Hey guys and gals your friendly neighborhood Disney Gossip Columnist Anonymouse here. I have some huge Gossip today coming out of Walt Disney World! Before you ask yes that title is correct. I have been talking to a friend of mine who is at Walt Disney World this week and there is talk that Disney is dropping the existing Fast Pass program for everyone not staying on Disney Property.
The short and skinny is all (legacy or paper) Fast Passes will be eliminated for everyone except resort guests with Key to the World Cards or linked Magic Bands. If you are staying on property you will be limited to 3 Fast Passes per day at only one park. If you are a local no Fast Passes for you unless you are staying the night or are in the Fast Pass+ service.
If you are a Park Hopper like me it looks like you are up the creek… but seriously with this news why would you want to get a park hopper if you can’t use Fast Pass at the next park? I bet we will see Park Hopper ticket option sales going down bit hopefully lines going down.
If you are a Cast Member or Annual Passholder and you are at the park for the day you will not be able to partake in the existing paper Fast Pass Program, you will have to use the Fast Pass+ system. Disney is looking for people staying on property to get their golden ticket. Disney Vacation Club members will be fine since they have their KTTW card already.
Overall Disney is really trying to push people to stay on property, and if you don’t not only do you not get to take advantage of Extra Magic Hours but also Fast Passes too. I also think this is a push to get people to use the My Magic+ system.
According to my source all of this is supposed to take place at the end of September 2013 but with everything I write take it with a grain of salt till Chip posts the official word.
Any who, that is all the Disney Gossip I have right now. For my past Gossip articles be sure to check them out here.
Got any good gossip/rumors? Please email me at AnonyMouse@chipandco.com or on my Facebook Page.
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I think they should scrap this program all together getting a fast pass that usually tells you to return several hours later does not work. GIve the customer the option for paying for what they want. The Fast Option at Universal Studios works much better. Yes you pay extra but it was well worth it to avoid long lines in sweltering heat. I know many customers who would happily pay extra for this option at the Disney Parks.
This is completely untrue. Disney will always keep the paper fast pass for people, who live locally as well as people who are not staying at the resort. Disney’s goal is to reduce wait times for rides and attractions. Killing the fast pass would create such a long wait time for rides that people would start to get discouraged to even go there anymore. Not Disney’s Goal.
What Disney will be doing is rewarding Resort guests in the way that Universal Studios rewards their guests. Disney will eventually offer Resort Guests, nearly all ride free fast pass access. The Magic Band + will give you 3 passes per day. However, when you book your fast pass with the My Disney Experience App; you will almost always get a bonus fast pass as well, giving you 4 total. Then when you check into the Resort, you will also be given the Key To The World Card. That will be able to be used in the fast pass machines that they have, giving you even more fast passes throughout the day, as well as allowing you to get fast passes if you park hop.
Fastpasses should be limited to resort guest only as a special ‘perk’ for staying on grounds.
That really sucks! So people will have to PAY like at Universal, to get fast passes? What about us poor people who can’t afford to pay any more? I am never coming back; I used to go every year but now it has gotten so I can no longer afford it. $100 or more per person per day??? That’s awful and then to have to pay for a fast pass!! We always stayed in a timeshare condo. My son is handicapped and I need a wheelchair at the park and that was $70 a day! Disney should be trying to help us poor people to be able to come with our families, but instead they are insuring we can NOT come ever again!!!
Let’s look at the source here “I have been talking to a friend of mine who is at Walt Disney World this
week and there is talk that Disney is dropping the existing Fast Pass program for everyone not staying on Disney Property.”
This source comes from a friend who is at Disney this week and there is “talk”. For all we know, this person may not even be staying at one of the test resorts.
Until I see more proof, I am just going to take this with a grain of salt.
From what I have read from people that have actually tested it, is that you only get to make 3 fast pass reservations a day before you arrive. Then you get can more passes once you are in the park.
This is like yelling fire in a movie theater…. you’re just causing unnecessary panic.
This “rumor” is so far fetched from what has actually been said by Disney.
This article is full of misinformation, you will be able to get fastpass during your trip
I’m going to be pissed if it’s this month – we are heading down on the 27th.
I have the same question for Shades of Green guests. We are offered a great rate on a fantastic hotel. Can’t complain. No magical express, pay for parking at both hotel and park…completely understand and still not complaining. But take away fast pass and I will start to worry
.
I hope this is not true. We are planning a week long trip in March and plan on staying offsite for a variety of reasons that preclude us from staying onsite. If this news were true, that might give us pause on our trip unfortunately.
As a Passholder who rarely stays on property (like once in seven years), I really really hate this and hope it doesn’t turn out to be true.
Exactly. It’s the exact same things that have been said for months. FP will eventually go away once FP+ is fully implemented. The new resorts start testing tomorrow and still that only brings the total to like 10. As of now, MagicBands are just for resort guests…coming to APs soon and Disney has said no plans for daily guests to get them at this time.
Well said, Brian O’Neill.
True or not, I hate how Disney changes everything around! I understand yes, from a business stand point, this would greatly improve their sales, (or it could really hurt them) but at the same time it stinks for us, who do not only months, but years of research to perfect visiting the parks, and getting the most of our money, only for them to change things! Very frustrating!!
Ok, first … this is gossip. Doesn’t mean it is written in stone. And after reading through the comments, I have to put a little more faith in what Brian O’Neill is saying. That seems to make more sense.
What if you are an AP holder staying onsite? I (would) have the Premiere AP for DL and WDW and would be staying onsite, but with this change, it might not benefit me to buy the Premiere AP and just buy regular tickets…..
There are some problems with this. This seems to be more like someone completely misinterpreting what is currently going on, and not knowing the details that have actually been out for months.
They are currently TESTING Fastpass+ with resort guests. And not even all of them – in fact only a small fraction, although a lot more were being added today. That testing is going through the end of October, and more resorts aren’t expected to be added before then. For it to be “done” by the end of this month it completely far fetched. They may be seeing this going on, and that only resort guests have it, and jumping to the conclusion it will only be for resort guests.
Disney has publicly stated Fastpass+ will be available to ALL guests with valid admission media. A KTTW card or MagicBand is not required to use the system – an annual pass or Magic Your Way ticket will work fine as well. However, during the tests, only MBs and KTTW cards are working – because the test guests all have them.
“Traditional” Fastpass WILL likely go away once Fastpass+ is fully rolled out to EVERYONE. And that’s if they don’t change their minds.
The limit of three FP+ per day, in only one park, is true. Currently, at least. Although some testers have gotten a “bonus” fourth FP+ when choosing Magic Kingdom as the park.
Didn’t hear anything about S&D. I imagine they will.
Yes. If you have a room at WDW you will be able to use the FP system.
Wow…I’m sorry, but I think this whole rumor, if true, stinks! Many parks DON’T offer a type of FP system or you have to pay for it. This was a great jewel in Disney’s crown that they gave this to everyone and for free!
While I understand the reasoning behind this — on the other hand — why fix something that isn’t broken — or why try to get MORE money than they already have? I don’t know. I wasn’t crazy, to begin with, with the whole Magic Band thing to begin with and being able to make reservations for character appearances and FPs. Maybe it’s just me. Maybe I’m just old school!
WOW! Only thing I really have a problem is the park hopper deal. The way I look at it you’re staying in the hotels why can’t you choose your fastpass where every you want. For what its worth thought the main thing I use park hopper for is when Animal Kingdom closes early to go hit up another park, or to hit a few parks in the last few days.
Ditto the question about being an annual passholder and staying on property. Seems a bit unfair for annual passholders.
I’m sure you would be able to use your room key.
I think it is fine to offer to those staying on property but to limit to 3per day in one park only is not the right thing to do. I feel that if you are on property one should be allowed fastpass all day. Even passholders should be allowed fastpass but maybe limit them if not staying.
so what if you have an annual pass but you’re staying on property? Will you still be able to use the fastpass system?
Any word on Swan and Dolphin? They get extra magic right now, will they get fastpass too?