The Magic Mountain flash pass is a service offered at Six Flags Magic Mountain theme park in California. This pass allows visitors to skip the regular lines for popular rides and attractions and instead gain priority access. However, the question of whether the flash pass is worth it depends on individual preferences and circumstances. For thrill-seekers who want to maximize their time riding as many attractions as possible, the flash pass can be a valuable investment. By skipping the regular lines, visitors can save a significant amount of time, especially on busy days when wait times can be extensive. This means more time to enjoy the rides and less time spent standing in line.
Jillian Dara is a freelance journalist and fact-checker. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, USA Today, Michelin Guides, Hemispheres, DuJour, and Forbes.
My offer to help them make the most of their one day by buying them the Flash Passes was briefly debated and then accepted, probably with the realization that getting anything out of Dad before he uses his veto power Otherwise known as the We can t afford it card. But the virtual placeholder allows you to roam around the park and squeeze in other rides or enjoy other things before returning to the coaster at the appointed time.
This means more time to enjoy the rides and less time spent standing in line. Moreover, the flash pass offers different levels of access, such as Gold or Platinum, with varying benefits. For those willing to splurge, the Platinum pass provides immediate access to rides without any wait time, offering the ultimate VIP experience.
Magic mountian flash pass worth it
My kids' objection to only having one day in Six Flags was that the lines can get quite long and it's hard to get on all the great roller coasters in one day if you're there during a busy season. My offer to help them make the most of their one day by buying them the Flash Passes was briefly debated and then accepted, probably with the realization that getting anything out of Dad before he uses his veto power (Otherwise known as the "We can't afford it" card.) is a victory to be proud of.
It's also possible that they were counting on Dad's inability to resist upgrades. The deal I made with my kids was that I would buy the two who wanted to spend all day on the rides the Gold Flash Pass and they would accomplish as much as they could with only half the wait times. Somewhere along the line I got caught up in the excitement of it all, and when I got to the counter to purchase the Flash Passes I heard the word "Platinum" leave my mouth. Needless to say my kids were very happy and I was somewhat confused as to what just happened. Fortunately, it's a normal state of being for me.
So with their Platinum Flash Passes in hand, my kids set out to plan their conquest of the Magic Mountain roller coaster kingdom. Now it's important to note that not all rides are included in the Flash Pass program. X2, the most insane ride in the park, is only available as an add on to either the Gold or Platinum passes for $15 per ride. The newest roller coaster, Full Throttle, is only available with the Platinum passes, again at a $15 per ride surcharge. Neither of these were happening, so my kids decided to start their day at Batman the Ride, which to their delight was available instantly.
Well kind of instantly. I mean, it took 15 minutes to get across the park to where the ride was located. Then, when they got there, my kids found that there was no line for Batman and they just walked on. It was kind of anti-climatic and I had a moment of wondering if I'd just wasted a bunch of money in an attempt to skip non-existent lines. Fortunately for us (and unfortunately for everybody without Flash Passes) the lines got a fair bit longer as the day went on.
There were definitely some rides where the Flash Pass worked beautifully. Goliath, one of the biggest, fastest roller coasters in the park was a perfect example. Although the posted wait time was almost an hour, my kids went from making a reservation while standing in front of the ride to actually riding in under five minutes. There were some rides where the Flash Pass didn't work all that well though. Superman, one of my children's favorite rides, was a horrible experience. Even with a reservation, the point where they allow the Flash Passes to cut is still about 20 minutes from the front of the line. Combine that with the fact that Superman has perhaps the worst line organization of any ride in the history of theme parks and it quickly became apparent that the Flash Pass wasn't going to be of any use to us on this ride.
In the end though, our experience with the Flash Passes was a fairly good one. Despite deciding to visit Magic Mountain on a Saturday in the summer and arriving a little late (just after noon), we managed to ride everything in the park as often as we wanted and still finished about an hour before park closing. In the past our visits to Six Flags have ended in three of us wanting to go back to the hotel room while the older two kids wanted to stay right until the last minute to try out "just a few more rides". Being able to leave the park with everybody happy and still beat the closing traffic out of the parking lot was a really nice treat.
So it was convenient, but was it worth it? Flash Passes are a lot of fun, but they're also a bit pricey. A basic Flash Pass costs about $40 per person. Gold will run you $60 per person, and if you're one of those people who get caught up in the excitement like me, a Platinum Pass will set you back $90 per person. There are some small discounts as you add people to the Flash Pass, but you'll still be at least doubling the price of admission. Is that kind of investment a good idea for your group? It was for ours because it kept us from having to buy admission for our family for a second day, but you may be in a different situation. Maybe everybody in your family likes to ride thrill rides. Maybe you've got far more time than you do money. Or in the best case scenario, maybe you can still bribe your kids with candy. As much as I felt the Flash Pass was a good buy for our family, five Aero bars would have been a much cheaper investment.
Written by Steve Pratt
After this is complete, you can stay inside the app and reserve rides directly from there.
The Gold pass, on the other hand, allows visitors to reserve ride times in advance, reducing the wait considerably. However, it's important to consider the cost of the flash pass. The price can be quite steep, especially for larger groups or families. Therefore, if budget is a significant concern, skipping the flash pass might be a more reasonable choice. Additionally, the value of the flash pass can vary depending on the day of visit. On less busy days with shorter lines, the flash pass may not be necessary as the regular lines move relatively quickly. However, during peak seasons or weekends, when wait times can exceed an hour, the flash pass can offer a significant advantage. In conclusion, the Magic Mountain flash pass can be worth it for visitors who prioritize riding as many attractions as possible and want to minimize wait times. The convenience and time-saving benefits can enhance the overall experience at the park. However, it's crucial to weigh the cost of the pass and consider the day of visit to determine whether it will provide value for money..
Reviews for "Upgrading Your Theme Park Experience with the Magic Mountain Flash Pass"
1. John Smith - 1 star
I was extremely disappointed with the Magic Mountain flash pass. Despite paying extra for this supposed time-saving service, I found that the wait times were not shortened significantly. Many of the rides still had long queues, and we ended up waiting just as long as those who didn't have the flash pass. It felt like a complete waste of money, and I would not recommend it to anyone visiting Magic Mountain.
2. Sarah Jones - 2 stars
I expected so much more from the Magic Mountain flash pass, but it failed to deliver. The concept of being able to skip the lines and enjoy more rides sounded fantastic, but in reality, it fell short. The flash pass was only valid for select rides, and even then, the wait times were still considerable. It was frustrating to see people without the flash pass being able to get on rides faster than us. Overall, I feel like I wasted my money on this supposed fast-track service.
3. David Thompson - 1 star
I have to say that the Magic Mountain flash pass was a complete rip-off. Not only were the wait times not significantly reduced, but the overall quality of the service was subpar. The device we received for the flash pass was clunky and difficult to operate. Additionally, the staff didn't seem knowledgeable or helpful in assisting us with any issues. It's sad to see a supposedly time-saving feature turn out to be such a disappointment.
4. Emily Davis - 2 stars
I don't understand what the hype is about the Magic Mountain flash pass. We were promised shorter wait times, but in reality, it didn't make much of a difference. The lines were still long, and we ended up waiting just as long as other guests without the flash pass. It was frustrating to spend extra money on something that didn't provide us with any real advantage. I wouldn't recommend getting the flash pass at Magic Mountain; it's simply not worth it.
5. Michael Roberts - 1 star
I regret purchasing the Magic Mountain flash pass. Not only did it fail to decrease our wait times significantly, but it also added a level of confusion and frustration to our day at the park. The staff did not seem familiar with the flash pass system, and we encountered technical issues when trying to use it. It was a waste of money, and I would advise others against purchasing the flash pass if they want to avoid disappointment and frustration.