PirateFrank
Well-Known Member
And I'll say this again, like I've said before....You are in the minority.
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Beauty in the Breakdown-- Fastpass
- Thread starter inluvwithbeast
- Start date
And I'll say this again, like I've said before....You are in the minority.
the-reason14
Well-Known Member
Yep, it's only a 2 or 3 hour drive from where I live. All interstate driving as well, so you can usually shave some time off if you drive "strategically."
It's a great park as far as Six Flags goes. I went with my best friend down to DFTW one weekend in April for that trip. Her mother's boyfriend at the time paid for us to stay at the Gaylord Texan, which is a beautiful hotel if you've never checked it out before. The whole glasses thing worked out in the end though. I had actually tucked my glasses in my shorts for the Titan because the G-Forces are way too much. Somehow one of the lenses popped out, but I couldn't find it in my pockets or anything. At the end of the night, though, it actually fell out of one of my pockets or something. I'm not entirely sure, but it reappeared on it's own.
I've been to Six Flags Fiesta Texas and I was actually a tad disappointed after my experiences with Over Texas. However, I can't complain about the Superman roller coaster there. First roller coaster I've been on where you are seated on either side of the track, as opposed to directly over it. That was neat.
As for the Flash Pass, I agree with thelookingglass, it was a really easy system to use. I was impressed actually. Makes everything run really smoothly. My friend and I really only do the roller coasters and other thrill rides at Six Flags, so the Flash Pass thing came in handy. We basically jumped from ride to ride and never had to wait in line. Now, we did do some waiting outside of attractions, but then you can grab a Dip n Dots and sit at a picnic table while you wait for your reservation time.
Oh I used to love over texas!!! Haven't been there in years. Fiesta Texas was nice too, compared Astroworld. Oh wee, Astroworld was horrible. I guess that's why it went out of business. Used to love the Titan and Mr. Freeze.
David S.
Member
I enjoyed Astroworld. I know this is getting OT, but the reason it closed is a sad and long saga that had nothing to do with the park's performance. It was still well-attended, supported by the people of metro Houston, and profitable through the end.
Premiere Parks ran up a HUGE debt and got in over their head when they bought the entire Six Flags chain from Time Warner in the late 90's. By 2005, the year Astroworld closed later that fall, several key shareholders (including Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder) were ready to revolt and overthrow Six Flags then-CEO Kieran Burke. Desperate for anything that would generate quick cashflow to help reduce the debt, Burke had been advised that the land Astroworld sat on was worth more without the park than with it.
Like with most regional theme parks, the original developers of Astroworld built the park away from downtown in 1968, but the city had grown so much since than, that Astroworld had become more "urban" than other parks.
Believing he could make a hefty short-term profit on the land, Burke ordered the park torn down immediately following the conclusion of the 2005 season, and it was done.
Ironically, Burke got nowhere near what he wanted for the land, and made very little off the transaction by the time park dismantling and realator costs were added in. As far as I know, the land, which Burke expected would fetch a lot of money for new downtown development, still sits vacant.
Burke also couldn't fend off Snyder and was forced to resign anyway. Snyder later admitted that the dismantling of Astroworld was a huge mistake, as SF lost the Houston market which had always been a profitable one.
So Astroworld joins the ranks of lots of other amusement parks that were tragically torn down for dubious reasons with the "major new development" expected to replace it never really materializing (others include Miracle Strip Amusement Park in Panama City, FL, Myrtle Beach Pavillion in SC, Geauga Lake in Aurora, OH, and Pontchartrain Beach in New Orleans)
So there's the sad, tragic, story of exactly why the good people of Houston, through no fault of their own, are now the largest city in the US without a regional theme park (although the nearby, smallish Kemah Boardwalk at least has a really nice, kicking wooden coaster, built shortly after AW closed, for those like me into such things)
David S.
Member
I don't think so, at least not on these boards. More people seem to favor FP than oppose it!
T-1MILLION
New Member
A big part of that is due to a lot of people being spoiled fans and not treating a trip like a once or a few times in a life time kind of trip. It benefits the locals in this case as well who go there for the few things they care to see and leave.
David S.
Member
So, are you saying people who like Fastpass and those who know how to maximize benefit from it are "spoiled"?
I think even people who go for a "once in a lifetime vacation" can research FP and learn how to use it to enhance their vacation.
Heck, I had "mastered" it on my first or second day using the system!
I've acted as a "tour guide" for relatives and friends who had either not been to WDW for years, or never been at all, and they were all impressed by how much they were able to get done on their once/seldom in a lifetime trips thanks to FP!
Even though I'm a seasonal local, I don't fit your description. I never go do a few things and leave. When I go to a park, I ALWAYS stay until closing! Some days I get there at rope drop and do a full day (my favorite!), or if I can't do a full day, I prefer a short, informal, evening visit, starting at around 5 or 6 PM and ending at Park Closing. But leaving early is not in my vocabulary! Why would I want to walk away from paradise!
But actually, I would think FP would only work in favor of locals "who are going to do a few things they care to see and leave" if they go early in the day. If they are going late, (such as after work), FPs would be gone and I would think they would be less inclined to favor the system in those cases. I think if FP gives any one group an "advantage" more than anyone else, it's the "early birds" (whether local or "tourist"), which, since I'm usually an "early bird" myself, it works well with how I tour the parks.
T-1MILLION
New Member
By spoiled I meant fortunate, forgive me if you were offended.
People who visit often don't care about getting every little thing done that trip. I was saying more in terms for this site. That was what was in question to where the bias comes from here which I think you will find it obvious that most people here have visited WDW at least more than once or twice once they become members of this forum.
People who visit often don't care about getting every little thing done that trip. I was saying more in terms for this site. That was what was in question to where the bias comes from here which I think you will find it obvious that most people here have visited WDW at least more than once or twice once they become members of this forum.
David S.
Member
No, I wasn't offended, I just misunderstood, but thanks for explaining!
I think you make a good point, though. Like, when I park hop to Epcot after another park closes, or do a half-day visit (or less) there in the evening, I take it as a given that the FPs for an attraction like Soarin' will all be gone. Not wanting to spend a large portion of a short visit in a long standby queue for one attraction, I usually don't ride Soarin' in these instances, knowing I'll catch it the next time I do a full day at Epcot. Since as a "regular" I know I'll be riding it again soon, there is no pressure or regret about missing this (or any other attraction) on any given day/evening at a park.
Wheras, if it were a "once in a lifetime" trip, it would be more crucial. Then again, if it were a "once in a lifetime trip", I would want to be at the parks at opening and I'd make sure I'd be able to get FPs for any major "headliner" for which I would need them!
I think you make a good point, though. Like, when I park hop to Epcot after another park closes, or do a half-day visit (or less) there in the evening, I take it as a given that the FPs for an attraction like Soarin' will all be gone. Not wanting to spend a large portion of a short visit in a long standby queue for one attraction, I usually don't ride Soarin' in these instances, knowing I'll catch it the next time I do a full day at Epcot. Since as a "regular" I know I'll be riding it again soon, there is no pressure or regret about missing this (or any other attraction) on any given day/evening at a park.
Wheras, if it were a "once in a lifetime" trip, it would be more crucial. Then again, if it were a "once in a lifetime trip", I would want to be at the parks at opening and I'd make sure I'd be able to get FPs for any major "headliner" for which I would need them!
thelookingglass
Well-Known Member
Well yes, a board full of Disney park veterans who know the parks like the back of their hand are going to be able to better utilize their time than the general public. Stand around a popular Fastpass station someday and listen to people stress out.
David S.
Member
I get your point, and I'm sure it does cause confusion for many people.
On the other hand, I keep thinking back to my first visit to WDW in which FP was available - 5 years ago when I first became a "seasonal local". I was amazed at how easy it was to use, and by the end of the first day, had already figured out several "strategies" and "tricks" for maximizing the benefits of the system. At the time, I was hardly a "veteran Fastpass pro" or anything like that, having just used the system for the first time earlier that day.
Humans are capable of mastering a lot of MUCH MORE complex, demanding, and difficult tasks - such as holding down demanding jobs, raising families, filling out tax forms, etc.
So it seems kind of strange to me that something as simple as Fastpass could cause so much "stress" or confusion, especially considering how easy it was for me to figure out, since I am usually pretty slow to adopt to new technology
I get your point, and I'm sure it does cause confusion for many people.
On the other hand, I keep thinking back to my first visit to WDW in which FP was available - 5 years ago when I first became a "seasonal local". I was amazed at how easy it was to use, and by the end of the first day, had already figured out several "strategies" and "tricks" for maximizing the benefits of the system. At the time, I was hardly a "veteran Fastpass pro" or anything like that, having just used the system for the first time earlier that day.
Humans are capable of mastering a lot of MUCH MORE complex, demanding, and difficult tasks - such as holding down demanding jobs, raising families, filling out tax forms, etc.
So it seems kind of strange to me that something as simple as Fastpass could cause so much "stress" or confusion, especially considering how easy it was for me to figure out, since I am usually pretty slow to adopt to new technology
I've only been to WDW twice, actually. Unfortunately, really. I had never been a member of a WDW- or DL-based forum until AFTER both of my trips. The only thing I did was read a guide book. Both trips I went with my parents, and they hadn't been since the very end of the 80's. FastPass was brand new for us, but we picked it up quickly. FP those rides with long lines that you don't want to wait on, then go eat, shop, or jump in line for something that's a walk-on or 15 minute wait max. We really enjoyed the benefits of FP.
But maybe my family is a bunch of smarty-pants?
Pumbas Nakasak
Heading for the great escape.
Theres not much Disney can do about genetic related stupidity.
Dad 2 M & M
Well-Known Member
If you arrive when HS (or any WDW park) opens and get your first FP, it will be at the most 2 hours later before your next pass will be available. Many people make the mistake to assume their next FP is available only after their current FP time slot has passed.
thelookingglass
Well-Known Member
I have definitely had Fastpasses before that locked me out of getting a new one for more than 2 hours, and yes I know how to read the ticket properly.
Dad 2 M & M
Well-Known Member
I have been locked out for longer than two hours as well. I don't think the "lock out" has ever been that long for a FP I received when a park first opened. I have experienced long lock outs with FPs for Everest, Test Track etc...
I could tell from your post you knew how to read the FP and my comment was for others that might be confused.
flavious27
Well-Known Member
Well usually the cost of going to the parks is enough
David S.
Member
Wow, that's interesting. I certainly don't doubt that happened to you guys, but it's the first I've heard of that happening at WDW!
In the hundreds of days I've used the system since 2006, the longest I've ever had to wait for the ability to get another FP was 2 hours. Even if it was a packed day where the return time was 8 hours after when I got the FP, I was still always able to get another in 2 hours.
I am curious if maybe the waits longer than 2 hours occured before I started using the system in 2006 and maybe this policy had changed by the time I started using FP?
I know every CM I've talked to, or overheard explaining the system to someone else, always said "You can get your next one as soon as your return time comes up - or in two hours, whichever comes first." An exception is Animal Kingdom, where the longest you have to wait (in my experience) to obtain another FP seems to be one hour.
Or perhaps making you wait more than 2 hours could have been a glitch in the system?
I know a few times I put my annual pass in the machine and got nothing. Then I tried another machine and it said I had to wait another 2 hours, even though I was due to get one then. It turns out, the first machine was out of paper but the computer thought it gave me a FP. When this happens now, I ask a CM to check if the machine is out of paper, and if so, they can use an "override" code to get the FP I was supposed to get, but didn't due to the paperless machine.
Dad 2 M & M
Well-Known Member
I really like the FP system and have no problem crossing the parks to meet return times. The system works much better now than when it began. When the program was launched I remember big problems in EPCOT where the two(FP/Standby) lines merged. Predictably the standby users felt as if they were second class. The "merging" problem was corrected by the second day! The longest lockout I ever experienced was when the program first began. I don't recall anything past two hours in many years.
I think Disney hit it out of the park when planning the standing line at Everest. Anticipated long waits, the made the standby line an enjoyable attraction.
As already pointed out in this thread, it does not take long to find "tricks" and "strategies" to help use the system in your favor. It is not hard to go to a park, get the FPs throughout the day, and plan/adjust accordingly.
With that said, I could see where first timers or people who don't get to the park early would have problems.
David S.
Member
I agree, I'm one of the biggest FP supporters and fans on here! I was just curious about the idea of getting "locked out" and having to wait more than 2 hours to get your next FP, as that has never happened to me in the 5 years I've been using the system. Thanks for the explanation that it hasn't happened to you in many years. I'm thinking it must have been an unintended "glitch" in the system when it did happen. Those for whom that happened probably could have showed the glitch to a CM, and gotten their next FP at the proper, 2-hour time via an override.
thelookingglass
Well-Known Member
I know for a fact that on numerous occasions, and within the last 6 months, I have been locked out for more than two hours after getting a Fastpass from TSM or Soarin'.