Next Gen Fastpass?

[starbox]

I'm sure we will see deals Free Dining, Extra Unlimited XPASS Fastpass, and upgrades to 1-bedrooms at SSR and OKW from guests staying at POP all while DVC owners start getting charged for parking and points are increased for value seasons to "even out demand". All of this will be announced in the DVC 2012 planner - which should arrive sometime early 2013.

 

[Starr W.]

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.

How are you doing? Basically you collect fp's and the CM's only enforce the start window of the FP's. So you can use a 1-2pm FP at a later time.

We had 4 FP's for later in the afternoon for RnR coaster at DHS when we decided to go back and swim. So on the way out the park I was looking to give them to someone. a few people acted like I was trying to give them cooties. By the resort buses ran into a dad and son who were like and said thanks.

We did TSM once and it isn't worth standing in line for or doing the jog at rope drop to grab a FP. I would rather do ToT, Star Tours or RnR.

 

[Mouse511]

I'm sure we will see deals Free Dining, Extra Unlimited XPASS Fastpass, and upgrades to 1-bedrooms at SSR and OKW from guests staying at POP all while DVC owners start getting charged for parking and points are increased for value seasons to "even out demand". All of this will be announced in the DVC 2012 planner - which should arrive sometime early 2013.

+1 - I agree - this will be next.

 

[Sammie]

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

But direct sales are and I don't see them leaving that group out. You may feel they don't care about the current membership and I definitely think they are caring less and less about resale members but when the only resorts outside of Animations suites that are being built are DVC, then yes Disney cares very much about DVC and the continuation of increase in direct sales.

 

[Anal Annie]

I participated in an elaborate online survey for Disney Cruise Line sometime in the fall which essentially was about the same idea for the cruise ships. It came complete with a very snazzy video describing the whole thing and how you would use it around the ship. The people in the video were just a little bit too excited about it for my taste (reminded me of the Wiggles exaggerated happiness). It came with a price tag attached as well and there were some questions on the survey about the pricing structure (like at what price point would I be willing to buy it). Personally I don't wanna wear no stinkin' bracelet all day (I don't care WHAT color it is) so I responded in a very negative manner to most of the questions. I would say based on this new information that if they implement this in the parks they'll be adding it to the cruise ships before long as well. Heck, they'll probably tie your resort stay in with your cruise for an all-in-one magical experience.

 

[disneynutz]

I participated in an elaborate online survey for Disney Cruise Line sometime in the fall which essentially was about the same idea for the cruise ships. It came complete with a very snazzy video describing the whole thing and how you would use it around the ship. The people in the video were just a little bit too excited about it for my taste (reminded me of the Wiggles exaggerated happiness). It came with a price tag attached as well and there were some questions on the survey about the pricing structure (like at what price point would I be willing to buy it). Personally I don't wanna wear no stinkin' bracelet all day (I don't care WHAT color it is) so I responded in a very negative manner to most of the questions. I would say based on this new information that if they implement this in the parks they'll be adding it to the cruise ships before long as well. Heck, they'll probably tie your resort stay in with your cruise for an all-in-one magical experience.

I read somewhere that the Dream and the Fantasy are using RFID for stateroom access.

Bill

 

[Simba's Mom]

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

 

[emilymad]

What is the general rumor about when they are going to start using it? I feel like we have been hearing about it for a while. Weren't they testing stickers on people's park passes at Epcot a few months ago? Do you think they are trying to get it going by the time Fantsyland opens?

 

[bakenatj]

What is the general rumor about when they are going to start using it? I feel like we have been hearing about it for a while. Weren't they testing stickers on people's park passes at Epcot a few months ago? Do you think they are trying to get it going by the time Fantsyland opens?

No dates that I can find, but I think you are probably on to something with the Fantasyland opening. Would be an incentive for people to go the XPass route so they don't have to wait in long lines for the new rides in FL. Will be interesting to see what happens. Disney sure has a lot on their plate the next few years that is for sure.

 

[disneynutz]

What is the general rumor about when they are going to start using it? I feel like we have been hearing about it for a while. Weren't they testing stickers on people's park passes at Epcot a few months ago? Do you think they are trying to get it going by the time Fantsyland opens?

As I posted it's a billion dollar system and I am sure that all of the pieces will take awhile to implement.

I envision resort room access, drink dispensers, park access, fast passes, DDP, transportation access, game scores, photo pass and more to be tied to the system.

Bill

 

[Greysword]

I just pray they keep developing on it. Walt would have.

This is a great comment, as it is what Walt would do! It certainly goes with the original idea for many of the rides at DL and the original EPCOT concept: implement new ideas from the centers of industry. Popular or not, it fits in well with Disney's original (implied) mission.

I envision... transportation access..to be tied to the system.

Wow, now wouldn't THIS be a hoot? Using the wristbands to track who is permitted to board a bus or even access resort parking (current visitors and those with ADRs in a specific window).

On a side note, which wristband would look best at Victoria & Albert's: hot pink or lime green?

 

[get_us_to_WDW]

I have been to Great Wolf Lodge and used the bracelet there - it was awesome to be able to leave my room with literally NOTHING (no wallet, no purse, no water-tight necklace thingy with my room cards inside) and be able to access the water park, buy snacks, shop, etc.

 

[get_us_to_WDW]

One thing that worries me with the FastPasses is that the adults in our group typically take turns serving as the FastPass "Runner" - and if these wrist bands must be individually swiped to get a FastPass (and I assume they cannot be quickly removed?) that will put a wrinkle in our usual approach?

 

[jrtoastyman]

On a side note, which wristband would look best at Victoria & Albert's: hot pink or lime green?

I know this is in jest, but it does highlight a more fundamental problem with it, which is that regardless of why you might want to take it off -- whether it's because you're wanting to have an elegant evening at V&A's without feeling like you're in the keg line at a frat party or it's just rubbing you wrong -- I'm figuring that that is not an option and that you'd have to have it tethered to you for the duration of the trip. Disney is devoted a great deal of effort, money and technology to making sure that you can't just hand your ticket to someone else or sell unused park days on ebay, and I can't see them going back to those days.

Ultimately, though, the fact of the matter is that I don't actually know how these bands would work, so I'm going to reserve judgment until they come out. Surely, Disney has thought this through, and these will either be optional, or there will be some other tweak that will make it make sense.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

I read somewhere that the Dream and the Fantasy are using RFID for stateroom access.

Bill

They do but ours was still in the form of a card in November.

 

[BBG-BLT]

I really hope they wait until after June 2013 - I'd hate for my 50th birthday trip is ruined by me having to learn a new system... I have FP down to an art.

 

[ttepsich]

I work with a girl who is at the world now. She is staying off property with a friend that is there for a conference. The day before she left (Tuesday) She said her friend called her and said she has a friend that works for corporate. If they wanted to do the parks, they should meet her Wednesday morning at the Animal Kingdom gate. She would get them in the park where they would get a wristband that would be good for park admission for the 5 days they would be in Orlando. They would also be able to go to the front of every line. WHAT! I was incredulous to say the least. I hadn't even heard of the wristband option until now. My friend was only at Disney once about 10 years ago so I didn't think she knew what she was talking about. She texted me this morning from Hollywood Studios and said they wouldn't be doing TSM since their fastpasses were for 5pm. They were going to head over to MK instead. So not sure about the whole FP thing. She comes home Sunday. I'll be VERY anxious to hear if she really had a wristband or not and how it worked.

 

[disneynutz]

One thing that worries me with the FastPasses is that the adults in our group typically take turns serving as the FastPass "Runner" - and if these wrist bands must be individually swiped to get a FastPass (and I assume they cannot be quickly removed?) that will put a wrinkle in our usual approach?

Groups of people getting Fast Passes without each being there will probably be a thing of the past.

Bill

 

[dbs1228]

Groups of people getting Fast Passes without each being there will probably be a thing of the past.

Bill

I really hope not we travel with older family members with bad knees and it is nice that they get to rest while DH or I set off to get FP for our group. Also places like soaring, TSM FP line is already really tight and crowded this is going to make things much worse if all parties need to be in line.

 

[disneynutz]

Wow, now wouldn't THIS be a hoot? Using the wristbands to track who is permitted to board a bus or even access resort parking (current visitors and those with ADRs in a specific window).

The new dispatch system for the buses are supposed to count the people as they get on and off the bus. The system was designed to re-route another bus if yours was full. Unfortunately people don't stay in a straight line when getting on the bus or some enter through the exit door. This caused the counting system to be unreliable. Using RFID would fix this issue and hopefully improve the bus service.

Bill