Annual Passholder dedicated entrance during the Holiday Season

[beesly]

But... wouldn't most families/guests of AP's also mostly have AP's?

I don't know the data, or if Disney has even published those statistics, but I would bet that the number of families/groups with a mix of AP/non-AP holders has increased since the price of an AP was increased to include the Memory Maker benefit. For my family, knowing that we had two ~one-week trips planned within the year, it did not make financial sense to purchase an AP for my DD. My AP got us MM, the ability to purchase TiW, and a resort room-only discount, which were the biggest money-savers for us. By purchasing my DD's park tickets for both trips from Parksavers, I saved even more (meaning an AP for her became even less valuable). When we travel together next month, we'll be with four family members who don't travel to WDW as frequently (including two first-timers who won't return for a while, if ever) and don't have APs. Before @ravenclawtrekkie's update, I would not have assumed I could bring them all through the AP line with me next month (if the AP line is even open long enough for me to use). I would have stood in the regular line with my party (especially if they needed me to translate).

 

[Maistre Gracey]

How will they know who is a guest? Will they ask the head of the party to point them out? Won't this slow the process? Also won't the inexperienced guest slow the line??

This, although on the surface seems like an awesome benefit, will be a complete joke.
I hope I'm proven incorrect.

MG

 

[CarolynFH]

Per a manager at Hollywood Studios' main entrance, the lines will be for AP holders and their families/guests. Don't shoot the messenger!

Hopefully the AP holder(s) would educate any inexperienced family members/guests on how to scan MB/ticket and finger (and exhort them to remember which finger!) before they get to the tapstile, so they can move through just as quickly as the AP holder and experienced family members/guests. As we all know, having an AP or being experienced does not guarantee not having any problems with scanning!

 

[Disneylover99]

I don't know the data, or if Disney has even published those statistics, but I would bet that the number of families/groups with a mix of AP/non-AP holders has increased since the price of an AP was increased to include the Memory Maker benefit. For my family, knowing that we had two ~one-week trips planned within the year, it did not make financial sense to purchase an AP for my DD. My AP got us MM, the ability to purchase TiW, and a resort room-only discount, which were the biggest money-savers for us. By purchasing my DD's park tickets for both trips from Parksavers, I saved even more (meaning an AP for her became even less valuable). When we travel together next month, we'll be with four family members who don't travel to WDW as frequently (including two first-timers who won't return for a while, if ever) and don't have APs. Before @ravenclawtrekkie's update, I would not have assumed I could bring them all through the AP line with me next month (if the AP line is even open long enough for me to use). I would have stood in the regular line with my party (especially if they needed me to translate).

I agree. It's becoming more and more common for families to just upgrade one ticket on longer trips to take advantage of memory maker, and other discounts. It wouldn't surprise me to see several regular ticket holders go through with just one AP holder.

 

[tjmw2727]

Interesting update - knowing my extended family we will be choosing to use AP "only" lines when its just us AP holders. On the days when family will be entering together we will join them in the general line as I know they will slow things down.

 

[Disneylover99]

But... wouldn't most families/guests of AP's also mostly have AP's? For example, my mother in law is from Quebec. Everyone in our family, except her, has an annual pass. So what good does it do us, as AP holders, to have to send her into another line? I can move her through a line quicker than if I wasn't with her considering she only speaks French.

Well, wouldn't you have just gone through the regular line with her? It's not like AP holders have to use the AP line.

Anyways....... based on this new information, it sounds like she will be able to go through with you.

 

[memo10]

Little cranky? There is a definite edge to your posts.

Oh yeah, I am actually super cranky about my preschooler having to scan her fingerprint when we're trying to get in the parks. It's a big ordeal when you have to wait for the ipad wielder to make it to your lane and take her picture and/or insist my husband or I scan and then explain why that doesn't work for us! Very un-magical.

I just literally wanted to know if the other poster read my post because I didn't think I insinuated in any way that Dis was actually adding a dedicated bag check.

 

[HopperFan]

Per a manager at Hollywood Studios' main entrance, the lines will be for AP holders and their families/guests. Don't shoot the messenger!

DISLIKE! Sorry, if it's for AP and their families/guests, this negates the purpose of an AP only line.

Count me in as a DISLIKE!

But... wouldn't most families/guests of AP's also mostly have AP's? For example, my mother in law is from Quebec. Everyone in our family, except her, has an annual pass. So what good does it do us, as AP holders, to have to send her into another line? I can move her through a line quicker than if I wasn't with her considering she only speaks French.

No. There are lots of families where only one parent has it to take advantage of hotel discounts, free parking when offsite, shopping discounts, dining discounts, TiW, Party Ticket Discounts, free Photopass ......... since to get all of those only one in your party needs the AP. We could be talking about 4, 5, 6 folks and all but one have no AP. Those folks should get in the regular line.

In my family for probably a decade only 2 of the 5 of us had APs because we went the most. Now 3 of the 5 have APs. So if my other two come with us, we can meet them inside or we can use the regular scanners with them.

The scanners are not difficult to use even for a child, but people still don't do it right, don't use the same finger, don't listen to CMs .......... and hold up the lines. AP lines should be for AP holders because for the groups who are "mixed ticket holders" - will bet MANY of them will be the families where only one parent is holding the AP while the rest are on regular tickets.

WELL that perk just lost it's luster.

 

[Madonna3]

Count me in as a DISLIKE!



No. There are lots of families where only one parent has it to take advantage of hotel discounts, free parking when offsite, shopping discounts, dining discounts, TiW, Party Ticket Discounts, free Photopass ......... since to get all of those only one in your party needs the AP. We could be talking about 4, 5, 6 folks and all but one have no AP. Those folks should get in the regular line.

In my family for probably a decade only 2 of the 5 of us had APs because we went the most. Now 3 of the 5 have APs. So if my other two come with us, we can meet them inside or we can use the regular scanners with them.

The scanners are not difficult to use even for a child, but people still don't do it right, don't use the same finger, don't listen to CMs .......... and hold up the lines. AP lines should be for AP holders because for the groups who are "mixed ticket holders" - will bet MANY of them will be the families where only one parent is holding the AP while the rest are on regular tickets.

WELL that perk just lost it's luster.

Oh. Jeeze there are so many dynamics and demographics I just don't think about. I guess you're right. That kinda sucks.

 

[Madonna3]

Well, wouldn't you have just gone through the regular line with her? It's not like AP holders have to use the AP line.

Anyways....... based on this new information, it sounds like she will be able to go through with you.

Yeah, but now I see the down side to that as well

 

[Madonna3]

I don't know the data, or if Disney has even published those statistics, but I would bet that the number of families/groups with a mix of AP/non-AP holders has increased since the price of an AP was increased to include the Memory Maker benefit. For my family, knowing that we had two ~one-week trips planned within the year, it did not make financial sense to purchase an AP for my DD. My AP got us MM, the ability to purchase TiW, and a resort room-only discount, which were the biggest money-savers for us. By purchasing my DD's park tickets for both trips from Parksavers, I saved even more (meaning an AP for her became even less valuable). When we travel together next month, we'll be with four family members who don't travel to WDW as frequently (including two first-timers who won't return for a while, if ever) and don't have APs. Before @ravenclawtrekkie's update, I would not have assumed I could bring them all through the AP line with me next month (if the AP line is even open long enough for me to use). I would have stood in the regular line with my party (especially if they needed me to translate).

Yeah, I see your point. And I guess I didn't consider that families may have mixed ticket types. We have mixed AP types (my mother has a pass that doesn't include waterparks, but the rest of us have it), but we all have AP's.

It alright though. If they allow it, fine. If they decide to make it AP's only, I am ok with that and someone will just have to go through the regular line with her. They're not so bad.

 

[robinb]

Per a manager at Hollywood Studios' main entrance, the lines will be for AP holders and their families/guests. Don't shoot the messenger!

DISLIKE! Sorry, if it's for AP and their families/guests, this negates the purpose of an AP only line.

Count me in as a DISLIKE!

Meh. I don't see what the big deal is with friends and family sharing the perk. To me this is like pre-check in an airport. Not everyone who goes through the pre-check security line is a road warrior. Sure, you'll still have people fumbling around but the alternative is much, much worse.

 

[Marc A.]

Anyone experience these lines this morning?????

 

[DopeyDame]

I think the decision to allow family and friends is really just a practical one. Even if the sign said "AP Holders Only" you would absolutely still have someone bring Aunt Minnie into line with her. And then when Aunt Minnie gets to the front and only has a single day ticket, the CM could either argue with Aunt Minnie and the AP Holder and send Aunt Minnie to the regular line, or just let her through. (Cause you know Aunt Minnie and her AP holder niece aren't going to quickly and easily go back to the back of the line at a regular turnstyle)
It's going to be faster for everyone to let her through and get her out of the way.
My *hope* is the sign says AP Holders Only, and that most people respect that but that the CMs will let through family and friends as simply the best way to keep everything moving and keep people happy.

 

[aviva5675]

This is from the WDW News Today site, from Facebook-- a comment about the section opening this week. Can Guest relations actually have said that? It's funny and not at the same time...

deleted name
December 21, 2016 at 1:24 PM - Reply


Do you know if you can bring guests through this entrance? My wife and I are passholders, but our son (7 years old) is not. Could we bring him with us through this entrance?

• 
  Walt Disney World Guest Relations
  December 21, 2016 at 1:50 PM - Reply
  Of course you can bring your son (deleted name by me)! Just as soon as you stop being a cheapskate and buy him his own annual pass. Furthermore, what heartless parents get annual passes for themselves but not their child?
  
  Have a Magical Day!

seriously?

 

[HopperFan]

Disney, just open more scanners if your point is to speed up lines ......... putting problem scanners in line with speed scanners negates the whole thing.

Anyone experience these lines this morning?????

DS did. He's an AP. His friend, a CM.

He went to AP line and she went to regular line, they wanted to see if it saved time so they chose lines to "compete" ...

It did not, they more or less entered the same time.

DS said the AP lines are not restricted to APs and the family in front of him, none had one.

They all struggled as did others holding up the lines.

The line was supposed to be "express".

He said it is absolutely pointless.

Thanks for the perk Disney looked good on paper.

Meh. I don't see what the big deal is with friends and family sharing the perk. To me this is like pre-check in an airport. Not everyone who goes through the pre-check security line is a road warrior. Sure, you'll still have people fumbling around but the alternative is much, much worse.

We can agree to disagree, but it's not a perk when the line is now not any faster than other lines because it is full of non-AP holders who will mostly struggle with "touch your MB to the Mickey while you put your finger on the pad".

 

[Momofone92]

If I am repeating ignore me I didn't read everything. We are AP holders but no one checked to go through the special line. It was a trust thing. Also I have to say an AP bag check line would be nice too. My bag is see thru and I can get through in seconds lol

 

[Orsino]

He said it is absolutely pointless.

Thanks for the perk Disney looked good on paper.

I figured that was going to be the case.
The tap styles are such a mess with so many people, organizing a separate line is basically impossible.

 

[HopperFan]

If I am repeating ignore me I didn't read everything. We are AP holders but no one checked to go through the special line. It was a trust thing. Also I have to say an AP bag check line would be nice too. My bag is see thru and I can get through in seconds lol

I figured that was going to be the case.
The tap styles are such a mess with so many people, organizing a separate line is basically impossible.

To make it legit, the scanners should be set to not accept non-AP tickets. Big sign AP ONLY. You know like Cash Only, FP+ Only ....

Sounds more like a trick to get AP folks to go to the far scanners which often aren't utilized as much .. we normally bee-line for them. Too bad, I thought it was a perk. Oh well it seems like it was just for the holidays so Disney can just pretend they perked us something.

 

[mattsdragon]

Cool, now all I have to do is convert my son's tickets to APs (which we were planning on doing anyway) and at least I'll have 2 days of enjoying it during my trip next week. Now if we could just get our own bag check line.

Security doesn't check gate passes. How are they supposed to know if you are an AP holder or not?