BIG change to FP+ today

[AmyB2006]

The only reason for the change was to make it "work better" for Disney. Can't fault em' for trying. They are a business and have a responsibility to their shareholders to turn as big a profit as possible.

The FP+ rollout is not some magnanimous attempt to level the playing field.

Why can't it be both? LOL Of course making money is there main goal. I'll agree with that, but why can't some people see that making the experience more enjoyable for a larger crowd can also be one of their attempts?

 

[clsteve]

Why can't it be both? LOL Of course making money is there main goal. I'll agree with that, but why can't some people see that making the experience more enjoyable for a larger crowd can also be one of their attempts?

For one, they do think it will be better for a larger crowd, at least on the surface. Remember, the vast majority of Disney guests visit once or twice in a lifetime. Think back to how overwhelming WDW is to first timers. Now, they've given a little "park touring control" to these folks- most of whom have no idea Captain EO and Figment aren't deserving of an FP time. All they now know is they've been able, 60 days in advance, to gain a little structure.

We here, are the exception to the huge Disney Demographic of Guests- a very vocal one, of course. What it glaringly points out to us, FP+ lover or hater, is the glaring lack of headliners at some of the Parks. Hopefully that's an incentive for them to change that down the road...

 

[AmyB2006]

For one, they do think it will be better for a larger crowd, at least on the surface. Remember, the vast majority of Disney guests visit once or twice in a lifetime. Think back to how overwhelming WDW is to first timers. Now, they've given a little "park touring control" to these folks- most of whom have no idea Captain EO and Figment aren't deserving of an FP time. All they now know is they've been able, 60 days in advance, to gain a little structure.

We here, are the exception to the huge Disney Demographic of Guests- a very vocal one, of course. What it glaringly points out to us, FP+ lover or hater, is the glaring lack of headliners at some of the Parks. Hopefully that's an incentive for them to change that down the road...

ITA with you, but some don't. See Jennassis post.

As to the last part, I do hope that changes as well soon. I know Avatarland is coming and such, but I wish it didn't take eons for Disney to produce attractions.

 

[jade1]

Would you be ok with paying the same price for admission it this happened?

Yes, that's why I said it-should have been more clear sorry.

We have DVC and Annual Passes, but its really not about the money.

With our touring method of XMAS week and/or Easter week, the headliner FP's are gone before we enter a park (our choice) and the headliners are 100 minutes SB.

So most our "trips" have little to do with "Headliners".

If it was our focus-we would do RD and grab FP when we could.

But we don't do that now-because we enjoy relaxing and so many other things WDW, and even the parks themselves have to offer.

So how would it be surprising that we would continue without headliners?

As MH mentioned (correctly)-we could go to a warm climate to golf and fish and get good dining and drinks (I'm not sure cheaper with DVC and AP), but none of those places have EPCOT WS a 5 min walk from our room for the evening.

Dining/drinks/Illuminations and wondering WS alone will bring us back. Same with MK's parade and Wishes and Main Street. Where else can that be compared?

Now throw in a headliner or 2 a day with no wait/wondering/rushing? Heck yea we will take it, and it will improve our trips-but waiting 100 minutes will degrade our trips.

 

[wisblue]

Of course Disney wants to make more money by steering its customers to staying onsite. They've done it before, and quite successfully, with Magical Express and the Dining Plan. However, unlike FP+, both ME and the DDP (in its early iteration), were beneficial to both Disney and their guests. FP+ is something that Disney came up with to maximize their profits, and now they're trying to spin it to make it sound like something that's benefical to guests, too. But, it's not.

This is where people have to open their minds and look at all of the people who visit WDW and not just look at how it affects themselves and their specific touring style (combined with a lot of knowledge on how to efficiently tour WDW).

FP+ will help a lot of guests, especially first time and infrequent visitors.

 

[robpa]

Yes, that's why I said it-should have been more clear sorry.

We have DVC and Annual Passes, but its really not about the money.

With our touring method of XMAS week and/or Easter week, the headliner FP's are gone before we enter a park (our choice) and the headliners are 100 minutes SB.

So most our "trips" have little to do with "Headliners".

If it was our focus-we would do RD and grab FP when we could.

But we don't do that now-because we enjoy relaxing and so many other things WDW, and even the parks themselves have to offer.

So how would it be surprising that we would continue without headliners?

As MH mentioned (correctly)-we could go to a warm climate to golf and fish and get good dining and drinks (I'm not sure cheaper with DVC and AP), but none of those places have EPCOT WS a 5 min walk from our room for the evening.

Dining/drinks/Illuminations and wondering WS alone will bring us back. Same with MK's parade and Wishes and Main Street. Where else can that be compared?

Now throw in a headliner or 2 a day with no wait/wondering/rushing? Heck yea we will take it, and it will improve our trips-but waiting 100 minutes will degrade our trips.

I bet Disney wishes it could clone a couple million of you Your income must be a heck of a lot more than mine to not care about money like that. More power to you.

 

[clsteve]

ITA with you, but some don't. See Jennassis post.

As to the last part, I do hope that changes as well soon. I know Avatarland is coming and such, but I wish it didn't take eons for Disney to produce attractions.

Couldn't agree more- especially frustrating when Potter 2.0 looks like it's going to come close to being open before all of the new Fantasyland (we're talking trains, here....) is completed.

And some love thrown to EPCOT would be nice- at least an announcement or 2 about plans for empty buildings, a new Country in WS, just something.

Purchasing, LucasFilms (and Marvel) is incredibly exciting, but DisneyCo is now playing catchup to a smaller but more nimble competitor who is not afraid to put long term plans out there for public consumption.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

This is where people have to open their minds and look at all of the people who visit WDW and not just look at how it affects themselves and their specific touring style (combined with a lot of knowledge on how to efficiently tour WDW).

FP+ will help a lot of guests, especially first time and infrequent visitors.

That is true. I tend to think only of the families I know, who ask all the Disney experts among their friends for advice. But like everyone else, I've been asked to explain FP- to strangers at the parks who want to know how it works, or how much it costs.

To be perfectly honest, I think I just liked a system that rewarded hard work, research, and waking up early.

 

[jade1]

I bet Disney wishes it could clone a couple million of you Your income must be a heck of a lot more than mine to not care about money like that. More power to you.

Not following you-what money am I wasting?

 

[Jennasis]

This is where people have to open their minds and look at all of the people who visit WDW and not just look at how it affects themselves and their specific touring style (combined with a lot of knowledge on how to efficiently tour WDW).

FP+ will help a lot of guests, especially first time and infrequent visitors.

Aww, that's kind of adorable . Thinking about others. But the truth is that I don't give a hoot about great it is for other people if it isn't great for me. I may be a bleeding heart liberal but i have no desire for a socialist vacation. That said, I will simply bide my time...laying in wait for my trip next year. When the roll out has happened to the full extent, and then unlike the casual once-in-a-lifetime visitor, I will stalk these boards for all the insider tips and tricks to take full advantage or the new system. I will figure out which headliners must be FP+ and set the alarm for 11:59pm for my 60 day window to snap up all the very best FP+ reservations from the less fortunate non-planners (which is exactly the same as showing up at Rope Drop IMO).

This doesn't change or level the playing field. It simply moves the field from 9:00am at rope drop to 12:00am 60 days out.

 

[robpa]

Not following you-what money am I wasting?

You said it not about money, so maybe not wasting money, just don't care about it.

 

[jade1]

You said it not about money, so maybe not wasting money, just don't care about it.

OK so you don't have as much money as me, what do I do that makes you think it would be wasteful for you?

 

[magicbob]

Soooo, is writing in pink font with sugary sweet words a way to make fun of someone like myself?

Not sure why you'd laugh at someone who was just trying to converse and trying to see a bright side to some changes that may or may not be good, but as long as I know I'm being laughed at, I can live with it.

I'm not making fun of anyone. Some members have given me the impression that using pink better expresses a positive message, so I thought I would give it a try since people seem to think that my posts critical of FP+ indicate that I'm a negative person with no joy in my life.

You got Captain EO didn't you

I just threw up a little in my mouth again.

 

[robpa]

OK so you don't have as much money as me, what do I do that makes you think it would be wasteful for you?

When someone says its not about the money that tells me they don't care how they spend it or what they spend it on. I never said that it is wasteful. If you feel you get value from the way you tour then it is not wasteful. Don't get me wrong I make decent money but not enough to not care about how or what I spend it on. So to me touring that way would be wasteful.

You enjoy going to the parks to walk around and enjoy the atmosphere, theming , restaurants and so on. That's great, but it is also the reason Disney feels no reason to expand their parks. Why spend when people will still come regardless. I know Avatarland is coming but it still pretty far out on the horizon.

I'm just playing devil's advocate here trying to get a feel for how others feel about this.

 

[FireWife70]

OK so you don't have as much money as me, what do I do that makes you think it would be wasteful for you?

You said it not about money, so maybe not wasting money, just don't care about it.

This ^

I think people have different reasons for visiting Disney, and while some people consider it a "waste" or "not caring" if they don't hit all the headline rides a least once (if not more), others don't see their trip as a #FAIL just because they don't ride all the big rides.

It's not so much one person not caring about the money, they just look at their money being spent differently ... so for some people their Disney-cation is a complete success if they got to spend some time in the warmer climate, maybe golf or fish, enjoy their resorts, and wander around Epcot World Showcase or down Main Street. Maybe they even want to meet characters .. and shop ... and see the fireworks!


Some pepole don't care if they don't ride Soarin & Test Track & all the Mtns & Toy Story Mania & Tower of Terror ... it just doesn't make or break their vacation, regardless of what they spent.

It kind of cracks me up that so many people on these boards are SO focused on such a small percentage of what's available to do at WDW. There are what ... 12 or so "headliner" rides?

Compared to all the other rides, and the shows, and the experiences, and the general ambiance, and the characters, and just relaxing ... I don't understand why people can't accept that SOME people just don't live & die to ride those rides!

I have no problem with the fact that lots of people focus on those big rides, but you have to take a step back and realize that not EVERYONE does.

 

[mom2rtk]

Aww, that's kind of adorable . Thinking about others. But the truth is that I don't give a hoot about great it is for other people if it isn't great for me.

Took the words right out of my mouth.

This is a self-funded vacation. Not life-saving heart surgery.

 

[wisblue]

Aww, that's kind of adorable . Thinking about others. But the truth is that I don't give a hoot about great it is for other people if it isn't great for me. I may be a bleeding heart liberal but i have no desire for a socialist vacation. That said, I will simply bide my time...laying in wait for my trip next year. When the roll out has happened to the full extent, and then unlike the casual once-in-a-lifetime visitor, I will stalk these boards for all the insider tips and tricks to take full advantage or the new system. I will figure out which headliners must be FP+ and set the alarm for 11:59pm for my 60 day window to snap up all the very best FP+ reservations from the less fortunate non-planners (which is exactly the same as showing up at Rope Drop IMO).

This doesn't change or level the playing field. It simply moves the field from 9:00am at rope drop to 12:00am 60 days out.

Taking my comment away from the context of the post I was responding to really distorts the meaning. That post said that FP+ is not helping guests and that it, therefore, is essentially just a money grab for Disney.

I expect people to react to a change made by a business based on how it affects them personally, but that doesn't mean it's a bad move for the company, which has to consider ALL of its customers.

If you want to say "I don't like this move because it adversely affects me", that's fine. But, when you say "this is a bad move by the company because it adversely affects me", that is, in my opinion, narrow minded thinking.

I think it would be great if Disney gave all DVC members free admission to theme parks with unlimited FP+. But that doesn't mean I think it would be a smart business move for them.

 

[wisblue]

Took the words right out of my mouth.

This is a self-funded vacation. Not life-saving heart surgery.

See my comment above.

Maybe I should present it this way.

Which of these statements would you most agree with:

1. Disney management should make decisions and set policies based on what best suits me, or

2. Disney management has a responsibility to the company shareholders to maximize the company's profits and, therefore, it should make decisions and set policies by considering what is best for all of its customers.

 

[jade1]

This ^

I think people have different reasons for visiting Disney, and while some people consider it a "waste" or "not caring" if they don't hit all the headline rides a least once (if not more), others don't see their trip as a #FAIL just because they don't ride all the big rides.

It's not so much one person not caring about the money, they just look at their money being spent differently ... so for some people their Disney-cation is a complete success if they got to spend some time in the warmer climate, maybe golf or fish, enjoy their resorts, and wander around Epcot World Showcase or down Main Street. Maybe they even want to meet characters .. and shop ... and see the fireworks!


Some pepole don't care if they don't ride Soarin & Test Track & all the Mtns & Toy Story Mania & Tower of Terror ... it just doesn't make or break their vacation, regardless of what they spent.

It kind of cracks me up that so many people on these boards are SO focused on such a small percentage of what's available to do at WDW. There are what ... 12 or so "headliner" rides?

Compared to all the other rides, and the shows, and the experiences, and the general ambiance, and the characters, and just relaxing ... I don't understand why people can't accept that SOME people just don't live & die to ride those rides!

I have no problem with the fact that lots of people focus on those big rides, but you have to take a step back and realize that not EVERYONE does.

Geez I go grab a snack and my response is typed for me.

Nice to see somebody else gets it.

 

[disney1990]

So you are only allowed to choose FP+ from one park per day. Is Disney trying to kill park hopping too?