Magic Kingdom to test FASTPASS for MSEP, Wishes and Magic Memories

[jed012788]

World of Color out in California seems to work just fine with a Fastpass system. This isn't necessarily some awful disaster.

 

[sshindel]

Does anyone know how far out in advance I'll need to book my 8:30am bathroom break at the Adventureland restrooms once XPass comes into play?

 

[ToTBellHop]

Yes, and I wouldn't be as annoyed with this test if there was actually a way to fairly get one of those fastpasses (show up early enough, pay a fee, etc).

What's this random assignment supposed to prove to anyone? That people would use a fastpass for Wishes if they had one? How will this possibly correlate to the concept of xPass, where you'd have to pay for privileges like this?

You don't and won't have to pay for it.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

You don't and won't have to pay for it.

I think you're misunderstanding me. I would prefer if this test implemented something similar to World of Color (get up early enough and you can get a fastpass; buy a picnic meal and you can get a fastpass; etc). Instead, this test is random, so I'll be shut out of my favorite viewing location simply due to luck. I would be willing to pay for it, but I won't be getting the chance.

 

[WDWFigment]

Disneyland successfully does VIP seating for fireworks near Partners and also uses a FastPass system for World of Color.

Not saying I endorse this idea, but for those doubting that it will work...it already does.

Plus, at least the fireworks viewing location is in an awful spot. Partners-area works at Disneyland because SBC is much shorter than CC.

 

[Captain Chaos]

Does anyone know how far out in advance I'll need to book my 8:30am bathroom break at the Adventureland restrooms once XPass comes into play?

220 days from the time you plan on using the restroom... For a fee of course... Just pay Janice Avery $20 dollars:

 

[ToTBellHop]

I think you're misunderstanding me. I would prefer if this test implemented something similar to World of Color (get up early enough and you can get a fastpass; buy a picnic meal and you can get a fastpass; etc). Instead, this test is random, so I'll be shut out of my favorite viewing location simply due to luck. I would be willing to pay for it, but I won't be getting the chance.

It's a test...this is how tests always work. Obviously, they don't yet have a way for people to sign up in advance. You just have to get lucky. As is the case for every test or soft opening Disney has ever done.

Beyond that--you prefer to watch Wishes from in front of Partners? That's surprising to me. I didn't think anyone who had seen Wishes from in front of Partners ever wanted to do so again...

 

[TP2000]

Not that I'm in favor of this, but don't they have a fastpass system for World of Color at California Adventure?

Yes, since opening day back in 2010. And it works beautifully.

The entire World of Color viewing area is via Fastpass, there is no "Standby" option. This test at WDW would seem to be different as only portions of the parade route or event viewing area is for xPass holders. Interesting.

Although, as has been mentioned, Disneyland routinely blocks off sections of the Hub for fireworks viewing. I've seen them do big sections for hundreds of people from a convention (or some sort of group with corporate lanyards on), or small sections for small groups. It's set up with ropes and staffed by a couple CM's, and that's all it seems to take.

 

[steve2wdw]

If the hub ends up being reserved seating for the fireworks/parades, that's fine by me. To me the best viewing spot for any parade is on Main Street, sitting on a curb, and my favorite spot for fireworks is just north of Casey's, in the middle of Main Street on the bridge. Any closer, and the castle starts blocking the fireworks. VIP seating (in this case) is not desirable, in my opinion.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

It's a test...this is how tests always work. Obviously, they don't yet have a way for people to sign up in advance. You just have to get lucky. As is the case for every test or soft opening Disney has ever done.

Beyond that--you prefer to watch Wishes from in front of Partners? That's surprising to me. I didn't think anyone who had seen Wishes from in front of Partners ever wanted to do so again...

Yep. My least favorite part about watching from the hub is the huge crowd of people. Otherwise, I prefer being close to the Castle, and it sounds like I won't be able to enjoy Wishes from there.

A lot of the hate towards xPass seems to be how blatant it'll make the stratification between 'haves' and 'have-nots.' In the case of this test, the 'haves' got there due to randomness - no waiting in line for a fastpass, no paying extra, nothing. I don't see what this test is supposed to prove anyway, since I'm sure many people would embrace the opportunity to watch Wishes from a 'VIP' spot without having to do anything extra. Thus, the results will be skewed in favor of whatever Disney intends to do anyway.

Oh well. It's not the end of the world, as there's still the Poly beach, GF marina, or the rest of Main Street for basic fireworks viewing (and of course California Grill and Narcoossee's, even though I don't think either one is very good for a signature restaurant). But more and more little (yet special) aspects of my WDW experience keep being taken away, and it's becoming immensely frustrating.

 

[backinaction]

hasn't disney been reserving spots for the fireworks for awhile now? I know the smoking section at the end of mainstreet on the right hand side has been reserved for god knows how long now (not sure who actually gets to sit there). Also the tomorrowland terrace gets reserved for the dessert party. Those are two primetime viewing areas that are closed off. Disney needs to stop restricting where people can watch the fireworks at. Its like 100 dollars for a one day pass and now there is a bunch of new places that we cant watch the fireworks and parades. I guess me buying a 600 dollar annual pass isn't enough to be able to stand where ever i want during fireworks and parades. this is getting sad.

 

[MichWolv]

Not that I'm in favor of this, but don't they have a fastpass system for World of Color at California Adventure?

They do. Indeed, no fastpass, no good viewing spot at all. All of the decent views are in fastpass zones.

Yes, and I wouldn't be as annoyed with this test if there was actually a way to fairly get one of those fastpasses (show up early enough, pay a fee, etc).

What's this random assignment supposed to prove to anyone? That people would use a fastpass for Wishes if they had one? How will this possibly correlate to the concept of xPass, where you'd have to pay for privileges like this?

You won't have to pay for xPass. But otherwise, I think what they're testing is how hard it is to restrict access to those with FastPasses. They need to figure out how to do it in a way that can be managed without a phalanx of CMs and without blocking off guest flow too much.

 

[flynnibus]

I don't see what this test is supposed to prove anyway, since I'm sure many people would embrace the opportunity to watch Wishes from a 'VIP' spot without having to do anything extra. Thus, the results will be skewed in favor of whatever Disney intends to do anyway.

well you test...

- the value people see in not having to camp out for a spot. Instead of guessing, Disney can poll people directly after experiencing it
- you can test how your crowd control methods work
- you can test how many no-shows you get
- you can test things like how groups may request to be together or not
- you can test how much people will value TIME vs LOCATION (aka, will I give up a better location if I don't have to wait at all..)

Lots of things. And those are just values I thought of in 10 seconds. Give me a real work day and there is lots of analysis one can dig up and poll people about in such experiences.

 

[bdearl41]

What!!!!?????

Wow this is a terrible idea. I remember as a kid there was no fast passes and i got to ride most everything, see the parades, and more. Also i would randomly run into characters around the park without more than a 2 minutes wait to get a picture/autograph. And the characters would interact with you. Disney needs to do away with FP. It is ruining the parks. If you wanna see the parade get an ice cream and park yourself on the curb.

 

[bdearl41]

hasn't disney been reserving spots for the fireworks for awhile now? I know the smoking section at the end of mainstreet on the right hand side has been reserved for god knows how long now (not sure who actually gets to sit there). Also the tomorrowland terrace gets reserved for the dessert party. Those are two primetime viewing areas that are closed off. Disney needs to stop restricting where people can watch the fireworks at. Its like 100 dollars for a one day pass and now there is a bunch of new places that we cant watch the fireworks and parades. I guess me buying a 600 dollar annual pass isn't enough to be able to stand where ever i want during fireworks and parades. this is getting sad.

Preach it!!! Disney in the early 90's was at its best. characters everywhere no restrictions.

 

[nepalostparks]

You won't have to pay for xPass. But otherwise, I think what they're testing is how hard it is to restrict access to those with FastPasses. They need to figure out how to do it in a way that can be managed without a phalanx of CMs and without blocking off guest flow too much.

This. I think this test has nothing to do with how to make available or distribute the "xPass", but more to do with testing different methods of crowd control.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

You won't have to pay for xPass. But otherwise, I think what they're testing is how hard it is to restrict access to those with FastPasses. They need to figure out how to do it in a way that can be managed without a phalanx of CMs and without blocking off guest flow too much.

Well I guess I've fallen behind and didn't realize xPass is going to actually be free - that's an interesting development. I see what you mean about wanting to test the logistics of this.

well you test...

- the value people see in not having to camp out for a spot. Instead of guessing, Disney can poll people directly after experiencing it
- you can test how your crowd control methods work
- you can test how many no-shows you get
- you can test things like how groups may request to be together or not
- you can test how much people will value TIME vs LOCATION (aka, will I give up a better location if I don't have to wait at all..)

Lots of things. And those are just values I thought of in 10 seconds. Give me a real work day and there is lots of analysis one can dig up and poll people about in such experiences.

Fair point. Honestly, I would imagine Disney already has the answers to a lot of these questions, but I guess they have to see if everything works in practice and how people actually react to being offered a fastpass or being shut out of the hub.

Well at least now I know to not plan on watching Wishes from the hub. I'm disappointed, but I can still work around it.

 

[flynnibus]

Well I guess I've fallen behind and didn't realize xPass is going to actually be free - that's an interesting development. I see what you mean about wanting to test the logistics of this.

That is what Jim Hill is reporting now. I'd wager it will be still be rolled out in phases, and phases based on resorts isn't too far fetched. It would also give Disney the ability to setup CMs in the resort to stage guests, etc.

See his article here
http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_c...orld-s-new-xpass-system-supposed-to-work.aspx

But since both he and Lutz went to the same school of backhanded sensationalism writing school.. he doesn't elaborate on the shift in idea of paid vs free.. just writes it as if you should already know it to add to the dramatic impact when you read it.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Wow this is a terrible idea. I remember as a kid there was no fast passes and i got to ride most everything, see the parades, and more. Also i would randomly run into characters around the park without more than a 2 minutes wait to get a picture/autograph. And the characters would interact with you. Disney needs to do away with FP. It is ruining the parks. If you wanna see the parade get an ice cream and park yourself on the curb.

Everything you describe happened to my wife and I on our trip last month.

 

[RSoxNo1]

well you test...

- the value people see in not having to camp out for a spot. Instead of guessing, Disney can poll people directly after experiencing it
- you can test how your crowd control methods work
- you can test how many no-shows you get
- you can test things like how groups may request to be together or not
- you can test how much people will value TIME vs LOCATION (aka, will I give up a better location if I don't have to wait at all..)

Lots of things. And those are just values I thought of in 10 seconds. Give me a real work day and there is lots of analysis one can dig up and poll people about in such experiences.

Yeah this is pretty much it. To me this just lends creedence to the rumor that these will be available as part of xPass. I would guess that it would be similar to World of Color, except instead of reserving the entire route, you're reserving premium viewing.

Honestly, I like this better than camping out for 3 hours on a curb.

I would say that the "no-shows" info probably won't be as useful because a random distribution will inevitably result in some being handed out to people that have no interest in seeing the parade.