Disneyland introduces $400 line skipping pass

I believe WDW is offerning the same thing.

This is more economical than a VIP tour, though not quite the same experience. VIP I think is like $700 per hour, up to ten people. So ten people there for ten hours is about $700 per person. Mind you, they'll drive you around between parks, get you snacks and beverages, and sometimes walk you directly up to the platform. (They don't buy you even a counter service meal though, which feels kind of cheap.)

Feels like Disney is searching for new revenue streams. Which I would suppose that their attendance is projected to decrease in the future, not necessarily by large volumes, but less people are having kids, and thus probably their biggest target market should shrink.

I could see this being a sound investment it if you're a foreign visitor who wants to do everything.

Lets say you get 2x the number of rides in this way – that means you can cut your trip length in half, saving on accommodation and park admission costs.

Seems like they are adding another tier of premium experience. Finding ways for people who are willing to spend a little more money in the parks.

And because I think it needs to be said: Further evidence (as if any were needed at this point) that Disney hates poor people.

The people that go every week are outraged about this, of course.

I just don’t see how this will coexist with Multi LL, the people paying $400 will expect >15 min waits for everything, MLL guests expect 4-6 meaningful LL rides. I contend Disney lacks the capacity to satisfy both groups. They should go to the Paris model, Premier and individual only.

Will Cedar Flags look at this and maybe think they need to stop their ridiculous low pricing of the gate and add-ons like fast lane? The fact that Halloween events are accessible for less than $60 (Knotts is $59.99/Point is $49.99) still boggles the mind. Knott’s and Point could easily be charging $74.99 given the quality of their Halloween experiences, and I’m sure some of the legacy SF parks could be brought up to that level too like Great America and Great Adventure.

Rick_UK:

The people that go every week are outraged about this, of course.

I didn't think of it until you posted this, but it occurs to me that none of my social circles really intersect with local Disney "enthusiasts." Gosh, I wonder why. They sound like a real hoot.

Gunkey Monkey:

Knott’s and Point could easily be charging $74.99 given the quality of their Halloween experiences

Knott's given their population center could easily charge $100-120. Their event is excellent.

I will seriously consider this. I only go to WDW every 3-4 years.

$400 is a drop in the bucket for many visitors. This will be extremely popular. It won’t be $400 for long.

Maybe it's just me, or that I've been to WDW a bazillion times, but power riding the parks and just marathoning your day going from ride-to-ride doesn't really appeal to me. Clearly the attractions are a big part of "doing Disney". But for me, the parks offer just so much more than just riding rides all day long.

Even for someone visiting for the first time, if you are just going to ride rides all day, I think you are missing out on so many other things the parks offer.

I would view the pass as providing flexibility. If you want to power ride, you can. But you don't have to. If you want to organize your day how you want it to be (without planning around ride windows you obtain through genie/lightning lane), you can. You can grab a snack and people watch. Or shop. Sit on a bench and relax. If there is an attraction you want to repeat, you can. All the while being comfortable that you will be able to see/experience the attractions you don't want to miss.

The older I get, the more I wish they had a "no ride" pass. I'm going to Epcot in a couple of weeks, and I'd be perfectly content to not ride anything.

Hanging n' Banging:

marathoning your day

VIP and this pass != marathoning

Quite the opposite, you aren't rushed because you aren't losing time to queues.

In particular, this pass does not allow re-rides, so it is definitely not marathoning in the CBuzz sense.

wahoo skipper:

The older I get, the more I wish they had a "no ride" pass. I'm going to Epcot in a couple of weeks, and I'd be perfectly content to not ride anything.

Of course they would never do this, but I’ve always wondered if parks should offer a reduced cost pass for people who don’t ride rides at all. Like senior citizens or people who just want to watch a show or hang outside and people watch.

One of my greatest regrets was not getting my grandfather to Cedar Point before he passed away. Well into his senior years he rejected going because he didn't want to pay to get in when he wasn't going to ride anything. (It was a principal thing for him...because of course I would have bought the ticket).

I know the arguments for the pricing (well, there's the shows and other entertainment) but I just don't completely buy it.

By the time I could get free tickets for the park he wasn't well enough to come, and so it never happened.