Paid FP options coming soon to WDW?

[OSUZorba]

They didn't really have a lot less when the current FastPass+ System started in January 2014 (prior to the current system the major benefits of staying on-site was the EMH, which personally I felt were much longer but I'd have to go look historically, and transportation). One of the new build-outs were the Villas at the Grand Floridian (147 rooms), the other new hotels rooms (mostly DVC) were replacements of rooms equal or less than those that they replaced. So from the on-site Disney owned hotels they didn't really have less Resorts than they do today. In the next few years Riviera is coming online but not adding a ton since it removed CBR rooms, and Reflections is the first true large-scale buildout since AoA opened. Though I agree they added the DS hotels, but they haven't officially been extended past 2019 I thought.

They were much cheaper though. I paid $80/nt for POP the weekend before Halloween in 2011.

 

[leholcomb]

I’ve been asking for a paid FP option for years. But just that, an option. If they leave the free availability in some capacity at least. After 20 years of WDW vacations, my family and I have said recently that we wished we could just pay for the ability to ride what we wanted when we wanted similar to Universal and Dollywood’s model. I will be very interested to see the details as they emerge.

I see a lot of emotions and outrage on this thread and honestly I think we are the minority. The majority of Disney goers are not keyed in as much as we are on these boards. As a TA, I see a number of different types of clients. For Disney, I currently have about 50/50 regulars and first timers. The first timers do not see any of these up charges as inconvenient or unnecessary because they’ve never known it any other way. My regulars are experienced but lean on me to keep up with the news and changes to advise them on. While this will for sure be a hot topic and possibly frustrating for them, they’ve rolled with the punches thus far and can’t see that changing for right now. We will all change and adapt as with everything else they’ve thrown at us recently.

 

[Jocelynaus]

.

 

[MyHappyPlace17]

We've hoped for Disney going with an effortless system like Uni for years. No scheduling and no tiers. They've made it so ridiculously complicated and it doesn't have to be. Even if they don't offer an unlimited option, at the very least offer the option of one entry for every FP enabled attraction per day without any scheduling. It works at the Uni parks, it will certainly work at Disney. It would be very nice if onsite guests had some kind of benefit built into the system, even if it's just a percentage off the cost discount or the option to add on a nighttime show (HEA, Fantasmic, etc.) The real key to success for all concerned is to effectively limit the number of FP's sold. Oversell and the value is greatly diminished for both the FP purchaser and those in standby by negatively impacting wait times for all.

 

[vinotinto]

Whoa! I step away from Disboards for a day and I come back to utter craziness!

I'm going to wait to form an opinion until we know more. The devil will be in the details on this one. Some type of untiered, unlimited FP package without taking away the current model of 3 FPs would be welcome. But, I fear the new model will be complicated, like Six Flags is, with different "packages" and "options." The date-based system for tickets already seemed complicated to some guests, used to shifting dates around based on flights, etc. I think this may add a level of complexity that will make us scratch our heads.

Can you imagine the impact this will have on Disney bloggers and strategists? Right now, they get some of their data first hand, by using FPs and comparing to SB. Imagine if they have to pay for FPs. We won't be getting much accurate info.

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.

I cannot like your post enough! Disney does not do enough to monitor and stop different forms of line jumping (yes, including waving blue Mickey heads through). They don't want to challenge guests or create a negative experience. But, if I'm now paying for FPs, they better start monitoring and enforcing the FP lines. Also, if I'm paying for it, their IT better work. No disappearing FPs. No glitches.

 

[Sarah1024]

With the travel authorization that is going to be needed come 2021 for Europe, you may want to do that. Google ETIAS. Yes it's only $7 and supposed approval in minutes, but it is more hoops to jump through.

This is not that big of a deal. And anyone who wants to come to the US from Europe has to do it.

 

[rojen]

FastPass+ and MDE were supposed to shape traffic and cut down on lines. Semi successfully IMO. Seems like monetizing it will destroy the ability to move guests through the park. I can't see anything other than longer lines at each and every ride as fewer fast passes are redeemed. I don't think the increased line speed from fewer fast passes will make up for it.

 

[Klayfish]

Yes, the devil is in the details. On the face of it, I'm very leery. I'm one of those who uses refresh extensively and have concerns how that would be effected going forward.

 

[Sarah1024]

Ugh this is frustrating. Between the early SWGE release, and now paid FP's, I am becoming slightly annoyed. We are booked CL in December solely for the purpose of getting extra FP's and being able to do all the tier 1 attractions. But if they are offering it to everyone, perhaps I should change my reservation?? When is this going into effect? You cannot have everyone book so far out and then keep changing things! We also are booked August 31 to September 7 to have a leisurely quiet trip before SWGE opens HAHAHAHA. Just when I recover from that, I hear about this FP change! I need to have like 20 reservations in place just in case of what Disney does! Maybe this is just a rumor?? Is Martin always right?? BRB - going to make new reservations for our December trip JIC.

 

[Klayfish]

I will add that while it would definitely not make me happy, it would be hard to rightfully complain. WDW, to my knowledge, is one of the last holdouts on not paying for FP+ type things. I don't know much about Universal, but they have a paid system. Six Flags charges something like $40/person per day for theirs. I'm happy Disney held out as long as they have...let's see what their plan is.

 

[snappy]

Ugh this is frustrating. Between the early SWGE release, and now paid FP's, I am becoming slightly annoyed. We are booked CL in December solely for the purpose of getting extra FP's and being able to do all the tier 1 attractions. But if they are offering it to everyone, perhaps I should change my reservation?? When is this going into effect? You cannot have everyone book so far out and then keep changing things! We also are booked August 31 to September 7 to have a leisurely quiet trip before SWGE opens HAHAHAHA. Just when I recover from that, I hear about this FP change! I need to have like 20 reservations in place just in case of what Disney does! Maybe this is just a rumor?? Is Martin always right?? BRB - going to make new reservations for our December trip JIC.

I agree. I book DVC rooms 11 months out and have a longish early December stay too. It may be a brave new world by then. I have concerns too about how stable whatever FP system they have will be. Disney IT people are already in over their heads.

 

[Sarah1024]

I agree. I book DVC rooms 11 months out and have a longish early December stay too. It may be a brave new world by then. I have concerns too about how stable whatever FP system they have will be. Disney IT people are already in over their heads.

That's for sure!!!

 

[Q-man]

Not sure what the purpose of adding those additional hotels if they are changing the system?

Force you to buy FPs if you're not on your computer at 6am 60 days out?

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I will add that while it would definitely not make me happy, it would be hard to rightfully complain. WDW, to my knowledge, is one of the last holdouts on not paying for FP+ type things. I don't know much about Universal, but they have a paid system. Six Flags charges something like $40/person per day for theirs. I'm happy Disney held out as long as they have...let's see what their plan is.

It’s always tough when something that you were getting included is now removed/now costs extra. If they started charging from the beginning it might be easier to take - but now it will feel like you are getting less or having to pay more just to get status quo (I am sure they aren’t going to lower the ticket prices or hotel rates - this will be on top)

Guess let’s see how it plays out. If they can make it that you still get some for free and just extra you pay for maybe not so bad (as if it gets you increased access to tier 1 rides, even at a cost, might let you do more in fewer days so some balancing)

One thing I definitely agree with is what @vinotinto said - if I now have to pay, this better work perfectly and I can get FP for the rides I want, with minimal wait, not IT isssues, etc. more forgiving when things are “free”

 

[Q-man]

Another thought is do they give onsite guests an extra FP and do away with EMH to balance crowds more evenly across the parks and eliminate an hour of staffing, utilities, and wear and tear costs?

 

[YesterDark]

This change could be terrible or minor. The way I tour the parks is basically 3 fast passes, then I play roulette with my 4th FP and beyond. I've got 3 small kids, I ain't got no time for standby.

It would be shocking if they actually do this quickly, drastically changing how all the parks work. I can see them layering paid fast passes on top of the current system. They can manipulate the Disney Parks app and have a pop up saying "There are no available fastpasses for this attactions BUT for $20 we can give you one..."

You don't just rip out systems people are used to. You start slowly offering paid fast passes on a one by one basis. You start off by nickle and diming people people for a $5 pass or a $10 pass. Then when people are used to the system or you even get people proud of "finding a cheap $5 FP for FOP!" on social media then you start offering FP packages. Unlimited FP access between 2pm and 6pm for $150. Unlimited FP in Fantasyland for $100. By your own Disney Vacation Weekend and add on a ticket adventure package for $650 which includes 2 tickets for 2 parks and unlimited fastpasses!

Then you take away free fastpasses after a year of doing that. Or you reduce them to 1 free fast pass a day or whatever.

That's the way you play it. If Disney does it in one big swoop, then they're dumb.

 

[mom2rtk]

I think it's a great idea. Right now the FP+ lines are sorta fast but not really. We purchase the CL FP+ which does make the stand by line for others a longer wait. The more in the FP+ line, the slower the standby line. But, we use our extra FP+ for what some consider silly or a waste of a FP+. I always book Barnstormer for my little one and Dumbo at MK. I even use one for Figment at EP. But, if Disney does this right, say they let you purchase a FP+ package. They could include the 3 like they do now and still let you book at 60+ length of stay. But instead of the CL FP+ they could have packages available to all guest. Maybe a 3 FP+ for $50, a 5 FP+ for $75 and a 8 FP+ for $100. That would actually make for less FP+ being used since people would no longer be able to use refresh to get 12-14 FP+ after their initial 3. This way Disney would not be taking anything away from anyone and at the same time offering some thing to everyone. I think it could work.

Huh? This is literally taking something away from everyone.

 

[pkrieger2287]

I'd be curious to know how many Concierge level guests are taking advantage of the FastPass add-on option currently?

In my opinion if people are paying for it then it stands to reason why WDW would roll this out to everyone. I do however feel the current $50 price point per person/per day is a bit much.

My ideal situation for this would be a system that still allows everyone 3 lower tier FastPasses Free... Then have a MaxPass add-on option around $15-20 per person/per day that allows those 3 to be upgraded to Tier 1, as well as additional passes after those are used (similar to MaxPass in DL).

 

[JaxDad]

Not sure what the purpose of adding those additional hotels if they are changing the system?

One thing I've wondered, and I apologize if I missed this in a previous discussion, but were those hotels paying Disney to be able to offer that benefit? Is there some contractual agreement?

 

[ksromack]

I really hope they make the announcement soon, I need to decide if we want to spend $6k on Disney next year or go to Europe, because I’ll need to buy our plane tickets 11 months before our trip. And I won’t be getting an AP.

I will wait to see how this all plays out but dh and I were already talking about another Rick Steves tour in Europe for 2020. I am torn because we planned to upgrade our package tickets in December to DVC gold but if these rumors prove to be true then we will forgo that upgrade and skip Disney for a while.

So random thought - in the report of Sam’s Club offering WDW tickets I to iced (and it seemed odd) that is specifically stated “and best of all these tickets come with Fastpass!” ... probably just marketing speak but could it be a sign of the future where some tickets come with FP but some don’t?

I haven't looked into the Sams deal. Is it a savings or is it just the ability to buy park tickets at Sams?

However, Universal's Express Pass is a way better value, especially if you get it included in a hotel stay. Almost every ride has EP. The EP lines are usually much shorter than the FP lines at WDW. The deluxe hotels at Universal are as nice or nicer than WDW and a much better value. You don't have to book EP in advance. You just show up and play. It wouldn't be bad at all if they did, but they will sell individual ones instead and probably not give any perks to hotel guests.

We split our stay last December between Portofino and WDW deluxe resorts. We paid significantly less money for Portofino than we did with the WDW deluxe resorts and had front of the line passes for eveything at US/IoA. It's a much more laid back approach for us there. I love disney but .....good customer service includes KEEPING your customers, not just adding new ones. Your repeat customers are your bread and butter. With 3 trips coming up here and one that includes bringing our toddler granddaughter I'm going to have to wait and see how this may impact future trips. We were considering adding on to DVC but maybe we should sell it instead.