Ways To Get "Fast Pass" At Universal

[calgarygary]

Why couldn't Disney use the same system universal does? They can just sell fastpasses and limit the number they sell. They could also allow those who stay in concierge at deluxe resorts to have the fastpass privelege. There's no reason that Disney couldn't charge for fastpasses.

It's true that Universal prices are cheaper to get into the park, but that's a business decision. They're not doing it to save the consumer money, they're doing it because their attendance is suffering and theyre trying to increase the number of visitors they get into their park.

Disney, like you said, pretty much has no desire to save their consumers money. But they could create a class system within their theme parks, and let people pay for privileges that were once free. However, they haven't done this yet. So it seems that while overall, Disney is out to make money, they are willing to sacrifice the revenue that would be created from selling fast passes. Their decision to do this benefits most of the guests at Disney parks.

Disney is experimenting with different methods of changing their fast pass system. Some machines are now distributing 2 passes, 1 for the ride that it is at and one for a ride that is experiencing low lines to move people into that part of the park. The current gold pass from YOMD is being considered for distribution in future for concierge guests, giving them one fp/day/ride. But the worst experiment of all, is using fp to replace the baby swap - purely a cost saving measure that has significant impact for the guest. Just because Disney hasn't done it yet, doesn't mean they aren't seriously looking at major re-tooling of the fp system.

 

[perculata]

It really isn't a case of Universal rewarding guests that have more money. First, let's remember that Universal introduced the pass (fast or express) into parks. Once the hotels were built, it was a practical business decision to use their system to help fill the rooms at the 3 Universal hotels. Universal recognized that their onsite guests, who were paying for fotl privilege were losing the benefit of that privilege to the free system so discontinued it. If you were to compare the main benefits other than proximity to parks of staying onsite at Universal vs. onsite at WDW, I would take fotl over emh in a heartbeat. At WDW, is it really an advantage to go to a ride for their fast pass only to find that you have to return 2-4 hours later to use it?

How is that not rewarding people who pay extra at the expense of those who dont? That's all I was saying. If you are able to stay onsite at Universal, then you get to the front of the line. If you can't stay onsite, you're out of luck. The main problem I have is that at one point the ep's were free. But then, they took them away to "reward" guests who paid more.

Disney on the other hand just extended hours for the guests who stayed on site. They didn't take away anything from the other guests.

Although it's more convenient to have non restricted express passes, in my opinion it's not worth the 40 or 50 dollars i have to pay. I can live with the fast pass system at Disney because it's free, and if used right is a great advantage to have.

The advantage for hotel guests at Universal is a great perk to have. I just wish they didn't remove the free express passes for the day guests. It came over as a cheap business move. One of many that Universal's management has executed since GE took over.

 

[Planogirl]

I'm just glad that Universal charges so little for a week's pass especially compared to Disney. If I'm staying offsite and plan my time properly, I can easily see everything and I don't take near the financial hit that Disney hoppers cost me.

But to each their own. I'd rather spend way less on passes and do without the Fastpasses.

 

[Mainebound]

But the worst experiment of all, is using fp to replace the baby swap - purely a cost saving measure that has significant impact for the guest. Just because Disney hasn't done it yet, doesn't mean they aren't seriously looking at major re-tooling of the fp system.

Can you point me to a thread that discusses the baby swap thing? I'm not getting it.

Otherwise, I agree with you. Disney applied for patents to change the FP system a couple of years ago. This is from Jim Hill Media via Themepark Insider, circa 2005:

"This new system will set up a hierarchy of guests based on how much you spend at the Walt Disney World Resort. The proposal, which is mostly based on patent applications, not actual plans or company documents, will provide better access to attraction to those who stay at the more expensive properties at WDW. The concept is simple. If you can afford to spend the money to stay on a concierge level at one of the premier resorts like Animal Kingdom Lodge, Grand Floridian, or Wilderness Lodge, you would have “walk-on” access to every attraction. Those who cannot afford to stay on site, or at one of the “value” resorts like Pop Century would not have the same Fastpass access."

http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cach...der&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us&client=firefox-a


But to get back to Universal -- I think it would be nice if they had SOMETHING for free for day guests, but as an offsite guest who stands to lose the most from the change, I am not that bothered by it. Especially when you consider the fact that I got 7 days Universal "hopper" passes for myself and 2 kids for the cost of one adult 4 day base ticket at WDW. In other words, even adding the express pass, the cost is significantly lower than WDW, and I get more days at the parks.

 

[damo]

Why couldn't Disney use the same system universal does? They can just sell fastpasses and limit the number they sell. They could also allow those who stay in concierge at deluxe resorts to have the fastpass privelege. There's no reason that Disney couldn't charge for fastpasses.

It's true that Universal prices are cheaper to get into the park, but that's a business decision. They're not doing it to save the consumer money, they're doing it because their attendance is suffering and theyre trying to increase the number of visitors they get into their park.

Disney, like you said, pretty much has no desire to save their consumers money. But they could create a class system within their theme parks, and let people pay for privileges that were once free. However, they haven't done this yet. So it seems that while overall, Disney is out to make money, they are willing to sacrifice the revenue that would be created from selling fast passes. Their decision to do this benefits most of the guests at Disney parks.

Disneyland had a system where hotel guests who bought certain packages received unlimited fastpasses. You could carry as many fastpasses as you wanted at once. We did that two years in a row.

 

[perculata]

Disneyland had a system where hotel guests who bought certain packages received unlimited fastpasses. You could carry as many fastpasses as you wanted at once. We did that two years in a row.

Yea, they did. Whenever you booked a stay at a Disney hotel through AAA, they gave you unlimited fastpass. However, they have removed this perk. More importantly, they never took away the free fast pass. They never made guests have to pay more than park admission to be able to utilize fastpass. That's my only problem really. Universal has created a tier system within their park. If you have money, you don't have to wait in line, if you do then your simply out of luck.

 

[damo]

Yea, they did. Whenever you booked a stay at a Disney hotel through AAA, they gave you unlimited fastpass. However, they have removed this perk. More importantly, they never took away the free fast pass. They never made guests have to pay more than park admission to be able to utilize fastpass. That's my only problem really. Universal has created a tier system within their park. If you have money, you don't have to wait in line, if you do then your simply out of luck.

I understand what you are saying but Disney has created their own tier system by pricing most people out of the chance to vacation there in the first place. Universal has actually reduced their prices big time allowing more people to vacation there.

At least those who can afford $85 can spend 7 days in the Universal parks and don't need any fastpasses. Those with only $85 can just spend one day at Disney and all the fastpasses in the world aren't going to help.

Universal is capitalizing on the fact that many people want to do Universal quickly so they can get back to their Disney vacation. If you spend more than a few days there, you really don't need express passes anyways. Just arrive early before the 11 o'clock crowd wanders in. If there wasn't such a huge demand for the express plus passes, they would be long gone. It is all supply and demand.

 

[perculata]

I understand what you are saying but Disney has created their own tier system by pricing most people out of the chance to vacation there in the first place. Universal has actually reduced their prices big time allowing more people to vacation there.

At least those who can afford $85 can spend 7 days in the Universal parks and don't need any fastpasses. Those with only $85 can just spend one day at Disney and all the fastpasses in the world aren't going to help.

Universal is capitalizing on the fact that many people want to do Universal quickly so they can get back to their Disney vacation. If you spend more than a few days there, you really don't need express passes anyways. Just arrive early before the 11 o'clock crowd wanders in. If there wasn't such a huge demand for the express plus passes, they would be long gone. It is all supply and demand.

Yea, I agree with you completely about Disney being very expensive. But it seems as of late they are trying more to allow all people to visit their parks. I don't know how many times I've seen that commercial whree Disney says a family of 4 can stay for 6 days for $1,600. The my way tickets also attempted to make tickets cheaper by stripping away some of the extras, such as hopping and no expiration, in order to allow families to buy base tickets at a cheaper price. So while Disney is overpriced, they are doing small things in order to become more affordable.

The main problem Universal has is that it's not a resort conducive to long stays. I know some of you here enjoy staying at Universal for 4,5,6 even 7 days, but to the average guest, that seems a little extensive. Having only 2 parks really hurts them because even though it's so cheap to stay for 7 days, not many people really stay there for that long to begin with. Universal needs to find some way to make people feel the need to stay on site for longer than 1 or 2 days, other than lowering ticket prices. Disney is so successful with their ticketing scheme because there's a lot to do. Many people go to disney for 6 or 7 days and still don't do everything. So even though Universal makes there prices extremely cheap, the overall value is still only moderately better than at Disney, due to the difference in the resorts.

 

[macraven]

i have no problem staying 5 nights, 6 days at universal.
i don't run out of things to do there.

it is always a relaxing vacation for me there.

i do disney also but it wears me out with their bus system and the parks spread out.

they are two different parks and each have their own style.

the fotl perk makes staying at the on site hotels at universal a draw for us.

 

[Planogirl]

We spend exactly the same amount of time at Universal as we do at Disney. We can easily see everything we want to at Disney in 3-4 days now and we also spend that much time at Universal since there's way more we like to ride over and over. It's not the same for everyone.

 

[PlutoLuvr]

I think it's also important to think about what demographic these parks are catering to. Disney seems to have dropped the ball with locals and FL residents. The quality of dining has greatly gone down, and being able to dine with any spontaneity at all at Disney appears to be finished. Most FL residents who frequent WDW have FL resident annual passes, and we get nice discounts on the rooms. We don't want to give that up for the DDP, yet the folks who pay OOP for food seem to financing the DDP. The menus have gone up 20 percent in price, and the food quality's gone down.

Five years ago, I'd stay onsite at WDW and take a day trip or two over to USO. Not so anymore. This April, we're staying onsite at USO and heading over to WDW for a day or two. The food and nightlife have become far superior at USO to WDW nowadays. And where the food and nightlife are good is where we'll stay. And USO rewards me with discount after discount day after day by being an AP holder, which is a fraction of the cost of an AP for WDW. Disney really doesn't offer this FL resident much incentive to eat and shop there.

I know, I know ... FL residents don't make up a big demographic for WDW -- until another terrorist attack or recession hits, that is. And most of us locals will have found something else by then. I know we sure have, as has my mother, my brother and my in-laws.

 

[perculata]

i have no problem staying 5 nights, 6 days at universal.
i don't run out of things to do there.

it is always a relaxing vacation for me there.

i do disney also but it wears me out with their bus system and the parks spread out.

they are two different parks and each have their own style.

the fotl perk makes staying at the on site hotels at universal a draw for us.

I realize that some people enjoy staying at Universal for a long period of time. I was just sayin that the majority seem to have trouble finding things to do there for that long.

Personally I couldn't imagine being at Universal for 5 or 6 days. I used to go there a lot, usually spending 1 or 2 days there when I went down to disney. But it's just become stale as of late. The last time I went was two years ago, I think. I went over there for a day, my mom dropped me off around 10 or 11. I remember calling them around 5 and meeting up with them back over at the magic kingdom. I just ran out of things to do. I rode all the rides I wanted to ride multiple times and I was still done in 6 or 7 hours.

This seems to be the problem Universal has. Most people don't view it as an extended stay destination, judging by attendance and Universal's latest promotions. Universal's realizing that now and is attempting to fix the problem. i just wish they would add more rides, or something to their parks to take away the stale feeling instead of essentially giving away tickets. It's good that the parks are cheap, but I don't care how cheap it is if nothing has changed since I've last been there. BMG is a step in the right direction and hopefully GE will continue down that path.