FastPass+ must be coming soon

[JakeAZ]

One word: Maxpass

I just don't see it. DL is a locals / shorter trip kind of place. When people go, they try to maximize park time, so getting there early isn't a problem.

With WDW, there is so much more to do. It's not just about the parks. MaxPass would penalize those who want golf in the morning, or sleep in after a late night, or hit a water park, or have a late breakfast, etc.

Paying for the right to participate in a first come, first served program at WDW is a square peg, round hole type scenario.

Of course, this is just my opinion and I am fully aware I could be 100% wrong.

 

[tigger2002]

One word: Maxpass

One word: No

 

[ellbell]

I don't see that Disney is going to make everyone happy. Some people are fine with the FP+ option, some people want a maxpass equivalent, some people want the old paper system. No matter what Disney does many of us on the boards are going to be disappointed. The average disney tourist won't even notice that something changed.

 

[hereforthechurros]

But what is going to happen when capacity increases to 50%? Or more? And there is no other option midday than to stand on unbearable lines. And the whole day is nothing but long lines. At least FP provided a respite.

Exactly. There’s a reason FP was installed in the first place and when they increase capacity they will need an answer for growing wait times again.

 

[Nabas]

But what is going to happen when capacity increases to 50%? Or more? And there is no other option midday than to stand on unbearable lines. And the whole day is nothing but long lines. At least FP provided a respite.

Just remember that ride & show capacity is way down at the moment.

Just think of all the shows that are closed at the moment. POTC still isn't filling all rows.

When they increase capacity to 50% or more, they also will be increasing attraction capacity to 50% or more.

 

[bookgirl2632]

All I know is that if they move to paid FPs and the cost is exorbitant, I will be officially priced out of Disney. I won’t pay an additional $100 a day for FPs and I also won’t be happy going to Disney and not riding my favorite rides because I chose not to pay extra for it. And this makes me sad because I’ll probably never ride the new rides coming out in the next few years. Guess I’ll have to make my October trip truly count as it may be my last.

 

[Nabas]

Exactly. There’s a reason FP was installed in the first place and when they increase capacity they will need an answer for growing wait times again.

There was a business strategy behind FP+. It had nothing to do with shortening lines.

Remember, FP+ does not increase ride capacity. It only changes how wait times are distributed.

For every person who gets to "cut the line" using FP+, it means everyone else in the Standby line has to wait that much more.

The Magic Kingdom has 20 attractions, including a bunch with long lines. So the 3 FP+ that you got at the MK meant that you were waiting in even longer lines for 10-20 more attractions.

 

[Nabas]

All I know is that if they move to paid FPs and the cost is exorbitant, I will be officially priced out of Disney. I won’t pay an additional $100 a day for FPs and I also won’t be happy going to Disney and not riding my favorite rides because I chose not to pay extra for it. And this makes me sad because I’ll probably never ride the new rides coming out in the next few years. Guess I’ll have to make my October trip truly count as it may be my last.

Yea, if they start charging big bucks for FP, it's going to ruin WDW for a lot of people.

 

[hereforthechurros]

There was a business strategy behind FP+. It had nothing to do with shortening lines.

Remember, FP+ does not increase ride capacity. It only changes how wait times are distributed.

For every person who gets to "cut the line" using FP+, it means everyone else in the Standby line has to wait that much more.

The Magic Kingdom has 20 attractions, including a bunch with long lines. So the 3 FP+ that you got at the MK meant that you were waiting in even longer lines for 10-20 more attractions.

Not if you used it correctly. We had no issues getting 4th, 5th, 6th up to 10 or more FPs a day. Longest we ever waited without a FP because we couldn’t get one was 75 minutes for Slinky Dog... and that’s pretty close to what it is now.

Business strategy sure there’s more to it than short lines, but if every line is an hour plus with no other options it can also drive business away.

 

[Heather07438]

Just remember that ride & show capacity is way down at the moment.

Just think of all the shows that are closed at the moment. POTC still isn't filling all rows.

When they increase capacity to 50% or more, they also will be increasing attraction capacity to 50% or more.

It’s hard to calculate.
Say a show like Indy opens and capacity increases to 50% and park hours remain the same. If the majority of the people add the Indy show to their itinerary (as opposed to replacing something in their itinerary), then it just basically is the same competition and waits for rides but now there’s a 50% capacity amount of guests instead of just a 35% amount.

 

[Nabas]

Not if you used it correctly. We had no issues getting 4th, 5th, 6th up to 10 or more FPs a day.

Great, so for every 4th, 5th, and 6th FP+ you get, that means there's that many more people stuck in even longer Standby lines.

I stand by my original (factual) statement:

FP+ does not increase ride capacity. It only changes how wait times are distributed.

 

[Nabas]

It’s hard to calculate.
Say a show like Indy opens and capacity increases to 50% and park hours remain the same. If the majority of the people add the Indy show to their itinerary (as opposed to replacing something in their itinerary), then it just basically is the same competition and waits for rides but now there’s a 50% capacity amount of guests instead of just a 35% amount.

Right.

It will be interesting to see how FotLK goes, since that's the first show (I think) that's reopening.

Shows are tough for Disney. Some of them are expensive to operate. I'm not sure how many they will open until they can operate at full capacity.

 

[hereforthechurros]

Great, so for every 4th, 5th, and 6th FP+ you get, that means there's that many more people stuck in even longer Standby lines.

I stand by my original (factual) statement:

FP+ does not increase ride capacity. It only changes how wait times are distributed.

Not arguing that it doesn’t increase ride capacity. I’m only arguing that my preference is FP.

 

[Becky Mouse]

Not arguing that that it doesn’t increase ride capacity. I’m only arguing that my preference is FP.

I hear you, but I'll also point out:
People who go to Disney World all the time and understand how the system works get a lot of FastPasses. People who decide they're going to go to Disney World for the first time and don't read up on all the policies before they go end up getting no FastPasses or few FastPasses.

The "regulars" have a great time skipping the lines. The people who go once in a blue moon have a terrible time. That's not a good business model for Disney. Right now, apparently surveys show greater guest satisfaction at the parks than even before the pandemic. I think most (non-regular) guests are happier without the FastPass.

Me, I'm personally glad that FastPass is gone for my next trip. I know that not everyone will agree with me, and that's OK. I look forward to not having to worry about booking new FastPasses as soon as I use the others, trying to refresh to get better times, or worrying about whether or not we're too early or late for our current FastPass.

 

[dmband]

Flawed system??
those who don’t know the ins and outs don’t realize it’s flawed imo/experience because they don’t know what they are missing

 

[MomOTwins]

FP+ forced two things for you to take full advantage of it:

1. Choose your first 3 rides 60 days in advance, which is, of course, nonsense.
2. Be on your phone constantly trying to snag the next one, move one up, cancel / replace and refresh.

That's just not how I want to spend a "vacation" that costs what WDW costs.

IMO, the solution is to keep some sort of "free" system that caters to those who enjoy that sort of thing. But offer others a way to "opt out" by paying a premium. Yes, I know VIP exists, but I don't want a guide. I just want to hang out with my group and tour efficiently / at our pace. Not on a clock.

And no FP forces you to spend all day waiting in standby lines, which os not my idea of vacation. Tom-ay-to, tom-ah-to.

 

[hereforthechurros]

I hear you, but I'll also point out:
People who go to Disney World all the time and understand how the system works get a lot of FastPasses. People who decide they're going to go to Disney World for the first time and don't read up on all the policies before they go end up getting no FastPasses or few FastPasses.

The "regulars" have a great time skipping the lines. The people who go once in a blue moon have a terrible time. That's not a good business model for Disney. Right now, apparently surveys show greater guest satisfaction at the parks than even before the pandemic. I think most (non-regular) guests are happier without the FastPass.

Me, I'm personally glad that FastPass is gone for my next trip. I know that not everyone will agree with me, and that's OK. I look forward to not having to worry about booking new FastPasses as soon as I use the others, trying to refresh to get better times, or worrying about whether or not we're too early or late for our current FastPass.

I feel like that could be said for just about everything at WDW where availability is scarce. Theme park reservations, ADRs, discounts or specialty merch. Heck even pool availability is scarce at times which isn’t cool. Sure it’s unfair that some get it and some don’t but it’s all spelled out for all visitors on their website. Doesn’t mean disappointment isn’t allowed though.

Again not saying FP is a perfect system. Some like it, some don’t. Cest la vie! A new system has been in the works for a while so we’ll see what they come out with.

 

[T- I Double G errrrr]

I think it is thinking too narrow only giving them options to bring back what they had, bringing back what they had and charging people or mimicking others. I would love to see them scrap it all and come up with something new...use AI to drive something new....pick your rides (ahead or standing in the parks or by a ride based on your preference) it knows all your reservations and you get to have X number in your list at a time and it figures out where and when you ride (also taking into account walking distance etc) It is all virtual no standby or Fastpass lines except what is needed to load. If you decide to skip a ride or take a break you just delete or pause. My hope is that they have thought of something even more innovative that they can bring out when capacity and staff levels allow.

 

[moesy4]

I think the biggest thing to remember with Disney is that each cost has to have a perceived value to be justifiable to anyone, regardless of how accurate that perception is. People are willing to tolerate long waits and spotty service at the hands of the Disney bus system in the name of convenience and being in a Disney "bubble" or will pay $600+ a night for a mildly themed hotel room for the exact same reasons. People will even pay more out of pocket for the Disney dining plan than they would have to buy as they go for the perceived value of not having to think about costs on a trip again. Even the current FP+ system operates on that logic...it has allowed Disney to create a product that enhances sales at their hotels and perception of the value of a park ticket even though as many have pointed out, that value is actually an illusion.
Monetizing FP+ essentially does not have a perceived value that can be attached to it for marketing purposes or I am sure Disney would have done it already. Too high of a price point and even the most die hard fan has to admit their is no essential (hence why the old cost system was only sold at club level...only those who really don't have a mind for costs could justify $80 a family to jump to the front of Splash Mountain). Too low and you can't maintain quality in the product in numbers. Frankly, you also create a negative affect on the other side...Disney's crazy ticket prices are another perceived value in the product, but there is no way to maintain that image when you are watching hordes of others jump in front of you in a line. People need to feel they got what they paid for, even if they really didn't.

 

[moesy4]

Also, comparing any alternatives to Universal or really any other theme park is not possible. First of all, there isn't even a single season pass out there that can compare to the ticket prices of one week at Disney. Secondly, for any other theme park including Universal, adding an unlimited jump the line pass allows you to essentially experience all top attractions in a day if you really wanted to. Booking a Universal deluxe hotel for $400/night gives it to you for 2 days in which case you can really experience the whole park as fully as you want. At a minimum, someone trying to achieve that at Disney would have to purchase 4 days worth of jump the line passes. The costs would simply be astronomical to justify it. Some might say it would only hold value at certain parks, primarily MK, but then you are back to the simple fact that if everyone is getting it for one park, it loses all value in longer lines regardless.
I think people aren't fully embracing how valuable the park reservation system may play out to be for Disney compared to FP+. They can control crowd levels and better staff parks knowing almost exactly how many people will be there on any given day, often well in advance. Having to commit to a park helps spread out crowds to less popular parks like Epcot and provides more value to upsell products like Park Hopper when people can't get into the parks they want. It forces people to commit to a Disney trip well in advance in order to secure the days at the parks they want, and creates an inflated desire for people to get a coveted park and/or upsell products down the road (like party tickets).