mini-rant

[Dr.Girlfriend]

How hard can it possibly be? You get a fastpass and then you use it. Unless it is for a lot later, you can't have that many at a time. You just stay in the area until you can use it.

I don't get how hard of a thing it is.

 

[WillAustin]

Of course i recognize Disney's attempt in marketing. All companies do so. But what I dispute is that the sole or partial reason that they put an end time on the FP return window is a psychological one. They put the time on them because that is what they intended to enforce when they implemented the FP program. You have failed to present any evidence for your speculation. Disney, through their actions, still intended the majority of its guests to use the FP the way they designed the program. They started relaxing enforcement for whatever reason and it was in an acceptable margin so they let people in the know, use FP past their return window. Disney, again through their actions, never meant for all of their guests to use the FP past the return window.

There have been several posts, and even an article somewhere that mentioned someone inside Disney saying behavior was the reason for the ending time. If i recall, there was something about everyone returning at the time listed, even if they were good until the park closed. I'm not going to try to dig them up though. Just pointing out the PP isn't alone in his theory.

 

[UNCFanatik]

Where do you kill 5 hours around Soarin? Around TSM? Using FPs within their window results in either a lot of killing time or a lot of extra walking. Regardless of how you feel about the change, there's no denying that, and it has reduced the usability of the system. I went into our most recent trip thinking it wouldn't be so bad; I came home feeling like I'd gladly pay the rumors $80pp price for FP+ to avoid trying to figure out how to fill 6 hours on a FP return without walking the entire length of the park an extra time or lurking around a ride waiting for the FP return to advance to something you can work with.

I can deny this. I was in Epcot on Saturday, 6/2. We arrived at Epcot at rope drop. We went straight to Soaring and rode it standby. Came out and pulled FP for 10:15-11:15. Went to ride Sum of all Thrills with 10 minute wait and then onto Mission Space. Went back and rode Soaring with FPs. Riding Sum of all Thrills and Mission Space was not killing time to us but making good use of our time. It reduces the usability for some people depending on their touring styles and the choices they make. It worked great for us and our touring style and plans for the day.

And predictably, the standby lines are moving more slowly in the peak of the day when they're the longest now. I say predictably because now you have the people who always used their FPs within the windows, plus the people who would otherwise have used them late. We counted a 4:1 FP to standby loading ratio at BTMRR mid-day and the line was posting over an hour. Before, the tendency to return late actually made lines move more smoothly at the busiest times of day, then slowed them down later in the evening when the crowds have ebbed. Enforcement has increased ride demand at peak hours, while drawing riders away from the off-peak final hours of the day.

You dont have all the data to make this conclusion. Too many variables at hand to draw that conclusion. Ride demand has many other factors in play than just FPs.

 

[UNCFanatik]

There have been several posts, and even an article somewhere that mentioned someone inside Disney saying behavior was the reason for the ending time. If i recall, there was something about everyone returning at the time listed, even if they were good until the park closed. I'm not going to try to dig them up though. Just pointing out the PP isn't alone in his theory.

I would be interesting in reading that and to know the author. I have read other posts floating out this theory but with no firm evidence to base it on.

I just find it interesting that when they first rolled out the FP program that they enforced the FP window and then relaxed it over time. If they didnt intend the majority of guests to adhere to the FP window then why didnt they remove the ending time and verbiage from the FP ticket?

 

[DisneyMim]

I'm with Hedi Lou. We've been going to WDW forever, years before FP and it never occurred to me to save them to use later. I don't call myself a "purist" , to me it sounds like people are using that term negatively. I just used my FP when I was supposed to, so it will have no impact on me whatsoever. It really isn't that hard, you use them when you are supposed to use them. No biggie. Looking back I guess it was just a matter of time before Disney did something about it.

Enjoy The Magic!!

 

[minnie mum]

I hate it when Disney changes anything. Just for this I refuse to have anything to do with FastPass anymore. Their changes always make things more difficult.

On my next visit I'll just pretend Fast Pass doesn't even exist and just satisfy myself doing my favorite things, riding Horizons and the Skyway and eating at The Top of The World and the Empress Lily Room.

But please don't eat right before riding Body Wars.

 

[Don Disney]

Well welcome to this Po Folk family. We work and save for a vacation. Some things should be left alone? Why?
If some one has the money to pay for perks good for them. We see very often people on VIP tours witch cost 1500 Dollar per day. I'm not jealous and hope they have a magical day because they paid for it.

We work and save for vacation also...duh.I am not referring to perks.I am referring to taking a service(FP)that ALL guests have the opportunity to enjoy,and THEN changing it to a"pay"service that only those who can pay for it get to enjoy-plain and simple.If people want to stay deluxe,take tours,eat at high end restaurants etc...more power to them,no skin off my nose,their money,their choice.

 

[Colleen27]

I can deny this. I was in Epcot on Saturday, 6/2. We arrived at Epcot at rope drop. We went straight to Soaring and rode it standby. Came out and pulled FP for 10:15-11:15. Went to ride Sum of all Thrills with 10 minute wait and then onto Mission Space. Went back and rode Soaring with FPs. Riding Sum of all Thrills and Mission Space was not killing time to us but making good use of our time. It reduces the usability for some people depending on their touring styles and the choices they make. It worked great for us and our touring style and plans for the day.

But you actually made my point for me - You had to be there at rope drop to get a reasonable return time, then you walked the entire width of FutureWorld and back to fill the time before using it. We were at Epcot two days, for special events both days so we couldn't join the Soarin' stampede. I checked on FP return times at 11-11:30 when the events wrapped up and both days getting that FP would have required hiking from the back of the World Showcase where we were to the Land, then heading back there in 6+ hours (late enough to interfere with dinner arrangements). It works if you don't mind all the extra walking and you don't make any time-sensitive plans other than your luck-of-the-draw FP returns, but for those for whom the extra mileage is an issue and those of us who like an air conditioned, sit down meal in the evening the new system cramps our style.

You dont have all the data to make this conclusion. Too many variables at hand to draw that conclusion. Ride demand has many other factors in play than just FPs.

True, but none of those other variables has been changed. On any given day, the enforcement of FP returns will cause more people to return earlier in the day than on a similar day when late returns were allowed. The posters who like this policy seem to want to have it both ways - they claim it will make lines move faster at the end of the day since no one can return late, but then want to say we can't know if shifting those FP returns to earlier will have any effect on standby waits. If late returns had an impact, enough of an impact to change policy according to some sources, they obviously represent numbers enough to have an impact earlier in the day as well.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I don't understand why this seems so difficult for some people.

 

[Don Disney]

We are going back to Universal this fall, but I'm nervous of what the other half will say when we don't go to the front of the line...We are staying at CSR the whole trip instead of a night or two at the Royal Pacific. The no limit FOTL pass, included with staying onsite at Universal, can be very valuable when the parks are busy. At least I can buy an Express Pass if the lines are long.

Fortunately, we can afford to stay deluxe but haven't lately. However, if Xpass includes FOTL access we will ONLY book deluxe from then on. (Are you listening Disney?)

Please no whining about what you can not afford! I would love a Bentley Continental convertible, but it just ain't happening.

Whining?Stating opinion is more like it.It warms my heart to know you CAN afford it.Don't forget what a wise person once said"He who thinks he has the world in his hands today,could wake up and find them empty tomorrow".All wealth is not measured in what one can afford,or not afford.That one's for free.

 

[WillAustin]

It works if you don't mind all the extra walking and you don't make any time-sensitive plans other than your luck-of-the-draw FP returns, but for those for whom the extra mileage is an issue and those of us who like an air conditioned, sit down meal in the evening the new system cramps our style.

I'm thinking a lot of people will now want to avoid the luck-of-the-draw return times, even if it costs them extra. I know I'd pay for it.

 

[Colleen27]

I'm thinking a lot of people will now want to avoid the luck-of-the-draw return times, even if it costs them extra. I know I'd pay for it.

I'm not sure I will. Probably, but it will probably reduce the frequency of our trips too because I'd resent having to pay for the ability to get FPs that don't interfere with dinner when we were able to do so for free for so many years. Depending on the price, whether it is an on-site perk, and all those other unknowns, of course; if it is a perk of staying on-site I'm sure I'll be an instant fan since I just can't seem to bring myself to try off-site even with the large and growing price difference.

 

[WillAustin]

I'm not sure I will. Probably, but it will probably reduce the frequency of our trips too because I'd resent having to pay for the ability to get FPs that don't interfere with dinner when we were able to do so for free for so many years. Depending on the price, whether it is an on-site perk, and all those other unknowns, of course; if it is a perk of staying on-site I'm sure I'll be an instant fan since I just can't seem to bring myself to try off-site even with the large and growing price difference.

I agree. We can't bring ourselves to do off-site either, so I'm hoping it's a perk.

 

[North of Mouse]

For starters - it was NOT against the rules to use your fastpass after the window UNTIL recently.

We've been down here since May 24 and the new policy stinks. For all those who are used to going back within the window - wait until you get back down here and EVERYONE else is now doing that too. You never had a problem because people spread them out. The fastpass lines have been consistently longer in all the parks.

We've had to let several go because we couldn't meet the windows or forego getting one all together because the return times available are way out of our ability to get back. We don't line zigzagging across the park, our kids don't like it.

Not everyone likes to micromanage every second of their vacation and currently you are at the mercy of the fast pass system. Attractions with FP have had CM's out with flags to mark the back of the fast pass line...

If you haven't been back to use the new system - you really shouldn't comment on how it will work because you've never experienced FP working in this manner. Just because you always went back in the printer window doesn't mean a thing because not everyone did and NOBODY was breaking any rules.

As always if you go at opening you will have less waits in general, but we have not seen any positive impact to the new system aside from the benefit it gives to the standby line.

Did you even read my post before commenting? I said we had just "gotten back' and used the enforced system and it worked great - no long lines for our FP returns and especially in the evenings. So, how can you say I should not comment on something until I had experienced it?? Just read posts before commenting It worked great and we "proved" it for 11 days Again, thank you Disney

 

[Johndoodle]

We work and save for vacation also...duh.I am not referring to perks.I am referring to taking a service(FP)that ALL guests have the opportunity to enjoy,and THEN changing it to a"pay"service that only those who can pay for it get to enjoy-plain and simple.If people want to stay deluxe,take tours,eat at high end restaurants etc...more power to them,no skin off my nose,their money,their choice.

Who's talking about "taking away" FP? They still will be available and free for every on.
The only difference will be that those that are willing to pay fot them them or pay for a very expensive room get a different kind of "service".

You can be bitter about this but the whole world revolves about money.If some one can pay for better FP so be it and more power to them.

 

[Don Disney]

Who's talking about "taking away" FP? They still will be available and free for every on.
The only difference will be that those that are willing to pay fot them them or pay for a very expensive room get a different kind of "service".

You can be bitter about this but the whole world revolves about money.If some one can pay for better FP so be it and more power to them.

*Taking away"in the sense that it won't be equal for all guests,as was intended from the beginning.Universal Studios never had a "free"FOTL pass to my knowledge,and I have an extreme aversion for the "class"distinctions that this,and other things like it bring about;so,yeah,you might be right in saying I have a bit of"bitterness"about it,but I'll get over it soon enough.....Now,if WDW starts some fragernackle bull like that.....I might just lose my everlovin' mind!!!!!

 

[suzanna1066@comcast.]

Wish I could have sympathy for ya - but, since I am one of the "purists" (I guess that means people who follow the rules).

Maybe you should be grateful you got away with it for as long as you did

I will be interested to see if the FP lines are shorter now that people can't return whenever they want to.

Oh please, I wasn't aware I was "getting away" with anything considering that Disney allowed the practice for many years.

 

[si-am]

I'm with Hedi Lou. We've been going to WDW forever, years before FP and it never occurred to me to save them to use later. I don't call myself a "purist" , to me it sounds like people are using that term negatively. I just used my FP when I was supposed to, so it will have no impact on me whatsoever. It really isn't that hard, you use them when you are supposed to use them. No biggie. Looking back I guess it was just a matter of time before Disney did something about it.

Enjoy The Magic!!

Same here. I always returned within the window. It's NOT that hard, really. If a FP time conflicts with an ADR, then you don't grab the FP at that time. If you have a couple of hours to kill 'til your window, then you go kill the hours somewhere, even if it means extra walking.

These threads always amuse me. FP is a perk, an extra. Disney doesn't owe anyone anything. Don't like the FP system? Then don't use it. Otherwise, if you don't mind the extra "inconvenience" of having to adhere to the return window, go ahead and enjoy.

It's not like Disney has changed the "official" system. Fastpasses always had a specific return window printed. Always. The fact that it wasn't always enforced was just an extra bonus.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Sorry to burst everyone's bubble of righteousness, but it's pretty clear the main reason for enforcement is preparation for the new system, which will require strict management of return times for the advance reservations.

If they changed the window enforcement to fix abuse, why wouldn't they also change the enforcement in Disneyland? They still aren't enforcing the window there.

The fairness idea might make people who missed out feel better, but it's preparation for X-Pass.

Not everything is identical between the two Resorts. DLR covers less space and has fewer on-site properties, many attractions aren't duplicated, attractions that are on both coasts are designed differently, attractions that are alike don't necessarily have the same access, or may be a FastPass attraction on one coast but not on the other...

So simply because changes in enforcement were made at Walt Disney World but not DisneyLand Resort doesn't make anything clear except that, well, a process is being enforced at WDW but not DLR.

 

[ftballfan7]

I would be interesting in reading that and to know the author. I have read other posts floating out this theory but with no firm evidence to base it on.

I just find it interesting that when they first rolled out the FP program that they enforced the FP window and then relaxed it over time. If they didnt intend the majority of guests to adhere to the FP window then why didnt they remove the ending time and verbiage from the FP ticket?

Perhaps they did intend for the majority of guests to use their fastpasses within the printed times, hence the influencing of behavior. I believe you are making my point. Also, and I could be mistaken here, I think the verbiage was explicit about early returns, but not those after the printed time.