WDW experimenting with centralized Fastpass distribution

Via DisUnplugged Disney has begun testing centralized Fastpass distribution at Animal Kingdom.

Basically, there's a kiosk at the center of the park (Next to It's Tough to be a Bug) with several Fastpass machines for attractions around the park.

I'm pretty sure Gonch has been predicting this sort of thing since circa 2001. Anyone surprised it took this long?

This is good news. We can get our Kilimanjaro Safari FP while on our way to Expedition Everest.

AK is such a big spread out park that this will be a great help in avoiding blisters. :)

Neat. That's a good idea, for sure.

Except the reason for the test is suspected to be a linked to Disney trying to find a profit on Fastpass (like allowing resort members to get multiple tickets, or just out and out charging for the experience.)

Figured you anti Q-bot people might want to know that one ;).

Heres hoping for the resort perk, I know they could never do what Universal does because of how many resorts they had but even having an ability to get two fastpasses at once would be a really nice perk (I should know, I had that one day at the MK due to a computer snafu.)

Nice .. We will be down there in less than 2 weeks.. I hope it doesnt lead to a pay for scenario though..

I would like to think in this economy that Disney wouldnt resort to that.. Not to mention people have been used to this benefit.

I see them possibly adding more benefit to FP for resort guests, but not charging everyone for it. That doesnt seem to be their style.

Touchdown said:
Figured you anti Q-bot people might want to know that one ;).

Shhhh! This thread was whine free.

ridemcoaster said:
I see them possibly adding more benefit to FP for resort guests, but not charging everyone for it. That doesnt seem to be their style.

I dunno. From what I understand, they've started experimenting with a 'Premium FastPass' at a couple of the overseas parks. (yes, pay for instant FOL access inside a Disney park)

Of course, your ol' buddy Gonch has been warning everyone that this was the future of theme parks for years now. And even though the future is here some still refuse to believe it.

I'd pay for it. Just throwin' that out there.

Let'sme get on the rides that I want, then spend more time in WorldShowcase at sit down meals, or back at the resort in the hammock. :)

I like the idea especially in Animal Kingdom. The Safari and Everest are such a long walk it is really time consuming to go all the way to the Safari entrance, get the fastpasses walk back to Dinoland or the Everest area and then go back to the Safari when it is time to use the Fastpass.

I hate fastpass, but I simply have to use it if I want to keep up. Since fastpass is a necessity, I think that the centralized dispatch is a pretty good idea, so far.

As for what Gonch so giddily has been "warning" us about, paying more to get more is awesome and great, except when it takes away from everyone else. I'm all for paying more to get more. That's fine. But in these situations, the parks don't have more to give, so they take away from everyone else in order to have something to give.

I know you've all heard it before, and I've been trying to keep it to myself, but y'all called out the monster. Sometimes I think you all want to hear it.

I dont disagree with that possibility of the additional FP potential Gonch..

What I do disagree with is the notion that Disney would opt for complete removal of a free system they have been using for years in favor of charging only system.

Kind of like how I alluded to in the resort speculation, I see them doing something on top of the current system in such a way of saying, "for free you can do X, but for $10 you can do Y and Z" sort of thing.

Getting rid of a FP system that quite honestly has worked for years and made quite a few guests happy (with the exception of LK ;) ) doesnt seem Disney-esk..

Guess time will tell which way it goes.

Remember guys, the ecomonies tanked, and ever Mickey needs to find some more cash. :)

Anatomy of a virtual queue thread:

1.) Somebody mentions Q-Bot/Fastpass/Universal Express/Ticket To Ride
2.) Somebody mentions a plus/gold/deluxe/ueber version
3.) Gonch says "I told you so."
4.) Jeff says "One day you'll be able to schedule your whole day. Wake me up when that happens."
5.) People complain about losing "the experience"
6.) Class debate starts

Did I just about cover it?

You missed LK voicing his contempt for all things related to Q-Bot/Fastpass/Universal Express/Ticket To Ride.

I am "people" in # 5, Dave. Robotfactory could have replaced that word with "someone" in italics. :)

robotfactory said:
4.) Jeff says "One day you'll be able to schedule your whole day. Wake me up when that happens."

What are you talking about? Why would I say that?

And who hates FastPass, honestly? Hating it demonstrates a fundamental inability to understand it.

It's an exaggeration, Jeff, but I'm pretty sure you've mentioned a couple times in the past that you predict we'll one day do the whole-day scheduling thing. I very well could be remembering wrong.

Is this central distribution test a precursor to that sort of thing? Perhaps. If standard Fastpass rules apply to the central distribution method and you only get one at a time, I'm not sure how different this will make things. Of course at a HUGE park like Animal Kingdom it can save some time.

What I think would be truly innovative is mobile device based virtual queueing. Make a reservation with your iPhone, G1, Blackberry, etc and get a barcode. Scan it when you get in line. Bada bing.

This central distribution thing? Not such a big innovation right now. Universal already does something similar with Express, though that's only for nearby attractions that share a distribution point.

Gonch was the one who predicted the whole "schedule your day thing."

I'm all for centralized FP distribution because I know how to use the system and I'm willing to get to the park early. I can see this creating a situation in which passes dry up even faster than they do now.

And just to rebut LK - sure the parks take away from other customers to create something to sell, but it's not like you don't know what you're buying. It would be the same thing as raising the gate price without adding any new attractions. You pay more for less.

When we do WDW we use Ridemax which pretty much schedules your day.

ApolloAndy said:
Gonch was the one who predicted the whole "schedule your day thing."

Yeah, that one is mine too. And WDW will be the first to do it.

ridemcoaster said:
What I do disagree with is the notion that Disney would opt for complete removal of a free system they have been using for years in favor of charging only system.

Kind of like how I alluded to in the resort speculation, I see them doing something on top of the current system in such a way of saying, "for free you can do X, but for $10 you can do Y and Z" sort of thing.

Got it and I agree.

But if enough people are willing to shell out for Premium FastPasses, Disney has to be tempted to chip away at the freebies over time. Not eliminate, but reduce the availability to offer some of those passes to the people willing to pay. Common logic would tend to dictate that those folks given the opportunity for an 'upgraded' FP are resort guests.

Uggh.. schedule your day..

When vacations become suddenly become "work"...

I like to go wherever, whenever. If I wait.. Eh, so be it.. Im on vacation..Where else do I have to go?