Disney says guests will be able to reserve ride times from home

[B.B. Sots]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/the-...eneration-experience-20110217,0,5411916.story


Future visitors to WDW will be able to reserve ride times from their home computers and bypass hotel check-in desks once they arrive at the resort, the head of the Disney's global theme-park division said during an investors conference Thursday.

This has Promise...

 

[gymnastgirlflips]

I'm not really sure how I feel about this. My family plans our trip out in a lot of detail, and deciding which attractions and shows we'll see and when would feel like another added pressure if we're planning it even more in advanced than that day. It wouldn't be hard since we know the parks so well, but I think new guests will be lost and have no idea what they're doing, especially at Disney World.

I'm all for the character/audio animatronic interaction between guests being personalized. That really would make my trip to hear Mr. Potatoe Head look at me, say my name, and start talking about my favorite food or something. Basic information like favorite characters, names, and birthdays would be great for those wristbands.

 

[B.B. Sots]

I hear you on the planning portion. Of course I was also resistant to fast pass. I am more curious about these changes than excited. Considering Disney is spending a Billion dollars on the project, I am sure there will be a huge press release when it becomes a reality.

 

[Michael623]

I took a survey on this concept years ago, it has taken a long time to roll this out.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If they do, I would hope that the reservation time is strictly enforced with no more than a 15 minute grace period. The only exception to this is if the attraction is down during the time of your reservation, you may then use it at any later time in the day.

Actually, I would also like to see them start enforcing the Fastpass return times property-wide within the one hour printed time.

 

[mike the canuck]

If they do, I would hope that the reservation time is strictly enforced with no more than a 15 minute grace period. The only exception to this is if the attraction is down during the time of your reservation, you may then use it at any later time in the day.

Actually, I would also like to see them start enforcing the Fastpass return times property-wide within the one hour printed time.

I like how they don't enforce the grace period. It makes it alot easier to do everything you want at a relaxed pace

 

[Oglet]

I like how they don't enforce the grace period. It makes it alot easier to do everything you want at a relaxed pace

What they need to do is....

1) Touchscreen fastpass machines where you select your return time based on what is available

2) Enforce the return times on those FP's

 

[Rekenna]

My initial reaction when reading this was, "Ew, I don't like this." But, then I thought of the craziness of making the RD at DHS for TSM and the silliness that ensues with the mad dash for the fastpass machines-so maybe that issue would be solved with pre-arranged ride times?

 

[fall08CP]

I see this being a huge negative for:

1. Locals
2. People who plan last minute (ie hard to get vacation time)
3. Unplanned ride refurbishments
4. Unplanned ride downtime (could be minutes.. or hours!)
5. Unplanned park hopping
6. First timers who don't grasp the hugeness of WDW
7. The less tech savvy
8. Kids (or adults!) who want nap breaks/pool time/food- NOW!

There's too much room for error.. they'd have to be lax on return times but that could be a nightmare as well. Or what if the Smith family has a 5:00 dinner reservation and the only available ride time is also 5:00? I can already see families showing up an hour early for their time slot and begging to get in then and there.. If it were a perfect world, this could work nicely... but with all the variables...

 

[B.B. Sots]

I see a few things in the future based on this information. I can see a day where we will pay for the booking the fastpass on-line. I Also see a day where the fastpass machines in the park become obsolete because everyone got their fastpass on-line (unless Disney limits the amount of passes that can be bought on-line, but this opens another bag of worms)

The one thing I am excited about is the Check in system being done by the time u arrive at the parks. Anyone who has stood in-line to check in for over an hour before heading to the park on the day of arrival should enjoy this option. Although the complimentary upgrades will probably disappear.

This whole story reminds me of something I read on the boards about the guest who was told "Disney will take care of everything." Only to leave everything he needed at home (tickets, res numbers, etc.) Looks like this may turn into life imitating Guest stories.

 

[katdralion]

What a terrible idea!

The mere thought of having to reserve ride times in advance has sent me into a blind panic! It's bad enough having to plan meals in advance. In fact we've given up on the dining plan for this reason as it was taking away the fun, having to plan everything around meals.

I take it this would also mean the end of the fastpass in its current form. So if you hadn't booked in advance there would be no alternative to long lines. Or even worse, would it mean that if you hadn't booked and the park was busy, you wouldn't be able to ride at all!

We like to go with the flow. We've been going to Disney since 1994 and never had a problem with this. If the lines are long we get a fastpass or we do something else and come back another time. No big deal!

If they introduce advance ride booking then I don't think we would be going back to Disney which would also mean selling our DVC.

I do hope they think this through properly.

 

[WDWTraveler1990]

What a terrible idea!

The mere thought of having to reserve ride times in advance has sent me into a blind panic! It's bad enough having to plan meals in advance. In fact we've given up on the dining plan for this reason as it was taking away the fun, having to plan everything around meals.

I take it this would also mean the end of the fastpass in its current form. So if you hadn't booked in advance there would be no alternative to long lines. Or even worse, would it mean that if you hadn't booked and the park was busy, you wouldn't be able to ride at all!

We like to go with the flow. We've been going to Disney since 1994 and never had a problem with this. If the lines are long we get a fastpass or we do something else and come back another time. No big deal!

If they introduce advance ride booking then I don't think we would be going back to Disney which would also mean selling our DVC.

I do hope they think this through properly.

I've been reading and I guess posting on this. But I still don't understand why this is a "terrible" idea. The execution may be bad. But I don't believe the idea is terrible.

No I don't think this is the end of the current fastpass system. You probably will still be able to get a fastpass in the park. Most likely they will allow a certain amount of them to be reserved online. But not all of them. Plus Disney will probably have rules for this kind of system. This system appears to be a system that allows you to get fastpass for one or two attractions before you enter the park. I keep assuming with all this cause Disney only laid out the idea. We have no idea how they intend to actual run this system. But I would think they are going to have limits on how you can use the program.

Think about DHS in the morning though. I would assume most people would have to hustle their way to either ToT, RcnR, or TSMM to either get in a stand by line or get a fastpass. At least that's what I've seen when I've been there over the summer. Well if you make a reservation for say ToT in the morning and TSMM towards evening, then you can relax and while everyone else is going to those attractions, you can go to MuppetVision or ST2 or GMR. Seems like that makes sense.

This would work great for my family. We are always hustling to Splash Mt., Soarin', ToT, or Safari in the mornings we visit the parks. With this, we can just relax and know we have a fastpass. A lot of people I know tell me about their trips they also tell me they hustle to get a fastpass. Getting a fastpass or two before you visit the park would allow to be more relaxed I think cause you don't have to stress about getting a fastpass or worrying if they have run out. Plus you don't have to use this system. There is still going to be a stand by line. And if Pooh and Haunted Mansion are any indication, they are going to be pretty cool stand by lines.

 

[DOPEY44]

Are we supose to schedule potty breaks too?????
Does Disney want its guest to be machines????
My heart breaks for what this is turning into.

 

[artesian]

So I don't see this anymore then being a fast pass system you book well in advance. They could keep both systems up and working and keep standby as is if they limit how many ticket they dole out. So like today fastpass and I'll use made up numbers they give 1000 tickets for ride x. As long as the 1000 stays constant there is no tremendous changes. So if 400 get fast passes in advance for ride x that leaves 600 for walk ups to get theirs. Am I flawed in my logic? Personally I do have a loose plans when i visit and having some flexibility of not making that made dash at rope drop for certain rides is appealing to me. Now if they ditch the the way it is now and go totally to online booking you absolutley screw the day trippers and or the the people that didnt book in advance. My gut tells me if they they are investing that kind of $$ into this they arent looking to alienate anyone just trying to improve upon the system in place today

 

[buzzCMlightyear]

I think this would only work if they do not allow people to come back late.

 

[fireflymedic]

If this were a poll I would vote I dont like it

I plan on being at the parkes at rope drop but my mom (slow with arthoritis) usually makes us late or I live her behind to catch up latter.

What I'm saying is plans change.

I get to many fast past machines after they have been closed down I feel the computer would be the same way for me as I dont have a phone that has internet and dont pay the 10 dollers to have it in the room

 

[Oglet]

Since it is going to happen, I hope there are some provisions added in.

1) You must at least have a park ticket
2) Ride/Show reservations should only be able to be made day/morning of park opening or day prior
3) Only Rides/Shows in the same park should only be permitted each day
4) By reserving a ride/show time your ticket is being pre activated for that day, regardless if you actually use it or not. (yeah I know, AP holders this wouldn't really matter)
5) Its done on a very limited basis, 1 or 2 reservations per day with the understanding that no more FP's can be issued until after the latest time on your reserved pass.

and finally "Due to the extreme popularity of Toy Story Mania fast passes will be made available on a first come first serve basis inside the park"

 

[GrnMtnMan]

I posted the following in 2008 on another fan website...my guess is that NextGEN will look something like this:

Imagine a new way to go to WDW...never wait in a line longer than 15 minutes again.

Imagine pre-scheduling your ride times the night before...or winging it the day of....go only where the lines are shortest, when they are short.

How could this miracle be possible? Let me introduce the WED hand-held communicator. About half the size of an iPhone - and water and shock proof. It has a touch screen interface and wifi capability, just like the iPhone. Its integrated GPS can locate where on WDW property you are.

The WED is standard issue in every room on WDW property. Units are also available at the kiosk at DTD and in many resorts in the WDW area. They can also be obtained at the entrance to every park for (with a $30 deposit). Get as many as you like, but you must put a deposit down for each one, and return it at the end of your trip...or mail it back when you get home if one got dropped in your luggage accidentally.

It recharges overnight in a base station, but can be swapped for a new one whenever you want at many locations in WDW parks and resorts. Lose your WED during the day? Don't worry. Nobody else can use it because its disabled the moment you report it missing...and your family's picture is seen by the CM (on his/her control panel) each time you use it.

The WED is your guide to WDW. In the parks, you use it to find your way around...it will even give you directions if you like! It knows when every show, parade, and character greeting is in every park.

It also is your universal fastpass ticket. Want to ride Pirates? Touch the Ride It! icon. WED will tell you how long the standby line is, or will give you several other times during the day when you can ride it. When your ride time rolls around, just flash your WED at the entrance CM, and be on your way.

But if you booked the prior evening via WED, your in-room TV, or WED's website (which is mobile phone enabled), just follow your previously scheduled itinerary.

But uh-oh...Space Mountain is 101 (having some technical difficulties). WED will alert you to this and ask you if you'd like to reschedule, and adjust all of the other ride time windows for the remainder of your day. When it starts to work again, an alert will let you know and will ask you if and when you want to ride or just skip it today.

But WED isn't just for scheduling rides, it does more.

Running late for a ADR because of something going 101? WED will alert your restaurant and tell you whether or not you can reschedule.

Want pizza instead of burgers for lunch...find out where they have what you want and touch the Eat Here! icon and get step by step directions. Get sidetracked? don't worry, WED knows where you are and where you want to go.

And now photopass is instantaneous. When your photographer takes a picture, it immediately get loaded to your WED for you to enjoy for the next 14 days.

And on your way out, make sure you go to the transport screen and tell Mickey where you'll be going. He'll be sure to call a bus driver, boat captain, or monorail pilot, and will have you vehicle ready as soon as possible.

So make sure your family picks up a WED the next time you visit!

Now I know this makes the civil libertarians cringe. But I guess I don't mind Mickey watching over me when I'm in his house.

But a system like this could let Disney tweak the fastpass system in millions of ways. They could let deluxe hotel guests pre-schedule their rides three hours earlier than moderates, and moderates two hours before value. Or it could be tied to if you bought a premium park pass or a 'value' ticket

And DVCs, AP holders could be classified where ever they want, depending on what category the decided when they bough their pass, as could CMs and others. Offsite guest could have similar options.

And guests could be incentiveized to go to different parks on different days, based on a scale of how much flexibility will be offered by the fastpass system in that park, for you, that day. You could be assured passes basically whenever you wanted in the AK one day, but you wouldn't be able to get any FPs in the MK that day...and you'd know this before you entered a park. And room would be left in the system for the spontaneous people....but planning would be rewarded (not just because it makes a guest experience better, buy Disney is better able to staff the parks if it knows who's coming).

Yes, the system might be extraordinarily complex and complicated behind the scenes, but very easy for a user. The user would have standby times and fastpass times, and have a limited number of choices in front of them when they actually have to make decisions.

 

[AnthonyJPreston]

.

 

[Donut23]

What a terrible idea!

The mere thought of having to reserve ride times in advance has sent me into a blind panic! It's bad enough having to plan meals in advance. In fact we've given up on the dining plan for this reason as it was taking away the fun, having to plan everything around meals.

I take it this would also mean the end of the fastpass in its current form. So if you hadn't booked in advance there would be no alternative to long lines. Or even worse, would it mean that if you hadn't booked and the park was busy, you wouldn't be able to ride at all!

We like to go with the flow. We've been going to Disney since 1994 and never had a problem with this. If the lines are long we get a fastpass or we do something else and come back another time. No big deal!

If they introduce advance ride booking then I don't think we would be going back to Disney which would also mean selling our DVC.

I do hope they think this through properly.

DH and I agree completely.

We have traveled to WDW and DL for many years....often a few times a year. We are no longer commandos.....we are far more relaxed and enjoy our holidays far more.

On our last trip we tried to dine off property as much as possible.....vs. planning 180 days in advance.....we also saved just over 40% on our food budget. It was flexible, food was sooooooo much better and we did not allow a "list" made months in advance to control our day.

Deciding ahead what rides we want to ride and when is simply not the way we travel to WDW any longer. We prefer to "stop and smell the roses" vs. pushing each day to go through the list.

Have tried it both ways....we enjoy less planning.


......but hey, expect Disney will eventually charge for this priviledge when they think they can get away with it. Perhaps more people will discover our way of Disney travel is fun too!!