Big changes coming to FASTPASS in March

[Tinkwings]

I'll miss being able to stock up on FastPasses during the day and hitting everything in a row later on, but I suppose this new strict enforcement is for the better. We shall see!

That's always been my strategy too....funny though when I tell my fellow park geeks...they never knew you could do that in the past ...:animwink:. Last month I encountered dozens of peeps being told "Sorry you have to wait two minutes...." Now it will be Sorry you have to wait til 5 minutes before....:lookaroun....

I am curious to think on how it will change anything, but frustrate those of us who liked the flexibility of planning around strategy of coming back to a land later....

 

[Buried20KLeague]

Does anyone really think this is going to have an impact on lines and crowds? The biggest guest complaint at Disney are how long the lines are and how big the crowds get. Does enforcing this FastPass rule really help this at all? :shrug:

Nope.

I'm sort of thinking the real reason they are implemting this is to prepare for something else coming up as part of Next Gen. Maybe there next big rollout will go smoother if they start enforcing this FastPass policy now.

Many of us have said this a few times in this thread. This is what is happening.

 

[Fractal514]

First off, I don't think you can say that enforcing these rules won't impact the lines at all. The FP line will never longer that it was intended to be per hour, that it not currently true. A larger percentage of FP will go unused which will cause them to either issue more (thus increasing FP availability) or will reduce the wait times of both lines. I also think we will see a more drastic decline in the wait times on FP rides towards the end of the day, as the FP lines won't be getting crushed with returnees from throughout the rest of the day.

Secondly, I know you're all hot to make this a conspiracy in which Disney starts charging for FP, but i haven't seen any evidence to support that, has anyone seen anything concrete?

 

[PhilharMagician]

Nope.

I have to disagree. It will absolutely effect the FP lines on popular rides where FP's a gone by early morning. Rides such as TT, Soarin and TSMM
can have and often do have long FP lines in the evenings. Oddly enough the stand-by lines are usually shorter with less people in them with a longer wait time and this is because the ratio of FP entries increases because of the volume of FP's used later in day. Is this a result of late FP returns or does Disney print more FP's for late day entry? I personally doubt that Disney would dump a larger volume of FP's for the evening, in fact I would assume they may do the reverse to get people to less popular rides later in the day. These long line FP lines are not typically seen during the morning or even mid-day. Enforcing return times will no doubt even out the FP lines throughout the day and hopefully make the standby lines more predicable than they are right now.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

First off, I don't think you can say that enforcing these rules won't impact the lines at all. The FP line will never longer that it was intended to be per hour, that it not currently true. A larger percentage of FP will go unused which will cause them to either issue more (thus increasing FP availability) or will reduce the wait times of both lines. I also think we will see a more drastic decline in the wait times on FP rides towards the end of the day, as the FP lines won't be getting crushed with returnees from throughout the rest of the day.

Secondly, I know you're all hot to make this a conspiracy in which Disney starts charging for FP, but i haven't seen any evidence to support that, has anyone seen anything concrete?

When the FP line gets longer because of an influx of late returners (like, say, after a parade at BTMRR, that means it was shorter earlier at some point. The only thing this might help is that temporary influx right at the moment it happens.

I personally have never seen FP lines get "crushed" at the end of the day. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but I've sure never seen it. In fact, I think it's a fairly small percentage of people that knew FP's could be used late in the first place... I just really don't think this is that widespread. I think you're giving it way too much weight. I don't have facts to back that up, I'll admit... Just going off personal experience. Same as you.

As for charging in the future... Many insiders here and elsewhere have stated it's on the way. At the very least, Steve here hasn't shot it down, which he usually does when people are way off base. Plus, it's just common sense. They're spending BILLIONS on nextgen. Of course they're going to have many many angles to try to recoup that cost.

I believe they'll always have some form of free FP... But I believe they're going to ratchet the numbers down for free users to make room for paying customers.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

I have to disagree. It will absolutely effect the FP lines on popular rides where FP's a gone by early morning. Rides such as TT, Soarin and TSMM
can have and often do have long FP lines in the evenings. Oddly enough the stand-by lines are usually shorter with less people in them with a longer wait time and this is because the ratio of FP entries increases because of the volume of FP's used later in day. Is this a result of late FP returns or does Disney print more FP's for late day entry? I personally doubt that Disney would dump a larger volume of FP's for the evening, in fact I would assume they may do the reverse to get people to less popular rides later in the day. These long line FP lines are not typically seen during the morning or even mid-day. Enforcing return times will no doubt even out the FP lines throughout the day and hopefully make the standby lines more predicable than they are right now.

See my reply to fractal. I think we just disagree on this one. I really can't say that I've witnessed much of what you're describing, outside of post-parade or F! or fireworks... And I have no idea if those people hold FP's from 3PM or from 9PM and they all waited till after Illuminations to all hit TT at the same time.

I've never walked up to a FP ride late in the day and seen a long FP line that I couldn't directly say "ah, it's the post-Wishes rush", basically.

I'm willing to bet those post-show type rushes will continue, too... And will allow for late returners.

 

[KevinYee]

I'm a local who visits twice-weekly, and I'd also say that I've never noticed FP lines as particularly longer in the evenings.

 

[flynnibus]

I'm a local who visits twice-weekly, and I'd also say that I've never noticed FP lines as particularly longer in the evenings.

I think it's more of the impact on SB people are talking about. SB behing impacted more in the evening due to the high volume of FP returners. So the lines on these attractions inflate at the end of night, instead of declining with park attendance or guest energy.

It takes quite a bit to backup the FP queues significantly - but doesn't take nearly as much to impact SB if the FP return volume is higher.

 

[Scuttle]

I'm a local who visits twice-weekly, and I'd also say that I've never noticed FP lines as particularly longer in the evenings.

I've noticed it at Space and PP a lot.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

I think it's more of the impact on SB people are talking about. SB behing impacted more in the evening due to the high volume of FP returners. So the lines on these attractions inflate at the end of night, instead of declining with park attendance or guest energy.

It takes quite a bit to backup the FP queues significantly - but doesn't take nearly as much to impact SB if the FP return volume is higher.

But how do you know those people aren't returning within their window (or slightly after) due to a parade or F! or fireworks? That's the only time I've seen a backup like you mention, personally.

I'm sure, for exmample at Epcot, that everyone that has a FP with a time of probably 8:40 or later all wait until the second half of the 9 o'clock hour to use them which will effect SB's for quite a long time each night.

 

[Fractal514]

I think part of my feelings on this stem from how I view FP in the first place. FP let's you cut to (near) the front of the line. In exchange for this privilege you need to return during a certain window. Don't like this, then get in the standby line whenever you like.

I understand what it was, but this is what it is. Why should there be any problem? If your life is so utterly unpredictable and crazy that you can't realistically use either system with any efficiency, than I think you might need to not come to WDW, or apply for a card at guest services.

Do I get that touring with a 2 year old is tough? Yes. Do I get that you had a whole system worked out for who you liked to tour the parks and now it's ruined? Yes. Do I get that you live in a wacky sitcom in which waiters talk very slowly and deliver the wrong entree multiple times in a row and then you get on a monorail only to have it derail, followed by arriving at the park in the middle of a parade only to finally get to the ride during the last minute of your FP window to look down and see that a member of your party is asleep and that waking them up would cause their nervous system to shut down? Ye..well, actually you've lost me on that one.

The use of FP is a free service, it isn't required by anyone, I don't care what you say, if you NEED FP then you could qualify for a guest assistance card, and if you don't qualify for that then you don't NEED FP.

I'd ask what I'm missing, but I'd just be presented by another metric ton of what-ifs, sob stories, and self indulgence.

 

[flynnibus]

But how do you know those people aren't returning within their window (or slightly after) due to a parade or F! or fireworks? That's the only time I've seen a backup like you mention, personally.

I'm sure, for exmample at Epcot, that everyone that has a FP with a time of probably 8:40 or later all wait until the second half of the 9 o'clock hour to use them which will effect SB's for quite a long time each night.

Note it was other people's impression I was trying to clarify.. not mine. I personally have never had a SB experience that I would cry 'its all because of FP!' over.

This one of the top complaints of anti-FP people.. that surges in FP returns cause the SB line to screech to a halt. Surges caused by entertainment like fireworks, parades, etc.

The end of night scenario is basically the same thing.. just with different instigators.

My personal opinion is there is enough FP attractions such things should be diffused by the randomness of the crowd of FP holders. But when you have less FP attractions (say at DHS where everyone wants TSMM, or EPCOT where everyone wants Soarin')... there is a funneling effect of people trying to use their pass before the park closes. I think this is a big complaint about SpaceMnt in DL.. due to the popularity of it.

 

[flynnibus]

I'm a local who visits twice-weekly, and I'd also say that I've never noticed FP lines as particularly longer in the evenings.

How often are you there late anymore though Kevin? With your young kids, and taking photos during the day.. are you really staying till close often?

The system as it stands today is susceptible to this phenomenon. The later you get your FP, the less time during the day you have to use it. The later in the day, the less time all FP holders have to use it. So it becomes a constricting window of opportunity where you could see a higher density of returners then during other periods of the day. But if this change is enough to cause significant impact is a matter of numbers...

 

[RSoxNo1]

I've noticed it at Space and PP a lot.

I'm sure this is a function of the return time for these two attractions being further out than most, as such people aren't hanging out in the area of the attraction.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

I think part of my feelings on this stem from how I view FP in the first place. FP let's you cut to (near) the front of the line. In exchange for this privilege you need to return during a certain window. Don't like this, then get in the standby line whenever you like.

I understand what it was, but this is what it is. Why should there be any problem? If your life is so utterly unpredictable and crazy that you can't realistically use either system with any efficiency, than I think you might need to not come to WDW, or apply for a card at guest services.

Do I get that touring with a 2 year old is tough? Yes. Do I get that you had a whole system worked out for who you liked to tour the parks and now it's ruined? Yes. Do I get that you live in a wacky sitcom in which waiters talk very slowly and deliver the wrong entree multiple times in a row and then you get on a monorail only to have it derail, followed by arriving at the park in the middle of a parade only to finally get to the ride during the last minute of your FP window to look down and see that a member of your party is asleep and that waking them up would cause their nervous system to shut down? Ye..well, actually you've lost me on that one.

The use of FP is a free service, it isn't required by anyone, I don't care what you say, if you NEED FP then you could qualify for a guest assistance card, and if you don't qualify for that then you don't NEED FP.

I'd ask what I'm missing, but I'd just be presented by another metric ton of what-ifs, sob stories, and self indulgence.

You're lumping everyone against this into the same pot. I'm not worried about long dining adventures, monorail breakdowns, etc...

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showpost.php?p=4869671&postcount=690

I believe I make a simple point that this change effects. I wouldn't be against the change if they did as I suggest. The change on its own, though, I find shortsighted and a negative impact to the current guest experience as I pointed out in the linked post.

Make the change... Fine. Just give me the information to make a good decision ahead of time if a FP makes sense or not.

I don't think that request is far out of line, I don't think it's a what-if, I don't think it's a sob story, I don't think it's self indulgence. It's just good customer service, which in turn leads to good business.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

Note it was other people's impression I was trying to clarify.. not mine. I personally have never had a SB experience that I would cry 'its all because of FP!' over.

This one of the top complaints of anti-FP people.. that surges in FP returns cause the SB line to screech to a halt. Surges caused by entertainment like fireworks, parades, etc.

The end of night scenario is basically the same thing.. just with different instigators.

My personal opinion is there is enough FP attractions such things should be diffused by the randomness of the crowd of FP holders. But when you have less FP attractions (say at DHS where everyone wants TSMM, or EPCOT where everyone wants Soarin')... there is a funneling effect of people trying to use their pass before the park closes. I think this is a big complaint about SpaceMnt in DL.. due to the popularity of it.

Ah. I misunderstood. Thought that was YOUR concern.

My money is on them allowing that late night surge even after this policy is put into place because of each park's nightly entertainment. The backlash won't be worth the fight for them, I believe.

 

[JenniferS]

I am a Disney fanatic and spend many hours/day visiting various boards, so I have known that CM's do not enforce the FastPass return time window. That being said, I have never taken advantage of the situation.
Just because it's "permitted" cheating does not negate that it is still cheating. If the posted FastPass return time is not convenient, then we simply don't take the FastPasses.
If we are on the other side of the park when our window opens, then we head back, or we say forget it.
As I stated very early in this thread, this change is not going to affect how we tour the parks.
I have considered both sides of the argument, and despite very cogent arguments from people who are clearly more experienced than me, I still believe that the end of the day standby lines will benefit from enforcement of FP return times throughout the course of the day.
I am impressed with how generally civil this discourse has been. Well done.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

Note it was other people's impression I was trying to clarify.. not mine. I personally have never had a SB experience that I would cry 'its all because of FP!' over.

This one of the top complaints of anti-FP people.. that surges in FP returns cause the SB line to screech to a halt. Surges caused by entertainment like fireworks, parades, etc.

The end of night scenario is basically the same thing.. just with different instigators.

My personal opinion is there is enough FP attractions such things should be diffused by the randomness of the crowd of FP holders. But when you have less FP attractions (say at DHS where everyone wants TSMM, or EPCOT where everyone wants Soarin')... there is a funneling effect of people trying to use their pass before the park closes. I think this is a big complaint about SpaceMnt in DL.. due to the popularity of it.

Another thought I just had on the rush of FP returns after night time events in the parks...

I could potentially see them cutting off FP for the night at some specific point... Say, 9PM at Epcot (because of Illuminations). They'll have less complaints from late returners if returning isn't even an option because the FP lines are closed for the night every night before Illuminations is over.

I believe they would do that before they would turn hundreds of people away from each attraction after Wishes because their time passed during the show.

We won't know until more nextgen is rolled out. If they need to do this to somehow benefit the paid people... Well... :lookaroun

 

[Fractal514]

You're lumping everyone against this into the same pot. I'm not worried about long dining adventures, monorail breakdowns, etc...

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showpost.php?p=4869671&postcount=690

I believe I make a simple point that this change effects. I wouldn't be against the change if they did as I suggest. The change on its own, though, I find shortsighted and a negative impact to the current guest experience as I pointed out in the linked post.

Make the change... Fine. Just give me the information to make a good decision ahead of time if a FP makes sense or not.

I don't think that request is far out of line, I don't think it's a what-if, I don't think it's a sob story, I don't think it's self indulgence. It's just good customer service, which in turn leads to good business.

I don't oppose the boards, but I don't think they are required either. I always thought of fastpass as, hey you're at the ride you want to go on, but the line is long, don't want to wait, then get a fastpass and come back. That isn't the same as, I'm in adventureland and want to ride space mountain at some point this afternoon, I wonder if I SHOULD get a fast pass. Do you see the difference there?

 

[fosse76]

As far as only making it be available to some of the resort guests, it's probably selfish of me to say but if I were paying more (significantly in some cases) to stay at Disney I think it's only fair that I receive additional benefits. I'm not sure if I would say 'Deluxe' only but if I don't see anything wrong with Disney adding a perk to entice people to spend more money on accommodations.

I think that's a dangerous statement. Yes, you most definitely should get some extra perks/benefits based on the amount of money you are spending. HOWEVER, it should not come at the expense of other guests. You staying at a DVC and getting pampered with fine linens and free papers has absolutely no effect on my stay at Pop Century. However, you paying for FPs, which in turn reduces the availability of FPs to other guests, IS negatively impacting my vacation. And in this particular situation no one's on even ground, since the average guest doesn't qualify to purchase this "benefit" that you are paying for.

Unless Disney allows every guest to have the ability to purchase this perk, then it is absolutely unfair, because as I stated above, it negatively impacts other guests.