Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <<I like FastPass. It's free. It's pretty simple to understand. It's completely fair.>> Do I really want to get involved in a discussion about FastPass for the umteeth time? I guess I will just leave it with I disagree FastPass is fair. Am I grateful Disney is trying to accommodate folk who want to see the parades in the MK, Yes I do!
Originally Posted By hopemax I wonder if this has something to do with the "plan every little bit of your Disney vacation from home" initiative? Theoretically, not having to wait for a parade is something that they can offer without too much of a negative to other guests (since the parade park has tons of capacity, unlike say Dumbo) but would be something that people would perceive as value (not having to camp out for an hour for a parade). But I'm also not sure about what Dug said "Well, maybe I won't like it is all the good viewing areas are consumed by FP sections" I agree. Offering FP may not be a problem, but why do they get the "best" areas? Unless they are planning on using FP as defacto "crowd control." Too many people try to squeeze into the best areas. I know I've seen plenty of fights and sniping as people 5 min before the parade try to squeeze their kid in front of people that have been waiting for an hour.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom That should have been Yes I am grateful that Disney is trying to accommodate folks wanting to see the parades. And I thought the first 20 posts to this thread were going well and expressing their views pretty tackfully. Until the "quit your whining" posts appeared. Geez Louise!
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Maybe everyone needs to back down? Why does anyone care if this person loves everything and that person hates everything? But quite honestly the tone on both sides is getting ridiculous.<<< Exactly. It's a forum. People can like and dislike what they want. If someone else's opinion challenges your own way of thinking, maybe it's time for you, the reader, how seriously you are taking this.
Originally Posted By DlandDug >>I disagree FastPass is fair.<< Don't mind asking: What's unfair about it? It's equally available to all guests. I also don't mind saying that FastPass is equally unfair to everyone. >>...why do they get the "best" areas?<< Didn't say anything about getting "all the best" areas, or any of the "best" areas (or did it?). But I would be concerned if it came to that.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I doubt they will get the best areas... a guaranteed seat, nothing more. Have you tired the Fantasmic dinner package? You are seated off to the far right of the stadium in seats that typically would be open 20 minutes before the show. What's the advantage? Guaranteed seats with no wait. That's about it.
Originally Posted By leobloom This thread exemplifies Disney theme park discussion boards. 1. Shrill, over-the-top tone of some posts. 2. Complaints about complainers. 3. Praise/criticism for FP. If we could get some meet-and-greet hate in here, we'd have it all.
Originally Posted By leobloom I'm also lost as to why someone like Hans would question the critical tone of the WDW board. For one thing, the tone isn't nearly as critical since the interesting discussions (social media, e.g.) have dropped off. For another thing, someone could say some of the complaint-complainers haven't been to WDW recently. Have you been there recently, Hans? I think you've said it's been years since you visited DL. What about WDW? If you haven't been there recently, then why do you continue to post in the WDW section?
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I don't really mind people saying they HATE the direction Disney is going and blasting every change that comes along. I just don't like it when they feel others are idiots if they don't feel the same way. Many of us "apologists" realize Disney's shortcomings, but still greatly enjoy the parks in-spite of them. After my recent visit to Universal Orlando I think that is the better alternative for me FOR NOW. But that has as much to do with 25 visits to WDW in 15 years as it has to do with Disney's shortcomings. Sometimes new is better, even if it isn't best. Know what I mean?
Originally Posted By DDMAN26 I don't have an issue with people not being satisfied with the way the parks are. I have an issue with looking down on other guests who some might consider the "unwashed masses" I think there's a real arrogance there in thinking that only a certain type of person should be allowed in a Disney park.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>If we could get some meet-and-greet hate in here, we'd have it all.<<< No potties?
Originally Posted By hopemax > I doubt they will get the best areas... a guaranteed seat, nothing more. < The link in the OP says that the viewing area will "be in front of the castle." Sounds pretty good for me.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <<Don't mind asking: What's unfair about it? It's equally available to all guests. I also don't mind saying that FastPass is equally unfair to everyone.>> Yes it is available to all guests. However what makes it unfair is how it is implemented at the various rides/ attraction by castmembers. For example: I have been on Kali where the castmembers will allow 20 people using FastPass to board. Then stop the FastPass line and allow 10 standby guest to board. Then back to 20 FastPassers to board. This allowed the standby line to keep moving. I have been on rides like Test Track, Soarin, Toy Story and Kilimanjaro where the FastPass users were always allowed to board before anyone in the standby line. That means you can be the next up in the standby line and as long as there is a steady stream of FastPass users boarding you will never board. All these standby lines were well over and hour. And in terms of Toy Story and Kilimanjaro the lines where at least two hours long. Also there is a limited number of rides that allow FastPass in DAK and DHS, which means that typically the FastPasses run out early by 10 AM or 11 AM. So if you enter one of those parks at say 2 PM there are no FastPasses available and you end up in the standby line for a good two hours at least. Most of the quides to WDW tell guests that upon entering a park run around grabbing FastPasses first off prior to getting on a ride. And many guests do just that. There are a lot of visitors to WDW so the FastPasses don't last long. And for those in the standby line it is like being punished for not entering the parks upon entering. Also there was a time when golden FastPasses were handed out to a select few. My brother has a son who is "challenged" and therefor they are eligible for FastPassing ( not sure what it is called ) on every ride. So the FastPass system is hardly fair and is implemented by castmembers differently.
Originally Posted By DlandDug >>...what makes it unfair is how it is implemented at the various rides/ attraction by castmembers.<< This issue is with CMs, not FastPasses. And it has always been the case that some CMs do engage in unfair behavior, regardless of whether FP is in use or not. >> There are a lot of visitors to WDW so the FastPasses don't last long.<< Is it "fair" that someone sitting in the front row at at a show or parade was able to arrive at 3pm. while another guest had to enter after work at 6pm, and therefore ended up sitting in the back? Whether FP is in use or not, it has always been the case that guests who can get to the parks early have an advantage over those who arrive late. FP makes no difference in this truism. >>My brother has a son who is "challenged" and therefor they are eligible for FastPassing ( not sure what it is called ) on every ride.<< Guests with disabilities have always been accommodated in different ways. Haven't heard of "Golden" FPs in these cases. >>...the FastPass system is hardly fair and is implemented by castmembers differently.<< Again, I respectfully disagree. The FP system is fair, while it may be true that the humans who implement it may not be. But this is true of any system.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 anyone with children studying hyperbole can direct them to this thread- right from post 1. and mental evaluations- yep order them up - (where needed) really, this is the end ofmankind ? I don't like the bleacher idea much at all- I'll give one that..but for some people the parade is one of the highlights of their day. For me, I've seenthem plenty and usually avoid now depending on who we are visiting with- so this affects me not, but for those who will enjoy having preferred seating and love parades- enjoy-- there's nothing wrong with YOU.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORWEN: I'm wondering how much longer it'll be until the Disney theme parks start having a system where you have to use a Fast Pass for the rest rooms? ORGOCH: They already got one, sister! It's called Fast Gas!
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <<This issue is with CMs, not FastPasses. And it has always been the case that some CMs do engage in unfair behavior, regardless of whether FP is in use or not.>> I have to disagree! Apparently there is no "firm" policy around just how FastPass is suppose to be implemented. You can't blame Castmembers for vague Disney policies or the lack there of.
Originally Posted By TP2000 Kennesaw Tom>> "I have long thought that folks in wheelchairs, elders and families with children should be able to request a spot so they don't have to fight with the hoards."<< I was with you until you got to the "families with children" part. There should be, and at least at Disneyland there is, several designated areas for those in wheelchairs or with special needs to watch the parade in a more comfortable environment. But there is absolutely no need, nor should there be, for anyone with a child to be able to enter some special roped area. Having a child is not a disability, it's a lifestyle choice. You chose to have the kids, now deal with that choice at parade time at theme parks. Disabilities and handicaps that people are aflicted with through no fault or choice of their own should be accomodated with a more comfortable and accesible environment. Lifestyle choices that result in the burden of small children tagging along with you to theme parks are not a disability, and they shouldn't be elevated to such a status.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom What is disturbing Doug is when the "standby-line" is not the line. The FastPass line is the line. For decades the WDW parks did fine without a FastPass system. It was totally fair. You got in line and you waited your turn. Everyone was quarenteed equal opportunity to enjoy the rides/ attractions. Now under the FastPass system if you don't have a FastPass then your going to have to wait, no ifs ands or buts about it! There are only three ( maybe four) rides/ attraction at DLR where there are excessive lines; Matterhorn, Nemo, Indy and perhaps the Roller Coaster in DCA. WDW has dozes of excessive long ride queues. There are probably a dozen alone just in MK. And since the rides/ attractions at DAK are few to begin with, virtually every standby line in DAK is an exceptionally long wait. WDW is a totally different animal from DLR. The best way to describe the standby lines at WDW is that they use to be "the line", the norm, now if your in the Standby line your in a holding pattern waiting for you chance while others go first. No exceptions! The other thing I think needs to be pointed out is that everyone has been on both sides of this Disney induces equation. We have all been FastPass holders and just walk by the huddles masses and walked onto Soarin, etc. And we have also been on the opposite side the huddled masses herded as quickly as possible onto Kilimanjaro. It leaves a bad impression when you show up to DAK and have to wait hours in the standby line for Kilimanjaro simply because when you got to DAK there were no FastPasses available for Kilimanjaro. So, guests get angry. And think twice about further Disney Park vacations. Your typical guest doesn't understand why there is a FastPass on some rides/ attractions like Soarin but not on others like Nemo? Not everyone knows how to use FastPass and FastPass machines break. There can be a lot of chaos around FastPass machines as at WDW people typically line up at the FastPass machines and often you have one family member collecting fastpass tickets for an entire family. Or you have a child trying to get a FastPass and they have no idea what they are doing. The FastPass system is flawed.
