Next generation FASTPASS system to begin guest testing this week

[docdebbi]

Sounds a bit extreme. I really don't see this being the case.

As for scheduling with kids, I disagree. It can be done. We scheduled our park time around our kids and their needs. We had specific times that we ate, specific times to play and see attractions, specific times to go and rest. Of course, we didn't plan potty times, but believe me, we did take potty breaks as needed.


The other thing is, this will be voluntary, just like the current system. If you don't want to plan your day and pre-select some of the FPs, then you are under no obligation to do so.

yes, however, i also plan our entire day, including leaving parks for naps in the afternoon, but rarely does it go according to plan. someone always gets tired or hungry or cranky before our scheduled breaks. we usually have ADR and often have to break or snack before them. at least OUR kids are too unpredictable

yes, it is voluntary, but if more FP (of any type) are given out due to this, then harder to get desirable FP times while in the parks, and longer stand-by lines. so it does make things harder for those who don't participate. unless you are correct and they only allow 2 or so per day, but that is not how i am interpreting this thing happening. i think they want your entire ride schedule planned ahead of time. i hope you're right

 

[rodserling27]

LOL...

By the way it sounds, people won't need FastPasses because a lot of people are just going to stop going.

Hehe.

I'm excited about this...while I don't like every little detail planned out...I think it would be good just to get the "must-do's" "booked up."

This is where I can't stand this new FP system...it's bad enough to have to book Cinderella's Royal Table 6 months ahead of time...but imagine trying to book Space Mountain that far ahead. Ridic! Then it becomes one of those things where if you didn't book the FastPass, then you don't get on, kind of like all of the best restaurants. That's a turnoff to the casual guest, which is the majority of people who go to WDW. I'm nervous about this new NextGen stuff...but as always, I reserve judgment until I see it in action and experience it myself.

 

[Billy6]

reserving judgement until i see how it rolls out, but let me echo a point that i've made in the past where it makes a lot of sense:

my family is the type to do parks in the morning, then break for pool to beat the heat, then go back for an ADR and maybe some park stuff at night.

so say i have an ADR at le cellier at 6:00. it's peak season, and there's no way i'm getting on soarin' with less than a 60 minute stand by. fast passes have probably sold out. but i really would love to do a ride or two while i'm at epcot before or after my ADR. i book a ride on soarin' for my party at 5:20, then head right to le cellier.

seems like it makes sense from that respect. it's not planning every second of your vaca, but it is ensuring that when you go to a park at any time of the day, you can assure yourself of doing a particular attraction.

Well said...My question while reading, and maybe I missed it...and with limited details, are the times going to be randomly generated, an hour window(like current fast pass) or an actual ride time reservation, as you mentioned...

Also, if limited to resort guests, will it be per reservation, per party,per person, per day?? It will be interesting to see how it all pans out


Guess we'll have to "pass it to see what's in it"...:lookaroun

 

[baymenxpac]

Well said...My question while reading, and maybe I missed it...and with limited details, are the times going to be randomly generated, an hour window(like current fast pass) or an actual ride time reservation, as you mentioned...

Also, if limited to resort guests, will it be per reservation, per party,per person, per day?? It will be interesting to see how it all pans out


Guess we'll have to "pass it to see what's in it"...:lookaroun

i think it may be some kind of hybrid, if that makes sense. so complete and utter speculation by me, but i envisioned it as sort of like...the fandango app on my iphone (where you see the movie times, and the ones that are sold out or already passed are just kind of greyed out).

i figure based on availability, you'd be shown a certain time (or time interval), then you'd have the option to book the attraction at an available time.

no clue if that's true, but that's the kind of framework i'm expecting.

 

[tracyandalex]

Am I correct in assuming that Xpass will most likely be tied to room key and park ticket? We don't buy packages so our room keys and park tickets are always separate. Also, if Xpass is tied to park ticket how would that potentially work for APs?
I am tentatively excited about this depending on how far in advance I have to do this extra planning. Since we have to book ADRs 6 months in advance we usually have a general idea of where we will be at least around dinner time each day.
For those worrying about kids schedules, I have a 3 year old and it's not that serious. We walk through "boring" stores till she falls asleep in her stroller then the Mr and I take turns on the rides she's too little for. If you know when your ride times is you can plan feeding and potty times around those times. Hopefully there will still be a window so it will be easier than a hard appointment time.

 

[Billy6]

i think it may be some kind of hybrid, if that makes sense. so complete and utter speculation by me, but i envisioned it as sort of like...the fandango app on my iphone (where you see the movie times, and the ones that are sold out or already passed are just kind of greyed out).

i figure based on availability, you'd be shown a certain time (or time interval), then you'd have the option to book the attraction at an available time.

no clue if that's true, but that's the kind of framework i'm expecting.

That was kind of my thought too, like Fandango... Curious to know how it will work and what limits it will have...

 

[Buried20KLeague]

First, first time visitors will be lost if they have to plan their trip and try to plan out their rides in advance. There is a point where it is too complicated to even try. Never been to WDW??? Nope. Simple all you have to do to figure out what park you want to go to every day, where you want to eat and when exactly you want to do these things. Good luck..... Add people who aren't use to the heat and it should make for some fun filled summer vacations. LOL.

An enducated guess is that there will be two choices:

1. Schedule your own XPass attractions and times

OR

2. Pick from one of several pre-arranged "cookie cutter" day plans.

Kinda like when you install a program on your PC... Sometimes it'll ask if you want the typical install, or if you want to do the "custom, advanced" install.

The "cookie-cutter" plans would most likely be the most popular, because of the exact reason you give... Too many people don't know what they're doing when they visit WDW. My guess is these cookie-cutter plans would all start at different times, and then within those different starting times, they would start at different places within the parks.

So... A first-timer would basically have to choose (at a MINIMUM) which park they were going to be at for the day, and what time they were going to get there. Maybe it might ask you what time you planned on eating... If you wanted to check for available table service availability... From there, it would spit out your XPass schedule.

I've been very vocal in not liking this idea for a number of reasons, so don't confuse my thoughts on how it will work with approval. :lol: But it seems logical that this will be how it will work, since obviously this is to target those new to WDW.

I do find it interesting that the Carsland attractions apparently are NOT being built with Next Gen infrastructure in place at all... It really makes me wonder if Disneyland is going to push off this next gen idea for quite a while (if it ever gets implemented at all). It would make some sense, because Disneyland doesn't have a massive number of hotel rooms they own that they need more benefits to help sell. This really looks more and more to me as simply a way for WDW to sell more hotel rooms, and more importantly (to them), DVC.

Think about it. They could make up that 2 billion a lot faster if DVC owners get twice the XPass allotment than anyone else. It would be a huge selling tool. And they're obviously continuing the new DVC push. Coincidence?

The ones this is going to hurt are locals.

 

[BigThunderMatt]

In all likely hood, the only difference Xpass will have on the parks is the number fastpasses available at the fast pass machines in the parks. The wait in the standby lines will be the same as it is now.

Agreed. Disney bases many of its operational decisions purely on the amount of rides a guest can experience in a day. The line of thinking is:

Greater number of rides experienced = Happier guests = More money spent by happier guests on food and beverage/merchandise = Greater intent to return

Fewer number of rides experienced = Unhappy guests = Less money spent on food and beverage/merchandise = Lower intent to return

While I find this theory to be fundamentally flawed in some ways, I would say that if they felt in any way it would lower the potential amount of attractions that the average guest would experience on any given day to an unacceptable level, they would not be giving this system the go-ahead.

 

[dreamscometrue]

So far, a 5 page thread on wdwmagic with lots of condemnation and debate about a system, or implementation of said system, that we know practically nothing about. Imagine that. How unusual.

I guess it gives us all something to do. :wave:

 

[xdan0920]

So far, a 5 page thread on wdwmagic with lots of condemnation and debate about a system, or implementation of said system, that we know practically nothing about. Imagine that. How unusual.

I guess it gives us all something to do. :wave:

I don't agree that we know nothing about this. We know quite a bit about X-pass at this point. Definitely enough to make an initial judgement on wether or not you like the idea of it.

 

[durangojim]

I'd rather have the option to pay extra to go to the front of the line each day and forget about fp all together.

 

[Allygator]

I feel sorry for the families that isn't familiar with the parks. I have been there many times and this pass visit was our first time with dining and I had a hard time trying to pick out restaurants with the park and emh. I can't imagine trying to add rides into that mix too!

 

[Skipper03]

We come in on Wednesday I hope we get chosen! Any idea on when and how their letting the people who get picked for this know?

They will be pulling people aside at random before they enter the park. At least that's what Disney told me on the phone this morning...

 

[Victor Kelly]

OK so, They will have plenty of xpasses which means you will wait in the xpass line. Which means you are back to standby one way or another. No matter what you call it, it is what it is. A Line.:ROFLOL:


The problem I see, Is that all you will not be able to wake up one morning and say I wanna go here or there. You will be locked in all day, everyday. No Spontenaiety(sp) at all. Just doing something on the fly is all of the fun. There is a such thing as too much organization.

 

[the-reason14]

This is where I can't stand this new FP system...it's bad enough to have to book Cinderella's Royal Table 6 months ahead of time...but imagine trying to book Space Mountain that far ahead. Ridic! Then it becomes one of those things where if you didn't book the FastPass, then you don't get on, kind of like all of the best restaurants. That's a turnoff to the casual guest, which is the majority of people who go to WDW. I'm nervous about this new NextGen stuff...but as always, I reserve judgment until I see it in action and experience it myself.

Hopefully it won't be that extreme, though I can see where you're coming from. I know this hasn't been implemented yet, and even the test is just that and can be tweaked and changed, but the idea of having to micromanage so much I think will just get to the point where it's not worth it. The biggest issue for me personally is I don't see the need to have to 'book' times for my favorite rides that I've been riding for all these years and that haven't changed in the least if not, may have even gotten worse. But now I have to schedule and plan extra just to effectively be able to ride things that I was comfortable able to do in a little over 5 months ago? Please, call me when Avatar land opens, or a big addition that'll make me want to accept this ride reservations system. Until then it just isn't worth it.

 

[Computer Magic]

Hehe.

I'm excited about this...while I don't like every little detail planned out...I think it would be good just to get the "must-do's" "booked up."

I agree. Also at my age, I need the fewest steps possible. What do I mean. Well, now I can schedule Soarin for 10am and go to Test Track first. I won't have to walk to get a FP at Soarin then walk to Test Track to ride.

I like your "must do's" When I first stated going to Disney in the 90's, I wrote "must do's" on a note pad.

 

[NJL]

What about the people that like to wing it?!?!

 

[spaceghost]

It really depends on the size of your party, the date and the restaurant. It's easier to squeeze in a reservation 2 than 4 in my experience and living over in Tampa, I go on Saturdays which are often very difficult to manage. I got Love's birthday reservation about 45 days out or so but it wasn't a hard location.

I've been an AP for a few years now so I've been both lucky and completely unlucky in getting reservations when/where you want them. I can only imagine how much worse a limited number of ride spots would be though since only some people want table reservations but everyone wants the attractions.

But, in most cases, ride capacity far outweighs table service restaurant capacity. Just imagine if Le Cellier could handle 2000 people an hour?

 

[Neverland]

Clearing up some things:


You can be staying at a Disney resort and still be ineligible for the test (and I don't mean by being a CM, AP holder, or anything like that). And I'm almost positive that if/when xPass goes fully into effect, it will be available to everyone, for free.

It's just a test of the actual system; how it works with the handheld devices and wi-fi and the RFID and such. Two weeks and then you won't see it again for a while. And hopefully when it returns, it'll have all the kinks worked out, because there are definitely some problems already, and it hasn't even been tested with real guests yet.

If this works, it won't be used in conjunction with fastpass; it will REPLACE fastpass. It's really still fastpass, just electronic.

As of right now, you don't get to choose a specific return window (such as '6:25 - 7:25').

Could it possibly be that some of the attractions in the test don't currently use fastpass? We'll see...

You can view your list of fastpasses at Guest Relations or at a number of places throughout the Magic Kingdom. Guest Relations is also happy to print it for you.



That said, it's a very cool little system, to say the least. Some guests are gonna be confused as hell, though. Most people have trouble understanding that they need to come back at the time their fastpass says to come back. I can only imagine how it will work when your fastpass doesn't say when to come back...

 

[spaceghost]

Here's how I see it - anyone who is worth their salt knows that there are certain attractions that back up and develop long wait times. Other than those attractions, FastPass is really not needed. I just got back last week from a visit that overlapped with some above average crowds (April vacation week for the Northeast) and over 6 days I used maybe 5 FastPasses and never waited in a line longer than 15 minutes (twice for Haunted Mansion, oddly enough). I rode all of the major attractions, etc.

Anywho, for those attractions that need it, there are 3 ways to beat the wait times:

1. Get to the parks at opening and ride those rides first thing
2. Visit at a time of year where the crowds are minimal
3. Use FastPass

So, lets look at how XPass affects those three strategies:

1. Negligible impact. It's not really clear at this time if people will be able to schedule with XPass for the first hour of the day since FastPasses are typically not given out then, but even if they can, how many people will? The same logic that people don't want to get up on vacation will hold.
2. No impact. Whether people are using XPass or not, if most rides are walk-ons (not hop ons, mind you), someone else using XPass won't affect your ability to ride rides.
3. This is where it gets interesting. XPass will probably cut into the number of FastPasses available, causing them to run out earlier in the day. On the flip side, if you bite the bullet and use XPass, you can save yourself running around the park getting the FastPasses. I am of the belief, even in relatively busy times of the year, that you really only need FastPass for a handful of attractions anyway. You know you are going to ride those rides ahead of time, so why not use XPass? As for the people who complain about spontaneity, how is getting a FastPass for 8 hours later at Toy Story or Soarin' in any way spontaneous? You are still planning your day around riding a ride at a specific time, you're just doing it that day and not ahead of time.

The other argument, of course, is that XPass will increase standby times as well, which will probably happen. However, if you are smart, you will be using one of the above tactics to avoid the long lines on the rides it will affect the most anyway. For the other rides, is it really the end of the world that a standby of 10 minutes at Pirates goes to 12 minutes? Let me also throw out a reverse scenario - if the general, uninformed visitors start to use XPass, you know that they are going to use it (at least partially) on attractions that really don't need it, like Pirates, Mansion, Spaceship Earth, GMR etc. Those attractions will just swallow up the extra traffic and there will actually be a positive impact on the attractions with long lines.

This is all speculation, of course, but it will be curious to see how everything pans out.