Rumor: Fast Pass Restrictions?

[raidermatt]

For those thinking that this will result in more FPs being available later in the day, I wouldn't be so sure of that. This potential new policy doesn't stop people from GETTING a FP, it just stops them from using it later. You may end up with just as many FPs being issued early, only now you never know how many will come back.

Further, it could even make the early rush worse, because some will want to get an early FP time since that will be easier to plan around. It's a lot easier to make your window when it comes in 2 hours than if it is 6 hours later, when a lot of your day's plans could have gone awry.

I think Disney is trying to put a square peg in a round hole here. They are trying to encourage rigid scheduling of park touring so they can sell their nexgen product (and yes, we will pay for it, one way or another), but park touring isn't something that many can or want to schedule so rigidly.

I know a lot of people poo-poo Walt and his ideas, but he always emphasized giving the guest what they wanted, not trying to force them into what Disney wanted. A famous example was when he saw an employee putting a fence around a grass area to keep guests from using it as a walkway. Walt's solution? Make a path through the grass since that's the way guests wanted to go.

This potential change flies in the face of that important philosophy that differentiated Disney from so many others. Sometimes Disney gets away with that kind of thinking, we'll see how it goes here.

 

[scooter7487]

This thread will no doubt get ugly with both sides. Rules are rules I understand but this one bothers me. You can say it is printed right there on the pass and you can say they are just upholding the rule but for those of us that have gone to disney year in and year out this bothers us. I love disney, I am a dvc and ap holder, I go on cruises.... What bothers me is that as a middle class citizen my finances are not getting better they are getting worse. Disney made a substantial profit last year so they are not hurting. What bothers me is tickets, food, shows, dcl are all getting more and more expensive and little perks like knowing that you can come back anytime after the alloted fp time is a nice little perk. Does it make or break my vacation? No but it is nice to have those little things that us disney folk have come to appreciate. I am worried that disney is starting to price out my family and a place that I love and tell friends/family is so magical is starting to not be so magical! My 2 cents. I am sure some will blast away but if you are a true yearly disney person I think you will see why this bothers us so much.

 

[raidermatt]

...it's going to be really difficult to go to an attraction during that one hour period if you have dining reservations, or if something comes up with your kids (which a lot of the time for us it does) and we just don't get there in time.

Especially since ADR aren't actually reservations, but just put you in the front of the line for the next available table. You can be seated right at your ADR time, or 20-30 minutes later.

Or better yet, if you DON'T have an ADR but want to do a walk-up. Even more difficult to make that work now.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I know a lot of people poo-poo Walt and his ideas, but he always emphasized giving the guest what they wanted, not trying to force them into what Disney wanted. A famous example was when he saw an employee putting a fence around a grass area to keep guests from using it as a walkway. Walt's solution? Make a path through the grass since that's the way guests wanted to go.

This potential change flies in the face of that important philosophy that differentiated Disney from so many others. Sometimes Disney gets away with that kind of thinking, we'll see how it goes here.

Exactly! I agree 110%. Disney seems to longer want to be bothered or worse feel that they need to be bothered with creating a path through the grass.

 

[raidermatt]

Rules are rules I understand but this one bothers me. You can say it is printed right there on the pass and you can say they are just upholding the rule but for those of us that have gone to disney year in and year out this bothers us. .

The "rules are rules" argument is irrelevant. Disney's de facto rule was you can comeback anytime after your window opens. The fact is people are doing what they want to do because that's what works for them. It doesn't cause Disney any headaches which is why they never bothered to address it before.

Now they want to sell their upcoming product so they are trying to force a change.

That's all this is about. If it comes to pass, you will hear all kinds of company-planted explanations, and many will repeat them as they always do. But the reality is this is just Disney trying to sell their new system. It has nothing to do with operational needs or guest satisfaction.

 

[Spaceace5150]

I wonder how many "typical" park guests even realize that you can come back after the posted time range on your Fast Pass. Most park visitors aren't reading message boards or insider information, so may not even be aware that is currently possible.

 

[Friendly Frog]

I don't see how this will increase the availability of fast passes for the afternoon.

They give out X number a day. Enforcing the current rules will not change availability. All it can do is to decrease, at times, the length of the fast pass line (especially late in the day) due to unexpected returning riders. This will prevent fast pass lines becomming as long as regular lines.

One thing I liked about Disney is the fact that did not charge for fast pass and made them available across the board to everyone. I do think this will change. I am sure the decision makers have considered the money Universal takes in with their "pay for it" or stay deluxe system.

 

[tpettie]

This is going to change how we do our touring plans for Dec.... I sure hope it is just rumour and not fact I guess time will tell...

 

[DizCaptain]

I just see a huge problem coming from all of this: You can't control what time your fastpass is for, and if its during a dining reservation tough luck and that's it? I know there have been times when we have had this happen, Soarin' fastpasses for 1 PM, ADR's at Chefs de France at 12:30, and theres no way we made it back at 2, it was usually around 2:30 or so.

Also, I personally absolutely hate the idea of scheduling every last thing, scheduling ride times is where I lose it, I actually enjoy having a little authority in being able to just go to a restaurant or a ride and eat there or ride it without being told they're full or that I don't have a reservation...what a mess.

 

[Stacy's a freak]

I wonder how many "typical" park guests even realize that you can come back after the posted time range on your Fast Pass. Most park visitors aren't reading message boards or insider information, so may not even be aware that is currently possible.

I agree with the above. And as mentioned earlier in this thread, when at the FP machine you can see the return time for the FP ticket. So you have a choice - 1. you can choose to take a FP anyway and hope for the best; or 2. you can forego the FP and leave it to someone who can actually use it during that time frame. To me, I think taking a FP for a time you KNOW you will not be able to use it is just selfish and wrong. Yes, you paid a lot for your vacation (blah blah) but so did the person behind you in line. It comes down to common courtesy ... which is becoming less and less common.

 

[dalt01]

during peak operating hours ride capacity per hour = standby + fastpass..........if all the 2pm fastpass customers are on time and the noon customers are two hours late and the 1pm customers are 1 hour late...... you actually hold up both lines...........i look at fastpass as i look at a red light.............it is put there for the express purpose of making traffic GO.

 

[trainingupmy4princes]

This will totally mess up our family. My DS has autism and we need FP's because long crowded lines where people might bump him sets him off. Unfortunately, I can't guarantee that he might not have a problem that takes a while to calm him before we can get to said FP ride and may miss our time. This has happened before and knowing that there's no pressure on DS because we can go to the ride when he's ready has been why we go to Disney for most of our vacations because it was magical even for DS's problems and my other kids didn't always have to miss out on something because of him. It seems like the magic for our family may run out and then why would the inflated Disney prices be worth more than any other trip?

I think the problem is when you raise already high prices and start cutting the magic that made Disney different then where's the value?
And I agree with a PP this is not what Walt created. Instead of paths we are seeing more and more fences and what kind of family can hold to such a rigid schedule for a week: ADR's you can't miss for illness or lose money that you had to schedule 6 months in advance, FP's you have to rearrange an entire day around to ride a kid's favorite or else wait hours in standby, stampedes to even get FP's. I like planning as much as the next person (after all I'm on the Dis and I have my spreadsheets too) but this is getting to be ridiculous Now you can't alter your plans if needed without a penalty either monetary or losing out on a ride. It a vacation not the Normandy invasion for pete's sakes. Where does it end and will there still be enough people willing to stay through the mess?

 

[JennMouse32]

im sorry but i think its rather on the stupid side to be upset for it. it gives you a an hour time frame to be there.. its not that hard to do.. its not rocket science

 

[erinreid]

I'm not happy about this, but I think that it's probably going to be in conjunction with other major changes to the FastPass system. For instance, perhaps they'll pair this with being able to reserve your FastPass time in advance from your hotel room. If you could do this, then Disney would HAVE to force you to come in your hour window, or else people would just make their FP reservation as early in the day as possible and then show up whenever they wanted.

I think we're about to see a significant overhaul of FP, and this is just the first step.

 

[disney david]

This will totally mess up our family. My DS has autism and we need FP's because long crowded lines where people might bump him sets him off. Unfortunately, I can't guarantee that he might not have a problem that takes a while to calm him before we can get to said FP ride and may miss our time. This has happened before and knowing that there's no pressure on DS because we can go to the ride when he's ready has been why we go to Disney for most of our vacations because it was magical even for DS's problems and my other kids didn't always have to miss out on something because of him. It seems like the magic for our family may run out and then why would the inflated Disney prices be worth more than any other trip?

I think the problem is when you raise already high prices and start cutting the magic that made Disney different then where's the value?
And I agree with a PP this is not what Walt created. Instead of paths we are seeing more and more fences and what kind of family can hold to such a rigid schedule for a week: ADR's you can't miss for illness or lose money that you had to schedule 6 months in advance, FP's you have to rearrange an entire day around to ride a kid's favorite or else wait hours in standby, stampedes to even get FP's. I like planning as much as the next person (after all I'm on the Dis and I have my spreadsheets too) but this is getting to be ridiculous Now you can't alter your plans if needed without a penalty either monetary or losing out on a ride. It a vacation not the Normandy invasion for pete's sakes. Where does it end and will there still be enough people willing to stay through the mess?

Disney giving the cms ley way and letting them let in guest who might have a reason for being late. So if you explain to the cm they most likely will let you. In plus if you go to guest relations you can get a gac which will allow your son to wait in another area until it your turn to ride the ride. When they came out with the fast pass they intended to follow the time frame but then they decide to let guest come back after the time. So to say tis is not what Walt would wont or this is ruin the magic it really not. Yes Disney should of been strict from the start so they would not have a problem now. But they didn't and was nice and now guest are up in arms how dare Disney put rules in place on their property. I don't like it I used to go in the morning and get toy story mania and come back later so now I will have to come back in my time frame. If I at another park or can't get their then I try again the next day will it be a pain yes of course but is it the end of my life or dose it ruin my trip no.

 

[dalt01]

My DS has autism and we need FP's because long crowded lines where people might bump him sets him off. Unfortunately, I can't guarantee that he might not have a problem that takes a while to calm him This has happened before

interesting choice of a vacation spot. i dont think i would want to put my child in a situation that was sure to cause a reaction and i say this with all kindness and am not saying you are wrong. i am saying what i would do. my daughter is severely allergic to Peanuts and we dont go anywhere near Texas Roadhouse and Five Guys (which throw peanuts on the floor as a matter of ambiance) and we love such places but felt we had to adapt so as not to cause stress in her life.

 

[raidermatt]

...it is put there for the express purpose of making traffic GO.

Not how it works. It was put there to get us out of line and in more shops and restaurants.

By definition it slows the standby line in terms of pace. Even if you assume a zero-sum game, it means the standby line will be shorter in distance but equal in time, so it will move slower. For example, in a standby line you may only have to travel 100 yards instead of 200, but it will still take the same 30 minutes. It turns slow traffic into stop and go traffic.

when at the FP machine you can see the return time for the FP ticket. So you have a choice - 1. you can choose to take a FP anyway and hope for the best; or 2. you can forego the FP and leave it to someone who can actually use it during that time frame. To me, I think taking a FP for a time you KNOW you will not be able to use it is just selfish and wrong. Yes, you paid a lot for your vacation (blah blah) but so did the person behind you in line. It comes down to common courtesy ... which is becoming less and less common.

With this change, guests are being forced to make a trip to the FP machine (or in a very few cases, a centralized location) just to find out the return time. If you don't want people taking FPs they won't now use because they can't come back late, Disney needs to post FP return times all over the park. You can't expect someone to make a FP run from Cosmic Ray's all the way over to Splash Mountain just to find out the return time won't work and not get a FP. That's ridiculous. They are either going to get a FP in the hopes things will work out, or maybe out of spite, or they will walk back to Tomorrowland irritated. Either way, I don't see how that's a positive for anyone.

Before implementing this change, all of the return times for each FP ride should be posted in various areas around each park so guests have the info needed to make an educated decision. Otherwise, you will get uneducated or spiteful decisions.

 

[buzzCMlightyear]

I can 100% Confirm this for you folks. CM's begin training this week or next on the new FP restrictions. Also within months the new FP distribution machines will be installed and the NextGen fastpass system will be rolled out.

Disney is finally enforcing one of its many rules. Good Job

 

[buzzCMlightyear]

I'm not happy about this, but I think that it's probably going to be in conjunction with other major changes to the FastPass system. For instance, perhaps they'll pair this with being able to reserve your FastPass time in advance from your hotel room. If you could do this, then Disney would HAVE to force you to come in your hour window, or else people would just make their FP reservation as early in the day as possible and then show up whenever they wanted.

I think we're about to see a significant overhaul of FP, and this is just the first step.

You are exactly right.

But the prearranged fastpasses will be exclusive to resort guests and will be booked upon room booking.

 

[raidermatt]

im sorry but i think its rather on the stupid side to be upset for it. it gives you a an hour time frame to be there.. its not that hard to do.. its not rocket science

That's helpful.

Just understand that no matter what upsets YOU, there are others who think it's on the stupid side for you to be upset about it.