Paid FP options coming soon to WDW?

[Liquidice]

All this panic about something that may or may not happen. FP+ seems to be coming back. What happens later is another question, but perhaps let's wait and see what actually comes before we get out the pitchforks? I still say it'll likely be a combination of free plus extras for a fee and/or for hotel guests. It just makes the most sense.

What else would I do between trips to Disney except pontificate on new things / things changing at Disney?

But certainly the MickeyViews video has more people thinking about the possibility of a paid FP than before. It could be though that like others have said - they go back to completely the same FP+ or they have something in between the MickeyViews idea and FP+ - and this rumor was leaked out to make people think the worst and something not as bad comes out so people aren't as upset about the change

 

[Liquidice]

The celebrities and super rich already have services available to them. If they were to add this I could see it replacing VIP tours not fastpass and having an upcharge for a guide.

Eta: I'm not naive enough to believe there won't be some kind of charge for some kind of fastpass but I also don't believe that Disney is going to drive away what made them Disney completely (meaning that Disney is for everyone). I'm not sure what it will look like but I think there will be at least se of the same aspects of the current system involved.

I agree with you that there will be some kind of free system or something akin to MaxPass in Disneyland - my guess is a virtual queue system using standby. I probably don't have it all figured out correctly to answer exactly how it would work - but Disney I'm sure does. Agree they are not just going to price the majority out of going to Disney, they want it to be something that everyone does at least once in their life.

 

[Loro]

What else would I do between trips to Disney except pontificate on new things / things changing at Disney?

But certainly the MickeyViews video has more people thinking about the possibility of a paid FP than before. It could be though that like others have said - they go back to completely the same FP+ or they have something in between the MickeyViews idea and FP+ - and this rumor was leaked out to make people think the worst and something not as bad comes out so people aren't as upset about the change

Well I definitely chose the wrong word in panic, lol. Absolutely nothing wrong with discussion, just some people seemed to be a little more... losing it? Understandably so too. Just trying to keep things calm a bit by saying that we should hold off until it's real.

As someone with a close friend who is an insider at some of those meetings, I have heard a lot over the years. At this point I think it is somewhat reckless to release info on something like this that is still up in the air. Genie is very likely to bring massive change to a lot of things. Genie itself is also a massive project for a company that has IT like Disney's, let alone get it to work in a way that all guests can use properly. A lot could change between now and when Genie is released, which is why most people with insider info aren't really reporting much on it.

 

[Liquidice]

Well I definitely chose the wrong word in panic, lol. Absolutely nothing wrong with discussion, just some people seemed to be a little more... losing it? Understandably so too. Just trying to keep things calm a bit by saying that we should hold off until it's real.

As someone with a close friend who is an insider at some of those meetings, I have heard a lot over the years. At this point I think it is somewhat reckless to release info on something like this that is still up in the air. Genie is very likely to bring massive change to a lot of things. Genie itself is also a massive project for a company that has IT like Disney's, let alone get it to work in a way that all guests can use properly. A lot could change between now and when Genie is released, which is why most people with insider info aren't really reporting much on it.

Yeah I agree, its still possible nothing happens and FP+ comes back the way it was. But logically it makes sense to me that Disney would want to monetize what is the Fastpass lane today, especially if they are successful at figuring out a way to reduce wait times in the standby line (in my mind that answer is virtual queues).

You're right though - if Disney is going to do this, they should probably outsource it to a software company instead of doing it internally because their track record with IT is horrible!

The only reason Disney+ works well is because they bought BAMTech - although the initial integration with Disney's SSO was (and still mostly is) awful. This is a company that still hasn't gotten 2FA working properly where virtually everyone else has.

 

[whiporee]

"Hatred"??? Okay.

The “hatred” was a joke, meant to sound like Palpatine or Yoda or something. Meant as a joke. Sorry it didn’t work.

 

[sparky68]

Universals express pass works because you can buy 1 day unlimited pass to both parks, and for the most part ride everything. I buy those passes because I go to universal for 1 day.

I don't think the same works for Disney because people plan week vacations, and consider it their home away from home. Universal price points will never work at Disney in that regard

People pay for after hours events yes, but that is a completely different experience. Being there at night with minimal people. That's special. I didn't really do after hours cause of going on rides alot. I did it cause it was just a cool experience. And it was =]

I spend a week at Universal. You could in theory do it in a day with rope drop, express pass and staying all day. You would probably be surprised at the number of people who go and spend a week.

 

[WVU Disney Fan]

I guarantee you that everyone who upgraded from a moderate or value resort to get the "free" passes will shorten their trip to recover the cost of the upgrade

I have to disagree. I’ve only ever stayed at moderates and values but would certainly upgrade to deluxe for lighting pass. Maybe I’m in the minority but definitely wouldn’t shorten my trip either.

 

[sparky68]

I bolded the above part I wanted to agree with. I've only been to Universal twice ... once was really a long time ago but the a bit more recent one was about 5-7 years ago. I'll never forget it. My sister had bought myself and my daughters a day pass for the two parks as a surprise and we got there about park opening but after the first ride the waits were sooo long. I remember there was a Cat and the Hat ride and we entered the line because it was posted as 20 minutes. I don't remember how long it ended up being but more like 45 minutes to two hours. I remember seeing the same family riding it over and over as we stood there and watched because they had the kind of pass that was always front of the line. It was like that on the other couple of rides we tried. We'd see the same people over and over while we waited.

I decided that our tickets paid for the upkeep of the park but the front of the line type tickets (or with resort stay) paid for actual fun.

I haven't been back. I could stay at one of the hotels that let you ride over and over but I just think the disparity is too extreme.

Do you feel the same way about dining or hotel acommodation disparity?
Say a family staying club level at Beach Club Resort versus a family of 4 squeezing themselves into a Pop room?
Disney does not allow pool hopping. You can't believe there is no difference in the pool side experience at All Star Sports and The Yacht Club.
A Family eating counter service or deluxe dining every meal?
Disparity in vacation experience is always going to be there.
I believe Disney was allowing their club level resort guests to pay for extra fast passes just before covid closed everything.

 

[ForceofWill]

Currently there's no incentives to stay on property. Once the covid travel boom is over and they open all the hotels, they won't fill them all unless they fix that. I could see them bringing FP+ back for on site hotels only, maybe 1 at a time for value, 2 moderate and 3 deluxe and then also charging for Lightning pass at $300.

 

[Disturbia]

Disney is in the hotel business and they do care about their image as a business would. It seems clear to me that they want to retain the highest paying customer (which is what a business should do). If I kept a restaurant open for someone who only paid for a drink, I wouldn’t be open long.

The paid fast pass system would be good to improve guest experience (you don’t have to buy it and can choose to ride standby) and free up time for table service dining (quickly booked up, so people are spending $$$$).

For us the fastpass+ made for a mostly relaxing and enjoyable vacation. We book table service dining (it’s part of the experience for us) for each night of our trip except maybe one or two pool nights. The after hours events were great as well, but they did reduce hours for the regular guests (Disney didn’t loose any customers over that). Disney also blocked off huge areas in the hub for dessert parties to make money and improve the guest experience. It made for horrible overcrowding for people like us who never did a dessert party, but Disney didn’t loose any customers (and we still got to watch fireworks). The festivals in Epcot are running longer as well and they add to the experience even though I’m paying more.

We can’t expect Disney to backtrack and offer free fast passes again seeing that park passes are selling out and Disney needs to recoup losses to offer a better experience in the future. You can choose your experience quality,

 

[Aprilshack]

Whatever they have planned I wish they would just announce it and put us out of our misery. It seems to be dragging on forever this Genie thing and will we/won't we be paying for fastpasses. Just get on with it Disney!

 

[FinallyFL]

Currently there's no incentives to stay on property. Once the covid travel boom is over and they open all the hotels, they won't fill them all unless they fix that. I could see them bringing FP+ back for on site hotels only, maybe 1 at a time for value, 2 moderate and 3 deluxe and then also charging for Lightning pass at $300.

Does anyone know the ratio of on-site to off-site guests at WDW in normal times?

 

[luv2cheer92]

Does anyone know the ratio of on-site to off-site guests at WDW in normal times?

I don't know if numbers are ever actually released. But estimates I've heard are around 30-40% onsite and 60-70% offsite. There are generally a lot more people staying off site.

 

[Wandering Oaken]

Let’s take that a step further .. float ridiculous rumours so people are relieved when the slightly less ridiculous version is officially announced.

That is an old fast food "trick". If you food is not going to be ready right away they tell you it will take "five minutes" when they know it will only take 3. That way when you get it in 3 minutes you are pleased that they got it done much quicker.

 

[kristenabelle]

Max pass is completely different though. Max pass isn't FP+. All it gets you is the ability to book FP+ in the park (and your photos). That's it. FP is still free.

right, I was just thinking from a strictly cost perspective. $20-40 range per person per day is a lot more digestible than $300

 

[mshanson3121]

Do you feel the same way about dining or hotel acommodation disparity?
Say a family staying club level at Beach Club Resort versus a family of 4 squeezing themselves into a Pop room?
Disney does not allow pool hopping. You can't believe there is no difference in the pool side experience at All Star Sports and The Yacht Club.
A Family eating counter service or deluxe dining every meal?
Disparity in vacation experience is always going to be there.
I believe Disney was allowing their club level resort guests to pay for extra fast passes just before covid closed everything.

Absolutely, but you can't begin to compare those things, to doing away with FP+. FP+ was the playing field leveler. Everyone got the same initial benefit regardless of their bank account, where they stayed etc... And while some here disliked it, the majority of the real world loved it and found it made their trip more enjoyable. Now, if they want to keep the free FP+ for everyone and add on the option to buy more FP+ for those of means, absolutely, go to it. As you said, they were already doing that for Club Level guests. But to take it away completely, and now only offer it as an option for those with deep enough wallets, is a really, really bad look.

 

[OhBother1984]

I have to disagree. I’ve only ever stayed at moderates and values but would certainly upgrade to deluxe for lighting pass. Maybe I’m in the minority but definitely wouldn’t shorten my trip either.

I think a lot would do the same, and it would also boom DVC even more then it already is if DVC blue card staying at DVC is included.

Currently there's no incentives to stay on property. Once the covid travel boom is over and they open all the hotels, they won't fill them all unless they fix that. I could see them bringing FP+ back for on site hotels only, maybe 1 at a time for value, 2 moderate and 3 deluxe and then also charging for Lightning pass at $300.

I agree with this also, travel boom is gonna last 6 months probably at best months to get through spring break. It's not going to be anything sustaining, especially since most people don't do big expensive trips every year.

I really do expect some form of FP to be included with resort stays, just how they do it will be interesting. They know those that stay on property spend more on property, so its getting more to book deluxe since they haven't really struggled to fill value or moderate.

 

[ellbell]

I have to disagree. I’ve only ever stayed at moderates and values but would certainly upgrade to deluxe for lighting pass. Maybe I’m in the minority but definitely wouldn’t shorten my trip either.

A lot of people wouldn't have the means to keep their trip tje same length and switch to a hotel that cost 2 or 3 times more.

 

[OhBother1984]

The bigger thing is if they go to a paid system how many people will be using it vs the free system. If it reduces the amount of people using FP that will actually help the stand by lines.

 

[mackmack]

Whatever they have planned I wish they would just announce it and put us out of our misery. It seems to be dragging on forever this Genie thing and will we/won't we be paying for fastpasses. Just get on with it Disney!

My guess is they are holding off until all Covid restrictions are dropped. To the point where the CDC stops wavering and all kids have had the opportunity to get the vaccine(my guess Sept-Oct) and the full capacity blessing is given which at that point I assume whatever they announce is going to be very very bad(expensive) news so the mine as well just wait till after the 50th. My guess November 1st announcement.