Is a Premium Version of Disney’s Lightning Lane on the Way?

[lowlight]

The minute I read about multi pass I knew this was coming. It’s safe to assume it’s over 100 per person, so for my family of 5, that’s only $500 more a day. Sounds like a steal. I’ll pay an extra $50 per person to be able to skip food lines and also not have to use the same bathrooms as the plebes. Maybe we could make two Disney World’s, so we don’t have to intermingle. (Insert obligatory “This is what Walt would have wanted” statement).

 

[Miffy]

I think far too many people for that to work, WDW has way more Deluxe/DVC resorts with more room capacity than UO's three resorts.

UO also often charges more than $150 per day from my observations, it can go from $90 to almost $300 for the one-ride option, depending on the day (I've only seen it higher when in the parks - maybe it's cheaper if you buy way in advance).

No doubt WDW would charge even more.

We are staying at RPR in December. One of us purchased a Universal AP, which cost only maybe $85 more than the 3-day pass (sorry, I forget the exact price) so that we got the AP rate on our room at RPR: $242/night. That includes the Express Pass.

So we got a deluxe hotel and the Express pass for the price of a Disney Mod. There's really no comparison here.

 

[Leigh L]

We are staying at RPR in December. One of us purchased a Universal AP, which cost only maybe $85 more than the 3-day pass (sorry, I forget the exact price) so that we got the AP rate on our room at RPR: $242/night. That includes the Express Pass.

So we got a deluxe hotel and the Express pass for the price of a Disney Mod. There's really no comparison here.

Definitely!

We've stayed at RPR several times on military rates (anywhere from $250ish a night up to $400s, depending on the time of year) but usually only book a night or two and then move to either Sapphire Falls or Cabana Bay if we're staying at UO longer.

Even with discounts, WDW deluxe resorts still cost way more and yet sell out. I don't see any feasible way for WDW to offer a skip-the-line free pass to go with deluxe hotel rooms? Demand would be crazy high.

Another problem is people would start booking 1-night throwaway rooms like they do at UO

 

[tx911]

I think far too many people for that to work, WDW has way more Deluxe/DVC resorts with more room capacity than UO's three resorts.

UO also often charges more than $150 per day from my observations, it can go from $90 to almost $300 for the one-ride option, depending on the day (I've only seen it higher when in the parks - maybe it's cheaper if you buy way in advance).

No doubt WDW would charge even more.

Yes, I was thinking similar. Too many deluxe guests, so you'd have to limit it in some other way.

Probably they would just make it quite expensive, and not include it in any resort stay.

 

[elmwyn]

I know people are eager for a 'Universal-style' pass, but if it were feasible, I think they would have already have done it. The attendance and capacity numbers just don't work. If they offer something 'unlimited' availability will have be extremely low for the lines to actually move.

I'm guessing it will be more like a few tweaks/pluses on the existing system.

 

[Smugpugmug]

I think if Disney were to give it to deluxe resorts, they would have to exclude DVC guests and only include cash stays. I know that would upset the DVC people (imagine the DIS thread on that one, oh man) but they need to justify Grand Floridian being $900/night and Contemporary at $1k/night somehow, I guess.


*all hypothetical because I don't think it will be included for any hotel stay

 

[lowlight]

*all hypothetical because I don't think it will be included for any hotel stay

Yes, Disney ain’t never giving anything away for free ever again.

 

[tx911]

I think if Disney were to give it to deluxe resorts, they would have to exclude DVC guests and only include cash stays. I know that would upset the DVC people (imagine the DIS thread on that one, oh man) but they need to justify Grand Floridian being $900/night and Contemporary at $1k/night somehow, I guess.


*all hypothetical because I don't think it will be included for any hotel stay

Will never happen

 

[Smugpugmug]

Yes, Disney ain’t never giving anything away for free ever again.

Fastpass and Magical Express were never free in the first place but that's a conversation for another day....

 

[Smugpugmug]

Will never happen

Oh I know. Especially given that Universal apparently has a contract with Loews (the ones that operate the hotels) that states that Hard Rock, Royal Pacific and Portofino must have Express. Given that all other hotels being built after those 3 do not have Express, Universal isn't too keen on giving it out either. Why would Disney give it to non club level hotel guests when they don't need to?

 

[New Mouse]

I know people are eager for a 'Universal-style' pass, but if it were feasible, I think they would have already have done it. The attendance and capacity numbers just don't work. If they offer something 'unlimited' availability will have be extremely low for the lines to actually move.

I'm guessing it will be more like a few tweaks/pluses on the existing system.

I'd argue the opposite. Give it only to dvc direct stays and only if the owner is staying.

You want to talk about the ultimate marketing tool to sell your 50 year money maker, this is it.

 

[New Mouse]

I love how the idea of fastpass plus, genie, etc was all about tracking people movement and now they are trying to throw that away for the sake of more $!

 

[CVG]

Will never happen

They already exclude many DVC guests from benefits - see Blue card.

 

[CVG]

I don't care how they do it, how they constrain it, how they pay for it .... but they have to remove the complexity and phone use and make it simple. I want to enjoy my visits - not go on a special services mission.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I wonder if this offering would erode interest in VIP tours, which are basically getting a human lightning lane pass for the day, but are $400-$700 an hour for a minimum of 7 hours. I assume this would be cheaper and people who might have splurged on a tour might opt for this instead.

 

[tx911]

They already exclude many DVC guests from benefits - see Blue card.

True, but the blue card benefits are minor compared to this type of express pass.

 

[obsesseddisneyfan]

Huh?

wrong feed. I am sick. lol

 

[CVG]

wrong feed. I am sick. lol

Wicked sick or pukey sick?

 

[pangyal]

For reference, this same product is available at Disneyland Paris under the name Premier Access Ultimate and costs between 129 and 249 Euro per person, per day, depending on the season/ date.

 

[Genie+]

For reference, this same product is available at Disneyland Paris under the name Premier Access Ultimate and costs between 129 and 249 Euro per person, per day, depending on the season/ date.

Hmm Orlando… maybe start at $140 ($150 after tax) up to $280 (Just under $300 with tax)

And still buy the ILLs separately