Paid FP options coming soon to WDW?

[monstermash23]

There are also tons of articles out there talking about how Disney is really starting to price themselves out of the middle class and that the upper middle and upper classes are the demographics that are least interested in a Disney vacation. Put it all together, and it just makes bad marketing sense. I think charging huge rates for FP would be a grave mistake. I also think Disney is keenly aware of this.

Fully agreed. I also think returning to normal (bringing back original FP+) as opposed to implementing brand new unpopular paid systems is the more practical route and route of least resistance at the moment for Disney (both externally and internally), especially given how fast things are back to normal after Covid. I think Disney is also keenly aware of this.

 

[Marrila]

We are also May 2022! And we'll have 3 young kids total in our party. Two of those kids are mine, and two of the 3 will be under 2. Long lines are definitive no go Our first trip as parents was 2019 and fastpass was never as valuable to me as it was with a kiddo. It's very hard for me to imagine a scenario in which our May trip isn't negatively impacted by a lack of fastpass. My hope is that they keep the three free for onsite guests. Depending on the price/structure I might consider buying them for a few days of our trip to make sure this trip is enjoyable, before backing off of Disney for future vacations.

Fast pass is hugely important for us, too.
I'm hoping for the three free at least.
We are also booked for May 2022.

 

[cakebaker]

only way you could bring it back sooner then later is if you made it only same day with park reservations. people who dont follow these forums would be clueless . I have friends that are meeting us this weekend and they had no clue Fireworks were back.

Fp+ is not new, but there have always been clueless people and that will continue regardless of how much lead time they give. You didn't have to read this forum to learn about FP+ and wouldn't if they start it back up. You only have to look at Disney's website or hundreds of others sources. But some people just book their stay and give it no more thought and they always have.

It isn't a secret that things are changing quickly at WDW and if you care to be up to date, look no further than Disney's website to get up to date. If people don't know it's back, it will because they failed to inform themselves and that's their problem.

 

[mitsukoshi samurai]

I wouldn't trust anything at the moment because noone knows. I know the steps being taken and where the testing for the various programs sits as of Saturday. Old fp+ passed live integration, new fp still in test environment- failed live integration, aps passed live integration, dining plans started live integration testing. Based on that. The guess would be if they are forced to roll out a fp system due to raising the capacity, likely would be old fp but with a new system on the horizon. However there is a live integration test on the new fp system this week. If it passes they could start in park testing and then have a choice of the 2.

Sounds like genie

 

[Dural]

Fp+ is not new, but there have always been clueless people and that will continue regardless of how much lead time they give. You didn't have to read this forum to learn about FP+ and wouldn't if they start it back up. You only have to look at Disney's website or hundreds of others sources. But some people just book their stay and give it no more thought and they always have.

It isn't a secret that things are changing quickly at WDW and if you care to be up to date, look no further than Disney's website to get up to date. If people don't know it's back, it will because they failed to inform themselves and that's their problem.

This is so true, my sister works for a doctor that goes to WDW every year. He went in March and didn't know about the park reservations so ended up not getting into the parks until after 2 every day. We are the minority on this message board, the majority do just expect to book their vacations and go. I do wonder what the guest experience reviews have been like the last year for those that just book a vacation and aren't getting the experience they've had previously. I know the doctor wasn't happy when he got back.

 

[Garyjames220]

We are also May 2022! And we'll have 3 young kids total in our party. Two of those kids are mine, and two of the 3 will be under 2. Long lines are definitive no go Our first trip as parents was 2019 and fastpass was never as valuable to me as it was with a kiddo. It's very hard for me to imagine a scenario in which our May trip isn't negatively impacted by a lack of fastpass. My hope is that they keep the three free for onsite guests. If it does go to fully paid, depending on the price/structure, I might consider buying them for a few days of our trip to make sure this trip is enjoyable, before backing off of Disney for future vacations.

yeah that’s what I was thinking. How long u going for and where u staying

hopefully it will all come out this week and we can stop worrying lol

 

[Chris Ehlers]

Fp+ is not new, but there have always been clueless people and that will continue regardless of how much lead time they give. You didn't have to read this forum to learn about FP+ and wouldn't if they start it back up. You only have to look at Disney's website or hundreds of others sources. But some people just book their stay and give it no more thought and they always have.

It isn't a secret that things are changing quickly at WDW and if you care to be up to date, look no further than Disney's website to get up to date. If people don't know it's back, it will because they failed to inform themselves and that's their problem.

Your assumption is that its FP+, what if its Max Pass? or Genie? then what? Whole lotta what if's

 

[Heigh-Ho]

I didn't miss the practicing part. Your post mentioned how there was sometimes antagonism towards people who are okay with not having FP, then went on to discuss in the next paragraph how well Disney has done marketing/practicing FP+, as if that is part of the reason why those that disagree with you feel they need it. It's fine if people don't want FP+; that's their opinion and many of the arguments for that position are valid. For me though, it isn't FP+ I enjoy, it's not having to wait in line. They could try virtual queues, bring FP+ back, and call it whatever they want it doesn't matter to me. I didn't like waiting in lines long before I ever decided to go to Disney. I also usually travel during Easter, so my experience will differ greatly from those that don't (which could also be the reason why we might disagree).

I actually think FP+ is probably poorly marketed. My friend may have mentioned it but she also mentioned other convenient things like baby stations, stroller rentals, and monorail - is every little thing marketing? (it probably is, I just don't think it warrants mentioning in that case). I had no idea I could book FP+ 30-60 days out, or that I could book a fourth, which is why most people in my party didn't return (didn't get to do any top tier rides because we booked FP+ day of) so I'm not sure that's great marketing.

Anyways its okay to agree to disagree and I'm not a huge FP+ defender (I'm open to other options). I just want to go to the parks and not wait in the lines I would have had to on my first trip to experience the best rides, and not wait in the lines with the wait times that are currently at the park.

I was talking about some posters on this thread who seemed to have antagonism towards people who were okay with it not being there even when people who were okay with it not being there (or were talking about length of time in line) used FP so they were fully aware of how FP worked. It was like because they didn't have the same viewpoint they were wrong, didn't utilize it efficiently, they don't know what they are talking about and more. Just because someone isn't a cheerleader for FP doesn't mean their viewpoint is wrong. And people who were okay with FP not being around didn't seem to reciprocate this antagonism (my observation only) so it piqued my comment. That was a separate comment to the marketing part; was I supposed to make 2 different quotes? I guess that would have make it clearer

Disney has millions and millions of visitors every year, all the marketing in the world couldn't make every one of those guests knowledgeable about everything (and I wasn't stating that either so I can appreciate your experience but that isn't the same as what I was getting at when it comes to marketing). That doesn't mean they haven't built their product around things with FP being one of them. And once you start using FP many find it difficult to tour without it. It's one reason why some people here are 'if they don't bring it back I'm done' but it also can mean it makes people annoyed that they feel like they have to tour with FP. That's the type of guest who comments on here about having to be on their phone all the time refreshing to get more FP and they dislike how they feel they are tied to it (along with pre-planning their park days when they would rather be go with the flow).

Of course it's okay to agree to disagree In this case I think you misinterpreted my comments so I'm trying to make that clarification . I'm not trying to make anything personal here as people don't approach Disney the same way, they have different wants, and needs. But people on all sides are affected by how Disney is using FP, that's why I made the comment I did. It doesn't matter if you love FP, use FP exclusively, don't use FP, don't use it exclusively, plan your trip based on if its there or not or don't and more, it impacts us all. And it's why we all are watching for what they end up doing.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

There are also tons of articles out there talking about how Disney is really starting to price themselves out of the middle class and that the upper middle and upper classes are the demographics that are least interested in a Disney vacation. Put it all together, and it just makes bad marketing sense. I think charging huge rates for FP would be a grave mistake. I also think Disney is keenly aware of this.

This is true in my world. I work for a lot of upper class surgeons and a Disney vacation is their worst nightmare. Some take their kids on a one time obligatory Disney trip and only go very comfortably by staying in a suite and doing a VIP tour or two, eating signature meals etc.. They do the once in a lifetime trip that Disney is catering to. But most just send their wives to take the kiddies when they all of a sudden have a few urgent surgeries that same week that can't be changed.

 

[AnnabelleTheTalkingTree]

yeah that’s what I was thinking. How long u going for and where u staying

hopefully it will all come out this week and we can stop worrying lol

I keep telling myself the announcement will be any day now and at this point it just feels like a fantasy lol

We've got 11 days and a split stay Beach Club/Grand Floridian. You?

 

[Garyjames220]

I keep telling myself the announcement will be any day now and at this point it just feels like a fantasy lol

We've got 11 days and a split stay Beach Club/Grand Floridian. You?

Oh very nice. I was tempted with the beach club to

doing 14 nights Caribbean beach (includes a $850 dining credit and $200 gift card, uk offer) and then 2 nights to finish at the Polynesian

Got a pool view at the polly, can’t decide if I should upgrade to lagoon view

in dollars with food, cocktails and spending we are about $12k. So the last thing I need now is paid for fast pass. This has taking some saving with twins as it is

 

[cakebaker]

Your assumption is that its FP+, what if its Max Pass? or Genie? then what? Whole lotta what if's

Yes, my opinion is based on the idea that it will be the old FP+ system. I think that's what they're going to go with. Should they choose to implement a whole new system, all bets are off- but just doesn't make sense to me to let the summer crowds pile up, better to just fire up the old FP+ and them go for any new system later during a slower period. Time wil tell....

 

[Mac30188]

Yes, my opinion is based on the idea that it will be the old FP+ system. I think that's what they're going to go with. Should they choose to implement a whole new system, all bets are off- but just doesn't make sense to me to let the summer crowds pile up, better to just fire up the old FP+ and them go for any new system later during a slower period. Time wil tell....

I agree with the sentiment, however if they are close with the new system, one huge advantage is you don't have to work out a transition plan if you just start with the new system day one.

 

[L1211]

I’m doing my first Disney World vacay in 10 years- have only done HK Disney, Disneyland and Universal since. I did not read all 228 pages of this thread (also new to this board!), but I believe I’m reading no change- no fast pass system right now and no announced plans to date. We visit July 10-15. Used to the Universal pass that comes with on-site hotels. Will be interesting for sure... Still fretting the boarding group fiasco! Have read here and watched YouTube videos. So much pressure!! Do think I nailed ADRs thanks to this board. It will be a scripted vacay, but that seems to be the only way!!

 

[luv2cheer92]

This is so true, my sister works for a doctor that goes to WDW every year. He went in March and didn't know about the park reservations so ended up not getting into the parks until after 2 every day. We are the minority on this message board, the majority do just expect to book their vacations and go. I do wonder what the guest experience reviews have been like the last year for those that just book a vacation and aren't getting the experience they've had previously. I know the doctor wasn't happy when he got back.

How did they get in without park reservations? Did some magically appear in the afternoon? The park hopping time doesn't change that you still need an initial reservation, so it can't be that.

 

[Wandering Oaken]

Your loss is my gain I guess, doesn't bother me one bit if you don't care for Universal that much or don't consider it 'premier'

Not sure why you thought I was attempting to "bother" you but yeah, okay.

 

[Wandering Oaken]

It was off a FB board I follow for one of the resorts - was the board creator that has several family members employed in various levels of WDW.

Unless they work in the boardroom or are one of the highest levels of management in Disney then they don't know any more than you or I do. Oh, and if they did work that high up they would not be leaking it online.

 

[cakebaker]

I've been curious as to why so many kiosks are being set up and it occurs to me- If they require you have a park reservation to get a FP, and I assume they will, then no one can reserve a FP in advance for a park they hop to. They'd have to have kiosks to accomodate those who don't want to or can't use their phones and they need enough that lines won't back up too badly at them. Makes more sense to me than a system that doesn't allow you to use the app.

 

[Heigh-Ho]

Not sure why you thought I was attempting to "bother" you but yeah, okay.
View attachment 585472

I didn't say you were attempting to bother me I respond to a poster by saying I'd count Universal also as a premier product and you respond to me with a meme saying 'meh'. You went out of your way to do so. I just responded that I'm not bothered at all if you don't like Universal or don't consider it premier. That doesn't mean I said you were attempting to bother me.

 

[Jrb1979]

I agree with the sentiment, however if they are close with the new system, one huge advantage is you don't have to work out a transition plan if you just start with the new system day one.

The other advantage is if they implement the new system and its paid they face less backlash then if they take away the free FP later.