Not impressed with the current fastpass system

[Robo]

Sorry I am little slow this morning would please elaborate for me.

1- Why is there no rope drope or

2- fighting for TSM FP's?

3- has or will any of this effect Jedi training? TIA

1- Because they no longer have an internal rope drop.
They stopped doing that.

2- I said nothing about "fighting" for TSM FP's.
What you remarked in your earlier post...

I am game for anything that will keep from having to get up at the crack of dawn and running with the bulls to get TSM or Soarin FP.

was about "the running of the bulls" which is no longer a factor, since there is no internal rope drop, which used to "collect and hold" a massive number of guests who were released all at one single time, to "run" to TSM or Soarin'.

3- Guests with children interested in participating in Jedi Training should be ready at DHS opening time to take the child directly to the Jedi Training sign-up.


-------------------

The opening of the parks:

Here's what's been happening within the past few months:

Only MK still offers a Rope Drop SHOW along with an inside-the-gates holding area.
MK Gates open approx. 15 min. "early."
But, the Rope Drop show is timed so that guests will actually enter the PARK very near the
actual opening time.

DAK no longer offers a Rope Drop SHOW,
but still has a "rope" (guest holding area) at a location past the Oasis, near the Tree of Life.
DAK Gates open approx. 15 min. "early."
But, the rope is held in place, and is finally dropped at a time that guests
will actually enter the PARK very near the actual opening time.

DHS no longer offers a Rope Drop SHOW,
but DHS just MIGHT be returning to having an internal "rope" (guest holding area)
at a location on the central shopping street of Hollywood Blvd.
Only time will tell if they will do the "internal rope holding area" for guests,
or just not have any internal rope at all.
DHS Gates likely open approx. 15 min. "early."
But, the rope (if any) is held in place, and is finally dropped at a time that guests
will actually enter the PARK very near the actual opening time.

Epcot no longer offers a Rope Drop SHOW, AND no longer offer an inside-the-gates holding area.
Epcot and DHS Gates open approx. 15 min. "early."
(DHS has opened as early as 30 min., but that's not been the case every day.)

AM EMH entrance times seem to not be affected (figure entering 2-10 minutes before the AM EMH time, as usual.)
On AM EMH days, MK will offer some form of their Rope Drop Show
(may or may not be the "full show")
only for AM EMH guests,
and no show at all for the regular hours open time that morning.

As always, for better positioning in the crowds, arrive well before the posted opening time at all parks.

 

[KellyNY]

Nobody knows.

I can guess that whatever the "system" will be, it will affect ALL guests.

It will reduce the number of FastPasses available for "walk-up" guests.
And, it can't help but increase the wait-time for those in the standby lines.

How? It will not increase number of rides per hour, same number, distributed differently. Wait time(shown above the ride) would reflect all the Xpasses expected, so when you enter line, you know how long to wait and your wait time next year will be the same, more or less, as wait time this year or last year.

 

[mom2rtk]

How much longer do you think you will see such a high demand for TSMM? Do you think that part of the demand is that it is a "new" ride opened in 2008? I am headed to WDW tomorrow and I know the only reason I will ride it is because it was not there on my last visit.

Yep....

Until DHS opens another headliner attraction that appeals to all age groups.

......... and yep.

So unless they have a second Carsland planned for the East coast... I'd expect the high demand to continue into the foreseeable future.

 

[Robo]

I can guess that whatever the "system" will be, it will affect ALL guests.

It will reduce the number of FastPasses available for "walk-up" guests.
And, it can't help but increase the wait-time for those in the standby lines.

How? It will not increase number of rides per hour, same number, distributed differently.

You answered your own question.

Looks to be more FP's distributed both for rides that now offer FP and certain rides that now do not.

If you want to say my guess is incorrect, so be it.

 

[goofyernmost]

Just keep in mind that the easier it is to get that TSMM FP, the more people you'll be competing with for those ride slots..... and the fewer ride slots there will be left for regular "day of" Fp's and standby.

This could definitely be a case of "be careful what you wish for....."

The old system was a pain. But at least you knew that if you DID get up early, you could do the ride without a crazy long standby wait. I'm not sure that will continue to be true when the new system rolls out. There could also be a fair degree of luck required.

I'm not sure why it adds up to MORE people competing for ride slots. Weren't those people that we are speculating about, already in the resort and competing for them anyway? Wouldn't they have gotten some of those Fastpasses anyway? I can see that certain times might be harder to get but the attractions cannot take anymore per hour with something new than it was able to handle before.

Because of that I truly doubt that they will be able to increase the number of fastpasses, just the time they distribute them.

No, I can only see the real problem as the times available, not the numbers. I seriously doubt that anyone will have anyway of knowing, based on the way that the system works now. You go, you get a FP, you move on. As a Guest you have no way of knowing how many were given out either ahead of time or when you go to the kiosk. They cannot give out more then the anticipated numbers that might have happened anyway without upsetting a large number of people.

As stupid as some of their decisions seem, I doubt that they would intentionally do that. I see nothing changing other then distribution times.

 

[Robo]

They cannot give out more then the anticipated numbers that might have happened anyway without upsetting a large number of people.

As stupid as some of their decisions seem, I doubt that they would intentionally do that. I see nothing changing other then distribution times.

I don't see how it would be practical (or even possible) for this type of major "new FP system" to operate without adding to the numbers of FP's distributed.

The ridership burden of additional FP's would be a principle reason for trying to focus the stated Return Times.

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm not sure why it adds up to MORE people competing for ride slots. Weren't those people that we are speculating about, already in the resort and competing for them anyway? Wouldn't they have gotten some of those Fastpasses anyway? I can see that certain times might be harder to get but the attractions cannot take anymore per hour with something new than it was able to handle before.

Because of that I truly doubt that they will be able to increase the number of fastpasses, just the time they distribute them.

No, I can only see the real problem as the times available, not the numbers. I seriously doubt that anyone will have anyway of knowing, based on the way that the system works now. You go, you get a FP, you move on. As a Guest you have no way of knowing how many were given out either ahead of time or when you go to the kiosk. They cannot give out more then the anticipated numbers that might have happened anyway without upsetting a large number of people.

As stupid as some of their decisions seem, I doubt that they would intentionally do that. I see nothing changing other then distribution times.

It's just human nature. The easier it is to get something, the more people will seek it out.

The herd was self-thinning under the old system. If you want to sleep in or arrive mid-day, you odds of getting a FP were greatly diminished (we're talking TSMM here).

You're kidding yourself if you don't think the TSMM think isn't going to be a mess under this new "easier" system.

And those ride reservation times they give out ahead of time have to come from somewhere. They will diminish the number of regular FP's available or increase the sheer volume of people going through the FP line, making the SB line (which was bad already for this ride) even slower.

 

[kaytieeldr]

We can rely on CM sources unless of course it refutes our argument somehow, then why not doubt their truthfulness.

As much as I tend to trust Cast Members, I'm genuinely surprised that enough CMs were tracking the number of FastPasses issued (per hour, per day, per five-minute increment) prior to March 7, and are tracking the number of FastPasses issued now in in the same time ranges, at enough attractions to support the conjecture that more FastPasses are being issued.

 

[KellyNY]

You answered your own question.

Looks to be more FP's distributed both for rides that now offer FP and certain rides that now do not.

If you want to say my guess is incorrect, so be it.

I am sure I would recognize the answer, Infact second part of my post was why it does not make sense to me.

Wait times would be exactly the same for anyone approaching SB as before. Right now the game starts at rope drop, with NextGen game will start 180 days mark, so those 100 people ahead of you in virtual line, just got there before you and therefore wait times will not change. That is all difference.

 

[ghtx]

I'm reading these reports about FastPass with interest, thank you for sharing your experience! June 9 will be our first trip under the new FastPass system and at a peak time as well, so I feel like a newbie in terms of park strategy. Admittedly, we were big FP hoarders and that's left us spoiled. I'm think DH is going to have to be the designated FP runner and we'll make use of the park apps to help determine the best place to head for short waits or appropriate FP times. We'll see ...

Can someone summarize (or link to a previous thread/post) what exactly the "new" fastpass system is and how it differs from the old? I last visited 2 years ago. Thanks.

 

[mesaboy2]

Can someone summarize (or link to a previous thread/post) what exactly the "new" fastpass system is and how it differs from the old? I last visited 2 years ago. Thanks.

You can return now only in the hour printed on your FP, and usually a 15 minute grace period also printed there. Before, you could return anytime after the printed window that day.

If you are referring to the upcoming FP system, no one knows any details or timeline for implementation.

 

[siskaren]

Can someone summarize (or link to a previous thread/post) what exactly the "new" fastpass system is and how it differs from the old? I last visited 2 years ago. Thanks.

The one hour return window is being enforced. It used to be that you were allowed to return any time after the beginning of the return window.

 

[ghtx]

The one hour return window is being enforced. It used to be that you were allowed to return any time after the beginning of the return window.

OK thanks. This is not the trial version of the fastpass system that was tried for two weeks at MK this month, with the emailed fastpass times? This is just enforcement?

 

[Robo]

I am sure I would recognize the answer, Infact second part of my post was why it does not make sense to me.

Wait times would be exactly the same for anyone approaching SB as before. Right now the game starts at rope drop, with NextGen game will start 180 days mark, so those 100 people ahead of you in virtual line, just got there before you and therefore wait times will not change. That is all difference.

You are making one assumption.

I am making another.

Using what I already know, I foresee more, in total, FP's being distributed as part of the new system.

If they do NOT add FP's, there will simply not be enough FP available to make the new system practical.

There are just not enough "current" FP's distributed in a day to allow enough guests to fully participate
in a major "new" system roll-out, and one that will be heavily promoted.

I'm even anticipating FP's being added to attractions that now do not even offer FP's.

If the ride capacity is already determined (by the number of rides possible on a given attraction,)
where will those new FP "positions" come from?

If you believe that they will not add FP's to the system, that's fine.

We'll likely find out within the next several months.

 

[mesaboy2]

OK thanks. This is not the trial version of the fastpass system that was tried for two weeks at MK this month, with the emailed fastpass times? This is just enforcement?

Both are being discussed here. The existing system has been in place since March 7 and could be summed up with the word enforcement. The upcoming system is largely a mystery. Theories on its implementation specifics feed some posters' belief that the enforcement is a necessary precursor to it.

 

[WillAustin]

Wait times would be exactly the same for anyone approaching SB as before. Right now the game starts at rope drop, with NextGen game will start 180 days mark, so those 100 people ahead of you in virtual line, just got there before you and therefore wait times will not change. That is all difference.

I think they will increase the number of FPs they give out. If not there won't be enough available in-park to make it worthwhile. I'm definitely expecting the standby line to be affected.

Those people that don't participate in the advance reservations for whatever reason (stay off-site, not in a deluxe resort, won't pay extra, can't get the time they wanted, etc.) will have even less of a reasonable chance at getting a FP in the park.

 

[donaldlovesdaisy]

IMOP WDW's first priority should be to the resort guest and therefore they should have first crack at FP's. People of all economical statutes stay on property so I don't see how by doing this is promoting an elitist system as some have previously stated.

 

[Robo]

IMOP WDW's first priority should be to the resort guest and therefore they should have first crack at FP's. People of all economical statutes stay on property so I don't see how by doing this is promoting an elitist system as some have previously stated.

What about the huge number of loyal Disney guests who live within driving distance?

Should they be abandoned?

 

[mesaboy2]

What about the huge number of loyal Disney guests who live within driving distance?

Should they be abandoned?

Aw, you care!

 

[KellyNY]

You are making one assumption.

I am making another.

Using what I already know, I foresee more, in total, FP's being distributed as part of the new system.

If they do NOT add FP's, there will simply not be enough FP available to make the new system practical.

There are just not enough "current" FP's distributed in a day to allow enough guests to fully participate
in a major "new" system roll-out, and one that will be heavily promoted.

I'm even anticipating FP's being added to attractions that now do not even offer FP's.

If the ride capacity is already determined (by the number of rides possible on a given attraction,)
where will those new FP "positions" come from?

If you believe that they will not add FP's to the system, that's fine.

We'll likely find out within the next several months.

I am not making any assumptions at all, I just pointing simple facts, that is all.

You pointed out that SB wait times will icrease, I just showing that it is simply not possible with the same number of rides per hour. No assumptions, regardless of FP numbers increased or not, besides the point. Just simple fact #1.

As for increasing FP numbers, we do not have information to say if they need to increase it or not. Do we actually know that current number is not enough? It is just a speculation. And this is a simple fact #2.