Paid FP options coming soon to WDW?

[TheFloatingBear]

I haven't been able to read the entire thread yet so this may have been discussed, but I feel like if they go to paid options - especially if they reduce the number of free ones people receive with their park ticket - they will need to do a better job "protecting" it as a commodity. One thing we enjoyed about Universal, we "paid" for Express Pass by staying at one of their deluxes, but they always staffed both tapstyles and the few time we saw people trying to cut lines or use the EP line without EP, staff were not afraid to confront guests and enforce the rules. I think Disney would need to tighten things up a bit if this happens.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I haven't been able to read the entire thread yet so this may have been discussed, but I feel like if they go to paid options - especially if they reduce the number of free ones people receive with their park ticket - they will need to do a better job "protecting" it as a commodity. One thing we enjoyed about Universal, we "paid" for Express Pass by staying at one of their deluxes, but they always staffed both tapstyles and the few time we saw people trying to cut lines or use the EP line without EP, staff were not afraid to confront guests and enforce the rules. I think Disney would need to tighten things up a bit if this happens.

You’re so right about this. I saw some blatant abuse last weekend at MK. Lots of issues at the FP taps. It was absurd.

 

[umichigan10]

The only way that this wouldn’t totally turn me off from Disney is if they wanted you to pay for beyond the 3 original ones. Because I find that we aren’t typically able to get anything worthwhile with our 4th to begin with. It’d at least incentivize getting the 4th, as you know you’ll get something good.

 

[TheFloatingBear]

You’re so right about this. I saw some blatant abuse last weekend at MK. Lots of issues at the FP taps. It was absurd.

Last year we did our first split stay Universal/WDW and even my kids were struck by the difference between the two resorts about that kind of thing. When it's "free," it's not always worth it to people to complain about people cutting lines or using the FP line without an FP, and they might be more inclined to move on or ignore it if there's an issue (I know I generally do), but if they are paying for it, they may expect things to be managed differently.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

 

[TDSAXX]

Because I find that we aren’t typically able to get anything worthwhile with our 4th to begin with.

I’ve never had an issue getting plenty of worthwhile FP’s with our 4th, 5th, 6th and beyond, even at the busiest times of the year.

 

[jerseygal]

I would not pay extra money in addition to high price of tickets, food, etc to have sort of "priviledge" for FP...Prices are high to begin with, we have reached our limit. Even though we have AP, it still cost money, so any additional cost to have an extra FP or something similar is not attractive to us. We enjoy resort time, enjoying walking around the resorts, etc, so we are very content with not paying extra for anything else. Isn't worth it for us.

 

[JETSDAD]

The only way that this wouldn’t totally turn me off from Disney is if they wanted you to pay for beyond the 3 original ones. Because I find that we aren’t typically able to get anything worthwhile with our 4th to begin with. It’d at least incentivize getting the 4th, as you know you’ll get something good.

This change would totally change the way we tour because we very rarely wait in a standby line (unless it doesn't have FP or is basically walk on). Whether it's FP#4 or #14 we still get good FP's.

 

[DisLiss]

Who says stop? Go ahead. But stop taking away what they used to give for free and start giving some REAL perks to resort guests.

I'm not defending Disney on this move. It's greed, pure and simple. Can they do this? Sure, but it doesn't make it right.

I feel like this is why monetizing the fast passes will leave such a bad taste in the mouths of many. I think we're all perfectly happy to fork over more money for new experiences or perks. We'll say "heck yeah, I'll save extra money to pay for a custom lightsaber or a dessert party or a new tour or extra morning hours at a park or a special event" because we feel like we're paying for something that is above and beyond what's included in our resort and/or park tickets. But after years of free fast passes, when you slap a price on them people then look at what they are getting for their ever-increasing resort & park ticket prices and think "What the heck Disney? You're charging more but giving me less." Because really, even when they add new lands and new attractions, many people probably already feel like they are paying more to enter the park and more to stay on property due to those new things. They don't necessarily see them as added value to what they've already been paying. And now if they feel they need a fast pass in order to actually experience the new things that the increased prices have funded, it feels like they're double-dipping into our pockets for the same experience.

People will still go, but if people go in with a subdued love for the park, they may not have as good a time, and they may not opt to come back as often, or at all. And then if there is a recession or something that lowers the crowd in the future, will Disney be able to get some of those people back? i don't know. They can try making those things free again, but at least some people are going to scoff at that ploy.

 

[umichigan10]

I’ve never had an issue getting plenty of worthwhile FP’s with our 4th, 5th, 6th and beyond, even at the busiest times of the year.

I have no idea then. Maybe I don’t look early enough in the day? Not really sure, but I’ll have to be more diligent this go round

 

[Tiggerlover91]

I was upset about this at first....but if they allow me to keep the initial 3 then I'll pay for more to a point...depends on what that cost is. I truly don't mind standing in line when it gets too hot or we need to rest. I hope when I visit in June I'll get the opportunity to refresh for more...but I'll guess we will soon see.

 

[Patches Lee]

I feel like this is why monetizing the fast passes will leave such a bad taste in the mouths of many. I think we're all perfectly happy to fork over more money for new experiences or perks. We'll say "heck yeah, I'll save extra money to pay for a custom lightsaber or a dessert party or a new tour or extra morning hours at a park or a special event" because we feel like we're paying for something that is above and beyond what's included in our resort and/or park tickets. But after years of free fast passes, when you slap a price on them people then look at what they are getting for their ever-increasing resort & park ticket prices and think "What the heck Disney? You're charging more but giving me less." Because really, even when they add new lands and new attractions, many people probably already feel like they are paying more to enter the park and more to stay on property due to those new things. They don't necessarily see them as added value to what they've already been paying. And now if they feel they need a fast pass in order to actually experience the new things that the increased prices have funded, it feels like they're double-dipping into our pockets for the same experience.

People will still go, but if people go in with a subdued love for the park, they may not have as good a time, and they may not opt to come back as often, or at all. And then if there is a recession or something that lowers the crowd in the future, will Disney be able to get some of those people back? i don't know. They can try making those things free again, but at least some people are going to scoff at that ploy.

I've seen the local park add their version of FP to APs for the "low price" of $499, and they are only good for 133 days a year. They are only good at a single park also.

 

[The Pho]

What the heck Disney? You're charging more but giving me less

That pretty much sums up the parks these days.

I feel like this is why monetizing the fast passes will leave such a bad taste in the mouths of many. I think we're all perfectly happy to fork over more money for new experiences or perks. We'll say "heck yeah, I'll save extra money to pay for a custom lightsaber or a dessert party or a new tour or extra morning hours at a park or a special event" because we feel like we're paying for something that is above and beyond what's included in our resort and/or park tickets. But after years of free fast passes, when you slap a price on them people then look at what they are getting for their ever-increasing resort & park ticket prices and think "What the heck Disney? You're charging more but giving me less." Because really, even when they add new lands and new attractions, many people probably already feel like they are paying more to enter the park and more to stay on property due to those new things. They don't necessarily see them as added value to what they've already been paying. And now if they feel they need a fast pass in order to actually experience the new things that the increased prices have funded, it feels like they're double-dipping into our pockets for the same experience.

People will still go, but if people go in with a subdued love for the park, they may not have as good a time, and they may not opt to come back as often, or at all. And then if there is a recession or something that lowers the crowd in the future, will Disney be able to get some of those people back? i don't know. They can try making those things free again, but at least some people are going to scoff at that ploy.

The bigger issue they could face is when they finally hit the threshold and gain that greedy moniker widely. At that point, they’ll have damaged their reputation beyond an easily repairable point. It’s easier to keep current customers than gain new ones, and far harder to regain previous ones. But they haven’t actually found that point yet, and who knows when or if they will. They still generally rank among the top for reputation rankings of major companies. I’d really love for a disruptor to enter the park industry, it needs some shaking up.

 

[larry47591]

Obviously Disney really only wants first timers or once in a life timers. They will not know about the good old days plus they already spend more money per trip then repeat customers. It’s just like the paid parking introduced last year. Regulars will feel ripped off.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

I wonder what this means for DVC members. Will they offer "free or the like" FP packages to incentivize direct buyers?

 

[larry47591]

I wonder what this means for DVC members. Will they offer "free or the like" FP packages to incentivize direct buyers?

I was talking to my wife about that. It would be an easy direct purchasing perk, but I kind of doubt we see it unless Rivera sells are down.

 

[Runnsally]

I wonder what this means for DVC members. Will they offer "free or the like" FP packages to incentivize direct buyers?

Given the success of DVC, I don’t think it means anything.

 

[Future_WorldPhonencian]

I would only be ok with this if everyone got the standard 3 from the entire pool of attractions... not the non-headliners, and then ppl could opt to purchase 1-3 extras w/o a booking advantage... If I have to fork over additional $$$ for even a shot at a headliner FP to avoid waiting 60+ min the whole value proposition of a WDW vacation is shot. Im not paying to wait in a line... maybe this would have worked in the days of paper FP, but now the majority of guests come expecting 3 FP to decent rides... if disney cheapens this... its all over for us... especially the way that standby riders are let into rides at a much slower rate than FP riders.

 

[Planogirl]

I hate to say it but there were people who warned that this was likely. I remember plenty of indignation that Disney would even consider such things.

As for the loyal crowd that keeps coming no matter what, I thought that the focus was supposed to be on the once-in-a-lifetime visitor? I'm struggling to understand how that many people will be able to just continue to find more and more money to satisfy Disney or even where new visitors will see the value. I realize that I'm seeing it from my perspective but salaries have been relatively stagnant for a long time while these prices have skyrocketed. It just doesn't add up.

 

[Tink1987]

They would still be giving you a free option. Why should disney stop monetizing things when people keep paying it?

I was just chatting about this thread with my husband and it’s something we speak about quite a bit - even though this rumour has annoyed us, it wouldnt quite push us to the brink. It would annoy us as it would change our way of park touring but we would happily pay for more FP’s if it meant having still touring the parks the way we do.

I’m the rabid Disney fan they can keep pushing with things like this. The two opening phases of GE has annoyed me this week but it hasn’t stopped me paying extra to stay on site at DL when I normally wouldn’t as it should get me guaranteed access and dropping thousands on a vacation that’s only 9 weeks away.

That’s before I even start on the merchandise list I have in my head and my husband and I buy one of everything each that has the GE opening date on. So whilst this weeks news and rumours have annoyed me, it hasn’t stopped me at all.