So, let's assume FP+ doesn't come back in its old form

[disneypharm]

I've read them / posted in them and I'm sure there is some truth to what some of them are saying. But, Disney has run the numbers and has the data to suggest they will still be able to draw people in.

We shall see. If they are wrong, then it wouldn't be the first time that a new CEO has gotten everything wrong (Google JCPenney and Ron Johnson)

 

[Feberin]

I'd prefer a return to the old fast pass system. It worked well for us. I remember going as a child/young teen before there was any fast pass and standing in line a lot. So I hopefully they don't keep with just stand by once the capacity increases. I'd probably be willing to pay a little extra or something but if there aren't fast passes for a value we'd probably rent a house and spend a lot less for an entire house. If they go by tiers I think they'll have less people at the hotels that are borderline. For instance if you get less staying at Pop why not pay a little extra for a moderate? Causing them to have trouble getting people to choose that hotel.

 

[Pixie Dusted Snow]

Yes, I agree that people were willing to go no matter the cost pre-covid because Disney provided everything they wanted to make it a great vacation. With all the things that are taken away, I am not sure if they would be willing to pay for Disney no matter the cost.

So basically they may accomplish their goal after all is said and done by lowering crowds while still making a profit since those of us that want to go bad enough will give up something else and those of us who don't think its worth the price anymore will stop going.

 

[cjlong88]

I've read them / posted in them and I'm sure there is some truth to what some of them are saying. But, Disney has run the numbers and has the data to suggest they will still be able to draw people in.

Agreed. These decisions aren’t made haphazardly. And if Disney’s decisions have any unintended negative consequences, they adjust. Remember when they tried to charge for fuel rod refills? In the 50 years WDW has been around, rules and policies and perks and offerings have been constantly changing. Things are added, then no longer offered. Then new things are added or taken away. And they will continue to do this based on the data they receive, the feedback from guests, the money they make, etc.

This is why I try not have any knee jerk reactions when Disney makes a seemingly controversial decision when it comes to perks or offerings. They have A LOT of data to help them make those decisions. That’s not to say Disney can’t mess up or make a bad decision. It’s just understanding that the company is dynamic and always changing and tweaking its policies and offerings.

Whatever FP system they roll out, I will give it a shot and experience it for myself. But Disney won’t really know how a paid FP system will affect them financially until they do it and see the results unfold.

 

[Olaf Myfrenzargay]

I can just see it now:

Unlimited Fastpass Package! Extra $2500

 

[seashoreCM]

When there are no fastpasses available on the day after the day the guest is eligible to reserve them (say, 60 days out) let alone available as of the start of the day-of then it is very tempting for bean counters to put a dollar price on that ride's fastpasses.

Now I would want to see some alternative, any alternative, to standing in, and inching along in, a line (queue) for an hour or two.

 

[chris benton]

Am I incorrect in thinking the Fastpass+ offering was almost essentially unlimited fastpass included with ticket price if you knew how to work it? On our second trip with it, we had an absolute blast just working fastpass after fastpass, and none of them took more than a few minutes. Basically, get your next fastpass while waiting in the fastpass line after you tapped in. I'm pretty sure I could be a telecommuting plaid for tours. You can tell the people that know how to work the FP system - you'll see a few fistpumps after they look up from their phone, or hear an under the breath, "SWEET! GOT IT!"

Hopefully they'll offer more paid FP - like to anyone outside of Club Level, and leave the existing system in place as well. I wouldn't pay for it if the existing system was still in place, but I could see the value it would hold for others that didn't like the idea of fastpass "hunting."

 

[Average Joes]

The pre-Covid FP system was great for those who know how to use the system. Which means us but not necessarily most guests. I hope it goes back to the way it was but of course it likely will not. I always thought they would eventually limit how many FP you can use during a day. Perhaps tiered Deluxe-Value (4-6) and 3 if off site. Then an ability to upgrade. I am not talking about being able to book more than 3 in advance. These are extras after you use 3 in the park. You also cannot get a FP for the same ride twice. Although I did love that we went on Everest 3 times in a row with FP.

 

[MMR76]

I’m in the minority but I don’t like max pass. I was much more successful at manipulating the FP+ system that was in place. We simply didn’t stand in standby lines and we almost always got big ticket FPs at the last minute if necessary. Not great for everyone sure, but it’s the system they gave us. I don’t think it will be back and I’m sad to see it go.

I agree. I love FP+. We always planned our 1st three a 1 1/2-2 hours after opening, did them back to back and were always able to get additional rides on every attraction we wanted to go on. It became a game to me and I was very successful in getting extra FP’s. We are going back in May and I am stressing the fact there might not be FP’s.

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

IF the powers that be, would deem a fee based FP system is required to recoup lost earnings then I can spend my vacation dollars elsewhere.
IMO, when the threat of Covid finally subsides and more resorts open, capacity increases and socially distancing at most of the attractions can be gone, THAT is when WDW and company need to push the incentives to get visitors back in the park. The desire of regular and returning quests is there, I don't want to feel taken advantage of to pay for what used to be free.

 

[elmwyn]

This is non-negotiable for me. When, not if, it comes, there needs to be preferential treatment for those willing to pay on-site (Disney properties only) rates.

This, to me, is the make or break item for staying onsite, especially with the cancellation of DME. If they don't start offering more perks to their onsite guests again they are definitely switching this family from an onsite 5 day trippers to offsite 4 day trippers.

 

[BarbLynnM]

I would pay for fast passes on one condition--that, if I pay money to go on a ride, they'll be able to get me on said ride in a reasonable amount of time. In other words, if I'm shelling out moolah, I don't want to be waiting 20/30 minutes to get on the ride. (I'm looking at you, Soarin') I understand glitches can and will happen, but if DW is going to start digging deeper into my pockets, I'm going to require a higher level of service and quality.

Otherwise, it would be interesting to only pay for the rides you reserve. If I want to go on one ride in a day, why should I have to pay for a 4 fastpass day?

 

[BarbLynnM]

Oh, and as for off-campus hotels getting the same perks as on? That's bothered me for as long as I've known about it. I'm with the others who ask what benefit is it if one pays a higher rate to stay on property, only to see less expensive hotels get the same perks. It doesn't make sense to me.

 

[JakeAZ]

Oh, and as for off-campus hotels getting the same perks as on? That's bothered me for as long as I've known about it. I'm with the others who ask what benefit is it if one pays a higher rate to stay on property, only to see less expensive hotels get the same perks. It doesn't make sense to me.

It only makes sense from the standpoint that those hotels paid Disney. It was a great deal for Disney, but completely watered down the benefit pool for those that shelled out the big bucks for Disney hotels.

 

[JakeAZ]

I don't want to feel taken advantage of

Disney has been taking advantage of guest loyalty for years! haha

While I do agree it will seem like they are trying to recoup when they should be attracting, Disney (like any other company) will not let a period of time like this, go to waste. They are going to implement so many changes (and have already started). Changes they have been wanting to make for years. Sure, it may not "make sense" in the short term, but they are thinking long term. They have to make the moves now. If they go back to the way it was now and then implement mass changes when the parks are full again, it will be a much bigger mess.

 

[DebbieB]

I liked FP+, I knew how to "pound the app". I'd be OK with MaxPass, I liked it at DL. Before they closed, it was $20 per day. I think it was $150 on annual passes for the year.

They need something. I went twice last fall, did not like standing in the long lines.

 

[Miffy]

IF the powers that be, would deem a fee based FP system is required to recoup lost earnings then I can spend my vacation dollars elsewhere.
IMO, when the threat of Covid finally subsides and more resorts open, capacity increases and socially distancing at most of the attractions can be gone, THAT is when WDW and company need to push the incentives to get visitors back in the park. The desire of regular and returning quests is there, I don't want to feel taken advantage of to pay for what used to be free.

I wish this were true, but I think the opposite is the case: As soon as covid is really under control, the resorts are all open, and social distancing and mask wearing are a thing of the past, WDW is going to raise their prices, probably substantially, because everyone who hasn't gone in the past year--especially those of us who're feeling extremely Disney-deprived (that would be me!)--is going to want to go. There will be zero discounts. I hope I'm wrong, since this is probably when I'm going to go again, but Disney has been bleeding money and they're going to want lots of it as soon as they can get it.

And I'll be very surprised if paid FP isn't part of increased prices across the board for anything and everything. Even before covid, WDW had started charging for things they'd never charged for before--like parking at the resorts. And back in those golden days, they had plenty of income.

 

[Grasshopper2016]

In many ways, the FP+ refresh "loophole" served Disney well. Those regular guests who knew how to work the system had the ability to ride many attractions with minimal waits. Casual guests didn't really ever know what they were missing.

But, as much as I was a fan of it, it was never going to last. Aside from the fact that it forced you to be buried in your phone all day rather than taking in the World around you, it made the standby lines much longer and slower. And it effectively meant that Disney was giving away something for free --- additional fastpasses --- that people would be willing to pay for. We all know how Disney feels about that.

The trick for Disney now is not alienating the regular guests who had become accustomed to working the refresh method and getting in a lot of good rides even on busy days. If you force them to stand in long lines all day (yes, the lines will be a little faster, but long nonetheless), they may no longer be willing to keep coming back. If you offer them a paid alternative, it is going to have to (1) be effective --- no one is going to be happy paying for fastpasses and then standing in 30-minute fastpass lines --- and (2) be reasonably affordable. But, of course, those two goals are in tension. The more affordable it is, the more people will buy it, and the longer the fastpass lines will be.

I'm sure that Disney is crunching many numbers, trying to strike the best balance. For me, I will pay for fastpasses if they meet both of those goals. And I'm not sure we would come back to Disney World if there weren't some system in place to make sure that we can ride a good number of rides without spending most of the day in line and/or taking out a second mortgage.

 

[JakeAZ]

The more affordable it is, the more people will buy it, and the longer the fastpass lines will be.

That is the double edge sword over the whole issue.

If they charge for it, it needs to be "worth it". How they do that, is anybody's guess.

I always thought it made no sense on the VIP tours that you were paying to stand in line. If the hourly rate was $600 and you had a 20 min FP wait, you just paid $200 to stand in line...

 

[JakeAZ]

I wish this were true, but I think the opposite is the case: As soon as covid is really under control, the resorts are all open, and social distancing and mask wearing are a thing of the past, WDW is going to raise their prices, probably substantially, because everyone who hasn't gone in the past year--especially those of us who're feeling extremely Disney-deprived (that would be me!)--is going to want to go. There will be zero discounts. I hope I'm wrong, since this is probably when I'm going to go again, but Disney has been bleeding money and they're going to want lots of it as soon as they can get it.

And I'll be very surprised if paid FP isn't part of increased prices across the board for anything and everything. Even before covid, WDW had started charging for things they'd never charged for before--like parking at the resorts. And back in those golden days, they had plenty of income.

Completely agree.

Disney knows they can take things away and people will still come. They know they can keep the prices high and people will still come.