Fastpass 2.0

[Michael623]

When I visited DLP you could get FPs for all attractions at once. You couldn't get another FP for a particular attraction until your FP for that specific attraction was up. Unless they changed it, I couldn't imagine paying extra when you could already hold FPs for every FP attraction all at once.

 

[Disneyadore]

When I visited DLP you could get FPs for all attractions at once. You couldn't get another FP for a particular attraction until your FP for that specific attraction was up. Unless they changed it, I couldn't imagine paying extra when you could already hold FPs for every FP attraction all at once.

That loophole had been closed.

 

[SamiL]

I signed a confidentiality form that I wouldn't discuss it...

[...and then I ran here to discuss it.]

Ah, what the heck. ...

From the start the OP let us know that he doesn't have a terribly high level of integrity. Why believe anything he says?

Not to mention that this sounds like a logistical nightmare.

 

[GoHerd1028]

I hate to see Disney charge extra for the priviledge of a FP. What that does is take the Magic that is available to everyone and giving it to those who are more finacially well off. To me one of the best things at Disney is that everyone is equal and has the same opportunity to get a FP or not.

 

[ShellyLynn3630]

Won't effect us. We go when you don't need a fast pass!

 

[dunnhorn]

I hate to go against the flow, but I really like this idea.

It is a colossal pain to enter a park, run to an attraction just to have to go back hours later. Then, go to another attraction when you can get a FP just to ... (wait for it) .. run back AGAIN. It is a huge time killer and there has GOT to be a better way.

Personally, I don't have a problem paying for FPs. They do it at Six Flags, at Universal - don't have a problem whatsoever for doing it at Disney. BUT if they don't want to do it that way, then this "change" is totally fine with me. On average, lets say you are running FPs, chances are the MOST you will get in a day is 4 or 5, depending on when you start. Of those, realistically, maybe you would use maybe 3 or 4? Come on - I KNOW which rides I will want a FP for... if I can set that up in advance, lock it in without having to go there, I would be so into doing that. Much easier, much simpler - it's like making ADRs. Then I can plan my meals around the "zones" when we will have the ride. Folks, we can ALWAYS wait in line - but this system does benefit those of us who like to plan, plan, plan. Nothing is worse than spending hours toiling over dining reservations, just to get to the park and then BAM - get a FP time right in the middle of your dining ressies. that stinks.

Anyway - just giving another perspective.... with Disney, eery change brings a ton of complaints - this will be no different. But I for one would be actually excited and encouraged if they came up with a system like this.

Leslie Ann

 

[MAYNARDS99]

Since Disney tracks their guests spending, why not link the FastPass 2.0 to the level spent, and the number of visits?

For instance, our records show your family has made 10 visits in the past 30 years, you qualify for Silver; your family has spent over $10K you qualify for Gold.

More visits, more spending, grants you more access...

The airlines, hotels and cruise lines have been very successful with these types of programs.

I'm dreaming of my future Bronze level FastPass, or is it Copper?

 

[KYMickey]

Since Disney tracks their guests spending, why not link the FastPass 2.0 to the level spent, and the number of visits?

That is certainly a very elitist attitude! May be fair in your case but very unfair to the majority of visitors.

Why should a poor family for Minnesota who saves for several years to make a trip be treated any differently than a middle class (or rich family) who lives in winter park, has AP's and goes every couple of weeks?

Your comparison to the airline frequent flyer miles is quite weak. Yes, they offer free tickets after a certain amount of travel but those tickets are very limited in availability and a very difficult to get. Unlike your proposal which would put those people on top of the list! Even class upgrades are only available when space is available, not all the time.

 

[MAYNARDS99]

Unfortunately for some, loyal and frequent guests ARE treated differently than the once in a lifetime customers. Disney has stockholders, and is a business.

I don't travel for business, but have flown many times on free tickets. It takes some work to get them, but even for not so frequent flyers it is possible.

I just feel that if you are able to afford a Disney deluxe hotel, you should receive extra perks. Of course, do not take away the FREE FastPass for everyone else.

 

[dunnhorn]

Just another thought...

I am philosophically opposed to the idea of a all-day fastpass, like what they used to give out during the YOAMD promotion. However, I think there is nothing wrong with allowing guests to purchase some sort of fastpass package that gives a certain number of "generic" fastpasses to be used during the stay.

For example - probably in the last 4 of 5 visits, we had some problem with our room at check-in. We were compensated with some "generic" fastpasses from the front desk. I see no problem with concierge rooms coming with this, or having anyone else be able to receive something like this for an extra $25 or whatever. I'd gladly pay it! I am totally in favor of Disney somehow tying FastPass to a resort stay - i.e. FPs are only available to those who are staying on property. Seems to me that they are trying to figure out how to do it - I applaud them for that!

Regarding it "not being fair" to treat people differently based on economics - I would say - hello - this is the way the world works. It takes 2 table services to eat at Cali Grill, it costs more $$ to stay at the Grand Floridian, and you can only do the Fireworks Cruise if you pay $300 (or whatever it is) or have a Platinum Magic Your Way ticket. Why should a line shortcut be any different? What wouldn't be 'fair' is that people couldn't ride the ride at all - only certain rides available if you were staying at a certain hotel. But everyone can ride all the rides, everyone is eligible to eat at all the hotels (for a price,) everyone can do all the behind-the-scenes tours (for a price.) The fastpass is a PERK, and personally I don't mind paying for a perk. If you don't want to pay for it, then don't.

Whatever they do with the fastpass system is fine with me -personally I don't like the current system, I find it to be inefficient and clunky, and to me, the time that is "saved" waiting in line is actually spent GETTING the FP. Plus when it is time for the FP, guess what - the most popular rides have a line anyway. Anyway, I hope Disney reworks it somehow and I do look forward to the new rollout. I hope they do tie it with a resort stay.

 

[ParrotBill]

Any new plan thatr provides fastpasses in advance is going to create bunch up problems at times of day and at popular attractions.

I would be in favor of a plan that helped spread out fastpass use, including enforcing return windows, or enforcing one use at each attraction per day.

If there are fastpasses you can use anywhere any time, they should be very limited - one per person per day. Maybe you get one or two extra as bonuses for booking a higher end package or hotel.

 

[Dznefreek]

From Screamscape:
(7/10/09) I’ve been told that a special upcharge version of Disney’s FastPass system (with quicker or instant access times), dubbed the “Magic Pass” is currently being tested at Hong Kong Disneyland. An extra fee Magic Pass system has been rumored to have been in the works for years in the US, but has yet to surface… could be they are testing the guest reaction to such a system and how to blend it in with the free FastPass system.

 

[doconeill]

From Screamscape:
(7/10/09) I’ve been told that a special upcharge version of Disney’s FastPass system (with quicker or instant access times), dubbed the “Magic Pass” is currently being tested at Hong Kong Disneyland. An extra fee Magic Pass system has been rumored to have been in the works for years in the US, but has yet to surface… could be they are testing the guest reaction to such a system and how to blend it in with the free FastPass system.

By the same argument, they've been "testing" it for years at DLP...and its still not here yet.

Each park is free to do things as they think is best, and they are not necessarily "tests" for other parks.

 

[jade1]

If 3 come free with our tickets, I could plan our days in about 5 minutes (11 months out). We usually have about 12 to 14 of us, so this would really help. We would sleep in, get some lunch, swim, shop, then head to a park around 3PM.

EPCOT-TT-3:30PM, Soarin-4:30PM, Dinner, TT-7PM, Illuminations.

MK-Splash-3:30PM, Space-4:30PM, Dinner, BTTR-7PM, Wishes.

AK-EE-9:30AM (avoid 8AM opening rush), Safari-10:30AM, EE-11:30AM, go back and swim.

DHS-TSM-3:30PM, RNR-4:30PM, Dinner, TOT-7PM, Fantasmic.

Rinse and repeat.

Big question is how fast will time slots fill up etc.?

 

[Dznefreek]

By the same argument, they've been "testing" it for years at DLP...and its still not here yet.

did not know that . . . . . . .

 

[pirateparrot]

Sorry but I can't see where this would make any sense and the complaints would be huge. You would have to know what park you were going to be at each day and what attractions you wanted to visit at what time of day. No way.

 

[Pete W.]

Sorry but I can't see where this would make any sense and the complaints would be huge. You would have to know what park you were going to be at each day and what attractions you wanted to visit at what time of day. No way.

Did you ever make an in-park 90+10 ADR? You need to know exactly what park you're going to be in each day, and at least an approximate idea of what attractions you'll be doing at what time. I'm going in 2 weeks and I know exactly where we plan to be each day and I'm not a commando tourist, but I do plan ahead and have a really good idea of what we'll be doing each day. I'd love to have pre-planned FPs rather than deal with the crowds at attractions like TSM and Soarin.'

 

[jade1]

One thing I dont get on this though is, if you have a park hopper (or whatever qualifies) you can just start going on line and grabbing 3FP's per day (I assume per pass so maybe 4 in the party-or 12 per day) for any days of the year, without any type of reservation at a resort? That makes sense to keep it fair to off site guests, but wont that lead to simply grabbing way more days than you need-then deciding later which days you end up going? I mean what if you have the non expiration hopper? Locals could really tie up a lot of FP's, then decide later which ones to use. I could kind of see if you had a resort ressie-and needed that res# in order to make your choices-but that eliminates off site guests right?

 

[Disneyadore]

Did you ever make an in-park 90+10 ADR? You need to know exactly what park you're going to be in each day, and at least an approximate idea of what attractions you'll be doing at what time. I'm going in 2 weeks and I know exactly where we plan to be each day and I'm not a commando tourist, but I do plan ahead and have a really good idea of what we'll be doing each day. I'd love to have pre-planned FPs rather than deal with the crowds at attractions like TSM and Soarin.'

So do we. Not a commando tourist but everything planned.
We know exactly what day we do what park.

FYI.
A friend of mine is a CM in the Disney land Resort in Paris and the VIP passes are sold like hot dogs.

 

[BuzzLightyearInTampa]

Did you ever make an in-park 90+10 ADR? You need to know exactly what park you're going to be in each day, and at least an approximate idea of what attractions you'll be doing at what time. I'm going in 2 weeks and I know exactly where we plan to be each day and I'm not a commando tourist, but I do plan ahead and have a really good idea of what we'll be doing each day. I'd love to have pre-planned FPs rather than deal with the crowds at attractions like TSM and Soarin.'

I think the point here is being missed. The vast majority of visitors to MK, for instance, on a given day are not AP holders and are not staying on property. My problem with such a system (should it ever come to fruition at WDW) is that it would be unfair to these folks. This is a major reason I rarely go to Universal, even though they send me a free ticket every year. A 2 hour wait in line for a couple minutes of ride time is not my idea of a fun-filled day. FastPass is perfect the way it is. And it is totally fair to day visitors and offsite guests as well.