to think that "Fast-track" is just paying to push in?

[Scholes34]

Just that, really. After spending a day with four kids at Alton Towers and a lot of time in various queues, is fast-track really just paying to push in?

[Justforlaughs]

My DH was talking about this the other day, his work colleague paid £220 to "push in" at Legoland! There is no way that I would ever go back there after the last time, 3 hours to get on a small ride and that was BEFORE they came up with this idea. Total rip off as far as I am concerned. Places like West Midlands Safari Park and Brean Leisure Park are much better value for money. Pay for a wristband- so don't ride, don't pay and no queues to speak of. Last time we went to West Midlands we were the only people there from 7-9pm and they kept all the rides open open just for us. The rides might not be the newest/ flashiest ones, but they are perfectly good for the children, and they are far happier not queuing for hours on end.

[MalcolmTuckersMum]

Seriously? You're blaming Cameron for this? Funniest thing I've read in weeks!

[Lorelai]

I have to say I did pay for fast track tickets for the first time ever today at chessington and it was sooo worth it. £10 total for three of us (only had to pay for two as DD2 is too small to go on the rides by herself, so don't have to buy fast track for the accompanying adult), to skip the queues on three rides. Saved a good hour or more plus my sanity.

[GetStuffezd]

The alternative is getting there on the dot of opening time and avoiding most people. I do this absolutely everywhere. I don't even feel guilty when I smugly exit past queuers-up three hours later

[TolliverGroat]

Chessington only allow one FT group on per run of a ride, which seemed a good way of organising it.

[bulletwithbutterflywings]

Of course it is, I wouldn't think it has ever claimed not to be?
And its got fuck all to do with David Cameron. Jaysus people come out with some shite on here.

[Wbdn28]

Yes. It's the same as other aspects of life where people pay for an advantage of some kind.

[Madratlady]

If everyone paid fast track then wouldn't that just cause other queues?

[shaggyrogers]

Then they would offer fastrack extra to beat the fastrack queue!

[Alisvolatpropiis]

Erm...fast track tickets have existed for quite some time. Nothing to do with David Cameron

[Groovee]

What's it got to do with David Cameron? It's been there for years before he came on the scene. Don't pay if you don't want to, but if people choose to, that's their money to spend as they wish. I never regret paying to "push in"

[Wbdn28]

David Cameron's not directly responsible for this, obviously.

But it's similar to right-wing policies on things where if you pay, you get faster or better service. Health and education for example.

[Wbdn28]

.... so why it seems a ridiculous comparison it's not entirely incorrect.

[Wbdn28]

while, not why

[scottishmummy]

Pay to get through no queue,damn
Don't need to push at all.Just sashay past the tight wads who won't say for fast track
I value my time,and standing in long queue isn't best use of time

[mrscumberbatch]

At Disney the Fastpasses are free... it just means you've scheduled your ride time- thus making queues smaller.

I don't agree with paying for it though- cater for demand not for profiteering.

[AmandaPandtheTantrumofDoom]

I don't think the people saying that they don't regret paying to push in are the ones likely to feel hard done by though are they? It's the people who want to take their kids to AT, LL et al but who can only afford basic entrance, or a deal on the reward card points.

It's not like first class where some people pay for a better service. It's a situation where giving those people better service also inevitably means making other people's day worse.

So whilst I admit I would probably pay it, I still think it's a sad thing it exists.

[scottishmummy]

it's paid for add on extra to make the experience faster,enhanced
I'm willing to pay it,plenty are.supply and demand.im nonplussed if someone else disagree
Like a first class seat on plane,train not cattle class.they charge extra because someone will pay

[AmandaPandtheTantrumofDoom]

Yes, plenty of people do pay. I get why they do. I would.

But someone sitting in first class doesn't make my standard experience any worse. This does. One experience is enhanced directly at the cost of the other. And I think that's sad.

[Scholes34]

Not blaming David Cameron for this, just the DC attitude towards "we're all in this together". A bit like "we're all equal, but some are more equal than others".

[scottishmummy]

If one is willing to pay extra to fast track,that's their choice
I've paid extra on train,to get a reserved seat and not cattle class.paid for better journey
Quite simply i dont think my fast track adversely impacts someone else day.

[scottishmummy]

But it's not equal.its a paid premium for better service
I don't want to queue,I pay not to queue
Nothing equal about paying for an enhanced experience

[Wbdn28]

"cattle class"?

[Scholes34]

But fast track is only an enhanced service because it puts others at a disadvantage compared to you.

[AmandaPandtheTantrumofDoom]

Quite simply i dont think my fast track adversely impacts someone else day.

How on earth do you figure that out? You jumping the queue directly means that someone who can't afford to pay to jump the queue waits longer. Extra people push in front of them.