USA Today article on Universal Express and Fast Pass

[johare]

Today's USA Today (7/13) has a good article on ride reservations system like Fast Pass and Universal Express.

Click HERE for the article.

 

[Credit Man]

Good article! Thanks for the link.

 

[Sean23]

I have an AP for universal and think the express pass works great. I went to get a pass for E.T. at 5:57pm and the come back time was 6:05pm. FP is the same for everyone at Disney at Universal if you have an AP you do not have to insert the ticket you have it scanned.

 

[Grumpy Golfer]

Thanks for the posting.
-Bill

 

[ballgame]

Good article. However, when you click on the link for the details for DL, it says that guests who book a package though Disney can get a ticket that gives them FastPass access to all attractions, without using a kiosk. Is this correct? I don't remember this provision of the program.

 

[Quentin Disney]

Guests who book a vacation package through the company get one pre=printed Fastpass for each member in the party. It can be used on only one attraction. I am unsure if this for WDW packages, but I guess it might.

 

[Barb]

Interesting article. I will say that Universal's perk involving staying on-site and having an all day Universal Express pass is wonderful! It is well worth staying at Hard Rock or Portofino Bay. I also like that Express is available for most of the rides at Universal. And, while I understand someone getting "miffed" that they didn't have the privilege of Fastpass or Express because they didn't know, I say sorry, but it's all over the parks. All you have to do is look. Don't you wonder why there are 2 lines, and don't you wonder what Express or Fastpass entrance is? To me, that's just sour grapes because you didn't read about it or ask someone. However, I will not (never say never) pay for the privilege of getting on the rides quicker. That, to me, is a two-tiered system that will single the less affluent out. For the most part, at WDW, it's your choice to use the Fastpass system or wait in 2 hour lines as you see fit. It does take a little planning, but I've never see it as a hardship. And, you don't have to use the Fastpass in your hand if your plans change. I don't see how, but I would love to see Disney come up with some sort of system for on site resort guests to have an all day pass like at Universal.

 

[Captain Crook]

It seems pointless to argue what Universal does vs. Disney. The numbers don't allow for significant comparison. Universal has what? Two hotels? Disney has what? A gazillion? Further, the reasons I hear for people wanting front of the line passes are purely selfish and I, for one, hope that Disney watches very closely what they do in the name of profit in this instance. They don't need bad publicity and the profit generated wouldn't be huge. This seems like an initiative that should be saved for ecoconomic boom times when a little bad publicity can be explained away by record crowds...

Lastly, how are all the fans of Universal's program going to feel when Universal slams the door? Will they still pay the big hotel bucks, will US/IOA still look so attractive? I'm not saying they won't but it'll be interesting to see what the reaction is...

 

[johare]

However, I will not (never say never) pay for the privilege of getting on the rides quicker. That, to me, is a two-tiered system that will single the less affluent out

How is this different from E-Ticket nights at WDW? What's the difference if they charge $10 up front for faster ride access during regular park hours or charge an extra $12 and keep the park open special hours? Is it better if they keep the 'two tiers' separate?

 

[Captain Crook]

IMO it's different because with E nights you are paying for something that IS NOT available to the general public. The park is closed and it's only those who want to pay the additioal money availing themselves of the purchase. By offering a 'riders to the front' scenerio wherein someone is walking ahead of other paying guests simply because they have (or can) pay more if definetely a two tiered system...

 

[johare]

It really is no different. E-Ticket nights ARE available to the general public though (or at least the resort guests), so I really don't see what the difference is.

With E-Ticket nights you either buy a separate ticket or you don't get to enjoy access to the park after hours. Regular paying guests are somewhat inconvenienced because instead of the park staying open longer they close and reopen it for those willing to pay more.

With a premium fast pass you either buy a separate ticket or you don't get to enjoy quicker access to the attractions. Regular paying guests are somewhat inconvenienced if they wind up waiting in the standby line while fast passholders get priority access to the attraction.

What's the difference? Is it ok for e-ticket nights because guest A doesn't actually witness guest B enjoying the perks of spending a few extra dollars? Both are two-tiered systems.

 

[Captain Crook]

...because guest A doesn't actually witness guest B enjoying the perks of spending a few extra dollars?

As simple as that comment seems, yes that is the difference combined with the fact that the reason they don't witness it is because the Park is otherwise closed. You assume that "regular paying guest are inconvienienced" due to the Park's early closing, but that the Park would still stay open longer is only an assumption based on past history. We have no way of knowing whether it would be the case again, should E ticket nights disappear. So the "premium pass" definately falls under the "exclusivity" umbrella...Which, although possbily lucrtative is also fraught with potential 'pot holes.'

Don't get me wrong, I'm not necessarily against premium FP or actually some type of Resort add-on, I just think it has to be small scale & profitable enough to be warranted and it must NOT BE recognizable by the average guest...Just my thoughts...

 

[johare]

I think the best system right now is at Universal where you get the equivelant of a 'premium fast pass' when you stay at one of their resorts. I think people are fairly accepting of the fact that guests staying onsite usually get a few extra perks. I'm not sure it would be as acceptable to ask a person paying $50 per day for another $10 just to get thru the lines quicker.

I don't know though...I can't stand the standard FastPass/Express Pass system where you have to schedule a reservation for each attraction. When I'm on vacation I like to relax and NOT follow a schedule. Guess that's why I prefer the Universal system for the onsite guests.

 

[YoHo]

johare, I agree with you about scheduling, but there are so many poepl who go to WDW, and likely Universal who run there vacations tighter then a Drill Sargent, that scheduling may not be that big a deal. Plus, I've found that With the current Disney Implementation, I don't really schedule things, I just wander up and check and get a fast pass and move on. I don't go with the
First I'm gonna ride this, then I'm gonna ride that attitude. So I guess its just a matter of how you like to vacation. They could make it simple and get rid of the thing so we all have to wait in the same line.

 

[johare]

Well, there is one big benefit to the standard Universal Express line...the hotel guests with all day express access blend into the regular express line and the people in the standby line tend to just assume that they have an Express Pass for the attraction. I think this is more acceptable for both the hotel guest and the customer in the standby line, then just letting them in thru the back door.

 

[lookingforward]

Captain Crook I hear what you are saying, but as I said in another post..Disney is already establishing "exclusivity" in many other ways, some of which are definatley noticed by the average guest. For example..resort guests get in early at a different park each and every day. No money to stay at Disney...no early entry. Want a great seat at the Holiday Candlelight processional, buy a dinner package and you got one. No money for that Epcot dinner...wait with everyone else. Same thing with Fantasmic..pay for dinner at MGM or wait in line for upwards of two hours. What about great views of the fireworks...book a deluxe package and you have "preferred seating" or pay $120 plus dollars for a special fireworks cruise. Can't do it...wait it out and try to secure a good spot.
Now I have been to Disney on a tight budget and have never begrudged people who wanted more perks than I had, it did inspire me to come back and do it a little bit nicer each time. Usually I opt for a moderate vacation...but I love that once in a while I can really do it up and have a special treat. People are used to seeing other people get more or better service, you get what you pay for. Right or wrong it happens every day and every where, even at Disney.