State of Fast Pass Return (or replacement)

[Jrb1979]

For those that don't know how to use it.

I know how to use it but I absolutely hate it. I am hoping they do go to more of a day of system. The amount of planning and making spreadsheets is what makes me not want to go often.

 

[mom2elle]

Two people I know that are going to go to Disney (one this summer and the other one later this fall) are now talking about canceling their trips. They've both said that if this premier access garbage goes through then they're not going to Disney. One said that they would go to Universal Orlando instead and the other one is still undecided on where they'd go instead of Disney.

We have a trip planned Mid July. I am super frustrated by this slow drip of info coming out about FP (or whatever), but still looking forward to our vacation. I’ve resigned myself to the idea that we won’t have any kind of FP solution, and if the lines are long we will find a balance of choosing lines to wait in, vs extra resort time, or extra Epcot F&W time, etc. This wait and see has been frustrating but I won’t let it ruin my vacation.

 

[cakebaker]

I've noticed temporary glitches in a few systems since about 130. However unless I was misinformed, the test wasn't scheduled to start until 330. So it could be individual program adjustments in preparation for the test

So we should be in that testing window now? The time changes always throw me.

 

[jujubiee4]

It already exists in Shanghai, here's the info page: https://www.shanghaidisneyresort.com/en/tours/vip-premier-access/

"* The price of Disney Premier Access varies by date, attractions and entertainment shows and is subject to availability." ie The busier it is, the more you pay

Isn't this just like Universal? My neighbor just got back from the holiday with his son. Said crowds were
really bad so not to make the trip a bust he bought the express unlimited. I thought it would be a couple
hundred total but he said he spent 600 DOLLARS FOR TWO. On top of the tickets! I told him next time
maybe get a room there for the free pass. He said the room was 600! So a wash since he was staying
with his sister.

My kids went to Six Flags a couple weeks ago. Even they offered a skip the line pass. My oldest
wants to go to Dollywood one weekend. While researching first thing that popped up was their
skip the line pass.

I'm out of the loop. I had no idea this was so prevalent.

 

[ChipnDale79]

My family plays rct3 ( rollercoaster tycoon) in the game there is admission and each ride cost money. We always laugh... who would pay $100 to get in a park then pay for rides .

id charge for guests to use the restrooms in RC2....lol.

 

[lukemorenus]

I'd wager that a new system will consist of a Virtual Queue (free to resort guests) and a Paid Add-on for immediate ride access... it's fun to speculate ;-)

 

[Adventureland]

I'm thankful that I'm into Disney for things like the food and shopping and atmosphere at this point.
I could see myself maybe paying DLP style for a go on Splash Mountain to avoid a line I can't see myself doing it for much more.
I barely remember FP before FP+, but what I DO remember is all of the popular attraction FPs being completely out by the time we got to the parks, I think we barely used it. FP+ worked well enough I suppose but it always felt like one actually useful FP and then two throwaways.
I can't really see a Universal-style pass sytem working out? I feel like there would be too many people using it for it to be beneficial-the Disney bubble is different from the Universal bubble and if they give out passes or benefits to on-hotel guests I feel like that's still quite the crowd to deal with.

 

[ATL Gator]

And that's one of the reasons they replaced it. Guests were collecting FP's in the morning hours like candy, running out the supply and then using them in the evenings. That wasn't how it was intended to be used. It let the FP lines be super light in the morning, then clogged them up in the late afternoon and evenings. FP was meant to distribute the wealth, not so people could ride their favorites over and over again. We did it too, not to re-ride but because we preferred riding at night, so no finger wagging from me- Just that it screwed with how FP was supposed to work.

It's one reason so many people hated it when FP+ started. It put a stop to the hoarding of FP's and prevented one person from riding 5-6 times a day while others couldn't ride once. I was glad to see it go.

I also appreciated the Dream FPs they gave out randomly 15 or so years ago. They need to think of a few "magic" extras like that to go with all the upcoming changes. Of course Dream FPs might be frowned upon in today's climate as being unfair and inequitable.

 

[cakebaker]

I barely remember FP before FP+, but what I DO remember is all of the popular attraction FPs being completely out by the time we got to the parks,

That was my major complaint and not because we chose to sleep in. It was hard to park hop using it. By the time we got to our evening park, they were out of anything we wanted to ride.

 

[Karin1984]

Pixiedust.be (one of the bigger DLP-Fan social media channels) just made a post:
View attachment 587392

I think they are a little upset ;-)

(Edited in the picture, because it only shows up in my timeline, and not when I go to the actual facebook page of Pixiedust.be)

Yeah, Pixiedust.be is pissed, they just posted this video

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=4042023959247352

 

[jujubiee4]

I'm thankful that I'm into Disney for things like the food and shopping and atmosphere at this point.
I could see myself maybe paying DLP style for a go on Splash Mountain to avoid a line I can't see myself doing it for much more.
I barely remember FP before FP+, but what I DO remember is all of the popular attraction FPs being completely out by the time we got to the parks, I think we barely used it. FP+ worked well enough I suppose but it always felt like one actually useful FP and then two throwaways.
I can't really see a Universal-style pass sytem working out? I feel like there would be too many people using it for it to be beneficial-the Disney bubble is different from the Universal bubble and if they give out passes or benefits to on-hotel guests I feel like that's still quite the crowd to deal with.

Universal doesn't give it to all their guests though. Just the ones paying 400 500 600 a night rooms. In
other words deluxe. We are going in Nov and/or Dec. I picked a random Wednesday not near a holiday and
the lowest fast pass room was 400. All other hotels nearby are in the 100-150 range.

What i don't understand though looking at the crowds and lines at Universal are a lot of people paying
these high fast pass prices or just standing in long lines? For Universal to continue to raise the price tells
me. When they were first offered weren't they around 40 or 50 bucks?

 

[luv2cheer92]

Color me skeptical that 12 FPs are possible during a busy day with FP+. I will study up on how to do it and try to master it but I still prefer the old system...

12 FP was easy peasy at MK in one day, and harder, but doable at the other 3. The busier the parks, the easier it was too. More people there meant more people cancelling/changing their plans. Getting less than 10 FPs at MK was a "failure" (I use that term loosely) for us.

 

[TommyJK]

For those that don't know how to use it.

A system that requires advanced intricate knowledge of the tricks and loopholes that only the most experienced users have figure out is a flawed system.

It's just like how billionaires can end up paying less in taxes than your average middle class wage earner.

 

[Remy is Up]

So we should be in that testing window now? The time changes always throw me.

We are indeed

 

[orangecuse]

That is literally how MaxPass works. Pay $10 a day to add it on.

I know, but MaxPass isnt at Disney world and isnt being considered for Disney world. I was just saying that is a system I could get behind.

 

[monstermash23]

A system that requires advanced intricate knowledge of the tricks and loopholes that only the most experienced users have figure out is a flawed system.

It's just like how billionaires can end up paying less in taxes than your average middle class wage earner.

60 days out, on-site guests could book fastpasses. You get 3 per day at the same park.

Yea, that requires such intracate knowledge and really compares to the tax system as a whole. Totally see that.

 

[luv2cheer92]

I know how to use it but I absolutely hate it. I am hoping they do go to more of a day of system. The amount of planning and making spreadsheets is what makes me not want to go often.

None of that was needed, at all. Never did I once make a spreadsheet, and I took many trips without planning ahead or worrying about making FPs ahead of time.

 

[SL6827]

I bet they will only give a number of free fast passes to deluxe guest each day.

 

[CSLucas]

A system that requires advanced intricate knowledge of the tricks and loopholes that only the most experienced users have figure out is a flawed system.

100%. We felt like we were at SUCH a disadvantage on our first Disney trip. And yes, I did a good bit of research before our first trip and talked to people who had been multiple times, AND had a travel agent.

 

[Loro]

Universal doesn't give it to all their guests though. Just the ones paying 400 500 600 a night rooms. In
other words deluxe. We are going in Nov and/or Dec. I picked a random Wednesday not near a holiday and
the lowest fast pass room was 400. All other hotels nearby are in the 100-150 range.

Very easy to do Universal with included Express pass on the cheap. Get an annual pass (only ~$300) and use the annual pass hotel discount. They release the rooms with discount a few months ahead, and if you get in when they release the rooms they can be in the $250-300 range. With 4 ppl per room you are getting quite a perk. Universal values their pass holders.