SuddenStorm
Well-Known Member
Rude or not rude, it doesn't negate the fact that AP's do clog up the parks which I believe is a reason alone to end the AP program.
If they got rid of the AP program, they'd just lower the price of day tickets, offer more promotions and discounts, and do whatever else it took to keep the parks full. It's a given that if there were less people in the park, the guest experience would be better- but if AP's weren't "clogging the park", than there'd be a different group of attendees filling up the park.
With attractions that have Fastpass, the stand by line is stopped every 5 or so minutes to allow the Fastpass line to enter. This causes longer stand by lines. Like I mentioned earlier, when FP was added to both TSMM and the Matterhorn, they both saw wait times double.
Yes, the stand by time is increased, but if you use fastpass, you have the opportunity to wait far less. You might wait a bit longer for one ride, but if you have a fastpass, you'll be waiting far less time for another.
We also see that happen with HMH.
HMH's popularity is also due to the fact that it's a limited, seasonal overlay during the busiest time of the year. Hyperspace Mountain has the same surge in wait times. Haunted Mansion has had FP year round for a while now, and the stand by time is usually fairly reasonable. Is it longer than it'd be without Fastpass? Sure, but it also usually has a return time that's within an hour, so getting a Fastpass and practically walking on the ride is rarely an issue.
There's also an argument to be made that FP harms the artists' original designs as the interior queues for both Indiana Jones Adventure and Space Mountain.
I actually agree with this one. I hate being forced to walk through the beautiful interior of Indy (I care less about the queue for Space Mountain), and this is an issue I expect to be addressed in any attractions designed going forward. It's also a shame that with Fastpass, you skip Roger Rabbit's line entirely.
Another argument can also be made that FPs cause more clutter elsewhere in the park. While you virtually stand in line with your FP ticket, you are able to roam the park (filling walkways) or get on another attractions (longer lines elsewhere).
Seems like a bit of a win for the guest. Being able to wait in two lines at once, shop and experience little diversion while queuing seems like a plus to me? I'd rather spend time in a busy Disneyland (who's small walkways ALWAYS feel packed), than be stuck standing in line for the Matterhorn.
We can speculate all we want, but Disney continues to adjust and tailor the AP program to help control when crowds go- which seems to show that they love the program. I think most people like the AP program, and I expect further refinement before Star Wars opens.
Same goes with Fastpass. It continues to get enhanced, and is utilized in every Disney park now (I'm pretty sure), so someone somewhere seems to think that it's a plus. Remember- Disney didn't have Fastpass for about 40 years, I think they know it's impact on crowds and wait times, but continue to implement it anyway.
I did 40 attractions my last visit. Rope drop to close, and that definitely wouldn't have been possible had I been forced to wait stand by for everything. Anyone that chooses to wait in a long stand by line, instead of utilizing a fastpass only has them-self to blame.