Technology Divide: The impact of Fast Pass for Disney

The other day, I boarded onto Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blaster in the Magic Kingdom. My fast pass allowed me to walk right onto the ride, thus bypassing the stand-by queue that snaked around the ride's lobby. As I did this, it became apparent to that I was seeing the impact of a technology divide.

A technology divide is where those who are tech savvy have an advantage over those who aren't. The advantage might be in education, career, life, or, in this case, enjoying a day at Disney World.

Comprehending the Fast Pass system initially is a challenge for some. And for others, it remains a challenge throughout the encounter (I see the smiling assistants at the Fast Pass kiosks answering the same questions all day long concerning basic functionality of the system). Others, I assume, don't even try to understand Fast Pass.

Even within the ranks of those who understand fast pass, there is a division. Those who expertly understand the system will wear their rfid enabled bands and practically walk into the fast pass line with little trouble. Others try to use cards and are left fumbling to try to find them, and are delayed as they scan a stack of cards into the fast pass terminals.

As I passed into Buzz Lightyear, I had difficulty understanding why anyone would volunteer for the stand-by line. I was able to get my Buzz Lightyear pass very simply: walk up to a kiosk, wave my hand, select the ride, done. The time available for my fast pass was nearly immediate.

I talked to a friend who told me that he went to Disney recently, stood in line for 45 minutes for one ride and was so frustrated and angry that he just left the park and has no plans to return. Obviously, he didn't use the fast pass system. If he had, he would have used his cell phone to schedule his time for the ride before every arriving at the park. Instead of waiting 45 minutes, he could have walked onto the ride at a time convenient to him.

That is where the digital divide exists. Those who are technology savvy (or Fastpass savvy) stand the chance of having a great time at Disney. And those who aren't, stand to stand in line all day.