According to WSJ.com – Step Right Up!, amusement parks are finally offering premium passes at a higher price:
First-class treatment at amusement parks isn’t just for VIPs anymore. In the past year or so, Universal Studios Hollywood and Legoland California in Carlsbad have started selling day passes that include line-cutting privileges for about twice the price of regular admission.
Of course, they have to provide a separate gate for “line cutters” to avoid reactions like this one:
“I just think that’s wrong,” says Amalia Masters, 44, of San Jose, Calif., referring to the premium passes. “You know what, we’re all equal. I don’t think being able to pay more means you should be able to enjoy something different than the other family of four who had to save money to go the park that day.”
Here’s another innovation:
A recent Disney innovation is the “single rider” option. Visitors agree to split up their party and fill in spare seats on rides that would otherwise remain empty. In return, at no extra cost, they get in a line that moves much faster — sometimes, with virtually no wait at all. The idea came “from one of our executives using a ski resort, and ski lifts use the ‘single rider’ option,” says Todd Evans, manager for attractions at Walt Disney World.