Paid FP options coming soon to WDW?

[MommaBerd]

Yes, yes I do.

LOL!

 

[Mike White]

If there are less people in FP the standby lines will move more efficiently.

Ok. I guess the question is what kind of numbers impact will this have on FP distribution per ride per hour. If it increases the number of FP then I assume that would take away from standby riders by hour.

As I said, scaremongering at its worst, seriously, do you think Disney would do this an alienate that many people in their loyal fan base?

All of this is coming from Martin at wdwmagic. His truth rate is basically 100%.

 

[rteetz]

Ok. If they distribute more fastpasses with this change, which hourly rider pool would those come out of? Standby? Or current free fastpass?

I can't see more FPs than currently in use coming from this. FP+ increased the number of people using FPs over paper FP. I think we are currently at the "peak" of FP use. Lets say they keep the current free 3, and any additional is added cost, I think we would not see anymore use than currently in FP.

I also think many forget we have a version of paid FP already at WDW with the extra 3 Club Level option that can be booked at 90 days. That values each FP at roughly $16-17 so in theory thats where Disney could price a single FP if they go ahead with this. Though it sounds like there will be multiple levels you can purchase.

 

[dlavender]

I hope at “best” it’s just a larger roll out of the CL FP test. I still wonder though what the price point will be. I mean the CL people first had to pay for CL ($$$) then pay $50. I have to think the lowest starting price for 3 FPs outside of that CL investment would have to be $100 pp. but maybe sell 1 at $50? But at that point, might as well pay the $80 for EMM... I don’t see them getting rid of that. They sell out all the time. But knowing Disney, those will get to 3 digits pretty soon...

 

[cmwade77]

Yes, yes I do.

Well, I will say that this rumor has been going on since before FP+ was introduced and it has to be happened yet, despite it being from "reliable" sources that it would.

Having read through the thread on WDWMagic, I see nothing credible there that would make this likely to be anything more than a rumor.

Now I could see them giving up on advanced FP+ reservations and going to day of only, then making it to where you have to go to a kiosk to book same day FPs unless you pay for Maxpass to use the phone for FP.

 

[rteetz]

Now I could see them giving up on advanced FP+ reservations and going to day of only, then making it to where you have to go to a kiosk to book same day FPs unless you pay for Maxpass to use the phone for FP.

I don't see that happening.

 

[cmwade77]

Ok. I guess the question is what kind of numbers impact will this have on FP distribution per ride per hour. If it increases the number of FP then I assume that would take away from standby riders by hour.


All of this is coming from Martin at wdwmagic. His truth rate is basically 100%.

Nobody has a 100% rumor rate, sorry.

 

[rteetz]

Nobody has a 100% rumor rate, sorry.

Nobody does, but Martin is probably the best there is.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

I can't see more FPs than currently in use coming from this. FP+ increased the number of people using FPs over paper FP. I think we are currently at the "peak" of FP use. Lets say they keep the current free 3, and any additional is added cost, I think we would not see anymore use than currently in FP.

I also think many forget we have a version of paid FP already at WDW with the extra 3 Club Level option that can be booked at 90 days. That values each FP at roughly $16-17 so in theory thats where Disney could price a single FP if they go ahead with this. Though it sounds like there will be multiple levels you can purchase.

So if a FP remains "unsold" will the result be free same day FP (like it is now) or a greater percentage of stand by riders?

 

[Cinderumbrella]

As I said, scaremongering at its worst, seriously, do you think Disney would do this an alienate that many people in their loyal fan base?

Yes

 

[cmwade77]

I don't see that happening.

I could, it would bring Disney World in line with Disneyland, which would make sense and add revenue.

The question is how would this affect APs that are advertised as coming with unlimited FPs, that is why I think this would have to be announced at least a year in advance to avoid a lot of issues, which is another reason I am calling BS on this since it says it would be implemented later this year.

 

[rteetz]

So if a FP remains "unsold" will the result be free same day FP (like it is now) or a greater percentage of stand by riders?

Unsold will just go unsold I would think. Less FP riders would mean more standby riders so theoretically this could be good for the standby line.

 

[rteetz]

I could, it would bring Disney World in line with Disneyland, which would make sense and add revenue.

The question is how would this affect APs that are advertised as coming with unlimited FPs, that is why I think this would have to be announced at least a year in advance to avoid a lot of issues, which is another reason I am calling BS on this since it says it would be implemented later this year.

Disney doesn't bring WDW in line with DL. They are two different entities treated completely different.

 

[MommaBerd]

I tend to think it will be more like the DLP and Shanghai DL models. I looked at the Premier Access at Shanghai DL yesterday for an acquaintance who is going in a couple of weeks. I noticed they have many different options available now, all at different price points. They have four family sets (1 set of 6 attractions or 3 sets of 3 attractions), two adventure sets (6 or 3), basically an all-access (8 attractions), and then individual rides. As info, the individual rides are all priced the same. WDW MK has a LOT more attractions, so I imagine the choices (number of attractions, attraction categories, etc.) would be different in that park. But, I could see it easily working this way in the other parks.

 

[SaharanTea]

I am sure like most things there isn’t one specific thing that would lead to this but a confluence of things .... but I think one of the biggest that would allow them to make this attractive is how, more than in the past, there seems to be the 1 “must get” FP in each park (or maybe just 1 or 2). Like it is really hard to get FoP, Slinky Dog, or Mine Train (and if/when the Star Wars rides are on it and then also I suspect Mickey Minniems Runaway Railway and the Guardians Coaster and Tron will fit in this as well

So you have really, really high demand for very few things and people upset when they can’t get a FP for these few things - so now they say, you want it, you can get it .... but it’ll cost you and people will pay it vs waiting 4 hours or whatever

They already had a way around that with the ticketed events. At least people who didn't want to play could simply not opt in. This is uprooting the entire system. No one gets to ignore this type of change.

 

[SaharanTea]

Yes, yes I do.

Next time rephrase the question in the form of another question, and then answer that question.

 

[OSUZorba]

I've hesitated to post since I don't have any actual new information on a topic that at least for now is pure speculation. But I do offer the following thoughts...

I don't think Disney's FP motives are purely profit based. They want their guests - all of their guests - to have as good a time as possible. FPs started out as a way to allow guests to enjoy other low demand rides while 'waiting' for their high demand FP ride to be available. The current WDW FP system is a nightmare.

As it stands 'newbies' can't compete. Disney doesn't want FP 'pros' to get 10 FPs a day while others have to wait in ever lengthening standby lines. And Disney has succeeded in more or less killing off most of the FP cheats that TAs could pass on to their clients. Since FP lines get priority over standby that leaves newcomers to WDW very unhappy with their experience. "I'll never go back to Disney - the lines are impossible" is a lot worse PR than "I had to pay more."

Disneyland's MaxPass system comes a lot closer to the original FP ideal and at around %15 above the 'base' ticket price is not unreasonably priced. I'd be perfectly happy with 1 FP at 60/30 days if once I'm in the park I got MaxPass. Depending on price I might buy 2 more 60/30 day passes...or I might not. But nothing so far 'announced' has led me to panic in any way.

I know what you are saying, but the old system took a lot of strategy too, and required rope dropping for big rides.

 

[cmwade77]

Nobody does, but Martin is probably the best there is.

I know how to call BS when I see it and this is something that won't go anywhere as described originally.

And the other issue is this would end up leading to people finding ways to abuse the DAS, which is going to be a problem. Although I could be wrong on that, as both Universal (at least Hollywood) and Sea World (at least San Diego) have a paid version of express access and both do better with their equivalent of a DAS, but I doubt it. Which is a other reason I call BS on the rumor.

Time will tell, but I seriously doubt this one will come true.

 

[SaharanTea]

I know what you are saying, but the old system took a lot of strategy too, and required rope dropping for big rides.

This will make rope dropping an even bigger deal and an even worse experience.

You think people were going to run to Galaxy's Edge before?

 

[rteetz]

And the other issue is this would end up leading to people finding ways to abuse the DAS, which is going to be a problem. Although I could be wrong on that, as both Universal (at least Hollywood) and Sea World (at least San Diego) have a paid version of express access and both do better with their equivalent of a DAS, but I doubt it. Which is a other reason I call BS on the rumor.

People already do abuse DAS and did when it was GAC.

Time will tell.