WDW Should Charge EXTRA for FastPass+

[Tekneek]

For example, my daughter and I may want to make a FP+ reservation for Splash Mountain. My son and husband do not prefer water rides, so they could use their FP+ option for something else. Will such a situation be allowed?

If the way the dining reservations system works is any indicator, it won't handle splitting the party up well (if at all). I couldn't split our group up for a breakfast without getting human intervention for the second ADR. If they have figured out a way to split groups for FP+, I sure hope they port it over to the dining reservation system too. Having to call a human for each time your entire group isn't wanting the same FP+ reservation will quickly turn into a nightmare.

[DizneyFreak2002]

Thanks everyone for all the clarifications. We don't go until Oct 2014 when this Fastpass+ could possibly be up and running and it was a bit worrying that rides could be "booked" and we wouldn't be able to get on anything. Planning like that so far in advance is not something we want or can do. Good to know we should just be able to turn up and either stand by or get regular Fastpass

This system will be up and running by October 2014... But you probably won't be able to get regular FP if this system is fully functional... Once you agree to magic bands, you are out of luck with the current FP system...

I'm prefacing this by saying I have no idea what the process will look like to book the FP+ reservations.... But, I hope they take into account that all of the people in a room may not want to ride the same ride at the same time. For example, my daughter and I may want to make a FP+ reservation for Splash Mountain. My son and husband do not prefer water rides, so they could use their FP+ option for something else. Will such a situation be allowed?

Does not appear you will be able to do that... Your media (tickets) will be linked together under one account (yours or your husband's)... So, if you buy 4 tickets, all four tickets will be linked to your account... The FP+ will be booked under your account, thus all four tickets will get the same FP+... If you get only two FP+ for Splash and then 2 for something else, that would go against your allotment of 3 for the day...

[merciantinkerbell]

So, no regular Fastpass when this new system is up and running?

[Tekneek]

So, no regular Fastpass when this new system is up and running?

I don't know if we know this with 100% certainty, but all indications are that the current FP system will be gone once FP+ is fully live.

[DizneyFreak2002]

So, no regular Fastpass when this new system is up and running?

According to the FAQ, when you get your Magic Bands and book FP+, you will not be able to use the current FP system... Which leads us to believe (plus people with an ear inside the hallways have said as much) that the system will go away... During testing, however, guests who are participating are allowed to use both...

[joonyer]

Once the current FP system is completely phased out, it will be relatively easy for WDW to start charging for the FP+ access, or more likely to stat offering it as an incentive to those who stay on-site, while charging others for access. It's not that hard to see the future of where this is going.

[DizneyFreak2002]

Once the current FP system is completely phased out, it will be relatively easy for WDW to start charging for the FP+ access, or more likely to stat offering it as an incentive to those who stay on-site, while charging others for access. It's not that hard to see the future of where this is going.

They have already laid the ground work for this... Reading the FAQ they clearly state that you will get 3 FP+ a day... And they then state the amount could differ depending on the vacation package you book... So they laid the foundation... Now it is just waiting for them to construct the building...

[merciantinkerbell]

Hmmmmmmmmmm, no regular Fastpass? Seems a little unfair on those who can't or don't want to use it. Hey ho, on the bright side maybe stand-by lines will be shorter. I can't see hubby and I booking rides so far in advance so stand-by it is

[MickeysBestPal]

on the bright side maybe stand-by lines will be shorter.

Sorry to say that this is exactly the opposite of what is expected.

If you add more FP positions to a ride or add FP to a ride that did not previously offer FP (something that is happening at several rides,) the Standby Lines on those attractions would be slowed.

[Gator]

So if I live in Orlando and have an Annual Pass, I would love to maybe take, say, next Monday off and hit DHS.

Monday: My,my, what a wonderful day. Let's grab a fastpass for Toy Story. What? It's out? But it's 9:15am. OK, let's go over to Tower of Terror to grab a fastpass. It's all out, too? And so is RnRC? Sheesh, I guess we'll go enjoy Star Tours...... say what? Let's go to Universal.

[mickeyman42]

Monday: My,my, what a wonderful day. Let's grab a fastpass for Toy Story. What? It's out? But it's 9:15am. OK, let's go over to Tower of Terror to grab a fastpass. It's all out, too? And so is RnRC? Sheesh, I guess we'll go enjoy Star Tours...... say what? Let's go to Universal.

Problem over there is that you either wait in the standby or PURCHASE the express pass, which is where Disney is headed IMHO. of course with express pass you're not limited to so many rides per day and you dont have to book it 6 months in advance. I would think that since they (Disney) nickel and dimes everything now, they look down the road and see that Universal has no problem getting people to pay a crazy per day charge for express pass and wonder to themselves why are they "giving" fasspass away for "free."

with that said, if Disney was going to charge for FP+, how much could you charge for a limited number of FP per day (ie 3)? who would pay $20-30 per day so that they can book 3 rides per day, 6 months in advance? or maybe I'm missing something

[joonyer]

Problem over there is that you either wait in the standby or PURCHASE the express pass, which is where Disney is headed IMHO. of course with express pass you're not limited to so many rides per day and you dont have to book it 6 months in advance. I would think that since they (Disney) nickel and dimes everything now, they look down the road and see that Universal has no problem getting people to pay a crazy per day charge for express pass and wonder to themselves why are they "giving" fasspass away for "free."

with that said, if Disney was going to charge for FP+, how much could you charge for a limited number of FP per day (ie 3)? who would pay $20-30 per day so that they can book 3 rides per day, 6 months in advance? or maybe I'm missing something

Once they start charging for FP+ (and they WILL) they will probably offer enhanced levels of FP+. Pay more, get more. Enjoy free FP's while you can. They are an endangered species, about to become extinct.

[AgentC]

Does not appear you will be able to do that... Your media (tickets) will be linked together under one account (yours or your husband's)... So, if you buy 4 tickets, all four tickets will be linked to your account... The FP+ will be booked under your account, thus all four tickets will get the same FP+... If you get only two FP+ for Splash and then 2 for something else, that would go against your allotment of 3 for the day...

I was at the Disney site today looking for something else and noticed they now have a FAQ for Fast Pass+. This is what is says about booking different activities for your family. Hopefully it will work.

Q.
I have children of different ages, and they like different attractions and entertainment. Does FastPass+ service allow my family to do different activities?

A.
Yes. We want every member of your party to have a great Walt Disney World vacation—regardless of age or interests. When you make FastPass+ selections, you select which members of your party wish to experience each attraction or entertainment offering. If individuals do not want to share an experience, you can select alternate experiences for those party members.

[DizneyFreak2002]

I was at the Disney site today looking for something else and noticed they now have a FAQ for Fast Pass+. This is what is says about booking different activities for your family. Hopefully it will work.

Nice find... Did not see that in the FAQ... Let's hope it works as intended...

[AgentC]

Nice find... Did not see that in the FAQ... Let's hope it works as intended...

Fingers crossed that it works! : )

It might be new. There was a link in My Disney Experience that said Magic Bands that led to a FAQ. It seems like a small attempt to address some questions that are floating around. There was one on " spontaneity with Fast Pass +"

[DizneyFreak2002]

Fingers crossed that it works! : )

It might be new. There was a link in My Disney Experience that said Magic Bands that led to a FAQ. It seems like a small attempt to address some questions that are floating around. There was one on " spontaneity with Fast Pass +"

I admit, I only looked for the FP+ information regarding how many guests would be allowed to book (3 or 4)... I may have skimmed over that information... Possibly they updated the FAQ again with more information... Disney really needs to do a better job at getting this information out.. For a company which loves to control the message, they do a poor job of controlling the message...

[Tekneek]

Once they start charging for FP+ (and they WILL) they will probably offer enhanced levels of FP+. Pay more, get more. Enjoy free FP's while you can. They are an endangered species, about to become extinct.

Rather unfortunate. They will slowly turn up the heat, as they do with everything else, and one day people will act as if it has always been that way.

[CU Tiger]

I bet Walt is turning over in his grave about this. DW was to be unique and not like the rest. I understand they are a business and must find ways to increase revenue, but they are tainting the experience. I hate to see that they are turning into Universal.

[DizneyFreak2002]

I bet Walt is turning over in his grave about this. DW was to be unique and not like the rest. I understand they are a business and must find ways to increase revenue, but they are tainting the experience. I hate to see that they are turning into Universal.

Um, Disney SHOULD want to turn into Universal... Who is doing it right today and who isn't? Unfair swipe at Universal... Universal is giving guests the experiences they want... Disney is giving investors the profits they want, heck with guest experience...

[Hammer]

I bet Walt is turning over in his grave about this. DW was to be unique and not like the rest. I understand they are a business and must find ways to increase revenue, but they are tainting the experience. I hate to see that they are turning into Universal.

Um, Disney SHOULD want to turn into Universal... Who is doing it right today and who isn't? Unfair swipe at Universal... Universal is giving guests the experiences they want... Disney is giving investors the profits they want, heck with guest experience...

What I think CU Tiger was implying was the fact the Universal charges for their Express Pass if you aren't staying at one of the Universal hotels, which is a revenue generator and he did not want WDW to go down that path charging for FP+.