Fastpass Enforcement coming?

[WillAustin]

Yes, you can name me, I also believe it related to XPass, however what caused XPass creation is a big question.

I'm pretty sure it has to do with making Disney more money, nothing else.

Advance ride reservations will get more people out of the lines and spending more money than FastPass ever has.

 

[nytimez]

I'm pretty sure it has to do with making Disney more money, nothing else.

Advance ride reservations will get more people out of the lines and spending more money than FastPass ever has.

Or, more likely, it will get people spending money because it will cost money to use the new system as a premium service... or a freemium service "free" with deluxe stays.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

He could have said it was due to Goofy falling down in the Fastpass line...doesn't make it true.

I never said it was true. I was simply relaying what I read from one of the sources that I trust for info and got a few of the words mixed up but the message was all the same.

I don't believe he had any more information than any other site that reported the change, and he is not the one that decided on behalf of Disney to make the change. Unless Disney issues a statement as to why they made the change, we may never know why. But the evidence is in X-Pass's favor as far as I and many others are concerned.

Disney has issued an "official" internal announcement on why they felt the need to enforce the late fastpass times. That is a fact whether you accept it or not. Also, Disney has issued nothing about XPass, it could be a couple years before we hear anything about that.

And again, if you want to use the word semantics...your own quoted definition of abuse can easily be argued as to not apply, since Disney willingly allowed them to be used late, for many years, without issue, it could not be considered improper or misuse. It could not be considered "abuse of authority" since the FP holder has none. But we've danced that dance many times, so again, I will bow out of this dance.

I have mixed feelings about the word "abuse" because late FP use was allowed, but that will no longer be the case. Disney obviously feels that late FASTPASS creates a certain level of inefficiency that can be resolved if everyone used FP's as intended by returning within the time frame.

 

[doconeill]

I'm pretty sure it has to do with making Disney more money, nothing else.

Advance ride reservations will get more people out of the lines and spending more money than FastPass ever has.

Agreed. It's a way to monetize some of NextGen. It's not quite Fastpass, it's "Fastpass Plus" (the term that likely will be the public name), a move that appears so far to be aimed at putting heads in beds in Deluxe resorts and possibly to drive DVC sales, and squeeze extra cash out of others.

Whether it be by increasing FP line use severely, or requiring strict enforcement of it's own return times (which is what I tend to believe), Disney has decided on "one policy to rule them all", and enforce all return times.

Hmmm...time for Tolkien quotes?

 

[KellyNY]

I'm pretty sure it has to do with making Disney more money, nothing else.

Advance ride reservations will get more people out of the lines and spending more money than FastPass ever has.

Maybe, maybe not, we do not know for sure. All I know however, I will not spend a $1 more just because I will have more free time. They should come out with some really good merchandise to make me spend.

 

[WillAustin]

Agreed. It's a way to monetize some of NextGen. It's not quite Fastpass, it's "Fastpass Plus" (the term that likely will be the public name), a move that appears so far to be aimed at putting heads in beds in Deluxe resorts and possibly to drive DVC sales, and squeeze extra cash out of others.

Whether it be by increasing FP line use severely, or requiring strict enforcement of it's own return times (which is what I tend to believe), Disney has decided on "one policy to rule them all", and enforce all return times.

Hmmm...time for Tolkien quotes?

I have a feeling that one eventual unfortunate effect will be longer FastPass lines all the time. While they'll be significantly shorter than the standby lines, they won't be as short as they are now.

 

[Wadecool]

How did this thread about "Animal House" quotes get derailed by a Fastpass discussion?

See if you can guess what I am now.

 

[doconeill]

Disney has issued an "official" internal announcement on why they felt the need to enforce the late fastpass times. That is a fact whether you accept it or not. Also, Disney has issued nothing about XPass, it could be a couple years before we hear anything about that.

Disney said that with additional guests using Fastpass, they wanted to make things consistent. Additional guests means the plan to increase it's use or at least make it easier for more to use. It is unlikely that they will increase the number of regular Fastpasses, which leaves the new system. The way the new system appears to be gearing up, for it to work properly they WOULD need to enforce times (explained before - with a choosable advanced reservation system, you wouldn't want people picking earlier times just to show up later if the later times were unavailable and showing up whenever - it's a bit different than the current system because you can choose return times), and to be consistent for everyone (and make it easier on CMs), they are enforcing times for everyone.

I have mixed feelings about the word "abuse" because late FP use was allowed, but that will no longer be the case. Disney's obviously feels that late FASTPASS creates a certain level of inefficiency that can be resolved if everyone used FP's as intended by returning within the time frame.

It still gets me that so many people say "Disney obviously feels..." without anything to back it up. It's fine if you feel that's why Disney is making the change. But it isn't obvious Disney feels that it was abused, inefficient, or anything like that. Otherwise I would have expected this change MUCH earlier.

 

[doconeill]

I have a feeling that one eventual unfortunate effect will be longer FastPass lines all the time. While they'll be significantly shorter than the standby lines, they won't be as short as they are now.

THAT is my biggest reservation of the whole thing. More FP use means more people in the FP line, and less people taken from the standby line. Hopefully the increase in use shifts from the standby line, and it isn't just the same people, over and over...

 

[nytimez]

See if you can guess what I am now.

A zit!

 

[KellyNY]

THAT is my biggest reservation of the whole thing. More FP use means more people in the FP line, and less people taken from the standby line. Hopefully the increase in use shifts from the standby line, and it isn't just the same people, over and over...

But who said it will be more FP use, you mean more FPs issued, right? What if it is same number of FPs just scheduled in advance? I am too tired to think about shift and honestly it is difficult to do without much details and pointless for the same reason, unless we want to talk which we of course always want.
BTW, who was in Universal recently, how long lines without paid passes? The last time I was there they still had their version of FP(free one) but you could choose window and it worked very well for us.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

This is the "OFFICIAL INTERNAL ANNOUNCEMENT" FROM DISNEY ~courtesy of ChesireFigment who is an actual Disney CM, I assume you are not a CM but I'm sure you will correct me if I am wrong.

The following is the official internal announcement:

In order to provide the best experience possible for everyone at our theme parks, all Walt Disney World Guests will be expected to return within their FASTPASS return time window, effective March 7.

Disney’s FASTPASS Service plays an important role in our Guests’ ability to enjoy their visit to one of our Walt Disney World theme parks, and our ability to provide this great service is dependent upon Guests returning during the designated window. The vast majority of our Guests are aware of their return times and arrive in the window printed on the FASTPASS ticket.

As more Guests choose to take advantage of this favorite feature, we want to provide the same opportunity to everyone. By asking all Guests to return within the window printed on their FASTPASS, more Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy this great service.

This is not a change, but simply a reminder of our existing policy. Exceptions can be granted for situations such as an attraction downtime, a delay in meal service or personal emergency.

Why do you feel the need to do this?
As more Guests choose to take advantage of this favorite feature, we want to provide the same opportunity to everyone. By asking all Guests to return within the window printed on their FASTPASS, more Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy this great service.

Note, it says "this great service". The memo mentions nothing about a new upcoming service. Again, Disney would not waste money "retraining" CM's if something new was near. I don't dispute XPass, we know it's coming but we don't know when or how, I still think XPass is at least a few years away.

Disney said that with additional guests using Fastpass, they wanted to make things consistent.

Disney didn't say that -- at all.

Additional guests means the plan to increase it's use or at least make it easier for more to use. It is unlikely that they will increase the number of regular Fastpasses, which leaves the new system. The way the new system appears to be gearing up, for it to work properly they WOULD need to enforce times (explained before - with a choosable advanced reservation system, you wouldn't want people picking earlier times just to show up later if the later times were unavailable and showing up whenever - it's a bit different than the current system because you can choose return times), and to be consistent for everyone (and make it easier on CMs), they are enforcing times for everyone.

Yeah, maybe in your little world. IMO, XPass is still in the early stages of development and it will not be available until late 2013 or early 2014 at the soonest. XPass will replace FASTPASS entirely, there will not be two systems and it will be available to everyone. Disney will make money from the sale of the RFID bracelets and perhaps there may be an increase in park admission fees in the form of a hidden surcharge.

Disney is taking time and money to "retrain" CM's about "existing policies". If XPass were really ready, Disney would not bother with "retraining". CM's would be learning about the "new" system.

Fact: You are not an expert on XPass, you don't know any more than me or anyone else reading this thread. Period.

It still gets me that so many people say "Disney obviously feels..." without anything to back it up. It's fine if you feel that's why Disney is making the change. But it isn't obvious Disney feels that it was abused, inefficient, or anything like that. Otherwise I would have expected this change MUCH earlier.

The internal memo backs me up. Where's yours?

 

[ChildAtHeart82]

Kind of -- by not enforcing existing rules against line jumping, CMs have in fact encouraged line jumpers to continue their heinous acts...

I mean, Disney wouldn't have spent all that money on steel line queues if they didn't want to contain line jumping, now, would they?

Not really the same at all. I have yet to hear a CM yelling to a crowd that line jumping was okay and I doubt that anyone else has. Also, I would be very surprised that any CM when asked directly if line jumping was okay, would say yes. The same is not true for fastpass, however (at least until this change was announced).

That's a key difference between fastpass and the other examples posters have been bringing up about Disney not enforcing policy. Using fastpass after the printed window was actively (not kind of) promoted and encouraged by CM's.

 

[KellyNY]

This is the "OFFICIAL INTERNAL ANNOUNCEMENT" FROM DISNEY ~courtesy of ChesireFigment who is an actual Disney CM, I assume you are not a CM but I'm sure you will correct me if I am wrong.
Note, it says "this great service". The memo mentions nothing about a new upcoming service. Again, Disney would not waste money "retraining" CM's if something new was near. I don't dispute XPass, we know it's coming but we don't know when or how, I still think XPass is at least a few years away.

Disney didn't say that -- at all.

Yeah, maybe in your little world. IMO, XPass is still in the early stages of development and it will not be available until late 2013 or early 2014 at the soonest. XPass will replace FASTPASS entirely, there will not be two systems and it will be available to everyone. Disney will make money from the sale of the RFID bracelets and perhaps there may be an increase in park admission fees in the form of a hidden surcharge.

Disney is taking time and money to "retrain" CM's about "existing policies". If XPass were really ready, Disney would not bother with "retraining". CM's would be learning about the "new" system.

Fact: You are not an expert on XPass, you don't know anymore than me or anyone else reading this thread. Period.

The internal memo backs me up. Where's yours?

Pointless, been discussed many times and for some reason many people see things are not in this memo and do not see obvious.
I actually surprised and disappointed how Chershires voice is lost in this thread for the very first time, I think. He made some very good points, not popular but very valid and they were just blown away.

 

[CentralFloridian99]

I always arrive in my window, sometimes earlier, so this isn't a major problem with me. It enforces the meaning of FP.

 

[Liandro]

I hope Disney follows the same rule as in Paris. "Free" special fast passes only for guests that pay top notch.
That will only be concierge and suites guests. So just a few hundred guests,nothing to get upset about unless the little green monster sits on your shoulder.
Creating a class problem? No if people spend hundreds so not thousand dollar a night they should get better perks.
Jealous? No there will always be people that have more money to spend.

As long as Disney is not starting a socialistic vacation policy there will always be people that can and will pay more and so they get more.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

Pointless, been discussed many times and for some reason many people see things are not in this memo and do not see obvious.
I actually surprised and disappointed how Chershires voice is lost in this thread for the very first time, I think. He made some very good points, not popular but very valid and they were just blown away.

I think you're right.

 

[Wadecool]

This is the "OFFICIAL INTERNAL ANNOUNCEMENT" FROM DISNEY ~courtesy of ChesireFigment who is an actual Disney CM, I assume you are not a CM but I'm sure you will correct me if I am wrong.
Note, it says "this great service". The memo mentions nothing about a new upcoming service. Again, Disney would not waste money "retraining" CM's if something new was near. I don't dispute XPass, we know it's coming but we don't know when or how, I still think XPass is at least a few years away.

Disney didn't say that -- at all.

Yeah, maybe in your little world. IMO, XPass is still in the early stages of development and it will not be available until late 2013 or early 2014 at the soonest. XPass will replace FASTPASS entirely, there will not be two systems and it will be available to everyone. Disney will make money from the sale of the RFID bracelets and perhaps there may be an increase in park admission fees in the form of a hidden surcharge.

Disney is taking time and money to "retrain" CM's about "existing policies". If XPass were really ready, Disney would not bother with "retraining". CM's would be learning about the "new" system.

Fact: You are not an expert on XPass, you don't know anymore than me or anyone else reading this thread. Period.

The internal memo backs me up. Where's yours?

Where exactly does that internal memo back you up? You have created your own conclusions of a memo that has been posted numerous times. Nothing earth-shaking, just more conjecture.

What's with the crusade against Doconeil? From what I can tell he has been fairly objective and neutral in this debate. I for one appreciate his willingness to continue to explain the FP system over and over again.

 

[doconeill]

Let me quote the last line again:

more Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy this great service

Information is already leaking that X-Pass is likely to be called "FASTPASS Plus" or "FASTPASS+", including an online survey someone took. So it sure does seem like they are considering X-Pass as part of Fastpass.

I wouldn't call this "retraining" either. It's a change in policy, communicated by memo and word of mouth through managers - hardly a retraining. They aren't exactly "wasting time". What could be considered wasting time is that on March 7th and for as long as might be necessary, managers will be on hand to handle guest issues.

There is absolutely nothing I've said that has been contradicted by any official information, and all the unofficial information indicates that X-Pass/Fastpass Plus/Fastpass+ is coming sooner than later, and this is the first step in the process - get everyone used to the return time enforcement for when it becomes necessary as part of the new system (which CMs have also stated, being told by their managers).

I am not saying I'm 100% correct either. But as far as all the available information goes, this is the most likely.

You are free to disagree, certainly, but I see no point on continuing to repeat myself.

 

[seashoreCM]

... This is not a change, but simply a reminder of our existing policy. Exceptions can be granted for situations such as an attraction downtime, a delay in meal service or personal emergency ...

I think it was two years ago that someone posted a letter he received from Disney stating that fastpasses were to be honored after their "expiration" time. I am not saying that this should or should not be true but because of that letter as well as all kinds of anecdotal evidence of CM's announcing that fastpasses were to be honored for the rest of the day, the truth is that the existing policy, however poorly publicized, from that point on was to honor fastpasses for the rest of the day.

The fact that fastpasses have an expiration time as well as a maturity time means that at the very beginning it was intended that fastpasses be used only within that time window except that if a ride was out of service then affected guests could come back later at their convenience.

Disney may change the policy at any time and it appears that on March 7, 2012 the policy will change back to what it was on day one of fast passes.

Notifying guests of the change can be utterly simple. Post at the fastpass entrance a notice like "New (exclamation point) Fastpasses may be used only during the time period printed on them. (picture with times circled in red)." (Now my experience is that Disney signs tend to be a lot more verbose, sometimes increasing confusion.)

Personally I would have no problem using fastpasses during the times printed on them. IMHO guests should shoot to be back at the ride at the beginning of the time window.