Originally Posted By vbdad55 <The chances are that will still be the case but I know, personally, a lot of people that experienced so much frustration that they actually describe there WDW trip as the "first and last time". < not saying some of the people aren't upset for the reason you say ( but as DY says, it is a matter of reading their materials and understanding how things work.) -- - but for the people I talk to, especially from work where everyone sends people from all around the country ( and 2 from Canada) - to me to help them plan -- is that their major concern was just getting lost in the Disney vacation experience period . How to get from resort to park , and park to park. Where to go when entering. Spending too much time walking because for instance they were on Splash and one child wanted to ride Space Mountain next, and not having any sense of scale - they walked all the way across, without riding/attending anything along thway - got in line and waited...then did the same over and over. The size/ scale overwhelmed them, they claim to not have known what time parades were , or that they had to line up for them, the maps made them feel like things were right next door, and they weren't etc. I have never had anyone comment of FP itself- but I have had people who havent; been there in 10 + years ( many of whom are no taking their grand kids for the first time)- that the last time they went all lines were toolong and it was too hot and that is what they were afraid of again. Now remember this is the era before FP.....that some seem to remember more fondly than others... So I spend time 'schooling' them, drawing up a plan based on who is traveling with them, a few ressies to eat, a quick intro on FP , explanation of buses vs cars vs monorail/boat etc -- and off they go. The last one just got back about 3 weeks ago ( was actually from my wifes work) - and she was a first time since before AK opened attendee, traveling with 6 adults and 2 children. Once someone explained the items to them they had no trouble figuring things out and told me they weren;t going to go because others had told them they stopped going because everything was to big and too jammed...... summertime for families traveling with kids is the exact time when people need to have the use of FP for themimited hours the little ones are there, as well as restaurant ressie's for a few meals...so it's not all burgers etc....that is what leaves a bad taste in a lot of people's mouths... maybe Disney ought to do a better job ( or travel agencies) explaining some things..there are not difficult, and this would allow more people to enjoy all of what WDW has to offer, instead of remembering heat / long lines and fast food. Also people need to do a little more research and some actual reading before plunking down $5k- $10K for a trip.
Originally Posted By GalDisney I have an example of FP slowing the regular line. A few yrs ago a friend and I were in the standby line for the 'Pooh" attraction at Disneyland. The standby wait time sign said 20 mins. That 20 mins turned into a 1 hr wait! The CM who was letting the FP people in , not a few at a time but 14 or so people each time and was doing it constantly and making the regular standby line barely move. I have never had such an experience in a stand by line while FP was in use. I was not happy.
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy >> The CM who was letting the FP people in, not a few at a time but 14 or so people each time << Disney uses FP machines to meter the FP's out according to a planned distribution rate. That's good. But then they don't track the actual usage rate. The CM lets people in the line, just by looking at the FP. Disney should use a machine to actually scan the FP in at usage time. That way they could control the usage end of the process as well, not just the distribution end.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Yes, but that would mean more expense to operate on top of the expenses that FP already cause the bottom line at the Disney parks.. It cost to man the stations and dual lines (where those CMs could be put to better use in Custodial duties), cost to operate the machines, cost to maintain the machines and load them with paper, cost to build the FP distrubution areas... HECK! Why is Disney offering FP for free?? They should make it a pay-for option in the schemes of he Magic their Way ticket structures.
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy >> but that would mean more expense to operate on top of the expenses that FP already causes << True. That's probably why it won't happen. I figure the information gained probably would be useful, but not worth the extra cost. >> They should make it a pay-for option in the schemes of the Magic Your Way ticket structures. << I don't know about this though. While I could at least know that the people passing me up in line actually paid extra to do so, it might also invite an actual "better than you" attitude in some people. Before going to the extra-cost FP option, I myself would rather see ash-canning the whole thing. Instead, if you want priveleged access to the rides, then GO DURING THE EXTRA MAGIC HOURS. But during regular park hours, JUST A SINGLE LINE FOR THE ATTRACTION FOR ALL.
