LL Premier Pass is here!

[jennab]

But they could offer a few more VQs for lines that are going to be over 3 hours during Christmas week. They could easily spread out crowds if they offered it for FOP.

But then the lines would be even longer. People in a VQ and in another standby line elsewhere.

 

[jennab]

We can still react and have a discussion on a WDW related forum.

I wish there was more communication (at least a 3 month notice). It’s way too close to the holidays to drop this holiday magic on our wallets.

For sure. Have discussions about it. I just think some are way overreacting to it. It’s not a requirement to purchase the premier pass.

 

[tinkerjo]

I’m not sure why there are so many people upset by this. I personally don’t think it will have an impact on lines because
#1 I can’t see many people buying it, the value isnt there. Unless they have limited time, it’s cheaper to add an extra day AND stay at Deluxe resort if you are more than a party of 2.
#2 these people were already purchasing multipass and individual LL so there won’t be any extra people in line that weren’t already there before.
3. I can’t see it being used at AK at all and personally, probably ly not Epcot. Heck, I don’t think Multipass is needed for these 2 parks if done right.
I just don’t see where it will affect my stay or my experience. I hope not anyway

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

#2 these people were already purchasing max pass and individual LL so there won’t be any extra people in line that weren’t already there before.

That's not really something you can say. We only get to WDW about every 5 or 6 years, did we purchase MP in 2019 at DL? Yeah (well 5 out of the 6 total days in 2019). Did we purchase Genie+ in 2022 at WDW? No and part of that was because we were there for a wedding and we would be touring with friends for portions of the trip where it was not as easy to utilize Genie+. Did we buy DPA (Disney Premier Pass) at Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea? Without hesitation we did although they allow you to purchase for the same attraction if you want which was more attractive. If I went frequently enough I would still purchase it there in Japan because the lines are simply too long without them.

Would we purchase this newer product at WDW whenever we get back? Hmm IDK it's more about what it is, what it gets me and how it's been working if I would purchase it or not. MK seems like the park that would be worth it more due to the number of attractions but then again we've gone enough so it could come down to if we thought we were going on a really busy time.

As with many facets of the trip over the years that Disney has released something that costs something just who does it and how frequently they opt to purchase that depends.

This newer product takes you more to what Universal has, a watered down once-through EP, but it's more akin to that. I could see people who aren't as disgruntled with Disney but wish they had more of what Universal has and opting to purchase this newer product because it speaks to one of the most wanted features of EP which is you just walk up to the line with no planning. If anything I would say the people who are like this would be more the ones to utilize this newer product who were NOT using Genie+/ILL, Multi-lane LL and Single-lane LL because the present way has planning and time schedules and the like involved. There's the other group who won't purchase based on price even if they like the no planning feature but others who are fine with the price could.

 

[msmayor]

For years treated all guests, once they entered the park the same.

All guests ARE the same. With a park admission ticket, you can ride all of the rides you want. It's the guest who decides, by purchasing LL or this new pass, that they want to be treated different.

Remember - a long time ago it was standard that you HAD to make choices based on cost, regardless. Park admission back then was just that - it got you through the gate. You wanted to ride the rides? You needed to buy a ticket book that had tickets of varying values assigned. I still remember it. You want to ride the 'big' and more exciting rides? Gonna cost you more in paper tickets...the old phrase "E-ticket ride" because the E tickets had the highest dollar amount assigned to them. You could 'create' the equivalent of an E ticket if you combined some of your A's, B's, C's, etc. Those who wanted to ride E ticket rides multiple times usually ended up having to buy more than one ticket book. Moving to a 'pay one price' made it a lot easier to do exactly what you wanted without having to juggle ticket books.

So a DW vs Universal price difference is pretty high I would think. DW- $400 for a night at a Deluxe, then say $300 for each member of a four person family= $1600.

Universal- $400 for a night at a Deluxe?
$400 for all four members of the family. Am I missing something?

Nope - not missing anything. Now I am no expert at the pricing of Universal Deluxe rooms but when we stayed at Portofino Bay this past June it felt pretty empty. I wondered why, and was told by staff that there are a lot of folks that will book a throwaway reservation for one night only and never check in. One night gets you two days of EP access, so booking a room for four can be far cheaper than buying the EP outright.

Sounds a lot like what people would do when free dining could be had with a reservation at Ft. Wilderness...book a throwaway site and never use it, just to get the free plan.

 

[Lewisc]

All guests ARE the same. With a park admission ticket, you can ride all of the rides you want. It's the guest who decides, by purchasing LL or this new pass, that they want to be treated different.

Give me a break. Guests who pay extra get to jump in line, ahead of guests who who don't pay extra. Non- paying guests wait longer.

People can talk about the industry practices. People can talk about paying more and getting more.

Just don't insult my intelligence by claiming selling special access doesn't treat guests who won't pay extra differently, longer waits.

It represents a change in philosophy.

 

[NightGuardianAngel]

Over $400 a pop per day on top of a park admission ticket? To be honest, many middle class income families cannot afford that and this would land many in the poorhouse so good luck to Disney trying to sell LLP as this price. Lightning Lane is like the toll road or toll lane on the interstate, you pay the toll to save more time.

 

[jarestel]

If (when) the park hopping option appears in a future iteration of LLPP, current prices will seem very reasonable.

 

[Genie+]

Every slot sold as LL,$LL,LLPP etc is one slot less available to guests who think their ticket price is the total price they are expected to say. Guests who want to ride a lot of attractions, busy day, need to budget extra $$$.

For years treated all guests, once they entered the park the same.

And before those years they did not treat all guests the same. People who could buy more E-Tickets got more attractions.

The hard part about treating all guests the same is making sure your product is working at all spending levels. That it is working for the customer compared to what they spent and that it is working for the business where profits are concerned.

No doubt people loved the years of complimentary FP+, MBs, ME, EMH, etc. But times change. At one point not that long ago people also loved a $28 per night throwaway campsite that got 10 people free Magic Bands and 2 days worth of free FPs, and all that other complimentary stuff, etc. Consumers adjust, companies adjust… it’s a never ending cycle.

 

[barb969]

Nope - not missing anything. Now I am no expert at the pricing of Universal Deluxe rooms but when we stayed at Portofino Bay this past June it felt pretty empty. I wondered why, and was told by staff that there are a lot of folks that will book a throwaway reservation for one night only and never check in. One night gets you two days of EP access, so booking a room for four can be far cheaper than buying the EP outright.

PB was also experiencing renovation. The outside was covered with see-thru plastic and much of the exterior space was fenced off. It has gotten better lately. Many people would not stay under these conditions, thus the hotel had fewer guests. Didn’t you notice the construction? We should not believe everything the the staff says, just as the bus drivers at DW are not always giving correct info. Yes, there are people who book throw away rooms, but not enough to make the hotel feel empty.

 

[dez1978]

Well for those thinking that it’s just the same people upgrading making it a zero sum game, I wouldn’t pay for the cheaper version (because I don’t want to rope drop and get to the parks later) but this version eliminates that. I couldn’t make the current version work because I want to go later. Dang it, I am seriously tempted now.

As the planner of the family I am too. I could not talk the husbands into it tho lol

 

[danikoski]

As the planner of the family I am too. I could not talk the husbands into it tho lol

My husband is also balking at possibly buying it for HS for Jan. 2. We have Park Hoppers and could come back on another day to complete rides we don't get to if we do not get the LLPP. But he doesn't understand the amount of work and planning involved with the LLMP and ILL. So we will see. I may give myself a Christmas present in not having to plan out our HS day and get the LLPP. But for the 3 of us it is going to be pricey. So we will see.

 

[aleria24]

So a DW vs Universal price difference is pretty high I would think. DW- $400 for a night at a Deluxe, then say $300 for each member of a four person family= $1600.

Universal- $400 for a night at a Deluxe?
$400 for all four members of the family. Am I missing something?

Yes, $400 a night for a deluxe that offers express pass at Universal isn't realistic. You don't get express with Sapphire Falls, and the other deluxes average $1000 a night for the times I have been pricing. It sill works out to be a better value if you have 4 people, especially considering you get 2 days of express pass for that, but I don't that is initially going to include the new land. We are a group of 3 so there is less value there for us.

 

[Captain UP]

Here's a strategy for people who, let's just say, aren't worried about the money:

Get LL Premier for Magic Kingdom and go in the morning. Meanwhile, get LL for Hollywood.

While going on all the rides at MK, every two hours you can pick up a ride at Hollywood.

By 1 or 2 in the afternoon, you've done everything at MK and can move on to 3-4 LL's at Hollywood.

 

[tx911]

Here's a strategy for people who, let's just say, aren't worried about the money:

Get LL Premier for Magic Kingdom and go in the morning. Meanwhile, get LL for Hollywood.

While going on all the rides at MK, every two hours you can pick up a ride at Hollywood.

By 1 or 2 in the afternoon, you've done everything at MK and can move on to 3-4 LL's at Hollywood.

The 2 hour window is no longer a thing afaik.

But, you could buy LLPP for MK, and LLMP/SP for DHS, and simply book your 3-4 DHS rides for the later afternoon or evening.

 

[Captain UP]

The 2 hour window is no longer a thing afaik.

But, you could buy LLPP for MK, and LLMP/SP for DHS, and simply book your 3-4 DHS rides for the later afternoon or evening.

yeah, that's what I mean. Doesn't matter when you go over, I just threw that out there as a guesstimate to when you'd be done at MK with no waiting.

 

[japanese maple]

When does this start officially/ when can people purchase?

If you do, please be brave and report back here with your experience. There are dozens of us on this planet that will support you!

 

[Disturbia]

And before those years they did not treat all guests the same. People who could buy more E-Tickets got more attractions.

The hard part about treating all guests the same is making sure your product is working at all spending levels. That it is working for the customer compared to what they spent and that it is working for the business where profits are concerned.

No doubt people loved the years of complimentary FP+, MBs, ME, EMH, etc. But times change. At one point not that long ago people also loved a $28 per night throwaway campsite that got 10 people free Magic Bands and 2 days worth of free FPs, and all that other complimentary stuff, etc. Consumers adjust, companies adjust… it’s a never ending cycle.

Those days when dining plan was just $35 and no one bought it. When we had printed FPs and got to test the soon to be released FP+ and rode 16 rides. Peter Pan was a ridiculous 30 min wait!! No way we would wait that long for. 2 min ride.

There are just way too many people in the parks right now. It’s not a great experience for those spending 16-20k. They needed to come up with something for those guests so I suppose this is it.

 

[Dave006]

When does this start officially/ when can people purchase?

October 30th at WDW and October 23rd at DLR in California.

Dave

 

[Disturbia]

WDW is in the hotel business. They need to fill those rooms. It would be better if they gave more extended evenings in addition to this paid option. They did add AK this year (wish they would have added some HS hours as well).