LL Premier Pass is here!

[japanese maple]

WDW is in the hotel business. They need to fill those rooms. It would be better if they gave more extended evenings in addition to this paid option. They did add AK this year (wish they would have added some HS hours as well).

They wouldn't add DHS because they want people to book Jollywood Nights instead I imagine.

 

[Disturbia]

They wouldn't add DHS because they want people to book Jollywood Nights instead I imagine.

We check in 12/21 (flying in so can’t book JN). They should add MVMCP on 12/22 - it’s still not too late Disney.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

Yes, $400 a night for a deluxe that offers express pass at Universal isn't realistic. You don't get express with Sapphire Falls, and the other deluxes average $1000 a night for the times I have been pricing. It sill works out to be a better value if you have 4 people, especially considering you get 2 days of express pass for that, but I don't that is initially going to include the new land. We are a group of 3 so there is less value there for us.

If you are pricing for Christmas/NY or Easter, it's $1,000. But much of the year it is $500-$600 even with recent price increases, and during slow times it is easy to find deluxe rooms for under $400/night. It helps if you are flexible about your days. And there are also annual pass discounts, with annual passes that have blackout dates being under $500/person. I am paying about $350 per night for a club room at a deluxe hotel at Universal in January. In July 2021, I stayed at a deluxe with five people in the room for less than that per night. On the other hand, the two most popular rides are not included in any express passes.

 

[Smugpugmug]

On the other hand, the two most popular rides are not included in any express passes.

If one of those rides you're referring to is Velocicoaster, then it is included with Express. It was added to Express last year.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

If one of those rides you're referring to is Velocicoaster, then it is included with Express. It was added to Express last year.

Thank you for reminding me! I haven't been back since that change.

 

[disneyseniors]

If you are pricing for Christmas/NY or Easter, it's $1,000. But much of the year it is $500-$600 even with recent price increases, and during slow times it is easy to find deluxe rooms for under $400/night. It helps if you are flexible about your days. And there are also annual pass discounts, with annual passes that have blackout dates being under $500/person. I am paying about $350 per night for a club room at a deluxe hotel at Universal in January. In July 2021, I stayed at a deluxe with five people in the room for less than that per night. On the other hand, the two most popular rides are not included in any express passes.

Right. We are staying the first part of November for 5 days in a 2 br queen and it is under $350. A good value with the EP. You can find deals if you are able to be flexible.

 

[DisneyFive]

Did we purchase Genie+ in 2022 at WDW? No and part of that was because we were there for a wedding and we would be touring with friends for portions of the trip where it was not as easy to utilize Genie+.

Right, you didn't purchase G+ that trip because you couldn't make very good use of it. Makes sense You weren't looking to maximize your park day as far as doing as many attractions as you can so you weren't looking at any skip the line service. There were other priorities.

On the other hand, if guests are visiting WDW and wanting to ride as many attractions as possible with low waits, prior to LLPP they would have purchased LLMP. It doesn't make sense that guests wanting to maximize there day would have chosen standby only when LLMP is available. Now there is this new much more expensive option, but also more convenient not having to schedule anything and getting all LL attractions at least once. I believe that almost all guests purchasing LLPP would have purchased LLMP if LLPP wasn't available. That's why I believe there won't be a significant adder to LL lines with LLPP. They would have purchased LLMP and been in LL's anyway. LLPP theoretically does let them fill more LL's throughout the day, so there is that, but we didn't have much problem doing them all anyway with FP, FP+ or G+ either.

 

[JoJoGirl]

Don’t forget that Disney has held back a safety valve of sorts by not currently offering LLs for character meet & greets. The physical LLs are still there for some of them. If needed, Disney could put this capacity back into play.

 

[Disneytam]

So a DW vs Universal price difference is pretty high I would think. DW- $400 for a night at a Deluxe, then say $300 for each member of a four person family= $1600.

Universal- $400 for a night at a Deluxe?
$400 for all four members of the family. Am I missing something?

Might be tough finding a Disney Deluxe room for $400 a night by the time you add in tax. You are thinking the same as I.

 

[FuzzyPeach]

I have so many thoughts on this and I think some may be conflicting, but anyways…

(1) I don’t think this is intended to compete with the VIP tour guide market, with the exception of those who were more bothered by the need to tour with a stranger than they were in need of the true flexibility of a VIP tour. I think VIP guides are the product for price insensitive guests, not this new pass.

(2) Going hand in hand with my first point, due to the huge drop in flexibility from a VIP tour to this pass, largely driven by the inability to re-ride, hop, and the forcing of the bundling of attractions that never need LL with the exception of 1-2 days a year, I think this is going to be marketed as a splurge purchase for groups that could not justify VIP tours previously. Meaning - I disagree with the notion that it’s being marketed at a fraction of a fraction of guests.
(2b) This is being priced like a DIY after hours event during regular park hours (requiring a premium above those hard ticket prices for convenience of it being usable at whatever time of day you’d like), in my opinion, and again in my opinion that target markets will be more similar to that of the hard ticket events than VIP tour guides.

(3) I can see the appeal of this product for the right group make ups and the right kind of trip. With some exceptions, I don’t think this intended to be a product people who go often will be purchasing. This is in my opinion again a ‘what’s the difference if we spend $1000 more on our once in a lifetime trip’ and ‘im so overwhelmed by (or despise) any form of planning/schedules’ kind of product. But again, I do think this a product for guests who largely couldn’t justify the VIP guide costs. Therefore I do think there is an aspect of calculating the value of the purchase here.
(3b) The pricing makes sense to me. The premium on the cost per entry is pretty much in line with what I would expect them to be for losing the need to schedule or plan.

(4) I think this will without a doubt impact either the standby lines by way of a larger crowd in the LL, LLMP guests and the availability they have to work with, or a bit of both if at all successful. There’s no other way, unless this new product doesn’t sell which it will. I think Disney will push this out to as many guests as possible if this initial rollout is successful without cannibalizing sales of LLMP and LLSP too greatly.

(5) I don’t think there’s a scenario where this is ever included in the purchase of the rooms. The gap between regular deluxe rooms and club level rooms is small enough (RELATIVELY small lol) that it would be an incredibly easy upgrade to Disney math your way into, in rooms that I don’t believe Disney currently struggles to fill any more than their regular deluxe rooms. My guess is they’d much prefer guests booking a standard room and paying for the Premier Pass upgrade.

(6) Disney has always been more expensive than the other big players in the theme park world. I can’t remember a time where you couldn’t get more for your money at other destinations, quantity wise. They could do this, and still can to an extent because they are largely accepted as a superior destination to Sea World, Six Flags, and even Universal. Disney had and I hope still has the intangibles going for it. It tracks that their line skip services are less user friendly, more expensive, or both compared to their other theme park counterparts.

Sorry that’s so long, I’ve been trying to keep up and finally reached the end and wanted to add my 2 cents too

 

[DisneyFive]

I have so many thoughts on this and I think some may be conflicting, but anyways…

(1) I don’t think this is intended to compete with the VIP tour guide market, with the exception of those who were more bothered by the need to tour with a stranger than they were in need of the true flexibility of a VIP tour. I think VIP guides are the product for price insensitive guests, not this new pass.

(2) Going hand in hand with my first point, due to the huge drop in flexibility from a VIP tour to this pass, largely driven by the inability to re-ride, hop, and the forcing of the bundling of attractions that never need LL with the exception of 1-2 days a year, I think this is going to be marketed as a splurge purchase for groups that could not justify VIP tours previously. Meaning - I disagree with the notion that it’s being marketed at a fraction of a fraction of guests.
(2b) This is being priced like a DIY after hours event during regular park hours (requiring a premium above those hard ticket prices for convenience of it being usable at whatever time of day you’d like), in my opinion, and again in my opinion that target markets will be more similar to that of the hard ticket events than VIP tour guides.

(3) I can see the appeal of this product for the right group make ups and the right kind of trip. With some exceptions, I don’t think this intended to be a product people who go often will be purchasing. This is in my opinion again a ‘what’s the difference if we spend $1000 more on our once in a lifetime trip’ and ‘im so overwhelmed by (or despise) any form of planning/schedules’ kind of product. But again, I do think this a product for guests who largely couldn’t justify the VIP guide costs. Therefore I do think there is an aspect of calculating the value of the purchase here.
(3b) The pricing makes sense to me. The premium on the cost per entry is pretty much in line with what I would expect them to be for losing the need to schedule or plan.

(4) I think this will without a doubt impact either the standby lines by way of a larger crowd in the LL, LLMP guests and the availability they have to work with, or a bit of both if at all successful. There’s no other way, unless this new product doesn’t sell which it will. I think Disney will push this out to as many guests as possible if this initial rollout is successful without cannibalizing sales of LLMP and LLSP too greatly.

(5) I don’t think there’s a scenario where this is ever included in the purchase of the rooms. The gap between regular deluxe rooms and club level rooms is small enough (RELATIVELY small lol) that it would be an incredibly easy upgrade to Disney math your way into, in rooms that I don’t believe Disney currently struggles to fill any more than their regular deluxe rooms. My guess is they’d much prefer guests booking a standard room and paying for the Premier Pass upgrade.

(6) Disney has always been more expensive than the other big players in the theme park world. I can’t remember a time where you couldn’t get more for your money at other destinations, quantity wise. They could do this, and still can to an extent because they are largely accepted as a superior destination to Sea World, Six Flags, and even Universal. Disney had and I hope still has the intangibles going for it. It tracks that their line skip services are less user friendly, more expensive, or both compared to their other theme park counterparts.

Sorry that’s so long, I’ve been trying to keep up and finally reached the end and wanted to add my 2 cents too

I agree with all this with the exception of point 4. Doesn't make sense to me. See my explanation a few posts before yours. Someone willing to spend this kind of $$$ for a more convenient/effective skip the line service wouldn't have blinked an eye at purchasing LLMP and LLSP's if this new premier systems wasn't in place. Disney is HAPPY to cannibalize the LLMP and LLSP and replace that same guest with LLPP instead. Disney's margins are FAR higher from a guest purchasing the pricier LLPP rather than LLMP and LLSP combined.

 

[FuzzyPeach]

I agree with all this with the exception of point 4. Doesn't make sense to me. See my explanation a few posts before yours. Someone willing to spend this kind of $$$ for a more convenient/effective skip the line service wouldn't have blinked an eye at purchasing LLMP and LLSP's if this new premier systems wasn't in place. Disney is HAPPY to cannibalize the LLMP and LLSP and replace that same guest with LLPP instead. Disney's margins are FAR higher from a guest purchasing the pricier LLPP rather than LLMP and LLSP combined.

The reason I think it has to have impact is on the extra LLs booked after the 3 initial. I’m guessing that is where some of this excess will come from, and even if you are knocking people out of the LLMP pool you’re doing so at a cost of one admit to all of the LLMPs in the park instead of the 3-6 (?) they would have otherwise grabbed.

So basically, you’re removing one groups worth of your competition for LLs but they’re taking more than their one groups share out of the pool with them. I think it’s less of an issue for LLSP.

 

[DisneyFive]

The reason I think it has to have impact is on the extra LLs booked after the 3 initial. I’m guessing that is where some of this excess will come from, and even if you are knocking people out of the LLMP pool you’re doing so at a cost of one admit to all of the LLMPs in the park instead of the 3-6 (?) they would have otherwise grabbed.

So basically, you’re removing one groups worth of your competition for LLs but they’re taking more than their one groups share out of the pool with them. I think it’s less of an issue for LLSP.

Yeah there certainly will be some sort of delta there. With the LL capacity of most attractions at WDW I just don't see it having a significant/noticeable impact. We'll see I guess. It really depends on how many actually purchase the premium system and how many more LL attractions they really get in versus what they would have gotten with LLMP.

 

[Babsy]

How long is the test for LLPP? It starts on OCT 30, but is there an end date? Will this be offered over Christmas or in 2025?

 

[Dave006]

It starts on OCT 30, but is there an end date? Will this be offered over Christmas or in 2025?

No end date has been announced so expect it to be offered through the end of the year and into 2025.

Dave

 

[igrsod]

I don't purchase G+ when we go... and I don't think I will purchase this either. We do everything we want to do without it. Just need a good plan and wait in the occasional line. I will be surprised if many people purchase this... that's very expensive if you're taking the whole family.

 

[FuzzyPeach]

How long is the test for LLPP? It starts on OCT 30, but is there an end date? Will this be offered over Christmas or in 2025?

They called FP+ and I think the whole of MyMagic+ a test in 2013 but all that really meant in hindsight was that the testing period was a slow rollout of the product to a wider audience.

As always they can cut anything without much warning and we don’t know dates for certain yet, but I would guess this test period is something similar in that there’s no real intention to end it if it goes well.

 

[TCRAIG]

Y’all seem to be overlooking 2 important factors in determining whether it’ll sell/too expensive or not - GRANDPARENTS and their GRANDKIDS! As a Grandma, I would definitely ponying up for this service without batting an eye when I go with my little Grands…

 

[tinkerjo]

I don't purchase G+ when we go... and I don't think I will purchase this either. We do everything we want to do without it. Just need a good plan and wait in the occasional line. I will be surprised if many people purchase this... that's very expensive if you're taking the whole family.

I just went last month. Dont be fooled, the parks were jam packed. we got Multipass in each park. We rode everything that we wanted to ride and tron (40 minute wait) was the only ride we waited over 15 minutes for. To be fair, we had. 2 1/2 yo so we weren’t hitting every headliner, but we did most of them. I still say this is not going to be highly used and will not impact trips. I think this will be the rich and famous option.

 

[FuzzyPeach]

Y’all seem to be overlooking 2 important factors in determining whether it’ll sell/too expensive or not - GRANDPARENTS and their GRANDKIDS! As a Grandma, I would definitely ponying up for this service without batting an eye when I go with my little Grands…

This option has always been there at a similar price point for the multi generational large family groups, not all groups involving grandkids are that large of course but the math is interesting I think. 7 hours - the minimum, at the lowest season VIP tour price is I believe 3,150 before tax (and tip). If a group is 8-10 people thats in the same ballpark per person as one day of premier pass at MK, except the VIP tour allows repeats, hopping, and doesn’t force you to pay for LLs you may not want or need.

I know the premier pass is a different product and allows for a different kind of day than the VIP tour, but they did and do have options at a similar price point for large groups to spare the grands waiting lol.