Big Changes for FASTPASS

[meatballsmom]

I'll try to play devil's advocate here. I think if Fast Passes were originally for on-site guests than off-site guests would not think twice about it. But to take a benefit away from guests who are used to it....I think that's where people get up in arms. What about all those dear lucky Florida residents who live close enough to drive to the parks too? We're forgetting those guests as well. Disney will do what Disney wants because it's a business and if they think changing will help their business they'll do it, no matter what guests say

Also, to comment on another poster's comment that there should be another benefit besides transportation for on-site guests....(and I am sure others can chime in, in case I missed something)...EMH, dining plans, etc. There are obviously more perks to staying on-site than transportation (especially since everyone uses the transportation!

I'm the one who commented on the transportation and I knew there were a couple more things, I was using it as an example. I just remember as a child you seemed to get better benefits for staying onsite.

 

[Avalanche]

I think they should make fast pass only for Disney Resort guest, but I also believe that Disney transportation should be better at the deluxe resorts. Just my personal experience is that other then the monorail the moderates have just as good or better transportation.

We have waited over an hour at GF for a bus to DD. Couldn't get back to MGM from Boardwalk during thunderstorm because boats stopped running during storm. (They should start running buses during storms, but we were told they don't). Ended up taking bus to MK after waiting an over an hour.

These are just two situations we incountered on our trip last summer. There have been many more over the years. If I was paying $$$$ to stay at these resorts I would have been pretty angry.

There should be more perks for staying at the deluxe resorts, but the only perk you can count on is a bigger room with bigger beds. Not worth the extra $$$$.

 

[planning06]

I agree that you should not take away priviledges from people. That is a sure way to harbor resentment and lose paying guests. If WDW would like to offer more privilidges to onsite guests then maybe give guests that stay at resorts a set number of FPs each day. That way they wouldn't have to travel to all the different attractions at different times and wait until after they use 1 FP to get another. It would add a perk of convenience for onsite guests. Others could still get FPs using the current system.

 

[TinkerbellMama]

Disney will do what Disney wants because it's a business and if they think changing will help their business they'll do it, no matter what guests say

I'm gonna have to disagree here. If Disney does things "no matter what guest say" that hurts their bottom line instead of helping them. From a business perspective, it is possible to make a mistake and then have to backpedal because you misjudged. Disney most definitely does listen to what guest "say"...with their wallets.

 

[Connor' Dad]

I think they should make fast pass only for Disney Resort guest, but I also believe that Disney transportation should be better at the deluxe resorts.

How about rickshaws pulled by people staying off-site.

 

[Tinkim]

How about rickshaws pulled by people staying off-site.

Every once in a while I see a comment here that just strikes me funny and I have to laugh out loud.

 

[DutchsMommy]

I think I've lost what the original suggestion was re: FP - I actually re-read the beginning of this thread to find out, and I don't see one specific change being considered?? In any case, I personally think this a bit of a far fetched rumour (hope I don't have to eat those words!). Reason why I think that - while some guests may have complained about having to tramp over the whole Park to get their FP (which I guess would be the complaint? Can't think of anything else to complain about with FP?) Disney would definately want them tramping through the whole Park. If they were to give out FPs in a centralized location, or at the gate, then people would just beeline to the rides of choice, thereby missing out on hundreds of ice cream carts, shops selling plush Mickey's right at child eye level, balloon vendors beckoning etc etc. Therefore, I don't see the benefit of centralizing. As for limiting to onsite guests only, I don't think they would be willing to upset their offsite guests to entice their onsite guests, as I beleive (this might be wrong) that the offsite guests outnumber the onsite guests. Maybe if they thought this would be enough to lure offsite to stay onsite, but I don't think they would take the risk personally. Just MHO

 

[pumpkinboy]

originally posted byminnie61650
You cannot go to front of line just by using a wheel chair or ECV.
The waiting areas may located in other area so the ride may be slowed or stopped for those needing extra time to get on or get off an attraction.
Most of ques are handicapped accessable now and most wheelchair and Evc users wait as long or longer as any other guest.

As the father of a wheelchair-bound 7 yr old DS, I can affirm that even with a Guest Assistance Card which allows us to enter thru the FP lane, it will frequently take us longer to board a ride than those waiting in the standby line. At Buzz Lightyear for example (DS's fav') tho we enter thru the "alternate entrance" (in this case: FP lane), we join the main queue near where the ride boards, and we wait there for a good while. Then, bcs we need to ride in the wheelchair, we have to leave the boarding platform, go thru a narrow little passage to the end of the ride, and wait there until someone notices us, then wait for the wheelchair car to come around (assuming they are both operating on the ride that day, then have them slow down the ride for us to board. Then of course, everything is great, and we're exceedingly happy; and sometimes, if nobody else is waiting for the wheelchair car, they will let us ride twice in a row.

Some rides we just can't go on bcs DS is unable to ride them, like Test any fo the big 'Coasters, Dinosaur or ToT. Others are a royal pain bcs we have to carry him on, like Pirates, Peter Pan, Haunted Mansion (these will soon be impossible for us as he gets bigger). There are some shows where we need to show up 30 mins or more ahead of time bsc otherwise all the Wheelchair spots get filled up. And don't even get me started on Fantasmic, and able-bodied folks squatting in the wheelchair seating...

Anyhow, we always have a really good time, it just takes longer sometimes, even with the Guest Assistance Card.

I'd be up for that Rickshaw transportation tho!

 

[Tinkim]

pumpkinboy ~ It never ceases to amaze me when I see people at WDW or anywhere else in the handicap reserved section that shouldn't be. My kids have pointed these out a few times while looking for a seat because they were empty and they didn't see the wheelchair symobol but I explained that those seats were not for us and they understand that at their age. I also have a friend who uses her dad's handicap parking permit in her car when he's not with her and it drives me bonkers.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I've learned to take Jim Hill's comments with more than a grain of salt. In 2003 he stated definitively that the Haunted Mansion Holiday was coming to WDW. In 2004 he stated definitively that the Haunted Mansion Holiday was coming to WDW. I'm sure if I went through his old archives I could find other rumors that he helped spread that never came about. He seems to be unconfirmed rumor central, and takes great delight in stirring up people.

Jim Hill's been pretty fired up and PO'ed after he was thrown out of Disneyland for giving non-Disney sponsored tours a couple months ago.

As long as we're talking RUMORS, and that'as exactly what this is, how would my fellow posters feel if, instead of exclusively giving FP access to WDW resort guests, how about if FP is considered an option when buying your tickets. If you want a FP for all rides, you buy one at the turnstyles, say for $30-50 per guest. It would be alot like the options given for the MYW tickets, but everyone, including AP holders, could buy one for the day. If a guest doesn't want to FP, then just don't buy the ticket. Problem solved and "fair" for all guests!

 

[twotoohappy]

... those guest who either cant afford to stay on site or just choose not to (I am in the latter group).
....... all of those filthy offsite guests are using YOUR fast pass!

I have never labeled or judged anyone here. I was simply stating my opinion on FP. You are the one who called offsite guests - including yourself - filthy. I'm sorry that you are not able to appreciate others opinions. Instead of attacking another poster, it would be more appropriate to state your opinion in a civilized fashion.

 

[tlbwriter]

As long as they treat DVC as deluxe, I'd be very happy with that arrangement.

(Seriously, I suspect that they'll continue to treat DVC as deluxe as long as they have DVC to sell.)

But as soon as they're sold out, you guys are TOAST!

I really like the idea of distributing FP at the entrance, as well as near the ride itself.

 

[Magickndm]

What about all those dear lucky Florida residents who live close enough to drive to the parks too? We're forgetting those guests as well.

Exactly.
For those of you using the school of thought that if you can afford to stay on site then you alone get FP's, here's something I'm sure you'll agree to. Since you can afford luxury accomodations, then maybe you should pay more for your hamburger, or water, or even tickets getting in. I'm sorry, but once you walk through those gates, I pay as much as you for everything there.

 

[ryanmilla]

If its not broken, don't fix it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Connor' Dad
How about rickshaws pulled by people staying off-site.


Sorry, but this is funny!

 

[bicker]

For those of you using the school of thought that if you can afford to stay on site then you alone get FP's, here's something I'm sure you'll agree to. Since you can afford luxury accomodations, then maybe you should pay more for your hamburger, or water, or even tickets getting in.

That's a spurious analogy. These suggestions don't have on-site guests paying for FastPasses. It has them paying more for their rooms in return for some measure of priority with regard to getting FastPasses. So, the logic corresponding to restaurants would actually go something like, "Since you can afford luxury accommodations, Disney can charge you even more for your room in return for the privilege of using a priority ordering line at counter service restaurants." I'm not sure how much that would be worth to resort guests versus how much it would "cost" Disney, in terms of logistics and off-site guest dissatisfaction. I'm not arrogant enough to think they haven't considered the idea, so I have to conclude that they have determined that the value-proposition isn't there.

 

[holcomb-mania]

I think a class-based system for FastPass is a horrible idea. Disney would be crushed in the media if they did it. Someone staying in a value may actually be spending MORE as a percentage of the annual income/net worth than someone in concierge at the GF.

Besides, don't deluxe guests receive benefits as a result of their resort choice already? Bigger beds, better restaurants, better resort locations, concierge availability, childcare (Simba's, Neverland Club), etc. How much is enough?

And I speak as someone who's stayed (and will stay) in deluxe.

That said, FastPass is fine as is. Or maybe only brown-eyed people should get it?

 

[dis_danny]

One point that I think gets lost in many of these debates is that any proposed change to the present system needs to keep the total number of passes distributed near the present level. If any of the alternate distribution systems leads to a proliferation of passes, the benefit is soon lost - you will end up waiting an hour in the fast pass line the same as you would in the standby line. That's why WDW can't use a system like US/IOA and give all onsite guests FOTL access - there are just too many onsite rooms. Even a system that offers guests the opportunity to buy fastpass access will soon be stretched to its limits and some will have to be denied.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

What about making it a separate ticket available for every guest, on or off site to purchase?!?! Does this make absolutely no sense or is everyone more interested in arguing about resort perks?

 

[grimley1968]

a) I think this will prove to be an "unfounded rumor". Jim Hill Media is full of these.

b) I think the system works quite well as is.

 

[minniedisney1]

I don't want to step on anyone's toes here or offend anyone, but my opinion is......... do like US/IOA. You can buy a FOTL pass with your ticket if you choose, (I think they have 2/3? different options) or if you stay onsite, you use your room key to get in the FOTL. Everyone has the option that way if they want it. It just depends on how you want to get one (Buy w/ticket or stay onsite).