State of Fast Pass Return (or replacement)

[vincep]

I suspect that is the strategy- make wait times frustrating and long, then people will jump at the chance to buy FPs. Count us in.

Without a doubt--- that is definitely the plan--- IMHO !!! We dont have many that we consider "must do's", but I would gladly pay right now !!!

Which is also why they've been giving a great deal to FL residents. Cram the parks as much as possible and people will pay through the nose for FP. I mean they're not even at full capacity yet I believe. Well that's what they say. Personally from what I saw pre covid there was never a capacity limit. So will soaring Florida covid rates bring back former precautions? Or will DeSantis remain firm?

 

[preemiemama]

Which is also why they've been giving a great deal to FL residents. Cram the parks as much as possible and people will pay through the nose for FP. I mean they're not even at full capacity yet I believe. Well that's what they say. Personally from what I saw pre covid there was never a capacity limit. So will soaring Florida covid rates bring back former precautions? Or will DeSantis remain firm?

They are not at full capacity for rides, shows, restaurants, etc…but they’re allowing people in as if they are. And a typical summer is about 65% of their full park capacity so they’re probably about at their full summer numbers in the parks.

 

[tinkerhon]

Yep- and even then you need to temper your expectations for what you can accomplish in a day. Especially in the July sun and heat.

So spot on !!! We are doing a pool/resort breakfast/DS day today--- seeing "Black Widow" tonight, and going to grab something quick at DS--- most likely "EOS"--- so, we were walking to the food court, and DD asked my what was wrong--- I was already thinking about tmw--- AK day--- but I'm finding it hard to get excited about going to the parks-- I know we are not going to get to ride "FoP"- , and its going to be another pick and choose day--- Knowing that we were going to be without FP for this trip, we are cutting out of most of the parks early, and that has been the most enjoyable parks of the vacation so far, and cant see it changing over the next week. Tomorrow, we are going to leave AK by 6PM, walk around Poly for a bit, and snagged us a 7:45 dinner @ Kona, so we can watch HEA from the beach--- totally different dynamic this trip.

 

[preemiemama]

So spot on !!! We are doing a pool/resort breakfast/DS day today--- seeing "Black Widow" tonight, and going to grab something quick at DS--- most likely "EOS"--- so, we were walking to the food court, and DD asked my what was wrong--- I was already thinking about tmw--- AK day--- but I'm finding it hard to get excited about going to the parks-- I know we are not going to get to ride "FoP"- , and its going to be another pick and choose day--- Knowing that we were going to be without FP for this trip, we are cutting out of most of the parks early, and that has been the most enjoyable parks of the vacation so far, and cant see it changing over the next week. Tomorrow, we are going to leave AK by 6PM, walk around Poly for a bit, and snagged us a 7:45 dinner @ Kona, so we can watch HEA from the beach--- totally different dynamic this trip.

Yes. It’s frustrating me for sure because we love rides. And the “extras” like character meets or shows aren’t really there to pick up the slack. So to veterans it’s really difficult to adjust. We’re making the best of it and trying to just go slow snd relax. It helps that AKL is not fully open so it’s relatively quiet. But we shouldn’t have to pick and choose. They could’ve kept the capacity capped snd not offered the FL resident deal until they could run things at that level. Too many people without enough to do doesn’t make it enjoyable!

For AK tomorrow, can you RD? It still took us until after 8 to finish, but it wasn’t bad. Pick and choose then between Navi River snd the Safari maybe?

 

[tinkerhon]

Yes. It’s frustrating me for sure because we love rides. And the “extras” like character meets or shows aren’t really there to pick up the slack. So to veterans it’s really difficult to adjust. We’re making the best of it and trying to just go slow snd relax. It helps that AKL is not fully open so it’s relatively quiet. But we shouldn’t have to pick and choose. They could’ve kept the capacity capped snd not offered the FL resident deal until they could run things at that level. Too many people without enough to do doesn’t make it enjoyable!

For AK tomorrow, can you RD? It still took us until after 8 to finish, but it wasn’t bad. Pick and choose then between Navi River snd the Safari maybe?

Yea, RD is pretty hard for us--- I have a condition that makes me very dizzy in the morning---- Its an equilibrium issue--- I have to wait till my medication kicks in, but might have to bite the bullet tmw, cause "FoP' is def a fave, and definitely want to the the safari--- when we were able to get FPs (especially in the summer), I always got them after 2PM--- allowed us to to sleep a little later, and was cooler close to 4-5PM-

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

We are at AKL. Bus stop at 6:30 ish. Bus arrived at 6:55 and waited to leave until 7. At park at 7:05. Started letting guests in around 7:10.

Were you at Jambo or Kidani?

If Jambo, when the bus pulled up were there already people on it or was it empty before you guys got on it?

 

[cakebaker]

Yes. It’s frustrating me for sure because we love rides. And the “extras” like character meets or shows aren’t really there to pick up the slack. So to veterans it’s really difficult to adjust.

We love the shows and parades, some rides are extremely important to us, but for the most part, they're secondary. So I'm in the same spot as you, for different reasons. We don't have the shows and parades and the rides are going to be difficult and frustrating to do.

It's one thing to adjust expectations, but I am going to a theme park and if there aren't the favorite rides and there aren't shows and there aren't parades, adusting expectations means giving up everything you were going to do while there and make it a very expensive resort stay. I can swim at any pool, I can eat at much better restaurants than anything WDW has. So sure, we'll make the best of it, but that it leaves a very bad taste in my mouth that we will have spent as much as we did to get as little done we wanted as it looks like we will.

And the very most frustrating thing of all is it didn't have to be that way. Disney made the choice not to bring FP+ back. I could accept the other things, I knew they weren't most likely going to be there when I booked, but I never expected they would crank up capacity so quickly and so high and do nothing to handle the crowds they encouraged back.

 

[notatallmagic]

We are leaving for an 8 day trip on Thursday. For the first time ever, I'm really expecting this to be a mess.

This is our last family getaway before my oldest kid leaves for college. We have been very loyal Disney folks for the last six years or so, with at least 15 trips; most for at least a week. We loved and have based our loyalty (every single trip we have stayed at a Disney Resort) on what Disney offered - superior service, early/late Magic Hours, clean/themed rooms, Magic Transportation, luggage delivery, dining plans, efficient park/resort transportation, FastPass, characters, parades, fireworks, great discounts for seasonal/Annual Passholders, and the list continues. Those Disney touches made each trip magical, and worth the significant cost and budgeting sacrifices to be at our favorite place.

When I look at that list of what Disney offered us - what made us loyal customers - of those 12 things - only TWO are currently available, dropping to ONE of 12 at year end. That's an epic fail in my opinion. If our recent June visit had been our first, it certainly would have been our last. I provided a comparison on another post about other "comparable" vacation options for theme parks these days, and Disney is 400-500% higher in price point without the service or magic that used to support that difference. I hope I'm wrong, but our favorite place is dying. And it's so sad and so ugly.

 

[New Mouse]

When I look at that list of what Disney offered us - what made us loyal customers - of those 12 things - only TWO are currently available, dropping to ONE of 12 at year end. That's an epic fail in my opinion. If our recent June visit had been our first, it certainly would have been our last. I provided a comparison on another post about other "comparable" vacation options for theme parks these days, and Disney is 400-500% higher in price point without the service or magic that used to support that difference. I hope I'm wrong, but our favorite place is dying. And it's so sad and so ugly.

You can often get 3 cruises on another cruise line for the price of one Disney cruise. Ditto for a park vacation.

 

[notatallmagic]

You can often get 3 cruises on another cruise line for the price of one Disney cruise. Ditto for a park vacation.

We were able to experience the "magic" of Discovery Cove a couple years ago. And I remember thinking that the price point was a bit high, but now I think our next Florida trip after our Annual Passes expire will include two days there (which also gets us unlimited entry to SeaWorld and Aquatica), a great price at some CLEAN non-Disney resort, and maybe a couple beach days. And we'll still probably come in at less than 1/4 of what a Disney trip would cost.

 

[preemiemama]

We love the shows and parades, some rides are extremely important to us, but for the most part, they're secondary. So I'm in the same spot as you, for different reasons. We don't have the shows and parades and the rides are going to be difficult and frustrating to do.

It's one thing to adjust expectations, but I am going to a theme park and if there aren't the favorite rides and there aren't shows and there aren't parades, adusting expectations means giving up everything you were going to do while there and make it a very expensive resort stay. I can swim at any pool, I can eat at much better restaurants than anything WDW has. So sure, we'll make the best of it, but that it leaves a very bad taste in my mouth that we will have spent as much as we did to get as little done we wanted as it looks like we will.

And the very most frustrating thing of all is it didn't have to be that way. Disney made the choice not to bring FP+ back. I could accept the other things, I knew they weren't most likely going to be there when I booked, but I never expected they would crank up capacity so quickly and so high and do nothing to handle the crowds they encouraged back.

Absolutely. This is a choice. I know you and I were both anxious about last summer snd rescheduling things but both thought it would be better this year. I don’t think this was what we imagined though!

Don’t get me wrong- I’m angry they chose this route. But I’m here now so trying to enjoy what I can how I can. They have heard from us at guest relations- and will continue to hear about this even after our trip. It did not have to be such a mess.

 

[preemiemama]

Were you at Jambo or Kidani?

If Jambo, when the bus pulled up were there already people on it or was it empty before you guys got on it?

Jambo and we were the only ones to get on at either place this morning.

 

[cakebaker]

Absolutely. This is a choice. I know you and I were both anxious about last summer snd rescheduling things but both thought it would be better this year. I don’t think this was what we imagined though!

Don’t get me wrong- I’m angry they chose this route. But I’m here now so trying to enjoy what I can how I can. They have heard from us at guest relations- and will continue to hear about this even after our trip. It did not have to be such a mess.

I hope you enjoy it best you can. It's what we'll do too, not much else you can do. I'm so glad you're at least expressing your concerns with guest relations. I imagine we'll be doing the same. They should at least know what people thing about all this mess.

 

[vincep]

It's so sad but as someone responded to my criticisms which align with so many of yours as long as stockholders are happy none of our concerns matter and loyalty to Disney means nothing as long as there are new 'guests.'
I couldn't believe it but I was thinking on my next trip to Florida I want to spend more time at Universal.
Never in a million years did I ever think I would feel this way.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

Jambo and we were the only ones to get on at either place this morning.

That sounds like they are surging a.m. busses to each (Jambo and Kidani) for rope drop as opposed to the usual daily routine of hitting Kidani first and then going to Jambo in a single bus run.

 

[preemiemama]

That sounds like they are surging a.m. busses to each (Jambo and Kidani) for rope drop as opposed to the usual daily routine of hitting Kidani first and then going to Jambo in a single bus run.

They actually picked us up and went back by Kidani! Jambo is still only open to DVC so it’s not super crowded right now.

 

[Karin1984]

I was re-reading an article about the Premier Access pass at Disneyland Paris. In the announcement there are 8 rides mentioned which will have Premier Access. They have replaced Indiana Jones' coaster with Autopia. Which is probably a good call as a FP for Indiana Jones was rarely necessary, and lines at Autopia are always long as it is very slow loading.
There is now 50/50 split 4 rides aimed at guests with (young) children and 4 rides aimed at a more adult audience with height requirements.

Before FP + was introduced to WDW, how many rides with FP were there and how many of these were aimed guests with children and which at adults?
I think before FP+ there were no options to use FP for shows & characters, right?

In the same article it was mentioned that the Hotel Fast Pass will not return to Disneyland Paris.

 

[luv2cheer92]

I was re-reading an article about the Premier Access pass at Disneyland Paris. In the announcement there are 8 rides mentioned which will have Premier Access. They have replaced Indiana Jones' coaster with Autopia. Which is probably a good call as a FP for Indiana Jones was rarely necessary, and lines at Autopia are always long as it is very slow loading.
There is now 50/50 split 4 rides aimed at guests with (young) children and 4 rides aimed at a more adult audience with height requirements.

Before FP + was introduced to WDW, how many rides with FP were there and how many of these were aimed guests with children and which at adults?
I think before FP+ there were no options to use FP for shows & characters, right?

In the same article it was mentioned that the Hotel Fast Pass will not return to Disneyland Paris.

I found this list from 2013. I'm not 100% certain on the accuracy, but based on the user and my memory it seems to be.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/legacy-fp-vs-fp-rides.3186460/

 

[Marionnette]

I was re-reading an article about the Premier Access pass at Disneyland Paris. In the announcement there are 8 rides mentioned which will have Premier Access. They have replaced Indiana Jones' coaster with Autopia. Which is probably a good call as a FP for Indiana Jones was rarely necessary, and lines at Autopia are always long as it is very slow loading.
There is now 50/50 split 4 rides aimed at guests with (young) children and 4 rides aimed at a more adult audience with height requirements.

Before FP + was introduced to WDW, how many rides with FP were there and how many of these were aimed guests with children and which at adults?
I think before FP+ there were no options to use FP for shows & characters, right?

In the same article it was mentioned that the Hotel Fast Pass will not return to Disneyland Paris.

There were a number of rides which offered legacy FP:
Space, Splash, Buzz, Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan, BTMRR, JC, and Philharmagic at MK. It was a good mix of thrill rides and attractions that most could enjoy.

More were added as FP became more popular and attractions were added durung the Fantasyland expansion but those were the originals in MK. I believe that Space was the test pilot for the program before Disney rolled it out to other attractions.

 

[Karin1984]

That was definitely more than I was expecting they used to have at MK. I wonder if WDW would go to a pay-per-ride FP system if they would offer it for all FP+ rides, all Legacy FP rides, or make a new mix. And how big will that mix be?

Any thoughts?