Next Gen Fastpass?

[lugnut33]

I never understood why Disney doesn't enforce the times in the FP -- why put a time on them if it means nothing?


As for the XPass - when is that starting? We will be there over Easter -- not that I'd spend the $ on it but it would be interesting to see it in action. Should I keep an eye out for wristband-wearing guests?

Return times shouldn't matter at all. The only time it would ever make a difference is if there was nobody waiting in the standby line and everyone was in the fastpass lane. How many times have you seen a Fast Pass line with more than a 10 minute wait?

 

[White_Sox_Fan]

I believe Disney is going to use this as a revenue stream to encourage people to book premium packages that include the ability to obtain fastpasses for your entire vacation prior to leaving home. If this is the case you can bet the only way DVCers will get it is by paying for it. Maybe they will throw us a bone and discount it in some way, who knows.

I also speculate that they may increase the percentage of ride capacity dedicated to FP's which is why the more stringent approach to the timed windows. Currently I don't think the percentage of capacity dedicated to FP's create any significant problem with late arrivals.

 

[WDWMom]

Return times shouldn't matter at all. The only time it would ever make a difference is if there was nobody waiting in the standby line and everyone was in the fastpass lane. How many times have you seen a Fast Pass line with more than a 10 minute wait?

We've been in the FP line for Soarn' and Space Mt. where we waited over 30 mins. Both times we were there during the correct time but talked to several others that said they had gone back to the room for naps or swimming. This was early evening both times. Thanks so much for screwing up my times!

 

[tjkraz]

I believe Disney is going to use this as a revenue stream to encourage people to book premium packages that include the ability to obtain fastpasses for your entire vacation prior to leaving home. If this is the case you can bet the only way DVCers will get it is by paying for it. Maybe they will throw us a bone and discount it in some way, who knows.

That's certainly what Jim Hill's story suggests. Personally I think it makes far more sense to bundle it with Disney resort stays and use it as justification for further weaning people off of the deep room discounts. If the at-home or in-room FASTPASSES cause a dramatic improvement in the theme park experience, Disney won't need 40% discounts to fill its hotel rooms anymore.

Whatever the case, traditional FASTPASS isn't going away so people who don't want to pay extra don't have to. There is bound to be some shifting of crowd patterns, though. We'll have to see how that plays out.

Any price attached to this service will help regulate its impact on other guests. If Disney goes for elite pricing, not many guests will buy it and the impact on non-buyers will be minimal. If they go with more moderate pricing, more people will get it but it will obviously be more affordable.

Time will tell...

 

[tjkraz]

From the article, I feel bad for the CM's that will have to enforce this policy if it actual comes on line.

I don't think it will be that bad. As we can see here, even many seasoned guests were not aware of the current open-ended policy. A lot of folks who were aware of it already know of the changes. Others only need one experience to learn.

And there are a lot of things Disney could easily do to better educate guests. Signage is easy to change. Descriptions on park maps and the guest room promo videos can be updated to stress the mandatory return time. Most FASTPASS stations have a CM posted there to assist guests and answer questions. They can help spread word of the policy change.

Disney has a lot of rules which are enforced daily--park hopping limitations on certain tickets, height requirements, parade viewing areas, restaurant availability (or lack thereof), etc. I don't see why this one would be any different. Sure there will be jerks who want special treatment but it sounds like CMs are getting the necessary training to deal with that.

 

[twinklebug]

I don't think it will be that bad. As we can see here, even many seasoned guests were not aware of the current open-ended policy. A lot of folks who were aware of it already know of the changes. Others only need one experience to learn.

And there are a lot of things Disney could easily do to better educate guests. Signage is easy to change. Descriptions on park maps and the guest room promo videos can be updated to stress the mandatory return time. Most FASTPASS stations have a CM posted there to assist guests and answer questions. They can help spread word of the policy change.

Disney has a lot of rules which are enforced daily--park hopping limitations on certain tickets, height requirements, parade viewing areas, restaurant availability (or lack thereof), etc. I don't see why this one would be any different. Sure there will be jerks who want special treatment but it sounds like CMs are getting the necessary training to deal with that.

I agree. I think it won't be as bad as the article makes it out to be. I'm also 99.9% sure the DVC resort folks will be treated as deluxe guests so we'll be able to buy in if we so choose.

Will *I* buy in? No way Jose. I've seen what Disney's done with it's 'special' access concepts such as the Wishes dessert party and fantasmic dining: overpopulating the use of it and causing far more crowding and stress than need be. No thanks - I'll keep meandering around the world where my only itinerary is relaxation.

 

[disneynutz]

Disney isn't spending a billion dollars on NextGen without expecting to make more than that in return. You can be sure that they will offer all kinds of programs including buying Fast Passes from home. They love programs where you buy something then don't use all of it, like left over DDP credits or old ticket books with only the "A" coupons left.

Bill

 

[Caren90]

I agree. I think it won't be as bad as the article makes it out to be. I'm also 99.9% sure the DVC resort folks will be treated as deluxe guests so we'll be able to buy in if we so choose.

Will *I* buy in? No way Jose. I've seen what Disney's done with it's 'special' access concepts such as the Wishes dessert party and fantasmic dining: overpopulating the use of it and causing far more crowding and stress than need be. No thanks - I'll keep meandering around the world where my only itinerary is relaxation.

I believe the critical phrase in your above sentence is; "we'll be able to buy in if we so choose". This will not come as a perk for DVC members. They will offer it to members since a large consistent portion of their year round on property visitors are DVC members.

 

[White_Sox_Fan]

Personally I think it makes far more sense to bundle it with Disney resort stays and use it as justification for further weaning people off of the deep room discounts. If the at-home or in-room FASTPASSES cause a dramatic improvement in the theme park experience, Disney won't need 40% discounts to fill its hotel rooms anymore.

That is what I meant by "premium packages". They will provide a package which includes room, tickets and X-passes without any discount, and possible an add, to the base room rate. It would also make sense to possibly limit X-pass to on property guest (like EMH). This gives guest another reason to stay on property thus helping the occupancy rates.

I'm cool with it as long as the standard FP remains. I am sad to see the change in the enforcement of the FP times. We certainly used the policy in place to our advantage on every trip. Now we will have to re-think how this effects our touring. My first thought is that we will be criss-crossing the park a lot more.

 

[disneynutz]

I believe the critical phrase in your above sentence is; "we'll be able to buy in if we so choose". This will not come as a perk for DVC members. They will offer it to members since a large consistent portion of their year round on property visitors are DVC members.

Disney gets around 120 million visitors to their theme parks in the US every year. The DVC, depending on which numbers you believe, has around 425,000 people listed on 200,000 memberships.

The DVC is a drop in the bucket and other than the profit from a direct sale, we really aren't a popular group with Disney.

Bill

 

[Caren90]

Disney gets around 120 million visitors to their theme parks in the US every year. The DVC, depending on which numbers you believe, has around 425,000 people listed on 200,000 memberships.

The DVC is a drop in the bucket and other than the profit from a direct sale, we really aren't a popular group with Disney.

Bill

Bill, we might be unpopular but we come back consistently year after year.
Stephen

 

[tjkraz]

That is what I meant by "premium packages". They will provide a package which includes room, tickets and X-passes without any discount, and possible an add, to the base room rate.

Not sure if they will go the package route or not. You don't need to buy a package for access to perks like EMH and DME. Disney could do the same with "X-pass", or whatever it ends up being called. Just another enticement to encourage guests to pay extra for a Disney hotel room rather than staying off I-Drive for less.

Like DME, a perk like this sounds a lot better if it's presented as "another complimentary available exclusively to Disney resorts guests."

If the public responds favorably to the new perks, hotel room occupancy will rise and Disney can continue backing-off on its discounts. Smaller discounts increase that all-important guest spending figure, and those dollars go right to the bottom line.

If it just enables Disney to reduce discounts from 40% to 30% or 35% to 25% off of rack, that's a lot of money to be made over 25,000 hotel rooms.

That said, there are just so many different directions this could go that it's hard to even discuss.

 

[disneynutz]

Bill, we might be unpopular but we come back consistently year after year.
Stephen

True but as I posted, there are 120 million other visitors that come every year.

DVC Members are more demanding at the resorts, we don't spend as much on Disney food, merchandise, and other extras as other visitors who only visit once in a lifetime or every ten years. We eat in our rooms, and buy discounted AP's. We tend to stay longer and we know more on how Disney works and how to get the best deals.

Compare that to the Guest who doesn't use all of the days on their ticket, all of the credits on the DDP, they eat at the most expensive Disney restaurants, don't go off site, buy a lot of Park food and drinks, pay for the tours, and go to the hard ticket events.

As members we tend to slow down and take our time enjoying the free things that others run by.

On our last visit in December, we were there for 14 days and didn't go into any Parks, ate in our room or off site other than a couple of Disney meals, and bought nothing extra.

When and if you can get a CM to open up and talk candidly about their job, you will find out that many consider DVC Members to be a pain it the butt. We know more than many CM's and we expect things to be correct, and because of this they can't give us a snow job and wish us on our way.

Bill

 

[Caren90]

True but as I posted, there are 120 million other visitors that come every year.

DVC Members are more demanding at the resorts, we don't spend as much on Disney food, merchandise, and other extras as other visitors who only visit once in a lifetime or every ten years. We eat in our rooms, and buy discounted AP's. We tend to stay longer and we know more on how Disney works and how to get the best deals.

Compare that to the Guest who doesn't use all of the days on their ticket, all of the credits on the DDP, they eat at the most expensive Disney restaurants, don't go off site, buy a lot of Park food and drinks, pay for the tours, and go to the hard ticket events.

As members we tend to slow down and take our time enjoying the free things that others run by.

On our last visit in December, we were there for 14 days and didn't go into any Parks, ate in our room or off site other than a couple of Disney meals, and bought nothing extra.

When and if you can get a CM to open up and talk candidly about their job, you will find out that many consider DVC Members to be a pain it the butt. We know more than many CM's and we expect things to be correct, and because of this they can't give us a snow job and wish us on our way.

Bill

I see your point and it makes sense. We do exactly the same thing, although we are still attending the parks and doing some dining on site.

I will say that we have been good promoters of Disney and many families have decided to head down to the World through our advocacy. Not quite 120 million though...
Stephen

 

[codingkw]

Ok, I'm not sure if someone brought this up, but I read that article and there is no way this is going to be as easy as they say. At first maybe, until the wrist bands become lost or stolen. I know you can have them deactivated but until that happens there is a potentional for someone to use your wristband without ur permission.

I personally do not like wearing bracelets during the hot days in florida. I have sensitive skin so I would end up keeping it in my pocket or purse and would have a greater chance of losing it.

Those little swipe cards at the gas station were cool at first till they realized they could be stolen real easy before you even notice its gone.

 

[disneynutz]

Ok, I'm not sure if someone brought this up, but I read that article and there is no way this is going to be as easy as they say. At first maybe, until the wrist bands become lost or stolen. I know you can have them deactivated but until that happens there is a potentional for someone to use your wristband without ur permission.

I personally do not like wearing bracelets during the hot days in florida. I have sensitive skin so I would end up keeping it in my pocket or purse and would have a greater chance of losing it.

Those little swipe cards at the gas station were cool at first till they realized they could be stolen real easy before you even notice its gone.

Not much different than someone charging to your lost KTTW card.

Bill

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I've run into enough people who don't know how the fast pass system works now.

You still get dirty looks on Soarin, Space Mountain when you are in the fp lane.

From the article, I feel bad for the CM's that will have to enforce this policy if it actual comes on line.

Nice to meet you! Seriously I really don't understand the FP system or how to abuse it. If the line is that long we don't ride it! Sad to say I've yet to get on TSM.

 

[twinklebug]

Nice to meet you! Seriously I really don't understand the FP system or how to abuse it. If the line is that long we don't ride it! Sad to say I've yet to get on TSM.

You're not missing much - TSM is totally overrated. I really love video games, but this ride is no better than sitting in a teacup while playing a gameboy.

As for this new system - Disney's just keeping step with Universal. "Charge for the premiums people feel entitled to" seems to be the game. I'm just happy Disney finally seems to have embraced technology and has an inkling as to what they can do with it. There's a long way to go from the point they're saying they're starting at to having a truly advanced system, but this is a decent start. I just pray they keep developing on it. Walt would have.

 

[dwelty]

That's certainly what Jim Hill's story suggests. Personally I think it makes far more sense to bundle it with Disney resort stays and use it as justification for further weaning people off of the deep room discounts. If the at-home or in-room FASTPASSES cause a dramatic improvement in the theme park experience, Disney won't need 40% discounts to fill its hotel rooms anymore.

Whatever the case, traditional FASTPASS isn't going away so people who don't want to pay extra don't have to. There is bound to be some shifting of crowd patterns, though. We'll have to see how that plays out.

Any price attached to this service will help regulate its impact on other guests. If Disney goes for elite pricing, not many guests will buy it and the impact on non-buyers will be minimal. If they go with more moderate pricing, more people will get it but it will obviously be more affordable.

Time will tell...

I am of the opinion that anyone staying at a deluxe property regarless of DVC status will be eligible. This will not only encourage deluxe bookings through Central Reservations, but also encourage people to become part of DVC.

Another possiblity is that only Disney Resort guests will be able to use Fastpass, and off site guests will be out of luck. Resonable in my opinion considering the premium that you pay to stay on site. Perhaps the level of resort you stay at dictates how many fastpasses you are granted.

When you Consider Extra Magic Hours, free parking, and Magical Express, so far Disney has kept DVC members on an even playing field with Cash guests. I expect that this will continue.

 

[pmcpmc]

I am of the opinion that anyone staying at a deluxe property regarless of DVC status will be eligible. This will not only encourage deluxe bookings through Central Reservations, but also encourage people to become part of DVC.

Another possiblity is that only Disney Resort guests will be able to use Fastpass, and off site guests will be out of luck. Resonable in my opinion considering the premium that you pay to stay on site. Perhaps the level of resort you stay at dictates how many fastpasses you are granted.

When you Consider Extra Magic Hours, free parking, and Magical Express, so far Disney has kept DVC members on an even playing field with Cash guests. I expect that this will continue.

What dictates who will get the opportunity to use them will be whatever generates the largest revenue to Disney. Patrick