Fastpass return or replacement?

[JoJoGirl]

Their being able to avoid physically standing in lines and do something else in the meantime (another ride, shopping, eating etc) is making it better for them in some way. And that is perfectly understandable to most people.

It doesn’t make a person uncompassionate to say they hope it’s equal and not superior access.

That hope exists on all sides, but unfortunately will never be realized. The truth is that at Disney (and the rest of the world), access is already superior in nearly every aspect for people who do not need special accommodation. The parks, stores, transportation, rides, etc., were 95%+ built for able-bodied persons, and obviously work best when you can wait without issue and walk right in/on. And rightly so, because that’s what it takes for Disney to attract big crowds and be profitable, because 95%+ of their guests prefer it that way!

What makes a person compassionate is to understand this: For those with special needs in a 95%+ world, accommodations are not an optional convenience, they are a necessity. Enter DAS. Disney is legally required to provide reasonable necessary accommodation and not charge extra for it. It’s always imperfect, but they do the best they can.

Free LP-DAS, if it comes to that, may help make users’ park experience more equitable, but it will never make it equal, better, or superior. Unfortunately, by hard design, it will probably still be inferior to the able-bodied person‘s experience. DAS simply makes something possible that wouldn’t be otherwise. Understand that, and you begin to approach compassion.

Sure, some scummy persons will try to game the system. Always have, always will. You can’t take away access because of that. I wish the answer was free for everyone, but Disney seems to have other plans.

As an aside:
This is why I go solo sometimes without my son. I truly hate to say it, but going without him is a superior experience from a parks perspective. I plan less, cover more ground, ride more rides with lower waits, see more shows, eat in more restaurants, enjoy more forms of transportation, all with infinitely less stress. But nothing is like seeing the joy on his face experiencing his favorite rides! It’s worth the extra trouble to see that happiness!

edited for grammar

 

[OhDannyBoy]

Why? Those who need DAS typically have a lesser experience in many things in life than those who don't. You think you'd be happy that Disney tries to make their life a bit easier/better in some small way. Anyone with compassion would at least.

I can't believe this actually has to be explained to grown people.

 

[cakebaker]

I’m not sure why anyone cares whether a das user is getting the return time that would be issued at the free time or a paid time. It doesn’t hurt anyone, and I just can’t imagine begrudging them whatever shorter time they receive. Had people not abused it they’d be getting immediate access like they use to. When the FP line is busy it can be a challenge for those who have issues. Have a little empathy and worry about something else.

 

[JoJoGirl]

I can't believe this actually has to be explained to grown people.

Paid FP is a bitter pill all around, and it scratches open this wound. I really dislike it myself. But yeah, people can be stunningly blind to their own privilege.

 

[Garyjames220]

Do you think a paid FP Version will be available for purchase in advance or on the day only

 

[::danielle::]

I’m going with the assumption that the old way of FP+ is gone and will not be resurrected. Rather than bemoan the change, I want to think about what solutions I can work with.

After reviewing the DAS details, it makes the most sense to me if Disney offered ALL guests the option to enter a virtual queue and follow the DAS process for free. Guests who are able can opt to stand in line and hope the actual wait time is shorter than the projected wait time. Or they can get in a virtual queue and go do another activity (like wait in another line, eat, shop, etc). When the virtual queue time is over, everyone enters the LP line to ride.

it would be even better if you didn’t have to get in the virtual queue by going to the actual ride, but via the app once you’ve completed your last virtual queue.

This would create a truly equal experience for all.

Disney could also allow Guests (DAS or Non-DAS) to purchase a limited number of LP+ passes (some available in advance, while others are reserved for an in-the-moment decision).

This allows Disney to leverage LP+ passes to sell more packages or entice visitors in the slow time
or to get people from staying off property.

Do I love this? I don’t know.
Can I live with it? Yes.

 

[cakebaker]

it makes the most sense to me if Disney offered ALL guests the option to enter a virtual queue and follow the DAS process for free.

They can't do that. If they offered what is essentially a DAS to everyone for free, the FP line would be jammed packed and essentially worthless to DAS users.

This would create a truly equal experience for all.

It may be some people's goal that everyone have an equal experience, but I don't think that is Disney's goal at all. They follow the law for DAS and beyond that, they want a system that is efficient and produces $$$$. Honestly, this notion that things have to be fair and even seems silly to me. I don't care if someone else gets more than me or less than me. I care that MY experience is one we can enjoy and feel like we got our money's worth. It has absolutely nothing to do with what someone else gets.

 

[DefnotDLav]

Do you think a paid FP Version will be available for purchase in advance or on the day only

I'd say it will be a mix of both.

They've engrained preplanning and I think Genie + will be a pre planning tool.

Perhaps you get a free FP, maybe two or three if you use Genie + and stay onsite.

Once in the park, there maybe the option to pay for extras while there.

That's what I think would be the most logical implementation.

Basically just a new version of FP+, and you pay for refreshes essentially instead of rolling to 4,5,6, etc. for free.

 

[DisneyAuntie12]

I think the issue with DAS, if it ends up being the exact same as a paid "Lightning Pass", would be people abusing it. Not the way the world should work but, let's be honest, that's how it will shake out. That's why the 'original' DAS, front-of-the-line access, was pulled, after all. I really don't see how DAS and a 'Lightening Pass' could be absolutely identical without this inevitably happening. If people see the service they're paying for over here is free over there - people go nuts when it comes to ways they think they can save money.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I think Disney will be careful not to make DAS too “good” or too close to Lightning Pass (if that’s what we get) because they know people will abuse it. They have to find a happy medium here.

 

[malba2366]

I get that. Reasonable but not superior. if I have to pay for a LP or whatever it’s called and DAS holders are being given a return time to the LP line for free that’s providing something free that I am paying for. If a family of 4 has to pay 25$ per person to get a LP and another family is given that free as part of a DAS, I would argue the latter is getting superior service.

The rumor says that lightning passes will be a paid item, and the waits will almost certainly be shorter than the regular line. What would make sense is if DAS guests got a return reservation at a future time as with a wait as long as the standby line - so for example if the standby line was 2 hours long they would be told to come back to the fastpass line in 2 hours. With a paid fastpass system I think Disney will have to require more evidence when giving out DAS access, otherwise there will be a lot of abuse. Despite what some on here believe it is not illegal for Disney to ask for proof of a disability such as a doctors note stating that the physician believes the guest needs certain accommodations. They can't ask about specific diagnoses, but requiring reasonable proof of disability is absolutely legal; it hasn't become necessary yet because with free fastpasses there is very little reason for people to try to do that.

 

[::danielle::]

The rumor says that lightning passes will be a paid item, and the waits will almost certainly be shorter than the regular line. What would make sense is if DAS guests got a return reservation at a future time as with a wait as long as the standby line - so for example if the standby line was 2 hours long they would be told to come back to the fastpass line in 2 hours. With a paid fastpass system I think Disney will have to require more evidence when giving out DAS access, otherwise there will be a lot of abuse. Despite what some on here believe it is not illegal for Disney to ask for proof of a disability such as a doctors note stating that the physician believes the guest needs certain accommodations. They can't ask about specific diagnoses, but requiring reasonable proof of disability is absolutely legal; it hasn't become necessary yet because with free fastpasses there is very little reason for people to try to do that.

My nephew is required to provide a Doctor’s note when he visits Six Flags so it’s definitely possible.

 

[JPinkc]

I'm afraid it's too late to go back on capacity limits. I don't know how far out reservations are going right now, but it's a long time. It would involve a lot cancellations and a huge mess for a lot of people, reminiscent of when they closed the parks entirely. One can rightfully make the argument that they should've never moved so fast, but if so, every theme park in Florida moved too fast and no one can expect Disney to stay in shut down mode when no one else is. Remember back to when the theme parks started re-opening. Disney did not want to open when they did and it turns out, they may have been right.

As it is, they're one of the few following CDC guidelines right now so kudos to them for at least doing that. If a shut down or scale back is required, it's not going to be just Disney that is affected. I don't believe they will voluntarily shut the doors or start with massive cancellations by their own choice. Nevermind that what Disney does on their own will not change the course of the pandemic.

I think the thinking is, get what they can while they can and hope this latest spike doesn't last long. But that doesn't mean the thought that things could head south quickly isn't a real concern to them and affecting their decisions on what to implement and when.

The Governor of Florida would have to be thrown out for anything to happen. He's the guy threatening to cut school funding over mask mandates, suing the cities that have put mask mandates back in place too.

 

[cakebaker]

My nephew is required to provide a Doctor’s note when he visits Six Flags so it’s definitely possible.

Disney is not Six Flags. While they could, I don't believe they will ever start forcing guests to provide proof. I really am puzzled by the pages and pages obsessing over what DAS will or won't get. It really, really doesn't seriously affect anyone except those who are in the unfortunate position of needing it.

 

[cakebaker]

The Governor of Florida would have to be thrown out for anything to happen. He's the guy threatening to cut school funding over mask mandates, suing the cities that have put mask mandates back in place too.

We aren't allowed to discuss the politics of Covid. Suffice to say WDW is free to follow CDC guidelines. I don't believe they'll ever go beyond that, they never have really.

 

[snowwhite84]

I really am puzzled by the pages and pages obsessing over what DAS will or won't get.

I’m equally puzzled.

 

[Cabius]

I’m equally puzzled.

Oh we’re just out of news but still want to talk about it, so new angles must be found.

This Disney obsession, it’s not a healthy thing. But it could be worse.

 

[::danielle::]

Disney is not Six Flags. While they could, I don't believe they will ever start forcing guests to provide proof.

I only said that it was “definitely possible” not that it was likely or even that it should be implemented. This entire thread about comparing how various amusement parks are handling all types of line management.

I really am puzzled by the pages and pages obsessing over what DAS will or won't get. It really, really doesn't seriously affect anyone except those who are in the unfortunate position of needing it.

I happen to think Disney’s DAS process is a really good system and wondered if it could work well for all. I’m not seeing that this has become a DAS criticism thread in any way.


edited: grammar

 

[CampbellzSoup]

I say just keep it gone. I kept remembering reading on the board years ago how people said fast pass plus ruined the lines for everyone and now people want it back?

But if it does come back I’m sure it will be a premium and I can understand however would you be willing to pay for it as a service for individual rights that remains to be seen

 

[DisneyAuntie12]

I really am puzzled by the pages and pages obsessing over what DAS will or won't get. It really, really doesn't seriously affect anyone except those who are in the unfortunate position of needing it.

My assumption was that DAS will not change, as that’s tricky legal territory, so making a new system non-identical to it might give us a clue about the new system. It makes Lightening Pass as a system less likely to be implemented, to my mind, because they won’t want it to mirror DAS too much.