Movement for the Death of FASTPASS

[Dwarful]

If only we could somehow get people to actually read the time they are given instead of coming up to the attraction 2 hours early... and then getting angry they can't go in early.

Disney should have a seminar when you enter the park if you want to use the Fastpass system. If you want to skip it, you should have to pass a test on how to use it. The final step would be to hold up your right hand and say "I swear I know how to use the system, and I will not attempt to enter the attraction or talk to the Cast Members until the time on the ticket matches the time posted on the clock at attraction sign itself."

Or how about charging a fee for the groups who come up to the FP entrance and block it because 'it's not time to enter yet"...uh, how do they know what time my FP is for??? We have received more dirty looks from squeezing through to use FP's it's insane. We never rush to use ours as soon as possible, usually because I am grabbing the next FP as soon as I am able to get one and then we go get in line.

 

[TinkerBelle8878]

I'd be for getting rid of fast pass for Toy Story Mania. I saw first hand how it increased wait times enormously. I understand that these are 'people who would've been in line anyway' but by their FPs, it would have been at noon. Not at 7 pm. So 30 people showing up and filing in continually every 10 minutes did increase the wait times for riders at 7 pm on.

Either stick to the time frame or lose them. That's the fair way to enforce it. Especially for this ride in particular. This is the only one I found there was a real problem with.


I found that it did work for a ride like Soarin. You still had a wait but not as long as it was without it. And there seemed to be more FPs available during the course of the day. Maybe TSM needs to dole them out in a different way. Like one per day per person/ticket for that ride.

 

[Victoria]

I've actually been surprised that FastPass has stayed free for this long, with Universal and Six Flags both charging for similar perks. One thing Disney doesn't tend to need help with is figuring out how to make money on things. :lol:

Whether charging for FastPass would improve the system or not, it seems like a no-brainer with the rest of the industry doing it. I would like to think this is an example of Disney trying to do something nice for the consumer (the argument of whether it actually results in a better or worse system notwithstanding)...but this being the real world, I assume the truth is more like they haven't figured out a good way to make money off FastPass without just poaching their competitors' systems outright.

I do have a feeling it's just a matter of time until FastPasses are no longer free. I would expect it to start with a tiered system, where everyday FastPasses are still gratis, but a paid tier gives you access to a more flexible pass...maybe something like you mentioned at the other parks where you're less bound by time windows, or a prix fixe system with guaranteed entry into some of the more popular rides. But that's just a guess.

As surprised as I am that FPs are still free, I am even more surprised that they are still available to everyone. As soon as they rolled out the FP system I figured it was only a matter of time before it was only available to resort guests. Disney is always looking for new ways to keep people in their hotel rooms. Making FPs only available to resort guests and annual pass holders seems like a no brainer to me. :shrug: Wouldn't bother me in the least if they decided to do this either. I've only stayed off property twice...and even if I totally lost my mind and never stayed in another Disney resort room, I always have an annual pass.

 

[AEfx]

People who don't know how to use it properly are the ones who complain about it. It creates longer lines for very few attractions.

:sohappy:

The whole FP makes babies cry thing is so old. If you know how to use it to your advantage, it's amazing.

 

[Krack]

Sign me up. FastPass is a cancer on the parks.

/Too bad it's never going to happen.

 

[wizards8507]

:sohappy:

The whole FP makes babies cry thing is so old. If you know how to use it to your advantage, it's amazing.

Agreed. FastPass allows for customization of the way you want to tour. If you feel like sprinting through 100% humidity and 98 degree weather to alternate FastPass and stand by for Kilimanjaro and EE in DAK, you're free to do so. Nobody is obligated to do this, and it doesn't hurt the stand by line because, should FastPass NOT exist, sure the standby line would move at a slightly higher rate, but there would be more people IN that line, amounting to a zero sum game.

Many people enjoy the planning and strategy aspect of making the most out of their fastpasses. If it's not for you, so be it, and the standby guest's experience is not impacted by FP in the end.

 

[ScrapIron]

Fastpass is one of the greatest theme park innovations of all time. Splash/Space waits before FP on a busy day was 60-90 minutes. Standby line with FP is 60-90 minutes. I've waited that long before FP, and haven't since.

A bientot.

 

[Tom Morrow]

People who don't know how to use it properly are the ones who complain about it. It creates longer lines for every single attraction that uses it.

Fixed that for ya.

 

[thelookingglass]

While Fastpass does benefit the people who know how to use it, if you think that is an effective system in ANY way, you are, well, wrong.

The Fastpass system, in theory, would not increase the wait times of attractions too noticably. But it does. If you want proof, go on any evening Extra Magic Hours night, as now Disney no longer distributes Fastpass for evening EMH. The same length of people in any given standby queue will and does move significantly quicker withOUT Fastpasses coming in. Probably about 50 to 75% faster, in fact.

Fastpass is extremely, EXTREMELY flawed, and even if you benefit from knowing how to use it, everything would be much simpler and easier for EVERYONE if it just did not exist (or at the very least, was re-vamped into a more effectively implemented system)

 

[the-reason14]

While Fastpass does benefit the people who know how to use it, if you think that is an effective system in ANY way, you are, well, wrong.

The Fastpass system, in theory, would not increase the wait times of attractions too noticably. But it does. If you want proof, go on any evening Extra Magic Hours night, as now Disney no longer distributes Fastpass for evening EMH. The same length of people in any given standby queue will and does move significantly quicker withOUT Fastpasses coming in. Probably about 50 to 75% faster, in fact.

Fastpass is extremely, EXTREMELY flawed, and even if you benefit from knowing how to use it, everything would be much simpler and easier for EVERYONE if it just did not exist (or at the very least, was re-vamped into a more effectively implemented system)

This, I simply do not agree with. The part about fastpasses being beneficially to those who know how to use it, is definitely true. And yes, it is a flawed system. But I think the true advantage comes to those who truly know how to use it. Those who don't, I think, help those who do. I also agree with fastpass making the regular lines longer, time wise. But everybody who chooses to stand in line, could have chosen to get a fastpass for that ride. Sure there may be other circumstances playing in like they already have one, etc. but like I say, if you really know how to use it, then it's a great benefit.

And from my experience, MK still issues out fastpasses during emh as I remember getting one for space mt. in May.

 

[thelookingglass]

Well, I know DHS does not do Fastpass for EMH anymore. Go on an EMH night, wait about an hour (for leftover Fastpasses from earlier to phase out), and observe how significantly faster the line moves at Rock n Rollercoaster!

I'm not saying I don't use Fastpass, but would you rather have to wait 40 minutes for one ride because of Fastpass to be able to not wait in line for another? Or have all Fastpass attractions' wait times be reduced by probably 75% on a busy day by just getting rid of it alltogether?*

* I realize Disney will never get rid of it, but it should be revamped.

 

[wizards8507]

Well, I know DHS does not do Fastpass for EMH anymore. Go on an EMH night, wait about an hour (for leftover Fastpasses from earlier to phase out), and observe how significantly faster the line moves!

I'm not saying I don't use Fastpass, but would you rather have to wait 40 minutes for one ride because of Fastpass to be able to not wait in line for another? Or have all Fastpass attractions' wait times be reduced by nearly 75 on a busy day by just getting rid of it alltogether?*

* I realize Disney will never get rid of it, but it should be revamped.

It shouldn't matter what you would "rather" do. I have never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever waited more than 30-minutes for a ride because I refuse to do so when fastpass exists. I can't imagine that anyone who knows how to use a fastpass properly would EVER wait 75 minutes for something.

 

[thelookingglass]

Ok? My entire point is that the wait times would NEVER even be as long as they are if you just removed Fastpass alltogether, or at least revised it.

The Fastpass to Standby ratio is something like 80% Fastpass, 20% standby. When the Fastpass line gets slammed, it can increase to 90-95% Fastpass.

 

[Tom]

I, for one, love the Fastpass system. But then again, I'm not the least bit spontaneous. We've got our daily itineraries and touring plans mapped out 179 days before we go - with specified Fastpass retrieval and redemption times included.

While some may not like the meticulous planning, I do. Sure, I have to criss-cross the parks and go out of my way to get Fastpasses, but I can also tour an entire park in 1/2 to 3/4 of a day, and then go enjoy my hotel, go swimming, take a nap, or just plan relax until dinner, fireworks and EMH.

Fastpass is ingenious. But the one MAJOR flaw is not enforcing the return time. That's the primary reason the standby lines are longer because of FP. The gigantic algorithm that calculates the dispense rate of FPs assumes that the recipient can only come back in his/her allotted time frame. Don't blame Fastpass for the long lines - blame the lax rules.

I do think it would be a good idea to restrict usage to only those staying at a WDW resort. It would cut down the number of people able to use it by at least 1/3 every day, and create one more perk for Disney to use when marketing their hotels.

I don't think they should ever charge for it, because that's one thing they can definitely hold over UO and 6 Flags' heads - it's FREE at Disney!

 

[thelookingglass]

Fastpass is ingenious. But the one MAJOR flaw is not enforcing the return time. That's the primary reason the standby lines are longer because of FP. The gigantic algorithm that calculates the dispense rate of FPs assumes that the recipient can only come back in his/her allotted time frame. Don't blame Fastpass for the long lines - blame the lax rules.

This is very true. Also factor in rider switches (child swap), the overuse of people taking advantage of those guest relations "health issue" cards , and guests receiving "bonus fastpasses" for things such as their ride breaking down elsewhere, etc, and it just throws off the whole system.

I don't think they should ever charge for it, because that's one thing they can definitely hold over UO and 6 Flags' heads - it's FREE at Disney!

However, it does work much better at Universal and Six Flags , and you get to use it for every ride!

 

[blm07]

Well, I know DHS does not do Fastpass for EMH anymore. Go on an EMH night, wait about an hour (for leftover Fastpasses from earlier to phase out), and observe how significantly faster the line moves!

I think it depends on each attraction's manager whether or not FP is distributed. But anyway, I don't see the appeal of EMH, the rides still seem crowded, but now, everyone is exhausted and soaked in sweat from a day of walking around in the hot sun. :hurl:

 

[Pseybert]

Yes its ridiculous at Six Flags. Long live Free Fast-pass's at Disney!

I agree!!!!11 And while we're at it, we should change the $1 bill into the $1,000,000 bill. This would solve poverty!

 

[wizards8507]

If WDW were to charge for fastpasses, it would simultaneously destroy the value of a regular admission and hurt Disney's bottom line. Nobody would be paying $80 to get into a park where they have to wait 60 minutes to do anything.

 

[thelookingglass]

Ok, you seem to be not willing to budge on the notion that "OMG I WILL HAVE TO WAIT IN LONG LINES WITHOUT FASTPASS!!!1" but, as already been explained, Fastpass is a major factor as to why those lines are so long in the first place.

Universal and Six Flags may charge for their system, but they also offer benefits that Disney's system does not. Even if you buy the cheapest Express pass at Universal, you get a guaranteed instant Fastpass for every attraction in the park. You don't have to wait for a time, and you don't have to run back and forth between machines.

Finally, WDW did just fine without Fastpass for the first nearly 30 years of its existence. Why do you think it would suddenly fail now?

 

[wizards8507]

"Fail" and "do worse" are two different things. I certainly wouldn't suggest that eliminating fastpass would be the demise of WDW. All I can testify to is my own feelings, and I know that I would not be willing to pay exorbitant prices for theme park admission if I knew that people who were paying even MORE exorbitant prices were going to be skipping ahead of me in line all day long just because they have a bigger bank roll than me. The percentage of people who feel the same way might not be the majority, but I'd be very surprised if it didn't account for a significant number of potential guests.

Your benefits for the "pay-for-fastpass" are great for the people using them, sure. But the price will either be high enough that the average family can't afford them or low enough that the average family CAN afford them, so it ends up that everyone has one anyways and it makes no difference.