Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<And, like someone else mentioned, if it WAS a failure they'd have killed it long ago. Sure, there would be some guest complaints, but I doubt it would affect their bottom line much. Here's another thought, if fastpass wasn't working out, wouldn't they have started charging for it by now?>> Calm down there Mr X. I never said that Fastpass was a failure. I said that IF Fastpass was introduced ONLY as a means of increasing shopping and food sales, then I though it was a failure. But I'm not cynical enough to believe that. In fact I get accused of being a Disney apologist and looking through rose colored classes all of the time. You want to know why I think Disney introduced Fastpass? I think they did it to [gasp!] IMPROVE THE GUEST EXPERIENCE. Now I know that most people on these boards will never believe that. They don't believe that Disney ever does anything anymore that is not directly related to the short term bottom line. I happen to think that Disney still does care about the guest experience, and that they WILL make changes not directly related to short term profits. But then I LIKE Fastpass, so what the heck do I know?
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <Now I know that most people on these boards will never believe that. They don't believe that Disney ever does anything anymore that is not directly related to the short term bottom line. I happen to think that Disney still does care about the guest experience, and that they WILL make changes not directly related to short term profits< While I think you're right to some extent - I do think you have the Rose Colored Elton John glasses on if you think they invested the money on fastpass just for guest experience. Was it also part of the equation...I am sure. But was the bottom line the driving factor, yes. As it is for any significant capital outlay. Again, I don;t think this is a bad thing, it is a business, and a large one. Every business 'sells' it's changes as 'customer driven' - trust me I have worked on a few -- and was 90% of the roll out for higher profits, lower expenses or some other tie in to revenue opportunities - yes. Was there a smidgen of customer satisfaction to be gleened..for some yes. But the customer care portion never drove one of them
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<But the customer care portion never drove one of them>> Probably one of the reasons why I've spent most of my life working for a University. I enjoy working for a place that is constantly trying to improve the student experience because we think that is the right things to do. But I will admit that the University does have some self-interest in mind when trying to improve the student experience. A better student experience attracts better students. Better students attracts better faculty. Better faculty results in better research. Better research results in bonzo bucks for the University. Bonzo bucks for the University allows it to improve the student experience. A better student experience... But at least it's not driven because we want to show a good 3rd quarter profit.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN I don't understand this waiting phobia by the americans on this thread. (Not to be confused with Standby line phobia)
Originally Posted By MrToadWildRider As for FP making people angry - I think that's largely untrue. Maybe on an uber-fan site like this but the general public (myself included) seems quite happy with the FP system. Even if they don't use it to the full extent and emd up losing time to longer stand-by lines they still didn't have to wait that 130 minutes at Splash Mountain and are happy...and those of us who are "Commando Disney Visitors" or whatever that go hardcore to see everything as I am who take advantage of FP save lots of time with it.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <<<But the customer care portion never drove one of them>> Probably one of the reasons why I've spent most of my life working for a University. I enjoy working for a place that is constantly trying to improve the student experience because we think that is the right things to do. But I will admit that the University does have some self-interest in mind when trying to improve the student experience. < It is a different mind set completely -- my wife left the corporate world ( McDonalds HQ) for the private section - a Hospital -- for exactly those reasons. RT -- believe me for profit corp's do nothing based on customer experience only. I am in the process after 28 years of potentially leaving what I am doing as i have been interviewing for a COO position with a local health care network/hospital -- and if I decide to make the switch -- it will be to try and focus on something - at least once in a while that doesn;t deal with the bottom line ( off shoring jobs ) etc. I will know if a week or so.....
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Sure we can, but that wasn;t much help getting it there either. Also since the subject of this topic is already in the past- not sure how much more there is to add -- but hey, since you're minding the ranch here, feel free.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I am Dave too....and I have no problem with someone asking to get a topic back on track if 1/ it is their topic or 2/ they contribute something to do so.... this topic sailed as it was over...just seems like a lot of people policing lately...as you well know. Nothing personal... if Dave is offended and let's me know I would apologize...
Originally Posted By TDLFAN How dare you talk to me like that??! Apologize. (let me add this for added measure so you know where I really am coming from...)
Originally Posted By vbdad55 ??????????????? You lost me on why you're upset....all I know is the policing of the site by those who do no town it seems over the top sometimes... I said nothing to you that should be even remotely offensive....so clue me in...so why the ????
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I did see it so I am not sure what I was thinking --long day....! Glad to know you're not upset.... and next time I will heed the
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost >>>As for FP making people angry - I think that's largely untrue. Maybe on an uber-fan site like this but the general public (myself included) seems quite happy with the FP system. Even if they don't use it to the full extent and emd up losing time to longer stand-by lines they still didn't have to wait that 130 minutes at Splash Mountain and are happy...and those of us who are "Commando Disney Visitors" or whatever that go hardcore to see everything as I am who take advantage of FP save lots of time with it<<< Let me start out by saying that I HATE fastpass and the caste system that it has inadvertently created. That said, the above statement could only have been made by someone that hasn't stood in the standby lines and listened to the reaction of the people in those lines. I know, I know...the next thing to be said is well everyone has the opportunity to use Fastpass. For the gazillionth time that is wrong, wrong, wrong. If indeed everyone had access to one, then you would have the same old line again, the only difference being they all would be hanging on to a fastpass. There are only so many people that are going to be able to get on a ride at any given time and there will be a front of the fastpass line and there will be an end of the fastpass line. If everyone had a fastpass the line and wait would be just as long. Also, at this point in time the fastpass holders are the minority. The majority are forced to stand in stand-by getting more frustrated with every smug individual that is allowed to "legally" cut in front. I see it as a short term advantage and a long term disaster.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 The only reason I think Fastpass holders are the minority is that most people do not know how to use the system. Now Universal's system is a true caste system
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I agree with vbdad. With the exception of a couple of extraordinarily popular attractions like Test Track and Soarin' that have allocated all Fastpasses by early afternoon, ANYONE can get a Fastpass. I think many people CHOOSE not to because they see the return time is a couple of hours away and they decide they would rather stand in line for half an hour that have to come back to that spot 2 hours later. That's their choice. It isn't anything forced on anyone.
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy >> Fodor's / Birnbaum's and other mouthpieces for Disney - they all suggest shopping and dining after you get your Fastpass...where do you think they got these directions. << Oh, I don't know -- common sense? Jeez -- why does everything have to have a plot behind it?
Originally Posted By TDLFAN But it is... Birnbaum's is heavily revised and edited (to some degree) with Disney's help. Reason why the last book I'd buy if I was a newbie to WDW is Birnbaum's guide.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN You always get the best advise to do parks from the tried and true Disney fan books out there, otherwise known as "Unofficial guides to".
