Just got back and IMHO there are too many fast passes!!!

[ead79]

I have not used FP very many times (we usually go in the off-season), but when I have it has worked very well. I have found it to be especially helpful for the Living with the Land boat ride. I also like using it for Buzz so I can ride once without a FP then ride again with the FP.

 

[goofyernmost]

OK, you've sucked me in again. Here are the reasons. I don't expect everyone to agree with them, they are MY opinions. I will try to make them point by point. (briefly)

1. I am aware that they are free, so lets resolve that issue!

2. I am aware that if I wanted one and I got to it on time, I could also get one. However, based on what I just said that means that NOT EVERYONE CAN GET ONE because they only issue a specific number.

3. What that basically means is that a probable majority of the "fools" you see standing in the stand by lines had no choice. They either had no more fast passes available or they were into an hour that wasn't doable.

4. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. If a number of people get in quickly and equal number of people will have to endure a longer wait. That creates hostility on line from those people that you consider too stupid to get a FP. Reality check time...as much as the desire for a perfect world might exist it doesn't. People are hot, tired and impatient. So just because you are feeling good about your little "special" pass not everyone is happy for you.

5. Personally I don't give a whip about it. AS I SAID IN MY POST, if you like it, use it. I don't and I won't, but that is my decision. I am refering to the rest of the people that are getting a bad image of WDW because of it. I think it was a bad idea that is now a reality and will not be able to go away. Too bad because it is upsetting many more people than it is making happy.

The last post kind of sums it up...until Fastpass there never was much more that a half hour wait to see the "land" now it is over an hour. It just doesn't add up to real effective crowd control.

 

[Synonymous]

Too bad because it is upsetting many more people than it is making happy.

Based upon the reactions here, that doesn't seem to be the case.

 

[tazz23]

Woah! This is turning into a bit of a debate! personally i love fastpass too- i dont see why you should wait ages in line when you don't have to? having said that, when we last went, it was so empty that only peter pan fast pass was open in the entire park- so we had to queue normally for all the others.

 

[Poohbear123]

I did NOT understand the premise of Fast Pass until I used it for the first time in June of 2002! I went with friends of mine, who are EXPERTS in using this System! We all got to ride the BIG rides and have hardly ANY wait time. We were able to use them right up till about 8:00pm as the park was open till 11 that night! Now that I know HOW to use it, I USE it!

 

[goofyernmost]

Originally posted by Synonymous
Based upon the reactions here, that doesn't seem to be the case.

That would probably be because people that are not avid Disney fans do not come to these boards. People become avid fans, usually because they have gone numerous times and are experts on the "in's and out's" of the system.

If you had a bad experience, reality based or not, you do not become a fan and you do not return. If enough people do not return eventually there is not enough business to upgrade attractions, add new one's or even paint the existing things. It is even possible that the locations of some "dead" attractions would just remain empty. Oh, wait that is happening already isn't it. Oh, oh!!

Maybe it is just my imagination!!

Before the stones start, of course, that isn't that fault of Fastpass, but it is my belief that it isn't helping. Once more, that is my opinion. No one has to agree but I have been in those lines and heard the things that are said. It isn't pretty and if you don't think they carry it home with them, you would be wrong.

 

[missypie]

I think it might make folks happier if they strictly enforced the window in which a Fast Pass can be used. Too early - can't get in line. Too late - sorry. It might be a hard lesson for some people to learn, but it might help.

 

[Synonymous]

That would probably be because people that are not avid Disney fans do not come to these boards. People become avid fans, usually because they have gone numerous times and are experts on the "in's and out's" of the system.

So, if Disney did a better job of making sure everyone understands the system, you wouldn't mind it anymore? Isn't that a less-drastic solution than getting rid of Fastpass, a system which many, many people rave about?

 

[tazz23]

you make it sound like you don't love disney goofyernmost- why do you go to disney if you think the rides are staying 'dead' and that disney can't upgrade them? If I found fault in a place, i wouldn't bother going back.

 

[Synonymous]

tazz, I think most of us who have been going to Disney for awhile feel that there are some problems nowadays, or, at least, things that we'd like to see handled better. Doesn't mean we don't still love the place.

 

[tazz23]

can't really judge, last month was my first time! everything looked amazing to me! ....but i do know what you mean.

 

[goofyernmost]

Originally posted by tazz23
you make it sound like you don't love disney goofyernmost- why do you go to disney if you think the rides are staying 'dead' and that disney can't upgrade them? If I found fault in a place, i wouldn't bother going back.

The fact that I love Disney IS my reason for not liking Fastpass. When I think of the time and imagination spent on most of the attractions it makes me sad that the only thing anyone can think about is how fast can they rush through the thing. Disney is more than rides or how quickly one can board them, Disney is a state of mind. It is a combination of fun, fantasy, family and "magic". When people treat it like six flags it makes me wonder how long it will stay unique. Have any of you taken the time to look at the fountain outside the Tower of Terror? The stuff that is on the tables inside the lobby? There are so many details that are the very objects that create the magic. Has it been seen completely? I really don't think so.

It really doesn't matter because what I think isn't going to alter anything and hopefully I am worrying about nothing. Since I know you will, in all probability, always have your Fastpass, please respect my right to not think it such a good idea.

I also think that you have misread my post, I am not talking about attractions "staying dead", I'm talking about reality...the lagoon that once held 20.000 Leagues empty for almost 10 years now. I'm not making this up! It isn't the pits but the parks have very definately declined in quality, not a lot, but it is showing.

 

[Baloo]

Wow this is a very interesting post!

I just returned from WDW on Tues. from my, about 30th trip, in the past 12 years.I am a HUGE fan of Fastpass.It gets me in quickly to ride the rides I love most.Alot of time we get the FP and then head for the standby line and do it first,using the FP when it's the time to come back.I've spent over 90mins. standing in lines on previous visits, Disney goes above and beyond with theming,which I love, it's just not my cup of tea to do this over and over again.Although we did stand in line this trip for an hour for our second time on MS.The Stand by line outside was posted for 40 min. but it wasn't true.Our first trip through on a Tues. afternoon the line was only 20 mins.

I think what someone said about the CM not handling the lines correctly is so true.We saw this on RnR.Then an older more formally dressed woman,we were thinking a supervisor, came out to direct the lines and it seemed to start moving more quickly.FP seems to be working in some ares but not others.We saw a 40 min SB wait for Living with the Land...this blew my mind as it's almost always been a walk on ride in past trips.The line at PP seems to be out of control too.I think Disney needs to look into what seems to be "not working" on some of these lines.

Originally posted by goofyernmost

It isn't the pits but the parks have very definately declined in quality, not a lot, but it is showing

I totally agree with you! This was my longest period between trips,12 mths., since my last one, and I really saw this.You can really tell Disney has cut back it's Maintaince Department!! So MANY rides were breaking down.RnR went down last Friday about 5pm and never opened back up before the park closed at 7:30pm.TestTrack did the same thing and we were STUCK on the sloped track mind you, outside for 35 min!!Talk about an aching back and shoulder from being in that position that long! A CM had to walk us off.Most of the restrooms I went in were not up to the old Disney standards at all! It all makes me very sad although I won't stop going there.I love the place way too much.That's why it saddens me.A friend who works there told me to go to Guest Services and write out our concerns,so we did...I hope it helps.
I DO love WDW,I'd rather go there than most anywhere but I expect it to be as good everytime,not to decline.

I figure that's what it's going to take,all of us, who think things aren't what they use to be,need to let Disney know,we just don't like it! There is strength in numbers...if there's something you don't like let them know! But also if ya think something or someone (a CM) is really terrific and made your time there wonderful,let Disney know that too. I know they'll listen!

 

[Synonymous]

The fact that I love Disney IS my reason for not liking Fastpass. When I think of the time and imagination spent on most of the attractions it makes me sad that the only thing anyone can think about is how fast can they rush through the thing. Disney is more than rides or how quickly one can board them, Disney is a state of mind. It is a combination of fun, fantasy, family and "magic". When people treat it like six flags it makes me wonder how long it will stay unique. Have any of you taken the time to look at the fountain outside the Tower of Terror? The stuff that is on the tables inside the lobby? There are so many details that are the very objects that create the magic. Has it been seen completely? I really don't think so.

I don't think you should assume that just because people use Fastpass they don't also appreciate the details. As Baloo said, many people use Fastpass to allow multiple rides without standing in line multiple times. We will almost always get a FP for a popular ride then, if the line isn't too long, get in the standby. If you do it right, you can do a ride like Space Mountain 2-3 times in a day without waiting in line more than a few minutes. Without FP you couldn't do it.

And those of us who have been there several times have SEEN all the details. I've admired the fountain and the interior of TT- it's one of my favorites precisely because of this. But I don't really feel like standing and staring at it for an hour anymore. And, frankly, my 6-yr old doesn't appreciate the details at all. She just wants to get on the ride. A series of hour long waits is not going to be a fun day with a young thrill-seeker.

Everybody has different ideas about what makes a great Disney trip. You shouldn't assume that your way is the only "correct" way.

 

[goofyernmost]

Let me try to briefly explain...The idea of Fastpass isn't really what bothers me or the others, what bothers them is that it is designed to give the appearance of "privilage".

I wrote to WDW and expressed my concerns, they called me, at home, in Vermont, to discuss my thoughts. What I said was that I understood why Fastpass was liked by those that used it and I also understood why Disney put it in and now promotes it.

We could all have the best of both worlds by simply having the entrances to stand-by and Fastpass separated. If the people in the Stand-by lines didn't have to watch the Fastpass people walk on by them and get on ride ahead of them, they wouldn't be prone to be quite so hostile. I have tried to express my concerns over the bad feelings that a lot of people are having, not about Fastpass itself. I can, of course, see the advantages of holding a Fastpass for one ride while standing in line for another.

The only way I can simply describe it is to compare it to being in school and waiting, lets say in the lunch line, and having someone cut in front of you. Or how about a topic that has been discussed many times and that is people holding places for groups of people to "cut in" line. This is just a "legal" way of doing it. I UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE, but the feeling is the same. Move the lines away from each other and "out of sight, out of mind", would that be so difficult? I am not trying to tell you that you shouldn't use it, I'm just saying that in MY OPINION it isn't as good an idea as it could be.

Ladies and Gentleman that concludes my broadcast. I believe it is time for me to take a Fast Pass on this topic.

 

[sters]

I'm a little surprised to learn that so many other theme parks charge for this service. Twenty EXTRA bucks? YIKES! I guess it will only be a matter of time before Disney, having hooked us on the Fastpass, will start charging for it.

 

[drdelsol]

My problem with fast pass is if you get to the park later in the day the fastpasses are usually gone. Yes there is the standbyline, but my experience has been like others where the CM's just don't let you on. So in my personal experience the Fast pass has caused me overall longer waits, but some of that could also be due to differences in crowd levels. I use them when I can.

 

[goofyernmost]

Originally posted by drdelsol
My problem with fast pass is if you get to the park later in the day the fastpasses are usually gone. .

WHAT???? You mean there not available to everyone????


Sorry, I couldn't resist!!

 

[pjlla]

Wow... I've got to get in on this discussion.... Just my 2 cents worth... FP is a very good thing for those who want to use it and who understand how it works. It is not the fault of WDW if people are ignorant of how it works. Why would you spend upward to $5000. 00 on a trip and not pick up (and read) a $20.00 guide book about your destination? Any decent guidebook, either "official" or "unofficial" will have several chapters, at least, on the benefits and use of the FP system. It is your choice after reading them, to use or not use the FP system. Those of us who are smart and savvy enough to learn and read about our vacation destinations are bound to enjoy them all the more! And so what if it was WDW's original plan to get us out of line and into the stores/restaurants.... that doesn't mean we have to be stupid enough or gullible enough to do just that! There is plenty to see and do at WDW that doesn't cost additional $$ over and above your admission tix. So if you are waiting for your FP window to open up in half an hour, don't shop or eat (unless that is what you planned to do any how!)... people watch, or take a bathroom break, or try a ride with a very short line, even if it is not your favorite. You might surprise yourself and enjoy it! Well, I guess that was more like my 25 cents worth....

 

[MaryKatesMom]

The out of fast-pass at 2;30pm happened to my family!!!

Our first trip with kids two years ago we went right to MK from hotel, just dumped the luggage and went to the park. We had a PS for CRT around 5:30. Talk about trying like a commando to get a FP. We walked all over the park unsuccessfully for the first hour which made the girls very unhappy. They didn't understand why we weren't doing anything.

Only Pooh had a fast past at it was for after 8PM! Every other FP was closed for the day. The wait for Dumbo was an hour and 45 minutes. Thank god for IASW!! That was the only ride we could get on without missing our PS. That was the last afternoon EVER at MK!! I'll only do EE.