Paid FP options coming soon to WDW?

[rteetz]

This last posts makes more sense to me. This is a tweeking of the current system. I've been expecting something like this to take place. It isn't a major overhaul and I don't see this as doom and gloom. Obviously we still need to see the final details and pricing. At this point I feel like I will like the changes, but won't know for sure until it's announced.

It sounds like these "extra" FP's will be sold in packages. I feel like if you were going for a week and could by a pkg that guaranteed a FP for a 1/2 dozen of the headliners an overwhelming majority would jump on that.

It’s sort of an expansion of the CL FP add on but also limiting re-riding.

 

[rteetz]

I think they will change FP for sure, but I think it's going to be a much more watered down version of the first "rumors." They will eventually get where they want or time, but change it gradually.

I definitely agree with that.

 

[TheFloatingBear]

This last posts makes more sense to me. This is a tweeking of the current system. I've been expecting something like this to take place. It isn't a major overhaul and I don't see this as doom and gloom. Obviously we still need to see the final details and pricing. At this point I feel like I will like the changes, but won't know for sure until it's announced.

It sounds like these "extra" FP's will be sold in packages. I feel like if you were going for a week and could by a pkg that guaranteed a FP for a 1/2 dozen of the headliners an overwhelming majority would jump on that.

I just hope, if that's the case, as a product it makes things easier and not harder. I tried the CL FP thing because I had saved for a splurge and I figured they'd devalue it by my next visit, and it was too inflexible to have a lot of value for us.

 

[Sarah1024]

It’s sort of an expansion of the CL FP add on but also limiting re-riding.

Do you think this will affect the CL FP program? Or that will stay the same? Or everyone will be on the same playing field now?

 

[saskdw]

I think sometimes us DIS members forget that the general public are not theme park commandos. There needs to be a non complicated way for them to enjoy WDW and most of them will pay a few extra bucks for that enjoyment.

We sleep in on vacation. It's afternoon before we arrive at the parks. With in reason we will pay a little extra to have better access to the headliners.

 

[rteetz]

Do you think this will affect the CL FP program? Or that will stay the same? Or everyone will be on the same playing field now?

I think it depends on the details of this. The 90 day advantage will likely stay a CL perk.

 

[saskdw]

I just hope, if that's the case, as a product it makes things easier and not harder. I tried the CL FP thing because I had saved for a splurge and I figured they'd devalue it by my next visit, and it was too inflexible to have a lot of value for us.

You couldn't get every FP you wanted at 90 days out?

 

[crvetter]

You couldn't get every FP you wanted at 90 days out?

I know one inflexibility is that modifications to the FP need to be done through DSS, so that is one limitation.

 

[TheFloatingBear]

You couldn't get every FP you wanted at 90 days out?

No, that part was fine and we got everything that we wanted. And it was great that you could avoid tiers - that was the best part! Like @rteetz said above, it was a pain that you could only modify by calling DSS, especially when you were in the park. It just made things a lot less flexible, especially since I do a lot of modifying of times/attractions so that I can get additional FPs or just if we want to adjust our plans on the fly. It was just too much planned time. Which is not to say I wouldn't do something like that to accomplish a specific goal - like SWGE rides - it's just wasn't flexible enough to want to pay for it on a regular basis.

A big draw for us also was the reserved seating on the nighttime shows, and I think it doesn't include that at this point, although I haven't really followed it.

So, if the "packages" are something scheduled and hard to move, I won't love that...

 

[anomamatt]

it's just wasn't flexible enough to want to pay for it on a regular basis.

Absolutely! I have tried to talk myself into doing CLFP several times. But the lack of being able to overlap times is a non-starter. I don't want 6 FPs one hour apart.... If they offered the CLFPs as unrestricted anytimes, I would throw my money at them...

 

[TheFloatingBear]

Absolutely! I have tried to talk myself into doing CLFP several times. But the lack of being able to overlap times is a non-starter. I don't want 6 FPs one hour apart.... If they offered the CLFPs as unrestricted anytimes, I would throw my money at them...

Yes! I was trying to remember how to phrase it but yes, you couldn't overlap times so it was 6 hours of planned time - ack! And 3 hours of it couldn't be changed without a phone call. So then you had to be careful with how you organized yourself and where you put the CL FPs and where you put the regular ones. But again, I figured I'd give it a try instead of something else I had earmarked the money for, and because at the time it included the shows. But when a poster was talking about the possible FP packages, it got me to thinking that for me to feel like I wasn't "losing" something, I'd have to have some flexibility with time or something!

 

[Nlgwisconsin]

Martin edited his original post

Is there information regarding guests with current reservations? Meaning if a change begins in May, and I already have a trip in Sept., would it be subject to the new FP rules and limitations?

 

[saskdw]

No, that part was fine and we got everything that we wanted. And it was great that you could avoid tiers - that was the best part! Like @rteetz said above, it was a pain that you could only modify by calling DSS, especially when you were in the park. It just made things a lot less flexible, especially since I do a lot of modifying of times/attractions so that I can get additional FPs or just if we want to adjust our plans on the fly. It was just too much planned time. Which is not to say I wouldn't do something like that to accomplish a specific goal - like SWGE rides - it's just wasn't flexible enough to want to pay for it on a regular basis.

A big draw for us also was the reserved seating on the nighttime shows, and I think it doesn't include that at this point, although I haven't really followed it.

So, if the "packages" are something scheduled and hard to move, I won't love that...

Makes sense.

We don't hit the parks until afternoon. All our FP's are for later in the day. We've never even tried to get a 4th FP, assuming they would all be gone anyway because of the time of day. FP's are usually planned around an ADR so we rarely make changes. So most of the things that are issues for you wouldn't be for us. The ability to have 5 or 6 FP's pre-booked would be a huge plus for us. Of course with everything the cost will factor in.

 

[MommaBerd]

The challenge with some of the packages becomes scheduling. That could get ugly in a hurry. Example

Congratulations on your Mountain Package Purchase! Please choose your times

SDMT 9:00 / 9:15 / 9:30 PM only
Space Mountain 12:00 / 12:15PM only
Splash Mountain 9:30 / 9:45 AM only
Big Thunder Mountain 6:15 / 6:30 / 6:45PM only

Hope you were planning on a commando day, not having a good dinner/lunch ADR, or throwing one away.

Honestly, if they evolve down to minimal reserved fast pass and more day of fast pass purchases with a limit of only for next 3 hours. That way no matter what time you show up, you have a chance to start locking in fast pass reservations for rides and minimize the feeling of being captured by a plan you formed 60 days in advance. I doubt the cost would be out of line with what people pay at Universal.

This thread is moving so fast, I’m having a hard time keeping current with my comments...but, in Shanghai, the FPs in a package were “any time” use. THAT part was fantastic! Maybe that would be more difficult to do at WDW, but my guess is that it really wouldn’t.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Martin edited his original post

Thank you for the update!

 

[scrappinginontario]

Is there information regarding guests with current reservations? Meaning if a change begins in May, and I already have a trip in Sept., would it be subject to the new FP rules and limitations?

I am going in Sept and anticipate that we will fall under the new FP structure, whatever that structure is.

Personally, I am anticipating that anyone who has FPs booked when they roll out the new system will keep what they have. Any new FPs booked from there out will fall under the new system.

 

[rteetz]

Is there information regarding guests with current reservations? Meaning if a change begins in May, and I already have a trip in Sept., would it be subject to the new FP rules and limitations?

Nothing yet.

 

[Nlgwisconsin]

I am going in Sept and anticipate that we will fall under the new FP structure, whatever that structure is.

Personally, I am anticipating that anyone who has FPs booked when they roll out the new system will keep what they have. Any new FPs booked from there out will fall under the new system.

Thank you. That is my guess as well, but disappointing. When I booked, I guess I considered what I am paying for in terms of on-site perks and our trip. I know things can change, but I hope the initial changes won't have major impacts on our current plans.

 

[Nlgwisconsin]

Nothing yet.

Thank you for the reply. In trying to keep up with the major posts, I can understand WDW thinking a change to the FP is needed due to increasing demand and ride wait times. However, it is disappointing to read about ticket price increases and then additional information that FP will also need to be purchased for popular rides. I can honestly say that we typically go to WDW because I do consider it a vacation that everyone can enjoy in our family. Whether one loves the characters, classic rides, or thrill rides, we can all have fun together! Plus, I don't have to worry about transportation, pictures, etc. However, considering cost increases, what you might get from the overall trip, etc. I will definitely be reevaluating whether the trip is worth it. If it's going to result in waiting in line more than my kids can handle, costly, etc., we will no longer plan vacations to WDW.

 

[CJN]

It’s sort of an expansion of the CL FP add on but also limiting re-riding.

I seldom get angry at Disney but if reriding is limited I’d be furious. For medical/health reasons I’m unable to go on most of the biggies - think FoP, EE, ToT, RnR, star tours, space mtn, BTMRR, 7DMT, test track, SDD. I suspect ditto for the new Star Wars. And yet I can still manage splash mtn and consider any trip to be a success if I can get that in 5 or 6 times. I’ve had people tell me it’s not fair to reride because I’m “clogging” up the splash line, even as they never seem to understand that it’s a wash because, conversely, I’m never clogging up the line for those other rides. So what now? I pay extra for the privilege of reriding splash or PotC or haunted mansion even though there’s more than a dozen premium rides I can’t physically do?