FastPass is the dumbest thing Disney ever did.

[Evil Genius]

Well here's the thing...they are either bumbling idiots or evil geniuses.

We both know they can't be both!

Hey...I think I may resemble that remark!

 

[AndyMagic]

So if its such a failure, why does Disney continue to do it?

Well they have already been removing fastpass from various attractions where it became clear that it wasn't working. Disneyland in particular has begun to reevaluate the system entirely. WDW's Haunted Mansion had it removed and the lines have been perfectly reasonable even in the Summer months. I think even people who like fastpass would agree that the system should be removed from certain attractions, Peter Pan being the prime example.

 

[Tigger1988]

Well they have already been removing fastpass from various attractions where it became clear that it wasn't working.

They've only removed them from attractions that don't need them. Waste of resources and CMs to man the stations for an attraction that doesn't average a wait longer than 20 -30 minutes.

 

[Master Yoda]

Well they have already been removing fastpass from various attractions where it became clear that it wasn't working. Disneyland in particular has begun to reevaluate the system entirely. WDW's Haunted Mansion had it removed and the lines have been perfectly reasonable even in the Summer months. I think even people who like fastpass would agree that the system should be removed from certain attractions, Peter Pan being the prime example.

You are correct about every attraction not needing fastpass. Determining that is basically a factor of the hourly capacity of an attraction and the hourly demand for that same attraction. Once the demand exceeds the capacity to certain extent fastpass becomes viable. In the case of attractions like HM ans SSE that absolutely devour guests the demand will likely never excessively exceed the capacity on a regular basis. Peter Pan on the other hand has a much higher demand than capacity will allow for so fastpass becomes viable.

 

[AndyMagic]

They've only removed them from attractions that don't need them. Waste of resources and CMs to man the stations for an attraction that doesn't average a wait longer than 20 -30 minutes.

And how do you explain Disney's decision to open the Nemo Subs without fastpass? It's an E-ticket attraction with long lines. The executives at Disneyland have long known that FastPass isn't working the way the bean-counters had anticipated and there are rumors swirling that more and more rides will open without the service and that it will be phased out. You all make it seem like I'm wacky for pointing out the huge flaws in the system. It's been written about in Mice Age, Jim Hill, and nearly every theme park blog I can think of. It's not like I'm a loon here.

 

[AndyMagic]

Peter Pan on the other hand has a much higher demand than capacity will allow for so fastpass becomes viable.

But when demand outstrips capacity to the extreme that it does at Peter Pan, then FastPass is equally as foolish as having it on a ride that gobbles people up. Tickets get used up early in the day and everyone else is forced to either wait 90 minutes or come back at 10pm. It's the reason Disney isn't placing fastpass on Dumbo anytime soon and why they are looking at virtual queues as an alternative.

 

[David S.]

I think even people who like fastpass would agree that the system should be removed from certain attractions, Peter Pan being the prime example.

I vote no on removing in from Peter Pan! Then I could no longer count on getting a walk-on on it while doing repeats of my Fantasyland favorites at night!

I actually wouldn't mind seeing it added to attractions like Dumbo, Speedway, and Astro Orbitor.

But when demand outstrips capacity to the extreme that it does at Peter Pan, then FastPass is equally as foolish as having it on a ride that gobbles people up. Tickets get used up early in the day and everyone else is forced to either wait 90 minutes or come back at 10pm. It's the reason Disney isn't placing fastpass on Dumbo anytime soon and why they are looking at virtual queues as an alternative.

Not completely true. I've often been able to get FPs for Peter Pan as late as 5 or 6 PM, even on crowded days.

 

[Tigger1988]

And how do you explain Disney's decision to open the Nemo Subs without fastpass? It's an E-ticket attraction with long lines. The executives at Disneyland have long known that FastPass isn't working they way the bean-counters had anticipated and there are rumors swirling that more and more rides will open without the service and that it will be phased out. You all make it seem like I'm wacky for pointing out the huge flaws in the system. It's been written about in Mice Age, Jim Hill, and nearly every theme park blog I can think of. It's not like I'm a loon here.

I know nothing about how things operate at Disneyland and don't claim to. So, I'm not even going to begin discussing how Disneyland handles their FP. This is a Disney World board, and I was referring to rides that had FP removed in WDW.

Also, using Mice Ace and Jim Hill as examples/sources...not really going to help any argument.

 

[Tigger1988]

It's the reason Disney isn't placing fastpass on Dumbo anytime soon and why they are looking at virtual queues as an alternative.

According to Lee (I believe he's the one who said this, someone correct if wrong) the "new" Dumbo attraction WILL have Fastpass. In addition to the interactive queue.

 

[Master Yoda]

But when demand outstrips capacity to the extreme that it does at Peter Pan, then FastPass is equally as foolish as having it on a ride that gobbles people up. Tickets get used up early in the day and everyone else is forced to either wait 90 minutes or come back at 10pm. It's the reason Disney isn't placing fastpass on Dumbo anytime soon and why they are looking at virtual queues as an alternative.

FP is not a great solution to the problems that those slow load FL attractions have but it is a bit better than doing nothing like they have done with the spinner rides. Hopefully this virtual queue thing will work better than FP on these attractions and we will see a gradual switch.

 

[David S.]

According to Lee (I believe he's the one who said this, someone correct if wrong) the "new" Dumbo attraction WILL have Fastpass. In addition to the interactive queue.

Yep! I remember reading Lee's post about that as well, and commenting that I was happy about that! :sohappy:

 

[AndyMagic]

I know nothing about how things operate at Disneyland and don't claim to. So, I'm not even going to begin discussing how Disneyland handles their FP. This is a Disney World board, and I was referring to rides that had FP removed in WDW.

Also, using Mice Ace and Jim Hill as examples/sources...not really going to help any argument.

If the issues have been popping up at nearly identical rides at Disneyland then they are popping up at Disney World too. It's just that Disneyland tends to be a little quicker when it comes to implementing fixes.

 

[Hakunamatata]

If the issues have been popping up at nearly identical rides at Disneyland then they are popping up at Disney World too. It's just that Disneyland tends to be a little quicker when it comes to implementing fixes.

Size matters.....

 

[Tigger1988]

If the issues have been popping up at nearly identical rides at Disneyland then they are popping up at Disney World too. It's just that Disneyland tends to be a little quicker when it comes to implementing fixes.

Proof of this?

While the rides may be identical, the crowds are not.

 

[Chezman1399]

That's been my point from the beginning. The line waits (overall, during the course of a day, assuming all other variables constant) will be the same with or without the Fast Pass system; as will the amount of rides that can be visited in a day.

That's not necessarily true as you can ride another ride during the same time your normally waiting.

Let's say we're standing in MK right now at Splash Mountain, you get a FastPASS ticket for 1 hour from now, the posted wait is 45 minutes. The wait for Haunted Mansion is 20 minutes, so you go over ride HM, then go back and ride Splash, maybe even with a stop at the Mad Tea party which has no wait. You got an extra ride or two in during the time you would have been queuing. What I'm saying is you can go on something with a much smaller line while waiting for your FastPASS to come up, pre-FastPASS the line at Splash would probably be closer to 60 minutes and you would be able to achieve nothing in the 60 minutes.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

And they only have themselves to blame, all it takes is reading your PARKMAP.

It has nothing to do with who goes on fan forums or not, it's not like it's some secret Disney keeps and diehards somehow found out about.

At that point it becomes less about "in the know" and more about who is ignorant and too lazy to ask questions to find out the correct info.

WOW, are you way off.

A first-timer to WDW who sees it on the park maps or on resort TV is not using the system in NEARLY the same manner as all of us are.

I haven't gotten involved in this argument, because it seems all of you are doing fine on your own... But to assume a casual guest "gets it" when they read a brochure or watch resort TV is sort of funny. It takes MUCH more than that, either in experience, homework, creative ideas, or some combination of those.

On a scale of 1-10, I would say they're using the system at a 4. Maybe even less. Compared to us, who are using the system at a 10.

I'm not debating whether it's good or bad... But to say people are on a level playing field simply by looking at a park map is just silly.

 

[Tigger1988]

WOW, are you way off.

A first-timer to WDW who sees it on the park maps or on resort TV is not using the system in NEARLY the same manner as all of us are.

I haven't gotten involved in this argument, because it seems all of you are doing fine on your own... But to assume a casual guest "gets it" when they read a brochure or watch resort TV is sort of funny. It takes MUCH more than that, either in experience, homework, creative ideas, or some combination of those.

On a scale of 1-10, I would say they're using the system at a 4. Maybe even less. Compared to us, who are using the system at a 10.

I'm not debating whether it's good or bad... But to say people are on a level playing field simply by looking at a park map is just silly.

If you bothered to read we were discussing guests who DIDN'T know about FP or incorrectly assumed FP was for resort guests, only certain people...etc.

So, it seems as far as this goes, you're way off. I spoke nothing of HOW they use it, but rather if they know it exists.

 

[David S.]

WOW, are you way off.

A first-timer to WDW who sees it on the park maps or on resort TV is not using the system in NEARLY the same manner as all of us are.

I haven't gotten involved in this argument, because it seems all of you are doing fine on your own... But to assume a casual guest "gets it" when they read a brochure or watch resort TV is sort of funny. It takes MUCH more than that, either in experience, homework, creative ideas, or some combination of those.

On a scale of 1-10, I would say they're using the system at a 4. Maybe even less. Compared to us, who are using the system at a 10.

I'm not debating whether it's good or bad... But to say people are on a level playing field simply by looking at a park map is just silly.

I don't mean to be argumentative, but I had pretty much figured out how to maximize the benifits of FP on just my first or second day using it.

Then again, I'm a lifelong, hardcore, open-to-close type of parkie, who is always subconsciously looking for ways to get on more rides. (such as the classic of if it's 30 minutes before closing, and you want to ride a coaster with a 60 minute queue, I won't get in the queue then because it becomes your last ride of the night! I prefer to do a few walk-ons on short-cycle rides first, like spinners or FL dark rides, and THEN get in the coaster queue right before it closes. You use all your time this way, get on more rides, and are waiting for the coaster on the park's time, not yours!)

So maybe because figuring out strategies like this for maximizing rides and park time is "in my blood", and has been second nature to me since childhood, maybe I was "ahead of the curve" of the average guest, as far as figuring out how to maximize the benefits of Fastpass.

 

[EaglesfanNJ]

FastPass is rediculas. Allow me to explain.

I work at BTM. First and foremost, FP is a headache for EVERYONEinvolved. The guest goes and gets a FP at Splash, then goes and gets one at BTM. It won't give then a valid FP. They and moan to us. The guest is mad. We are annoyed with 300 people a day complaining about how unfair the whole system.

Second. Talk to any CM who has been in the company for awhile, and they will tell you that these absurdly long lines started right around when FP started. BTM never had a wait time over 30. On the busiest days, you MIGHT see 45. But then FP starts, and you have 60, 70, and higher.

Anyone agree/disagree?

I'm not getting into the pro/con of FP, i think both sides have been well established and brought to light throughout this thread. But...

I'm going to be honest with you, I find it annoying that as recent as April you posted this:
Just moved to Orlando; Gonna be a Cast Member at long last!!!
After years of wishing, hoping, and dreaming of working at WDW, I moved to Orlando 4 days ago, applied at WDW, and am waiting to find out when my interview is!!

4 months later you have the nerve to come on here and post that you are "annoyed with the 300 guests a day complaining"

I mean, is your beef with Disney and the FP system? Or are you tired of the guests after 4 mo's?

 

[Buried20KLeague]

If you bothered to read we were discussing guests who DIDN'T know about FP or incorrectly assumed FP was for resort guests, only certain people...etc.

So, it seems as far as this goes, you're way off. I spoke nothing of HOW they use it, but rather if they know it exists.

So what I got wrong was which category of brainless non-FP user you were dissing. Gotcha.

Edit to add: Honestly, I wasn't directly commenting to "you". I was really talking about everyone in the "FP is great!" camp.

It's just not as easy as two groups... It's not as easy as the "haves" and the "have-nots", because there's another group in there... The "haves, but don't really know what to do with it" group.

It's just not a black and white issue.