FastPass+ Most Certainly Not Coming Back As It Was

[phillip9698]

Exactly! I feel like people (like me) are too afraid to say "hey, if you are worried about long lines, then get up in the morning 60 days before your trip, get on the computer or phone, and reserve the fast passes you most want!". A WDW trip already takes effort to plan correctly. What's another few minutes? We did our 60 day fast passes in about 20 minutes for a 6 day trip in 2018 and got what we wanted (granted we didn't do some of the biggest rides like Space Mountain, Flights of Passage, and Splash Mountain). The ONLY ride that was not available was FoP. We did 7DMT twice using FP. And all of this was during Spring Break. We had a 9/10 crowd level but never noticed it one bit.

Complaining about the impact of something you don't use that you have every opportunity to use doesn't seem to make sense. I still, to this day, cannot see how FP+ didn't work and what the problem is with it.

The mindset of "I want to go on a vacation to the most popular family amusement center in the world but I don't want to have to plan too much" is absolutely baffling to me.

If you have only been to WDW when FP+ was a thing then it makes sense why it would be baffling. But planning your entire vacation 60-180 days in advance was not always a thing at WDW. It only became necessary when disney decided to stop building to accommodate demand.

The entire argument for the FP+ system from a lot of people here hinges upon skipping the long lines for rides such as FoP and 7DMT ignoring the fact that not everyone will be able to do that. As stated earlier I have NEVER even seen a FoP fast pass. A fast pass for mission space or spaceship earth isn't worth anything. But I will admit I am not the type to keep my face buried on my phone looking for last minute passes when I'm supposed to be enjoying a vacation.

IMO the trips were better when we didn't need to plan everything. We could explore the offerings at the Epcot Pavilions without worrying that time spent playing there was eating into other plans a half year in the making.

 

[Jrb1979]

Exactly! I feel like people (like me) are too afraid to say "hey, if you are worried about long lines, then get up in the morning 60 days before your trip, get on the computer or phone, and reserve the fast passes you most want!". A WDW trip already takes effort to plan correctly. What's another few minutes? We did our 60 day fast passes in about 20 minutes for a 6 day trip in 2018 and got what we wanted (granted we didn't do some of the biggest rides like Space Mountain, Flights of Passage, and Splash Mountain). The ONLY ride that was not available was FoP. We did 7DMT twice using FP. And all of this was during Spring Break. We had a 9/10 crowd level but never noticed it one bit.

Complaining about the impact of something you don't use that you have every opportunity to use doesn't seem to make sense. I still, to this day, cannot see how FP+ didn't work and what the problem is with it.

The mindset of "I want to go on a vacation to the most popular family amusement center in the world but I don't want to have to plan too much" is absolutely baffling to me.

I get what most are saying. I know how to use FP+. My issue is how many were available. Between making it available to everyone and releasing more as the day goes on defeats the purpose.

I know Disney isn't like every other park. If you go to every other park their skip the line is really limited. Not everyone has it.

 

[Waters Back Side]

Sell me an unlimited DPA package. If I do not get 3 free then I'll go to the extreme in the other direction..I'll pay $1000 for 5 adults (3 are kids but not according to Disney). The complete package for resort guests (for me it would be 7 nights)..$1000...benefits...unlimited line skips, access to ANY ride in the park that you have a reservation for from park opening to closing. Choice of planning in advance, or deciding the day of.

An all or nothing package would intrigue me.
See that? I can spend extra money too.

 

[WannaGoNow]

If you have only been to WDW when FP+ was a thing then it makes sense why it would be baffling. But planning your entire vacation 60-180 days in advance was not always a thing at WDW. It only became necessary when disney decided to stop building to accommodate demand.

The entire argument for the FP+ system from a lot of people here hinges upon skipping the long lines for rides such as FoP and 7DMT ignoring the fact that not everyone will be able to do that. As stated earlier I have NEVER even seen a FoP fast pass. A fast pass for mission space or spaceship earth isn't worth anything. But I will admit I am not the type to keep my face buried on my phone looking for last minute passes when I'm supposed to be enjoying a vacation.

IMO the trips were better when we didn't need to plan everything. We could explore the offerings at the Epcot Pavilions without worrying that time spent playing there was eating into other plans a half year in the making.

Agreed. And some people don’t have the luxury of knowing what their schedule will be 60 or 180 days out.

Anecdotal, but I know a family with small children planning their trip to WDW at the last minute because a parent was given an unexpected health diagnosis and told “now or probably never.” Other families may have less tragic but no less compelling to them reasons to go on the spur of the moment. Our last trip was planned in less than three weeks because we had an opportunity too good to pass by spring up. (Also, getting up at 2:45 AM on the West Coast just to try to snag a coveted breakfast reservation or 3:45 AM for FP+ : not everyone has the luxury of being able to function without a good night’s sleep, either.)

Disneyland never had FP+ and the highly crowded parks managed to survive on day of access to FastPass just fine. Granted, it‘s a different resort with a different guest culture, as are DLP and Shanghai, which is why I’m not channeling my inner Gaston and sharpening my pitchfork over paid-only FastPass coming to WDW just yet.

 

[pdude81]

I wish I lived in this world where everyone got fast passes to the popular rides and everything was peaches and cream. I never saw a fast pass to either 7DMT or FoP and that's with having the 60 day benefit.

Well soon you can live in a world where you still don't get a fastpass to those rides unless you get to the parks early enough to secure one AND pay for it.

 

[Jrb1979]

Well soon you can live in a world where you still don't get a fastpass to those rides unless you get to the parks early enough to secure one AND pay for it.

I'm fine with that cause thats how I do parks. I always rope drop and spend the entire day there.

 

[dreday3]

Does the fact that people who purchase VIP tours no longer have to get boarding group for Rise starting July 11th - will just be escorted on - mean anything at all about any other news coming about lines?

(and wow, I didn't realize even with VIP you still had to get boarding groups!)

 

[iowamomof4]

Does the fact that people who purchase VIP tours no longer have to get boarding group for Rise starting July 11th - will just be escorted on - mean anything at all about any other news coming about lines?

(and wow, I didn't realize even with VIP you still had to get boarding groups!)

I've been wondering the same thing.

 

[pdude81]

Does the fact that people who purchase VIP tours no longer have to get boarding group for Rise starting July 11th - will just be escorted on - mean anything at all about any other news coming about lines?

(and wow, I didn't realize even with VIP you still had to get boarding groups!)

I just assume they want to be clear that there is still a benefit to VIP tours over paying for fastpasses. Otherwise a lot of people are looking at $500 a day to do what they want instead of $500 an hour.

 

[Jedijax719]

Agreed. And some people don’t have the luxury of knowing what their schedule will be 60 or 180 days out.

Anecdotal, but I know a family with small children planning their trip to WDW at the last minute because a parent was given an unexpected health diagnosis and told “now or probably never.” Other families may have less tragic but no less compelling to them reasons to go on the spur of the moment. Our last trip was planned in less than three weeks because we had an opportunity too good to pass by spring up. (Also, getting up at 2:45 AM on the West Coast just to try to snag a coveted breakfast reservation or 3:45 AM for FP+ : not everyone has the luxury of being able to function without a good night’s sleep, either.)

Disneyland never had FP+ and the highly crowded parks managed to survive on day of access to FastPass just fine. Granted, it‘s a different resort with a different guest culture, as are DLP and Shanghai, which is why I’m not channeling my inner Gaston and sharpening my pitchfork over paid-only FastPass coming to WDW just yet.

The timing isn't the issue. You don't have to make your reservations exactly at 60 (FP) or 180 (dining) days. That's when you can start. You can do it anytime. At peak times, dining becomes more restricted but FP's change all the time (except for FoP which is never available). Sure beats having to do it while you are actually on vacation.

 

[flynnibus]

The mindset of "I want to go on a vacation to the most popular family amusement center in the world but I don't want to have to plan too much" is absolutely baffling to me.

because you have bought into disney’s offer as the only way it can be done. Yet, it’s not. Wdw is the standout, not the norm.

seriously, just do a disney cruise and see the other side

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

If you have only been to WDW when FP+ was a thing then it makes sense why it would be baffling. But planning your entire vacation 60-180 days in advance was not always a thing at WDW. It only became necessary when disney decided to stop building to accommodate demand.

The entire argument for the FP+ system from a lot of people here hinges upon skipping the long lines for rides such as FoP and 7DMT ignoring the fact that not everyone will be able to do that. As stated earlier I have NEVER even seen a FoP fast pass. A fast pass for mission space or spaceship earth isn't worth anything. But I will admit I am not the type to keep my face buried on my phone looking for last minute passes when I'm supposed to be enjoying a vacation.

IMO the trips were better when we didn't need to plan everything. We could explore the offerings at the Epcot Pavilions without worrying that time spent playing there was eating into other plans a half year in the making.

The problem is that cost accounting/rationing was just as big of a part of the last 15 years of decisions as the lack of capacity.

not staffing restaurants not prebooked, shifting people out of areas, limiting park hours when they forecasts are low…etc etc etc

 

[Father Robinson]

It's funny. If you miss a day of this thread, just simply come back the next day and skip ahead to the very last page (usually it'll be a gap of 15 -20 pages ) and I guarantee the conversation will be just where you left off.

 

[dreday3]

It's funny. If you miss a day of this thread, just simply come back the next day and skip ahead to the very last page (usually it'll be a gap of 15 -20 pages ) and I guarantee the conversation will be just where you left off.

Hey, I tried asking a legitimate question! Two people paid attention.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

briskly walking - before anyone accuses me of running

*cm on sidewalk with portable pa* no briskly walking!!!!!!

seriously, just do a disney cruise and see the other side

Or go to Disneyland! Before they ruin that too (although Tom Brickers latest trip report looks like it’s still far from that).

 

[WannaGoNow]

The timing isn't the issue. You don't have to make your reservations exactly at 60 (FP) or 180 (dining) days. That's when you can start. You can do it anytime. At peak times, dining becomes more restricted but FP's change all the time (except for FoP which is never available). Sure beats having to do it while you are actually on vacation.

Tell that to the people who can’t understand why people don’t wake up in the middle of the night six months before their vacation to get a Cinderella’s Royal Table reservation. Also, I’ve gotten FoP FP by constantly refreshing, even when we planned only three weeks out, but that involved being online all the time. I missed most of Christmas one year because I was trying for certain FastPasses and ADRs. Made the vacation less stressful but Christmas? That was tense as my face was buried in my phone. My choice to do that, so I’m not complaining, just pointing out FP+ is not unicorns and rainbows for all users as some are making it out to be.

Disneyland is my home park and honestly? Not having to worry about FastPass until day of is FAR more relaxed, equitable and fun in my experience.

 

[KrzyKtty]

Does the fact that people who purchase VIP tours no longer have to get boarding group for Rise starting July 11th - will just be escorted on - mean anything at all about any other news coming about lines?

(and wow, I didn't realize even with VIP you still had to get boarding groups!)

That right there means I will probably just buy a VIP tour next year lol. Wonder how far out you can reserve one .

 

[jpinkc]

This whole pay FP thing really galls me. We already pay a crazy amount to stay on property. I dont want to have to stare at my phone the whole time trying to get passes or being told to VQ and come back in 2 hours or an hour just to wait 2 hours or more in line. My family neverminded setting up FP+ in advance. Same with dining reservations, it was so much easier for us to plan out our day for each park and fill in the attractions we could around the 3 FP's. We are going in Nov and I am afraid its going to be absolute CHAOS! Trying to get at least some rides without a FP or wasting a whole day to get 3 or 4 rides waiting in 200+ minute lines. I am sure that they will be at MAX capacity by the time we go.

 

[SirLink]

Firstly we really have to move away from the word FastPass as it won't be called that once everything is done.

People also have to realise that the Paris to the American parks version won't be a direct 1-2-1, heard some stuff from some peeps I trust so will share - N.B. some of nuances are still being tossed about internally:

• All three resorts will allow pay for individual FP per person per attraction
• WDW and DL will have plans think 'old' DDP: Counter Service, Regular and Deluxe, however I'm told these will be ticket add-ons
• Individual and plans will have seasonal pricing
• Attractions will be divided into 3 categories: Classics, Headliner, Super Headliner
• Examples: Classics think PPF, Headliner think BTMR, Super Headliner think FoP.
• With the plans when you run out of your credits you can buy MORE!
• Current internal debate around redeeming credits. i.e. do two Classic credits redeemed get you a Headliner and do two Headliner credits redeemed get you a Super Headliner.
• Another is how many are you given and do you get them all up front or do none tokens used get stacked on to the next day.

P.S. UK visitors get ready for another round of ticket changes to reflect the new front of line access passes and to include seasonal pricing.

P.S.S I've been told DDP when it comes back will be undergoing similar changes:

• Either with DDP tokens at sit down dining and signature it would go to a prix fixe menu at all locations and remain the same policies as was in place previously for counter service and snacks
• Or they give out a credit amount so if a plan is worth $60 per day it shows on your MDE as $60, to suitably force users from the higher priced options. I'm told from multiple F+B managers either of the plans would be a god send

 

[Jedijax719]

This whole pay FP thing really galls me. We already pay a crazy amount to stay on property. I dont want to have to stare at my phone the whole time trying to get passes or being told to VQ and come back in 2 hours or an hour just to wait 2 hours or more in line. My family neverminded setting up FP+ in advance. Same with dining reservations, it was so much easier for us to plan out our day for each park and fill in the attractions we could around the 3 FP's. We are going in Nov and I am afraid its going to be absolute CHAOS! Trying to get at least some rides without a FP or wasting a whole day to get 3 or 4 rides waiting in 200+ minute lines. I am sure that they will be at MAX capacity by the time we go.

Wait, so, VQ's don't get you ahead of crowds? You still have to wait on a normal line if you have a virtual ticket? Well that's not so great, is it?

If they don't enact something solid very soon, things are going to be a cluster@#$%, especially as the lines are progressively getting longer.