Fastpass 2.0

[Padrepride]

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.

I agree completely. I haven't been to WDW for a year, but the lines at Disneyland were rarely above 45 minutes standby, and that was during a summer weekend. That tells me that the guest flow is working pretty well and the only reason Disney would do this is for the money. Any changes to the current system is bound to make hordes of people very angry.

 

[Pete W.]

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.

It all depends on how the system is implemented. At Universal, resort guests get unlimited front of the line access. If Disney implemented a system which allowed resort guests to pre-schedule a limited number of FPs it wouldn't negatively impact day guests. Whether I visit Epcot and obtain FPs for Soarin, Test Track and Mission Space during the course of a day, or I get those 3 FPs ahead of time for pre-scheduled times, it shouldn't place non-resort guests at a disadvantage.

 

[dhudson1]

How could Disney let you book ahead online? They only give a certain number of FP per hour for each ride. If you book ahead online, how does Disney even know you will be at that park that day. When I buy my tickets online, I don't have to say what day I will be in what park.

I could see them limiting the number of FP unless you pay extra. But lets remember, the real reason for the FP is to reduce the waiting time in line for guests so they can be free to spend money on food, drinks and other stuff.

 

[Pete W.]

Why couldn't they let you book a limited number of FPs on-line and then maybe pick them up when you check-in? If I had to pay for them in advance, you can bet I'd actually use them, and so would most people, so again I doubt this system would negatively impact anyone. It would just offer an additional convenience for on-site guests.

 

[doconeill]

Arguments against giving Disney Resort guests the ability to "pre-schedule" Fastpasses generally revolve around the fact that there are a LOT of Disney Resort guests - and assuming that the pre-scheduled FPs are removed from the total count, that might leave a fraction of the FPs for non-resort guests (or those that failed to take advantage of it).

Anyone have a sense of the rough proportion of resort to non-resort guests at the park?

Even if the resort guests are a smaller fraction, I think there is a higher likelihood of Fastpasses not actually getting used if you get them in advance, than if you had to work to get them in the first place, so the FPs are wasted.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

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.

Everyone will still have the same ability to get the same number of FP/ticket. With the current system is it fair to give Soarin' FP's to only those guest able to be there by Noon and stay until late? What if you'refrom the west coast and can't get up and be at the gate 1 hour before opening that day?

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.

This is a vacation NOT food, water or shelter. Disney has never treated anyone differently. If you want extra's such as the fireworks cruise or Keys to the Kingdom tours shouldn't you be able to purchase them? It would be impossible to include that in the price of the ticket because it would price them out of the poor family's budget completely.

I would love to see a loyalty program of some sort. Disney does just the opposite. It sends "discounts" and "pin code's" to those guests whom they haven't seen in awhile while the AP passes just continue to loose benefits.

What if everyone was charged the same? It would price the vacation completely out of the reach of the poor family from Minn. It was one of the reason's the MYW tickets were introduced so you would be able to purchase what you need making it more affordable. (Or so they said)

We spend one school holiday a year at WDW. The most crowded and expensive time of the year to travel. The flights are 2-3 times the cost of traveling other times of the year. Flights alone are an extra $500-1,000 and there are no discounts everything is rack rate. A $3K vacation in mid-week Feb becomes a $6K vacation over Easter. That time in the park is very expensive and I would happily pay extra money to eliminate standing in line. (One year I figured out the $/hour in the park and never made that mistake again).

Communism (Single payer system) was a failed experiment.

I think Disney would be in for a PR disaster if it took away benefits of a base ticket but adding an extra premium ticket option would just be Disney increasing the bottom line. How is it unfair if anyone can purchase the option?

 

[GoHerd1028]

Everyone will still have the same ability to get the same number of FP/ticket. With the current system is it fair to give Soarin' FP's to only those guest able to be there by Noon and stay until late? What if you'refrom the west coast and can't get up and be at the gate 1 hour before opening that day?



This is a vacation NOT food, water or shelter. Disney has never treated anyone differently. If you want extra's such as the fireworks cruise or Keys to the Kingdom tours shouldn't you be able to purchase them? It would be impossible to include that in the price of the ticket because it would price them out of the poor family's budget completely.

I would love to see a loyalty program of some sort. Disney does just the opposite. It sends "discounts" and "pin code's" to those guests whom they haven't seen in awhile while the AP passes just continue to loose benefits.

What if everyone was charged the same? It would price the vacation completely out of the reach of the poor family from Minn. It was one of the reason's the MYW tickets were introduced so you would be able to purchase what you need making it more affordable. (Or so they said)

We spend one school holiday a year at WDW. The most crowded and expensive time of the year to travel. The flights are 2-3 times the cost of traveling other times of the year. Flights alone are an extra $500-1,000 and there are no discounts everything is rack rate. A $3K vacation in mid-week Feb becomes a $6K vacation over Easter. That time in the park is very expensive and I would happily pay extra money to eliminate standing in line. (One year I figured out the $/hour in the park and never made that mistake again).

Communism (Single payer system) was a failed experiment.

I think Disney would be in for a PR disaster if it took away benefits of a base ticket but adding an extra premium ticket option would just be Disney increasing the bottom line. How is it unfair if anyone can purchase the option?

Your comparison of the current FP system to communism was a little over the top. Sheesh! I guess we will have to agree to disagree with each other. Just because you or others might have the money to get quicker "magic" from Disney does not mean that it should be done. Right now the system is about as fair as it can be. Just because someone who come from the west coast can't get out of bed is no agrument either. If that is the problem then stay in CA and go to Disney Land. What I am trying to say is that EVERYONE reguardless of social or economic class once they enter the gates have the same opportunities for Disney Magic and no one is better than anyone else. That is part of what is wrong with society today..an elitist attitude that they feel the world revolves around them and heck with everyone else.

 

[tjkraz]

What I am trying to say is that EVERYONE reguardless of social or economic class once they enter the gates have the same opportunities for Disney Magic and no one is better than anyone else.

That's not really true.

On-site guests are the only ones with access to Extra Magic Hours. If you book a behind-the-scenes tour like Keys to the Kingdom tour ($$$) you get to bypass the lines on two or three attractions. Those who visit on their birthday or attend a DVC sales presentation already receive special FastPass perks. Guests who book special package deals thru AAA or others get access to reserved seating sections at select shows, parades and fireworks presentations. Celebrities get walked right up to the ride gate without having to wait.

There are some truly elite perks like the sponsor lounges for attractions with corporate affiliation and Club 33 at Disneyland. Heck, for the right price they'll close-down Tower of Terror (or an entire theme park) to the general public and you can ride it as many times as you wish.

The Disney parks have had a multi-level class system for many, many years now. And like most things in life, the more you're willing to pay, the better the perks. Pay $50 per night for off-site hotel = no EMH. Pay $400 per night for the Poly = 3 Extra Magic Hours in the parks.

 

[Disneyadore]

We spend one school holiday a year at WDW. The most crowded and expensive time of the year to travel. The flights are 2-3 times the cost of traveling other times of the year. Flights alone are an extra $500-1,000 and there are no discounts everything is rack rate. A $3K vacation in mid-week Feb becomes a $6K vacation over Easter. That time in the park is very expensive and I would happily pay extra money to eliminate standing in line. (One year I figured out the $/hour in the park and never made that mistake again).

We had to pay over 8k $$ to fly in from Europe for a 8 nighs stay.Just two persons.
Try that one for jet lag and sleep in.
In "real" time we need almost 24 hours to get to WDW

As this was a one time in life experience we gladly would have payed another 1.000 $$$ just to avoid the waiting lines.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Your comparison of the current FP system to communism was a little over the top. Sheesh! I guess we will have to agree to disagree with each other. Just because you or others might have the money to get quicker "magic" from Disney does not mean that it should be done. Right now the system is about as fair as it can be. Just because someone who come from the west coast can't get out of bed is no agrument either. If that is the problem then stay in CA and go to Disney Land. What I am trying to say is that EVERYONE reguardless of social or economic class once they enter the gates have the same opportunities for Disney Magic and no one is better than anyone else. That is part of what is wrong with society today..an elitist attitude that they feel the world revolves around them and heck with everyone else.

We'll have to partially disagree on this. While I agree that the heck with everyone else is attitude is certainly prevalent, I see it as more of an ENTITLEMENT attitude. "I deserve a WDW vacation, a Mercedes and a 52" plasma TV."

What I'm saying if WDW had only one level or single payer the whole system would collapse. If everyone had to pay the same price say $8K and got the same vacation the business would collapse. It needs to have different tiers or it would out price the vast majority of its customers. There would be no lines, everyone got the nighttime safari tour, stayed at a deluxe resort, ex.. but that is not a sustainable business. Conversely, if it was dirt cheap, crowded, long lines and cinderblock lodging it wouldn't be the same experience and again not a sustainable business. WDW needs to be different things to different people.

People who stay at Pop have just as much "Magic" as those at the Grand Floridian. CM's treat everyone the same. I don't understand your lack of Magic argument at all. (Before you twist this to a slam on Pop, my parents, who could easily afford GF love Pop and think the GF is a waste). The Magic does not translate into dollar's and cents.

My argument regarding the West Coast jet lag was an example that is it isn't as fair as it can be, but you think it is because it works best for YOU. If you are a single parent that takes small children to the park and don't have a FP runner you will not get as many FP's as everyone else. When I'm with the DH I can get double the amount of FP's because I can take off, leave the kids with him, get FP's but without him it isn't workable. I absolutely would pay extra for the FP's on those days. I'm not sure how you can argue that some people getting FP's and others can't is fair. If every ticket holder walks in with 3 FP's and every ticket holder has the opportunity to buy 3 extra that seems much fairer to me. We all have FP's and equal opportunity.

 

[DVCBELLE]

Disney already has problems with guests complaining about the FP system. But once it is shown on the maps and clear that it is explained to be free the reasonable guest loses their argument against them and can start using the system right away.

But if they make this something you have to book ahead of time, they will have so many complaints. Shoot - look how many people head to WDW without making ADRs and get mad...multiply that by 1000 for the number of people who didn't know that now you have to schedule your FPs ahead of time!! I can't imagine that is a logistical nightmare you would want to deal with. Plus, the guests would not have much chance to start using the system at that point in time.

I have in the past heard of rumors where you get so many FPs a day based on the resort you are staying in. So offsite gets 2, value gets 3, moderate gets 4 and deluxe gets 5. And you can book them from your room or when you are in the park that day. I see this being a much more viable option than the rumor posted in here.

I see no need to change the current system. I do typically travel in times where you don't need FPs but still love being able to get them for the few rides that ALWAYS have a line. And Disney makes more money off the shopping and dining I do instead of waiting in line than by charging me for a FP. If they start to charge me for FPs - then I will spend WAY less in the parks. It will lead to me being crabby and tired and likely to only hit the shops at the end of the night where I can promise my answer will be no - I am too tired and just want to go to sleep. I will also stop eating in the sit down restaurants b/c I will not want to take time out of waiting in line to wait to eat too. I might be in the minority on this but in this economic climate - seems like a dumb time for Disney to test the pay for FP waters.

 

[lovemyzoe]

If this was added an extra perk for on-site guests, or as a premium pay option, I would have no problem with it (actually, would really like it and take advantage of it, as we are late sleepers and usually get to the parks after all FP's are taken). But in no way should it REPLACE the current FP system that is available to all.

 

[Davey-D-99]

Touring Plans has just tweeted something about testing a new FP distribution at AK?...

Here is the tweet...

Disney testing new fastpass system at Animal Kingdom. Passes distributed from central location not at individual rides.

 

[MAYNARDS99]

"It’s being reported that from opening until 3 pm for the rest of the week, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is attempting a new FASTPASS distribution system where guests can obtain a FASTPASS for any attraction from one location in particular, the machines at It’s Tough to Be A Bug.

Guests who are unaware of the testing will not be affected as other FASTPASS machines will be operating at this time as normal."

 

[jade1]

Touring Plans has just tweeted something about testing a new FP distribution at AK?...

Here is the tweet...

Disney testing new fastpass system at Animal Kingdom. Passes distributed from central location not at individual rides.


I like that idea-hate walking all the way to EE (for ex) just to find they are all out for the day.

 

[doconeill]

I'd be interested to find out how they are doing this with the existing kiosks, or of they replaced them. Is one kiosk each dedicated to a particular ride? Are there humongous lines for the EE and KS machines?

 

[jade1]

I'd be interested to find out how they are doing this with the existing kiosks, or of they replaced them. Is one kiosk each dedicated to a particular ride? Are there humongous lines for the EE and KS machines?

Have to think it would be a bigger line than normal-leading to more machines, leading to why not just offer it on your resort room tv screen and pick them up at the front desk before going to the park, leading to why not just get them on line before you leave home (eliminating machine malfunctions/frustration/maintenance/staff and waiting if huge FP lines, also eliminating the the ugliness of the machines themselves with the crowded lines-that does not look as magical IMO.

 

[jade1]

I think there is a higher likelihood of Fastpasses not actually getting used if you get them in advance, than if you had to work to get them in the first place, so the FPs are wasted.

Who cares? The standby line will move that much faster. The only one impacted negatively would be the guests that didn't show up.

 

[WelovMickey!]

****IF**** it is true...

DISNEY IF YOU READ THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DO NOT DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't stand paying for something that is free. FP is an awesome idea LEAVE IT ALONE PLEASE!! I just bought into DVC please don't make me regret it.

 

[samrutster]

I personally like the idea of this plan vs the rumors I have heard in the past. They have tossed around in the past the number of FP given being tied into the level of resort you were staying in hoping to persuade people into choosing a more expensive resort to get more FP tickets. This idea was very discriminatory and a very bad idea if Disney wanted to make everyone feel as if the family with a tighter budget was as important as the high rollers who could afford to stay at their top resorts. We all know that changes are coming to the FP system, we can only hope that what ever it is is fair to all.