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?

[janey68]

So true Theodora. The competitive hardship game is a regular theme on MN, but it reaches a new level with 'pity the poor people who can only afford a regular ticket to Alton towers ' doesn't it!!

[theodorakisses]

Personally I would pay anything NOT to have to go to a theme park! I see a whole new business opportunity for people to charge me to be me for the day (CRB and insurance obv)

[fuzzpig]

I think if I was going to save up to go to a theme park (not something we could afford to just do on a whim, IYSWIM) I would save for longer so we could get the fast track thingies.

I have developed a disability that means I can't stand for more than a few minutes without risk of fainting so would be well worth the extra money to avoid that.

Before I got sick, I wouldn't have minded queuing, but times have changed

[schobe]

I'm never a fan of 1st/2nd class person type schemes. There are other possible queuing systems, eg timed tickets, but of course this way they can make heaps more cash.

What I'm not keen on is when they put the fast-trackers in with the disabled queue (not sure if they still do this but did at Legoland last year).

So the disabled people who can't cope with queuing now have to do so again. Joy.

Also there's the nasty overtones of people now being able to pay to, in a sense, 'be disabled' when it suits and they get an advantage.

I know that's not what it is or is meant to be, but it just made me feel vile tbh.

[candycoatedwaterdrops]

Schobe I hope I'm reading this wrong but you think fast passes are people paying to have the same 'advantage' as a disabled person??

[theodorakisses]

and back we go into the alternative dimension....

[candycoatedwaterdrops]

Eh?

[fuzzpig]

I didn't know you could get disabled passes for queuing (haven't considered going to a theme park since I got sick and will be a while before I do), that's good. My disability (disabilitIES if I'm being pedantic!) is/are invisible so I dare say people would look at me skipping the queue and judge me [paranoid emoticon]

[fuzzpig]

Sorry went off on a tangent there

[fuzzpig]

Seems I wouldn't be eligible in legoland so would definitely pay for it instead. There is no way I could queue now (even leaning against fences or DH wouldn't be enough).

[fuzzpig]

Ah that's interesting thanks Lisa. I will start a thread look into all that further then, if we decide to visit next year :)

[OddBoots]

fuzzpig, I have similar issues but we went to Chessington, Thorpe Park and Legoland last year and I coped by having one of these. It is quite possible I could have had a disabled pass but I felt very uncomfortable with that and there was always somewhere I could put my stick safely for each ride.

[Dackyduddles]

I just don't get the angst here tbh.

Disabled get queues to help them
Everyone gets a 'normal' queue
Everyone gets the chance to pay to queue jump/priority board

Everyone gets an opportunity. You only use the places in set seasons so if you're going to save up to use a TP save up to fast track.

Equating that to political ideology is I suppose possible at a stretch but rather odd.....

[schobe]

Oh fgs candy. Am I allowed my opinion if I tell you my DS is severely disabled?

No I don't think he gets an 'advantage', far from it. He's never had an advantage in his whole bloody life. But the people paying for fast track do. Talk about picking holes in the semantics/phrasing of a post.

Lisa - I'm glad to hear that. When I went, they had only just started putting the fast-track people with those with disabilities (so they said). There was no allowing anyone to go ahead, just one big queue. Glad it's changed if that's the case. I won't feel so nervous about trying again.

[schobe]

And the 'alternative dimension' comment is because I dared to bore everyone with disability again.

[candycoatedwaterdrops]

Don't get aggressive at me! I just thought I had read it wrong, so wanted to check it out hence why I asked. You can't always read things properly over the internet. Don't get your knickers in a twist.

Incidentally, I went to Disney Paris last year and relished being able to queue jump because of my disability. Life being physically impaired is a tough old grind but I had a great weekend break. It was the first time I'd been away since my condition 'arrived' so I really enjoyed myself - despite feeling a little guilty at times.

[candycoatedwaterdrops]

fuzz I think I recall you saying you've applied for DLA? Many of those places accept a DLA letter as proof. I've taken a medical letter as well as that served as proof.

[IWantATowel]

I took my boy to alton towers a month ago, we're not well off at all but I saved for longer to get fast track because it's a once in a blue moon event and I wanted to make the most out of it. It was worth the money for sure, but I did feel embarrassed when joining the queue near the front.

[Cravey]

Yes. So what's your point ? Pay it and get on first. Don't pay it. Wait longer. It's really not very hard.

[schobe]

No candy I think you were dying to jump on someone for use of language that may for a micro second be deemed to be in some way disrespectful to people with disabilities.

My knickers are always in a twist so don't bother with that one.