why wouldn't this work?

[bellebud]

ok, I just posted this on 2 threads on the parks board re: fastpasses - and I want to know why it wouldn't work... I think it's brilliant...

I've suggested this before... I'd try to in some way do what Universal does for guests staying on-site - the alternate entrance. I realize Disney cannot do exactly what Universal does w/ the amount of resorts they have compared to the amount Universal has, but they could possibly break it up, like they do EMHs. It could be something like "on Mondays, Value resort guests can use those lanes in all 4 parks", then Tuesdays would be Moderate resort guests, Wednesdays Deluxe resorts guests, Thursdays DVC resort guests... something like that. Where all 4 parks are participating, and each category of resorts gets 2 days a week possibly. This could just be the fastpass lane. I don't think it would tie up the fast pass lanes too much, because it would be spread across the 4 parks, and only 1 category of resort guests are using it each day. So it's not like ALL the value guests will say "we have to go to MK today because it's our day there for the fastpass lane"... they could go to any park. The cm's are already there working the fastpass lane, checking fastpass times and dates. They'd simply have to check your room key too. What a GREAT perk for staying on-site. We LOVE Universal for this.

 

[JCJRSmith]

ok, I just posted this on 2 threads on the parks board re: fastpasses - and I want to know why it wouldn't work... I think it's brilliant...

I've suggested this before... I'd try to in some way do what Universal does for guests staying on-site - the alternate entrance. I realize Disney cannot do exactly what Universal does w/ the amount of resorts they have compared to the amount Universal has, but they could possibly break it up, like they do EMHs. It could be something like "on Mondays, Value resort guests can use those lanes in all 4 parks", then Tuesdays would be Moderate resort guests, Wednesdays Deluxe resorts guests, Thursdays DVC resort guests... something like that. Where all 4 parks are participating, and each category of resorts gets 2 days a week possibly. This could just be the fastpass lane. I don't think it would tie up the fast pass lanes too much, because it would be spread across the 4 parks, and only 1 category of resort guests are using it each day. So it's not like ALL the value guests will say "we have to go to MK today because it's our day there for the fastpass lane"... they could go to any park. The cm's are already there working the fastpass lane, checking fastpass times and dates. They'd simply have to check your room key too. What a GREAT perk for staying on-site. We LOVE Universal for this.

Would it work? Maybe

Should they do it? Fastpass works fine the way it is (IMHO). I think this would complicate things and make more work for the Disney folks with regards to scheduling employees, etc.

 

[bellebud]

Would it work? Maybe

Should they do it? Fastpass works fine the way it is (IMHO). I think this would complicate things and make more work for the Disney folks with regards to scheduling employees, etc.

the other posts were about giving fastpasses to resort guests only, and the other was about "what would you do if you were in charge".

So the more I think about it, the more I think it's a great extra perk for resort guests, without taking away from any other guest. So I thought I'd take it to the community board, because if anyone can rip apart an idea, the folks here certainly can.

I don't see why it would do anything at all to the scheduling of employees, that wouldn't have to change. It will just be a few more people in the fast pass lanes, and the cm already standing there would check a room card instead of a fastpass (now yes, the cm would have to know "today is Monday, Value resorts get in fast pass lane"... I think that could be accomplished.

 

[lizanne]

My DS was at WDW in April. On the day he arrived, at 1PM he went directly to Soarin but fastpasses were "sold-out" for the day. He later ran into the same situation at Tower of Terror.

Not saying your suggestion wouldn't work just wondering your thoughts. Would On-Site guests have access to fast-pass lanes from open to close of parks?

 

[Goofyluver]

Resort guests do get perks already...EMH, ME and the bus system to name a few.

I disagree in that it would clog up the fastpass lines. For now, fastpass is a system which is timed in order to spread guests throughout the day (and there are a finite number of passes for this reason as well). Depending on which resort category you'd give access to fastpass entrances during a day, some days could be incredibly busy based on number of guestrooms in that particular category.

 

[Reddy]

if I'm staying value & not there on Monday - I would be mad that I didn't get my day
then there would be the people that would change resorts each day to get the fastpass

I like my idea better - if everyone can get a fastpass in 2 hours - let the resort guest get it in an hour (or whatever is the half time)

 

[Acklander]

My DS was at WDW in April. On the day he arrived, at 1PM he went directly to Soarin but fastpasses were "sold-out" for the day. He later ran into the same situation at Tower of Terror.

Not saying your suggestion wouldn't work just wondering your thoughts. Would On-Site guests have access to fast-pass lanes from open to close of parks?

This is exactly the problem. Disney has 2 needs - they need to fill their hotel rooms AND they need to fill their theme parks. Hotel guests alone aren't enough to fill the parks - but if the only people who could get fast passes (I don't know how many fast passes each ride issues or how many guests the hotel can hold but I could see where hotel guests could pretty much wipe out all the fast passes) All the sudden the value of a disney ticket wouldn't be so great if the day guests could only get in the stand by line behind all the hotel guests, so therefore if all the hotel rooms were sold out, people would just choose to go elsewhere with their money.
Now, if Disney was unable to fill their hotel rooms - I could see this being a limited added benefit, as long as it didn't effect the day guests - once it started effecting that they'd have to pull back. If Disney is able to fill their hotel rooms without adding fast passes - they'll keep it that way, because they've already got the captured audience of the hotel guests and they'd need to focus on grabbing the day guests. It would be a tough balancing act.

 

[bellebud]

My DS was at WDW in April. On the day he arrived, at 1PM he went directly to Soarin but fastpasses were "sold-out" for the day. He later ran into the same situation at Tower of Terror.

Not saying your suggestion wouldn't work just wondering your thoughts. Would On-Site guests have access to fast-pass lanes from open to close of parks?

that was my thought - that the resort guests would get to use the lane from open to close.

Resort guests do get perks already...EMH, ME and the bus system to name a few.

I disagree in that it would clog up the fastpass lines. For now, fastpass is a system which is timed in order to spread guests throughout the day (and there are a finite number of passes for this reason as well). Depending on which resort category you'd give access to fastpass entrances during a day, some days could be incredibly busy based on number of guestrooms in that particular category.

but the number of guestrooms (and guests in them) would be spread across the 4 parks, so I don't think it would be horrible.

if I'm staying value & not there on Monday - I would be mad that I didn't get my day
then there would be the people that would change resorts each day to get the fastpass

I like my idea better - if everyone can get a fastpass in 2 hours - let the resort guest get it in an hour (or whatever is the half time)

I get what you mean about the day of the week - but the same goes for EMH's for when you schedule your vacation... if you go for 5 days, you're not guaranteed EMH's for each park, morning and/or evening. It's sort of a toss up as to what perks you'll get, depending on when and how long you stay.

I'd love to see each resort category get 2 days a week, so most would be able to get in their day. But yes, I can see your point how people would REALLY be resort hopping then! That would be a nightmare.

 

[crashbb]

I get what you mean about the day of the week - but the same goes for EMH's for when you schedule your vacation... if you go for 5 days, you're not guaranteed EMH's for each park, morning and/or evening. It's sort of a toss up as to what perks you'll get, depending on when and how long you stay.

But you will definitely get AN EMH (actually definitely one per day) - with your system you may never benefit from the fastpass at all. Plus, it isn't dependent on which hotel you choose - the EMH schedule is the same for everyone.

 

[epcot.girl]

I answered on the other thread with a couple of reasons why I don't think it would work, and then crashbb quoted my post and added two more reasons:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=41279173&postcount=24

 

[Goofyluver]

but the number of guestrooms (and guests in them) would be spread across the 4 parks, so I don't think it would be horrible.

You could guarantee that at each of the 4 parks, the most coveted fastpass lines would be backlogged, clogged and full of angry people

The fastpass lines are timed to file a finite amount of people through during the day. They're designed to handle exactly what they can handle.

You add in these extra guests, and there are certain rides that would be impossible to keep up with.

Have you stood in the fastpass line for Toy Story Mania?

I don't think it would work. On-site resort guests get perks now.

 

[Acklander]

but the number of guestrooms (and guests in them) would be spread across the 4 parks, so I don't think it would be horrible.

yeah, but how many rooms do they have now? about 30K??? and more being built every day - with occupancy set at 4 (or more) per room. That's a lot of people.
Of course one side effect is - a LOT more people would want to stay on property, which would drive the prices sky high - look how much people are willing to pay for a fast past from Universal during busy times - I could see them willing to pay 200 bucks or more a night for a value room if it included fast passes

 

[epcot.girl]

Have you stood in the fastpass line for Toy Story Mania?

Oh yes. I remember that. It would be chaos at those kinds of attractions!

 

[bicker]

There are simpler ways to provide similar advantages. I've mentioned in other threads the idea of installing kiosks in each hotel lobby: Slip your room key in, slip your admission ticket in, select up to three specific FastPasses, including the specific time you want them for (subject to remaining availability). So by the time you get to the park, you already have three "perfect" FastPasses in hand.

 

[ford family]

Resort guests do get perks already...EMH, ME and the bus system to name a few.

I disagree in that it would clog up the fastpass lines. For now, fastpass is a system which is timed in order to spread guests throughout the day (and there are a finite number of passes for this reason as well). Depending on which resort category you'd give access to fastpass entrances during a day, some days could be incredibly busy based on number of guestrooms in that particular category.

The bus system is for all ticket holders not just resort guests.

ford family

 

[bellebud]

There are simpler ways to provide similar advantages. I've mentioned in other threads the idea of installing kiosks in each hotel lobby: Slip your room key in, slip your admission ticket in, select up to three specific FastPasses, including the specific time you want them for (subject to remaining availability). So by the time you get to the park, you already have three "perfect" FastPasses in hand.

now that's a great idea! I'd scrap my idea and go w/ this.

 

[KristaTX]

I didn't see your other threads, but it would be interesting to see what people said.

I pretty much like it how it is. Everyone pays to get into the park, so I like that everyone can use the Fastpass system. Disney doesn't have to work as hard to get people to come and stay there like Universal maybe does. When they do need to entice people, they offer room discounts, free dining, etc. Plus they have the EMH's, Magical Express, bus system to the parks. I'd rather them do all that than try getting people to come by doing something with the Fastpass system (which in itself was an excellent idea on Disney's part) that makes it feel somehow exclusive.

In fact the front-of-the-line thing at Universal kind of keeps me from wanting to go there even just for a day or two if I'm not going to stay there. I'll rarely ever stay there (first time is going to be this September, and it could be my last time, too), so the thought of standing in line while a bunch of people walk past me a makes me not want to waste my time on Universal at all.

Maybe a system for giving each guest resort one Fastpass a day would be okay - from a machine at the resort or something.

The lines at Disney for the most part (exceptions being things like Soarin', Toy Story Mania) aren't that bad if you time everything right anyway. While occasional tweaking is okay, the system works well as it is.

 

[bellebud]

In fact the front-of-the-line thing at Universal kind of keeps me from wanting to go there even just for a day or two if I'm not going to stay there. I'll rarely ever stay there (first time is going to be this September, and it could be my last time, too), so the thought of standing in line while a bunch of people walk past me a makes me not want to waste my time on Universal at all.

We love staying at Universal for the fotl thing. We sleep late (can't do that at disney), stroll into the parks anytime, ride almost everything as many times as we want, stroll back to our resort. It's awesome! And the Royal Pacific hotel is not *that* expensive. It's a very relaxing vacation, along w/ thrill rides.

 

[Goofyluver]

The bus system is for all ticket holders not just resort guests.

ford family

Sure it is. But on-site guests get curb-side service. And if that ain't a benefit that I enjoy, well, I just don't know what is.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

What about day guests who live nearby, including local AP holders? They don't need hotel rooms and would never have the option of using the system that you describe. What about large families that can't afford two rooms or villas. Off-site is often their only option. I would think Disney would rather they stay off-site and go into the parks to spend money rather than staying home. Plus, as another poster said, the Fastpass system is designed to handle a specific number of visitors per day. The way it is now, the system is fair in that anyone who buys a park ticket has equal access to it. On-site guests already have EMH as a way to visit parks at less crowded times and reduce their time in line. I would not advocate a system that gives special treatment to on-sites guests during regular park hours.