End of Fast Pass...

[englishrose47]

Universal does give Resort guests express pass , others can purchase them. While Universal is NOT as busy as Disney , that system works .

 

[ParrotBill]

Since all November resort reservations just opened up it seems likely for full rollout now.


Universal: but have you priced express pass for non resort guests? Very expensive add on. That's why it works - much more limited use than FastPass.

 

[jb68]

Since all November resort reservations just opened up it seems likely for full rollout now.

Really?
I've heard that the rollout is likely to be suspended over Christmas/New Year, with full rollout for resort and off-site guests from early 2014

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Really?
I've heard that the rollout is likely to be suspended over Christmas/New Year, with full rollout for resort and off-site guests from early 2014

if it is extended to all wdw on property hotel customers...that would make sense. A natural evolutionary step in the rollout. Off property would be later...and is a different dynamic because i'm not sure disney knows exactly who all their tickets are being sold to...as in AAA, military tickets, etc.

 

[hgeisler]

Universal does give Resort guests express pass , others can purchase them. While Universal is NOT as busy as Disney , that system works .

This.I've been going to Universal since it opened, and don't recall them ever having a free Express Pass system for everyone. I thought you always had to stay at a Universal hotel to get them for free, or you had to pay the big bucks to get them.

 

[hgeisler]

Since all November resort reservations just opened up it seems likely for full rollout now.

Universal: but have you priced express pass for non resort guests? Very expensive add on. That's why it works - much more limited use than FastPass.

The one for Halloween Horror Nights is even more ridiculous! When HHN first started, you could go on a weeknight and see everything with very little wait. Nowadays, you could wait 3 hours for one attraction. It almost forces you to purchase it, because with general admission there is no way you can cover much. Used to love going, but no more:/

 

[Gr8t Fan]

This.I've been going to Universal since it opened, and don't recall them ever having a free Express Pass system for everyone. I thought you always had to stay at a Universal hotel to get them for free, or you had to pay the big bucks to get them.

Universal used to have a system similar to FP but they eliminated it entirely several years ago.

 

[AntFarm]

Honestly, I don't see why Disney WOULDN'T give on-site visitors a leg up over off-site. I mean, people staying on-site ARE paying more. So why shouldn't they get better privileges?

Because most Disney park visitors stay offsite and those that stay onsite aren't always paying more, especially if they only visit Disney World once every few years, stay at a value resort and got their park tickets from somewhere else with a discount compared to an AP holder or FL resident who doesn't always stay at a Disney hotel but visits and spends money in the parks multiple times a year.

Universal does give Resort guests express pass , others can purchase them. While Universal is NOT as busy as Disney , that system works .

Yep, Universal's system works because they only have two parks and don't attract nearly the mass level of crowds Disney does. To restrict FP+ or fastpasses to just Disney hotel guests would create a complete nightmare in the parks.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Because most Disney park visitors stay offsite and those that stay onsite aren't always paying more, especially if they only visit Disney World once every few years, stay at a value resort and got their park tickets from somewhere else with a discount compared to an AP holder or FL resident who doesn't always stay at a Disney hotel but visits and spends money in the parks multiple times a year.

I don't know if it's true that APs/residents make up a larger percentage of the profit than onsite guests...Is that information out somewhere?

Regardless, they are always running free dining and discounts to try to increase hotel occupancy...they could technically use FP in that way too, to come, to stay longer, to stay at a mod over a value, etc. Not saying that they will, but I think it's possible.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Because most Disney park visitors stay offsite and those that stay onsite aren't always paying more, especially if they only visit Disney World once every few years, stay at a value resort and got their park tickets from somewhere else with a discount compared to an AP holder or FL resident who doesn't always stay at a Disney hotel but visits and spends money in the parks multiple times a year.

those that stay on site at WDW are now ALWAYS paying more for at least their room...

wasn't necessarily always that way...but certainly is now. WDW rooms are the least valuable for their prices. I know that there are some offsets - more park time - transportation time and cost - and ease of mobility...

no question those have value...not nearly enough to offset the cost though.

I think the worm definitely turned as wdw did their standard 5-10% price increases over the last 5 year brutal recession - because much of the loss was purchasing power to those that had formerly or currently frequent wdw...

just ridiculous.

values can still be a decent deal (not like when they were $49 a night though)...moderates are the worst - cheapest room on the cheapest night at caribbean beach this year was $164 a night before tax.
IN SANE. that is a hyatt, westin, or an intercontinental in alot of markets. just brutal.
and the polynesian...designed as an onsite motor lodge for $30 bucks a night 45 years ago...base rate is $422. Now elegance rules.

 

[Robbi]

The guide for Disabilities says thatt hose wanting access for rides can use FP+ and Fast Pass-page 19. This tells me FP will still be around. It also makes me wonder if FP+ will only be offered to onsite guests.

https://wdpromedia.disney.go.com/me...disabilities-services/wdw_cognitive_guide.pdf
Disney FASTPASS
®
Service
FASTPASS
®
service is a great tool for all Guests visiting the four
Walt Disney World
®
Resort theme parks including those with cognitive disabilities. FASTPASS is a free service that gives you a reservation in line at selected rides and shows which means you will spend less time waiting in line and more time enjoying all the fun the parks have to offer. A FASTPASS ticket looks like a movie ticket and is printed after you insert your park admission ticket into a kiosk at the ride or show you want to see. The FASTPASS ticket you receive will tell you what time you can come back so you can get on the ride or see the show with a lot less waiting.

 

[englishrose47]

This.I've been going to Universal since it opened, and don't recall them ever having a free Express Pass system for everyone. I thought you always had to stay at a Universal hotel to get them for free, or you had to pay the big bucks to get them.

We stayed at RP and had free express pass tickets . I thought I said if you stayed on site meaning at one of their hotels , sorry if I didn't make myself clear!!

 

[Robbi]

Since all November resort reservations just opened up it seems likely for full rollout now.


Universal: but have you priced express pass for non resort guests? Very expensive add on. That's why it works - much more limited use than FastPass.

Disney's VIP tour is the closest thing to Uni's FOTL because you're not given a return time. Have you priced that? It's $313/hour for onsite guests and $340/hour for offsite guests.

 

[ParrotBill]

I know! I assume the VIP tours are reserved for Miley Cyrus. Oops, maybe not any more.

 

[disneylover1980]

as a local, we were just there this past weekend and I have to say that I was appalled at the way the new magic bands were being treated. By the time DHS was even OPENED the FIRST thing we did was go to Pixar to get FP for the Toy tory Mania ride....and the times were ALREADY between 3:30 and 4:30...at 9am! I planned on writing a letter to corporate but I feel it will fall on deaf ears. I was talking to a guy in the line to get in, and he was also an annual pass holder that was a local and he said this was the last time he was going...his passes expire at the end of the month and he was OVER it too. So sad!

 

[disneylover1980]

as a local, we were just there this past weekend and I have to say that I was appalled at the way the new magic bands were being treated. By the time DHS was even OPENED the FIRST thing we did was go to Pixar to get FP for the Toy tory Mania ride....and the times were ALREADY between 3:30 and 4:30...at 9am! I planned on writing a letter to corporate but I feel it will fall on deaf ears. I was talking to a guy in the line to get in, and he was also an annual pass holder that was a local and he said this was the last time he was going...his passes expire at the end of the month and he was OVER it too. So sad!

 

[ArwenMarie]

as a local, we were just there this past weekend and I have to say that I was appalled at the way the new magic bands were being treated. By the time DHS was even OPENED the FIRST thing we did was go to Pixar to get FP for the Toy tory Mania ride....and the times were ALREADY between 3:30 and 4:30...at 9am! I planned on writing a letter to corporate but I feel it will fall on deaf ears. I was talking to a guy in the line to get in, and he was also an annual pass holder that was a local and he said this was the last time he was going...his passes expire at the end of the month and he was OVER it too. So sad!

That stinks. They must have dialed back the paper machines a lot to make room for all of the FP+.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

That stinks. They must have dialed back the paper machines a lot to make room for all of the FP+.

That does suck...and unfortunately was exactly what I was expecting.

The local market is gonna be one of the biggest losers with the new the new "intellipark" system. Disney is going to try to pressure them to fall in line with tourists from Texas and Ontario...
They don't behave the same way nor should they have to if you're taking into account the business history...fast pass+ makes no sense if you live in St. Cloud or Dr Phillips.
The other loser will be employees...which of course intersect with the local market.

 

[ArwenMarie]

That does suck...and unfortunately was exactly what I was expecting.

The local market is gonna be one of the biggest losers with the new the new "intellipark" system. Disney is going to try to pressure them to fall in line with tourists from Texas and Ontario...
They don't behave the same way nor should they have to if you're taking into account the business history...fast pass+ makes no sense if you live in St. Cloud or Dr Phillips.
The other loser will be employees...which of course intersect with the local market.

Yep. I agree.

If this all shakes out the way it seems to be, the other losers in this scenario are going to be people who travel to Orlando, even from faraway places, but stay offsite. They'll be in the same predicament as the local market you describe.

 

[Planogirl]

Yep. I agree.

If this all shakes out the way it seems to be, the other losers in this scenario are going to be people who travel to Orlando, even from faraway places, but stay offsite. They'll be in the same predicament as the local market you describe.

And this is what worries me the most. We often stay onsite and could do so again but we can't on every trip and frankly don't want to anyway. Many people can't stay onsite for a variety of reasons but that aside I bet that Disney gets even more traffic from offsite visitors than onsite and these people buy OOP meals and souvenirs and passes. They can't spend money if they're standing in endless lines waiting to ride TSM or Splash Mountain.

Unless I'm missing some key element, I don't understand Disney right now at all.