Last month, I posted about how Disney World is now enforcing FASTPASS return times. It had nothing to do with people abusing the system (I am one of the many who took advantage of the fact that Disney allowed guests to return after their return window had passed) but has everything to do with the NextGen plan that is coming to Disney World. They could not implement this new program if they were not enforcing return times.
At some point in the near future (rumors are the beginning of 2013), Disney will launch their new billion-dollar project dubbed “NextGen.” Part of the NextGen is the introduction of xPASS that will forever change how people visit the Disney parks. This new version of FASTPASS will allow guests to book ride times weeks or even months in advance. Know you want to ride Splash Mountain right after your lunch reservation at Liberty Tree Tavern? You will be able to choose and book your time slot to ride it before you even get to the parks!
Another part of NextGen will be the use of use of a wrist bands embedded with radio-frequency identification microchips, or RFID, that reads your identity and acts as your ticket and credit card. It will also store your credit card information and how many times you have been to the park. There will be RFID sensors throughout the park that will trigger interactive features such as Cast Members greeting you at the attraction by name.
I have heard that this service will be free but I have also heard it will be an additional charge. At this time, Disney is not saying.
I think this is very odd. What are annual passholders going to do? If you just want to visit the parks at the last minute on a random Saturday are you going to be able to ride anything? I always make an ADR for my meals and we’ve been so many times we just know what to ride first and when to skip if the lines get too long. However, I do like to be a little spontaneous in what we do from time to time.
Technically ‘NextGEN’ is already being implemented. Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom is part of Phase 1.
~Mark.
And I should add that the RFID chips are also already being used. Many AP holders are having ‘Mickey Stickers’ attached to their pass cards with the RFID chip embedded.
~Mark.
That is creepy. RFID is a tracking system usually reserved for animals. I can’t believe there are people that are okay with being “watched”. Wal-Mart uses these tags to keep track of jeans in their store room, ranchers use them to id their animals and now Disney wants to monitor the cattle coming through their gates. Moo.
Um the last thing I want is my credit card information being that accessible! What if someone who worked for the park (or just anyone tech savvy enough to get ahold of a way to read them) decided to abuse access to that information! Unfortunately, I think this is a major FAIL on Disney’s part.
Oh, and Amber, I’m with you on the wristbands. What a nightmare if you lost one!
Personally, I feel it’s a wonderful idea because lines and crowds can completely make or break your trip right now. It would be so nice to know that your daughter would get to see Minnie without being completely cranky after having waited in line an hour. Having said that, I hope Disney will also continue to honor regular Fastpass for last-minute travelers who have a sudden opening, or for those who are more spontaneous. On the surface the whole thing looks like a logistical challenge, but they pioneered Fastpass and I have high hopes for this one!
I’m not a fan of this new system – I think it’s bad enough that I have to plan my restaurants 6 months in advance and get fast passes in order to ride certain attractions. I don’t mind this so I can enjoy the parks more and see/do more but I think all of this planning in advance is getting a little out of hand! It is a vacation after all. Just my opinion!
I completely agree Crystal!
I agree 100% Crystal!!
Completely agree! i dont like the ADR because i dont typically plan things that far in advance and i don’t know what type of food i will be in the mood for.
Agreed agreed! I hope it doesn’t result in that! :(
I don’t want to use the wrist bands, hopefully they will have other options. I’m not interested in stream-lining their process at the sake of my privacy.
I am not a fan either! It sounds funny to think of booking my ride times so far in advance (I’m a major control freak planner, but I ENJOY a little spontaneity on vacation…the original fast pass works perfect for me, even though we only utilize it occasionally), but having a cast member greet me by name, or wearing my credit card information on my wrist- that’s just freaky! I definitely wouldn’t pay for this, and if it ever became standard for every guest, we would probably reconsider Disney vacations. I just feel like any amount of privacy in our country is slowly disappearing, and I don’t want to encourage that. I know some people really don’t care about that stuff, but for me and my family, it’s a big deal.
Should be interesting to see how the xPASS system pans out. Seems a little unfair to people who want to just go enjoy the parks without having to schedule their ride times before hand…
Any idea when 2013 prices are released? We are planning a trip to DW for Feb 2013 and would like to get some idea of the total cost. I have tried calling Disney and have gotten different answers.
I am planning for Feb 2013 also. Can’t wait to book my package!!
I have heard July or August will be when 2013 prices will be released, but I am hoping sooner!
The prices are comming out in June but you can buy your tickets now and save the increase, also think about vacation club points, I am staying club level at Animal Kingdom Jamba house for $1832, 10 days, would have cost $6750 with Disney and I get access to drinks snacks and adult beverages for less than the value resort. In May it cost me 166 points which I rented from a lady who was not going to use them, you can add the dinning plan as well.
Usually in May/June.