MK to get SIX new FP attractions? UGH?!?!

[Orangelake555]

so has skynet become self-aware yet?

 

[Fractal514]

I still don't get why it ends spontenaety for YOU. Just don't participate. And as far as the capacity issue, well, I've been saying that about Fastpass for years, but back then it was a flawed system that allowed folks to abuse it by collecting them up and cashing them in outside of the intended window. Now that it is fixed, all of a sudden, it isn't good?

 

[menamechris]

I still don't get why it ends spontenaety for YOU. Just don't participate. And as far as the capacity issue, well, I've been saying that about Fastpass for years, but back then it was a flawed system that allowed folks to abuse it by collecting them up and cashing them in outside of the intended window. Now that it is fixed, all of a sudden, it isn't good?

You have asked this like 2 or 3 times already and - It does end spontaneity for many. That's the bottom line. and many have directly answered that question. At this point, I don't think you are genuinely posing the question - I think you are saying that it doesn't for you, so you don't care if it does for anyone else. Just sayin..

 

[the-reason14]

I still don't get why it ends spontenaety for YOU. Just don't participate. And as far as the capacity issue, well, I've been saying that about Fastpass for years, but back then it was a flawed system that allowed folks to abuse it by collecting them up and cashing them in outside of the intended window. Now that it is fixed, all of a sudden, it isn't good?

Flawed system? Yet they continued to allow it to be "flawed" for years and all of sudden decided it was an issue this year and ended it? Lol yea, right.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I still don't get why it ends spontenaety for YOU.

It does not end, it significantly reduces. The increase in Stand By wait times will decrease the number of attractions experiences per day for all who do not pay to be in the system, either directly through a fee or indirectly through a Disney resort stay. Even if you do participate in FastPass Plus, you will be limited in your choices between appointments because wait times are higher. Of course this is good for Disney, as you're supposed to shop and dine while waiting on a FastPass, not enjoy other attractions.

 

[flynnibus]

FYI - nextgen is the whole r&d imitative... Not just fast pass +

People are really confusing themselves when they use them interchangeably. Makes the whole '1billion on fp+' so off the mark.

 

[CndleontheWater]

The way I see this, a major drawback of Fastpass+ is an equalization of standby lines across the park. Yes, you may only be waiting 20-30 mins for Space on a busy day, but you will also be waiting 20-30 minutes for EVERY OTHER RIDE. Right now you go to the MK, there is a 60 min wait for the mountain, but a 5-10 minute for pirates, HM, Philharmagic, etc. Once Fastpass+ redistributes the crowds, we're all going to be waiting in a lot more lines. I'm sure Disney has done their research and has determined how long of a wait time that guests will be willing to stomach, and now will shoot for that wait time at all rides park wide (probably around 20 mins). Now, most of us are savvy enough to know how to react to the ebb and flow of park crowds, we get through a whole day with no waits. Those days are going to be history with FP+.

Now, I'm sure some people are thinking, well, I'll just get a FP+ for all the rides I like, the mountains, HM, Pirates, Peter Pan, but I'm afraid that the system will not work that way. In order for the redistribution to work successfully, there will have to be a choice, i.e. one of the mountains, but not all three. If you could just pick the most popular attractions, that is what everyone would do, and the Fastpass+ line would be just as long as the old standby. The filler is the lynchpin for the redistribution of crowds.

Now, I guess this wouldn't be terrible if you were still able to get there at rope drop and physically pick up FPs for the attractions you weren't allowed to book with FP+, but I'm really thinking that it is not going to work that way. Redistribution of crowds and overall lowering of wait times is what they are after, so I think that they are either going to have to eliminate "day of" FP for it to work, or make it an either/or scenario where you can do FP "classic" OR FP+ and not both.

The bottom line is that FP+ is going to completely change the wait times across the park, and love or hate FP+, it is something we are all going to have to navigate around.

 

[ChrisFL]

FYI - nextgen is the whole r&d imitative... Not just fast pass +

People are really confusing themselves when they use them interchangeably. Makes the whole '1billion on fp+' so off the mark.

Ok, so we get the FP+ and the interactive queues....where else is this supposed benefit to guests going for that much money?

 

[Fractal514]

You have asked this like 2 or 3 times already and - It does end spontaneity for many. That's the bottom line. and many have directly answered that question. At this point, I don't think you are genuinely posing the question - I think you are saying that it doesn't for you, so you don't care if it does for anyone else. Just sayin..

Yes, and you still haven't answered why you feel the need to participate. If you want to keep it spontaneous, keep it spontaneous. You keep saying it will end spontaneity for you, but you aren't saying how or why you have to use the system. Why can't you just pretend it isn't there and go about your business?

 

[CndleontheWater]

Yes, and you still haven't answered why you feel the need to participate. If you want to keep it spontaneous, keep it spontaneous. You keep saying it will end spontaneity for you, but you aren't saying how or why you have to use the system. Why can't you just pretend it isn't there and go about your business?

Because fastpass+ is going to drastically change the wait times park wide. The redistribution of guests will mean that wait times will be equalized, but that ALL rides will have some sort of wait. The days of 5-10 min waits on the omnimovers will be over, if Fastpass+ works like its supposed to, all of the rides in the park will be running 20-30 minute waits. I can't pretend that Fastpass+ isn't there, because it will drastically change the dynamic of the park.

I don't think anyone would have a problem with fastpass+ if we could just ignore it, and it had no impact on park operations, but the reality is that is is going to be a HUGE change, and there will be no getting around it.

 

[Alektronic]

Ok, so we get the FP+ and the interactive queues....where else is this supposed benefit to guests going for that much money?

Who said NexGen was for the guest? It is more like a by-product of all the money spent for infrastructure changes and installation. They are putting fiber optic communication lines everywhere and setting up a network that will have many systems connected together that are separate systems right now. Turnstiles, People counters, Flik, Fast Pass, etc. will all be able to communicate together and share data. Then TDO will have a lot of charts and graphs to look at and hopefully they will make better decisions with all that info.

 

[RSoxNo1]

That's the real issue though. FP+ reduces the number of regular FPs. That means the regular FPs will "sell out" much quicker. On slow days it won't matter in the slightest. But on crowded days, what happens if you are pretty much forced to either plan your trip by the second, or else wait in long lines?


That was a complaint of mine that was dismissed by quite a few people on the board. The fact that it occurs even now with regular FPs was used to counter my concern. The difference to me, though, is that people who currently obtain FPs and miss their return window is less than those who will miss their FP+ window or simply not use it. Because of the inability to be spontaneous, people will reserve their times, but by the time they show up to the park, they may have forgotten about it, or they simply decided to visit a different park that day, or they decided to have lunch instead, etc. It's much easier to forget about something when you don't have it physically in your possession.

I'm guessing the argument that Disney will make is that if people use Fastpass+ and schedule attractions days in advance, those same people won't be seeking out or won't be able to acquire same day Fastpasses. This could all be true. But is the back end advantage/data mining of Disney really benefit them to the point where it ends spontaneity. Do they not know what attractions are the most popular Fastpass attractions already? Is there any change to the gain in knowledge for Disney if they get that "new" information months or weeks in advance or on the same day?

They haven't officially announced anything, but I think if the fan community is vocal about their concerns they very well may be taken into consideration. Failing that, if I view the changes as a problem, I'll continue to be vocal by either voicing them publicly, voicing them at Guest relations, or voicing them with my wallet.

 

[RSoxNo1]

I still don't get why it ends spontenaety for YOU. Just don't participate. And as far as the capacity issue, well, I've been saying that about Fastpass for years, but back then it was a flawed system that allowed folks to abuse it by collecting them up and cashing them in outside of the intended window. Now that it is fixed, all of a sudden, it isn't good?

Previously, you could get a Fastpass for an attraction and return any time after the opening of the Fastpass window. The advantage there was that you could wait in a shorter line. If you choose not to use Fastpass+, you will be waiting in Standby lines and be at a disadvantage compared to other guests. If you're unwilling to schedule Fastpass+ attractions you aren't getting as much value for your tourist dollar. It's on par with the dining plan. If a guest gets the dining plan and they can only get reservations at Nine Dragons and Tony's Town Square, they're not going to get as much value as someone that books their reservations 180 days out.

I challenge any of you that say you don't mind the end of spontaneity to visit Disneyland for a few days. The advantages of being able to walk into their best restaurants is a huge appeal. The ability to return late for your Fastpass window is a huge appeal.

 

[Fractal514]

I will concede the restaurant thing, that does drive me crazy, but I still don't get the attraction thing. Yeah, lines might be long, but you can still get on. I guess I just see it as people being spoiled by the old system. Also, you can still use fastpass, that's not going away, you just have to use it within the time frame. What's the big deal about that?

 

[Fractal514]

Because fastpass+ is going to drastically change the wait times park wide. The redistribution of guests will mean that wait times will be equalized, but that ALL rides will have some sort of wait. The days of 5-10 min waits on the omnimovers will be over, if Fastpass+ works like its supposed to, all of the rides in the park will be running 20-30 minute waits. I can't pretend that Fastpass+ isn't there, because it will drastically change the dynamic of the park.

I don't think anyone would have a problem with fastpass+ if we could just ignore it, and it had no impact on park operations, but the reality is that is is going to be a HUGE change, and there will be no getting around it.

The reality is we don't really KNOW what the impact will be, because we don't actually know all of the details. I understand why everyone is getting upset, but until we have facts, it just comes off as paranoia.

 

[flynnibus]

Ok, so we get the FP+ and the interactive queues....where else is this supposed benefit to guests going for that much money?

Remember the rides that are supposed to interact with the guest personally concept? And this is also all about the backend it systems. Nextgen was a umbrella initiative to invest in theme park technology and drive new products and concepts to help differentiate Disney from its competitors. And by doing it with such integrated technologies, make it difficult for competitors to clone.

 

[lazyboy97o]

This could all be true. But is the back end advantage/data mining of Disney really benefit them to the point where it ends spontaneity.

If you know in advance where people are going and when, then you can staff accordingly. Right now staffing is based on historical trends and is still a best guess. You get more certainty the more people who have planned out as much as possible in advance.

I challenge any of you that say you don't mind the end of spontaneity to visit Disneyland for a few days. The advantages of being able to walk into their best restaurants is a huge appeal. The ability to return late for your Fastpass window is a huge appeal.

So true! I'll be dining at the Blue Bayou in less than a week and only called to make a reservation a few days ago. Not only was there no issue getting to go on the day I desired, I was also able to choose the time of my reservation. Try doing this at a big name restaurant at Walt Disney World. I am only a party of two, so I might be able to get something over the span of a few days, but likely would have had to choose from a few oddly timed remaining slots.

 

[the-reason14]

Previously, you could get a Fastpass for an attraction and return any time after the opening of the Fastpass window. The advantage there was that you could wait in a shorter line. If you choose not to use Fastpass+, you will be waiting in Standby lines and be at a disadvantage compared to other guests. If you're unwilling to schedule Fastpass+ attractions you aren't getting as much value for your tourist dollar. It's on par with the dining plan. If a guest gets the dining plan and they can only get reservations at Nine Dragons and Tony's Town Square, they're not going to get as much value as someone that books their reservations 180 days out.

I challenge any of you that say you don't mind the end of spontaneity to visit Disneyland for a few days. The advantages of being able to walk into their best restaurants is a huge appeal. The ability to return late for your Fastpass window is a huge appeal.

So DL is still accepting fastpass the right way? Good! I'm hopefully going there again for the 2nd time ever next month, and I can't wait!! IMO this sinks the argument about WDW enforcing fastpass return times because it 'all of a sudden' became a problem. With the amount of locals DL has, as opposed to the first time visitors WDW has, there's no way DL would keep fastpass like that if it was a huge problem. WDW was just prepping for this fp+ junk.

 

[flynnibus]

With the amount of locals DL has, as opposed to the first time visitors WDW has, there's no way DL would keep fastpass like that if it was a huge problem. WDW was just prepping for this fp+ junk.

It is a huge problem for them - even more so than WDW. But they chose not to rock the boat... yet.

 

[Californian Elitist]

So DL is still accepting fastpass the right way? Good! I'm hopefully going there again for the 2nd time ever next month, and I can't wait!!

Just a quick warning, Mansion will close on August 27th for the Haunted Mansion Holiday transformation. I believe Jungle Cruise will be closed around that time too, so if you want to experience both, plan accordingly!