Paid FP options coming soon to WDW?

[SaharanTea]

All we know is sometime this year. Nothing more specific.

I give try to give "insiders" a lot of leeway on rumors. I understand things are ever-changing, but these latest FP rumors kind of leave me with a bit of a bad taste.

Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for the warning, but it feels a bit "schadenfreudian" to let slip the little bit they have and leave us to our worst imaginations.

I guess the whole thing just has me worried.

 

[SaharanTea]

There won't be anytime FP's. I'm not sure who is hoping and dreaming for that.

Whatever paid options are coming I'm sure they will have to be booked just like a current FP.

I agree. I think it's just part of the hope mechanism that whatever changes Disney makes will at least benefit people in some way. Personally, I don't think it'll benefit anyone outside of the tiny crowd that doesn't mind paying whatever Disney asks to get the "riffraff" out of their way.

Apologies for being a little salty, but paying on top of gate for FPs gets me that way.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I'm with you. I don't understand how people think a new system is going to be less complicated and easier to understand when it will be built on top of the current system.

I also don't get the optimism of hoping they sell anytime fast passes. That would seriously reduce Disney's ability to control crowds. That's just not going to happen on a large scale. Doling them out as treats and whoopsies here and there doesn't affect much, and they likely still have data on where those typically get used.

I mean anytime riding exists, for the low price of $400+ an hour with a minimum amount of hours purchased, should anyone delude themselves into thinking there’s going to be anything remotely affordable, even using Disney math, allowing anytime riding.

We already know what Disney thinks that’s worth at WDW.

 

[saskdw]

I agree. I think it's just part of the hope mechanism that whatever changes Disney makes will at least benefit people in some way. Personally, I don't think it'll benefit anyone outside of the tiny crowd that doesn't mind paying whatever Disney asks to get the "riffraff" out of their way.

Apologies for being a little salty, but paying on top of gate for FPs gets me that way.

I've just decided not to get worked up until I know what the changes are.

I'm not completely against some form of paid FP. It depends how they are sold and what the cost is. Also what effect it has on the current 3 "free" FP's.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Disney planning used to help me cope with my anxiety. Now it almost makes it worse.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I've just decided not to get worked up until I know what the changes are.

I'm not completely against some form of paid FP. It depends how they are sold and what the cost is. Also what effect it has on the current 3 "free" FP's.

The only way a pay system works is if it’s very cost prohibitive, or free FP/standby feel an impact. There’s a finite number of spaces available to ride.

The only way those of us unwilling to pay don’t see a loss is if their intention is to target this at a very small minority of guests, or if it’s a massive failure. I don’t think either are likely.

 

[SaharanTea]

I've just decided not to get worked up until I know what the changes are.

I'm not completely against some form of paid FP. It depends how they are sold and what the cost is. Also what effect it has on the current 3 "free" FP's.

I'm trying, but then Len Testa had to go open his mouth about it.

I wouldn't be that worried except my wife talked me into a trip this summer instead of waiting until some of the new stuff opens. She was afraid of what the crowds might look like. At this point I'm glad we're doing it sooner so long as we get in ahead of all these fast pass changes. After this trip it would be a while no matter what. We'll reevaluate whether Disney is still worth our effort at all, but at least we'll have the time to do so at that point.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I'm trying, but then Len Testa had to go open his mouth about it.

I wouldn't be that worried except my wife talked me into a trip this summer instead of waiting until some of the new stuff opens. She was afraid of what the crowds might look like. At this point I'm glad we're doing it sooner so long as we get in ahead of all these fast pass changes. After this trip it would be a while no matter what. We'll reevaluate whether Disney is still worth our effort at all, but at least we'll have the time to do so at that point.

I have a trip July 4th and then one Thanksgiving week. Talk about going to 2 different Worlds.

 

[saskdw]

The only way a pay system works is if it’s very cost prohibitive, or free FP/standby feel an impact. There’s a finite number of spaces available to ride.

The only way those of us unwilling to pay don’t see a loss is if their intention is to target this at a very small minority of guests, or if it’s a massive failure. I don’t think either are likely.

You are probably correct.

Our house has an upper middle class income. So from a selfish standpoint I hope the cost is high enough that it eliminates alot of people, but not so high that only "rich" people can afford it. I know that's not what you want to hear, but it is how I feel.

It will be a hard pill to swallow for everyone if they eliminate some of the current "free" FP's. I just want to see all the specifics before I decide if I like it or not.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

You are probably correct.

Our house has an upper middle class income. So from a selfish standpoint I hope the cost is high enough that it eliminates alot of people, but not so high that only "rich" people can afford it. I know that's not what you want to hear, but it is how I feel.

It will be a hard pill to swallow for everyone if they eliminate some of the current "free" FP's. I just want to see all the specifics before I decide if I like it or not.

To me there’s just no question if they’re going to eliminate *some* of the current freebies. They need to. If they don’t it comes from stand by, or the FP line gets longer moves slower. And as annoyed as people are with that kind of thing now, think how much worse it would be if you directly paid for it?

In order to be priced at a place where it isn’t cost prohibitive to most, like VIP guide type cost, the capacity needs to come from somewhere. Since it’s April fools, maybe we can pretend the capacity will come from Disney staffing their parks accordingly year round

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I’m sick of doom & gloom hints. Either tell me or shut up

My FP day is Friday. I’m hopeful that trip will be status quo.
But I’m getting concerned about our SW:GE opening weekend trip. Let’s just say I’m glad I’m currently only in with a refundable room.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I think back to my last trip, and how it became a running joke to book a Space Mountain FastPass if you wanted one of those any time any ride ones. I think it happened 3 times to us in one trip, it was at least twice.

When it happens and it’s a FP you didn’t pay for, it’s annoying at worst. You move on. When it happens and you paid specifically to FastPass one particular ride that is now broken down, it’s much tougher to just forget about.

Say 7DMT is my all time favourite, so I pay for my family of 5 to ride it. We’ll use that $50 for 3 pricing, even though I think when this comes to fruition the cost is higher than the current CL passes. That’s $85 for the privilege to wait less. And when I get to MK and see my account has been given one of those anytime guys instead? Off to guest services! I want a refund. And the irony of needing to waste my time at guest services because of a time saving convenience I paid for isn’t lost on me.

 

[crostorfer]

After seeing some posts about how they do things in Shanghai and Hong Kong on Twitter, with specific examples, I kind of see them moving that direction. You will FP’s in blocks, with two tiers of choices, for a set price. *these are not my photos, I grabbed them from WDWNT*

 

[saskdw]

To me there’s just no question if they’re going to eliminate *some* of the current freebies. They need to. If they don’t it comes from stand by, or the FP line gets longer moves slower. And as annoyed as people are with that kind of thing now, think how much worse it would be if you directly paid for it?

In order to be priced at a place where it isn’t cost prohibitive to most, like VIP guide type cost, the capacity needs to come from somewhere. Since it’s April fools, maybe we can pretend the capacity will come from Disney staffing their parks accordingly year round

They could possibly cut back on the inventory of the free FP's without actually changing the wording.

Meaning you will still technically get your 3 FP's, but the headliners will be extremely hard to get because they have cut the inventory to feed the paid packages.

 

[crostorfer]

They could possibly cut back on the inventory of the free FP's without actually changing the wording.

Meaning you will still technically get your 3 FP's, but the headliners will be extremely hard to get because they have cut the inventory to feed the paid packages.

Or, you can only get Tier 2’s for free, and all Tier 1, (and the mountains and the mine train in the MK), will be pay for play only.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

They could possibly cut back on the inventory of the free FP's without actually changing the wording.

Meaning you will still technically get your 3 FP's, but the headliners will be extremely hard to get because they have cut the inventory to feed the paid packages.

Exactly, that’s what I’m saying. That’s taking away capacity from the current free pool.

FP+ as we know it needs to change for this to be accessible or a success or both. I’m not concerned with the wording, only the end impact on the users and I can’t see how they can execute this without it being felt by current users in a general sense.

 

[saskdw]

Or, you can only get Tier 2’s for free, and all Tier 1, (and the mountains and the mine train in the MK), will be pay for play only.

With my way they can pretend they didn't take anything away from people...LOL.

At least until people start losing their minds because no one can get a good FP at 60 days out!

 

[samsteele]

They could possibly cut back on the inventory of the free FP's without actually changing the wording.

Meaning you will still technically get your 3 FP's, but the headliners will be extremely hard to get because they have cut the inventory to feed the paid packages.

This I see as very likely.

I can't see WDW taking away the 3 free FP. I do see them cutting into existing inventory esp for headliners.

With this weekend's update to MDE, they may have already cut back on the refreshing hack to grab FP 4 plus.

With paid FP, they have built in problems. Not the least is that some of the headliners break down often. Space Mountain is a big culprit. POC another. Add BTM and Splash to the list as well. The legacy rides aren't dependable. I had 4 MK days last Sept and rode SM once because it was chronically down. Once you pony up the cash, you want that ride guaranteed. Substitute FP won't cut it.

My guess is that paid FP will, when it premieres, start with GE, SlinkyDog, FOP, SDMT and the recent build dependables. Guests want results for their FP money.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

This I see as very likely.

I can't see WDW taking away the 3 free FP. I do see them cutting into existing inventory esp for headliners.

With this weekend's update to MDE, they may have already cut back on the refreshing hack to grab FP 4 plus.

With paid FP, they have built in problems. Not the least is that some of the headliners break down often. Space Mountain is a big culprit. POC another. Add BTM and Splash to the list as well. The legacy rides aren't dependable. I had 4 MK days last Sept and rode SM once because it was chronically down. Once you pony up the cash, you want that ride guaranteed. Substitute FP won't cut it.

My guess is that paid FP will, when it premieres, start with GE, SlinkyDog, FOP, SDMT and the recent build dependables. Guests want results for their FP money.

Yep.

If I’m paying directly for the privilege to wait less, Im pissed when a ride is down. I want my money back, but and also some sort of compensation, like the ability to ride later even after being reimbursed.

Not only would people be paying for the FP+, but very likely for a specific time. I’m not lenient at $85 a pop for my family (CL Numbers). Messing with someone’s very scheduled day that they paid for is a whole different ball game from messing with the schedule when it was “free”.

 

[saskdw]

Yep.

If I’m paying directly for the privilege to wait less, Im pissed when a ride is down. I want my money back, but and also some sort of compensation, like the ability to ride later even after being reimbursed.

Not only would people be paying for the FP+, but very likely for a specific time. I’m not lenient at $85 a pop for my family (CL Numbers). Messing with someone’s very scheduled day that they paid for is a whole different ball game from messing with the schedule when it was “free”.

I'm pretty confident that the Disney bean counters aren't factoring in how angry you're going to be if a ride breaks down when they are discussing this.