If the new X-Pass system comes to be, when might that happen?

[conandrob240]

Thanks

 

[doconeill]

We're all waiting for the next signs of it.

XPass is just part of a much larger Next Generation initiative (commonly referred to as NextGen), which will deal with things inside and outside of the parks.

The most recent implementation of NextGen is at the newly-opened Art of Animation resort, which is the first to use RFID technology for access to rooms and the main pool area. Those same RFID cards/wristbands will tie in to the other systems.

And I'll just add to the speculation - there is even a chance X-Pass won't happen. Disney's track record on announcements vs. implementation hasn't been great as of late, and X-Pass hasn't even really been announced officially.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

The trial was for two weeks in early May. Every report I saw was that testers were approached in the Magical Express queue.

glad to see you can properly spell "queue"

 

[TLSnell1981]

Meh...I'm hoping for sooner, than later. The "current" system stinks. IMO I will love having FPs, that don't conflict with my ADRs.

 

[taaren]

Based on all those facts we have?

The reviews of the tests in May were very favorable, and while reviews of a system, aren't facts, they do generally indicate good things to come.

For those that are looking for an article about what the X-Pass system is here is one.

Was looking for a rumor that it might be starting soonish, but apparently no one's heard anything like that. Oh well.

 

[mesaboy2]

The reviews of the tests in May were very favorable, and while reviews of a system, aren't facts, they do generally indicate good things to come.

For those that are looking for an article about what the X-Pass system is here is one.

Was looking for a rumor that it might be starting soonish, but apparently no one's heard anything like that. Oh well.

Except the rumored "system" wasn't tested, only a small aspect of it. We have no idea what the parameters or goals of the test were, and therefore any reviews of the test are worthless.

Until we know much more about the entire plan (see Post #16 above), we have precisely zero idea how "good" it will be.

The dude that you linked to has no more details than we do.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

The reviews of the tests in May were very favorable, and while reviews of a system, aren't facts, they do generally indicate good things to come.

For those that are looking for an article about what the X-Pass system is here is one.

Was looking for a rumor that it might be starting soonish, but apparently no one's heard anything like that. Oh well.

~I don't know who you are, but I like you!!!

 

[larryz]

I read somewhere it will go into effect on October 1st.

They didn't specify the year.

With the advent of shortened EMH, I'm leaning more toward Jan 2013.

 

[MouseEarsForAll]

I know exactly what date the X-Pass will launch....XX/XX/XXXX!


I can guarantee that!

 

[Missyrose]

Meh...I'm hoping for sooner, than later. The "current" system stinks. IMO I will love having FPs, that don't conflict with my ADRs.

A) You can have FPs that don't conflict with your ADRs now, just look at the time before you pull the FP.

B)From many of the rumors and the way X-Pass was tested, you'll likely only be able to plan a handful of rides in advance.

 

[taaren]

~I don't know who you are, but I like you!!!

I know, right? There seem to be so many nay-sayers here about an idea that's been tested that I've seen nothing but good coverage from via the bloggers. The Mouse will generally only implement things that will cause people to desire to spend more money there, so I'm not sure why such the negativity.

I know exactly what date the X-Pass will launch....XX/XX/XXXX!

I can guarantee that!

A) You can have FPs that don't conflict with your ADRs now, just look at the time before you pull the FP.
B)From many of the rumors and the way X-Pass was tested, you'll likely only be able to plan a handful of rides in advance.

I'd be super happy even if I could only plan 2-3 rides per day. Not having to send an FP runner for FPs? Win!

With the advent of shortened EMH, I'm leaning more toward Jan 2013.

Hmm. That's a good point, because its entirely possible they might be related. Nice connection! I'm rooting for just before the holidays 2012 since that's when my trip is, but its doubtful. I do tend to notice that they roll out big stuff either just in time for the crowds, or shortly before (ie summer and the winter holidays) so that a maximum amount of people can be marketed to about how great their Disney trip is, so I'd actually guess May 2013ish.

 

[mesaboy2]

I know, right? There seem to be so many nay-sayers here about an idea that's been tested that I've seen nothing but good coverage from via the bloggers. The Mouse will generally only implement things that will cause people to desire to spend more money there, so I'm not sure why such the negativity.

This question kind of answers itself.

Again, we know next to nothing about it. I'm skeptical the rumored system can be as equitable as the current one, which has worked pretty darn well for a while now. I honestly hope I'll be pleasantly surprised, but I doubt it. If you believe there is a tie between this and shortened EMH, then it shouldn't be difficult to see my point.

 

[disneyfan888]

I do not like this X-Pass idea, neither does anyone in my family and many friends we have spoken to. We live in FL and go to Disney all the time and before we lived here, we would visit almost every year. Why change a system that has worked beautifully for so many years? I think this X-Pass is bad news. I know that we are going off on rumors, but if they implement the idea of making reservations for an attraction, that is beyond ridiculous. I don't like any of it. This will only make regular lines longer and honestly I think it takes away from the magic that people would have to pay for something that has always been free. This is by far the first thing Disney has ever done to really get me angry. I hope they cancel the whole thing. I vote to veto!!

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

I know, right? There seem to be so many nay-sayers here about an idea that's been tested that I've seen nothing but good coverage from via the bloggers. The Mouse will generally only implement things that will cause people to desire to spend more money there, so I'm not sure why such the negativity.

~I totally agree! Everything and I mean everything that I have read about xPass gives me reason to celebrate! And, Disney has these totally cute RFID bracelets, that you can customize and coordinate with your outfit, they might be called "Magic Bands!" If this happens, I'm getting one in every color, lol!!

~Besides, if FastPass worked "so well", why was there a need to hoard FP's throughout the day in order to use later in the evening, lol! I used FP's late and loved touring the parks that way. And, I don't buy that it was just a few people doing this, or else Disney would not have found it necessary to send out a national press release to all of the media outlets, just to spread the news. And, it wasn't flattering at all, the news referred to late FP user's as "FastPass abuser's" or something like that, it was very insulting, IMO.

~There aren't many corporations that would allow the media to refer to their loyal patrons in such away, it was a total PR nightmare, imo. I didn't see any efforts on Disney's behalf to correct the statements made by the press, so it must have been considered a wide spread problem, IMO. But, none of that matters anymore, it's water under the bridge, thankfully. Now, we can look foward to the more fabulous xPass! Yay!

I'd be super happy even if I could only plan 2-3 rides per day. Not having to send an FP runner for FPs? Win!

~I totally agree! I also wouldn't have to be concerned with waiting sometimes 2 hours or whatever time they feel like giving before I can get another FP! This is so exciting!

Hmm. That's a good point, because its entirely possible they might be related. Nice connection! I'm rooting for just before the holidays 2012 since that's when my trip is, but its doubtful. I do tend to notice that they roll out big stuff either just in time for the crowds, or shortly before (ie summer and the winter holidays) so that a maximum amount of people can be marketed to about how great their Disney trip is, so I'd actually guess May 2013ish.

~Sorry, I really don't see the "connection" between xPass and losing one hour from evening EMH, lol. The obvious reason is maintenance. There are more attractions to maintain with the New Fantasyland, thousands of additional guests from AOA who are expected to utilize EMH, which is more people who need to be cleared out of the parks. In addition, the monorail needs extra attention and the old attractions are getting older and need more attention.

~Disney already tried to cut the monorail hours during EMH and that didn't work out well, so now they will close the park entirely, which makes sense. Unfortunately, I don't see xPass coming out until late 2013 or early 2014 when the new FantasyLand is completed, specifically the mine train. Ugh, it feels like forever, I cannot wait!

 

[thestevied]

A) You can have FPs that don't conflict with your ADRs now, just look at the time before you pull the FP.

Love this, it's so true!

 

[donaldlovesdaisy]

~I totally agree! Everything and I mean everything that I have read about xPass gives me reason to celebrate! And, Disney has these totally cute RFID bracelets, that you can customize and coordinate with your outfit, they might be called "Magic Bands!" If this happens, I'm getting one in every color, lol!!

~Besides, if FastPass worked "so well", why was there a need to hoard FP's throughout the day in order to use later in the evening, lol! I used FP's late and loved touring the parks that way. And, I don't buy that it was just a few people doing this, or else Disney would not have found it necessary to send out a national press release to all of the media outlets, just to spread the news. And, it wasn't flattering at all, the news referred to late FP user's as "FastPass abuser's" or something like that, it was very insulting, IMO.

~There aren't many corporations that would allow the media to refer to their loyal patrons in such away, it was a total PR nightmare, imo. I didn't see any efforts on Disney's behalf to correct the statements made by the press, so it must have been considered a wide spread problem, IMO. But, none of that matters anymore, it's water under the bridge, thankfully. Now, we can look foward to the more fabulous xPass! Yay!


~I totally agree! I also wouldn't have to be concerned with waiting sometimes 2 hours or whatever time they feel like giving before I can get another FP! This is so exciting!

~Sorry, I really don't see the "connection" between xPass and losing one hour from evening EMH, lol. The obvious reason is maintenance. There are more attractions to maintain with the New Fantasyland, thousands of additional guests from AOA who are expected to utilize EMH, which is more people who need to be cleared out of the parks. In addition, the monorail needs extra attention and the old attractions are getting older and need more attention.

~Disney already tried to cut the monorail hours during EMH and that didn't work out well, so now they will close the park entirely, which makes sense. Unfortunately, I don't see xPass coming out until late 2013 or early 2014 when the new FantasyLand is completed, specifically the mine train. Ugh, it feels like forever, I cannot wait!

I am also a fan of the mysterious XPASS if it goes down the way so many are saying(for WDW resort guest). It will be great to know that before we even get there we have a schedule time each day to ride our top 3 rides. We can hopefully set the time later in the day so we can sleep in and not have any stress about getting to the park earlier enough to obtain a FB to do so. Plus I think this is the perfect perk for WDW resort guest.

 

[doconeill]

I know exactly what date the X-Pass will launch....XX/XX/XXXX!


I can guarantee that!

I can probably do one better...I can be it will be XX/XX/20XX

I know, right? There seem to be so many nay-sayers here about an idea that's been tested that I've seen nothing but good coverage from via the bloggers. The Mouse will generally only implement things that will cause people to desire to spend more money there, so I'm not sure why such the negativity.

The selection set of people who tested it was extremely small compared to the park attendance and only a select subset in general (those waiting for Magical Express at MCO). Yes, the majority of feedback may have been good, but this wasn't a full test. A small number of people getting Fastpasses (which may or may not have been accounted for and pulled from the existing FP pool ahead of time) wasn't going to affect much, but what happens to lines when a much larger implementation happens?

And this test was as much about how to handle the system on the CM and technology side as it was about guest experience, if not more. We don't know as much about how well that went.

This and other similar tests (Wishes and parade FPs, RFID entrance, etc.) seem to be more about "throwing at the wall and see what sticks" for the future implementation.

In the end, why the negativity? Because it is going to affect those who are experienced with how things work now. And depending on how this is implemented and who can use it, could negatively impact them. And it's fear of the unknown.

 

[Robo]

The Mouse will generally only implement things that will cause people to desire to spend more money there, so I'm not sure why such the negativity

...it's fear of the unknown.

Maybe for some...

But, I'm basing my negativity on the kind of downgrading of offerings and
lowering of guest services Disney has actually been putting into place lately.

The bludgeoning of the flexible FP system... formerly, it has worked well for over a decade.

Raising resort room rates and cutting back (nearly eliminating) AP and other discounts... formerly, it has worked well for over a decade.

Cancellation of the third hour of PM EMH that has been working (especially that third hour)... formerly, it has worked well for... (you get the idea.)

And, I could go on.

So, from seeing these changes, I have very little
that leads me to expect that Disney will unleash a "new improved" FP system
that has an overall positive affect on guest experience.

So...
I have actually SEEN what they have been doing to guest experience so far.


And, I DON'T like it.



.

 

[MouseEarsForAll]

but if they implement the idea of making reservations for an attraction, that is beyond ridiculous.

Ya think?! Craziest idea Disney has ever (supposedly) come up with!

 

[MouseEarsForAll]

I can probably do one better...it will be XX/XX/20XX

No fair.