Disneyland Paris Replacing Free FASTPASS with Disney Premier Access (8€ + for Single Ride); More App Enhancements Announced

Hi everyone –

Disneyland Paris has announced Disney Premier Access – which is like a paid FASTPASS “with prices at launch starting at 8€ per person per ride”. That is starting at about $10 USD per ride. There are also other app enhancements noted here but most of the photos we were given for the story revolve around this big announcement (8 rides to start with: Hyperspace Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Peter Pan’s Flight, Star Tours, Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast, Tower of Terror, Autopia, Ratatouille).

A complimentary Standby Pass will also continue (we did not experience that during our visit last month). This is not the first time Disneyland Paris has offered a paid FASTPASS product, the difference is that there is no longer free FASTPASS available alongside it. Read more from Disneyland Paris below.

All text and photos below this were provided to us to share.

Digital Services for an Elevated Guest Experience

Disneyland Paris is always looking at opportunities to leverage technology for an enhanced guest experience in an increasingly interconnected world. To that end, the Resort has taken advantage of its temporary closure to further develop digital features for an even more compelling, tailor-made and premium guest experience.

Starting with Resort Hotels, a new Online Check-in feature will allow guests to start registration from their phones and get a text message when their room is ready, a great way to reduce waiting time and enjoy all that the Resort has to offer. More tech features are available at Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel, such as Super Hero Station Mobile Booking which is available exclusively for guests staying at this hotel to reserve an epic moment with Spider-Man!

On the Disneyland Paris App, guests can soon test new features for an enhanced dining experience, such as a “Food Hub” which allows anyone to conveniently search and book Disney-operated restaurants based on useful criteria such as type of cuisine or meal plans accepted. With the app, guests can book and plan their culinary experience months in advance.

Looking ahead, the online registration system put in place last year is now here to stay. This system allows for better planning the level of service to help deliver the signature guest experience that Disneyland Paris is known for across every aspect of a guest’s visit, from attractions to dining to entertainment and more. To ensure admission, Guests must continue to register through the system and obtain a reservation for park entry along with their park ticket, prior to their arrival. Guests who already have a dated ticket or who bought a package that includes parks tickets and hotel stay will not need to use the registration system.

The complimentary Standby Pass which debuted on the Disneyland Paris App last October has also returned. Standby Pass allows guests to spend part of their wait time for select attractions outside of the physical queue line, although it does not provide immediate access to an attraction. This service can be activated during certain periods of the day, subject to availability and dependent on day-to-day needs in the parks. When activated, guests can use the Disneyland Paris App to book a time slot to enter the physical queue line of an attraction and return to stand in the queue at that time.

Additionally, as part of our ongoing commitment to provide guests with a range of options to optimize trip planning, guests can choose to purchase Disney Premier Access on the Disneyland Paris App when it launches this Summer. This optional digital service allows guests to enjoy the ability to skip the regular queue line for some of our most beloved attractions, including a mix of thrill-rides, Disney classics and experiences for the whole family. From anywhere inside the parks, guests can use the App to book an assigned time slot for select attractions, with prices at launch starting at 8€ per person per ride depending on the attraction and day of use. Guests without a smartphone can also purchase Disney Premier Access at select locations in the parks. By choosing Disney Premier Access, guests have the option for more flexibility in planning their day and will be able to spend even more time enjoying attractions, shows and so much more.

As we continue to assess many aspects of our business and make changes where they are needed for both the current environment and the future of our resort, the addition of Standby Pass and Disney Premier Access will provide alternative services for our guests and the previous FASTPASS service at Disneyland Paris will not be returning. We are always working to enhance our offerings and the way that our guests experience them based on valuable feedback for ongoing improvements across the resort.

On the latest additions to the Disneyland Paris App, Juliette Bron, Vice President Digital & Data says:

“We are always looking for ways to improve the guest experience. The return of Standby Pass, the introduction of Disney Premier Access and each new digital enhancement across our parks and hotels is part of our commitment to provide innovative products and services that take into consideration ongoing feedback and not only meet but exceed the expectations of our guests. 

Guests expect seamless experiences more and more, and with technology’s evolution, we have an   opportunity – and a responsibility – to match their expectations.”

These new services are just one part of a more dynamic, seamless guest experience designed to accommodate guests’ changing preferences and advancements in technology.

Enhanced Storytelling Through Digital Innovation

At Disneyland Paris, technology is ever-present in our most beloved attractions thanks to our Imagineers – a term coined by Walt Disney himself – who embody the innovation of Disney Parks, mastering emerging technologies to deliver immersive storytelling time and time again. Imagineers create the attractions of tomorrow using the latest in virtual reality and 4D design.

It’s no surprise that our latest attractions uphold this legacy. In Cars ROAD TRIP, guests are invited on an adventure into the world of Pixar’s Cars films along the idyllic Route 66, integrating GPS-triggered audio and visuals for seamless storytelling. This immersive approach follows in the footsteps of other tech-savvy rides, such as Ratatouille – The Adventure with its wireless autonomous vehicles, moving-eye point technology and customized projections, or Star Tours: The Adventures Continue with its built-in jukebox functionality for a ride experience that is unique to each guest.

Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel is a great example of how new technologies can help Imagineers create the experiences of tomorrow. Long before construction began, several spaces were virtually remodeled at scale, allowing the creative teams to see and test what guests would experience in order to fine tune every detail. This was the case for Skyline Bar, which offers a breathtaking view from a New York City skyscraper for a surreal look at the city that never sleeps, without the dizzying effects! Imagineers collaborated with Marvel partners to deliver more than 1.2 million frames of 4K resolution imagery on the nine, 86-inch monitors that create a seamless day-to-night view.

David Wilson, Vice President, Walt Disney Imagineering says:

“We are moving forward with a number of groundbreaking projects that will push the boundaries of innovation and storytelling even further. As we continue efforts to reinvent the overall guest experience, we are developing increasingly interconnected experiences for our guests which bring together the digital and physical worlds in a seamless way, creating new opportunities for immersive storytelling.”

Seamless Digital Experience for Cast Members

The resort continues to enhance the Cast Member experience from the very start with immersive training that brings together hands-on learning with engaging new digital tools. For example, Cast Members  working at Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel learned all about the Marvel Universe and how it fits into this exciting new hotel experience by interacting with a virtual guide that responds to verbal and visual cues to guide them through a fun series of challenges. By working together, Cast learn everything there is to know about this one-of-a-kind hotel and how best to accompany guests throughout their entire stay for an unforgettable visit.