Fastpass Enforcement coming?

[White_Sox_Fan]

Boy, miss two days and this thread continues to explode.

So if we ALL show up late, or not at the correct time, doesn't that kind of change the way the fastpass works?

Yes, but as we know that isn't happening as evidenced by the fact that every time I go into a FP line there are people standing there waiting for the clock to tick over to there return time.

For example, a ride that gives out 5,000 FPs today might give out 1,000 FPs (or XPs) on the day-of, similar to how FPs are distributed today. The rest will

Or they will continue to hand out 5000 FP's and then "sell" (or however it will be handled) X-passes on top of that.


One point no one has made here is the following, everyone is looking at the effect of late FP usage on one attraction. How often do we enter the park and ride one attraction? My goal is to shorten the OVERALL time spent in line for the day. This may mean that I wait in line 45 minutes for one attraction instead of 30, but save 10 minutes on three other attractions by postponing the other one. In the end I spent 45 minutes in one line but have a net gain of 15 minutes. If people are using late FP to the extent that some are implying then while they may wait a few additional minutes later in the day at one or two attractions, they are saving time earlier in the day at other attractions.

 

[doconeill]

This logic only works for standby. This would only work for FP if the FP line never had an open gap.

If person A pulls a FP for 1pm - 2pm and I pull a FP for 5pm - 6pm, I will definitely be affected if person A + 100 more FP holders from earlier in the day all join me in the FP line at 5:05pm. On most of the rides where I am in the standby line, I typically see the FP line have gaps in it where no one is in the line.

For example, if I am in the standby line for SM at 1:30pm and I get to the FP merge point and the FP line is empty, that is time added to someone else's FP wait time later in the day.

You've lost me there.

There should always be gaps in the FP line...otherwise the entire attraction's capacity is given over to FP and the standby line would never move.

Once the gap is reached, any effect that a person using a late FP had on the FP line vanishes.

 

[maxiesmom]

Or dont go at all. Which is really what you would prefer. Because in your mind you think this will all lead to you and yourse getting a more intimate experience when all the rabble decide it's not worth it and stay home.

Wow, where did you come up with that? I have never made any comments about people using FPs being rabble. Or anything of the like. I have honestly not given much thought at all as to how people using FPs past their window affect the way my family experiences the parks. It is just not that important to me.

I'm simply responding to people who seem to think not being able to do that will ruin their trips. People will need to adjust how they tour the parks, but it is not the end of the world as we know it, as some people seem to think. It is very easy to use FP in their window and still see everything you want to see and do everything you want to do in the parks. It will take some adjustment, but it needn't be causing such panic among park-goers.

 

[angelmav]

I'm simply responding to people who seem to think not being able to do that will ruin their trips. People will need to adjust how they tour the parks, but it is not the end of the world as we know it, as some people seem to think. It is very easy to use FP in their window and still see everything you want to see and do everything you want to do in the parks. It will take some adjustment, but it needn't be causing such panic among park-goers.

Disagree. Miss rope drop and go during peak season and the fast pass becomes relatively worthless. There arent that many passes that you can realistically pull in a day anyway.

By adjusting to how they tour the parks, you might as well be saying completely traverse back and forth to make it work.

IMO they want this to be a pain in the neck to the point people will gladly pay for an alternative.

 

[eliza61]

That's precisely the point. Who wants to add MORE clock watching. It's a vacation, you shouldn't need to program your phone to remind you of all the time deadlines you have to meet.

I know ..... I know..... if I don't like it I shouldn't get the FP. Yes, I should just pay my $90 and be happy with a lesser experience. I should be happy to just BE on vacation when there are starving kids in Africa. No .... wait.... that's about cleaning off my plate........
And no, checking for a FP is NOT a huge deal. IF you're there. And IF the time happens to work. It's the running back and forth that's a problem more than the checking.

So WHAT if your kid has been looking forward to riding a certain ride all year and the FP time conflicts with your ADR. DANG IT!You should be happy just to BE at Disney! People are SO entitled these days!

I don't think anyone is saying that, but for some reason it seems you think that you should be able to disney Your way with disregards to the million other park visitiors.
For whatever reason, Disney does not like the current system. WE all have our quirks in our touring. Some things work, some require sacrifices.
Yes, you have to double check your adr's to ride the premium rides. How about this, make a decision what is more important and get that done? Why is that so hard? Even on busy days if you get to the parks at rope drop, from what everyone here says, you can get all the majors done by early afternoon. That requires a sacrifice. getting up early. Sorry but no Disney does not owe you convenience. If running back and forth is a problem then simple don't do it. make a plan that involves going around once and call it a day.

If you make a promise to your kid to do a ride, then GET IN LINE AND DO THE RIDE or push your adr back a bit. Once again it requires a sacrifce or decision on your part. Why do you keep making it sound like some how you will not be able to do TSM or Star tours because you now have to return during your fast pass return time? I would think that if my kids was looking forward to riding a ride all year, that would be the first thing I rode immediately upon stepping foot in the park. Exactly what is preventing you from honoring this promise?

Please you are not a victim under some evil queen.

Yeah I do think you are now acting a little entitled. Disney delivers exactly what they charge you for, entry into the park and the ability to ride any ride you want. The opportunity to have a great vacation. NO where on the ticket does it say you get to do that when you want, and how you want.

 

[WillAustin]

This logic only works for standby. This would only work for FP if the FP line never had an open gap.

If person A pulls a FP for 1pm - 2pm and I pull a FP for 5pm - 6pm, I will definitely be affected if person A + 100 more FP holders from earlier in the day all join me in the FP line at 5:05pm. On most of the rides where I am in the standby line, I typically see the FP line have gaps in it where no one is in the line.

For example, if I am in the standby line for SM at 1:30pm and I get to the FP merge point and the FP line is empty, that is time added to someone else's FP wait time later in the day.

but in the overall line dynamic for the day, it isn't just about "you". For every person that you think jumps in front of you late, someone else got to ride earlier than they would have. Your perception doesn't change that.

I don't see that the number of people pulling FPs is going to decrease with the new policy. TSM and Soarin' will still run out early on crowded days. The number of FPs actually used might drop, but people will still get them anyway.

 

[maxiesmom]

Disagree. Miss rope drop and go during peak season and the fast pass becomes relatively worthless. There arent that many passes that you can realistically pull in a day anyway.

By adjusting to how they tour the parks, you might as well be saying completely traverse back and forth to make it work.

IMO they want this to be a pain in the neck to the point people will gladly pay for an alternative.

And I disagree with you on both points. A couple years back I was at WDW during Spring Break, as my nephew was there playing with his school orchestra. They did not stay on site, were not at the parks for rope drop, and most days did not use Fast Passes. They were able to ride all the big rides, and even went on some more than one time. The only ride they were given FPs for was Everest, as it was their last day and their chaperones went and got them for them.

Also, many of us are used to completely traversing back and forth thru the parks in order to use our FastPasses. That is, if we CHOOSE to grab the FP and then again CHOOSE to wander thru the rest of the park, instead of remaining close by. And that is even after they CHOOSE to sleep in instead of hitting the parks for rope drop. See how personal choice is involved in all of this??

I don't know if a lot of all of this "But I can't...Disney is making it soo hard..." nonsense is coming from a place of fear or what, but it is not coming from any real life experience as far as I can tell. You CAN do the parks, even when they are busy, and have a great time. But if you choose to make things hard on yourself, by taking FastPasses when you know you have an ADR for that time frame, or you decide to hike over to Splash Mountain when you know your FP time for Space Mountain is coming up, then you will probably have a not so great time. Personal responsibility for the choices you make is a great thing. Not so much having fits becuase you want to do it all and you want it when you want it.

 

[nytimez]

In many cases, late FP use actually benefits everyone in both lines. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten an FP at a peak time for another peak time... shown up near the end of the day... and found the ride to be a walk-on for both FP and non-FP.

This won't happen with a ride like Soarin' or TSMM, but it's happened to me plenty on Everest, Big Thunder, Space Mountain, ToT and more.

If I had come "on time," I would have had the net effect of one person on everyone else who came after me. By coming late, I had no effect at all... on anyone, since the ride had no one waiting.

 

[mcd2745]

My two pennies:

I find it very amusing to see some of the reactions in this thread (and I haven't even come close to reading the entire thread). Enforcing FP time will make you stop going to WDW? Really? It is similar to reactions I've seen on the restaurant board if you sugggest the ADR window should be drastically reduced or (like Disney recently did) try to get people to show up for the ADRs they've made. This seems to be be because there are so many DISers/regular visitors who believe they have all these advantages (real and/or perceived - doesn't matter) over all the first-time visitors and the "uninformed" repeat visitors - such as knowing you didn't need to adhere to the time printed on your FP or that you need to make ADRs so far in advance. Introduce anything that even gives the appearance that it may chip away at these so-called advantages and put them on a bit more of a level playing field with the masses and these people throw hissy fits. It's quite comical actually. These people truly believe that the only things Disney should be doing are the things that benefit only their specific touring style and preferences and everyone else be damned. Self-absorbed much?

 

[Wadecool]

In many cases, late FP use actually benefits everyone in both lines. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten an FP at a peak time for another peak time... shown up near the end of the day... and found the ride to be a walk-on for both FP and non-FP.

This won't happen with a ride like Soarin' or TSMM, but it's happened to me plenty on Everest, Big Thunder, Space Mountain, ToT and more.

If I had come "on time," I would have had the net effect of one person on everyone else who came after me. By coming late, I had no effect at all... on anyone, since the ride had no one waiting.

You're spitting into the wind my friend...

 

[Love Tink]

My two pennies:

I find it very amusing to see some of the reactions in this thread (and I haven't even come close to reading the entire thread). Enforcing FP time will make you stop going to WDW? Really? It is similar to reactions I've seen on the restaurant board if you sugggest the ADR window should be drastically reduced or (like Disney recently did) try to get them to show up for ADRs they've made. This seems to be be because there are so many DISers/regular visitors who believe they have all these advantages (real and/or perceived - doesn't matter) over all the first-time visitors and the "uninformed" repeat visitors - such as knowing you didn't need to adhere to the time printed on your FP or that you need to make ADRs so far in advance. Introduce anything that even gives the appearance that it may chip away at these so-called advantages and these people throw hissy fits. It's quite comical actually. These people truly believe that the only things Disney should be doing are the things that benefit their specific touring style and preferences and everyone else be damned. Self-absorbed much?

Comments like this and like pretty much all of those of Maxie's Mom (i.e. "Personal responsibility for the choices you make is a great thing. Not so much having fits becuase you want to do it all and you want it when you want it.") just always make me wonder - are you this disrespectful and downright nasty to people who think differently than you in your real life? Or is it only through the anonymity of a message board that your overwhlmingly snide and condescending side comes out?

So people have concerns that you don't have...that's normal. Everybody sees things differently and has different concerns in life. It's nice for you that the FP changes don't affect your vacation. But, you are not the only person who goes to WDW. Other people might have different priorities than you and that doesn't mean those people are just whiny losers and you can talk to them however you want. What is wrong with you? Who raised you to talk to people this way just because they view things differently than you do?

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

What's the smart money, summary answer, to the following question(s):

If late FP use has no effect on anybody, why are they changing the policy to enforce the window? What is the reason?

 

[Cals dad]

Here is my question regarding this. As an example, what if I go to TSM in the morning to get a fastpass, but the time currently given for return is around the time I have a dining reservation. Do they want me to just stand next to the fastpass machine waiting for the return time to change over to a time I know I'll be able to make it? If I don't, I won't get a fastpass, as they will probably run out if I leave thinking I'll get a fastpass later. As someone with a young child, using a fastpass after the window is great. I can take the child back to the hotel for a nap, then hit the rides without waiting in long lines afterwards. My son is at an age where we can't go through a slow moving 45 minute standby line without bothering the other happy line waiters. I have more then once gotten fastpasses at different times throughout the day that end up being the same time. Sometimes, the time is for just an hour a way, while others give times that are say four hours away. If the nextgen fastpass system can work around these issues, then I'm fine with more enforcement.

Perhaps if they tied it all together with your ticket. Say, when you bought your ticket, you could specify times that you have a meal reservation, or would be back at the hotel for a nap, then you wouldn't get any times given during those hours. Also, it needs to see that you already have a fastpass during a certain timeframe, and spit you out a later time than it is currently giving out.

 

[Mister Skellington]

My two pennies:

I find it very amusing to see some of the reactions in this thread (and I haven't even come close to reading the entire thread). Enforcing FP time will make you stop going to WDW? Really? It is similar to reactions I've seen on the restaurant board if you sugggest the ADR window should be drastically reduced or (like Disney recently did) try to get people to show up for the ADRs they've made. This seems to be be because there are so many DISers/regular visitors who believe they have all these advantages (real and/or perceived - doesn't matter) over all the first-time visitors and the "uninformed" repeat visitors - such as knowing you didn't need to adhere to the time printed on your FP or that you need to make ADRs so far in advance. Introduce anything that even gives the appearance that it may chip away at these so-called advantages and these people throw hissy fits. It's quite comical actually. These people truly believe that the only things Disney should be doing are the things that benefit their specific touring style and preferences and everyone else be damned. Self-absorbed much?

I have not seen many (if any) people who say they wont return over FP TIME enforcement. What I have seen is people who wont return over Xpass (or nexgen) if it is as described in some of these posts. I think that paying extra for FP or having to stay at a deluxe resort to have the FP I used to get for FREE is terrible. I already pay a ton for drinks, food, shirts etc!!!

Do I think Disney should be able to run their business the way they see fit...
OF COURSE~!

I also think it gets to a point for me where MY money goes further somewhere else. Disney is not the only vacation out there, and as always it is MY choice where to spend MY money. This is not a "Hissy" or "self absorbed" just the way I feel.

Again...my issue is with the Xpass NOT time enforcement of FP. Of course....we dont actually know what Xpass is yet so this is ALL conjecture.

 

[mcd2745]

Comments like this and like pretty much all of those of Maxie's Mom (i.e. "Personal responsibility for the choices you make is a great thing. Not so much having fits becuase you want to do it all and you want it when you want it.") just always make me wonder - are you this disrespectful and downright nasty to people who think differently than you in your real life? Or is it only through the anonymity of a message board that your overwhlmingly snide and condescending side comes out?

Disrespectful and nasty? My comments hardly fit that description. Clearly we have different criteria for something to fit that decription. Perhaps as thick-skinned NYer, it takes a lot worse for me to put something in that category. I'm straightforward and honest with people - whether on a message board or "in my real life". And most people respect that.

So people have concerns that you don't have...that's normal. Everybody sees things differently and has different concerns in life. It's nice for you that the FP changes don't affect your vacation. But, you are not the only person who goes to WDW. Other people might have different priorities than you and that doesn't mean those people are just whiny losers and you can talk to them however you want. What is wrong with you? Who raised you to talk to people this way just because they view things differently than you do?

You're 100% correct. And that's the point. There are tons of people who go to WDW. So, for people to get up in arms over things like this becuase it inconveniences THEM, it only comes across one way - selfish.

 

[brerrabbit]

We have utilized the FP late strategy on a couple of trips and found it nice. Prior to that we always showed up in our window so losing the ability to use it late is not the end of the world. I have read all the arguements and even sat and worked with the numbers to say a late return does not effect anything. It was not until someone reposted what Disney's take on this was till I started thinking about it. They basically said they want more people to be able to take advantage of the FP system.

Well thinking about FP's in terms of a reservation sort of like ADR's I came to the conclusion that late returning FP's do have an effect. Basically the severly limit the number of FP's you can give out if you don't want to overload the system. Yes regardless of the FP's issued in a day the same number of guests will ride the rides. But if you think of it in ADR terms, lets say Disney allowed you to make an ADR at 1:00 but said they would honor it all day long. This would certainly limit the number of ADR's they could give a day because all the early ones would show up late and virtually do away with the possibility of ever getting in stand by. By enforcing FP return times then they don't have to leave a window for late returners and can issue more FP's later into the day. As noted by many if you don't have a FP for TSM by about 11:00 am they ususally run out in busy times. But what is the number of FP's given out if Disney knows that a large percentage of them will not be used late in the day even though the return times for many of them were for much earlier in the day.

I have to believe that as much as Disney looks at the numbers they are not concerned with actual utilization of the rides because we all agree they will run at capacity when they are open for the day. In looking at the numbers with the late return policy I have to believe that the alogrithms they use to determine FP issuances and return times factor in the number that return late. It's simple math, I gave out 400 FP's returning between 10:00 and 11:00 am and only had 200 FP's ride during that time so I have to suppose that they will return at some point during the day so that means going forward I issue less FP's. If the enforcement of windows means more FP's later in the day then in Disney's opinion more people can utilize the FP system.

This thinking is something that even preceeds any idea that maybe they are stepping up enforcement in anticipation of an x-pass sytem. I think this change may have nothing to do with a-pass but rather it's just a test to see if they can actually issue more FP's for later in the day if they can alter peoples perceptions and behaviors. Once they study the results of this test, then they can move to the next step which would be an x-pass system.

As I always say, I have no inside knowledge, I am just trying to interpret what the current signals are that Disney is giving.

 

[TLSnell1981]

What's the smart money, summary answer, to the following question(s):

If late FP use has no effect on anybody, why are they changing the policy to enforce the window? What is the reason?

Down the road, Disney will introduce, "the new and improved" version. The FLEXIBLE XPASS (formerly known to DISers as FP) will "enhance" our park experience. Of course, it wont be free...it will come with a fee. It's just a creative way to hike prices.

 

[Colleen27]

What's the smart money, summary answer, to the following question(s):

If late FP use has no effect on anybody, why are they changing the policy to enforce the window? What is the reason?

Because Xpass will allow guests the flexibility that FP used to... for a price.

In the future, I believe we'll have the choice between the limited and rigid FP system (and all the extra walking involved in collecting and using FPs in their windows) for free OR for just $xx per person we can add the flexibility of XPass that allows us to reserve our FPs in advance to avoid the criss-crossing and the arbitrary nature of FP return times. I suspect it'll be as simple as booking a limited number of "good anytime" FPs from your smartphone/computer in advance, but it could also be implemented along the same lines as ADRs where you choose a specific window that works with the rest of your plans.

It is very similar to the MYW ticketing change. Instead of buying tickets with all sorts of flexibility built in, they now offer the most restrictive ticket option for the base price and "allow" guests to pay for any additional flexibility they desire.

 

[nytimez]

What's the smart money, summary answer, to the following question(s):

If late FP use has no effect on anybody, why are they changing the policy to enforce the window? What is the reason?

To say the reason must be because they had an impact when you don't know the actual reason is like saying ancient aliens must have built the Empire State Building, since you don't know who built it.

Therefore, the answer to your question is quite obvious: Ancient aliens are changing the FP system.

You can come back and tell me I'm right later, after History Channel teams with Samantha Brown to get the REAL story on this...

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

Because Xpass will allow guests the flexibility that FP used to... for a price.

In the future, I believe we'll have the choice between the limited and rigid FP system (and all the extra walking involved in collecting and using FPs in their windows) for free OR for just $xx per person we can add the flexibility of XPass that allows us to reserve our FPs in advance to avoid the criss-crossing and the arbitrary nature of FP return times. I suspect it'll be as simple as booking a limited number of "good anytime" FPs from your smartphone/computer in advance, but it could also be implemented along the same lines as ADRs where you choose a specific window that works with the rest of your plans.

It is very similar to the MYW ticketing change. Instead of buying tickets with all sorts of flexibility built in, they now offer the most restrictive ticket option for the base price and "allow" guests to pay for any additional flexibility they desire.

ah-ha. Ok, I can see that. thanks.

To say the reason must be because they had an impact when you don't know the actual reason is like saying ancient aliens must have built the Empire State Building, since you don't know who built it.

Therefore, the answer to your question is quite obvious: Ancient aliens are changing the FP system.

You can come back and tell me I'm right later, after History Channel teams with Samantha Brown to get the REAL story on this...

hardy-har-har!

well it was a genuine question, even though in retrospect I can see how you might've thought it was a leading question....

I just didn't have time to read the last dozen or so pages.