Paid FP options coming soon to WDW?

[mom2rtk]

Maybe they should build a system where you go up the ride, scan your magic band and they give you a paper receipt telling you when to come back?????

Sounds an awful lot like legacy FP.

 

[mercuryvenus]

Sounds an awful lot like legacy FP.

It was a joke!

 

[Grumpy by Birth]

Yeah I know. This forum is just the epitome of first world problems and people complaining about a THEME PARK. Jeez.

 

[mercuryvenus]

View attachment 525820

LOL! I know, the struggles, right? These are the burdens of our time.

 

[CastAStone]

Yes, which is why I’m so surprised to see so much negativity towards something I thought you all liked.

Funny because the other Disney message boards think this is the sunshine and rainbows board.

 

[mercuryvenus]

Funny because the other Disney message boards think this is the sunshine and rainbows board.

Wow I can’t even imagine what those are like ...

 

[Grasshopper2016]

There is a lot of ground between VIP tours --- which cost thousands of dollars, and which require you to include a cast member in your family touring on your vacation --- and no ability to pay extra to skip or at least reduce some lines. I can't afford VIP tours --- certainly not everyday! --- and I don't think I would enjoy them anyway. But I am willing to pay extra to get more fastpasses (or otherwise get on more rides with fewer or shorter lines). We have done EMM and DAH for just that reason, and have even done the Club Level Fastpass program, though I'm not sure that one is worth the cost.

Before the pandemic, the ability to get extra fastpasses through the "refresh" method was a godsend for those of us who got pretty good at it, though it was not always effective for large groups, the most desired rides, or on very busy days. I suspect, however, that Disney will take this opportunity to close that loophole. If they do, they will have to replace it with something else. Many of us who love Disney World would simply stop going if there were no cost-effective way to avoid having to wait 30-45 minutes for any halfway decent ride, and 1-3 hours for the best rides. That would not be a fun vacation for my family. A sensibly priced paid fastpass program could fill the void. I would be willing to let Disney milk more money out of me, if it meant that we could ride more and wait less, and it didn't cost hundreds of dollars per person, per day. The trick is finding the right model and price point. Too low a price and it won't actually reduce the waits enough. Too high a price and it won't be affordable to anyone but the VIPs.

 

[Grumpy by Birth]

The trick is finding the right model and price point. Too low a price and it won't actually reduce the waits enough. Too high a price and it won't be affordable to anyone but the VIPs.

Express Pass at Universal seems to be a pretty balanced model that could perhaps work?

 

[Princess2R]

Lets say you pay for a VIP tour and you just want to spend 7 hours going on ROTR, but it is down for the entire day- what do you do!?

 

[CastAStone]

Lets say you pay for a VIP tour and you just want to spend 7 hours going on ROTR, but it is down for the entire day- what do you do!?

ROTR is specifically excluded from VIP tour access. You still need a BG to ride even if you paid $5K for a tour.

 

[mom2rtk]

ROTR is specifically excluded from VIP tour access. You still need a BG to ride even if you paid $5K for a tour.

A pretty gutsy policy call by Disney.

 

[CastAStone]

A pretty gutsy policy call by Disney.

I think it has more to do with not wanting to have to deal with guest recovery for people who paid thousands of dollars if the ride goes down at the wrong time. Better to tell them up front that it's a no, before they pay money for it.

 

[Eric Smith]

Express Pass at Universal seems to be a pretty balanced model that could perhaps work?

Express pass at Universal costs about as much as a day's ticket. That's a big jump from MaxPass at Disneyland.

 

[5th gate dreamers]

Express pass at Universal costs about as much as a day's ticket. That's a big jump from MaxPass at Disneyland.

Prices of things are dictated by demand and exclusivity. If fast passes aren't too much more, then everybody will get it and waits won't go down and then no one will buy it. Kinda like the reason fast pass needs modified now...its free so everyone has it so no one is happy with it. It should be about a double admittance price. If it's a $110 ticket day, then extra fast passes should coat $110. If it's a $140 ticket day, then fast pass should cost $140. Etc

 

[J-BOY]

Prices of things are dictated by demand and exclusivity. If fast passes aren't too much more, then everybody will get it and waits won't go down and then no one will buy it. Kinda like the reason fast pass needs modified now...its free so everyone has it so no one is happy with it. It should be about a double admittance price. If it's a $110 ticket day, then extra fast passes should coat $110. If it's a $140 ticket day, then fast pass should cost $140. Etc

The thing is, plenty of people are just fine with FastPass+ as it was before the closures. It’s not like every single guest is calling for it to be changed. Not sure why you say “no one is happy with it.”

 

[iheartglaciers]

Express pass at Universal costs about as much as a day's ticket. That's a big jump from MaxPass at Disneyland.

Prices of things are dictated by demand and exclusivity. If fast passes aren't too much more, then everybody will get it and waits won't go down and then no one will buy it. Kinda like the reason fast pass needs modified now...its free so everyone has it so no one is happy with it. It should be about a double admittance price. If it's a $110 ticket day, then extra fast passes should coat $110. If it's a $140 ticket day, then fast pass should cost $140. Etc

I think that MaxPass only works at Disneyland because local passholders make up such a large percentage of their visitors. At WDW it would have to be something closer to Universal's so that it would actually be somewhat exclusive, like 5th gate dreamers said.

 

[igrsod]

The thing is, plenty of people are just fine with FastPass+ as it was before the closures. It’s not like every single guest is calling for it to be changed. Not sure why you say “no one is happy with it.”

I was just thinking that as I read the post above yours. I was not unhappy with the old FP system. Sure it can be frustrating at times, but I have had way more happiness and success with it than failures.
I don't like the upcharge for FP model. It really divides an already divided society. Some people cannot afford to spend more on an already expensive vacation. I feel like Walt would want everyone to have a great time, not just those with deeper pockets.

 

[iheartglaciers]

I was just thinking that as I read the post above yours. I was not unhappy with the old FP system. Sure it can be frustrating at times, but I have had way more happiness and success with it than failures.
I don't like the upcharge for FP model. It really divides an already divided society. Some people cannot afford to spend more on an already expensive vacation. I feel like Walt would want everyone to have a great time, not just those with deeper pockets.

I agree, I hope that they keep some "free" FPs for all guests, I always thought that was something that differentiated the Disney experience. I don't mind if they charge for extra FPs (which they already have to some degree with VIP tours and club level benefits). I do think that people often overstate what Walt would want in terms of profit.

 

[kwdw]

I agree with the from @igrsod . I DESPISE the Express Pass model at Universal because those of us who can't afford to pay the extra feel like a second class citizen. I think WDW needs to stay as "uniform" as possible for all folks in terms of their "basic" experience with attractions at the park. Your "park ticket" should get everyone roughly the same access. Sure - yes there are "add-ons" now - but those are TOURS or SPECIAL EVENTS with additional park access. It's not all equal access/equal experience now - but I think trying to keep it that way as best they can is a good thing.

 

[Alynw]

Disney has mastered the art of making folks believe they are getting something for free or getting a deal. The free fast pass was never really free, instead of charging an extra fee like universal does, Disney just figures how much they would charge and add it in the cost of the ticket. Disney could literally keep the free fast pass and just raise ticket prices again and most people would be happy their still getting free fast pass. Just know whatever they do, were paying for it one way or another.