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AIBU?

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

414 replies

Twoweeksinaugust · 09/08/2026 14:33

AIBU to think it's hardly worth even going to a theme park on a sunny day unless you want to pay the £300 extra for a fast pass?
The queues are absolutely awful, and it's very hard for the dc to understand that although it looks like we'll be on the next turn, a dozen people come through woth a fast pass and teh queue doesn't move at all.
It just feels beyond the reach of a normal (but expensive) day out, and is now in the realms of a once every two years thing if you want to buy the passes?

OP posts:
SemiRetiredLoveGoddeess · 11/08/2026 12:06

Somebody should complain about these Theme Park dodgy practices to Trading Standards.

They are taking the piss in order to maximise profits.

Part of the ongoing Enshitification Process from companies on products and services.

LameBorzoi · 11/08/2026 11:03

And to just go to Europa and Puy du Fou instead.

LameBorzoi · 11/08/2026 11:02

Alittletiff · 11/08/2026 10:19

This has to be one of the more bizarre threads on Mumsnet.

We are discussing… theme parks. Some like. Some don’t like. No one forced to go. These business crack on with fast passes because R&D has confirmed that it works for them.

And that’s that really!

Right, I’ve got to pack for my holiday!!

Useful thread for me. A reminder not to get swept away by the idea of some big theme parks because they aren't worth it.

GasPanic · 11/08/2026 10:30

Crazymum128 · 11/08/2026 10:27

While I can see the attraction of fast passes , surely its only a matter of time before so many people have them that its going to create another queue? And time for super fast passes ?

They limit the amount issued per day to keep the fast pass queues relatively short.

Pllystyrene · 11/08/2026 10:30

We just got back from Disneyland in Paris and was actually shocked at how short the queues were on Saturday/Sunday V weekdays. Had no problem at all over the weekend queues were around 5 minutes for rides like Slinky Dog and Indian Jones!

Crazymum128 · 11/08/2026 10:27

While I can see the attraction of fast passes , surely its only a matter of time before so many people have them that its going to create another queue? And time for super fast passes ?

Binnyforthewin · 11/08/2026 10:24

Alittletiff · 11/08/2026 10:19

This has to be one of the more bizarre threads on Mumsnet.

We are discussing… theme parks. Some like. Some don’t like. No one forced to go. These business crack on with fast passes because R&D has confirmed that it works for them.

And that’s that really!

Right, I’ve got to pack for my holiday!!

I have long been of the view that you can tell people true politics rather than their virtual signaling from how they act at theme parks.

Tories - think people will more money can pay for a better experience which reduces the cost for others. Those in the queue get to pay a lower entrance fee experience the rides but have to wait.

Labour - people should all pay the same higher price and get the same experience. Without the people paying for the premium experience the core experience would cost more for everyone.

Anyone who buys a fast pass is a tory at heart. I think this tension is what upsets people.

Pinkchickenwine · 11/08/2026 10:23

Alittletiff · 11/08/2026 10:19

This has to be one of the more bizarre threads on Mumsnet.

We are discussing… theme parks. Some like. Some don’t like. No one forced to go. These business crack on with fast passes because R&D has confirmed that it works for them.

And that’s that really!

Right, I’ve got to pack for my holiday!!

I notice you didn’t answer my questions!

And now you’ve got to go because you’re “busy”?

Some can have one view, some can have another, as you’ve just said, so why laugh at other views?

GasPanic · 11/08/2026 10:22

MrsOni · 11/08/2026 09:51

Do you understand what pre-tax loss of £492 million is or £3.9 billion debt means? Decreasing revenue perhaps, which they have also reported? It's easy to cut costs temporarily to give yourself a boost to EBITDA but it doesn't mean you have a stable, profitable company.

If, say, a company is paying out a huge amount of revenue in depreciation and debt payments, that doesn't actually mean they can keep going indefinitely. Fundamentally a company needs to make a profit long term, and Merlin is doing that.

I'm sure you can try to argue away a 3.8% drop in visitor numbers as a "good" thing" as well.

Seriously, don't just google stuff you clearly don't understand.

Fundamentally Merlin provide leisure services. It's easy to say "they exist to make money", but they aren't a supermarket. If they provide an increasingly poor value service, which they are, people will simply stop going. It's too easy for people to just jump on a plane - it's easier for me to get to Germany and go to places like Europa park which offer a far superior experience than it is to go to Alton towers, and universal are just around the corner - for Merlin to just assume they can provide a poor offering and people will keep attending.

Edited

It may actually be beneficial for them to have less visitors if they can get more spend per visitor. It isn't about cramming as many people into the park as possible. It's about maximising the revenue. Again you don't seem to understand how businesses work.

You say it is easier for you to get to Germany than Alton Towers, but that isn't true for the average person visiting Alton Towers. It's certainly more expensive. By the time you have paid out for plane flights, parking, possibly hotel stays and increased park ticket prices (I think Europa Park is more expensive than Alton Towers) you probably may as well have bought one of the much hated fast passes at Alton Towers.

Alittletiff · 11/08/2026 10:19

This has to be one of the more bizarre threads on Mumsnet.

We are discussing… theme parks. Some like. Some don’t like. No one forced to go. These business crack on with fast passes because R&D has confirmed that it works for them.

And that’s that really!

Right, I’ve got to pack for my holiday!!

Pinkchickenwine · 11/08/2026 10:17

Alittletiff · 11/08/2026 10:11

You don’t agree with capitalism?

Again, why did you quote me with a laughing 😆?

Why did you think that was ok? To put me down, to quieten my view, if my views aren’t the same as yours, you’ll laugh at them?

Do you have issues in taking part in open discussions face to face? Do you laugh around the dinner table at peoples opposing views? or is this behaviour only when behind a keyboard?

Pinkchickenwine · 11/08/2026 10:14

Alittletiff · 11/08/2026 10:11

You don’t agree with capitalism?

I don’t agree with the way the theme parks are run by greedy corporations (do I need to put a laughing emoji 🤣, to save you doing it).

HTH

Pinkchickenwine · 11/08/2026 10:13

Alittletiff · 11/08/2026 10:07

It is capitalism

if you don’t like. Vote with your feet and don’t go. I don’t like. So I don’t go.
but clearly many many many do like and return

And many don’t like and don’t return, and they’re entitled to an opinion as well!

You’re very invested in this thread! A shareholder perhaps?

Alittletiff · 11/08/2026 10:11

Pinkchickenwine · 11/08/2026 10:09

I don’t go, but again I’ll ask what your silly quote with 😆 emoji was about?

It just seemed such an odd thing to write, tha one line.

Am I not allowed a view on this thread? Do
i have to agree with the nonsense you’re putting?

You don’t agree with capitalism?

Pinkchickenwine · 11/08/2026 10:09

Alittletiff · 11/08/2026 10:07

It is capitalism

if you don’t like. Vote with your feet and don’t go. I don’t like. So I don’t go.
but clearly many many many do like and return

I don’t go, but again I’ll ask what your silly quote with 😆 emoji was about?

It just seemed such an odd thing to write, tha one line.

Am I not allowed a view on this thread? Do
i have to agree with the nonsense you’re putting?

Alittletiff · 11/08/2026 10:07

Pinkchickenwine · 11/08/2026 10:06

Yes that’s correct 🙄!

Did you have an actual
point?

It is capitalism

if you don’t like. Vote with your feet and don’t go. I don’t like. So I don’t go.
but clearly many many many do like and return

Alittletiff · 11/08/2026 10:06

@MrsOni do you go to centre parks? Yes? And enjoy?

loads of people enjoy and return
loads of people think it’s a clawing greedy corporate trying to squeeze money out of parents

I don’t think the former are robots. Do you?

Pinkchickenwine · 11/08/2026 10:06

Alittletiff · 11/08/2026 10:04

“Greedy corporate companies” 😆

Yes that’s correct 🙄!

Did you have an actual
point?

Alittletiff · 11/08/2026 10:04

Pinkchickenwine · 11/08/2026 10:04

No they’re greedy corporate companies.

Its outrageous that people pay to enter the parks, to ride the rides, don’t get to do that because it’s just too busy and the fast passes get in first, constantly!

I mean would you go to the cinema and have your stand because they’d sold so many tickets? So why do theme parks overfill them and then people claim they’re “not a charity” honestly, why are you excusing this behaviour.

“Greedy corporate companies” 😆

Pinkchickenwine · 11/08/2026 10:04

Itchysidefoot · 09/08/2026 14:46

Well yes. They aren’t charities

No they’re greedy corporate companies.

Its outrageous that people pay to enter the parks, to ride the rides, don’t get to do that because it’s just too busy and the fast passes get in first, constantly!

I mean would you go to the cinema and have your stand because they’d sold so many tickets? So why do theme parks overfill them and then people claim they’re “not a charity” honestly, why are you excusing this behaviour.

MrsOni · 11/08/2026 10:02

Alittletiff · 11/08/2026 09:59

I am not defending anyone. How peculiar.

i am pointing out that if something didn’t work, the business would have withdrawn it years ago

and I am “defending” if anything those people who choose to return year after year

Edited

Well, you are, with clearly no idea of what you are talking about.

It's funny, really.

Alittletiff · 11/08/2026 10:01

MrsOni · 11/08/2026 09:51

Do you understand what pre-tax loss of £492 million is or £3.9 billion debt means? Decreasing revenue perhaps, which they have also reported? It's easy to cut costs temporarily to give yourself a boost to EBITDA but it doesn't mean you have a stable, profitable company.

If, say, a company is paying out a huge amount of revenue in depreciation and debt payments, that doesn't actually mean they can keep going indefinitely. Fundamentally a company needs to make a profit long term, and Merlin is doing that.

I'm sure you can try to argue away a 3.8% drop in visitor numbers as a "good" thing" as well.

Seriously, don't just google stuff you clearly don't understand.

Fundamentally Merlin provide leisure services. It's easy to say "they exist to make money", but they aren't a supermarket. If they provide an increasingly poor value service, which they are, people will simply stop going. It's too easy for people to just jump on a plane - it's easier for me to get to Germany and go to places like Europa park which offer a far superior experience than it is to go to Alton towers, and universal are just around the corner - for Merlin to just assume they can provide a poor offering and people will keep attending.

Edited

So to be clear you think Merlin is losing money hand over fist?
Righto. Let’s see how long they hang on for! 😆

Alittletiff · 11/08/2026 10:00

Binnyforthewin · 11/08/2026 09:59

You seem a bit over invested here. If you don't want to go - don't go - its no biggie for the rest of us. No ones life was made worse because they didn't go to a theme park.

This
all this

Alittletiff · 11/08/2026 09:59

MrsOni · 11/08/2026 09:51

And yet here you are defending Merlin. Odd that.

I am not defending anyone. How peculiar.

i am pointing out that if something didn’t work, the business would have withdrawn it years ago

and I am “defending” if anything those people who choose to return year after year

Binnyforthewin · 11/08/2026 09:59

MrsOni · 11/08/2026 09:51

Do you understand what pre-tax loss of £492 million is or £3.9 billion debt means? Decreasing revenue perhaps, which they have also reported? It's easy to cut costs temporarily to give yourself a boost to EBITDA but it doesn't mean you have a stable, profitable company.

If, say, a company is paying out a huge amount of revenue in depreciation and debt payments, that doesn't actually mean they can keep going indefinitely. Fundamentally a company needs to make a profit long term, and Merlin is doing that.

I'm sure you can try to argue away a 3.8% drop in visitor numbers as a "good" thing" as well.

Seriously, don't just google stuff you clearly don't understand.

Fundamentally Merlin provide leisure services. It's easy to say "they exist to make money", but they aren't a supermarket. If they provide an increasingly poor value service, which they are, people will simply stop going. It's too easy for people to just jump on a plane - it's easier for me to get to Germany and go to places like Europa park which offer a far superior experience than it is to go to Alton towers, and universal are just around the corner - for Merlin to just assume they can provide a poor offering and people will keep attending.

Edited

You seem a bit over invested here. If you don't want to go - don't go - its no biggie for the rest of us. No ones life was made worse because they didn't go to a theme park.

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