Orlando Vacation News: Revised iPhone App Gives Attraction Wait Times For Walt Disney World Guests

According our Orlando vacation news, an Internet rumor this week said that Walt Disney World might be about to limit how its Fast Pass system functions. If true, Apptasmic’s recently revised iOS app might become even more valuable.

Celebration-based Apptasmic created its popular Orlando Theme Parks iPhone applate last year. It provided attraction wait times for both Walt Disney World and Universal.

Now, the company has revised the concept and released Great App for Disney World Wait Times. The company still has a standalone app for attractions at Universal’s parks. But Great App, like its name says, is designed exclusively for Walt Disney World attractions.The app, the fifth to be launched by the local company, offers real-time updates on wait times for rides, dining options, character appearances, fireworks shows and parades. It even uses GPS capabilities to help park guests know where they are while in the WDW parks.

Apptasmic founder Michael Flynn says he is planning an Android version of the app, and he plans to launch a maps app for each park, too.The current iOS app also offers descriptions of rides and shows, and it provides height and age requirements for rides, as well as a listing of which rides feature Disney’s Fast Pass system.The Fast Pass system has been the focus of Internet speculation this week. According to wwwMagic.com, Fast Pass return windows are expected to be actively enforced beginning next month. The new system will allow a 5-minute early arrival and 15-minute late arrival. For anyone arriving outside of those windows, entry to the rides will not be allowed.

According to the website, the new format is required in advance of Walt Disney World’s NextGen Fast Pass system.

The new system might be an asset for Orlando tourists who have limited time in the parks. But, especially for locals who attend the parks often, park guests will no longer be able to collect their Fast Pass tickets and return at their own choosing at the end of the day.

Regardless of any possible Fast Pass changes, many guests clearly can employ technical advances to better plan their day at the parks. And that’s something Apptasmic has been capitalizing on for awhile.

During a recent Jay Leno appearance by Miranda Cosgrove, the teen TV star of “iCarly” commented about her love of Disney parks and how she uses an app to learn about ride wait times.

In an e-mail to the Sentinel, Flynn said, “Hopefully, it was our app she has.”

The app, which can be used on iPhones, iPads and iPod touch devices, can be integrated with Facebook, too.  It sells for $3.99 at the iTunes store, and free, reduced-feature versions are available, as well. Those free versions can be updated for a price.

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