Fast Pass Improvement Idea

[Polydweller]

OK, maybe here's an improvement idea that might be win-win:

Make a FP app. The FP would be controlled by the app, and the app would know the park status at any time. A few things this app could do:

- offer simple alerts: real time FP line lengths for all rides; the window for YOUR fastpass is opening (or closing); you are now eligible to get a FP for ride X at Ypm.
- offer occasional trades, call it FP (crowd) management - like "your FP for soarin is now usable, but there is a 20 minute line. Would you rather it be a FP for test track, where there is only a 5 min line? Click here to take the trade."
- offer occasional "reward" FPs - like a FP to ride EE late in the day if you visted Rafiki's Planet Watch during peak hours. These would be random perks that could help crowd flow while also encouraging people to stay in the parks.
- allow the app to manage group FPs. A group representative might go to the Soarin FP area (the phone coordinates would pick this up) and then from the phone allow 100 FPs to go to the group.

The app could generate a bar code when the user enters the FP line, and scanning the bar code would 'use' the FP. Not sure precisely how this would work for a group...but maybe the FP says "For 25" and then the CM standing at the front of the FP line counts 25 in the group.

It isn't perfect, but it could be really neat for those willing to play the game.

Uh huh. So now FP only works for Americans with unlimited data plans. So, anybody not from the US either can't get FPs or have to pay excessive roaming charges on their phones.

I guess if you're a company that wants to alienate a large portion of your customers that would work but otherwise it's a non-starter.

 

[reallybadeggs]

:The current system is simple...keep it simple.

I truly do get the argument that people generally don't like to think too much. I don't know how many times I've been in a FP line and heard a comment from a stand-byer to the effect of "Why are they allowed to be in THAT line".

But, ya know, when you take your refillable resort drink mug to the soda fountain and need to decide which drink you'd like to fill it with, you need to be able to find and press the Coke button if you want Coke. If you press the Sprite button and were expecting Coke, well.....

I think "universal" FP machines could be made simple enough that the average person who is willing to look before they leap would be able to manipulate the machine to get what they want almost every time.

I am not disagreeing that the current FP system is pretty good, I just think that it could be better, that is really all I'm saying.

 

[Reddog1134]

I disagree..FP from home would a disaster.
People would snatch up dozens with different e-mails, different computers
but same group.
In the end only cheaters would end up with them then people who actually went to the parks and rides would only get there to find out FP's gone shortly after rope drop if not before.

I've seen this time and time again.
lots of web sites have online photo/video contests and many are the person with the most votes wins.
almost without fail they end up going to someone who cheated by using programs that allow them to get through the system or rig voting in some way.
So the prize (in this case FP) never goes to the deserving but to the cheater.

I think if Disney did implement a "Fastpass at home" program, there would be ways to prevent that. The easiest one that comes to mind would be to make it a perk for staying on-site. That way it's tied to your reservation and you could only get FPs equal to the number of guests listed on your reservation.

 

[Reddog1134]

I truly do get the argument that people generally don't like to think too much. I don't know how many times I've been in a FP line and heard a comment from a stand-byer to the effect of "Why are they allowed to be in THAT line".

But, ya know, when you take your refillable resort drink mug to the soda fountain and need to decide which drink you'd like to fill it with, you need to be able to find and press the Coke button if you want Coke. If you press the Sprite button and were expecting Coke, well.....

I think "universal" FP machines could be made simple enough that the average person who is willing to look before they leap would be able to manipulate the machine to get what they want almost every time.

I am not disagreeing that the current FP system is pretty good, I just think that it could be better, that is really all I'm saying.

But most people have been "trained" to use a soda fountain. I use one at least 2 days out of the week but I only use Fastpass one week out of the year.

The thing we have to remember is that we all have the point of view of Disney fanatics. Most of us are going to Disney at least every other year if not once or multiple times each year. We make up a small percentage of Disney's yearly attendance. Most guests are one time visitors or only visit every few years. For Disney to implement a complex program may benefit us hardcore fans but it would just be confusing to others.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

I've given it some thought and am having a tough time coming up with improvements to the FP system that are NET better. Having "any FP, any machine" would be really good for me, but might make crowds worse - and might not be good for Disney. So, that's not perfect.

I've commented elsewhere that in some specific instances, the FP line might be better situated, as it can give the wrong PERCEPTION of unfairness to those not in the FP line. But as we all know, that perception is wrong, and so there's no sense investing in improvements to fix that.

So maybe this "FP from home" idea would be nice. I'd only hope there would be some kind of failsafes in the system...

- That there not be a cost to the FP perk, but that it be tied to certain commitments from the guests - like, you prove you've already purchased a park ticket. In a way, this gives Disney some visibility to future park attendance that they don't have now...which I'm sure they would LOVE.

- That Disney have a provision that 'credits' the FP system if you don't show up - so that the pool of FPs aren't completely spent on no-shows.

- That the home-based FP be a little different from the regular FPs in terms of time overlap/how many you can have. So maybe a family can only get one "home FP" for each day - but once in the park, they can get other FPs, for any other FP rides, but maybe not as often as people without the home FP could.

- That the home based FP be managable online with an intuitive interface that doesn't require CM help. KISS.

OK, maybe here's an improvement idea that might be win-win:

Make a FP app. The FP would be controlled by the app, and the app would know the park status at any time. A few things this app could do:

- offer simple alerts: real time FP line lengths for all rides; the window for YOUR fastpass is opening (or closing); you are now eligible to get a FP for ride X at Ypm.
- offer occasional trades, call it FP (crowd) management - like "your FP for soarin is now usable, but there is a 20 minute line. Would you rather it be a FP for test track, where there is only a 5 min line? Click here to take the trade."
- offer occasional "reward" FPs - like a FP to ride EE late in the day if you visted Rafiki's Planet Watch during peak hours. These would be random perks that could help crowd flow while also encouraging people to stay in the parks.
- allow the app to manage group FPs. A group representative might go to the Soarin FP area (the phone coordinates would pick this up) and then from the phone allow 100 FPs to go to the group.

The app could generate a bar code when the user enters the FP line, and scanning the bar code would 'use' the FP. Not sure precisely how this would work for a group...but maybe the FP says "For 25" and then the CM standing at the front of the FP line counts 25 in the group.

It isn't perfect, but it could be really neat for those willing to play the game.

Great ideas. Instead of a phone app, perhaps it could be a Kim Possible style device that you get at resort check-in. If you aren't staying at a WDW resort, you could rent one at the parks.

I think if Disney did implement a "Fastpass at home" program, there would be ways to prevent that. The easiest one that comes to mind would be to make it a perk for staying on-site. That way it's tied to your reservation and you could only get FPs equal to the number of guests listed on your reservation.

I was going to add the same comment, but also comment that Disney would want some documentation that your tickets have been purchased. This could "encourage" guests to buy packages with tickets through Disney.

For AP holders, non-expiry tickets or ticket broker purchases, one could type in the code on the back of the ticket to register the ticket to them for the trip before they are able to get FP. This would be similar to booking excursions, etc. for cruises. You can't book excursions or make any other reservations until you are paid-in-full.

And speaking of that, I wouldn't mind seeing a loyalty program for the parks similar to the cruise ships. Perhaps those with the most nights can get dining reservations, FP's, etc. before others. I'm sure others will disagree.

 

[Reddog1134]

And speaking of that, I wouldn't mind seeing a loyalty program for the parks similar to the cruise ships. Perhaps those with the most nights can get dining reservations, FP's, etc. before others. I'm sure others will disagree.

I would love a loyalty program but I'm not sure how your examples would work.

 

[epcot.girl]

Uh huh. So now FP only works for Americans with unlimited data plans. So, anybody not from the US either can't get FPs or have to pay excessive roaming charges on their phones.

I guess if you're a company that wants to alienate a large portion of your customers that would work but otherwise it's a non-starter.

You said it way better than me.

 

[Reddog1134]

Uh huh. So now FP only works for Americans with unlimited data plans. So, anybody not from the US either can't get FPs or have to pay excessive roaming charges on their phones.

I guess if you're a company that wants to alienate a large portion of your customers that would work but otherwise it's a non-starter.

I think that in this proposal you would still be able to get FP's the "old-fashioned" way.

 

[Planogirl]

Are we back to giving fastpasses to onsite guests? As one who has stayed both onsite and offsite, I'll just say that I disagree like I always do. The current system is fair to everyone who paid a lot just to walk through those park gates and I'd like to see it stay the same.

 

[Robo]

I think that in this proposal you would still be able to get FP's the "old-fashioned" way.

But, not as many.

Figure that TSM and Soarin' would be out of FP's at least an hour earlier, maybe sooner.

They can't change the ride capacity.

 

[kmk1180]

I think if Disney did implement a "Fastpass at home" program, there would be ways to prevent that. The easiest one that comes to mind would be to make it a perk for staying on-site. That way it's tied to your reservation and you could only get FPs equal to the number of guests listed on your reservation.

In theory I agree. but in real application disagree.
but they don't do that for ADR's for a reason.
so same would apply to FP's

As I've said, I think leave it alone.. Only change to take 1 machine at each location for "group" passes.
there's just something wrong with someone half the country away, or even half the park away getting a spot in line ahead of someone who took the time to walk to the ride.

 

[Robo]

there's just something wrong with someone half the country away, or even half the park away getting a spot in line ahead of someone who took the time to walk to the ride.

Like a retail desk clerk who is serving you, stopping to answer the phone questions from someone who is not even in the store.

 

[Reddog1134]

But, not as many.

Figure that TSM and Soarin' would be out of FP's at least an hour earlier, maybe sooner.

They can't change the ride capacity.

True. But I think they would reserve a percentage of FP's for each hour to be given out the traditional way.

By the way, I'm not necessarily FOR or AGAINST any of these ideas. I'm just commenting on them from my view point.

 

[Robo]

True. But I think they would reserve a percentage of FP's for each hour to be given out the traditional way.

But, not as many.

The "headliners" run out far too fast already.

 

[morethananyonex]

While all these ideas sound great to people who know and use the system, I think the majority of them are way to complicated for Disney to actually implement. I don't think it would be worth the headache for them.

 

[seashoreCM]

If a guest can get or reserve a fastpass from some location outside the park, then there should be a tie to a particular park ticket and the guest should be denied additional fastpasses off of that ticket until a time period based on the number of fastpasses obtained early has elapsed since entry to the park.

For example two fastpasses are reserved. That guest would have to go to will-call to pick up the fastpasses and a day is charged to the ticket and also he would have to wait 4 hours after entering the park before he could get another fastpass.

 

[Robo]

If a guest can get or reserve a fastpass from some location outside the park, then there should be a tie to a particular park ticket and the guest should be denied additional fastpasses off of that ticket until a time period based on the number of fastpasses obtained early has elapsed since entry to the park.

For example two fastpasses are reserved. That guest would have to go to will-call to pick up the fastpasses and a day is charged to the ticket and also he would have to wait 4 hours after entering the park before he could get another fastpass.

And, he could not pass "Go" nor collect $100.

 

[Planogirl]

And, he could not pass "Go" nor collect $100.

Isn't it actually $200 or has inflation even struck the Boardwalk?

 

[epcot.girl]

I think that in this proposal you would still be able to get FP's the "old-fashioned" way.

Lucky us.

So under such a system we get to spend loads of money (about $1000 return flight per person in economy) getting to Orlando in the first place, then spend more time staying at Disney (UK visitors tend to stay for 2 weeks minimum) with the accommodation costs to match and then we have to pay extortionate data roaming charges to have the same FP benefits as US visitors or make do with whatever's left under the old system.

 

[mesaboy2]

Lucky us.

So under such a system we get to spend loads of money (about $1000 return flight per person in economy) getting to Orlando in the first place, then spend more time staying at Disney (UK visitors tend to stay for 2 weeks minimum) with the accommodation costs to match and then we have to pay extortionate data roaming charges to have the same FP benefits as US visitors or make do with whatever's left under the old system.

You have a great point. The current system is the most equitable I've seen, as it gives all park visitors the same opportunity once inside the park.