Paid FP options coming soon to WDW?

[Moliphino]

FP does not increase wait times in standby lines to any real significant amount. It only seems that way because when you get to the end of the standby line you get upset that some of the FP guests are allowed in past you. It triggers your "line cutting" mode of thinking and makes you believe you are waiting a lot longer when in reality it maybe adds another 5 or so minutes to your overall wait time.

No, standby lines definitely move faster without fastpass.

 

[Wandering Oaken]

No, standby lines definitely move faster without fastpass.

Okay.

 

[ST1TCH]

Hey, we get it, you're a FP cheerleader. When FP+ is in use, I take advantage of it too. But simple math says that when you throw more people at a ride every hour, and those additional people get priority, it will have a negative impact on those who are in the standby line.

 

[Moliphino]

Okay.
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I'm speaking from experience. No fastpass means the lines move constantly. With fastpass you stop every 10 feet for a few minutes while they let FP folks through. There are standby lines that I would never wait in when FP was active that were rather nice without it (Peter Pan, FOP).

 

[jade1]

It’s been roughly 14 months since they had to close everything unexpectedly. They opened back up with a brand new system (park reservations) about 11 months ago

So they if they made a brand new system in 3 months, why couldn't they add in a FP+ component over the last 11 months?

 

[Wandering Oaken]

I'm speaking from experience. No fastpass means the lines move constantly. With fastpass you stop every 10 feet for a few minutes while they let FP folks through. There are standby lines that I would never wait in when FP was active that were rather nice without it (Peter Pan, FOP).

And I am not speaking from experience? I was going to Disney parks back when it was just MK and EPCOT. But yeah, it slows down the standby line, for you. (end of line)

 

[mercuryvenus]

So they if they made a brand new system in 3 months, why couldn't they add in a FP+ component over the last 11 months?

It requires testing. They had a lot of other things going on over the past 11 months; it’s not as though they could simply spend all their time working on syncing FP+ with PRS.

 

[TexasChick123]

When I was at Universal a few weeks ago, there was a WDW CM standing behind me in line for Hagrid’s. He said the prevalent rumor amongst the CMs who claim to have more knowledge is that the free FPs of any kind are gone. You’ll have to “pay to play” so to speak. Now, whether or not staying at a WDW hotel counts as paying or not is questionable. I asked if it was going to be like MaxPass at DL, and he said that’s what they’re hearing, but no free option. You’ll pay one fee to get them from the kiosks and a higher fee to book them from your phone. Just reporting random conversations while in line here.

 

[Wandering Oaken]

When I was at Universal a few weeks ago, there was a WDW CM standing behind me in line for Hagrid’s. He said the prevalent rumor amongst the CMs who claim to have more knowledge is that the free FPs of any kind are gone. You’ll have to “pay to play” so to speak. Now, whether or not staying at a WDW hotel counts as paying or not is questionable. I asked if it was going to be like MaxPass at DL, and he said that’s what they’re hearing, but no free option. You’ll pay one fee to get them from the kiosks and a higher fee to book them from your phone. Just reporting random conversations while in line here.

That sounds like "Bus driver" rumors from a WDW CM to me.

 

[mercuryvenus]

When I was at Universal a few weeks ago, there was a WDW CM standing behind me in line for Hagrid’s. He said the prevalent rumor amongst the CMs who claim to have more knowledge is that the free FPs of any kind are gone. You’ll have to “pay to play” so to speak. Now, whether or not staying at a WDW hotel counts as paying or not is questionable. I asked if it was going to be like MaxPass at DL, and he said that’s what they’re hearing, but no free option. You’ll pay one fee to get them from the kiosks and a higher fee to book them from your phone. Just reporting random conversations while in line here.

That would be a super stupid decision, considering how long people spend at WDW. For a family of 4 on a 5 day trip, you’re asking people to spend an extra $400 even if Disney only charges $20 per person per day.

 

[Moliphino]

And I am not speaking from experience? I was going to Disney parks back when it was just MK and EPCOT. But yeah, it slows down the standby line, for you. (end of line)

Look, I'm a big fan of FP+ and I like getting my three pre-booked rides with no wait at all. But it's just a fact that standby lines move faster without FP involved. It doesn't mean I want to do away with FP/FP+ permanently.

 

[jade1]

No, standby lines definitely move faster without fastpass.

I agree, but there also an "average wait time" overall component.

EX if 80% of an attraction is FP+, only 20% have an increased wait time.

RotR is actually a version of FP, the SB wait time is zero.

Our RotR VQ waits were about 15 minutes over the winter,, so they likely have a number of guests for each group that they know will keep it relatively short-other than breakdowns etc.

Wouldn't be surprised with more VQ attractions actually. No SB line at all.

 

[Grumpy by Birth]

I'm pretty sure I've seen analysis in the past showing the actual math (maybe from Touring Plans or one of those outfits) that illustrated precisely how much impact FP had on the SB lines. I'd have to dig that up and review it to provide details, but I'm fairly certain it was more then 5 minutes.

 

[jade1]

It requires testing. They had a lot of other things going on over the past 11 months; it’s not as though they could simply spend all their time working on syncing FP+ with PRS.

Testing yes-but 11 months to tweak the new system that was created in 3 months should be long enough.

My guess is they are simply waiting to decide which way to go, and testing could start at any time.

 

[jade1]

I'm pretty sure I've seen analysis in the past showing the actual math (maybe from Touring Plans or one of those outfits) that illustrated precisely how much impact FP had on the SB lines. I'd have to dig that up and review it to provide details, but I'm fairly certain it was more then 5 minutes.

Yea it can be very significant.

If you push FP+ to 99%, SB will be 12 hours.

 

[BrianL]

The thing about the FP line is that it is unpredictable. If there is a slow and steady stream of FP returners during the hour then it won't slow standby too much, but if a large influx all comes at once, it definitely does. I've seen on 7DMT where they basically stop stand-by to deal with a big FP crowd - this often happens if a ride has been down earlier so a lot more returners are coming in. The impact also depends on the type of ride and how it loads too as some rides handle it a little better than others.

 

[Remy is Up]

You’re probably right. My only point is that takes awhile to test out and implement, so I’m not super surprised they haven’t rolled it out yet.

You are right but when you add a new platform to accommodate it all, the game changes and requires mass testing. This isn't about not being prepared. This is about a timeline being moved up as well as testing multiple programs on a new platform to determine integration issues. Everyone just has to be patient and when they do release a fp system understand if it isn't a hybrid or paid system that it could change again. System integration on a new platform isn't easy as proven by the fact tests on a new fp system have shut the whole system down in live system testing.

 

[cakebaker]

No, standby lines definitely move faster without fastpass.

Standby lines are also much longer without FP. I have no doubt 100 people in standby move slower with the FP line active, but without FP you'll have more people in standby. I'm going with it doesn't significantly increase the overall wait time, but I honestly don't care what the standby time is if I have a FP and with the old system we had no trouble getting what we wanted.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

FP does not increase wait times in standby lines to any real significant amount. It only seems that way because when you get to the end of the standby line you get upset that some of the FP guests are allowed in past you. It triggers your "line cutting" mode of thinking and makes you believe you are waiting a lot longer when in reality it maybe adds another 5 or so minutes to your overall wait time.

That's not quite how it works.

The ratio of FP riders is tipped in that direction in comparison to standby riders. This was the same at DLR with MP.

It's not really about perception. I mean you're right that it aggravates people to see person after person after person get waived through. But there's nothing about perception with respects to wait times for FP vs Standby. But I agree with BrianL that things can turn out different depending on the ride and circumstances.

While the experience was at DLR with MP Haunted Mansion, Radiator Springs, Toy Story and BTMRR were big ones where MPSB lines were atrocious without FP. We stood still for over an hour at Radiator Springs after chugging along just fine. We were soooo close to getting to the top level too. And do you know who got let in during that hour we stood still? Only those in the FP line. Yup. Just them. Toy Story they were letting in 4 or 5 people from the Standby line and droves from the FP line.

I have some DISer friends that have since moved down to Orlando and the couple was actually fine with FP initially but over time (pre-pandemic) have gotten so fed up with it. They'll be happy if it never comes back. Both them and another couple who go several times a year have the same thoughts that FP.

It's rarely "some of the FP guests". I mean it is what it is is but what good would the FP program be if people didn't get to experience a decently shorter wait time, what would be the point.

 

[Wandering Oaken]

Standby lines are also much longer without FP. I have no doubt 100 people in standby move slower with the FP line active, but without FP you'll have more people in standby. I'm going with it doesn't significantly increase the overall wait time, but I honestly don't care what the standby time is if I have a FP and with the old system we had no trouble getting what we wanted.

I'll keep using FP+ (if it returns) and I will just walk right past the people waiting in the standby lines.