Disney parks blogger Jim Hill has spent the last several weeks discussing Disney's under-development "xPass" ride reservation system. In today's installment Hill provides details on how the system will function and possible benefits afforded to Disney Vacation Club members.
"xPass" is the current code name for Disney's next generation FASTPASS system. With xPass guests will be able to reserve not only attraction ride times but also character meet times and seats for select parades and shows weeks ahead of time.
The working description suggests that guests would be able to reserve up to four experiences--two attractions, one character meet and one parade/fireworks viewing seat--per theme park over the course of their trip. Guests who secure their hotel reservations furthest out would receive the greatest perks, with the number of xPasses offered diminishing as the trip date draws nearer.
Hill originally described the xPass system as an add-on specifically for Deluxe resort guests, with the inference being that there would be an additional fee required to purchase the attraction reservation rights. Now Hill is hearing that the system will be free to all Walt Disney World guests "in some way, shape or form."
But with so many disparate groups of theme park guests (WDW resort guests, passholders, DVC members, locals, off-site day guests, etc.), Disney is still strugging with the question of who will get what. Specifically regarding passholders and Disney Vacation Club members, Hill has this to say:
"Recognizing that these people are among Disney's most passionate customers ... Well, the Company's obviously got to come through for them in a large sort of way, at least as far as xPASS is concerned. But that said, there's still a delicate balance that needs to be struck here between servicing the day Guests at WDW's theme parks, sending them home satisfied as well as making annual passholders & DVC members feel like they're special."
The debut of xPass--or whatever it will ultimately be called--is reportedly scheduled for some time in the first quarter of 2013.
For additional details visit JimHillMedia.com.
