Paid FP options coming soon to WDW?

[Loro]

I'm 37 days from my trip (onsite), and it's 30 days tomorrow i think until July 4th, so if they want it to start july 4th, they're not going to be able to give those windows.

Agreed. I doubt the full window would be given for the earlier dates once it hopefully starts up. Probably similar to dining when a restaurant has reopened, where everything in that window opens at once on a designated morning. I don't remember what they did when FP+ first went live, but that could be an indicator too.

 

[Wandering Oaken]

I just came back from WDW on Monday. The parks were at full 50% capacity with Covid restrictions on many rides which made some of the waits longer. My last trip was in October 2019 and the crowd itself was about the same but the stand-by lines were much, much longer in 2019. This trip, only a couple of attractions had waits over an hour and most of them were 30 minutes and under. I knocked off the longer ones in the first hour the park was open or the last 2 hours that the park was open. The rest of the time I had blissfully short non-FP waits and, more importantly, the line kept on moving. 25 minutes for BTMR on Memorial Day weekend? Yes please! FP only really shortens your wait on 3-5 rides thoughout a whole day and jams up the standby lines all day from park opening and closing.

Like I said, try going these days without COVID restrictions and without FP+ . Your waits for a ride will be much longer than they were in 2019. But we can agree to disagree.

 

[robinb]

Like I said, try going these days without COVID restrictions and without FP+ . Your waits for a ride will be much longer than they were in 2019. But we can agree to disagree.

You said "these days" which is around NOW and not months in the future or in the past. I went last week which is pretty much "these days" and that is the timeframe on which I am basing my opinion. My other point is that the general crowd level was the same in May 2021 as it was in October 2019. Yes, Disney limited the crowd to 50% (Covid restriction) but that's about what the crowd level would be in May and October when many kids are still in school anyway. My waits in May 2021 (no FPs) were significantly less than the waits in October 2019 (with FPs). FWIW, I have been to WDW when the crowds are at 90%+ (Christmas and NYE) and neither trip was anywhere near that level. Sure, FPs around Christmas/NYE/Spring Break are handy for a couple of rides but again the FPs grind the standby lines down to a crawl. So, you may have a short wait for a couple of rides but every other ride will have wait times off the charts.

Hey, don't just take it from me. I chatted with a few CMs at attractions and every one who commented about FPs said they were happy there were no FPs. These are people who work the attractions every single day. When I mentioned the short lines (25-30 minutes) as I entered the line, I had more than one who told me that the line would be at least twice as long with FPs.

 

[disneypharm]

You said "these days" which is around NOW and not months in the future or in the past. I went last week which is pretty much "these days" and that is the timeframe on which I am basing my opinion. My other point is that the general crowd level was the same in May 2021 as it was in October 2019. Yes, Disney limited the crowd to 50% (Covid restriction) but that's about what the crowd level would be in May and October when many kids are still in school anyway. My waits in May 2021 (no FPs) were significantly less than the waits in October 2019 (with FPs). FWIW, I have been to WDW when the crowds are at 90%+ (Christmas and NYE) and neither trip was anywhere near that level. Sure, FPs around Christmas/NYE/Spring Break are handy for a couple of rides but again the FPs grind the standby lines down to a crawl. So, you may have a short wait for a couple of rides but every other ride will have wait times off the charts.

Hey, don't just take it from me. I chatted with a few CMs at attractions and every one who commented about FPs said they were happy there were no FPs. These are people who work the attractions every single day. When I mentioned the short lines (25-30 minutes) as I entered the line, I had more than one who told me that the line would be at least twice as long with FPs.

So, why did you not use FPs in 2019? We have been to WDW many times pre-pandemic and never waited in line longer than 20 minutes for any rides, standby or FP lines!!! If you know how to utilize the FPs, you can ride everything you want without waiting in long lines. In addition, why opinions of CMs matter in this discussion. They are locals and go to the parks on their days off, so of course they would prefer no FPs since they probably can't get the headliners last minute anyway! For those of us who go to WDW once a year, FPs are great!

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

I just came back from WDW on Monday. The parks were at full 50% capacity with Covid restrictions on many rides which made some of the waits longer. My last trip was in October 2019 and the crowd itself was about the same but the stand-by lines were much, much longer in 2019. This trip, only a couple of attractions had waits over an hour and most of them were 30 minutes and under. I knocked off the longer ones in the first hour the park was open or the last 2 hours that the park was open. The rest of the time I had blissfully short non-FP waits and, more importantly, the line kept on moving. 25 minutes for BTMR on Memorial Day weekend? Yes please! FP only really shortens your wait on 3-5 rides thoughout a whole day and jams up the standby lines all day from park opening and closing.

The only response to this from me would be, the last thing I want to do on any vacation is wake up early enough for rope drop. At least with fast pass, I can sleep in and knock out the first 3 hard rides, then fast pass the rest, without really ever waiting in line. While I don't mind waiting online for 40 mins, as most of the rides are that are popular at the parks today, waiting 5 mins will always be better ;]

 

[Disturbia]

I like that the lines were moving faster when capacity was at 35%, but for rider switch they add extra 15 minutes to the posted. The capacity is capped currently and park passes are sold out. Disney is probably at 50% capacity right now, and they are slowly increasing it without providing additional benefits (fast passes; is anyone arguing that we are getting less for more $$$). We did far less in terms of rides and shopping as lines were huge (Nov) compared to our previous trips (knew how to maximize fastpass+).

 

[robinb]

So, why did you not use FPs in 2019? We have been to WDW many times pre-pandemic and never waited in line longer than 20 minutes for any rides, standby or FP lines!!! If you know how to utilize the FPs, you can ride everything you want without waiting in long lines. In addition, why opinions of CMs matter in this discussion. They are locals and go to the parks on their days off, so of course they would prefer no FPs since they probably can't get the headliners last minute anyway! For those of us who go to WDW once a year, FPs are great!

What makes you think I didn't use FPs in 2019?

 

[lovethesun12]

I can’t remember the specific thread, but it was about a DAS-related lawsuit where they had a WDW operations higher-up testify. Wish I could find the language (maybe someone will) but there was whole court testimony about lines, the purpose of FP (or, at least, the publicly stated purpose) and the goal of reducing lines for a more enjoyable experience.
It was super interesting, and I thought of it immediately when reading this. Not saying it means anything now, but it was justification in that court case for adjusting to DAS (so as to prevent FP abuse and thus longer lines for the general public).

Yes! I referenced this a while back. Why would Disney be completing extensive studies on wait times (including the amount of time people didn't mind waiting in line, the lowest number of rides completed in a day that led to enjoyment, etc) if they didn't care about people enjoying the park?

Disney doesn't want those paying less to have a bad experience and those paying more to have a good one.

They want those paying less to have a great experience and those willing to pay more the absolute best experience. It's the same reason they have POP and the grand floridian, or cosmic ray's and california grill.

I see many are against paying for FP because it used to be free. What if became those that stay on property get 3 free ones per park day. After that you pay for them.

I'm not against anything Disney does, they can do what they want. But if they do what was rumored in the video, I have a choice of waiting in long lines with two young kids for the best rides (a very different vacation than we are use to) or doubling the cost of our vacation. The good news for me is I don't need to choose an option I don't like because I can vacation somewhere else.

This is why I don't think WDW will take this approach though. I think they will have a virtual queue system, or limited free fast passes, with better options being an add on. I would definitely give a different approach a try, but wouldn't bother to visit if there was no option besides paying thousands extra. I'd hope the paid passes (if they come to exist) are in the $300 pp range since it would impact the standby line less.

 

[Liquidice]

Just food for thought ... Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party 2020 prices (yes I know 2020 got cancelled, but when Disney sold the tickets they didn't know that) started at $86 per person for a weekday in August/September. That was a $6.00 increase over the 2019 prices.

For 2021, Boo Bash, which offers less than MNSSHP is priced at $129 per person for August / September nights.

That is a 50% increase in price for less than what you would have gotten in 2020 (if not for the pandemic) - 60% more than the last time they ran it. They are charging more and you're getting less - both in hours, and in what entertainment they will be offering.

Just trying to put things into perspective here, Disney believes they can charge 50% more for an event that offer less and get away with it (and I can almost guarantee those parties will sell out on a lot of nights) - there's a good chance they also believe they can charge to use the FastPass lane (or whatever they're going to call it).

People are willing to spend $129 or more (October is $159, Halloween night is $199!) for just 5 hours in the park (7pm-12am) and they will have shorter lines for just 3 of those hours (9pm - 12am).

If Disney does launch a Lightning Pass that allows you to at least ride every ride once with close to no wait - how much would they charge? I have got to imagine it will be a lot.

 

[disneypharm]

"People say they won't take Disney vacations this year because it's too expensive — not because they feel it's unsafe"
Not sure who took this poll, but I assume they are not the ones who are going to the parks these days. Imagine add FP and ME charges to the total price. We shall see what happens.
https://www.insider.com/americans-say-disney-vacations-are-too-expensive-2021-6

 

[Disturbia]

Wow I was really looking forward to Halloween parties but that price hike is pretty high even for a family that goes every year.

We used to do two parties in Sept as a family of 5, I see more value in the after hours events, so we will switch to more of them instead. The parties were getting overcrowded so it seems like the price hike is to reduce crowds.

 

[afan]

Just food for thought ... Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party 2020 prices (yes I know 2020 got cancelled, but when Disney sold the tickets they didn't know that) started at $86 per person for a weekday in August/September. That was a $6.00 increase over the 2019 prices.

For 2021, Boo Bash, which offers less than MNSSHP is priced at $129 per person for August / September nights.

That is a 50% increase in price for less than what you would have gotten in 2020 (if not for the pandemic) - 60% more than the last time they ran it. They are charging more and you're getting less - both in hours, and in what entertainment they will be offering.

Just trying to put things into perspective here, Disney believes they can charge 50% more for an event that offer less and get away with it (and I can almost guarantee those parties will sell out on a lot of nights) - there's a good chance they also believe they can charge to use the FastPass lane (or whatever they're going to call it).

People are willing to spend $129 or more (October is $159, Halloween night is $199!) for just 5 hours in the park (7pm-12am) and they will have shorter lines for just 3 of those hours (9pm - 12am).

If Disney does launch a Lightning Pass that allows you to at least ride every ride once with close to no wait - how much would they charge? I have got to imagine it will be a lot.

Except it doesn't offer less because it's not the same thing. It's an after hours event, which is rigjt there in the name. It offers lower crowds, popcorn, ice cream bars, bottle pop and water just like the other after hours events. This one adds the cavalcades and trick or treating. So you could say they are adding to a regular, non villians, after hours event and that's why the price is more than previous after hours events. After hours prices are what should be compared so its apples to apples.

It's not mnsshp it's Disney's after hours boo bash, a totally new event.

 

[robinb]

Yes! I referenced this a while back. Why would Disney be completing extensive studies on wait times (including the amount of time people didn't mind waiting in line, the lowest number of rides completed in a day that led to enjoyment, etc) if they didn't care about people enjoying the park?

Disney wants you in their gift shops. FP organizes and throttles your park experience so that you spend your "free time" shopping instead of standing in line for another attraction.

 

[lovethesun12]

Disney wants you in their gift shops. FP organizes and throttles your park experience so that you spend your "free time" shopping instead of standing in line for another attraction.

No doubt they want you in their gift shops. But I'm going to assume they also realize people don't go home discussing the awesome time they had waiting in line to buy a coffee mug. The experience is important and a major selling point.

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

My fast pass and firework prediction better come true tomorrow or I'll never trust myself again

 

[2Lunds]

following

 

[robinb]

No doubt they want you in their gift shops. But I'm going to assume they also realize people don't go home discussing the awesome time they had waiting in line to buy a coffee mug. The experience is important and a major selling point.

People also don’t go home and talk about waiting over an hour for Test Track because they could only get one Tier 1 FP+ and they chose Frozen instead. I have to say the lines for the coffee mug are a heck of a lot shorter than Test Track!

 

[Liquidice]

Except it doesn't offer less because it's not the same thing. It's an after hours event, which is rigjt there in the name. It offers lower crowds, popcorn, ice cream bars, bottle pop and water just like the other after hours events. This one adds the cavalcades and trick or treating. So you could say they are adding to a regular, non villians, after hours event and that's why the price is more than previous after hours events. After hours prices are what should be compared so its apples to apples.

It's not mnsshp it's Disney's after hours boo bash, a totally new event.

Yeah, I guess nobody has confirmed it - but I've read comments from others who have said the Boo Bash will be limited to 3,000-5,000 guests versus MNSSHP which was limited to 20,000 guests per night. That alone justifies the price difference as you could probably walk onto every single ride in the park. If that is the way the Christmas party is, I'll definitely pay up for it.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

My fast pass and firework prediction better come true tomorrow or I'll never trust myself again

Please be right.

 

[mackmack]

For 2021, Boo Bash, which offers less than MNSSHP is priced at $129 per person for August / September nights.

That is a 50% increase in price for less than what you would have gotten in 2020 (if not for the pandemic) - 60% more than the last time they ran it.

...but they are bringing back AP's like nothing changed(sarcasm). Still will cost $1000 to go every single day of the year if you want, just like old times. rigggggght.

People are going to be in for a very rude surprise when they announce what is going on with AP's at WDW. Brace yourself boys and girls, gonna be a bumpy ride.