Did MDE, FP+ and MB changing your spending habits?

[LCoulter]

Did MDE, FP+ free up time so you can spend more? Do you find that you spend time shopping and spending between FP+’s? Does the ease of using the MB make you spend more?

I must admit that it is easier to charge when the MB in right there then having to pull out your card. We didn’t seem to spend time in the stores between FP+’s but instead found attractions with short waits nearby to entertain ourselves.

We just had a trip and we did spend more than usual but we were there to celebrate DD’s birthday so I think that was why we spent more, not because of the new system. We will see what happens on our next trip.

 

[morethananyonex]

It changed our spending habits a little. We didn't spend more, but we did use the band instead of using our credit card directly. We never charged to the KTTW cards in the past. The band was just easy so we figured we might as well use that.

The amount we spent wasn't impacted. We understood that even though the band was right there on our wrist it's still our money we're spending. We were not anymore free with our money than we would be otherwise. If anything, FP+ and being on a stricter touring schedule caused us to spend less than we otherwise would. We had to make an effort to shop this trip.

I will say though, the biggest impact on our lack of spending is the merchandise. We found there was not much incentive to shop around as the stuff is mostly the same at the stores throughout the parks and resorts. Unique merchandise throughout the stores would get more money from my family than tap to pay ever will.

 

[LCoulter]

Unique merchandise throughout the stores would get more money from my family than tap to pay ever will.

Unique merchandise would get us too. I find the shops boring because it's the same old stuff in each one.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Nope, not at all. Food and drinks we just got when we needed them.

Merchandise...something has to really strike me for me to buy it. I buy one mug a trip, so I bought that. I let the kids buy a few things a trip, so no change there.

Our two impulse buys (a balloon and those light up things) didn't accept the band or a credit card! So we had to hunt down cash for those which was kind of ironic.

 

[DividedSky]

Yes.

I would of never set foot back into Disney under the old legacy fp system.

fp+ implementation was the signal that Disney recognized a problem needed to be addressed, so I am set to return for the last 10 days of March.

 

[WillAustin]

Yes. After we got back home, it took a few days before I stopped reaching my hand out to touch the band to the reader to pay for things.

FP+ kept us from renewing our APs though.

 

[ConvenientTruth]

Nope, not at all. Food and drinks we just got when we needed them.

Merchandise...something has to really strike me for me to buy it. I buy one mug a trip, so I bought that. I let the kids buy a few things a trip, so no change there.

Our two impulse buys (a balloon and those light up things) didn't accept the band or a credit card! So we had to hunt down cash for those which was kind of ironic.

Why is that ironic?

 

[shyjade]

We spent more with our MB's last October. I like to blame it on the false sense of security I got when our first night at Pop was comp'd (due to major MB issues - couldn't get into our room until after 10:30pm), so we started the trip with $125 in credit, so I probably let my spending guard down a bit. However, Disney's data clearly reports that guests do spend more with MB's, so who knows?

 

[EMode]

Yes.

I would of never set foot back into Disney under the old legacy fp system.

fp+ implementation was the signal that Disney recognized a problem needed to be addressed, so I am set to return for the last 10 days of March.

That is the first time I've seen someone say that. Enjoy your trip

 

[amylevan]

Nope. We actually didn't use our MB for purchases at all (we use reward points & cash). And we spent no more time browsing shops than we would have.

Our spending habits are pretty predictable: I buy a watch and a sweatshirt every trip, DS/DD get to pick out 1 souvenir each (within reason), and DH wants nothing.

 

[saskdw]

No, we spent the same. Pulling the KTTW card out of my pocket took 2 secs, so having a MB didn't change anything as far as spending.

 

[JimmyV]

No. My rule is: Breakfast, groceries, lunch, snacks and any souvenier under $20 is paid for in cash. Hotel bill, dinners and larger purchases go on a credit card which is paid off within a week of returning. If we can't swing this, we do not go. I know what my budget is, so no gimmicky "tap to pay" system will ever make me pay more for my vacaton. Heck. If it could make me spend less, sign me up. But that isn't what it is designed to do.

No, we spent the same. Pulling the KTTW card out of my pocket took 2 secs, so having a MB didn't change anything as far as spending.

And I agree with this as well, though I would also substitute "credit card" for KTTW card. Whipping out a CC really is no big deal. Honestly.

 

[Ofinn]

Yes. I cancelled my August trip, and booked another cruise. Disney still gets my money. It's just being reallocated. We also bought AP's to Universal so that is money that would have gone to WDW. I'm amazed the DCL website works as well as it does. Hopefully they don't do anything to screw it up. This is the first year in the last five years I will be spending zero dollars at a Disney park. So I guess you can say FP+ has changed my spending habits.

 

[2Tiggies]

As above. I go with a budget and put our spending money onto gift cards. Credit cards are there for emergencies and the cash I take for tips is all set aside separately.

 

[FlipHipster]

As above. I go with a budget and put our spending money onto gift cards. Credit cards are there for emergencies and the cash I take for tips is all set aside separately.

Same here, we put our dining budget on GC and they wouldn't let us put the GC on the band so we still had to carry a card. The bands were very convenient and worked well for us but didn't really increase our spending, we spent what we normally do. I would like to think most people are still aware they are spending real money. Disney is betting they aren't.

 

[2Tiggies]

I would like to think most people are still aware they are spending real money. Disney is betting they aren't.

Scary thought but Disney is probably right.

 

[stairstepmom]

We went with a spending budget of 1k, we barely spent $300. We had less time to shop because of rushing around for FP+ and ADRs, and honestly everytime I considered buying something I looked down at that band and decided I'd rebel

Still going back next year, but giving 3 nights to UOR and going with a much smaller budget for the mouse.

 

[FlipHipster]

Scary thought but Disney is probably right.

yup, I wouldn't bet against it. I am willing to bet that with all the issues they are having with the rollout, making sure people can tap to pay is at the top of the list of things to fix

 

[jtowntoflorida]

We spent a whopping $40 on souveniers on our last trip, which was a week-long trip. I don't really understand how people can spend so much time shopping when it's the same stuff store after store.

 

[2Tiggies]

We spent a whopping $40 on souveniers on our last trip, which was a week-long trip. I don't really understand how people can spend so much time shopping when it's the same stuff store after store.

First timers and once only visitors tend to spend more. We would have paid extra to take home all our luggage the first year we went if we had not upgraded our flights to allow for a great allowance. DD likes to save and spend money there on her trip but honestly, last time I only took money for tips and incidentals and felt the same as you. I buy a nice tote and a scrapbook or photo album every year now and that's it. I enjoy browsing the shops but I like to walk out with my money again.