How concerned is Disney about the use of expired FastPasses?
There is a great article on the Orlando Sentinel’s website by Scott Powers that is really worth a read. He covers the whole “expired FastPasses” market that has popped up on the internet, a question I hear asked a lot by Disney World guests.
On most days, eBay features more than two dozen separate FastPass auctions, some for dozens of tickets. Some claim to offer VIP FastPasses good anywhere, anytime. Requested bid prices start at less than a dollar but can run into the hundreds of dollars.
Besides the people selling their old tickets online, there are also reportedly counterfeiters selling fake FastPass tickets out there as well, making the problem a growing concern for guests. Even though Disney seems to wash its hands somewhat at this, don’t gloss over the fact that they too bare some responsibility in this. But I think they really are not all that concerned, despite what they say.
This is one of those things I just don’t get. The one and only problem, the one thing that can stop all of this from happening, is if cast members actually check the dates on the tickets. How hard can this be? If Disney really and truly wanted to stop these tickets from being sold, they can make them worthless to begin with. But everyone knows they don’t look at the tickets much and you can often get away with handing over an expired one.
Jim said,
July 9, 2008 @ 2:32 pm
I hate the Fast Pass system anyway. So, I’m glad scammers are out there. Fast Pass only makes the stand-by wait time longer or forces visitors to plan out the rides for the day. We already have to schedule dining a six months in advance. There’s something to be said for spontaneity in an amusement park. To-the-minute planning is for accountants and businesses, not vacations.
John Frost said,
July 9, 2008 @ 4:34 pm
I too am not a big fan of the FAST PASS system. However, I use it to its max capabilities when I’m in the parks because I would be a fool not to while others are.
Disney implemented FP not because there was guest demand (they just trot out that excuse because it makes them look good (see the recent Pleasure Island announcement) and there is no way for anyone to check their figures, so why not), but because they thought it would result in higher sales in their stores and restaurants. Turns out any positive affect on sales is barely noticeable and difficult to attribute to FP. Plus with the Disney Dining Plan, demand is surpassing capacity for restaurants, so that’s a red herring too.
FP is also labor intensive requiring 3-5 extra CMs per attraction. Disney would be better off using those labor hours to increase attraction capacity via better maintenance and queue management and providing in-park entertainment that keeps guests out of queues by providing alternate things for them to do when the parks are busiest (ever notice that queue length goes down just before and during a parade… same thing during Fireworks). Heck you can even sell them things while you have them held captive waiting for the show to start.
So, as far as I’m concerned, more power to the people who wish to subvert and manipulate Disney’s Fast Pass system. The faster it breaks down and is discarded, the sooner Disney will return to some crowd control normalcy and fatter profits at its theme parks.
Jim said,
July 9, 2008 @ 8:15 pm
Definitely agree about using FP. No sense in not using. I just complain about when I’m in the standby line… especially Peter Pan’s Flight. BRUTAL.
Thanks for the info about how labor intensive FP is too. I had no idea. It would make a lot more sense to reroute all that manpower to upkeep and regular maintenance. My wife (a life long Disney goer) tells me everything in the park was always immaculate. Every detail was scrutinized. So, it amazes me when I need damaged drywall and faded paint when I’m in the park. I guess that’s what happens the further you go from a man’s dream to an investor’s influence.
Joe in LA said,
July 11, 2008 @ 5:04 am
I say get rid of FPs completely. It would be ultimately more efficient, fairer and just plain more fun to just do away with them.