Paid FP options coming soon to WDW?

[SweetJulia23]

This! I'm sure they were all set to go with some announcements, but as they realize there is still lots of availability, they may be waiting or rethinking to start with something more palatable.

They’re waiting for more people to book and lock in plans they can’t change before making the announcement.

 

[TheFloatingBear]

Seems to me that if you want re-rides you will need to book EMM or DAH.

There's still rope drop and/or closing time - although rope drop seems to be getting pretty crazy for any type of headliner! I would imagine, even if they limit re-rides through FPs, they can't really limit additional rides through standby.

I know people will focus on the fact the Disney is going to profit from this, but it seems they might be trying to level the playing field a little for the non commandos.

I feel like I remember that the one original intents of FP+ was to try and level the playing field with the paper FP uber users. It doesn't seem to me that Disney is so good at trouble shooting unintended consequences so maybe they didn't think through how more experienced users would be able to utilize the system, especially with the app. So, anyway, we had a snow storm last week and we were supposed to have 4" and we had 12" - the weather man said the storm "over performed," which I thought was kind of positive way to reframe being buried in snow...so anyway, we've done very well over the years with FP+, but I don't see myself as a commando but more as an "over-performer," lol. I just hope whatever they roll out has some measure of clarity, logic, and flexibility. Ok, even as I write that, I realize I'm probably being overly optimistic!

 

[snappy]

There's still rope drop and/or closing time - although rope drop seems to be getting pretty crazy for any type of headliner! I would imagine, even if they limit re-rides through FPs, they can't really limit additional rides through standby.



I feel like I remember that the one original intents of FP+ was to try and level the playing field with the paper FP uber users. It doesn't seem to me that Disney is so good at trouble shooting unintended consequences so maybe they didn't think through how more experienced users would be able to utilize the system, especially with the app. So, anyway, we had a snow storm last week and we were supposed to have 4" and we had 12" - the weather man said the storm "over performed," which I thought was kind of positive way to reframe being buried in snow...so anyway, we've done very well over the years with FP+, but I don't see myself as a commando but more as an "over-performer," lol. I just hope whatever they roll out has some measure of clarity, logic, and flexibility. Ok, even as I write that, I realize I'm probably being overly optimistic!

Hope springs eternal.

 

[SweetJulia23]

I feel like I’m the only one who has never added a useful fourth fast pass. Whenever I do add something and get all excited over the “score” I get to the attraction and find there’s no line. This past trip I was at studios on our last day and my son wanted to ride mission space since we hadn’t done it yet. I came up with 8:30 pm which wouldn’t work. I kept refreshing for 20 minutes and eventually after wasting what was left of my phone battery managed to get it to 3:00 (just enough time to ride before magical express). After walking to Epcot in the rain we get to mission space and THERE’S NO LINE.

 

[snappy]

I have great luck during rainy evenings. Best one ever was during super bowl last year when it rained steadily at WDW. I was at AK.

 

[SaharanTea]

I know people will focus on the fact the Disney is going to profit from this, but it seems they might be trying to level the playing field a little for the non commandos.

What advantage do commandos have with day-of fastpasses? Literally anyone in the park can book available day-of fast passes. It's not limited to "commandos." They even provide kiosks if you don't have a compatible smart phone. I consider our family park commandos, and we don't even start looking for fourth FPs until after 1:00 pm on any day. Someone arriving at noon could beat us to the day-of fast pass lot.

The only advantage is going from the pool of everyone in the park to the pool of those willing to spend more. You know, the same ones that already have that advantage by staying on-site, buying dessert parties, buying after hours, buying extra morning magic, buying club level fast passes. That's the only advantage shift here.

 

[CJN]

I think re-riding would be limited on the big ones not the lesser attractions such as Small World, etc.

Reride Small World? Are you trying to ruin my health more than it is now?

Soarin’ is another one I can manage and still enjoy immensely. I’m afraid of how Disney could categorize/limit these. I guess what I’m saying is I want to be the one in control of my rerides, not Disney.

 

[Mrs. W]

I know people will focus on the fact the Disney is going to profit from this, but it seems they might be trying to level the playing field a little for the non commandos.

I totally agree with your thoughts on this in this thread, and I’m a consistent park commando. I never leave a park before closing and I always arrive at or before park opening, so I ride all the headliners multiple times without issues.

I’m still waiting on official details to form an opinion, but with what’s been speculated so far, I’m not sure if the changes won’t result in more positives for a greater percentage of people (i.e. people who come every few years, 1st timers, large parties, international visitors, etc.). Ultimately, Disney WILL profit more if they can convert the aforementioned people into repeat visitors by offering easier access to popular rides.

It’s definitely fun to speculate and read others’ thoughts and opinions as we wait for details though!

 

[SaharanTea]

Reride Small World? Are you trying to ruin my health more than it is now?

Soarin’ is another one I can manage and still enjoy immensely. I’m afraid of how Disney could categorize/limit these. I guess what I’m saying is I want to be the one in control of my rerides, not Disney.

This all day.

Of course, you can still be in control of your re-rides. It's just that now, you'll have to pay extra. So instead of jumping into that open slot when someone else canceled their time, Disney takes that slot and sells it to the next "paying" guest.

 

[Wayland10]

I'm booked for end of July/ beginning of August, and we've been saving for about a year. My budget is set, and I won't be changing that. If they start charging for FP, and there's no way to get the rides i want without paying, I'll just start cutting other things. Bye, BBB, see ya, Pirate 's League. Adios Lion King Dining Package. They'll get the same amount out of me, but only by cannibalizing their own attractions.

 

[TheFloatingBear]

Hope springs eternal.

I'm booked for end of July/ beginning of August, and we've been saving for about a year. My budget is set, and I won't be changing that. If they start charging for FP, and there's no way to get the rides i want without paying, I'll just start cutting other things. Bye, BBB, see ya, Pirate 's League. Adios Lion King Dining Package. They'll get the same amount out of me, but only by cannibalizing their own attractions.

That's kind of how I've approached it the last couple of trips - costs have risen so I've cut stuff out, or swapped out things. Like when we tried the CL FPs, we canceled a dessert party and some kind of dining package. But generally so far, I haven't felt like I've really lost out on anything, more like just swapped, so if I'm paying more next time around for a lesser experience, that will feel a little different. But hard to know without details! Hopefully they will not make any changes without giving people adequate time to prepare. (am I being overly optimistic again?)

 

[familyman123]

I totally agree with your thoughts on this in this thread, and I’m a consistent park commando. I never leave a park before closing and I always arrive at or before park opening, so I ride all the headliners multiple times without issues.

I’m still waiting on official details to form an opinion, but with what’s been speculated so far, I’m not sure if the changes won’t result in more positives for a greater percentage of people (i.e. people who come every few years, 1st timers, large parties, international visitors, etc.). Ultimately, Disney WILL profit more if they can convert the aforementioned people into repeat visitors by offering easier access to popular rides.

It’s definitely fun to speculate and read others’ thoughts and opinions as we wait for details though!

I agree with all of this. Disney wants to have HIGH guest satisfaction. Die hards know how to plan and tour the park to minimize waits and maximize rides. But there are so many people who show up at the park without much of a clue and end of waiting a long time less satisfaction. Actions like denying rerides lessens the high satisfaction of diehards, and getting the fastpasses into the hands of the clueless will redistribute the satisfaction.

 

[Nancyg56]

I feel like I’m the only one who has never added a useful fourth fast pass. Whenever I do add something and get all excited over the “score” I get to the attraction and find there’s no line. This past trip I was at studios on our last day and my son wanted to ride mission space since we hadn’t done it yet. I came up with 8:30 pm which wouldn’t work. I kept refreshing for 20 minutes and eventually after wasting what was left of my phone battery managed to get it to 3:00 (just enough time to ride before magical express). After walking to Epcot in the rain we get to mission space and THERE’S NO LINE.

We have never booked a 4th FP. Once we use our three we just hit whatever queue is close and not a huge wait. We don’t plan strategically either. I book them around dining and I’m fine.

 

[saskdw]

Maybe lol. But being a park commando as things are now is simple if you are willing to spend a few minutes on the app. I got multiple fastpasses for top rides on our last trip in less than 5 minutes while waiting in the fastpass line for another ride.

Being from Canada, over the years I got used to just turning my phone off when we arrived, throwing it in the safe and not seeing it again until departure day. Before they had Wifi everywhere we couldn't use our phones as the data costs were crazy. It's only the last couple years I've brought my phone to the park with me. As I said our plans and FP's were usually later in the day/evening and trying to get more FP's just never came up. But reality is I'd rather have a couple more FP's booked 60 days in advance than messing around with that anyway. It's just differing vacation styles.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

I guess when my next trip comes in a few years, I can see how well it was implemented. Sounds like for my June trip I'm good! I don't mind the no re-ride. I'm a one time person really. During a EMH morning, we rode Dumbo twice and Pooh twice because the CMs asked and were so kind to let us do so....so we did. But unless my son our hubby wants to ride something again, I'm good with it. If I have to pay for it...I'll pay for them to re-ride and I'll hang out with my Mickey Ice Cream bar!

 

[saskdw]

What advantage do commandos have with day-of fastpasses? Literally anyone in the park can book available day-of fast passes. It's not limited to "commandos." They even provide kiosks if you don't have a compatible smart phone. I consider our family park commandos, and we don't even start looking for fourth FPs until after 1:00 pm on any day. Someone arriving at noon could beat us to the day-of fast pass lot.

The only advantage is going from the pool of everyone in the park to the pool of those willing to spend more. You know, the same ones that already have that advantage by staying on-site, buying dessert parties, buying after hours, buying extra morning magic, buying club level fast passes. That's the only advantage shift here.

Don't you have to use your FP's before you can book a 4th? Some days it might be 4pm before we use our first FP.

Yes we always stay onsite and yes I expect some advantages for doing so. Also I don't want to spend time searching for FP's at the park. I'd rather have it all booked in advance.

 

[kandb]

This has probably been spoken about BUT why would Disney add on all those extra non-Disney hotels to be eligible for the 60 day fp's??? My guess is they are going to start offering the fp's that people are going pay for to those hotels also. More $$$ for Disney. That's what it is all about!

 

[SaharanTea]

Don't you have to use your FP's before you can book a 4th? Some days it might be 4pm before we use our first FP.

Yes we always stay onsite and yes I expect some advantages for doing so. Also I don't want to spend time searching for FP's at the park. I'd rather have it all booked in advance.

What you're talking about isn't an advantage for commandos. It's simply an advantage for people who get up early. Many of those folks aren't commandos. A lot of them go early and leave. Some come back after the oft used afternoon nap or swim. Some go elsewhere.

You can book day of fast passes after you've used your initial set. Many locals don't have an initial set when they arrive.

When you can't get FPs at 6:00 after you've used your last pre booked fast pass, neither can anyone else at that time. It's all the same pool... for now.

 

[saskdw]

What you're talking about isn't an advantage for commandos. It's simply an advantage for people who get up early. Many of those folks aren't commandos. A lot of them go early and leave. Some come back after the oft used afternoon nap or swim. Some go elsewhere.

You can book day of fast passes after you've used your initial set. Many locals don't have an initial set when they arrive.

When you can't get FPs at 6:00 after you've used your last pre booked fast pass, neither can anyone else at that time. It's all the same pool... for now.

That's how I thought it worked.

Basically we have differing opinions on this and it isn't likely one of us is going to sway the other.

You're against paid FP's in any form and I "might" be ok with it depending how the final details look. Plus it's hard to have a debate based on speculation and maybe's! LOL

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I would assume if they went this route they may allow re-rides sometimes for the big rides (such as when the park has low demand). Well I’m hoping so or my days of riding Toy Story Mania 4-6 times in a row close to park closing is over.

Definitely could see some tracking of demand and rides with the highest demand, during the busiest of days wouldhavr more things pushed to paid option

Could be another way for Disney to even out crowds - slower times have more “free” FP available