Fastpass Enforcement coming?

[dfduck]

I think this is a GREAT idea!

 

[Guzzi]

Im a little bummed as we used to get fast passes and save a couple for the evening, I will just have to change our touring strategy a little.

this does make me hope/wish for the rumored system which allows you to "schedule" rides and or fast passes like adrs. It will save wear and tear on my 50 year old legs as the designated fast pass runner!

 

[doconeill]

This is my main worry too. We uaully manage to make it in our assigned return window with the exception of rider swap. The rides that use rider swap typically have 20 minute or more waits even in the fast pass line. So the baby will already have to wait 20 minutes for the person to make it through the line and then (in the case of Splash) another almost 20 minutes for the ride. So waiting a total of 1 hour 20 minutes to move on is a long time for someone under 4 years old.

Because of this we typically use our rider swap a few hours after we initially ride so the baby doesn't have to wait so long.

If they returned rider swap to how it used to be, waiting at the exit and immediately hopping on the ride after the first person got off it wouldn't be so bad. If not then they really need to let rider swaps return anytime that day.

Rider Switch passes are not Fastpasses (in that they are not part of the allocation system, do not have specific return times, etc.), so there is no reason to assume that they are changing in any way at this point.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Rider Switch passes are not Fastpasses (in that they are not part of the allocation system, do not have specific return times, etc.), so there is no reason to assume that they are changing in any way at this point.

So, FP as we know it, is going away? We will no longer walk up for FP? Does Genx replace them completely or is it in addition?

 

[sharona]

We employed the collect in the morning and use later FP strategy on our last trip and it was great. Especially at MK. I can count on one hand the number of times we waited more than 10 minutes.

It was a very stress free, aggravation free trip. If my DD needed a break, we took one with no worries about missing a FP return time. I can't imagine having to deal w/ FP windows in the summer - trying to criss cross the park and hurry around in that heat.

We won't be visiting anytime soon but my brother and his family plan to be there during April school break. We'll be waiting and watching the DIS in March to see some first hand reports about any changes so they can plan accordingly.

 

[doconeill]

So, FP as we know it, is going away? We will no longer walk up for FP? Does Genx replace them completely or is it in addition?

I didn't say FPs as we know it are going away. From the reports that generated this thread, they are changing the way the return times are enforced. All I said in the quoted post is that Rider Switch passes are not Fastpasses, they function differently and for different reasons, and so there is not likely to be any change as to how they are handled.

What I don't know for certain is that they are not going away. There are no details on how X-Pass is being implemented to know if they are in place of or in addition to Fastpasses. My money is leaning towards in addition to.

 

[chicagoshannon]

Rider Switch passes are not Fastpasses (in that they are not part of the allocation system, do not have specific return times, etc.), so there is no reason to assume that they are changing in any way at this point.

I hope you're right.

 

[jillybgood]

As for the people threatening to never vacation at WDW again because of this? I say good...shorter lines for the rest of us.

Who "threatened" to "never" go back again? Maybe I missed some posts since it is a long thread, but I only recall people who said they may not go as often.

Why does the fact that some us would choose to go elsewhere for their vacation push some peoples buttons? Honestly, I don't understand why some people are insinuating or outright accusing those of us who choose an alternate vacation of having a fit.

Frankly, enjoy your shorter lines. I am truly happy that this will have no impact/possitive impact on your enjoyment of you vacation. I feel differently about how it would impact mine and choose to do something else. Not throwing a fit. Just making the best choice for me.

 

[eliza61]

I have absolutely no problems with enforcing the rules.

Generally I think changes occur because some how, some way people are abusing the system. Getting a fp with return time for 3 then deciding to wait 4 hours to use it has to put kinks in the system.

Now I know, every one here will swear that they never ever intentionally misuse fast passes but this is the dis world.

Personally for me it's not a big problem, if I miss a ride, I miss it. not the end of the world but I have the luxury of knowing I'll be back.

 

[Chabby]

I think that allowing people to return whenever, completely defeats the purpose of FP as I think Disney created them for.

My only issue with the enforcement of the rule is that it falls in the middle of my vacation and I won't be able to read about it here first.

 

[raidermatt]

All of the theories about the current positives and negatives of how guests use FP are well and good, but irrelevant. This change is not an attempt to fix any current problem. If it were, Disney would not have waited years to implement it.

Disney is merely trying to prepare to sell it's nexgen product (and yes, we will pay for it one way or another) and they are trying to get rid of any potential monkeys in the wrench. All the other explanations we might hear are simply to avoid Disney having to say we need to do whatever we have to do in order to justify the huge investment we made in nexgen, regardless of what guests actually want.

 

[savannahcat]

Who "threatened" to "never" go back again? Maybe I missed some posts since it is a long thread, but I only recall people who said they may not go as often.

Why does the fact that some us would choose to go elsewhere for their vacation push some peoples buttons? Honestly, I don't understand why some people are insinuating or outright accusing those of us who choose an alternate vacation of having a fit.

Frankly, enjoy your shorter lines. I am truly happy that this will have no impact/possitive impact on your enjoyment of you vacation. I feel differently about how it would impact mine and choose to do something else. Not throwing a fit. Just making the best choice for me.

 

[raidermatt]

Rider Switch passes are not Fastpasses (in that they are not part of the allocation system, do not have specific return times, etc.), so there is no reason to assume that they are changing in any way at this point.

They are used in conjunction with each other and that actually does raise a question. Currently, a group of 6 who all hold tickets can get 6 FPs, even if one isn't riding and rider switch will be used. There is generally a 15-30 minute gap between the party's two rides, and under the current system at least one extra rider can go again by using the child's FP on that second ride. If the 2nd ride comes after the return window, will the group no longer be able to use that FP?

We can say that the answer will be "no" and there is no reason to complain since the FP actually belonged to the child in the first place, but the reality is guests currently take advantage of this and it will likely have to stop now.

Added in edit: There are actually two extra FP's in this scenario, one for the child and one for the adult who sat out with the child.

 

[doconeill]

They are used in conjunction with each other and that actually does raise a question. Currently, a group of 6 who all hold tickets can get 6 FPs, even if one isn't riding and rider switch will be used. There is generally a 15-30 minute gap between the party's two rides, and under the current system at least one extra rider can go again by using the child's FP on that second ride. If the 2nd ride comes after the return window, will the group no longer be able to use that FP?

We can say that the answer will be "no" and there is no reason to complain since the FP actually belonged to the child in the first place, but the reality is guests currently take advantage of this and it will likely have to stop now.

Added in edit: There are actually two extra FP's in this scenario, one for the child and one for the adult who sat out with the child.

Right, but that's not a change in how Rider Switch passes are handled. That's a change in how guests utilize Fastpasses while also using a Rider Switch, which as stated will likely have to change.

 

[eliza61]

Based on this and other threads, not all Disers use FPs late and I highly doubt general public(non Disers) even know about it, so considering such a tiny number of people, why would they change things, just don't understand it.

Because as a general rule, a change is made because of some thing broken in the system. Now maybe they have recieved complaints of folks usuing fast passes 5 hours after the fact or maybe the cm's are voiced a concern.

but they change things simple based on the fact that some thing is causing a issue.

 

[KellyNY]

Because as a general rule, a change is made because of some thing broken in the system. Now maybe they have recieved complaints of folks usuing fast passes 5 hours after the fact or maybe the cm's are voiced a concern.

but they change things simple based on the fact that some thing is causing a issue.

Technicaly true, but it did not cause any issues for years, so why now?
I agree with PP who said that maybe it is to make it more difficult and therefore to justify NextGen. And the way I see NextGen, it is not to make anyones experience better but simply to lock you on property IF as per rumors onsite will have advantages.

 

[Wadecool]

Because as a general rule, a change is made because of some thing broken in the system. Now maybe they have recieved complaints of folks usuing fast passes 5 hours after the fact or maybe the cm's are voiced a concern.

but they change things simple based on the fact that some thing is causing a issue.

Or maybe as others have suggested, the change they are making is in preparation for a new NextGen FP system and has nothing to do with any perceived breakdown in the way things are currently being done.

 

[mossy1]

I am not really thrilled about the change but it is Disney so some amount of change is to be expected. I guess it really doesn't change the way we tour, but I will have to adjust when I get my future passes to reflect an available time in the future that works with our current plans and if we decide to take a break or not. Which in the end it will be a little more running around for the FP runner and some more scheduling. I would love if the return was moved to say an hour instead of the 15 min. Only time will tell.

 

[mom2rtk]

Because as a general rule, a change is made because of some thing broken in the system. Now maybe they have recieved complaints of folks usuing fast passes 5 hours after the fact or maybe the cm's are voiced a concern.

but they change things simple based on the fact that some thing is causing a issue.

But how would you KNOW if someone in line with you had used a late FP?

And I agree that this is probably more about evolution of the system than about anything being broken.

 

[Jennasis]

With all due respect, I have to believe that those who don't fully use fastpasses within the currently allowable guidelines are not having the same quality experience that those of us who do are having. Is it "doable", as so many have suggested? Of course, but many of us have enhanced the quality of our park time by carefully strategizing the nuances, including how and when to use FP. DH and I are both teachers -we have to go in the summer and almost always go during the week of July 4th. It is terrifically crowded and blasted hot. We tour very strategically and have never waited in a line for more than 13 minutes in five trips (really...I've timed it). We ride all the big headliners at least twice, and make ADR's for when and where we want to eat. I am not arguing Disney's right to change their policy; I'm not arguing whether the return window should or should not be enforced; I'm not arguing whether or not this will make lines short/longer/etc; I'm simply saying that for those of us who tour strategically, at the busiest times of year, in the dreadful heat of summer, this change has the potential to significantly detract from our park experience. To suggest we have been "dropped on our heads" (and the like) for being less than thrilled about it is not only unkind, but unnecessary. We love Disney and will adapt if required, but one should not judge those of us for whom this DOES make a huge difference, particularly when I have to believe those folks may not really get if they're not fully using fastpasses in the manner currently allowable anyway.

I eagerly await reports from people who tour like we do before judging whether or not the Disney vacation dollar continues to be worth the experience.

That's an awful big leap you made there. People who don't tour the way YOU do aren't having a quality experience? If it works for you, great, but don't pretend to know how enjoyable or quality anyone else's experiences are.