fast pass getting less useful

[Allison]

Is their really decling attendance? I don't have hard facts but I read a lot on these boards about times of the year that used to be slow not being slow anymore. I also read a lot about the great ap room discounts that used to exist not being around anymore. I would presume this is because the rooms are already filled.

Sorry, I'm not intentionally being argumentative but I don't see the impact you think exists.

 

[HPotter]

Nothing like fast cars, fast women and fast passess...

 

[Robo]

There has been talk of declining attendance, could that be a result, at least partially, of this unhappiness? I do not know, but, it is possible.

DECLINING ATTENDANCE?

I often quote the late baseball legend Yogi Berra, who (might have) said,

"That place is so crowed nobody goes there anymore."



And to say that people who are in standby lines are "unhappy" is unsupportable (at least you didn't try to support it).

 

[AUDramaQueen]

OK, I'm breaking my promise not to post but this has to be answered. I am not ignoring those that are happy. Again do the math, compare the lines! Where are the majority of the guests? In the standby lines...because there are only a comparitive few FP's available. In other words a small minority (not enough to keep Disney supported) are happy. The majority are not. Sure all those happy people will return, but are they enough?

There has been talk of declining attendance, could that be a result, at least partially, of this unhappiness? I do not know, but, it is possible.

One last time...I, personally, do not like FP. In my opinion, it has generated more bad feelings then good. That opinion is not based on my ability to get a FP (I don't even try). It is based on my observations coupled with my 20+ years of attending the parks and not on if I can get multiple rides on the same attraction. No one needs to accept that opinion, it is mine and I have tried to explain why I feel that way. I never expected the FP lovers to change to my way of thinking, I merely wanted to point out what I consider to be flaws in the system and hoped that someone would respect my right to have that opinion regardless of finding it valid or invalid.

Nuff said! Moving on!

I'm sure you won't read this because you're not posting anymore, but for the sake of those who are still reading.

Here is a quote from Theme Park Insider:
"In North America, Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom continued to lead the nation, with an increase of 6.5 percent, pushing the park's 2005 attendance to more than 16 million visitors. Nationwide, attendance at the nation's top 50 parks increased 4.2 percent.

Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Orlando, 16.1 million, +6.5 percent
Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif. 14.5 million, +8.5 percent
Epcot at Walt Disney World in Orlando, 9.9 million, +5.5 percent
Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World in Orlando, 8.6 million, +5 percent
Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Orlando, 8.2 million, +5 percent
Universal Studios Florida at Universal Orlando, 6.1 million, -8.5 percent
Disney's California Adventure in Anaheim, Calif., 5.8 million, +3.6 percent
Universal's Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando, 5.76 million, -8.5 percent"

It's fine that you don't like fastpass, more for the rest of us, but it is not causing declining attendence. Actually, it's quite the opposite. And while guests might be unhappy watching others go in front of them, I'm sure if some logic minded person explained to them that the people with FP's have been waiting just as long as they have (sometimes longer) to ride that ride and that they too could have saved the time standing in line, any logic minded person would understand. These people in stand-by are upset because they are not informed. I know because, I didn't know what fastpass was either one trip and I thought people were getting special treatment.

Another point, comparatively speaking, most rides don't have have fastpass so these people who are mad that others are cutting in front of them, would only be mad a fraction of the time unless they only rode FP rides. Again, I think if someone took the time to explain what FP really is (not cutting, but holding someone's place) they would understand and not be mad. Of course, some people just get mad about anything. Whatever!

 

[goofyernmost]

"every time I think I'm out...you suck me back in". No solid evidence exists about the unhappiness in the standby lines WITH fastpass availability. There might be some survey someplace but I don't know that. It is (once again) my observation and what I have heard while in line.

I also don't know why I have to keep defending what I am telling you is my opinion. Are you trying to convince me that you are correct and I am completely wrong? If you like FP and it works for you, by all means, use it. That's what it's there for.

I guess I am just nostalgic for the old days when everyone wasn't in such a blasted hurry. When you could stop and smell the roses and not run by them so fast that they were just a blotch of color in the background.

I will repeat, FastPass Will Live Or Die By It's Own Merit. If it is perceived by Disney to be a valuable tool to increase business it will be there long after I'm dead. If not, it will be gone. I have no power over that, I just have an opinion that I am sticking with.

By the way, for future reference, I didn't say I wasn't going to read the posts, I just said I wasn't going to respond. Now that I have cleared that up, continue on with your discussions and I will make every attempt to keep my promise.

 

[Whosemom]

We made extensive use of the fp system on our recent trip in June. It was VERY crowded. We waited no more than 15 minutes for anything. So, OP - I'd say, no, the fp has not lost its effectiveness.

I don't for the life of me see how "bad manners" or "abusing the priveledge" even play into it. If the computer lets me get a fast pass, how am I hurting you? Isn't that like saying if I am driving and know an area, I am cheating when I take a short cut? Oops, I got across town faster than Mr Newguy. I need to resume my place in congested traffic.

This was the first time we have used them, because in the past I fretted about the "end time". I hate to have a close schedule on vacation. When we found out that was not an issue, it became more attractive. And we had a blast. And our "blast" as far as I can see, did not detract from anyone elses "blast" in any way.

As my 10 year old said, "Line, no line. What do they not get?" LOL. Well, WE didn't get it either for two or three trips.

BABYSWAP: We got fp for 5 of us for Everest, and ds chickened out. DH took the two girls. I waited at the exit. We were given a baby pass for 3 to go back on. I took the 2 girls. Then we had 2 fp left over, so I walked them to the fp line entrance, watched til they were in and picked them up at the other end. This is not abuse of the system, because it was all with-in the rules, and it didn't hurt anyone else.

 

[missypie]

Spread the word to everyone, "Fast Passes are evil and wicked and don't work and are unfair. Don't use them!"

Then, MY family will be able to get all the FPs we need!

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

In my opinion that is one of the reasons that FP is a joke. It is really so everyone has the time to enjoy all Disney has to offer, not just so one person can take multiple rides on the same thing. Yes, I know it is there for the using and I don't get upset that you used your brain and figured out a way to make the system work for your needs. That being said, however, it is a fact that only a specific number of FP's are given out each day. For every "additional" FastPass that you used, you deprived someone else of that experience. There is no way to police it nor am I sure it should be. Disney created that monster and only they can fix it. The sooner FastPass is history the happier I will be. It is examples like this that will trigger that change. Some poor smuck HAD to stand in standby for an hour or better because someone went on it three times and used up two FastPasses to do it. Multiply that by the number of people doing exactly the same thing and I'll bet it is a staggering number.

Oh stop!

 

[FDV]

If they got rid of FP entirely then EVERY "poor schmuck" in teh park would have to stand in the standby lines for an hour or more for every attraction.

As far as I can see, anyone that doesn't grab as many fast passes as he can, is a "schmuck" by definition. Hmmm, stand in line for an hour, or grab a fastpass and do something else for an hour... Which is more intelligent?

 

[Sleeping Becca]

The #1 rule of successful vacationing is planning. It doesn't matter if you are visiting Disneyworld or New York City, the key is researching your destination. Showing up at Disney at 1:00pm everyday is just not good planning. Just like showing up in NYC and saying OK what is there to do here? Don't get mad at others because of your poor planning. Believe me I wish I could "show up" and get to ride everything I wanted to with minimal waits, it's just not a reality. If you vist Disney during a busy time of year, BE PREPARED. That means knowing the ends and outs of the fastpass system, and knowing what rides to ride first, and what rides or attractions can be experienced later in the day.

By having fastpass Disney is moving people from lines for popular attractions and increasing the number of guests in non-popular attractions. Before fastpass very few guests were on the trails in AK, now both trails are full of guests. So instead of waiting 90 min to ride space mountian, more people are going to ride TTA or COP. I'm getting to see a lot more than before Fastpass.

Utilizing Fastpass to it's fullest potenial for your own benefit is not cheating, its smart. Disney loves Fastpass, and applied for 7 new fastpass patents, so get used to it Fastpass is here to stay.

My $ .02

 

[ZoZo]

I don't understand the comments about it being "unfair" to get more than one fastpass for an attraction on the same day (at different times). How is that depriving someone else of being able to ride that attraction? There are no restrictions about riding the same ride more than once in a day in the standby line - if you really like a ride, you could ride it all day if you want! The FP system is no different -- if you choose to get all of your FPs for the same ride during that day, it's totally up to you.

I don't get the logic of that statement.

 

[ntsammy5]

We find them fairly useful. But you have to know how to use them to maximize their benefit. Plus, you have to take into account the rides that can develop long lines that do not use fastpass.

Bingo. Was there last December and used them only when it made sense. When lines are not long, don't use them. You need to get them early on some rides though. Still beats the alternative. The ones I find them especially useful for is Buzz and Soarin, maybe EE at AK but I haven't ridden that yet. Do things, where you can, like single rider at Test Track. I must admit I've been lucky with FP, but I still like them and use them.

 

[HaleyB]

Wow, who knew fast passes were such a hot topic.

Use them, don't use them, to each his own.

 

[notnothin]

Wow, who knew fast passes were such a hot topic.

Use them, don't use them, to each his own.

Hehe, I say don't use 'em! ... More for us!

 

[DLR29]

Disney loves Fastpass, and applied for 7 new fastpass patents, so get used to it Fastpass is here to stay.

My $ .02

I wouldn't say it that Disney "Loves" FP. Look what they did at DLR. They took out the FP machines at HM, PotC, Star Tours, MaoWtP(I agree it didn't need it), MuppetVision, Millionaire, ITtbaB, and they didn't have them for the new Monster's Inc ride and they won't be having them for the new Submarine ride(which WILL be quite popular). There are also rumors that LwtL at EP might be losing theirs.

 

[Jobie]

In my opinion that is one of the reasons that FP is a joke. It is really so everyone has the time to enjoy all Disney has to offer, not just so one person can take multiple rides on the same thing. Yes, I know it is there for the using and I don't get upset that you used your brain and figured out a way to make the system work for your needs. That being said, however, it is a fact that only a specific number of FP's are given out each day. For every "additional" FastPass that you used, you deprived someone else of that experience. There is no way to police it nor am I sure it should be. Disney created that monster and only they can fix it. The sooner FastPass is history the happier I will be. It is examples like this that will trigger that change. Some poor smuck HAD to stand in standby for an hour or better because someone went on it three times and used up two FastPasses to do it. Multiply that by the number of people doing exactly the same thing and I'll bet it is a staggering number.

WAH WAH WAH WAH! Somebody call him the frickn' WHAMBULANCE!

Yes that is right I am sending you some flames! Really hot ones!

 

[Robo]

I don't understand the comments about it being "unfair" to get more than one fastpass for an attraction on the same day (at different times).

Its a position based on emotion.
When someone tells you how they "feel", then don't try to make sense of it using logic... most times it can't be justified.

Everyone has the right to their "feelings" but they are many times illogical.

 

[mygr8kdz]

assuming a fastpass return time of one hour, then each guest in the park is entitled to one fastpass per hour throughout the day.
where does it bend the rules if they get one for each fp-enabled attraction, or several for one single attraction?
to those of us who have researched, planned, and dragged ourselves out of bed to be there for opening, then our reward is the opportunity to ride several attractions (or one attraction several times) with minimal waiting. everyone has the opportunity to be awarded the same way. and disney's reward? guests having more time to spend in gift shops and restaurants.

 

[DOOM1001]

OK, I'm breaking my promise not to post but this has to be answered. I am not ignoring those that are happy. Again do the math, compare the lines! Where are the majority of the guests? In the standby lines...because there are only a comparitive few FP's available. In other words a small minority (not enough to keep Disney supported) are happy. The majority are not. Sure all those happy people will return, but are they enough?

There has been talk of declining attendance, could that be a result, at least partially, of this unhappiness? I do not know, but, it is possible.

One last time...I, personally, do not like FP. In my opinion, it has generated more bad feelings then good. That opinion is not based on my ability to get a FP (I don't even try). It is based on my observations coupled with my 20+ years of attending the parks and not on if I can get multiple rides on the same attraction. No one needs to accept that opinion, it is mine and I have tried to explain why I feel that way. I never expected the FP lovers to change to my way of thinking, I merely wanted to point out what I consider to be flaws in the system and hoped that someone would respect my right to have that opinion regardless of finding it valid or invalid.

Nuff said! Moving on!

Ok, I go to the parks 15-20 times during the year, different times with different crowd levels and FP in my opinion is one of the greatest inventions EVER!!!! I've gone days that you'd think we would be waiting in lines all day due to huge crowds and with FP, single lines and knowing what are good stand-by lines to make we never made a line over 15 minutes all day!!!Of course sometimes if you park hop to a park and want to ride something where the Stand-by line is 50 minutes and the FP's are out you're out of luck but believe me if you know what you're doing with them you can do a lot more things and wait in line a lot less!!!

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

Wow.
Just got back yesterday.
Sorry I could not join in the fun.
I was not saying Fast Pass is bad just that I think a majority of the people have caught up with the tricks. Like large groups have people go inside another park on the way back to the hotel and have one person hit a ride or 2.
I should not have used useless but meant that I felt it was not as effective as it was in prior years. My youngest is three and my wife does not like rides so nobody likes the idea of fastpass.