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Original poster

To think the fast track queues at Thorpe park are unfair?

239 replies

NameChangedSummer · 28/03/2025 11:50

Disagreement with DH.

we have an annual pass for Chessington and I don’t mind waiting there as we can easily go another day. However on a busy Saturday there are so many RAP users and Fast Track that the main queues can take 2 hours and move very slowly. As I say i don’t really mind as are annual pass holders but the young DC get quite impatient! DH does get annoyed that people can pay to literally queue jump.

However, DS has just reached 1.4m and is desperate to go to Thorpe Park in the Easter holidays for his birthday (the ticket being his main 10th bday gift). It will be his first time, the only time he goes this year, we won’t be buying annual passes. I’ve looked and for £200 (x2) we can buy a ‘ultimate’ pass that would allow fast track to every ride and very little queueing. We can afford this and I think it would just make the whole day so much more enjoyable and special for DS’s 10th Birthday, rather than queuing all day and getting on a handful of rides.

DH however thinks that people who pay to queue jump are dicks and it just makes it worse for the main queue on busy days, so is very reluctant and just wants to get a normal ticket and deal with the queues. And put the money towards a Merlin pass next year when the younger DC is taller and we can just do more often.

is DH being unreasonable to say they are unfair?

OP posts:
Samora · 28/03/2025 12:30

If I'm driving for hours with kids to an amusement park, I'm getting fast track, I'm not going to queue under the sun or rain for hours, I'm saving the time for a nice meal after the rides. Much prefer to have a great day out. If saving money is a priority, why go there in the first place?

purpleme12 · 28/03/2025 12:30

I agree with your husband actually about the fast track
I don't think it's right that you can do this

nomas · 28/03/2025 12:29

Livpool · 28/03/2025 12:25

Why? They are paying for the privilege.

i don’t do it as I hate rides so don’t go to theme parks. But if it is offered then people choose to pay.

Life isn’t ’fair’ - I also can’t afford a mansion or fancy car. I don’t think it is immoral that other people can and do

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Yes, we all get that they’re paying for it. But it feels inherently wrong, and I say this also as someone who could afford the fast passes.

wizzbitt · 28/03/2025 12:29

I used to work at Chessington WOA back in the 90s and the queues were ridiculous then. I don’t think paying to queue jump was a thing though. I would definitely do it if I could. Especially after reading the pp whose family only got to go on 4 rides all day!! I’d be so annoyed so I’d just pay the extra.
In my day it cost 70p for a small cup of coke! I shudder at what everything costs now!

Weedoormatnomore · 28/03/2025 12:28

If your going to book fast passes do it soon as they increase the price depending on demand.
Have you looked up the merlin or Thorpe fb pages as last couple of years had loads of complaints due to paying and still waiting longer than expected due to increased use of Rap passes.

TeapotTitties · 28/03/2025 12:27

nomas · 28/03/2025 12:26

I saw this happen in Legoland last summer. It was quite fun watching the fast trackers chafing with impatience in the long fast track queue.

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Why was it fun?

nomas · 28/03/2025 12:26

ZookeeperSE · 28/03/2025 12:20

I’ve not been to a park since my twenties and can’t remember if fast track was a thing then or not, but how many people are buying fast track? If there’s loads doesn’t it mean the fast track are also queuing on the busiest of days? That would be really annoying at a cost of £200.

I saw this happen in Legoland last summer. It was quite fun watching the fast trackers chafing with impatience in the long fast track queue.

SwanOfThoseThings · 28/03/2025 12:26

You get what you pay for - some people can afford fast track, some people can only afford basic tickets, some people can't afford a theme park ticket of any description.

While there are people willing to pay £200 for a fast track ticket, the parks will sell them - it's about profits, pure and simple.

If you don't like it, vote with your feet as a fall in profits would be the only reason for them to change the system.

Rewis · 28/03/2025 12:25

6

Makes me think about this episode of Blackish

Livpool · 28/03/2025 12:25

nomas · 28/03/2025 12:10

I do side eye the fast track people tbh. Not withstanding those less able to queue, obvs.

Why? They are paying for the privilege.

i don’t do it as I hate rides so don’t go to theme parks. But if it is offered then people choose to pay.

Life isn’t ’fair’ - I also can’t afford a mansion or fancy car. I don’t think it is immoral that other people can and do

MrsSunshine2b · 28/03/2025 12:25

Yeh it's not going to alter their policy if you don't get the passes. Let your husband not get one and wait in the longer queue if he's so passionate about it.

Pootles34 · 28/03/2025 12:24

They are brilliant, I would rather go half as often but with a fast pass. It is a bit awkward when they seat you on a ride with people who have queued normally though!

TheJollyMoose · 28/03/2025 12:24

I don’t see anything wrong with paying for fast passes. If you can afford to, why not? 🤷‍♀️

BIossomtoes · 28/03/2025 12:23

I think you need to view this through a different lens. It’s not queue jumping, it’s paying extra for an enhanced service. I pay for priority airport security and I’m in a different, shorter queue. There’s no moral imperative. Like a pp I’d pay purely so I got better value for my money by not spending half the day in queues.

Original poster
NameChangedSummer · 28/03/2025 12:22

ZookeeperSE · 28/03/2025 12:20

I’ve not been to a park since my twenties and can’t remember if fast track was a thing then or not, but how many people are buying fast track? If there’s loads doesn’t it mean the fast track are also queuing on the busiest of days? That would be really annoying at a cost of £200.

I understand they limit the number available to avoid this, hopefully!

OP posts:
toomuchfaff · 28/03/2025 12:21

NameChangedSummer · 28/03/2025 12:06

This is my thinking, if can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!

DH thinks it’s selfish and immoral.

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DH thinks it’s selfish and immoral.

So is happy to punish DC for his own thoughts on morality?

If DH wants to go without queue jump, let them, however I'd be taking DC on a queue jump.

TeapotTitties · 28/03/2025 12:21

Kpo58 · 28/03/2025 12:16

If it was like the theatre, it would be like giving people poor views and locking them out of the performance for half of the play. At least at the theatre you still get to watch as long as people in rich seats, unlike at theme parks.

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If you can't afford to pay a lot for your seat, you'll be watching along from behind a concrete pillar or a lighting rig?

As the PP said, better views cost more money.

ZookeeperSE · 28/03/2025 12:20

I’ve not been to a park since my twenties and can’t remember if fast track was a thing then or not, but how many people are buying fast track? If there’s loads doesn’t it mean the fast track are also queuing on the busiest of days? That would be really annoying at a cost of £200.

TeapotTitties · 28/03/2025 12:19

NameChangedSummer · 28/03/2025 12:15

This is a worry too! The judgment.
i think on some rides the RAP and fast track are separate (and clear) so it’s obvious to the main queue that there is no disability and you’ve just bought the queue jump?

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If you worry about randoms you've never met and will never meet again judging you, you have a very stressful life ahead.

Your choices are none of their business.

Rubyupbeat · 28/03/2025 12:17

If you can afford to pay, why not? It makes life easier and there will always be a divide in most situations.

Thehop · 28/03/2025 12:17

People who pay more get a better experience

it's just life

id do it for his birthday even though I'm one of those that moan about queuing and doesn't buy them normally 😂

Kpo58 · 28/03/2025 12:16

Frowningprovidence · 28/03/2025 12:12

To me it's the same as theatres where some seats have a great view and cost more. It's just how life is. People pay more for better views, or faster service.

If it was like the theatre, it would be like giving people poor views and locking them out of the performance for half of the play. At least at the theatre you still get to watch as long as people in rich seats, unlike at theme parks.

Original poster
NameChangedSummer · 28/03/2025 12:15

nomas · 28/03/2025 12:10

I do side eye the fast track people tbh. Not withstanding those less able to queue, obvs.

This is a worry too! The judgment.
i think on some rides the RAP and fast track are separate (and clear) so it’s obvious to the main queue that there is no disability and you’ve just bought the queue jump?

OP posts:
TeapotTitties · 28/03/2025 12:15

Cotonsugar · 28/03/2025 12:13

I can’t see the logic of it being selfish and immoral if it’s being offered (for a price). Okay, yes it is but is everyone going to stand on the moral high ground and refuse to pay the extra? No, because money talks. Your husband is being ridiculous 😊

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Yep, the price of everything in theme parks is pretty immoral when you think about it 😁

Tatemoderndrawyourown · 28/03/2025 12:14

Why is that different from booking fast track at the airport or a table at a restaurant instead of just showing up? Train tickets in advance?

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