Fastpass vs. Express Pass

[Ed5781]

The Fastpass thread got me thinking...What does everyone think?
Personally, I prefer Universal's Express Pass. I would tweak it a bit though...make everyone pay a fee (small) for it, but it's only eligible for people who stay onsite. It's a win-win situation. Disney makes money, there would be an incentive to stay onsite, and the express lines would be shorter.

 

[damo]

 

[Technosavant]

Disney's general policy is to treat ALL guests, regardless of where they stay, the same. The only exception is the EMH, and that isn't during usual operating hours. So during normal hours, there's no difference whether you're staying at the Grand Floridian, All Star, or Motel 6.

I don't know if making FPs more special would end up affecting things all that much. There's so many people staying in the resorts, I'd expect they'd need to be priced fairly high in order to cut down on the utilization rates. Besides, the current system works reasonably well, even if/when they limit people to the FP window (39 pages of whining and crying like five year olds notwithstanding).

 

[Ed5781]

Disney's general policy is to treat ALL guests, regardless of where they stay, the same. The only exception is the EMH, and that isn't during usual operating hours. So during normal hours, there's no difference whether you're staying at the Grand Floridian, All Star, or Motel 6.

I don't know if making FPs more special would end up affecting things all that much. There's so many people staying in the resorts, I'd expect they'd need to be priced fairly high in order to cut down on the utilization rates. Besides, the current system works reasonably well, even if/when they limit people to the FP window (39 pages of whining and crying like five year olds notwithstanding).

I agree with you in theory, but I'd honestly have no problem paying. I am a DVC member, and in reality, I'd love to see Fastpass just for us!

 

[chartle]

1. but it's only eligible for people who stay onsite. It's a win-win situation. Disney makes money, there would be an incentive to stay onsite, and

2. the express lines would be shorter.

1. As PP said there are 10 times 20 times, I don't know, more on site guests at WDW.

2. Which would make. Wait for it ..... The standby lines longer which Disney doesn't want.

While US seems to use EP to get you stay on site and or pay more money.

Disney uses FP to keep you out of lines and therefore spending more money in the gift shops.

 

[Ed5781]

1. As PP said there are 10 times 20 times, I don't know, more on site guests at WDW.

2. Which would make. Wait for it ..... The standby lines longer which Disney doesn't want.

While US seems to use EP to get you stay on site and or pay more money.

Disney uses FP to keep you out of lines and therefore spending more money in the gift shops.

But by paying a fee...not everyone is going to do it.
Even if you made it free, Disney would probably sell out their resorts or come pretty close to it. If that were the case, they'd make more money doing that then by keeping people in line for a little longer.

 

[Albytaps]

 

[Technosavant]

But by paying a fee...not everyone is going to do it.
Even if you made it free, Disney would probably sell out their resorts or come pretty close to it. If that were the case, they'd make more money doing that then by keeping people in line for a little longer.

They pretty much keep their resorts sold out as is with the given incentives. Maybe not 100% at all times, but they stay more full than you'd think.

My guess is that Disney has done their homework on this one and decided that the way they've been doing things has ended up resulting in greater cash flow than the Universal or Six Flags method of requiring on-site stay or extra expense. Somehow I get the feeling that every way every penny is spent or not spent on property has been looked over in every detail, and numerous times. I'd expect no less from Disney (and I mean that not just in a negative way, but a positive one- their attention to detail really does surpass every other theme park operator).

 

[disnut8]

My guess is that Disney has done their homework on this one

And they have. Honestly, think of the backlash if all of a sudden Disney started charging for FastPasses. I can think of a ton of comments that would be made about it. Universal started out charging for the Express Pass so they can continue. They can increase the price if they want and no one will care.

Disney attempts to treat everyone fairly with a few exceptions. But the fact that Joe Average can go to Disney World, stay offsite, pay the $14/day to park and still be made to feel like he belongs at Disney World without having to endure another $40-$50 per person out the wallet is still, well, Disney.


Enough of the nickel and dime crap that other places do. I love that you can go to Disney World, pay to park (if staying offsite and not a passholder), get your admission, buy your food and just be done with it. There's almost no extra charges. Why complicate the matter?

One of the reasons I don't go to Universal is because of the Express Pass. It's elitist and the hotels are way too expensive to begin with. So do the reverse and you will have people staying away from Universal.

 

[Ed5781]

They pretty much keep their resorts sold out as is with the given incentives. Maybe not 100% at all times, but they stay more full than you'd think.

My guess is that Disney has done their homework on this one and decided that the way they've been doing things has ended up resulting in greater cash flow than the Universal or Six Flags method of requiring on-site stay or extra expense. Somehow I get the feeling that every way every penny is spent or not spent on property has been looked over in every detail, and numerous times. I'd expect no less from Disney (and I mean that not just in a negative way, but a positive one- their attention to detail really does surpass every other theme park operator).

Resorts usually only sell our during special events, holidays and discounts. Discounts are lessening...it's a nice incentive.

 

[MrToad_at_BLT]

I've only been to Universal a handful of times (never staying on site...yet) and I've purchased the Express Pass both times.

It's always worked out fantastic.

 

[MouseEarsForAll]

 

[kaligal]

The Fastpass thread got me thinking...What does everyone think?
Personally, I prefer Universal's Express Pass. I would tweak it a bit though...make everyone pay a fee (small) for it, but it's only eligible for people who stay onsite. It's a win-win situation. Disney makes money, there would be an incentive to stay onsite, and the express lines would be shorter.

You can buy an EP even if you aren't staying in a Uni hotel. It isn't unlimited like the one you get with your hotel key, but it's still excellent.

I do like their system MUCH better.

As I said in another thread, it is discriminatory. People with more money get more stuff...like they do in furniture stores, u-haul and Taco Bell.

Life is discriminatory.

I'm used to it.

 

[larryz]

The Fastpass thread got me thinking...What does everyone think?
Personally, I prefer Universal's Express Pass. I would tweak it a bit though...make everyone pay a fee (small) for it, but it's only eligible for people who stay onsite. It's a win-win situation. Disney makes money, there would be an incentive to stay onsite, and the express lines would be shorter.

I'd make sure only people who stay concierge or club level could buy it, and make it 100 bucks per person per day.

 

[Huff]

I'm against any idea where there becomes two classes of guests visiting Disney. Those that can afford to bypass lines, and the peasants who are forced to stand in line. Currently FP's are available equally to all with a few minor exceptions.

 

[kaligal]

I'd make sure only people who stay concierge or club level could buy it, and make it 100 bucks per person per day.

How would that would help you?

 

[MrToad_at_BLT]

I'm against any idea where there becomes two classes of guests visiting Disney. Those that can afford to bypass lines, and the peasants who are forced to stand in line. Currently FP's are available equally to all with a few minor exceptions.

Sorry, I may be in the minority here, but I totally disagree with this. Disney already has "classes" starting with the benefits that on site guests get vs those who stay offsite.

People who pay additional money on an airline can get the benefits of first class. If I have the means and I'm willing to spend them on my vacation, I don't see any problem with additional perks.

 

[larryz]

How would that would help you?

By keeping the FP lines shorter.

 

[Reddog1134]

Sorry, I may be in the minority here, but I totally disagree with this. Disney already has "classes" starting with the benefits that on site guests get vs those who stay offsite.

People who pay additional money on an airline can get the benefits of first class. If I have the means and I'm willing to spend them on my vacation, I don't see any problem with additional perks.

I think the main difference is that those offsite guests don't usually see you getting those perks or the perks has no effect on them. Having an MK view at the Poly doesn't change the view at the Motel 6. But giving them FOTL puts me behind them in line.

There's a reason why there's a curtain between Business and Coach.

 

[kaligal]

By keeping the FP lines shorter.

LOL, I don't mean you, the customer.

I mean you, the company - trying to stay competitive with Universal, trying to fill your hotels, etc.

How does it help?

Or does it not, you just meant you would like them to do that, but you actually wouldn't?