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Disneyland Paris: General Discussion

Don’t get me wrong, I’d rather that they weren’t introducing paid FastPass, and I must admit I’m not too sure on Fastrack systems on the whole, but I know a lot of guests like the option of Fastrack being there, so is it a possibility that DLP got complaints about their lack of a paid FastPass system, and so they’re introducing it off the back of guest feedback? I know it seems like I’m reaching a bit here, but I know that Europa Park apparently often gets complaints because of their lack of a paid Fastrack system, so it’s certainly a possibility, in my opinion.
 
venny said:
I’ve never once heard anyone complain about the lack of Fastpass at Europa.
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Not enthusiasts, but I once heard it said that many non-enthusiast guests do complain about the park’s lack of a Fastrack system.
 
AT86 said:
Why would any one complain that they wanted a paid fast pass system when there was already a free one available for them to use?
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The free version perhaps isn’t as effective for skipping queues as a paid version would be, in some people’s eyes. In some FP+ queues at Walt Disney World, I still had a fair, albeit reduced, wait, up to 30 minutes in some cases.

A paid version, on the other hand, could offer more of a feeling of priority, and could result in lower waits for those using it.

Don’t get me wrong, Fastrack is not my favourite method theme parks use of making money. I’m looking forward to seeing what Paultons is like without it at the end of the month! However, I understand the rationale behind Disney introducing it, as it could have certain benefits if implemented well.
 
The only benefit it has is more money in the pockets of Disney Execs, Matthew. That's it. These changes are not going to go down well one bit, especially with loyal fans who go back time and time again. It's a shocking way to treat customers right after a pandemic as well. It's almost like they're saying we've lost shed loads of money due to Covid so lets make our loyal customers pay for it. Awful practice.

Disney is already an incredibly expensive trip to make for families. These upcharges are are only going to add to the costs. No kid who goes to Disneyland of all places should be able to watch another family cut the lines because they have deeper pockets.
 
AT86 said:
Why would any one complain that they wanted a paid fast pass system when there was already a free one available for them to use?
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Probably the same kind of people with cash on the hip who think they own the "fast lane" on a motorway.

@Matt N please find these morons and pass them my way. Europa has excellent operations with simple fast moving queue lines. You pay a fair price to get in and almost everyone is offered the same experience. Even when it was busy and social distancing was in place last year, the longest we waited was 55 mins for Wodan. Most queues where less than half an hour. Imagine if they whack a paid fast track on top of that? It would ruin the park.
 
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As well as the new Premier Acess, they're also keeping the current mobile reservation system for standby queues. This video explains everything:

 
Skyscraper said:
As well as the new Premier Acess, they're also keeping the current mobile reservation system for standby queues.
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I have read in a few places that the mobile system won't be available year round, only during certain periods?

I tried, but couldn't make it through more than 30 seconds of the video.
 
Even though I'm incredibly sad to see the removal of free Fast Pass at Disneyland Paris, there is the added perk of nearly doubling the throughput of the standby queues. For example Big Thunder Mountain has one station for Fastpass and one for Standby so with removing Fastpass then the queue should move nearly twice as quickly. The same goes for Tower of Terror with one library being used for Fastpass and the other for Standby.
 
siralgenon said:
Even though I'm incredibly sad to see the removal of free Fast Pass at Disneyland Paris, there is the added perk of nearly doubling the throughput of the standby queues. For example Big Thunder Mountain has one station for Fastpass and one for Standby so with removing Fastpass then the queue should move nearly twice as quickly. The same goes for Tower of Terror with one library being used for Fastpass and the other for Standby.
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Only issue with this is it seems you won't be able to just join the standby queue whenever you please like before. You will need to virtually reserve a time to come back and then stand in the standby queue.

I hear what you're saying about the queue moving faster and it should be of course unless loads of people opt for the paid option but it still sucks you have to constantly be on your phone to join regular standby queues.
 
There is a lot of uncertainly about the Standby virtual queue at the moment I think, not least how vague the park are about exactly at what point it would kick in.

The details read like they will use a mixture of both, so on off peak days, or say early in the morning on peak days the standby queue will run as normal and you queue up and ride. But when it hits a certain length (which is unknown) the virtual queue kicks in. Meaning you could be on your way to ride Big Thunder for example and by the time you get there it has switched to a virtual queue, messing your plans up somewhat and meaning you are off elsewhere to find something else to do whilst waiting.

It is also unknown how many attractions will use the virtual queue (unless I have missed a list that has been confirmed?) and so will it just be the headline stuff (such as those that previously had fast pass) or will it be all rides once they hit the magic unknown number for the standby line?

Depending on the day and the time of day some rides will have standby virtual queue activated and others won’t and it may fluctuate throughout the day.

It just sounds so messy to me. In a park that is supposed to take you out of the ‘real world’ and into ‘the magic’ it just feels faffy, complex and potentially pretty stressful.
 
pluk said:
Disgusted by this mess TBH. Seems to be an exercise in devaluing your core product in an attempt to chase profits. I hope this bites them hard financially.
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I think it just shows how out of touch they are. French people won't go for this and they are of course their biggest customer over at DLP. I can see Brits paying it though sadly as we are a nation of people who moan and whinge but ultimately accept being ripped off.
 
The problem with trying to remove the standard queue option is it always ends up with an unofficial queue hanging around the entrance while people wait for their slot.
And that's if the systems doing well, Volcano Bay showed what can happen when the numbers are out.

Something I've seen a few times since social distancing was introduced are queue lines that aren't allowed to be used. So the queues end up on the main path, which ultimately ends up just as bad.

Unless Disney redesign all there queues with enough waiting space outside the entrance I can see this being a problem.
 
Feel like a broken record saying this but when oh when are they going to sort Space Mountain out and get the Jules Verne theme back? Or at least ditch the Star Wars overlay? It’s been years now.
 
Josh555 said:
Feel like a broken record saying this but when oh when are they going to sort Space Mountain out and get the Jules Verne theme back? Or at least ditch the Star Wars overlay? It’s been years now.
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Yeah, I really loved the original Jules Verne theme. I thought it was fantastic, especially the music. I totally despised Mission 2. I might be in the minority here, but I quite like the Star Wars overlay, I thought it was a vast improvement over Mission 2. And the new trains help to make the ride a much better experience. But like you, I'd love to see the original theme return.
 
John C said:
Yeah, I really loved the original Jules Verne theme. I thought it was fantastic, especially the music. I totally despised Mission 2. I might be in the minority here, but I quite like the Star Wars overlay, I thought it was a vast improvement over Mission 2. And the new trains help to make the ride a much better experience. But like you, I'd love to see the original theme return.
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It would be fine if it wasn’t replacing one of the best themed coaster experiences in history, that added to the fact that it looks totally out of place with its surroundings (including the new trains which are still JV themed although they are much more comfortable.)

Surely it won’t stay as Star Wars for much longer?
 
I’m sure I remember hearing it was intended to last 5 years and take them through to the 30th, but I could be wrong there.

Given Disney’s finances at the moment though I wouldn’t be surprised if this has been pushed down the priority list now so that more direct revenue earning installations can happen first…
 
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