Has anyone heard a rumor about paying for extra fast passes?

[Disneyfamily4]

This is the rumor board, so I figured I will put in a rumor.

Has anyone else heard about the possibility of Disney charging extra for fast passes at years end? I admit that I am a Disney Fanatic and that as my yearly trip (March/April) approaches, I am always paying more attention to all the boards and talking to more people. Which I am sure we all do.

On a group that I belong to on Facebook, someone claims that they are "in the know". He wrote that for resort guests only, Disney will give them the option of buying 3 extra fast passes. The cost would be $9.99 per person, for the duration of their ticket, as long as park hoppers were purchased. So therefore if a family of 4 bought a 10-day park hopper, $400.00 would be added to the total cost of the ticket. Someone then asked him about AP holders and he said that AP holders will get ticket pricing options when they make their purchase. I tried to copy and past the link of the discussion on here, but it would not allow, most likely because the actual names of the people are being displayed.

Now I know 100%, that all the rumors read, never ever ever come true, but if anyone else has ever heard this, I would like to hear your thoughts and opinions on it.

As for me, i'm conflicted. I hate the fast pass + limit of 3 passes at one park per day, but I also have always hated Universal because of how they are charging people for fast passes. Me and my wife, laughingly, have already have argued about this. I would pay the $9.99 per person per day and she of course says no way.

 

[WDWDad13]

Possible but the park hopper requirement makes no sense since currently FP+ scheduling is only for 1 park per day

 

[Master Yoda]

That rumor has been floating around for years prompted by a patent filed for by Disney.It also included provisions for tiered fastpass privileges based on resort level, AP, DVC, etc.

So far, nothing has ever come of it

 

[Disneyfamily4]

Possible but the park hopper requirement makes no sense since currently FP+ scheduling is only for 1 park per day

I am just assuming that the extra you pay for can be used anywhere

 

[wdwmagic]

There is no doubt that FastPass+ gives Disney the capability to do this if they decide. So far, they have said that they do not intend to charge for FastPass+. But of course, they could provide a level of FastPass+ for free, and upgrades for a price.

 

[WDWDad13]

I don't think it would necessarily be a bad idea....I could also see them giving more to DVC and AP holders, and maybe tier it for deluxe down to value resorts as well

I do think they need to be careful with AP and DVC members though and be sure they take care of them

 

[Disneyfamily4]

There is no doubt that FastPass+ gives Disney the capability to do this if they decide. So far, they have said that they do not intend to charge for FastPass+. But of course, they could provide a level of FastPass+ for free, and upgrades for a price.

I think you are spot on. Disney would defend this by saying they do give 3 FP's for free. The options to buy more are strictly up to the guest, following suite with the same format that buying park hoppers are.

 

[ParentsOf4]

It should surprise no one that Disney will use FP+ to explore opportunities to more effectively monetize their attractions, even if that's in the form of resort upsells.

However, the overwhelming majority of ideas you are likely to read on boards are simply guesses. Amongst those "in the know", lots of ideas have been bandied about that will never see the light of day.

Even those calling the shots only have a roadmap, a plan. They'll try something and gauge public reaction. A lot of what FP+ eventually becomes is going to be based on customer feedback.

 

[Disneyfamily4]

If there ever was a rumor on one of these boards to ever come true, I hope this is the one, but I wont hold my breath.

Plus, they do have to recoup the 1 billion they spent for this.

 

[GrumpyFan]

That rumor has been floating around for years prompted by a patent filed for by Disney.It also included provisions for tiered fastpass privileges based on resort level, AP, DVC, etc.

Not just one patent, but several patents. I summarized a few of these on my blog.

Patent 7720718, filed in May 2010, stated the following:

As described in more detail below, the right of a customer to obtain passes may be a value added feature for which the customer pays additional monies, such as at the same time as purchasing a main ticket.

It also stated:

In another aspect of the present invention there is a hierarchy for patrons using the priority basis. Different patrons in the hierarchy are permitted access to a first attraction. A request for an allocation of a space on the first attraction includes the steps of: i. receiving an input from a remote location. The input is communicated to a central computer for requesting a reservation for an attraction; ii. allocating available return times in relation to a level of a patron in the hierarchy;

Different hierarchal models can be established for the ability and right to obtain and use the Fastpass according to different priorities. 1. Guest a. Spending per guest at hotels can determine different hierarchies of access to Fastpass. Thus, the more that is spent by a patron, the higher the priority can be for Fastpass. b. Hotel accommodation in related resorts and environments associated with the entertainment center are allocated different priorities. Where a patron is in a related hotel, a higher priority can be given. c. Different levels and hierarchies can be applicable at different hotels. Thus, more luxurious hotels can have higher priorities. 2. Seasonal differences can be factored into the grant of different privileges. Accordingly, special promotions for Fastpass can be provided according to the season.

There's a lot more in the patent(s), but this is the gist. As pointed out though, just because they've patented it, doesn't mean they will implement.

 

[Disneyfamily4]

That is some incredible information Grumpy. I love when people post facts.

 

[R W B]

Why do they need patents to sell fast passes? What exactly are they getting a patent on?

I can see them adding or doing something extra for AP and DVC members but I don't think they should ever discriminate value resorts guests or give deluxe guests more/better options. That's something I think Disney does great, once you hop on a bus or walk into a park, it doesn't matter what resort/hotel you're staying at, everyone is equal!

With that said, I can see them charging extra for extra FP+ options. I wouldn't have an issue with it a long as we still got the 3 free per day slots. Like someone else said, they have to make the billion back some how.

 

[Master Yoda]

Why do they need patents to sell fast passes? What exactly are they getting a patent on?

I can see them adding or doing something extra for AP and DVC members but I don't think they should ever discriminate value resorts guests or give deluxe guests more/better options. That's something I think Disney does great, once you hop on a bus or walk into a park, it doesn't matter what resort/hotel you're staying at, everyone is equal!

With that said, I can see them charging extra for extra FP+ options. I wouldn't have an issue with it a long as we still got the 3 free per day slots. Like someone else said, they have to make the billion back some how.

In this day and age of patent trolling, it is wise to patent pretty much everything you can.

 

[GrumpyFan]

That is some incredible information Grumpy. I love when people post facts.

Thanks, I kind of go a little crazy on things like this, reading about and researching them. I find it fascinating discovering and reading about some of the ideas that come out of Imagineering.

 

[George]

If there ever was a rumor on one of these boards to ever come true, I hope this is the one, but I wont hold my breath.

Plus, they do have to recoup the 1 billion they spent for this.

Shouldn't be a problem. I cut them a check for 1.5 billion yesterday. I included a note that now that MM+ is paid for, they can do some much needed park expansions. I wasn't very explicit in my requests so I hope that wasn't a mistake.

 

[WDWDad13]

Shouldn't be a problem. I cut them a check for 1.5 billion yesterday. I included a note that now that MM+ is paid for, they can do some much needed park expansions. I wasn't very explicit in my requests so I hope that wasn't a mistake.

I think I speak on behalf of all of us when I say... we appreciate it! haha

 

[GrumpyFan]

In this day and age of patent trolling, it is wise to patent pretty much everything you can.

Indeed! If you have a good idea or design for something and you don't patent it, then someone else can come along later and claim it was theirs and you stole it from them, sue you in court and make lots of money by doing so. There are numerous low-life's in this world that have made millions doing just this.

 

[Disneyfamily4]

Thanks, I kind of go a little crazy on things like this, reading about and researching them. I find it fascinating discovering and reading about some of the ideas that come out of Imagineering.

Do you know what patent was filed first, Magic bands or this fast pass purchasing Patent.

 

[Disnee4Me]

That rumor has been floating around for years prompted by a patent filed for by Disney.It also included provisions for tiered fastpass privileges based on resort level, AP, DVC, etc.

So far, nothing has ever come of it

I work for a patent attorney; sure would love it if Disney was our client!!

 

[Mawg]

Why do they need patents to sell fast passes? What exactly are they getting a patent on?

I can see them adding or doing something extra for AP and DVC members but I don't think they should ever discriminate value resorts guests or give deluxe guests more/better options. That's something I think Disney does great, once you hop on a bus or walk into a park, it doesn't matter what resort/hotel you're staying at, everyone is equal!

With that said, I can see them charging extra for extra FP+ options. I wouldn't have an issue with it a long as we still got the 3 free per day slots. Like someone else said, they have to make the billion back some how.

The point of a patent is not to give yourself the ability to do something, the point is to keep others from doing it. Even with a patent though it is still difficult to keep others from using your idea, all they have to do is tweak a few things and it's no longer your idea. Most companies get patents for the purpose of the threat of litigation if another company starts getting in their way in the future.