Answers about Fastpass Fate

[ter-moo]

My DS and I had a nice chat with a CM at Toy Story Midway Mania last week when the ride was down for the whole morning. He told us that TSMM was NEVER going to get FastPass, nor was Disney planning on having it for any of the new attractions coming in to CA over the next couple of years.

He said that at WDW, where TSMM HAS a Fastpass, they are only able to process about 700 guests per hour, and the stand-by line has been known to be 2-3 hours long at time. At CA, they're able to process 1000 guests/hour and the line is never longer than 35-45 minutes, even at busy times.

He said Fastpass is great for some attractions, but for many it just slows things down, rather than speeds them up, and that they'll be phasing it out on many rides over the coming years.

I would miss Fastpass if they did that--as much of my park strategy relies heavily on it, but I can see the logic in what this CM was saying.

I know there have been rumors of doing away with it, but this was the first time I actually heard some facts/figures. Anyone else hear anything like this?

 

[blackjackdelta]

My DS and I had a nice chat with a CM at Toy Story Midway Mania last week when the ride was down for the whole morning. He told us that TSMM was NEVER going to get FastPass, nor was Disney planning on having it for any of the new attractions coming in to CA over the next couple of years.

He said that at WDW, where TSMM HAS a Fastpass, they are only able to process about 700 guests per hour, and the stand-by line has been known to be 2-3 hours long at time. At CA, they're able to process 1000 guests/hour and the line is never longer than 35-45 minutes, even at busy times.

He said Fastpass is great for some attractions, but for many it just slows things down, rather than speeds them up, and that they'll be phasing it out on many rides over the coming years.

I would miss Fastpass if they did that--as much of my park strategy relies heavily on it, but I can see the logic in what this CM was saying.

I know there have been rumors of doing away with it, but this was the first time I actually heard some facts/figures. Anyone else hear anything like this?

Rumors, I am not sure I would consider anon CM with having much fact. I can understand why they would do that and it certainly would sway my decision about attending at certain times. I can remember when there were no fastpasses.

Jack

 

[WannaBeAPrincess]

I honestly wouldn't be too sad to see them do away with all fastpasses...I know I'm in the minority though.

 

[bumbershoot]

"He said that at WDW, where TSMM HAS a Fastpass, they are only able to process about 700 guests per hour, and the stand-by line has been known to be 2-3 hours long at time. At CA, they're able to process 1000 guests/hour and the line is never longer than 35-45 minutes, even at busy times."


That's the exact opposite of what some other learned people have said about the difference between the two.

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

What that cast member told you is true. We have been told by upper level management that none of the new attractions at DCA will have fastpass. Also they said its possible it will be phased out on several attractions over the next few years.

 

[blackjackdelta]

I honestly wouldn't be too sad to see them do away with all fastpasses...I know I'm in the minority though.

Why is that?

Jack

 

[DangerMouse]

Go ahead and remove it from Autopia. I won't cry, I promise!

 

[blackjackdelta]

Go ahead and remove it from Autopia. I won't cry, I promise!

You are right, what a waste...but I never ride it, it kills my knees.

Jack

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

Go ahead and remove it from Autopia. I won't cry, I promise!

Hahaha... I totally agree. As someone who regularly works Autopia, its more of a pain then anything else. I am guessing Autopia will be one of the first attractions to loose it.

 

[WannaBeAPrincess]

Why is that?

Jack

I just feel that the whole fastpass system clogs up the lines. Might not be true for all the rides, but I just noticed lately how a 30 minute wait can turn into 45 because the fastpasses keep flooding in. The system also tends to make things more chaotic, with people running in this direction, and then in that one collecting FP's at a frantic pace. Seems too high stress to me. I just wonder if they did away with the whole FP system, how fast the lines would move. Did you ever notice how fast lines move at the end of the night when they stop giving out the passes? Just my observations...I could be completely wrong...it's been known to happen

 

[blackjackdelta]

I just feel that the whole fastpass system clogs up the lines. Might not be true for all the rides, but I just noticed lately how a 30 minute wait can turn into 45 because the fastpasses keep flooding in. The system also tends to make things more chaotic, with people running in this direction, and then in that one collecting FP's at a frantic pace. Seems too high stress to me. I just wonder if they did away with the whole FP system, how fast the lines would move. Did you ever notice how fast lines move at the end of the night when they stop giving out the passes? Just my observations...I could be completely wrong...it's been known to happen

But would you not add those folks to the regular lines and since the loading times are static the length of time to the ride does not change. Or it may even cause the regular line to get shorter just because of the added wait time.
I could never figure out why there are so many folks in the regular lines if they have an option to use the FP system.

Jack

 

[disney-super-mom]

There are certain rides where fastpass just seems to be a waste because they often aren't needed, like for Autopia and Buzz Lightyear. Even if you see a line for Buzz Lightyear, it tends to move fast because Buzz is a continuously loading attraction.

But I can't imagine trying to go on other rides without fastpass, because the lines are almost always long, like Space Mountain or Soarin' over California. We always get fastpasses for Space Mountain and Soarin'.....ALWAYS.

And fastpasses for Indiana Jones is kind of funny in a way because you can only bypass the outside queue area. If you don't see a line on the outside of the temple, don't even bother to get a fastpass. Just go right on in.

 

[disheadz]

I would not be too upset if all were done away with, it would just change your strategy for the day. I will be upset if they charge for them or only award them to on property stayers.

 

[WannaBeAPrincess]

We are avid fastpass users since that is the way the system is set up, but I can't help but wonder if it's all for the best. My dh once stood in line for 15 minutes, just to get a FP for Indy. Waiting in one line, so he could go wait in another one. I notice people all the time abusing the system too...using FP's that are expired. Sure, most CM's will allow it, but it clogs the stand-by line. Or CM's allowing extra people in the FP line because Aunt Betty lost her ticket...just stuff I see all the time.

A lot of people don't even know how to use the FP, or they think it's something extra you have to pay for (my mother, for example). Those are the people all standing in the stand-by line.

As long as FP exists, I'll be a faithfull user, I just wonder if some rides would operate better without it.

 

[DLR29]

But would you not add those folks to the regular lines and since the loading times are static the length of time to the ride does not change. Or it may even cause the regular line to get shorter just because of the added wait time.
I could never figure out why there are so many folks in the regular lines if they have an option to use the FP system.

Jack

I totally agree. However, I do believe FP could be eliminated at some rides, such as BLAB because the line moves so quickly. That's why PotC and Winnie-the Pooh and some other rides/shows at DLR got rid of their FP a couple years ago (Muppets, Star Tours, regular HM, Bug).

While taking FP out of some rides might make the lines move quicker, I am going to use FP to my advantage as much as possible while they still have it around.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Every time the subject of FP removal comes up it always seems to be traced back to a CM at TSMM. Has anyone else noticed that?

In the 80's lines were normally 50 min to over an hour and that is just the way it was. You just waited. Our last trip we never waited longer than 20 min for a ride except for TSMM. During the busiest of times, TSMM wait was over an hour. In the afternoon it went down. We got new FPs every two hours and used them all day long. Even for Buzz, they make a difference. We would pick those up in the afternoon and evening when all the other FPs were out or at too late of a return time for us. Why wait 20 min for Buzz when we could get in 5 min with a FP?

 

[Golfing Goofy]

I will be upset if they charge for them or only award them to on property stayers.

Is that really a possibility?

 

[LuLusApple]

Iam sure they will start charging for them, only those with an extra 100$ a day or more will have them.
don't some other parks like universal Charge? What is that park in Georgia called that micechat did an article on? They have different levels of passes.

 

[Golfing Goofy]

Yikes.

 

[ChickenCarlos]

Every time the subject of FP removal comes up it always seems to be traced back to a CM at TSMM. Has anyone else noticed that?

In the 80's lines were normally 50 min to over an hour and that is just the way it was. You just waited. Our last trip we never waited longer than 20 min for a ride except for TSMM. During the busiest of times, TSMM wait was over an hour. In the afternoon it went down. We got new FPs every two hours and used them all day long. Even for Buzz, they make a difference. We would pick those up in the afternoon and evening when all the other FPs were out or at too late of a return time for us. Why wait 20 min for Buzz when we could get in 5 min with a FP?

I Agree, if you plan right and get new fast passes every 2 hours no matter what the ride, you get to do more. i really dont think it is the fast passes that are slowing the lines down, it is the people in the wheelchairs, i understand some people are old and need them to get around and such and some people have unexpected injuries, but time and time again i see huge groups or families holding up lines because one person in there group is in a wheelchair, i think they should have to wait to the side of the attraction until there family that is waiting in the regular line like everyone else makes it to the actual ride que. then they meet up at the boarding area. Fast passes are a godsend, and the fact that they are free is the greatest part, everyone had to learn how to use them at one point and the ones that dont want to or dont know how to use them dont get ahead, just like in life. You have to take time to learn new technologies to advance yourself in life and in line.