If I understand it correctly, Universal gives you those passes free if you stay on site, or you can purchase them otherwise. But it's just one charge and it applies to all attractions.
What a few posters have mentioned here is the with this new system that WDW could potentially start charging not only for FP's (which presumably wouldn't be for every attraction, unlike Universal's front of the line), but also charge for the best places to view fireworks, the best parade viewing spots, the best seats for shows, etc. - premiums on multiple items.
My point was Disney is expensive enough. If they start creating a tiered user-pay system for everything they run the very real risk of turning a lot of people off. Disney is no longer the magical place it has been, but a dollar hungry, money-grubbing corporation (ok, well they are probably already that last part, but this will make it very glaringly in your face).
Universal maybe a Disney wannabe wrt theming, etc, but they've got the thrill rides, HP and new attractions coming online. What does Disney have coming on line? Something that sounds like it could create longer waits, and congestion, while trying to squeeze every dime they can out of their customers.