Page 12 | To think 2 hours queuing times is wrong at Merlin?

ToBeOrNotToB · 2022-10-29T23:58:16+00:00

We went to Chessington Howl’oween. The queues for most of the big ticket rides were 2 hours long all day. Some were 90mins. We went on 3 big rides in total. Shouldn’t theme parks limit number of visitors to guarantee better value for money? (It costs over £100 for a family of four to visit).

Lalliella · 31/10/2022 08:15

You would think that it being crowded would make it unpopular making it less crowded making it more popular etc...

Go to Gullivers instead - much less busy and much cheaper.

Lalliella · 31/10/2022 08:19

Southend Adventure Island is also good.

Original poster

ToBeOrNotToB · 31/10/2022 21:24

@mummabubs how was your day at Legoland today?

OP posts:

Original poster

ToBeOrNotToB · 31/10/2022 21:25

Thanks everyone for replying. Looks like the majority agree that 2 hours is too long for queues.

OP posts:

XelaM · 01/11/2022 11:06

I think unless you go on a weekday during term time, you have to factor in the cost of a fast pass. It's not possible to enjoy the day otherwise, as you just end up queuing all day.

OldReliable · 01/11/2022 15:00

Cookingutensil · 30/10/2022 01:19

You paid to spend a day queuing up. When will people realise? Saw a thread elsewhere today about Euro Disney, after paying god knows how much to get in, some people are paying £140 per person, per day for 'fast passes' WTF?

In what other realm would people pay hundreds of pounds to be ignored and crammed into a line/ treated like utter plebs.

Buy a book for under a tenner, pack a picnic and head out for a walk in the countryside, stop and take turns to read.

If you want to replicate the theme park experience, face a tree, stand in line and don't move come rain or shine for two hours. For the full experience, climb tree to highish branch and jump down - enjoy the rush but take care.

Not really a substitute for rollercoasters though is it? Taking turns to read a paperback with some sandwiches in the woods.

BadLad · 01/11/2022 22:30

ToBeOrNotToB · 31/10/2022 21:25

Thanks everyone for replying. Looks like the majority agree that 2 hours is too long for queues.

I don't think anyone is going to disagree that it is a long and boring wait.

It's too long for me, so I don't go to those places. I content myself with a few rides at the local traveling fair. The rides aren't as good, although surprisingly impressive, but you can go on immediately. No way am I paying hundreds to stand in a queue all day.

But it's clearly not too long for Merlin, because they have thousands of people who are willing to pay despite the two-hour waits. They're not going to change it for no benefit to themselves. And it's unlikely to go away. They won't want to solve the "problem" with virtual queues because then the rest of the park becomes overcrowded and impossible to manage. Their model depends on a huge percentage of their visitors standing in line.

So yes, I agree that it's too long, but so what?

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 01/11/2022 22:45

We went to Chessington recently and managed quite a good day of rides. Granted we did not go on all of the biggest ticket ones but plenty over all.

We went on an ordinary Sunday in early October, so not as crowded at any point as it might be. We got there when the gates opened - this is the single best tip I think as we got on some decent rides before there was much of a queue. We took a packed lunch so didn’t end up queuing again in a bit very nice restaurant, and maximised our time for rides. Generally it was a nice day but I think these places can so easily be a nightmare!

Didn't bother with any queues that were more than 30-40 mins as that’s not fun.

We’re going to LEGOLAND at Easter- might be a nightmare in the holidays but we’re staying so will be there early both days. Then can take the afternoons a bit slower, maybe just go for a swim if it gets silly.

ButterflyBiscuit · 02/11/2022 06:20

Easter will be heaving at legoland! But the first hour both days will be good for getting on the rides. I'd think about a Qbot...

Morph22010 · 02/11/2022 06:29

Easter Sunday and Easter Monday may surprisingly not be too bad at legoland if they are the day you are going. They are blackout days for merlin gold and silver passes so people with those passes can’t attend, only platinum and the old premium. We did Thorpe park last Easter Sunday/Monday and they were quiet. Also I think a lot of people avoid the bank holiday thinking it will be busy and go on another day of the holidays which then has the reverse effect

tunthebloodyalarmoff · 02/11/2022 06:32

Cookingutensil · 30/10/2022 01:19

You paid to spend a day queuing up. When will people realise? Saw a thread elsewhere today about Euro Disney, after paying god knows how much to get in, some people are paying £140 per person, per day for 'fast passes' WTF?

In what other realm would people pay hundreds of pounds to be ignored and crammed into a line/ treated like utter plebs.

Buy a book for under a tenner, pack a picnic and head out for a walk in the countryside, stop and take turns to read.

If you want to replicate the theme park experience, face a tree, stand in line and don't move come rain or shine for two hours. For the full experience, climb tree to highish branch and jump down - enjoy the rush but take care.

Great. Then Spend day in queue at a and e and another 3 months in plaster. Such fun

Capri3 · 02/11/2022 10:28

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 01/11/2022 22:45

We went to Chessington recently and managed quite a good day of rides. Granted we did not go on all of the biggest ticket ones but plenty over all.

We went on an ordinary Sunday in early October, so not as crowded at any point as it might be. We got there when the gates opened - this is the single best tip I think as we got on some decent rides before there was much of a queue. We took a packed lunch so didn’t end up queuing again in a bit very nice restaurant, and maximised our time for rides. Generally it was a nice day but I think these places can so easily be a nightmare!

Didn't bother with any queues that were more than 30-40 mins as that’s not fun.

We’re going to LEGOLAND at Easter- might be a nightmare in the holidays but we’re staying so will be there early both days. Then can take the afternoons a bit slower, maybe just go for a swim if it gets silly.

The early opening at Legoland isn’t all that great. We’ve stayed there a few times, and they usually only open a couple of rides early - Haunted House, and the kids driving one (can’t remember the name!). They’ve also still been “setting up/having technical difficulties”, so not ready to start either. 😡 My dc likes to do the driving one two or three times, then go to the Coastguard ride next door so it’s not all bad for us. But if you’re expecting to be able to dash around a lot of the rides before the park officially opens, it’s just not possible. Last time we went, 2 rides that apparently had 20 min queues took over an hour! Definitely recommend you get Q-Bots.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 02/11/2022 11:17

Thanks @Capri3 - I might get Q bots tbh as the money I spent for the stay will be so long ago I won’t feel so bad.

DS probably has ADHD (had a sort of pre assessment through school but not a full one) so finds it hard to queue for a long time but I don’t think we have enough evidence to support getting any assistance at the moment.

Otherwise we go for just taking it a bit easier and not worrying about reaching everything

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 02/11/2022 11:19

To pp who said “Easter will be heaving” I’ve been in the summer hols before so I do know what it’s like- forgot to say this!

ButterflyBiscuit · 02/11/2022 13:09

Ah fab yes it will be similar to summer - I would say the Qbots are worth every penny. We now have the disability pass and it makes all the difference.

(Usually to get an access card you need DLA or evidence from Dr/EHCP - once you have an access card you can apply for the Merlin one. Lifechanging for us but you still get "timed out" for the length of the Queue before you can use it again so we still avoided busy times)