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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:
DeftGoldHedgehog · 11/08/2026 07:25

Alittletiff · 11/08/2026 07:11

Oh dear.

If it wasn’t working, they would stop it.
It is capitalism

It wasn't working for us so we didn't go. It's called making an informed choice.

Capitalism can come in lots of forms, read a book.

sunshineandrain82 · 11/08/2026 07:24

Itchysidefoot · 09/08/2026 17:55

You do not have to send loads of info to nimbus!!

literally one document with proof of receipt of PIP or DLA etc

That’s not always case. I’ve just renewed one.

for a child who always had+1.
dla wasn’t enough. So I sent his ehcp that says 6 hours a day of 1:1 in a Sen school. (Yes it’s specified)
still wasn’t enough.

ended up sending dla, ehcp, about 9 medical reports and the entire year of restraint reports from school and a letter from school saying they manage him at all times on a 2 adult to him ratio.

though my other child got all her symbols with no issue. Completely different needs as she’s non verbal but she was so much easier.

DeftGoldHedgehog · 11/08/2026 07:22

Alittletiff · 11/08/2026 07:15

So they’re not asking to go back
so no boycotting. You have just decided not to return because your kids aren’t particularly enthused about returning

those that do return… presumably had kids that were enthused about returning

They can also use the word "no".

DeftGoldHedgehog · 11/08/2026 07:20

AutumnHazel · 11/08/2026 07:12

It seems thousands fill their parks to the brim and many pay extra for smart passes too … so where the incentive for Merlin to spend money on making their parks more attractive! Merlin is a business not a social service!

Running a business should be about being the best at what you do. Yes, they have to make money, but it doesn't have to be about trying to milk as much money as possible out of people while providing something that is substandard. Yeah, they will make that money because too many people take too long to catch on.

Alittletiff · 11/08/2026 07:16

AutumnHazel · 11/08/2026 07:12

It seems thousands fill their parks to the brim and many pay extra for smart passes too … so where the incentive for Merlin to spend money on making their parks more attractive! Merlin is a business not a social service!

Good god you’re making out these crowds have been forced to attend!!! They go on their own free will!

Alittletiff · 11/08/2026 07:15

AlwaysHungry123 · 11/08/2026 07:04

They did like it but not asking to go back and I don’t mention it. There are plenty of other places where the experience is more enjoyable and doesn’t cost the price of a city break.
I understand they want to make a profit but paying hundreds of pounds to stand in queues with small children is an absolute rip off imo.

So they’re not asking to go back
so no boycotting. You have just decided not to return because your kids aren’t particularly enthused about returning

those that do return… presumably had kids that were enthused about returning

DeftGoldHedgehog · 11/08/2026 07:12

AlwaysHungry123 · 11/08/2026 07:04

They did like it but not asking to go back and I don’t mention it. There are plenty of other places where the experience is more enjoyable and doesn’t cost the price of a city break.
I understand they want to make a profit but paying hundreds of pounds to stand in queues with small children is an absolute rip off imo.

This.

AutumnHazel · 11/08/2026 07:12

Mapletreelane · 09/08/2026 15:08

UK Theme Parks are absolutely rubbish, been so disappointing to see Alton Towers run into the ground over the past 30 years. Long queues, rides breaking down, theming is terrible, food and drink options are shocking. I can just about tolerate it on an inset day.

We have visited a few European parks and they are worlds away...amazing theming, so many places to eat and drink reasonably. Loads of little fun filler rides. So mych cleaner! We went to europa park in peak August season in 35 degree heat. Was so shady, ice cream stands all around and about 3 euros for a cone and the longest queue for a big ride (silver star) was 40 mins. Highly recommend Europa Park, Phantasialand and Hansa park in Germany, Plopsaland in Belgium and liseberg in Sweden .

When you compare them to how Merlin runs Alton Towers and Thorpe park it is worlds away and I can't understand why Merlin cannot run them in the same way.

Edited

It seems thousands fill their parks to the brim and many pay extra for smart passes too … so where the incentive for Merlin to spend money on making their parks more attractive! Merlin is a business not a social service!

Alittletiff · 11/08/2026 07:11

DeftGoldHedgehog · 11/08/2026 07:10

It's greed, not all theme parks have them nor are an appalling experience. The food in some parks in the rest of Europe puts us absolutely to shame as well. We only very occasionally went to the Merlin type parks when the DDs were younger and when they were old enough they could go to Thorpe Park on their own. The customer experience at bigger parks is in general far worse than it was 30 years ago. It's greed - all about the bean counters, not about being the best they can be as a customer experience.

Oh dear.

If it wasn’t working, they would stop it.
It is capitalism

DeftGoldHedgehog · 11/08/2026 07:10

Alittletiff · 11/08/2026 06:54

Oh don’t be silly
it is capitalism
If the owners sensed that fast passes was having a negative impact on their bottom line ie putting of a material amount of people going who wouldn’t buy a fast passes…. They would stop selling them.

And yet… years after introducing fast passes, they haven’t done this.

It's greed, not all theme parks have them nor are an appalling experience. The food in some parks in the rest of Europe puts us absolutely to shame as well. We only very occasionally went to the Merlin type parks when the DDs were younger and when they were old enough they could go to Thorpe Park on their own. The customer experience at bigger parks is in general far worse than it was 30 years ago. It's greed - all about the bean counters, not about being the best they can be as a customer experience.

AlwaysHungry123 · 11/08/2026 07:04

Alittletiff · 11/08/2026 06:45

When you say boycotting…. Are you saying your kids loved the experience and desperate to return and you’re saying NO?!

or is it that you and family didn’t enjoy the experience and so sensibly… simply not returning @AlwaysHungry123 ?

They did like it but not asking to go back and I don’t mention it. There are plenty of other places where the experience is more enjoyable and doesn’t cost the price of a city break.
I understand they want to make a profit but paying hundreds of pounds to stand in queues with small children is an absolute rip off imo.

Alittletiff · 11/08/2026 06:54

DeftGoldHedgehog · 11/08/2026 06:48

Just sheer greed and a rip off like so many things in the UK now.

Oh don’t be silly
it is capitalism
If the owners sensed that fast passes was having a negative impact on their bottom line ie putting of a material amount of people going who wouldn’t buy a fast passes…. They would stop selling them.

And yet… years after introducing fast passes, they haven’t done this.

DeftGoldHedgehog · 11/08/2026 06:48

Just sheer greed and a rip off like so many things in the UK now.

Alittletiff · 11/08/2026 06:45

AlwaysHungry123 · 10/08/2026 23:12

This is why I’m boycotting theme parks, just not worth it! It should be more regulated and they shouldn’t be able to allow more people in to queue for 90min for 2 min ride. Even before dc were in school we went to the Legoland on a school day, still had to queue for 40 min for a ride. Paid for the pass, got us on 4 rides, some were closed, some we still had to wait 30min. Peppa pig the same, even 30min wait for a 4 year old is a lot.
much prefer to spend this money on a theatre tickets where I get a proper quality show. I bloody hate theme parks! Hope people stop going

When you say boycotting…. Are you saying your kids loved the experience and desperate to return and you’re saying NO?!

or is it that you and family didn’t enjoy the experience and so sensibly… simply not returning @AlwaysHungry123 ?

Alittletiff · 11/08/2026 06:43

Laura95167 · 10/08/2026 22:44

I always think if everyone get fast passes.. How's it faster

They cap

Wetblanket78 · 11/08/2026 04:54

WaneyEdge · 09/08/2026 19:51

I’m old enough to remember when Blackpool Pleasure Beach was free to enter and you could pay per ride or get a book of raffle tickets and use them to go on rides! Couldn’t believe when they started charging just to go in. Loads of people would go in with their kids and pay for a few rides and probably get food and drink. Now those people just won’t go.

They tried the same with Pleasureland at Southport and their footfall dropped dramatically. It’s now free to go in there again and you just pay per ride (or was the last time I went a couple of years ago).

We’ve been to Coney Island many times and it’s free to enter and you can get a card and load it with money to swipe for the rides. Barely any queues there, unless it’s for food!

Pleasure land is shit BPB had to start charging because of anti social behaviour. We were there one day I know my son was about 1 so would be 2002-03. A little girl was SA'd and there was no security. Of course the perpetrators did a runner. I'm not sure if he was caught. But incidents like this also put families off from returning. They will have to pay out high insurance as it is.

dh280125 · 11/08/2026 01:00

Having done them with and without I'd always go for the fast pass now. We did Universal LA recently and went on all the rides, inc. the hour long studio tour. No way would that have been possible without the pass, would have needed a second day.

AlwaysHungry123 · 10/08/2026 23:12

This is why I’m boycotting theme parks, just not worth it! It should be more regulated and they shouldn’t be able to allow more people in to queue for 90min for 2 min ride. Even before dc were in school we went to the Legoland on a school day, still had to queue for 40 min for a ride. Paid for the pass, got us on 4 rides, some were closed, some we still had to wait 30min. Peppa pig the same, even 30min wait for a 4 year old is a lot.
much prefer to spend this money on a theatre tickets where I get a proper quality show. I bloody hate theme parks! Hope people stop going

Laura95167 · 10/08/2026 22:44

I always think if everyone get fast passes.. How's it faster

pavillion1 · 10/08/2026 22:19

We take a sick day to go in school time .. I hate waiting around.

Alittletiff · 10/08/2026 21:59

MrsOni · 10/08/2026 21:17

Well yeah, that was my point wasn't it.

At the moment, Merlin are losing money hand over fist and have the very real problem of universal opening a park right on their doorstep.

So maybe they do need to rethink fast passes, given that the very best parks the world don't have them.

Merlin categorically is not losing money hand over fist

www.merlinentertainments.biz/newsroom/news-releases/2026/merlin-entertainments-delivers-resilient-performance-in-2025-and-establishes-strong-platform-for-sustainable-growth/

Alittletiff · 10/08/2026 21:48

Two of Germany’s largest theme parks sell fast pass equivalents
phantasialand sells a “Quick pass” or “quick pass ultimate”
and Movie park does similar

Every country has themed parks with fast passes or similar I suspect. And every country has theme parks without fast passes or similar I suspect.

Alittletiff · 10/08/2026 21:44

MrsOni · 10/08/2026 21:17

Well yeah, that was my point wasn't it.

At the moment, Merlin are losing money hand over fist and have the very real problem of universal opening a park right on their doorstep.

So maybe they do need to rethink fast passes, given that the very best parks the world don't have them.

What is your source for Merlin losing money hand over fist?

HutchMadras · 10/08/2026 21:26

We went to Lego land once when my children were small. awful. long queues for everything because we didn't have fast passes, overpriced everything, and a terrible coach trip because we have no car, never again I said, and we never did. We took them to places without huge queues : museums, castles, rock pools, galleries. Schools seem to provide these theme park trips now, good, I'd rather not.

LilySLE · 10/08/2026 21:22

honeyrosesandwich · 09/08/2026 15:38

Took DS to Legoland, went there when it opened to when it shut and in that whole time he was only able to get on 3 rides.

That’s terrible. Which 3 rides was it, out of interest? My kids were there last week.