Disney's NextGen Initiative

[maxairmike]

They made it into a kind of mini museum just for the pass conversion timeframe. I've been in there a few other times and it isn't nearly as exciting when they don't have stuff for an event in there. It is a very nice space on its own, though.

 

[Andy]

That Test Track back up is just crazy...

 

[Sideshow Mike]

They made it into a kind of mini museum just for the pass conversion timeframe. I've been in there a few other times and it isn't nearly as exciting when they don't have stuff for an event in there. It is a very nice space on its own, though.

I'm looking forward to walking through it and seeing some of the unique things that are in there next time I go.

 

[Spideyfreak]

That Test Track back up is just crazy...

Meanwhile, I bet the standby will back up just as bad while they let ALL the Fastpasses through. Ugh.

 

[tribbleorlfl]

The pass conversion center is pretty darn cool. I got a few pictures of one of the original Figment AAs from the better version of the ride.

Any Horizons stuff?

 

[frenzy88]

Meanwhile, I bet the standby will back up just as bad while they let ALL the Fastpasses through. Ugh.

i dont know, single riders all day! but they were pushing all fast pass people down into the main design room. I assume for the additional space?

 

[Spideyfreak]

^Supposedly they've been doing that because the Fastpass users are complaining about not having the full experience.

Disney has really dug themselves in on Fastpass. It's become such a huge clusterf*ck. Get rid of all of it, and do it the way UO does. Allow Fastpass access for guests staying at high end hotels only, and offer it as an upcharge in the parks too. This lessens the demand and allows the rides to crank down the standby lines AS THEY WERE DESIGNED TO DO!

I mean seriously: How am I supposed to enjoy myself at the park when I have to plan out my Fastpasses in advance, plan which attractions to go to when, wait in longer standby queues, etc? Why does it have to be a freakin' puzzle? Why can't I just decide to go to the parks one day and have fun!

/rant

 

[IzzyB]

I personally like Disney's method better. This way people don't have to pay and the couple rides they really want to ride they can fast pass them. I also think Disney would have a hard time doing what OU does because they have more hotel properties. So decided which ones that get it would be harder. If you pay $350 a night you can, but $300 no? So the amount of people they would have to hand out free ones to (hotel guests) would be too high. It won't help stand by lines since Disney fast pass lines tend to be shorter than OU is. 15 minutes for Rocket it where I was at Disney on Saturday and the longest I waited was 8 minutes for Buzz Lightyear. But I think I came at a bad times since people were waiting outside the line because their time was not up yet. So I am thinking something just let out. Heck Peter Pan had NO ONE in the fast pass line the entire time I was in the handicap line getting my son ready I never saw one person get into the line. And that is Peter Pan a hugely popular ride.

How is a normal guest (keep in mind more people enter Disney than OU) supposed to enjoy the park when by the time they come Fast Pass is sold out and now they have to wait in all stand by lines? At least the way it is now, they can get a fast pass here and there and get some rides faster. I think the scheduling system and being able to change this via your smart phone will work out better, but others don't think so. We will see when it is implemented if it is impossible to get same day FP to good rides or not.

 

[Spideyfreak]

^You're comparing Rockit's capacity to an Omnimover? Fail.

I do see your point though. I feel that if rides are designed with high capacity in mind, and no Fastpass users to interrupt, the standby lines move fast. At UO, even waiting in standby lines, one can usually get most of the rides in one park done. This is because the rides are designed for high throughput. So one day at each park, and maybe a third if you missed some things. I feel this would be the same at Disney if they got rid of the Fastpass system. Longer lines would discourage people from waiting, and come back later, and maybe even encourage them to have a longer vacation, spending more money at the parks.

 

[IzzyB]

^You're comparing Rockit's capacity to an Omnimover? Fail.

I do see your point though. I feel that if rides are designed with high capacity in mind, and no Fastpass users to interrupt, the standby lines move fast. At UO, even waiting in standby lines, one can usually get most of the rides in one park done. This is because the rides are designed for high throughput. So one day at each park, and maybe a third if you missed some things. I feel this would be the same at Disney if they got rid of the Fastpass system. Longer lines would discourage people from waiting, and come back later, and maybe even encourage them to have a longer vacation, spending more money at the parks.

We went on a ton of rides and I was saying Buzz was the longest. Keep in mind I get into all Fast Pass lines that do not have a height restriction, so I see a ton of lines. Plus we physically go get fast passes and child swap passes for rides with height restrictions. So I am going to see more rides with fast passes than most people.

AK and DHS both are one day parks like IOA and US. Epcot is a one day park if you are going just for rides. If you are going to see all the countries, innovations, etc it could be a 1 1/2 day park. But any way you slice it, MK is not a one day park. I don't care if there was no fast pass and everyone waited in stand by, you just can't do that park in one day without killing yourself and your family. It has nothing to do with capacity, there is just too much there. Maybe if you go from opening to closing and only take a lunch and dinner break you might be able to do it if you skip some rides that you don't care for. But if you want to ride everything there is to ride, I can't see if being done in one day. And who wants to go from opening to closing without wanting to kill themselves?!? I say it is a two day park to make it more enjoyable for yourself and your family.

 

[maxairmike]

And that's the problem with people today. The whole "time=$$$" thing and our ridiculous desire for instant gratification taken to ridiculous extremes has made a relaxing Disney vacation a thing of the past. You are now basically penalized (and will be more so with NextGen) for wanting to actually take it slow on vacation and just be spontaneous. Would it really kill people to slow down and look at the details? No, it would actually make things more enjoyable. Unfortunately we have become obsessed with getting what we want NOW and I will not spend a minute more than I must waiting for it because my time is monetarily valuable. Drives me absolutely nuts.

 

[Spideyfreak]

^I agree.

I feel like as long as the line moves fast, and there's stuff to look at, immersion, etc, I won't mind an extended wait, because I won't be bored.

But now, a queue that was designed to hold my attention for 10 minutes, I'm now standing in for 20 minutes because I have to wait for Fastpass users to go first. I feel like Peter Pan is a great example of this problem.

 

[IzzyB]

^I agree.

I feel like as long as the line moves fast, and there's stuff to look at, immersion, etc, I won't mind an extended wait, because I won't be bored.

But now, a queue that was designed to hold my attention for 10 minutes, I'm now standing in for 20 minutes because I have to wait for Fastpass users to go first. I feel like Peter Pan is a great example of this problem.

But how would doing OU system really make it better? It is the same deal, letting fast pass people by while you wait, only now you will never be one of those people unless you pay more money.

I do think Disney is trying to improve their queue lines to make this more tolerable and I wonder if they have cut back on the number of passes handed out, I feel the lines lately have been slightly shorter in the fast pass lines. This might have to do with them enforcing the hour window though.

- - - Updated - - -

And that's the problem with people today. The whole "time=$$$" thing and our ridiculous desire for instant gratification taken to ridiculous extremes has made a relaxing Disney vacation a thing of the past. You are now basically penalized (and will be more so with NextGen) for wanting to actually take it slow on vacation and just be spontaneous. Would it really kill people to slow down and look at the details? No, it would actually make things more enjoyable. Unfortunately we have become obsessed with getting what we want NOW and I will not spend a minute more than I must waiting for it because my time is monetarily valuable. Drives me absolutely nuts.

OK, I do have to laugh, because I don't ever remember Disney being a relaxing vacation. I went long before fast pass was in the parks and I remember my parents being tired and really done with the whole thing. Heck, we took a break from any parks one day and I remember my sister and I being done with the parks and wanting that one day break. Relaxing was never a word I would use for Orlando vacations.

 

[Spideyfreak]

Enforcing the return times is making the Fastpass lines more consistent so they don't fluctuate like crazy.

At UO, the percentage of people using Express is way less. So it really doesn't back up the standby much at all unless it's insane like on peak days, or if everybody shows up at once. If that happens, try another ride!

I heard a story about Soarin' at DCA a while back. They turned the Fastpass distribution rate down to 0% for an hour. The standby wait went from something like 90 minutes to 30 minutes. I can't remember where I heard that from. The Evil Place maybe?

When UO was experimenting with getting rid of the Fastpass style Express system, they took it away from Shrek for a week. The line went from two hours to (if I recall correctly) down to just under 45 minutes.

Fastpass makes standby waits longer. It's been proven. If Disney did away with Fastpass, Mermaid wouldn't even need all that queue. Heck, the Haunted Mansion graveyard queue was added to keep people busy in standby once Fastpass+ goes full force.

EDIT: The Two Billion Dollars that is being invested into Fastpass I would rather see spent on quality attractions and expansions to the existing parks. Especially AK and Studios. They need more capacity! Adding attractions will also reduce wait times.

Sorry I may be sounding crazy over this... but I'm just tired of seeing TDO not spending money in the right places.

Seriously! TWO BILLION DOLLARS!!!! YOU COULD BUILD IOA WITH THAT!

 

[Andy]

While I'm extremely happy Disney resorts that continue to expand are hitting record numbers, it sucks because its going to mask the worlds flat if not negative numbers. Between Tokyo and California alone attendance will be up 3.5-4 million vs LY. Not to mention expected increases for Hong Kong and Paris. So while we all know what's going on Disney will spin it here locally that Disney had its greatest year ever and FLE and the upcoming NextGen are amazing. Just gets me a little aggravated with everything is all.

Did I mention I will not be dropping a thousand bones on renewing my annual passes for my wife and I this year.

*Note: Tokyo Disney is reporting an increase of 2.2 million more visitors than LY and its been said California Adventure was up a million vs LY within the first quarter after Carsland opened. And given I was there for a few days after the opening I will agree to those words.

 

[J03Y]

honestly though you all take the Disney hate too far, like really your own personal experiences will change so much with NextGen? i doubt it. do i think FastPass+ is stupid? yes. and Spidey makes a fair point with the regular FastPass for sure. but still it's not like it's the worst idea ever with the other NextGen offerings. you all exaggerate everything going on when it'll mean nothing in the end because a) Disney will make the money back ten fold anyway and b) your preference of the perfect vacation experience isn't the majority, some people actually think the FastPass+ and other offerings boost their experiences. so what's the point with being over the top about any of this? seriously what is the point?

 

[Nick]

The only reason I got an AP for this year (and I got the Premier too), was because my parents had a DVC discount and I plan on being at DLR at least 3 times this year (i've already been once, going in the summer and am probably going for D23). Being able to get into the WDW water parks and stuff is a bonus, but I would never have bought a WDW pass just for that. My money was spent mostly based on the time I plan to spend at DL this year.

 

[Hockeyman55]

While I'm extremely happy Disney resorts that continue to expand are hitting record numbers, it sucks because its going to mask the worlds flat if not negative numbers. Between Tokyo and California alone attendance will be up 3.5-4 million vs LY. Not to mention expected increases for Hong Kong and Paris. So while we all know what's going on Disney will spin it here locally that Disney had its greatest year ever and FLE and the upcoming NextGen are amazing. Just gets me a little aggravated with everything is all.

Did I mention I will not be dropping a thousand bones on renewing my annual passes for my wife and I this year.

*Note: Tokyo Disney is reporting an increase of 2.2 million more visitors than LY and its been said California Adventure was up a million vs LY within the first quarter after Carsland opened. And given I was there for a few days after the opening I will agree to those words.

Why not do the monthly payment plan that way its not such a huge hit to your wallet? That is what we do or else I wouldn't be plunking down all that money at once. We actually just down graded ours from the premium to the regular seeing how we wont be going to any of the water parks this year, saved about $30 a month for the 2 of our passes.

 

[Disneyhead]

Yeah, I haven't bought Disney APs since I got custody of my girls. $1500 is a bit much for 3 APs considering I am a single Dad with 2 kids and my Ex is 20 months behind on child support. Plus, my kids would rather have a root canal than go to Disney.

 

[maxairmike]

OK, I do have to laugh, because I don't ever remember Disney being a relaxing vacation. I went long before fast pass was in the parks and I remember my parents being tired and really done with the whole thing. Heck, we took a break from any parks one day and I remember my sister and I being done with the parks and wanting that one day break. Relaxing was never a word I would use for Orlando vacations.

But have they become any more relaxing? Having to get up to make a dining reservation 180 days out and constantly checking your watch to make sure you make it because if not, forget eating at a popular (i.e. decent) table service place that day. Now you'll be reserving FP+ from home, rushing from one place to the next to make sure you make your times. Disney knows that they have a lot of influence over both how guests vacation and how other corporations present their vacations, and it puzzles me that Disney would encourage systems and vacation styles that burn out their guests and make a visit not relaxing. I'm willing to bet that if Disney decided to tackle the issue, they could largely do it through marketing and effect pretty quick change that would trickle up through general consumer habits and through their corporate Disney Institute training program. Advertise that you have a product that is best enjoyed if you slow down and take in the details, enjoy the finer things, don't rush and worry about doing and seeing everything on this one vacation because we'll still be here, come back and enjoy a completely different vacation by experiencing more new things.

Maybe its just me, and the super planners have taken over for good. But it just irks me that when people come to Orlando to these amazing parks that they miss the forest for the trees by rushing around like chickens with their heads cut off, subsequently taking some of the fun and most all of the relaxation out of what should be a time to unwind.