Centralized FP Machines Test About This Page:

[KMB733]

I'm not sure how I feel about a centralized FP machine. It would be nice to be able to walk in the park get a FP and then move on to something else. However I still think that there should be FP machines at the attraction itself since I have a feeling that a central FP machine would create a huge bottleneck at the front of the park. I guess we'll have to see how the test goes.

[ArielsMomto2]

Interesting. THanks for the info.

[Mares75]

I like the current way more. We've all seen the crowds around FP machines. Can you imagine the crowd around a bunch of machines for different rides? The only upside I see really is if the return times were shown, you could decide which ride to get a FP for based on that. Say you have an ADR at 1:00pm and the FP return times are between 12:30 and 1:30 for EE and the Safaris, 11:00am for Dinosaur. You could see more easily that Dinosaur would work better with your plans.

[RoonieRooToo]

I would like it ONLY if they keep the FP machines at the attractions. If they don't, then all I see are the logjams being centralized.

[WillCAD]

I like the idea of centralized FP distribution near the center of each park. Instead of having to crisscross the whole park to get a FP after you use your current one, you'd only have to crisscross half the park.

If the FP distribution area also incorporated the wait times boards, as well as the FP return times, it would be a great help in planning a daily itinerary (as far as I know, the tip boards do not currently include FP return times, just stand-by times).

I don't see centralized FP causing more lines than the current scattered machines, but the lines will be concentrated in one spot. Depending on where that spot is located in the park, concentrating those lines might not be the best idea for crowd flow.

On a separate but related note, I also like the idea of centralized height measurement for kids. The inconsistency of the current system, which is left in the hands of individual CMs. I've lost count of the number of parents who complain on the boards about how their kids made the height for every ride in the park but one, or they made the height for all the rides in one park but not in the next park, etc. Centralized measurement and wristbands eliminate that problem; it's a proven system used in theme parks all over the US.

Originally Posted by Danielle Harmon

I like it as long as they also keep the FP resources at the ride/attraction itself. I'd hate to have to continually go back to a centralized location to grab another FP when I was eligible for another.

You currently have to keep going back to the attraction itself to get a FP when you become eligible. Concentrating the FPs in one place can cut down that travel time in many cases, except when you're waiting around in the immediate vicinity of the next attraction you want to get a FP for.

Originally Posted by fluttercat

I don't like the idea. I see a huge pile of people standing in a line wondering what its all about. Besides, if people are too lazy to walk back to the actual ride to get the fastpass then what's to say they would even use it if they got it. That would mean none for people that would. As for walking all the way to Soarin' to find that they are out of fastpasses, check the tip boards in the various areas of the park. They tell you what the wait times are and whether there are any fastpasses available for the ride.

All of those negatives apply just as much to the current system. Some of them would be worse in a centralized system, but some of them would be improved.

[chezp]

Very interesting - thanks for the link.

[Danielle Harmon]

Originally Posted by WillCAD

You currently have to keep going back to the attraction itself to get a FP when you become eligible. Concentrating the FPs in one place can cut down that travel time in many cases, except when you're waiting around in the immediate vicinity of the next attraction you want to get a FP for.

I understand what you are saying, but like I said, a centralized area doesn't work with the way we attack the parks. We tend to go from one area to the next, and get FPs for the area that we are in only. If we don't get one because they are all gone, we are fine waiting in line. For us it is a more leisurely way of enjoying the parks and we still get to see and do everything. I would hate to have to keep going back to a centralized location just to see about a FP only to walk back to where I had been in the first place.

But I see what you are saying, because no one "tours" the same...

Bottom line it is only a test...

[coasties]

I like the current system better. Thanks for the info!

[All Ears]

Only time will tell if we see any changes. But interesting food for thought, for sure!

[mom23k9s]

The idea of a centralized FP sounds good to me in theory. But the article referenced stated that, since it was located at the Tough to be a Bug FP machines, people were confused and trying to get FP for TtbaB. That leads me to wonder where they would put the machines in the other parks. To cut down on confusion, you would think the tip boards would be a good spot, but at MK and DS there really isn't room to put a lot of machines.

I'll be interested to see how this test works out.

[Colexis Mom]

Thanks for the link! Interesting!

[Caldercup]

Originally Posted by WillCAD

If the FP distribution area also incorporated the wait times boards, as well as the FP return times

Doesn't the electronic tip board at Epcot give FP return times?
Eileen

[CRCrazy]

Yes, Eileen, I think so - I know that it does say at least "Fastpasses Available" so you know if it's worth making the trek up Mt. Epcot. I'm pretty sure it tells the current return time.

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by CRCrazy

I like it - but I would definitely want to know the return time - and hopefully - the current wait time as well!

I like the idea, but I too want to know the return time and current wait time from the beginning. It seems it would be possible to post this info on something like a Times board.

[DVCBird941]

I would not mind it too much as long as return time and stand by times are shown, AND they keep the FP machines at each attraction. If they change it to be only at a central location that would just create a huge mob of ppl. I could not imagine seeing all the ppl that rush to the various FP machines around each park at rope drop in one area.

Dave had an interesting comment about getting a FP for one attraction while at another. If they had a central FP distribution area that would open up say 2 or 3 of the 6 FP machines at each attraction for ones for another ride. I really like this idea.

Another note why-o-why did they not put the FP for Soarin near the entrance to the Land!!!