FastPass+ Most Certainly Not Coming Back As It Was

[havoc315]

The difference is very few relatively pay for that…

if they adopted the same in wdw…two things would happen:
1. More people would pay
2. Lines would be longer for those that didn’t

Longer than those who don't pay. But not longer than they are now:

1 -- Physical lines would be shorter than they are now, with the standby pass
2 -- With fewer people purchasing DPA compared to free FPs, with less capacity going to the "FPs", lines would be shorter
3 -- But without the need to wait on a long physical line, more people might be willing to join the "free" line, lengthening the line

So physical lines will be shorter. Actual wait time -- Will have 2 competing factors. Greater standby capacity would shorten the wait time, but more people jumping on the standby pass line would lengthen the wait time.

 

[mikejs78]

das time

Isn't DAS what this standby pass basically is? Except for everybody?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

As I said, much till turn on the implementation. Certainly, far fewer people will use something if there is an extra charge, as opposed to it being "included."




Yes, it will be perceived that way. But in honesty, it likely accrues to the benefits of all guests. Like airlines charging outrageous prices for first class tickets -- But those charges ultimately subsidize the price of coach.

I can see many guests laughing at those who purchase DPA, for "wasting their money." "those idiots, paying $10 per person to skip a 15 minute line! What a waste!"



I think it's more, "not what they are used to" and fear of change.

And this is really only a concern for the fanatics on message boards like this.

Most visitors to WDW at any given time, are first time visitors, or people who haven't been there in years. Everyone on this board is familiar with FP+, but this isn't representative of the average guest.





Again, depends on implementation. But DPA sounds MUCH more relaxing than FP+. Being able to plan your itinerary the same day instead of 60 days in advance.

Incorrect…so incorrect.

didn’t you just buy a timeshare? (How’s that looking today…by the way?)

…there’s a reason why there are Disney boards such as this where people talk about what they “always”….and many multiples more out there that do the same but don’t bother killing time on the internet like us to say it.

50% or more are loosely “frequenters”. Every day…every year. It was built by prior management to ensure that.

 

[aaronml]

Disney has the opportunity to be sneaky here. What if they continue with the current practice of "Fastpass" that's free for everyone, but seriously limit it's supply? For example, you can get one free e ticket but after that, all others show as "Not available" and all that's left is things like the Teacups, Mermaid, and Small World....

But! You can still skip the line by paying for this *other* thing, Premiere access, which will have a lot more allocated to it. Want to pay $10 for a Tron Premiere access? You got it! Want a package with thee premiere access passes? That'll be $50. Want Space, Tron, and Splash? You got it for $50/person.

This would allow them to convince most people that they aren't taking away anything, while at the same time, taking away the majority of things you can do with free FP (with one gimmie to keep guest satisfaction up).

This would also allow them to reallocate to free FP late in the day if needed to manage capacity, if the premiere access passes weren't used up.

I also wonder if there will be an all pass option - as many as you can get subject.to availability (but still have to get the FP, not like express pass, or one per day per attraction or something).

What you are referring to sounds a lot like the original plan for paid FP, where free FP was still around (but with limited inventory) and the remaining inventory would be reserved for paid FPs.

Just like MaxPass at DLR, that would have been a somewhat tasteful (compared to this anyhow) solution for TWDC to make money from FP without doing major damage to guest satisfaction. Most DLR guests I know loved MaxPass…. To them, Disney wasn’t taking away something that used to be free — they just added a new service to make getting FPs even more convenient.

There were plenty of ways for TWDC to “tastefully” monetize FP…. at the end of the day, they clearly decided that the potential financial benefits of a system like DPA outweighed the risk of angering guests.

 

[threvester]

no, standby pass is to get in the regular line...DAS goes to fastpass

 

[CosmicRays]

Not a big fan of the pay per ride. If WDW implements the same system I will definitely be disappointed. But when videogames are pay per item and make ludicrous amounts of money, I actually think Disney was behind the times.

 

[Trauma]

Any chance once you ride something for “free” that day you won’t be able to ride it again without paying?

That would be the final straw for me.

My daughter and I once rode Everest 15 times in a row because it was raining and no one was in the park.

You better be able to ride multiple times a day without paying or Disney had lost their minds.

 

[havoc315]

Incorrect…so incorrect.

didn’t you just buy a timeshare? (How’s that looking today…by the way?)

Love it.

…there’s a reason why there are Disney boards such as this where people talk about what they “always”….and many multiples more out there that do the same but don’t bother killing time on the internet like us to say it.

50% or more are loosely “frequenters”. Every day…every year. It was built by prior management to ensure that.

No, that's not correct.

Here was an old thread discussing it:

What is the ratio of one time visitors to repeat visitors?

Not sure how we could find this out. Another thread has me wondering, the thread was talking about what you don't spend money for on trips, souvenirs, buffets, parties, etc. Anyway. If it was only a one time trip, you might splurge for the things that repeat visitors just don't find the...

www.disboards.com

But from various sources, the stats I've typically seen are that 70-80% of guests are first-time visitors. And among the repeat visitors, there is often a long time between visitors.

Much more repeat business in California, because it's a more "local" park.

But WDW has far fewer regular visitors.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Longer than those who don't pay. But not longer than they are now:

1 -- Physical lines would be shorter than they are now, with the standby pass
2 -- With fewer people purchasing DPA compared to free FPs, with less capacity going to the "FPs", lines would be shorter
3 -- But without the need to wait on a long physical line, more people might be willing to join the "free" line, lengthening the line

So physical lines will be shorter. Actual wait time -- Will have 2 competing factors. Greater standby capacity would shorten the wait time, but more people jumping on the standby pass line would lengthen the wait time.

The line problem has grown with the overall rise in customers…25% since the last gates opened.

people moving to “slow” times a year…which are now not slow…hid it for a number of years…but until we adopt the 15 month calendar…that’s over.

what Bob the great Iger didn’t do…was keep the advantage he inherited…which was staying ahead of the crowd. Had the accountant look at it and Disney ask the right questions. This is where they are.

the fastpass System is required for crowd flow…it wasn’t needed when it started. Now distribution is needed…let’s let it play…I’ll be on this hill if you need me

 

[mikejs78]

What you are referring to sounds a lot like the original plan for paid FP, where free FP was still around (but with limited inventory) and the remaining inventory would be reserved for paid FPs.

Just like MaxPass at DLR, that would have been a somewhat tasteful (compared to this anyhow) solution for TWDC to make money from FP without doing major damage to guest satisfaction. Most DLR guests I know loved MaxPass…. To them, Disney wasn’t taking away something that used to be free — they just added a new service to make getting FPs even more convenient.

There were plenty of ways for TWDC to “tastefully” monetize FP…. at the end of the day, they clearly decided that the potential financial benefits of a system like DPA outweighed the risk of angering guests.

We still don't know exactly what is going to happen in WDW. @marni1971 mentioned that it would not be the exact same as Paris, that it would have a free component, etc. So it is possible that for Florida, this may end up appearing somewhat tastefully even if those of us in the know understand that it is a cash grab.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Any chance once you ride something for “free” that day you won’t be able to ride it again without paying?

That would be the final straw for me.

My daughter and I once rode Everest 15 times in a row because it was raining and no one was in the park.

You better be able to ride multiple times a day without paying or Disney had lost their minds.

You’re already paying $120 a day.

 

[docnabox]

"too many people in line. Go to the app and book a time for later for free or now for $89.99"

Right. Lol. “Too many people in line right now and we can’t have that. So, go get yourself a reservation for standby and come back later. Of course, if the line doesn’t go down, you might not be able to get on at anytime. Did we say the line is too long??? Well, it’s long but not THAT long. For just an extra $10 per person in your party, we will find a way of squeezing you in.”

I wonder what the time frames are like. What if you have a dining reservation at the same time? Or worse, what if you had decided to go to another park that day and your time comes up hours after you were planning to hop? Seems like just too much to deal with to me.

 

[TiggerDad]

With their one park? Sure.

Actually, Paris has 1 1/4 parks.

I am in the category of visitors who come rarely enough that each trip is a big deal. I am struggling with the value proposition for traveling all the way and spending all the money, and then missing out on ROTR because we mis-time the boarding group process. So if I had a way to guarantee being able to ride an important ride, I'd be willing to pay extra for that.

On the flip side, I like to sleep in on vacation, so this change seems to be bad for people like me.

 

[marni1971]

We still don't know exactly what is going to happen in WDW. @marni1971 mentioned that it would not be the exact same as Paris, that it would have a free component, etc. So it is possible that for Florida, this may end up appearing somewhat tastefully even if those of us in the know understand that it is a cash grab.

Should have a free component

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Someone please tag me if there's actually news... I gotta take a break from the back and forth again.

 

[mightynine]

Should have a free component

So it all depends on if Bobby C is close to making his bonus for the quarter?

 

[aaronml]

Should have a free component

Virtual Queues are “free”, just like Standby Pass.

SHDL used to have both FP and DPA prior to COVID. Standby Pass (outside of the US) / Virtual Queue (in the US) is Disney’s new “free” offering.

 

[mikejs78]

Should have a free component

Well, all of this is should, isn't it? With Disney things changing is a fact of life. Even if they have "decided" on a plan to roll out in October, there's a good chance that it will look different than what has been "decided" today.

 

[MrPromey]

No chance…none

I'm pretty sure he knows that, too.

 

[Kevin_W]

My daughter and I once rode Everest 15 times in a row because it was raining and no one was in the park.

You better be able to ride multiple times a day without paying or Disney had lost their minds.

I'm impressed. I'm a coaster enthusiast and even though Everest is not the most intense coaster out there, a few years ago I had to bow out after 5 times in a row. Stupid aging vestibular system...