New Fastpass System

[Amy]

A faraday cage

Yes, I do that know. However, I wasn't sure how many people on the boards know what a Faraday cage is.

Now, now, you two need to play nice together. Otherwise we'll have to wrap you in foil, or put you in a Faraday cage until you promise to play nice

[Wizzard419]

When have I ever promised such things? That would make me a liar!

[Amy]

When have I ever promised such things? That would make me a liar!

Guess you'll be locked in that cage for a looooooong time

[Wizzard419]

I've escaped from worse...

[Sharonofwindham]

Is there going to be a charge to use this new system?

[Wizzard419]

It sounds like "yes and no", it most likely won't be a direct fee as you would then have guests fighting it but at the same time rates for rooms may go up a hair to reflect the changeover.

What is going to be interesting to see is if they will be doing away with paper tickets entirely and giving everyone chipped cards. Anything else would require they have 2 FP systems in place... or they could just make FP a perk for people that stay onsite/have APs

[Amy]

It sounds like "yes and no", it most likely won't be a direct fee as you would then have guests fighting it but at the same time rates for rooms may go up a hair to reflect the changeover.

What is going to be interesting to see is if they will be doing away with paper tickets entirely and giving everyone chipped cards. Anything else would require they have 2 FP systems in place... or they could just make FP a perk for people that stay onsite/have APs

I wonder if you are correct in thinking that the FP will become a perk available only to those staying at on-site hotels or have APs...that sounds more plausible than giving everyone the cards, or having two FP systems. Guests might not notice a small charge included in their room bill for the more expensive RFID card, but people buying tickets would notice a few dollars more, especially since they just raised prices again.

[Wizzard419]

On itemized bills for the resort hotels (I don't have any handy) do they list any taxes/surcharges like you would find on an airline ticket? I could just imagine the fun if returning guests demanded the dollar back because they brought their old cards to be used again.

[portorleans]

When will the new system be fully operational. Do they expect it to in the next few months?

[Wizzard419]

If I recall, earlier in this thread, they said only one resort had the RFID doorlocks (since that is also going to be your room key) so the system may not go fully live until next year since they would need to get the results of the testing, make changes, then do the hardware rollout.

My question is, how will people be able to know what their return times are?

[cy1229]

If I recall, earlier in this thread, they said only one resort had the RFID doorlocks (since that is also going to be your room key) so the system may not go fully live until next year since they would need to get the results of the testing, make changes, then do the hardware rollout.

My question is, how will people be able to know what their return times are?

I would imagine that after scanning the RFID there would be a big display screen that shows you, or there would be a little piece of paper that tells you. I like the first, until people start to forget their times. Maybe they'll put scanners in around the park so you can scan your card, see how many dining credits you have left, see what your FP return times are, stuff like that. Similar to bar code scanners they have scattered around large stores like Kohls and Target.

[Amy]

If I recall, earlier in this thread, they said only one resort had the RFID doorlocks (since that is also going to be your room key) so the system may not go fully live until next year since they would need to get the results of the testing, make changes, then do the hardware rollout.

My question is, how will people be able to know what their return times are?

I would imagine that after scanning the RFID there would be a big display screen that shows you, or there would be a little piece of paper that tells you. I like the first, until people start to forget their times. Maybe they'll put scanners in around the park so you can scan your card, see how many dining credits you have left, see what your FP return times are, stuff like that. Similar to bar code scanners they have scattered around large stores like Kohls and Target.

Or there will be an app for your phone that you'll have to download...but I would think they would also need some sort of kiosk for people that don't have a phone with them.

[Wizzard419]

Yeah, the problem is if they print out slips of paper then you have defeated the purpose of the new system The one thing that might be a huge problem is if people have no indicator on them to let people know their pass is valid. That is the one edge that the old system had over the new, it was easy to know when your pass was ready.

The phone app is good but market penetration of smartphones is still only between 40 and 50% and factor in the internationals getting reamed on data rates and it probably wouldn't be the best plan.

Apparently dumb phones are not allowed to be called that anymore, now they are "feature phones"

[cy1229]

Update...

http://dvcnews.com/index.php/other-reso ... vc-members

[Wizzard419]

I wonder if this system won't be coming to DLR (even if it is a hit at WDW)? Since we have more locals and AP holders, the system may not work as well. I'm still surprised that we have ticket takers since WDW hasn't had them for over 10 years.