Originally Posted By basas <<But what has lost it at WDW?>> Muppet-Vision also lost it. (at both DCA and MGM)
Originally Posted By basas ^^That in addition to what TDLFan already mentioned (HM, and Millionaire). We've also managed to avoid the constant rumor of getting FP added to Speedway (which works horribly at DL), and managed to escape the IASW refurb without getting it installed. We should consider ourselves lucky!
Originally Posted By MrToadWildRider >>At TDL for example...if you get to the park after 3pm, it's safe to say that all FPs will be gone, so that forces late arriving guests to stand by! NOT FAIR!! Just because in theory the system is opened to everyone...the reality of it is that once FPs are distributed for the day, not everyone is able to use the system at their prefered attractions if at all. << Maybe that's why I like FP. I honestlly don't understand why people don't show up at opening for the park (yea I realize it's hard with kids but my parents always did it with me). You're paying big bucks to get into the parks why not spend the day there. Maybe I'm being hardcore about it but I think 'You snooze you lose' comes into effect here. If you come at 3PM and you expect to be able to ride everything that's crazy. I like fast pass, we get the park completely done much earlier than we used to. I seriously don't see a huge surge in line length since FP was introduced. Maybe 10-15 minutes on some attractions (Usually things like Splash that used to be 45-60 are now more consistantly 60-75) But I look at it like this, if I'm waiting an extra 15 minutes in a line while holding a fast pass for another ride I'd normally stand in a 45 minute line for (and I'll be fair and assume FP wait is still 10 minutes)that's 2 hours and 20 minutes. You do that twice and you're getting another full ride in. That's seeing 4 high popularity rides in 140 minutes when pre-FP it'd take a solid 3 hours (180 minutes) to see the same four rides. I can however see the argument that this doesn't apply to everyone and in general more people lose time than gain it through the FP system but I think that's more the guest's fault not the park's. I know I'm going to get Hell for that statement but that's okay...
Originally Posted By Indigo Universal Orlando did have a wait once, ride twice policy for passholders. That was available before FP at Disney. That morphed into a bypass lane for people staying on property there. I think that happened nearly simultaneously.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA <At TDL for example...if you get to the park after 3pm, it's safe to say that all FPs will be gone, so that forces late arriving guests to stand by! NOT FAIR!!> This is very similar to arriving at Disneyland in the late afternoon. Standby line for Big Thunder is 45 minutes. Autopia - 90 minutes. ugh! Back in the day, you could just walk-on to these rides. <Most days, you can still get in rides if you plan properly.> That's my other issue. I plan my life. I'd rather not have to plan so much when on vacation or at Disneyland. And I enjoyed it when I could just decide to ride something, without having to be here at a certain time, or there at a certain time. Not relaxing for this 40-something dude. It makes my vacation too schedulized, and is one of the big reasons that I won't be returning to WDW anytime soon.
Originally Posted By basas <<Maybe that's why I like FP. I honestlly don't understand why people don't show up at opening for the park (yea I realize it's hard with kids but my parents always did it with me). You're paying big bucks to get into the parks why not spend the day there. Maybe I'm being hardcore about it but I think 'You snooze you lose' comes into effect here. If you come at 3PM and you expect to be able to ride everything that's crazy. >> I believe TDL has a cheaper pass for after 6pm or something- causing many locals to visit the park for the evening only. Therefore, it is safe to assume that these guests would not get to enjoy their attractions without waiting in the stand-by lines.
Originally Posted By MrToadWildRider Well if it's cheaper and it's local then there are probably more opportunities to ride in a year than the average guest. A lot of people get to go into a park for one day in a year or two or more. A lot of people on these boards forget there are actually people like me who only get to enjoy a Disney park once every couple years not once every couple of months... With that being said as one of those unfortunate enough not to be able to go even anually (but fortunate enough to go multiple times in a lifetime) we want to make the most out of our ONE day in each park and I've only been able to do that since fastpass. We still don't get to see every single thing but there are a lot less tough choices (Dumbo, Carroussel, raceway are easy no's for us but Peter Pan, Snow White, etc are not so easy to just say "Well we'll be back in 2 years" or whatever to) Maybe I sound elitist when I say if you don't like waiting in FP stand-by lines get there earlier but I think it's the folks who get to regularly go and find it an inconvenience to their muliple trips are more so.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA FastPass is great for hard-core park visitors who want to power-it-out and run from ride to ride to ride. That's not how I like to experience a theme park. I don't find it relaxing. My goal isn't to 'get the park done' by a certain time. But I know a lot of people are like you Toad. I recently had a family reunion and we all went to Cedar Point. Everyone in my extended family were running from ride to ride to ride to ride. My wife and I were the only 'weird-os' who didn't do that -- and we caught a lot of flak for it too. It seems like when people are paying $50 bucks for a day at a theme park, they feel the need to see everything there -- to 'get their money's worth.' I learned my 'power-it-out' lesson at WDW in 2001. Tried to do too much -- remembered very little. Never again. So, yeah, too bad for me, huh? I either get to relax at a theme park [weird I know, I like to relax], or compete with the extreme park visitor who want to power it out. I lose.
Originally Posted By Faith >><Most days, you can still get in rides if you plan properly.> That's my other issue. I plan my life. I'd rather not have to plan so much when on vacation or at Disneyland. And I enjoyed it when I could just decide to ride something, without having to be here at a certain time, or there at a certain time. Not relaxing for this 40-something dude.<< I didn't mean hard core planning; I generally plan to try to hit popular rides early in the morning and late in the day, while doing other things during peak hours. Or, if I see a ride with a wait longer than I'm willing to take, I decide to come back later. As far as attractions, I think my only plan in my recent trip to TDR was to hit the Holiday Haunted Mansion at park opening one day. Curious how the people who say FP requires too much planning feel about the shows in the park-- to me, fitting in all the shows and parades I wanted to see at TDL required much more planning than FP. FP actually helped me to be able to fit in some popular rides around the other events that I needed to see- it was more relaxing to me to know I'd be able to fit Splash and Pooh into blocks of time between parades. (there were 3 parades I wanted to see in 1 day, plus 1 show... this was my only chance to see any of them) At any rate, if you are interested in shows and parades, then you've always had to do some planning for your day- although admittedly WDW doesn't quite have the extent and quality of entertainment options as TDR has.
Originally Posted By MrToadWildRider I think there's planning with or without FP. Without FP Splash Mountain would still have a longer line than WEDWay PeopleMover. Usually that means go to Splash before the crowds get there or expect a wait and do the TTA or whatever you want to call it later on. There's nothing wrong with relaxing at the parks but I don't think people who go to relax should gripe about the lines. It's a decision the person has to make. They have to ask themselves "Would I rather see more attractions or have a leisurely pace throughout the day" - you can't have it both ways. Maybe I just think that Disney World isn't an ideal place to relax unless you're avoiding the parks and doing resorts/pool/shows/dinner/spas etc. If you want to ride the rides either expect a level of planning and execution or long lines. That's just the way it is. By the way this topic has gone way off topic from Mission:Space requirements to the pros and cons of FastPass...
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <Maybe I just think that Disney World isn't an ideal place to relax unless you're avoiding the parks and doing resorts/pool/shows/dinner/spas etc. If < Exactly why we now schedule a week @ Disney Vero Beach after our week @ WDW -- kind of a vacation from our vacation
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>I honestlly don't understand why people don't show up at opening for the park (yea I realize it's hard with kids but my parents always did it with me).<< Well since most of us who have APs to the park are NOT on vacation, we don't have the need to arrived there at the crack of dawn like vacationers would. Some of us just like to go out to the parks and go for a short walk in the late afternoon, or shopping or just to relax a bit, but we would also like to have the option of having a little fun and ride one or two of the popular attrcations without having to deal or be forced to stand by for them would be nice. I don't mind doing the wait as long as it is a fair wait for all, meaning NO FP. Also, in regards to TDR, both TDL and TDS offer specially priced "After 6" passports for guests who would like to go to the park for the evening, which means you only have 4 hours to enjoy before the park closes. If I was to do that, I would prefer not to spend my 4 hrs waiting in some ridiculously slow stand by line. FP has got to go! >>MK has Cartoon Spin?<< Sorry, My bad... I was referring to Buzz Space Ranger Spin. Why can't they just change the name to Astroblasters like the other parks??
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>A lot of people on these boards forget there are actually people like me who only get to enjoy a Disney park once every couple years not once every couple of months...<< That doesn't matter. Disney should cater to ANYONE alike, regardless how often you go. Just because you go there less than often as opposed to locals, doesn't give you any more rights than any other guest at the park with you on your day of visit. Especially at WDW where you will be forced to pay full ticket no matter at what time you arrive at the park. >>WDW doesn't quite have the extent and quality of entertainment options as TDR has<< AMEN for that^^ sister!!! Which is why they offer the "After 6" passes, so guests can have an option to go back and do the things they missed or specific entertainemt they want to enjoy without charging them full price.
Originally Posted By MrToadWildRider >>Sorry, My bad... I was referring to Buzz Space Ranger Spin. Why can't they just change the name to Astroblasters like the other parks??<< They already have a BuzzLightyear's Astroblasters at WDW - it's in DQ. They should've just named all of the Buzz's SRS after the original... >>That doesn't matter. Disney should cater to ANYONE alike, regardless how often you go. Just because you go there less than often as opposed to locals, doesn't give you any more rights than any other guest at the park with you on your day of visit. Especially at WDW where you will be forced to pay full ticket no matter at what time you arrive at the park.<< We don't have anymore right. We just get our behinds out of bed earlier. Is that a fault of us or you? I'm sorry if you like strolling in six hours after the park's been open but don't get upset that the lines are longer. Everyone has equal opportunity at FastPasses. I don't have some magic ticket that let's me get any more fastpasses than anyone else or anything I just get them earlier. If you don't want the extra 10 minute waits on all attractions no one is stopping you from going there earlier and taking advantage of the FP system.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<But do the research please... because I have a hard time believing that Universal would lead Disney in doing anything... then again.. wasn't Disney the creator of kissing their hotel guests butts in offering such perks as extra magic nights or early entry options???>> Some details on Indigo’s very correct statement... <<ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 7, 1998 - The Portofino Bay Hotel will be the first hotel on-site at Universal. Featuring 750 elegantly appointed rooms, the Portofino Bay Hotel will recreate the charm and romantic harbor setting of the Mediterranean seaside village of Portofino, Italy. The property will offer eight restaurants and lounges, a 10,600-square-foot health spa, two swimming pools, two bocci ball courts and a full-service business center. In addition to enjoying luxurious accommodations, Portofino Bay Hotel guests will receive numerous other benefits. These include early admission to Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Islands of Adventure, with VIP, no-waiting-in-line access to special attractions during the first hour that the parks are open to the public. Source: <a href="http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PressReleases1998_4th/Oct98_Portofino.html" target="_blank">http://www.hotel-online.com/Ne ws/PressReleases1998_4th/Oct98_Portofino.html</a> >> <<OCTOBER 2000 WHAT'S NEW Haunted Mansion Queues Quit Creeping and Crawling This October With Introduction of Disney's FASTPASS LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. � Just in time for Halloween, the addition of Disney's FASTPASS gives guests experiencing The Haunted Mansion in the Magic Kingdom one more free and timesaving reason to visit those 999 "happy haunts." The Haunted Mansion will join 16 popular Disney's FASTPASS attractions including "Jim Henson's Muppet*Vision 3-D," the interactive, 3-D adventure at the Disney-MGM Studios, which debuted the award-winning computerized technology designed to "lose the wait" in late August. Source: <a href="http://allearsnet.com/news/dd1000.htm" target="_blank">http://allearsnet.com/news/dd1 000.htm</a> >> Universal beat Disney by two years. (It’s amazing how that cold Minnesota air can clarify your thinking...)
Originally Posted By MrToadWildRider Just from what you have in the post not the links you're 2000 one isn't the original date of Fast Pass. It says it's the Haunted Mansion (Although I think HM was later than that but maybe not...) but it was late in getting the FastPass system. I may be wrong though but I don't even recall being there when HM had fastpass but rides such as the three mountains did.
Originally Posted By SJHYM I believe Disney had the first FP system. I was an AP holder at both WDW and Universal at the time and their system showed up later than Disney and when it started they had employees at tables who hand wrote a return time. Universal did insitute a front of the line policy with their hotel guests that but it was not a FP type system. You showed your hotel ID and were back doored into the attraction.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<just from what you have in the post not the links you're 2000 one isn't the original date of Fast Pass. It says it's the Haunted Mansion (Although I think HM was later than that but maybe not...) but it was late in getting the FastPass system.>> You are correct: <<The FASTPASS Since its debut in the summer of 1999, Disney's FASTPASS has been expanded to include 24 attractions. With the program, guests can choose the regular wait line or put any valid theme park ticket into a special machine and receive a FASTPASS ticket denoting a one-hour window of time when they can return to the attraction with little or no wait - at no additional cost! Guests are able to get several FASTPASS tickets during the day in the Disney theme parks. However, they cannot immediately obtain multiple FASTPASS tickets.>> Source: <a href="http://www.floridatravelusa.com/articlesnew/fastpassmar05p040.html" target="_blank">http://www.floridatravelusa.co m/articlesnew/fastpassmar05p040.html</a> But that still leaves Universal Studios beating Disney by a year. <<Universal did institute a front of the line policy with their hotel guests that but it was not a FP type system.>> That is correct. But my original point was: <<I will have to research this to make sure, but I am quite (very) certain that Universal had their buy your way to the front of the line system implemented before Disney ever came up with Fastpass.>> I never said that the systems were equivalent. Just that Universal instituted their policy before Disney implemented Fastpass.
Originally Posted By LuvDatDisney "That doesn't matter. Disney should cater to ANYONE alike, regardless how often you go. Just because you go there less than often as opposed to locals, doesn't give you any more rights than any other guest at the park with you on your day of visit. Especially at WDW where you will be forced to pay full ticket no matter at what time you arrive at the park." Exactly. Everyone who vists a theme park should be on an even playing field. This isn't paying to stay at the Poly and expecting (and hopefully receiving) a more high end experience than someone staying at the All Stars. The frequency of visits shouldn't be an issue. It's as wrong as an APer expecting special treatment because they visit much more often. I am a local. I am an AP holder. I work all kinds of crazy hours and tend to be in no mood to go to a park at 8 a.m. I'd much rather be there in the afternoon or evening. But Disney's system basically insures that on most days, I won't be able to use FastPass because 'when they're gone, they're gone." I won't even go into the fact that most queues at WDW were not created for seperate lines for things like FP, which create messes like Space Mountain where they let standby folks broil in the sun while a huge air conditioned, themed queue sits mostly empty. Oh, and Disney did create FastPass before Universal. Disney first tested it in 1998 on DAK safari and then in 99 on Space Mountain and Splash Mountain before rolling it out.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>If you don't want the extra 10 minute waits on all attractions no one is stopping you from going there earlier and taking advantage of the FP system.<< Excuse me... I am a local. I have a life and things to attend since I happen to be *at home*. I don't have the time or desire to get my fanny out of bed early to go to WDW just because. I will get there when I get there and as such, I should be able to enjoy the park just like anyone who arrives there at dawn. As much as I try to see your point of view..it just doesn't add up for me. >>I believe Disney had the first FP system. I was an AP holder at both WDW and Universal at the time and their system showed up later than Disney and when it started they had employees at tables who hand wrote a return time. Universal did insitute a front of the line policy with their hotel guests that but it was not a FP type system. You showed your hotel ID and were back doored into the attraction.<< You are correct SJHYM as I was also an APer at both WDW and UO atthe time and they did keep us informed of those options at the time. I simply don't have the time to go around searching for facts to back that up..since I live down here and there are things to see and do (like being on my way to see HalloWishes tonight at the MK) as opposed to MN, where the big Mall does not cut it anymore..
