Fast Pass to become "Pay for Play"?

[kikipug]

It's really no different than the hotels in Las Vegas... (but sort of in reverse)...you insert your cardkey before playing the slots, and it keeps track of how much you are winning/losing/spending, and perks and comps are 'awarded' accordingly.

 

[jlovesee]

I agree with the last post, Disney wanted everyone to enjoy the parks equally, all this well I'm paying $500 a night so I should get better treatment is just snobbish. Im sorry to everyone who can afford it and doesn't think they should get preferential treatment because they make more money and can afford more. Its just a convuluted way of saying Im better then you because I make more money and I'm going to show it...

That's just disgusting.

BTW why mess with Fast Pass the way it is right now? I go to Disney atleast once a year, and I don't have a problem with the way it works currently.

I know I will get flamed on this but before everyone starts pointing fingers at me maybe you should start looking at yourself first...

 

[SeattleMark]

Update: It may already be happening: http://www.jimhillmedia.com/mb/articles/showarticle.php?ID=1452

 

[Mister Disney]

I think if they "tagged" fast passes to your room key or your annual pass that would be the way to go.

That way each resort level or annual pass holder etc could have a varying amount of fast passes allowed per day, and no one would know what the person in front has, so no hard feelings.

I have read elsewhere about FOTL at Universal, and its a mess because it makes everyone but hotel guests feel like second class citizens.

Having said that....as much as I believe in the "Pixie Dust" thought of "handing off" your FP to others, doesn't that also defeat the FP system?

Wouldn't it be a better situation that the person the FP is issued to is the one that uses it? You put your card into the machine for a time, then when you return you put it in again and the computer checks to make sure.

 

[eeyore45]

Well, FINE, but are the going to increase the number of FP rides? Havent they done just the opposite? I'm thinking Haunted Mansion, used to be a FP, but no longer... and of course how many of us mom would love to see that Indy Speedway ride a FP (there was a rumor, not sure what the status of this is!)

Anyway, what other attractions could use a FP?

 

[Liz]

I wouldn't like a new system like this. We only stay onsite but never can afford the deluxes. Our budget is value and maybe moderate if there's a good code.

Universal Studios Hollywood has something you can purchase for about $20 over and above normal admission that lets you on all the rides first. I think its called an "A" pass.

 

[Doc and Family]

I, too, have mixed feelings about this.

1) How will DVC members be handled? We generally stay on points and are not spending money on accomodations. Should we have our fast pass access determined by the rack rate or by how many points we spent?

2) I think that guests staying on-grounds should be entitled to some perks, like early entry, EMH, E-ride nights(I miss these); however, not everyone can afford to stay on-site. Maybe limiting fast-passes to on-site guests will entice more people to try and stay on site. I don't know.

3) By tying fast passes to hotel rooms, Disney can better control people who try to put 12 people in a studio type room and claim it is only four. If only four fast passes per room(or whatever the max occupancy is for any particular room) are available, maybe Disney is hoping that those other 8 people will book a room and thereby increase revenues.

4) Maybe WDW is trying to decrease crowds by inferring that those who stay off-site will have enormous waits, while those who stay on-site will have access to some fast passes--again, hoping more people stay on-site or less people staying off-site enter the parks, decreasing crowds and wait times for those spending money on WDW resorts. (I can't imagine them wanting fewer customers, though).

5) What about the people who have to save for a long time for a WDW vacation and stay off-site to save money? I know the value resorts are available, but, if one can get a room for less off-site and money is an issue, should they be treated any differently once they buy their park tickets, which cost the same for everyone?

6) These are just some thoughts that entered my feeble little mind when reading this thread. Would I like additional perks, sure. Would I like to eliminate the wait, sure. I'm just not sure where I stand on this issue, even though I'm one of the fortunate ones who will likely benefit from this. Anyway, we will just have to wait and see what happens. In the mean time, hope to see y'all in WDW soon.

Take care

 

[MKCP5]

Just disgusting. I love how everyone who can afford to go deluxe feels so entitled to bigger and better and more. Perhaps if they downgraded and gave the money to a family who had never been to the parks becasue paying rent is pretty difficult they might find the kind of joy that their heart is really desiring.

Don't misunderstand. Most people work very hard for their money and deserve to spend it as they see fit. If it is on a deluxe vacation, good for them. But to automatically assume that you deserve better than the family that has been saving for the past eight years to get to WDW one time in a budget resort with their children is elitist and says alot about your character

 

[Forevryoung]

This would mean that people would stay shorter because they could accomplish more.

I've seen the posts "stay in a Delux for 4 nights OR stay in a value for a week" Those people would be able to get 2x's as much done with the "unlimited" fast passes every day.

This would quite possibly also increase the price of the rooms. They are offering a HUGE perk so people would pay another $50 per night or so (even value's would go up) and they would be justified.

Not only that but those hotel rooms would book up faster (without codes ). I don't know how I feel about this.

What if I stayed in a value but went all out in other ways? Went on the tours and ate in the best restaurants?? Because I choose to spend my money in other ways in the parks and not on a hotel makes me less worthy? What about the AP people who drive for day trips? They pay a whole lot more because they go more (in terms of day to day stuff and not the actual pass).

I think this system stinks and makes me very angry that people are that snobbish. If you are going to do that why not going back to the "Front of the Line Access" for people with disabilities?? Or at least give them the perks of the people who stay in a Delux? (flame retardant suit) They don't have that anymore but I bet it was a trip saver for tons of families when they had it-

 

[pamlet]

Well it makes sense to me...

I imagine it will be tied to packages with the room...

(double flame suit on.. ) I think Disney is having to come up with perks for people to stay onsite - I'll be honest - I've never stayed onsite - but I find it hard to justify it when I can get larger .. just as nice rooms offsite for the same or less than AS - Even the moderate properties onsite only have double beds - not queen.. and small rooms...

Yes - I'm sure there is a level of theming that brings the "magic" - but for the money - I'd rather stay in real luxury than what I'm seeing in the pictures of even the deluxe resorts.

I am very interested in visiting resorts this trip to see if they're worth the money..

That said - this type of system would probably draw me in... at this point the only draws I see are 1. the theming of the resort and 2. the "transportation" - but even if we were staying onsite we'd probably drive rather than wait for busses to the parks... The meal plan ALMOST had me do it - so maybe next trip we'll be onsite if the "pay for play" plan goes through.

 

[kpm76]

Just disgusting. I love how everyone who can afford to go deluxe feels so entitled to bigger and better and more. Perhaps if they downgraded and gave the money to a family who had never been to the parks becasue paying rent is pretty difficult they might find the kind of joy that their heart is really desiring.

Don't misunderstand. Most people work very hard for their money and deserve to spend it as they see fit. If it is on a deluxe vacation, good for them. But to automatically assume that you deserve better than the family that has been saving for the past eight years to get to WDW one time in a budget resort with their children is elitist and says alot about your character

ITA...very well said....so many families save all they can to make a special trip to Disney and can only afford a value resort or staying off site and I think it would be so sad to penalize them in the parks. If I stay at a deluxe, I only expect better ammenities, service etc AT the resort...after all that is what I am paying for....not to hop in front of a family at Splash Mountain that struggled to make a magical trip happen for their kids only to be treated like second class citizens.....

 

[mjmcca]

Update: It may already be happening: http://www.jimhillmedia.com/mb/articles/showarticle.php?ID=1452

All that article talks about is a specific package that is celebrating hte reopneing or Space Mountain and hence as a part of said package gives you all the rides on Space Mountain you can stand. This is also talking about DISNEYLAND not WALT DISNSY WORLD.

 

[Selket]

If they do it, how would the slower times of the year work? I'd think the system would be useful during the summer but off-peak times it wouldn't be worth it necessarily.

I'm happy with the system the way it is I guess.

 

[tracy51]

Can't believe I'm jumping in on this one, but....

If they are selling these packages on ebay, then it is only a limited number for those you truly want "perks" and to pay for them. I'm sure special packages like that are offered all the time. Just most of the public is unaware of them or unwilling to pay that much for them - plus its a bid, only a few winners, not everyone willing to pay that much.

I don't think anyone has brought this up, but who's to say Disney will replace the current system with this and not add it to the current system. For example, FP for the general parks stays the same except maybe fewer FP's are issued. If you are a resort guest, based on whatever criteria Disney sets (type of resort, how much you charge on your resort card - kinda like Vegas or a store rewards card) you are issued anytime FP's or some other special FP. Personally, I'd have no problem with that even if I'm staying at a value resort and only get 2 special FP's and someone at a deluxe gets 8. I tend to think that Disney will go to something more like this - not throw out the current system & exclude everyone but elite on-site guest. As others have said, it could easily turn into a PR nightmare. Instead, I bet they'll create a new type of FP exclusively for their on-site guests that's better than the general public FP's in the park.

Just my 2 cents We'll just have to wait and see what actually happens.

 

[Doc and Family]

MKCP5 and kpm76,

That's what I was thinking! Elitist is the word I was searching for when I was replying and couldn't think of it (of course, it would be nice if I wasn't be hounded to do things at work while I was doing this, so I could think clearly!--Imagine people expecting me to work.)

We stay at the Beach Club because we love it there. We get access to Stormalong Bay and walk to and from Epcot, especially after Illuminations, this is a great perk.

I get irked by people who think they "deserve" something. You get what you pay for. You pay for the Beach Club, you get what it offers. You pay for All-Stars, you get what it offers.

You pay for theme park admission, you should get what comes along with it.

I, too, think Walt Disney intended for the park to be enjoyed by everyone. However, I also understand that it is a business and as such, will do whatever the suits think will maximize profits. Meaning, that I don't think that they will ask us what we think.

I also think that if WDW had never offered free fast passes and instituted this system from the beginning, there would be a lot less resistance and animosity about it.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

I think it was just a matter of time until this happened. The best thing the resorts have going for them is the parks. Even the GF would have trouble being 100% full if it were setting off site. The corporation has used the parks for years now to support the rest of the business.

Up to now I have never stayed Deluxe. But this perk would be the one to change that. Why go deluxe when you get the same access to the parks at a Value or Mod. All I want at Disney is a bed, a shower and the parks!!! We spend too much time in the parks to justify the more expensive hotel as we would not spend any time in it! Now for a beach vacation or a cruise I always go Deluxe because I want to walk out and see the water. For me this would be similar, if we had more access to the rides then the extra cost is worth it.

I hope it doesn't happen but it is a great marketing tool!

 

[missypie]

Remember, this all started because of a patent application. I don't know how far they are in the legal process, but at this point they're just saying "This is our original idea and we want to make sure that no one else steals it." They may never implement this system, but they want to make sure that no one else can, whether or not they do.

Does anyone know if this is a newly filed patent app., or if soomeone has just discovered an old one?

From a PR standpoint, it's kinda hard to go backwards and take away (or charge for) what once was free. No one seems to resent the fact that the "high rollers" in Vegas get free or greatly discounted rooms on future trips to Vegas. That's what they "do" there. If Disney had started out that way with FP, there probably wouldn't have been a backlash.

 

[missypie]

I haven't checked in a while, but last year when we were planning our trip to DLP, guests of the hotel that is almost "inside" the park got extra (or unlimited?) FP...maybe it was just the concierge guests, but bottom line is that some people who piad a fortune for their rooms got more FP.

 

[Local_Girl]

There have been many valid points made here...of course, Disney is a business and will do what it will to increase profits. I'm of the opinion that this would be a bad PR move for Disney. We are off-siters (and choose to be), but as has been mentioned there are many who scrape and save for years for the chance to come to WDW on a very limited budget. I think it would be very sad for Disney to "punish" these families with longer wait times. I also agree that AP holders and DVC folks would demand equal fast pass access. And I think that resort room rates will go up...probably more so than they would have otherwise.

 

[hannahouse]

I don't think anyone has brought this up, but who's to say Disney will replace the current system with this and not add it to the current system. For example, FP for the general parks stays the same except maybe fewer FP's are issued. If you are a resort guest, based on whatever criteria Disney sets (type of resort, how much you charge on your resort card - kinda like Vegas or a store rewards card) you are issued anytime FP's or some other special FP. Personally, I'd have no problem with that even if I'm staying at a value resort and only get 2 special FP's and someone at a deluxe gets 8. I tend to think that Disney will go to something more like this - not throw out the current system & exclude everyone but elite on-site guest. As others have said, it could easily turn into a PR nightmare. Instead, I bet they'll create a new type of FP exclusively for their on-site guests that's better than the general public FP's in the park.

ITA. It's more likely to be developed into a perk for onsite guests - I can't imagine that would take FP away from the general public.