IllumiNations Reflections of Earth testing FASTPASS+ viewing locations

[awilliams4]

Fast Pass for a fireworks show.... really Disney? Really?

Priority placement for a fireworks show.

 

[Alektronic]

"Daddy, why can't I stand in front of these people? I am much smaller and they can see right over me?"
"Sorry my child. Those are the rich people in front of us. We have to stand here, in second class"

Maybe they should ask the rich people to pay a little more, then everything would be good at WDW again.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Excellent idea, I dont want to have to stand next to the sort of people that stay at value resorts, or some of those weirdos who like Disney a little too much for a grown up.
Will it offer a drinks service like large venues?

 

[awilliams4]

And so it begins......the only problem I have with any of this is that we just dont how many are allocated for each attraction. My blief is that Disney can ( will ) steer you wherever they want to by only offering whatever FP they want to.........and dont dare say.....DIsney wouldnt do something like that.

I suspect that the number that will qualify for prime spots will not have a huge impact on overall line times.

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

Sigh... we really need a dislike button for news like this.

 

[tomman710]

The next thing we know they'll have separate bathrooms!

Wait ... Fastpass+ Restrooms! Nevermind I love that idea.

 

[neoshinok]

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...-earth-testing-fastpass-viewing-locations.htm

They have Fastpass in DCA for World of Color, and I actually found it to have little impact on the entire process. Saw the show two nights. First night with FP, got there 30 min early, view was fine. Second night without FP, got there 30 min early, view was fine. As others pointed out, this looks more like an effort to add the perception of value to FP+.

 

[mightynine]

They have Fastpass in DCA for World of Color, and I actually found it to have little impact on the entire process. Saw the show two nights. First night with FP, got there 30 min early, view was fine. Second night without FP, got there 30 min early, view was fine. As others pointed out, this looks more like an effort to add the perception of value to FP+.

I was about to make this point as well, but the difference here is anyone in the park that day has a shot for a WoC FP, while this would not the case here.

 

[Bolna]

The thing I don't understand about this is that the best spots for Illuminations are obviously anywhere around the lagoon in the first row. So now they have two areas set aside, but I guess they are going to give out more fastpasses than first row spots in these two areas. So first timers who don't really know about how Illuminations work would waste their precious FP+ for this and end up maybe in the fourth row - exactly as good or bad as if they were outside the viewing location. What's the point in that?

 

[tracyandalex]

The thing I don't understand about this is that the best spots for Illuminations are obviously anywhere around the lagoon in the first row. So now they have two areas set aside, but I guess they are going to give out more fastpasses than first row spots in these two areas. So first timers who don't really know about how Illuminations work would waste their precious FP+ for this and end up maybe in the fourth row - exactly as good or bad as if they were outside the viewing location. What's the point in that?

I was wondering that too. If I have my FP+ do I still need to camp out 30-40 mins early? If so, then what is the point of the FP+ especially since neither of the choices are my favorite spots to watch.

 

[Mad Stitch]

Why not? Now there is an option other than holding onto a spot for an hour or so before hand.

Sure there is! Spread a blanket down on the ground beside the railing like they do for Fantasmic at Disneyland. Then once your spot is claimed go see the attractions and eat. If Disney accepts it out there then it must be allowed.

 

[wannab@dis]

I see the normal over-reaction has already started for anything announced. If a few people think FP+ is evil, then others jump on the bandwagon and spread misinformation. Or, we could actually take a look at the facts and realize this will be simply another option.

1. They already have ways to PAY and get a prime viewing location for fireworks... dessert, cruises, etc.
2. They already have FP available for World of Color and it hasn't been the end of the world.
3. They want people to shop, eat, and play instead of camping out an hour, or more, early.

This is simply an option (and a free option at that) to schedule a location for Illuminations. It seems like a good option for what we do. We schedule dinner around 7 or 7:30 and then find a location afterwards. Now, we can schedule the FP+ when we make our dinner reservation. Simple enough and less wasting of time finding a viewing location.

 

[msteel]

the difference here is anyone in the park that day has a shot for a WoC FP, while this would not the case here.

Of course this is true during the testing period. But how do you know this will be true when Fastpass plus is rolled out? How do you know there will not be a way to get one in the park day of?

 

[danv3]

I'll still be in my usual spot an hour before the show, thanks.

Unless my spot becomes one of the FP+ spots! That would kinda suck.

 

[disneyeater]

Y'all are crazy. If I can get a decent spot for a show (or the night parade at the MK) with out camping out before hand, I am all for it. What is the downside? A couple of good spots gone for a fireworks show that would have probably been gone 45-60 minutes before the show started anyway?

I understand that some don't like the idea of reserving more rides farther ahead of time, but this just seems convient for those who want it, and NBD for those who don't.

And did I miss the announcement where FP+ is only for the top 1%, or are we still basing that on wild speculation of a program that we don't actually know the rules for yet.

 

[flynnibus]

I for one would jump at a FP+ for illuminations if the location were good. Same goes for wishes...

Sign me up

 

[djlaosc]

I'll still be in my usual spot an hour before the show, thanks.

Unless my spot becomes one of the FP+ spots! That would kinda suck.

The report in the first post states...

"Two locations are going to be trialled, one near Germany and the other in World Showcase Plaza"

Are either of those your spot?

I suppose that these spots could only be for the trial, and they could be different, or add other spots when it is fully implemented.

 

[pixargal]

I wonder if it would work like the Chase cardmember privilege during the Food and Wine Festival. We were given a wristband and showed up at the viewing spot about 10 minutes before Illuminations began. The spot was located between the two giftshops as you enter the World Showcase from Future World. There was plenty of space for many people. The view was okay. I suppose it is worth it if you don't want to wait 45 minutes for a great view.

 

[marni1971]

There is no comparison to World Of Color. That show, for various reasons, needs fast pass to cope with the demand. Not ideal, again for various reasons. RoE does not. It has good spots and bad spots, sweet spots and not so sweet. Lagoon shows have worked for 28 years now without needing advance booking. Why does it need it now? Why should those who know about needing to, being able to, and how to book have a superior experience over those who don't?

 

[Nemo14]

When you book a CP package now you get a "priority" spot for viewing Illuminations, and the same is true for booking the behind-the-scenes tour of Epcot. I don't see that this has severely impacted anyone else's experience.