Theme parks are ruined if you don't pay for a fast pass?

Never bought a pass. We do mostly go to European theme parks but was at Alton Towers one Sunday in July. Queues seemed fine. Walk on for a few things. Did 8 different rides and had multiple goes at Wickerman and Nemesis. Dc1 and his cousins packed even more in as they were just focusing on the big rides whereas me and dc2 also did the aquarium.

I can't see them rolling back on them now though. I imagine they bring in too much money.

It’s the August summer holiday. They have to leverage this being their busiest month to make up for the tumbleweed of other months

Of course they will cap. Safety.

It's a very expensive day out without any passes.
I think they should cap how many they let in. But ofcourse it's all about money.
We planned in term time rain day in April. Still mega busy still lots of queuing and some rides we just couldn't get on. It doesn't make it worthwhile spent money when you can only access a small amount of the park.

We prefer smaller theme parks like pleasure wood Hills far better value for money because you can get a chance to go on everything with manageable waiting times.

Personally don’t think they are fair. Up the price for everyone and everyone queue the same.

I have a really poor view of them these days. We used to go when I was a child and whilst there were queues they weren't hours long. We only went at weekends in the summer too.

I took my kids to one in May half term and it was a waste of time. Nothing was working properly and the queues for the ones that were were ridiculous.

I think it's only worth it on a weekday during term time but then I can't take my kids so they miss out.

There is a solution but it won't be happening because it won't make as much money so they will continue to fill the parks to capacity and advertise the fast passes knowing that frustrated people with money to spend will spend it.

I totally agree with you - we’ve stopped going tbh because if you have children in school then weekends and school holidays are a nightmare. Even a fast pass usually allows you one fast go on each or some rides so that’s it. It’s extortion and the parks are over full. They are expensive to run and lost millions over Covid though so they are stuck too. A friend took my DS to Thorpe park the other weekend and so many rides kept shutting too. I know they can’t help it but it’s just another blow on top of an already very expensive day.

Well yes. They aren’t charities

Yes, try going on your schools inset day, that’s what we did.

You are overdramatic. Do some planning, watch the queues on the apps and watch some shows when it’s busy. Or don’t go in August. Nobody is forced go on the weekend in the summer holidays.
recently went to Legoland, managed 8 rides, max time queued was 40mins.

Yes but also the rap passes for largely minor disabilities...
I think thats worse because it means they buy season tickets and couldbe there constantly...

I don’t think they should have these fast passes.
Feels unfair and adds to the cost of an already expensive day out.
They purely exist to make the parks more money.

That’s life I’m afraid. Money gets you places!