Paid FP options coming soon to WDW?

[snappy]

My FP 60 day booking window opens in a couple of days for our onsite 8 night trip. I think I will be ok for this trip. Future trips may be very different. I can see booking much shorter trips in larger DVC units so I can reduce the number of days to pay for FP’s, then move to deluxe Universal resorts for the remainder of the trip for EP and to relax. Seriously thinking of abandoning WDW AP’s, skipping ANY WDW tickets, booking only DAH events and then heading to the dark side. New strategy.

 

[Runnsally]

It’s only because of who “some guy” is. If it was Jim Hill or another clickbaity kind of guy, it wouldn’t be thread worthy.

Not an accurate characterization of Jim Hill

 

[Runnsally]

My FP 60 day booking window opens in a couple of days for our onsite 8 night trip. I think I will be ok for this trip. Future trips may be very different. I can see booking much shorter trips in larger DVC units so I can reduce the number of days to pay for FP’s, then move to deluxe Universal resorts for the remainder of the trip for EP and to relax. Seriously thinking of abandoning WDW AP’s, skipping ANY WDW tickets, booking only DAH events and then heading to the dark side. New strategy.

Finally making progress...one less guy in line for Smugglers Run.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Not an accurate characterization of Jim Hill

Really? Because what’s his track record on actually being right? 50/50?

 

[snappy]

Finally making progress...one less guy in line for Smugglers Run.

Knock yourself in those long lines.

 

[soniam]

Universal already has a paid FP system though unless you stay at their three deluxe hotels.

However, Universal's Express Pass is a way better value, especially if you get it included in a hotel stay. Almost every ride has EP. The EP lines are usually much shorter than the FP lines at WDW. The deluxe hotels at Universal are as nice or nicer than WDW and a much better value. You don't have to book EP in advance. You just show up and play. I don't think WDW will go that route. It wouldn't be bad at all if they did, but they will sell individual ones instead and probably not give any perks to hotel guests.

 

[Runnsally]

Knock yourself in those long lines.

Hopefully I’ll be able to pay for a FP

 

[jade1]

However, Universal's Express Pass is a way better value, especially if you get it included in a hotel stay. Almost every ride has EP. The EP lines are usually much shorter than the FP lines at WDW. The deluxe hotels at Universal are as nice or nicer than WDW and a much better value. You don't have to book EP in advance. You just show up and play. I don't think WDW will go that route. It wouldn't be bad at all if they did, but they will sell individual ones instead and probably not give any perks to hotel guests.

Maybe, but why pick? We do both (US and WDW) most every trip.

That said, we can do WDW only trips, no way we would do a US only trip.

As for WDW offering EP for all hotel guests "not being bat all"...not so sure about that.

 

[DavidNYC]

I don’t believe this rumor one bit. When Disney monetize something, they typically don’t do it in such a blatant way as to be so clearly taking something away from general guests. They will do it in a roundabout way, for example, by offering hate access to certain things which in turn will reduce some capacity. But there will be zero way for them to spin such a massive changes as you may no longer get additional fast passes.

I expect additional monetization, with additional ones offered for a price, but I significantly doubt there will be a change to being able to get additional fast passes via the app especially in light of the investments that went into making the system possible.

 

[soniam]

Maybe, but why pick? We do both (US and WDW) most every trip.

That said, we can do WDW only trips, no way we would do a US only trip.

As for WDW offering EP for all hotel guests "not being bat all"...not so sure about that.

We don't pick. We do both. Have a joint trip coming up week after next in fact. Just did one at Thanksgiving too. We have done UO only trips and loved them. I have one planned for October. As for EP not being bad at all, it's really in relation to some things WDW could choose to do with FP. I don't think it would be included for all hotel guests, probably just deluxe. However, WDW would need to be sure that almost every ride has it. They could also sell it to people, like UO does. I'm not necessarily for them doing this, but I can see it being a better alternative than some of things floating around in this thread. If they charge for FP, I could easily see a few of them being as expensive as Universal EP is to buy. That's not good value at all. My first choice is to keep things as they are though at WDW.

 

[rteetz]

I don’t believe this rumor one bit. When Disney monetize something, they typically don’t do it in such a blatant way as to be so clearly taking something away from general guests. They will do it in a roundabout way, for example, by offering hate access to certain things which in turn will reduce some capacity. But there will be zero way for them to spin such a massive changes as you may no longer get additional fast passes.

I expect additional monetization, with additional ones offered for a price, but I significantly doubt there will be a change to being able to get additional fast passes via the app especially in light of the investments that went into making the system possible.

Possibly,

One plan is sort of a resorting to getting 3 for lesser attractions and then any sort of headliner such as Flight of Passage, Slinky, SWGE, etc. would need to be bought.

 

[The Pho]

I don’t believe this rumor one bit. When Disney monetize something, they typically don’t do it in such a blatant way as to be so clearly taking something away from general guests. They will do it in a roundabout way, for example, by offering hate access to certain things which in turn will reduce some capacity. But there will be zero way for them to spin such a massive changes as you may no longer get additional fast passes.

I expect additional monetization, with additional ones offered for a price, but I significantly doubt there will be a change to being able to get additional fast passes via the app especially in light of the investments that went into making the system possible.

They would just have to do it slowly and most people wouldn’t notice. Start charging for a 4th. Then back down to 2 free, then 1, then none. Or start limiting the free attractions older ones only. Then cut out the headliners, then all of them. They’ve done it just fine cutting back hours and reintroducing them as ticketed events. Not much different than that.

 

[mom2rtk]

Finally making progress...one less guy in line for Smugglers Run.

Nice.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I don’t believe this rumor one bit. When Disney monetize something, they typically don’t do it in such a blatant way as to be so clearly taking something away from general guests. They will do it in a roundabout way, for example, by offering hate access to certain things which in turn will reduce some capacity. But there will be zero way for them to spin such a massive changes as you may no longer get additional fast passes.

I expect additional monetization, with additional ones offered for a price, but I significantly doubt there will be a change to being able to get additional fast passes via the app especially in light of the investments that went into making the system possible.

I didn’t either until I saw a comment in the previously linked forum (by a poster there who previously in the thread alluded to know about this via CM contacts) saying that when it’s announced “it’s going to be a toxic topic”. Anything that’s “toxic” is going to suck for those on a budget, I expect big changes.

Disney is riding high on success in their parks & movie divisions right now but low on cash with the Fox acquisition. I don’t fault them for squeezing every last dollar out their business model but that doesn’t mean I need to keep contributing- unfortunately I just finished acquiring enough Disney gift cards to upgrade my ticket to my first annual pass when I get to the parks later this month

 

[Rach3975]

I know that Disney is a business and wants to make the maximum profit. But if they go to more paid FP, that will directly affect our experience. With 5 Disney adults in the family, WDW is already expensive enough; I can't imagine us being willing to pay even more for FP, just like we don't participate in hard ticket events now. I'll wait and see exactly what happens and how it's implemented, but if we lose access to free FP for the rides with the longest lines or all standby lines increase due to paid FP, then we won't be back. At least not until the kids are grown and it would be just me and DH with the ability to come at the lowest crowd times.

 

[SweetJulia23]

If we’ve already booked an on-site trip that states we have access to three free fast passes, is it legal for them to change that? If this were to go into effect before our trip wouldn’t it be false advertising on their part?

 

[TheMaxRebo]

If we’ve already booked an on-site trip that states we have access to three free fast passes, is it legal for them to change that? If this were to go into effect before our trip wouldn’t it be false advertising on their part?

Would depend on the exact language - but that might be why they start with a structure that is you still get your first 3 free and then any beyond that you pay for

 

[saskdw]

If we’ve already booked an on-site trip that states we have access to three free fast passes, is it legal for them to change that? If this were to go into effect before our trip wouldn’t it be false advertising on their part?

My guess is it says somewhere in the fine print they reserve the right to change the rules whenever they feel like it.

 

[HeiHei2018]

They would just have to do it slowly and most people wouldn’t notice. Start charging for a 4th. Then back down to 2 free, then 1, then none. Or start limiting the free attractions older ones only. Then cut out the headliners, then all of them. They’ve done it just fine cutting back hours and reintroducing them as ticketed events. Not much different than that.

Agreed. It will be just like EMH. When Disney first opened Port Orleans, the draw was EMH at a park every morning.

The wording of the SWGE set up for paid FP. My guess: Due to "galactic interest in SWGE," they will announce the creation of a new paid pass with a different name. All new headliners will go in the new category. If the money flows in, they may announce "Due to the popularity of the new pass," they will expand it to FOP, etc.

 

[soniam]

Would depend on the exact language - but that might be why they start with a structure that is you still get your first 3 free and then any beyond that you pay for

Yeah, if it says anywhere in the wording that it's subject to change, then they can change it. I hope they go with your suggestion though.