What is happening to FastPass?
Changes to Disney World’s FastPass system have been spreading throughout the parks, as new machines and tickets are being installed at many popular attractions. As more and more attractions get the upgrade, speculation is all over the board as to what these changes may mean to guests. So far, Disney has been tight-lipped about the future of this very popular program.
When I was last at the Animal Kingdom, Expedition Everest was going through the process of upgrading its FastPass system. Kilimanjaro Safaris already had it, and the new tickets sported a new barcode along the side and a much larger issue date then the older tickets. Obviously the date is to prevent people from using expired passes, something regularly done and up to this point largely ignored by cast members. But that can not be the only reason they are spending money on the system, as simply instructing CM’s to be more diligent could accomplish that and in some attractions that is already happening.
I think before we start speculating on what these changes might be a little review of why Disney put FastPass into the parks in the first place is in order. Yes, it was to keep people from spending the vast majority of their days in line, but not because Disney was being nice to their guests. They invested all this time and cash to get people off the lines and into the shops and restaurants so they can spend more money. From all accounts, this hasn’t happened to the extent the planners were hoping for. So we can safely assume that any additional investment will be aimed towards the goal of making money on this program.
Lou Mongello has some interesting information on what the future holds for FastPass on his Disney World Trivia site. Here’s what he is reporting…
Listener Holli emailed with rumors courtesy of the Cast Member guide on her Keys to the Kingdom tour. According to her guide, the changes to the Walt Disney World FastPass system are going to make it more like the Disneyland system, and that it will allow Guests to get a second FastPass for a different attraction as long as it is a different kind of ride or in a different part of the park. The system is supposedly undergoing testing at Epcot currently.
Well, this makes some sense, but why would new machines be needed to do this? We already know the system can be manipulated to allow variations to FastPass, so putting in expensive new machines would at least appear to be for a more elaborate purpose than simply allowing multiple passes.
But if the goal is to keep people off lines, and theoretically in shops and restaurants, it is possible that Disney has concluded the current system doesn’t go far enough to achieve that, and I would agree. If you walk into Epcot at noon, and grab a FastPass for Soarin’, that pass may not be good until hours later, thus putting you in normal stand-by lines for everything else you may want to experience. When this happens, the original intent is essentially lost, and most e-ticket rides during the busiest seasons have FastPass return times far enough out to make using it only truly an option on a few rides per day.
The longest standing rumor is that Disney will eventually either charge for FastPass, much like Universal already does, or they will offer it as an added perk for staying on property. Charging seems unlikely at this point, but using it as a perk makes a lot of sense for the Mouse. The goal has always been to keep people on property, and offering this as an incentive would be a nice selling feature. At the same time, however, the off-site guest may not find it such a good idea. What do you think will happen? Would you be willing to pay for a “Dream FastPass”?
Eric said,
June 6, 2007 @ 6:45 pm
Here’s what I’d love to see,although it probably will never happen.
Install one main bank of FP machines in a central park location. Make it a touch screen where guests can insert their passes, and select their FPs for the day. (Whether limiting the number of FPs a guest can get per attraction, per hour or per day.) This would accomplish 2 things: 1) It would eliminate the congestion the FP machines tend to create at some attractions, like Soarin and Everest. 2) Guests would have more time to shop and go to restaurants if they weren’t criss-crossing the parks to get to Fp machine to attraction to FP machine and back. Plus, it’d be much easier to plan your day having all of your allotted FPs at one time.
I wouldn’t even mind if park guests get a certain number of FPs, resort guests get an additional number of FPs and all guests could pay an additional fee per FP.
David said,
June 6, 2007 @ 6:50 pm
So you want a pay system? Well, to institute soemthing as elaborate as you inidicate I would think that would make sense. There will be a ginat line at this “main bank” no matter how big it is. Will that deter people?
How much are you willing to pay?
Good idea, Eric. I like it!
Biblioadonis said,
June 6, 2007 @ 6:52 pm
Ahem…
I will duck quickly behind a barricade before I make my opinion know.
I would love for this to be a Resort guest perk. Not to be elitist or ’snobbist,’ but resort guests tend to spend a lot more to stay on property than off.It would be a brilliant perk that might push some people from off property to on property. Not wanting to make a “bad” analogy, but this could be likened to the Disney Dining Plan. Only Resort guests can partake of it–even though you have to pay for it. It had really screwed up the dining for everyone.
So, let the flaming begin!
Eric said,
June 7, 2007 @ 2:44 am
I don’t really “want” a pay system, but I don’t have a problem with a tiered system. Say, the average guest gets 3 FPs per day, a resort guest gets 5 or 6 FPs per day, and any guest could purchase additional FPs. The price would obviously be a huge factor in whether or not I’d pay extra FPs.
As far was space for the FP machine “bank”, I think every park has existing space somewhere. At Epcot you could use the old Odyssey resturant area. At the Studios the old ABC television place, or just rip out Sounds Dangerous. (That’d be an improvement IMO.) At AK, perhaps make some room near camp Minnie-Mickey. And at Magic Kingdom, get rid of the VMK waste of space and put the machines there on Main Street.
Or, they could place multiple FP machine banks around the parks. Either way, it couldn’t be more congested than the Soarin FP area.
Candice said,
June 7, 2007 @ 4:11 pm
I don’t think I would be willing to pay an additional fee to use the FP. It would be different if you would get directly on the ride, but most of the time you end up having to wait once you merge with the original line anyway.
However, making it a perk for staying on Disney grounds is a great idea, in my opinion! Not only would it be good for Disney itself, by having more time for their guests to shop and eat in between rides; but it would be better for the guests. The FP lines would be shorter since everyone wouldn’t have that option, and their would be more of an added bonus to staying on grounds.
I definitely think that’s the way they should go!
Dawn said,
June 7, 2007 @ 4:35 pm
You know what my problem is with making Fast Passes a perk for on-property resort guests only? I live 30 minutes from property & I have no need to stay on property. I do, however, have the Florida Resident Annual Pass, and spend a great deal of time (and therefore money on food & merchandise, both for myself, and for gifts) in the parks. Why should I be penalized because it would be silly for me to stay on property?
biblioadonis said,
June 7, 2007 @ 5:53 pm
I can see Dawn’s point. So, we add AP’ers, DVC and on property guests to the FastPass list.
Huzzah!
Ray said,
June 8, 2007 @ 2:09 pm
I am also in favor of a tiered system or one where resort guests get some sort of Fast Pass “perk” for their desire to stay on property. My only apprehension is that being a DVC member it seems that when it comes to Resort Guest Perks, the DVC members get left in the cold (at least initially). Yes, they eventually get the Disney Dining Plan, but there was that time period they didn’t have it.
If they are going to do some kind of perk, it should be geared such the reward those who show some kind of reward or dedication to the Mouse. As biblioadonis stated, it should include AP’ers and DVC members in some way.
Julie said,
June 8, 2007 @ 4:17 pm
I love Eric’s idea about having one place where you could pick up all your fast passes for the day for that park. My husband and I have talked about that for a while.
The only possible gotcha I can see is that first thing in the morning, those machines will be swamped. People would just move from the queue to get into the park to the queue for fast passes. I don’t know, maybe it would be fine.
Would I be willing to pay for FP? Probably, but it would irritate the heck out of me. Having FP free for so long, I would see that as so much potential for bad feelings. How would you pay for it, though? A certain dollar amount per FP? I guess they could bundle that into the price of your ticket when you purchase it.
I agree that the FP system doesn’t make me shop more. Once I’ve got the FP, I’ll just use stand by until the FP is good. Then again, I go in September when the lines are shorter!
Lou Mongello - DisneyWorldTrivia.com said,
June 8, 2007 @ 5:53 pm
I think the single pickup location would amount to just another long line to wait on at the park. Plus, your first order of business would no longer be making your “dash to Splash” or “race to Space”, but dash to the FASTPASS machines so you can start your day of attractions soon thereafter.
Not sure a pay system would be the answer, either. While some (many?) would be willing to pay, does Disney want to appear as though they are “nickel and diming” Guests as they have been accused of in the past?
The resort Guest system is a nice perk for those who stay on property, although a hierarchical system may have its own share of pitfalls as well.
Thinking out loud (dangerous, Lou) - What about a tiered system, where resort Guests get three FASTPASSES - one for an attraction at each level (think A-E ticket books)? This way, each Guest in the room can use the FP for the attraction they like. For example, everyone gets an A, B and C FASTPASS, with C being for the most popular attractions that take FP. The A ticket can be used for attractions like Philharmagic, the B for Indiana Jones and the C for Soarin’. If mom doesn’t like Soarin, she can use hers for Splash. This way, you’re not locked into picking your attractions that you want FPs for at check-in, etc. Again, just a thought off the top of my head. Who knows what Disney has in store…
I received an email earlier today from a woman who had first-hand experience with being able to get two FPs in Epcot, and will discuss same on this week’s podcast
Candice said,
June 8, 2007 @ 7:00 pm
I think it’s getting a little too complicated. The amount of FP’s that you cant get really shouldn’t be the issue. It should be whether or not you’re going have certain people that can get them, or not. Plus, if you’re all limited on your FPs, why would you want to ride everything individually…that’s taking some of the family fun out of it…for me anyway.
Right now, you can get however many FP’s you want as long as they’re not within a certain time period. So why not just keep it that way, but limit who gets the privilage…example, Disney property guests, Seasonal and Annual passholders, and DVC members. That would cut down on a good part of the crowd that has access to them now, but still giving good perks to those that are giving Disney more money than a one day park ticket.
Joe Kavanagh said,
June 8, 2007 @ 8:05 pm
I’ve stayed on property several times and love it. The one thing that you could do the fastpass system for on property with no visual effect to non-guests is create the fastpass super-kiosks in the resorts themselves (perhaps even releasing the passes earlier than you could get them in the parks).
I’m also a ProCare Client at Apple Stores — it’s $99 a year but it’s well worth it to me. I get to put in appointments online up to 14 days in advance (regular clients can pick through tomorrow), when I get there I’m first in line. Perhaps a similar idea could work with Fast Pass - DVC and AP holders get access to the online concierge for free (with the power to pre-book fastpasses up to 14 days in advance), resort guests can get access to the system for a per-guest fee. The system will allow you to book out X fastpasses per day so you can get all your essential fastpasses before you leave home (this is another opertunity for Disney to make money - for just $X more you can get Y additional fastpasses!), they’re ready and waiting when you get to your room or the AP Guest Services booth.
Just a thought,
Joe Kavanagh
John Frost said,
June 8, 2007 @ 8:49 pm
I’m still not convinced that Fastpass is a good thing for the parks. By their very nature for every guest that experiences a shorter queue 2-3 guests experience a longer queue. Disney is an expert at designing themed queues, why not just make the wait a more enjoyable experience. Many attractions that never had a wait at the end of the day were given fastpass and suddenly the wait was huge at the end of the day. Let visitors choose where they want to spend their time. If the evidence that store and food spending never really went up is true, then I say now is the time to do away with fastpass for good.
That said, I’m no sucker, since FP is there I’ll use it in the most efficient manner possible. If the WDW Fastpass system is going to get some of the Disneyland efficiencies (2nd tickets, non-networked machines, surprise FPs (perhaps contest prizes)) I’m all for it.
Ray said,
June 8, 2007 @ 10:28 pm
I’m not sure what the big deal about Tiered Systems are. Disney has already done it with their Magic Your Way Premium and Platinum plans. You get a totally different Dining Plan than the one everyone else gets which allows you to eat 3 table service meals a day if you want.
Granted I’m sure fewer guests get that since those packages are expensive, but it is being done.
If I was to offer a guess, I would say that Disney may be rolling out something similar to what Ski Resorts do with peoples lift tickets. They can scan the ticket and come up with all kinds of stats. Maybe Disney is wanting to better track how much time transpires between a Fast Pass’ generation and it’s utilization, how many Fast Passes get printed and are not used, etc. I would see that if they were going to go with some Bar Code reading software they may need to make some infrastructure changes.
biblioadonis said,
June 9, 2007 @ 3:19 pm
I agree with Ray, it probably is used for tracking. I *assume* that a cast member will have to input the FastPasses at the end of a certain time period–or they might have a hand held scanner to register them.
I like FastPass. I use it to my advantage. The only time we have used them on past trips is for Winnie the Pooh and Peter Pan. Using FastPass on Pooh and Pan always made me uncomfortable. The looks that we would get from people that had spent 45 minutes in the stand-by line could kill.
Imagine the PR nightmare for Disney if it was a resort (AP and DVC) perk. The complaints at Town Hall would be staggering.
A majority of visitors have probably saved for more than three years to make a trip and they see this as a “trip of a lifetime.” They have also probably not done a lot of research for the trip. With the Dining Plan and FastPass, there is a lot of confusion. Ultimately, I think Disney is hurting themselves with the DDP and FP.
Tony said,
June 13, 2007 @ 4:13 pm
The big deal about the tiered system idea is that FPs control access to park attractions, not resort amenities — and everyone passing through the gate on any given day has paid the same money to get into the parks, whether they are staying on property or not. The same thing is true of charging for FPs. Universal does this, and as a direct result (at least a couple of years ago when I had an AP there) you could not get a pass for any attraction at all after around 3 in the afternoon. The few times I got there before lunch there were a few left at some of the less popular attractions, but the big ones were all gone.
Dan Bejma said,
June 13, 2007 @ 8:58 pm
I’m with John Frost there…
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the Fastpass system… however, with a Fastpass line, and a regular line at each attraction, think about how that long regular line would be if you could spread it out into BOTH lanes. Not that bad really.
Fastpass is still confusing to your average WDW visitor, and is mostly taken advantage of by people “in the know”, people who’ve done their homework and know and understand the system and how it works. This is already a huge advantage to us! No need for an extra perk on top of that as a passholder, or DVC member, or on-property guest. It doesn’t make sense.
A great example is when we hit the safari. In Sept. you can usually get a fastpass for 10min later. Line: 40min Fastpass: 10min from now … so WHY are all those people standing in that long line? Think about it for a moment.
The Fastpass system already works as a Perk for those who know about it. To give us that know about it even more perks would be even MORE unfair to those unfamiliar with the system.
For me, Fastpass adds a little fun to my day. We don’t think “let’s go get Fastpasses!!” , we think, “let’s go on _________ !!” When we get there, if the line is too long, it’s THEN that we think about getting a Fastpass, if avail. If not avail, we just move on.
All my opinion of course.
Take care!
Dan B
Carlsbad, CA