new flash pass idea

[brad153]

Why doesn't six flags implement an alternative flash pass system? I was thinking something to the effect of little electronic boxes, (something like an ATM) outside of most major rides. People can purchase a flash pass for that specific ride for a small fee, around 2-3 dollars. People would still have to wait how long other people are.....just not in the line. The machine would print out a ticket (something looking like a movie ticket) with the time that you have to be back to ride in order to get on and skip the line. This i think would generate more money for six flags. I know a lot of people that do not want to go and purchase the flash pass but complain about long lines for some rides. So why not solve their problems, say that you want to go on raging bull but the line is all the way down to viper. Go and purchase a flash pass for that ride and come back 2 1/2 hours later and go straight to the front. If you don't mind waiting in line then don't buy the pass. I think overall this would effect six flags in a positive way, generating money that they desperately need

[onyxhotel08]

I think most would either wait without paying anything or buy a regular flash pass to use on all rides. I still prefer Gold flash passes since I don't like to wait an hour or two to get on my fave rides. That way I can go onS superman or Raging Bull in less than 10 minutes. With walking to the ride.

[monsterfan99]

Why doesn't six flags implement an alternative flash pass system? I was thinking something to the effect of little electronic boxes, (something like an ATM) outside of most major rides. People can purchase a flash pass for that specific ride for a small fee, around 2-3 dollars. People would still have to wait how long other people are.....just not in the line. The machine would print out a ticket (something looking like a movie ticket) with the time that you have to be back to ride in order to get on and skip the line. This i think would generate more money for six flags. I know a lot of people that do not want to go and purchase the flash pass but complain about long lines for some rides. So why not solve their problems, say that you want to go on raging bull but the line is all the way down to viper. Go and purchase a flash pass for that ride and come back 2 1/2 hours later and go straight to the front. If you don't mind waiting in line then don't buy the pass. I think overall this would effect six flags in a positive way, generating money that they desperately need

Simply put, they make more without a system like that. While i would use it for Bull and V2, it would not add up to the cost of one Gold pass over a season. I feel others that buy the flash pass would be in the same boat. Right now, they make nearly 60 for the first gold flash pass. As outlandish as that is, it would take 20 rides to equal the same money made. On top of that, you have to add in the cost of the machines and turning all tickets in to a swipe card (like Disney.) While I love the idea and would use it during the summer, it won't happen.

[CoasterDude12-2]

I think if they were to market it right and price it right, it could be more profitable than a gold pass. I'd say for the average guest, the insane amount they charge for a flash pass just isn't worth it. But if they were to charge, say, 2 bucks NOT to wait in line, tons of people would pay that. Hell, I'd pay that. Not to mention while guests aren't in line, they could be buying food, souvenirs, or playing games. It's like making money while your making money. If they charge a buck for lockers and implement the system, they could definitely have some kind of ticketing system.

[025740]

This all may be true but the prices are there for a reason.. If it conly costs $2 to skip a line everyone will be doing it making the pass line longer creating a longer wait. Look at every coaster with a flash pass. They all merge lines close to the station but theres still a wait after your in line. For only $2 a ride i think that flash pass line would be backed up quite a ways and make the wait not worth the money, and if the price per ride was more like $5 a person or more it would be easier to have the flash pass system they have now. Simply if you plan on riding all the major coasters at $5 a person per ride its cheaper to use the system they have now.

[brad153]

I was thinking....maybe they could create a program that only allows a certain amount of people schedule for the same time. Something like scheduling only 15 people for every five mins, you pay and it gives you the next open time. Obviously they would have to merge the lines or it would be completly unfair to the people who pay to get into the park but end up waiting 4 hours for a ride.

[onyxhotel08]

Yeah lets just leave it the way it is now. Some people still don't mind waiting 1, 2 even 3 hours for certain rides like Bull during Fright Fest. Can someone though tell me why prices are higher on flash passes during Halloween month? Do they really think we will not notice? I know I know to make money right? For 3 people it comes out to like $150 for a Gold during Fright Fest. Regular prices would have it at like $110-$120 for three people.

[SFaddiction84]

I think the idea would work. It sucks to buy a flashpass for so much PRICE and you only get SO many rides, then what if i want just 1 or 2 more rides, i do not want to have to buy another LARGE flash pass purchase. I would rather be able to just pay for how ever many rides i want.

Even if its a machine at Pass Processing. You select how many rides you want EARLY access to, then pay.

[zjohn1988]

Interesting idea and I kind of like it! Something tells me it would however have its flaws..

[monsterfan99]

Yeah lets just leave it the way it is now. Some people still don't mind waiting 1, 2 even 3 hours for certain rides like Bull during Fright Fest. Can someone though tell me why prices are higher on flash passes during Halloween month? Do they really think we will not notice? I know I know to make money right? For 3 people it comes out to like $150 for a Gold during Fright Fest. Regular prices would have it at like $110-$120 for three people.

Supply and demand, simple as that. I've seen people race to the flash pass stand at rope drop and the line wrap around the building there on Saturday's of Fright Fest. I'm amazed they don't jack-up the prices even more.

[BP317]

I'm amazed they don't jack-up the prices even more.

The prices will probably be raised significantly again this year (at least on crowded days). As long as people keep buying them, the prices will keep going up.

[onyxhotel08]

^^And if prices continue increasing people will buy them less since these are not the times to increase already pricey passes. There needs to be one season where nothing goes up. At this rate sports bottles will be $17.99 by 2010 and nobody will get them. People look for their local parks to escape the harsh times not be reminded of them at the check-out counter.

[BP317]

/\ I remember when Fastlanes were $7 and they sold more last year at like $50 than they did when they were $7...although I do think the parking price is hurting their attendance (especially with season pass being as outrageous as it is).

[monsterfan99]

^^And if prices continue increasing people will buy them less since these are not the times to increase already pricey passes. There needs to be one season where nothing goes up. At this rate sports bottles will be $17.99 by 2010 and nobody will get them. People look for their local parks to escape the harsh times not be reminded of them at the check-out counter.

Cost always goes up yearly until it reaches the breaking point. Judging by the crowds at Fright Fest, we are no where near that point. All they have to do is show the ticket price at $59.99 and then offer a coupon to get in for $39.99 and people feel great. It is all in perceived value. Same is true with the sports bottles. People will still buy the cups. People buy them now and then pay $1.00 per ride to store them. 2 visits and they already made nearly $30.00 of the bottle. Same with popcorn and cotton candy buckets. People perceive there is value in them so they sell.

With the looking for their local parks for escape, I agree with that. But a family of 4 also knows one day at a theme park is a major event and will cost over $100 before they even get in the door. Same is true of a non-Monday baseball game, concert or major entertainment activity. A day at the park is not cheap and has not been for years. You also have to remember the flash pass is extra and more of a VIP item. There is no way I would ever get one at Great America, but might at a park I visit once every few years. That is a major selling point of them to families that come every 2-3 years.

[Bob O]

I would NEVER spend any money at SFGAM on any type of skip line scam!!!

They should have a policy like disney's fastpass, or have no system at all like Cedar Point which benfits the majority of the guests who visit the park.

And because of the parks locker policy/skip line scam etc, I spend almost no money in the park at all. Get a cheap season pass and give the park nothing else till they change some of ther stupid policies!!!

[onyxhotel08]

for someone like me who only goes to the park 3-4 times a year i would rather spend the extra dough and get on all the rides then have to wait in lines all day while the sun beats me up and the people with me complain about waiting. This of course only works for people who don't visit the park as often as others.