Disney Fast Passes. This was a great idea who's time had come. At least upon its inception sometime around 2003. For several years the playing field was level... Fast Passes were available to everyone with the same availability. You would go to the attraction, get a fast past for that attraction, and return at the time frame specified, and bypass the standby waiting line. Everyone had the free option to pick and choose what FastPasses they wanted to fit their preferences.
Then things started to change around 2012/2013. Rolling out a new Fast Pass system with armbands, set to first roll out to Disney Premium hotel guests. Guests could get fast passes prior to getting into the parks. The program was later expanded to all Disney Resort Guests. HERE'S THE PROBLEM... Hotels guests got first crack at fast passes before anyone else... so if we're not a Disney Resort Guest, you got the passes that were not already taken by resort guest. When they first rolled out the program, there was not restrictions on the guest, so all the earlier passes were gone before anyone even entered the parks. In some cases, through our personal experience as Annual Pass Holders, all the passes for certain rides were gone for the whole day even right at the park opening. THIS WAS CERTAINLY A "WHAT THE HELL" SITUATION. Disney did eventually impose restrictions on the guests so they could only get certain premium attractions, and leases attractions. Needless to say, as the program expanded to all the Disney Resort Guests, even with restrictions and limitations, but if you weren't a resort guest, the fast pass pickings were slim. As the program progressed, hotel guests could get fast passes months in advance with resort reservations. People entering the parks "off the street" were even at more of a disadvantage.
THINGS CHANGE: Depending on your perspective, or you financial ability, the change could be very good, or very detrimental. Disney is rolling out a new program to buy fast passes. So of you can afford it, you've got it made on easy street. If you can't afford an extra $200/day for a family of 4, 3 day minimum... well... You have just become what use to be referred to as steerage class, or perhaps third class at best. The buy your fast pass program comes with preferential viewing areas for fireworks, parades, and special shows.
AS FOR ME... I enjoyed the Fast Pass program when everyone was on a level playing field. Somehow my belief was the everyone going into the parks was equal. Money talks and walks right into attractions... the rest of us wait, and wait, and wait in longer and longer lines.... seeing less and less after spending bigger and bigger park entrance fees.
I GUESS IT ALL DEPENDS ON YOUR PERSPECTIVE... and your ability to pay for privileges.
YEARS AGO, when everything was on a level playing field, and everyone was given equal benefits for the cost of admission, it certainly seemed like more in line with Disney philosophy, and not doubt Walts vision. There was VIP guests but it was all very low keyed, you would never know that some paid for special benefits & privileges. The current philosophy is to not only give all guests a vacation filled with magical memories, which they do better then anyone else, but to ever increasingly find more and more ways to make money. This is just one more if those things that indeed makes more money, but in my opinion, tarnishes the concept of fair play. Much like the encouraged sale of beer, wine, and hard liquor at Epcots food & wine festival that on Friday & Saturday evenings that turns the park into a drunk fest, much to the dismay of guests seeking a memorable family experience. Disney turns a blind eye to the situation, despite complaints and bad publicity, for the sake if making more money. But that's another story that I've addressed in a previous post.
