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

[captainkidd]

Yeah, this is a pretty dumb idea. Crowd control will be an even worse nightmare than it already is for Wishes and MSEP. Sorry, but wait until the first time a Disney CM tells a tour group who doesn't speak any English that they can't stand there for the fireworks.

 

[marni1971]

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.

Disneylands hub viewing is a rather small area for VIP Only. Guests can still gather all around it.

WOC is a mute point; its needs FP due to a
Limited capacity of only 4-5,000 spaces. Nothing like 40-50000 people who want to see Wishes each summer Night.

Edit I see 74 beat me to it.

 

[ChrisM]

WOC is a mute point;

So you're saying we should look at this as a French benefit?

 

[PamelaNiebergal]

Ugh, I hate fastpassing World of Color. It's an amazing show but viewing it is a pain in the ______. You still need to arrive ridiculously early to have any hope of seeing the whole show unobstructed and even then it's a crap shoot. I hate that they're even considering this for Wishes and parades. It's not necessary IMO and will only add to the nighttime spectacular craziness. I'm starting to wish Xpass and even fastpass were never invented. It's making planning and touring the parks more and more complicated. I too lament for the simplicity of the days before fastpass - the lines never were that bad IMO and it was possible to see most attractions spontaneously, without being up at the crack of dawn and running back and forth all over the parks. Plus there were no fastpass over-inflated standby lines. I feel like the time you save fastpassing the big attractions is lost in waiting for hours for attractions that should never have had fastpass in the first place. Toy Story Mania is a great example. The queue was so well designed I wouldn't mind spending some time waiting there but fastpass makes it unbearably long. It works much better at Disneyland without it. :brick:

 

[Murphketeer]

interesting concept

Summer crowds are tremendous and often times are un-bearable waiting for the fireworks.

 

[wdwmomof3]

Wishes will be in the hub in the area forward of Partners. The other two spots will also be in the hub.

So are there going to be separate fastpasses for each, one for Wishes, one for parade & one for Memories or just three viewing areas for the one fast pass? :shrug:

I like to have one spot and stay there.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

So you're saying we should look at this as a French benefit?

I see what you did there.

I am amused.

 

[Rasvar]

I never wanted to fight the crowd or camp to get that spot for Wishes. So a Fastpass system works for me. I can handle a zone system like WOC in DCA also. It was nice not to have to sit in a spot forever to see it. I showed up 30 min before the show and had a pretty good spot.

If they are doing random, I am guessing the area blocked off will not be huge. Probably more so to test traffic flow issues and how to effectively block it off.
I'm sure the best seats in the future will be held for xPass (much like the WOC Dinner holds the closest spots to WOC) and then there will be a general Fastpass for various zones in the Hub and MS for Wishes/MSEP.

 

[Rasvar]

So are there going to be separate fastpasses for each, one for Wishes, one for parade & one for Memories or just three viewing areas for the one fast pass? :shrug:

I like to have one spot and stay there.

I'd be shocked if they were separate. I don't know how you could mange the traffic flow if they were.

 

[fosse76]

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.

He's being disingenuos dismissing complaints about having to plan the time you ride an attraction at a certain park weeks or months in advance by comparing it to having to plan the flight, hotel stay and visiting a park during its operating hours. There's a huge difference between planning to go to Magic Kingdom on July 13, 2012 and having to be at Space Mountain on July 13, 2012 at 11:15am. I never plan ahead as to which parks I will visit on which days. So much goes into the decision. So I think its ridiculous that he dismissed that particular complaint.

 

[BigThunderMatt]

Wishes will be in the hub in the area forward of Partners. The other two spots will also be in the hub.

The first one is a TERRIBLE area to watch Wishes. Far too close to the castle.

 

[RSoxNo1]

What I normally do is watch Wishes in the middle of Main Street. The furthest up I would be is Casey's - I think that's the best possible spot. Then when Wishes is over I'll wait for the crowd to move out and I'll make may way up to the front of the Hub for Magic Memories and You.

 

[wdwmomof3]

I'd be shocked if they were separate. I don't know how you could mange the traffic flow if they were.

This is what I am thinking too. If so no thanks, I'll catch it from some where else.

 

[BrittanyRose428]

Well, thats where we usually watch the fireworks... Nothing against fastpass, I just hardly ever use it and do just fine. :shrug: I don't really know what to say about it, we always plan to see the fireworks anyways, but this just sounds like too much planning.

 

[tecowdw]

Second World of Color's viewing area is TINY compared to areas to view any other current Disney nighttime show. It needs FastPass to help with control the amount of people in the area, it wouldn't work otherwise. You're talking about an area that's little bigger the main circle of the MK hub (around "Partners") and that's it. Paradise Bay is so closed in by the surrounding Buildings and walls there are no 'overflow' areas for viewing. Think Fantasmic, but 1/4 of the size.

So where do people watch WOC if they don't have a FP to get in that area? I thought another post said that the entire WOC front area was for FP only.
:shrug:

Is it standing room only (i.e. kids on shoulders)? At least Fantasmic at WDW has bleachers to sit on iprovidong for nice terraced viewing.

I'm trying to decide if a FP lunch box for WOC is worth buying.

 

[MarkTwain]

So where do people watch WOC if they don't have a FP to get in that area? I thought another post said that the entire WOC front area was for FP only.
:shrug:

Is it standing room only (i.e. kids on shoulders)? At least Fantasmic at WDW has bleachers to sit on iprovidong for nice terraced viewing.

I'm trying to decide if a FP lunch box for WOC is worth buying.

Off-topic:

Yes, WoC is standing room only, and the only real way to see it is in the designated area where you get a front view of the show. The viewing area is somewhat terraced, so there is a bit of tiered viewing even though you're standing. Anyone that wants to watch the show gets a FastPass at the beginning of the day, or purchases one of the relatively inexpensive meal packages. Getting a meal package is certainly a great idea, IMO, and the view is pretty good too.

 

[WDW1974]

I see what you did there.

I am amused.

I was likewise amused ... you must be semi-intellectual to appreciate such nuances here in MAGICland...

~I am soooo going to spank you!!!~

 

[WDW1974]

He's being disingenuos dismissing complaints about having to plan the time you ride an attraction at a certain park weeks or months in advance by comparing it to having to plan the flight, hotel stay and visiting a park during its operating hours. There's a huge difference between planning to go to Magic Kingdom on July 13, 2012 and having to be at Space Mountain on July 13, 2012 at 11:15am. I never plan ahead as to which parks I will visit on which days. So much goes into the decision. So I think its ridiculous that he dismissed that particular complaint.

Hill has his own agenda ... and apparently feels writing for free for the Huff Post gives him some added legitimacy to get his name on the Disney whoring lists (despite how much some within the company have disliked him) ... right now, it's just gross oversimplifications where he attacks fans like in your example above.

I know I'll be at WDW in March. I have no idea when yet and what days I'll be in what parks or where I'll be dining ... and this idea that everything needs to be planned just makes it all seem like heading over to UNI is a better idea.

~Oprah is packing on the pounds again!~

 

[ttalovebug]

Consider me the third object of amusement.

I don't watch Wishes from that particular spot, so this doesn't affect me directly in any way. And yet, I am bothered. I guess I'm just afraid that, as a day guest, I eventually won't be able to do anything on the spur of the moment.

I don't think it's this singular idea that is triggering such a negative reaction, but the fear of how far they will take it in the future if it is successful. The idea of hyper-planning and micromanaging every aspect of the day just sucks more enjoyment out of a vacation.

 

[WDW1974]

So where do people watch WOC if they don't have a FP to get in that area? I thought another post said that the entire WOC front area was for FP only.
:shrug:

That is true. You really don't want to watch WoC unless in the viewing area and that means getting a FP. It is a phenomenal show, but it isn't a WDW 'just show up and watch' type of deal.

Is it standing room only (i.e. kids on shoulders)? At least Fantasmic at WDW has bleachers to sit on iprovidong for nice terraced viewing.

Yes. SRO. Although in some places there are walls that people tend to lean up against. I'll take standing for this show versus sitting for WDW's Fantasmic Ghetto Edition any day.

I'm trying to decide if a FP lunch box for WOC is worth buying.

I never have, but some say it is worth it. I've now seen the show about 10 times and never had a problem (even on a summer holiday weekend) arriving after opening (which is always 10, although will be 8 this summer) and getting a FP for usually the best zone (blue) or second-best (yellow).

It isn't a hassle at all.

~And the show kicks ~