To clarify a few things, since I now can:
“Free” FP will still be available as they are now. However they may not be free for the more popular attractions, or the ratio of “free” fast passes for the more popular attractions may be reduced. The ratio may be fluid, or alter over time. You may find you can’t get a “free” fastpass for Mine Train since they’ve “all run out” but you may then magically be able to pay for one.
There may be at least three different packages of paid fast pass available. As I understand it there maybe a limit on re rides (no more fast passing BTM then getting another one in the same day) depending on the product purchased.
This may be implemented on the newest and shiniest attractions first, once said attractions begin to take fastpass. The ratio here will possibly start quite low in favour of free passes and slowly change.
This may happen later this year.
So this is going to be an unpopular opinion, but I don’t mind this.
The crowd levels are getting unbearable really, and Disney keeps increasing costs and the levels keep going up.
There is only so much they can do. There are really 2 solutions: build more attractions to eat up more of the demand (requires more capex and operational costs, meaning less profit) or charge more money.
I hate waiting in lines. FP is annoying in how I have to schedule my ride (where’s the spontaneity in that?!?) but at least I can skip the line on some rides.
If I’m there with limited time, and I can afford to pay to skip the line, sounds great to me.
I understand it seems unfair, but many can’t even afford the cost of admission, let alone the cost of additional FP premium charges.
Disney has to do something about the lines. Keeping the experience as it is today just flat out doesn’t work well for new rides everyone wants to go on. So people miss out on riding the ride completely or have a miserable time standing in line for 3 hours.
Honestly, this seems like the equitable approach, and if it means I have to shell out a few more bucks on trips when time is more critical than others, or if I’ve got multiple people in the party with conflicting “favorites”, this seems reasonable to me.