Do you want to be sure that you can score some FASTPASSES for your favorite Disney theme park attractions the next time you visit Anaheim or Orlando? Well, if that's really the case, then you'd best make reservations now for one of Disney's high end hotels.
Why For? Well, according to information that's buried down deep in a patent application that the Walt Disney Company filed on August 30th :
"Spending per guest at hotels can (be used to determine) different hierarchies (for) access to Fastpass. Thus, the more that is spent by a patron, the higher the priority (they will receive) for Fastpass." Copyright 1999 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved Different levels and hierarchies can (then) be applicable at different hotels. Thus, (guests who stay at Disney's) more luxurious hotels can have higher priorities (to the resort's virtual queuing system)."
"Spending per guest at hotels can (be used to determine) different hierarchies (for) access to Fastpass. Thus, the more that is spent by a patron, the higher the priority (they will receive) for Fastpass."
Copyright 1999 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Different levels and hierarchies can (then) be applicable at different hotels. Thus, (guests who stay at Disney's) more luxurious hotels can have higher priorities (to the resort's virtual queuing system)."
This is just one of the FASTPASS-related bombshells that you'll discover as you read through United States Patent Application 20070203763. Which goes into great detail about an application to manage the " ... flow of persons and advertisement distribution via wireless media" that Mickey is looking to patent.
Among the ideas that the Imagineers are allegedly looking to field-test in a theme park near you very soon is a paperless, booked-24-hours-in-advance FASTPASS.
As described in Patent Application 2007020376, Disney resort guests -- after they've checked in to their respective hotels -- would be directed to turn on the digital televisions (DTVs) that they'll find in their rooms. For these interactive units will soon be directly tied into the resort's own master computer system. Which will then give these guests advance access to the FASTPASS system.
This DTV-based reservation system will allow Disney resort guests to book their FASTPASSES the night before and/or the day of their visit to the theme park. What's more, all of this virtual queuing-based information can then be downloaded directly onto that guests' cell phone.
And then ... Well, Mickey plans on use all this hi-tech stuff to take all of the drudgery (Or should I say independent thought?) out of your next visit to a Disney theme park?
How so? Well, how would you like it if your cell phone rang 15 minutes prior to the time that you were due to get in line for that FASTPASS attraction that you'd booked in advance? Just as a reminder that it was now time to start making your way over to the entrance of that ride or show.
Or -- better yet -- what if your cell phone were to suddenly start ringing as you were walking through the park? And -- as you answered that call -- you got a message that told you that the attraction that you'd booked FASTPASSES for later in the day had just broken down. And -- because of that -- Disney's main computer was now offering you the opportunity to put yourself in the virtual queue for another attraction in that theme park. Wouldn't that be a cool new feature of Disney's FASTPASS system?
Best of all, when it finally comes time to actually get in that FASTPASS line, you won't need a really-for-real ticket any longer. You just show the cast member who'll be watching over the entrance of this attraction the virtual FASTPASS that you'll have on display on the screen of your cell phone and -- BAM ! -- you're in.
Mind you, not all of the changes that are proposed to Disney's FASTPASS system are going to be embraced with enthusiasm by the public. Particularly those day visitors to the parks, who are sure to be upset when they learn that ...
" ... those visitors staying in a (Disney) resort hotel planning a visit for the next day may be granted a higher priority than those patrons (who are just) visiting the park for the day."
Translation: Disney really is planning on cutting back on the number of FASTPASSES that they'll be distributing daily inside the parks. In the future, look for the Mouse to increasingly reserve this perk for those guests who are willing pay big bucks to stay in Disney's on-property and/or partner resorts.
Another possible aspect of this new application that's sure to be controversial will be Disney's ability (once a guest has used their cell phone to tap into the FASTPASS system) to then track this individual's movements around the resort through their handheld device. Quoting now from the patent application:
Other examples include the ability to have a patron's or user's cellular telephone or wireless device be tracked as that person moves around the facility, or defined area. For instance, this provides for locating guests or patrons and for the central facility computer to track the location of guests and patrons, and make recommendations as necessary to those persons. In an entertainment environment, when a particular attraction is non-functional for instance as a priority system or at all, the recommendations can suggest alternative attractions or activities to the patrons.
Which -- admittedly -- sounds like a fairly innocent application of this technology. Though I'd imagine that rabid right-to-privacy types will have a very different reaction once they learn that the Mouse may soon have technology that will then allow them to track tourists' movements around the Magic Kingdom through their cell phones.
Copyright 2001 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved
So what do you folks think? Do these proposed changes to Disney's FASTPASS system upset you? Or are you downright eager to use your cell phone to gain admission to your favorite theme park attraction?
Your thoughts?
Special thanks to Len Testa of the "Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World" & "WDW Today" for giving me a "head's up" about this particular patent application
Actually, Pickstar, it still is simple. I have kids in school, no problem with their missing a week or even two in Nov or Dec.
Wow! I have stayed on property in Florida twice now and enjoyed the Fastpass feature, but I really, really hate the idea of anything that makes even more cell phones ring during attractions! Nothing quite spoils the magic of the Haunted Mansion like a cell phone going DEE-DEE-DEEDLE-E-DEE-DEE-DEE-DEE-DEE just as you enter the attic. I have a cell phone myself--but I am always mindful to not disturb others. Unfortunately, not everyone is so considerate.
GofForever said:
"Actually, Pickstar, it still is simple. I have kids in school, no problem with their missing a week or even two in Nov or Dec."
Yeah, actually we're taking DD out for a week in December to go. But most parents aren't willing to do that.
"Master computer system?" "Central computer?" Great Christ, have these people read an IT-related book or magazine in the last three years? Maybe they're "repurposing" some of the Sperry stuff they put on ice after the "Astuter Computer Revue" closed ca. 1983.
Hmm...Well...
I normally stay on site anyway, so this wouldn't effect me that much.
However, I hate the idea of having to carry my cell phone around in the park. It just sounds so stupid to me. Pushing my way through the line for Tower of Terror while hanging on to my razr? Yeah right, that sounds intelligent. I really don't like the idea of having desert in the castle, or being in the middle of Space Mountain, and having my cell phone start screaming an Ok Go song to ruin the atmosphere. I get annoyed enough when people's phones go off in movies or restraunts, or even when I'm talking to someone. Maybe this would work for some people, but I really don't like it. I can manage my own time to know when to use my fast passes or not. I normally ride attractions up to when I need to use my fastpasts anyway. I'll be riding Snow White a minute before I need to get to Splash Mountain, then I'll just jump off and run like mad. And I like doing it like that. I don't want someone harassing me to hurry up and get on the ride. I'd probably end up turning my phone off anyway.
What's so wrong with the paper fastpasses?
Ohhh, what a bad time to be commie scum. But, political convictions aside...
I must say, I agree with Tizzo. If these patents were to surface in the parks, a great majority of the park's guest wouests would be affected. Many of the most devoted guests would be alienated, such as the AP holders or those, like myself, who had to beg, borrow, and save just to afford a short stay at the Pop Century Resort. Pardon my French, but I'd be pretty pissed off if my chance at a FastPass was nabbed by the bourgeouis.
Fastpasses are a godsend to parents - while a 30-minute wait for Splash Mountain barely tests the patience of an adult, it can really take its toll on children, and no one wants to hear a temper tantrum on a hot, crowded summer day.
At the same time, the cell phone system would be a great way to reduce paper waste [how many tons of paper are wasted daily on FastPasses, which are simply thrown out after their temporary purpose is served?]. While I don't necessarily agree with the purpose of these newfangled FP's [the rich get richer while the poor stay the same, whoo!], storing those THOUSANDS of Fastpasses on a guest's park ticket or Key to the World would greatly impact the enviornment, especially over the course of time. Maybe Disney will start living up to the messages at Animal Kingdom and Universe of Energy...?
In addition, the number of Moderate- and Value Resorts, while small, have a very high capacity. Isn't Caribbean Beach one of the largest hotels in the US? Therefore, wouldn't it be safe to say that the passes will be distributed to a small percentage of guests overall? And where do Disney Vacation Club members fall into this - are they a "priority"?
Great. A park full of ringing telephones.
aeva said:
"And where do Disney Vacation Club members fall into this - are they a "priority"?"
They better be! If, after all the money I spent to join, and all the talk about how important DVC owners are to WDW, if I end up playing second Fastpass fiddle to some one-time Grand Floridian guest I'm going to be livid!
By the way, communism failed ... didn't you get the memo?
I've never known Disney to be a firm believer in democratic (small "d") ideals so the idea that they would institute perks for big spenders comes as no surprise to me.
LOL..okay how is my grandmother ever going to understand this!
As someone eluded to earlier, they said that Disney is doing this to generate more money for the Stockholders. Well, I can say with some certainty that that will never happen. I am a Disney Stockholder and my stock has not gone up in years. It is only worth as much as I paid for it 9 years ago. Right now I own a very pretty stock certificate that I will frame and it will be the most expensive piece of artwork that I will own.
Disney has done many things that you would think would have generated more money for Stockholders, but that has not been the case. Any extra money seems to go into building new parks, rides, and TV/Radio media/technology. It is not going into the pockets of the Stockholders.
As for giving priority to those folks that stay on the Disney property, I agree with many of the comments above. It is not cost justifiable for me to pay a fortune to stay on-site to get a few perks that I don't really use. I've already tried staying on the Disney property and it wasn't worth the money. I'll continue to stay outside of the park and buy an annual pass to get the perks that I use.
Disney is definitely catering to the family unit. But they are missing the bigger picture. Although the population is growing, the demographics still point to much of that population being made up of older folks with no kids. Disney should be doing something more to attract those visitors. They have more money and more time on their hands than the younger families with children. But I digress.
Using new technology is wonderful, but we'll see how well it is received in the long run. It's already annoying to have cell phones go off in restaurants and other places. How much more fun is it going to be to have even MORE cell phones ringing away while at the Disney parks, trying to watch the parades or enjoy a nice "guiet" dinner. I'm thinking Universal Studios will start seeing more visitors after a while.
Some day I'll learn how to type... "quiet" (instead of "guiet").
Don't other big theme parks (i.e Universal) offer front of line privilages for their resort guests? It does not seem to be an unreasonable expectation that guests willing to pay the higher rates to stay in one of Disney's resorts receive these kinds of benefits. I certainly don't like the idea of having to pack my cell phone around on vacation...I go on vacation to get away from the phone. I'd prefer if they allowed resort guest to reserve their fast passes at their resort and have them loaded onto the guest's "key to the kingdom" (room key/park ticket).
I'm sure Disney knows this, but I have yet to make it thru 12 hrs at a park and still have any juice left in my phone. Are they gonna put chargers on the rides?