How to deal with new FastPass rules

[bookwormde]

There are lots of customer service apps that let you pick from available times to be provided a service (the dining reservation system is an example of a rather cumbersome one).

As for replacing all the FP dispensers, no that would not be needed, just to change or add 1 or 2 at each location labeled that those wishing to determine there time could line up to use.

The programming is much simpler that what is required for the ticket verification scan part fo the process, now allowing dispensing of fastpasses for any ride from any location would take some extra work.

I think it would be helful to reread the origonal posters concerns that were the basis for this thread to decide if finally enforcing the times creates any issues.

I suspect the WDW likely already has something in the works, it is jsut a matter of when they implement.

 

[maxiesmom]

I didn't know either.. I always went back during my allotted time, or gave them away if I wasn't available at that time. Are the new "rules" posted anywhere. I hadn't seen them.

They don't go into effect until March. Only then will any of us know how it will all work. Could be interesting, could be we notice nothing different.

 

[vacationclub]

There are lots of customer service apps that let you pick from available times to be provided a service (the dining reservation system is an example of a rather cumbersome one).

As for replacing all the FP dispensers, no that would not be needed, just to change or add 1 or 2 at each location labeled that those wishing to determine there time could line up to use.

The programming is much simpler that what is required for the ticket verification scan part fo the process, now allowing dispensing of fastpasses for any ride from any location would take some extra work.

I think it would be helful to reread the origonal posters concerns that were the basis for this thread to decide if finally enforcing the times creates any issues.

I suspect the WDW likely already has something in the works, it is jsut a matter of when they implement.

Regarding apps to pick dining times, you're comparing apples and oranges. Dining serves far fewer people per day and each event takes over an hour (for diner). Rides serve thousands, if not tens of thousands per day, for an event that lasts a few minutes. Plus, they have in incentive to help you make dining reservations....they want your money. It helps their bottom line (assuming you show up...another exploit they've fixed). But ride reservations don't generate any more income for them (at least not directly)

You're right that you could simply add new kiosks to the existing ones for those that want to pick a time...but don't you think that if that option ever became available that everyone would prefer it. Who would leave it up to disney if they could go to the other machine and pick their time? Seems like you'd need a lot of machines....or...the new ones would have long lines while the old ones don't.

As far as programming, unless you're a programmer working for Disney I'm not sure how you're qualified to comment on it's complexities.

Regarding re-reading the concerns.....their concerns are simple. They don't want to have to play by the originally intended rules because it will make life harder for them. I get that....I don't need to re-read it. That doesn't mean they have a legitimate complaint. They've been exploiting a loop hole, a weakness, and Disney has closed the loop. The parties over, what more can you say? They simply must adapt to the way others have been doing it...the way it was always intended to begin with. They may find that simply changing their routine may be adequate while lowering expectations a bit. Perhaps fast pass may work better, be more balanced, now that Disney is enforcing it's originally intended rules. There must be some reason why they've decided to do this. Perhaps it's because the late returners were becoming so common that it was messing with the fast pass expected results.

If Disney already had something like what you describe in the works, why would they take a step in the opposite direction first and not just leave it as it is, without upseting people, and then introduce this new method later on? Why make waves if that's their long term intention?

 

[brerrabbit]

I posted this on the big thread about what I think is going on. I disagree that there is no comparison to Dining Reservations, if you read what Disney has said about FP's. What I read and mention below is that they wanted more people to utilize the FP system. To accomplish this they want to make more FP's available and the way to do that is to expire the ones they issue during the day.

From the other thread:
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.

 

[estherhead]

I posted this on the big thread about what I think is going on. I disagree that there is no comparison to Dining Reservations, if you read what Disney has said about FP's. What I read and mention below is that they wanted more people to utilize the FP system. To accomplish this they want to make more FP's available and the way to do that is to expire the ones they issue during the day.

I hope they do make it so more people can use it. I love WDW so much and I'm always sad when I see families who are clearly there for their first visit and don't know how anything works. I think, "They won't like it, they won't come back."

If they could make it so more people are getting the perks, that would be better IMHO. Even if it means that some of us Disers don't get to everything we are used to being able to do because we are the ones in on the secret. I don't want WDW to be a secret. I want WDW to be around for a LONG time.

 

[heyitsmejosh]

i'm never at the park at rope drop (i'm a night person) and ive never collected passes for use after their time.

as for getting on rides at night, ive never really had a problem. i usually have an app on my cell phone with wait times that helps to know what they are. the only rides ive seen that really run out of fast passes early is TSM and Soarin. so there are usually fast passes for rides that are 1 or 2 hours out that you can get. you should then get another one as soon as you can.

take advantage of things like single riders lines, decide if sitting in the same car is worth waiting 60 minutes compared to 5 or 10 minutes. (you arent talking durring a roller coaster)

skip the parades and ride the rides durring them

and lastly take advantage of the evening EMH, true lots people go to the park with the intent of using them but the crowd still thins out a lot. the MK's EMH are the best because they go until 3 am at peak times and i promise you there arent a lot of people in the park come 1am or so and you wont wait long for anything.

 

[DizAdvizor]

You can also subscribe to a touring plan service. I've used them during peak seasons, and they are well worth the low cost. You get on a lot of rides with short waits followng the touring plans. They even advise you when to pick up Fast Passes for which rides.

With the time window being enforced, this will make the 'touring plan' market less valuable.

 

[maxiesmom]

With the time window being enforced, this will make the 'touring plan' market less valuable.

I don't agree. I am not a huge user of Fast Passes. And still, when we are in the parks over a peak time such as the 4th of July, the touring plans work very well!

Btw, you did notice this thread is over a year old, right?

 

[Mad Hattered]

What is this March 7th #^$* I am reading? Is that really when this transition begins? That is our first full day in the parks.

EDIT: oops...why did someone bump a post from a year ago?? I guess I should have caught that when I replied. My bad.

 

[heyitsmejosh]

What is this March 7th #^$* I am reading? Is that really when this transition begins? That is our first full day in the parks.

EDIT: oops...why did someone bump a post from a year ago?? I guess I should have caught that when I replied. My bad.

yeah this thread is like a year old lol

 

[Robo]

 

[mattsdragon]

I hear that they are going to start enforcing the FP times on March 17th.

Rumor or no?

 

[larryz]

I hear that they are going to start enforcing the FP times on March 17th.

Rumor or no?

Yeah, and I heard it might have something to do with some new FastPass version that uses RFID, WiFi, infra-red, ultra-violet and laser beams from outer space to make you late for your ADRs so you'll have to pay the no-show fee...

 

[monorailrabbit]

Robo, you are my favorite!