Disney does not want or need FastPass+ Haters business!

[kdnmom]

To those canceling future trips because of FP+ - would you reconsider future visits if you could purchase additional FP+ for a fee, or if you received additional FP+ for staying on-site?

Yes, I would consider it. Don't know if we'd end up deciding to return or not, but I'd certainly consider it. I won't consider returning as the system is set up now.

BTW, we are planning a trip to Universal in August (after the HP expansion opens) and we will be staying onsite so that we can have the FOTL passes.

 

[EMode]

To those canceling future trips because of FP+ - would you reconsider future visits if you could purchase additional FP+ for a fee, or if you received additional FP+ for staying on-site?

Since I'm going to Universal obviously I don't have a problem "paying" for the perk of FOTL ride access. This will be our first visit there, I have nothing to compare.
With Disney, I can compare the new FP+ system with how I could vacation there before and for me because of the limits, it feels that they have taken something away, they haven't added anything worth paying more for.
On an average MK day (staying onsite) I could pull at least 5 FP's, I don't want to have to pay even more for those extra 2 now so no if they start charging more money for FP's we won't go.

If they got rid of the 3 limits then I'd go back but as long as I end up getting less than before its just not worth the money for our family.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Purchasing back what I used to get for free...

This feeling will pass in a few years, just as paying for park hopping has passed. It really bothered me to have to do that when they changed the tickets, but I don't even think about it any more.

For me, it would depend on the price point and the way that I was able to use the additional FP+. If I pay extra for them, I get to use them (all of them) on the ride(s) of my choice. If I buy 3 extra and I want to use all 3 on TSMM, that is what I get to do.

 

[FLchick415]

Here's my question, and I'm not being snarky or anything by asking, but...if people use the capacity issue to explain why Disney can't sell more FPs, how can you expect to get more than what they offer now for "free"? (Honest question. I'm not calling anyone out for "abusing" the FP- system, because you really weren't.)

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Since I'm going to Universal obviously I don't have a problem "paying" for the perk of FOTL ride access..

...I don't want to have to pay even more for those extra 2 now so no if they start charging more money for FP's we won't go...

So, you don't mind paying for this in other places, but never at WDW because they are changing the rules? Fair enough, but this is what we in my family call "punishing yourself".

 

[suebedo]

So, I had been following these FP+ threads previously but I don't think I ever commented on one. I've been away from the DIS for a few months (last trip was in December) and just came back yesterday because of a specific question related to a son's school band trip. I got sucked back in to reading these threads because of the one posting about the FP+ lines snaking through the park. I ended up reading that one and this one (why, I'm not sure since it doesn't affect me...). Anyway, I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents. We are a family with 3 boys. We are proud rope-drop prior "uber-users" of FP legacy. We are prior AP holders who have lived for the past 10 years within a few hours of Disney World. Our APs expired in December and we did not renew because of FP+. My responses to what I have read on this (and other) threads (not singling any poster out): 1. "Disney doesn't care about guests like me" - We have spent probably $100,000 at Disney over the past 10 years, between tickets, hotels, restaurants, etc. Why would Disney not want my $100,000??? And I'm sure we're not an isolated case; there are others out there like us. Is FP+ really going to bring in 20 $5,000 families over that time BECAUSE OF FP+ THAT WOULD NOT OTHERWISE HAVE COME? Is FP+ reaching out to that kind of new audience? Or are enough of the first-time visitors going to be so happy with the FP+ system that they'll make return trips to make up for the money lost by losing our business? Or are enough visitors now going to be buying more souvenirs to make up for losing our business? I kinda doubt it, but if Disney has determined that they will make up those losses, more power to them. We'll just spend our vacation money elsewhere. Really glad we ended up not getting DVC... 2. "You're really going to stop going to Disney because you can't get your precious fastpasses??" - Yes, we're really going to stop going to Disney because we can't get our fastpasses. Standing in lines is very stressful for us. Listening to 3 bored boys complain and trying to get them to keep their hands off of each other while standing in line for an hour is not my idea of a good time. That juggling act, combined with the fact that we won't be able to fit into a day the same things that we used to fit into a day tips the scales to make it not worth our money anymore. It may be worth it to some, but not to us. To each his own, but Disney is really missing an opportunity to get our money. 3. "FP+ levels the playing field and makes FP use more fair" - This has been discussed at length, but just throwing my hat in the ring on the side of FP legacy being more fair. EVERYONE had the same opportunities at the same starting point using that system (except for the morning EMH, of course, whose effects were minimal). Whether staying onsite or off, whether planning your trip months ahead of time or being a spontaneous visitor, EVERYONE could start collecting FP at the same time (park opening). I agree that Disney probably doesn't exactly care about being "fair". They care about making money. They may, however, care about the general population's perception of fair which could affect their bottom line...

Love this! I agree . This is exactly my families opinion, we'll said!

 

[JanaDee]

To those canceling future trips because of FP+ - would you reconsider future visits if you could purchase additional FP+ for a fee, or if you received additional FP+ for staying on-site?

I would consider it if other things were changed (get rid of tiers and the inability to use a FP more than once on same attraction) depending on how much they were charging.

But I don't see any of those things happening.

 

[EMode]

So, you don't mind paying for this in other places, but never at WDW because they are changing the rules? Fair enough, but this is what we in my family call "punishing yourself".

Yes because they are changing the rules by giving you less and charging you more. I'm not willing to shell out more money to WDW for my family to have a lesser experience in their parks. Doing that would be punishing myself

I'd also like to point out that while my family loves Disney it is not the only vacation spot out there so not going back wouldn't be a punishment to us at all.

To put in better perspective for you, my 5 nights and park tickets (their version of hopper) during Spring Break at a deluxe Universal resort is costing us $2800. Those same 5 nights at WDW Beach Club would cost us $4600 (without hoppers). I could do a suite a AoA for $500 less. At that cost, WDW and its now limited FP+ is just not worth it. If I had to pay even more for the privilege of more FP+s, that would just be insane.

 

[clsteve]

Here's the issue with the current implementation:

Tying 60 days to a resort stay is easy...your clock starts on check in day.

For offsite guests (and AP holders) you have no date to tie your 60 day window to. Tickets are open ended.


I agree: Disney should find a way to incorporate off site guests. But the way they choose to do that might not be the way we'd like (selling tickets with specific date ranges?) or it may introduce other issues to the system.

And it still would require prepurchase of tickets and linking them to an account. No "buy them your first day at the ticket booths" kind of thing, which I suspect a lot of off site guests do.

I've always wondered how Disney could offer FP reservations to off-site, as well, since they have no idea when the ticket will be used and walking FP reservations or diluting the FP Pool could be serious issues. They still could go with a new time-delimited ticket with a cancellation policy, of course.

Or, they could do the same with MB's. At 15 bucks a pop, they would work the same way:

1. Give off-site the option to buy the MB
2. Make the MB good for a specific date range
3. Purchase a ticket and link all through MDE
4. Make FP+ reservations

If you decide not to go during that period, you lose the $15 - just like a cancellation fee. The FP's can then go back into the FP Pool.

Your tickets would, of course, still be good and I would assume you could re-activate the MB's for another $15 for another timeframe. It's a revenue source, meets the goal of locking in, gets off-siters registered in MDE for marketing promotions, and would seem to be a great option for BTG's, as well and could even come pre-loaded with FP's for the Group.

It's the most elegant way I can come up with as an option for off-site and might be easier than a time- delimited ticket.

 

[morethananyonex]

Here's my question, and I'm not being snarky or anything by asking, but...if people use the capacity issue to explain why Disney can't sell more FPs, how can you expect to get more than what they offer now for "free"? (Honest question. I'm not calling anyone out for "abusing" the FP- system, because you really weren't.)

That's the problem. People who recognize the capacity issue realize that Disney doesn't really have much wiggle room from what they offer now. They (we) are skeptical when people offer the "it's just a test, changes will be made" line because we can't stop asking "but HOW?"

Many of us recognized this issue as soon as we learned that Disney would be marketing the hell out of FP+ and also lift the barriers that stopped this from happening before (being in the park). We are not expecting more, I think the biggest problem lies with many of us disliking the system but at the same time recognizing the issues with changing it now.

 

[FLchick415]

That's the problem. People who recognize the capacity issue realize that Disney doesn't really have much wiggle room from what they offer now. They (we) are skeptical when people offer the "it's just a test, changes will be made" line because we can't stop asking "but HOW?"

Many of us recognized this issue as soon as we learned that Disney would be marketing the hell out of FP+ and also lift the barriers that stopped this from happening before (being in the park). We are not expecting more, I think the biggest problem lies with many of us disliking the system but at the same time recognizing the issues with changing it now.

Fair enough. Makes sense. And I think this system will change, somehow, down the line but I don't really think it'll be in the way of more FPs. What it'll be, I don't know. Everything is still really up in the air right now so I understand the apprehension from a lot of folks here.

 

[I M Fearless]

The only way I can see that they will give people extra fastpasses would be at the last minute, if it is obvious that the park has spare capacity at a particular attraction. This is more possible at MK with the number of attractions.

Again, how Disney choose to use this spare capacity is up to them:

If a guest group is known to be spending heavily while they are in the parks will Disney want to keep them in the park longer by offering an extra fastpass later in the day that they know is for one of the guest's preferred rides?

The system does allow a huge potential for Disney to control guests behind the scenes and I cannot see why they would not want to harness that power as it will no doubt increase revenue without much ongoing costs. (After the already huge cost)

 

[mom2rtk]

This feeling will pass in a few years, just as paying for park hopping has passed. It really bothered me to have to do that when they changed the tickets, but I don't even think about it any more.

For me, it would depend on the price point and the way that I was able to use the additional FP+. If I pay extra for them, I get to use them (all of them) on the ride(s) of my choice. If I buy 3 extra and I want to use all 3 on TSMM, that is what I get to do.

I suppose it is possible the feeling will pass in a few years. But my daughter is 13 now and by then my opportunities to enjoy Disney in the same way will likely be past. One of the reasons I'm so disappointed in what is happening is that I felt our days were numbered already, and this has likely just cut thing short even sooner.

I'm basing my feelings on andyman's rumor thread. If it plays out as that rumor indicates, there would be no ride repeats, even on the purchased FPs. That's a big issue for us.

And the park hopping issue never did pass for us. We have never paid for hoppers at WDW.

That's the problem. People who recognize the capacity issue realize that Disney doesn't really have much wiggle room from what they offer now. They (we) are skeptical when people offer the "it's just a test, changes will be made" line because we can't stop asking "but HOW?"

Many of us recognized this issue as soon as we learned that Disney would be marketing the hell out of FP+ and also lift the barriers that stopped this from happening before (being in the park). We are not expecting more, I think the biggest problem lies with many of us disliking the system but at the same time recognizing the issues with changing it now.

Yep. To all of that.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

And in California a computer goes mad spitting out record numbers of guests never seen before...CM scratch heads and think...mmm why so many folks at DL all of a sudden? I would love to be the person in charge of this park. My bonus would be massive this year

I assume there are no plans for MB's here?

 

[3happydancers]

I completely agree... this is all about the bottom line and I believe as the system is tweaked we will see more and more manipulation of the masses.

Can Disney move guests to particular attractions or areas of the park at different times of day by offering an extra fastpasses?

For instance, if they know a family has young children who likely are getting tired could they entice them to Town Square Theatre for a Mickey meet & greet towards the end of the day if they thought they may leave the property at that point?

Or could they take them deeper into the park if they wanted them to stay longer?

Can they tell when guests are tired by the speed they are walking? They could then be offered dinner reservations if they need to fill restaurants.

Will they know when guests last stopped for a drink by their magic bands?

They could be offered a coupon for particular vendors etc nearby for products they might want.

If a guest buys two coffees each morning between 9am and 11am could they prompt guests to think about a nearby purchase.

The basic system when improved allows for huge levels of manipulation/suggestion if Disney choose to go down that route. From a business point of view I am certain it will increase revenue well into the future.

Just curious how others feel about being manipulated like this? Personally, I know it would be great for Disney, but I find it kinda creepy!

 

[mom2rtk]

And in California a computer goes mad spitting out record numbers of guests never seen before...CM scratch heads and think...mmm why so many folks at DL all of a sudden? I would love to be the person in charge of this park. My bonus would be massive this year

I assume there are no plans for MB's here?

It's probably coming at just the right time as the newness of Carsland starts to wear off......

I'm not sure if anyone knows if there are or were plans for MBs at DLR. I have a hunch there was a plan to move it west, but that is on a major hold at this point.

Actually even if things were going great with the MB/FP+ rollout at WDW right now I would think they would still have a long way to go before rolling them out at DLR. They haven't rolled them out for the majority of AP and offsite guests at WDW yet, which make up a MUCH greater percentage of admissions at DLR. We have no idea yet how that will go at WDW. And it seems that would be very important information to have before moving forward with it at DLR.

 

[TLSnell1981]

To those canceling future trips because of FP+ - would you reconsider future visits if you could purchase additional FP+ for a fee, or if you received additional FP+ for staying on-site?

The day Disney began "enforcing" FP return times, I predicted the above. Break it, appeal to the emotional "fair" crowd and "fix it" by offering additional FP for a fee.

 

[I M Fearless]

I'm not saying they will do this, I just think it is worth remembering that the magic band system could be used in this way.

The most successful businesses are the ones that understand, respond to and to some extent exploit their customer's needs/desires.

I think provided Disney are upfront about the way the technology works if they begin to implement these strategies people will not mind as much. I think it needs to be sold as a benefit to customers, which to some extent it is.

I suppose the only down side would be if they end up targeting guests who spend the most money and that this adversely affects the availability of attractions on offer to others. The thing is, this would make perfect business sense.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

It's probably coming at just the right time as the newness of Carsland starts to wear off...... I'm not sure if anyone knows if there are or were plans for MBs at DLR. I have a hunch there was a plan to move it west, but that is on a major hold at this point. Actually even if things were going great with the MB/FP+ rollout at WDW right now I would think they would still have a long way to go before rolling them out at DLR. They haven't rolled them out for the majority of AP and offsite guests at WDW yet, which make up a MUCH greater percentage of admissions at DLR. We have no idea yet how that will go at WDW. And it seems that would be very important information to have before moving forward with it at DLR.

yes true re Carsland! I haven't seen that yet I really want to! Long way from UK!

That makes sense re rolling it out fully at WDW first. I would imagine at DL a lot more offsite guests.

I was sad to read your post about your daughter growing up so fast and days at Disney limited and now made worse by FP+. The frustrating part for me is I did enjoy it but being quite ill I seldom could use 3. Before I use to give out the FP's we didn't use to very grateful guests. I couldn't find a way of doing it. It just felt such a waste. I wish there was a way of gifting them or putting them back in the pool for others to enjoy. There was no physical way of just booking one experience so we ended up booking 3 for the sake of it.

 

[MrInfinity]

Just curious how others feel about being manipulated like this? Personally, I know it would be great for Disney, but I find it kinda creepy!

I don't mind it so much. Targeted marketing is more useful than blind marketing. I think I'd rather get google ads related to what I've searched for than something I have no interest in. i.e. I googled Disney stuff a lot lately, so I'm getting Disney ads. So what. I don't think someone is sitting there at google going "ha-hah! that guy just searched for Disney!"

It's creepy if you think of it as "some guy watching your moves" but it's not that -- it's some computer analyzing some data and coming up w optimal places to stick the next drink cart based on better data than Disney would have w/o MB.

Now when the MB's have hidden microphones and they listen to your conversations about a sweatshirt and then a flash team runs out and sets up a sweatshirt shop right at the time that you find you have 30 min to wait for your ADR... Hmmmm.. That might be a lil too far.