Next Gen Fastpass?

[disneynutz]

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.

You don't know Disney very well.

They will probably take away your ability to send a runner to get your Fast Passes, then, based on Guest feed back and requests, they offer you the ability to get your Fast Passes without being at the attraction.

Maybe they will be part of a premium package, or available for purchase if you are staying at a deluxe resort. As I PP, there has to be a way for Disney to recoup their billion dollar investment.

Bill

 

[KandiB47]

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.

You can't be serious?




I see this armband option as more of a positive than a negative, depending on how it all plays out. It will be very convenient to use a wrist band for everything. I'm always misplacing my KTTWC. Geting into my room that easy would be priceless. I would defiantly pay extra for a purple wristband with some Mickey Mouse heads on it. I would probably even wear it to Victoria and Albert's.

 

[etemplet]

You mean people don't use their fast pass for the time that is posted on it ?? Good grief. I hope all DVC members are not judged based on this type of behavior. This isn't something I would do or allow a family member to do. It's kinda like stealing because it is....stealing.

 

[Inkmahm]

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.

Speaking as one of those older people with bad knees, I like not having to run to get fast passes as I can only walk slow, not run at all. On the other hand, now that I've had to use the ECV on many days, I am the one who takes the tickets to go get fast passes while the walkers get a rest.

It makes no sense to me to require everyone to be there personally to pick up fast passes.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I'm the "fast walker" in our group. Since we are in our mid to late 60's, the rest of the crew needs to tag along more slowly. I can speed walk with the best of them yet, and I'm usually right up there in front once they drop the rope for TSMM.

I can't believe some of you dislike that ride, but I'm glad at least someone does! That leaves more room for us to ride it again.

I'm still worried that the FP under these terms will not be available to those of us who use APs. Since our ticket isn't on our KTTW, I can see a real issue here.

 

[RachaelA]

I'm the "fast walker" in our group. Since we are in our mid to late 60's, the rest of the crew needs to tag along more slowly. I can speed walk with the best of them yet, and I'm usually right up there in front once they drop the rope for TSMM.

I can't believe some of you dislike that ride, but I'm glad at least someone does! That leaves more room for us to ride it again.

I'm still worried that the FP under these terms will not be available to those of us who use APs. Since our ticket isn't on our KTTW, I can see a real issue here.

We love TSMM as well. We get to DHS an hour before opening just so we can be first at a turnstyle and I'm usually the first behind the castmember walking to it. Of course this is all pre-baby, so I have no idea how we'd do it now

I'm curious to see how it'd work with APs as well. This year will be our first year with them.

 

[LauraLea]

I'm still worried that the FP under these terms will not be available to those of us who use APs. Since our ticket isn't on our KTTW, I can see a real issue here.

I would hope the wristbands will be coded with all your pertinent info. Your AP info could be coded on the band for your length of stay. It would be great also if DVC member could be coded to use for discounts without showing your card, same way with TIW.

Laura

 

[bigAWL]

Jim Hill claims that initially XPass will "only be available for Guests who book stays at deluxe WDW resorts like Disney's Grand Florida Resort and Spa".

Interesting article: http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_c...cting-to-have-a-very-merry-xpass-in-2012.aspx

I know a lot of people are skeptical about Jim Hill's information, but when I read this...

But the downside of this aspect of XPass is that - in order to accommodate the 500+ Resort Guests who have booked this premium vacation package and thus will be expecting an exclusive parade viewing experience right in front of the Castle as part of their day at the Kingdom....

...I can't help but feel if 500 is the order of magnitude of people we're talking about, then this is probably going to be really expensive and not going to affect most of us in any noticeable way... except when we want to watch the parade from the hub.

 

[twinklebug]

You can't be serious?

Totally serious - but then I'm a technological dreamer. I can see the potential there, but the application of it really let me down, particularly since this is Disney we're talking about. The queue line is cute though.

I feel a disconnect between pushing things through to completion to reap the rewards and taking the time to develop and set things up right. These RFIDs have a TON of potential not just for tracking people and offering special benefits - but for entertainment. They can transform the parks in subtle, yet fantastic ways if they leave that window open.

I see this armband option as more of a positive than a negative, depending on how it all plays out. It will be very convenient to use a wrist band for everything. I'm always misplacing my KTTWC. Geting into my room that easy would be priceless. I would defiantly pay extra for a purple wristband with some Mickey Mouse heads on it. I would probably even wear it to Victoria and Albert's.

I'm with you. I would collect and see how many EMH bands I could keep on my arm before having to take them off. I do miss those. Still have them all in a scrap box. Maybe they'll have the upscale version of the bracelets available to those willing to pay for it (although precious metals will most likely interfere with the chip)

 

[Scott]

You mean people don't use their fast pass for the time that is posted on it ?? Good grief. I hope all DVC members are not judged based on this type of behavior. This isn't something I would do or allow a family member to do. It's kinda like stealing because it is....stealing.

Whoa now! Stealing, really? This was a practice that was actually encouraged by Cast Members. Shoot, that is how we heard about it. CM's would routinely say that you can come back anytime after the first time listed on the FP. I never knew how long it would be allowed so every year we would ask a CM if we could still come back any time that day, and every time the answer was "yep." Never once did a CM say that it was allowed but discouraged. I do feel sorry for those of you who had to rush across the park to make your FP window after meal ran longer than expected.

Please don't report us to the authorities for this felonious behavior, but you can count us as those that happily used this feature of the FP system in our quest to have a relaxed and carefree park experience.

Scott

 

[AimKo]

I would think whatever fp options were available to Deluxe resorts would also be alowed to DVC's....if not wouldn't that word get out to potential DVC buyers? Why buy into DVC if you are not going to continue to get a "deluxe" experience.

It would make sense to have a wristband option or allow the read device to be stickered to a KTTW card...I think the wristbands would be a nice, easy option....but don't see why they wouldn't allow the choice. Is there some reason why this technology can't be "stuck on" a card tht I'm missing?

I would LOVE if this came with an option to load on fp at scheduled times before we got to the resort! I can't handle the fp mad dash at rope drop. It would be nice to stroll in with fp returns already set.

Aim

 

[White_Sox_Fan]

You mean people don't use their fast pass for the time that is posted on it ?? Good grief. I hope all DVC members are not judged based on this type of behavior. This isn't something I would do or allow a family member to do. It's kinda like stealing because it is....stealing.

So your the one I always get behind going exactly 55 down the expressway when we all know the state troopers won't even begin to look at you until your doing 65 or 70.

 

[AimKo]

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.

Wow! Could this be a soft opening? Please do report back on her experience!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I'm not a fan of the arm band/wristband, we're not at the fair here! It's bad enough having to make sure that my traveling party has their room keys, tickets if not loaded on the card, etc., etc. I'm surprised Disney didn't jump on the band wagon years ago and charge for it just like Universal.

As someone else posted, many don't even use it. Also I guess I'm one of the few schmucks who actually returns between the actual times stipulated on the Fast Pass. If the time was past I threw them out and didn't use them! Often these "changes" come about because of abuse of the so called "rules"! I don't subcribe to "Rules are mean't to be broken!"

Disney will do waht Disney wants, I would hate, in the sticky, long hot & wet summer, having to wear a stinking wrist band!

 

[DebbieB]

You mean people don't use their fast pass for the time that is posted on it ?? Good grief. I hope all DVC members are not judged based on this type of behavior. This isn't something I would do or allow a family member to do. It's kinda like stealing because it is....stealing.

How is it stealing if you hand the cm the fastpass and they let you through? It's not like you are sneaking past. If they allow it, then it's not stealing. Someone recently posted a rule sheet that cm's use and it says to accept fastpasses past their time on the same day.

 

[disneyfreak2127]

I am also one of those people who adhere to FP times. Thought that was why a time was listed. Have been the recipient and giver of FP's about to expire(time wise) and thought that it was a great "pay it forward" kind of gesture that made our WDW experience even more magical. I guess I am a rule follower in that I thought if I returned at a non-designated time I would be jamming up the system. Isn't FP designed to keep the lines moving smoothly? If everyone were totally disregard the times why have them in the first place?

Although, I may try the whole "come as I please" approach in March. I will probably be the one that the CM turns away. Bring on the wristbands!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

the cm the fastpass and they let you through? It's not like you are sneaking past. If they allow it, then it's not stealing. Someone recently posted a rule sheet that cm's use and it says to accept fastpasses past their time on the same day.

Just because the rule is not enforced, it's still the rule and the way the system was intended to work, until people started doing what they wanted. And no, I don't consider it stealing, just not playing within the rules!

Unfortunately this situation probably falls under, "Disney, the Happiest Place on Earth" stigma, and the CM's are taught/trained to avert confrontation and unhappiness of any kind, so they go with the flow until the hammer comes down! Just like poeple who complain to Disney, DVC etc. about every insignificant thing and they are immediately comped points, given credits of up to $500 for this that and the other thing, at times even without asking! Should we all complain,and get compensated, sure then guess what, what do we think would happen, the rules would get changed?

Gotta keep people happy!

 

[disneynutz]

Just because the rule is not enforced, it's still the rule and the way the system was intended to work, until people started doing what they wanted. And no, I don't consider it stealing, just not playing within the rules!

Unfortunately this situation probably falls under, "Disney, the Happiest Place on Earth" stigma, and the CM's are taught/trained to avert confrontation and unhappiness of any kind, so they go with the flow until the hammer comes down! Just like poeple who complain to Disney, DVC etc. about every insignificant thing and they are immediately comped points, given credits of up to $500 for this that and the other thing, at times even without asking! Should we all complain,and get compensated, sure then guess what, what do we think would happen, the rules would get changed?

Gotta keep people happy!

Any idea what the design is on the drink mugs because I might want to buy one next month to add to my collection.

Bill

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Any idea what the design is on the drink mugs because I might want to buy one next month to add to my collection.

Bill

 

[ses1230]

You mean people don't use their fast pass for the time that is posted on it ?? Good grief. I hope all DVC members are not judged based on this type of behavior. This isn't something I would do or allow a family member to do. It's kinda like stealing because it is....stealing.

Not even remotely close to stealing since it is allowed by Disney.