Paid FP options coming soon to WDW?

[dlavender]

I’m not sure I see widespread success if they go with $50pp for 3 FP+ a day. I mean, thats a huge additional cost to your park ticket for three rides. Club level guests naturally are most likely to have the funds or they wouldn’t be club level. On a whole though, I think many people would balk. My guess would be maybe CL guests end up with 3 extra FP+ for free or no tiers or something that makes that expensive hotel room stay booked. Those guests can still get the paid package available to everyone, but keeps an incentive there for CL booking. (Or it goes to like a 3/2/1 free for CL/onsite/offsite).

I think its more likely Disney does this in slow stages so just as you accept its normal to only have 3 free (no 4th+), they reduce to 2 or take away headliners. First step could just be cutting all free FP+ beyond 3, and offering 5 FP+ (prescheduled, still with tiering or at least no repeats) for $50pp. May seem close to CL now but reduces the pp/per ride cost to $10 instead of $17 and 8 FP+ total (free + paid) makes the guest feel like they now have a full day “secured”.

I don’t see them offering anything for free that they used to charge for. It usually works the reverse.

They may go many different routes in this. “Want to open up your window to book your 3 FPS sooner? Pay me” “Want to have 3 extra planned FPs? Pay me” “Want 1 additional while in the parks? Pay me”.....

Whatever they do, it’s going to have to be expensive to limit its use. I think about $17 per FP is going to be close.

 

[stephk1981]

We have paid the extra $50 a day for the past two CL stays. FOP and test track broke down, they were extra paid for fast passes. I didn't go to guest services to complain or even to the CL lounge cm to be refunded because I didn't see it worth my time. I scheduled rides for DS and I, and hired an in room sitter for DD. On the next CL stay my DH was on the trip with us, test track broke down...it was one of our paid for fast passes. He was ticked and went to wait at guest services with DS while I went back to the resort with DD.
The same thing happened in both scenarios, but not everyone is going to go to guest services to complain and demand refunds...especially when that line will probably be a mile long. My DH would wait no matter what on principle.....if I am at Disney by myself with both kids, I am not going to wait in that line....I don't care how much I have paid for extra fast passes. I am sure Disney is counting on it not being worth everyone's time in those situations.

 

[Disneylover99]

We have paid the extra $50 a day for the past two CL stays. FOP and test track broke down, they were extra paid for fast passes. I didn't go to guest services to complain or even to the CL lounge cm to be refunded because I didn't see it worth my time. I scheduled rides for DS and I, and hired an in room sitter for DD. On the next CL stay my DH was on the trip with us, test track broke down...it was one of our paid for fast passes. He was ticked and went to wait at guest services with DS while I went back to the resort with DD.
The same thing happened in both scenarios, but not everyone is going to go to guest services to complain and demand refunds...especially when that line will probably be a mile long. My DH would wait no matter what on principle.....if I am at Disney by myself with both kids, I am not going to wait in that line....I don't care how much I have paid for extra fast passes. I am sure Disney is counting on it not being worth everyone's time in those situations.

I agree. Guest services will be long when rides go down that you’ve specifically bought fp’s for. And yes, I believe Disney is counting on/hoping that the majority of people don’t complain.

It’s another reason I don’t want to buy them.

 

[Nancyg56]

We have paid the extra $50 a day for the past two CL stays. FOP and test track broke down, they were extra paid for fast passes. I didn't go to guest services to complain or even to the CL lounge cm to be refunded because I didn't see it worth my time. I scheduled rides for DS and I, and hired an in room sitter for DD. On the next CL stay my DH was on the trip with us, test track broke down...it was one of our paid for fast passes. He was ticked and went to wait at guest services with DS while I went back to the resort with DD.
The same thing happened in both scenarios, but not everyone is going to go to guest services to complain and demand refunds...especially when that line will probably be a mile long. My DH would wait no matter what on principle.....if I am at Disney by myself with both kids, I am not going to wait in that line....I don't care how much I have paid for extra fast passes. I am sure Disney is counting on it not being worth everyone's time in those situations.

I agree. I rarely complain because I do not want to add a level of stress to my vacation, however if I paid charge for experiences with my crew and they fell way short there is a high probability I would want to make my feelings known. Granted, I am not standing inline with two youngsters so I have less to consider when making that decision, but as a family size increases, the costs do as well. I do not like to lose money. I may not be able to get the lost experience back, but I most likely will gain some restitution. I imagine I am not alone in how I view this. Families who have paid more to maximize their enjoyment and minimize stress and lines, will expect to receive their money's worth.

Personally, I think Disney will need to find a sweet spot for those families and the perceived value of all they are paying extra for. Frankly, I firmly believe that this is going to be Disney's biggest hurdle.

 

[Anchored]

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*

These numbers correlate to $25 and $38 american money if google is correct. That is not nearly expensive enough for EVERYONE not to buy them. Interesting.

 

[mom2rtk]

I agree. I rarely complain because I do not want to add a level of stress to my vacation, however if I paid charge for experiences with my crew and they fell way short there is a high probability I would want to make my feelings known. Granted, I am not standing inline with two youngsters so I have less to consider when making that decision, but as a family size increases, the costs do as well. I do not like to lose money. I may not be able to get the lost experience back, but I most likely will gain some restitution. I imagine I am not alone in how I view this. Families who have paid more to maximize their enjoyment and minimize stress and lines, will expect to receive their money's worth.

Personally, I think Disney will need to find a sweet spot for those families and the perceived value of all they are paying extra for. Frankly, I firmly believe that this is going to be Disney's biggest hurdle.

If Disney starts charging on a widespread basis for FP, they need to staff up in GS. Many people (myself included) will decide to wait through the line if they pay and the rides go down. I'm sure Disney will have some small print saying they don't guarantee a certain ride will be available at the appointed time. But with a paid system, people won't care.

 

[MamaBelle4]

These numbers correlate to $25 and $38 american money if google is correct. That is not nearly expensive enough for EVERYONE not to buy them. Interesting.

If Disney starts charging on a widespread basis for FP, they need to staff up in GS. Many people (myself included) will decide to wait through the line (myself included) if they pay and the rides go down. I'm sure Disney will have some small print saying they don't guarantee a certain ride will be available at the appointed time. But with a paid system, people won't care.

Yeah, I'd be standing in line FOR SURE.

 

[JaxDad]

If Disney starts charging on a widespread basis for FP, they need to staff up in GS. Many people (myself included) will decide to wait through the line if they pay and the rides go down. I'm sure Disney will have some small print saying they don't guarantee a certain ride will be available at the appointed time. But with a paid system, people won't care.

I'm guessing long lines at GS are part of their deterrent for people actually complaining...

 

[mom2rtk]

And I will add that I never complain at DLR if a ride goes down, in spite of having paid for MaxPass. But I would for what I think is coming at WDW. At least at DLR the system is reasonably priced (so far). And you're only paying to have the electronic version of what you can still get for free. And the free Photopass is a value by itself to me, so no need to complain if something goes down.

It appears the WDW version will be very different.

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm guessing long lines at GS are part of their deterrent for people actually complaining...

Sure. But I'll send my party on and still wait. I'm sure many others still will too.

 

[scrappinginontario]

We have paid the extra $50 a day for the past two CL stays. FOP and test track broke down, they were extra paid for fast passes. I didn't go to guest services to complain or even to the CL lounge cm to be refunded because I didn't see it worth my time. I scheduled rides for DS and I, and hired an in room sitter for DD. On the next CL stay my DH was on the trip with us, test track broke down...it was one of our paid for fast passes. He was ticked and went to wait at guest services with DS while I went back to the resort with DD.
The same thing happened in both scenarios, but not everyone is going to go to guest services to complain and demand refunds...especially when that line will probably be a mile long. My DH would wait no matter what on principle.....if I am at Disney by myself with both kids, I am not going to wait in that line....I don't care how much I have paid for extra fast passes. I am sure Disney is counting on it not being worth everyone's time in those situations.

We also need to look at $50 to a guest able to stay (multiple times) at CL, is very different from the average guest at Disney parks who may now feel the 'need' to purchase FPs to ensure they ride the bigger attractions. Just your statements of how many CL trips you've had and your ticker of Deluxe resorts puts you in a different financial bracket from many and I don't feel we're really comparing apples to apples. A guest who has saved for years to make a short trip, will look at a ride closure differently from those who are blessed (as I am too) to visit more often.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Sure. But I'll send my party on and still wait. I'm sure many others still will too.

Yes indeed. When money is involved I will wait. Did this a couple of years ago to get my parking refunded after I activated our APs

 

[scrappinginontario]

Yes indeed. When money is involved I will wait. Did this a couple of years ago to get my parking refunded after I activated our APs

I agree. With free FPs, if a ride is down we just move on and either find another attraction or hope the ride opens later in the day. If I'm paying for a FP and the ride goes down, I'm far more likely to visit GS to see what options are available.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

In park guest relations isn’t the only way to complain either, nor is it always time spent instead of time spent in the parks.

Front line CMs will absolutely be hearing it, so that’s going to suck for them. There’s also people who will wait until they’re back at their resort, people who will email guest relations after, and people who will hold off until the end of their day to go to guest relations when it isn’t wasting their park time.

I think they’re mistaken if they don’t think people are going to take it much worse than current break downs when FP+ are not an extra cost. I don’t think those people are in the wrong either. Disney should absolutely hear it when people are disappointed with something, whether it’s stationary photo boxes or a broke down ride they paid for.

 

[mom2rtk]

Yes indeed. When money is involved I will wait. Did this a couple of years ago to get my parking refunded after I activated our APs

I agree. With free FPs, if a ride is down we just move on and either find another attraction or hope the ride opens later in the day. If I'm paying for a FP and the ride goes down, I'm far more likely to visit GS to see what options are available.

I'll save you both a spot in line.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

In park guest relations isn’t the only way to complain either, nor is it always time spent instead of time spent in the parks.

Front line CMs will absolutely be hearing it, so that’s going to suck for them. There’s also people who will wait until they’re back at their resort, people who will email guest relations after, and people who will hold off until the end of their day to go to guest relations when it isn’t wasting their park time.

I think they’re mistaken if they don’t think people are going to take it much worse than current break downs when FP+ are not an extra cost. I don’t think those people are in the wrong either. Disney should absolutely hear it when people are disappointed with something, whether it’s stationary photo boxes or a broke down ride they paid for.

On a positive note, I also don’t think Disney is clueless and hasn’t realized this. I hope.

 

[stephk1981]

We also need to look at $50 to a guest able to stay (multiple times) at CL, is very different from the average guest at Disney parks who may now feel the 'need' to purchase FPs to ensure they ride the bigger attractions. Just your statements of how many CL trips you've had and your ticker of Deluxe resorts puts you in a different financial bracket from many and I don't feel we're really comparing apples to apples. A guest who has saved for years to make a short trip, will look at a ride closure differently from those who are blessed (as I am too) to visit more often.

Absolutely agree with you .....I was just trying to state that some people won't find it ' worth' their time to wait in a huge line to get a resolution. Especially if they have limited time, I wouldn't want to waste and hour or two at guest services trying to get my money back.....I would move on to the next thing to spend precious time with my family. My point was, not everyone is going to wait at GS to address the fast pass loss.....then Disney has gain on their misfortune

Edited to say, hopefully Disney factors this in so that there will either be an automatic refund? Is that even possible on such a large scale( so many people.)

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Absolutely agree with you .....I was just trying to state that seems people won't find it ' worth' their time to wait in a huge line to get a resolution. Especially if they have limited time, I wouldn't want to waste and hour or two at guest services trying to get my money back.....I would move on to the next thing to spend precious time with my family. My point was, not everyone is going to wait at GS to address the fast pass loss.....then Disney has gain on their misfortune

For sure.

No doubt there will be some sort of automated resolution Disney has planned for when this happens. That’ll be good enough for some people, it may even be good enough for a lot of people if they realize heightened expectations from the get go and account for it.

 

[dlavender]

On a positive note, I also don’t think Disney is clueless and hasn’t realized this. I hope.

They are probably going to roll out a FP+ line for GS in preparation...

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

They are probably going to roll out a FP+ line for GS in preparation...

But, you'll need to pay for this FP+

On the bright side, I think it's safe to say that GS will never go down. Might be the safest FP+ you can buy.