Goofyernmost
Well-Known Member
But, but everyone can get one...there's no excuse for not using a Fastpass except if one is too uninformed to know how to use the system. Is there??
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Would you discontinue FastPass?
- Thread starter neoshinok
- Start date
Belowthesurface
Well-Known Member
GET RID OF IT!
Let me explain how Fastpass looks from a Cast Member perspective...
FP creates so much unnecessary talking/explaining, congestion, focus being drawn away from real issues and most of all GUEST SITUATIONS.
Unnecessary talking...
The amount of time it takes to explain Fastpass, Surprise Fastpass, where the machines are, that you can't get more than one at a time, that everyone needs one in the group, that you can't come back early, that you can't come back late, that you need one for every person in the group, that your ticket that says not valid is not a valid fastpass, that your ticket that says you already have an active fastpass, so you can't get another one, that GAC cards are not a fastpass, why your ticket won't be read in the fastpass machine because..., that you can't cancel them, where the fastpass line is, ANYTHING about fastpass being explained to a foreign guest, foreign guests getting confused and angry with you because the ticket they just got can't be used immediately, yelling at Guests trying to sneak in the fastpass line, yelling at Guests for crowding the Fastpass entrance, your ride comes back from being down or stopped and having to explain to Guests in the line why you just took 80 people from fastpass and 8 from stand by, getting screamed at, spit on, pushed and threatened at the merge point.....should I go on?
Congestion...
Guests get mad that they can't go in early or it's not their time to go, so they crowd the fastpass return. It displaces more people in the park in places that weren't known for congestion.
Focus being drawn away from real issues...
Being able to "clear" a fastpass line is valued way more than paying attention to Guests in the stand-by line or actually cleaning the filthy merge point area and or fastpass and stand-by queue.
Guest Situations
Most Guests don't understand the stand-by to fastpass ratio, so they yell, scream, assault and threaten Cast at merge points. The confusion it causes for Guests about when they can get a fastpass and why they can't get a Fastpass. The amount of foreign Guests who get a fastpass simply because they think they "have to" for an attraction while the Cast Member tries desperately to explain the fastpass system in whichever language they aren't fluid in. Guests also try to scam Cast Members out of fastpasses, yell when they can't go in early or late, and make a scene when they "all the sudden" realize they can't make their fastpass time 3 hours from now and demand to ride then and there.
WAKE UP!
Fastpass is doing a lot of harm. However, you won't realize this anymore, because you will be distracted by things you can kick, punch and eventually break in the the "interactive queue."
Remember waiting 40 minutes at worse for small world? get ready to be waiting even longer when that fastpass rolls out. Same thing with Pirates... two lines for each attraction will all the sudden become ONE LONG LINE for YOU.
Let me explain how Fastpass looks from a Cast Member perspective...
FP creates so much unnecessary talking/explaining, congestion, focus being drawn away from real issues and most of all GUEST SITUATIONS.
Unnecessary talking...
The amount of time it takes to explain Fastpass, Surprise Fastpass, where the machines are, that you can't get more than one at a time, that everyone needs one in the group, that you can't come back early, that you can't come back late, that you need one for every person in the group, that your ticket that says not valid is not a valid fastpass, that your ticket that says you already have an active fastpass, so you can't get another one, that GAC cards are not a fastpass, why your ticket won't be read in the fastpass machine because..., that you can't cancel them, where the fastpass line is, ANYTHING about fastpass being explained to a foreign guest, foreign guests getting confused and angry with you because the ticket they just got can't be used immediately, yelling at Guests trying to sneak in the fastpass line, yelling at Guests for crowding the Fastpass entrance, your ride comes back from being down or stopped and having to explain to Guests in the line why you just took 80 people from fastpass and 8 from stand by, getting screamed at, spit on, pushed and threatened at the merge point.....should I go on?
Congestion...
Guests get mad that they can't go in early or it's not their time to go, so they crowd the fastpass return. It displaces more people in the park in places that weren't known for congestion.
Focus being drawn away from real issues...
Being able to "clear" a fastpass line is valued way more than paying attention to Guests in the stand-by line or actually cleaning the filthy merge point area and or fastpass and stand-by queue.
Guest Situations
Most Guests don't understand the stand-by to fastpass ratio, so they yell, scream, assault and threaten Cast at merge points. The confusion it causes for Guests about when they can get a fastpass and why they can't get a Fastpass. The amount of foreign Guests who get a fastpass simply because they think they "have to" for an attraction while the Cast Member tries desperately to explain the fastpass system in whichever language they aren't fluid in. Guests also try to scam Cast Members out of fastpasses, yell when they can't go in early or late, and make a scene when they "all the sudden" realize they can't make their fastpass time 3 hours from now and demand to ride then and there.
WAKE UP!
Fastpass is doing a lot of harm. However, you won't realize this anymore, because you will be distracted by things you can kick, punch and eventually break in the the "interactive queue."
Remember waiting 40 minutes at worse for small world? get ready to be waiting even longer when that fastpass rolls out. Same thing with Pirates... two lines for each attraction will all the sudden become ONE LONG LINE for YOU.
Goofyernmost
Well-Known Member
Makes for one fun vacation doesn't it? I've hated it and it's potential to kill the fun place the Disney once was since the very inception. I still hate it even more now because I see that I was right in my concerns at the time. You have confirmed my concerns. However, for those that worship it, it would be a major screaming point if it were to be removed. It's that 600 pound Gorilla in the living room that no one seems to be able to get out of there. It just grows bigger and more negative with every passing day.
Belowthesurface
Well-Known Member
Cast satisfaction would go WAY up without Fastpass.
The new system is hated by almost every Cast Member. They can all see through the non sense and are really dreading when Next Gen goes live.
tonganprince
Well-Known Member
I voted no, but I wish they would only allow on property guests to use it. Off site and day visitors should have to wait in the queues.
doctornick
Well-Known Member
For people who are well versed and efficient with using FP, you absolutely can save a lot of time with them. A group can easily get 5-7 FP each day for attractions with long waits. Before FP, I would never have been able to ride on Space or BTM or Splash (on a hot day) in under 10 minutes in the middle of the day. But I can -- and do -- all the time now. I don't generally ever wait in a standby line that has more than 30 minute wait posted ever nowaways -- I either ride that ride with FP or go early or very late when the line is shorter. Midday, I do only fastpass and shorter waits (or go back to the hotel).
Your question about the time it takes to get and use FP I don't think applies to more efficient users of the service. For example, with my family (two young kids under 5), I'm typically the runner, so yes I do sometimes go to one end of the park or the other, but I do it when my kids or wife are eating or using the bathroom so it's time I would otherwise just be waiting and sitting on a bench. I would think most people who employ runners do the same thing.
And I don't understand some people's comments of "you end up waiting around for your window to open". Who does that? Unless it's like literally 2 minutes until the window, why wouldn't you do another ride in the meantime? For virtually every ride, there is something nearby that you can do in under an hour while you are waiting for the window to open.
Anyhow, I don't doubt that for many (most?) people FP ends up being a zero sum game where they end up not saving any more time thanks to it. And there are certainly people who are hurt by FP since it makes the standby lines longer and they don't/won't use FP. But that doesn't mean that there aren't a significant number of people who understand the FP system well and use it efficiently to do more attractions than they could otherwise. It's a massive help for avoiding the longest lines at the worst time of the day (which would exist regardless of FP, even if it makes those a bit worse). And for that reason, it should stay since people who want to use it and do so can benefit. Especially in its current form where everyone has equal access so the only thing stopping someone from using it well is a good understand of how it works and knowledge of the parks/attractions.
Tom Morrow
Well-Known Member
Your whole entire post is spot on. I think on this forum, everyone seems to assume that an "easy to figure out" system like the current Fastpass system shouldn't really cause problems... but as your post explains, it absolutely does! I made up a parody of a Homer Simpson quote once, and its totally true: "To Fastpass! The cause of - and solution to - every guest situation!"
Goofyernmost
Well-Known Member
I fixed it for you. You're welcome!
So what would you say the percentage of "skilled" FP users are? Is the number significant enough to warrent so many people being delayed or confused or belligerent. Would the OVERALL experience for the majority of Disney visitors be enhanced by it's demise? Personally, I think it would.
Belowthesurface
Well-Known Member
I wish every member on this forum could work a Fastpass Distribution area, so they can understand the amount of explaining and re-explaining that goes on.
Goofyernmost
Well-Known Member
I must say that I am somewhat surprised by the poll numbers. 40% (at this moment) are in favor of discontinuing Fastpass. A poll taken by a group of people that probably know how the system works because, let's face it, we are probably more invested in Disney then the average guest would be. We have a forum that keeps us informed on how all the buttons and whistles work and yet that many see an inherent flaw in it. I didn't expect discontinuance to win among this group, but I thought the gap would be much wider.
When I first started to speak out against Fastpass, years ago, it was a wonder that I wasn't drawn and quartered. Blasphemy, I was told. This is the best thing since sliced bread, they said. How could I possibly be against it unless I was just plain ignorant. It was an idea that looked good on paper if you didn't take into consideration the possible negative impact that also came with it. One of the things that I said, when I first complained to Disney and they called me to ask for an explanation, was if nothing else, if you cannot just get rid of it, then at least do not make the Fastpass line merge anywhere directly with the standby line. By that I meant, don't even put it anyplace that can be seen by anyone in the standby line. That is were I saw the Guest anger when it first started and where it continues even today. I had never, ever witnessed anger in a queue line before, and my first thought was...this cannot be good. It doesn't matter whether the anger came from misinformation or just frustration, it was there and it shouldn't have been. It was the start of things that have developed since then. What I call, "The Killing of the Joy" at a place which is supposed to be a fun experience for all. It is now a contest! Who can get the most FP's? Who can work the system better then the other? FP+ as much as I can tell, will only make that worse. If one attempts to work toward the overall goodwill and enjoyment of a Disney park FOR THE MAJORITY, how can that be good.
I may be one of the few that thinks it would be better to have a system like Universal. If you want an Express Pass, one way or the other you will be paying for it. Either in room rates or directly. No pay, no play. At least at that point someone waiting in line while others pass in front can think that they had to pay extra for that. At least I saved money. At Disney it's free which means that I paid that same amount of money to be here as you did so, tell me why again, that you are able to shoot right in front of me. When is equal, not equal?
When I first started to speak out against Fastpass, years ago, it was a wonder that I wasn't drawn and quartered. Blasphemy, I was told. This is the best thing since sliced bread, they said. How could I possibly be against it unless I was just plain ignorant. It was an idea that looked good on paper if you didn't take into consideration the possible negative impact that also came with it. One of the things that I said, when I first complained to Disney and they called me to ask for an explanation, was if nothing else, if you cannot just get rid of it, then at least do not make the Fastpass line merge anywhere directly with the standby line. By that I meant, don't even put it anyplace that can be seen by anyone in the standby line. That is were I saw the Guest anger when it first started and where it continues even today. I had never, ever witnessed anger in a queue line before, and my first thought was...this cannot be good. It doesn't matter whether the anger came from misinformation or just frustration, it was there and it shouldn't have been. It was the start of things that have developed since then. What I call, "The Killing of the Joy" at a place which is supposed to be a fun experience for all. It is now a contest! Who can get the most FP's? Who can work the system better then the other? FP+ as much as I can tell, will only make that worse. If one attempts to work toward the overall goodwill and enjoyment of a Disney park FOR THE MAJORITY, how can that be good.
I may be one of the few that thinks it would be better to have a system like Universal. If you want an Express Pass, one way or the other you will be paying for it. Either in room rates or directly. No pay, no play. At least at that point someone waiting in line while others pass in front can think that they had to pay extra for that. At least I saved money. At Disney it's free which means that I paid that same amount of money to be here as you did so, tell me why again, that you are able to shoot right in front of me. When is equal, not equal?
Tom Morrow
Well-Known Member
^ Good post.
I hate when people complain about Universal's Express pass (and all other forums other parks have that you pay for) because it isn't free. With Universal Express, you are paying for a true perk, an actual line skipper. You also get every attraction (except Forbidden Journey for now and Rip Ride Rockit which should end soon), and can enter each attraction when you want.
Fastpass is a crowd management system, and the majority of the benefit you get from using Fastpass and being savvy with it is that you are actively avoiding the inflated standby lines that the system itself created. I dislike Fastpass, but I have to use it if I want to ride everything.
I hate when people complain about Universal's Express pass (and all other forums other parks have that you pay for) because it isn't free. With Universal Express, you are paying for a true perk, an actual line skipper. You also get every attraction (except Forbidden Journey for now and Rip Ride Rockit which should end soon), and can enter each attraction when you want.
Fastpass is a crowd management system, and the majority of the benefit you get from using Fastpass and being savvy with it is that you are actively avoiding the inflated standby lines that the system itself created. I dislike Fastpass, but I have to use it if I want to ride everything.
Bloopers
Well-Known Member
I don't work with fast passes but it's gonna take more than just getting rid of the fast pass for cast satisfaction. I think it's a great tool for people who understands the system, but I can see how much of a pain it would be from a cast member perspective, especially one who's in attractions or the ones standing by the machines showing people. I've had many guests come up to me speaking in all kinds of languages and I thank the lord I don't have to explain much most of the time.
bdearl41
Well-Known Member
Not everyone can afford to stay on property. That wouldnt be cool.
Virtual Toad
Well-Known Member
Back in the day, Mrs. Toad and I were able to hit all our favorite attractions at Epcot, take the monorail to the MK, and hit most of the highlights there (INCLUDING all three mountains and both sides of Mr. Toad!) without Fastpass even being a twinkle in an MBA's eye. And that was as day guests, arriving at Epcot around 11am and leaving the Epcot parking lot around 1:30am. Good times.
And here's the thing. The wait times were very manageable. No waits at Epcot and 15-20 minutes at the MK. At the height of summer travel season. Maybe 45 at the most for Splash Mountain, but we'd do Space Mountain last, riding two to three times in the last hour before they moved the garbage cans in front of the doors to close it down at midnight.
Touring the parks pre-Fastpass was a breeze and a blast if you knew how to take advantage of typical crowd patterns. We find we used to ride an insane amount of attractions pre-FP compared to what we ride today.
And here's the thing. The wait times were very manageable. No waits at Epcot and 15-20 minutes at the MK. At the height of summer travel season. Maybe 45 at the most for Splash Mountain, but we'd do Space Mountain last, riding two to three times in the last hour before they moved the garbage cans in front of the doors to close it down at midnight.
Touring the parks pre-Fastpass was a breeze and a blast if you knew how to take advantage of typical crowd patterns. We find we used to ride an insane amount of attractions pre-FP compared to what we ride today.
sgtmgd
Well-Known Member
Ive been going to WDW since damn near opening day..from a young boy through my middle ages...I dont see Fast Passes as evil or a problem..Not to be dissrepectful tot he cast members that have obviously spoken out here against it..stating that all the explaining is a detrement..well..thats your job...to explain and answer questions...to be a good customer represenitive..regardless of the issue..if it wasnt fast pass issues it would be something else..its in the nature of folks to need attention..and tourist by and large at places like Disney feel like they are "owed" a certain amount of attention...and they they are...being a CM by and large is a thankless job..and the pay is poor...its like a person goes to work at Mcdonalds and is then surprised its not the Yachtsman Steakhouse. The fast pass system enables families to get through the major attractions each day....there is a certain amount of responsibility for folks in the parks to have some idea of what they want their day in the parks to be..plan accordingly..those that go willy nilley will often be frustrated and walk in circles trying in vain to catch hort lines that dont exisit on crowded days, or struggle to get a walk in reservation at a decent sit down meal without an ADR...Universal's system is better in that you do skip lines to degree..BUT the negatives are ridiculous...I paid 95.00 per person for the upgrade last year for 1 day in IAO..that was double the cost of the park admission..also the upgrade allowed you 1 entry to each ride...once scanned you couldnt re-ride in the express lane. IT did not include Harry Potter....JOKE! Full disclosure..2-3 cast members at Universal didnt scan our tickets for Jurrrasic Park and Dudley Doo right..so those rides we COULD ride twice but you cant count on that..Disney offers a fast pass systems that mitigates line wait..it's up to you as an adult that is going to spend that much money on a trip...to have some idea of what youre getting into. It isnt like Disney has hidden what and how Fast Passes work..or there parks in general..I remember waiting 3 hours plus for Space Mountain..and Pirates pre fast pass days..there was no options..either wait in line or not ride..sites like this can help people mitigate common misperceptions and known problems
flynnibus
Premium Member
You were lucky - I however remember the times that those huge queues and preshows at EPCOT were actually used.. because lines did take an hour or more.
Less we forget.. disney was a pioneer on keeping people occupied in line. Why would they bother if there were no waits? Or just 15min waits?
Tom Morrow
Well-Known Member
Correct, but you'd probably be surprised how often this causes guests to literally yell, scream, threaten, spit on, throw things at, etc, CM's for just trying to enforce the Fastpass rules. The frontline CM's should not be dealing with that on a consistent basis. There's a reason Guest Relations is a "promotional" role, pays more, etc.
-I agree that 95 per person is pretty insane, but usually the express pass is $25 to $35 per person.
- It doesn't include Forbidden Journey because they are smart and don't want to inflate the standby line (even though Universal's Merge ratio is quite a bit less than 80%/20%).
- They tell you up front that it's good once at each attraction, but you are paying for that convenience to have each ride once, and use it when you want. The TM's will sometimes not scan your ticket if their attraction isn't that busy.
sgtmgd
Well-Known Member
To be fair the sharp increase was due to the holiday pricing..but steep it was..there was also a full fledged uprising that morning as Harry Potter world closed less than hour after opening due to capacity...yes they handed out what equated to fast pass tickets with a time to come back and then yuo would be admitted..but this didnt go over well abd was quite confusing to foreign tourist that spoke poor english..the park was at capacity that day as well...Universal did a poor job that day..not that Disney could have done better...but it got quite ugly