Fastpass Enforcement coming?

[Praying Colonel]

We used the FP as WDW permitted them to be used before. We'll just adjust to what they're permitting after 7 March.

The big takeaway I get from this is if it's in preparation for NextGen, and if they're making this change now, I hope it means NextGen is coming very soon.

 

[snitchesandmice]

Maybe it's just me...but I've seen them enforce the FP return times several times. I try to avoid the parks during peak, but it's happened a few times and the CM's were pretty adamant when picking up fp's that you needed to be back during the allotted time or you were SOL.

 

[nytimez]

I'll believe it when I see it. We've heard this at least 3 times, each with a different date (I think September 1, 2011 was the last one). Only because TouringPlans.com is reporting it this time that I give ANY credence what so ever to this rumor.

FWIW TouringPlans also reported this before and it didn't happen. But that doesn't mean they were wrong... plans change, dates get moved... etc. etc.

I've heard this from enough credible places now, however, that I think there's something to this.

But as mentioned earlier and repeatedly, the Space Lizards need to realize this has nothing to do with late FP users somehow gumming up the system, because that simply ain't so -- and it's mathematically provable.

 

[Jennasis]

But by the same argument, if the amount who know they can use them late is low, then they don't likely have any real impact regardless...so why the need to enforce now?

Don't ask me...I don't make the rules at Disney. Perhaps it's to prep for NextGen like everyone is speculating. It's Disney's sandbox, so they make the rules. They have a few I don't love but I deal with it.

 

[doconeill]

Don't ask me...I don't make the rules at Disney. Perhaps it's to prep for NextGen like everyone is speculating. It's Disney's sandbox, so they make the rules. They have a few I don't love but I deal with it.

Sorry, it was semi-rhetorical for the "you late FP users have been ruining it and now Disney is putting an end to it" arguments.

Yes, this is apparently due to NextGen/X-Pass. But I still have yet to see any reason why X-Pass necessitates FP enforcement, with what little details of X-Pass are known or any of a number of scenarios I can think of.

I am starting to come up with some scenarios where they at least think they may need to enforce, at least to start. like there are allotted FP return times, and allotted X-Pass reservation times, and they are distinct (think, 10am-11am is for FPs, 11am-noon is for X-Pass, etc.)

 

[Rienchen]

I said it on page two, but does the average Disney guest even KNOW you can use FP's after the window? It seems to be common knowledge on the DIS, but how big a percentage do we make up of the daily visitors on property?

I didn't during my last trip so it won't be a big deal for us this time.

 

[scion5220]

It is not like that at all.

It is more like calling the doctor early in the morning for an appointment at 3PM and they tell you they are only filling appointments from first in the day to the last in the day and right now they are at 10AM would you like it? And you know you can't do it at 10AM because of a conflict so you have to decide whether to work around your conflict at 10AM or call back later and hope you can get the 3PM when you do have time.

If FP windows are to be enforced, a much more workable solution is to allow people to choose their own windows when they get their FP. Like you can for dining reservations.

Uh...which is exactly where this whole process is headed. This is just the pre-emptive training period to get people used to returning to rides at specific times. IMHO

 

[nytimez]

Sorry, it was semi-rhetorical for the "you late FP users have been ruining it and now Disney is putting an end to it" arguments.

Yes, this is apparently due to NextGen/X-Pass. But I still have yet to see any reason why X-Pass necessitates FP enforcement, with what little details of X-Pass are known or any of a number of scenarios I can think of.

I am starting to come up with some scenarios where they at least think they may need to enforce, at least to start. like there are allotted FP return times, and allotted X-Pass reservation times, and they are distinct (think, 10am-11am is for FPs, 11am-noon is for X-Pass, etc.)

I think the reason Next Gen will require enforcement is that instead of passes to a limited number of attractions each day (ie when your window opens), many people could have passes to nearly EVERY attraction each day, all arranged months ahead of time and probably based on some computer algorithm that has X number of people in and using Tomorrowland passes between, say 10 and 12 while Y number are in Frontierland at the same time -- and at noon, they'll basically be switching places... then switching places with groups in Fantasyland and Adventureland.

Given that the system will give more people more passes, it may rely on precise control over the movements of larger numbers of people.

Just speculation... but based on some of the things I've read in captured Space Lizard documents. Many Bothans died to bring us this information...

 

[jillybgood]

It was a fit. Choosing to stomp off because a policy is enforced is a fit.

I disagree.

We all get to choose where we vacation. If Disney is offering an experience that is no longer attractive to us because of a policy change then the choice to go elsewhere and experience something different is just that, a choice, not a fit.

My definition of a stomping off in a fit would go something like this:

"Disney is crazy. How DARE they do this. Don't they KNOW how IMPORTANT I AM. If they DARE make this a policy I will go to Universal and then Disney will be sorry they don't have my business anymore."

But that's not what happened. The poster simply made the point that in light of a changes to how they would experience a Disney vacation they would choose to do something else. No fit of temper was displayed...

 

[scubamouse]

Why would there be anything on the WDW web site? The site would not say anything it doesn't say now, since they didn't advertise that you couldn't use them late.

This is an internal policy change, albeit one that is known outside of CMs...

I was just trying to find out if this was valid without wading through 200+ posts of speculation. But thanks for making it sound like I'm some sort of idiot

 

[Reddog1134]

Question:

When* this is implemented, if the lines are the same as they have been, will all the late FP naysayers say "I guess it really DIDN'T matter"?

*I'm going with "when" as opposed to "if" because of multiple reliable sources reporting it.

 

[StalkerX]

I just read through all 18/19 pages (whatever it was) and my eyes are now bleeding

To the point, I can see both sides of the argument. There are a lot of those who plan these things to a "T" and there are those of us who do not. I personally am the latter of the two. I am one who gets my FP's and uses within the allotted time, mostly due to the fact that I never knew about the "come back whenever you want" plan. So this does not affect me in anyway. I'm personally going to keep on doing what I do.

Disney is not stupid, there is always a plan. In some way, shape or form, this will benefit them. "Always follow the money" is something I was told a long time ago and I can see it here. Somehow, someway, this has to do with the % of profit. Whether it be with the new system or whatnot, no one can tell. Obviously there is not enough information and I couldn't even begin to speculate. All i can tell you though, is that there are multiple people in suits and ties sitting around a table discussing the chances of profit going up by changing this. I'd bet it has nothing to do whatsoever with wait times, groups, feedback or any of that.

 

[joenan88]

Wow, seriously?

Sometimes it's not about math, it's about life. A line at a store that takes longer then you thought, a character who popped out that you want to see, a dinner that ran late, a FP line that ran long, a parade you didn't anticipate, a bathroom break that you needed to take, a distraction (which Disney furnishes in abundance) that you wanted to take part in, a show a kid wanted to see and got picked to particpate in, a break that needed to be taken... Or, frankly, the desire to be on a vacation and enjoy the park as the experiences pop up, using the FP system as it was intended (because in the end it makes more $$$ for Disney to give me the option to go wander around as opposed to wait in a line), and not be one of those families who do Disney under duress with the promise of very scheduled, perfectly planned out moments where enjoyment can, will, and should occur.

Very Well said

 

[nytimez]

Question:

When* this is implemented, if the lines are the same as they have been, will all the late FP naysayers say "I guess it really DIDN'T matter"?

*I'm going with "when" as opposed to "if" because of multiple reliable sources reporting it.

No. The opposite -- it's going to have a placebo effect. They're all going to post how much better the lines are even if they're exactly the same.

 

[Alesia]

Please ask your cousin why there are return times printed on the fast pass if there was never any intention of it being inforced - I've often wondered that.

I've seen this question answered at least twice on this very thread (and I haven't even been paying close attention.)

 

[snitchesandmice]

Okay, so. I'm not an idiot and I know that Disney is often "in it for the money". But i'm kind of blown away when I see people say that this is what the enforcements of the fp times are about. I'm kind of blown away that people are throwing fits in general.

The entire purpose of the fp program was to deal with crowd control and lines. The whole concept was that you picked up your fps and came back at a later, scheduled time. People took advantage of the fact that most cast members wouldn't give the actual fps a second glance.

I think maybe people should take a step back and think about the overall situation. At least Disney offers this program at all. Most theme parks don't have that kind of system. At Universal you have to PAY for it. So Disney MIGHT be more strictly enforcing a rule that's technically been in place for a very long time. It's not the end of the world.

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

I applaud the move and what little I know of the whole NextGen system -

Because at it's core, I think the changes are designed to avoid the issue of guests having to stand in a line and shuffle forward every few seconds while being socially bullied into having their entire party assembled for that experience by the "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!" crowd, and to move towards a more intelligent and pleasing system of freedom to wait as we see fit.

and the fact that this waiting, in all probability, comes with increased park revenue from guests makes it win-win for good old WDW.

 

[mjp12831]

But you understand the FP police want you to ride less leaving them more.

It's time for the 1% of us who know how to maximize FP to share the FP WEALTH baby! BINGO!

I'm left to agree with the above post - that the people in favor of this are only in favor of it because it benefits laziness and lack of understanding of the system, under the if you ride less than I'll ride more theory.

As I think about it, enforcing end times should get lazy people on the rides more - I'm sure that the change will decrease the number of rides I can hit in a day, thereby freeing up that seat for someone else.

It's more of the "give everyone a trophy" attitude rather than rewarding those who operate most efficiently.

 

[jillybgood]

I applaud the move and what little I know of the whole NextGen system -

Because at it's core, I think the changes are designed to avoid the issue of guests having to stand in a line and shuffle forward every few seconds while being socially bullied into having their entire party assembled for that experience by the "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!" crowd, and to move towards a more intelligent and pleasing system of freedom to wait as we see fit.

and the fact that this waiting, in all probability, comes with increased park revenue from guests makes it win-win for good old WDW.

Sorry if I am being thick.

You are refering to standing in the standby line, correct? Who is the "you shall not pass" crowd? The FP users line? If so, it makes it sound like guests using stand by line are being victimized by those using FPs.

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

Disney is not stupid, there is always a plan. In some way, shape or form, this will benefit them. "Always follow the money" is something I was told a long time ago and I can see it here. Somehow, someway, this has to do with the % of profit. Whether it be with the new system or whatnot, no one can tell. Obviously there is not enough information and I couldn't even begin to speculate. All i can tell you though, is that there are multiple people in suits and ties sitting around a table discussing the chances of profit going up by changing this. I'd bet it has nothing to do whatsoever with wait times, groups, feedback or any of that.

I think that is overly cynical.

"always follow the money" is a term usually used for criminal investigations. I read somewhere that it may have originated in the movie made about the Watergate scandal (All the Presidents Men).

Also - I think a good business like Disney puts the horse before the cart...i.e. make guest experiences better and better and they will be happier and happier and profits will follow.

Because I don't know about you, but I LOVE spending money at Disney. Not that I toss it around frivolously or that I am Bill Gates, but I really enjoy buying things at Disney whether it be a Dole Whip or the $155 Nao we just bought on Main Street of a young girl spinning Minnie in the breeze....