Video from Space Mtn. fastpass line

[pampam]

Once they get inside to the point where the CM takes the paper FP-, do they have to scan their bands again?

 

[wisblue]

Once they get inside to the point where the CM takes the paper FP-, do they have to scan their bands again?

I only used FP+ at Soarin and TT on our recent trip, and there was a second scan there. That is the analogy to the CM actually collecting the paper FP.

Once past that scan, you move into the actual boarding area.

 

[lugnut33]

Also, note in this short video where there are breaks in the flow, such as people not keeping up with the people ahead of them, plus the delay caused trying to deal with the gentleman who apparently didn't understand the return time on his PAPER FP. There did not seem to be any significant problems with people getting the scanner to turn green.

Observing the FP line there were people who were let in even when it didn't turn green. You can even see some kids in the video who didn't get the green light.

I'm sorry, but there is no way the bands are more efficient than the paper passes and the video clearly shows it. So, by extrapolation the second check point would also be less efficient, thus creating a slower moving line all over. Yeah, it might only be a few minutes, but it does make a difference. It will also be a difference when you are running to get into a ride during a rain storm and you have to wait to get in.

Edit: I'm not changing the concern, I'm pointing out another problem with it. There can be multiple problems and concerns which I believe I have spelled out quite well in a couple of posts I have created.

 

[Camshell]

We had to get into a FastPass line to get through the first checkpoint at Soarin with our bands. It was slow (and even briefly stalled) due to issues with slow confused people, not maximizing both machines, etc. In doing so we were delayed in getting to the second checkpoint where they merge the lines. The Standby Line however was moving the whole time. As such, a marginal number of standby folks got in "ahead of us". Probably a few minutes difference.

While the difference may be "marginal", it did feel like the Fast Pass line was not working the same as it used to. It didn't ruin my experience, but it was an observation. I think Disney can see it too. I don't think they want long lines at the first checkpoint snaking into their common areas (as it doesn't align with their "being on stage" philosophy). They want folks in their designated designed que areas.

Seeing long lines (not hidden by their usual Disney methods) at the first checkpoints really doesn't look magical by Disney standards.

 

[BridgetR3]

Over Thanksgiving week, FP+ lines like this existed in LOTS of places. The one we passed on quite a few occasions was Toy Story Mania. At one point it was all the way to the exit of the Pirate thing next door. AND....unlike in this video, quite often the Mickey head did not turn green. We had many many blue mickey heads during our week. We would then have to step to the side and load the app to prove that we were at the right attraction at the right time.

You understand that the length of that line has little bearing on your total wait when using FP, right? It just shifts some of the wait time from inside the attraction to outside.

That is, even if there was NO line at the first FP, you wouldn't be getting on the ride any sooner.

I'm not sure I understand what you are saying. To me, the longer it takes to resolve the problems up front, the longer I have to wait to get on the ride. We didn't see this kind of backup before FP+.

I noticed early in the clip that a family was turned away because they were 30 minutes early. I wonder how many people in that line were early or late. That clogs up the line and the process.

Many times this past week we were "turned away" when we were there at the correct times. Sometimes we had moved our FP+ from one ride to another or one time to another and it would show correctly in the app but not on their system. This also causes LOTS of backup.

 

[pellegirl]

How about the 3 people that show up around 2:15 and appear to skip the line? Honestly I would be frustrated if I was still in line and a group of people essentially cut in the FP+ line.

 

[larryz]

The question I would ask is how the line to get on the ride was inside the building. If there is a backup outside, but no longer wait at the loading area, the total wait time would still be the same. It's just that you spend more time outside that you would have otherwise spent inside.

One obvious thing about this that will hopefully improve with time is getting people to use both scanners instead of clumping up behind one. The cast members may have to be more vocal about saying "please use both sides".

So if I wait 20 minutes outside and only ten inside, it's still a 30 minute wait. That's the point -- FP+ is slowing down the FP lines.

 

[larryz]

http://youtu.be/gnutHcc8tbk

OMG, just shoot me.

 

[lugnut33]

I have a co-worker I showed this video to who is going during Christmas and staying at Pop. He just shook his head and said, "Great, that's going to suck". I didn't know what to tell him. All I could say is "Make sure you're at the park a min. one hour before opening".

 

[KimK2006]

Once they get inside to the point where the CM takes the paper FP-, do they have to scan their bands again?

That is the questions was just going to ask! Someone answered "yes" there is a second scan. So, basically, the FP line will get backed up twice. Right?

 

[lugnut33]

That is the questions was just going to ask! Someone answered "yes" there is a second scan. So, basically, the FP line will get backed up twice. Right?

Correct.

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

The space return line gets backed up because...people don't have their fastpass out and ready, they don't speak English and don't understand they are early or late, having to write out the DAC cards, guests don't scan green and we have to pull them to the side and have them go through their app to show that they have the reservation, etc. It's complicated and extremely stressful but it's wonderful when things actually DO go smoothly.
(I worked this fall at space..)