Paid FP options coming soon to WDW?

[SaintsManiac]

I do think GE will open without FP at all. As much as they would LOVE to monetize those early crowds, new rides are also notoriously unreliable. It's going to be bad enough if the ride goes down with all those crowds. Can you imagine if they paid extra for their spot? An "any attraction" FP isn't going to cut it in that situation. They need to get some run time under their belt with the new ride(s) before they can start issuing FPs, either "free" or paid.

I do agree with this, too. I totally understand why there are no FPs at first. People have been melting down all over Facebook about the lack of FP, but it makes sense.

 

[NJlauren]

I’m really hoping they announce this sooner, like today, rather then later. Just want to know what I’m dealing with for my upcoming trips! The uncertainty is the worst part for me!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Adding to my theory:

They make you pay for GE FPs when they become available. Then they implement the new paid FP system for 2020.

I’m inclined to believe you. They can see just what people are willing to pay using SW. Then they offer it for FoP, SDD etc later.

What I’m most concerned about is the rumor of reduction of “included” from 3 to 2 or 1. Or being capped completely and having to pay for additional above whatever threshold they decide.

I’m leaving in 85 days. My room is booked & linked. I have an AP. I’m going to be EXTREMELY upset if the rules change before then.

 

[jsand99]

I’m really hoping they announce this sooner, like today, rather then later. Just want to know what I’m dealing with for my upcoming trips! The uncertainty is the worst part for me!

I agree the uncertainty is terrible! We have a trip in April that won't be affected but our planned 2020 trip may very well be. We have a DVC contract in ROFR now and if this comes to pass and is as bad as some believe it will be, it may be a quick turn around on that contract for us.

 

[Disneylover99]

I’m really hoping they announce this sooner, like today, rather then later. Just want to know what I’m dealing with for my upcoming trips! The uncertainty is the worst part for me!

No. Later is better. Implementation can begin any time after my AP expires (Aug. 16).

 

[mom2rtk]

We're looking at January 2020. I feel like a sitting duck.

 

[Sarah1024]

I’m inclined to believe you. They can see just what people are willing to pay using SW. Then they offer it for FoP, SDD etc later.

What I’m most concerned about is the rumor of reduction of “included” from 3 to 2 or 1. Or being capped completely and having to pay for additional above whatever threshold they decide.

I’m leaving in 85 days. My room is booked & linked. I have an AP. I’m going to be EXTREMELY upset if the rules change before then.

Yes, but just because someone is willing to pay that price right now, to be one of the first to ride Smuggler's Run, doesn't mean they'll pay it again and again, or that they'll pay the same to ride FOP or SDD. The CL pricing is $50 for 3 FP's, that's about $17 per FP, that makes more sense than $50 for one ride.

 

[sponica]

This is all making my head hurt. Everything I was anticipating for SWGE during my December DL trip looks to be completely wrong, and now the FP+ system at WDW potentially getting an overhaul? My next trip to WDW is June of 2020 with, unfortunately for me, a group of 16 that I'm supposed to do the FP+ management for. I think I'm going to need a very big bottle of whiskey to drown myself in.

I'm at WDW in July 2020 with a group of 10 or 11, so leave that bottle of whiskey behind...

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Oh I rather doubt it will be for every attraction. Bet you it will mirror the CL FP perk that is in play now. 3 additional FP for a specific cost per person and a minimum number of days. If you have 2 or 3 folks in your group it may be manageable, however we generally travel with a crew and I cannot justify even $50 per person per day for 3 days for 7 people. I bet the new program will be a bit more expensive and will be very limited in how it can be used.

See, this sounds completely reasonable, and, if capped, wouldn't upset the GP, and could still make $$$$ for Disney. It also wouldn't impact GP touring (yes, there would be less FP available overall, but not a significant percentage, so it wouldn't be felt).

But, this wouldn't be "toxic" as per Martin, and doesn't fit the details he did give.

 

[mckennarose]

.........
I never understood opening 60 day FP to offiste guests, even if the resorts were "good neighbors," however if a paid option for onsite guests is opened, then it makes plenty of sense. Stay onsite and have the chance to book your FP early for the mere cost of $$$$.If the pool is reduced already due to the additional folks included in the booking window, and the number of folks vying for a limited number of attractions in increased, you may not have as much wiggle room to get your three FP unless you do make that Purchase. This could get very expensive.

This is what I'm thinking also. It's been mentioned in another thread the idea that paid FP+ window is a possibility and I can see that. Disney added the two new hotels to the "60 day perks" list and advertising it as such and I doubt they would dump that within the year to have everyone be able to purchase FP+. There is a reason they added the new hotels with the 60 benefits.

And I know there are many, many people willing to purchase FP+ and I fully admit I would too, if the price is right. However, the whole idea that you need to spend extra money to have what was once a normal part of your admission price is bull. But this has been the trend the past few years...take what was once free and charge for it. People don't want to spend more; but it's almost necessary now just to have a good experience or at least a similar one to years before. Now we have to pay an enormous amount to get in the park, AND pay to ride the rides also?

We're going in May and I have put our second trip of the year on hold now. We were looking to bump it up to mid-August to avoid the chaos of SWGE, but now it's on hold until we see what's going on.

 

[FSU Girl]

If they do anything they should model it after how Universal does their express pass. Paying the ridiculous amounts they probably will charge to only get three fast passes is absurd. At least when I go to Universal and stay at one of their hotels I can get on any ride I want as many times as I want.

 

[rteetz]

But still OPEN SWGE on 8/29 without FP as announced, have this paid option in place elsewhere, then add it to SWGE later? Or are you guessing open SWGE with paid and regular FP in place there as well, counter to the announcement?

I’m just guessing but I would think yes have this in place before SWGE and still open SWGE without FP. I obviously could be wrong. All that’s been said is this would happen some time later this year.

 

[rteetz]

They said it would not have MaxPass or Fast Pass+. That leaves it open to paid FP's though, that's a whole different system.


I just cannot imagine changing this mid-year. It seems so unfair (and really crappy) to people who booked their packages a year ago. I understand announcing in May for next year, but it's really annoying to think they're going to announce in the next few months a change for this year.

No matter when you change it you’re going to unfair to someone who had already booked.

 

[sponica]

If they do anything they should model it after how Universal does their express pass. Paying the ridiculous amounts they probably will charge to only get three fast passes is absurd. At least when I go to Universal and stay at one of their hotels I can get on any ride I want as many times as I want.

I remember having this conversation 15ish years ago with my aunt. She loved staying on site at universal because of the express pass but she also said "disney would never pull it off because they have too many hotel rooms"

With a toddler i only stay in the bubble because it means I don't have to deal with carseats in a rental car. Not sure that perk alone is worth the exorbitant price of being in the bubble...

 

[Sarah1024]

If they do anything they should model it after how Universal does their express pass. Paying the ridiculous amounts they probably will charge to only get three fast passes is absurd. At least when I go to Universal and stay at one of their hotels I can get on any ride I want as many times as I want.

I think the capacity at Disney is too much to do the model Universal has. At least that's what I've read.

 

[larry47591]

No matter when you change it you’re going to unfair to someone who had already booked.

I feel like they may grandfather people in like they did with parking. I think Disney doesn't want the headache of people calling saying they are getting screw by the change. I could be wrong but it seems to be something they do frequently.

 

[FSU Girl]

I remember having this conversation 15ish years ago with my aunt. She loved staying on site at universal because of the express pass but she also said "disney would never pull it off because they have too many hotel rooms"

With a toddler i only stay in the bubble because it means I don't have to deal with carseats in a rental car. Not sure that perk alone is worth the exorbitant price of being in the bubble...

They do have a lot of hotels. I think what would work is if you stayed at a Deluxe you would get this, or maybe if you stayed at one that was near a park you'd get it only for that park. Universal only does it for their deluxe level hotels. Or maybe you could pick two parks to have it for idk lol. All I know is I'm going to be annoyed with whatever Disney decides. And I'm trying for a baby so soon Universal won't really be an option to go to for a while.

 

[FSU Girl]

I think the capacity at Disney is too much to do the model Universal has. At least that's what I've read.

They would have to modify it slightly, but I think they could do it if they divided up which hotels got what perks and things like that.

 

[anomamatt]

I feel like they may grandfather people in like the did with parking. I think Disney doesn't want the headache of people calling saying they are getting screw by the change. I could be wrong but it seems to be something they do frequently.

I would hope so. Provided it's not a massive change to how the system works. They won't support two systems, for example. But if it's tweaking with some add-on costs to do what we already get for free now, I also would hope/expect they will grandfather anyone already booked.

Given people can still get the CLFPs, they need at least to provide 90 days notice. Unless they are going to cancel already booked FPs -- not sure the SW:GE hype could overcome that bad press.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

They do have a lot of hotels. I think what would work is if you stayed at a Deluxe you would get this, or maybe if you stayed at one that was near a park you'd get it only for that park. Universal only does it for their deluxe level hotels. Or maybe you could pick two parks to have it for idk lol. All I know is I'm going to be annoyed with whatever Disney decides. And I'm trying for a baby so soon Universal won't really be an option to go to for a while.

feels like makign it only for certain parks would be an added complexity that isn't really needed. But I could see it being included with Deluxe and then non-deluxe have to pay for it but still get the other perks included (so similar to Universal) and then offsite have to pay and don't get the other perks

BUT then I could see them marketing packages that it includes it ... even at the non-deluxe so that the cost gets buried a bit