Unfair :(

[aaarcher86]

Offsite guests visiting Universal & Seaworld can purchase the upgrade, even if they are not staying at a Universal or SW onsite property. Those benefits are not 100% reserved for those guests. They are available to purchase a la carte by ANYONE. Disney is not currently extending FP+ to any offsite guest. Period. Not even for an extra fee. Did I say anywhere that I thought offsite guests shouldn't pay for the upgrade?

Because it's testing. One step at a time.

The other parks with systems for off site guests you are referring to are fully established.

 

[sonofanarchy]

I get that you, personally, can't see (or don't WANT to hear) that there are better systems out there. That other parks are accommodating both their onsite and offsite guests quite successfully.

You couldn't be more wrong. I think Disney's system (before and from the sounds of it, going forward) sucks. But again, I'm a firm believer in you get what you pay for. I think the amount of FP available should be based on different tiers:

1.Offsite guests - 2 FP per day
2.Value Resort - 3 FP per day
3.Moderate Resort - 4 FP per day
4.Deluxe/DVC Member/APH - 5 FP per day

I also don't see why they wouldn't add FP as an option on MYW tickets. You can purchase No Expiration, Park Hopper and Water Park add-ons. Why not Fastpass?

3 extra per day - $30 per ticket
4 extra per day - $40 per ticket

And so on.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Because it's testing. One step at a time.

The other parks with systems for off site guests you are referring to are fully established.

Which is why I specifically said "currently". "Currently", its still affecting people who are vacationing at Disney.....many who booked before the whole FP+ thing was announced.

Does anyone know if the Universal and SW front-of-the-line programs were initially introduced solely to onsite guests? Or if they were rolled out to the general public at the same time as they were included as an onsite perk? I know the SW and Universal programs have been around a while.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I think Disney's system (before and from the sounds of it, going forward) sucks. But again, I'm a firm believer in you get what you pay for. I think the amount of FP available should be based on different tiers:

I knew if we kept chatting we'd finally agree on something!!!

I am a firm believer that its possible to give all visitors (offsite or onsite) the same options, even if it involves an extra fee. I sincerely hope that if FP+ turns out to be an "onsite perk", that the system will be made available to offsite visitors as an optional add-on.

I have no personal issue with your proposal.....the higher your resort level (and the more you are dumping into Disney's pocket), the more FP+ options you get. Makes total sense. As long as there is some eventual consideration for offsiters as well.

No matter which way you slice it, I do feel badly for current offsite visitors caught in the testing phase.

 

[damo]

Which is why I specifically said "currently". "Currently", its still affecting people who are vacationing at Disney.....many who booked before the whole FP+ thing was announced.

Does anyone know if the Universal and SW front-of-the-line programs were initially introduced solely to onsite guests? Or if they were rolled out to the general public at the same time as they were included as an onsite perk? I know the SW and Universal programs have been around a while.

At Universal, they used to have the unlimited express pass for onsite people and then a free express pass for the GP. Problem was that the free express for the GP always ran out very quickly because they really limited the number of them available. This caused huge issues at guest services with upset people. They discontinued the free offsite passes and began charging for them.

 

[sully&mike]

We're staying off-property.

We actually were toying around with having part of our vacation be off-property/part on-site. We decided to go with all off-site due to a multi-room villa.

I knew nothing about Magic Bands/FP+/etc when we booked. Sure, it would have been nice to try FP+. I'm actually more sad that DD won't get to interact with Talking Magician Mickey Mouse than I am about the FP+. Hopefully we'll get all of our rides in. It was our choice to stay off-property, though....it was only a matter of time before the fast-pass perk was tweaked. I will be thankful should we have any sort of benefit from it at all. (meaning I'll be happy if there are regular old fast passes available for rides for us to utilize)

Counting down the days here. Our vacation has entered the 10-day-weather forecast. OMG. !!!!!!

 

[Lorelei528]

You couldn't be more wrong. I think Disney's system (before and from the sounds of it, going forward) sucks. But again, I'm a firm believer in you get what you pay for. I think the amount of FP available should be based on different tiers:

1.Offsite guests - 2 FP per day
2.Value Resort - 3 FP per day
3.Moderate Resort - 4 FP per day
4.Deluxe/DVC Member/APH - 5 FP per day

I also don't see why they wouldn't add FP as an option on MYW tickets. You can purchase No Expiration, Park Hopper and Water Park add-ons. Why not Fastpass?

3 extra per day - $30 per ticket
4 extra per day - $40 per ticket

And so on.

The only problem with this is it totally goes against Walt's original ideas. So, I don't see them doing it this way.
That is why I think eventually FP+ will be offered to offsite guests once it is all rolled out and fully implemented....

 

[Granny square]

The only problem with this is it totally goes against Walt's original ideas. So, I don't see them doing it this way. That is why I think eventually FP+ will be offered to offsite guests once it is all rolled out and fully implemented....

Walt's original idea?

 

[sonofanarchy]

The only problem with this is it totally goes against Walt's original ideas. So, I don't see them doing it this way.
That is why I think eventually FP+ will be offered to offsite guests once it is all rolled out and fully implemented....

I think it's a bit late to worry about what Walt's "original ideas" were. The company crushed those years ago.

 

[mm1971]

I am definitely not missing the fact that the system is in testing.

Which reports are you reading that confirms the FP+ system will be open to all guests (including offsite) once testing is complete? (feel free to post the link for me to read)

Yes, Disney has more guests than the Universal and SW parks. They also have deeper pockets, and a much larger workforce. Surprising, then, that the roll out of FP+ is as painful as it is.

It's actually not surprising at all that it is a painful process. Change is always a little discomforting. Add technology upgrades and the cost of a Disney vacation and I'm pretty sure the pain was expected.

There have been numerous reports that FP+ would be for guests only and that they will be for everyone. The latest rumors are that Magic Bands (and presumably FP+ along with it) will be rolled out to ALL park guests, not just resort guests. Testing has shown that those guests using the bands spend more $$ while at the parks. They know specifically where the money is being spent and it makes absolutely NO sense to restrict that from off site visitors. Remember that it's about the $$ in the end.

I do think they would be better off charging off site guests for FP+ and using it as an on site benefit, but the goal seems to be to get everyone on the system. Disney uses every bit of data that runs through those chips and if they are only getting partial data, it will be more difficult to make those decisions. For this reason I see no reason for them to exclude off site guests.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I'm actually more sad that DD won't get to interact with Talking Magician Mickey Mouse than I am about the FP+. Hopefully we'll get all of our rides in.

She can.

As of right now he doesn't say people's names who have magic bands. We saw him a couple weeks ago. He is open to anyone, magic band or no.

 

[Orsino]

Do you really think FP+ is a benefit? It's not. It would be if you could also get regular Fastpasses, but since you can't, it's no benefit at all. If anything, it's a disadvantage in that you can only get 3 per day. You can get as many regular FP as time will allow you. I'd prefer that. Plus, you don't have to plan exactly where you will be at a specific time 60 days in advance.

That used to be true. And might possibly still be true in the Magic Kingdom during slow times, but for Epcot and Studios, I think getting one FP- would be what one can reasonably expect to obtain. Two if you are lucky. Three? No way (unless you count things like Star Tours or The Muppets).

 

[pilferk]

Universal gives the option to purchase the privilege. Not apples to apples.

Op, we are off site in a couple of weeks. I almost switched but decided 2 bedrooms for $250 was too sweet. I love some time to myself

Hopefully they cut the double dipping soon. Then those same people will be stuck with only three fp's and a glitchy system

Not entering into the debate, but want to clarify something:

The Universal Express privilege you can BUY, at the gates, includes ONE "front of the line" use for each eligible ride. NOT unlimited use at any ride all day long.

The Universal Express version that Uni Hotel guests get to use include ALL DAY, as many times as you like on as many eligible rides as you like, use. You can not purchase this outside of booking a hotel room for the night.

 

[pilferk]

I thought they were stopping giving out KTTW at the end of October? We were there is August and the bands were not that prevalent but double dipping was but we still found enough fast passes to do what we wanted

There was a rumor to that effect, but

a)the date it was supposedly going to occur was Sunday and people checking in since then have been able to get KTTW cards

b) CM's have since posted that, while this was rumored, they have not been given actual information to that effect

Basically, for now, nothing has changed and nobody on the front lines has heard of there being imminent changes.

Which, of course, could change tomorrow.

 

[maggiew]

If anyone should be complaining about things being "unfair", it's people like me who have paid to stay at a Disney Resort during the test period but haven't been chosen to participate in FP+. How is that fair?

I don't understand this. Aren't ALL resorts live now for Magic Bands and FP+?
Go to the MDE site and check it out.

Maggie

 

[BuzzBelleMom]

I don't understand this. Aren't ALL resorts live now for Magic Bands and FP+?
Go to the MDE site and check it out.

Maggie

They are all still testing, not sure how expansive the testing is. I know we are included, but not sure if every guest is.

 

[Planogirl]

Agreed. Unfortunately for our trip to Disney, the family wants to do a day in Universal. It's costing me nearly $1000 for 1 day for our family, if we decide to get the Express Pass. Compared to paying about $1200 for a 7 day park hopper at WDW for our family. But that's where these parks get you, when you are only going for 1 or 2 days...

I doubt that you will need the Express. We have been to Universal several times in August and we haven't needed the pass. You get there at rope drop, tour wisely and waits should be minimal. Of course the Express is available if you need it unlike at WDW where nothing is available right now.

 

[DisneyBelle27]

I doubt that you will need the Express. We have been to Universal several times in August and we haven't needed the pass. You get there at rope drop, tour wisely and waits should be minimal. Of course the Express is available if you need it unlike at WDW where nothing is available right now.

No, fp- is available now. Its not EVERY single ride that is running out of all fp's by 9:30am. From what I've read, that's only been happening at TT, TSMM, and Soarin'. That's 3 rides out of everything in all of WDW. And if you get there early you can still ride them.

 

[Planogirl]

You couldn't be more wrong. I think Disney's system (before and from the sounds of it, going forward) sucks. But again, I'm a firm believer in you get what you pay for. I think the amount of FP available should be based on different tiers:

1.Offsite guests - 2 FP per day
2.Value Resort - 3 FP per day
3.Moderate Resort - 4 FP per day
4.Deluxe/DVC Member/APH - 5 FP per day

I also don't see why they wouldn't add FP as an option on MYW tickets. You can purchase No Expiration, Park Hopper and Water Park add-ons. Why not Fastpass?

3 extra per day - $30 per ticket
4 extra per day - $40 per ticket

And so on.

I LOVE the idea of FP+ being a pass add-on! Why not?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Not entering into the debate, but want to clarify something:

The Universal Express privilege you can BUY, at the gates, includes ONE "front of the line" use for each eligible ride. NOT unlimited use at any ride all day long.

The Universal Express version that Uni Hotel guests get to use include ALL DAY, as many times as you like on as many eligible rides as you like, use. You can not purchase this outside of booking a hotel room for the night.

From the same link I posted earlier:

https://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Park-Tickets/Universal-Express/Express-Passes.aspx

There is an option to buy your tickets + unlimited express as a bundle.

Copied and pasted from the link:

"Get admission to BOTH Universal Studios Florida®
AND Universal’s Islands of Adventure® each day you visit

PLUS, get Universal ExpressSM Unlimited access at
both parks to skip the regular lines at most rides
and attractions AGAIN & AGAIN (not just once per ride)"