Next generation FASTPASS system to begin guest testing this week

[the-reason14]

And there are those, like me, that cannot see why you would not. I will not do it if it tries to spread out my FP throughout the day, as is being reported with the testing. But if I can knock all of my major rides out in the AM then relax for the rest of the day then, great!

But what's the point of having and using fastpasses early in the AM when usually all the big rides have little to no wait? Now since the ride times will be booked and most people would probably want the AM slot, imagine getting to Space or Splash mt. a few minutes after opening just to see a long line of fastpass+ guests. Sure it'll take awhile to fill, but it seems either way you'll be waiting more then usual.

 

[G00fyDad]

But what's the point of having and using fastpasses early in the AM when usually all the big rides have little to no wait? Now since the ride times will be booked and most people would probably want the AM slot, imagine getting to Space or Splash mt. a few minutes after opening just to see a long line of fastpass+ guests. Sure it'll take awhile to fill, but it seems either way you'll be waiting more then usual.

Obviously you've never seen Toy Story Midway Mania at 9:01am.

 

[YuggYuggWDW94]

I like the idea of it, but at the same time I fell you lose a certain level of spontaneity by having to plan out ahead of time.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Based on some things that testers of this new program have said in this thread, I see an approach to this that Disney may take.

I think that guests may be locked into a certain time frame for all of their Fastpasses to fall into. I also wouldn't be surprised that if that guest doesn't arrive at a certain point, one or more of those Fastpasses would no longer be available to them (and perhaps be re-released to day guests).

The thing that really bothers me about this system is that while you get to pick your attractions, initial tests don't let you pick specific times for the attractions. I understand having certain availability, but the benefit is being able to choose your actual return times.

 

[G00fyDad]

I like the idea of it, but at the same time I fell you lose a certain level of spontaneity by having to plan out ahead of time.

You'd lose a lot of spontaneity by using this. But for all those that say I am structuring my trips too much, yes, I plan our trips over a year before each one. But, I keep things very, very, very loose while on the actual trip. Using ADR's is just our way of planning what places we'd like to eat at. I change them all the way up to the trip and even up to the last minute on the day of the ADR. Now, with the new xPass system I may not be able to make these changes like this and if so then I will need to re-evaluate my desire to use it.

 

[G00fyDad]

Based on some things that testers of this new program have said in this thread, I see an approach to this that Disney may take.

I think that guests may be locked into a certain time frame for all of their Fastpasses to fall into. I also wouldn't be surprised that if that guest doesn't arrive at a certain point, one or more of those Fastpasses would no longer be available to them (and perhaps be re-released to day guests).

The thing that really bothers me about this system is that while you get to pick your attractions, initial tests don't let you pick specific times for the attractions. I understand having certain availability, but the benefit is being able to choose your actual return times.

Which is one reason we may end up not using this after all.

 

[Tom]

I like the idea of it, but at the same time I fell you lose a certain level of spontaneity by having to plan out ahead of time.

It's not going to change anything. For those who like to "wing it" when visiting the parks, they may continue to do so.

For those who use Touring Plans and maximize every minute of their days, this system could be a great benefit.

Nobody will be forced to use it, and my best guess is that it will have very little impact on guests not using it (other than the depression of standing in Standby queues watching everyone else run by them in the FP/FP+ queue).

Based on some things that testers of this new program have said in this thread, I see an approach to this that Disney may take.

I think that guests may be locked into a certain time frame for all of their Fastpasses to fall into. I also wouldn't be surprised that if that guest doesn't arrive at a certain point, one or more of those Fastpasses would no longer be available to them (and perhaps be re-released to day guests).

The thing that really bothers me about this system is that while you get to pick your attractions, initial tests don't let you pick specific times for the attractions. I understand having certain availability, but the benefit is being able to choose your actual return times.

I think they don't let you pick your times now because it's done live and in person....and in the middle of the airport. They're just trying to get as many people in the trial as humanly possible.

I'm confident they'll let you pick from available times when it goes live. I sincerely predict the interface will match that of the ADR system in many ways. You'll select a day, then a park, then perhaps drill down even further by selecting a range of time and/or types of attractions. Then, you'll see a sampling of available times, and you get to click up to 4 (or whatever).

You get a confirmation, with a bar code, and you print it out and take it to WDW with you. Concierge will scan it and embed everything onto your Yellow FP+ card. And when they sync things up in 25 years, it'll just be on the chip in your neck.

 

[the-reason14]

Obviously you've never seen Toy Story Midway Mania at 9:01am.

One exception :lookaroun But for me, I rather get there and ride it once it opens, then have fastpasses available to ride it later in the day. It doesn't seem like I'd be able to get time slots just for TSM and maybe ToT, but instead would have to ride or see other shows that I couldn't careless about.

 

[G00fyDad]

One exception :lookaroun But for me, I rather get there and ride it once it opens, then have fastpasses available to ride it later in the day.

You're still able to ride then go get FP's? Whenever I try that they are gone before I get off of TSMM. If I wait in line for FP's then the standby line is unbelievable.

It doesn't seem like I'd be able to get time slots just for TSM and maybe ToT, but instead would have to ride or see other shows that I couldn't careless about.

So get the xPass for TSMM and TOT, then just go up to all of the other rides and swipe the card but don't go in. If that's the way Disney wants to manage this xPass system then there are ways to still do what you want.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Build more attractions and ease the pressure on existing ones rather than fannying about with a reservation system.

 

[wm49rs]

Build more attractions and ease the pressure on existing ones rather than fannying about with a reservation system.

Especially at a $1 billion+ price tag.....

 

[Tom]

Build more attractions and ease the pressure on existing ones rather than fannying about with a reservation system.

Especially at a $1 billion+ price tag.....

I don't think we'll ever know what this mystical $1 Billion number applies to. First, who said it was actually a billion dollars? And secondly, it most definitely isn't just for FP+. If they're really working on a billion dollar technology, it reaches far beyond what any of us can even begin to imagine.

Scroll up and read the articles I linked to. That project could easily be part of this budget.

And for all we know, half of that billion dollars could simply be the computer/server/network infrastructure upgrade that will be required to implement the system in whole - while at the same time allowing them to finally integrate the rest of their systems, which benefits the guest in ways outside Next Gen.

Just like the false argument that because they're building a DVC resort means they've tabled a new ride....just because they're spending money on this technology doesn't mean it's taking away from money earmarked for new attractions.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Whats false about the concept that additional capacity eases congestion at existing rides?

 

[wm49rs]

I don't think we'll ever know what this mystical $1 Billion number applies to. First, who said it was actually a billion dollars? And secondly, it most definitely isn't just for FP+. If they're really working on a billion dollar technology, it reaches far beyond what any of us can even begin to imagine.

Scroll up and read the articles I linked to. That project could easily be part of this budget.

And for all we know, half of that billion dollars could simply be the computer/server/network infrastructure upgrade that will be required to implement the system in whole - while at the same time allowing them to finally integrate the rest of their systems, which benefits the guest in ways outside Next Gen.

Just like the false argument that because they're building a DVC resort means they've tabled a new ride....just because they're spending money on this technology doesn't mean it's taking away from money earmarked for new attractions.

No, it doesn't. And I believe I've read that price tag from other trusted sources around here before. But, it can not be denied that the amount is a hefty price tag, and save for the FLE, there's not that much in the way of new attractions being pronounced right now at WDW (I'll leave Avatar aside for due to the relative silence surrounding the project). I've always understood why they were implementing this project, and I have little doubt they should be able to see a decent return on this investment. But I have always taken issue with the amount, and the fact that there's little else ongoing at the parks, save the FLE.

 

[menamechris]

It's not going to change anything. For those who like to "wing it" when visiting the parks, they may continue to do so.

For those who use Touring Plans and maximize every minute of their days, this system could be a great benefit.

Nobody will be forced to use it, and my best guess is that it will have very little impact on guests not using it (other than the depression of standing in Standby queues watching everyone else run by them in the FP/FP+ queue).

A WHOLE lot of assumptions stated as fact in this post...just sayin...

 

[Tom]

No, it doesn't. And I believe I've read that price tag from other trusted sources around here before. But, it can not be denied that the amount is a hefty price tag, and save for the FLE, there's not that much in the way of new attractions being pronounced right now at WDW (I'll leave Avatar aside for due to the relative silence surrounding the project). I've always understood why they were implementing this project, and I have little doubt they should be able to see a decent return on this investment. But I have always taken issue with the amount, and the fact that there's little else ongoing at the parks, save the FLE.

The $Billion is most likely the R&D budget, earmarked specifically for the global project and integration of their systems. And since it will likely apply to all of Disney's theme parks, it can't be said that the money is taking away from a WDW attraction, or a DL attraction.

I agree that I wish they were spending a billion more dollars in the parks, but maybe we're all in for a big surprise once FLE is done (I'm not holding my breath). But since NextGen is going to put a lot of money back into Disney's pockets (through absolutely perfect target marketing; unprecedented convenience for every guest to spend more money; and perfect statistical data that will allow them to staff the parks for the anticipated guest load at any given moment), they bean counters are far more interested in this project than another ride or two at parks that the "every day guest" still visits day in and day out.

A WHOLE lot of assumptions stated as fact in this post...just sayin...

Yup. Assumptions based on the information at hand today.

 

[wm49rs]

The $Billion is most likely the R&D budget, earmarked specifically for the global project and integration of their systems. And since it will likely apply to all of Disney's theme parks, it can't be said that the money is taking away from a WDW attraction, or a DL attraction.

I agree that I wish they were spending a billion more dollars in the parks, but maybe we're all in for a big surprise once FLE is done (I'm not holding my breath). But since NextGen is going to put a lot of money back into Disney's pockets (through absolutely perfect target marketing; unprecedented convenience for every guest to spend more money; and perfect statistical data that will allow them to staff the parks for the anticipated guest load at any given moment), they bean counters are far more interested in this project than another ride or two at parks that the "every day guest" still visits day in and day out.

It could be the R&D, budget, it could be the eventual cost to implement the program in multiple parks, I agree. But, it's not unfair to say there's a finite budget for everything, and should Disney have chosen to place its proverbial eggs in the NextGen project, then its also fair to say they could have done so at the expense of rides and/or attractions that don't have the same immediate return value.

And I agree, this will be successful because Disney will have so much more data on their spending customer base, which the bean counters will love. As will the investors who see higher stock prices, and Bob Iger, who just sold 1.8 million shares for a nice $26.6 million profit.....:drevil:

 

[Tom]

It could be the R&D, budget, it could be the eventual cost to implement the program in multiple parks, I agree. But, it's not unfair to say there's a finite budget for everything, and should Disney have chosen to place its proverbial eggs in the NextGen project, then its also fair to say they could have done so at the expense of rides and/or attractions that don't have the same immediate return value.

And I agree, this will be successful because Disney will have so much more data on their spending customer base, which the bean counters will love. As will the investors who see higher stock prices, and Bob Iger, who just sold 1.8 million shares for a nice $26.6 million profit.....:drevil:

Yeah, you're right. If you look at it globally, in a macro sense, TWDC has a pot of money they can divvy up however they want. So, if they give $1B to R&D, taht's $1B they can't give to P&R.

Granted, that $1B is probably being spread over MANY years. It could go back 5-10 years for all we know. And over 20 years, that's $50M per year, which couldn't do anything productive in the parks beyond repainting lots and lots of facades and repairing old rides :lookaroun

Maybe the ROI from NextGen will be SO impressive that they'll have such a huge surplus of cash that they build everything we've ever discussed on here.

Oh...wait.

 

[wm49rs]

Yeah, you're right. If you look at it globally, in a macro sense, TWDC has a pot of money they can divvy up however they want. So, if they give $1B to R&D, taht's $1B they can't give to P&R.

Granted, that $1B is probably being spread over MANY years. It could go back 5-10 years for all we know. And over 20 years, that's $50M per year, which couldn't do anything productive in the parks beyond repainting lots and lots of facades and repairing old rides :lookaroun

Maybe the ROI from NextGen will be SO impressive that they'll have such a huge surplus of cash that they build everything we've ever discussed on here.

Oh...wait.

:lol: And therein lies the Catch-22.....:ROFLOL:

 

[Tom]

:lol: And therein lies the Catch-22.....:ROFLOL:

Indeed.