Rumor: Huge FastPass Change (Both Parks Linked Starting April 6)

[SMD]

Yeah, I mean I get that it's a necessary evil to close this loophole for the upcoming MaxPass and I do think it will help to slow down the distribution of FPs such as Radiator Springs that people will often hop for. But I just... It rubs me the wrong way. It's the implication that now Disneyland and DCA are more like one giant park, when in reality they are completely separate and you have to pay admission to BOTH separately. It just feels like the systems should be separate since you have to pay admission separately.
Alas, they had no choice I suppose and perhaps there will be more positives to this that we aren't aware of as of now... time will tell as they release more info on MaxPass.

If the argument that people not inside the park shouldn't be able to make FP reservations, then people who are spending the day mostly in DL shouldn't be able t hold FP in DCA. While hopping to DCA to get an RSR FP to use later in the day is popular, there were also people loading up on simultaneous FPs in both parks when they only intended to use the ones for one park and the others were just in case. We'll have to see how MaxPass works, but if you can get FPs from both parks on the same day, and get some morning FP in DL and the evening RSR FP that people like to hop to get mid-morning, then it's not really that different. And it's probably a net positive as far as more people who will actually use the FP getting them and possibly more FP available later into the day.

 

[DisBabe94]

If the argument that people not inside the park shouldn't be able to make FP reservations, then people who are spending the day mostly in DL shouldn't be able t hold FP in DCA. While hopping to DCA to get an RSR FP to use later in the day is popular, there were also people loading up on simultaneous FPs in both parks when they only intended to use the ones for one park and the others were just in case. We'll have to see how MaxPass works, but if you can get FPs from both parks on the same day, and get some morning FP in DL and the evening RSR FP that people like to hop to get mid-morning, then it's not really that different. And it's probably a net positive as far as more people who will actually use the FP getting them and possibly more FP available later into the day.

Yeah that's a great point! It could significantly decrease the rate that FPs are distributed simply because people can't be "wasteful" and get the "just in case" FPs like you said. And the ability to hold FPs in both parks is still there, maybe just a tad bit more anticipating and planning would be in order. Either way it's not a huuuuge difference really, like I said just kind of bugs me when I get to really thinking about it since I paid admission to both parks. But I will remain positive and keep the perspective that it's really not a big change.

 

[SeaDis]

Dear TDA:
How about disconnected paper Fastpass (between parks only), but connected MaxPass?

That might disincentivize buying MaxPass. But re-incentivizes the Parkhopper option (at least for me). I still think I am choosing between the two now (or, neither).

What? Too complicated? Not for the people on this board!

 

[mom2rtk]

Dear TDA:
How about disconnected paper Fastpass (between parks only), but connected MaxPass?

That might disincentivize buying MaxPass. But re-incentivizes the Parkhopper option (at least for me). I still think I am choosing between the two now (or, neither).

What? Too complicated? Not for the people on this board!

And why would Disney want to disincentivize the new program they are trying to sell?

 

[707MickeyGirl]

Yes. And I imagine the system isn't set up to distinguish between park hopper or non.

I think the systems will be able to tell what type of ticket you have. Right now, your ticket has to be scanned at entry before you can use it for FP, so it seems likely that functionality will persist in MaxPass.

 

[lk2500]

Have they announced if you can use maxpass outside the park.

Trying to determine if you can continue to strategically pull FPs during a break.

I was wondering this also. Will they somehow have the Disney App track your location via Wifi? I am going to guess that is how it will work AND also guess that it will be another perk for staying onsite - booking Fast Passes from your hotel room. Just a SWAG, we shall see.....

 

[SeaDis]

And why would Disney want to disincentivize the new program they are trying to sell?

Because for me (repeating here), they have devalued Parkhoppers by linking the Parks. They are +45 per person on 5 day PH (x family of 5). Maxpass is +$50 per person on 5 day. If I skip one or the other, it's a near wash. But after a few hours letting this sink into our touring style, I think I'm skipping both (Maxpass and Parkhopper). I don't see the value of PH anymore with parks linked. And if I'm staying in 1-park, I have zero concern pulling paper Fastpasses for the day.

I've always bought Parkhoppers in the past, so this is -$45 per person x 5 to Disney. If paper wasn't linked, I would continue buying for sure. But just wishful thinking, of course. Maxpass is likely phasing out paper in the long run.

 

[SMD]

I'm sure selling fewer hoppers actually helps them with planning and crowd control, since it limits how many people can switch parks at unknown times.

 

[Xenorye]

I think the number of people who will not buy hoppers because of this change is a fraction of one percent. If MaxPass is out by May 17 (fingers crossed), I'll be getting both on our next trip.

 

[SMD]

I think the number of people who will not buy hoppers because of this change is a fraction of one percent. If MaxPass is out by May 17 (fingers crossed), I'll be getting both on our next trip.

I agree. It's just like when Disney raises prices. A relatively small amount of very vocal people will claim everyone's being priced out and threaten Disney's bottom line. Meanwhile the parks are packed, the hotels are full, seats are occupied in the dining areas and merchandise keeps selling out. While these changes may frustrate a small, vocal group that will need to adjust their touring plan, for the most part, I think people will just roll with the changes without saying much of anything.

 

[egritz]

Because for me (repeating here), they have devalued Parkhoppers by linking the Parks. They are +45 per person on 5 day PH (x family of 5).

Parkhoppers are actually a flat $45 extra regardless if you choose 2, 3, 4, or 5 day passes. 1 Day passes I think it is something like $60 more. Insane.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

I think there was a very tiny percentage of guests pulling simultaneous FPs at both parks. Obviously it was a major part of some people's touring style, but I would guess that very few visitors even knew it was an option (and of those, not that many actually utilized it more than once or twice a day).

Is it a bummer for that little percentage of people? Certainly. But I'd guess that the "impact" of connecting the parks is much less than the "impact" of adding the new attractions in terms of the overall change in FP strategy and utilization (and that's before Maxpass kicks in). I don't think Disney is likely to notice much of a statistical change in FP usage or parkhopper purchase or anything as a result of this.

 

[dshimel]

I think there was a very tiny percentage of guests pulling simultaneous FPs at both parks.

Agree. The walk distance, the hassle of waiting in lines to move from one park to the other and back. Heck, my kids had 5-day hoppers our last trip, and 2 or 3 of the 5 we didn't even hop at all, let alone back and forth a couple times.

But with MaxPass, A LOT more people would have been pulling FP to both parks.

 

[BriannaRuth]

Agree -- I think the MaxPasses will make hoppers more valuable.

 

[southlake]

I think there was a very tiny percentage of guests pulling simultaneous FPs at both parks. Obviously it was a major part of some people's touring style, but I would guess that very few visitors even knew it was an option (and of those, not that many actually utilized it more than once or twice a day).

Agree with this. I think most visitors won't have known this was even an option. We've visited several times and with young kids, only occasionally tried to pull FP's in both parks on the same day - like for RSR only. I was just explaining to my husband that now we can't pull FPs in 2 parks in one day in less than 2 hours time, and he was like "Didn't even know I could pull back-to-back FPs in the 2 parks in the first place." (because we didn't use them that much!) Won't miss what we didn't know about!

And running back & forth between parks to pull FPs was a pain anyway, so I'm looking forward to MaxPass!

 

[Disney Rose]

Dear TDA:
How about disconnected paper Fastpass (between parks only), but connected MaxPass?

I love this idea. That can't be too difficult to implement.

 

[dshimel]

There are a set number of FastPasses per attraction per day.

If you are using insider knowledge and extra effort to "get more", then you are taking those from people who don't know the tricks or don't put in the extra effort.

Well, shouldn't those people who are willing to go the extra mile get more? Welllllll, I'm not sure Disney really wants a trip to Disneyland to be a lot of work.

Isn't it better to give everyone an equal chance to get one FP, instead of giving the insiders that go the extra mile getting 3, and 2/3rds of guests getting none?

"But I'm a fanatic and I love running around getting more FPs that everyone else." Well, I'm not sure you are the target market that Disney should be focused on.

 

[GeneralTso]

The number of people who will no longer use Park Hopper will be negligible. It'll barely register and won't matter.
DL and CA are MADE for park hopping. It's too easy. At WDW, it's a hassle and you really have to make an effort to move from one park to another. A lot of overhead.
Remember, Disney isn't about saving you a few bucks (ever). It's about making as much money as possible, and people pay it. Fans prioritize it and make financial adjustments in other parts of their budgets. For those who literally can't afford it, oh well. Disney does not cry any tears.

 

[agamble]

The number of people who will no longer use Park Hopper will be negligible. It'll barely register and won't matter.
DL and CA are MADE for park hopping. It's too easy. At WDW, it's a hassle and you really have to make an effort to move from one park to another. A lot of overhead.
Remember, Disney isn't about saving you a few bucks (ever). It's about making as much money as possible, and people pay it. Fans prioritize it and make financial adjustments in other parts of their budgets. For those who literally can't afford it, oh well. Disney does not cry any tears.

Agree. I think that most people who currently parkhop will continue to do so. The biggest reason people give for NEEDING to parkhop is that if one park is crowded you can go to the other. The other common reason I see is that some people feel DCA is still not a full day park. And the third common reason I see is that people want to ride RSR every day. All of those are still possible with this new FP system. The only area that is effected is in regards to riding RSR as they would either have to do it at rope drop or get a FP right away and then not be able to get another. However, in the first two hours of opening you don't really need FP for much.

Most people who don't buy parkhoppers are trying to save money and/or their feet.

 

[mom2rtk]

Agree. I think that most people who currently parkhop will continue to do so. The biggest reason people give for NEEDING to parkhop is that if one park is crowded you can go to the other. The other common reason I see is that some people feel DCA is still not a full day park. And the third common reason I see is that people want to ride RSR every day. All of those are still possible with this new FP system. The only area that is effected is in regards to riding RSR as they would either have to do it at rope drop or get a FP right away and then not be able to get another. However, in the first two hours of opening you don't really need FP for much.

Most people who don't buy parkhoppers are trying to save money and/or their feet.

We never park hop at WDW but always buy hoppers at DLR. We don't hop a lot but always need to a few times over a week, so just go with the hoppers. We stay onsite so always start with the early entry park. Sometimes we park hop after just that first hour or so.

We also end up hopping at some point to help us see all the shows, parades and fireworks. It's hard to hit it all without hoppers.