So.... no more WISHES fastpass

[DCLogs]

Our 60 days is today. i go to make a fastpass for WISHES. There is no option. I though maybe a screw up. I call Disney to find out what is going on and the cast member says they are taking away fastpasses for WISHES. Is this for real?

 

[mesaboy2]

Yes. See here.

 

[Disney44please]

Yep. Last one is available April 18th I believe.

 

[StefWalsh]

Any particular reason why they got rid of it?

 

[mesaboy2]

No reason given. Most guesses involve cutbacks.

 

[AngiTN]

My guess, they are going to eventually offer some sort of Dinner Package and that's where the viewing will be. But that is 100% my guess

 

[tlmadden73]

Like above, I'd say primarily to sell dinner packages. Which I'm okay with. Just like any entertainment venue, some people can pay more for better seats.

I never understood why they offer Fast passes for ANY of the night shows or parades (or any of the large capacity shows in particular) (as it doesn't really make your experience "faster" . .it simply gives you better seating).

So will they just take Fast Passes away from all night shows and parades and just sell those special spots through dinner packages? Seems like a pretty good idea (from Disney's perspective).

I think the other reason is I think they want more people to utilize a 4th fast pass. I never understood why anyone would get a Wishes Fast Pass (in your initial 3) as it locks you up for the entire day. You have no chance to get a 4th fast pass while other people who had their first three fast passes done by 1:00 PM could get a 4th, 5th, or 6th fast pass that day. I'd rather skip several more lines in rides then get a good spot for a show I can pretty much see standing anywhere.

With being able to do 4th Fast pass from your phone now, I think they want people to not get frustrated when they realize they cant make a 4th fast pass ALL day because they have that late night Wishes Fast pass. The more people they can get to use Fast Passes for attractions during the day, the less complaints they have about the crowds.

But really . it is probably about the dinner packages $$$$. They spent a ton of money on the hub refurbishment. They can easily monetize those grassy spots now.

 

[jbish]

Like above, I'd say primarily to sell dinner packages. Which I'm okay with. Just like any entertainment venue, some people can pay more for better seats.

I never understood why they offer Fast passes for ANY of the night shows or parades (or any of the large capacity shows in particular) (as it doesn't really make your experience "faster" . .it simply gives you better seating).

So will they just take Fast Passes away from all night shows and parades and just sell those special spots through dinner packages? Seems like a pretty good idea (from Disney's perspective).

I think the other reason is I think they want more people to utilize a 4th fast pass. I never understood why anyone would get a Wishes Fast Pass (in your initial 3) as it locks you up for the entire day. You have no chance to get a 4th fast pass while other people who had their first three fast passes done by 1:00 PM could get a 4th, 5th, or 6th fast pass that day. I'd rather skip several more lines in rides then get a good spot for a show I can pretty much see standing anywhere.

With being able to do 4th Fast pass from your phone now, I think they want people to not get frustrated when they realize they cant make a 4th fast pass ALL day because they have that late night Wishes Fast pass. The more people they can get to use Fast Passes for attractions during the day, the less complaints they have about the crowds.

But really . it is probably about the dinner packages $$$$. They spent a ton of money on the hub refurbishment. They can easily monetize those grassy spots now.

Just my two cents here, but I just went last week and, on my arrival day, I booked the Wishes and MSEP FP+ because I was going with someone who had never seen either of these two nighttime shows. Because we weren't arriving in the parks until 5 pm, it was not a waste (to me) to have used up two of my FPs on these experiences. And it's "faster" in the sense that we didn't have to line up two hours in advance to get a good view. While we barely could see the castle show, we had great seats (and yes, we were actually sitting on the "grass") and arrived in that area about 15 minutes before the show started. So, from that perspective, I think it was a good use for our FPs and was faster.

 

[rteetz]

No reason given. Most guesses involve cutbacks.

Yep.

 

[tlmadden73]

Just my two cents here, but I just went last week and, on my arrival day, I booked the Wishes and MSEP FP+ because I was going with someone who had never seen either of these two nighttime shows. Because we weren't arriving in the parks until 5 pm, it was not a waste (to me) to have used up two of my FPs on these experiences. And it's "faster" in the sense that we didn't have to line up two hours in advance to get a good view. While we barely could see the castle show, we had great seats (and yes, we were actually sitting on the "grass") and arrived in that area about 15 minutes before the show started. So, from that perspective, I think it was a good use for our FPs and was faster.

Definitely understand there are situations for it .. especially for veterans and especially for those late day arrivals.

I just think it is a shame to offer Fast Passes to things that generally aren't needed. They are advertised as ways to "skip the line" .. yet they confusingly (for new guests) offer Fast Passes for things that don't have a line .. like parades and night shows.

I just feel for the new guests who aren't able to fully utilize the FP system. They get a FP for the parade and wishes and Dumbo and end up waiting in long lines for Splash Mountain or Space Mountain because of it.

 

[DisDadDVC]

Any particular reason why they got rid of it?

I'll give you one guess....

 

[nilla]

I think the other reason is I think they want more people to utilize a 4th fast pass. I never understood why anyone would get a Wishes Fast Pass (in your initial 3) as it locks you up for the entire day.

We did it on our final day, which was also our third MK day.

 

[joelkfla]

With being able to do 4th Fast pass from your phone now,

You can do the 4th FP+ from the phone apps now?

So you no longer need to be in the park where you want the 4th FP+?

 

[hiroMYhero]

You can do the 4th FP+ from the phone apps now?

So you no longer need to be in the park where you want the 4th FP+?

Booking the 4th from the app hasn't yet begun.

No one knows if you can book for a different park

 

[SnowChaser]

Has the Electrical Parade also been removed as a FP option? Went to book at 60 days out and it was greyed out, listed as "Stand-by only."

 

[siskaren]

Has the Electrical Parade also been removed as a FP option? Went to book at 60 days out and it was greyed out, listed as "Stand-by only."

That sounds like they ran out for the day you looked at.

 

[LoverDisney]

Wow I was not expecting this. Our Fastpass+ window doesn't open until June and I was planning to grab one. Well at least now I can stress about getting a fastpasss for 7DMT.

 

[auralia]

One thing I noticed... I got a email from ABD advertising a Disney world ABD trip that included kennedy space center and a few other things... It listed that there was a special area to watch wishes from for the ABD package... perhaps this is the area that used to be for Fast pass? The advertisement also mentioned skipping lines for some rides and other perks. I don't recall there being an ABD trip to Disney world before but I wasn't looking for it either so it may have existed.

 

[dr2004]

I want to give Disney the benefit of the doubt on this one. Sure, I am sure saving $ played into it, but those poor cast members assigned to Wishes..anyone that has been in that area would feel for them. They had to deal with:

1. Obnoxious guests without FP trying to sneak in or "just putting their kids in the area"
2. The assumption of FP holders that they could roll up at 9:59p and have a clear path to the entrance and a spot to see
3. Dealing with the people who claim they had an FP trying to talk their way in
4. Dealing with people blocking the entrances to argue or refusing to move
5. Taking complaints from those with FP that could not find or get to the area due to the crowds and missed half the show


Some of the guests lining up to watch Wishes have really spoiled the experience for me. It's a crush of people, its dark, people are cranky, some people (not all) in the motorized scooters just plow through and policing the FP area was probably more trouble then it was worth. They really need more crowd control and security, I have seen more heated arguments for the night parade and fireworks than in all other areas of WDW combined.