Next Generation Fastpass?

[stlbobby]

I think this is the future of the parks in some form. Disney realizes that when you are standing in a line for 90 minutes you are not spending money. If you have a FSTPASS and are just hanging out for your entry time you will be shopping or eating.

I think Disney wants to expand the market for premium experiences. Things like fireworks cruises, the Wishes dessert party, and Tables in Wonderland events are few examples of their efforts to grab those visitors. They want the big money some people are willing to spend to avoid rubbing elbows with the hoi polloi.

But at the same time they understand that the regular visitor is their bread and butter so they don't want to set up a class system in the parks that might alienate the masses.

So any attempts to broaden the upscale market and offer them greater perks will be as invisible as possible. It is a fine line to walk and may back fire, but so far they seem to have done a good job of handling it.

 

[GrumpyFan]

I think this is the future of the parks in some form.

I think Disney wants to expand the market for premium experiences. Things like fireworks cruises, the Wishes dessert party, and Tables in Wonderland events are few examples of their efforts to grab those visitors. They want the big money some people are willing to spend to avoid rubbing elbows with the hoi polloi.

So any attempts to broaden the upscale market and offer them greater perks will be as invisible as possible. It is a fine line to walk and may back fire, but so far they seem to have done a good job of handling it.

Agreed, they really need a "hook" to lure in the upscale visitors who have more money to spend, but don't want to be waiting in line with the "masses". I see this as a big seller for their own Deluxe and DVCs as well as possibly the Four Seasons when it opens.

 

[drossjr]

No opinion on this yet since it hasnt been announced or put into place.

However I really with Fastpass' were for people that stay at a Disney resort only, I dont think it's fair for people who stay offsite or just drop in for a day to have the rights to a fastpass :shrug::lookaroun

 

[devoy1701]

No opinion on this yet since it hasnt been announced or put into place.

However I really with Fastpass' were for people that stay at a Disney resort only, I dont think it's fair for people who stay offsite or just drop in for a day to have the rights to a fastpass :shrug::lookaroun

But you get exclusive use of Disney Transportation... oh wait, non-resort guests get that too. :dazzle:

 

[Tigerace81]

No opinion on this yet since it hasnt been announced or put into place.

However I really with Fastpass' were for people that stay at a Disney resort only, I dont think it's fair for people who stay offsite or just drop in for a day to have the rights to a fastpass :shrug::lookaroun

Thats what EMH are for. And you wouldnt really be eliminating to many people from the FP system if it was resort only guests.

 

[devoy1701]

Thats what EMH are for. And you wouldnt really be eliminating to many people from the FP system if it was resort only guests.

EMH are a joke now with 40,000 some odd resort rooms available. The waits through evening hours are hardly any shorter than during normal operating hours. The only time they really work to your favor anymore are in the 3rd hour of MK's 12-3 EMH.

If anything needs to be revamped it is the EMH perk.

 

[mp2bill]

Sounds like a bad idea (from a customer satisfaction stand point). The majority of people in the parks don't stay at a deluxe resort, so to give those people who do preferential treatment with FP, I think will make the majority of visitors upset. And to be able to do it from the hotel or a cell phone seems unfair. Then, those people who are more financially capable will be able to just show up and start riding the rides without having to actually put in the effort.

The rich just keep getting richer. That being said, things like this rarely pan out, so I'll wait and see what happens.

 

[devoy1701]

Sounds like a bad idea (from a customer satisfaction stand point). The majority of people in the parks don't stay at a deluxe resort, so to give those people who do preferential treatment with FP, I think will make the majority of visitors upset. And to be able to do it from the hotel or a cell phone seems unfair. Then, those people who are more financially capable will be able to just show up and start riding the rides without having to actually put in the effort.

The rich just keep getting richer. That being said, things like this rarely pan out, so I'll wait and see what happens.

most likely the experience for your average customer won't change. They wouldn't take any current fastpass "rights" away from anyone if they were smart about it. They would probably do something along the lines of people with Deluxe accomodations would only need to have a hour between FPs or be able to have 2 at a time in the same window or something of the sort to where they do get an added benefit but it wouldn't have a negative affect persay to everyone NOT staying in Deluxe Resorts. I doubt Disney would do anything that would make the "perks" obvious to your average park guest. My opinion only.

 

[mp2bill]

Heres your low-cost fix to the FP system. Centralize em. Set aside a area of each land (mainly gearing the toward MK) and place 6-8 FP machines. These wouldnt be your typical insert park ticket and get your FP, it would be a touch screen interface with more options. Slide your ticket in, select the ride, and possibly even a time to come back. I would also suggest for MK to set aside an area at the gates for a small FP location that gives out FP's for the major rides like the mountains, Prates, HM, and a few others.

I definitely agree with this. Part of this is laziness on my part, but it would definitely be more convenient if you could grab a Fastpass for an attraction without having to make the trek to that attraction.

I don't know how this makes it more convenient. Yeah, "centralized" sounds good, but that would only make sense in a park with no obstructions and if you could collect FPs. Remember, you can only get one at a time. It'd probably make the most sense in MK because of the spoked layout, but even then it's not a great idea.

But think about it...suppose you're in MK and working from left to right in the park and want to ride JC. So you first go to this centralized location and get your FP. Then, when you're done on JC and work your way around, the next FP ride is SM. According to your plan, you'd have to walk back to the centralized location, pick up your FP, and then resume going on the other rides that don't have FPs. In my mind, it makes much more sense to grab an FP, go on some other rides that are nearby (maybe visit some shops or just take a break in the shade) and then hit up the ride that you got the FP for. Also, what about the instances when there are two rides that are right next to each other that have FPs like SM and BTM? Do you really want to have to walk back to the middle of the park just to end right back where you were 10 minutes ago?

 

[mp2bill]

most likely the experience for your average customer won't change. They wouldn't take any current fastpass "rights" away from anyone if they were smart about it. They would probably do something along the lines of people with Deluxe accomodations would only need to have a hour between FPs or be able to have 2 at a time in the same window or something of the sort to where they do get an added benefit but it wouldn't have a negative affect persay to everyone NOT staying in Deluxe Resorts. I doubt Disney would do anything that would make the "perks" obvious to your average park guest. My opinion only.

Oh, that makes a ton more sense! I would hate to see them allow those people who pay more have the perks that the first poster listed just to try and entice more people to stay at the more expensive resorts.

 

[mp2bill]

...I really wish Fastpass' were for people that stay at a Disney resort only, I dont think it's fair for people who stay offsite or just drop in for a day to have the rights to a fastpass :shrug::lookaroun

I like this idea. That's a real incentive to have people stay on property as opposed to trying to get those people who are already staying on property to stay at a more expensive resort.

 

[devoy1701]

Oh, that makes a ton more sense! I would hate to see them allow those people who pay more have the perks that the first poster listed just to try and entice more people to stay at the more expensive resorts.

don't get me wrong, it could and should be used to try to get people to opt for a Deluxe accomodation. Even something like being able to get a FP an hour early or select your first FP in the lobby with your room key or something would be nice.

But we live here, so the perk wouldn't entice us THAT much since we have been on everything countless amounts of times. Most of the time when we're staying on property it's to actually enjoy the resort amenities, not necessarily the parks.

 

[Tigerace81]

I don't know how this makes it more convenient. Yeah, "centralized" sounds good, but that would only make sense in a park with no obstructions and if you could collect FPs. Remember, you can only get one at a time. It'd probably make the most sense in MK because of the spoked layout, but even then it's not a great idea.

But think about it...suppose you're in MK and working from left to right in the park and want to ride JC. So you first go to this centralized location and get your FP. Then, when you're done on JC and work your way around, the next FP ride is SM. According to your plan, you'd have to walk back to the centralized location, pick up your FP, and then resume going on the other rides that don't have FPs. In my mind, it makes much more sense to grab an FP, go on some other rides that are nearby (maybe visit some shops or just take a break in the shade) and then hit up the ride that you got the FP for. Also, what about the instances when there are two rides that are right next to each other that have FPs like SM and BTM? Do you really want to have to walk back to the middle of the park just to end right back where you were 10 minutes ago?

All I said was to group the FP machines in one location in each land and for the popular rides at the gates of the park so that when you walk in, instead of running to Space mountain etc you just get your ticket and head to another ride. That plan wouldnt change anything inthe current system except having to run from ride too ride in one area to get a ticket when you need to. And its the same system as the current FP. You get one ticket. My plan only groups the machines and makes it easier to get your ticket. And it would only update the machines.

 

[the-reason14]

we've definitely had this conversation before.

But I think that if you pay more to stay on property then you can/should expect more amenities. And I have nothing wrong with those amenities extending into your actual theme park experience.

This is something, if implemented, I guess we would have to wait and see. As far as the touch screen and "planning your days with fastpasses" it could be nice but I guess, personally, I'm just used to whats there now. One question would be if you could get fps from your hotel room, what happens to the people staying offsite? Another would they get rid of them at the attractions? I'd hate to wake up early and get to a park, just to realize that fps were all sold out because they were given to deluxe wdw guests(something disney wouldn't say, but it would probably be known)

And the whole thing about extra fp perks going out to deluxe guests is still bull to me. Once you walk through the turnstyles at any of the parks, it should all be fair game. You shouldn't get extra fastpasses because you choose to pay more for a hotel, the ammentities you get, should be exclusive to that particular hotel, such as monorail transport and a better pool. But this all depends on what kinda fp "perks" they would plan on offering.

And this could be a good thing, as far as planning a day and having fastpasses to pretty much all the major attractions you wish to hit in one day at each park, but I guess I'm just comfortable with how things are now, but I should have a wait and see type thing if this were to come to pass.

 

[slappy magoo]

seriously...not even a 6 night in the Contemporary with an MK room with conceirge will cost you $4,000.

You can stay 6 nights at AKL and WL for as low as $1,150, and at Saratoga or Key West for as low as $864 for 6 nights.

Unless you're getting a suite of some sort or staying conceirge during Holiday season, I'm not sure how you're getting $4,000....

I honestly don't know, but I suspect the poster of that comment was using package pricing - resort stay, tickets, dining plan, perhaps even air fare? :shrug:

as a for-instance, I just went on to WDW's web site and plugged in a 6 night stay in September for 4 adults in a Deluxe resort. the site's first suggestion was a savannah room at AKL. That runs over 3400, includes Base tickets and no dining plan. I'm sure better deals can be found, but as I said, that's what popped up on Disney's own web site. So for the uninitiated who don't know how to hunt for bargains and discount codes, can't blame 'em for coming up with 4 grand for a 6 night stay at a Deluxe resort.

 

[RSoxNo1]

I don't know how this makes it more convenient. Yeah, "centralized" sounds good, but that would only make sense in a park with no obstructions and if you could collect FPs. Remember, you can only get one at a time. It'd probably make the most sense in MK because of the spoked layout, but even then it's not a great idea.

But think about it...suppose you're in MK and working from left to right in the park and want to ride JC. So you first go to this centralized location and get your FP. Then, when you're done on JC and work your way around, the next FP ride is SM. According to your plan, you'd have to walk back to the centralized location, pick up your FP, and then resume going on the other rides that don't have FPs. In my mind, it makes much more sense to grab an FP, go on some other rides that are nearby (maybe visit some shops or just take a break in the shade) and then hit up the ride that you got the FP for. Also, what about the instances when there are two rides that are right next to each other that have FPs like SM and BTM? Do you really want to have to walk back to the middle of the park just to end right back where you were 10 minutes ago?

Even if it's just the first Fastpass you acquire in any given day, it's an advantage. They did this at the Animal Kingdom, using the machines for It's Tough to be a Bug to distribute passes for Kilimanjaro Safaris, Expedition Everest and Dinosaur.

Ideally, there should be a system where you can get any type of Fastpass from any machine in the park (or at least any location). The way the system is presently set up, the machines are loaded with attraction specific paper, but that doesn't have to be the case. If you can select the attraction you want the Fastpass for, you wouldn't have to trek between attractions, you could just find the nearest Fastpass attraction to grab the Fastpass for the attraction you actually want.

 

[Vince3]

So far I like the new fp idea . Nothing wrong with extra perks for staying on property. App for IPhone would be cool.

 

[Tigerace81]

Even if it's just the first Fastpass you acquire in any given day, it's an advantage. They did this at the Animal Kingdom, using the machines for It's Tough to be a Bug to distribute passes for Kilimanjaro Safaris, Expedition Everest and Dinosaur.

Ideally, there should be a system where you can get any type of Fastpass from any machine in the park (or at least any location). The way the system is presently set up, the machines are loaded with attraction specific paper, but that doesn't have to be the case. If you can select the attraction you want the Fastpass for, you wouldn't have to trek between attractions, you could just find the nearest Fastpass attraction to grab the Fastpass for the attraction you actually want.

Thats another option. Swap out the existing machines for ones where you can get a FP for any ride in the park. Theres just so much that could be improved onthe current FP system.

 

[SleepingMonk]

Sounds like a good start.

Then they just need to allow club level guests to use their room key as an unlimited FastPass.


C'mon WDW, learn a little from Uni on this one!

 

[stlbobby]

If they do implement something along the lines of using multiple FP's to plan out the day I bet it would end up being a perk for those on property. Using some sort of interface at the resort, whether a dedicated kiosk or something in the room.

This way all resort guests get access to the same perk. It sets up a two class system, those staying on property vs those not, but is more egalitarian than a pay to ride system. Disney has walked this class line in the past by treating all resort guest equally at the parks and with their range of price points everyone feels they can get to be part of the special Disney magic.

That being said such a system could easily be gamed to favour deluxe resorts, without actually advertising the fact. Even if it wasn't set up that way you would hear rumors that it was.

This is just my opinion based on past experiences. I have no hard facts to back it up.