I've talked about Disney Fast Passes before, and how they were originally totally free through 2008. And everyone was on an level playing field to get them. Go up to the ride kiosk, located next to the ride entrance, use your admission ticket to get a fast pass, and return at the scheduled time, usually 30-45 minutes later, to enjoy the ride. With this system we could get fast passes to the most popular rides every 45-60 minutes. So over a 8 hour day, we could get on average 6-8 passes to avoid the standby lines. This applied to everyone. Everyone had an equal opportunity.
Then things changed with the introduction of the electronic fast pass. Disney hotel guests got preferred access to the electronic passes before the general public. Then some Disney hotel guests were able to buy extra fast passes, in addition to the free electronic passes.
Then came package deals with meals and special fast passes. And special passes with special tour packages. As time progressed it was evident that the ability to pay extra, got you all the benefits of not having to wait in long lines. Making standby lines even more exasperating.
Add to this, Disney hotel guests got to book fast passes 60 days in advance. So if you didn't stay at a Disney resort hotel, you basically got the left over passes that were for much later in the day... Lucky to get 2 or 3 total for the day... destined to wait in standby lines the rest of the time. Standby lines averaged 90-120 minutes, and typically got as high as 240-300 minutes for the most popular attractions and rides. At Epcot a cast member was holding a sign for a 300 minute standby line. When questioned, they explained that it was 300 minutes to this point in the line, the line that went beyond here added additional time. I can not imagine people waiting 3, 4, or 5 hours to get onto a single ride. Insanity! Thinking back to pre 2010, not only were fast passes free, and on a level playing field, but average standby line was generally less than 30 minutes for less popular rides, and less than 60 minutes for the most popular at peak times. Pick the right time and many rides were walk ons or 5-10 minutes. Generally we never waited more than 30 minutes ever. And as the saying goes... those were the days!
So now there's news. For good for bad depending on your perspective. It appears that the playing field is getting more level and everyone will have the same advantage to by fast passes on the new Genie program. No 60 day advance for disney resort guests, just a 3 hour advantage starting at 7am the same day. But as more people buy fast passes, now open to everyone, standby lines could be even longer. And extra $15 per day per person could get you some advantages. For a family of four, that's $60/ day, times 5 days for an extra $300, over and above the price of general admission.
Remember... All Magic comes with a Price. The Magic use to have a bit more shine to it years ago. The new average ticket price is $135 per person per day... and could go as high as $159 during peak preferred times like the holidays. Easy to say, we're glad to have extensively enjoyed disney from 2004-2012. What we call the sweet spot of prices and guest friendly environment. Somehow doubt we shall ever return. Too pricey, and too many changes and things eliminated from what once was. But that's just our perspective.
Looking back at prices during that time... well, everything has gone up dramatically. You could buy a 7 day ticket for $35/day... or a 10 day ticket for $26/day. Unlimited annual passes were $350 with no restrictions which included the parking fee. One thing is evident on a personal level... I have become my grandfather... seeing todays prices, knowing what they were in the past, and being amazed and overwhelmed.
Remember... All Magic comes with a Price. The Magic use to have a bit more shine to it years ago. The new average ticket price is $135 per person per day... and could go as high as $159 during peak preferred times like the holidays. Easy to say, we're glad to have extensively enjoyed disney from 2004-2012. What we call the sweet spot of prices and guest friendly environment. Somehow doubt we shall ever return. Too pricey, and too many changes and things eliminated from what once was. But that's just our perspective.
Looking back at prices during that time... well, everything has gone up dramatically. You could buy a 7 day ticket for $35/day... or a 10 day ticket for $26/day. Unlimited annual passes were $350 with no restrictions which included the parking fee. One thing is evident on a personal level... I have become my grandfather... seeing todays prices, knowing what they were in the past, and being amazed and overwhelmed.
In years gone by... the sweet spot for prices.
