Fastpass Enforcement coming?

[Alesia]

But that still leaves the contradiction in the other document(s), of which the CMs are already privy to, and already believe to be the policy. This tells them "everything we told you was wrong" in a way.

Yes, that's true, but it's part of the psychological aspect. It's basically the power of suggestion. If they were to send a memo saying, "We used to do that, now we don't," the CMs would start telling people, "we used to do that, now we don't." Then the guests will feel ripped off. By sending out a memo saying "We're enforcing a previously existing policy," They're framing it in a more positive light, which will cause the CMs to do the same. The fact that that is not strictly true is beside the point.

 

[lucysmom]

You know, if they didn't pack so many people in the parks, this wouldn't be such a problem. You wouldn't even need a fastpass. You could just stand in line like we used to do. I think the problem is too many people. What's that? They're opening up another WDW hotel?

 

[eliza61]

What amazes me is how upset people become over the things Disney does and yet year after year they still continue to give them their money. Which says to Disney, we are doing what our guests want.

LOL. I think what you have to remember Sammie, is that we here on the dis are probably not your average visitor. We are a bit over the top to put in midly.
I'm going to go out on a limb and say the average casual visitor could really care less.

For me, many things go toward me enjoying a disney vacation and the problem is that since I would go so much, every change seems to be "a loss" of one more thing that use to make trips pleasurable. I have stopped going as frequently because of what I see as a "pattern" of mediocrity. as recently as 2009 we were annual and some times biannual visitors. we use to stay 10 days minimum. last year we were fine with 5 and this year for the first time in a long time, we're not going at all and what's even more interesting is no one is really anguishing over not going, which I would have bet good money would have never happened to my family. My youngest is a senior and passed on his senior trip to disney. once, we would never dream of eating offsite, now meals are so mediocre, we rarely eat onsite. stuff like that.

For the casual visitor, the pattern I see is probably tolerable because they only plan on going once every 3, 4 maybe even 5 years.

So rarely is any "one" change ever enough to make me say, no more trips but start adding them on top.....

Or it could totally be we are simply "burnt out" on the mouse.

 

[doconeill]

You know, if they didn't pack so many people in the parks, this wouldn't be such a problem. You wouldn't even need a fastpass. You could just stand in line like we used to do. I think the problem is too many people. What's that? They're opening up another WDW hotel?

This, and the lack of attractions in any given park that draw enough guests to dilute them sufficiently (i.e. the "E-Tickets") within that park.

TSM and Soarin' are too slow loading to handle the crowds. Test Track/Mission: SPACE and RNRC/TOT just don't draw the focus away from them enough. Star Tours could have helped, but didn't (Star Tours actually has a pretty high load rate in comparison).

 

[GatorLady]

Yes, that's true, but it's part of the psychological aspect. It's basically the power of suggestion. If they were to send a memo saying, "We used to do that, now we don't," the CMs would start telling people, "we used to do that, now we don't." Then the guests will feel ripped off. By sending out a memo saying "We're enforcing a previously existing policy," They're framing it in a more positive light, which will cause the CMs to do the same. The fact that that is not strictly true is beside the point.

I agree. I think that is why they spun it this way too. Also, they probably figured it would end up being be posted on the DIS!

 

[mattsdragon]

This is not a change, but simply a reminder of our existing policy. All Cast Members are expected to adhere to this policy when visiting the parks as Guests.

Not for nothing, and I've never had a problem with the whole returning after the FP window expires thing, but. . .

I feel vindicated in the whole "policy" vs. "rule of thumb" semantic argument that I always end up in.

Back to the shenanigans.

 

[Alesia]

I agree. I think that is why they spun it this way too. Also, they probably figured it would end up being be posted on the DIS!

Well, they probably hoped it wouldn't, but I'm sure some people realized that it would. It doesn't really matter, though - the people reading this thread make up a miniscule percentage of the total park visitors. Almost everyone will just take what the CMs tell them at face value and just move on with their day.

 

[nytimez]

Not for nothing, and I've never had a problem with the whole returning after the FP window expires thing, but. . .

I feel vindicated in the whole "policy" vs. "rule of thumb" semantic argument that I always end up in.

Back to the shenanigans.

But it wasn't a rule of thumb or a matter for semantics. There is written internal documentation saying specifically that, as a matter of company policy, FPs are valid time after the window through park closing.

 

[doconeill]

Well, they probably hoped it wouldn't, but I'm sure some people realized that it would. It doesn't really matter, though - the people reading this thread make up a miniscule percentage of the total park visitors. Almost everyone will just take what the CMs tell them at face value and just move on with their day.

Actually, I think they hoped it would. I've always said that if they planned on changing the policy (and it WAS - we've got the document to prove it!), it was well enough known in the outside world (published in books, used in touring plans, etc.) that they'd want word of the change to get out to the boards, podcasts, etc. well enough in advanced, especially since that is where the people "in the know" hang out and would find out.

That will take some of the heat off the CMs.

 

[snesguy]

Disney is a business and they are trying to strike a balance of maximizing revenue and keeping guests happy. Disney is pretty good at doing this. I hope this new plan works out. It sounds interesting.

Disneyland Resort has tried a different approach so far. In part I think because the properties are very different. DLR has only 3 onsite hotels where as WDW has many. DLR has run some promotions for a couple of periods (last summer was one and now they have another for winter) where onsite hotel guests get extra FP's which are good at any FP enabled ride in both parks. Last summer I think it was one per guest per day. Currently it's two FP's per person per stay (not per day). I don't think this would work at WDW because there are too many onsite hotels. I will wait until the new WDW system is out to decide which I like better. More FP's are better and I'm willing to pay more if I receive a better guest experience. So long as Disney strikes the right balance it might be a change I like.


(From Disneyland Resort special hotel offers)
Limited-Time FASTPASS*** Offer

Stay at one of the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort from January 4 to February 29, 2012 and receive 2 Disney FASTPASS*** tickets for each person in your party. Disney FASTPASS tickets expire seven (7) days from check-in or March 7, 2012, whichever occurs first. Valid theme park ticket required.)

 

[TLSnell1981]

Pretty sad really. So, for now..it's the luck of the draw for FP return times. So, if it conflicts with or is near a dining ressie...miss the ride or forfeit $10 per person (dining penalty). Or, if wait times are incorrect...you're sol for FP return. Yeah, I'm feeling the Magic.

 

[doconeill]

Disney is a business and they are trying to strike a balance of maximizing revenue and keeping guests happy. Disney is pretty good at doing this. I hope this new plan works out. It sounds interesting.

Disneyland Resort has tried a different approach so far. In part I think because the properties are very different. DLR has only 3 onsite hotels where as WDW has many. DLR has run some promotions for a couple of periods (last summer was one and now they have another for winter) where onsite hotel guests get extra FP's which are good at any FP enabled ride in both parks. Last summer I think it was one per guest per day. Currently it's two FP's per person per stay (not per day). I don't think this would work at WDW because there are too many onsite hotels. I will wait until the new WDW system is out to decide which I like better. More FP's are better and I'm willing to pay more if I receive a better guest experience. So long as Disney strikes the right balance it might be a change I like.


(From Disneyland Resort special hotel offers)
Limited-Time FASTPASS*** Offer

Stay at one of the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort from January 4 to February 29, 2012 and receive 2 Disney FASTPASS*** tickets for each person in your party. Disney FASTPASS tickets expire seven (7) days from check-in or March 7, 2012, whichever occurs first. Valid theme park ticket required.)

I think this has been offered before at DLR. And it is similar to past WDW programs like the Birthday/Give-A-Day Fastpasses, or the DVC tour Fastpasses. Which I've mentioned in the past may have been a way to judge the effects of an increase in additional FP use in a more flexible fashion...

 

[Timmy Boy]

Attractions Cast Members were first officially briefed on the new policy tonight. It's the same as everyone has seen (5 minutes early, 15 minutes late). The only exceptions will be confirmed ride downtimes and dining reservation conflicts. Everything else will be dealt with on a case by case basis.

 

[Sammie]

Attractions Cast Members were first officially briefed on the new policy tonight. It's the same as everyone has seen (5 minutes early, 15 minutes late). The only exceptions will be confirmed ride downtimes and dining reservation conflicts. Everything else will be dealt with on a case by case basis.

As it should be.

 

[Sammie]

LOL. I think what you have to remember Sammie, is that we here on the dis are probably not your average visitor. We are a bit over the top to put in midly.
I'm going to go out on a limb and say the average casual visitor could really care less.

For me, many things go toward me enjoying a disney vacation and the problem is that since I would go so much, every change seems to be "a loss" of one more thing that use to make trips pleasurable. I have stopped going as frequently because of what I see as a "pattern" of mediocrity. as recently as 2009 we were annual and some times biannual visitors. we use to stay 10 days minimum. last year we were fine with 5 and this year for the first time in a long time, we're not going at all and what's even more interesting is no one is really anguishing over not going, which I would have bet good money would have never happened to my family. My youngest is a senior and passed on his senior trip to disney. once, we would never dream of eating offsite, now meals are so mediocre, we rarely eat onsite. stuff like that.

For the casual visitor, the pattern I see is probably tolerable because they only plan on going once every 3, 4 maybe even 5 years.

So rarely is any "one" change ever enough to make me say, no more trips but start adding them on top.....

Or it could totally be we are simply "burnt out" on the mouse.

And that is fine and actually should be, even too much of a good thing can sometimes simply be too much.

However if I truly felt toward Disney as some of these postings seem to reflect I could not spend my money there.

Yet some of those that complain the loudest, keeping going back which makes no sense to me.

Either they just like to complain or it is not truly as bad as they make it out to be here.

 

[KellyNY]

But it wasn't a rule of thumb or a matter for semantics. There is written internal documentation saying specifically that, as a matter of company policy, FPs are valid time after the window through park closing.

But I guess it was ment to be presented as a "magic of Disney", you know going extra mile by CMs in eyes of guests. For example, if people running late and still show up 10 min later after time window, CM lets them in anyway. He is a hero, Disney wows guest, guest is happy and so on. They probably did not realize how many people will see it as an opportunity to ran 5 hours late.

Another example on the CM print out posted on this thread is a group with 1 less FP. They suppose to still let this person in as FP can simply get lost. Wonder how many used this trick but I never heard of it and last trip when CM let me ride with my DD when I only had FP for her I saw it as pure magic. Now I know it was actually a policy.

I am sure there is a whole number of such policies that make you feel like CM goes extra mile but he just follows the rules, rules we do not know about.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Attractions Cast Members were first officially briefed on the new policy tonight. It's the same as everyone has seen (5 minutes early, 15 minutes late). The only exceptions will be confirmed ride downtimes and dining reservation conflicts. Everything else will be dealt with on a case by case basis.

The ONLY exceptions..downtimes And dining conflicts AND EVERYTHING else... Wow, sounds like a mess.


Just a reminder folks..be careful what you wish for. So far, the rumors are bearing fruit, the FP will be limited (reduced) for regular guests. If, the rest turns out to be true...more than a few won't be too pleased.

 

[Mister Skellington]

Pretty sad really. So, for now..it's the luck of the draw for FP return times. So, if it conflicts with or is near a dining ressie...miss the ride or forfeit $10 per person (dining penalty). Or, if wait times are incorrect...you're sol for FP return. Yeah, I'm feeling the Magic.

This could easily be remedied by giving a special FP for one that expires while you are eating. You give them your expiring FP they give you an after dinner FP.

 

[Jennasis]

The restaurants can easily stamp/validate a FP for you if your service caused you to miss a window. Of course I don't think you'll get a stamp for a 1-2pm FP if your dinner was at 5pm, but still I think the waiter could easily stamp a pass that expired at 5:30 if dinner ran till 5:30-6pm.

 

[TLSnell1981]

This could easily be remedied by giving a special FP for one that expires while you are eating. You give them your expiring FP they give you an after dinner FP.

I doubt, FP will be around for long..at least, as we know it. I'm predicting, they are being phased out.