Paying for fastpass in 2006?????

[In a hurry]

Adult book, p.25.

"At press time, Disney FP service was free and avail. to everone bearing a valid themepark ticket."

It sounds like they were leaving it open to change.

 

[riu girl]

Has anyone called Disney to ask them about this issue?
We will be in Disney the first week of January (staying at a value).
I can't imagine Disney making an announcement of this magnitude and putting it into place immediately.

 

[Andrea]

i am wondering about this now also

 

[lassiem1127]

What jackskellingtonsgirl said does seem like something Disney would do....maybe have the ability to use the current fastpass system as an extra $10 or $20 a day charge for Disney resort guests, but included for free if you're at a deluxe. That sounds totally plausible. And then also have it as an add-on to the off-site guest magic your way tickets, just like the no-expiration and magic plus pack options, only probably more expensive per day than the Disney resort guest fee. Yes I could totally see that happening- it wouldn't require much change to the current fastpass system, only a change to the tickets. The only real questionable part then would be the APs, whether those people would have to pay a per-day fee to have the privilege, or whether APs would include it for a higher price.

This seems logical to me.....it would create a system that would entice more people to stay onsite....and it would also lower the demand for the FP...in other words...a fast pass would be available on a crowded day far later than they are now. Maybe some rides wouldn't run out right after lunch anymore.

 

[KevinM]

Here is an old article about changing the Fastpass system back in 2001:

3/22/2001

Eye Drive

Not so FastPass

By Jim Hill

Have you heard what the folks in Lake Buena Vista have been saying about Disney's FastPass system? And no, I'm not talking about how thrilled guests have been with the chance to make advance reservations instead of standing in line for hours for Disney's most popular rides and shows.

I'm talking about the pissed-off Disney management. They're mad that in spite of the $50 million the Mouse has poured into its ride-reservation system, virtual queuing seems to have had no impact on the bottom line.

When FastPass debuted in July 1999, Disney hoped all that free time would translate into significantly higher per-guests spending on food, drinks and merchandise. FastPass has indeed pulled people out of line; exit polls suggest it cuts two hours of waiting time off the typical tourist's day inside the parks.

But what the Mouse failed to take into consideration was one of the hard-and-fast rules of the Central Florida economy: A family with only $1,000 to spend on food and souvenirs during their theme-park vacation will not spend more than $1,000 just because they've been given more time to shop and eat. Even worse, given that extra time, people are less likely to buy on impulse and may just be shopping for bargains rather than grabbing the T-shirt closest to the exit.

Factor in the cost of training the hundreds of cast members needed to operate and maintain FastPass property-wide, and it's easy to see how something that was supposed to be a major money maker could become a loss leader.

While Disney execs were thrilled by the public's quick embrace of FastPass, they still expected a return on their investment. When none appeared to be forthcoming, the FastPass team was told to come up with a way to turn the system around. Their answer apparently tickled management but is almost certain to upset some fans. That's because they want to start charging guests of Disney's on-property hotels an extra fee to use the virtual-queuing system.

Does this seem like a nakedly greedy move on the Mouse's part? Sure. But, hey, it's not like Mickey hasn't done something like this before.

Take, for example, the "Magic Mornings" program. For almost 20 years now, folks who booked their vacations through Walt Disney Travel had the option of enjoying exclusive access into a park 90 minutes ahead of the other customers. True, the packages that included those features were a bit more expensive, but guests thought the extra expense was worth it.

If visitors were willing to pay $50-$100 more per person for their "Magic Morning," might they pay to reserve an entire trip's worth of FastPass tickets? What tourist wouldn't want to fly into Orlando, happy in the knowledge that they're guaranteed front-of-the-line access to such favorites as "Twilight Zone Tower of Terror," "GM Test Track," "Kali River Rapids" and "Space Mountain"?

Disney's being pretty close-mouthed about when this new version of FastPass might debut. However, Mouse House insiders suggest it's likely Disney Travel will offer the perk starting in October -- as an extra incentive to get tourists to book vacation packages to Disney World hotels during the 15-month-long "100 Years of Disney" celebration.

As for how it will work, field tests are currently being conducted in California. Guests who booked a vacation package through Disney Travel to the Disneyland resort in February and March (to catch the opening of Disney's California Adventure park) received a single front- of-the-line-on-any-ride FastPass, to be used at any time of day. Guest reaction will help determine exactly how this enhanced version of FastPass might initially be rolled out in Florida.

Mind you, for every FastPass that might be reserved as much as months in advance by someone staying at a Disney World hotel, that's one fewer pass available for day visitors. And that could lead to complaints about the general public being brushed aside to make way for Disney's top-paying customers.

If so, Disney would open itself up to the same sort of bad publicity Universal is currently experiencing, thanks to its Universal Express ride-access system.

Seemingly rooted in the caste system of 18th-century India, Universal Express is based on a simple idea: Those who spend the most dough get the most go. So those guests who stay at the Portofino Bay or Hard Rock hotels are entitled to almost unlimited front-of-the-line privileges at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure.

Those who don't stay at a Universal hotel but who bought multiday passes to the two parks get somewhat fewer opportunities to bypass the line. As for those who made the mistake of buying just a single day's admission, these poor souls are Universal's equivalent of the unclean, accorded almost no front-of-the-line privileges.

As might be expected, this tiered access system has generated some angry visitors, particularly among those who sprang for the single-day ticket and found themselves bypassed while standing in endless lines for everything. Most days Universal's Guest Relations staff is also facing long lines ... of folks who are very vocal about their distaste for the Universal Express hierarchy.

Disney likewise might want to think twice about its proposed revamping of the FastPass system. Otherwise, the Mouse's Guest Relations staff could also end up facing endless lines of customers complaining about the endless lines they've already had to stand in.

 

[cleo]

We have an email out to Disney asking about specifics. Their first response was they were not aware of any change as regards charging for FastPass so let's not get too worried about it yet.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Adult book, p.25.

"At press time, Disney FP service was free and avail. to everone bearing a valid themepark ticket."

It sounds like they were leaving it open to change.

I agree.

 

[LeftCoaster]

Also, let's keep in mind that Disney and secrets is like holding water in a sieve. If this were something that were going to happen, we would've heard more concrete rumors by now about it from som eof the major sources.
About a year ago, Disney DID file some sort of patent application with regards to fastpass but, the main thought about it was that disney was doing it just to cover all of the potential future bases. i.e. "let's patent every possible scenario under the sun so that no one else can do that."
Jim Hill did run a rumor / speculation awhile back but, his track record is abysmal at best and his style is more "Marcus" from The Apprentice.

 

[KelNottAt]

I thought, the last time this rumor came up, that the patent described a system in which ALL on-site resort guests got X fast passes per day "automatically." The only difference was that values, mods, and deluxes came with a different number of FPs allowed. That is, for the sake of discussion, 5 per person per day in a deluxe, 4 for mods, and 3 for values.

Conceptually, this is not much different than random FP potential today. However, what would make the new system different from the current would be the ability to pre-book your FPs from your room a day in advance...perhaps through your TV.

To me, this scenario is appealing. Throw in the option to "upgrade" your FP allowance, and there's even greater flexibility. Don't want to pay extra? You don't have to. Plus, if the current "free" FP system remains in effect for off-site guests, then it's still a fair playing field in terms of obtaining FPs in addition to what "comes with" your room.

Sorry, but I can't point to any "official" source for this description; I'm just relying on memory from a REAL quick scan of something about the patent.

Apologies if this is wrong.

 

[T-i-double-g-err]

We have an email out to Disney asking about specifics. Their first response was they were not aware of any change as regards charging for FastPass so let's not get too worried about it yet.

Thanks! Please post if you hear anything new!

 

[buzz2400]

I would think that disney would in the long run lose money if they did implement this. I also stay at pop or all stars for about 9 days even though at least two days is doing universal. If I was forced to have to pay extra for fast passes or have to stay at a higher priced resort, I would probably cut my vacation short with disney, staying onsite for maybe three days to do the major parks and then move offsite. I would think a lot of budget minded people would do the same.

 

[Luvmyfam3]

As much as I hate this rumor, we left Disney to stay at a Universal resort last year for the express purpose of getting to the front of the line on every ride...and I'm a DVC member so my resort stays with Disney are essentially paid for!! We loved it and are planning to do it again this June.

 

[Dznefreek]

response was they were not aware of any change as regards charging for FastPass so let's not get too worried about it yet.

and they never lie, right . . . . .

 

[cobbler]

We have an email out to Disney asking about specifics. Their first response was they were not aware of any change as regards charging for FastPass so let's not get too worried about it yet.

Well not really. They did tell all us AP holders (and some of us received personal phone calls from some execs) that the call in way to book AP rates would not go away. Well guess what, they did. And all you can do is BRP now.
So that doesn't really help.

Also quite a few CM's didn't know about the 90+10 stuff.

Honestly though I would not be surprised in the least if a change was made. Look how much change occured this year alone!

 

[seashoreCM]

. Plus, if the current "free" FP system remains in effect for off-site guests, then it's still a fair playing field in terms of obtaining FPs in addition to what "comes with" your room. .

It may be a level playing field but the more fast passes are booked or given out or issued in resort rooms, the sooner the supply of fast passes in the parks will be "sold out".

 

[cleo]

I'm not sure how much point there is in getting upset until we know what the circumstances of the inclusion in the guide book might be. It's fun to debate the relative merits of Fast Pass for a price (or not), but until Disney gives some official response it seems kind of futile to get upset over something they haven't done yet and haven't confirmed they will do at any point in the near future. Once someone gets a response from an official source we can choose to belive them or not, I guess. But at least we'll know why it's only in the For Kids By Kids guide.

 

[Wendy1953]

What Birnbaum's book on page 5???? I have the 2006 Official Guide Book, and it does state on page 25 "At press time, Disney's Fastpass service was free and available to everyone bearing a valid theme park ticket. It should be available during peak times of the day and all peak seasons. Fastpass assignments are limited and tend to go quickly on busy days".........goes on and then states.."Otherwise, as long as it stays fee, Fastpass is the way to go!"

Guessing that somethings going on behind the scenes.....all other references to the Fastpass in this guide say nothing about a possible cost.....or availability upon how much you're worth and / or where you stay. Also no mention of AP's or PAP's or FL resies. I guess we all have to stay tuned...

 

[bettyann29]

I just want to say that if you have to pay for the fastpass it is definitely worth it.. We have season passes to Six Flags and they have a system like fastpass except you dont put your ticket in a machine and get a time to come back.. you just walk up the exit and you get right on and its worth it.. otherwise wait times are too long and you barely get to ride anything.. I sure hope its not true though..

 

[InstImpres]

. Once someone gets a response from an official source we can choose to belive them or not, I guess.

I put in two seperate calls on the TA line and spoke with a manager once (was on hold 20 minutes for "research" the other time). It is not something that has been announced in any way. They were very clear to say that although Birnbaum's is the "official book" it is not published by WDW and non-binding. They were clear to state that like any ticket media, things are always subject to change.

 

[Bete]

marketing this perk. There were problems like the machines ran out of paper too much; hence, no pass printed out. Also, there were mechanical failures of the machines. Finally, guests were very confused by the use of them. I could go on but you get the idea.

Disney had intended to make money on this perk right off, but with all the problems they couldn't justify it. Infact, at the beginning there were commercials explaining the system. Also, any promotional CDs, DVDs, etc. talked about fastpass to help guests use the system more.

Now, that the bugs have somewhat been worked out with fastpass, I can understand Disney making you pay one way or the other.

I hope Disney doesn't hurt us with fastpass being a Deluxe resort perk only and/or making others pay for it. With crowd attendance up and less discounts then in the past for resorts I can see why Disney may strike out in this way. We shall all be waiting for the bad news.