Fast Pass

[tubtruck]

I have been looking at the disneyland paris website and the top 2 (most expensive) hotels are offering special fast passes which give guests staying there 3 instant fast passes per day. Guests in club level (concierge) and above at these two hotels are been given instant all you can ride VIP fast passes. The address below explains how this works. The disneyland paris also has information on these. http://www.dlrpmagic.com/guides/practical/disneysfastpass/
My question is how long or likely is it that this system will start at WDW, I recall seeing rumours that this sort of idea was been bantered around, and how likely will it be that DVC members will be able to benifit from this type of system. And finally do people think that it it right that those with the deepest pockets dont have to wait along with everyone else. I must admit I always stay a couple of nights in the Universal hotels for this reason alone every time I visit florida, and it is noticable that from appearance that people with the all day fastpasses at Universal do tend to appear on the whole (though not everyone) to be at the better off end of guests using the parks and again like myself with no children and none of the extra cost that people with them incur.

 

[Chuck S]

The rumors were likely the result of a patent application detailing the capabilities of the Fast Pass machine system.

If WDW ever modifies their fast pass system to give priority to different resort levels, which I think is unlikely, I would expect DVC resorts to be treated the same as the Deluxe resorts.

 

[tubtruck]

do you not think the likelyhood of them doing it has increased given that they are now doing it at disneyland paris?, does anyone know how long they have been doing the "three teir fastpass system" there?

 

[knothead180]

An orderly queue is one of the most egalitarian of all social conventions. I dislike standing in line as much as the next person, but what could be more fair than first come, first served? The Fast Pass system, as it presently exists at WDW, is simply utilizing technology to more efficiently wait your turn. It's a brilliant innovation. If people can obtain a Fast Pass by any means other than the usual, however, then the whole concept of equality of those in the queue breaks down. The Dream Fast Pass, as long as they don't award too many, doesn't bother me because they are won by luck. I can accept the fact that someone was luckier than me and won a contest. If it ever comes to pass that you could buy a Fast Pass, then I will be enraged and insulted. If Disney were to offer VIP Fast Passes as an incentive to book an expensive accommodation or a paid tour, then they are in essence stealing time from all those in line and giving it to the "VIP." They would be taking something which is not theirs to give, and making it a perk for a wealthier customer. The injustice of such a marketing scheme should be so inherently obvious that I would hope Disney would reject the idea. If it is already happening in Paris, then I am concerned.

 

[Chuck S]

They would be taking something which is not theirs to give, and making it a perk for a wealthier customer.

While I don't think it will likely happen at WDW, you and I disagree. It IS Disney's queue time to give away as they see fit. For wealthier customers it could mean big bucks...less time in line (for a price) and more time in upscale restaurants and purchasing higher end souvenirs than the typical WDW guest.

Remember, though, that the Paris parks have been having financial problems almost since day one, and if offering the perk there increases occupancy and satisfaction with repeat customers, then it is certainly worth it to implement such a program in Paris. Also, remember, that the Paris parks are only partly owned by Disney. Doesn't an investment group own the majority of the parks (not a big majority, but still a majority) and can implement certain perks, etc, as long as it doesn't violate their agreements with Disney.

 

[knothead180]

While I don't think it will likely happen at WDW, you and I disagree. It IS Disney's queue time to give away as they see fit. For wealthier customers it could mean big bucks...less time in line (for a price) and more time in upscale restaurants and purchasing higher end souvenirs than the typical WDW guest.

I am glad you don't think it will happen at WDW, and I certainly hope you are correct. As you point out, the economic benefit to the park of such a system is undeniable. After all, getting people with money to spend more time, and therefore more money, at the parks and resorts is the reason DVC exists in the first place. Nothing wrong with that. I will assert that Disney does not own the time of their guests in the queue, not unless Disney is paying them to be there. Of course, the opposite is true. The guests pay for the privelege of being in the parks, and they come expecting to spend some time in lines, but they also expect to be treated fairly and with respect. Disney has the right to manage their queues as they see fit, but it is in their best interest to manage them in an equitable manner. Thus far at WDW, I think Disney does an outstanding job of that. I just hope that the system used in Paris does not make its way to Florida. Perhaps, as you pointed out, the ownership interest in Paris has something to do with it. It just seems very unDisney-like.

 

[Chuck S]

I still say it is Disney's queue time to manage as they wish. Universal Studios FL has a type of paid fastpass system, and their onsite guests get front of the line access for a specific number of hours daily.

It was leading some people to spend a day of two at Universal hotels to take advantage of this perk, rather than spending their entire vacation at Disney. Disney countered with free transportation to/from the airport...which was marketing genius, it keeps folks onsite unless they go through the additional expense of a car rental, thus eliminating, at least for now, any need to modify the fastpass system to accomodate hotel "classes" and the possible "unequal" perception for offsite and local day visitors.

 

[tubtruck]

Dont know whether this works it certainly doesnt for me, I am in florida for 3 weeks in august 2007, as i am in DVC i am spening sun-fri in DVC accomodation, fri and sat of each week will be spent in each of the universal hotels, I will be using taxis to and from the universal hotels, its about $30 each way, not a lot if you are staying in hotels at these prices.
says a lot about dvc point structure, if the points were the same on a weekend I would not bother leaving for universal.

 

[Chuck S]

Dont know whether this works it certainly doesnt for me, I am in florida for 3 weeks in august 2007, as i am in DVC i am spening sun-fri in DVC accomodation, fri and sat of each week will be spent in each of the universal hotels, I will be using taxis to and from the universal hotels, its about $30 each way, not a lot if you are staying in hotels at these prices.
says a lot about dvc point structure, if the points were the same on a weekend I would not bother leaving for universal.

Coming from the UK, and for an extended period, I can understand your point. Most American vacation habits are different. Few people take 3 weeks off from work at one time. Many businesses don't offer paid vacation time at all, or deduct it from any available "sick" time. There is certainly justification for the higher weekend points...including an effort to prevent local members from booking only weekends at the 11 month mark, thus preventing folks that can stay one or two weeks from having a room available. Regular WDW resorts are much busier on the weekends, no matter the season.

Personally, I take longer vacations (10 to 12 days) than almost anyone I know, and we figured the weekend points into the overall cost of our DVC. We don't like to move unless we absolutely have to.

 

[JodyTG]

You also have to undestand that there are A LOT more hotels at WDW than any of the other resorts that have been mentioned.