Wanna buy a Fastpass? It will cost ya $50

[Ronferr80]

A good question is however, for those who haven't been offered and wouldn't buy it if they were (probably a large percentage of those who haven't been offered) will it affect the amount of their going to the parks ? If there's a noticeable drop in attendance due to this (or eventually, if it gets more widespread), would Disney care? I think it would have to depend on if they're making up the money or not.

Park tickets are expensive enough without having to do add-ons to the ticket. However, with the sample testing, those who will be able to buy won't care about paying more.

As others have said, this is different from other extras because it has the potential and power to diminish the experience for the average park-goer.

I do miss the old FP, it was a lot more fair. Pre-Iger (or even earlier on in Iger's tenure) Disney was a lot more fair, and more in line with what Walt wanted.

I don't always fully understand when people write what Walt would have wanted..... How does anyone truly know what Walt wants..... FULL DISCLOSURE info i'm about to provide was not known by me and actually someone a lot smarter then me on one of my facebook groups I did do some research after and found these facts to be true......

Don't forgot Walt, created Club 33, the most exclusive and profit driven opportunity in the parks, Walt also was the one that capitalized on his partnership with abc to drive attendance into DL, Walt was also the one that charged money just to enter Disneyland, which was unheard at that time.... so while we all woul like to believe Walt would want so much more , Walt was a business man just like Disney is a business trying to profit

 

[amylevan]

Can we just talk about price for a moment?

For $50/day (but really $150/3 days), you get 3 FP (or 9 over 3 days, depending how you look at the price).

At Universal, prices vary on the express pass. But on the cheapest day, you can spend $40 to ride EVERY ride one time. At the other end of the spectrum, for $150 (same price as WDW), you get UNLIMITED rides on every ride in 2 parks during a busy holiday. Unlimited rides versus 9 for the same price?

Six flags is trickier to compare since they have 3 levels of the system, and prices vary per park, but the lowest system sort of resembles FP with ride reservation times, and that is an average of $45. But again, it includes every ride.

So, I'm not sure that the price as it stands now is really competitive with what they're offering. Which makes me think that they are really offering the 90 day window for $50, not the 3 FP. And something tells me that once Star Wars opens, that 90 day window will be enough to sell out.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Can we just talk about price for a moment?

For $50/day (but really $150/3 days), you get 3 FP (or 9 over 3 days, depending how you look at the price).

At Universal, prices vary on the express pass. But on the cheapest day, you can spend $40 to ride EVERY ride one time. At the other end of the spectrum, for $150 (same price as WDW), you get UNLIMITED rides on every ride in 2 parks during a busy holiday. Unlimited rides versus 9 for the same price?

Six flags is trickier to compare since they have 3 levels of the system, and prices vary per park, but the lowest system sort of resembles FP with ride reservation times, and that is an average of $45. But again, it includes every ride.

So, I'm not sure that the price as it stands now is really competitive with what they're offering. Which makes me think that they are really offering the 90 day window for $50, not the 3 FP. And something tells me that once Star Wars opens, that 90 day window will be enough to sell out.

3 more FP in any park, 90day window, preferred viewing for fireworks/show. That’s more than what you get at universal, and six flags is in a different category to me.

As with everything, people will assign a value and decide if it’s worth it to them, if it’s in their price range, etc.

 

[anomamatt]

At the moment we have chosen to switch to Disney Cruise Line which although a premium product is a more relaxing style of vacation for us, which we prefer. Apart from state room category everyone is treated the same.

Not even close to correct. We sail concierge on DCL and there are tons of perks not available to others. Furthermore, there is an entire class system (castaway club) that is based on the number of cruises you have sailed. If you are not high up in that club, you’ll never get the popular excursions. And if you are not concierge it’s nearly impossible to get a cabana. Not to mention the concierge lounge, all the other things and priority access that concierge gets. DCL is usually my extreme example about Disney catering to different groups based on $$$.

 

[anomamatt]

Pre-Iger (or even earlier on in Iger's tenure) Disney was a lot more fair, and more in line with what Walt wanted.

Club 33 was walt’s conception. None of us knew him (and at this point I’m not sure his prior opinions matter as the world has changed dramatically since), but on the basis of club 33 alone, I highly doubt Walt was an egalitarian.

 

[mshanson3121]

I'm not going to say I wouldn't pay for it ... I might ... but I must admit when you get into larger families, with five people an extra $250 a day on top of the club level up charge it does add up.

For anyone that can afford to pay $1500+ a night for a hotel room, I highly doubt they'll notice.

 

[CT Disney]

Tikiman has a post on his facebook page that has a few more details. For example:

"A booking window of up to 90 days in advance for these three additional FastPass+ selections and the ability to book them at multiple top-tier attractions. Guests may not repeat the same FastPass+ attraction during a single day."

To be honest, I'm still having a hard time visualizing how it will all work.

In any event, I was reading through the comments and was surprised to see more than one person comment that CL guests often received extra fast passes for free just by asking for them! Apparently, people would just ask the CL concierge for extras, and they were given. I was taken aback by that. We have stayed CL in the past and never would have dreamed of asking for extra "just because". Perhaps Disney is looking to monetize something that CL guests were asking for anyway.

 

[mshanson3121]

So club level can get an extra three fastpasses ahead of others (if they pay) and Disney Springs guests will be able to get three at the same time as onsite guests. That pool of fastpasses keeps being spread out more and more. I see no reason not to assume that more of this will be coming.

They're trying to make the pickings as slim as possible, so people complain and ask them to do something. And then they can start charging for all FP+, trying to make us think we'll be buying something exclusive.

 

[CarolynU]

"Not even close to correct. We sail concierge on DCL and there are tons of perks not available. Furthermore, there is an entire class system (castaway club) that is based on the number of cruises you have sailed. If you are not high up in that club, you’ll never get the popular excursions. And if you are not concierge it’s nearly impossible to get a cabana. Not to mention the concierge lounge, all the other things and priority access that concierge gets. DCL is usually my extreme example about Disney catering to different groups based on $$$."


Well I'm at Platinum level and yes admittedly I get first boarding and an advance booking window for excursions. Oh and a free Palo. So yes I forgot those perks. However, maybe I've just been lucky because prior to being Platinum I always got the excursions that I wanted and always first boarding, and got a cabana when I wanted it, so being Platinum does not feel as if I've gained too much over non Platinum guests.
Actually though I think that DCL has cut back on frequent cruiser Castaway Level gifts too. The bag for example is now generic no matter what your level, and if my memory serves me correctly you get less if any onboard cash incentives that you got some years back. I think that there may be a gift which is different but again I feel that the difference is minimal.
Concierge I've never sailed and of course there are many additional perks for this level, but I suppose I feel that the number of concierge staterooms is small compared to the overall number of staterooms as a whole, so I've never felt the effect of that either, whereas I do think that by staying in a villa I will definitely notice the effect of being a non Disney Hotel guest, and remember that I've been careful to say my perception rather than whether or not this is true.

 

[sharonabe]

This is where I find the new program puzzling. Are they really going to allow you to jump over the tier system and choose whatever you want? If not, why would you spend $$$ on FPs that are typically available as "same days".

Disney put out some more info yesterday. The 3 extra can be booked at 90 days, they can be any Tier, AND you can have them at multiple parks on the same day.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Tikiman has a post on his facebook page that has a few more details. For example:

"A booking window of up to 90 days in advance for these three additional FastPass+ selections and the ability to book them at multiple top-tier attractions. Guests may not repeat the same FastPass+ attraction during a single day."

To be honest, I'm still having a hard time visualizing how it will all work.

In any event, I was reading through the comments and was surprised to see more than one person comment that CL guests often received extra fast passes for free just by asking for them! Apparently, people would just ask the CL concierge for extras, and they were given. I was taken aback by that. We have stayed CL in the past and never would have dreamed of asking for extra "just because". Perhaps Disney is looking to monetize something that CL guests were asking for anyway.

We stay CL and that part about getting free FPs is definitely not the norm. Highly unusual, if it happened.

 

[Hikergirl]

This favors people with deep pockets, over the rest of us, and will reduce availability. I don't see why more of you are not upset by this. Let me spell it out: this is BAD for anyone who can't afford to shell out for the extra FPs!

To be blunt, I don't really care what someone else can or can't do on their vacation. I care about my vacation and making it the best vacation for me. I'm not ready to pull out my violin for people who can't afford the extra perks on an already pricey WDW vacation. If one truly wants this then up your vacation budget or hold off a year to go to WDW for it. It isn't like some folks aren't already doing stuff like that to just go for a week to WDW.
Are you upset that there are values, mods and deluxes? How about CL? Parkhopper ticket options? After hour parties? Character meals vs. counter service meals?
Heck I'd love to fly my family to Hawaii but it's really expensive. I'm not going to whine that some people can afford it but I can't.

 

[CT Disney]

We stay CL and that part about getting free FPs is definitely not the norm. Highly unusual, if it happened.

I suspect you're probably right on that GADisneyDad14!

(At least I hope so...otherwise we've been missing out on a pretty sweet perk!)

 

[KrazeeK120]

For anyone that can afford to pay $1500+ a night for a hotel room, I highly doubt they'll notice.

Well, that’s true, but many (most?) CL guests aren’t paying anything close to that. We stayed CL back in May for less than 1/3 of that cost, and we were at the top end of our vacation budget. I wouldn’t have shelled out an additional $100 per night for FPs.

 

[Ronferr80]

Can we just talk about price for a moment?

For $50/day (but really $150/3 days), you get 3 FP (or 9 over 3 days, depending how you look at the price).

At Universal, prices vary on the express pass. But on the cheapest day, you can spend $40 to ride EVERY ride one time. At the other end of the spectrum, for $150 (same price as WDW), you get UNLIMITED rides on every ride in 2 parks during a busy holiday. Unlimited rides versus 9 for the same price?

Six flags is trickier to compare since they have 3 levels of the system, and prices vary per park, but the lowest system sort of resembles FP with ride reservation times, and that is an average of $45. But again, it includes every ride.

So, I'm not sure that the price as it stands now is really competitive with what they're offering. Which makes me think that they are really offering the 90 day window for $50, not the 3 FP. And something tells me that once Star Wars opens, that 90 day window will be enough to sell out.

So I'm on board with the surprise factor of the amount per person. While I thought something like this was bound to happen I did think it would possibly be a perk for club level or less then what is being suggested. I think its tough to compare Disney to any other theme park (in my opinion) and that is what Disney is banking on with these prices.... what makes this (or will make this) priceless to some people are
1) 90 day booking window
2) No tier limitation (this one is huge!!!)
3) Preferred seating location for shows (if that is what is included)

This option will make it a little less stressful (and more expensive) for families looking to squeeze everything in, families with small kids that don't want to run all over the park, rope drop, constantly monitor the fast pass system, and that is why maybe even after Disney may have to tweak this a little it will probably succeed

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Well, that’s true, but many (most?) CL guests aren’t paying anything close to that. We stayed CL back in May for less than 1/3 of that cost, and we were at the top end of our vacation budget. I wouldn’t have shelled out an additional $100 per night for FPs.

Your post got me thinking... with my husband being an economist and me an MBA/MSF, we talk a lot about “marginal cost” when we talk about our WDW vacation spending...

So we’re already spending $X — what’s an additional 0.02 times $X... that sort of thing. I think CL guests and once-in-a-lifetime trippers are GREAT targets for this type of offer.

And if I had to bet, there’s a market beyond that group for the same “marginal cost” reason. Not everyone, but a profitable fraction.

 

[Hikergirl]

For anyone that can afford to pay $1500+ a night for a hotel room, I highly doubt they'll notice.

I'm a family of 5 and have stayed CL and no way can I afford $1500 a night. Last CL stay for us was 7 nights at BC and with base tickets it cost my family of 5 less than $4500. Granted that was a few years ago so I'm sure its a bit more now. We would have definitely noticed an extra $250 a night.

 

[LSUmiss]

I don't know if this has been mentioned upthread already, but I used to brag about how the Fastpass system did not discriminate against the have nots. Unlike other parks, if you had a ticket, you had access to fastpasses. But alas, they have succumbed to greed and lost the morals I so admired.

The real have nots don’t go to WDW & most don’t go on any vacations to anywhere.

 

[DisneyLoverBda]

I somewhat understand why they have chosen to use the Club Level guests as the "test" case and yet I think this is the part that bothers me the most. We are traveling as 2 adults, 2 kids and a toddler. We initially considered booking a Club Level room at Contemporary. However, we have chosen to pay cash for a 2 bedroom villa at BLT (the laundry and the ability to warm bottles will make life much easier over a week with a messy toddler!). We are spending nearly double what we would have spent by staying club level and yet are not deemed "worthy" of this additional perk (which we likely would have considered). It just seems odd to me to alienate those spending significant money to stay in the villas (especially those paying cash).

 

[LSUmiss]

I don’t think that.

I do think that once this is rolled out past club level, it would be very appealing for once in a lifetime type guests who are just going to hear $50 per day (per person) for 3 less lines and jump on it.

I actually think this may be more appealing for those who aren’t Disney obsessed than those who are.

Or ppl with shorter stays or less ppl on their party etc. A couple could spend the same amount on this as a family of 4 on a cheaper hotel.