Fastpass changes are coming

[Oglet]

First of all I want to state that this information has come from a source that I personally have no questions with and before people say anything, It was not a bus driver, attraction CM or even a GSM. This information was a discussion with a family friend who is directly involved in this program.

Also I do not want to get into a debate about how late returns change anything, who is breaking rules and who is not, this is just information that I would like to share. I would also like to say that until anything else is officially announced the current policy will remain just as it is.

Disney are indeed planing on making some major changes to Fastpass (which we all know about) which would include changes in policy to the FP return times. These changes will go onto effect even prior to the new next generation FP system being implemented.

Specifics are still being worked out but I was told that late returns outside of a grace period will not be accepted. The word used was grace period, details of what exactly what kind of grace period are still being worked out. I did get the impression that a 1 hour grace window is somewhere around where they are looking.

I also asked what if someone returns outside of their grace window. I was told that one option is to allow them to trade their Fastpass in for one later in the day, she mentioned leaving a window at the end of the day open for exchanged Fastpasses which would probably be close to park closing or in cases of when FP's are still currently available a new return time that is in line with the currently available time frame. She was unsure if there would be a grace return time issued for reissued Fastpasses or not.

 

[skier_pete]

No comments on the use of FP from me...I've done that enough elsewhere.

Even though I am a late FP "abuser", I have no problem at all with Disney instituting a firm end date for FP use, as long as they make it very public that they are doing it and uphold it consistently. They will have enough problems with PO'd guests even if they make a firm statement.

Though I do have to say leaving the FP window @ 1 hour and then adding a "grace period" of 1 hour seems silly. It also leaves the situation open to return right back to where they currently are..."Well I'm 1 hour and 5 minutes late, can't you just let me in?". Why not increase the FP window to 2 hours and make the end date firm? Again, I have no problem with them going to a "You snooze you lose" policy, as long as it is consistent and upheld everywhere.

I'm guessing changes won't affect my upcoming trip as it is 10 days away.

 

[Oglet]

I forgot to add to my original post that the return time window is probably going to be extended.

 

[nytimez]

You're one of the guys I do believe on things like this -- thanks for the headsup, please let us know when you have more details.

 

[skier_pete]

Oglet - I love your ticker - BTW!

 

[ASteelersMidget]

You're one of the guys I do believe on things like this -- thanks for the headsup, please let us know when you have more details.

Agreed. You are one of the posters that i do trust with stuff like this. I don't consider this a complaint (though some might) I just find it unfortunate that i have to worry about the time frame of my FP's and Worry about whether the wait times are correct and aren't longer than they say. Eh it is what it is. We'll wait for Disney's official announcement for more details but thanks for the heads up!

 

[Faldred]

I don't have a problem with this, even though I've used "late" FastPasses myself and have advised others to do so -- that was working within the system as it was (and is), and if the system changes, so does the "strategy" behind working the system. A longer window, as noted, will still allow for a reasonable amount of park planning based on strategic use of the FastPass system.

 

[Figment632]

I've heard there is some major opposition to his from some of management that expect thus not to last. Enough people will complain I doubt they will enforce it long.

I have heard this is happening though.

 

[mesaboy2]

You're one of the guys I do believe on things like this -- thanks for the headsup, please let us know when you have more details.

I completely agree.

 

[mjp12831]

The trade in and end of the day options for the late ones is an interesting twist. Would certainly prefer that to the hard deadline.

We need one of our logical mathematicians to infiltrate Disney management and explain to them that late FP use isn't harming anyone.

 

[ASteelersMidget]

The trade in and end of the day options for the late ones is an interesting twist. Would certainly prefer that to the hard deadline.

We need one of our logical mathematicians to infiltrate Disney management and explain to them that late FP use isn't harming anyone.

Sigh, this post is now going to lead to another discussion on this topic.

 

[DCTooTall]

The trade in and end of the day options for the late ones is an interesting twist. Would certainly prefer that to the hard deadline.

We need one of our logical mathematicians to infiltrate Disney management and explain to them that late FP use isn't harming anyone.

I wouldn't go so far as to say it's not harming anyone.

Before I say anymore... to avoid starting an arguement... I'm also someone who will use a Fastpass long after it's expiration time. It's pretty much common knowledge they'll accept them, so I don't see it as cheating.

That said... I could see that late FP use could be impacting people. In Theory, the same number of Fastpasses are being issued, so ultimately it all averages out.

BUT.... without being able to see some numbers on actual "ontime" usage vs. "late usage"....vs. even "end of the day usage", It's harder to tell the actual impact.

PERFECT example might be something like Peter Pan. PP doesn't have the fastest thru-put... or the most efficient Fast Pass/Standby merge. If a large number of Fastpasses distributed during the day end up being used late, Then that could end up causing a further backlog of the standby queue due to the larger number of fastpasses coming thru at the end of the day.


We also don't have any information on how fast passes are distributed during the day. For all we know, Disney could be issuing a much smaller number of FP's later in the day than earlier in the day, Fully expecting late FP use and therefore attempting to limit the impact on standby queues later in the day. This in turn would also cause issues with rides like TSMM which regularly runs out of FP's earlier in the day. If Disney had a hard end time, then they could better forecast the number of FP's still waiting to be used during any given time window, then they could potentially issue more total FP's without adversely impacting overall guest wait times during the day.



So I am of the belief that saying the late use of FP's doesn't hurt anyone is a bit short sighted since there are numerous factors that come into play...most of which nobody on forums like this are going to have the raw numbers to even begin to comprehend or be able to grasp. [and admittedly, I doubt even Disney has all the numbers currently since they don't really keep track of when a Fastpass is actually used]).

But... I also don't see anything wrong with using a FP past it's current expiration time because Disney has done nothing to enforce end of the window printed on the FP's currently.

 

[DCTooTall]

Sigh, this post is now going to lead to another discussion on this topic.

Doh!!

looks like I may have been guilty of not helping avoid that.....



sorry....

 

[tjkraz]

I forgot to add to my original post that the return time window is probably going to be extended.

And that's key to the entire "plan your day out in advance" strategy.

Disney doesn't intend to force guests to be at a certain place at a certain time. But what they will eventually offer (from what I am hearing) is a way to obtain several FPs before even leaving the hotel room.

Each FP would be obtained specifically for a pre-selected window of time. One plan under consideration goes something like this:

9am - noon: Morning
noon - 3pm: Early afternoon
3pm - 6pm: Late afternoon
6pm - closing: Evening

If you are visiting the Magic Kingdom and want to tour the park in a counter-clockwise manner, you could opt to get a Space Mountain FP for the morning block, Peter Pan for Early Afternoon, a parade FP (if tests go well) for Late Afternoon and a BTMR pass for the evening.

Such a system would eliminate the need to run to different FP kiosks to obtain the tickets. It would also increase the flexibility for guests. Right now the only option available to guests is to take a FP for whatever return time is offered when they walk up to the machine. An electronic reservation system would allow guests to tour the park in a more logical manner without having to criss-cross, hopping from one FP machine to another.

These benefits would most likely be available to resort guests only. FPs would be capped so there's still an element of first come, first served. And the FP machines will still be available to all (or some electronic replacement), although resort guests will yield the greatest benefits under the new system.

IMO it's a very exciting enhancement to the park experience. There's nothing worse than having to go out of your way to get FastPass tickets and then return hours later to use them. I would much rather lock-in a time to visit those key attractions and structure the rest of my day around it.

 

[charleygop]

Unless there are some real hard documented facts about an item that has been around for (has it been 10 years) quite some time, I see this as nothing more than a solution looking for a problem. Of course the idea of giving on site visitors an advantage makes sense since several folks have mentioned that the value of staying on site is disappearing. So if this is the solution to that problem than it makes sense and we can expect to see less an less discounting for rooms and packages in exchange for better access to fastpasses. Otherwise, it will remain a solution in search of a problem.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Personally, I hate fast passes.
First of all, we only go on a very few select attractions. Second, I think on many attractions there is too much story line missing if you don't experience the queue.
After so many visits to WDW I just can't see myself so busy running thru the parks that this would have any benefit.

Just my opinion..
MG

 

[Figment632]

Been discussed to no end by management I really don't think it will get support needed to happen.

It should but I don't think they will do it.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

I liked the early days of FP when u could save them and use them on the next visit and no one cared.

It's really sad that Disney has reached the point that they'll do anything to actually maintain their version of acceptable lines instead of actually reveling in improving a guest experience.

 

[DCTooTall]

I liked the early days of FP when u could save them and use them on the next visit and no one cared.

It's really sad that Disney has reached the point that they'll do anything to actually maintain their version of acceptable lines instead of actually reveling in improving a guest experience.

The problem is that "acceptable lines" is also a big factor in guest experience.

There are a lot of people who don't understand Fastpasses, think you need to pay extra for them, or don't see the benefit in them for one reason or another. Plus those who maybe already have a fastpass for another attraction. whatever the reason... these people can see their experience greatly impacted based off the standby lines.

Then you have the big fast-pass mega users, who can see their experience improved thru the likes of being able to exploit every little of use out of their Fastpasses.


Ultimately, I think it'd be safe to say that the AVERAGE Disney Guest Experience is going to be closer to the first group, than the 2nd. (Remember.... the DIS sadly does not reflect the AVERAGE Disney guest.).

 

[XGrumpy1]

Expect lots of yelling at poor cast members if Disney really does restrict the use of Fast Passes.