Episode 51: Plans, Reservations, and Lighting Lanes

In this long-awaited episode, join Alice and Buddy as they work their way through their complicated feelings about returning to Theme Parks, only to find that the systems by which they now work are thoroughly changed from what they were before their hiatus. If Theme Parks are literature, are Reservations the Table of Contents? What is skipping the line worth? How do we answer the question of equity in access to rides and attractions?

It’s the triumphant return of Those Happy Places! We hope you’re glad to have us back in your feeds.

Topics Include: We’re Back! Thanks for your patience. Returning to Theme Parks. Reservation systems. Fastpass, and what it was. Boarding Groups and the Inherent Problems Thereof. Lightning Lane, Genie Plus, and its effect on a Park Day. Skipping lines and the Costs Thereof. Industry solutions—usually upcharges—to long lines. The problem of Equity in Access. Should ticket books return? The Theme Park of the Future, and Virtual Queues.

Be sure to visit our Patreon for all of the cool Passholder benefits, stretch goals, and an exclusive, long-lost episode of Those Happy Places! Join us on our Discord Server!

Those Happy Places is Produced by Alice White and Edited By Buddy Duquesne. Our theme song is Golden Gate by the California Feetwarmers, Featuring Phil Alvin.

Additional music comes from Kevin Macleod. All Tracks Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License. Tracks in this Episode:

Bummin on Tremelo by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/3464-bummin-on-tremelo
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Getting it Done by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3801-getting-it-done
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Lord of the Land by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4002-lord-of-the-land
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Thinking Music by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4522-thinking-music
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Long Stroll by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3997-long-stroll
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Samba Isobel by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4316-samba-isobel
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Apero Hour by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3375-apero-hour
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Bossa Antigua by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/3454-bossa-antigua
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

No Good Layabout by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4140-no-good-layabout
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Fig Leaf Rag by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3750-fig-leaf-rag
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Sancho Panza gets a Latte by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4317-sancho-panza-gets-a-latte
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Casa Bossa Nova by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3481-casa-bossa-nova
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Kumasi Groove (plus flugelhorn) by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3957-kumasi-groove-plus-flugelhorn-
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Just As Soon by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3947-just-as-soon
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Crinoline Dreams by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/3560-crinoline-dreams
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Off to Osaka by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4154-off-to-osaka
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

In Your Arms by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3906-in-your-arms
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license