Next generation FASTPASS system to begin guest testing this week

[G00fyDad]

What kind of "'old school' paper FP tickets" did you have for the Haunted Mansion on March 5th. The Haunted Mansion has not offered Fastpass since 2005.

Are you sure? I have never once needed FP for HM but I could have sworn I saw the machines there in 07, 08, and 10. Of course I am probably just getting things mixed up.

 

[Master Yoda]

Are you sure? I have never once needed FP for HM but I could have sworn I saw the machines there in 07, 08, and 10. Of course I am probably just getting things mixed up.

The machines were installed and used for a short time. It was not too long before they were deactivated and covered.

 

[G00fyDad]

The machines were installed and used for a short time. It was not too long before they were deactivated and covered.

Oh. Maybe I am just remembering them as covered. :shrug: Like I said, I have never even had to use them before. The longest I have ever waited for HM was 5 minutes.

 

[fosse76]

Your logic is flawed. Ride capacity is ride capacity. If an XPass/FastPass is not used, then someone in the standby line is able to experience the attraction sooner. You've never not used a FastPass? How many FastPasses go unused on an average day now, especially with the new return policy? This isn't a moral conundrum and nobody's trip is going to be ruined by it.

I'm not talking about Standby. I stated before (I think it was in this thread) that standby should not be affected...assuming that the FP+ is coming out of the current FPs being issued (and not an increase in the number being passed out). It would affect anyone wanting a regular FP. And yes, I think it's an issue with regualr unused FPs, too. The difference is that with FP+ you are explicitly picking what you want, and with regular FP you take what is available.

As far as the rest of your argument, FastPasses are not going away. (OK, we don't know this for sure, but I'm 99% positive that it won't happen.) There won't be any reason that you could not go to another park if you felt like it and get a FP there. Outside delays come into play now with FastPasses and I'm sure that the avenue of pleading your case to the CM will still be there.

I'm not sure what relevance this has to do with anything in the thread. Personally, I think that is not a valid excuse. You aren't being forced to leave the park to go to another, so if you're late coming back that's just too bad for you. My problem with allowing this type of planning is just how tedious it is to have to tour a theme park on a schedule. And it is a theme park. I shouldn't have to decide NOW that I want to ride the Haunted Mansion between 12:15pm and 1:15pm on Thanksgiving Day. At the most, I think it should be day-of. Same with dining reservations. It shouldn't be done in advance on this scale.

Lastly, this is (based on current speculation anyway) a free service, just like FP. I'm guessing the majority of the public will not be freaked out because they missed an XPass reservation after they had a flat tire.

My understanding, unless it has changed, is the FP+ is avialable only to people staying on property. It affects the availability of FPs for day guests.
The degree to which it affects these guests depends, of course, on crowd levels.

 

[Master Yoda]

My understanding, unless it has changed, is the FP+ is avialable only to people staying on property. It affects the availability of FPs for day guests.
The degree to which it affects these guests depends, of course, on crowd levels.

This has never been confirmed. It has been suggested and it is a reasonable assumption, but there is nothing official on the subject as of yet.

 

[fosse76]

So because you have a personal problem with the concept of a reservation, no one should be allowed that opportunity?

I don't have a problem with reservations in general, but when every last detail of a trip to a theme park has to be on a time schedule, the yes, I do. If it were a day-of system, then I'd have very little problem with it. But I shouldn't have to reserve a time slot for Splash Mountain three months ahead of time.

Do you not make doctor's appointments? Car service appointments? Meetings? Pre-purchase movie tickets? Tee times? Hotel reservations?

You're comparing apples and oranges. We're talking about going on a theme park ride. And things like that are re-scheduled all the time. No theme park in the world makes you schedule months ahead of time what rides you want to go on and on what day. I should not have to micro-plan my day at the Magic Kingdom months ahead of time in order to participate in the system. What's next? Going to the zoo and making an appointment to see the giraffes? Mini Golf? You have to be at each hole by a certain time or you forfeit? How much planning to we need to do?

But also, I am not of the belief that if I don't get to participate then I don't get to ride. I I want to ride something, Standby is ALWAYS an option. I think some people are a little ridiculous in thinking that they can't ride something if there is no FP available. I almost always have to do standby for TSMM. But I would rather stand in line for 75 minutes (the longest I've ever had to wait) than to be at the park at opening and have a FP return for 5pm when I've long since finished everything at the park by then.

 

[dreamscometrue]

What kind of "'old school' paper FP tickets" did you have for the Haunted Mansion on March 5th. The Haunted Mansion has not offered Fastpass since 2005.

A-Ha...you picked up on that eh? The 'old school' FP was actually my 2nd cousin, who is a CM, who rode with us. I didn't know if she'd get in trouble (lose her job) if that was posted, so I just called her an 'old school' Fastpass. She said this has been going on for years and was the CMs version of FP before there was FP. I actually don't know how common it is for 'off duty' CMs to take guests on attractions, or if it's secretly permitted.

Anyway,we went in through the 'exit', turned left, and down a hallway directly to the stretch rooms. It was neat. The standby was still 50 min. when we got out. I had never, ever seen it that long, not even at Christmas.

 

[GrumpyFan]

My understanding, unless it has changed, is the FP+ is avialable only to people staying on property. It affects the availability of FPs for day guests.
The degree to which it affects these guests depends, of course, on crowd levels.

The design and use of FP+ is still up in the air, and subject to change prior to actual implementation.

Disney has been working on this idea for several years and has filed a few patent applications for their plans for it. Mind you, a patent application doesn't mean they will use the ideas, just that they are reserving the right to do so. I blogged about a couple of the patents, but one of them states the following:

From Disney Patent application 7720718, filed October 15, 2003 -
In another embodiment, the entertainment venue may offer a service to hotels or other surrounding venues whereby a person may make priority requests prior to their visit to the entertainment venue. For example, a person would use the television and remote control in their hotel room to make reservations for one or more attractions the day before their visit to the venue.

Also of note in the patent is their goal for this new system, lest anyone mistake why they're doing it:

A goal of this invention is to improve the desired functionality needed to derive increased guest satisfaction, additional revenue opportunities and resort differentiation

 

[COProgressFan]

This has to be one of the first programs that Disney has rolled out that I do not understand where they are going with it; nor where the guest benefit and satisfaction will be. Personally, I think they were given this insane budget to develop NextGen technology and have no idea what to do with it...just my two cents...

Agree with this. From what I gather, it's:

Step 1: Data mining, tracking guests spending and ride activity in park
Step 2: ?
Step 3: Profits

:lol: (for those who follow the reference)

Not entirely sure I see the connection. I also think that corporate types seem to think that data mining efforts are the somehow the answer to understanding their customer's behaviors better, but the data's actual validity and usefulness is quite overstated. And in Disney's case, as we have seen in the past, use of data from guest surveys is used at their convenience, often to justify decisions that have already been made.

 

[RSoxNo1]

No comment.....

Is this the old sign from the last time Haunted Mansion had FP, or is this a new sign?

This is what worries me. It doesn't seem like they're just swapping out fastpass for x-pass (or whatever they're going to call it). They're adding x-pass to attractions that just don't need it. It sounds like the whole park from attractions, to shows ,to parades is eventually going to be added to the new system. I know my opinion isn't necessarily popular but I've never really been a fan of fastpass in general and the way this is headed seems to be my worst nightmare. I imagine overinflated, barely-moving standby lines for everything. I guess I'll reserve final judgement until the new system is implemented - I really do hope it plays out okay. Part of the reason I love Disneyland so much is because there are fewer fastpass attractions - only the rides that really need it, have it, which makes the whole system work much better.

They way to help the return times on existing Fastpass attractions is to add more Fastpass attractions. This would work better if this meant actually adding new attractions, not adding Fastpass to existing attractions. However, Disney's rationale here is that adding Fastpass+ to everything would still be beneficial to their Fastpass+ scheduling program. It will work much better in the Magic Kingdom than it will in DHS, but the logic is there.

Here's the thing about adding FP to omnimovers. Not every Fastpass is distributed every day because it's not always needed. However, there are many of us that don't wait for attractions more than 15 minutes. Yes we're impatient, but we have been trained that way. By adding Fastpass to more attractions we can have shorter lines for more attractions (again in theory).

In all likelihood though, the way that Fastpass worked the best was at the Magic Kingdom where a Fastpass attraction was near an attraction that didn't need or have Fastpass. You could grab a Fastpass and stay in the area doing other things while you wait for your Fastpass time.

If return times are being enforced, there simply needs to be more content in the other parks. They can add Fastpass to as many attractions as possible, but the real need is the addition of more rides. Nothing is more effective at spreading out the crowds.

 

[WDWFigment]

Agree with this. From what I gather, it's:

Step 1: Data mining, tracking guests spending and ride activity in park
Step 2: ?
Step 3: Profits

:lol: (for those who follow the reference)

Not entirely sure I see the connection. I also think that corporate types seem to think that data mining efforts are the somehow the answer to understanding their customer's behaviors better, but the data's actual validity and usefulness is quite overstated. And in Disney's case, as we have seen in the past, use of data from guest surveys is used at their convenience, often to justify decisions that have already been made.

Finally, an explanation for why so many of my underpants went missing from our room at Boardwalk last trip!!!

 

[Witchy Chick]

No comment.....

Is this the old sign from the last time Haunted Mansion had FP, or is this a new sign?

Not sure what happened to my post, so forgive me if this ends up being a double-post.

I think the point of this HM picture is to show the NextGen FP+ RFID sensor (blue post-like thingy between the CM and the FP signage).


Witchy

 

[Disneydreamer23]

I think this is a good idea

 

[dreamscometrue]

Not every Fastpass is distributed every day because it's not always needed. However, there are many of us that don't wait for attractions more than 15 minutes. Yes we're impatient, but we have been trained that way. By adding Fastpass to more attractions we can have shorter lines for more attractions (again in theory).

I can relate...we never wait more than 20-25 min. simply because there is never a need to with FP and emh. Is the logistics part of all this the idea that they can more evenly distribute the numbers for an attraction throughout the day? If they have 'x' number of FP for every hour, and can encourage them to be all obtained with the new FP system, would this help shorten the 'stand by' line?

They can add Fastpass to as many attractions as possible, but the real need is the addition of more rides. Nothing is more effective at spreading out the crowds.

Is there any concern that adding attractions (which I agree with) simply brings in more people offsetting spreading out crowds or reducing wait times? I've been wondering if with the FLE, MK's annual attendance will go from 17 million to 18-19 million and the 'net' will be no change in crowd levels at existing attractions.

(How did the WWoHP affect wait times at pre-existing Universal attractions?)

 

[Eldon_Brasche]

No not really I think the idea is to get the most people out of line at a time so they can spend more in shops and on food. If people don't have to stand in line it gives them time to spend money, last I saw it's hard to spend money when you wait in one hour or so long line at a time and then run to the next because you don't want to miss anything. If you can book rides a head of time all you need to do is stand around waiting for your times. What are you going to do since I'm sure the ride times will be well spaced out. Most likely cruise the shops.

How about putting the gift shops inside the queue? People can shop while moving along in the lines. Insert a snack bar or two along the way to keep everyone filled with food and drink. Two birds with one stone.

Or, perhaps just route the queue through the shops/restaurants.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

Not sure what happened to my post, so forgive me if this ends up being a double-post.

I think the point of this HM picture is to show the NextGen FP+ RFID sensor (blue post-like thingy between the CM and the FP signage).


Witchy

Actually, I believe the point of the picture was to show the frustration of FP signage up at an attraction that completely doesn't need it.

The proverbial "facepalm" picture.

 

[RSoxNo1]

I can relate...we never wait more than 20-25 min. simply because there is never a need to with FP and emh. Is the logistics part of all this the idea that they can more evenly distribute the numbers for an attraction throughout the day? If they have 'x' number of FP for every hour, and can encourage them to be all obtained with the new FP system, would this help shorten the 'stand by' line?




Is there any concern that adding attractions (which I agree with) simply brings in more people offsetting spreading out crowds or reducing wait times? I've been wondering if with the FLE, MK's annual attendance will go from 17 million to 18-19 million and the 'net' will be no change in crowd levels at existing attractions.

(How did the WWoHP affect wait times at pre-existing Universal attractions?)

Adding new attractions typically increases attendance. The addition of Expedition Everest increased attendance at Animal Kingdom by a million guests.

However, that's not always the case. Something like Star Tours The Adventures Continue may have actually hurt the Fastpass #s for Toy Story Mania. I think that those guests that were brought into the park by Star Tours are also getting in the Toy Story Mania line. The Star Tours line can accommodate the newfound demand for the attraction, but the Toy Story Mania line cannot.

I believe that if Florida's version of Star Tours had 2 less spinners, the effect on Toy Story Mania's Fastpass would be more noticeable.

 

[btmrider]

It's sad that one day I'll see some Disney Maintenance cast member just switch the Stand By and Fastpass signs to accommodate the amount of FastPass people coming to the attraction.

 

[Jo DeVil]

Where in the posted information is there anything that mentions the need for email on a smartphone? Also, if it was somehow required (which again doesn't look like it is) I wouldn't blame Disney for using it. Why would they not use technology that most people now have in their pocket. No one will force you to change your phone, but you also can't expect full benefits of something if you don't want to adapt with the changing world technology. Windows 7 won't run on a PC from 1995. If you want to take advantage of what it has to offer, then you would have to upgrade your PC.



Well it seems that Disney is trying to alleviate that issue with WiFi being added for free at the resorts and eventually the parks (if the permits are to be believed). Fastpass distribution will work exactly like it does now, but it seems there will just be less fastpasses at the parks because some will be reserved at home by guests. You'll still get your fastpasses from the kiosk just like you do now. You just might have to be a bit more strategic. Remember that there was a time when we always had to wait in standby lines and no one died from it...it can be done.

The resort issue...well I don't see it as Disney punishing non-resort guests as opposed to providing people more of a reason to stay with them. Most people on these forums praise Universal for giving their resort guests express pass which gives them UNLIMITED front of the line access. Also, for Joe Schmo staying at a non-uni hotel he can shell out big bucks in order to use the system. Why does it all of a sudden become a crime when Disney wants to do something (and even a more limited system) to provide benefits for people to stay at their resort hotels? Why does Disney get bombarded with negativity when they are acting as a business trying to gain a distinct advantage over their competition? I think that we should be happy that Disney gives us a free system to save us a few minutes in line and didn't start charging for it 10 years ago. I personally cannot say I have been to any other theme parks where I have had the opportunity to skip any line without a (substantial) fee. If that system alters a little and makes you wait in one more line, I would say be happy that you aren't waiting in 5 more lines.

I must agree, I can't wait to see how it will work? DH and DS are now in a panic they didn't realises my 14 night EMH and Dining itinerary which is laminated (including a pocket/wallet size one to be carried at all times just incase) could get any more detailed? Now just like the rest of us they will just have to wait!!! LOL

 

[Captain Neo]

Fastpass/Xpass on Haunted Mansion and Omnimovers will actually make lines worse and ruin the flow of the attraction in my opinion. Fastpass is good for low capacity high profile rides like the mountains, tower of terror, and Soarin'