PapaMouse wrote:So going for a coke while the rest of your party gets in line is ok, but going to get a FP is not???
Perhaps you haven't been at WDW when the heat index is 105 or seen Alpha runs for 5 heat stroke victims in one shift. I did mean to say it would need to be a health issue, not just a thirst issue. On a cool day I'd be on your side.
The FP thing could be avoided if Disney would have random FP machines that you can get FP for any ride in the park that uses FP instead of having to do all the back tracking/ Like have a FP machine, you put your ticket in, it ask what ride you want the FP for and prints it out. Would work the same only you would not have to walk past ride A (Mission Space) all the way to ride B (Test Track) to get a FP for ride B then have to back track to go on ride A. They could still keep the FP machines at those attractions too.
This is a most excellent point, but misses an important aspect of theme park design -- keeping the guests busy.
Part of the calculations for FastPass include exactly the sort of walking back & forth you and I both lothe as guests. However, were all FastPass machines flexible as you suggest, it would not keep as many guests busy, thus reducing the overall capacity of the Park. This is why Epcot has such huge capacity despite a relatively small number of attractions -- they're all widely spaced and guests spend more time walking between them.
Truth be told, FastPass reduces the capacity of a Park by a significant fraction of the number of people who *aren't* in a queue because of it. Yes, some of these guests are in less popular attractions, shops, and restaurants, but the rest are plugging up sidewalks. This sidewalk crowding is what determines when a Park starts to close, not attraction capacity.
So while it may seem entirely annoying, there is a purpose being served. Just not one most guests are likely to appreciate. But see my current tagline.
