test of centralized FastPass distribution

[wayneg]

Disney's test of centralized FastPass distribution at Animal Kingdom. Wonder if this would be better or worse?

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/fe...kingdom-fastpass-test-expedition-everest.html

 

[UKDEB]

I like the idea in principle, but I think they'd need to locate the machines near a screen which shows standby wait times and FASTPASS return times. And, if the intention was to have just one set of centralised machines at each park, they'd need to be near the entrance. I guess the one in AK is reasonable in terms of location, but there aren't sufficient machines to cope with likely demand should the scheme be rolled out. The FP machines for certain attractions (such as Toy Story, Soarin' and EE) are already mobbed on occasions.

It's difficult to know whether or not Disney would consider introducing a charge in the current climate. Obviously Universal has paved the way in that respect, but the deep discounts which continue to be offered on room rates suggest they're not in a position to risk anything which might discourage visitors.

 

[Cyrano]

Will be interesting to see how this pans out. I agree the theory of this sounds very useful to guests. Hopefully they will work out any bugs in the system

 

[disneyholic family]

if there were enough machines (which from the description, it sounds as if there weren't) it would help eliminate some of the crisscrossing fastpass 'runners' have to do..

you know, the designated fastpass 'getter'....

i always ended up racing across the park to get fastpasses for the whole family for much later in the day...

if there's a more central location, i wouldn't have to do the cross park marathon multiple times ......

 

[fizz13]

I do like the idea that i wouldnt have to walk all the way to everest first thing when I am planning to ride elsewhere, but i agree that the times need to be posted above the machines.

 

[bobboxer]

I like this idea a lot, its a bit of a pain if you walk the lenghth of the park to find out q,s are for ages and fast pass either long time away or ran out, i think it would help greatly with planning as well, if i remember rightly is there not a large information board at epcot which displays wait times and fast pass availability?, this would be the ideal place to put the machines in this park.

 

[natalielongstaff]

it sounds like a good idea and should work well, if its utilised properly !

 

[Pegasus928]

As long as Disney 'police' this properly it should help out with planning you day in the park. I can see groups all lining up individually at the machines and passing their park tickets from one to the other to get all the fast passes they need - which isn't a big problem. It still needs some sort of sign posted local to the machines that dispays the wait times though.

 

[Trouty]

I voiced my concerns/positives here - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2238543

Please to see us Brits here seem to think it is a good idea as generally in the other thread they do not.

 

[gaston_the_great]

I think that its a good idea, they should do something like this in DLP, it would certainly make things a lot easier, provided that they worked of course! Heaven knows the ones at DLP are trying at times!

 

[Danauk]

I think it is a good idea, and would hope that if they decide to stick with it there would be a wait time board for the attractions and a time that the FP's are currently being distributed for.

One of the problems I can see though is people who do not fully understand the fast pass system. Say there are 3 friends together, one gets a FP for Expedition Everest, one gets one for the Safari and the 3rd gets one for dinouaur. Now they might think that they all have fast passes for the 3 attractions rather than they individually have a fast pass for 1 attraction.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

We have always said a central FP would be a good idea - to save walking half way round the park & back again -

 

[tinks_1989]

Good Idea for people that are trying to fit in as much as possible but I do enjoy my walk to the ride to get a fast pass and enjoy the enviroment they are set in. We dont rush on holiday though we just go with the flow and watch every one else rush past us we are on holiday after all.

Slightly OT but have I just been lucky I have never had to que for Dinosaur walked on every time only wait we have is that video?

 

[wayneg]

Slightly OT but have I just been lucky I have never had to que for Dinosaur walked on every time only wait we have is that video?

All depends on time of year, last year we went Easter, August, October and Xmas, all 4 trips in school holidays, line for Dino was about 40-60 min everytime we went, I am sure away from school hols or get their at good time(early morning) then you will walk on. For us its just one of them areas that we always hit at mid afternoon as we go clockwise around the park.

 

[Howellsy]

It'll be interesting to see how this works, my parents have been in AK a few times this week and haven't mentioned it to me so I'm assuming they're not aware of it. It would definitely be easier walking to ITTBAB rather than EE to get FPs. We normally march commando-style to the back of the park, but as I'm going with DGF who's never been before, I'd prefer to be able to walk at a leisurely pace this year and take things in as I go - a strange concept to me I must admit!

 

[barryunwin]

Used this yesterday and felt it was a great idea. Saved the long haul up to Expo and meant we were on Safari earlier. Used it for Dino later - 60 min wait when we got there so another good move.

Needs to be signed a bit better, but expect it will be if Disney think it a success.

 

[tinks_1989]

All depends on time of year, last year we went Easter, August, October and Xmas, all 4 trips in school holidays, line for Dino was about 40-60 min everytime we went, I am sure away from school hols or get their at good time(early morning) then you will walk on. For us its just one of them areas that we always hit at mid afternoon as we go clockwise around the park.

wow really I have been twice in October July and August and never had to wait must be lucky

 

[Howellsy]

Apparently the queues for the centralised distribution area are much larger than the queues by the individual attractions so it's quicker (although further away of course) to get FPs from the attractions themselves.

 

[paulh]

personly i think they will go down the route of FPs geared to the resorts on a tiered biases values up to deluxe
Paulh

 

[gemmybear83]

personly i think they will go down the route of FPs geared to the resorts on a tiered biases values up to deluxe
Paulh

I've heard this before, and a similar sort of thing for ADRS.

I think this is a good thing, but to be honest I always go to WDW during quiet times so don't actually use Fastpass much. Only Testrack and Soarin are essential as the queues are soooooo boring!