Are all Disney resort perks fair?

[ArwenMarie]

Disney is walking a fine line. They need offsite guests to help them fill the parks. They have to be careful not to tick off a huge part of their customer base.

And lots of hotels offer perks AT their hotels. This is a little different since we're talking about offering perks in the parks for staying in a hotel. I know US does it, but the sheer quantity of rooms involved makes that an entirely different matter at WDW.

I think Universal's Express Pass is going to be overhauled at some point. Cabana Bay didn't have Express Pass and the next hotel they are building won't either. That's going to start putting those hotels at a booking and pricing disadvantage.

On crowded days, Universal is absolutely miserable without Express Passes. I think the Unlimited Express Pass system could start to push the limit of alienating offsite customers (who Universal really needs, even moreso than WDW). Then there is the whole Harry Potter thing...think of all the people they could "lock in" there.

I think in five years or so, there will be some sort of overhaul of the Express Pass system there, at least the Unlimited version that is linked to the Deluxe hotels there now. I'm sure they are watching WDW very closely on this.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Most hotel operators don't also own a theme park (much less four theme parks). Disney wants you to pay them for both. Not just for the park.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Although, Magic Bands HAVE "unblurred" the lines a bit. If you see someone wearing a band, there's a good chance they're a resort guest.

or an annual passholder. Or someone who previously stayed onsite and saved their band. Or an offsiter who purchased a band. That is, if you are into speculating as to why the persons passing you by in the fastpass line were able to do so.

 

[7KLucky]

I specifically book a Disney hotel for the perks. I seriously considered doing two days at a Universal hotel for their perks too but we changed our minds.

 

[Doug M]

Disney has to offer park benefits to their incentives otherwise they would have to lower the prices. Proximity is the biggest non theme park perk offered, the extra 10 days for ADR is nice but being very close to parks is big, free parking is also nice but 15 or 20 bucks doesnt bring them in line with offsite. Like a PP I am also surprised they allow ADR for offsite so far ahead as well. Disney seems to be doing their best to walk the line between incentives for onsite and not aleignating offsite.

 

[itchin2go]

Most hotel operators don't also own a theme park (much less four theme parks). Disney wants you to pay them for both. Not just for the park.

Yeah- I know why they do. Makes perfect sense. I just think the reason it "seems" wrong is because the benefits extend outside of the hotels to a separate but related business.

Again, I get why Disney does it. I would too, if I were them, but also get why it feels funny to some.

 

[Reddog1134]

or an annual passholder. Or someone who previously stayed onsite and saved their band. Or an offsiter who purchased a band. That is, if you are into speculating as to why the persons passing you by in the fastpass line were able to do so.

Good point about the AP holder, but I think a majority of band wearers are going to be either that or resort guests. Of course, I have no idea how well band sales to off-siters are doing but judging by most comments I've read, not many see the point of them if you're offsite.

 

[Pinkos]

I've always stayed offsite. With small kids that went to bed early I wanted separate bedrooms, more space, and my own pool to relax in the evenings when kids slept. Plus more then a few days at the parks was more then enough when they were young. Now they are 6&3.5, and our next trip ( in three days!!) will be onsite!! I'm excited to be immersed in the Disney bubble and go all out Disney for an entire week. Are there perks? For sure. And I'm paying for it! But we came into some extra $$ this year and it's prob our last Florida trip that will be ALL Disney ...my kids are already asking for legoland and my oldest is really into super heroes and starting to get into Harry Potter, so our next trip will def involve some other parks. Onsite suited us better this time around and luckily we could afford it. Next time offsite will work better I think. I think as others have said, it's a personal choice, depending on the vacation u want and the finances at your disposable. No wrong answer. But yes, onsite guests get a few perks. Are they fair? I think so. Offsite guests get the perk of larger space/personal pools/etc. it's all about the vacation you choose/want. No point in complaining if others get extra FP days ... Stay onsite if that's important to you.

 

[itchin2go]

I've always stayed offsite. With small kids that went to bed early I wanted separate bedrooms, more space, and my own pool to relax in the evenings when kids slept. Plus more then a few days at the parks was more then enough when they were young. Now they are 6&3.5, and our next trip ( in three days!!) will be onsite!! I'm excited to be immersed in the Disney bubble and go all out Disney for an entire week. Are there perks? For sure. And I'm paying for it! But we came into some extra $$ this year and it's prob our last Florida trip that will be ALL Disney ...my kids are already asking for legoland and my oldest is really into super heroes and starting to get into Harry Potter, so our next trip will def involve some other parks. Onsite suited us better this time around and luckily we could afford it. Next time offsite will work better I think. I think as others have said, it's a personal choice, depending on the vacation u want and the finances at your disposable. No wrong answer. But yes, onsite guests get a few perks. Are they fair? I think so. Offsite guests get the perk of larger space/personal pools/etc. it's all about the vacation you choose/want. No point in complaining if others get extra FP days ... Stay onsite if that's important to you.

Sounds fun! 3 days? I'm jealous. Where are you staying?

Like you, I see it both ways. As you say, no wrong answer.

 

[Pinkos]

CBR ... My kids are really excited so that is making it all more magical

 

[Pinkos]

And I should also note that when my children were younger it was the offsite perks that made us choose offsite. I think there are perks with both options. It just depends on what perks u want with the vacation u have in mind.

 

[larryz]

Disney is walking a fine line. They need offsite guests to help them fill the parks. They have to be careful not to tick off a huge part of their customer base.

And lots of hotels offer perks AT their hotels. This is a little different since we're talking about offering perks in the parks for staying in a hotel. I know US does it, but the sheer quantity of rooms involved makes that an entirely different matter at WDW.

More fodder for the camp who believe that WDW is one big, inter-related enterprise, not a conglomerate of separate and distinct business units. We all know it is, but at some level, WDW gets managed and integrated.

 

[DVCcurious]

630 replies to this topic? To quote William Shatner on SNL "Get a life people"!

 

[larryz]

630 replies to this topic? To quote William Shatner on SNL "Get a life people"!

And to quote Leonard Nimoy, "I am not Spock." Unless, of course, he is.

 

[Planogirl]

And to quote Leonard Nimoy, "I am not Spock." Unless, of course, he is.

And I'll just yell "Khan!!!" Why? Because it feels right.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

630 replies to this topic? To quote William Shatner on SNL "Get a life people"!

Imagine, people having a discussion on a discussion board. It just blows my mind...

 

[itchin2go]

Imagine, people having a discussion on a discussion board. It just blows my mind...

Every ... single ... day

 

[DVCcurious]

Imagine, people having a discussion on a discussion board. It just blows my mind...

Well a lot of it was bickering about trolling and creating fake usernames and whether it's ok to go through someone's post history and use it against them.

This thread has turned into a middle school mean girl thread. I wouldn't exactly call it "people having a discussion".

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

Well a lot of it was bickering about trolling and creating fake usernames and whether it's ok to go through someone's post history and use it against them.

This thread has turned into a middle school mean girl thread. I wouldn't exactly call it "people having a discussion".

Opinion's and all that...well, you know. No matter the subject matter within the thread, it's obvious a discussion was taking place. Whether it measures up to your standards or not is on you. I promise you there are many, many members of this forum that rub their hands together and salivate at the thought of a "middle school mean girl thread". You can see it quite clearly almost every day.

 

[itchin2go]

Well a lot of it was bickering about trolling and creating fake usernames and whether it's ok to go through someone's post history and use it against them.

This thread has turned into a middle school mean girl thread. I wouldn't exactly call it "people having a discussion".

'Cause reading the thread, ridiculing it and telling people to "get a life" is mature? Welcome to Middle School, my friend.