Fast Lane is coming to the park

I am a Platinum pass holder so I go to CP about 17 times a year, so it is very unlikely for me to buy one for any of my trips there. However, I try to avoid the Halloweekend Saturdays by going on the Friday nights from 6:00 pm - Midnight, but I would like to go on a Saturday just to have a full day there. I know it is very very VERY crowded on these Saturdays so that might be the one time I would consider buying the FastLane pass for Cedar Point.

I am going to Kings Dominion for the first time this summer so I probably will buy FastLane for the one day that we visit the park in order to ensure that I am able to get on everything with ease and not have to worry about missing anything. Same with when I go to Busch Gardens VA.

Does anyone know how they plan on mergering the FastLane users and standy guests? I heard John H. mention something about it at the February PointBuzz event, but I forgot what he specifically said, if anything.

I agree that the best use of Fast Lane (for pass holders, at least) would be for those ultra-busy HW Saturdays. Of course, those are the most likely dates Fast Lane would sell out almost instantly, meaning getting to the park early would be critical.

SSL488 said:
Does anyone know how they plan on mergering the FastLane users and standy guests? I heard John H. mention something about it at the February PointBuzz event, but I forgot what he specifically said, if anything.

I believe there doing it similar to Disney where there's two separate entrances then they merge them in the station. That, IMO, is the best way

SSL488 said:
I am going to Kings Dominion for the first time this summer so I probably will buy FastLane for the one day that we visit the park in order to ensure that I am able to get on everything with ease and not have to worry about missing anything. Same with when I go to Busch Gardens VA.

Not trying to get off topic, but I'm also planning on visiting Kings Dominion this summer for the first time as well! When are you visiting? I'm planning on going in Mid-June.

djDaemon said:
Of course, those are the most likely dates Fast Lane would sell out almost instantly, meaning getting to the park early would be critical.

Which is funny, because I remember one of the biggest complaints here about the old Freeway system the park used was that it was unfair to people arriving later in the day. Of course, I suppose Fast Lane could have an advance reservation system that would make this a moot point...

Again, Fast & Fright Lane never sold out at Kings Island last year that I was aware of, even on the insanely busy Columbus Day weekend. Unless they change the system this year, the "limited availability" was a marketing ploy.

Sure it might actually be limited, but the term is used vaguely. If their definition was selling Fast Lane to only 50% of guests that day, then it's a cap that'd never realistically be reached.

With the problems caused on Columbus Day weekend at KI, hopefully they redefine what they mean by "limited." But, I doubt you'll be seeing Fast Lane sell out almost instantly anytime soon.

Keep in mind that the company is still learning as they go along with paid FOL access. Missteps are expected.

Ralph Wiggum said:
...I suppose Fast Lane could have an advance reservation system...

I (and I imagine others here) certainly hope so. Since we're better than the average guest at predicting crowd levels, we'd have a distinct advantage when it comes to acquiring FL passes. :)

Ralph Wiggum said:
Of course, I suppose Fast Lane could have an advance reservation system that would make this a moot point...

I got the impression that they planned to offer that at some point.

djDaemon said:
I (and I imagine others here) certainly hope so. Since we're better than the average guest at predicting crowd levels, we'd have a distinct advantage when it comes to acquiring FL passes. :)

I thought that it had been discussed at length that it is impossible to predict crowd levels;)

I doubt a reservation system will ever happen with Fast Lane. The parks response would just be, you want fast lane? Well get here when the park opens and wait in line. That will make them be at the park longer and it's all about money.

Actually, up until DKs retirement that's how it would have worked.

Ouimet seems to have a better feel for how to deliver value to the customer.

I would like to know when these fast lane lines open for them to use... Cause I will hate waiting in the front of the line for Dragster to open, trying to get the early chance of a rollback, and have some group come up to the front and use the side line when it opens which gets them in front of me, and proceed to get a rollback.

Yea, depending on the weather/time of season, I'll use the platinum pass time to wait in front. Got 1 rollback because of it, and is worth it! I hope this doesn't affect the opening times of the rides and who has been in line from the start.

But if you really, really want it that bad, you could pay for the fast lane.

See?

This is why it works.

Kevinj said:
But if you really, really want it that bad, you could pay for the fast lane.

See?

This is why it works.

It's not $50 more out of my wallet for to do that, and for me and my friend, $100 dollars total.. for One Days Attempt....

It doesn't work, because it comes down to who has the fatter wallet then who actually is waiting for luck.

haha, I love how Matt just straight up calls out Cedar Fair for the horrible stamp thing they did.

Disney's Fast Pass is one place their customer service exceeds all others, simply because it's free with park admission. Whether it's Cedar Fair's Fast Lane, Six Flags' Flash Pass, Universal's Express Pass, or Busch Gardens' Quick Queue, they all make you pay (which is incredibly annoying). One thing I do agree with is giving people who stay on resort property some kind of benefit.

^^ Sealedseven: For the first couple weeks, Kings Island Fast Pass was only good starting at noon, but they soon changed it to being valid the entire day, and it stayed that way the rest of the season.

So yes, even if you camped an hour for Dragster to open, it's possible that a Fast Pass customer could take your desired seat under the most recent version of the program.

Skippy said:

Disney's Fast Pass is one place their customer service exceeds all others, simply because it's free with park admission.

But Disney tickets are so much more expensive than a CP ticket. So you basically are paying an extra fee for the fast pass, you just don't notice it.

Single day tickets to Disney are more expensive, but who goes for one day? Multiple day tickets end up being about the same price as Cedar Point.

No, you're paying for attractions, service and experiences that no standard amusement park can provide.

We stayed at WDW for about 5-6 days and by the last day we were only paying ~ $5 a ticket.