Six Flags Brings Lo-Q Technology To Nine Parks For 2002

Oklahoma City, OK -- Six Flags, Inc. is expanding an innovative, one-of-a-kind virtual queue system to nine of its theme parks in the United States for the upcoming 2002 season, the company announced today.

Six Flags virtual queue program, called Lo-Q, is the theme park company's newest guest service improvement that provides visitors with an alternative to waiting in line to experience popular attractions at Six Flags parks.

"We are always striving to raise the bar and set new standards when it comes to guest service," said John Bement, Six Flags executive vice president. "Quite simply, our Lo-Q system is the ultimate line management technology, giving guests maximum time and optimum flexibility to experience all the fun Six Flags has to offer."

Successfully tested last year at Six Flags Over Georgia near Atlanta, the Six Flags Lo-Q system is unique within the theme park industry. Created by Lo-Q, a software innovator specializing in low power radio and tagging technologies, the paperless system replaces the long wait in a traditional queue line by holding guests queue positions in a computerized virtual queue line. Six Flags Lo-Q program is the only true virtual ride reservation system in the world.

"When guests are in queue lines, they're not visiting our retail and food outlets or enjoying many of our park's other attributes," Bement said. "Our Lo-Q system boosts guest satisfaction and enhances in-park revenue because guests are able to do two things at once--like have lunch while they're waiting in a virtual queue line."

The key to the system is the Q-Bot, a pager-type messaging and locator device. One Q-Bot can serve a group of six guests. Guests secure a time to ride a particular attraction by pointing their Q-Bot at the Lo-Q reservation point. Within a second, Q-Bot beeps and displays a message confirming the ride time. Once booked, the Q-Bot displays the ride name and the time at which the group can join the ride. The Q-Bot reminds guests when it is time to start toward the ride. Guests enter the ride through a specific Lo-Q entrance.

Guests rent the Q-Bot devices, making Six Flags Lo-Q program a revenue source for the park, which renders dual benefits for guests and the park. Guests enjoy more rides per visit and special offers at food and retail outlets in the park. The park benefits from higher guest satisfaction, efficient line traffic management and increased revenue. A child locator feature will be added to the system in the future.

"We were pleased with the overwhelming positive response to our Lo-Q program from our guests at Six Flags Over Georgia last year," Bement reported. "Our Lo-Q program has already proven effective at improving the overall guest experience by producing more quality time for guests to enjoy all our parks have to offer during their visit."

In addition to Six Flags Over Georgia, Six Flags Lo-Q virtual queue system is being introduced this year at Six Flags Great Adventure, Six Flags Over Texas, Six Flags Astro World, Six Flags Worlds of Adventure, Six Flags New England, Six Flags St. Louis, Six Flags Fiesta Texas and Six Flags Marine World. Six Flags Great America and Six Flags Magic Mountain are scheduled to add to the system in 2003.