Theme Parks Seem to Intentionally Create Queues

ModernPowerSolutions on 04/02/2019 - 20:03
Last edited 04/02/2019 - 20:46 by 1 other user

Hey guys,

This is a topic I have been very curious about, I do not understand the logic behind this and was wondering if anyone had any thoughts;

I have noticed at theme parks, I feel they intentionally create queues and I can't understand why;

For example, let's say on a rollercoaster, as soon as the queues die down they will often close lanes, slow down the frequency of carts or have less staff on the ride. I understand this may save costs like electricity and staff, but isn't this only a very minor cost compared to the cost of annoying the people at the park?

Additionally, if there is no queue for a ride you have just been on, the ride managers will ask you to get off the ride and go around the whole queue again before you can get back on? Is there a reason for this?

I always feel I am terribly looked after by theme parks, that they don't care about their customers!

What is the logic behind these decisions?

• 

  Melb69 on 04/02/2019 - 20:15

  +2

  As the cost of the rides are already built into the price. Suspect its all related to maximising staff labour efficiencies. When I was at the water park in the States, we went on the moat ride. We were the only ones as it was like 15degs and the pools weren't heated. 1 staff member followed us around that moat till we got out. So for him to spend time with us, maybe another ride needed to be reduced or not running. IMO No expert here.

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  [Deactivated] on 04/02/2019 - 20:35

  They might have other duties to fulfill in the quieter times on rides.
  Ie. Similar to aldi, staff are always kept busy, open extra checkouts as required and similarly close checkouts when aren't many customers. When they take the staff off checkout, they go to do other work within the store.
  I have no idea what needs doing at theme park, that could be done by ride attendants when it's not so busy. Maybe they send them to tidy up and clean around the place. As a manager/employer/owner, you never want idle staff, it is like throwing money away.

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  jjjaar on 04/02/2019 - 21:06

  +2

  if there is no queue for a ride you have just been on, the ride managers will ask you to get off the ride and go around the whole queue again before you can get back on?

  I’ve been to Disneyland and Disney World and have literally stayed on a ride for like 4 goes in a row because no one is waiting. So it doesn’t happen everywhere.

  I haven’t been to many other theme parks so not sure what happens elsewhere.

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 04/02/2019 - 21:31

    +1

    Can second this, Universal in Singapore you can ride over and over again provided there is no line of people wanting to get on.
    Universal in Los Angeles with the VIP pass, keep riding as many times as you want even if the queue is 14 hours long.

  • 

    mskeggs on 04/02/2019 - 22:06

    I have done this later in the day at SeaWorld in QLD.

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 04/02/2019 - 23:42

    +3

    have literally stayed on a ride for like 4 goes in a row because no one is waiting.

    Don't do this on roller coaster I actually did neurological harm by staying on demon roller coaster Australia's wonderland about 9 times in row. I was attempting to condition fear response away (which did work) , at the end I was sitting on it like you would relax back chilling on couch, but apparently the body/brain stopped bracing itself. Neurological symptoms for more than 6 months after :/ . The 'demon' was pretty extreme though (upside down, then it would stop… and then go in reverse) .
    Definitely do not, stay on enough times ro where you are just sitting there like it's nothing. Body needs to brace itself, it this can get switched off by conditioning with staying on ride too many times consecutively.

    • 

      jjjaar on 05/02/2019 - 08:05

      +1

      Oh gees that’s horrifying! I wouldn’t have gone on that ride once, let alone nine times. I’m not much into thrill. The ones I did it were like space mountain or splash mountain in Disney, so they’re very tame compared to that.

      I hope you’re ok now?

    • 

      samfisher5986 on 05/02/2019 - 13:27

      What exactly was the neurological harm?

      • 

        [Deactivated] on 05/02/2019 - 15:09

        Went to push door open (average heavy type door) and arm kind of collapsed, shaky .
        Also numbness in arms/hands. Left it go 1 time, started at hands and went on till entire arm was floppy (this was while walking, so no pressure whatsoever on arm).
        Was sent by GP for initial basic neuro scan, drank some liquid to help scan show what was happening… Then referred to specialist neurology doc, but was 17 at the time, couldn't afford it. So not sure exactly what it was, but straight after the ride arms had that symptom of giving away whenever I went to push 1 of those heavy type doors, continued for long time after.

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  AustriaBargain on 04/02/2019 - 22:02

  +2

  It's not good to run a coaster with just a few people on it. Also if there was no queue then you'd get bored and tell people how bored you were at the park. instead you queue up and you anticipate the ride, hype it up in your mind. Instant gratification isn't always a good thing. The queue I think is like the wrapping on a present. Presents are less exciting without wrapping paper, it's like here you go take this toaster. Then you're like gee thanks, a toaster. But with shiny wrapping and a delay between seeing it and opening it you get a bit excited, and when you unwrap you're like "a toaster!".

  The theme parks want you to walk away with lots of "it's a toaster!" experienced in your mind, instead of the experience of running out of things to do before 1pm and leaving the park early because you're bored. Start leaving two star reviews, "run out of things to do before lunch, very disappoint".

  • 

    John Kimble on 05/02/2019 - 10:58

    +1

    It's not good to run a coaster with just a few people on it.

    Please elaborate and provide sources if possible.

    instead you queue up and you anticipate the ride, hype it up in your mind.

    To an extent maybe…but surely there's a limit. eg if the wait was ovee 2 hours, it was hot etc

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  bdl on 04/02/2019 - 22:27

  So does Louis Vuitton

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  djones145 on 04/02/2019 - 23:05

  they have got u in and u have paid already, why get u to get on so many rides, no money in that

  the money is in food, merchandise and taking photos experiences.

  keep the lines long and people will go do other stuff, which make money

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  Wardaddy on 05/02/2019 - 09:21

  -1

  After all the death and destruction on the Gold Coast I can't believe that anyone still goes to Aussie theme parks.

  • 

    John Kimble on 05/02/2019 - 11:02

    People still drive cars and fly in planes too, what's your point?

    • 

      Wardaddy on 05/02/2019 - 11:05

      +1

      My point is that there is a reported pattern of incompetence and neglect at the Gold Coast theme parks, and it is a discretionary leisure activity, unlike travelling in cars and planes. No comparison.

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  Love a bargain on 05/02/2019 - 14:47

  Theory 1

  If there's no queue, there wouldn't have been enough rides to keep you entertain for a while day and you'd be leaving by lunch time.

  Theory 2
  If there's no queue, no one will buy any fast pass.