Are all Disney resort perks fair?

[itchin2go]

30 day bookings work just like 60 days. You book at the start of your trip, 30 or 60 days out. We booked for our 6/13-6/21 trip on 4/13 for the entire stay. It would work the same way if it were 30 days. We would've booked our entire stay starting 5/13.

Found this from mesaboy2's awesome FP thread:
"All other guests can prebook FP+ attractions no more than 30 days in advance, for the number of days on their linked ticket in MDX, and can use either the MDX website or app to do so. Unlike onsite guests, it is not possible to book beyond the 30-day mark."

Can someone who has booked at 30 days weigh in here? I sadly have no experience with it because we booked a throwaway room last trip. I'm considering NOT doing that for next trip, so I would really like to hear experiences. Is it 30 days out, one day at a time, or can you book for the length of your tix?

 

[mom2rtk]

Found this from mesaboy2's awesome FP thread:
"All other guests can prebook FP+ attractions no more than 30 days in advance, for the number of days on their linked ticket in MDX, and can use either the MDX website or app to do so. Unlike onsite guests, it is not possible to book beyond the 30-day mark."

Can someone who has booked at 30 days weigh in here? I sadly have no experience with it because we booked a throwaway room last trip. Considering NOT doing that for next trip, so I would really like to hear experiences. Is it 30 days out, one day at a time, or can you book for the length of your tix?

That's what I've always heard and believed it to be. I've been watching here to see if that turns out to be the case. I seem to recall posters commenting about staying up until midnight many nights in a row.

 

[mikana876]

I think the ultimate answer is: Yes, it's fair.

Because: We all have the same choice to make. Some of us choose on site, knowing full well that we are paying MORE money in exchange for the extra perks. Those who choose off site decide that those extra perks aren't worth the extra money.

In the end, we all have the same choice.

 

[Luckybee]

1) Wishes is no longer difficult to obtain at 30 ( it used to near impossible at 60 as well) but since parades and wishes were never available before fp+, this really isn't a great loss nor something one can say- wow, it used be we could get this. No, you could never get it and now you have a chance. Take a look at the 30 day availability for Wishes. My guess is you say Saturday is the day you want a fp+ for that. What's odd is that this Sat and next are absolutely the only 2 days sold out for the entire month. It's amazing that 30 days ago this coming Saturday was not open.
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2) Yours may be the only case I've ever read where Space was not available 30 days out. I'm not sure when you went or what was going on, but that just never happens. The Dibb doesn't even give fp+ availability for it as they only include the hard to get rides.

Many people report being able to make changes very close to their arrival. You seem to have had more trouble than others. Perhaps it was busy time, but I'm thinking it's probably a case of you not wanting to make any changes in your plans to work with what was available. And that's fine, it's up to each of us to decide what's most important on our trips.

So out of your list- A&E is one that I'm not at all surprised you didn't see available- but in all of WDW that's 1 ride. Just one that people are finding some trouble getting. And that is just the downside to choosing to stay off site.

When you choose off site, you choose 30 day availability. With that comes the need to be more flexible in your plans about when you will visit a park and what time you get for rides. If you aren't willing to be flexible, then you will have more difficulty in obtaining what you want. Choices- it's all about choices.

I thought I had read you choose to book a room on site for 1 day in order to get a jump on other off site guests for fp+? Why would you be looking at 30 day availability anyway?

Yes, it's a very dead horse.

I was looking at 30 day availability because we've made a number of changes due to on again off again friends coming/not coming and having to change adr's etc. Actually we were booked onsite with friends at the Poly but when they backed out we moved to offsite since we were only staying onsite because of them, and since this wasn't going to be a Disney trip per se I wasnt too concerned about fp's...then we decided to still do some of the park ...Not that I have to explain .
Anyway...we were not looking for A&E or many of the other things listed. The first column were those things that I saw when I went back on at day 29 to make some changes. The items I listed were all "fast pass distribution has ended" or whatever that terminology was. Later some were available. I really could care less whether you think it is odd or not. You always seem to find it odd whenever someone posts the difficulty they have with fp's so im not surprised you found it odd.

 

[cakebaker]

I really could care less whether you think it is odd or not. You always seem to find it odd whenever someone posts the difficulty they have with fp's so im not surprised you found it odd.

No need to be rude about it. It's strange that last month Wishes was booked up at 30 days and this month almost the entire month is open- when June is a much busier time. I don't think one is biased because they hold that opinion. Anyway, you seem to be getting upset so perhaps we should end our discussion. Good luck on your trip.

 

[cakebaker]

Found this from mesaboy2's awesome FP thread:
"All other guests can prebook FP+ attractions no more than 30 days in advance, for the number of days on their linked ticket in MDX, and can use either the MDX website or app to do so. Unlike onsite guests, it is not possible to book beyond the 30-day mark."

Can someone who has booked at 30 days weigh in here? I sadly have no experience with it because we booked a throwaway room last trip. I'm considering NOT doing that for next trip, so I would really like to hear experiences. Is it 30 days out, one day at a time, or can you book for the length of your tix?

I don't either. I thought 30 days booked their entire trip at the beginning of the 30 days for the length of their tickets. I'd love to hear from someone who actually books at the 30 day mark.

 

[Planogirl]

I don't either. I thought 30 days booked their entire trip at the beginning of the 30 days for the length of their tickets. I'd love to hear from someone who actually books at the 30 day mark.

We booked our trip one day at a time. We could not book the whole trip but only each day as we reached the 30 day mark. On your calendar, June 3rd is not available so we would have had to check tomorrow morning for June 4.

 

[mom2rtk]

We booked our trip one day at a time. We could not book the whole trip but only each day as we reached the 30 day mark. On your calendar, June 3rd is not available so we would have had to check tomorrow morning for June 4.

Thanks for replying on this. I was pretty sure that's how it was.

 

[itchin2go]

It's strange that last month Wishes was booked up at 30 days and this month almost the entire month is open- when June is a much busier time.

Again, I only see one day "this month" when it's available.

Scratch that - just checked the Dibb website and nothing is showing available May - June 3.

 

[LetsTalkWDW]

I have to say this is something that I appreciate about Disney and prt of what has us skipping US for the first time in 10 trips(LA and Orlando) is that while there is on site perks I don't think they go so far as to not be worthwhile visiting without them, once you arrive at the park you are not second class like you at at US

You can always upgrade to first class for $60 (Universal Express Unlimited Pass), don't need to stay on-site for that. Pay more, get more.

 

[cakebaker]

We booked our trip one day at a time. We could not book the whole trip but only each day as we reached the 30 day mark. On your calendar, June 3rd is not available so we would have had to check tomorrow morning for June 4.

Thanks! I never knew that's how it worked. Off site has to book on a rolling 30 days...wow. Big difference than what I thought it was.

 

[cakebaker]

Again, I only see one day "this month" when it's available.

I seem to be having trouble making myself understood. I'm sure the fault lies with me. But since apparently off site can only book on a rolling 30, the point is moot anyway.

 

[Planogirl]

You can always upgrade to first class for $60 (Universal Express Unlimited Pass), don't need to stay on-site for that. Pay more, get more.

I like that we can go to Uni without Express and then purchase them if we need them. So far we've never needed them but it's good to have that backup.

 

[itchin2go]

I like that we can go to Uni without Express and then purchase them if we need them. So far we've never needed them but it's good to have that backup.

We booked a throwaway room at Universal last year because it was cheaper than 3 express passes. So with the "throwaway", we got unlimited express passes and early entry. I actually don't think we needed the express passes, and early entry was a bust because Gringott's "broke" while my family was in line. But depending on your party size and how long you're planning on being there, booking a throwaway at Universal can be a pretty sound strategy.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

The parties are getting more crowded because of demand, but shouldn't Disney cut off attendance at some point so the value of the party stops decreasing? At the same time they keep raising prices. I might be reading your comment wrong, but I don't think this is because Disney is so kind they don't want to say no to anyone.

Ditto for the parks when they are too crowded.

They're doing the EXACT opposite...

Instead of limiting capacity to preserve value...they're laying concrete and turf grass to accomodate more.

You know...under horrid Michael eisner's leadership... They built
Things (not always wisely or perfectly...not by a longshot) to attempt to saturate the property and provide enough things so that the stays would increase. Not everyone would go to PI or boardwalk...but the goal was to spread the net to capture as many fish as
Possible.

The problem is...primarily with Americans...that nobody is allowed time off. How can you leave your desk when you can respond to emails for 10+
Hours a day and have the same conversations with you're coworkers? (Never about money...of course...that's "not what this company is about")...
So the wall was hit and the strategy was shifted.

I never really disagreed with a "recentered" philosophy.

Now we've almost gone "hard to port" and we're off keel again. They're almost contracting the offerings...circling the wagons around stale offerings...

That isn't right either. Perhaps people will not come for more than a sat-sat trip...but perhaps the frequency will increase? That is/was the success of the 90's approach and DVC.

Now...we know the "1st time magicals" buy the junk... So they are going only after them....

But knowing somewhat how the Disney corporate mind thinks...I think they expect to be knocked off this 10 year tact...they're just running with it.
They're probably laughing at all of us...they aren't buying this "the guests are finding more value" nonsense...because they of all people know how hard it is to keep an attention span. And they know the amount of 1st timers who can afford the place is NOT unlimited. Contrary to the "not in the real world" economic analyses we see here alot.

I think they're all sipping wine in the 33 club in anaheim and laughing at us all...because they're almost conducting an Orwellian price experiment in a vacuum.

What hasn't/doesn't get nearly enough play is the ride tiering In the parks...that is 100% a flat out admission that they don't have enough to accomodate their crowds freely. And if they said "were working on it..." And had plans going forward in those parks... I'd give leeway. But they have not done that...no fires
Lit at all...and these are the two parks that have shown significant closures and decay...really going back along time. There's just no excuse (the bait is in the trap...go for it )

I think they're laughing at everyone. And when it hits the fan - the next plan is rolled out. Because they already probably expected to have used it right now...the consumers
Should have forced it by now.

 

[verleniahall]

I don't either. I thought 30 days booked their entire trip at the beginning of the 30 days for the length of their tickets. I'd love to hear from someone who actually books at the 30 day mark.

I had to do this last year - it was 30 days out from each day. From what I understand, the same thing applies to the dining reservations. 180 days out each day.

 

[7KLucky]

I understand your feelings. We are a family of 7 and staying at Disney increases our cost incredibly. We have stayed on and off property but we prefer the "perks" we get for staying on and so we pay the price. Its the same at Universal too. I understand why the parks do it and why it is deemed "fair."

#feelingyourpaininTexas

 

[whiporee]

RE: Not enough rides at places they tier

The problem is that Epcot, DHS and Ak were never meant to be ride-centric parks. Epcot was meant to be a place where you strolled around for a leisurely day or two, saw some exhibits and maybe gained some cultural insight. I was there when it opened, and we high school Orlandoans made fun of the fact that it was what it was. The vision may have been wrong, but that was the vision.

Same thing with DHS and AK. Ak was supposed to be a big, slightly interactive zoo. DHS was supposed to be a bigger version of Universal Studios CA, with lot tours and shows and one major ride/attraction. Maybe two. They weren't supposed to be amusement parks, they were supposed to be theme parks. You'd go, you'd see a show or three, you'd spend a day enjoying and taking in the atmosphere.

But the MK whetted everyone's expectation for RIDES. They want roller coasters and they want/expect it to be an amusement park, just better. The parks weren't designed that way, they weren't built that way, so there aren't a lot of rides to be had. They've had to cram the ones they have in. But with just a few rides (which is what people want, but not what the parks were supposed to be) people clamor for them. I mean, really, a two-hour wait for TSMM? it's not because its' a great ride, it's because it's one of the only rides there. Soarin' is cool, but its reputation is greatly enhanced by the lack of other options at Epcot. So the rides at Epcot and DHS have to be tiered, because there just aren't enough FPs to satisfy the amount of people who come there expecting rides. Those parks weren't designed with rides in mind, so they have a choice -- tiered FPs or no FPs. I'd have rather they go with the latter, but that's just me.

And while the easy solution is add more rides to those parks, in Disney's mentality, rides have to be planned and footprinted and be intregal to the overall fit of the park -- you can't just cordon off an area and plop a roller coaster down no matter how much people might like the idea. It's jut not the way they do things.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Sorry...I use "rides" as a generic term.

I think "attractions" is corny...it should be "offerings"

When they promote a system to "streamline" the days by eliminating waits...to suggest
You have to "pick one" between toy story, tower, rockin roller coaster, and fantasmic is just simply embarassing.

That is the definition of trying to have it both ways.

I know they want me in the giftshop and they're not interesting in providing more value to my tickets...they could be slightly subtle about it.

 

[mom2rtk]

Sorry...I use "rides" as a generic term.

I think "attractions" is corny...it should be "offerings"

When they promote a system to "streamline" the days by eliminating waits...to suggest
You have to "pick one" between toy story, tower, rockin roller coaster, and fantasmic is just simply embarassing.

That is the definition of trying to have it both ways.

I know they want me in the giftshop and they're not interesting in providing more value to my tickets...they could be slightly subtle about it.

Epcot....... one big shopping center with a really high cover charge.