EPCOT Nemo ride to get Fastpass

[djkidkaz]

I could see them using FastPass at SSE simply for the fact that it would cause people to "waste" their fastpass for it first thing in the morning. Obviously we've all seen it. The line at SSE is jam packed first thing and then after a couple hours its a walk-on. People would come in and see the wait and use up their FP for that instead of saving it for Soarin or TT.

 

[marni1971]

Radical idea... Spend money on Wonders and Imaginations upstairs... Oh and Odyssey too. As in make the areas designed for onstage, onstage. That will increase park capacity.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Radical idea... Spend money on Wonders and Imaginations upstairs... Oh and Odyssey too. As in make the areas designed for onstage, onstage. That will increase park capacity.

At this point, increasing park capacity isn't the issue. It's improving the offerings that make up that large capacity.

 

[WDWFigment]

Agree that FastPass at these attractions is pointless.

However, I like the system for my own selfish reasons. All guests don't use it efficiently. I do use it efficiently. Despite it increasing wait times across the board, it's still a net gain for me. As I see it, if people can't learn to use a simple system, that's their own problem. I consider it "theme park Darwinism." To each his own on that, though.

 

[WDWFigment]

At this point, increasing park capacity isn't the issue. It's improving the offerings that make up that large capacity.

Agreed. Adding capacity through new attractions also costs more for staffing.

In other words, $30,000,000 spent on Wonders of Life isn't the same as $30,000,000 spent on Imagination, because the former would require more subsequent expenditures for staffing.

Not defending the addition of FP to the Seas, just explaining the difference as I see it.

 

[GLaDOS]

At this point, increasing park capacity isn't the issue. It's improving the offerings that make up that large capacity.

I get where you're coming from, but I don't necessarily agree.

Odyssy and the upstairs of JII are HUGE dead spaces that could be used to add a lot to the guest experience.

Obviously attractions like the Imagination ones and UoE also need to be more of a draw, but the parks need smaller things in them as well.

 

[RSoxNo1]

I get where you're coming from, but I don't necessarily agree.

Odyssy and the upstairs of JII are HUGE dead spaces that could be used to add a lot to the guest experience.

Obviously attractions like the Imagination ones and UoE also need to be more of a draw, but the parks need smaller things in them as well.

Yes, there are dead spaces I'm not disputing that but just because a building is open doesn't mean that it isn't a dead space either.

In recent years, Disney has underbuilt parks and expanded as needed (or slower depending on who you ask). This helps to eliminate these empty buildings and problem areas. This was the approach taken at MGM, DAK, Hong Kong, and Studios Paris (DCA wasn't underbuilt, it was just cheeply built).

Compare those underbuilt parks to Epcot which within a year of being built was very close to what it's capacity high point was, and by 1989 (Norway and Wonders of Life) was at a higher capacity than it was at now. During that time, nearly every attraction was a perpetual walk on. In it's day, this wasn't reflection of the attractions found within, but a reflection on the ridiculously large capacity for the park. To "solve" this "problem", meant outright closing buildings that were "unnecessary" to staff.

Epcot had a good lineup of dark rides, but those rides didn't have the same appeal as the lineup in the Magic Kingdom, even though capacity wise it exceeded the Magic Kingdom. That's how concepts like Project Gemini come about; and while it didn't come to fruition, Future World is 100% different now then 1995.

Like them or not, attractions like Test Track, Soarin' and Mission: SPACE drive attendance at that park along with Illuminations and World Showcase dining. The large capacity of that park is somewhat wasted. If an attraction can push through 2000 people per hour, but only 1000 want to ride it, then something is wrong.

 

[WDW1974]

At this point, increasing park capacity isn't the issue. It's improving the offerings that make up that large capacity.

I disagree. Think Martin nailed it. You have so many dead zones that once ate people through attractions, dining or retail.

They're all just sitting rotting. Then you have World Showplace, which was for a brief time a very large attraction area and is now simply a special events pavilion (an ugly one at that).

Yes, things need improvement. BUT ... capacity needs to return. WoL alone had three major attractions, a few minors ones, a QSR and retail and if you had that same arrangement today (albeit with new offerings) it would definitely lower waits at Soarin and TT. FW is largely a vast wasteland these days ... the fact you can put huge amounts of people in it only speaks to the genius of its original design and scope, not to there being enough quality offerings today.

~I know what you are doing!~

 

[WDW1974]

Agree that FastPass at these attractions is pointless.

However, I like the system for my own selfish reasons. All guests don't use it efficiently. I do use it efficiently. Despite it increasing wait times across the board, it's still a net gain for me. As I see it, if people can't learn to use a simple system, that's their own problem. I consider it "theme park Darwinism." To each his own on that, though.

I am ambivalent toward FP. I use it from time to time ... and it has made for a better experience (much more so in Tokyo, Paris and Anaheim), but I still can't help but believe it isn't needed and doesn't do what its lovers claim it does.

I do agree that savvy regular guests like yourself can use ''theme park Darwinism'' to take advantage of the system. For years, I 'gamed' the system in Anaheim when many of the FP networks weren't connected. Indeed, even now I know I can always get a FP for Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin while having an open FP for another attraction because they don't have it connected.

Of course, those are things only regulars (and not all of them) would even know. ... I just love all the people who truly want to murder me (or at least beat the pooh out of me) at WDW because 23 of them will be standing at a turnstile while someone is fumbling with five passes and strollers and there's one right next to it with a green arrow but no CM. These morons believe I am cutting in front of them. This happens literally on every visit to WDW. Every one.

~11,000 Euros?!?!? Really, Micky?!?! Really ... LeBron would offer more~

 

[marni1971]

At this point, increasing park capacity isn't the issue. It's improving the offerings that make up that large capacity.

You misunderstood me. Amongst other things, fast past decreases park capacity. My point was about increasing capacity and giving those who have FP'd the rides so equipped something else to do.

Compare those underbuilt parks to Epcot which within a year of being built was very close to what it's capacity high point was, and by 1989 (Norway and Wonders of Life) was at a higher capacity than it was at now. During that time, nearly every attraction was a perpetual walk on

Not an accurate measure by any means, but the 3 times I was lucky to visit EPCOT Center in its hey day it was anything but empty. Highlights I recall from 1990 was Body Wars using the full line with overflow and JII using the outside switchbacks to the bathrooms and back...

 

[RSoxNo1]

You misunderstood me. Amongst other things, fast past decreases park capacity. My point was about increasing capacity and giving those who have FP'd the rides so equipped something else to do.

Not an accurate measure by any means, but the 3 times I was lucky to visit EPCOT Center in its hey day it was anything but empty. Highlights I recall from 1990 was Body Wars using the full line with overflow and JII using the outside switchbacks to the bathrooms and back...

My memories of Epcot as a child include waits for Body Wars, Sea Cabs and Maelstrom, and not much else.

To WDW1974's point about adding capacity back to the park. I would like to see dying attractions stay open until suitable replacements can be constructed, so I don't like the dead areas either. But my point was that those areas that were built were done so unnecessarily early on. Now if they wanted to make a replacement to The Odyssey or Wonders of Life I'd definitely be excited for it, but I would see that as re-expanding the park when it's not necessary "for capacity reasons".

Now if we want to talk about the aesthetics of Future World and how much those dead spaces ruin it, I'm right there with both of you; but capacity is not an issue in Epcot.

 

[Tom Morrow]

Omnimovers shouldn't have FP.

The thing is, nothing needs Fastpass.

High capacity rides shouldn't have it, because all that does is create a line where there would otherwise be none or a completely manageable one.

Low capacity rides shouldn't have it, because it turns what would already be a long wait into an excruciatingly slow one (for example, TSMM)

 

[NoChesterHester]

My memories of Epcot as a child include waits for Body Wars, Sea Cabs and Maelstrom, and not much else.

Early to mid nineties, pre-fast pass... I remember not only tons of things to do in Future World, but long lines for a lot of it.

And it isn't just about ride capacity either, what about all those soles walking around because they have a fast pass in hand. There are more legs on the ground now and not standing in line. Those crowds have less to do because two true "pavilions" remain vacant or underutilized.

I do not consider Test Track, Energy, and MS pavilions any longer. They are just ride buildings.

That is the big problem. The reduction in minor attraction offerings has decreased the richness of the 'future' side of the park. While I love World Showcase, I really lament the poor overall state of Future World.

To WDW1974's point about adding capacity back to the park. I would like to see dying attractions stay open until suitable replacements can be constructed, so I don't like the dead areas either. But my point was that those areas that were built were done so unnecessarily early on. Now if they wanted to make a replacement to The Odyssey or Wonders of Life I'd definitely be excited for it, but I would see that as re-expanding the park when it's not necessary "for capacity reasons".

Now if we want to talk about the aesthetics of Future World and how much those dead spaces ruin it, I'm right there with both of you; but capacity is not an issue in Epcot.

The dead space is an issue for many reasons. Besides, do you think it would still feel dead if they built it? Epcot can pack in the people. They are in that park's gates... Give them something to actually enjoy and they will be there. Who cares if there is "only" a 15-20 minute line. Great!

One thing always holds true in anything... Higher satisfaction equals more spending. You think Apple gets that?

Speaking of Apple, perhaps the industrial designers over in Cupertino could take a look at the Imagination Pavilion after they are done with Job's flying saucer headquarters... One can dream.

 

[muse1983]

I've honestly never encountered more than a 10 minute wait....ugh and it's still not worth it. Who on earth would even bother wasting a fast pass on this?

 

[jjharvpro]

My guess is that all this is Disney's way to satisfy Guests while TT is down. Nothing more than that. Not too bad of a move, maybe a little unnecessary, but not a terrible move.

 

[BigThunderMatt]

23 of them will be standing at a turnstile while someone is fumbling with five passes and strollers and there's one right next to it with a green arrow but no CM. These morons believe I am cutting in front of them. This happens literally on every visit to WDW. Every one.

Sir. You are amazing and I salute you. You are very much the solution and not the problem and if more guests were less like lemmings and more like you the world would be a better place.

 

[BigThunderMatt]

The thing is, nothing needs Fastpass.

High capacity rides shouldn't have it, because all that does is create a line where there would otherwise be none or a completely manageable one.

Low capacity rides shouldn't have it, because it turns what would already be a long wait into an excruciatingly slow one (for example, TSMM)

Agreed x1000. It's all about perception, however. If a guest perceives they are spending less time waiting in line, then their reality is that they are.

Not that I agree with that line of thinking but after more than 10 years of FP it's what Disney has conditioned their audience to believe.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

I just love all the people who truly want to murder me (or at least beat the pooh out of me) at WDW because 23 of them will be standing at a turnstile while someone is fumbling with five passes and strollers and there's one right next to it with a green arrow but no CM. These morons believe I am cutting in front of them. This happens literally on every visit to WDW. Every one.

Jeez, if that's a capital offense, I wonder what they want to do to me when there are six people in line all on the same side of the cashier at a counter service restaurant and I go to the empty side and get waited on before them? :drevil:

 

[Tom]

Agree that FastPass at these attractions is pointless.

However, I like the system for my own selfish reasons. All guests don't use it efficiently. I do use it efficiently. Despite it increasing wait times across the board, it's still a net gain for me. As I see it, if people can't learn to use a simple system, that's their own problem. I consider it "theme park Darwinism." To each his own on that, though.

Exactly!

 

[captainkidd]

It's an interesting debate, but I think the simple fact is, people that don't like Fastpass, simply don't know how to use it correctly. If you know how to use it, it's awesome.