FastPass+ Most Certainly Not Coming Back As It Was

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Or maybe FP is not important to some folks.

Wdw cannot run without a crowd management system now….the attendance outpaced their capacity/flexibility long ago…

so it’s important to everyone in the park…even if you don’t use it.

the parks are dependent on crowd control have been for 10-20 years

 

[Thinker of Things]

For two parks and I am sure most large families are not paying that. Try that at WDW's four parks and it is a non-starter.

Universal has three parks that offer a product for skip the line access. While one is a water park, even that has an “all attractions” express pass option that is at $109.99 (looking at same day pricing). People pay it. There’s demand-based pricing for their product.

Not all, but those that want the convenience of skipping the lines, most certainly will. A guest may not purchase it at all four parks, some may purchase it at one or a few, and others won’t purchase it at all.

People have proven time and time again that they’ll/we’ll pay for convenience. Aside from the other parks skip the line products, other products/services that prove this are Instacart, DoorDash, toll roads, TSA Precheck, Clear, and the list goes on and on.

 

[Ayla]

Or maybe FP is not important to some folks.

It has nothing to do with fastpass. Disney can close the standby line any time they choose to do so, to move people over to the paid-only option. So no, "just stand in line" won't always be an option.

Understand the potential problem now?

 

[Lil Copter Cap]

That’s the standard retail approach. So you are correct.

for damn near 20 years I’ve sat and watched hundreds of posters ask why they shouldn’t do this in Disney parks?
Well now we get to see the results of that debate. In real time. Across the board.

We are in for a wild time. I've actively seen this happen with favorite retail company and it's utterly disgraceful.

When we get into experiences and themed entertainment, I do personally believe there is only so much pushing you can do before it impacts satisfaction. I can't see this ending well for Disney Parks, at least in the US.

 

[GimpYancIent]

Wdw cannot run without a crowd management system now….the attendance outpaced their capacity/flexibility long ago…

so it’s important to everyone in the park…even if you don’t use it.

the parks are dependent on crowd control have been for 10-20 years

Crowd control? 50 / 50 on any success in that. An opportunity to fleece guests of $$$$ yes.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Universal has three parks that offer a product for skip the line access. While one is a water park, even that has an “all attractions” express pass option that is at $109.99 (looking at same day pricing). People pay it. There’s demand-based pricing for their product.

Not all, but those that want the convenience of skipping the lines, most certainly will. A guest may not purchase it at all four parks, some may purchase it at one or a few, and others won’t purchase it at all.

People have proven time and time again that they’ll/we’ll pay for convenience. Aside from the other parks skip the line products, other products/services that prove this are Instacart, DoorDash, toll roads, TSA Precheck, Clear, and the list goes on and on.

There is no comparison between Disney parks and doordash

and I caution doing it even with universal…

when an average length is 3 days…as compared to 5-7…the economics of said pay as you go change dramatically.

 

[GimpYancIent]

It has nothing to do with fastpass. Disney can close the standby line any time they choose to do so, to move people over to the paid-only option. So no, "just stand in line" won't always be an option.

Understand the potential problem now?

Yep! Successful crowd control! The guests will begin choosing to exercise another option and go somewhere else.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

What push has Chapek implemented that increased revenue that DIS then walked back due to customer backlash? I honestly don’t know, maybe there is an instance. But I can’t think of any off hand.

I was thinking more cost cutting than revenue-generating, and nothing major, just a lot of little things. Maintenance schedules, custodial staffing levels (all staffing levels, really), frequency of bus service, etc.

 

[ImperfectPixie]

We are in for a wild time. I've actively seen this happen with favorite retail company and it's utterly disgraceful.

When we get into experiences and themed entertainment, I do personally believe there is only so much pushing you can do before it impacts satisfaction. I can't see this ending well for Disney Parks, at least in the US.

I've been saying they're shooting themselves in the foot for a while now.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

We are in for a wild time. I've actively seen this happen with favorite retail company and it's utterly disgraceful.

When we get into experiences and themed entertainment, I do personally believe there is only so much pushing you can do before it impacts satisfaction. I can't see this ending well for Disney Parks, at least in the US.

Satisfaction is no longer relevant. It’s a straight quarterlies operation with transient management. I see the Praets are now bringing up “satisfaction” as if it’s the magic bullet all of the Sudden. So cutthroat capitalism was ok when you Jack the prices of things 200-300%in a decade…but now customer service rankings are the projection/shield?

that Dutch door hurts if you let it hit you hard enough

Crowd control? 50 / 50 on any success in that. An opportunity to fleece guests of $$$$ yes.

Two different issues….they have to have crowd control in normal attendance now. Normal…not just New Year’s Eve.

they have similar attraction capacity with 55 mil gate clicks that they did at 40 when dak opened…math is unforgiving.

profiting off it? Different story…they’ll be relentless in that.

ful capacity without an effective flow system will be a complete boondoggle. Can’t just make believe it’s 1998.

 

[OG Runner]

Yet people are paying over $200 just to the north for skip the line access?
View attachment 577039

I have heard of these and they are brutal. I have also heard of them being even more expensive. I got my Express Pass, the last time I stayed at Universal with my hotel reservations. (I stayed at the Portofino)

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

What push has Chapek implemented that increased revenue that DIS then walked back due to customer backlash? I honestly don’t know, maybe there is an instance. But I can’t think of any off hand.

Nothing…even “bumps” were tactical retreats followed by strategic victories on the second try

after hours being that easy one to point.

almost had it…failed.

 

[wedenterprises]

I have heard of these and they are brutal. I have also heard of them being even more expensive. I got my Express Pass, the last time I stayed at Universal with my hotel reservations. (I stayed at the Portofino)

I commented recently about WDW creating benefits for on-site guests out of thin air (early mornings, and late evenings for DVC/Deluxe). With the removal of Magical Express they have to keep this trend going.

Therefore I'd expect to see some "Free" paid FPs for on-site guests. It would cost Disney nothing aside from making off-site guests pay or wait in lines.

 

[EeyoreFan#24]

Therefore I'd expect to see some "Free" paid FPs for on-site guests. It would cost Disney nothing aside from making off-site guests pay or wait in lines.

Interesting thought. “The Disney Attraction Plan, available with select resort stays”.

 

[G00fyDad]

I commented recently about WDW creating benefits for on-site guests out of thin air (early mornings, and late evenings for DVC/Deluxe). With the removal of Magical Express they have to keep this trend going.

Therefore I'd expect to see some "Free" paid FPs for on-site guests. It would cost Disney nothing aside from making off-site guests pay or wait in lines.

Exactly. Give those of us with a booked package some free FP's then charge everyone off-property and everyone on the "day of" each day. They would make stupid amounts of money still.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I commented recently about WDW creating benefits for on-site guests out of thin air (early mornings, and late evenings for DVC/Deluxe). With the removal of Magical Express they have to keep this trend going.

Therefore I'd expect to see some "Free" paid FPs for on-site guests. It would cost Disney nothing aside from making off-site guests pay or wait in lines.

I can’t see it.

Wall Street won’t tolerate them giving away profits for free…even in one segment of a huge operation

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I keep seeing people with the wishful thinking that their spectacularly overpriced rooms are gonna save them from paying for rides…but that is completely counterintuitive.

 

[wedenterprises]

Exactly. Give those of us with a booked package some free FP's then charge everyone off-property and everyone on the "day of" each day. They would make stupid amounts of money still.

Make the off-site guests pay for the on-site guests perks.

 

[Lil Copter Cap]

I keep seeing people with the wishful thinking that their spectacularly overpriced rooms are gonna save them from paying for rides…but that is completely counterintuitive.

If one strips everything down to the question: Why stay on property? The answer is quite literally...because it's on property. People will pay to stay in the bubble. And Disney knows this. Why entice anyone to stay at a Disney hotel if they can already fill rooms year after year? Yes, one can argue that they've provided perks in the past...but why is that do you think?

It's not more money = more perks

It's more money = you get what you pay for

**Edit to say that I don't agree with this mentality

 

[flynnibus]

Is there any ride at Disney that is worth an extra 15-20 dollars to walk on? Hopefully this will keep FP numbers very limited so the regular line moves quickly.

buhaha... expect this thing to be used as much as Disney will allow it.