The Miscellaneous Thought Thread

[DavidDL]

I was on this wave length until someone mentioned standby might go away too. None of us really know anything. If they were to introduce this new premier pass and leave standby alone I can see the sliver lining. If they start doing standby pass and adding premier pass to different memberships/ APs not so much.

I was not under the impression that stand-by would be going away. I was under the impression that Fastpass would be disappearing and getting replaced with a "pay per ride to skip it" option. Which, while ridiculous, would probably actually help stand-by waits because how many families of 4 would really be willing to pay $40 per ride, to skip the line?

If stand-by goes away, I would agree that is dumb. Stand-by to ride should always be an option.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

We LIKED the lack of Fastpass right now. Indeed, lines moved logically and were never absurd for anything we did. You could just line up and go in, unlike the restaurants, which are a total catastrophe and made me appreciate Downtown Disney more than I ever have.

The issue we had, similar to the restaurants requiring advance reservation, was the inability to get on any of the new attractions without a Boarding Group. It's by far the worst thing Disney has implemented for theme park operation and I imagine this new FP pay system will be some evolution of this de-evolution of lining up for rides at Disney. It's a disaster. No one really likes it regardless of what they claim and it's only making the experience worse.

 

[Curious Constance]

I’ll be legitimately livid if this is implemented before my August trip. I can’t wait to not have to worry about Fastpass or Maxpass or anything. Just line up when the line is reasonable and have the line move quickly. Yes please.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I hope a lot of people stop going if Disney implements these changes. Because if they all stop going then that I means I can go and not have to pay the upcharge at all because there will be so few people to begin with, lol.

Except that Standby Pass would be a means for standby capacity to be artificially reduced.

 

[mickEblu]

It’s a surge pricing system for the most popular rides. Once a ride hits it’s desired “cap” for standby, the ops folks can shut off the regular queue and move to “Premiere Access only” which acts as a “per ride, per person” de facto up charge during peak hours. I imagine for newer rides and low capacity rides this is likely a dream.

If some form of “AP” or loyalty program does come back it would encourage those folks to either 1) stay for the full day and this spend more money or 2) buy the per-ride access passes at a hefty up charge if they want guaranteed access (and thus also spend money lol).

Conceivably under this plan you could also still keep the parks at lower capacity too as it’s a new way (outside of restaraunts and shopping) to generate revenue from attractions themselves.

So what is a standby pass then ?

 

[BasiltheBatLord]

I think it’s worth clarifying the difference between standby pass and premiere access cause there seems to be some confusion about the two.

Premiere access is paid fastpass per ride. Standby pass is free and is similar to what choosing a maxpass is like now. If a ride has standby pass activated then the standby line is closed to anyone except those who have a standby pass on their phone (they literally turn the wait time sign off as if the attraction isn’t operating)

Yeah, I can't see them doing away with Standby completely

It’s happening right now. In Tokyo, the biggest e-tickets like Hunny Hunt, Midway Mania etc. often spend the entire day in standby pass mode (and this is with reduced COVID capacity) while other e-tickets like the three mountains usually only come out of standby pass mode right after opening and right before closing.

I can’t guarantee how other parks will implement the system but Disney has no problem making it impossible to ride something unless you get a pass on your phone.

 

[DavidDL]

Except that Standby Pass would be a means for standby capacity to be artificially reduced.

Again, I missed the bit about a Stand-by Pass. I must've missed that bit in the article about this system coming to Disney Paris. My jokingly made post was made under the impression that it was simply Fastpass that was at stake to be lost here.

 

[Curious Constance]

I think it’s worth clarifying the difference between standby pass and premiere access cause there seems to be some confusion about the two.

Premiere access is paid fastpass per ride. Standby pass is free and is similar to what choosing a maxpass is like now. If a ride has standby pass activated then the standby line is closed to anyone except those who have a standby pass on their phone (they literally turn the wait time sign off as if the attraction isn’t operating)

It’s happening right now. In Tokyo, the biggest e-tickets like Hunny Hunt, Midway Mania etc. often spend the entire day in standby pass mode (and this is with reduced COVID capacity)

I can’t guarantee how other parks will implement the system but Disney has no problem making it impossible to ride something unless you get a pass on your phone.

So stand by is only closed for anyone who doesn’t get a stand by pass on their phone, but it’s free to do that?

 

[BuzzedPotatoHead89]

So what is a standby pass then ?

If you converted half of the lanes on the 101 through Topanga to high cost “express toll roads” at a hefty price then CalTrans purposefully closed the remaining non-toll lanes of the freeway during rush hour due to capacity when they unsuspectingly backed up. Those remaining saps on what’s left of the 101 are standby.

 

[BasiltheBatLord]

So stand by is only closed for anyone who doesn’t get a stand by pass on their phone, but it’s free to do that?

Yes, you can’t walk up and join the standby line. You have to have a pass. There is no charge for standby passes, you pick a time on the app much like how maxpass works now.

This is how it works in Tokyo, I can’t guarantee whether it will be the same at other parks (for reference, Tokyo doesn’t have paid fastpass yet, fastpass is still suspended since re-opening from Corona)

 

[DrAlice]

Confusing and convoluted = terrible guest experience

terrible guest experience = guests stop spending money and don't come back

It's pretty simple math.

 

[mickEblu]

If you converted half of the lanes on the 101 through Topanga to high cost “express toll roads” at a hefty price then CalTrans purposefully closed the remaining non-toll lanes of the freeway during rush hour due to capacity when they unsuspectingly backed up. Those remaining saps on what’s left of the 101 are standby.

The express toll roads are the premier passes but What are the “remaining non toll lanes” referring to in this Analogy?

Also thanks for using the 101/ Topanga. Very relatable.

 

[Curious Constance]

Confusing and convoluted = terrible guest experience

terrible guest experience = guests stop spending money and don't come back

It's pretty simple math.

Right? Why do they always have confusing and hard to understand processes? If it’s hard for people like us to understand, I can’t even imagine the general public dealing with it.
I could be on board with them up charging for a front of the line pass for all rides together (charging per ride seems absolutely ridiculous to me). And I might even decide to pay more for that experience. Maybe. But you can’t charge people hundreds of dollars per day to get into the park and then not offer them an option to wait in line for things without paying more or figuring out confusing phone pass systems.

 

[BuzzedPotatoHead89]

What are the “remaining non toll lanes” at Disney referring to in this Analogy?

Also thanks for using the 101/ Topanga. Very relatable.

I’m envisioning a sudden freeway closure that requires usage of the toll lanes. Also imagine artificially cutting the lanes (in this case queue time) as a means to drive consumer behavior.

Time will tell though, hopefully my worst speculation is just that.

 

[Disstevefan1]

It’s a surge pricing system for the most popular rides. Once a ride hits it’s desired “cap” for standby, the ops folks can shut off the regular queue and move to “Premiere Access only” which acts as a “per ride, per person” de facto up charge during peak hours. I imagine for newer rides and low capacity rides this is likely a dream.

If some form of “AP” or loyalty program does come back it would encourage those folks to either 1) stay for the full day and this spend more money or 2) buy the per-ride access passes at a hefty up charge if they want guaranteed access (and thus also spend money lol).

Conceivably under this plan you could also still keep the parks at lower capacity too as it’s a new way (outside of restaraunts and shopping) to generate revenue from attractions themselves.

Once all COVID restrictions are gone. I would find it hard to believe that Disney would turn away anyone from buying a ticket to get into any park on any given day, so the idea of lower capacity is not going to happen.

Folks who pay to get in and decide not to buy FastPasses, won’t be clogging the ride queues, they will simply walk around, maybe get something to eat, maybe buy a souvenir or two, then leave.

Johnny, did you ride any rides today? Johnny says, “No rides, but I had this great cupcake that looked like Olaf and look at the Mickey Mouse hat I got! It was a magical day! Now for the best part, let’s go in the pool!

Disney wins again!

 

[mickEblu]

I’m envisioning a sudden freeway closure that requires usage of the toll lanes. Also imagine artificially cutting the lanes (in this case queue time) as a means to drive consumer behavior.

Time will tell though, hopefully my worst speculation is just that.

Someone, maybe not you, referred to a “standby pass” that is used in Paris apparently. Which I took to mean some sort of additional way of getting onto an attraction in addition to premier passes further muddling things up. I’m not understanding what in your Analogy is referring to the “standby pass.” Unless you weren’t aware of it or didn’t account for it. Or perhaps I misunderstood someone’s post earlier.

EDIT: just reread your post. I get it. You meant to say close the freeway. The people left on the freeway (not on a toll lane) would be standby. I guess the disconnect is that people will actively need to obtain a “standby pass.” In your analogy, people left over on non toll lanes on the freeway would be people who happened to be waiting in line for a ride when the standby line closes. It doesn’t account for how the process works of obtaining a standby pass or what the the heck one is in the first place.

 

[mickEblu]

@BuzzedPotatoHead89 just reread your post. I get it. You meant to say close the freeway. The people left on the freeway (not on a toll lane) would be standby. I guess the disconnect is that people will actively need to obtain a “standby pass.” In your analogy, people left over on non toll lanes on the freeway would be people who happened to be lucky and waiting in line for a ride when the standby line closes. It doesn’t account for how the process of obtaining a standby pass works or what the the heck one is in the first place.

EDIT: ok just looked it up. It’s what I thought and mentioned earlier. It’s a “fastpass” except it’s not fast and may be the only way to get onto the ride if you are not willing to pay for premier. It sucks. With that said I wonder how often that will actually happen? How often will things get so busy that a guests only way of getting on a ride will be a standby pass? That would mean premier passes are selling like hot cakes and they are underpriced AND they are letting in way too many people even with the new reservation system. I hate the fact that these standby passes potentially can add another layer of planning if one is not willing to pay extra.

Just make the premier passes really expensive and leave the standby line alone. Problem solved.

 

[Brer Panther]

We always knew the future was dark when that spray-tanned baldie took charge, but maybe it's all happening too fast. At least delay the horror slightly.

And we're gonna have to put up with this guy for who knows how long. We're in trouble.

 

[Curious Constance]

Out of 2560 votes so far on a MiceChat poll, 83% think the Premier Paid Access is a bad idea. 11% aren't sure and 6% think it's a good idea.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

I move for a Vote of No Confidence in Ken Potluck's leadership.