Essay: My Experience with FastPass Plus

[dwheaton]

Figured you all might be interested in this post that I wrote for Theme Park Insider about my experiences with FastPass Plus on our last trip in late January:

http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201503/4453/

There were parts of FP+ that I liked, and I was quite the skeptic. Still, there are still some challenges.

 

[BugsDaddy]

I think it was a well-written, fair assessment. I think that opinions certainly vary but you did a good job of illustrating some of the common advantages/disadvantages of the system.

 

[Planogirl]

Nicely written and very well balanced report. I appreciate you sharing it.

 

[dwheaton]

Thanks. It's a tricky topic and one that gets people riled up (as you can see from the comments below the article). I'm still not thrilled about it, but there are certain benefits for some guests.

 

[Shaden]

I generally like the article, other than one point.

The .... People who used to "game" the system. Gaming the system implies that you did something wrong, that you abused it or used it in a way it wasn't intended to be used. That was not the case. Legacy FP was much more effective for people who used the system, period. you didn't need to game it. The first year we used it I read nothing, wasn't a member of these boards, had no idea what I was doing. Just noticed there were fastpass lines, and machines, and asked a CM, and then proceeded to FP our butts off.

 

[dwheaton]

I generally like the article, other than one point.

The .... People who used to "game" the system. Gaming the system implies that you did something wrong, that you abused it or used it in a way it wasn't intended to be used. That was not the case. Legacy FP was much more effective for people who used the system, period. you didn't need to game it. The first year we used it I read nothing, wasn't a member of these boards, had no idea what I was doing. Just noticed there were fastpass lines, and machines, and asked a CM, and then proceeded to FP our butts off.

I think you're reading more into the term "game" than what I intended, and that's an error by me. What I really mean is that they used the system to its best advantage. I've done that. I went to Disneyland and scored a ridiculous amount of FPs, and it was totally within the rules of the system. I just mean people that understand the system realized that you could enjoy a lot of attractions if you knew what you were doing.

 

[Shaden]

I think you're reading more into the term "game" than what I intended, and that's an error by me. What I really mean is that they used the system to its best advantage. I've done that. I went to Disneyland and scored a ridiculous amount of FPs, and it was totally within the rules of the system. I just mean people that understand the system realized that you could enjoy a lot of attractions if you knew what you were doing.

I was hoping that was indeed how you meant it, as the article is quite fair and balanced. Just wanted to point out that's not usually how people use the term "Game" as in "gaming a system".

I too was one of the folks who go SO very much done with legacy fast pass and while I don't hate FP+, there are definitely elements of it I do not like and on the whole it is has had a negative impact on our vacation.

I do wonder what I would think if there was no legacy Fast pass, if Fast Pass+ was the first iteration of this system and I know I can't say for sure because I never experienced the parks without FP-.

 

[Planogirl]

I did tour the parks without any type of fastpass and it wasn't too bad. That's when the UOG was created and their touring plans were excellent. Also, the parks were far less crowded and IMO a few of them had a lot more to do than they do now.

 

[Magic Band Defender]

Also, the parks were far less crowded and IMO a few of them had a lot more to do than they do now.

To me, that's the #1 problem and the heart of Fast Pass + complaints. The lines aren't longer than legacy guests remember because of FastPass+, they're longer because park attendance goes up every year at a much faster rate than ride capacity does.

 

[Shaden]

To me, that's the #1 problem and the heart of Fast Pass + complaints. The lines aren't longer than legacy guests remember because of FastPass+, they're longer because park attendance goes up every year at a much faster rate than ride capacity does.

They are also longer because of FP+, just about everyone admits this. Because fast pass has been expanded to rides that didn't have fast pass before, and because the ratio of FP to SB riders has increased as well, and because more people are using FP+ than legacy FP, SB lines are in fact longer for a considerable number of rides. Do increased crowds also have an impact on this, of course. But FP+ naturally increases the wait times as well.

 

[dwheaton]

Right. I think it's both examples. We went in 2005 in January and Disney World was a ghost town. It was more crowded in 2008 but still fairly easy. Things have really changed on our recent trips. Even as recently as 2012, however, you could still walk on to Pirates and Haunted Mansion. I know that it was more crowded in 2015, but not enough to bring 40-minute lines to those rides. Fastpass Plus is impacting the lines along with the lack of increased capacity to make up for crowds.

 

[Shaden]

Agreed its not the apocalypse or anything, I don't think it "ruins" a WDW vacation, heck we at looking at going in November There are some advantages to the system. But there are also some negative impacts, and its important to recognize that too.

 

[UKKidd]

What I would like to know is if it's more beneficial when the parks are super busy. Your article and examples are all when the park is in a slower season. So, is FastPass+ beneficial in times like the Easter holidays or June? Or...are FP lines even longer, making standby even longer because there's a surplus of people? Or, are FP lines still averaging about 20 min?

I would imagine that the number of FP tickets allotted per ride wouldn't change from day-to-day. For example, I would think that seven dwarves mine train would offer, say, 100 FP per hour in January, and they would still offer 100 FP per hour in July or April. If this is true, wouldn't it mean that FPs are only truly beneficial when the park is crowded?

I am more than willing to admit my logic is wrong, lol, I just want a clearer picture.