Fastpass changes - rumors
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Shell_of_the_South · 05-26-2005, 03:39 PM

I've read this on two different websites now, and I'm wondering if and when this would ever go into effect. Seems that Disney has applied for patents that could change Fastpass. One way is that someone staying in a more expensive resort would get higher priority than someone in a cheaper resort or someone staying off property.

I read this on www.screamscape.com and www.jimhillmedia.com:

http://www.screamscape.com/html/industry_news.htm (scroll down the page to Disney)

http://www.jimhillmedia.com/mb/artic...le.php?ID=1449

I sure hope this never happens!

jimmymac · 05-26-2005, 03:44 PM

I don't know how the technology would work but that would not be right. That's the way banks work - the more $ in youor account, the better the treatment. I sure hope WDW never operates on a criterion like that

Kylesmom · 05-26-2005, 03:59 PM

Yea I had heard they were thinking of something like this but had deceiced against it?? Trying to keep up Universal Studios Front of the line pass(es) for resort guests?? I hope not too maybe they are getting the patents so oneelse can use them I've heard of companies doing that. Although being able to get a time on a buzy ride without going to twice might be a good reason for staying onsite. As if EMH isn't enough. We'll see I guess but I have feeling it's coming...

daemonguy · 05-26-2005, 04:09 PM

The technology would be easy enough; your tickets for your room are also your park tickets, thus encoded in the mag stripe would be a hotel code, perhaps even to the level which you stay (standard, deluxe, concierge, etc.). Utilizing a numerical index value, which when read by the terminal would assign a PORM (Plus or Minus) value to the time spread.

Not that it makes it right, or not... just simple.

crystalloubear · 05-26-2005, 04:33 PM

We always stay at a Deluxe resort but we have annual passes so I'm not sure how this could work b/c not everyone's pass is on their key card.

RobDVC · 05-26-2005, 04:36 PM

I can't say I'm surprised. I'm sure they are looking for a way to make staying on property more of a perk than it now is (EMH isn't nearly as "exclusive" as it should be - how many times have you noticed non-banded tourists in line with EMH-banded tourists?!?), and give people more incentive to stay on WDW property just like Universal has with their front-of-the-line pass.

I wonder how this will work for us DVC members?

**Cam22** · 05-26-2005, 05:52 PM

I too am curious about what it might mean for DVC members!

My My oh My! Mickey Rocks! · 06-06-2005, 02:35 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I wonder how this will work for us DVC members?

[/ QUOTE ]

Funny you should ask that! My best friend is going with me in April and he is also a travel agent, who has sold concierge-level at WDW. He asked me to look into this Fastpass issue @ DVC. (He feels DVC is online with the concierge level at the Contemporary, Grand Floridian, etc) They gave me the standard "how fastpass in the parks work" line.

I'm not sure HOW I feel about it. I read a post on here that had my first thought: Uncle Walt wanted EVERYONE to enjoy his parks, not just the elite.

April1976 · 06-05-2005, 09:48 PM

I think it is okay for them to offer this to onsite guests--it give them an additional perk to market to keep more people on site... but I'd hate to see them discriminate by hotel class...I don't think they WOULD do that.

If everyone had unlimited Fast Pass...wouldn't that make it more and more difficult for them to orchestrate FP in a timely manner? I know that often the best rides have no FP available for the remainder of a day... so once they are gone...they only have so much capacity on some rides.

When I studied operations management in grad school I always though this would be an interesting case study to disect.

BabieeMelly · 06-06-2005, 12:43 PM

I think the whole thing is ridiculous. Some people can't stay onsite, like us for example since we're bringing our dog, and giving special FP's to people for staying onsite is stupid

We're staying offsite, but we'll be in th eDisney parks for 10 days and are planning on eating in some of the most expensive resaurants

We'll also be visiting the resorts for meals, going to DTD and DisneyQuest, the Boardwalk and more... we're paying Disney quite a bit, so why should we be discriminated against? I wants my FP's! LoL!

RobDVC · 06-06-2005, 01:33 PM

I don't think they are trying to discriminate against "day guests", but I think they might be thinking of a way to entice more people to stay on WDW property, especially now that they have 4 Value resorts available to fill up. I can see them doing this in the near future, following along the same thought process as Universal and their front-of-the-line pass for guests who stay at a Universal hotel....with so many more rooms and guests on WDW property than on Universal, a front-of-the-line pass for WDW resort guests would be practically impossible to offer, so they are probably thinking about doing the next-best thing.

LuvMinnie · 05-27-2005, 10:09 AM

I certainly hope this is not true & just a internet rumor. If you remember the dream of Walt it was for all families to enjoy the park..not you get treated better for spending more money.

We do all hotels depending whats going on in our lives & have a great time no matter where we stay. If you stay Deluxe additional benefits are already available to you at the resorts. Value, Mod. or Deluxe it is a Disney hotel & once in the parks the fast pass should be first come first serve.
Walt would spin in his grave if this comes true.

LisaJ · 05-27-2005, 10:30 AM

Fair or unfair - people are always given more perks based on how much they spend. If that weren't the case, then everyone would stay at a value resort.

I doubt (I could be wrong) that WDW would give a fastpass advantage to someone in a deluxe over someone at a value. They are probably just patenting the Fastpass system so they have exclusive rights (and therefore, make $$) over the whole idea.

It might be possible that, as a previous poster has mentioned, that deluxe resort stays will warrant unlimited fastpass uses. But other than that, I guess we will just have to wait and see what happens.

I doubt Walt is rolling over in his grave over this; there are many more things that would disturb his slumber, and I'm sure we can all come up with plenty!