State of Fast Pass Return (or replacement)

[cakebaker]

Such a shame.

It's just mid boggling to me how people will just toss money at disney, instead of holding disney accountable for their actions.

Who said I wasn’t. You posted a sarcastic remark and I didn’t bite. I have not been back since they re-opened because of the way they’re re-opening. After this trip, which is only being made to see HEA one more time, we won’t be back until they are fully re-open and in way we find acceptable.

However, your judgement on whether Disney needs to be held accountable and for what reasons aren’t mine.

I want crowds reduced and the only way to do that is to make the offerings less desirable for some. I don’t mind paying for FP IF it improves availability, others will. We both get to enjoy the rides, but I’ll pay to not wait.

It boggles my mind that when someone doesn’t want something, they just don’t want it offered at all. I absolutely refuse to pay for Boo Bash or the Christmas event. It’s a fraction of what the parties offered yet cost more for less time. But I don’t think they shouldn’t have them. If people want to give Disney their money for what I consider to be a lesser event, fine by me. Obviously they don’t feel like I do. If enough people agree with me, they’ll change. If they don’t agree with me, oh well.

 

[dato63]

The proverbial line in the sand is not the same for all of us. We all vacation differently, with different priorities. I'm giving Disney our money, not throwing it at them, as we haven't been in many years. We are going this year for special reasons - so the line in the sand for me is different right now. We will budget and pay for what we can afford to make it special, and skip what we can't. At the end of the day - we will have a fun time, and bring home special memories.

 

[ChipnDale79]

Who said I wasn’t. You posted a sarcastic remark and I didn’t bite. I have not been back since they re-opened because of the way they’re re-opening. After this trip, which is only being made to see HEA one more time, we won’t be back until they are fully re-open and in way we find acceptable.

However, your judgement on whether Disney needs to be held accountable and for what reasons aren’t mine.

I want crowds reduced and the only way to do that is to make the offerings less desirable for some. I don’t mind paying for FP IF it improves availability, others will. We both get to enjoy the rides, but I’ll pay to not wait.

It boggles my mind that when someone doesn’t want something, they just don’t want it offered at all. I absolutely refuse to pay for Boo Bash or the Christmas event. It’s a fraction of what the parties offered yet cost more for less time. But I don’t think they shouldn’t have them. If people want to give Disney their money for what I consider to be a lesser event, fine by me. Obviously they don’t feel like I do. If enough people ageee with me, they’ll change. If they don’t agree with me, oh well.

The only way to reduce crowds isnt by making it less desirable for others. I really hate to see that approach.

They can reduce crowds by making the park hours longer and expanding the actual parks. Invest more money into them. DHS is 30 years old and only has 8 rides. They've done a great job with star wars and toy story, but why do we want them to control crowds by paying more, instead of them investing more?

We'll never get the perks back we used to have onsite, if we continue to just give them money.

We rode the bus back from one of the parks and met a couple for CA, they go to Disneyland often and this was their first trip to WDW, they noted to us that they were shocked at how little rides that 3 of the 4 parks had. The guy said going to DLR, you have everything at your fingertips, but not at WDW. Paying more and more is going to make it harder and harder for some families to go. There are other ways for Disney to address crowds, we just simply dont force them to.

 

[Jrb1979]

This. And I will continue to politely hand it over. The value is very, very much still there for me. I couldn't be more excited for my future trips. And it seems that almost every new announcement builds that excitement even more. I'm even starting to very, very seriously consider buying into DVC. Just because the value isn't there for you (general you), doesn't mean it isn't there for others. It's getting tiring seeing some of the same people continue to be so negative, and even getting to the point of belittling those who continue to find that value.

I will find lots of value in Disney again if they go to a day of FP system. The less planning Involved the better it will be for me.

 

[ChipnDale79]

I will find lots of value in Disney again if they go to a day of FP system. The less planning Involved the better it will be for me.

I'm a fan of a mixture of old fp and some aspects for fp +. I dont want to plan my rides 60 days in advance, but i like having them on my phone.

 

[cakebaker]

The only way to reduce crowds isnt by making it less desirable for others. I really hate to see that approach.

They can reduce crowds by making the park hours longer and expanding the actual parks. Invest more money into them. DHS is 30 years old and only has 8 rides. They've done a great job with star wars and toy story, but why do we want them to control crowds by paying more, instead of them investing more?

We'll never get the perks back we used to have onsite, if we continue to just give them money.

More rides brings more people. I’m all for attractions and HS was sorely lacking- but I’m happy for now with the additions they made. If all you want to do is ride rides, WDW isn’t your place to go anyway.

Making emh evenings only available to Deluxe resorts is a huge improvement for those guests. Yes, the other resorts suffer and if I was a moderate or value guest, just the half hour in the morning wouldn’t do it for me. I’d move to deluxe or I’d quit going, because off site will never be my choice.

I think Disney is exploiting the pandemic and disagree with much of what they’re doing. It’s why we won’t be scheduling another trip right now. But I don’t think they’re doing it all wrong, just enough to make me put a pause on returning. I’m willing to wait and see.

 

[luv2cheer92]

I will find lots of value in Disney again if they go to a day of FP system. The less planning Involved the better it will be for me.

I significantly prefer having them planned out in advance. I don't think 60 days out is needed, but I really didn't mind that one bit. I hated everything about legacy FP, and it's also why I greatly prefer FP+ over Maxpass.

 

[Jrb1979]

I significantly prefer having them planned out in advance. I don't think 60 days out is needed, but I really didn't mind that one bit. I hated everything about legacy FP, and it's also why I greatly prefer FP+ over Maxpass.

I am all for Maxpass system in place. I rope drop the parks and usually stay for the day. Planning my day as I go is how I do all parks. Dining is the same. My family takes what ever is available. I plan enough of my daily life at home, it's the last thing I want to do on vacation.

 

[luv2cheer92]

I am all for Maxpass system in place. I rope drop the parks and usually stay for the day. Planning my day as I go is how I do all parks. Dining is the same. My family takes what ever is available. I plan enough of my daily life at home, it's the last thing I want to do on vacation.

I like having at least a rough plan ahead of time. Obviously when I get all my extra FPs those are done on the fly. But I enjoy having those 3 rides (often the biggest rides) secured ahead of time. But I'm a planner. I plan just as much for every vacation as I do for Disney. So I do not find Disney planning overwhelming in the least. I do as much research and planning as I possibly can no matter where I go on vacation. I find it makes the trips more enjoyable. Do the "hard work" (I don't find it hard, but fun) ahead of time, then allow more time to relax while I am on vacation. But I know not everyone is that way.

I would rather a Maxpass-type system then nothing, but it is far from my first choice.

 

[Future_WorldPhonencian]

I completely understand folks being frustrated about the offerings that haven’t returned including FP, but there is more coming back each day. If it means delaying your trip until more returns then do that.
To accuse the Disney Co. (or Chapek) of being single mindedly greedy and out to ruin your vacation while swimming in swimming pools of cash is silly. They want you to enjoy your vacation, not take your money and run. People that are in a good mood will spend money, not angry people that cant find a line less than 60mins.

Part of the problem is many shows restaraunts and non ride attractions havent yet returned, which gives guests fewer options. These require staff.

Disney is dealing with the staffing shortages that every other employer is in nearly every industry. From education to healthcare, construction, restaraunts, and hospitality everyone is struggling to find workers.

You have to hire folks for parades, shows, and streetmosphere to return. Those are specialized jobs that not just anyone can do. Its hard to find people to do non-specialized work.

If FP becomes a pay system, the waits will remain high. More entertainment will go a long way towards dropping attraction waits.

 

[Obi-J Kenobi]

I completely understand folks being frustrated about the offerings that haven’t returned including FP, but there is more coming back each day. If it means delaying your trip until more returns then do that.
To accuse the Disney Co. (or Chapek) of being single mindedly greedy and out to ruin your vacation while swimming in swimming pools of cash is silly. They want you to enjoy your vacation, not take your money and run. People that are in a good mood will spend money, not angry people that cant find a line less than 60mins.

Part of the problem is many shows restaraunts and non ride attractions havent yet returned, which gives guests fewer options. These require staff.

Disney is dealing with the staffing shortages that every other employer is in nearly every industry. From education to healthcare, construction, restaraunts, and hospitality everyone is struggling to find workers.

You have to hire folks for parades, shows, and streetmosphere to return. Those are specialized jobs that not just anyone can do. Its hard to find people to do non-specialized work.

If FP becomes a pay system, the waits will remain high. More entertainment will go a long way towards dropping attraction waits.

I appreciate this sensible, common sense thinking.

In the spirit of Spaceship Earth, I'd like to say thank you Phonencian.

 

[Mac30188]

I completely understand folks being frustrated about the offerings that haven’t returned including FP, but there is more coming back each day. If it means delaying your trip until more returns then do that.
To accuse the Disney Co. (or Chapek) of being single mindedly greedy and out to ruin your vacation while swimming in swimming pools of cash is silly. They want you to enjoy your vacation, not take your money and run. People that are in a good mood will spend money, not angry people that cant find a line less than 60mins.

Part of the problem is many shows restaraunts and non ride attractions havent yet returned, which gives guests fewer options. These require staff.

Disney is dealing with the staffing shortages that every other employer is in nearly every industry. From education to healthcare, construction, restaraunts, and hospitality everyone is struggling to find workers.

You have to hire folks for parades, shows, and streetmosphere to return. Those are specialized jobs that not just anyone can do. Its hard to find people to do non-specialized work.

If FP becomes a pay system, the waits will remain high. More entertainment will go a long way towards dropping attraction waits.

It is for that reason that having a system in place is more important, not less important. If there was plenty of entertainment and there were not long wait times, having a system to mitigate this would not be nearly as critical. As the park continues to expand capacity and waits lengthen, implementing a virtual queue/fastpass/maxpass/anything to help people at least spend some time not in line...is important. This feature is now a fairly standard component of modern theme parks.

What is frustrating is they have a working system they could implement now. They are choosing not to implement because of other factors. Most likely it is because they believe they are within 60 days of launch of a paid fast pass system and therefore implementing a stopgap would actually create some bad publicity and more importantly add a delay of the launch of their paid system (to make the transition smooth.) Whatever their situation, the inability for Disney to communicate the plan, whether by strategic choice or lack of confidence, leaves a sour taste in the mouths of summer guests.

 

[Grasshopper2016]

Part of the problem is many shows restaraunts and non ride attractions havent yet returned, which gives guests fewer options. These require staff.

Disney is dealing with the staffing shortages that every other employer is in nearly every industry. From education to healthcare, construction, restaraunts, and hospitality everyone is struggling to find workers.

You have to hire folks for parades, shows, and streetmosphere to return. Those are specialized jobs that not just anyone can do. Its hard to find people to do non-specialized work.

All true. Which is precisely why Disney should not have increased capacity yet. I find it very hard to view their decision to do so as anything other than placing (short term) profits over customers. And the fact that they could snap their fingers and substantially improve things by reinstating fastpasses, yet they refuse to do it, only makes things worse.

 

[::danielle::]

Personally, my ideal solution would be a hybrid one between FP and an Express Lane Toll, similar to what major cities use for their HOV lane.

Guests would get their 3 standard FP with the addition of another Headliner FP that could be used at any park. But resort guests would also be allowed to buy additional FP on the fly (using their room key or magic bands), with the prices adjusting according to demand (like the variable Express Lane pricing).

I would be on board for this. It allows me to make plans in advance but also go with the flow (at a price).

 

[becauseimnew]

It doesn't matter what Disney does with the Fastpass situation, until they increase staffing levels none of us will have a good time.

 

[justdoip]

It doesn't matter what Disney does with the Fastpass situation, until they increase staffing levels none of us will have a good time.

I dunno... I'm having a pretty good time watching the debates happening on this board.

 

[Launchpad_Mcquack]

I didn't toss the money at Disney. I politely handed it over.

I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to go with my DW, DD and DS. My family has a lot to be thankful for and our trip was a great celebration of all that.

I'm grateful that your family was able to enjoy that experience together. The moral character in me wishes anyone who wasn't classified as upper-upper-middle class could enjoy that as well once in their lives. Nay, 3/4 of this country can not even step foot on Disney grounds as a family of four. (Nearly two-thirds of Americans, 63%, say they’ve been living paycheck to paycheck since the Covid-19 pandemic hit)

This situation we are in, which is perpetually getting worse and worse in terms of affordability, is literally the antithesis of what Walt wanted. Yes, Walt is gone and Disney is now a publicly traded mega corporation with no regard, but the founder's spirit will always be attached to the property no matter what.

I hope everyone here realizes that there is going to be an entire generation of children that grow up who's only exposure to the parks is through youtube vloggers.

 

[Launchpad_Mcquack]

I dunno... I'm having a pretty good time watching the debates happening on this board.

Soon it's going to cost us $5 per post though.

 

[TikiTikiFan]

We rode the bus back from one of the parks and met a couple for CA, they go to Disneyland often and this was their first trip to WDW, they noted to us that they were shocked at how little rides that 3 of the 4 parks had. The guy said going to DLR, you have everything at your fingertips, but not at WDW.

Disneyland is also considerably more affordable than WDW because you can stay at many affordable hotels right across the street. We've made two WDW trips recently and before it's all been Disneyland and man, the difference in my budget between the two is wild. Because WDW is spread out between four parks, not two, despite them still having less rides total combined (it's true, look it up!) we still need more days there (equaling more moola) to see it all.

But I really love WDW, it has a different charm (Animal Kingdom, my favorite!) but for me that's more of a 'once in awhile' vacation spot where as Disneyland is where I will keep going twice a year. I keep hoping Disneyland's system will stay the same with MaxPass/FastPass and the only changes will be at WDW... But that's just wishful thinking, I'm sure. I do think whatever happens may look different at both parks though. A lot of things are priced differently, even PhotoPass!

 

[New Mouse]

Just remember, the more rides they build the less need there is for paid fastpass.

Vice versa the more successful paid fastpass is, the less incentive there is to build more rides.