If you’ve been to Walt Disney World over the past 20 years or so, chances are you may have used a FastPass or two. The system was introduced in 1999 and has been changed and enhanced ever since. It’s a way for theme park guests to avoid long lines for rides and other attractions by reserving a time to come back and wait in a minimal queue, ahead of most people who don’t have a FastPass and who are waiting on a “standby” line. If used correctly, it can save vacationers lots of time from standing on queues, albeit with some problems that occur because of the system.
Anyway, not long ago, a local Orlando newspaper wrote an interesting piece on the possibility of the FastPass program getting another upgrade, this time in terms of upcharges.
It was penned by one of the regular writers at the Orlando Weekly, which is a popular Orlando-based alternative newspaper that’s been around since 1990.
Click here to read the article: “The Long-Rumored Upcharge FastPass Program at Disney World Looks Like It’s Finally About To Launch” by Ken Storey
Briefly, the article discusses the history of FastPass-for-payment and why it looks as if the program is about to see more pay-to-play options introduced.
Our take on this:
We’ve already written in this post why we’re not fans of the current FastPass system: having to secure FastPasses, paid or not, removes a whole lot of spontaneity from your trip. Whereas you used to be able to “wing it,” most Disney vacationers nowadays have something to the effect of 3 FastPasses at Animal Kingdom on Wednesday (including Flight of Passage at 2pm!), 3 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Thursday on Thursday, 3 at Magic Kingdom on Friday, then 3 at Epcot on Saturday. And if they’ve paid for more Fastpasses, then there’s even less ability to be spontaneous.
FastPasses also make for a “better than” system within the parks, with those staying at Disney’s resort hotels being at an advantage over those staying off-site or who live locally. Having a paid FastPass system makes for even more of a class system, with those who can pay more getting more benefits.
Now, I “get it.” Pay-for-play seems to be the way of the world nowadays. Whether it’s your status at a hotel chain, getting a middle versus aisle or window seat, etc., the more you’re willing to pay, the more benefit you’ll be able to reap. But if that’s the case, I guess those who can afford to pay more at WDW will be getting even more. Again.
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
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