Paid Fastpass Rumor

[Skovdaddy]

I heard a rumor from several fellow Universal Employees that Disney has been testing a paid Fastpass system at the Magic Kingdom. I hear the system is similar to our Express Plus system, pay for one pass per person, and you can skip the lines at most rides one time.

I heard from many people that Disney tested a paid fastpass system for two weeks last fall. I also heard from a co-worker that when he was at the Magic Kingdom two weeks ago they were selling these paid Fastpass for $40, with the Fastpass machines disabled. I don't know if I believe this rumor, because I have never heard it from someone I usually trust with information. Have any of the CMs here that work at the MK know about this new test? Or is it just a rumor?

[DLRFantasmic!Dan]

I heard about this too, they will make guests pay for the Fastpasses. There would be like 4 fastpasses available. Not sure if this is true, or not.

[Sweetums]

If there is any truth to this rumor, it's just asking for trouble.
Personally, I don't think anyone needs that many fastpasses.
My case & point: I was issued A VIP pass at Universal's Islands of Adventure (I knew a guy who knew a guy) and me, my wife, and her parents had access to go to the front of the line for every attraction that day. After the first couple of rides, we were thinking...this is so cool! -but after a couple of hours, and almost 3/4ths of the park already done,...we realized we'd be finished with the whole park before noon. And her Dad was getting a little queezy from the frantic pace.
It's what most people would call SENSORY OVERLOAD. Cuelines may take awhile, but they give you the necessary rest & downtime so you have energy for the rest of your day. They also provide the "anticipation" factor. If you go on one ride right after another without the progressive build, you don't get to savor the moment and get caught up in the ambience of the ride. -And 70% of Disney cuelines have a lot of Ambience! It just makes things more enjoyable.
My opinion...Use the fastpass system only when it's absolutely necessary to meet your timetable. (I.E. reservations for dinner, park hopping, etc.) Other than that, pretend they don't exist. -and never, ever pay extra for it!

[BRWombat]

I heard from many people that Disney tested a paid fastpass system for two weeks last fall. I also heard from a co-worker that when he was at the Magic Kingdom two weeks ago they were selling these paid Fastpass for $40, with the Fastpass machines disabled. I don't know if I believe this rumor, because I have never heard it from someone I usually trust with information. Have any of the CMs here that work at the MK know about this new test? Or is it just a rumor?

That was just me. I was there as a guest, brought my collection of expired FPs and stood in Town Square selling them to gullible guests. Paid for my vacation that way!

j/k. But it is fun to think about.
:twisted:

[gurgi]

eh, maybe im just the odd gurgi out, but i think that the fastpass thing is ridiculous. I don't mind the stand by lines at all, in fact my friend and i LOVE them. where else can we have fun and people watch up close and personal. sure the waiting in the heat can be hard and unbareable at times, but the lines might move a bit quicker in general without fastpass, and i think the pass of the park would be a lot better. anyway, if you are on vacation to get a break from the hustle and bsutle of the real world...

THEN WHAT THE HECK IS YOUR HURRY!?

last october when i we went to orlando they had the meal thing going on. please, dont get me going on that thing. hahaha

ah yes, but who am i?

[Stduck]

And to top it all Fastpass makes lines....wait for it...LONGER

Yes folks it does. Take the Matterhorn at DL for example, no fast pass..line there is at tops 30-35 minutes, looks longer then that but its not.

There was a day that we lost our computer systems due to a nice virus and they couldn't run fastpass at all. Splash topped out at 45-60 minutes. Space 45-50. During Holiday at Mansion on days we couldn't run fastpass our line was at tops 25 minutes. The Mansion can hold at 25 minute line within the gates. With fastpass we were looking at a 45+ minute line.

Also on many of the Rides who's queues were built prior to fastpass lost 50% or more of their queue to accomidate Fastpass. IE Pirates, Indy, Thunder, Splash, Tours.

[TinkerBelleRoo]

I agree with StDuck. The fast passes do nothing for the people who can't outrun everyone else to get them except make the waits longer. Personally, I say get rid of the fast passes and the priorty seatings and put everyone on a level playing field again.

I prefer to enjoy my vacations rather than worrying about things like dining reservations and being closed out of eating a meal and how I can finagle a fast pass for a ride. You should be able to relax. Enjoy the themed queues. That being said, 75 minutes for Splash Mountain is insane but it takes all kinds. There's no need to make the wait longer by fast pass. Especially charging for them. That would be bedlam.

Then again, people might object with the pass prices already being steep and say forget it.

The only thing that I've seen work to lessen a line without actually making it a longer wait for people is the single riders line which fills in the empty spaces. While to some it may seem like cutting the line, its just filling in a seat that would be empty otherwise.

This would probably work great for Soarin at Epcot if they haven't implemented it yet.

[Notatourist]

It's a slippery slope, no matter which way you look at it.

[DLRFantasmic!Dan]

I heard that with fast passes, some attraction's hourly counts are slowed down, that's why Pirates and Mansion doesn't have fast passes anymore. Believe it or not folks, HISTA used to have Surprise Fast passes with a Star Tours Fast pass. It upped our counts, but I saw no use for it.

[mentu]

at Mansion in florida fastpass was unnecessary, not to mention clogged up the entrance for standby, as there was a bottleneck created when people insisted on waiting in front of the entrance, keeping people from entering the standby.

Manager came out and told people to move. No one moved. She said move or she'll shut down fastpass. No one moved. She shut it down and the wait time decreased. On certain attractions, it isn't necessary. But it is fun to grab one for Soarin' and skip the 90 minute wait.