Fast Passes shut down

[Planogirl]

"Everything is subject to change"

I couldn't agree more! However I have a feeling that if the right thing changed that we would all be annoyed. Also, there are definitely those who drink the Disney Kool-Aid. I'm not sure if any of them are here but they exist. Plus the CM's constantly not knowing what's going on does get a little tiresome.

That said, I do not feel that not having fastpasses available for this attraction is that big a deal. But that's just me. I wouldn't wait 40 minutes but I'm not a big fan of this.

 

[cuches]

Want some cheese?

A 20 minute wait for a main attraction is basically, a "dead" day.
Forty minutes is busy but typical for the middle of the day.
I would have just done one of the other hundred things in the park.

used to say this to my DS when we were kids and it NEVER gets old!

However I agree that being lied to or given false information by accident is frustrating. I don't think waiting 20 or 40 minutes is enough for me to complain . I remember the days before FP and we had to wait for EVERYTHING! I stood in line at Universal for that darn back to the future ride FOREVER and yes, I was very annoyed but what were you gonna do? The real point to FP is so you spend more time in the stores and buying food and stuff. You are just a big $$$ to the corporation of Disney (sorry if I am ruining the magic ) and you spending more $$$ is what they want to see. FP were NOT originally designed so you don't have to be annoyed waiting in long lines.

 

[cuches]

We were at MK in early 2002. It was just wrong to see WDW that empty when it 'should' have been full. Supply was too high. Suddenly it seemed WDW was not a goo dplace to be. Emptiness contributed to that image.

I know WDW is creating an illusion of demand. I WANT that illusion. I support Disney fostering that illusion. The alternative in 2002 was not good.

OMG I know exactly what you mean. When I went last Sept it was really slow at MK one day (slow time of year I guess from the start of the school year) and we kept getting on the Buzz Lightyear ride over and over without any wait. Even half the cars were empty and it was CREEPY! I said I thought I would love to have the park all to myself but it kinda sucked not having that anticipation of waiting your turn. Now I did wait for an hour and a half once for soarin' WITH a FP and that also kinda sucked too, especially with a DD with autism who is non-verbal but has verbal stims....lots and LOTS of stares for all that time (had to explain to people around us why she does that but they really could care less and continued to stare....discussion for another thread).

I agree with the entitlement in our society quote as well but I am not sure the OP was feeling entitled to FP for those rides, she just wanted answers as to WHY they were not offered when it seemed busy enough to warrent them. I am a very easy going person and have learned to let things slide but when CM give out false information (whether or not intensional) it is frustrating. I doubt this ruined their trip (at least it should not have) but she needed to vent.

 

[TisBit]

I am surprised this hasn't been brought up yet, considering the number of pages (or I missed it), the OP is saying that the peak wait time for the day was 40 minutes.....and non peak was about 20 minutes. First, the wait times posted are often incorrect and these might have been a little high to begin with, often you never see the wait time drop below 20 minutes for the larger rides....

Second, if the average wait time was low the fast pass distribution doesn't work right. If there are not enough people getting passes, the machines actually fall behind and creates more confusion when the return times are literally the same as the current time. Yes, the line got backed up at one point and it was listed as 40 minutes, was it really, we will never know....but the need for fastpasses wasn't there. As others have said, fastpasses were not designed to skip the line completely, so if there was not a significant wait time all day, the fastpasses are useless and if it merely peaked at 40 minutes it's not that big of deal.

But, I will say that CM's responses could be better. I don't like being lied to and once the OP said that they were closed all day, they should have changed their story.....

 

[jonmar]

I am surprised this hasn't been brought up yet, considering the number of pages (or I missed it), the OP is saying that the peak wait time for the day was 40 minutes.....and non peak was about 20 minutes. First, the wait times posted are often incorrect and these might have been a little high to begin with, often you never see the wait time drop below 20 minutes for the larger rides....

Second, if the average wait time was low the fast pass distribution doesn't work right. If there are not enough people getting passes, the machines actually fall behind and creates more confusion when the return times are literally the same as the current time. Yes, the line got backed up at one point and it was listed as 40 minutes, was it really, we will never know....but the need for fastpasses wasn't there. As others have said, fastpasses were not designed to skip the line completely, so if there was not a significant wait time all day, the fastpasses are useless and if it merely peaked at 40 minutes it's not that big of deal.

But, I will say that CM's responses could be better. I don't like being lied to and once the OP said that they were closed all day, they should have changed their story.....

Actually, when we rode the ride the wait was posted at 40 minutes and took 40 minutes. Later in the day when we went back, the time posted remained at 40 minutes, and I did not see it go below that time period prior to leaving the park.

 

[doconeill]

Second, if the average wait time was low the fast pass distribution doesn't work right. If there are not enough people getting passes, the machines actually fall behind and creates more confusion when the return times are literally the same as the current time.

This doesn't actually happen. If it did, then Fastpasses would essentially become free instant front of the line passes and break down like you said.

There is a minimum return time differential, typically 20-30 minutes. If so few passes are being taken that the minimum time is reached, the Fastpass return time will stay at least that time ahead, whether passes are taken or not. It means less Fastpasses will be given out during the course of the day, but obviously the demand wasn't there to begin with and if it occurs frequently enough they may elect not to use FP on those crowd level days going forward.

And here is an interesting mathematical fact - over the bulk of the day (early morning and late night things are more variable), the standby wait times will on average be (for all intents and purposes*) the same - whether FP is used or not. So if the standby wait time at KRR was 40 minutes without the Fastpass at noon, it would still be 40 minutes at noon if FP WAS in use, because Fastpass does not change the rate at which guests get loaded on to the ride. The real difference is that the standby line is physically shorter (as in number of guests in it), and that those that have the Fastpasses can be doing other things rather than wait in line for those 40 minutes. So in the OP's case if the FP line was operating then they would have gotten Fastpasses and done something else and not waited in the 40 minute line, but those who were in the standby line would still be waiting 40 minutes.

* it would actually be slightly shorter earlier in the day because the FP takers have deferred their entry to later, but it slowly evens out as they actually use them. And only if the FP return time is further away than the standby time. If Standby wait is 40 minutes, and the FP return time is 30 minutes away, why the heck would you get in the standby line?!?

 

[goofy53073]

I understand your frustration! When we went in March we all had GAD FP's. It was annoying that at many rides at MK we were not able to use them because they did not have the machines open. Yes, the park was not extremely crowded and wait times were not outrageous but I still do not feel we should have had to wait 20 minutes at attractions were our GAD FP should have been good. I could have instead chose to get the free day if I had known in advance they would close not open the FP machines.

Of course Disney has every right to make whatever decision they feel is right but then to have CM's not be honest about it is rude.

 

[doconeill]

I understand your frustration! When we went in March we all had GAD FP's. It was annoying that at many rides at MK we were not able to use them because they did not have the machines open. Yes, the park was not extremely crowded and wait times were not outrageous but I still do not feel we should have had to wait 20 minutes at attractions were our GAD FP should have been good. I could have instead chose to get the free day if I had known in advance they would close not open the FP machines.

Of course Disney has every right to make whatever decision they feel is right but then to have CM's not be honest about it is rude.

You still should have been able to use the GAD FPs. There should have been one machine left open for that purpose. However in some cases they do close all of them, and you have to ask. They may not give you an FP but might accommodate you in some other fashion (back door, etc.) if it is easier (and it wouldn't cost you your credit!). ON a few occasions there have been some CMs that apparently are clueless about the GAD Fastpasses (gee, they've only had them all year, and the identical Birthday Fastpasses before that...) and it requires talking to a manager to having a discussion with Guest Relations...

 

[Coach81]

Sorry you were so upset.. but a 40 min wait.. usually ends up being inside of 30..

Guess this is one catch of going when it is "dead" at Disney..

 

[Palendat]

A lie is a lie! I would have been upset too!

 

[TenderDonkey]

Just by reading this thread I have gathered the following:

-The official Disney website is often incorrect
-CMs are often unaware of changes
-Official printed material is often incorrect
-Posted wait times are often incorrect

AND everything is subject to change. Yet the OP has no right to complain or feel annoyed. Riiight….Does anyone else see a trend? The official website that you can purchase tickets from may have incorrect information, our employees may not know what is going on, our printed material is essentially worthless, and the posted wait time is probably incorrect. That will be $82 and have a magical day.

 

[doconeill]

Just by reading this thread I have gathered the following:

-The official Disney website is often incorrect
-CMs are often unaware of changes
-Official printed material is often incorrect
-Posted wait times are often incorrect

AND everything is subject to change. Yet the OP has no right to complain or feel annoyed. Riiight….Does anyone else see a trend? The official website that you can purchase tickets from may have incorrect information, our employees may not know what is going on, our printed material is essentially worthless, and the posted wait time is probably incorrect. That will be $82 and have a magical day.

Yes, the website has issues. "Outdated" or "conflicting" at least. On one page, it says VOTLM has Fastpass. But it isn't on the Fastpass page. And they do use it occasionally.

CM knowledge has been an increasing problem as of late - if you read threads here you should be aware of it.

I don't think anyone said official printed material is often incorrect.

Posted wait times are as correct as can be reasonably measured using the current technology. It is the time it took a person given one of those red cards to get from the entrance to the point where they turn in that card. If the board says "40 minutes", that's how long it took THEM to get through the line, and they entered it at least 40 minutes ago. If a lot more people have entered in since, then it will be longer. If there is a lull, it will be shorter. In essence, they are always estimates.

I can come up with better ways with different technology, but that is WAY of topic.

And I NEVER said the OP had no right to complain. And I never said it was right for the CMs to lie - but also in my mind for someone to lie there has to be knowledge of the truth but they intentionally gave false information. Being mistaken is a different thing, and we don't know which it is - but knowing the aforementioned CM knowledge issues, I'm willing to believe the latter. Doesn't make it right, but if the CMs had said, "The attraction manager must have decided to not use them today," or "The machines must have had a technical issue and are offline," it wouldn't have changed the overall outcome except perhaps for the OPs mood.

But we are talking about a change in one attraction, on one day.

I think we're done here. There is nothing left to be said.

 

[mermaidmona]

That lying or ignorance, whatever it was, would irritate me too. I sympathize.

I would not be pleased myself. Sorry this happened to you and you feel cheated.

 

[TenderDonkey]

Doc, Post #107 - "First off yes the Times Guide said FP would be running the day the OP was visiting. However the Times Guides are not printed day of and are usually printed at least a week in advance. Anything could have happened and thus the times guide would be incorrect and they can't reprint them."

Essentially every excuse was given. Being a non expert because I haven't posted 1,000 or 2,000I would read this thread and conclude that all information may be incorrect.

 

[jonmar]

Just a little service update to those that actually care where their Disney dollars go:

Went to Epcot this morning and of course paid $14 for parking. Walked over to get a tram, and was informed trams wouldn't be running today and that we would have to walk. I asked why they don't let you know that prior to paying to enter the lot, and was told 'they probably don't even know'. When I asked 'why don't they know?' I got a shoulder shrug and a 'it ain't my job to tell 'em'.
We spent 15 minutes walking with our 4 year old across some pretty hot tarmac, and it was another bummer.

At lunch I had a craving for a burger, so I ordered one and it was cold. Not warm, cold! I kept my mouth shut however, since I got what I paid for. Nowhere on the menu did it say 'hot'. Apparently that is something Disney throws in when they are having a high revenue day and they want to give a little extra. Hot food and trams are subject to availability after all. Low season service at high season prices.

Had a great time at the park though. The walk back to the car was tough.

 

[Tiger926]

Just a little service update to those that actually care where their Disney dollars go:

Went to Epcot this morning and of course paid $14 for parking. Walked over to get a tram, and was informed trams wouldn't be running today and that we would have to walk. I asked why they don't let you know that prior to paying to enter the lot, and was told 'they probably don't even know'. When I asked 'why don't they know?' I got a shoulder shrug and a 'it ain't my job to tell 'em'.
We spent 15 minutes walking with our 4 year old across some pretty hot tarmac, and it was another bummer.

At lunch I had a craving for a burger, so I ordered one and it was cold. Not warm, cold! I kept my mouth shut however, since I got what I paid for. Nowhere on the menu did it say 'hot'. Apparently that is something Disney throws in when they are having a high revenue day and they want to give a little extra. Hot food and trams are subject to availability after all. Low season service at high season prices.

Had a great time at the park though. The walk back to the car was tough.

Oh, goodness! There seem to be a lot of problems at the parks this week...

We actually haven't used a tram in years - even in the hot, sweltering son of the summer months, we can usually always get to our car before the tram makes it there. We have contests to beat the tram! LOL! I don't think I've ever encountered a time when the trams were not running though.

I am sorry you seem to be experiencing a bunch of glitches this week.

I hope you have a wonderful evening, Tiger

 

[disneydentist]

Just a little service update to those that actually care where their Disney dollars go:

Went to Epcot this morning and of course paid $14 for parking. Walked over to get a tram, and was informed trams wouldn't be running today and that we would have to walk. I asked why they don't let you know that prior to paying to enter the lot, and was told 'they probably don't even know'. When I asked 'why don't they know?' I got a shoulder shrug and a 'it ain't my job to tell 'em'.
We spent 15 minutes walking with our 4 year old across some pretty hot tarmac, and it was another bummer.

At lunch I had a craving for a burger, so I ordered one and it was cold. Not warm, cold! I kept my mouth shut however, since I got what I paid for. Nowhere on the menu did it say 'hot'. Apparently that is something Disney throws in when they are having a high revenue day and they want to give a little extra. Hot food and trams are subject to availability after all. Low season service at high season prices.

Had a great time at the park though. The walk back to the car was tough.

If they had told you the trams weren't running what would you have done?

Did they at least give you a bun with your burger? That would be the first thing I'd cut as part of low season service. Plus, i hear tarmac is pretty good for cooking burgers. Adds flavor.

 

[jonmar]

If they had told you the trams weren't running what would you have done?

Did they at least give you a bun with your burger? That would be the first thing I'd cut as part of low season service. Plus, i hear tarmac is pretty good for cooking burgers. Adds flavor.

Had they told us about the no trams, we would have done the same thing we would have done had Disney advised they would be in 'buck saving' mode this week and gone elsewhere. We are paying the same freight as someone that gets to enjoy all that Disney has to offer without the corner cutting. I expect that from my local amusement park, or the traveling midway, not Disney. They can hide behind 'subject to availability/change all they want. To me, it leaves a poor impression. Having been before, I know how great Disney can be. While one circumstance alone is no big deal, when they add up, our trip is destined to be retold with 'we had fun, but it wasn't the same...'
P.S. I did get a bun, no gravel though.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

Had they told us about the no trams, we would have done the same thing we would have done had Disney advised they would be in 'buck saving' mode this week and gone elsewhere. We are paying the same freight as someone that gets to enjoy all that Disney has to offer without the corner cutting. I expect that from my local amusement park, or the traveling midway, not Disney. They can hide behind 'subject to availability/change all they want. To me, it leaves a poor impression. Having been before, I know how great Disney can be. While one circumstance alone is no big deal, when they add up, our trip is destined to be retold with 'we had fun, but it wasn't the same...'
P.S. I did get a bun, no gravel though.

So when they told you they didn't have trams running why didn't you leave?

Maybe you should try US since Disney can't seem to please you.

 

[DBFLUKE]

wow... is all I can say after reading a trail of these posts regarding fast passes and such. A poster is just venting about his frustration, and long time disseers, I think take Disney critiscsm to heart. People should try to be nicer and compansionate towards others feelings. It doesn't matter how many times a person has written messages on here, or how many times they have visted Disney. People are entitled to their thoughts, opions , and advice. After reading the majority of this thread I think it is getting a bit heated. Dissers need to remember that not everyone has a nice vaction at disney, things can go wrong, and people do feel better when they vent.