Fast Pass is no more

 OK, so there hasn't been Fast Pass for quite some time; but now it's definitely not coming back - or not until enough people complain I guess.

Disney executives in their infinite wisdom have decided that it's OK to charge money for something which was previously free.  Now, I do appreciate that they are running a business and one which has suffered considerably during the pandemic; but I do feel strongly that they are not considering those people for whom a trip to Disney is a rare luxury.

Since our planned trip in May 2020, Disney have made the following changes:

• Announced the discontinuation of the Disney Magical Express  - to be fair, this will not affect us because we always rent a car; but it was a key, free way for many people to get from the airport to the parks.  
• Stopped giving guests a free magic band.  We had ours picked out and personalised.  Now we will need to pay if we want them - an extra $80 or more depending upon which we pick.
• Events have become more expensive and run for less time - Boo Bash instead of MNSSHP now costs considerably more.  Granted, our original trip was in May; but our first reschedule was in October 2020 - doing the same this year would cost us around $200 more
• And now, Genie +, costing us over $500 more for a two-week trip, not to mention the Individual Attraction access tickets which are as yet un-priced; but you know they're going to be a material difference, even if we're not travelling at a peak time.  

Those are the key ones, there are others but these will affect us most.  This is at a time when Magic Kingdom is to begin celebrating 50 years - a guaranteed time of maximum capacity even at times when normally it isn't.  

Who suffers the most?  Not the executives, that's for sure.  It's the people like us who can only afford to visit once every decade.  It's the Cast Members who will get increased verbal abuse from frustrated visitors.   

The name of Disney used to be synonymous with excellent customer service, entertainment and always putting the needs of the visitors first.  It appears that is no longer the case.  We will come one more time because we've been planning it for over two years.  But sadly, I do not think we will be able to return.  Not even our "local" park in Paris will be affordable.  

Sad times. :(