XPass - You may never tour Walt Disney World the same way again ...

[DVCDad]

It's the nature of people on the internet to think of the worst case scenario, multiply it by a gazillion, then ***** and rant about it. Heck, most people think fast passes slow up the non-fast pass line, so logic doesn't usually come into play.

OMG, going through this exact scenario in the "Fast Pass parade" thread.
Then when I show an actual Stanford study showing that fast passes actually improves the speed of the non-fast pass line, I'm accused of insulting their intelligence. Silly me, throwing facts into a discussion.

[MartianCrab]

So close to Halloween? I wonder what it'll be like. I'm hoping to change up my stay next year from December to either September or October, once the Halloween party starts. Go nice and early and avoid crowds. The point is to avoid crowds, not go in the throng of 'em.

Friday is a teacher work day so my kids won't miss any classes. I can't imagine Halloween is worse than Christmas but I guess I'll findout this Friday.

[HauntedGabe]

OMG, going through this exact scenario in the "Fast Pass parade" thread.
Then when I show an actual Stanford study showing that fast passes actually improves the speed of the non-fast pass line, I'm accused of insulting their intelligence. Silly me, throwing facts into a discussion.

Unfortunately the facts you threw in were based on assumptions not Disney Data. When Stanford is using Disney Fan Books and Disney Fan sights as their references rather than actual numbers provided by Disney the facts are less than substantiated.

[HauntedGabe]

Friday is a teacher work day so my kids won't miss any classes. I can't imagine Halloween is worse than Christmas but I guess I'll findout this Friday.

I've done both. The only days I've found worse than Christmas is New Years Eve and the 4th of July.

This week, the ratings are showing Friday and Sunday to be the best for the MK.

[MartianCrab]

The "best" as in lower attendance...I hope.

[HauntedGabe]

Yes! Now Monday! Yikes!

[Jetjaguar]

Errr... I don't know how much fun it'll be to plan everything, including meals, down to the minute for a WDW trip... I was kind of hoping the XPASS was more like the Ultimate pass over at the U-place, where you pay a premium to be able to use it as sort of an unlimited Fastpass...

[doconeill]

Errr... I don't know how much fun it'll be to plan everything, including meals, down to the minute for a WDW trip... I was kind of hoping the XPASS was more like the Ultimate pass over at the U-place, where you pay a premium to be able to use it as sort of an unlimited Fastpass...

The problem with that is, Disney has a LOT more guests. If they give this for free to resort guests - even just to Deluxe resort guests - the number of guests who could just walk on to attractions any time they wanted is more than all the resort guests at USO.

But we still don't know how it is going to be implemented exactly, or if Fastpass will go away, etc.

[HauntedGabe]

Phase one starts this week on the 7th. Disney will have extra managers and coordinators stationed around fastpass entrances. TTC is explaining the new policy for FP window as they are selling multi day passes already. Cast is gearing up for the enforcement.

This part I dont mind. It is how it was to be to start with.

[TXTaylors5]

It seemed so long ago that NextGen was announced (or rather leaked) to the public. Excited that some of the changes are starting to be implemented in the parks in preparation for the "Next Generation".

[TXTaylors5]

Rumor! Rumor! Rumor! (Nothing is ever official until Disney "officially" announces it!)

This was casually mentioned awhile back, thought I'd bring it back to the forefront as it is closer to becoming a reality.

Maybe something to look out for in the coming future . . .

New Key to the World concept:
For Disney resort guests, you will be issued a wristband (implanted with a RFID) upon check-in loaded with personal information and used to interact with sensors installed in everything from hotel-room doors to ride animatronics. It will be similar to the wristband used at Great Wolf Lodge where the wristband is your room key, charging card and park pass. At GWL, It was so nice to unlock our room door with the swipe of a wrist, no searching for a room key. It was just as convenient when paying for items at the resort. They scanned my wrist, printed a receipt and off I was to have more fun!

No date yet on when this will be implemented at the Disney Parks and Resorts.

The uses for such a wristband are endless for the Disney Parks and Resorts . . .

Room Key (KTTW)
Park Pass
Resort Guest EMH Eligibility
Purchases (Retail stores, restaurants, counterservice, vending machines, etc ... )
PhotoPass
FastPass
Interactive experiences with CMs, characters, attractions and queues

(The downside to such a device for paranoid people, Disney will know where you are 24/7 while on property. )

From the Orlando Sentinel:
Disney has signed a confidentiality agreement with a California company that manufactures RFID wristbands, whose clients include other amusement operators such as Great Wolf Resorts.

[HauntedGabe]

From the Orlando Sentinel:
Disney has signed a confidentiality agreement with a California company that manufactures RFID wristbands, whose clients include other amusement operators such as Great Wolf Resorts.

This made me smile. Can't even keep the fact that they have entered into a confidential agreement.
Heehee. Thinking it is meant to be leaked.

[doconeill]

Yup...the RFID wristband thing leaked out a while ago. Supposedly they'll offer "customizable" wristbands at a premium as well.

Uses will probably be added as time goes on.

My biggest concern is the room charge capability. It's already possible to skim RFID information off chipped credit cards if you get close enough. The wristbands are easier targets. No idea how they plan to protect them from fraud. But at least the damage would be confined to WDW.

[tasha36]

A random question about the wristbands - can you take them off?! Sounds wierd I know but when you get those band things at a festival or similar and you can only take them off by breaking them, I find they really irritate me. Particularly at night - I can't sleep in my jewellry, nit even my wedding ring.

Maybe I'm just odd

[doconeill]

A random question about the wristbands - can you take them off?! Sounds wierd I know but when you get those band things at a festival or similar and you can only take them off by breaking them, I find they really irritate me. Particularly at night - I can't sleep in my jewellry, nit even my wedding ring.

Maybe I'm just odd

They don't have any yet, but these are expected to be almost watch-like and removable, not the single-use "hospital band" types like they used to use for EMH.