More popular theme parks to enable guests to enjoy ride reservations using Lo-Q’s virtual queuing solution

Lo-Q plc, the leading supplier of virtual queuing systems to theme parks, announced today that Six Flags Inc, the world's largest regional theme park company with twenty parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada plans to introduce Lo-Q’s solution to two further theme parks in its group. The first of these is Six Flags Magic Mountain, one of Los Angeles’ most popular family theme parks with 100 rides, which will be using the system from December. This will be joined by a further park in time for next season’s opening.  

Six Flags brands Lo-Q’s system as the ‘Flash Pass’ and during 2008 over a million people enjoyed the experience. The ‘Flash Pass’ provides guests with a hand held wireless device, a Q-bot, which allows them to enjoy the benefit of making reservations for their favourite rides from anywhere within the park.  Once a ride is reserved, the quest is placed in a virtual queue, thereby avoiding physical waiting time and is then free to enjoy the grounds to see other attractions and spend money in gift shops or on refreshments until it is their time to ride.

True virtual queuing overcomes all the problems seen by less sophisticated systems.  Six Flags has been using Lo-Q’s solutions successfully since 2001 in Six Flags Over Georgia and now has eight major theme parks using the VQ2020 technology. 

Mark Shapiro, President and CEO of Six Flags Inc, said in his recent web cast; ”Lo-Q have been unbelievable, they really drove our business in the last year.  Because of the positive feedback around Flash Pass we are expanding its use to two new parks and soon nearly all Six Flags parks will benefit from the system.  Flash Pass provides two additional revenue streams, the first being the premium guests pay to use a Flash Pass, and the second being the fact that guests are not trapped in line and therefore can move around and enjoy other facilities spending along the way.  There is no doubt Lo-Q and Flash Pass has been a big driver in terms of guest spending and additional revenue.”  

Lo-Q’s Managing Director, Leonard Sim added, “The ‘Flash pass’ is based on our intelligent VQ2020 technology which means guests don’t have to queue jump to avoid standing in line.  Our regular service is a true virtual queuing system where guests with a Q-bot reserve their place in line and are given the same wait as other guests, thereby avoiding an operational headache.  Our Gold Service gives a programmable discount on wait times and produces further significant revenue.  It is the 21st century way to avoid long queues while being fair to all – and enables Six Flags’ guests to enjoy their stay more.”

Leonard Sim concluded, “We are delighted that Six Flags have chosen to introduce our system in two additional theme parks. It demonstrates the success of the Lo-Q solution to date and underlines the company’s commitment in investing in improvements to their parks to ensure their guests have a positive visitor experience and will want to return.”

Lo-Q will be attending the IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions) ATTRACTIONS EXPO 2008 which takes place from 18th to 21st November in Orlando, Florida, USA on stand 2908. 

About Six Flags, Inc

Six Flags, Inc. is the world's largest regional theme park company with 20 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Founded in 1961, Six Flags has provided world class entertainment for millions of families with cutting-edge, record-shattering roller coasters and appointment programming and special events such as the weekly Summer Concert Series, Fright Fest and Holiday in the Park. Now 47 years strong, Six Flags is recognized as the preeminent thrill innovator while reaching to all demographics -- families, teens, tweens and thrill seekers alike -- with themed attractions based on the Looney Tunes characters, the Justice League of America, skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, The Wiggles and Thomas the Tank Engine. 

Six Flags, Inc. is a publicly-traded corporation (NYSE: SIX) headquartered in New York City
SIX FLAGS and all related indicia are trademarks of Six Flags Theme Parks Inc.
 
For more information, please visit sixflags.com

About Lo-Q

Lo-Q plc was founded in August 2000 and its technology is currently in use by eight Six Flags theme parks in the USA.  Lo-Q gets people out of queue lines so they can spend time waiting for their ride enjoyably in restaurants, shops, playing games or just relaxing.  The Q-bot, a proprietary, hand held, wireless unit, does not create a “jump to the front of the line” problem for parks to manage because everyone still waits the same length of time but those with a Q-bot are free to enjoy the rest of the theme park until it is their time to get on the ride.  

VQ2020 was launched in autumn 2006 for easy guest use and to provide dramatically simplified installation and is running in nine North American theme parks.  Summer 2008 saw over one million users of a Lo-Q system and the total guest count to date reached 3,000,000 during August  2008. 

Lo-Q has extensive patent protection and owns the intellectual property rights in the system, its software and electronic design.

For further information visit lo-q.com or contact:

Leonard Sim
Managing Director
Lo-Q plc
T: 01491 577210
E: Leonard.sim@lo-q.com

Or
 
Mary Phillips/Andreina West
PR Artistry Limited
T: 01491 639500
E: mary@pra-ltd.co.uk 

See also:
Lo-Q and Irisys Partner to deliver queue management solutions to the Theme Park industry
Legoland Windsor selects Lo-Q to reduce physical waiting time