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Virtual Queuing in 2021
I'm struggling to get my head around all this.
If it's an "upgrade" then is it possible to still ride without paying for the upgrade?
I'm only saying this as the loss of the season pass will already mean it costs me a lot more to visit this year - and it's one of the few places on earth to offer happiness in these bleak times
If it's an "upgrade" then is it possible to still ride without paying for the upgrade?
I'm only saying this as the loss of the season pass will already mean it costs me a lot more to visit this year - and it's one of the few places on earth to offer happiness in these bleak times
imanautie
TS Member
I fully expect if it's made mandatory it'l be in effect free rap for everyone with an upcharge for a lesser waitI'm struggling to get my head around all this.
If it's an "upgrade" then is it possible to still ride without paying for the upgrade?
I'm only saying this as the loss of the season pass will already mean it costs me a lot more to visit this year - and it's one of the few places on earth to offer happiness in these bleak times
Personally I'm expected a Legoland style setup where standby queues are free, rap and people paying the lowest package wait what is theoretically the full main queue and extra packages reduce the wait.
Alsty
TS Member
Yes I was thinking about this too. It doesn't make sense to offer Fastrack and a free version as well, since nobody would bother paying. It only makes sense if the free virtual queue is required for everybody, and then Fastrack provides the "queue jumping" on top of that.If it's an "upgrade" then is it possible to still ride without paying for the upgrade?
Quite what they expect everybody to do while virtual waiting though is anybody's guess. There aren't enough filler attractions for people to go to.
imanautie
TS Member
Your logic seems flawed?Yes I was thinking about this too. It doesn't make sense to offer Fastrack and a free version as well, since nobody would bother paying. It only makes sense if the free virtual queue is required for everybody, and then Fastrack provides the "queue jumping" on top of that.
Quite what they expect everybody to do while virtual waiting though is anybody's guess. There aren't enough filler attractions for people to go to.
Without virtual queue there's fastrack and a free option, I'm not sure how adding virtual queue changes the sales?
Your logic seems flawed?
Without virtual queue there's fastrack and a free option, I'm not sure how adding virtual queue changes the sales?
So how do you think it'll work? Will it still be possible to ride for free and pay for an upgrade?
Sorry to be thick, but i've no idea how it works.
imanautie
TS Member
I see three options for how it will workSo how do you think it'll work? Will it still be possible to ride for free and pay for an upgrade?
Sorry to be thick, but i've no idea how it works.
A. This replaces fastrack (and maybe rap as well) with the main queue the same.
B. Everyone gets the rap level virtual queue for free, then upgrades are offered.
C. B whilst distancing is required then A when distancing isn't.
Thanks for the explanation.I see three options for how it will work
A. This replaces fastrack (and maybe rap as well) with the main queue the same.
B. Everyone gets the rap level virtual queue for free, then upgrades are offered.
C. B whilst distancing is required then A when distancing isn't.
I just hope it's possible that you can still ride for nothing, everything will cost more in general this year i think. I've already resigned myself to much less visits to my happy place this year.
imanautie
TS Member
I do not see any option where you need to pay ontop of the admission price for rides being realistic for merlin.Thanks for the explanation.
I just hope it's possible that you can still ride for nothing, everything will cost more in general this year i think. I've already resigned myself to much less visits to my happy place this year.
And yeah same, I'm really upset by the fact that now Alton is cost prohibitive for me to get to (buses cancelled) as a covid impact
imanautie
TS Member
Practically speaking why have a virtual queue line and a fastrack line when fastrack could be implemented as part of the virtual queue system? I mean in effect virtual queue is just single shot fastracks that become valid for use at a fixed time.I was assuming, perhaps wrongly, that you could have three lines:
Standby
VQ/RAP
Fastrack
Rick
TS Member
I edited my post to clarify. It's a solved problem, parks do that all over the world.Practically speaking why have a virtual queue line and a fastrack line when fastrack could be implemented as part of the virtual queue system? I mean in effect virtual queue is just single shot fastracks that become valid for use at a fixed time.
AstroDan
TS Team
Of course, the volume of RAP could also be playing into the decision making on the ground - which isn't something I had considered before. I know the park are really struggling with managing the quantities of RAP vs. the capacities of the rides. By having virtual queue for all, this removes RAP as an issue as there will be no need for anybody to wait in a physical line.
Not that I think an enforced virtual system will work.
Not that I think an enforced virtual system will work.
imanautie
TS Member
Talking of that in many of the group's where raps a big discussion topic it seems the viewpoint of LEGOLANDs rap implementation is poor due to merlin mishandling the system causing it to be less accessible, altrough rap at THORPE and Alton aren't exactly accessible to those who need it a lot of the time.Of course, the volume of RAP could also be playing into the decision making on the ground - which isn't something I had considered before. I know the park are really struggling with managing the quantities of RAP vs. the capacities of the rides.
pluk
TS Member
Rather than the virtual queue being for everybody, could it simply be a replacement for RAP?
Timed tickets for all eligible guests seems like what RAP is meant to be.
This still gives RAP users and abusers a huge advantage over non RAP users, in that they can be in two places at once, be that in two queues or queueing while at lunch etc.
If they are making changes to the RAP system they need to take the opportunity to remove this advantage. Free virtual queue for all would go some way towards this.
I really believe that RAP use and abuse is now such an issue across the estate it must be one of the biggest blockers to effective running of the parks and ability to deliver guest satisfaction. A drastic change like a complete overhaul of the queueing system would be well justified.
I suspect too much is being read into this job advert though.
AT86
TS Member
It appears the job description that was linked in the first post that kicked off this whole discussion has now been removed and the page is dead.
There is a similar position listed with no mention of Virtual Queuing. It simply refers to Fastrack.
https://merlin.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home/requisition/7065?c=merlin
There is a similar position listed with no mention of Virtual Queuing. It simply refers to Fastrack.
https://merlin.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home/requisition/7065?c=merlin
Skyscraper
TS Member
That's interesting. Either the closing date has passed, they've changed their mind or it was a mistake.It appears the job description that was linked in the first post that kicked off this whole discussion has now been removed and the page is dead.
There is a similar position listed with no mention of Virtual Queuing. It simply refers to Fastrack.
https://merlin.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home/requisition/7065?c=merlin
jon81uk
TS Member
That's interesting. Either the closing date has passed, they've changed their mind or it was a mistake.
They've read this thread, saw how much people read into the use of the phrase virtual queue and changed it to fasttrack.