The perks of the VIP theme-park pass


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If you?ve ever wanted to get the star treatment, at least while riding a roller coaster, now is your chance. Many parks now offer a VIP package that lets visitors skip long lines and crowds. But that kind of perk comes with a price. Here are some of the offerings. (Keep in mind that the prices listed don't always include the park entry fee.)

Universal Studios

The park offers visitors who pay $299 per person the VIP experience.

In return, the tour of the park and adjacent studio back lots promises that guests will be "pampered like a star." The day includes breakfast and lunch at the VIP dining room, valet parking, front-of-line access and exclusive access to the back lot that is not open to the general public.

For those who just don't like long wait times at the park, a less expensive way to go is the "Front of the Line Pass," which starts at $129 per person.

Disneyland

According to the website, Disneyland's Premium VIP Tour provides a personal guide for you and 10 guests around the park, wherever you'd like to go. Along with front-of-line access to rides, VIP-ers get front-row seating at parades and valet parking.

This special treatment, favored by celebs, does not come cheap: The tour charges a rate of $315 an hour, or $355 an hour for holiday visits.

Six Flags

For $299, the escorted VIP tour includes theme park admission, front-of-line ride access, all you can eat, reserved show seating, and a "private animal experience." A spokesperson for the Valencia-based park told the Los Angeles Times that they can't keep up with demand for the passes. "Especially in the summer, they sell out."

Sea World San Diego

SeaWorld San Diego offers an exclusive tour for a group of up to 15 people for a cost of $1,200. The customized experience includes the chance to feed endangered turtles and touch bottlenose dolphins.

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WE got a family VIP to disney world a few years ago. A guide took us everywhere we wanted, we got first dibs on photos with all the characters which the kids LOVED. No waiting in lines. Really good. Plus free parking and even reserved a spot for us for parades and fireworks so we could just go right before it started and not need to camp.

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I would argue that if parks need to charge upwards of $100 so you don't have to wait inordinate lengths of time for a ride, or to see a character, their ride management and character times are to be looked at. Then again, it's a nice revenue stream...

The other perks? Well worth it :)

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The biggest problem with VIP / fast-lane passes is that they create a two-tiered system that devalues the experience offered to those unwilling or unable to pay for them. They promote inequality and create resentment, which is particularly unfair upon children?the target audience for most theme parks?as they have no influence over the wealth of their family. From a capitalistic perspective it makes perfect sense but is it really any wonder that socialism is such an attractive principle?

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The biggest problem with VIP / fast-lane passes is that they create a two-tiered system that devalues the experience offered to those unwilling or unable to pay for them. They promote inequality and create resentment, which is particularly unfair upon children?the target audience for most theme parks?as they have no influence over the wealth of their family. From a capitalistic perspective it makes perfect sense but is it really any wonder that socialism is such an attractive principle?

Whoa!

Brains.jpg

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I would argue that if parks need to charge upwards of $100 so you don't have to wait inordinate lengths of time for a ride, or to see a character, their ride management and character times are to be looked at. Then again, it's a nice revenue stream...

The other perks? Well worth it :)

The major parks (WDW, USF, DLR, USC) are nearly at $100 per day for a single day ticket for normal guests.

The biggest problem with VIP / fast-lane passes is that they create a two-tiered system that devalues the experience offered to those unwilling or unable to pay for them. They promote inequality and create resentment, which is particularly unfair upon children?the target audience for most theme parks?as they have no influence over the wealth of their family. From a capitalistic perspective it makes perfect sense but is it really any wonder that socialism is such an attractive principle?

This is the exact argument used against Disney's new two-tiered FASTPass system. (Which has nothing to do with VIPs)

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The major parks (WDW, USF, DLR, USC) are nearly at $100 per day for a single day ticket for normal guests.

I know. I meant an EXTRA $100 :)

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