I believe the right staircase was actually for the single rider line, while the left staircase was the typical rider line.

That's how I remember it. The right stairs were for single riders.