may have to pay for fastpass

[magicfun]

i just read in birnbaum's wdw for kids 2006, that guest may have to pay for fastpass in 2006 if not staying @ deluxe wdw hotel. i am not staying @ deluxe wdw hotel and i am wondering does anyone know if this goes into effect in april?

 

[Miller1412]

The 2006 Unofficial Guide mentions that Disney is flirting with different ways to work the fastpass system and they list a variety of ways they "might" do it, but I didn't think it was anything set in stone yet.

 

[snowy76]

There have been several threads about this rumor and some other ones related to Fastpass (for example, that different levels of resort would have different kinds of FP access, etc). There have been no announced plans to change Fastpass... but I think some ideas were being floated around, which is why they appear in the book.

 

[Twinprincesses]

Doesn't Universal charge extra for this option??? I figured it would be jsut a matter fot ime before Disney did it too.

 

[seashoreCM]

Universal has three methods or "tiers" of "fast pass" usage.

1. Guests staying at their resorts have unlimited "fastpass" use (supposedly limited to once per attraction during busy times).

2. Guests (not staying at their resorts) can purchase a voucher good for one "fastpass" to each attraction.

3. Guests may use "fastpass machines" (they call it Express Pass) free just as at Disney.

The problem with #3 is that because of #1 and #2 the machines become "sold out" faster.

It is only a matter of time before Disney tries out similar schemes. I would expect that fastpass machines will remain in use for the foreseeable future.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/fastpass.htm

 

[lentesta]

The note in the Birnbaum book is a typo, according to their editor - we spoke with them through Disney, and they said they meant to say "Magical Express."

Given the detail in their latest FASTPASS patent application, and the newest patent on digital TV in the resorts (a component of the FASTPASS patent app), I'd be surprised if we don't see at least a test of pay-for-play FASTPASS in '06.

Len

 

[kabbie]

I think I would pay for Fastpass as long as it wasn't more than $10. How much is the option at Universal?