MaxPass / Digital Fastpass - Discussion Thread

[Khokhonutt]

If you can only utilize MP on Disney's wifi, and if that wifi doesn't work, then I'd say that there would be no reason to pay for MP (unless you just want it for PhotoPass) until they get it all figured out. And if somehow this whole shebang is tied to Disney wifi, is that going to affect PP, too?

I've seen this mentioned before, but I really hope it's not true. For one, I have no intention of using the Disney wifi if it's an open, unsecure network. I'd much rather see it be a secure network with your ticket number as the password, or something like that. It's also, IMHO, a foolish way to approach the thing unless they're going to have tons of bandwidth and manage to broadcast everywhere in the parks. Otherwise, hotspots of connectivity are going to mean potential crowds trying to get their fastpasses (like the crowds around current fast pass distribution areas). That grouping of people is also going to create network bottle necks. It also goes against the convenience they're trying to sell, if I have to a.) know where the wifi connectivity is and b.) run there to grab a fastpass. To me it makes far more sense to add wifi as an option to do your fastpass and photopass work, but not make it a requirement to use that network. I guess we'll see when it's all made official.

 

[Niltiac]

If you can only utilize MP on Disney's wifi, and if that wifi doesn't work, then I'd say that there would be no reason to pay for MP (unless you just want it for PhotoPass) until they get it all figured out.

I really hope that when the CM said they wouldn't roll out MP unless the wifi was working, that they just meant so as not to force everyone to use their data plans if they don't want to. If it actually means that we would have to use the wifi to use MP, then I'm with you, I'm not paying for that. So far, it looks to me like they're only planning on offering wifi in certain locations in the park, so if we have to connect to use MP, it loses a ton of value since it means we can't just hop on and get FP while waiting in lines or eating lunch (unless we happen to be in a wifi zone), and we'll still have to do extra walking. And even in the best of circumstances, public wifi like this has always been a pain for me to connect to and use, so I was planning to use my phone data.

If that's how it's going to be, then it's too bad because I was thinking it was worth it for me. But if you have to use their wifi and you have to go to certain areas of the park to access it, then I really think the service should be free since it doesn't sound much more convenient than paper FP. I'm going to hold out hope that the wifi will be optional, in which case I think we'll give MP a try.

 

[mom2rtk]

I think pulling out your Hopper/AP for every FP line will be a big faff. I really hope they get MBs/MB equivalents somewhere down the line. MBs don't have to mean advanced-reserved FP+ like at WDW.

I agree that I think pulling out tickets each time will really slow down the lines. But they have already said they are not using magic bands.

I really hope that when the CM said they wouldn't roll out MP unless the wifi was working, that they just meant so as not to force everyone to use their data plans if they don't want to.

I hadn't even considered that. But I bet that's it. You have to be connected to the Disney wifi to use the system. I hope they get that cleared up quickly. If I paid for the service and it only worked part time, they would be issuing me at least a partial refund.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

A CM explained some things further today. She said that MaxPass will start up completely on June 21st. The wi-fi may not work as planned, but they are aware of that issue. The change in FP redemption will occur as forecast: each guest will scan an entry ticket or AP to redeem a FP in the ride line. Paper FP and digital FP will be available. (If wi-fi doesn't work, then only paper FP will be available for the time being.) She said that there is no obligation to use MP, since paper FPs will continue to work. If a guest doesn't want to pay for the service, that will be fine. She said that any questions are best directed toward the plaids, since they are the most trained to answer right now.

Did she say when an official announcement from Disney would come? That's only a few days away and in the middle of our trip. I still don't know if it's included in the higher tier APs or even how to buy it. If this CM is correct, Disney has dropped the communication ball worse than usual.

 

[DLgal]

Our photo pops up at the turnstiles so I just assumed it might at a checkpoint w/handheld scanner 'up top.' Maybe not. I figured it will slow things down. We're in laid back mode for this trip though. No real plans except for Guardians. We'll just make sure to get our" must do" stuff done the first couple days. Thanks for the perspective.

When redeeming a DAS, they scan tickets and photos DO pop up on a handheld scanner. So, they do have the ability to identify people if they want to.

 

[StormyCA]

I've seen this mentioned before, but I really hope it's not true. For one, I have no intention of using the Disney wifi if it's an open, unsecure network. I'd much rather see it be a secure network with your ticket number as the password, or something like that. It's also, IMHO, a foolish way to approach the thing unless they're going to have tons of bandwidth and manage to broadcast everywhere in the parks. Otherwise, hotspots of connectivity are going to mean potential crowds trying to get their fastpasses (like the crowds around current fast pass distribution areas). That grouping of people is also going to create network bottle necks. It also goes against the convenience they're trying to sell, if I have to a.) know where the wifi connectivity is and b.) run there to grab a fastpass. To me it makes far more sense to add wifi as an option to do your fastpass and photopass work, but not make it a requirement to use that network. I guess we'll see when it's all made official.

I really hope that when the CM said they wouldn't roll out MP unless the wifi was working, that they just meant so as not to force everyone to use their data plans if they don't want to. If it actually means that we would have to use the wifi to use MP, then I'm with you, I'm not paying for that. So far, it looks to me like they're only planning on offering wifi in certain locations in the park, so if we have to connect to use MP, it loses a ton of value since it means we can't just hop on and get FP while waiting in lines or eating lunch (unless we happen to be in a wifi zone), and we'll still have to do extra walking. And even in the best of circumstances, public wifi like this has always been a pain for me to connect to and use, so I was planning to use my phone data.

If that's how it's going to be, then it's too bad because I was thinking it was worth it for me. But if you have to use their wifi and you have to go to certain areas of the park to access it, then I really think the service should be free since it doesn't sound much more convenient than paper FP. I'm going to hold out hope that the wifi will be optional, in which case I think we'll give MP a try.

The reason I'm thinking it'll be tied to Disney wifi (and I am NOT a techie person) is because somehow they're going to need to know that you are 'inside' the parks and eligible to request a MP. In WDW this isn't as big a deal because the parks are all separated by 'real estate' as it were. But at DLR, there are a lot of public areas that are close enough, I would think, to connect to the MP system without being actually inside DL and DCA.

I guess I'm seeing the wifi as something they can put a distance 'limit' on so it only reaches the edges of the parks. Otherwise you'd have people requesting MPs from DTD, the hotels, Harbor Bl etc. I know your ticket has to have been scanned in for the day, but plenty of people take mid day breaks or have meals elsewhere. It seems to me that if you can get on the system via data or your own hotspot it wouldn't know physically where you actually were.

But I'm not tech savvy so who knows!

 

[Linkura]

Having to use their wifi, which is apparently only able to work on certain areas of the park, would be a dealbreaker for me. You'd still have to run around to a wifi-enabled area to use it.

 

[mom2rtk]

Having to use their wifi, which is apparently only able to work on certain areas of the park, would be a dealbreaker for me. You'd still have to run around to a wifi-enabled area to use it.

I agree. If you have to walk to certain areas of park where the signal is stronger, that's not enough better than walking to the ride to get a paper FP to justify the cost. Gonna be fascinating to see how this pans out.

 

[Davin_Felth]

In the DL app, you enter your ticket numbers in. When you enter the park that day, the system knows what tickets have been activated in the park that day and will know if you can get fast passes or not. Your physical location and the data connection you're using at that point are irrelevant, because the app knows what tickets you're using and whether or not you have been into the park or not.

The reason I'm thinking it'll be tied to Disney wifi (and I am NOT a techie person) is because somehow they're going to need to know that you are 'inside' the parks and eligible to request a MP. In WDW this isn't as big a deal because the parks are all separated by 'real estate' as it were. But at DLR, there are a lot of public areas that are close enough, I would think, to connect to the MP system without being actually inside DL and DCA.

I guess I'm seeing the wifi as something they can put a distance 'limit' on so it only reaches the edges of the parks. Otherwise you'd have people requesting MPs from DTD, the hotels, Harbor Bl etc. I know your ticket has to have been scanned in for the day, but plenty of people take mid day breaks or have meals elsewhere. It seems to me that if you can get on the system via data or your own hotspot it wouldn't know physically where you actually were.

But I'm not tech savvy so who knows!

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

The Disneyland app uses location services. When you are in the parks, you can click on the location button at the bottom left corner and the map will automatically scroll to your current location. When you're not in the parks, the locator button isn't available. My DD got a kick out of moving the phone from one side of the table to another to see the locator icon follow her movement while we were sitting in Red Rose Tavern. I don't believe wifi will be necessary in order for Disneyland to know whether you are in the parks.

 

[BayouQueen]

So do you need a separate wi-fi network? Can't you just use your phone's 4-G or whatever cellular network, with location services turned on for the DL app? I get on the internet all the time on my phone, with the wi-fi turned off. Is this different?
(If this is an ignorant question, please forgive me!)

 

[pudinhd]

Did she say when an official announcement from Disney would come? That's only a few days away and in the middle of our trip. I still don't know if it's included in the higher tier APs or even how to buy it. If this CM is correct, Disney has dropped the communication ball worse than usual.

I completely agree! It is extremely frustrating to think this could be rolling out this week with only a few days notice, if they announce it tomorrow. No information about the AP levels that might get it for free, how to buy it, or if it might be free for DLR hotel guests...

 

[alvernon90]

The Disneyland app uses location services. When you are in the parks, you can click on the location button at the bottom left corner and the map will automatically scroll to your current location. When you're not in the parks, the locator button isn't available. My DD got a kick out of moving the phone from one side of the table to another to see the locator icon follow her movement while we were sitting in Red Rose Tavern. I don't believe wifi will be necessary in order for Disneyland to know whether you are in the parks.

I seem to recall they have done this before. When the Disneyland app first started carrying wait time information, it was only available to people who were in the parks. I guess they were trying to keep third party web sites from gathering the data and republishing it in their own apps. The app used the GPS locator to make sure you were in one of the two parks before delivering wait time info.

Or did I dream all of that?

 

[Winnowill]

I seem to recall they have done this before. When the Disneyland app first started carrying wait time information, it was only available to people who were in the parks. I guess they were trying to keep third party web sites from gathering the data and republishing it in their own apps. The app used the GPS locator to make sure you were in one of the two parks before delivering wait time info.

Or did I dream all of that?

I think that was the original Verizon-sponsored app, the name of which I've forgotten (Parks Magic? Magic something, anyway.) I've been able to see wait times on this app since day one.

 

[losfp]

Here's the latest according to LaughingPlace.com

http://www.laughingplace.com/w/news...-disneyland-fastpass-system-starting-june-21/

The gist is that in preparation of MaxPass, starting on June 21st, you will still only be pulling paper FP but you will redeem differently. Instead of handing over your FP or even scanning it, you will be scanning your ticket or AP to redeem.

Interesting. So basically they're really cracking down on loopholes allowing you to regift or collect extra fastpasses (much like the change over at WDW that locks accounts if you try to scan in a fastpass for a ticket or band that's not been used to enter a park that day).

 

[lmhall2000]

We were in the test phase of Magic bands at WDW, we received a notice from Disney asking us if we would like to participate. They selected people staying at resorts, not everyone got the offer...I see that working here where they target 500 guests to do a run for 2 weeks to work out kinks, we had to fill out experience surveys after our trip.

 

[BriannaRuth]

So do you need a separate wi-fi network? Can't you just use your phone's 4-G or whatever cellular network, with location services turned on for the DL app? I get on the internet all the time on my phone, with the wi-fi turned off. Is this different?
(If this is an ignorant question, please forgive me!)

Yes, you can currently use your phone's data connection (ie 4G) for the DL app. You don't need wi-fi. Whether or not that will work for the new Maxpass we still don't know.

However, many people would prefer to use a wi-fi connection rather than data because wi-fi is free. Data is only free if you have an unlimited data plan that works in the U.S., or if you have so much data on your plan that you won't run out from constantly using the app while in the parks.

 

[az4boys]

In the past, my DH has handled all our tickets and fast passes. I have a big fear of losing the tickets. The only time they would come out of his wallet was when we entered the parks or he got everyone fast passes. The idea of pulling them out every time we use a fast pass too has me a little bit nervous. Can tickets be replaced if they are lost? Will the paper tickets hold up to that much use?

 

[ParkHopper1]

The idea of pulling them out every time we use a fast pass too has me a little bit nervous. Can tickets be replaced if they are lost? Will the paper tickets hold up to that much use?

Yes and yes...Pro tip: on the paper tickets to ease your concerns...snap a picture of the bar code side of each ticket once you get them. If it is lost/stolen/destroyed Guest Services can easily void it and issue you a new ticket if you have the information on your phone.

I do this with anyone I am with that has a paper ticket.

 

[HydroGuy]

Yes and yes...Pro tip on the paper tickets to ease your concerns...snap a picture of the bar code side of each ticket once you get them. If it is lost/stolen/destroyed Guest Services can easily void it and issue you a new ticket if you have the information on your phone.

I do this with anyone I am with that has a paper ticket.

Pro tip #2. Write your cell phone number on each ticket. If it gets lost someone may call you. Which will save some hassle over getting it replaced.