Fastpass vs. Express Pass

[kaligal]

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.

I usually sit in First Class and if they even bother to pull the curtain, it isn't the thick one of days gone by. It's pretty much see-through. At least on continental US flights.

Besides, you only see the people sitting in the back when you're up and about.

Many people can't afford to go to Disney AT ALL. It's just a dream to them that they may or may not live out one day in the future.

Does that mean we should force the Orlando theme parks to shut down? SOME people can't go, so nobody should?!

I mean, seriously...how far do you all want to take this socialist vacation stuff?

 

[Ed5781]

I usually sit in First Class and if they even bother to pull the curtain, it isn't the thick one of days gone by. It's pretty much see-through. At least on continental US flights.

Besides, you only see the people sitting in the back when you're up and about.

Many people can't afford to go to Disney AT ALL. It's just a dream to them that they may or may not live out one day in the future.

Does that mean we should force the Orlando theme parks to shut down? SOME people can't go, so nobody should?!

I mean, seriously...how far do you all want to take this socialist vacation stuff?

I LOVE your last sentence.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I abhor the entire idea of being able to cut in line by paying extra.

 

[Guyton dis lover]

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.

I will tell you something about the non Disney park that I do not like.Disney looks out for the Military and the other does not. Disney has the Salute pkg and they also give lots of discounts for those who serve.

 

[Reddog1134]

Does that mean we should force the Orlando theme parks to shut down? SOME people can't go, so nobody should?!

If you read my post you'll see that that's not what I'm saying at all.

I'm not saying people with money shouldn't spend it and enjoy themselves. I'm saying that if you put those people before others (say in a line for an attraction?) and give them the opportunity to "flaunt" it, you're going to have some resentment.

 

[sharadoc]

The main thing that I didn't like at Universal is that anyone with an unlimited Express Pass can get in line at any time. Disney's fastpass "attempts" to control the number of guests in the FP line at any given time, and apparently plans to control it even more in the spring. That makes a FP line wait more consistent at Disney over Universal.

I was in the Express Line for the Jimmy Neutron ride/movie thing and it moved slower than standby because everyone just got into the line they were supposed to and Express had twice as many people.

What I do like is Universal has those misting fans going in the lines. That felt good.

 

[Guyton dis lover]

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.

I am retired Military and When walt Disney World opened I was living in a hole in the ground in South East Asia. Now Disney gives me perks for my service. I will stay at a Disney resot in April and in May. I am getting a military discount. The other park has never done that for me. Thats why I will not spend my money with them.

 

[kaligal]

If you read my post you'll see that that's not what I'm saying at all.

I'm not saying people with money shouldn't spend it and enjoy themselves. I'm saying that if you put those people before others (say in a line for an attraction?) and give them the opportunity to "flaunt" it, you're going to have some resentment.

I'm sorry that I gave the impression that I meant all of that for you, specifically. It wasn't my intent. I realize I did it, of course, and (again) am sorry.

If it is any consolation, the people who "flaunt" the more expensive stuff in life are generally people who are either lying about having it or don't usually have it.

People accustomed to more expensive stuff realize that:

1. It isn't the be-all, end-all that one might think.
2. They're lucky to have the little extra niceties.

Furthermore, when you are used to it, it isn't a big enough deal to you to bother flaunting. "Ooh, I have a fastpass." Big freakin whup.

The flaunters are the posers and not people to envy in any way...if you're the type of person who bothers envying others in the first place.

People who envy and resent others will never have any problem finding someone better off to envy and resent. And it has very little to do with whether or not Disney adopts an EP-type system. They'll never be happy and there is no reason trying to cater to them to make them so.

 

[SharonS]

I have gone to Universal, and purchased the EP pass. Yes, it is nice, and there is almost no wait with it. However, I don't think it is fair. After spending all the money to get into the park, I can't imagine being a large family and having to shell out more money so that you don't have to wait forever in line. I also feel it is unfair for them to include this with a stay at their hotels.....it is like they do not value other 'day' guests as much as they do their 'onsite' guests. without the day guests, they wouldn't be able to survive with only 'onsite' guests.
They also charge different prices for their EP pass based on anticipated crowds. You can pay $25....or you may pay $50.

I am a DVC member, also an AP holder. I usually visit WDW four times a year for 1 week per visit. So....even if you use Universals pricing at their lowest...that would run me an extra $200 for 8 days for this privilege. Now...add that up for a family of 4....an extra $800. That's on top of all the money that is already being put out for the general admission tickets.

Personally.....if they are going to revamp the FP system and start allowing you to make reservations from home, etc.....I would prefer going back to first come first serve...stand by only. I think it is ridiculous to think that you will have to plan your entire trip...including rides months ahead. This will take a way any opportunity for flexibility on your vacation. I for one rarely do sit down dining anymore, because with all the free dining and ADRs...you can't book anything you want the day of..or even a few days out.

 

[Reddog1134]

I don't mean literally flaunting it. I just meant putting the "haves" and "have nots" together in a situation that could give someone the feeling of inferiority or superiority.

 

[kaligal]

I don't mean literally flaunting it. I just meant putting the "haves" and "have nots" together in a situation that could give someone the feeling of inferiority or superiority.

People with those problems will always have those problems and it has nothing to do with Disney's FP system.

Again, though, there are people who have more and people who have less. Through their lifetimes, they may flip around a bit...but it will always exist.

Plenty of people HAVE the ability to visit WDW while plenty do not. Want to close down all the parks so nobody ever feels envious or resentful of those who got to go when they couldn't?

Life is unfair. That will never, ever change. We can live with it or we can cry and whine and stamp our feet...but it won't change.

 

[Reddog1134]

Want to close down all the parks so nobody ever feels envious or resentful of those who got to go when they couldn't?

That's twice you've said that. Again, that's not my point. That statement doesn't even apply to this situation because the "have nots" would not be at WDW to see the advantages of the "haves".

I'll explain it one more way and then be done with it. Everyone wants to feel special. Especially at Disney. When you create a pay for FOTL, you are sending a message that says "the people with more money are more important than you". While that may be true, it's bad business to advertise that message.

 

[kaligal]

That's twice you've said that. Again, that's not my point. That statement doesn't even apply to this situation because the "have nots" would not be at WDW to see the advantages of the "haves".

But they'll be in the world. They'd see the t-shirt. And their kids would hear the other kids talk about it and ask if they could go. And someone at work would be going and posting pics on facebook.

If you don't think there are people out there who begrudge others their family vacations, you are wrong. They are there. Just like there would be people begrudging others their use of the FP.

The people who would be all envious and resentful about the FP aren't worth worrying about. They have issues. They'll be envious and resentful of someone with something else they don't have. That's their nature.

My point is that you can't even things up in life. Some get to vacation at Disney World, some don't.

Some can use the EP, some can't.

People who can't go to Disney or can't use the EP can either deal with the horror ( ) or they can be envious and resentful.

If they want to stomp their feet and have a temper tantrum - "I don't like that you can use an EP and I can't! If I can't do it, nobody should!" - let them. Allow the envious and resentful to be that. It's their privilege. Leave them to it. But don't force other people to have a less enjoyable time due to their character flaws.

Why should everyone stop having their fun just because of some envious, resentful, childish people?

I can't see any more reason to stop the EP program than I can to shut down the parks.

 

[teach22180]

I'm been mulling this over and trying to figure out why it would upset me so much to lose free fastpasses.

I don't choose to pay to stay club level, and I'm fine not having access to the lounge. I don't resent people who choose to pay for that at all.

So, the best reason I can come up with why I would be very upset if free fastpasses went away is because I have them now. I would not want to lose them and would not pay for them. It may even be enough for me to stop my fairly often trips.

 

[dobtia]

We go to Disney every year and love it. We stay at a time share just minutes from DTD. We are so close to the property it is not funny.

For our next trip we have book 3 site down meals and will most likely add a fourth or fift out of pocket. We will normally eat a few counter service meals and snack in the park. We go to DTD and buy few things. We have been to the Christmas Party too. We spend money at Disney.

If they were to take away our chance at fastpasses like everyone else I would spend my money elsewhere. The fastpass system as is is just fine. We always avoid EMH as they are not ours. We never even thing about trying to get what is not ours. Fastpasses belong to us all.

Disney would still get a lot of off site visitors, but would they get the return ones? I can speak for one family that would visit less often if they did this.

 

[Technosavant]

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

Some levels of resorts sell out even at "off" times. This last October we were unable to get a full week at a DVC resort and couldn't fill out the week at a moderate resort (deluxe was a little rich for our blood this go-round and we just aren't interested in the value level).

I really don't think Disney is hurting on filling up the resorts to the point where they'd need to restrict fastpasses to resort guests in order to pull it off. If they were, total attendance would probably be low enough to where you wouldn't need FPs much anyway.

 

[PirateD]

I don't have a problem at all with Disney adding extra perks and improving guest experiences for those who want to pay for it. But I do have a problem with them bumping down my guest experience by taking away FP for all. I am hopeful that Disney has come up with a way to keep FP for everyone and provide an X-pass for those who want it. It would be the best of both worlds.

 

[Nancy F]

I say keep the reg. FP and offer express FP for a fee (like Universal) where you don't have to wait to get them. I'd pay extra.
Nancy

 

[snesguy]

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've only been to Universal Orlando once (2011). We stayed onsite and got the unlimited Universal Express access. It was awesome. Way better than FASTPASS. You could go on most rides anytime and skip the lines. You could ride multiple times in a row. You didn't have to schedule your return times. If you were walking by and you wanted to ride and it fit your schedule, you could do it. It was and is the ultimate in flexibility. I don't see how you could get much better than that.

I don't have a basis to compare the regular limited Universal Express pass (is this Universal Express Plus?) to FP, but I'll try anyway. The limited UE lets you skip the line once per ride. Universal has a lot of rides on UE and some of these I might not be interested in riding so I don't get the maximum benefit from the limited version of UE but in general I would think this compares similarly with FP for guests arriving in the morning where FP's were available to get. Maybe a slight edge to UEP. If you were arriving in the afternoon or evening when FP's may be gone or have a large return time, then UEP probably has the edge.

That said, there is a difference in the rides at the different parks (Universal vs Disney) and the experience. I prefer Disney parks. I like the experience better there. In general I prefer the rides there. So it is a tradeoff. FP isn't as awesome as unlimited UE but Universal isn't as attractive to me as Disney parks.

FASTPASS does help manage the lines somewhat at Disney but it doesn't come close to giving you the experience of unlimited Universal's Express access that you get by staying onsite at Universal. This is probably why Disney is coming up with XPASS (or whatever they call it), because they don't have anything to compete with unlimited UE at Universal.

 

[fairyprincess88]

I prefer Universal's Express Pass to Disney's Fast Pass so I'd be all for Disney coming up with a similar option. One of the main reasons(besides Potter which is the #1 reason) I have started vacationing at Universal rather than Disney is because it is so less stressful. You can walk to the parks from all 3 resorts so no busses, and you can show up whenever you want and still ride all the rides. No need for planning like it's a military mission and getting up at the butt crack of dawn to make rope drop. Sure you have to do some planning for Potter, but staying onsite gets you early entry for that as well.

I understand with the amount of onsite resorts that Disney has that it's not possible for them to do something exactly similar but if they had an upgradable option to where you could pay for an express pass, I'd pay for it.