MaxPass / Digital Fastpass - Discussion Thread

[philliplc]

Here's the latest according to LaughingPlace.com

http://www.laughingplace.com/w/news...-disneyland-fastpass-system-starting-june-21/

The gist is that in preparation of MaxPass, starting on June 21st, you will still only be pulling paper FP but you will redeem differently. Instead of handing over your FP or even scanning it, you will be scanning your ticket or AP to redeem.

Sounds like some added hassle and loss of flexibility for families or groups where 1 person normally handles the tickets after you are through the gates.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Here's the latest according to LaughingPlace.com

http://www.laughingplace.com/w/news...-disneyland-fastpass-system-starting-june-21/

The gist is that in preparation of MaxPass, starting on June 21st, you will still only be pulling paper FP but you will redeem differently. Instead of handing over your FP or even scanning it, you will be scanning your ticket or AP to redeem.

Interesting. I guess it's not much different than what's happening now, but. I still wish Disneyland gave more notice than this. It's right in the middle of our trip, so I'll report back how it goes. Wonder when Maxpass will actually roll out.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Sounds like some added hassle and loss of flexibility for families or groups where 1 person normally handles the tickets after you are through the gates.

What it finally does too is tie the fastpasses to the individuals. You can't for instance pull fastpasses for your whole party for Space Mountain and then have half the group ride twice. Also, when splitting up groups and getting one fastpass for some members of your party and a different one for others, you want to pay attention to your tickets or passes and really make sure you are attaching the right fastpass to the right ticket.

 

[Winnowill]

It also eliminates your ability to give away FPs you know you won't be able to use to someone else. So much for that form of pixie dust.

 

[HappyGrape]

right before we arrive and without reliable wi fi... not ideal

 

[HappyGrape]

I signed up for roaming plan on my phone, we still may be tempted to try it if it really goes life. Is this source reliable?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

The source is reliable, but note that this is not Max Pass in all its glory going live. This is only an adaptation to how the paper FPs are redeemed. You will collect a paper FP the same way as always: by putting your ticket or annual pass into the FP machine. Then when you return to the ride, instead of handing over your FP or scanning that FP at one of the new scanners, you will scan your ticket or annual pass. That's all. This sounds like a transitional phase for easing into full blown Max Pass mode. You will not need wi-fi for this... yet. Of course, this being Disney, more announcements may soon be on the horizon. Stay tuned...

 

[wenrob]

What it finally does too is tie the fastpasses to the individuals. You can't for instance pull fastpasses for your whole party for Space Mountain and then have half the group ride twice. Also, when splitting up groups and getting one fastpass for some members of your party and a different one for others, you want to pay attention to your tickets or passes and really make sure you are attaching the right fastpass to the right ticket.

If it's just scanning the ticket/AP I don't see how the machine would know what tickets/AP belongs to what person. I sincerely doubt they'll have someone there checking IDs. (can you imagine how backed up that would make things?) The 21st is right in the middle of our trip. Splitting up FPs isn't something we typically do anymore but if the opportunity presents itself I'll give it a whirl and report back. I think this does create the potential for more lost tickets/APs though since they'll be pulled out much more often.

If they're going to do something like this is would be nice if they implemented an auto return time reminder in the app. You pull with your ticket/AP linked in the app and it auto shows. A girl can dream.

It's sad you won't be able to give them away anymore. We've done that many times and have received many ourselves.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

If it's just scanning the ticket/AP I don't see how the machine would know what tickets/AP belongs to what person. I sincerely doubt they'll have someone there checking IDs. (can you imagine how backed up that would make things?)

Oh yeah, I totally thought of all that. But handing fastpasses off to others is obviously not the way Disney intended fastpasses to be used, so this puts up another impediment to rule-followers or people who simply don't think about swapping their tickets around. Plus, depending on what mandate they've been given and the vigilance or zealousness or even boredom of particular CMs, it's at least within the realm of possibility that if a CM happens to notice a person or group going through the fastpass line multiple times very quickly that it might raise a red flag in their mind and they might ask to see some ticket media. I'm assuming there will still be CMs posted at the usual places to monitor lines and manage stacking. Not saying this will happen a whole lot, but again another impediment to rule followers or the anxious sort (like me, lol).

As far as backed up lines, I had another thought about that too. I was wondering what will happen now with World of Color and Fantasmic fastpasses. Loading those areas is a big pain already. Can you imagine if each ticket or AP had to be scanned? Right now, we just hand over our fastpasses and filter in, and there's no reason that can't continue...except the human factor. If you have two things that look like each other, say a RSR fastpass and a WoC fastpass, and you tell people that the RSR fastpass is just for their reference and not needed to enter the fastpass line but the WoC fastpass is needed for entry, how many complaints are you going to get about that confusion from people who show up at WoC without their paper fastpasses because they just get the message that paper fastpasses aren't needed. Of course, I would assume that in cases like that tickets or APs could still be scanned and then at least only the people who show up without paper fastpasses slow the entry into the viewing area down. But, anyway, will be interested to learn how all this implementation goes.

 

[wenrob]

Oh yeah, I totally thought of all that. But handing fastpasses off to others is obviously not the way Disney intended fastpasses to be used, so this puts up another impediment to "rule-followers" or people who simply don't think about swapping their tickets around. Plus, depending on what mandate they've been given and the vigilance or zealousness or even boredom of particular CMs, it's at least within the realm of possibility that if a CM happens to notice a person or group going through the fastpass line multiple times very quickly that it might raise a red flag in their mind and they might ask to see some ticket media. I'm assuming there will still be CMs posted at the usual places to monitor lines and manage stacking. Not saying this will happen a whole lot, but again another impediment to rule followers or the anxious sort.

True. After I posted I wondered what will happen up top where you usually hand over the actual paper FP. Usually that takes 2 seconds, count FPs/heads wave on through. Seems there would need to be some kind of check or anyone could just waltz through the FP line. Scanners even handheld would slow things way down. If that's what they do then I could see how it could tie to only that person since your photo would pop up.

 

[HappyGrape]

The source is reliable, but note that this is not Max Pass in all its glory going live. This is only an adaptation to how the paper FPs are redeemed. You will collect a paper FP the same way as always: by putting your ticket or annual pass into the FP machine. Then when you return to the ride, instead of handing over your FP or scanning that FP at one of the new scanners, you will scan your ticket or annual pass. That's all. This sounds like a transitional phase for easing into full blown Max Pass mode. You will not need wi-fi for this... yet. Of course, this being Disney, more announcements may soon be on the horizon. Stay tuned...

thanks for clarifying this

 

[Spyral]

Oh yeah, I totally thought of all that. But handing fastpasses off to others is obviously not the way Disney intended fastpasses to be used, so this puts up another impediment to rule-followers or people who simply don't think about swapping their tickets around..

Did not think that it was, but I can see it being. Believe in WDW you still can (even w/ the crackdown on FP+ cheats) still transfer FPs within your party with MDE. One thing we enjoy with the paper FPs, if wife and I decided against riding a ride (it happens.. we get tired), we would let our kids go on it twice (once w/ their FPs and once with ours). If we all changed our minds/something else comes up, or kids didn't want to use ours, we would spread a little magic and give our fastpasses to someone whom looked like they would need them


edit: verbiage

 

[ktlm]

Sounds like some added hassle and loss of flexibility for families or groups where 1 person normally handles the tickets after you are through the gates.

I agree. I'm not a big fan of this change. I never let DD or DH have their tickets. I hand it to them as we enter and then take them back immediately after they are in the park. I'm the FP runner. At WDW, prior to magic bands, we have had to go to guest services in the parks twice to get DH a new ticket issued after his was lost at FP machines. Now we will have to pull them in and out of pockets and purses even more, which just gives more of a chance to drop them. If they are going to do this- I wish they would get Magic Bands. As much as it would irritate me to have to spend money to buy magic bands- I would do it to avoid having to drag tickets in and out. Those are fastened around DH and DD's wrist and we have only had them pop off a couple of times, but have never lost one. At WDW, we hate FP+ (we feel much less stress and have much more flexibility when we are at DLR), but we love the magic bands.

True. After I posted I wondered what will happen up top where you usually hand over the actual paper FP. Usually that takes 2 seconds, count FPs/heads wave on through. Seems there would need to be some kind of check or anyone could just waltz through the FP line. Scanners even handheld would slow things way down. If that's what they do then I could see how it could tie to only that person since your photo would pop up.

Being a WDW vet, I can tell you it is going to really slow things down, especially when it is new. We were there when Magic Bands were in the testing phase and have been back every year since. At first, there were huge lines to get to the FP machine because the guests did not know what they were doing; CMs were learning; guests weren't holding their arms right or lining things up; scanning was slower etc. One time, we actually waited 20 minutes in the line at a ride to get to the FP scanners. It is much better now that it has been in effect a few years and in most cases goes quickly, but still slower than the old days, and there can be delays if someone is having scanning issues and doesn't know what they are doing. That is all when people have the band on their wrist. Here, it is not going to be on the wrist and easily accessible unless magic bands are next. At DL, especially at first, you are going to have the issues of people trying to hand the paper tickets, being told no, having to dig out their park tickets etc. Even once people figure out they need their park ticket, then you have people pulling them in and out, trying to get them to scan right etc. At WDW, they do not have your photo on file, but your name pops up on the screen when they scan-- they never check names--I can see at DL if the machines have the capability that photos would pop up. It used to seem creepy at WDW when we would scan for our FP and they would sometimes greet us by name, but we got used to it. I think at least at first while the learning curve is happening, it is going to be very slow.

 

[wenrob]

Being a WDW vet, I can tell you it is going to really slow things down, especially when it is new. We were there when Magic Bands were in the testing phase and have been back every year since. At first, there were huge lines to get to the FP machine because the guests did not know what they were doing; CMs were learning; guests weren't holding their arms right or lining things up; scanning was slower etc. One time, we actually waited 20 minutes in the line at a ride to get to the FP scanners. It is much better now that it has been in effect a few years and in most cases goes quickly, but still slower than the old days, and there can be delays if someone is having scanning issues and doesn't know what they are doing. That is all when people have the band on their wrist. Here, it is not going to be on the wrist and easily accessible unless magic bands are next. At DL, especially at first, you are going to have the issues of people trying to hand the paper tickets, being told no, having to dig out their park tickets etc. Even once people figure out they need their park ticket, then you have people pulling them in and out, trying to get them to scan right etc. At WDW, they do not have your photo on file, but your name pops up on the screen when they scan-- they never check names--I can see at DL if the machines have the capability that photos would pop up. It used to seem creepy at WDW when we would scan for our FP and they would sometimes greet us by name, but we got used to it. I think at least at first while the learning curve is happening, it is going to be very slow.

Our photo pops up at the turnstiles so I just assumed it might at a checkpoint w/handheld scanner 'up top.' Maybe not. I figured it will slow things down. We're in laid back mode for this trip though. No real plans except for Guardians. We'll just make sure to get our" must do" stuff done the first couple days. Thanks for the perspective.

 

[Niltiac]

I never let DD or DH have their tickets. I hand it to them as we enter and then take them back immediately after they are in the park. I'm the FP runner. At WDW, prior to magic bands, we have had to go to guest services in the parks twice to get DH a new ticket issued after his was lost at FP machines. Now we will have to pull them in and out of pockets and purses even more, which just gives more of a chance to drop them.

Like you, I don't let me SO carry her own ticket - she's too forgetful and she doesn't want the responsibility anyway. For AP's and some tickets, they can be loaded on the app and there's a bar code that can be used the same as the ticket, at least for admission purposes. Since MP will require tickets to be linked to the app, I'm hoping that the same feature will be available for all tickets, and that the bar code can be used at FP entrances in lieu of physical tickets. It wouldn't help with kids who don't carry their own phones, but it could help for teens or adults in your group if you can still keep the tickets safely stowed away and just have everyone use that bar code on their phone. We'll have to wait and see if that's how it ends up working though.

 

[mummabear]

So can someone confirm if they have clarified if "free" FPs will remain?

 

[Niltiac]

So can someone confirm if they have clarified if "free" FPs will remain?

I believe in the original announcement (not necessarily the announcement itself, but in the comments section where people were asking) they officially stated that the regular paper FP would remain and still be free. That doesn't mean they'll exist forever, but for now people will have a choice.

I'm not looking at the announcement right now, this is just how I remember it, but I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Self-Rescuing Princess]

So my question is how this will effect those who use DAS pass for a family member. We use that for my daughter and mingle it with a fast pass here and there and are good to go. No issues.

Do they pull from a different place? How many use the DAS a day? I have no issues getting Fast passes. It keeps us moving, which for us is important.

Free fast passes will remain. I think they will always remain because eventually this 10 will go higher.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

A CM explained some things further today. She said that MaxPass will start up completely on June 21st. The wi-fi may not work as planned, but they are aware of that issue. The change in FP redemption will occur as previously forecast: each guest will scan an entry ticket or AP to redeem a FP in the ride line. Paper FP and digital FP will be available. (If wi-fi doesn't work, then only paper FP will be available for the time being.) She said that there is no obligation to use MP, since paper FPs will continue to work. If a guest doesn't want to pay for the service, that will be fine. She said that any questions are best directed toward the plaids, since they are the most trained to answer right now.

 

[StormyCA]

A CM explained some things further today. She said that MaxPass will start up completely on June 21st. The wi-fi may not work as planned, but they are aware of that issue. The change in FP redemption will occur as forecast: each guest will scan an entry ticket or AP to redeem a FP in the ride line. Paper FP and digital FP will be available. (If wi-fi doesn't work, then only paper FP will be available for the time being.) She said that there is no obligation to use MP, since paper FPs will continue to work. If a guest doesn't want to pay for the service, that will be fine. She said that any questions are best directed toward the plaids, since they are the most trained to answer right now.

If you can only utilize MP on Disney's wifi, and if that wifi doesn't work, then I'd say that there would be no reason to pay for MP (unless you just want it for PhotoPass) until they get it all figured out. And if somehow this whole shebang is tied to Disney wifi, is that going to affect PP, too?

I think pulling out your Hopper/AP for every FP line will be a big faff. I really hope they get MBs/MB equivalents somewhere down the line. MBs don't have to mean advanced-reserved FP+ like at WDW.