Would you discontinue FastPass?

[MissAlmyra]

Some really good points are being brought up here. It seems that Fastpass is more of a pain disguised as a benefit than anything else...
I'm curious about the demographics of the people who use Fastpass. Are families/people with younger children more likely to use it? I haven't used Fastpass before, but I was only traveling with one other person.

 

[DfromATX]

Some really good points are being brought up here. It seems that Fastpass is more of a pain disguised as a benefit than anything else...
I'm curious about the demographics of the people who use Fastpass. Are families/people with younger children more likely to use it? I haven't used Fastpass before, but I was only traveling with one other person.

We are a fast pass family - mom, dad, 3 teens, and a 10 year old. It's always worked well for us and we can't imaging not using it. I never knew there were such dislike/problems with it until I read it on here.

As far as customers abusing CMs... pretty sad, but anyone who works for the general public probably experiences abuse at some time or another. The general public is pretty rude. Even my niece who works at McD's in our small town complains about it.

 

[Goofyernmost]

I'm curious about the demographics of the people who use Fastpass. Are families/people with younger children more likely to use it? I haven't used Fastpass before, but I was only traveling with one other person.

I'm sure there must be some information on that, but it would be tainted by the fact that many, like myself, use it because I have too. I don't really want too, but because of the situation, if I don't, I will never see anything. In my mind, that is the problem and it was created by FP and it is nurtured by FP and it will go on in infinity because it is a continuously moving circle. People demand it now because without it nothing moves, or so they think. Nothing moves because of it, it is it's own problem and therefore it's own solution to the problem that it created. Pretty clever really!

 

[sgtmgd]

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?

The lines at POTC when it first opened were abysmal..hours Ive spent in those lines...you certainly could catch a day here and there that the crowds were down and lines were manageable..but you were more likely to spend more time in line than anything else. Fast Passes could be tweeked Im sure..one person scanning in an entire tour group is certainly annoying..limit how many each person can scan..either way..the system as is works well enough that Im not stressed about waiting in any of the lines.

 

[Britt]

I know how FP works and it still irritates me when Im standing right at the merge area of Kali River Rapids for an extra 10-15 minutes while they let every single person who walks up with a FP get on. We'd already waited about 30-40 minutes (the ticker had said it was a 20 minute wait at the base), so watching this extra 40-50+ people getting on in front of us, while we're just STANDING there was REALLY irritating. I knew it was our fault, but hell, it SAID 20 minutes. LOL

(Also really irritating is when someone gets through the fast pass cue and DOESN'T HAVE ONE. And they don't understand English well enough to communicate with the person up front and it just causes more hold up and more confusion.)

 

[Virtual Toad]

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?

We must have hit the sweet spot at Epcot around '95-'96. I agree with keeping people occupied in line. Pre-FP, the parks seemed less crowded because a good number of people were in line or riding something at any given time. With FP it seems more people are flooding the walkways now. Or perhaps it's because the attractions themselves (esp. at Epcot) are shorter and/or less compelling.

I don't think waiting in line is necessarily a bad thing. But what you're waiting for has to be worth it. Pre-FP, MK crowds were easier to navigate and avoid because a good number of attractions always had minimal lines in the evenings.

 

[Belowthesurface]

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. 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

Spoken like a true Guest.

If Disney doesn't hide how Fastpass works, then why does it not advertise you can only get 1 Fastpass at a time?

Explaining things is part of the job, but when you are trying to explain the complexities of the system that aren't advertised or you are being bombarded by Guests at the distribution area with the exact same questions and consistent problem with Fastpass machines... it gets old quick. Even when they get a ticket out of the machine that explains to them what to do, they still don't understand.

Go work a merge point or Fastpass Return position and you'll understand real quick why this system is hated by Cast Members. Maybe you'll see why they expect more from their "low paying job" in which they are threatened, ridiculed and spit on all in the name of Fastpass. Guest don't like when their stroller is moved, but no one is dropping f-bombs or screaming that the Cast isn't doing their job.

It's hard to be a good "customer representative" when you are yelled at and told to explain yourself at a Merge point, but the Guest doesn't care what they answers is and all the poor Cast Member can do is to keep explaining the same point the Guest doesn't want to hear. By that time, Stand-by could have been loaded on the ride.

Wait in line for Peter Pan's Flight in the summer, fully extended queue, and the ride has just come back from being stopped for 5 minutes. You will love how much your wait time is going to increase due to the Merge Cast Member having to take almost 100 people before they even maybe take 5-8 people from Stand-by.

 

[Virtual Toad]

Wait in line for Peter Pan's Flight in the summer, fully extended queue, and the ride has just come back from being stopped for 5 minutes. You will love how much your wait time is going to increase due to the Merge Cast Member having to take almost 100 people before they even maybe take 5-8 people from Stand-by.

This EXACT scanario happened to me with my two-year-old son in my arms. That standy queue is MURDER in the summer heat. Management ought to start touring the parks as real guests to see how screwed up some of their policies and ideas are.

 

[Belowthesurface]

This EXACT scanario happened to me with my two-year-old son in my arms. That standy queue is MURDER in the summer heat. Management ought to start touring the parks as real guests to see how screwed up some of their policies and ideas are.

The Merge Cast Member always feels bad for the Stand-by Guests.

Well, rumour has it that an interactive queue will take it's place. So, now instead of noticing you are waiting longer than you should, you will probably notice that the people ahead aren't moving because they are distracted by the queue.

 

[Goofyernmost]

The Merge Cast Member always feels bad for the Stand-by Guests.

Well, rumour has it that an interactive queue will take it's place. So, now instead of noticing you are waiting longer than you should, you will probably notice that the people ahead aren't moving because they are distracted by the queue.

Do any of the decision makers at Disney ever even been in a Theme Park. Sometimes I wonder!

 

[doctornick]

Not everyone can afford to stay on property. That wouldnt be cool.

While I don't really have opinion about limiting FP to resort guests one way or the other, I don't think this argument makes sense. For starters, not everyone can afford to go to WDW; that doesn't mean the people that can and do pay shouldn't be able to go to the theme park. But more specifically, if TDO wants to use FP as a benefit to staying at their own hotels -- as Universal does with their pass, incidentally -- then that's certainly within their rights. If anything, it would help to justify the higher cost of WDW resort hotels compared to their nearby competitors.

 

[doctornick]

Some really good points are being brought up here. It seems that Fastpass is more of a pain disguised as a benefit than anything else...

I don't think that's really true. For the vast majority of people it's likely neutral more or less. They save some time on some rides with FP and lose some time on other rides due to longer standby lines. There's an argument that seeing people go in front of them from the FP might create some anger, but it's balanced by the feeling of happiness when they themselves get to be in the FP line and zip in front of the masses waiting. If anything, from my experience talking to people, most don't really think about or realize the impact on standby lines and just excited that they can use it to "beat the lines". YMMV.

That said, as I've pointed out, a well versed user can save considerable time with FP and go on more rides if they want. So, my major point is just that the people saying that no one benefits are wrong. Maybe it's a small number, but anyone can learn the tricks and implement it. It's open to anyone.

 

[George]

I say FP should only be at Jungle Cruise. I remember every other line moving along at a nice clip. Seriously, we make a lot of use of fastpass, but the system sucks. Scrap it. Two more rides in each park and it's not an issue.

 

[George]

I am a major fastpass user too. We show up at rope drop, ride a ton of crap and load up on fastpasses. I suppose with the new system those who get organized on the computer will get rewarded. I just don' t see the point of ing everyone off with slow moving lines.

 

[Belowthesurface]

Do any of the decision makers at Disney ever even been in a Theme Park. Sometimes I wonder!

When they are, the area they are entering is extremely prepared and, if they can help it, any eye sores are eliminated.

Phil Holmes presence is usually mapped out by a person or people that make sure things look nice first.

I know of an occurrence where an attraction had a line sticking out the entrance and Cast Members were told to "hide" the line because the execs were going to walk by soon.

 

[Goofyernmost]

When they are, the area they are entering is extremely prepared and, if they can help it, any eye sores are eliminated.

Phil Holmes presence is usually mapped out by a person or people that make sure things look nice first.

I know of an occurrence where an attraction had a line sticking out the entrance and Cast Members were told to "hide" the line because the execs were going to walk by soon.

At least it would be easy to identify an exec. that really cared about the parks and their condition. There is no reason on the planet that they couldn't go in there like a regular Guests, unannounced and not surrounded by an entourage. It's not like they are easily recognized by the public, and even if they were, a little alteration of appearance would come pretty close to completely melting into a crowd.

Anyway, it's not likely to happen because they all care more about their own personal status then running the parks with any degree of care and concern. They are way above the unwashed and wouldn't mingle if their life depended on it.

 

[Belowthesurface]

Or talk to the frontline Cast Members, beyond mindless chatter.

 

[Tom Morrow]

The Merge Cast Member always feels bad for the Stand-by Guests.

Well, rumour has it that an interactive queue will take it's place. So, now instead of noticing you are waiting longer than you should, you will probably notice that the people ahead aren't moving because they are distracted by the queue.

Bolded for emphasis! Well put.

Rest assured, that the merge CM does feel bad whenever they have to take a ridiculous ratio to accommodate Fastpasses. If the CM could, they would take 50/50. But if you did that, the Fastpass line would be out the front entrance and beyond in no time.

The lines at POTC when it first opened were abysmal.

Somehow, I don't even see how it's possible for it to get an "abysmal" line. Today, at least until it gets Fastpass+ or whatever, you can wait through the entire indoor queue at POTC in about 20 minutes with both sides of the load station open.

 

[MissAlmyra]

@doctornick You raise an excellent point! I hear so often about the negative effects of it, it's easy to forget how someone can utilize and enjoy it properly on their trip.

 

[Belowthesurface]

@doctornick You raise an excellent point! I hear so often about the negative effects of it, it's easy to forget how someone can utilize and enjoy it properly on their trip.

Yeah... like the Dad who is running like a lunatic to GET ALL THE FASTPASSES AND RIDE ALL THE RIDES!!! ATHGGDLFGDJG!!!!!!!