New Fast Pass Testing at Splash Mountain?

[KingdomofDreams]

Xpass is the idea of being able to generate FPs for attractions months in advance of your trip. Some of us that know exactly what parks we will be in (at least in the mornings) love this idea. Guaranteed FPs for us without having to wait in the nightmarish TSM FP lines.

However, Disney is getting such a backlash over this idea that I doubt we will ever even see it.

It will be interesting to see how it ultimately plays out. I do believe we're going to see some enhancements/changes to the FP system in the near future. This summer DL has been giving several "special" FP's to their resort guests. As I understand it, these FP's are valid for any FP attraction and they can be used at any time. This may only be a temporary incentive due to the extensive construction there, but who knows if it will stick around. In addition, resort guests continue to get MM early entry so they can enjoy the new attractions like Mermaid and Star Tours before the parks open to regular guests and the lines build.

 

[menamechris]

I think at the very least it will be interesting to see if anything actually comes of this. There have been plenty of times I have gone late for a FastPass. I don't feel like a criminal, mainly because if I didn't come back in time, it was because I was spending money - whether shopping or dining. I think some research needs to be done, as well, because there are plenty of instances that FastPasses aren't used. Changes in plans happen, people get tired, or don't want to stay in the park long enough to get to their FastPass window. I just always assumed these kinds of situations evened out in a maybe less than perfect way, but the system still seems to work for the most part.....

 

[BigThunderMatt]

So the Cast Members would trade a few people upset here and there for many more that are upset? In addition, it will place even more stress on cms when the person is trying to 'argue their case' about why they are late.

So more guests are going to complain because they want to do something that's against an enforced policy? And seriously expect to be compensated for it? Over time, the situations where guests fight the new policy will become the exception and not the rule. Just as people got used to the leniency of the current policy, they can and will get used to having the time window being strictly enforced. Sure, there may be uproar in the beginning, but it's ultimately Disney's decision, and just like with the monorails they may be willing to stick to their guns on this.

If you ignore a crying toddler enough, he will eventually shut up and behave because he knows his temper tantrums aren't going to get him anywhere.

 

[chipndalefan]

Your fastpass says 5:05pm to 6:05pm. You either make it for this slot or forgo the pass. What's the issue?

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Your fastpass says 5:05pm to 6:05pm. You either make it for this slot or forgo the pass. What's the issue?

The thing is, that's not the case. For years, cast members have told guests that it's okay to come after the return time ends (6:05, in your case). That policy might be changing. If it changes, it changes. Until then, guests should not have any guilt in using a fastpass after their time ends. Just like the current policy with ADR's is you can be about 15 minutes late but no more, the current policy with FP is you can come from your start time to park close.

 

[chipndalefan]

At Disneyland Paris I have seen guests turned away from the fastpass entrance on several occassions for attempting to come in after the expired time.

You never seem to see anyone complaining about this, so I don't think this would be a major issue at Disney World.

 

[the-reason14]

Hmmm. I always use my fastpasses later......or at least when it's convenient for me. I don't see them ever enforcing the time window, but it would definitely cause more problems then good if they did.

 

[chipndalefan]

My understanding was that Disney originally changed the fastpass to allow you to come back after the time window to enhance the experience of the odd few guests who might miss the slot (Dinner reservations etc) as with anything though it seems to have been abused. Replies on this board show most guests are just turning up whenever they want as a matter of course.

I don't understand some peoples thinking. It's the same with the soda refills.

 

[SyracuseOrange]

Hmmm. I always use my fastpasses later......or at least when it's convenient for me. I don't see them ever enforcing the time window, but it would definitely cause more problems then good if they did.

I can see it causing some short term problems, but I think overall it'll help queue flow.

I personally never knew you could use FPs after the allotted time, so I always did my best to come back within the proper slot. If I missed it, I'd just rip that FP up and move on...and that's what I'll continue to do.

 

[G00fyDad]

Your fastpass says 5:05pm to 6:05pm. You either make it for this slot or forgo the pass. What's the issue?

At Disneyland Paris I have seen guests turned away from the fastpass entrance on several occassions for attempting to come in after the expired time.

You never seem to see anyone complaining about this, so I don't think this would be a major issue at Disney World.

Exactly. :sohappy::sohappy:

 

[markc]

I think it's about time to start being more strict with fast passes because i believe it will help out with both the speed of the fast pass line as well as the stand by line.

NO IT WONT! What school did you go to in order to learn your math or common deduction skills? The CONTINUOUS standby and fastpass line at Space Mountain will have a net same wait time whether i come within my window or 8 hours later???

 

[draybook]

Isn't Disneyland Paris operated by different management? Comparing them isn't the best option. It's like when you hear sales from franchised stores saying prices and participation may vary.

And it's because Disney does not enforce the times that makes people like me use them when we prefer. What's so hard about that?

 

[markc]

At Disneyland Paris I have seen guests turned away from the fastpass entrance on several occassions for attempting to come in after the expired time.

You never seem to see anyone complaining about this, so I don't think this would be a major issue at Disney World.

Thats a totally incorrect assumption. The guests at Disneyland Paris as well as the queue line scenarios are a totally different breed. What would anger some Paris guests doesnt anger American guests, and vice versa. Further more, Fastpass is only really utilized on the weekends in Paris - a small sample size compared to the robust nature of Disney World's crowds Mon-Sun.

 

[Brian Noble]

many cast members hate the stress that the current leniency of the system places on them.

I guess I don't see the stress in saying: "Sure, come on in!"

Edited to add: It would be interesting to hear the Anaheim Cast's take on it. The fraction of "in the know" guests there is presumably much larger.

 

[Brian Noble]

The main reason fast pass was designed was so that guess spend money in the park and not standing inline all day.

This is commonly repeated. It might even be true. The only problem is: that's not really what happens. Most guests just get in another line. Most don't eat an extra meal because they have more time. If you go back and look at the annual reports, you'll see that there was no big jump in per-capita spending that couldn't be explained by price increases. At least at a macroscopic scale, the "get them to spend more money" angle didn't work.

And, if you look at the broader industry, trends seem to bear this out. Every other operator with free virtual queueing (Universal, Cedar Fair in limited numbers) abandoned it. Paid versions have grown. If virtual queuing led to more guest spending, you'd think everyone would be falling all over themselves to get guests to use it. Precisely the opposite has happened.

 

[chipndalefan]

Thats a totally incorrect assumption. The guests at Disneyland Paris as well as the queue line scenarios are a totally different breed. What would anger some Paris guests doesnt anger American guests, and vice versa. Further more, Fastpass is only really utilized on the weekends in Paris - a small sample size compared to the robust nature of Disney World's crowds Mon-Sun.

It's not an assumption. I am a Disneyland Paris annual passholder. Fastpass is used all the time at Disneyland Paris. Lines often top 90mins midweek for rides such as Big Thunder Mountain, and over 2hrs on busy weekends. The only time fastpass is not really used is when crowds are low in the winter.

 

[SyracuseOrange]

I guess I don't see the stress in saying: "Sure, come on in!"

Edited to add: It would be interesting to hear the Anaheim Cast's take on it. The fraction of "in the know" guests there is presumably much larger.

The stress I would imagine comes from all the other guests that don't just get to "come on in."

 

[Brian Noble]

I don't quite follow. Who doesn't get to come in?

Those who don't know? That doesn't seem to be a problem, as in past trips I've seen Cast Members routinely explain this to people. I suspect park operations would rather they didn't, but that's a different question.

Those in the Standby line? That also doesn't seem to be a problem due to late returns (vs. FP generally) as if it were, it would be worse in Anaheim, but in broad strokes does not seem to be. It's true that FP, especially at present ratios, lengthens standby lines, but that's a problem with the entire system, not late returns.

Or am I just missing it?

 

[BigTxEars]

NO IT WONT! What school did you go to in order to learn your math or common deduction skills? The CONTINUOUS standby and fastpass line at Space Mountain will have a net same wait time whether i come within my window or 8 hours later???

Your insulting comment aside......if your FP window is at 3pm-4pm and you instead show up at 6pm and I happen to get in standby at 5:55pm I now have to wait for you to ride where I would not have if you had arrived within your printed time window. Thus my wait is now 1 person longer. The person who got into the standby line at 3pm did not have to wait for you to ride so their wait was 1 person shorter. Net balance overall but not for me.

Bottom line from my perspective is that I had to wait one more person, thus my wait was longer. My experience is not impacted by the 3pm standby persons experience at all.

:wave:

 

[TalkingHead]

Didn't they try enforcing return times for the FPs at Soarin' a few years ago?

I assume they don't still do that? Anyone know why? Too many complaints or what?