Fastpass – Page 2 – WDWNT Archive

BREAKING: Fastpass-Like Virtual Queue System Being Tested at WDW Water Parks

WDWNT on April 6, 2017

A “virtual queue system” is being tested at Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon beginning today, March 28, through April 7, 2017. According to Disney, “Virtual queuing systems are designed to enable users to reserve a place in line for an attraction without physically waiting in the queue, providing an enhanced Guest experience and more time for additional experiences.” Sounds a lot like Fastpass…

The virtual queue test will include Downhill Double Dipper, Slush Gusher, and Summit Plummet at Blizzard Beach, and Miss Adventure Falls at Typhoon Lagoon.

We’ll post more information on this test of the new system as we receive it. If you happen to experience this system in the water parks today, let us know in the comments!

BREAKING: Disneyland Introducing a Paid Digital FastPass Service Called Disney MaxPass

WDWNT on January 16, 2017

Disney today finally announced the further expansion of FASTPASS to two of their most popular attractions — Toy Story Mania in Disney California Adventure park and Matterhorn Bobsleds in Disneyland park. However, the bigger news is that the eventual introduction of digital FASTPASS at the resort will be part of a paid service.

Later this year, Disney will launch Disney MaxPass, which will allow guests unlimited downloads of their high-resolution PhotoPass images, but also enable the convenience of mobile booking and redemption of Disney FASTPASS return times – all by using the Disneyland App. Disney MaxPass will be available for an introductory price of $10 a day. Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders also will have the opportunity to purchase Disney MaxPass on a daily or yearly basis.

Guests will continue to have the option of Disney FASTPASS service at no cost by obtaining FASTPASSES at attraction FASTPASS kiosks, just as they do today.

This contradicts rumors of the last year or so about the installation of the system and ensures that paper FASTPASS service will remain at the Disneyland Resort for the time being.

BREAKING: Disneyland Resort Will Launch Digital FastPass Service in November

WDWNT on October 24, 2016

Disneyland Resort has been testing a new FastPass system for their theme parks in a very limited capacity over the last year or so. While the tests were never very widespread and it seems that the actual rollout of the new system has been continually delayed, it appears that Disney is finally ready to unleash a digital version of FastPass on the West Coast.

Barcodes in the Disneyland app and on tickets will be the key to a new Disneyland Resort FastPass service

While it may not be a full rollout, we can confirm that Disneyland Resort is looking to launch their new digital FastPass service at Toy Story Midway Mania at Disney California Adventure park starting on November 20th, 2016. Some recent queue modifications were made at the attraction in preparation for this. New FastPass signage and such will be installed by Walt Disney Imagineering at the attraction in Mid-November. Toy Story Midway Mania did not open with or add any FastPass service despite being quite popular at California Adventure, but there is a queue that was constructed that can be used for it.

Toy Story Midway Mania will be the first attraction in California to test a digital FastPass service

It is unknown how exactly the FastPass bookings will work through the app, but it is assumed that this is a permanent installation of the system in the park. There are reports that other attractions around the park are already installing the infrastructure to join the digital FastPass system in the following weeks and months.

As previously reported, the new system will use the official Disneyland app to allow guests to book FastPass reservations digitally. The new system will utilize a barcode within the app or on a guest’s Disneyland Resort park ticket to redeem the FastPass. The app will be the only way to book the FastPass reservations during the early stages. In-park kiosks for booking may eventually be introduced.

The Disneyland Resort has continued to use the old paper FastPass system, even though Walt Disney World’s FastPass+ system using digital FastPass booking and RFID ticket media has been in place for almost 4 years now.

New Disneyland Mobile App Released, First Step in MyMagic+ Coming to Disneyland np

WDWNT on August 3, 2015

We warned you that FastPass+ tests are coming to California, but now a new mobile app shows that Disneyland is getting ready to follow Walt Disney World into the future of the theme park experience with digital tickets, mobile wait times, and the ability to make advance dining reservations.

Yes, you can get wait times and attraction and dining information (and much more) pretty easily by scrolling through a map of the resort.

One of the coolest functions comes with buying or linking tickets. Guests can then have a digital version of their park ticket to open and scan at park entrances, never having to reach for their purse or wallet. Similar functionality should come down the road when FastPass+ is rolled out at the Disneyland Resort. Premier Passports are not yet supported in the system.

With icons from your MyDisneyExperience account carrying over, it is clear Disneyland is using the same system as Walt Disney World’s system and app.

The maps are also styled just like those currently distributed at Walt Disney World and on the WDW website and app

While the app is loading, you’ll even find the familiar Mickey symbol with the light circling it, something any guest who has been to Disney World over the last 2 years is very familiar with.

And yes, dining reservations can be made through the app as well.

With the launch of this app and rumors of FastPass+ type system test coming soon, it is clear that some version of MyMagic+ is rolling out at the Disneyland Resort in the not-too-distant future. When that might happen, we are not certain, but this new Disneyland app is certainly the first piece of the next-gen puzzle in Anaheim.

Update: Another fun thing to note is that our WDWNT Now! site (located here) has been able to display the same information for months. We also have menus for the restaurants which the new app does not include!

The new Disneyland app can be downloaded for Android devices here and iOS devices at this link.

BREAKING: Guests Can Only Ride Toy Story Mania Via FastPass+ This Week

WDWNT on October 24, 2014

In a strange test, Walt Disney World guests visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios now through Friday will need a FastPass + to ride Toy Story Midway Mania. Walt Disney World is attempting to offer enough FastPass+ throughout the day to fill the attraction to capacity, not allowing any guests to use a standby queue or use the Disability Access Service (DAS) to ride. Disney will not even allow guest relations cast members the ability to offer access to the attraction to appease any disgruntled guests during this period.

The reasoning for this test is to see if attractions offered by reservation-only can be successful, eliminating long lines by only taking on the amount of guests the attraction can handle at one given time. Similar tests and policies have been applied at attractions and meet-and-greets over the last several months, but this is the first time that absolutely no attraction access will granted via a method other than FastPass+.

With Disney making more than the usual allotment of FastPass+ reservations available, guests can still obtain a FastPass+ for Toy Story Mania through Friday as of right now. In short, guests visiting this week without a FastPass+ reservation are not out of luck just yet.

It is unknown if this test is somehow related to rumors that a third track for Toy Story Mania will be constructed, including rumblings that the new track maybe be used only for guests with FastPass+ reservations, or just a test to see the feasibility of offering attractions via FastPass+ only.

Unlimited FastPass+ With Park-Hopping Begins 4/28/14

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

Starting Monday April 28th, after guests have used their first three FastPass+ selections that they arranged before arriving, they will be able to select another one at one of the kiosks located in each of the WDW parks. When they’ve used that one, they’ll be able to select another, and so on. Guests will also be able to select and use their additional FastPass+ entitlements when they hop from park to park.

Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information on the rollout of MyMagic+ becomes available.

Joe Hogarty’s 2/3/14 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on February 18, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Joe Hogarty visited the Magic Kingdom on Monday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip to the park:

A section of the Confectionary is behind tarps

The crane can still be found behind Cinderella Castle

Legacy FastPass machines being ripped out at Mickey’s Philharmagic

But a FastPass+ kiosk can be found not far away

A queue set up for the initial rush on most days

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is progressing nicely, rumors indicate we may get a March soft-opening

We can now see the first details on Snow White’s cottage

We can now see emergency railings along the track, at least they look themed

Someone forgot their broom

TREES!

More details have been added to the strange mechanism with the vultures on it

I wonder what is in the basket…

The signage should be installed soon

Smokin’ on the job…

This guy is my favorite…

Hey, “it’s a small world” was built on martinis and cigarettes, so I’m OK with it

We can only imagine what has arrived in these boxes at the work site

The wishing well is closed off until the crane leaves

Work continues on enclosing the patio on Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe

More FastPass+ by Stitch’s Great Escape

The Casey’s Corner seating area is being expanded

Casey’s is also closed right now

This was the Dole Whip line…

Yep…

Agrabah Bazaar getting some work done

There is an Enchanted Tiki Room tankard cup now available at Sunshine Tree Terrace

It features the tiki faces from inside the Enchanted Tiki Room

We need more stuff like this to buy, right?

Monorail service in the middle of the day has been suspended and will likely be for a few weeks while some maintenance is performed

Hayley Nance’s 1/26/14 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on February 18, 2014

We welcome WDWNT’s own Hayley Nance on-board as a Walt Disney World photographer/reporter this week, and she gets started by bringing us some wonderful photos from earlier this week at the Magic Kingdom:

Removal of the Cinderella Castle Dreamlights is in full swing

Awww…

Cinderella’s rented crane returns for an annual visit

Legacy FastPass machines and signage are now vanishing from the park

After 11 years, there is no more FastPass signage or machines at Mickey’s Philharmagic

The screens in the finale of “it’s a small world” have been covered up again for some reason

Perhaps until they are ready to start working with MagicBands

Work continues on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, the tarps remain under the bridge still

A look through the peep holes…

Walls have also gone up across the way now as they finish up some pavement work

Plenty of fake trees now cover the mountain

Looks like some more greenery will be appearing soon

The entrance structure seems to be complete

The rain did not give us a clear view this week 🙁

The crane, ruining vacation photos since 2007

WDWNT: The Magazine – How Technology Changed The Disney Fan

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

As Disney fans, we all try to stay on top of what goes on in our favorite place in the world. Whether it be vacation deals or a new attraction opening, today’s Disney fan wants to be informed. From podcasts to emails to the Disney Parks Blog, the Disney enthusiast has literally countless tools at their disposal to keep up to date on what goes on. The question is this: Do we remember what it was like before? Before the Internet, and before technology reached the 21st century?

Consider walking down Main Street USA today. What do you see? Cameras? Maybe. Video cameras? Some. Smart phones? Definitely. This is in stark contrast to a walk down the same street 20 years ago. It’s even a change from five or 10 years ago. Technology has had a major shift in the way people get and receive information, media and entertainment. We have seen this shift first hand, in the way New Fantasyland has been presented to the Disney community. Every part of the construction has been under a watchful eye, and each new piece has been quickly shown to the world. If a fan wanted to be completely surprised when they made their next trip, it would be close to impossible due to the way we are all connected.

As Disney fans, we can remember the days when information was passed through word-of-mouth or printed media. The construction of Disney/MGM Studios was a relative unknown to many guests, because Disney was able to keep some things secret. The construction of Sunset Boulevard was seen only by the guests who visited the park at that time, and through their own cameras. Disney enthusiasts can remember when 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea closed without notice, or when “Toad-ins” were set up through personal conversations by local residents protesting the eminent closure of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. Those times are cherished by those who enjoyed surprises.

With the expansion of technology in communication has come the advent of the advancement of technology for Disney guests. With the creation of the My Disney Experience mobile app and Fastpass+, navigating the parks is easier, and guests have more control than ever over their Disney vacation. Remember making dining reservations? The phone calls to Disney Dining, and the time it took to plan out how the day would be, only to be discouraged in finding out the chosen restaurant was booked? Those days are long gone, as are the times when reservations could only be booked from home or by concierge. These days, technology allows guests to make and cancel reservations with a touch of their smartphones.

Society today enjoys being involved, and feeling as though they are a part of what is going on. From podcasts to discussion forums, blogs to rumor mills, Disney fans have spoken in droves about their opinions and thoughts about anything and everything Disney. Rumor has it that through these connections, Disney decided against Pixie Hollow in New Fantasyland, and it’s why Hyperion Wharf stayed on the drawing board.

The close connection that Disney has with its guests, which started in the time of Walt Disney himself, allows fans to share their thoughts, both positive and negative, and feel as though their opinions matter. Guests feel as their comments are heard and respected; it keeps them coming back. The changing air of technology has not only changed the way we vacation, but also how we communicate with fellow Disney enthusiasts. Technology has brought the Disney community closer, and now we feel fully connected.

Tom Corless’ 6/27-7/1/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

I managed to visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Animal Kingdom Lodge, the Grand Floridian, and the Magic Kingdom over the last week and took plenty of newsworthy photos to share, so let’s take a look at what’s new at the Walt Disney World Resort: