Is Fast Pass Still Free?

[NALA 24]

Is there an additional charge for fast pass? My kids just read that in 2006, it may only be free for guests staying at Disney deluxe resorts, and other guests may have to pay for it.

 

[NJBlackBerry]

It's still free.

 

[bicker]

It is doubtful that they'll impose a charge for FastPass anytime soon. The most likely scenario, IMHO, if they were to make any changes, is to grant deluxe resort guests some added convenience (like being able to reserve a few FastPasses from their hotel television or from a kiosk in the lobby of their hotel) before heading out to the parks for the day.

 

[disnut8]

The rumors about charging for FastPasses have been around for a long time. The guidebooks all put in that "for now" they are free but Disney could change that. I think it's just cover themselves in case there is a major change. Which I highly doubt. If Disney decided not to charge for their Magical Express service, they aren't going to start charging for FastPasses.

 

[bicker]

Well, we're actually still waiting for Disney to confirm that they're not adding a charge for Magical Express in 2007. They won't let anyone book it until they've made up their mind about that. Hopefully, they'll make their decision in the next month or two, because I would like to know before I make my airline reservations.

 

[wdwguide]

Well, we're actually still waiting for Disney to confirm that they're not adding a charge for Magical Express in 2007. They won't let anyone book it until they've made up their mind about that. Hopefully, they'll make their decision in the next month or two, because I would like to know before I make my airline reservations.

They've announced it will remain complimentary. Any holdup with reservations is probably just Disney being Disney - it sometimes takes a while for each department to do their thing.

Innovative Airport Shuttle, Luggage Delivery Service to Remain Complimentary

Since May 2005, guests of most hotels at Walt Disney World Resort have enjoyed an innovative amenity that helps take the hassle out of traveling between Orlando International Airport (OIA) and the Vacation Kingdom.

Disney's Magical Express offers complimentary airport shuttle and luggage delivery and -- on participating airlines -- check-in at guests' hotel for domestic return flights.

Launched as part of the "Happiest Celebration on Earth," which will conclude later this year, Disney's Magical Express will remain operating as a complimentary service, Disney announced today. The company recently reached an agreement with OIA to continue the program.

Participating guests check their bags at their hometown airport, bypass baggage claim at OIA and board state-of-the-art motor coaches to Walt Disney World Resort -- while their bags are transferred to their room.

While guests flying any airline in or out of OIA may take advantage of the motor coach transportation between the airport and their Walt Disney World hotel, guests departing on participating airlines (currently American, Continental, Delta, Song, United, Ted, Northwest and JetBlue) have yet another benefit through Disney's Magical Express: On domestic flights, they can avoid airport check-in lines by checking their luggage and receiving a boarding pass before departing their select Walt Disney World hotel.

 

[Jobie]

Is there an additional charge for fast pass? My kids just read that in 2006, it may only be free for guests staying at Disney deluxe resorts, and other guests may have to pay for it.

More than likely they got it confused with what Universal Studios has done. They [Universal] has done away with their fast pass system. The only way to be able to "move" to the front of the line is to 1) Stay at one of thier resorts or 2) buy an express pass.

Disney, in my opionion, will not adopt this. I believe Universal has done this to make more money from their express passes and to make staying at one of their resorts more special. Considering that Disney has many more resorts than USF and that they have never offered an "express pass" I am sure that they will continue to offer the fast pass for free. Besides to much of their marketing in their vacation videos show off fast pass for them to make you now pay for the service.

 

[NALA 24]

Thanks for the information! Does anyone know if the fast passes for Test Track still run out before Noon?

 

[bicker]

What time of year are you asking about?

 

[NALA 24]

The fast passes for Test Track would be for a trip at the end of July.