LL Premier Pass is here!

[Brian Noble]

Why would anyone actually need this?

I don't think that's the right question. A better question might be: Why anyone would find value in this? And, in my experience there are two possible answers.

One is: "It lets me turn my planning brain off for the day." As the person who Does The Planning, there is a fair amount of work leading up to each day, and then during the day constant adjustment as things don't work out exactly the way I thought they would. This removes all of that work.

The second is: "I have a group who is not good at following directions." This happened to me when we traveled with a second family. They did not "get" the idea of a touring plan, because they'd never done it before. When their kids saw something they wanted to do, they wanted to do it RIGHT THEN, and it took a bit to help the parents understand why that might not be wise. We ultimately followed the plan, but not without some resentment on everyone's part.

 

[PrincessNelly]

I mean, does this cannibalize the rides for those of us who can make them 7 days in advance? I was feeling good about getting Slinky, but now with this, it may already be gone when I book???

I don't think so. I feel like this will be limited and less popular, so it shouldn't impact regular LL guests.

 

[PrincessNelly]

Also, for the comparison to Universal's Express Pass, they don't run them the same as Lightning Lanes from a capacity/management standard. We went to Universal for the first time this year, and while the ability to arrive at any time and re-ride (although only did so a couple times) was nice, the actual experience was not as good as Disney's. For one thing, the shorter lines are based entirely on fewer people having the Express Pass and not on how they run the queues.

Disney allots a high percentage of hourly capacity to the LLs (for better or worse - depends on which line you're in) - most reporting has it at 80-90% of capacity goes to LL. Universal is more the opposite. There were numerous times we were in an Express line and they sent 3x as many people from the standby through as the Express and we were just standing waiting. In King Kong, where we could actually see the divide, only 25% of capacity was for Express (Lines 10-12).

I also want to mention, there are two Express passes - standard & unlimited. This is not Disney's version of the unlimited option either.

 

[traveler9]

Jesus Christ. Just when I thought Disney couldn’t get any more greedy…

 

[meremac]

Where does it say it won't be every day?

At the bottom: "may not be available at all on the date of visit". Ultimately, a pilot testing period is similar to a soft opening. "No guarantees about how many people will get the opportunity to participate each day" leaves open the possibility that some days may be zero. This is a trial period and not necessarily a permanent offering. Only time will tell.

 

[Brian rhymes with dyin]

Given the tiny audience that would actually jump on this and not think twice (the top 1% of people staying in Deluxe+ resorts) this seems more like a marketing stunt than anything else but I don't know enough about marketing to understand why this would be received as anything but pandering to the wealthy.

 

[Captain UP]

Jesus Christ. Just when I thought Disney couldn’t get any more greedy…

You are very much within your rights not to utilize the service.

I've always felt there are very few actual instances of "corporate greed" (and don't @ me on this- I didn't say none!)- a company makes an offering at a price point and the consumer determines whether or not that price point is worth the service offered. That's it.

 

[Captain UP]

Given the tiny audience that would actually jump on this and not think twice (the top 1% of people staying in Deluxe+ resorts) this seems more like a marketing stunt than anything else but I don't know enough about marketing to understand why this would be received as anything but pandering to the wealthy.

I'd be willing to make a friendly bet that you're dead wrong here and this is going to be wildly popular.

 

[Minnie1222]

If you're willing to spend this for your family, can someone explain to me why you wouldn't just get a VIP tour instead?

The tours can be very difficult to book during certain times of the year.

Introverts may not appreciate being around a stranger all day.

 

[Brian rhymes with dyin]

I'd be willing to make a friendly bet that you're dead wrong here and this is going to be wildly popular.

Let's call our respective bookies and have them arbitrate the terms and stakes .

 

[croschek05]

I'm definitely getting this my Magic Kingdom day!

 

[japanese maple]

Given the tiny audience that would actually jump on this and not think twice (the top 1% of people staying in Deluxe+ resorts) this seems more like a marketing stunt than anything else but I don't know enough about marketing to understand why this would be received as anything but pandering to the wealthy.

ha! I wish we were the 1 percent! Just have a lot saved for this vacation, want to try it and moving funds from one thing to another.

 

[Spoisal]

If you're willing to spend this for your family, can someone explain to me why you wouldn't just get a VIP tour instead?

For my family it is easy - we don't want to spend an entire day of our trip with a stranger making small talk. It is not our vibe LOL

 

[dez1978]

If you're willing to spend this for your family, can someone explain to me why you wouldn't just get a VIP tour instead?

because a VIP tour is 850 an hour during thanksgiving when we are going lol

if I were to buy this one time per park, assuming it would be at the highest price range for the 8 of us it would be 9968 (plus tax) for the 4 parks. A tour @ 850/hour, plus 20% tip would be 10,200 for 10 hours. I assume there is tax on the tour cost too right? That would bring the cost up to around 10,750, for the tour. I'd rather spread it out over days, than one very expensive day. Sure, in that day we may be able to hit the top rides in all 4 parks. But I'd feel like we were rushing, trying to hit every thing possible to make the most out of it.

 

[peder]

There are tons of guests staying in the more premium Deluxe Resorts that are not paying for the VIP tours today that would probably pay for the Premier Pass. I think this will be a big hit among a small % of guests.

 

[sethschroeder]

It seemingly is almost cheaper to do a VIP day. What is that like $1000/hour with a 5 hour minimum or something?

If you had a large group or found another group you could just do that instead.

 

[Captain UP]

If you're willing to spend this for your family, can someone explain to me why you wouldn't just get a VIP tour instead?

Most of what you get from VIP, far lower point of entry.

8 hours with tip will add up between 6 and 10k.

This for a family of five on most days will be under 2k.

 

[sethschroeder]

because a VIP tour is 850 an hour during thanksgiving when we are going lol

if I were to buy this one time per park, assuming it would be at the highest price range for the 8 of us it would be 9968 (plus tax) for the 4 parks. A tour @ 850/hour, plus 20% tip would be 10,200 for 10 hours. I assume there is tax on the tour cost too right? That would bring the cost up to around 10,750, for the tour. I'd rather spread it out over days, than one very expensive day. Sure, in that day we may be able to hit the top rides in all 4 parks. But I'd feel like we were rushing, trying to hit every thing possible to make the most out of it.

I dont know I never heard people say they feel rushed from VIP but not sure. You would get backstage so its like a tour on top of it.

Find another group of 4 that will join you based on what you will want to do and you are now ahead in the math.

 

[herewegooo]

Honestly, I think this is a great option for those who are planning that once in a lifetime Disney trip and don't really follow/study this stuff. For those of us who visit often, not so much. I just got back from a Disney trip over the weekend and we rode everything we wanted. Longest wait was 15 minutes for Tron. Just wouldn't be worth the money.

 

[Captain UP]

I dont know I never heard people say they feel rushed from VIP but not sure. You would get backstage so its like a tour on top of it.

Find another group of 4 that will join you based on what you will want to do and you are now ahead in the math.

Even with a group of ten, you will never be ahead in the math.