Movement for the Death of FASTPASS

[akc]

In theory, the FASTPASS system works. Guests use their park tickets to make a reservation for a return time (in the form of a ticket known as a FASTPASS), which guarantees them a short wait time of 10-20 minutes.

However, at the most popular attractions (like Toy Story Midway Mania or Soarin'), these FASTPASSes just plain run out, sometimes before noon. Then, for the rest of the day, other guests feel cheated because they didn't have the opportunity to get a FASTPASS before they were gone.

The FASTPASS is also responsible for those insane Standby wait times. Because FASTPASS has priority, the Standby line is held while a certain number FASTPASS guests move forward through the line. Then, a much smaller number of Standby move forward. Then, a much larger number of FASTPASS move forward, and so forth. The ratio allows so that FASTPASS has a much shorter wait time than Standby... which results in a much longer wait for Standby.

If there was no FASTPASS, the Standby line would continue moving and the wait time would be significantly less. Thus, every guest is a VIP and has the same wait time, rather than some guests leaving with the feeling that they are not so much of a priority as those with a FASTPASS.

I don't think this is fair. I think it causes more problems than it solves. I think it works for shows like Finding Nemo the Musical and Indiana Jones because both sets of guests enter the theater at the same time. One line isn't held while the other goes through. When it comes to attractions, however, it just isn't the most effective way to handle a line.

What do you guys think? Wouldn't the removal of FASTPASS make the system more fair?

 

[Monty]

Not at all. In reality, almost all the people who bypass you in the FP line would just already be ahead of you in the standby line. They would have just got there earlier.

There are always arguments for and against FP. Disney will never get rid of it simply because instead of waiting in line where they can't spend cash, guests are waiting with FPs while buying merch.

Good advance planning by guests can allow them to ride what they want to ride. Those that don't plan get frustrated by those that do. :shrug:

 

[Wilt Dasney]

Disney has learned a lot about how to use FastPass since it was introduced and initially applied to every ride and show under the sun. You've seen a significant pullback in which attractions use it in the last few years...but the idea that it might go away completely is, I think, a chimera.

For one thing, the idea of "not waiting in line" has been such a hit since Disney introduced it that it's now become a standard feature for the biggest theme park franchises. If Disney did away with FastPass, they'd ironically be seen as "lagging behind" places like Universal and Six Flags. I think tweaking how and where FastPass is used (and maybe charging for it someday) is the most people who hate the system can hope for.

 

[brent2124]

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.

 

[ChrisFL]

Not at all. In reality, almost all the people who bypass you in the FP line would just already be ahead of you in the standby line. They would have just got there earlier.

There are always arguments for and against FP. Disney will never get rid of it simply because instead of waiting in line where they can't spend cash, guests are waiting with FPs while buying merch.

Good advance planning by guests can allow them to ride what they want to ride. Those that don't plan get frustrated by those that do. :shrug:

Not true. There are too many variables involved.

For example...

Let's say that everyone goes to Peter Pan at park open to grab a fastpass, and the return times range from 9:00AM - 12:00PM...but everyone who grabbed a fastpass decided to go back right after lunch, let's say at 1:00PM.

Everyone who is in the standby line now has 3 more hours worth of FP people potentially in front of them, not just those who would have returned at ~ 1:00PM.

The problem is the return time on the FP's are almost never enforced if it's after return window.

That puts a big wrench in the theory about FP's not causing longer standby lines. It's basically a crapshoot.

 

[ChrisFL]

I agree. I am dumbfounded that anyone would dislike the FP system. It doesn't take very much planning & experience to realize that you can make it work to your advantage and basically hit attractions one after another with virtually no wait.

If anything, I think they should expand the system.

If you want to see how Fastpass works when EVERYONE uses it, go to Tokyo Disney sometime.

People still wait...they wait 20 mins to GET a Fastpass there and the FP lines stretch insane distances.

 

[bamillerpa]

I just wish they would enforce the window of time when you are allowed back. I think that would take care of some of the problems.

 

[DoleWhipDiva]

I love that this feature is free. At Six Flags, you have to pay a LOT of $$ to get to the head of the line.

 

[Andrew54]

I love that this feature is free. At Six Flags, you have to pay a LOT of $$ to get to the head of the line.

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

 

[Ziffell]

If Disney did away with FastPass, they'd ironically be seen as "lagging behind" places like Universal and Six Flags. I think tweaking how and where FastPass is used (and maybe charging for it someday) is the most people who hate the system can hope for.

I think Disney already IS lagging behind Universal and Six Flags in terms of how the FP is used. True, Disney invented the system, but both Universal and Six Flags have taken the concept and improved on it by leaps and bounds. Your suggestion that perhaps Disney could "someday" charge for it, is exactly what those two parks already do, and that's definitely the right way to do it. I rarely even use FP anymore when I visit Disney parks, because compared to how the other parks do it, it's just kind of a pain IMO. You have to go stand in line to get the fastpass to begin with (each time) and then you have to worry about what time to come back and enjoy the attraction. It takes the spontaneity out of the visit, which is something I've always enjoyed about a day at a theme park. I don't like going to a theme park and having to schedule out my day essentially. I get too much of that at work....I'm on vacation!

Universal's system is hands down the best. The idea of tying it to your hotel room key was absolutely brilliant. No extra card you have to carry (just simply show your room key). No worrying about what window of time to come back to a particular attraction, just come back when you feel like it. The Express Pass, which you have to pay for, is also a better idea than FP for similar reasons.

And although I don't visit Six Flags parks nearly as much as the others, their system is much better than FP as well. As Universal does (and as you implied would be an improvement if Disney did this as well) they charge for it. But you get this cool little gadget that lets you "reserve" your place in line on various rides no matter where you are in the park. No standing in an extra line, and you still retain some of that spontaneity. Not nearly as good as Universal's systems, but still much better than Disney's (I never thought I would use the words "Six Flags" and "better than Disney" in the same paragraph, but gotta give due credit for a great concept).

 

[Ziffell]

I love that this feature is free. At Six Flags, you have to pay a LOT of $$ to get to the head of the line.

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

Like the old adage says, "You get what you pay for." You pay for those systems because they are better systems. FP takes extra work. When I'm on vacation, I'd prefer to shell out more money for something rather than putting in extra effort that takes away from my simply enjoying my vacation. Sometimes it's a choice between saving money and putting in extra effort versus paying a little extra but having much more convenience. I'd opt for the latter in a heartbeat.

 

[marni1971]

Next thread up: 5th gate, followed by Monorail expansion....

 

[Monty]

Next thread up: 5th gate, followed by Monorail expansion....

Followed by pool hopping and 9-year olds in strollers....

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Next thread up: 5th gate, followed by Monorail expansion....

Followed by pool hopping and 9-year olds in strollers....

...and just when you think you're done it's on to the moral dilemma: Is it okay to bring my resort mug from 6 years ago to use on my next vacation??? What to do?


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LOL! I like FastPass. It makes me ----> . Not everyone can like everything, tho. :wave:

 

[cmatt]

snooze - you lose... get there earlier!

from my experience the universal system works a lot better

 

[Silentkink]

I agree. I am dumbfounded that anyone would dislike the FP system. It doesn't take very much planning & experience to realize that you can make it work to your advantage and basically hit attractions one after another with virtually no wait.

If anything, I think they should expand the system.

I agree with you 100%, but what I would do is not expand the system necessarily, but give specific benefits to certain people. Lets use DVC members as an example give them the chance to get two fastpasses at a time rather than the normal one. Just an idea, but you could use other things that aren't DVC members just a thought.

 

[Wilt Dasney]

Your suggestion that perhaps Disney could "someday" charge for it, is exactly what those two parks already do, and that's definitely the right way to do it.

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.

 

[blm07]

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."

 

[ScorpionX]

Let's go back to A, B, C, D, E Tickets.

 

[unkadug]

Let's go back to A, B, C, D, E Tickets.

With the original prices too!