The End of Free Fastpasses?

[m4tty_j]

DLP just announced theyre introducing 'Premier Access'. Basically a paid for Fast Pass.

Available for 8 attractions, you pay between 8 and 15 euros per pass per person

They dont make it 100% clear if this replaces the existing fastpass system, but it sure sounds that way

Original press release: Disney Premier Access | Disneyland Paris
ED92 post: ED92 | Blog : Disneyland Paris, Paid Disney Premier Access

 

[tinkerbell1991]

I've just read:
“Breaking: this summer, Disneyland Paris will launch “Premier Access”, a new upcharge in the app to board select attractions instantly, from €8 per ride (off peak, prices vary). Traditional FastPass will NOT return, but Standby Pass will at busy times – the only free option.”
It's a shame they're charging for this but disneyland in california have done this for years and unfortunately as much as people say they don't agree with this, some will pay this (I would for extremely busy rides maybe two or three times a day) if it meant I wasn't waiting in 1.5 hour queues

 

[Karin1984]

They already had a paid option. Somethjng like 80-100 euro for one time all FP rides, which is about the same. Unlimited access passes were more expensive.

We have to see how Stand-by passes will work, they had just started with this before Covid happened.

 

[fitnessmouse]

It is 8-15 euros per ride per person. That adds up for a family
Hoping that standby pass does not end up like you have to have extremely fast fingers on your phone like the Star Wars Ride at WDW and get locked out

It is not like the Max pass at Disneyland California, which was basically just digital fast pass. They have already stated that the original fastpass will not return at Disneyland Paris.

 

[ThBa]

I think it is a step back. It is good to make some extra money but do they really need it. Disney is a family park and I have to say that I will not paying extra for my complete family. The fastpass option was a great idea and I guess it worked for years. Yes...there will be another free option but it is not the same as I can see at the moment.

Not very good Disney.....not very good.

 

[Kestryl]

We are considering a DLP trip (from the States) next year, pending travel availability.

But if we have to put 8-15 euros (around $9-18) per person per attraction... I don’t know, it’s already a long way to come and an expensive trip. There are other places I want to vacation anyways.

 

[zavandor]

I'm extremely disappointed.
Disney's were the only parks in the world with a free option for a fast pass. It set them apart from the competition in terms of attention to the guests.
If I want a paid FP I could already go to any random Merlin park.
Bleah!

 

[m4tty_j]

I think out of all the paid for options, the Maxpass at California was the best. Digital fastpass and photopass in one.
I know DLP have had paid for fastpass for a while. I don't imagine the uptake was too great as it was mega expensive, so now I feel like they're just forcing it on everyone anyway, as a PAYGO model.

 

[zavandor]

Without FP the standby lines will be shorter, so I guess during the week and slow season it won't be an issue.
During the week end and holidays, with longer lines, more people will give up and buy a paid FP. This will make the stand by line get longer, because more capacitywill go to the paid FP. If the standby wait time is greater, even more people will buy the pass and so on and so on. It's a vicious circle, Disney will gain a profit from the service thanks to the longer lines that the service itself causes.
It's the less guest friendly solution the could think of.

 

[moorhunhe]

Disney is already getting more and more expensive, making it look like a luxury resort.
I get it, it is "a luxury" and not a necessity, but shouldn't it still be available for everyone?
It's only 2 of us, and we can't even afford that on top of all the costs (and I'm not even used to how much it is costing me now leaving from the UK, then leaving from Belgium like I used to, oh my, I'm spending twice as much now for the exact same amount of days I used to go).
When a family of 4 or more, you'd need a good few months extra to save. That's a choise you make off course, but still, another thing to take into account to make sure you have enough saved up for the times you want to go.

 

[catnik]

I do not think Disney cares about the average 4 person family. They figure they get $$$ for hotel reservations and paid fast passes. Anyone not able to schedule within their parameters does not peek their interest

 

[Karin1984]

Disney is already getting more and more expensive, making it look like a luxury resort.
I get it, it is "a luxury" and not a necessity, but shouldn't it still be available for everyone?
It's only 2 of us, and we can't even afford that on top of all the costs (and I'm not even used to how much it is costing me now leaving from the UK, then leaving from Belgium like I used to, oh my, I'm spending twice as much now for the exact same amount of days I used to go).
When a family of 4 or more, you'd need a good few months extra to save. That's a choise you make off course, but still, another thing to take into account to make sure you have enough saved up for the times you want to go.

I think for the past ten years (or maybe even longer) Disney has been a luxury product, especially for those outside France. Even when you go camping or go for one of the cheaper partner hotels, the costs on entrance and food are getting more and more out of reach of those of low or even middle income. Going to Disney is something to save up for and/or to skip other activities and experiences.

 

[Twinkbelle]

I agree Disney are slowly but surely pricing a lot of people out of the experience, and do not see to be too bothered if at all about it.

If they'd brought something similar to Max Pass in I think that it would of had a better response from the fan base. This just seems like exactly what it is, an out and out cash grab. I think for DLP you can get by without FPs unless it's the height of busy times. I've been there on the 14th of July and doubt I would of even seen a ride that day without them. I could see people maybe treating themselves to one per trip if they absolutely have to go on a certain ride and it's had long queues the entire time.

 

[DanM3]

This is so disappointing! Considering the eye soar of a castle, no parades and fireworks and now this I’m very glad I cancelled this year. The price of DLP for a few days now means WDW or Disney California is much better value. Such a shame as these prices are ridiculous

 

[AurumPunzel]

I have concerns that this will make DLP even more expensive than WDW, lest it gets transplanted to the other side of the Atlantic. It's going to price out even the middle who are already having to shoulder higher costs of getting there, particularly from 3rd countries and far and wide. How long before all these drastic changes are going to backfire on Disney?

 

[Karin1984]

I have concerns that this will make DLP even more expensive than WDW, lest it gets transplanted to the other side of the Atlantic. It's going to price out even the middle who are already having to shoulder higher costs of getting there, particularly from 3rd countries and far and wide. How long before all these drastic changes are going to backfire on Disney?

It really depends on how many Disney expects to make from this. I think 2000 - 3000 FP per day is a low but very achievable estimate. I do not think they expect thousands of people to use it.
Disneyland has on average 55.000 guests per day. Those numbers have small impact on the other guests and the rich guests do what Disney wants them to do, continue to the next shop/restaurant to spend more money. The AP holders won't buy them.

And if the tickets don't sell, then that's only better for the people in the regular queues.
We have to wait and see how this works.

 

[Karin1984]

Disneyland Paris hotel fast pass will not return to DLP
Pixiedust.be reports that the hotel fast passes that came with Club Level at the hotels will not return (last line of the article)
Not that I often book Club Level hotel rooms, but it was a nice benefit to have. The only downside was that you couldn't use them between 12:00 and 16:00.

 

[Karin1984]

The Premier Access passes will start as of 3/4 August with a soft launch and will fully start on the 5th. We shall see.

 

[moorhunhe]

I'm sure they'll be bought. A while ago they had these payed for FP's also, and loads ended up buying them too.

 

[ThBa]

The first prices are available

15 Euros per guest for Peter Pan
That would be 60 Euros for us only to go faster to Peter Pan
That is ridicilous.....never Disney.....never

Edit:
Ratatouille 12 Euro per guest
Tower of Terror 15 Euro per guest
Autopia 8 Euro per guest
Buzz 15 Euro per guest
Hyperspace Mountain 9 Euro per guest
Star Tours 8 Euro per guest