JML42691
Active Member
But can a barcode scanner read an image on a cell phone screen, I don't think that it is possible and some phones have horrible pixles and there may not be enough to support a barcode.
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Fast Pass Rework
- Thread starter ParentsOf4
- Start date
lnsemsf
Well-Known Member
The flow chart is really interesting. It appears resort guests can get all of their fastpasses for the entire day from their room, then go to a fastpass kiosk and print them any time. I'll have to read it a bit more when i get time but that appears the document to study to understand the new system's practical use as opposed to the technical features.
Rob562
Well-Known Member
Here's the answer, straight from a trusted source (AdmiralBoom) on RADP:
"The barcodes are on there for several reasons:
1) Upcoming experiment where guests insert their own fastpass to open
the entry gate -or- where CM inserts the fastpass into a scanner as
you enter (to cut down on CM judgement calls on both time of day and
expired passes). This would also allow a pass to be issued for
multiple attractions (eg. to cut down on the morning rush, a pass
would be issued at each mountain for all mountains, later that day).
2) Upcoming experiment with a scanner that guests would use to see
their options (when pass is valid, when another is available, etc..) -
This would lead the way to allowing guests to hold multiple fastpasses
for specific attraction pairs (eg. "you can wait two hours and then
get another pass to RnR, ToT OR you can get a fastpass to Indy right
now"). At some point in the future, it is envisioned that the resort
rooms would each have a scanner, allowing guests to 'plan their next
few days based on the remaining value of their tickets and passes'.
3) Other upcoming experiments. The list goes on and on... Oh, and the
future possibility of using your room key / ticket to hold fastpass
info (no more paper...).
4) Tracking usage, as you surmised. Resorts are now outfitted to issue
fastpasses although the rules for doing this have not been published
yet. Once a system gets this widespread, the big boys want to track
the success/failure of each outlet.
5) Falsified pass detection. Yes, it is on the up-swing.
-Boom"
Note that the first three are labeled as "experiments". So don't go flying off the handle thinking that there's major changes in store for FastPass. They're just upgrading the systems to allow greater flexibility in the future. It always helps to be forward-thinking, especially when it comes to technology.
-Rob
"The barcodes are on there for several reasons:
1) Upcoming experiment where guests insert their own fastpass to open
the entry gate -or- where CM inserts the fastpass into a scanner as
you enter (to cut down on CM judgement calls on both time of day and
expired passes). This would also allow a pass to be issued for
multiple attractions (eg. to cut down on the morning rush, a pass
would be issued at each mountain for all mountains, later that day).
2) Upcoming experiment with a scanner that guests would use to see
their options (when pass is valid, when another is available, etc..) -
This would lead the way to allowing guests to hold multiple fastpasses
for specific attraction pairs (eg. "you can wait two hours and then
get another pass to RnR, ToT OR you can get a fastpass to Indy right
now"). At some point in the future, it is envisioned that the resort
rooms would each have a scanner, allowing guests to 'plan their next
few days based on the remaining value of their tickets and passes'.
3) Other upcoming experiments. The list goes on and on... Oh, and the
future possibility of using your room key / ticket to hold fastpass
info (no more paper...).
4) Tracking usage, as you surmised. Resorts are now outfitted to issue
fastpasses although the rules for doing this have not been published
yet. Once a system gets this widespread, the big boys want to track
the success/failure of each outlet.
5) Falsified pass detection. Yes, it is on the up-swing.
-Boom"
Note that the first three are labeled as "experiments". So don't go flying off the handle thinking that there's major changes in store for FastPass. They're just upgrading the systems to allow greater flexibility in the future. It always helps to be forward-thinking, especially when it comes to technology.
-Rob
IMO it's just getting way too complicated. Planning your next few days from your hotel room by getting Fastpasses with an 'in-room scanner'!?
Anyone remember the days you would show up at the theme park and join the line?
nibblesandbits
Well-Known Member
I actually agree...most people do not want to plan out their days that in depth...I will pick which parks and maybe restaurants...but I don't need to pick which rides when ahead of time. That's just way to complicated.
I do like Fastpass though...just don't see why it needs to get further complicated.
spaceghost
Well-Known Member
Sure, and 15 years ago you couldn't go onto the internet and book your vacation, does that mean that being able to do so now isn't better for some people? The technology wasn't there before to do what can be done now with fastpasses, does that mean that taking advantage of it now isn't worthwhile for some? I for one would love to be able to plan my fastpasses ahead of time - I usually know what I want to be getting them for anyway, so this would just save my running around the parks or waiting until the appropriate time to get them. If people don't want to take advantage of the new features, they don't have to...
) 
fngoofy
Well-Known Member
I'm not sure how you know what "most people" want to do.
I think the facts are:
1. Restaurant Reservations used to be only same day, now they are 6mo out.
2. Pre Fast Pass, lines used to be pretty daunting even when the park was only partialy full. Now you can do other activities (shop, ride less crowded rides, etc.) and still ride an "E-ticket" ride with little to no wait.
3. There used to be only 1-2 parks and over the week, each day you picked a different LAND to do. Now, with so much to see in a week, you end up picking 1-2 PARKS to do in a day. Without FP that would not be possible.
I think the adoption of both 6mo out diner reservation and the FP point towards the general public's preference for planning ahead.
Back in the day (1995 or so), the Dining Plan was only offered to those staying at the Grand Floridian and was referred to as the "Grand Plan" (it cost a fair amount as I remember.)
Using that as a test it then made sense to roll it out to the whole property.
I would not be surprised if they offer some exotic Fast Pass options for Deluxe Resort Guests to see which are most popular and work the best.
I know that I would pay double for our tickets and pay to stay in a Deluxe Resort if I could upgrade them to some sort of permanent Fast Pass for the stay.
I want Priority Seating for Tower of Terror!
Not everyone (in fact, I'm pretty sure most people) want to plan every day of their vacation down to every ride they will be doing and what time they will be doing it.
Eventually, people will have had enough.
Though apparently in the late 90s it was 'impossible' to see all 4 parks since Fastpass hadn't been invented yet. Completely untrue. You arrived early, you did rides during parades, you did rides later in the evening, many rides had much shorter and faster moving lines and there were less people crowding the walkways.
spaceghost
Well-Known Member
I pretty much totally disagree. If you are going to WDW with the intent of riding rides and seeing attractions, as most infrequent or semi-frequent visitors are, then the more efficient you are at doing that, the more you can do, and the better your vacation will be. This is essentially the logic behind touring plans. Fastpasses as they are now are a key component to touring. I find it ridiculous for anyone to say that a 10 minute wait at a (loosely) scheduled time is somehow worse than a 60 minute wait at any time. And when it comes to a potential system for getting the Fastpasses ahead of time, which would save me the time and energy of having to run around the parks, I think that would be great. I would think that anyone who is a fan of Fastpasses would be excited about this concept...
And, let me add that I was at WDW in the late 90s, with 4 parks and no Fastpasses, and we waited in line forever for the big attractions, missed minor attractions because we ran out of time, and were exhausted at the end of the day. Our most recent trip last month, which also included a 4 year old, was much easier and we got more done because we had a plan ahead of time, knew what attractions to hit first each day, and knew when to get Fastpasses if we needed. Unless you are a frequent visitor or spending a long time there, a WDW vacation is not filled with relaxation and spontaneity. If you're looking for those things, go to the beach, go fishing, take a hike, etc.
Well I guess we're just going to have to agree to disagree. I (and many other Disney fans on certain boards) prefer the experience of the Disney parks without Fastpass in operation- one line, the build-up of the atmosphere and story as you progress through the one, fast moving queue, the shorter standby wait times, the ability to see attractions without backtracking, etc.etc.
You like Fastpass. I don't think either of us is going to change our minds!:wave:
Anything Disney
New Member
I'm not sure how you know what "most people" want to do.
I know that I would pay double for our tickets and pay to stay in a Deluxe Resort if I could upgrade them to some sort of permanent Fast Pass for the stay.
I want Priority Seating for Tower of Terror!
We went to Disneyland a fews years back, in July when the park was crazy. There were 6 of us and we stayed at Paradise Pier, a disney property and part of the package at the time was unlimited Fast Pass. It was the bomb. They did not offer it when we went again last year. For our group, Fast Pass is the best way to plan and maximize your day. I'd pay for the chance!!
disneydata
Well-Known Member
Just confirmed toady: as of right now, the barcodes on the new fastpasses will not be used for anything ... yet. :lookaroun