Can WDW copy Universal's Express for Hotels?

[Laz]

I didn't know where else to put this, so here it is in the Community.

Having just got back from 3 days at Universal (stayed at HRH), I must admit I was VERY impressed with the ability to get FOTL access to all the rides all the time. WHAT A PERK! We didn't get to hot, we didn't try to kill each other in line, we never felt rushed, and we didn't feel like we were missing something by going back to the hotel pool in the afternoon. Overall, I felt I got REAL VALUE by spending the money by staying onsite! It is the same feeling of value I get from an E Night at MK.

The question I pose to my DIS friends is if WDW can do anything like that. I do like Fast Pass, but on some rides I feel rushed to get one before they sell out. I brainstormed that maybe you could rotate onsite hotels with different parks. For Example, All Stars would have FOTL for all rides all day at the MK on Mondays, MGM on Tuesday, etc. What do others think? Is anything possible?

 

[Beechparty]

I sure would love to see it. We also did the HRH stay and loved it, except for the cold looks from people watching us go to the front of the line. Really worth the money. Also, the hotel and staff were GReat!!!!

 

[Saffron]

I don't know if it would be possible, but it would be great!

 

[CarolA]

Personally I don't like it. I think if you look at the VOLUME of hotel rooms Disney has it will be just a nightmare! Universal has dramatically fewer rooms.

I can see them giving you a free fast pass or so when you check in. They do this in DL.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

I actually asked this once when someone from WDW called me. He said(probably an answer from a page he was reading ) that WDW had way more guests and resorts than Universal. I wish they could and rotating the resorts might work. I also suggested a free fastpast per guest per day, and he still said way too many guests.

 

[SoonerKate]

Maybe if WDW did it with just the Deluxe Resorts, or even just the monorail resorts, it would be possible.

Otherwise, I think there are way too many rooms and way too many guests on property to make this worthwhile.

 

[TIdoublegaER]

While I think this would be an awesome perk, I don't think there is a feasible way Disney could pull it off without alienating a certain segment of their guests.

If it were offered to Deluxe resorts only, would that include DVC since 3 of the DVC resorts are connected to Deluxe hotels? If it were only offered on the monorail, how would that affect bookings at BC/YC, AKL and WL and what would that do to the price of the rooms at CR, Poly and GF? Would guests staying at the moderates or value resorts feel slighted because they couldn't "afford" this perk by staying in a deluxe?

Universal has 2 fewer theme parks than Disney and 2-3 hotels (HRH, Portofino Bay, and I think there is one more, but can't think of the name). Disney has 7 Deluxes (counting YC/BC as one), 4 DVC resorts (5th to open next spring), 3 moderates, and the All-Stars alone have 5,000+ rooms and so will Pop Century when it is completely open. Plus, there's Fort Wilderness, Swan/Dolphin and the downtown Disney hotels. If we went with the Deluxe scenario alone, that would still be 4-5 more resorts than Universal - granted there are 2 extra parks at Disney, but combine FOTL with EE, and what a nightmare!

I don't see logistically how it could work and I'm sure if Disney could find a way they would. They want as many people onsite as possible to fill up rooms. If they offered this only to a select segment of guests or through special packages, I think a lot more people would save money and stay off site rather than at the values or moderates.

 

[4greatboys]

Maybe a good idea would be to have Fastpass implemented on certain passes like UPH, AP and PAP. Or give the guest opportunity to purchase a Fastpass ticket per park, per day.

 

[TIdoublegaER]

I think if they sold a limited number of special FOTL tickets (like e-ride night tixs) for each park per day, that is something that could work. BUT, I think it would need to be sold similar to the way e-ride tickets are sold so that all onsite guest would be eligible to purchase. I told DH that when the time comes when we want to head over to Universal, we should stay at one of those hotels just so we could get FOTL. He doesn't like that ideas since we own DVC and doesn't want to pay for a hotel room!

 

[FindingNemo]

Why not have the theme parks stay open during certain times a couple hours later than ususal for resort guests only? To access a attraction you must show a valid room key for each guest in your party. Kinda like a E-night for those willing to shell out the extra dough to stay on Disney property. Disney could also only have select attractions open.

Granted Disney could not do this year round but I'm sure it would boost attendance during the busy seasons like now or during Holidays when Disney could find it feasible to have their parks open longer for more guests.

This Universal Express system is the main reason why I stay at Universal/Loews hotels, well that and the fact that they are a great bargain for such beautiful accomidations. I just returned from an exclusive Universal vacation, no way would I fathom a trip to WDW at this time of year. The crowds, heat and long lines would ruin the vacation for me.

 

[4greatboys]

Originally posted by TIdoublegaER
I think if they sold a limited number of special FOTL tickets (like e-ride night tixs) for each park per day, that is something that could work. BUT, I think it would need to be sold similar to the way e-ride tickets are sold so that all onsite guest would be eligible to purchase. I told DH that when the time comes when we want to head over to Universal, we should stay at one of those hotels just so we could get FOTL. He doesn't like that ideas since we own DVC and doesn't want to pay for a hotel room!

We are DVC too and dh doesnt want to pay to stay at Universal unforunately for him his wife makes all the arrangements . There is no way Im not staying on site when doing Univerisal. This time we are trying HRH. Got a great entertainment rate for a deluxe room--2 queens and a sleeper sofa. They do have some great rates out, even if you stay only 1 night. Check in is at 4 but you can get your room key anytime--so head to the park of you choice spend the night, check out next am and still can use your room key all day.

 

[Planogirl]

I wonder why Disney doesn't do something like this at Disneyland. They have much fewer resorts and parks to worry about there so why not give something like this a try?

 

[TIdoublegaER]

4greatboys - unforunately, I think my DH is a bigger Disney freak than I am - if that's possible! He has compulsively planned out all of our trips for the next 39 years. However, I have my ways of gettting what I want!

I have been to US/IOA, but DH and the girls haven't. I loved IOA, but I think we will wait a few more years before heading over there. 6 yo DD isn't quite tall enough to ride most of those rides yet and she would be upset if she couldn't ride (she is my adrenline junkie). My 11 yo is a little apprehensive of the bigger thrill rides.

Planogirl - This could definitely work at DL. With so few onsite hotels and 2 parks, this is setup more like US/IOA. I'm not sure why Disney isn't doing that there. From what some of the attendance reports have been, you'd think they would be doing something to boost it.