Rumor: List of Attractions linked to XPass

[skier_pete]

OK, this came from Jim Hill, so know that it has about a 10 % chance of being right, but he's got a big article up about XPass, and he lists the rides/attractions that will be available for XPassing. (Did I invent a new verb?) Article can be found here. The article says all rides won't be on the system until 2013

The Magic Kingdom:
•Space Mountain
•Splash Mountain
•Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
•Mickey's Philharmagic
•Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
•Peter Pan's Flight
•Jungle Cruise
•The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
•Stitch's Great Escape
•it's a small world
•Pirates of the Caribbean
•The Haunted Mansion
•Tomorrowland Speedway
•The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
•The Great Goofini junior roller coaster
•Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
•Dumbo the Flying Elephant
•The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure
•Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
•Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade
•Main Street Electrical Parade
•Wishes Nighttime Spectacular

EPCOT:
•Soarin'
•Test Track
•Mission: SPACE
•Maelstrom
•Living with the Land
•Captain EO
•Journey into Imagination with Figment
•Turtle Talk with Crush
•The Seas with Nemo & Friends
•Spaceship Earth
•Disney's Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure
•IlllumiNations: Reflections of Earth

Disney's Hollywood Studios ...
•Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
•Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
•Toy Story Mania!
•Rock 'n' Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith
•Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!
•Voyage of the Little Mermaid
•Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show
•The Great Movie Ride
•MuppetVision 3-D
•Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage!
•The American Idol Experience
•Studio Backlot Tour
•Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun!
•Fantasmic!

Meanwhile over at Disney's Animal Kingdom ...
•Expedition Everest
•Kilmanjaro Safaris
•Kali River Rapids
•It's Tough to be a Bug!
•DINOSAUR
•Primeval Whirl
•Finding Nemo - The Musical
•Festival of the Lion King
•Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade

I continue to wonder how successful this will be. I can't imagine the average theme park guest being organized enough to take advantage of having so many items being booked, I think there is a lot more people that won't use this than that will, and even a lot of people that DO sign up for it that struggle with taking advantage of it. I also wonder what the premium charge will be for the experience - because clearly there will be. The one thing I find exciting about the idea is reserved spots for the parades and shows. If it eliminates those "get your spots two hours in advance" cases, that alone might be worth it, assuming it's not $200 per person.

 

[Faldred]

I don't buy it. It basically looks like a list of current FP attractions, with some extra attractions and parades/shows added in.

Problem is, most of those added attractions aren't set up to have the multiple queues necessary for a FP-like system (e.g., Small World and Aladdin), and if the system is going to launch next year, are they really going to have the time and budget to renovate those queues just for XPass?

 

[umichigan10]

I don't buy it. It basically looks like a list of current FP attractions, with some extra attractions and parades/shows added in.

Problem is, most of those added attractions aren't set up to have the multiple queues necessary for a FP-like system (e.g., Small World and Aladdin), and if the system is going to launch next year, are they really going to have the time and budget to renovate those queues just for XPass?

Lets not forget the speedway and spaceship earth from this list along with the undoubtedly more.

The whole idea imo is stupid. They have a relatively successful system now and all you'll do by charging for the x pass is alienate a further group of people who wont be able to afford it.

 

[racefanof88]

What I hate about the whole concept is that I go on vacation to get away from schedules, appointments and time constraints. Why would I PAY a premium to have such a headache on vacation? If this is where Disney is really heading I guess it is time for me to find somewhere that I can relax while on vacation!!

 

[Friendly Frog]

Thumbs down.

I hate to be so negative, but I think someone at Disney noticed that the other parks charged for their FOTL passes and Disney decided to charge too. It would not surprise me if at first fastpasses stayed the same and the new pass is just added. Then after everone is use to the new pay for it system, the old fastpass will be removed.

Then the xpass will have some special assignment based on hotel class. Maybe during busy times they get first shot at the best times or something.

According to the article they admit it WILL increase the standby line wait times and that is why they are adding things to the lines such as the graveyard at HM. Although they say it will only add about 8 mins I bet it will be much, more. I don't think people will be anymore disbursed using x pass than not using it. People are not going to sign up for rides they don't like. They will xpass the good rides then re-ride in standby, same as they currently do now with fastpass. Only difference is that many more people will be going into a first priority line.

They also seem to admit that x pass users could book all the times up for the top rides in this sideways comment "More to the point, software safety guards are reportedly being put in place which will then prevent those Guests who are actually using the xPASS system from booking up in advance all of the available ride times for the theme park's most popular attractions (EX: While booked their day at the Magic Kingdom, these WDW visitors will only be able to reserved in advance their ride times on two of that theme park's "Mountains" [i.e. Space Mountain, Splash Mountain and/or Big Thunder Mountain Railroad] rather than all three)."[/COLOR] I don't see how limiting it to two of the three is going to prevent the tops rides from booking up? How are they going to limit the Toy Story ride times?

Pay or wait. Disney seems to be following in the footsteps of Universal.

I can see it now. Trying to make our Toy Story ride time reservation at the same time as our dinning ADR.

 

[DeadHead]

Next-Gen does appear to be coming in the future, I just don't believe much that Jim Hill puts out, he's been more wrong than right. I also agree with a PP that I go on vacation to get away from schedules, why put myself through the aggravation of planning where I have to be at a certain time to enjoy an attraction.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

What I hate about the whole concept is that I go on vacation to get away from schedules, appointments and time constraints. Why would I PAY a premium to have such a headache on vacation? If this is where Disney is really heading I guess it is time for me to find somewhere that I can relax while on vacation!!

IF you have ever used...or passivley go along with...the disney dining plan,

then you have already given tacit approval to a vacation scheduling system.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

The whole idea imo is stupid. They have a relatively successful system now and all you'll do by charging for the x pass is alienate a further group of people who wont be able to afford it.

They call it "new revenue streams"...the problem is that it is not ever intended to be from new customers.

it is quite simply attempting to pull more cash out of their existing clientele. Things such as this...along with high price tag backstage tours that they seem to love...are not to generate new business. These things will not cause a single person to travel to WDW that otherwise wouldn't.

This is disney trying to beat us over the head. It's part of a massive and predetermined "Customer Loyalty Abuse Program"
And when Six Flags got the Q-bot and Universal got their thing 10+ years ago...it was a scam...but it made sense. You might be there for a day or two a year or every few years. As a consumer, i could justify that cost because of the large amount of extreme thrill rides and the wait times that they bring.

But at WDW...where you go for a week+ in a majority of cases and they have 150,000+ timeshare member contracts already sold on site and the rides are definitely not the kinds of top of the line thrills that crowds slam in theme parks...this just seems like further Orwellian 1984 crowd direction, staff shifting, and their attempt to herd you to where they want you...when they want you there.
And make quick, low overhead buck.

It's WDW...it's not cheap...and it's not for everyone. I get it and always will.

But...here's where the rubber doesn't meet the road. They are not adding attractions that warrant such a system. And that is the plain straightforward fact.
I don't want monstrous B&M steel coaster going up...but the reality is that disney has not done anything innovative in along time. Toy Story Mania is not innovative. It was complicated and expensive...but that was predominantly because they needed it to be high capacity. Not innovative.
Everest...if the yeti was working...was to be pretty cool. But not innovative. The ride is off the shelf...the yeti would have made the ride.
Soarin even...is a very old concept that they engineered a lift system to use in a cool way. Only slightly innovative.

RocknRollerCoaster is a generic ride system bought from Vekoma that just was themed well. Not innovative.

Dinosaur was a good innovative ride design...but not executed nearly as well as its sister in Disneyland.

The reality is the LAST things that disney has installed in WDW that warranted a system such as this were the tower of terror and splash mountain.

So is it a new "guest service". No..likely a detriment. Is it due to "guest demand". Heck no...no matter what their fake surveys say. Is an unmitigated cash grab?
you bet.

 

[Faldred]

I think Disney faces huge backlash if they start charging for FastPass, no matter what they call it. I think an "XPass" system might work as a perk for on-site guests if:

1) It's very limited -- no more than 1 or 2 "reservations" per day

2) It's only for a limited number of attractions -- take maybe the top 3 or 4 FastPass attractions in each park, plus the priority parade spots.

3) The reservations (except for the parades which are at fixed tiems) would be for fairly large time blocks (say, a 4-hour window).

4) It's included as a perk, not an extra cost, possibly only at the higher-end resorts and for DVC owners staying on points.

Then the idea becomes less of the "plan your whole trip in advance", but instead "make sure people really get to do their 'must do' activities without having to arrive by rope drop". By limiting it to DVC and Deluxe (and possibly Moderate) resorts, it encourages guests to consider upgrading accommodations (or joining DVC) to get the perk.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I think Disney faces huge backlash if they start charging for FastPass, no matter what they call it. I think an "XPass" system might work as a perk for on-site guests if:

1) It's very limited -- no more than 1 or 2 "reservations" per day

2) It's only for a limited number of attractions -- take maybe the top 3 or 4 FastPass attractions in each park, plus the priority parade spots.

3) The reservations (except for the parades which are at fixed tiems) would be for fairly large time blocks (say, a 4-hour window).

4) It's included as a perk, not an extra cost, possibly only at the higher-end resorts and for DVC owners staying on points.

Then the idea becomes less of the "plan your whole trip in advance", but instead "make sure people really get to do their 'must do' activities without having to arrive by rope drop". By limiting it to DVC and Deluxe (and possibly Moderate) resorts, it encourages guests to consider upgrading accommodations (or joining DVC) to get the perk.

being DVC...i of course love your idea.

But they don't actually treat DVC all that well if you look at it objectively. The value is the fixed room price...and that is significant. But their member perks and discounts are pretty unimpressive.

My DVC "discount annual pass" still works out to be about $450 a year...which isn't much of a give back to be honest.

If you go two weeks a year that's still not insignificant.

DVC is a captive audience...they try the whole "club" angle...but the intention was always clear. they give you a fixed cost that's easy to use...and in return, youre expected to have/make enough money to return often and buy all the food and junk they want you too.

It's about as reasonable as a 140 million dollar MLB player contract.

 

[diamondpixienc]

If this is true I dont have a problem with it I mean if you want it buy it. If not then dont. But, like everything else with Disney these days, we will all have to wait and see what happens.

 

[skier_pete]

Just as a comment. I don't believe they are planning on using this to replace Fastpasses. I think FP will still be open to everyone. What I expect is for the FP rides, the # of FP handed out will drop by some amount, to be replaced with the XPasses handed out. So the Standby riders will see little effect, while FP return times might be extended slightly.

I might've said this before, but I could see where it would be nice, especially at crowded times of year, to be able to reservations for all the shows. For example at DHS - I come in the morning knowing I have the 10 AM Indiana Jones show, the 12:30 Beauty and the Beast, 2 PM LMA Stunt Show, 4 PM Little Mermaid and 8 PM Fantasmic! already reserved. While there is no way to book every minute of every day, I could see structuring my day around 5 or 6 reservations. I do it already when I plan out my schedule for the day.

For someone like me, I already have a pretty good idea what parks I'm going to which days, and a basic order to my entertainment, this all might work. However, there's lots of people that aren't that organized. I wonder also how Disney will treat people misisng there reservation windows.

At this stage I am not rushing to judgement, in concept I think it could be a good idea. I think in general I wouldn't use it only because we always go at slow times of year and I don't see much advantage to paying extra when we don't really wait in lines anyways (the total # of times we waited more than 10 minutes for a ride was 4 last trip). But I am curious as to how Disney thinks this is going to make my trip better. There are those that hate the idea of paid FP - but there are plenty of people that go to Universal and say "I would never not get the Front of the Line Pass." so I have to imagine there will be a place for it.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Just as a comment. I don't believe they are planning on using this to replace Fastpasses. I think FP will still be open to everyone. What I expect is for the FP rides, the # of FP handed out will drop by some amount, to be replaced with the XPasses handed out. So the Standby riders will see little effect, while FP return times might be extended slightly.

I might've said this before, but I could see where it would be nice, especially at crowded times of year, to be able to reservations for all the shows. For example at DHS - I come in the morning knowing I have the 10 AM Indiana Jones show, the 12:30 Beauty and the Beast, 2 PM LMA Stunt Show, 4 PM Little Mermaid and 8 PM Fantasmic! already reserved. While there is no way to book every minute of every day, I could see structuring my day around 5 or 6 reservations. I do it already when I plan out my schedule for the day.

For someone like me, I already have a pretty good idea what parks I'm going to which days, and a basic order to my entertainment, this all might work. However, there's lots of people that aren't that organized. I wonder also how Disney will treat people misisng there reservation windows.

At this stage I am not rushing to judgement, in concept I think it could be a good idea. I think in general I wouldn't use it only because we always go at slow times of year and I don't see much advantage to paying extra when we don't really wait in lines anyways (the total # of times we waited more than 10 minutes for a ride was 4 last trip). But I am curious as to how Disney thinks this is going to make my trip better. There are those that hate the idea of paid FP - but there are plenty of people that go to Universal and say "I would never not get the Front of the Line Pass." so I have to imagine there will be a place for it.

Hold on there, Pete...

We've had this discussion before. The general consensus is that management considers fastpass to be a near complete FAILURE for the objective it was designed for...it has not added a significant addition to the cash registers at the giftshops.
It involves an overhead cost and maintenance issues...it has to be staffed...it allows people to do more in....ghast!!...less time. which means they have ample evening time to go to Charley's Steakhouse, Cafe Tutu Tango, Sweet Tomatoes, or the NBA Cafe at Citywalk.

Ok...not really.
But they will try to replace fastpass with a paid system if there intention is to generate sales off the new program. Why would they still offer a "Free alternative"
Guest X: "how much is it? $189 per hour? No thanks...i'll get my free fastpass to the avatar dragonbird 3-D simulator or the Princess Xtreme stuntshow"

you see? that wouldn't be good for CMB (i'll get to that later).

only significant backlash in the way of people NOT RETURNING for future trips would stop the elimination of fast pass...if that is the intent.

So i disagree with you on this one. The elimination of fastpass may be the intent...as the near elimination of the front desk at the resorts is the longterm goal with their "smart keys" that have been on the planning board since the 90's.

Iger is CMB from now on...an homage to the 1991 indie classic New Jack City

 

[buzzCMlightyear]

I can 99% confirm that "Xpass" will be a free service.

Information from a CM that is implementing and working very close to the new fastpass system.

 

[skier_pete]

Hold on there, Pete...

We've had this discussion before. The general consensus is that management considers fastpass to be a near complete FAILURE for the objective it was designed for...it has not added a significant addition to the cash registers at the giftshops.
It involves an overhead cost and maintenance issues...it has to be staffed...it allows people to do more in....ghast!!...less time. which means they have ample evening time to go to Charley's Steakhouse, Cafe Tutu Tango, Sweet Tomatoes, or the NBA Cafe at Citywalk.

Ok...not really.
But they will try to replace fastpass with a paid system if there intention is to generate sales off the new program. Why would they still offer a "Free alternative"
Guest X: "how much is it? $189 per hour? No thanks...i'll get my free fastpass to the avatar dragonbird 3-D simulator or the Princess Xtreme stuntshow"

you see? that wouldn't be good for CMB (i'll get to that later).

only significant backlash in the way of people NOT RETURNING for future trips would stop the elimination of fast pass...if that is the intent.

So i disagree with you on this one. The elimination of fastpass may be the intent...as the near elimination of the front desk at the resorts is the longterm goal with their "smart keys" that have been on the planning board since the 90's.

Iger is CMB from now on...an homage to the 1991 indie classic New Jack City

Hmmm, I can't imagine it is considered a wholesale failure, for if it was, why would they have kept it for 15+ years. While it may or may not be getting people to spend more money in the gift shops (and I don't know why that would be thought to work particularly well), it is certainly improving the guest experience, which makes you more likely to come *back*, which is really want they should want.

I can 99% confirm that "Xpass" will be a free service.

Information from a CM that is implementing and working very close to the new fastpass system.

That would be a much more interesting wrinkle. Everything I heard up to now was a cost to it, though much is fan speculation. And I know you are a trustworthy source, Buzz. If it were to REPLACE FP - then that would be of particular interest. The idea of being able to book your FP times instead of having to run around the park getting the FP sounds like a winner to me.

 

[buzzCMlightyear]

That would be a much more interesting wrinkle. Everything I heard up to now was a cost to it, though much is fan speculation. And I know you are a trustworthy source, Buzz. If it were to REPLACE FP - then that would be of particular interest. The idea of being able to book your FP times instead of having to run around the park getting the FP sounds like a winner to me.

I have been very hesitant to post everything the person has told me, but I'll let you know most of it.

The new system will be a free service, Not replacing the current FP system. Only an addition.

(75% sure on this part) This new system will be only for resort guests, and they will reserve 1 maybe 2 max per day of their vacation, during their booking of the hotel.

These new fastpasses will have times just like the current ones.

Almost every attraction at Magic Kingdom will receive fastpasses with this update, both current system and new system. Only a few shows such as CoP and Country Bear will not. This means The Haunted Mansion is getting them back, as rumored for months now.

"Xpass" as a lot call it, is a lot of different concepts brought together.
- Wristbands will work as room keys, park tickets, credit cards, and a way to get fastpasses.
- This means new FP machines will be introduced, with RFID readers for the wristbands. These machines will print out tickets just like the current ones. The FP Return CM will not have RFID readers or scanners like barcode scanners the Universal Team Members use.
- This means if a Guest does take part in the wristbands, they do not have to take part in the new fastpass system, and will still have the option of in park fastpasses either way.

 

[Friendly Frog]

I have been very hesitant to post everything the person has told me, but I'll let you know most of it.

The new system will be a free service, Not replacing the current FP system. Only an addition.

(75% sure on this part) This new system will be only for resort guests, and they will reserve 1 maybe 2 max per day of their vacation, during their booking of the hotel.

These new fastpasses will have times just like the current ones.

Almost every attraction at Magic Kingdom will receive fastpasses with this update, both current system and new system. Only a few shows such as CoP and Country Bear will not. This means The Haunted Mansion is getting them back, as rumored for months now.

"Xpass" as a lot call it, is a lot of different concepts brought together.
- Wristbands will work as room keys, park tickets, credit cards, and a way to get fastpasses.
- This means new FP machines will be introduced, with RFID readers for the wristbands. These machines will print out tickets just like the current ones. The FP Return CM will not have RFID readers or scanners like barcode scanners the Universal Team Members use.
- This means if a Guest does take part in the wristbands, they do not have to take part in the new fastpass system, and will still have the option of in park fastpasses either way.

If it is as you say above, then I would be totally in support of it.
(For as long as it stays limited and free.)

 

[thegib95]

I have been very hesitant to post everything the person has told me, but I'll let you know most of it.

The new system will be a free service, Not replacing the current FP system. Only an addition.

(75% sure on this part) This new system will be only for resort guests, and they will reserve 1 maybe 2 max per day of their vacation, during their booking of the hotel.

If this were to pan out like this, then i think i am in favor of it, any idea of implementation time frame on any of this?

If it is as you say above, then I would be totally in support of it.
(For as long as it stays limited and free.)

I Agree, something else to pay for would not make me happy, we already have DVC Dues, Plane Tickets, Park Tickets, Food or DDP, and then Souvenirs, plus if you plan on a MNSSHP or MVMCP there is money everywhere, which i have budgeted for for every year going forward, but to add something else that we will feel like we are missing out if we don't have would just make me shake my head and roll my eyes...

But if it is Free and Limited to 1 or 2 a day (I think for my family we would reserve it for a spot for parades, fireworks or shows more often then a ride) then it is a welcome addition...

GUESS ITS JUST WAIT AND SEE.............

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

I have been very hesitant to post everything the person has told me, but I'll let you know most of it.

The new system will be a free service, Not replacing the current FP system. Only an addition.

(75% sure on this part) This new system will be only for resort guests, and they will reserve 1 maybe 2 max per day of their vacation, during their booking of the hotel.

These new fastpasses will have times just like the current ones.

Almost every attraction at Magic Kingdom will receive fastpasses with this update, both current system and new system. Only a few shows such as CoP and Country Bear will not. This means The Haunted Mansion is getting them back, as rumored for months now.

"Xpass" as a lot call it, is a lot of different concepts brought together.
- Wristbands will work as room keys, park tickets, credit cards, and a way to get fastpasses.
- This means new FP machines will be introduced, with RFID readers for the wristbands. These machines will print out tickets just like the current ones. The FP Return CM will not have RFID readers or scanners like barcode scanners the Universal Team Members use.
- This means if a Guest does take part in the wristbands, they do not have to take part in the new fastpass system, and will still have the option of in park fastpasses either way.

Thanks so much for sharing this. This is one of the most logical posts regarding XPass that I've read, it rings true and correlates with what I have been saying all along. After hearing all of the conjecture, deceptive conspiracy theories and flat out lies, I had enough. But this post gives me hope, thanks again and please keep us posted.

 

[skier_pete]

I have been very hesitant to post everything the person has told me, but I'll let you know most of it.

The new system will be a free service, Not replacing the current FP system. Only an addition.

(75% sure on this part) This new system will be only for resort guests, and they will reserve 1 maybe 2 max per day of their vacation, during their booking of the hotel.

These new fastpasses will have times just like the current ones.

Almost every attraction at Magic Kingdom will receive fastpasses with this update, both current system and new system. Only a few shows such as CoP and Country Bear will not. This means The Haunted Mansion is getting them back, as rumored for months now.

"Xpass" as a lot call it, is a lot of different concepts brought together.
- Wristbands will work as room keys, park tickets, credit cards, and a way to get fastpasses.
- This means new FP machines will be introduced, with RFID readers for the wristbands. These machines will print out tickets just like the current ones. The FP Return CM will not have RFID readers or scanners like barcode scanners the Universal Team Members use.
- This means if a Guest does take part in the wristbands, they do not have to take part in the new fastpass system, and will still have the option of in park fastpasses either way.

If this is all true, I think whiners and complainers on the boards will have to take a new tact...because that does make it feel like an improvement to the guest experience. My guess will be "They spend all this money and there's hardly any difference at all! How about giving me something new for my dollar instead of more of the same."

Seriously though - I really do think this sounds like a good idea. However, it seems to me it would have to be at least 2 max options per person per day. You think those TSMM fastpasses run out fast now...