Is Disney To Scrap Fast Pass System?

[rigs32]

Disney would NOT lose their patent if they started charging for fast pass. All a patent does is protect you from others using your idea. You can do with it what you wish for that period of protection.

 

[Luv2Roam]

That rumor has been around. But I don't know that anyone has anything confirmed.
It could happen. But I would believe it when Disney announced it.

 

[bicker]

I couldn't imagine they would. It's just not 'Disney' to do sucha thing.

This is very dangerous thinking. It seems the only times such a comment comes up are when someone is suggesting that Disney won't do something, and when someone is suggesting that Disney "shouldn't" have done something which they actually did do. I agree with what Peter said, above, that like Universal, Disney is in business to make profit, and therefore anything which respects and acknowledges customer desire for something, by placing an price on it commensurate with what the market will bear, is a "Disney" thing to do. Whether there is a price to be placed on this or not is another matter -- I doubt it --but if there is a price to be placed on it, then it is a "Disney" think to do to place that price on it.

 

[bicker]

Also the Fastpass is trademarked as a free service so they would lose the trademark as well if they started to charge for it.

Actually, FastPass is patented with a variety of for-pay enhancements, which Disney has simply decided not to offer.

The truth of the matter is Dinsey doesn't make money for the 1 to 2 hours your standing in line.They would rather have you on and off rides going through the endofride stores ,eating or shopping.The more rides they get you on the more hints they can drop on what you need to buy.

Perhaps, but there were some very convincing messages from insiders posted over the last few months indicating that FastPass, overall, is a failure from Disney's perspective. It did not achive its original stated internal objectives (i.e., the impact on souvenier sales).

 

[missmun52]

Disney is all about making money. They implemented the fast pass system in order to make more money, if the system has failed them in that respect then i do not see them allowing it to stay as is. They put a lot of money into making the system the way it is now and if they should only offer fast pass to those styaing in resorts (delux ect.) i dont think it would have a neg. Impact, in fact on there end it will have a positive one because just as with magical express it will be further incentive for people to stay at the resorts causing more revenue for disney.
In my personal opinion i do not beleve it will cause the vast majority of people to refrain from going to the parks. So with that there would be virtually no loss (maybe a little) but the gain disney will make will far out weight the loss.
AS far as just charging a fee for it i dont see why not. I would buy them to be honest. I am sure they would make it better that what they have now for example:

$ = x passes
$$ = xx passes
$$$ = xxx Passes
$$$$= xxxx passes
$$$$$$ = unlimited passes

they could even add them as part of a package. If they did this and because universal id doning somthing like this now, what would they lose??????????

Would any one really stop going, even if you complain, if there is no decrese in numbers it would not matter. They would increse their gain.

 

[Chuck S]

Actually, FastPass is patented with a variety of for-pay enhancements, which Disney has simply decided not to offer.

Perhaps, but there were some very convincing messages from insiders posted over the last few months indicating that FastPass, overall, is a failure from Disney's perspective. It did not achive its original stated internal objectives (i.e., the impact on souvenier sales).

I agree it probably hasn't led to substantially higher souvenir sales, but with the minor enhancement of adding 1 or 2 extra fastpasses for onsite guests, while not changing the basic system for all guests, it could serve as a way to generate even more onsite guests. Look at what the current Dining Plan has acheived through its popularity. I would not expect Disney to start charging for FastPasses, unless it is for offsite guests only, still remaining free for seasonal and AP pass holders. Even so, I doubt we'll see Disney charging for FastPasses

 

[bicker]

if the system has failed them in that respect then i do not see them allowing it to stay as is.

Well, yes and no. You cannot unring a bell. It is possible that even though the program didn't achieve its objectives, it is too late now to take it away without the harm from taking it away exceeding the cost of continued operation despite not achieving its objectives.

Would any one really stop going, even if you complain, if there is no decrese in numbers it would not matter. They would increse their gain.

Many folks online would complain, and indeed claim that they would stop visiting WDW, but I agree with you that that wouldn't actually be the case.

 

[sadler]

You have to remember that one of the drivers behind Universal's strategy is to encourage people to stay at their three hotels as Universal hotel guests use their hotel room keys as automatic express passes. As has been discussed on these boards many times, since Disney has many more hotel rooms at WDW than the three Universal hotels, a similar strategy would not work for Disney. Instead Disney uses EMH and other perks to encouragepeople to stay onsite. It would be possible for Disney to give resort guests some additional FP perks but unlikely that Disney would adopt the Universal system.

 

[Matty_Disfan]

Maybe it wouldn't stop people from going completely, but the most treasured group of park-goers, the returning guests, would likely really feel the strain of paying for something that was recently free. This would likely lead to decreased brand loyalty and while I doubt it would dissuade them from ever returning it would likely act to decrease the frequency with which they attend the park. Likely Disney will remarket the FPs and add some little feature so that they can say that FPs are now more useful hence the extra expense.....

On the other hand, if they did make people pay for their FPs it would be a much less used system giving those who did use it more immediate entry into the attraction. I could see them offering value resort stayers 2-3 FPs a day, Mods 3-4 and deluxe-concierge unlimited. I could handle only needing 3-4 fps in a day if that was what happened, and another $2.00 put on my resort fee if we really wanted to jump a cue after we had exhausted our FPs might be doable. Just being honest.

 

[kpk89]

I can't imagine that they'd do away with it, even if it's not causing their anticipated increase in souvie sales. I could definitely see *additional* FP perks for resort guests. That would be great! (as long as DVC resorts were included ... but that's a whole 'nother topic! )

 

[missmun52]

Maybe it wouldn't stop people from going completely, but the most treasured group of park-goers, the returning guests, would likely really feel the strain of paying for something that was recently free. This would likely lead to decreased brand loyalty and while I doubt it would dissuade them from ever returning it would likely act to decrease the frequency with which they attend the park. Likely Disney will remarket the FPs and add some little feature so that they can say that FPs are now more useful hence the extra expense.....

On the other hand, if they did make people pay for their FPs it would be a much less used system giving those who did use it more immediate entry into the attraction. I could see them offering value resort stayers 2-3 FPs a day, Mods 3-4 and deluxe-concierge unlimited. I could handle only needing 3-4 fps in a day if that was what happened, and another $2.00 put on my resort fee if we really wanted to jump a cue after we had exhausted our FPs might be doable. Just being honest.

If they make people pay i do not think they are going to make it so that people cannot really afford it. It is not going to be a major fee and just as you stated to would pay. To be honest i would rather pay and be able to walk into a park at 2 pm and know that i have 4 fast passes at my disposal as opposed to not having any because they were all used for the day. I would pay for that even now while they are free!! People will not stop going, especailly those that go often. Disney increases their prices EVERY SINGLE YEAR and that has not stopped anyone. If you had to pay 50 dollars more during your vacation (it would be an option of course you could STILL DECIDED NOT TO PAY) i dont think you would forgo a $3000 vacation because you now had to suddenly pay 3050 or even 3100 instead.

 

[eeyoregirl]

Also the Fastpass is trademarked as a free service so they would lose the trademark as well if they started to charge for it.

I see them maybe adding it as a perk to on-sight guest but they already get the EMH .

The truth of the matter is Disney doesn't make money for the 1 to 2 hours your standing in line.They would rather have you on and off rides going through the endofride stores ,eating or shopping.The more rides they get you on the more hints they can drop on what you need to buy.

Very well said. Disney has been using the FastPass as a marketing tool for quite awhile now, especially on its planning video/DVD. They would have to revamp their whole campaign if they started charging for this service. Talk about bad PR! I don't think that Disney would charge for FP.

for Disney!

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

It just happens I read about this in the UG last night:

"Disney was awarded US Patent 20050060173 in March 2005, which described in detail [some] possible system enhancements:[detailed descriptions omitted]

- Immediate freebie FATSPASSes
- Front-of-the-line FASTPASS
- Concurrent FASTPASSes
- Surprise FASTPASS
- Advance FASTPASS (3-5 per day from a central kiosk)
- Television FASTPASS (option to choose next day's passes from resort room, including internet and cell phone options as well)

The UG goes on: "The new patent is remarkably straightforward in explaining that the beneficiaries of these FASTPASS enhancements are Disney resport guests. In an effort to boost occupancy (and revenue) at their resorts, Disney is apparently considering a tiered FASTPASS system, where guests staying at more expensive Disney properties get more FASTPASS features. Here's a quote from the patent:

'Spending per guest at hotels can determine different hierarchies of access to Fastpass. Thus, the more that is spent by a patron, the higher the priority can be for Fastpass.' "

Food for thought, eh?

 

[bicker]

It reads like a very logical system, that pays respect to all guests by not doing away with what they have today, but also pays respect to guests in proportion to how giving that specific guest a little more will tend to foster Disney's objectives.