More updated Fastpass+ information

[Turn the Page]

This is insane how this rumor about deluxe resorts guests has gotten started. First of all, there are no plans for people who stay at deluxe resorts to get extra fast passes. Someone just used that scenario as an example, and it has taken off.

If Disney wanted to make a little extra money by giving out extra fast passes for an additional cost, they would not use a small pool of guests, like deluxe guests, to do it. They would pick a much bigger pool of guests so that they get the maximum dollar. Besides, filling their deluxe resorts with people who only want to get the extra fast passes would not be beneficial to them. They would run the risk of alienating the clientele who choose the deluxe resorts for a reason that has nothing to do with getting a couple of extra rides a day.

Besides, it appears as if the reason Disney is moving to this new system is to make the fast pass system easier for families. They want to give the family a chance to ride a few popular rides without having to run a race at rope drop. Increasing the fast pass lines and thereby reducing the chance the family is going to be able to ride a few favorites is the opposite of what they want to do.

They aren't going to give extra fast passes to deluxe resort guests. So let's drop that rumor.

Let's start a new rumor. One that makes more sense.

I do believe someone upthread mentioned that a Disney exec publicly said the company had no plans to move to a system like that. However, the supposition that Disney may move in that direction at some point in the future isn't completely out of the realm of possibility given that apparently every other major amusement park in the country has some sort of similar system in place already.

Universal apparently gives unlimited express passes or whatever they call them to guests staying in their most expensive resort rooms in addition to the express passes they charge regular people for.

Now we are just batting the morals and ethics of the practice. There has been no indication that Disney will put this system in place.

 

[Rosanne]

You mean the guests at the deluxe resorts woudl be offended by all the rollercoaster riding riffraff moving in?

Seriously?

OMGosh, I hadn't even thought of that angle. Too funny. My previous comments stand, still.

 

[Tekneek]

Increasing the fast pass lines and thereby reducing the chance the family is going to be able to ride a few favorites is the opposite of what they want to do.

I will be very surprised if they don't unveil an ability to buy additional FP+ slots in the future. I'm thinking 2014 at the earliest, and even more likely by 2015. This will coincide with the elimination of EMH completely, although that may happen even before they offer FP+ buy-ups. I can definitely see this as an add-on that you might purchase when staying on property, although they might only offer a certain number of extra slots per day (similar to the limited number of entrants they use to allow for E-Ride nights, for instance).

 

[Colleen27]

You mean the guests at the deluxe resorts woudl be offended by all the rollercoaster riding riffraff moving in?

Seriously?

Offended is far too strong a word, but Disney does sell a more adult, upscale, relaxing atmosphere as a benefit of their deluxe resorts, particularly the Grand Floridian, Poly, and Yacht/Beach Club. They host weddings and are popular choices for honeymoons. As such they do have to think about the effect a ride-related booking incentive would have on the overall guest balance at those resorts. The last thing a Disney bride dropping $25K on her big day wants is a lobby full of kids whose parents decided to squeeze their family of 5 into a single deluxe room rather than booking a value suite because the deluxe offers a better park experience, or a couple-few of those kids splashing around in the hot tub when the newlyweds are trying to enjoy their evening. And the next thing you know, travel sites start recommending the Waldorf or Four Seasons rather than a Disney resort for couples looking for a romantic getaway.

 

[Rosanne]

I will be very surprised if they don't unveil an ability to buy additional FP+ slots in the future. I'm thinking 2014 at the earliest, and even more likely by 2015. This will coincide with the elimination of EMH completely, although that may happen even before they offer FP+ buy-ups. I can definitely see this as an add-on that you might purchase when staying on property, although they might only offer a certain number of extra slots per day (similar to the limited number of entrants they use to allow for E-Ride nights, for instance).

Hmmm. Well, I thought I was all stressed out about the magic bands, big brother, and FP+ 3 tiered passes, one park per day. I think I'll just focus on that stress for now.

 

[Rosanne]

Offended is far too strong a word, but Disney does sell a more adult, upscale, relaxing atmosphere as a benefit of their deluxe resorts, particularly the Grand Floridian, Poly, and Yacht/Beach Club. They host weddings and are popular choices for honeymoons. As such they do have to think about the effect a ride-related booking incentive would have on the overall guest balance at those resorts. The last thing a Disney bride dropping $25K on her big day wants is a lobby full of kids whose parents decided to squeeze their family of 5 into a single deluxe room rather than booking a value suite because the deluxe offers a better park experience, or a couple-few of those kids splashing around in the hot tub when the newlyweds are trying to enjoy their evening. And the next thing you know, travel sites start recommending the Waldorf or Four Seasons rather than a Disney resort for couples looking for a romantic getaway.

Um, so excuse me. I'm confused. Don't the GF, Poly, YC/BC currently allow children in their resorts? I'm pretty sure sometimes even, gasp, parties of 5 .

 

[Colleen27]

I do believe someone upthread mentioned that a Disney exec publicly said the company had no plans to move to a system like that. However, the supposition that Disney may move in that direction at some point in the future isn't completely out of the realm of possibility given that apparently every other major amusement park in the country has some sort of similar system in place already.

I don't think comparing Disney to other theme parks holds up. You go to Six Flags or Cedar Point for the rides, period, and you probably only take a day to do it. Disney parks are much more than just a ride marathon and as such have entirely different concerns, both in terms of logistics and in guest satisfaction. If you go to Cedar Point and only ride 4-5 rides in a day, you're going to leave feeling like you wasted your time and a whole lot of your money; a day at Epcot or Studios having ridden the same number of attractions is a day well spent.

 

[Robbi]

Ok, again...that means they get to get in the FP line, not that they get to skip the line altogether.

It's a lot different. Our guide just walked us right up to the FP line. he didn't have to wait for them to become available. In other words, automatic fast pass line access. We went to all 4 parks and rode everything we wanted to ride multiple times.
As I posted previously, it if comes down to our disliking the FP+, I'll stay in a mod or offsite and use the money saved to book the VIP tour for a day.

The only people who are backdoor'd are folks for whom it would be too disruptive to have them in the open. Think Presidents and pop stars. It is operationally very intrusive, and doing it on a non-trivial basis would have a pretty big impact on ride capacity. In other words, if it were ever offered, it would be astronomically expensive (assuming you don't think $1800 is astronomical.)

We were backdoored into a few rides, including Soarin'. It was nice because it was quicker but it does subtract from the magic.

I do believe someone upthread mentioned that a Disney exec publicly said the company had no plans to move to a system like that. However, the supposition that Disney may move in that direction at some point in the future isn't completely out of the realm of possibility given that apparently every other major amusement park in the country has some sort of similar system in place already.

Universal apparently gives unlimited express passes or whatever they call them to guests staying in their most expensive resort rooms in addition to the express passes they charge regular people for.

Now we are just batting the morals and ethics of the practice. There has been no indication that Disney will put this system in place.

Universal gives front of the line access to every guest staying in one of their onsite resorts.

 

[Rosanne]

Universal gives front of the line access to every guest staying in one of their onsite resorts.

Yes, but it won't be offered for the new value/mod they are planning. Just an FYI, not that I am personally invested in US/IoA.

 

[Robbi]

Yes, but it won't be offered for the new value/mod they are planning. Just an FYI, not that I am personally invested in US/IoA.

I've heard that.

 

[Turn the Page]

I've heard that.

That's what it says on Universals website. I still think the practice is croppy though. Except for visiting WWOHP or whatever it's called I have never had any desire to go to Universal and now that I know they do this kind of thing I have even less desire to go.

 

[Rosanne]

That's what it says on Universals website. I still think the practice is croppy though. Except for visiting WWOHP or whatever it's called I have never had any desire to go to Universal and now that I know they do this kind of thing I have even less desire to go.

Here's the funny thing, though. I think that new hotel looks totally cool and retro/mod and my DDs and I might stay there and not go to the parks at all .

 

[Colleen27]

Um, so excuse me. I'm confused. Don't the GF, Poly, YC/BC currently allow children in their resorts? I'm pretty sure sometimes even, gasp, parties of 5 .

Of course they do. But cost is a disincentive to many families, as is space. Change the cost/benefit balance for the deluxe resorts and you change the overall makeup of the guest population, possibly in ways that undermine the atmosphere and other purposes for which those resorts are used. As you increase the number of kids/families, you increase the odds of ill-behaved children and other related problems. And I say that as one of the people who would probably make the jump - rather than two rooms at a value or moderate, I'd squeeze my family of 5 into a single deluxe room if that meant a better park experience and more ride access without long standby waits.

 

[Tekneek]

That VIP rate is pretty steep, but it does allow for some FP+ up-selling between the regular park tickets and the VIP tour. Consider the 6 hour minimum, at a rate of $315 for guests on property and $340 for those off property.

VIP tour for resort guest - minimum of $1,890
VIP tour for day guest - minimum of $2,040

What would an extra FP+ slot be worth to someone who doesn't want to pay out for the full VIP tour, but wants to guarantee a few more attractions? $100? Would anybody pay for that? I think so. There are already people who wish they could pay for additional FastPass under the current system.

 

[Rosanne]

Of course they do. But cost is a disincentive to many families, as is space. Change the cost/benefit balance for the deluxe resorts and you change the overall makeup of the guest population, possibly in ways that undermine the atmosphere and other purposes for which those resorts are used. As you increase the number of kids/families, you increase the odds of ill-behaved children and other related problems. And I say that as one of the people who would probably make the jump - rather than two rooms at a value or moderate, I'd squeeze my family of 5 into a single deluxe room if that meant a better park experience and more ride access without long standby waits.

I'm going to just let this one go. It kind of speaks for itself anyway.

 

[Robbi]

That's what it says on Universals website. I still think the practice is croppy though. Except for visiting WWOHP or whatever it's called I have never had any desire to go to Universal and now that I know they do this kind of thing I have even less desire to go.

Universal is fabulous! Much better than WDW in our opinions but that's a topic for a different thread.

 

[glamdring269]

That VIP rate is pretty steep, but it does allow for some FP+ up-selling between the regular park tickets and the VIP tour. Consider the 6 hour minimum, at a rate of $315 for guests on property and $340 for those off property.

VIP tour for resort guest - minimum of $1,890
VIP tour for day guest - minimum of $2,040

What would an extra FP+ slot be worth to someone who doesn't want to pay out for the full VIP tour, but wants to guarantee a few more attractions? $100? Would anybody pay for that? I think so. There are already people who wish they could pay for additional FastPass under the current system.

I would probably pay extra for some type of line perk but definitely wouldn't pay VIP prices. I don't need anyone to drag me around the parks. I just don't want to wait in line longer than 15 minutes.

Granted under the current FP system, off-peak, and without using FP outside of the posted FP time, we were able to successfully do this on our last trip by taking advantage of AM EMH and park hopping in the afternoon. Not sure if this will still be as possible with the new system but then again we don't really know enough about the new system to be certain.

 

[glamdring269]

Universal is fabulous! Much better than WDW in our opinions but that's a topic for a different thread.

It's on my list. I want to do it one day but the thought of traveling from Nashville to Orlando and not going to Disney is odd to me. Maybe next trip we can take a day or two at Universal and give it a shot.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Yep.

They'll bring big cases of hot dogs and ketchup so they can eat in their rooms to save money.:

I can see it now.

Nah, Disney will give them "free" dining.

Universal is fabulous! Much better than WDW in our opinions but that's a topic for a different thread.

 

[nadira36]

The last thing a Disney bride dropping $25K on her big day wants is a lobby full of kids whose parents decided to squeeze their family of 5 into a single deluxe room rather than booking a value suite because the deluxe offers a better park experience, or a couple-few of those kids splashing around in the hot tub when the newlyweds are trying to enjoy their evening. And the next thing you know, travel sites start recommending the Waldorf or Four Seasons rather than a Disney resort for couples looking for a romantic getaway.

Um, we stay at the Poly because we are allowed our family of 5 in one room, no squishing/squeezing needed. The price point between AOA family suite and Poly Garden view is very small - we like the Poly b/c of the monorail (don't have to fold my buggy and carry 3 sleeping kids) and ability for us to be in one room. And really most brides are more likely to stay at CS than the poly - I know I certainly would having stayed at all levels of resorts including both CS and the Poly - CS caters to the couples and convention crowd much better than the Poly does.

BUT that being said we like our resort being low wild kids - but mostly we like our resort being low on university age kids partying. It'd be nice to get special perks - because as things stand right now the ONLY thing I get for staying at the Poly that someone staying somewhere else doesn't get is my room with 2 queens and a day bed. The beach is often crowded with non-resort guests, the same with the pool etc. But most of the people hopping over for a midday swim at least pretend to belong so they aren't being overly rowdy. There is a huge difference in feel between say Pop and the Poly as far as crowd levels, noise, etc Whether or not our family stayed in a dlx resort would be dependant on feel.

As for the FP+ - I'm interested to see how it rolls out over hte course of the next few years. I've been to Disney every year since I was 6 - I've been at Christmas time for 5 days with 2+ hour long waits for SM and such - and I still had fun, and still managed to do most of what I wanted over the course of the 5 days. FP made a huge world of difference - no longer did I have to wait in line with (other people's) whining kids, and with my own kids I don't need to juggle so many things to be able to enjoy the parks. BUT we rarely use FP - otherwise the thought of FP+ would leave me filled with terror - when I was younger - and more focused on rides - I'd use FP after FP at park after park. A limit of 3 encompassing ALL attractions and entertainment would leave me frustrated beyond belief and feeling as though I missed a lot.

I'm willing to wait and see - but if my vision of how it'll work plays out, then WDW will no longer be our go to trip each year. Even as a kid, I'd rather wait in line to do what I wanted when I wanted, then to go to the 'best' option for shortest waits. Now, I'd have a tough time planning my days when each moment is dictated by a bay, a toddler, a preschooler, and a newly school aged kiddo - have you ever had to ask a preschooler to stop playing at a playground to go eat? Try pulling the kid away from some favourite attraction for something you planned weeks in advance only to discover they aren't interested - it'd be really tough to throw away 1 of 3 chance to not wait in line - but if there is no option to be able to cater to children's wants and needs, then it won't work for our family.

I am nervous about FP+ right now we have the option to choose on a moment by moment basis, based on the wants and needs of our family. It sounds like FP+ will remove that ability.