xPass or Premium FASTPASS? Yes, I'm Starting ANOTHER FP Forum

[andyman8]

If there have not been enough already, I am starting a forum about all the new FASTPASS News. The likelihood is Disney will begin to enforce FP return times (that's the sense I'm getting), but speculation is flowing on what WDW & DLR will do next regarding FASTPASSES. Here is what I see as the two possibilities based on my research:

1. "xPass" - Despite the name, the xPass would not be a slip of paper, but rather a device or smartphone app. Guests will either purchase the device (or app) for a siginficant fee or will recieve it free when staying at a Disney Deluxe Resort. The xPass would let users prebook ridetimes, arrange character greetings, book ADRs, reserve seats for shows like Fantasmic!, and collect photos from PhotoPass photographers and ride pictures. Although I really dislike the idea (defeats the purpose of a vacation), it appears this is the more likely of the two.
2. Premium FASTPASS - This is already in use at DLP. Deluxe hotel guests would also receive this for free or it could (or could not) be purchased for a large additional fee. The Premium FP would function the same way Universal Express does. Guests would be allowed to enter any FP line from 40 minutes after park opening to park close. I really love this idea considering we are fans of UE. Personally, I would be willing to pay the extra money for the service, but I could see how people would not want to.

So, which one do you like best? Which one do you think Disney will go with? Please share your thoughts and any additional information you might have. Oh, I know the enforcement should be happening in early March, but what about these changes (xPass or PFP)? I'm guess not by early June. Thanks!

UPDATE: Check out post #51 on the fourth page. I found some "leaked" pamphlet from Disney on a small Disney blog. Take a look and let me know what you think. I've got my doubts, though, about this "leaked" info.

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

I guess for me it would depend on what the cost would be. We own DVC and don't stay deluxe anymore.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I like things the way they are.

 

[Mister Skellington]

I like things the way they are.

Ditto....

 

[DizzDoll]

I like things the way they are.

Agreed...

 

[KellyNY]

How much is significant?

 

[jujube]

People scream that they hate the Universal system that gives onsite guests unlimited FOTL because it discriminates against those who do not stay onsite. However, Disney already offers both VIP tours and Premium VIP tours which cost as much per hour as a mod/deluxe cost per night. So Disney already has a "cheat" system for those who want to pay for it.
My guess is they will start offering it to deluxe guests first in order to fill those rooms and then move onto the mods and finally the value resorts.
I think xpass will be the chosen route. It would not be my first choice because I do not like to think about being that particular about planning my day.

 

[EMHDad]

People scream that they hate the Universal system that gives onsite guests unlimited FOTL because it discriminates against those who do not stay onsite. However, Disney already offers both VIP tours and Premium VIP tours which cost as much per hour as a mod/deluxe cost per night. So Disney already has a "cheat" system for those who want to pay for it.
My guess is they will start offering it to deluxe guests first in order to fill those rooms and then move onto the mods and finally the value resorts.
I think xpass will be the chosen route. It would not be my first choice because I do not like to think about being that particular about planning my day.

The VIP guides that are VERY costly still dont offer any special treatment concerning rides. There is no jumping the line for VIP users. The guide serves as a live/onsite touring planner, and a gopher for FPs & such.

 

[jujube]

The VIP guides that are VERY costly still dont offer any special treatment concerning rides. There is no jumping the line for VIP users. The guide serves as a live/onsite touring planner, and a gopher for FPs & such.

Yes, they do. The Premium VIP tour allows Fast Pass access to all the rides without needing a Fast Pass. The regular VIP tour guides get Fast Passes for their groups but with the Premium tours you definitely do not need the Fast Passes to get into the FP line. Not only in 1 park either. Your guide will take you to any of the 4 parks and you get the same privilege.

 

[J.J.]

I am all for keeping it the way it is.

 

[Friendly Frog]

I wish they would just leave it alone. Turning it into a revenue generating system from a free system sort of stinks.

If they sell a FOTL pass to the public then we could end up with longer fastpass lines and standby lines that take more time than ever to get through.

Lose-Lose for everyone but Disney, who will be putting more money into their pockets.

 

[StarGirl11]

I am actually for the XPass system if they take out the current system. Six Flags has a very similar system which I love to death, hell I'll admit it I like that system over Disney's current system. Where you go to the park the day of the trip pick up the device and it allows you to book a fastpass from anywhere from regular wait time to 90 percent reduction (which in a lot of cases means near instant access). They let you in at a certain point in the line cutting the wait time down from a couple of hours in some cases to 20 to 30 minutes or shorter from the point you enter. Mind you prices vary depending on the level, but its still some of the best money I've spent at any theme park.

 

[raidermatt]

Yes, they do. The Premium VIP tour allows Fast Pass access to all the rides without needing a Fast Pass. The regular VIP tour guides get Fast Passes for their groups but with the Premium tours you definitely do not need the Fast Passes to get into the FP line. Not only in 1 park either. Your guide will take you to any of the 4 parks and you get the same privilege.

Yes, but there is a huge difference between this and the amount of people we would be talking about in the new system.

How much is significant?

Good question.


In my mind, what this comes down to is whether xpass will simply provide greater convenience, or if it will actually give the user more FPs than the unwashed masses, access to ADRs set aside just for them, etc.

If it's the former, no problem. You just make a choice whether the convenience is worth it to you.

But if it's the latter, it's just a money grab. They will be restricting access we currently all have if we don't start paying and awarding it to those that will pay.

 

[andyman8]

How much is significant?

I would define significant as $60 to $100 per day plus theme park admission.

 

[ducky_love]

Terrible system for locals...

 

[Jennasis]

Soon we're going to need a sub-forum.

 

[EMHDad]

Yes, they do. The Premium VIP tour allows Fast Pass access to all the rides without needing a Fast Pass. The regular VIP tour guides get Fast Passes for their groups but with the Premium tours you definitely do not need the Fast Passes to get into the FP line. Not only in 1 park either. Your guide will take you to any of the 4 parks and you get the same privilege.

Huh, interesting. I did not know there were two levels of VIP touring. I have only seen one level.

Has anyone here experienced this premium VIP touring program? Must have been amazing.

 

[flortlebap]

I think either proposed change is disgusting, tbh.

Disney already charge us enough without forcing us into Deluxe accommodation. Being from the UK our only viable option is going for 14 days - imagine the cost of buying a FP for each day?! Or the cost of upgrading to a deluxe. It would price out a lot of people here.

 

[eliza61]

Actually I don't mind a seperate tier for high rollers. I don't understand why every thing needs to be "equal". Almost every vacation spot I know except for maybe federal parks (GC, yosemite) has a program catering to their high rollers.
Better believe if you go to vegas, on a cruise, fly first class, you get perks. kick out the cash at the Belligio and you darn near get the keys to the city.

So why not disney?

I would love a fp system that I could pay extra and get fotl access at every park. I have no problem with folks who kick out the extra money getting the extra perks.

If you can afford first class, go for it
If you can afford concierge, yeah I think you should get your own special floor, lounge, elevator heck I wouldn't mind if they had their own pool.

As long as they don't get rid of the old fp system andmake this in addition to it, as a bonus. Bring it on. then it is up to the consumer to decide whether it is worth the extra money or not.

 

[hookedonears]

The premium pass works for DLP and Universal, because there are very few hotels associated with the pass. It may have worked 20 years ago at WDW, but now, there are so many hotels and resorts, that the large number of on property guest would dilute the effectiveness of the pass.