FASTPASS test for 'Celebrate A Dream Come True' parade

[ProjectGemini]

I think the word everyone is missing in this news is TEST. I like the idea, as lining up for parades early has always seemed like wasted time for me, if I could just get an FP and show up 10/15 min before, it would probably prompt me to watch more parades.

 

[Jakester]

This is probably just testing for future use (like MSEP, and possibly a new parade).
Remember how they ran this parade twice during summer, it could of been a test to see how running it twice during normal days could impact crowd.

Maybe this could all be just for a brand new parade debuting.

 

[tjkraz]

I think the word everyone is missing in this news is TEST. I like the idea, as lining up for parades early has always seemed like wasted time for me, if I could just get an FP and show up 10/15 min before, it would probably prompt me to watch more parades.

Exactly. To paraphrase thelookingglass:

Dozens of Disney fans on a web forum: "Hey Fastpass is becoming a big problem and it hurts the park operations more than it helps it, maybe its time to step in and revamp the system, or phase it out."

Just about everyone else: "Fastpass is great! We want more Fastpass!"

They aren't roping off the entire parade route and distributing reserved tickets. It's one section available to guests who choose to reserve their spot ahead of time.

Viewing the entirety of Fastpass as a system, adding more options--logical options--can only help elsewhere. Every Fastpass taken for parade viewing or character meet-and-greets is one less Fastpass taken for Space Mountain or BTMR.

There is no obligation to get a parade Fastpass. Hundreds of people can still camp out on curbs if they wish. I see nothing wrong with trying to strike a balance between those who wish to plan and those who crave spontaneity.

 

[Disaddict]

Exactly. To paraphrase thelookingglass:

Dozens of Disney fans on a web forum: "Hey Fastpass is becoming a big problem and it hurts the park operations more than it helps it, maybe its time to step in and revamp the system, or phase it out."

Just about everyone else: "Fastpass is great! We want more Fastpass!"

They aren't roping off the entire parade route and distributing reserved tickets. It's one section available to guests who choose to reserve their spot ahead of time.

Viewing the entirety of Fastpass as a system, adding more options--logical options--can only help elsewhere. Every Fastpass taken for parade viewing or character meet-and-greets is one less Fastpass taken for Space Mountain or BTMR.

There is no obligation to get a parade Fastpass. Hundreds of people can still camp out on curbs if they wish. I see nothing wrong with trying to strike a balance between those who wish to plan and those who crave spontaneity.

Well said. Unfortunately there are some (And no, not just here at WDWMAGIC but everywhere. Don't get your skirts ruffled.) that see any change by Disney, no matter how good, as a negative simply to be negative. This FP option would not hurt anyone, at all. It wouldn't impede anyone's viewing of the parade.

I was thinking that they would make the castle stage the viewing spot. Would that even be an option?

 

[Yankee Mouse]

I don't like the idea of losing spontaneity, I don't like the idea of reserving fastpasses before I even leave my house, and I hate having to make ADRs so far out. All that being said, I like the idea of FP for the parades, the reason being I am not a huge fan of most of the parades, I go to watch them because my wife really loves them. But for someone who would be fine with going to the park for the day and not watching the parade, waiting an hour for a decent spot (only to have some obnoxious family push you out of the way) is a bother. If I could get a Parade FP, go ride some rides, get some food, do some shopping, go to the bathroom, etc. and then walk right up to a reserved spot instead of sitting on an uncomfortable curb for an hour? I'd consider that a change for the better.

 

[jayhawkmickey]

This is likely a test run to see if it works. If so, then they will probably roll it out to all main street/hub/castle events.

I personally like the idea. There have been many a time we get to the parade early and stake out our curbside viewing area only to have a group that does not understand proper etiquette to try to plop their kids or themselves right down in front, or squeeze in. Its always gratifying when the CM comes over and tells them to move it.

I agree completely! It would allow people who really want to see the parade to get a good spot, and the rude slackers to stand somewhere else.

 

[dhoywdw20x]

Why all the hatred for Fast Pass?

Okay, I understand everyone has a right to their opinion. But where does all this anger towards FastPass come from?

The system allows guests to increase their turnover in attractions and shows.

To those who say, the Fast Pass artificially increases wait times, that is incorrect. The Fast Pass adjusts wait times to be more consistent throughout the day, so there are not drastic changes in wait times. The Fast Pass is an incentive for someone to not wait for a ride at this current time, but comeback and wait for it in xyz hours.

I do know that people do the double-dip for attractions such as Toy Story Mania and Soarin, when they get fastpasses, then they go stand-by, then use the fastpasses. But the effect from that double-dip over the course of the day is removed. People will ride an attraction, and people who want to ride Soarin or Toy Story twice will do so, its just a matter of when and how they do it. The demand of those people (who double-dip) will always be on that attraction.

 

[ladydi]

I don't know if I'm understanding this the right way. Do you actually get a fastpass at a certain machine for the parade or are fastpasses randomly spitted out as an extra at some machines (like how you always get a special fastpass for Philharmagic when you get your PP fastpass)? And unless you utilize the castle stage, how are people going to navigate the crowds to get to the special viewing area in front of the castle? I can see irate fastpass holders trying to jump in front of an oncoming parade to get to their preferred spot since they didn't give themselves enough time. Maybe a float could run them over!

 

[RSoxNo1]

Disneyland has fastpasses for WoC, right? So why is this so shocking/upsetting for people?

That's for everyone getting into the preferred viewing area and can accommodate thousands. It seems like this is more on par with a year of a million dreams type give away as opposed to a fastpass because it's for preferred viewing.

Okay, I understand everyone has a right to their opinion. But where does all this anger towards FastPass come from?

The system allows guests to increase their turnover in attractions and shows.

To those who say, the Fast Pass artificially increases wait times, that is incorrect. The Fast Pass adjusts wait times to be more consistent throughout the day, so there are not drastic changes in wait times. The Fast Pass is an incentive for someone to not wait for a ride at this current time, but comeback and wait for it in xyz hours.

I do know that people do the double-dip for attractions such as Toy Story Mania and Soarin, when they get fastpasses, then they go stand-by, then use the fastpasses. But the effect from that double-dip over the course of the day is removed. People will ride an attraction, and people who want to ride Soarin or Toy Story twice will do so, its just a matter of when and how they do it. The demand of those people (who double-dip) will always be on that attraction.

I love Fastpass because it helps those that know how to use it, but the detractors point to the removal of spontaniety and the fact that it can be damaging to people that don't know how to use it.

Fastpass doesn't change the capacity of an attraction but it does increase the standby line.

It is most effective when there are more attractions in a park that require the use of it at a relatively even demand. This is why it's a problem for Soarin' and Toy Story Mania. The former may be helped after the Test Track refurbishment, but there does not seem to be something in the works to help the Fastpass issues with Toy Story Mania.

 

[NYwdwfan]

I think the term "FastPass", in this case, is a misnomer. If they made the announcement as, "We are introducing the concept of a preferred viewing area for parades and special events in the Magic Kingdom. Tickets to this viewing area will be randomly distributed to guests (insert manner of distribution here, since that has not been clarified). We are testing this concept with the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade, with the possibility of applying it to other events at the Magic Kingdom in the near future." I'm not sure this is a bad idea, just a not very well explained idea.

 

[wdwmagic]

This is a test of concept, and may not actually be used for the existing parade, or even at MK.

 

[Little John]

Good grief! Pretty soon you will need a fastpass to get a fastpass. I like fastpass for certain rides, but this is getting ridiculous.

 

[Hakunamatata]

Good grief! Pretty soon you will need a fastpass to get a fastpass. I like fastpass for certain rides, but this is getting ridiculous.

Its a test.

 

[cslafferty]

If I could get a Parade FP, go ride some rides, get some food, do some shopping, go to the bathroom, etc. and then walk right up to a reserved spot instead of sitting on an uncomfortable curb for an hour? I'd consider that a change for the better.

Exactly! I actually don't feel this takes away from being spontaneous, but it frees up more of my time. And, I'd rather have them go with FP than have a special seating area that they charge $ for.

 

[Tigger1988]

The overreactions are getting quite amusing.

It's a TEST and if it ever goes past the test stage, don't participate if you don't like the idea. It's really that simple.

 

[disneyeater]

I think the word everyone is missing in this news is TEST. I like the idea, as lining up for parades early has always seemed like wasted time for me, if I could just get an FP and show up 10/15 min before, it would probably prompt me to watch more parades.

Exactly. To paraphrase thelookingglass:

Dozens of Disney fans on a web forum: "Hey Fastpass is becoming a big problem and it hurts the park operations more than it helps it, maybe its time to step in and revamp the system, or phase it out."

Just about everyone else: "Fastpass is great! We want more Fastpass!"

They aren't roping off the entire parade route and distributing reserved tickets. It's one section available to guests who choose to reserve their spot ahead of time.

Viewing the entirety of Fastpass as a system, adding more options--logical options--can only help elsewhere. Every Fastpass taken for parade viewing or character meet-and-greets is one less Fastpass taken for Space Mountain or BTMR.

There is no obligation to get a parade Fastpass. Hundreds of people can still camp out on curbs if they wish. I see nothing wrong with trying to strike a balance between those who wish to plan and those who crave spontaneity.

I don't like the idea of losing spontaneity, I don't like the idea of reserving fastpasses before I even leave my house, and I hate having to make ADRs so far out. All that being said, I like the idea of FP for the parades, the reason being I am not a huge fan of most of the parades, I go to watch them because my wife really loves them. But for someone who would be fine with going to the park for the day and not watching the parade, waiting an hour for a decent spot (only to have some obnoxious family push you out of the way) is a bother. If I could get a Parade FP, go ride some rides, get some food, do some shopping, go to the bathroom, etc. and then walk right up to a reserved spot instead of sitting on an uncomfortable curb for an hour? I'd consider that a change for the better.

Yes! All of these! I hate having to get a spot to watch a parade or fireworks show an hour before they start just so I don't have to put my kids on my shoulder the entire time. I would love to pick up a pass for a preferred viewing area and just show up 15 minutes before.

 

[Disaddict]

Good grief! Pretty soon you will need a fastpass to get a fastpass. I like fastpass for certain rides, but this is getting ridiculous.

How is it ridiculous? How exactly would this affect you? :shrug:

 

[xdan0920]

Fastpass for a parade? No thanks.

However, if they are looking to use Fastpass for shows, perhaps they should start with Fantasmic. Fastpass would actually be beneficial there.

 

[disneyeater]

Fastpass for a parade? No thanks.

However, if they are looking to use Fastpass for shows, perhaps they should start with Fantasmic. Fastpass would actually be beneficial there.

Why offer a fastpass when they already make you pay for dinner to get special seating

 

[Mr.MouseFan]

...but there does not seem to be something in the works to help the Fastpass issues with Toy Story Mania.

They should just remove Fastpass at TSM. The line moves so much quicker out at California Adventure without it.