experimental entry system @ Epcot

[flavious27]

I don't know how well this will work, I think that there can be problems with guests just bypassing and entering the parks without being scanned.

 

[GymLeaderPhil]

I have to wonder if it would help if each block (let's say four or five including wheelchair/stroller gate) of turnstiles had one line instead of individual lines - especially during peak times.

I totally agree with the concern over the open access of this test process. It would result in Cast Members having to physically stop guests instead of gates or locked turnstiles. While this may be acceptable within the parks for loading or crowd control situations, I feel as though this has a much more financial risk associated with it.

 

[Monty]

From the videos, it looks like one line and they call the next folks forward as openings come available.

 

[Aragorn]

But will there be a Fastpass for this new interactive installation?:lol:

You forgot to mention that it's a personalized next-generation system. :lol:

 

[tizzo]

I dont think the turnstyles were the issue here.. In my experience, the thing that holds up the line is having only 2 or 3 machines running when there is a whole row full of them not being used.

I've never actually seen 2 or 3 machines in a row running and the others closed. What I do see almost every time I go is just one or two machines being used despite all of them being open, apparently because the guests just don't know any better. And my concern is that, based solely on the photo, this would only be made worse.

 

[tizzo]

The problem with that is that guests won't see the sign for "AP holders only" and will wait in line, then get upset when they're turned away to go to another line.

That's easily fixed. We just need an passholder-only gate, located somewhere that other guests would never go. Of course then we'd need passholder-only parking for that gate, away from everyone else.

And once all that infrastructure is in place, we'll have everything necessary to implement passholder-only after hours access, after EMH are over.

But alas, the days when Disney wanted passholders to feel like we "owned the place" (remember those TV commercials?) appear to be over.

 

[Rob562]

One simple fix for the turnstiles as they exist now would be a better way to indicate which turnstiles are open. While the Green arrow and red X are pretty straight-forward, they're not exactly in the immediate line-of-sight of many Guests, who are looking straight ahead or *up* at things.

Also, on the turnstiles facing south (Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom), the sun can really overpower the LEDs sometimes. I know to look for the arrows, but when the sun is glaring down on that little black window, it's tough to make it out which is lit. SOmetimes you have to get within 6 feet to see the arrow.
So what they should do is replace the green LEDs with much brighter ones, so that even in full-on sun you can see the arrow.

Also, perhaps make the indicators bigger, so that they're more obvious from a distance. So you have a 5-6" round window on the front of the turnstile, and not the 2-3" one you have now.

-Rob

 

[ChrisFL]

That's easily fixed. We just need an passholder-only gate, located somewhere that other guests would never go. Of course then we'd need passholder-only parking for that gate, away from everyone else.

And once all that infrastructure is in place, we'll have everything necessary to implement passholder-only after hours access, after EMH are over.

But alas, the days when Disney wanted passholders to feel like we "owned the place" (remember those TV commercials?) appear to be over.

I agree with this.

 

[yankspy]

I actually used this the other day. I admit I was a little confused at first but I think in the long run once people get used to it, it might speed up the process.

 

[lazyboy97o]

How about manning all of the turnsiles in the morning instead of 1/2 of them? That would help reduce the the mess in the morning. I drives me insane standing there waiting in long lines when many turnstiles are not even used.

Yes! Getting into either of the Universal parks at opening is so much more pleasant. In my perfect world mornings would have every turnstile staffed with the guided entry Universal currently employs, and then as the day goes and entrance demand slows more and more are switched over to self service.

Oh my goodness, you people here are crazy. What we have to base things on here is one picture and the phrase "experimental" entry system. And of course where does that logically take the discussion..... "this is a horrible change and Disney is crazy for trying something new." Seriously, I think sometimes that is all you guys think here. A change is made and it is automatically bad. Let's give it a chance, shall we. Disney is a leader when it comes to organization and people management, they know the obstacles this will bring and will make ways to fix it.

And it seems you love to just criticize any and all critics of Disney.

 

[tizzo]

I actually used this the other day. I admit I was a little confused at first but I think in the long run once people get used to it, it might speed up the process.

I think the same could be said of the existing process. The main reason it's so difficult now (I think) is that on any given day, the vast majority of people entering the parks are people who have not entered recently - IE people who are not used to the process. Most will probably get used to it just in time to end their vacation and go home, and will be followed by a new group of guests who are starting from scratch again.

To me, this is probably the best argument for a dedicated AP and DVC entrance. You could man such an entrance with fewer cast members since most of us know what we're doing, and that would also reduce the burden on the equipment and the cast members handling the rest of the guests. Of course the impact would probably be minimal, since it's my understanding that the vast majority of WDW guests are vacationers, and there are relatively few AP holders. I'm not sure about DVC numbers however.

 

[Malvito]

And it seems you love to just criticize any and all critics of Disney.

We are getting into a whole different thread, but I must defend askmike1's comment, as I, too find it more than a little off-putting how often, on these boards, there is a dogpile to negatively critique something that does not yet exist. If his comment struck someone as being a tad on the strident side, it was nothing compared to the "sounds lame" and "it's gonna suck" and "it'll never work" comments written in response to just about anything, be it a rumoured new movie or a suggested attraction change or a new system of entry.

No, Disney is not critic-proof, anymore than anyone else, but a change or a new effort at least deserves the benefit of a tryout before being dismissed as a failure or as unworkable. Nobody, be it the personnel at Disney or anyone on this forum, has that much foresight.

 

[tizzo]

We are getting into a whole different thread, but I must defend askmike1's comment, as I, too find it more than a little off-putting how often, on these boards, there is a dogpile to negatively critique something that does not yet exist. If his comment struck someone as being a tad on the strident side, it was nothing compared to the "sounds lame" and "it's gonna suck" and "it'll never work" comments written in response to just about anything, be it a rumoured new movie or a suggested attraction change or a new system of entry.

You may have a point regarding this site in general. But the comments in this thread (so far) haven't really been particularly critical. Certainly this:

this is a horrible change and Disney is crazy for trying something new.

does not even remotely characterize any of the comments in the thread.

I would also point out that Disney has made a concerted effort to leverage social media, both to reach the fans, and to get their feedback. We know that they monitor sites like this, and the blog that was the source of the information has a very easy to use comment system. IE they want to know what we think.

I submit that perhaps it was no accident that they featured this prominently on their blog, and provided nothing but a photo by way of description. I think it's very likely that they're trying to get a sense of the impression it leaves on people who know little about it other than how it looks. Did anyone else notice how closely this limited quantity and presentation of information models what a guest approaching the new entry system would experience?

In other words, even if the comments were as negative as askmike1's characterization would make it seem, that is probably exactly the kind of thing Disney was hoping to ignite with the blog post.

 

[toolsnspools]

I actually used this the other day. I admit I was a little confused at first but I think in the long run once people get used to it, it might speed up the process.

So did they give you any details/hints about how it would be set up for real? It looks to me like scanners that you run the pass under instead of the insert your ticket here systems they have now.

 

[WDWLOYAL1971]

I don't see it working. It seems as all its going to accomplish is cause more delays in people entering the park and cause frustration because I see no way of a line being orderly. People will more than likely try to cut in front of other people.

 

[yankspy]

I think the same could be said of the existing process. The main reason it's so difficult now (I think) is that on any given day, the vast majority of people entering the parks are people who have not entered recently - IE people who are not used to the process. Most will probably get used to it just in time to end their vacation and go home, and will be followed by a new group of guests who are starting from scratch again.

To me, this is probably the best argument for a dedicated AP and DVC entrance. You could man such an entrance with fewer cast members since most of us know what we're doing, and that would also reduce the burden on the equipment and the cast members handling the rest of the guests. Of course the impact would probably be minimal, since it's my understanding that the vast majority of WDW guests are vacationers, and there are relatively few AP holders. I'm not sure about DVC numbers however.

True. I would not mind having a sep. entrance either.

So did they give you any details/hints about how it would be set up for real? It looks to me like scanners that you run the pass under instead of the insert your ticket here systems they have now.

No hints. It was a barcode scanner though. You just sort of placed it under the scanner until it beeped.

 

[cowanfamily]

Yes! Getting into either of the Universal parks at opening is so much more pleasant. In my perfect world mornings would have every turnstile staffed with the guided entry Universal currently employs, and then as the day goes and entrance demand slows more and more are switched over to self service.

I knew there would be a Universal/Harry Potter reference sooner or later. Way to predictable!:hammer::hammer::hammer:

 

[erasure fan1]

Its hard to say if it will help or hinder until you see it full action. My first feeling is that it wont hurt nor will it help. The system they have already could work a whole lot better with just a few tweaks.

 

[rct247]

Having had experience working at Magic Kingdom turnstiles... this system would be a logistical nightmare! A rotating turnstile is the only thing that prevents a guest from wandering into the park without a valid ticket scan! Undercover security are lazy and useless. Those turnstile cast members are the first and last line of defense for valid park entry. As pointed out, it is hard enough dealing with guests at 2 turnstiles not knowing what they are doing, let alone 4. Either way, the cast member still has to provide assistance to one guest at a time. If there is no turnstile or gate the CM is monitoring, WHAT IS GOING TO STOP SOMEBODY FROM WALKING STRAIGHT INTO THE PARK WHEN A CM IS OCCUPIED BY AN IDIOT WHO CAN'T FIGURE OUT THE MACHINE???!!! Seriously? Am i really seeing this? They would need a security guard at every entry! It's an open invitation for disaster. The magnetic strips are something that could be realistically eliminated because the barcode reader works faster and more accurately, ALL of the time. You can't eliminate the biometrics scan (not a fingerprint by the way) because then people could just pass off tickets to whomever they want. The biometrics scan eliminates ticket fraud! It is a GOOD thing! I know somebody else touched on this before, and it is especially true at Magic Kingdom, if you want a shorter line... move 10-20 feet to your left or right depending on which side you enter. Guest always walk in a straight line and head to the turnstiles closest to the center. If you simply take a few steps to the side, you can usually get a much shorter line because MK typically keeps most of their turnstiles open for a good portion of the day for entry. Final thought - this is EXPERIMENTAL, and i will personally go over to EPCOT to evaluate myself. That is all.

THE TRONorail

100% agree...also because I worked MK turnstiles too.

 

[askmike1]

It's truly amazing the things this company does to avoid labor cost...yet the price of everything still goes up.

This change has absolutely nothing to do with labor costs and has entirely to do with efficiency.