New Fastpass Update

[MGMBoy]

Hey all...Thought I'd tell you what I saw today that was pretty cool about the new Fastpasses.

Apparently they ARE starting to track Fastpass (including Re-entry/Rider Switch/Dream Fastpass) use. I saw a Cast Member standing near Fastpass return at Test Track and they had a Handheld computer (similar to the ones they use to check resort IDs for EMH) and they were collecting Fastpasses from the attraction CM then entering them. They would enter each Dream FP/Rider Switch/Re-Entry then hold up the new style Fastpasses to a scanner attatched to the handheld which collected the time it was issued and the usage window. It looked like any and all Fastpasses issued at the exact same time had the same barcode so it doesn't look like they're collecting ticket information at all.

Thought you'd be interested to hear all that. Guess they're doing that all across property.

 

[Figment1986]

ok, thats interesting... maybe its just to check and see how many come back... since they just toss the in a bag to be recycled and never count them. that way they can then adjust how many they give out based on how many people are returning after getting one.

 

[MrNonacho]

Test Track does not yet have the new Fastpass system.

 

[coasterphil]

I hope this type of system doesn't eventually lead to no late fastpass returns.

 

[DisneyMusician2]

It really would not surprise me....late returns is a constant complaint, but I'm not sure that Disney wants to take the PR fallout from that move. I'm not sure CM's would consistently enforce it across the board.

 

[Master Yoda]

IMHO the issue of late returns needs to be a ride by ride decision and I bet this new system will help provide some data as to which rides need or don't need a no late return policy. Rides like Soarin and TT could really benefit from a no late return policy but rides like M:S and Maelstrom really don't.

 

[Epcotian]

I hope this type of system doesn't eventually lead to no late fastpass returns.

I think it's more likely we'll eventually see fastpass benefits linked in some way to the resort level you are staying at than a crackdown on late returns. One provides incentive to pay more to Disney, the other does not. And as long as a certain amount of fastpasses are still available to the general public, the system can still be touted as "friendlier" than Universal's system.

 

[ToTBellHop]

IMHO the issue of late returns needs to be a ride by ride decision and I bet this new system will help provide some data as to which rides need or don't need a no late return policy. Rides like Soarin and TT could really benefit from a no late return policy but rides like M:S and Maelstrom really don't.

Rides like Maelstrom don't really need Fastpass to begin with (I know why they do it--something in World Showcase needs Fastpass). Once they get the new World Showcase E-ticket up and running, they should remove Maelstrom's FP altogether.

Mission: SPACE is, in my mind, a perfect FP attraction due to its massive hourly capacity--Stand-By lines stay reasonable and you can pretty much always walk on through the FP line, exactly as the system should work.

Test Track....well, I'm all for limiting return times, but TT has always had long lines, so I doubt much would really change. Whether the Stand-By line is 300 minutes or 280 minutes long, I'm still not going to get in it. The only real benefit would be on the days that the FP line is backed up, which is typically when there are technical difficulties. Things would be running slowly regardless. Of course, now they could get very solid numbers on how many people show up late to determine how problematic it is.

 

[bgraham34]

I always try to make the fastpass time. I think only once I actually came late.

 

[wesTcoastY]

I think it's more likely we'll eventually see fastpass benefits linked in some way to the resort level you are staying at than a crackdown on late returns. One provides incentive to pay more to Disney, the other does not. And as long as a certain amount of fastpasses are still available to the general public, the system can still be touted as "friendlier" than Universal's system.

I think you may be on to someting!

 

[ToTBellHop]

I think it's more likely we'll eventually see fastpass benefits linked in some way to the resort level you are staying at than a crackdown on late returns. One provides incentive to pay more to Disney, the other does not. And as long as a certain amount of fastpasses are still available to the general public, the system can still be touted as "friendlier" than Universal's system.

how would this work? Rides like Soarin' run out of FPs before noon as is, let alone if they started letting guests at the deluxes get multiple FPs. You'd show up at Soarin' at 10 am getting a FP with a return time of like 8:55-9:00 pm!

 

[Epcotian]

how would this work? Rides like Soarin' run out of FPs before noon as is, let alone if they started letting guests at the deluxes get multiple FPs. You'd show up at Soarin' at 10 am getting a FP with a return time of like 8:55-9:00 pm!

Soarin is the exception, not the rule. Most rides don't have the kind of extreme queue pressure that it has. I think it would be a system where a certain number of fastpass credits are tied to your room key (like the dining plan credits) and deluxe guests would get the most perks from it. Perks diminish by category, with general public still having some fastpass access but obviously much reduced (most likely by much longer waits for their return window like you described). My sources are only podcasts, so this is most definitely in the huge rumor category. I'm just saying a change like this is more likely in my mind than a crackdown on late fastpass returns (most likely since I don't believe late returns are causing any problems for Disney).

 

[cdunbar]

I see your point Epcotian about those in the higher resorts getting more fastpass access but, you don't think this would be a PR nightmare? I mean I for one can see it plastered across the front of the Orlando Sentianal, "Disney's new theme park system favors those with money to spend", or something along those lines! I mean I can't imagine there would be a fallout of any kind but the simple fact is that it really takes away from the Disney magic, can u imagine a single mother or father who has finally saved up enough money to take their kid to Disney yet all they can afford is to stay at is somewhere off property or at an all star or pop, not that there is anything wrong with any of those places, but their kid wants to ride Splash but the parent doesn't want to wait 2 hrs and they can't get a fastpass b/c they've stayed off property or b/c they have stayed at one of the cheaper hotels do you really think this is fair?
I for one don't I think it should still be a first come first serve idea that it has been since the thing was placed in the parks!

 

[sophie_the_pooh]

I just hope the new system won't be as cold as the one in Universal, where you wait less if you pay more... Not very Disney, if you ask me... Maybe all resorts guests will have some special privileges, like late returns tolerated, or special return time-window...:shrug:

 

[DisneyLeo18]

ok i thought i was the only one who thought this more FP for people at deluxe resorts was a bad idea. How could Disney favor those at deluxe resorts? I personally think it would be rediculous if they got extra priveleges simply because i couldnt afford to stay at a deluxe resort. That would just be bad news and i think a lot of guests wouldnt be happy

 

[Epcotian]

I see your point Epcotian about those in the higher resorts getting more fastpass access but, you don't think this would be a PR nightmare? I mean I for one can see it plastered across the front of the Orlando Sentianal, "Disney's new theme park system favors those with money to spend", or something along those lines! I mean I can't imagine there would be a fallout of any kind but the simple fact is that it really takes away from the Disney magic, can u imagine a single mother or father who has finally saved up enough money to take their kid to Disney yet all they can afford is to stay at is somewhere off property or at an all star or pop, not that there is anything wrong with any of those places, but their kid wants to ride Splash but the parent doesn't want to wait 2 hrs and they can't get a fastpass b/c they've stayed off property or b/c they have stayed at one of the cheaper hotels do you really think this is fair?
I for one don't I think it should still be a first come first serve idea that it has been since the thing was placed in the parks!

I didn't say I favor it. I'm also not meaning to put this out there as "news about Disney's plans." It's just my opinion that this will someday come to pass, and I think probably sooner than later. Sure there would be fallout, but again, as long as some access is available to the gen public (even much reduced), they can still tout it as better than Universal's system. Plus, those who pay more get more all the world over. I think the only chance we have of NOT seeing this come to pass is if the suits also think it would be un-Disney. I hope they do, but don't have much faith in the beancounters. Jim Cramer was on record just a few weeks ago as saying the theme parks are a liability for the company's stock price. I just fear exec's look more at that side of things.

 

[JWG]

ok i thought i was the only one who thought this more FP for people at deluxe resorts was a bad idea. How could Disney favor those at deluxe resorts? I personally think it would be rediculous if they got extra priveleges simply because i couldnt afford to stay at a deluxe resort. That would just be bad news and i think a lot of guests wouldnt be happy

I'm not disagreeing with you, but isn't that the way of the world now? If you can afford to pay more, you get more. Business says, offer more perks for more money to be more profitable.

I don't think Universal suffered any for offering guests a fast pass option (though free to them and for all resorts) nor for offering the option to pay for fast pass if not staying at their resort. I've also heard those lines are now getting worse than the standby lines, so that's not great.

 

[Master Yoda]

I'm not disagreeing with you, but isn't that the way of the world now? If you can afford to pay more, you get more. Business says, offer more perks for more money to be more profitable.

I don't think Universal suffered any for offering guests a fast pass option (though free to them and for all resorts) nor for offering the option to pay for fast pass if not staying at their resort. I've also heard those lines are now getting worse than the standby lines, so that's not great.

While I might be by myself on this I am one guest that at one time would to go to US at least once a year but now I rarely go and their FP system is one of the main reasons. We made one trip shortly after they instituted their resort FP system and spent far to much time in line while watching resort guests stream past us in the FP line. So unless I am staying at one of their resorts I don't go. I don't get an AP to US because I have to deal with their biased FP system. With a party of 5 it would cost me anywhere from an extra $100-$250 per day to buy their FP. I have not been to US in around 4 or 5 years and I honestly can't say when I will even attempt to go back.

If I go to WDW it does not matter if I stay at one of their resorts, off property or if I am just there for the day, there is a level playing field for my wait time on rides.

 

[fyn]

I think the idea of the guest's theme park experience differing based on how much cash you're willing to plop down on your resort is awful enough to make Walt rise from the ashes. All that serves to do is make the attractions available to fewer and fewer people, which is precisely the opposite thing Disney should be aiming for.