I noticed that SDC has announced a new fastpass system recently.
http://www.bransonsilverdollarcity.com/offers-packages/default.aspx?id=259
Seems to be a watered-down version so far, to test the waters. It's sure to be expanded when they find out how much extra money it will make them. I just hope they don't start roping off rows on attractions like other parks do. Keep it fair SDC, that's all I have to say.
Thoughts?
I see why they'd want to do it, but SDC's lines are hardly ever long enough to implement something like this. If done correctly, I don't have a problem with it. But, if they start roping stuff off like you said, then it'll become a pain.
I won't be using this.
Sad to see that SDC has taken the "SF route".
Are they hurting for money that badly? ???
What's next? Mandatory lockers at the entrances to the rides
^I don't think it's that bad yet. It has potential to go badly, but I think SDC still shows that they care about the guest experience overall - it's what gives them a competitive edge as everyone else adds big rides. They could have just rolled out Qbots. As they add more rides I'm sure they will - they've worked at DW as far as I've heard.
At least this way they'll finally be able to pay for that eurofighter ;)
Hmm- surely this will only be sold to out of towners who don't know how short the lines are. I can only think that you would need one for Lost River and maybe the Swing.
They don't let you use the pass on the Toboggan?
Bummer. You don't think that they would ever manipulate lines to encourage people to buy these things? If they only ran one coaster, they might increase sales.
I honestly do not see the need for them.
The shows during World Fest and An Old Time Christmas, I can understand, but rides?
Seriously other than when there is an influx of busses with school kids on them, when are they busy enough to warrant this.
I guess I just don't like the different "tiers" of park guests.
The "rich shall inherit the better priviledges" urks me... especially in a time of recession
Why possibly alienate first time park guests due to a "pay to cut" guest when a line is long?
QuoteQuote from: Swoosh on May 18, 2009, 10:05:04 PM
Sad to see that SDC has taken the "SF route".
Are they hurting for money that badly? ???
What's next? Mandatory lockers at the entrances to the rides
No SDC and HFEC is not hurting for money, and one of the reasons we are going to weather this current economic downturn so well is that we respond to what our guests want. A lot of people have asked for this for the past few years. And compared to several other parks, this pass is very reasonable.
It's not worth the extra $20, IMO. You can use it for 6 rides, so in effect you're paying more than $3 per line!
I agree SDC Rules. Seems silly. Plus I think that waiting in line makes the ride even better, my sister and I used to invent games in line to pass the time, it was always fun.
Also, I don't go to many theme parks, so I didn't realize how many other places did this. My only experience was at WDW and the fast pass, which was free.
I don't see many season passers doing this...maybe a family that will only be there one day who wants to make sure they ride all the 'big' rides.
Anyway, my only realy complaint is that you have to purchase the tickets at the booth just inside the turnstiles...where there is already a log jam of people. While I don't understand why people come through the stiles and feel they must immediately stop, a large volume of people are now going to stop and gawk at the line rather then moving on up the hill to meet their group.
Oh well, as with all things that change, I will adjust.
Swoosh-
I can't believe that you opened the theological door of writing about favortism and other issues that are talked about in scripture. Probably you did not mean for anyone to jump off on this point, but there is a nasty tinge of the rich buying favor and. . .man, I don't know how far I want to go with this. Anyway, I have always looked at the show pass as possibly excusable because the elderly should not stand in line for an hour. But, the elderly are not going to be on rides. Don't take me too seriously, theology and capitalism gets ugly quick. . .but there may a clash of money v. ideals.
I think this is a great idea. I have been to sdc 5 times this month. This is my first year to hold a season pass and I work at night so I go during the day. There have been a lot of schools and church groups wed and thur. I will certainly purchase one of these when they become avalaible.
I think you're right saloon gal, we go to sdc anywhere from every weekend to 2-3 times a week and if it's too crowded we just leave. I can understand the out of towners who only have a one day pass using one though it would be a good way to make sure you got the full experence.
This is a foolish idea. We go to WDW, Cedar Point, Six Flags, and Silver Dollar City. We love SDC, why???? The fun that is SDC. It is not WDW or any of the rest. Why change to please a few. I would guess that most who come to SDC come for the whole experience
Why would anyone want to pay an extra $20 dollars a day to cut in line six times.
Change is always going to happen but change just for change is crazy.
Quote from: the insider on May 19, 2009, 08:36:10 AM
QuoteQuote from: Swoosh on May 18, 2009, 10:05:04 PM
Sad to see that SDC has taken the "SF route".
Are they hurting for money that badly? ???
What's next? Mandatory lockers at the entrances to the rides
No SDC and HFEC is not hurting for money, and one of the reasons we are going to weather this current economic downturn so well is that we respond to what our guests want. A lot of people have asked for this for the past few years. And compared to several other parks, this pass is very reasonable.
Yeah hi, you're new here. Don't kid yourself thinking you're the only one posting on this board that knows what is going on at SDC/HFEC. I'm well aware that they are not hurting for money.
Quote from: Swoosh on May 20, 2009, 11:35:32 PM
Quote from: the insider on May 19, 2009, 08:36:10 AM
QuoteQuote from: Swoosh on May 18, 2009, 10:05:04 PM
Sad to see that SDC has taken the "SF route".
Are they hurting for money that badly? ???
What's next? Mandatory lockers at the entrances to the rides
No SDC and HFEC is not hurting for money, and one of the reasons we are going to weather this current economic downturn so well is that we respond to what our guests want. A lot of people have asked for this for the past few years. And compared to several other parks, this pass is very reasonable.
Yeah hi, you're new here. Don't kid yourself thinking you're the only one posting on this board that knows what is going on at SDC/HFEC. I'm well aware that they are not hurting for money.
Well, no not new here, new to posting, yes. Never said i was the only one who knows whats going on at the city/HFEC, but i know more then you, trust me.
Isn't is "than you"?
They say it is limited so it shouldn't mess with regular flow I would think. I've seen the flash pass get out of hand at SFSTL But I don't care. LOL. If someone wants to pay $20 bucks to not wait that's their problem("Time is money"). I think the only place I would want one of these is the train.
This is experimental. It is limited to twenty five people each day. This all comes from an overwhelming amount of guests asking for a system like this. I am not screaming yay or anything, but a few extra bucks for a few happy people. I don't see it interfering with everyone else.
Quote from: the insider on May 21, 2009, 08:47:13 AM
Quote from: Swoosh on May 20, 2009, 11:35:32 PM
Quote from: the insider on May 19, 2009, 08:36:10 AM
QuoteQuote from: Swoosh on May 18, 2009, 10:05:04 PM
Sad to see that SDC has taken the "SF route".
Are they hurting for money that badly? ???
What's next? Mandatory lockers at the entrances to the rides
No SDC and HFEC is not hurting for money, and one of the reasons we are going to weather this current economic downturn so well is that we respond to what our guests want. A lot of people have asked for this for the past few years. And compared to several other parks, this pass is very reasonable.
Yeah hi, you're new here. Don't kid yourself thinking you're the only one posting on this board that knows what is going on at SDC/HFEC. I'm well aware that they are not hurting for money.
Well, no not new here, new to posting, yes. Never said i was the only one who knows whats going on at the city/HFEC, but i know more then you, trust me.
I highly doubt it, but whatever helps you sleep at night.
How does that saying go again? Those who know...
Quote from: Swoosh on May 22, 2009, 02:19:46 PM
Quote from: the insider on May 21, 2009, 08:47:13 AM
Quote from: Swoosh on May 20, 2009, 11:35:32 PM
Quote from: the insider on May 19, 2009, 08:36:10 AM
QuoteQuote from: Swoosh on May 18, 2009, 10:05:04 PM
Sad to see that SDC has taken the "SF route".
Are they hurting for money that badly? ???
What's next? Mandatory lockers at the entrances to the rides
No SDC and HFEC is not hurting for money, and one of the reasons we are going to weather this current economic downturn so well is that we respond to what our guests want. A lot of people have asked for this for the past few years. And compared to several other parks, this pass is very reasonable.
Yeah hi, you're new here. Don't kid yourself thinking you're the only one posting on this board that knows what is going on at SDC/HFEC. I'm well aware that they are not hurting for money.
Well, no not new here, new to posting, yes. Never said i was the only one who knows whats going on at the city/HFEC, but i know more then you, trust me.
I highly doubt it, but whatever helps you sleep at night.
How does that saying go again? Those who know...
Hmmmm i've been reading the forums for a while and one thing strikes me as interesting. that would be the fact that there are some people on the list who act as if they are part of the board of directors of the company trying to spread the word of what's going on...
and comments like the one quoted above... really is there any point? i don't quite get why one would continue the back and forth bull that goes on more than it should.
i thought this was a happy place to talk about SDC and properties not a place for some to try to prove that they are in the know and bully others on the list.
so be nice. if you know something share but don't feel the need to tell everyone that you know everything. it's annoying
^ Thank You! I have been trying to think of a way to say the same thing.
BarnSwingFan you are my hero. ;)
Anybody else get a chuckle at the following ironic comment from a person with the handle of
barnswingfan?
Quote...continue the back and forth bull...
Cooper,
You are giving me peace about this thing. Is it possible that SDC is just trying to say "We have a flash pass system"- BUT then sell so few that the general public is never annoyed by the thing. So you think that they will always keep the daily sale beneath 100 per day? While I'll always find these things SLIGHTLY wrong (capitalism wins), I think that I could live with Trailblazer as long as sales were kept to 25-100.
My worst encounter with "Flashpass" was a 90-120 minute line for the indoor coaster down at Dallas. They kept letting people cut in obsessively. SF easily tripled the line time. My cousins complained of it when they were riding Rattler in San Antonio. SF is just ridiculous on these things.
This sign is at FitH:
(http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii154/MrHoggatt/Silver%20Dollar%20City/Where%20in%20the%20City/2009%20Round%202/IMG_0085.jpg)
For the record, the image on the sign is not of trailblazers. The stagecoach is following a trail that has already been blazed.
I didn't see anyone using the Trailblazer pass on Saturday. They don't really advertise it well in the park so you have to go on the website to really know about it.
^Yeah, this was the only sign I even saw for it.
I found all of the signs, they are just pretty hard to find, well hidden.
^To be fair, with our squeamish friends, we didn't make it to PK, WF, or TGS, likely the most popular TBP lines.
I was on Park Sat and Sun and never saw anyone use the pass. I did stop and talk to them at the show lovers pass stand and at that point in the day they had sold none. I think that was about 10 am on sat.
The official SDC website says the Trailblazer pass begins on June 6, or the first day of Kid's Fest. It also talks as if it limits its use to 6 rides.
Even if I wanted to spend the extra money I would be very embarrassed to walk to the front of the line (that is just me). Although I don't think I would begrudge a kid using one trying to get the most out of the park on a one day visit.
I wouldn't be so against it if it was free, like the Fastpass at Disneyworld. We used the Fastpass regularly and it helped us see everything all the parks had to offer. But this just seems like a quick money gimmick.
At least you can only use it 6 times.
^Love the Disney Fastpass.
Was at the Park on Monday and Tusday... Did not see anyone using the Trailblazer passes. Does anyone know if they are selling many of these....?
^It's limited to 25 people a day. It seems to sell out on the very busy days, but I don't think they sell too many during the week (which makes sense).
When we were at the park last week I noticed a family that had them. I think at that point in the day they had used five of their six rides. I didn't really think they were necessary that day because the lines were not that bad. The only lengthy wait was for Powderkeg and FITH for part of the day.
My wife took my daughter yesterday and reports that they were really pushing the Trailblazers hard at 6pm. She watched four being bought. Dumb kids.