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

[tlev]

I'm very concerned about only having 3 fastpasses for 1 park one day especially with the tiers. I participated in the testing in October, but still had paper fastpasses too so we were able to ride the amount of rides we usually do. I'm afraid that with only 3 fastpasses we will spend our days waiting in line. I would definitely pay extra for more fastpasses. I'm spending a fortune when I go on vacation so what's a little more if it will insure that my family gets to make the most of our time while visiting the parks.

 

[RSoxNo1]

It's not hypothetical at EPCOT or DHS they have already started tiering the passes. You get 1 reservation from tier 1 and 2 reservations from tier 2. At EPCOT tier 1 is Soarin, TT, Maelstrom, Character Spot and Illuminations. At DHS it's TSMM, RNRC, Fantasmic and Beauty and the Beast. Basically they are limiting you from using all 3 reservations on top attractions at these 2 parks. So far MK and AK have not been tiered.

There has been further speculation that the tiering process could be expanded further based on resort level. For instance if you are staying at a deluxe you might be allowed to book 3 from tier 1 plus an additional 2 from tier 2. A moderate might get 2 from each group while a value would be limited to 1 tier 1 and 2 tier 2s. Off property guests would continue to get no advance reservations, only 3 day of fastpass reservations. The logic is that you reward the guests who spend the most on their room. Another possibility is offering additional FP reservations to anyone for a price similar to Universal's model.

I think this is speculative (although logical). Having said that, this system is too complicated for many guests. The intent here is to benefit first timers, and first timers are in the dark more than ever. People aren't going to return if they feel that their $5K vacation is nothing but confusion and scheduling.

 

[GoofGoof]

I think this is speculative (although logical). Having said that, this system is too complicated for many guests. The intent here is to benefit first timers, and first timers are in the dark more than ever. People aren't going to return if they feel that their $5K vacation is nothing but confusion and scheduling.

That's where the marketing comes in. They are going to try to market it as a great benefit for guests. The promo videos posted on the main page show this. For a first timer they won't even know the reservations are tiered or which rides have huge lines so need FP. They will just know they can book a few rides each day and not have to wait in line. I think I read somewhere that a large percentage of guests never used the classic FP system. Because of the bands and the pre-booking a lot more will probably use FP+ or at least make reservations. The veteran "fast pass commando" who knew how to work the system is going to be most negatively impacted.

 

[NoChesterHester]

I will not miss sprinting across the park to go get another fastpass. Not one bit.

The only thing I worry about is the possible increase in standby times.

 

[RSoxNo1]

I will not miss sprinting across the park to go get another fastpass. Not one bit.

The only thing I worry about is the possible increase in standby times.

The problem is that the Fastpass groupings seemingly create more of this as well. Sure you can chose 3 Fantasyland attractions (and I'm sure many will), but just as many will chose Peter Pan's flight, Splash Mountain and Space Mountain and there won't be much time between them.

 

[NoChesterHester]

The problem is that the Fastpass groupings seemingly create more of this as well. Sure you can chose 3 Fantasyland attractions (and I'm sure many will), but just as many will chose Peter Pan's flight, Splash Mountain and Space Mountain and there won't be much time between them.

I reserve judgement until I try it for myself in May.

 

[GoofGoof]

The problem is that the Fastpass groupings seemingly create more of this as well. Sure you can chose 3 Fantasyland attractions (and I'm sure many will), but just as many will chose Peter Pan's flight, Splash Mountain and Space Mountain and there won't be much time between them.

Depending on availability that is certainly possible. But you could also stagger the times. Book Peter Pan for 9-10am and spend the morning in fantasyland. Have lunch and do part or all of AdventureLand and Frontierland in the afternoon. Book Splash for afternoon (say 3-4). Finish touring that part of the park and grab dinner. Do Tomorrowland in the evening after dinner so book Space Mountain for 8-9PM.

That's just one example if you wanted to do all of that in one day. When we were there in November we spent parts of 3 days at MK so we booked Jungle Cruise, BTMRR and Splash for the day we arrived from 1 to 4PM and also did the rest of Adventureland and part of Frontierland that day. Our next MK day we did Peter Pan, LM and Pooh from 9-12 in a row and did all of Fantasyland before lunch. We did the TSI and HM and the riverboat plus the day parade that afternoon. Our last MK day we did MVMCP and booked Space, Buzz and Speedway from 4-7PM and then sprinkled in the rest of Tomorrowland. I know not everyone has 3 days in MK, but if you do its easy to either lump your reservations together or stagger the times. If you are only doing 1 day at MK and want to minimize your waits you are going to have to do some walking.

 

[George]

I found that if I slip the merge point CM a couple of Ben Franklins, they'll let me through, so I kind of already pay for fastpasses.

 

[EOD K9]

I found that if I slip the merge point CM a couple of Ben Franklins, they'll let me through, so I kind of already pay for fastpasses.

A few Franklins????? I hope he remembers you as soon as you get off the ride and get right back in line.

 

[George]

A few Franklins????? I hope he remembers you as soon as you get off the ride and get right back in line.

I'd be nervous. I tried a few George Washingtons and got a completely different response, so I don't want to try my luck.

 

[EOD K9]

I'd be nervous. I tried a few George Washingtons and got a completely different response, so I don't want to try my luck.

How about my friends...tiny, shiny Roosevelt and his friend, tiny shiny Lincoln?

 

[omurice]

RE the OP -- yes I do keep hearing this rumor about paying for FP, but only on WDW forums and podcasts!
It could happen I would not be against it because 3 FP is most definitely NOT ENOUGH for MK. It was nice back in Sep they gave a 4th bonus FP+ at MK. The 4th bonus FP+ was limited in choice (like HM and a few others), but you could change it in the app later. Did not get that 4th FP+ in Jan, bring that back pls TDO.
But in the 2 parks with the tiering, 3 FP is TOO MANY. Would be happy to give up 1 or 2 at Epcot or HS just to get more at MK.
2 or 3 FP is just about right for AK, limit works well there... not being able to park hop and pull FP in two parks is what messes up a day at AK right now, since I almost never spend a whole day at AK though I do love that park (you can't get much of a full day at AK when it closes at 5PM most days in winter!).

But... I'll say one thing, it is VERY NICE hopping to Epcot or HS in the afternoon or evening, and STILL being able to ride Soarin' or TSMM without a very long wait. You just have to give up your ability to use FP in that first park.
The one park limit really does screw up park-hopping, I am praying they lift that one park restriction.

 

[Disneyfamily4]

RE the OP -- yes I do keep hearing this rumor about paying for FP, but only on WDW forums and podcasts!
It could happen I would not be against it because 3 FP is most definitely NOT ENOUGH for MK. It was nice back in Sep they gave a 4th bonus FP+ at MK. The 4th bonus FP+ was limited in choice (like HM and a few others), but you could change it in the app later. Did not get that 4th FP+ in Jan, bring that back pls TDO.
But in the 2 parks with the tiering, 3 FP is TOO MANY. Would be happy to give up 1 or 2 at Epcot or HS just to get more at MK.
2 or 3 FP is just about right for AK, limit works well there... not being able to park hop and pull FP in two parks is what messes up a day at AK right now, since I almost never spend a whole day at AK though I do love that park (you can't get much of a full day at AK when it closes at 5PM most days in winter!).

But... I'll say one thing, it is VERY NICE hopping to Epcot or HS in the afternoon or evening, and STILL being able to ride Soarin' or TSMM without a very long wait. You just have to give up your ability to use FP in that first park.
The one park limit really does screw up park-hopping, I am praying they lift that one park restriction.

I have heard a lot of people talk about the bonus fast pass at MK. On the app; I fooled around a little and picked several different times, then changed it to another time, hoping the bonus fast pass would pop up. Were going last week of March and first week of April and sadly, no bonus fast pass for MK. Was there a certain ride that kept giving you the bonus option, or certain combination of rides?

 

[Disneyfamily4]

I'm very concerned about only having 3 fastpasses for 1 park one day especially with the tiers. I participated in the testing in October, but still had paper fastpasses too so we were able to ride the amount of rides we usually do. I'm afraid that with only 3 fastpasses we will spend our days waiting in line. I would definitely pay extra for more fastpasses. I'm spending a fortune when I go on vacation so what's a little more if it will insure that my family gets to make the most of our time while visiting the parks.

I was chosen last March for the bands and at the time, I thought they were the best thing ever. We were able to plan 3 on the bands, but were also able to use the cards for more. It also gave us the chance to park hop and during Easter, we did not have to wait in any lines. At the time, we thought that the new system would be rewarding resort guests, by giving them 3 fast passes asap, plus the cards for more.

 

[bhg469]

I was chosen last March for the bands and at the time, I thought they were the best thing ever. We were able to plan 3 on the bands, but were also able to use the cards for more. It also gave us the chance to park hop and during Easter, we did not have to wait in any lines. At the time, we thought that the new system would be rewarding resort guests, by giving them 3 fast passes asap, plus the cards for more.

But you had the option for fast pass as well... Had you not had those, you would have only had those 3 options at one park. Sure having fast pass plus in addition to the original fast pass is going to be great!

 

[Disneyfamily4]

But you had the option for fast pass as well... Had you not had those, you would have only had those 3 options at one park. Sure having fast pass plus in addition to the original fast pass is going to be great!

If we were not able to use the original fast pass in addition to the bands, the new system would have been horrible. 3 is not enough.

 

[Figaro928]

I will not miss sprinting across the park to go get another fastpass. Not one bit.

The only thing I worry about is the possible increase in standby times.

Me neither - we used FP+ in Early September & my group was SO impressed that we could just walk up and get right on. I think in the grand scheme its MUCH better than running over to an attraction, seeing what time the old FP kiosks were doling out & then having to plan around that time on the fly.

 

[Figaro928]

It's not hypothetical at EPCOT or DHS they have already started tiering the passes. You get 1 reservation from tier 1 and 2 reservations from tier 2. At EPCOT tier 1 is Soarin, TT, Maelstrom, Character Spot and Illuminations. At DHS it's TSMM, RNRC, Fantasmic and Beauty and the Beast. Basically they are limiting you from using all 3 reservations on top attractions at these 2 parks. So far MK and AK have not been tiered.

There has been further speculation that the tiering process could be expanded further based on resort level. For instance if you are staying at a deluxe you might be allowed to book 3 from tier 1 plus an additional 2 from tier 2. A moderate might get 2 from each group while a value would be limited to 1 tier 1 and 2 tier 2s. Off property guests would continue to get no advance reservations, only 3 day of fastpass reservations. The logic is that you reward the guests who spend the most on their room. Another possibility is offering additional FP reservations to anyone for a price similar to Universal's model.

The attraction tiering seems logical I guess. But figure when we used the old FP system we all only got tickets for the "tier 1" e- rides

I would absolutely be in favor of the resort level tiers. If you're paying $400 + a night you absolutely should get an extra perk or two. And this is coming from someone who has only ever stayed at the value resorts.

 

[Figaro928]

I have heard a lot of people talk about the bonus fast pass at MK. On the app; I fooled around a little and picked several different times, then changed it to another time, hoping the bonus fast pass would pop up. Were going last week of March and first week of April and sadly, no bonus fast pass for MK. Was there a certain ride that kept giving you the bonus option, or certain combination of rides?

When we went in Sept the bonus FP was only available for the Little Mermaid - which had a 5 min wait the entire time we were there anyway.

 

[NoChesterHester]

When we went in Sept the bonus FP was only available for the Little Mermaid - which had a 5 min wait the entire time we were there anyway.

That will be where the seasoned vets still have an advantage over the newbies. The unitiated will assume that a FP+ should be cashed in for the most well known or well advertised attractions. The vets will know to cash in FP+ for the low capacity attractions.