Pilot Program to Add New FastPass+ Benefits for Guests Booking Club Level Rooms

[Figment!]

Local media has confirmed a new pilot program beginning this week at the Walt Disney World resort:





Disney World to allow some guests to buy more Fastpasses


By Ashley Carter, Attractions Insider
News 13 Orlando
January 10, 2018

Guests staying at select Walt Disney World resorts will soon have the option of buying additional Fastpasses.

-Guests will be able to buy additional Fastpasses
-Available to guests staying in club-level rooms
-Option will costs $50 per person, per day

A Disney spokesperson confirmed the information with Spectrum News 13 on Tuesday.

The extra FastPass+ option will be available to club-level resort guests.

The three additional Fastpasses will cost $50 per person, per day and can be used at any park. Guests will need valid theme park admission.

A minimum three-day purchase is required for the add-on, according to Disney.

So for one guest who wants to add the option for three days, it would cost $150.

Club-level resort guests will be able to add the option after making their reservation. The additional Fastpasses can be booked 90 days in advance, instead of the usual 60 days for resort guests.

With the fastpasses, guests will get preferred viewing for nighttime spectaculars.

The add-on is available to Disney annual passholders who stay in eligible rooms.

Disney World plans to roll out the pilot program Friday (1/12/18).

[Goofy4TheWorld]

:mad::mad::mad:

[Cinderelley]

"With the fastpasses, guests will get preferred viewing for nighttime spectaculars."

I wonder if this is the fastpasses you use to reserve for the shows or if this is in addition to the fastpasses.

[RunDMV]

$16.66 per fast pass???!!! Just think, if you buy a park pass for more than 4 days, you pay more for one ride than you pay for an extra day in the park!

The evil genius of it all. Create a lack of supply with fast pass+ then create more supply and charge for extra for it. And people still defend this horrible system.

Like I've said before, FP+ was the one thing Disney created that did not have guest experience in mind; it was done solely to monetize every second of every person's time in the park.

This is just the beginning. Eggheads at Disney are three or four steps ahead with how they plan on using FP+ to separate you from your money without adding any tangible benefit.

[Jeff]

Another stupid concept from management that only cares about squeezing as much money from guests as possible. This is not the way to make folks feel connected to Disney and longing to come back! In my experience, the entire FP system is currently a disaster!

[Speedy1998]

My concern is that the next step will be to offer this to everyone staying on property, or some version of it. For example maybe the guest at the value resort will only be able to get one extra ticket. At any rate if it is expanded it will make nearly impossible for someone who is staying offsite, or decides to do a Disney trip less than 60 days out to get Fastpasses for the newest attractions. Essentially, I fear that it will become a stay at a Disney resort and pay for extra fastpasses that you can book 90 days in advance or you only get to ride attractions that are more than 20 years old.

[cer]

I personally (with the way this program is at this moment) am not bothered by this. It is available to a very limited number of guests at a significant price point for folks (for a party of 4 with a 3 night stay - $600 at the very least) who are already paying a premium for their room. What's more, there is no double dipping on attractions. With all these parameters, I am not anticipating this to influence the day of the average park-goer at all.

By the way, are there even 6 attractions per park that warrant the need of a FP?

This is just my two cents.

If this is foreshadowing of things to come, well that is a different conversation for a different day.

[The Hitchhiking Ghost]

I personally (with the way this program is at this moment) am not bothered by this. It is available to a very limited number of guests at a significant price point for folks (for a party of 4 with a 3 night stay - $600 at the very least) who are already paying a premium for their room. What's more, there is no double dipping on attractions. With all these parameters, I am not anticipating this to influence the day of the average park-goer at all.

By the way, are there even 6 attractions per park that warrant the need of a FP?

This is just my two cents.

If this is foreshadowing of things to come, well that is a different conversation for a different day.

You might have missed the part where the extra FP can be used at any park, which means my take on it would be that a family with the park hopper could book a FP for Pandora, then book one for Star Wars and then one for Soarin. I saw this on another site yesterday and that was my take away.

[The Hitchhiking Ghost]

I saw this on another site yesterday. I figured with my family of 5, which normally stays at moderate level resort, to upgrade to Deluxe CL, add the FP+ add on and add on the park hopper, it would be about a $750 per day! increase to our vacation.

Sorry kids, dad doesn't love you that much.

[cer]

You might have missed the part where the extra FP can be used at any park, which means my take on it would be that a family with the park hopper could book a FP for Pandora, then book one for Star Wars and then one for Soarin. I saw this on another site yesterday and that was my take away.

I did see that after the fact, but still, if that is how the club level guests want to spend their money and time... I guess it's ok. I just don't see a large number of guests who will be able (club level only) or willing (spending $50/person/day plus hoppers) to do this and for that reason, I'm ok with it. 4 parks, one World is a bear to do and I just don't think there will be many taking advantage. In fact, they would be better off to do two parks only per day if they want to park hop - that would be the better plan. 3 FP+ in the am, nap, hop and do 3FP+ in the pm. And if these club level guests are AP holders that would reduce the need for park hoppers... If I had all the monies, that is how I'd do it, but I'm not going to, because in my world - this whole thing is ridiculous.

I still think this is too small of a group willing to do this to upset my vacation.

From a business standpoint - it's brilliant. Charging for something that costs them nothing. NOTHING!!!

[RunDMV]

My concern is that the next step will be to offer this to everyone staying on property, or some version of it. For example maybe the guest at the value resort will only be able to get one extra ticket. At any rate if it is expanded it will make nearly impossible for someone who is staying offsite, or decides to do a Disney trip less than 60 days out to get Fastpasses for the newest attractions. Essentially, I fear that it will become a stay at a Disney resort and pay for extra fastpasses that you can book 90 days in advance or you only get to ride attractions that are more than 20 years old.

That's pretty much the case now.

[RunDMV]

If this is foreshadowing of things to come, well that is a different conversation for a different day.

It is a foreshadowing.

[RunDMV]

I still want to know how many people told Disney, " if only you could make a system that forces me to plan every detail two months in advance, eliminate spontaneity, lock me out of the best attractions AND cost more, I would love that."

[Cinderelley]

I still want to know how many people told Disney, " if only you could make a system that forces me to plan every detail two months in advance, eliminate spontaneity, lock me out of the best attractions AND cost more, I would love that."

Apparently me, because I'm considering it. I am not a fan of the idea, but booking our fastpasses at the 90 day mark gives me a better chance at getting my daughter what she wants and reserved seating for nighttime shows with a 2 year old would make life easier (less time spent standing in line).
Not to mention the money I save in food. When your kids are all over 6 feet tall, you spend a pretty penny in food at the parks. If we go back to the resort and let them eat, the increased cost in the room is still cheaper than if I paid for food at the park.

[RunDMV]

Apparently me, because I'm considering it. I am not a fan of the idea, but booking our fastpasses at the 90 day mark gives me a better chance at getting my daughter what she wants and reserved seating for nighttime shows with a 2 year old would make life easier (less time spent standing in line).
Not to mention the money I save in food. When your kids are all over 6 feet tall, you spend a pretty penny in food at the parks. If we go back to the resort and let them eat, the increased cost in the room is still cheaper than if I paid for food at the park.

That didn't make sense. The horrible system they have now could have been set up so that you can only get a FP on the day of your park visit. (And it could still be set up like that.) You could still use the app and the kiosk but only on the day.

AP holders and day visitors would actually have a chance.

But, if they did this, the main objective would be the guest experience not maximizing profits at the expense of the guest experience.

[PopPhan]

Apparently me, because I'm considering it. I am not a fan of the idea, but booking our fastpasses at the 90 day mark gives me a better chance at getting my daughter what she wants and reserved seating for nighttime shows with a 2 year old would make life easier (less time spent standing in line).
Not to mention the money I save in food. When your kids are all over 6 feet tall, you spend a pretty penny in food at the parks. If we go back to the resort and let them eat, the increased cost in the room is still cheaper than if I paid for food at the park.

But, you can only book the 3 FP+ options that you paid for in advance at the 90 day mark. The 'normal' "free" FP+ options are still only available to book at the 60 day mark.

I just don't see a minimum of $150 to book 9 FP+ options (Minimum purchase - 3 days!) as a big draw for anyone, Club Level or not. I don't stay Club Level (way to rich for my blood) but I don't see this as something that will affect me in any real manner.

Time and $$$ will tell....

[Tekneek]

Finally got to this stage. This has been a long time coming and many were in denial.

[Tekneek]

But, if they did this, the main objective would be the guest experience not maximizing profits at the expense of the guest experience.

I agree. There are many things that would be different about this if it were about the guests. This is, and has been, all about making things easier for Disney and fooling guests that it is for them.

[Speedy1998]

Finally got to this stage. This has been a long time coming and many were in denial.

Yep, and I do not think this is the end. I think if this is a success for Disney at the club level, they will start rolling some form of it out to guest at the rest of their resorts. I eventually see a day when the level of resort determines how many extra fastpasses you can purchase. This is assuming that Disney just doesn't go to a system that is more like what Six Flags does, where you have to buy an pass that lets you skip the lines.

[VWL Mom]

This is also available to those staying at the DVC Club rooms at Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas, Cascade Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge and the bungalows at Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows.

[Tekneek]

This is assuming that Disney just doesn't go to a system that is more like what Six Flags does, where you have to buy an pass that lets you skip the lines.

I don't think they are going to do this, because that would've been very easy to implement right from the start. Those have variable pricing based on attendance (at least what I have seen personally), which would really be better for the guests ultimately. The way they've done FP+ so far hurts the guest experience by making traditionally short lines into long lines. By breaking that (I think it was designed to break it), they create a secondary market for more FP+ to be sold as add-ons (and limited by various tiers, the sky is the limit here) which further hurt everybody else (especially those on daytrips that cannot schedule early, cannot buy more, etc). The end is a big mess for the guest (IMHO), while Disney counts the money.

It would be better to have no FP at all than do it the way Disney is, as far as guest experience goes.

[Cinderelley]

That didn't make sense. The horrible system they have now could have been set up so that you can only get a FP on the day of your park visit. (And it could still be set up like that.) You could still use the app and the kiosk but only on the day.

AP holders and day visitors would actually have a chance.

But, if they did this, the main objective would be the guest experience not maximizing profits at the expense of the guest experience.

I liked the way Maxpass worked at Disneyland. You could book your fastpasses (one at a time) on your phone, but only once you entered the park. You could also still do the old system if you didn't want to use your phone.

[Cinderelley]

I decided against doing this. The whole premise just bothered me too much. I know DD would like it, but I didn't want to be one of the positives for the bean counters. The fact that I struggled with deciding since initially reading this was enough for me to realize it wasn't worth it.

[Giggy]

I don't like this one. I am aware Disney are a business and they have the right to give someone extra bonuses if they pay more - as the saying goes you get what you pay for. As long as these extras are extras, not taking something away from regular guests.

However if it involves someone paying money and those who don't being disadvantaged then I am not pleased. In essence it means those with money pay more to make someone else's day worse and create a two-tier system where one guest's experience is much more important than another's. Traditionally Disney have prided themselves in making sure every guest has the best experience they can. :(

[MattHolst]

You are absolutely right Jeff. It isn’t even a true Fast Pass anymore. It’s just a less longer wait line.

[MattHolst]

I live on Tyndall AFB in Panama City and my family are Florida resident, Platinum Plus Annual Pass Holders. We were very excited to be able to buy the passes and start going more frequently as opposed to only once a year. As a Florida Pass holder, I can make FP selections 30 days out. Here’s the thing... I can only get them for the less popular rides. Example: The FP Times open exactly at 6am my time. The last trip we made was at the Shades of Green resort across from the Polynesian. I had my account up and my FP selection made and ready to go. The second my time turned to 6 am on my iPad, I hit send. The FP selection came back with 5 seconds to say that there were no more FP selections available for that attraction that day. This is going to now be the norm for guests trying 60 days out. And let me tell you, I pay as much money for these annual passes for a family of four as I did for an entire week at Caribbean Beach Resort with dining plan for 7 days. And I can only get FP for the attractions less popular. Is that equitable? Is it equitable that now people not paying $650 or more per night are probably going to be in the same boat? There are a lot of guests in the Deluxe resorts that now have an entire extra month to leisurely pick and wipe out all the FP for Avatar Flight of Passage, or Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and so on. Everyone has been resonating the same theme that Disney used to try and make every guest special regardless of how they got to the park, but that is slowly eroding. I just find it very sad that it has escalated so quickly over the past few years into a game of greed and how much money that can be extracted from you as opposed to making it as magical as they say. Soon, all of the guests that are able to get their FP 60 days out will experience what I do at 30. There must be a better way than this.

[MattHolst]

I actually just elaborated on this, but I am a Platinum Plus Annual Pass Holder. I pay as much for a family of four for these APs as I used to for 7 nights/ 8 days at Caribbean Beach Resort with Dining Plan. I am only allowed to book my FPs 30 days out. I can never get them for Flight of Passage, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, or Toy Story Mania. They are always wiped out by the 30 day mark.

[baldburke]

So the ideal state would be that walk up to an attraction and not have to wait more than 10 to 20 minutes to participate...and that you be able to do this on the turn of a dime and at your will and convenience. It would be like a utopia.

In reality Disney is asking us to plan up to 45 days ahead of time where we might be during a given window of time at a specific park. You cannot factor in things like weather, health, restroom breaks, moods, etc. The technology just is not there yet to accommodate this utopia and if it was then your ticket would probably be much more that about $100 per day.

I look at the fast passes as a nice to have but not necessarily a need to have. Are there days when we use them all and add more...yes! Are there days when we miss a bunch because we changed our plans, got busy doing something else or the weather maybe did not cooperate...yes! Do we hold it against Disney or did it diminish from our stay...absolutely not! Just my two cents...

[Roger's #1 Fan]

The beginning of the end with this program, and just what I expected them to do at some point, only not this soon.
FP+ will not only be tiered, but monetized to make the gap between the GP and $$ even wider.
What is being marketed as a vacation planning convenience will be sold as a "must have" to make your vacation more enjoyable.
While I like the way I can do some advance planning and not have to run around the park with everyone's pass to collect paper FPs, what annoys me is the inability to get FP+ for some attractions (I'm an APer) which basically forces me to either wait in an ungodly SB queue (never), or pass up an attraction.
I think the MaxPass DL option is much more appealing and look forward to trying it out this spring. Its a shame that the WDW version is spiraling out of control IMHO.

[VWL Mom]

I actually have less of a problem with this than them allowing Disney Springs hotel guest 60+ FP and EMH.

[Roger's #1 Fan]

I have to agree with you on that one, Lynn. Are they trying to help out those hotels?
Not sure why they changed this as well since it again dilutes overall FP+ availability.

[PopPhan]

I actually have less of a problem with this than them allowing Disney Springs hotel guest 60+ FP and EMH.

:ditto: How many Club Level guest are there on property at any one time? If they did this for ALL Deluxe and DVC visitors, it may be a problem, but offering 60+ days for 'good neighbor' hotels when there are problems getting FP+ for those staying in actual Disney resorts is much worse. It almost seems like they are trying to get their resort occupation numbers DOWN!

[RunDMV]

So the ideal state would be that walk up to an attraction and not have to wait more than 10 to 20 minutes to participate...and that you be able to do this on the turn of a dime and at your will and convenience. It would be like a utopia.

In reality Disney is asking us to plan up to 45 days ahead of time where we might be during a given window of time at a specific park. You cannot factor in things like weather, health, restroom breaks, moods, etc. The technology just is not there yet to accommodate this utopia and if it was then your ticket would probably be much more that about $100 per day.

I look at the fast passes as a nice to have but not necessarily a need to have. Are there days when we use them all and add more...yes! Are there days when we miss a bunch because we changed our plans, got busy doing something else or the weather maybe did not cooperate...yes! Do we hold it against Disney or did it diminish from our stay...absolutely not! Just my two cents...

Weak, strawman reply. But you knew that.

[RunDMV]

So the ideal state would be that walk up to an attraction and not have to wait more than 10 to 20 minutes to participate...and that you be able to do this on the turn of a dime and at your will and convenience. It would be like a utopia.

In reality Disney is asking us to plan up to 45 days ahead of time where we might be during a given window of time at a specific park. You cannot factor in things like weather, health, restroom breaks, moods, etc. The technology just is not there yet to accommodate this utopia and if it was then your ticket would probably be much more that about $100 per day.

I look at the fast passes as a nice to have but not necessarily a need to have. Are there days when we use them all and add more...yes! Are there days when we miss a bunch because we changed our plans, got busy doing something else or the weather maybe did not cooperate...yes! Do we hold it against Disney or did it diminish from our stay...absolutely not! Just my two cents...

Strawman reply. But you knew that.

[baldburke]

Weak, strawman reply. But you knew that.

Wow...that's not cool on Intercot!

[#1donaldfan]

The very first time we went we had no idea that fast passes existed. We stood in stand by and watched people breeze by us, wondering how much more they spent on those tickets to get them to the front of the line. Heck, we'd walk by those FP machines and didn't give 'em a second thought. I remember thinking the next time we come, I'm going to have to find out how to get those "faster to the front of the line passes" .... looking back on how overwhelmed we were on that first trip, how much we missed makes me laugh now. So, new guests now will never know how GREAT Disney was. I still love it there and pine away thinking over our next trip, but I can't see how new guests ever want to return. Everything seemed "better" ... the busses were fun, the CM's played games with us while waiting ..... it is truly all about the money, as it was back then too, but now it is over-the-top obvious. Change is inevitable with everything, we simply tend to hold Disney to a higher standard as to not hurt us in any way ... we are a customer and they're a business. We are a number to them and as long as we keep heading back, why would they want to change back ??

[Roger's #1 Fan]

The very first time we went we had no idea that fast passes existed. We stood in stand by and watched people breeze by us, wondering how much more they spent on those tickets to get them to the front of the line.
I am still amazed at how many people still don't know about this. My DCP DS told me that a majority of visitors ask about FP+ with no clue it is free and available to everyone.

[cer]

I actually have less of a problem with this than them allowing Disney Springs hotel guest 60+ FP and EMH.

good point.

[Cinderelley]

How did this ever turn out? Did they wind up permanently implementing it?

[DizneyFreak2002]

How did this ever turn out? Did they wind up permanently implementing it?
It is still in use... Not much of a pilot program... It is full head on PAY FOR FP+... just a matter of when it is rolled out for the rest of the unwashed masses....

[ThanxForNoticin]

I think they are still using it and still calling it a pilot program, but they've taken a couple of the benefits out of the offering. For example, it no longer includes special access to viewing areas for fireworks and shows - unless it's via a fast pass offering (like Fantasmic or Rivers Of Light).

I guess time will tell if they decide to expand and roll it out to other guests to buy. Or they could go the other way and just cancel it - but if guests are buying and they're making money, that doesn't seem likely. In some ways, folks have already been paying for FP for many years now - by paying the price of staying onsite at a Disney resort, you get the 60-day option. This bumps that up a notch.

[RunDMV]

It is still in use... Not much of a pilot program... It is full head on PAY FOR FP+... just a matter of when it is rolled out for the rest of the unwashed masses....

Of course. Create an artificial scarcity of demand for a product with an inelastic demand and watch profit margin increase exponentially.

[texas211]

Of course. Create an artificial scarcity of demand for a product with an inelastic demand and watch profit margin increase exponentially.

Well, that is Disney.

[DizneyFreak2002]

Of course. Create an artificial scarcity of demand for a product with an inelastic demand and watch profit margin increase exponentially.

And it works... Disney is the best in making people feel that HAVE TO do something in order to enjoy WDW... Disney is the best in making parents think they HAVE TO take their children to WDW or else they are bad parents... Disney is the best in pick pocketing their guests...

I have placed the blame on Disney for nickle and diming us for ever... But truth is, we, the guests, are at fault... If we could only resist their marketing schemes, and if only we could resist their ploys...

But as long as Disney lives, we'll be coerced into paying for things that, well, in all honestly, should be "free" and I put free in quotes cause, in reality, nothing is ever truly free... We pay for it one way or another... It is the EXTRA costs that really get me...

Thankfully, my last 4 trips have cost me minimal amounts of money...

[goofyskier]

I cannot say that I would be against paying more to get more / better access to rides / shows / attractions. I mean lets face it that is what we are as a society in America. Money talks. With this said....I still loath the Fastpass + system and I still refuse to book any trip to Disneyworld regardless of how many Fastpass's they throw at me since they would still require me to plan a two minute ride experience months in advance and given the demand of planning on what used to be a simple trip....I do not see the value in the system.

To add to my thoughts above....I am perfectly fine with it. Not going to Disneyworld yearly has allowed me to see a lot more of the real world with my family and I believe we are better because of it.

[Tekneek]

These changes that I disagree with have really helped me in ways beyond dealing with Disney. Instead of an emotional reaction, I simply digest unfavorable changes as them not wanting my business/time and find something else to do. I'm a lot happier that way and (the long term consequence for Disney that may come to bear some day if others beyond goofyskier are doing this as well) my children no longer see Disney as something that has to play a significant role in their lives.

[paragon]

I have become quite disenchanted with everything related to WDW. From the lack of imagination to the additional add on charges and just about everything else. They have moved so far away from Walt's original dream of what this should be.
Parks that need major imagination upgrades, empty buildings , walls and construction everywhere all at once, band aid fixes, additional charges, disappointing pixie dust, and now elite privileges . Nothing is getting better , absolutely nothing . Seems like its time for me to look into other vacation options because I really have no desire to drop one dime on anything WDW. I've switched to cruises, and even now I'm seeing changes there too. Options are out there, time to start looking at them.