Fast Passes - 2008 Forward

[cguill]

My wife just told me that Disney is looking at only giving Fast Passes to people that stay at one of their resorts starting sometime in 2008. Anyone else heard this ??? Personally it wouldn't bother me any, just a perk for staying at one of their resorts. Universal Studios/Island of Adventure does this, we paid extra for it last year, but it was worth it. I don't know that Disney would charge extra. Just wondering if anyone else had heard this ???

 

[AngelKitty]

I hope Disney does not do this. The way they do the fast pass is perfect just the way it is and I don't think they should change it. Most of the time when I am in Disney, I am staying at a Disney resort, but I still think everyone who has a theme park ticket should have a right to a fast pass and not have to pay extra for it.

 

[everylastbreath]

I totally agree, hope they do it. Universal has a much better fast pass system, I think if you paid the extra to stay on site, you should get perks.

 

[RoyalRoseBlue]

I like the idea of this concept, especially how quickly Soarin runs out. It's an added insentive to stay on property. I just hope they keep it for the cast members as well. I took full advantage of fast pass when I was working down there and loved it!

 

[cguill]

It was really nice at Universal/Islands, you could go on any ride any time you wanted, you just went to the Fast Pass line, and you could go on the rides an unlimited amount of times ...

 

[mx3man123]

I think it's a stupid idea. Why penalize people that don't stay onsite? Onsite people already get the extra magic hours.

 

[WDWguru]

A few weeks ago, Disney applied for a patent on some new technology for the fast pass system. It's all very esoteric right now and mostly deals with the ability to communicate with handheld devices. Speculation from the news reports at the time were they could use it to give guests staying in higher end resorts the ability to get passes or make ADRs via mobile device. But it's all speculation at this point based on a patent filing. I wouldn't get too worked up about it.

Here is the story from the Orlando Sentinel: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busi...336.story?coll=orl-business-headlines-tourism

 

[OneLittleSpark]

As far as I'm aware this is just a rumour. I think it's based on a patent Disney put in for recently, for an updated Fast Pass system. One thing the patent mentioned briefly was that the new system could, theoretically, give resort guests a higher priority in obtaining passes. As far as I'm aware, there are no plans to actually put this in place (though I may be wrong; it has been known once or twice).

EDIT: WDWguru, you beat me to saying that!

I hope they don't install any hierarchy. Uncle Walt wanted all Guests to be equal in the parks and I think that's the way it should stay. I think resort guests get loads of perks already with EMH and transport, not to mention Disney Magic on tap 24 /7! I always stay on property, but I don't want to be classed as 'better' than someone else because of it, or get onto rides faster just because of which hotel my clean undies are currently residing in!

 

[goofyernmost]

As bad as Fastpass is now I cannot imagine the public outcry if they connect it with total immersion in Disney. In the first place they don't have enough rooms, in spite of the massive amounts of resort building, to accommodate every one the goes to the Parks. There is enough frustration and bad feelings about the system now without giving it a "class" and "economic" structure. I would guess that for every "happy" fastpass holder out there, there are 10 unhappy ones that for whatever reason, couldn't get one. The only good thing about them not being able to get one is that it is not connected with having the financial ability to get one. Add that to the story and it becomes a very unpleasant experience for a great many people. In the long run...not a good plan.

It would be a bad, bad idea and would ruin the magic for many people. I can't see it as something that Walt would have thought a good thing.

 

[KimWDW]

From the article:
"Walt Disney World visitors could someday order line-skipping, "FastPass" ride tickets from their cell phones or home computers, and could receive preferential treatment based on the price of their Disney accommodations, using a new technology the resort's parent company is developing."

I have a big problem with preferential treatment to deluxe visitors. The child whose parents can only afford a value resort should have the same ride access as the parents whose child can afford a deluxe. Can you imagine? "Sorry, Billy, we have to wait one hour in line because we're poor. Your pal Johnny gets to skip the line because he's rich." That makes me sick. If that happens, Walt will be rolling in his grave.

Glad it's just rumor for now.

 

[cguill]

Whether I agree or disagree really doesn't matter - what we all have to remember is that in the final analysis, Disney is a business and out to make money ...

 

[TINKERIFIC]

OK, all of these emotions come into play after reading this article. Fastpass is fine...do not change what is working. OK so some rides, i.e. Soarin, "sell out" quickly.

It seems as if this would be confusing also. Not to mention placing priority on those who spend money. No matter what hotel you stay in onsite...they are expensive compared to off site hotels...IMO. I spend less on the room so that we can spend more on food, souvenirs, etc.

I DO NOT AGREE WITH THIS AT ALL.

 

[mill4023]

It's a terrible idea and it's one of the things I hate about Universal.
There is nothing wrong with offering extra perks to guests who stay on-site and Disney already does that with EMH. The difference is that EMH does not negatively affect the theme park experience for those guests who stay off-site. Changing FP to an on-site perk, however, would definitely make the theme park experience worse for everyone who stays off-site.

 

[Camping Griswalds]

It's a mixed message that is for sure. However I disagree when you say that EMH does not affect others who cannot use it!!! First off, those parks are always busier that day, the EMH guest are already in the parks, and can grab fast passes faster than someone can run to the location after being let in at rope drop.

I also think Disney has already catered to people who can pay more. If you can' t afford the EXTRA price for MNSSHP, or MVMCP or P & PP, your child is missing out there too.

Bottom line it's a business. Unfortunately for many of us, it all comes down to the mighty dollar. They keep jacking up attendance tickets, yet we keep buying, and attendance is at an all time high. They will keep doing things like this until the consumer can't take it, and then they will re consider. Walt Disney was a truly inspirational man, and had great ideals, but even he charged admission. It woun't change my opinion of him or his company if they still want to continue to make a profit. Will I suffer...no. Will I continue to visit...yes. Maybe not as long, maybe we will have to wait longer, but we will go to Disney World!!

Oh and by the way, we are staying off site this year. We've stayed anywhere from Contemporary, to Pop and now off site.

 

[cguill]

Well said ... I'm tryingt to decide if the Halloween party is worth approx. another $250 to me and my family after spending thousands already just to go, doesn't sound like much but it all adds up ...

 

[mickaholic4077]

I think to charge for fast passes,or give resort guests priority,would be a terrible idea!!

 

[CathrynRose]

From the article:
"Walt Disney World visitors could someday order line-skipping, "FastPass" ride tickets from their cell phones or home computers, and could receive preferential treatment based on the price of their Disney accommodations, using a new technology the resort's parent company is developing."

I have a big problem with preferential treatment to deluxe visitors. The child whose parents can only afford a value resort should have the same ride access as the parents whose child can afford a deluxe. Can you imagine? "Sorry, Billy, we have to wait one hour in line because we're poor. Your pal Johnny gets to skip the line because he's rich." That makes me sick. If that happens, Walt will be rolling in his grave.

Glad it's just rumor for now.

I agree 100% - I stay in Value or Moderates, but stay for 2 weeks + at a time....I stay 'cheap' so I can stay long - I end up spending a TON of money on food, gifts, fun, etc etc - I'd imagine pretty darn close to a deluxe for a few days.

This would be absurd.

 

[Colleen27]

From the article:
"Walt Disney World visitors could someday order line-skipping, "FastPass" ride tickets from their cell phones or home computers, and could receive preferential treatment based on the price of their Disney accommodations, using a new technology the resort's parent company is developing."

I have a big problem with preferential treatment to deluxe visitors. The child whose parents can only afford a value resort should have the same ride access as the parents whose child can afford a deluxe. Can you imagine? "Sorry, Billy, we have to wait one hour in line because we're poor. Your pal Johnny gets to skip the line because he's rich." That makes me sick. If that happens, Walt will be rolling in his grave.

Glad it's just rumor for now.

I agree. I don't have a problem with the idea of on-site guests having some advantage, and I could see that happening. With the reduction in value of the dining plan, Disney might be looking for other perks they could offer resort guests, and FastPass preference would be a perk that a lot of people would go for but that wouldn't cost Disney much to offer. But I really dislike the idea of tying any sort of guest privledges to resort price!

 

[JohnnyB2]

I totally agree, hope they do it. Universal has a much better fast pass system, I think if you paid the extra to stay on site, you should get perks.

I agree with everylastbreath,Universal FOTL pass is great. Disney has to many guests at their hotels to use the same system,but to give a few fast passes (good for any ride) to the guests staying on their property would sure be nice. Some seasons if you don't wake up at dawn you may not get a fast pass for a certain ride and being a guest of Disney I think that is a shame

 

[epfootballcutie04]

ok so im way torn on this issue...

part of me that says YEAH!!!: I always stay on-site. ALWAYS. so i would love that advantage. I could do what i want a lot more faster and get on with my day and it would just make it that more magical for me and whomever i'm with.

HOWEVER, I'm not really a self centered arrogant freak, and i DO have a soft side... the NO part of me says:

What about all the other people?!? just because you dont stay on property doesnt mean that you shouldnt be allowed to use fast pass.

EVERYONE has the CHANCE to wake up EARLY to get their fastpasses for soarin'. That should NOT be an excuse. Yes, i understand, it's hard to get the kiddo's up and ready. But you still have the chance. With my family it's the fact that we like to sleep in. (er.... THEY like to sleep in. I'm more of the "Let's get up at the crack of dawn-an hour before they open' kind of girl)

people that stay on-site DO have the EMH hours. So it's not like Disney is overlooking us here.

But still... the fastpass thing would be nice, ihave a feeling it will never happen though, they would lose too many customers that get angry over it...

or... they would get a lot more people trying to stay on property....


ahhhhhhhhhh this is giving me a headache.

Why don't we just be happy and thankful that we are AT disney, regardless of the wait time.

there.

i like that the best.

Everyone wins