When Were Fastpasses Introduced and What was the Reaction?

[Airship Ariadne]

There are a lot of people assuming that because it's being used more, or because attendance remains strong, that it's clear FP+ is better. I disagree. It's going to take time for the effects to show.

I don't think FP+, FP-, or no FP at all is going to cause attendance to drop. Not even sure it will cause it to rise, even though Disney seems to think promoting it is a great way to promote the parks.

But I DO think the usage of the new system compared to the old WILL tell us if it is better...the system was DESIGNED to get more people using it...so more people using it, IS a measure of success...that's how these things works. While of course Disney will point to survey results, they will also be tracking the actual usage against benchmarks from the FP- system, and an increase in usage can only be seen as the system being more successful. Why on earth would they create a new system if the goal was for FEWER people to use it?

 

[mom2rtk]

I don't think FP+, FP-, or no FP at all is going to cause attendance to drop. Not even sure it will cause it to rise, even though Disney seems to think promoting it is a great way to promote the parks.

But I DO think the usage of the new system compared to the old WILL tell us if it is better...the system was DESIGNED to get more people using it...so more people using it, IS a measure of success...that's how these things works. While of course Disney will point to survey results, they will also be tracking the actual usage against benchmarks from the FP- system, and an increase in usage can only be seen as the system being more successful. Why on earth would they create a new system if the goal was for FEWER people to use it?

You are willing to measure based on usage. I want to measure based on guest satisfaction. The jury is still out on that.

And I never said I thought they should design a system with a goal of less usage. I just don't think more usage=greater satisfaction.

 

[Robo]

FP+ works for more park guests than FP- did...guest that paid just as much as you did. It is selfish to expect Disney to keep a system that benefits a small number over a system that benefits a greater number just because you were in that smaller group, especially as you say, when the greater number also paid for the same ticket as you did.

FP+ is not about "fairness to guests."

If Disney's goal with FP is/was to allow more guests to ride attractions, they could have changed the programming of FP- to "one FP per attraction per day, per guest" at any time during its run.

 

[SmithSmith]

Would someone mind taking the time to explain why someone's arrival time at a theme park should dictate what their experience is? I mean, why would someone who arrives at RD be more deserving of riding all the headliners, rather than the person who arrives later?

 

[Jennasis]

Would someone mind taking the time to explain why someone's arrival time at a theme park should dictate what their experience is? I mean, why would someone who arrives at RD be more deserving of riding all the headliners, rather than the person who arrives later?

The early bird gets the worm. FYI, "RD" as far as FP+ is concerned still exists...it's now at midnight 60 days before your trip.

 

[bumbershoot]

Would someone mind taking the time to explain why someone's arrival time at a theme park should dictate what their experience is? I mean, why would someone who arrives at RD be more deserving of riding all the headliners, rather than the person who arrives later?

When you arrive ANYWHERE makes a difference in your experience.

When you get into line to get into a museum in Europe (or if you bought tickets online before and therefore get into a different line) gives you a different experience than if you got there at a different time. When you get to the room in a college class lets you choose your seat. Getting to a store at 5:30pm on a workday gives you a different experience than if you got there before many people are off work and shopping before they go home. Go to Ikea on a Wednesday mid-day vs Saturday.

It'd say it's human nature, but it's not. A zebra getting to the watering hole while the lions are still sleeping will have a vastly different experience than the slacker zebras who got there later.

It's the way the world works.

 

[Airship Ariadne]

FP+ is not about "fairness to guests."

If Disney's goal with FP is/was to allow more guests to ride attractions, they could have changed the programming of FP- to "one FP per attraction per day, per guest" at any time during its run.

great job missing the point...bravo!

 

[Mickey&Mouse]

Imagine how many times you could ride the same ride if Disney kicked everyone else out of the park but your family...they are being greedy, money-grubbing, and thoughtless because they refuse to do that for you! Doesn't Disney know who you are? You are a special snowflake...deserving of less line time than the masses just because you used to know how to get that!

Your argument is pure Ayn-Randian selfish entitlement. YOU knew how to work the old system...they changed it so it would benefit a larger number of park guests...and somehow that is wrong of them?

great job missing the point...bravo!

#Kindnessmatters

 

[North of Mouse]

I read a lot of threads by people who hate FP+. It got me thinking. Who remembers the history of Fastpasses?

We were 'thrilled' with the paper fast passes when they became available and made full use of them! And, no, we did not 'work' the old system, used them in our time allotted, and got them as our time allowed us. Do not like FP+

 

[SmithSmith]

When you arrive ANYWHERE makes a difference in your experience.

When you get into line to get into a museum in Europe (or if you bought tickets online before and therefore get into a different line) gives you a different experience than if you got there at a different time. When you get to the room in a college class lets you choose your seat. Getting to a store at 5:30pm on a workday gives you a different experience than if you got there before many people are off work and shopping before they go home. Go to Ikea on a Wednesday mid-day vs Saturday.

It'd say it's human nature, but it's not. A zebra getting to the watering hole while the lions are still sleeping will have a vastly different experience than the slacker zebras who got there later.

It's the way the world works.

Thanks for your response. I understand your point and I agree. However, it doesn't get to the heart of my question. My fault, I must not have been clear or maybe missing something else.

It gets implied from time to time that a family who rope drops is more deserving of more rides or shortened lines and a family who arrives late is less deserving and should have low expectations. I'm not sure I understand that because:

1. Both families payed the same to be there.
2. Just because the family arrived late and wasn't at that particular RD doesn't mean they weren't at another parks RD. I.e. Parkhopping
3. Unlike, shopping malls or museums or ikea, the family is already at the resort for their length of stay. I'm sure many will disagree, but from my perspective, it shouldn't matter where the family is on Disney property at a certain time for them to be more deserving of another family. To me, being at the EPCOT turnstiles is the same as being in the Tiki room or California Grill or Typhoon Lagoon. You're either at the resort or your not.

Eta, Just realized my post has NOTHING to do with the idea of this thread. Sorry I forget where I am sometimes. Go ahead and ignore me.

 

[Jennasis]

Thanks for your response. I understand your point and I agree. However, it doesn't get to the heart of my question. My fault, I must not have been clear or maybe missing something else.

It gets implied from time to time that a family who rope drops is more deserving of more rides or shortened lines and a family who arrives late is less deserving and should have low expectations. I'm not sure I understand that reasoning because:

1. Both families payed the same to be there.
2. Just because the family arrived late and wasn't at that particular RD doesn't mean they weren't at another parks RD. I.e. Parkhopping
3. Unlike, shopping malls or museums or ikea, the family is already at the resort for their length of stay. I'm sure many will disagree, but from my perspective, it shouldn't matter where the family is on Disney property at a certain time for them to be more deserving of another family. To me, being at the EPCOT turnstiles is the same as being in the Tiki room or California Grill or Typhoon Lagoon. You're either at the resort or your not.

Right. So if this alleged family isn't at rope drop...where are they? Off doing something else that the rope drop family isn't getting to do, whether that's a character breakfast, enjoying another park or even sleeping in. It's about CHOICES. You get to make them. One family chooses to enjoy the benefits of RD (shorter lines, or back in the day an abundance of FP) while the other family is reaping the benefits of some other facet of the resort.

CHOICES.

 

[SmithSmith]

Right. So if this alleged family isn't at rope drop...where are they? Off doing something else that the rope drop family isn't getting to do, whether that's a character breakfast, enjoying another park or even sleeping in. It's about CHOICES. You get to make them. One family chooses to enjoy the benefits of RD (shorter lines, or back in the day an abundance of FP) while the other family is reaping the benefits of some other facet of the resort.

CHOICES.

Completely agree.

I guess what I am getting at is why is it that some people view non-rope droppers negatively, while rope droppers are perceived positively.

I guess I should've just gone back and found a post where someone has expressed this sentiment and asked them to explain it to me. That would've been the logical thing to do. Sorry for wasting your time.

 

[Brian Noble]

The jury is still out on that.

This reminds me of the annual rending of garments that accompanies admission price increases. "This will price out the average family! It's the straw that breaks the camel's back! Attendance will suffer!"

Yet, somehow, it never does. It's almost as if the people who actually make a living running the theme parks understand their market and have a good idea about what will and won't work when it comes to setting a price.

I suppose it is possible that Disney has badly mis-judged its audience and spent a billion or two on something that a plurality if not a majority of the guests don't like, and will react to by never coming back. But, I rather doubt it. If that's true, it essentially means that the largest and arguably the most successful theme park operator on the planet is, at best, incompetent.

I know you believe that most people agree with you. And, perhaps time will reveal that they do. But, if I were a betting man, I'd bet against you. But, you keep doing you on these threads.

 

[mom2rtk]

This reminds me of the annual rending of garments that accompanies admission price increases. "This will price out the average family! It's the straw that breaks the camel's back! Attendance will suffer!"

Yet, somehow, it never does. It's almost as if the people who actually make a living running the theme parks understand their market and have a good idea about what will and won't work when it comes to setting a price.

I suppose it is possible that Disney has badly mis-judged its audience and spent a billion or two on something that a plurality if not a majority of the guests don't like, and will react to by never coming back. But, I rather doubt it. If that's true, it essentially means that the largest and arguably the most successful theme park operator on the planet is, at best, incompetent.

I know you believe that most people agree with you. And, perhaps time will reveal that they do. But, if I were a betting man, I'd bet against you. But, you keep doing you on these threads.

I actually don't think that "most" people agree with me. But it wouldn't take "most" for Disney to feel enough impact they would need to make more adjustments.

And basically you just made the argument that Disney is too big to fail. I don't agree.