Disney does not want or need FastPass+ Haters business!

[Cyrano]

Folks I will say for the last time please respect posters viewpoints regardless of which side of the FP+ fence you are on.
Name calling STOPS NOW comprende

 

[disneyfantotheend]

I really do not understand why people care so much about a person who dislikes the new system or one who loves it either. Everyone has an opinion. It may work for some. It may not work for others. Why does anyone care so much if someone never returns? Why does anyone care so much, if someone else thinks it is great, perfect or wonderful? I like reading reviews, because I have not experienced it as it is today. I did *test* it when you could double dip and no tiering was going on, but not as it is today. I don't like the sound of it now, but do I mind that people love it? Of course not!!!!

 

[Angel Ariel]

Thank you (seriously) for your respectful and reasonable response. Would that we could all interact in the same way.

Thank you for yours as well - i couldn't agree more

 

[PuppyJonathan]

Thanks 1 percent

 

[Laketravis]

I plan to be in the (non EMH) parks at rope drop and hit 5 or 6 rides before the park fills up, eat lunch, my FP+ are all scheduled for noon or later and then I'm hopping to a park for the evening fireworks and/or parade. Maybe that will work for some people, maybe it won't. That is my plan.

That's what we did last Nov/Dec and for the most part it worked okay. It was different for us, not sure if we'll ever get used to not being able to FP the same attraction twice on the same day or pull FP's in different parks on the same day, but the "SB in the morning, FP in the afternoon, shows in the evening" approach worked okay.

I'll be curious to see how it works for you next month now that everybody is using FP+ and there are no more paper FP's.

 

[ethanwa]

I am an Annual Passholder and Florida Resident who lives 5 minutes away. We have MagicBands and FP+ because of a 1-day stay on property in late 2013.

We go to the parks a few times per WEEK. We buy food and spend money there all of the time. To us, FP+ is actually an IMPROVEMENT of the FP- system, because it makes us want to go to the parks MORE.

Instead of dealing with the tourists snatching up the Toy Story Mania tickets, or Star Tours, or Soarin', or whatever is popular, we can book and plan our days in advance and go on the rides we want. If we miss one, we'll book it for the next week instead. It makes the parks smoother and easier for us to plan.

I think a lot of people don't realize that local residents are a BIG part of Disney's money and they want more of it. Anyone within a 3 hour drive is a "local". There are always discounted room deals, Florida resident passes, and perks for locals. FP+ benefits us greatly as well.... which is why all AP holders will get FP+ access and MagicBands for free this spring.

I guess what I am trying to say is that FP+ isn't bad for everyone, it's good for some people too (like the original poster states). People like US!

If you are a super planner who has "fast pass runners" who tries to go on every single ride in your short vacation, Disney wants you to STOP. If you want to do that, extend your vacation (so you can do all the Tier 1 rides you want) or just don't come at all.

Disney doesn't do things lightly. They are one of the biggest companies in the world. They are willing to cut you (the FP+ complainers who vow not to come anymore) out because they likely see bigger profits elsewhere. Being loyal does NOT equal being their best customers.... as illogical as that sounds, it's true. Their best customers SPEND MONEY rather than ride rides.

 

[AliceandAriel]

Consequences will be apparent eventually. Disney cannot survive with just guests that stay on property and those guests off property are not happy - plus, those on property are not happy. People are not recommending Disney to their family and friends and are even discouraging. It may be ok right now. But the numbers will go down hill quickly and then it will take a very long time
(and lots of discounts) to get those people back. Disney's core kept them going through the bad economy and now, Disney doesn't need them? Think again Disney? You don't want your core guests upset in the long run.

Hey, that's going to work badly for us all how? Bigger discounts to call the rest of their groups back into the fold means better savings (at least for a time) which is nothing to sneeze at.

 

[AliceandAriel]

I am an Annual Passholder and Florida Resident who lives 5 minutes away. We have MagicBands and FP+ because of a 1-day stay on property in late 2013.

We go to the parks a few times per WEEK. We buy food and spend money there all of the time. To us, FP+ is actually an IMPROVEMENT of the FP- system, because it makes us want to go to the parks MORE.

Instead of dealing with the tourists snatching up the Toy Story Mania tickets, or Star Tours, or Soarin', or whatever is popular, we can book and plan our days in advance and go on the rides we want. If we miss one, we'll book it for the next week instead. It makes the parks smoother and easier for us to plan.

I think a lot of people don't realize that local residents are a BIG part of Disney's money and they want more of it. Anyone within 3 hours drive is a "local". There are always discounted room deals, Florida resident passes, and perks for locals. FP+ benefits us greatly as well.... which is why all AP holders will get FP+ access and MagicBands for free this spring.

I guess what I am trying to say is that FP+ isn't bad for everyone, it's good for some people too (like the original poster states). People like US!

If you are a super planner who has "fast pass runners" who tries to go on every single ride in your short vacation, Disney wants you to STOP. If you want to do that, extend your vacation (so you have do all the Tier 1 rides you want) or just don't come at all.

Disney doesn't do things lightly. They are one of the biggest companies in the world. They are willing to cut you (the FP+ complainers who vow not to come anymore) out because they likely see bigger profits elsewhere. Being loyal does NOT equal being their best customers.... as illogical as that sounds, it's true. Their best customers SPEND MONEY rather than ride rides.

 

[Rip]

Thank you for wording it that way, not "free".

We used to stay at RP for under $100 and HRH was usually about $129.

Also the big dog attraction is not on the list anyway (and I doubt the next new HP attraction will be either) but you can enter an hour sooner or so in the am for that.

I wish they would make 7DMT a "4TH FP+" you could purchase, or else choose SB.

In that respect, FP+ isn't free either. Neither is parking for onsite guests. Neither is anything Disney provides.

And with an AP, you can still get RP for $125 during certain times, and those 3 hotels are far and away nicer than anything Disney has.

There was an interesting article I read recently detailing the two very different approaches that Disney and Comcast are taking with their parks in order to increase revenue. Comcast has decided to invest in additional attractions, hotels and restaurants, Disney has mostly decided to try and figure out how much more they can squeeze out of their already existing customer base.

 

[lugnut33]

LOfreakingL, so nobody who rides the attractions also spends big money? Only those who take a leisurely pace are the big spenders? Wow, I've heard it all now.

 

[TLSnell1981]

LOfreakingL, so nobody who rides the attractions also spends big money? Only those who take a leisurely pace are the big spenders? Wow, I've heard it all now.

We're not spending as much $$$$$ because the merchandise and food are overpriced and generic.

 

[wdwfreak]

That's what we did last Nov/Dec and for the most part it worked okay. It was different for us, not sure if we'll ever get used to not being able to FP the same attraction twice on the same day or pull FP's in different parks on the same day, but the "SB in the morning, FP in the afternoon, shows in the evening" approach worked okay.

I'll be curious to see how it works for you next month now that everybody is using FP+ and there are no more paper FP's.

I'll be sure to post about my experience. I've been trying to stay positive about the whole thing. We'll see if that attitude is reinforced after next month.

 

[magicbob]

After reading some more people's thoughts on the 80/20 principle, I think I've cracked the code.

I think some of us have been looking at this problem all wrong. We've been assuming that the die-hard loyal return guests are the 20%. Perhaps not.

Apparently WDW's research indicated that the 20% of people providing the vast majority of their profits were the 20% of guests who complained about not being able to get a TSMM FP after 11am. FP+ solves this problem and keeps that 20% happy. I can only assume that these are the people spending all the money at WDW. Hence, the need to overhaul the FP system to placate this small minority.

Is this sarcasm? Or are you for serious?

Although my post may have a little bit of an ascerbic tone, it's as good a theory as any to explain the 80/20 principle proferred by the OP. As I understand the principle, it states that a business should focus on pleasing the 20% of customers who provide 80% of the profits. We've been operating under the (possibly false) assumption that we die-hards are the 20%. But if that was true, why reallocate FPs from the die-hards to accomodate the casual "show up at 11am and can't get a TSMM FP" guests? The changes to FP+ clearly favor that group, so I posited that perhaps data exists showing that they are the 20% doing the most spending.

 

[arielmomma]

I'm sitting here doing & So heck, I might as well join in the fun. Besides, I really just want to see how much time is left on my ticker

Disney is a business. Everything they do, they do for (what they believe) is good for the business. Of course, it is all about $$$$$$. Of course, they are mostly interested in keeping people on property. They aren't trying to alienate. They aren't concerned about being fair. They simply want as many people, spending as much $$$$$$ on property as humanly possible. That has always been their goal. And let's face it, it worked. We are all living proof of that!

I am an AP holder in Michigan. I visit twice a year and stay on property. I have used FP+. Am I a huge fan of it at the moment? Ahhh, no. Truthfully, it had a lot of bugs and had me pulling my hair out a bit.

With FP+ the way it is, I greatly prefer FP-. However, if I take a step back from my own annoyance, I am capable of seeing the potential of it (although it has a long way to go) and why Disney would feel that it is a better option for their corporation.

The truth of the matter is that it is here and there is nothing we can do about it! So in other words, no matter which side of the fence you are on - GET OVER IT! They've made changes before. We all hemmed and hawed and threw the occasional tizzy, but we moved on and figured out how to use the new systems to their fullest. Now, it is time to figure out the best way to make THIS system work for you.

I have no doubt that by the end of 2014 there will be dozens of posts with all kinds of new tricks. And so the Circle of Life continues . . .

 

[Silock]

The truth of the matter is that it is here and there is nothing we can do about it! So in other words, no matter which side of the fence you are on - GET OVER IT! They've made changes before. We all hemmed and hawed and threw the occasional tizzy, but we moved on and figured out how to use the new systems to their fullest. Now, it is time to figure out the best way to make THIS system work for you.

I have no doubt that by the end of 2014 there will be dozens of posts with all kinds of new tricks. And so the Circle of Life continues . . .

I don't think there are any tricks. I think we've all figured out how to use the system, as is, to its fullest.

And I especially don't believe that stopping the discussion is a good thing. People need to be aware of both thhe good and the bad with the changes. And you never know who may be reading the threads. I'm sure Disney is aware that they've made a lot of people unhappy.

 

[Laz]

I am an Annual Passholder and Florida Resident who lives 5 minutes away. We have MagicBands and FP+ because of a 1-day stay on property in late 2013.

We go to the parks a few times per WEEK. We buy food and spend money there all of the time. To us, FP+ is actually an IMPROVEMENT of the FP- system, because it makes us want to go to the parks MORE.

Instead of dealing with the tourists snatching up the Toy Story Mania tickets, or Star Tours, or Soarin', or whatever is popular, we can book and plan our days in advance and go on the rides we want. If we miss one, we'll book it for the next week instead. It makes the parks smoother and easier for us to plan.

I think a lot of people don't realize that local residents are a BIG part of Disney's money and they want more of it. Anyone within a 3 hour drive is a "local". There are always discounted room deals, Florida resident passes, and perks for locals. FP+ benefits us greatly as well.... which is why all AP holders will get FP+ access and MagicBands for free this spring.

I guess what I am trying to say is that FP+ isn't bad for everyone, it's good for some people too (like the original poster states). People like US!

If you are a super planner who has "fast pass runners" who tries to go on every single ride in your short vacation, Disney wants you to STOP. If you want to do that, extend your vacation (so you can do all the Tier 1 rides you want) or just don't come at all.

Disney doesn't do things lightly. They are one of the biggest companies in the world. They are willing to cut you (the FP+ complainers who vow not to come anymore) out because they likely see bigger profits elsewhere. Being loyal does NOT equal being their best customers.... as illogical as that sounds, it's true. Their best customers SPEND MONEY rather than ride rides.

Most marketers would give anything for long term brand loyalty.

 

[goofy4tink]

LOfreakingL, so nobody who rides the attractions also spends big money? Only those who take a leisurely pace are the big spenders? Wow, I've heard it all now.

My point was if you are trying to ride, TT for example, multiple times, you probably aren't leisurely ambling around, buying stuff. Most of us that take a more leisurely pace have been many times, and don't feel the need to do everything. We also tend to spend a lot less than the average guest. We already bought those overpriced tee shirts and mouse ears! If, and when, something new and interesting comes along? Sure we might buy it.
But for the most part, many of us just don't feel the need to buy a ton of stuff and eat two table service meals a day. That's not to say our way is the 'right' way....it's just our way.

So, we really don't have an issue if we can't ride Soarin' this time around. If we get on EE just once, that's probably ok with us.

The people I feel sorry for are those guests that really have no idea what WDW is like. They pan a four night stay, thinking they can do one ark each day, and be able to do all they want to do. Then, they get there, and find out there is no way they can do what they want. They will have to miss some things....they will perhaps not be able to eat where they want. They will have little knowledge which attractions are going to be easy to get on, and which ones will have huge lines. They not plan the way we do. At least we know, going in, which attractions we can afford to forgo, in order to choose a FP+ for the ones we really want.

So, I apologize if I made it sound as if those who prefer attractions don't spend money. Of course they do. That wasn't my intention at all. I was merely trying to show that some people prefer a more laid back approach.

 

[magicbob]

Disney is a business. Everything they do, they do for (what they believe) is good for the business. Of course, it is all about $$$$$$. Of course, they are mostly interested in keeping people on property. They aren't trying to alienate. They aren't concerned about being fair. They simply want as many people, spending as much $$$$$$ on property as humanly possible. That has always been their goal. And let's face it, it worked. We are all living proof of that!

The thing is that they succeeded in that goal and most of us are living proof BECAUSE Disney had a decades long track record of World Class customer service... going the extra FIVE miles to make everyone's stay as enjoyable as possible. FP+ is only one aspect of what many people perceive as a steady decline in that philosophy in recent years. CMs yelling at guests, etc. To heck with making people happy... we've already got their money. And if they never come back, who cares? There are millions more rubes out there who can be conned into spending thousands for their "once in a lifetime" vacation.

 

[pilferk]

That's good to hear. It just wasn't announced anywhere, nor ever mentioned alongside the new discounts. Not being a DVC member, I couldn't check on the prices myself, nor could I find any concrete information until your post. Thanks for the info!

I assume there was no announcement because there was no change....and because they are pushing the deeper pap discount with the rebranded membership magic.

But they are still around...

 

[crostorfer]

The thing is that they succeeded in that goal and most of us are living proof BECAUSE Disney had a decades long track record of World Class customer service... going the extra FIVE miles to make everyone's stay as enjoyable as possible. FP+ is only one aspect of what many people perceive as a steady decline in that philosophy in recent years. CMs yelling at guests, etc. To heck with making people happy... we've already got their money. And if they never come back, who cares? There are millions more rubes out there who can be conned into spending thousands for their "once in a lifetime" vacation.

A huge thumbs up to you, good Sir.