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

[Txrayado]

Im not sure what i think about fast passes and reserved seats for fireworks... i almost feel like the next step will be bleachers set around the park for the fireworks... on the other hand on my last trip to the magical world my wife and i sat for an hour and waited for the parade and fireworks on a bench in the hub. then as soon as the fireworks started some large group whom spoke a very broken english pushes my wife and I off nearly off the bench to stand on said bench and trash can... so maybe its a good idea...

 

[DrummerAlly]

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.

If Jim Hill is right on this one and it actually ends up happening as he suggests it will, then I will be all for xpass. I feel better after having read his article. I guess we'll see how this is rolled out.

 

[Crush Dude!]

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.

I know when you book through WDW UK you get one night, which must be booked in advance, where you are allowed watch Wishes from that area! You also get to watch ROE from a private area in Morocco :sohappy:

 

[flynnibus]

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.

Well don't read into 'random' so much. It's not like they are throwing them up in the air and seeing where they land. I'm sure they asking people something like 'would you be interested in seeing the fireworks tonight from ABC location?' or something like that. They gotta engage the person to hand them out.

 

[Tigger1988]

If it means I don't have to wait 2 hours on a sidewalk to see the parade, so be it. As pointed out already DCA uses Fastpass for WoC, don't see people whining about that.

People here freaked out when they tested this for the afternoon parade too. If you don't like it, don't participate if asked. :shrug:

 

[donaldfan]

I hope that the stage area in world showcase plaza does not become the ROE area . . . that's my fave place to watch my fave disney show/attraction . . . sigh . . .

 

[Disneydreamer23]

its right by the castle but across the street and a little to the side and its not very big either

 

[Theme Parkitect]

I think this is a great addition and I would be excited about it... Like the article said, you get to walk in knowing that you're going to that attraction you want to ride. I mean, this could also diffuse the TSMM rush in the morning because I'll go, knowing that I already have a fastpass, or whatever they'll call it...

 

[TalkingHead]

Old way of doing things: add new attractions and entertainment to keep the parks fresh.

New way of doing things: add FP to everything and call it a "new and improved" experience.

 

[fireworkz]

If it means I don't have to wait 2 hours on a sidewalk to see the parade, so be it. As pointed out already DCA uses Fastpass for WoC, don't see people whining about that.

Just wanted to clarify something about WoC's use of FastPass. There are two reasons why you don't hear any whining about it. First WoC was FastPass from the start, not something which changed decades later. 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.

That being said, if they are going to use this for small reserved areas only I don't have a problem with it. No different than past reserved areas like the desert parties and so on. If they are going to start requiring FastPass for say the whole Hub, then that's different.

 

[Megavolt]

This is ridiculous. People might not like this, but I hope this Xpass thing fails. It really is going to completely change the way I look at a Disney World trip, and it isn't changing it for the better. :brick:

 

[ChrisM]

I'm an elitist douchebag, granted, but if xPass allows deluxe resort guests (or for an upcharge) to choose three (or whatever) reserved "FastPass" timeslots of my choosing for a given park/day, I'm all over it.

Not having to get to a park at the break of day or have to accept whatever the available FastPass slot that gets spit out would be awesome.

 

[steamboat wil]

We have a 5 yr old with cp who can only walk with assistance. The seating is somewhere around the partners statue. Will this be affected by the change? I don't care for that view personally but the area is alot more comfortable for my son. I like the view a bit farther back where you can see everything.

 

[WDW1974]

Enough is enough.

This is WAY too far.

Martin, enough has never been enough for TDO/WDW Co ... this is just more of the same way of doing business they've been doing since last century.

It's just becoming more apparent to those who haven't paid attention or don't really care about the product they receive.

~PYTHONS!!!~

 

[Donald96]

I'm not sure why this comes under such negative fire? I personally think that this is a great idea, as the people who get fastpasses are probaly going to be the ones who usually camp out for 2 hours in front anyways lol! So by adding this you won't have people crowding the central areas just to wait an hour before the show starts and you'd have much better guest flow. All in all, I personally find this brilliant!!! :sohappy:

 

[slappy magoo]

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.

Just throwing this out there - they can also poll the people based on how much they enjoyed the experience... and how much, if at all, they would be willing to pay for that premium seating in the future. Which isn't to say they would definitely institute pay for premium seating, but I'm sure it would be one of the things they're gauging. Because once they think negative blowback of an idea that could make them extra money is considered to be at an "acceptable" level, they'll make that idea a reality.

 

[menamechris]

I think this is a waste of resources on Disney's part. It will take quite a few extra cast members to implement this system and enforce it around the castle hub. The only way this will be actually implemented is if they can make a pretty hefty sum of money on it every night. As someone else said, maybe they will be surveying the guests who experience it to see if/how much they would actually pay for it. I would also be curious if it is a system they would only be interested in using during peak seasons. Because honestly, if you go during a slow or average time of year, you CAN walk right up and get a spot spot on the curb 10 minutes before a parade or fireworks... I would feel screwed if I paid extra and saw other people do that...

 

[WDW1974]

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.

I skimmed Hill's column and other than taking shots at fans who have been negative about X-Pass, he says nothing of consequenece. Since Disney hasn't announced it, he can't be wrong no matter what he writes. And Disney's goal (at least long term) has ALWAYS been to have a tiered system and one where what you pay dictates, what 'benefits' (i.e. things that have always been available to all equally for no extra charge) you get.

I admit that I find Hill amusing. He once was a big deal in the fan community. Known more for his writing style (no comment) and series that he would never get around to writing/ending and being 'fired' from web sites than for much else. ... But about 5-6 years ago (maybe more) he faded into the background ... about the time the Disney Lifestyle bloggers/podcasters/webmasters began to come out from under the rocks they were under.

Now, clearly by the fact Disney is inviting him to events and giving him access, someone in the company's Social Media/Propaganda dept sees a use of his 'brand' ... who knows why.

He still doesn't break news (his last 'story' was on the boutique animal park and I know exactly who planted that story and what his/her agenda was:king ... just seems he tries to put himself on a pedestal and talk down to his audience.

If I want snark, then I'll read Nikki Finke (or maybe something I wrote!) ... but I don't need it from a Disney Lifestyle blogger.

~Where's Fabby?!~

 

[WDW1974]

If it means I don't have to wait 2 hours on a sidewalk to see the parade, so be it. As pointed out already DCA uses Fastpass for WoC, don't see people whining about that.

DCA has it for two reasons:

1.) the size of the viewing area is so small and;
2.) Steven Davison and his team deliberately lied to OPs and said almost twice as many folks could fit into the area than actually could.

It also was a brand new experience in a new location.

People have watched parades and pyro at MK since 1971 without ever needing to do more than show up and pick a place. How good your spot depended on time/crowds/weather etc. There's a big difference between WoC and getting a FP to stand on Main Street USA!

People here freaked out when they tested this for the afternoon parade too. If you don't like it, don't participate if asked. :shrug:

Thanks for the advice. I won't.

~Coming soon: Reserve a MAGICal time to buy a Dole Whip, two years in advance if you book a WDW deluxe or DVC resort!~

 

[WDW1974]

Old way of doing things: add new attractions and entertainment to keep the parks fresh.

New way of doing things: add FP to everything and call it a "new and improved" experience.

Hey, you got a problem with it?!?!

I hear UNI has great restrooms you can hang out in while the rest of us book our Wishes spots!:wave::drevil::wave:

~Just not as much fun as it once was!~