Paying for a FASTPASS

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Brad's picture
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Paying for a FASTPASS

In the Harry Potter thread, Pegosaurus said that she doesn't like the program at Universal where you can buy an "express" ticket that essentially comes with a FASTPASS for every ride. Part of me agrees, because it seems very un-fair for someone to get a better park experience for extra money, however I also know that there are VIPs and other people who get that benefit for free, so I feel like it's kind of nice to be able to get that treatment for a normal person for myself.

During "Year of a Million Dreams" we won one of the FASTPASSes for everything and it was a really fun experience. I would consider spending some money to have that experience again.

I can see both sides of the coin. What do you guys think?

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I think I like the idea of the giveaways (we never won when we were there - booo! But I'm so glad to hear someone here did! Woo!) but I think I am against paying for it like that. Just doesn't sit right with me. I think it's more fair as it is today, and would think it would suck for people who save and save and then have to either save more or watch others get that advantage who could afford it.

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I like the way Fastpass works now. Don't think I would pay for it unless I was going at a very busy time of year was suddenly found myself with a lot of extra cash.

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I think earlier in our "Disney careers" we would have probably paid for a FASTPASS, but now it probably wouldn't be worth it. We take it easy either way and if we don't get on all the rides, we'll get over it.

I don't really have a problem with people being able to buy one though. Like Brad said, the rich people get to do whatever they want anyway, why not let those who want to spend a little bit more get a tad of the VIP treatment. If someone's having a once-in-a-lifetime trip and wants to drop a little extra cash to make it a little extra special, I'm okay with it.

That being said I'm not riled up that it's not an option.

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JeffC wrote:
I think I like the idea of the giveaways (we never won when we were there - booo! But I'm so glad to hear someone here did! Woo!) but I think I am against paying for it like that. Just doesn't sit right with me. I think it's more fair as it is today, and would think it would suck for people who save and save and then have to either save more or watch others get that advantage who could afford it.

I agree with Jeff. I'm not against giveaways like the fastpass you won Brad, if anything I'm in favour of that because it's a nice extra which anyone has the chance of winning, but I completely disagree with them charging extra on top of the park ticket for the express pass. You shouldn't be able to cut down wait time simply because you have more money than someone else. Obviously people who are better off than others can already pay for advantages such as better hotels, more expensive meals, more merch etc, so there are already plenty of opportunities to use your extra money for a "better" trip. But I think the express pass should be something that everyone can enjoy, regardless of financial status. Fastpasses for all work fine at Disney - it gives them an extra point over Universal in my book.

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I like the level FASTPASS playing field. I am amazed that Universal gets people to pay extra for it (all while CONSTANTLY running commercials about how they're tix are cheaper than Disney's...but I digress.) Having said that, winning a universal fastpass would be neat. During the Bday celebration year, Annual Passholders could actually get the fastpass deal for every ride in lieu of the bday ticket, but I passed (the other option was a giftcard in the value of a 1 day, 1 park ticket, which I used for Christmas shopping!)

Besides, I've found my new favorite way to ride everything without waiting: rope drop! Turns out I've been doing the parks wrong my ENTIRE life by not getting there at opening!

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Lizzy_B wrote:
Besides, I've found my new favorite way to ride everything without waiting: rope drop! Turns out I've been doing the parks wrong my ENTIRE life by not getting there at opening!

OOoo, so it went well?

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I like the Fastpass..and it depends on if buying a Fastpass would lessen the amount of people who use FP. Therefore if the FP lines were always uber short then it might be worth it. Where as now that they are available to everyone sometimes the FP line can get pretty clogged.

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Universal Resort guests get front of the line privileges, that's why the sell their express tickets to non resort guests. Our Six Flags in NJ sells their version to everyone for something like $25/pp or something ridiculous like that.

I would never pay for front of the line privileges. I like that Disney Resort guests get EMH, but that everyone is on a level field for fastpasses. Sure special vips ones here and there are fine, but paying for it is just not worth the price.

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JeffC wrote:
Lizzy_B wrote:
Besides, I've found my new favorite way to ride everything without waiting: rope drop! Turns out I've been doing the parks wrong my ENTIRE life by not getting there at opening!

OOoo, so it went well?

It did! I was so glad I got up and got over there for rope drop! I need to do a little mini trip report, because we got to do some neat things. Will try and get it done this weekend if not before. Thanks again for all the great info, Jeff!

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Bella wrote:
I like the Fastpass..and it depends on if buying a Fastpass would lessen the amount of people who use FP. Therefore if the FP lines were always uber short then it might be worth it. Where as now that they are available to everyone sometimes the FP line can get pretty clogged.

This was my concern as well. Depending on the price of the fastpass tickets, it could potentially cause even more clogging in the lines if it's too moderately priced. Also I don't feel charging for a fastpass is in line with Disney's atmosphere. It seems to be a place that strives to make every guest feel equally special, not raise some guests up to be more special than others. It doesn't matter if you're in a Deluxe resort or Value, you still get towel animals other fun perks.

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I think J.P. hit on the biggest reason Disney doesn't do it. I think it doesn't fit with their image very well.

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cdub wrote:
I think J.P. hit on the biggest reason Disney doesn't do it. I think it doesn't fit with their image very well.

I agree too..Disney is all about the experience.

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Well... hate saying this... but forget the universal fast pass. Rent a wheelchair

XD

awesome

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I remember our Six Flags used to have a "speedy pass" of the paid for type, it annoyed me to no end. They eventually stopped selling them for whatever reason.
It seemed remarkably like treating the wealthy as better people, which I agree doen't fit with Disney at all.

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Mase wrote:
Well... hate saying this... but forget the universal fast pass. Rent a wheelchair

XD

awesome

This is so a myth!

My dad was in a wheelchair, we didn't get to go to the front of the line because of it. Sure we were moved to an easy load area, and if an acceisble boat came right up we were let on, but otherwsie we waited our turn just like everyone else.

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katrina1122 wrote:
Mase wrote:
Well... hate saying this... but forget the universal fast pass. Rent a wheelchair

XD

awesome

This is so a myth!

My dad was in a wheelchair, we didn't get to go to the front of the line because of it. Sure we were moved to an easy load area, and if an acceisble boat came right up we were let on, but otherwsie we waited our turn just like everyone else.

It was just a joke really. I cant remember which park, but I think it was MK... there was this family who had someone in a wheelchair. It was 2-3 people... were talking like 10 people who got to go to the front of the line. It was INSANE. So I always joke around with people who dont want to wait in line to just rent a wheelchair... lol

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- 2013 Trip Report!
- My Int3ractiv3 Trip R3port '12 - CLICK HERE!
[url='http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/forum/pick-mases-dinner-disney']- My Interactive Trip Report '11[/url]