Disney has lost another family - do they care?

[Planogirl]

This is an interesting discussion! I was just considering this cuz we'd like to see Diagon Alley. I ran some numbers.

Keep in mind our family does a 6-nt stay at a deluxe at DW for around $5k including Dining, so a little under $1000/day at WDW.

So I ran dates at Universal thinking "this'll be great we'll go to Universal for 3 days and it'll cost less than DW"... but by the time I got thru the 3rd day "free", it was running over $3000 for a 3-night stay! This was at the Portofino. Yes, the primo resort, but comparing to WDW I'm comparing to Poly / CR anyways so it's comparing apples to apples.

Universal was no cheaper than Disney. Good for them! They should not let those rooms go cheap cuz they come w the front-of-the-line access which is needed to tour well there. I was bummed to see Uni costs about as much as Disney cuz I was hoping to have a slightly lower overall trip cost by spending some time there, and it doesn't look like that's realistic.

How are you seeing $150/nt? $450 total for a 3-nt stay? I'd so be there every trip if it was that cheap.

Where are you getting these numbers? The other comment was about the nightly price of a Universal resort. I just checked pricing for three nights in May for a family of four and came up with $289.50 per night for Portofino. The Hard Rock and Royal Pacific came up as $270.60 and $239.10 per night.

Were you including passes? I just checked the pricing for 3 day park to park passes on the Universal website and they came to a total of $588 for four adults.

WHERE are you coming up with $3000?

By the way, Universal often has sales. I haven't seen $150 a night for a while though.

 

[Cyrano]

Folks this is a reminder to play nice .

 

[crostorfer]

It depends on what kind of vacation you want.

Universal has very few coasters. I don't like the wilder ones so I never ride those but find it easy to play in the parks for 3 days. I love many of the rides at Universal so I'm not just limited to Harry Potter. We also enjoy just hanging out for one day. The guys pool hopped (allowed at Universal) and I shopped and just rested one day. That was nice. We've also spent time playing mini-golf, seeing a movie or joining in when there are activities and we haven't even left the resort yet which we normally do no matter where we stay.

So again, it really depends on what you want in a vacation.

We spent a whole day at the pool at the Royal Pacific. People don't realize that their pools are amazing, and like the pools at Disney, have activities for kids, pool games, (where kids win ice cream and adults can win alcoholic drinks, whoo-hoo), music, and great theming.

 

[AmyB2006]

Until I sell it . I already sold one contract (at a profit, BTW) and am thinking about selling the rest. We can only go during super busy times because my DD is in high school and a swimmer (practices start mid-August) and I don't see things improving when she goes to college. I don't know if I can hold out until we are empty nesters to be able to go to WDW with FP+ and not feel like it's not a giant waste. And yes, we did experience FP+. It was wonderful as long as we could double dip.

But they still have the money, is the point.

 

[EMode]

Where are you getting these numbers? The other comment was about the nightly price of a Universal resort. I just checked pricing for three nights in May for a family of four and came up with $289.50 per night for Portofino. The Hard Rock and Royal Pacific came up as $270.60 and $239.10 per night.

Were you including passes? I just checked the pricing for 3 day park to park passes on the Universal website and they came to a total of $588 for four adults.

WHERE are you coming up with $3000?

By the way, Universal often has sales. I haven't seen $150 a night for a while though.

Doing a comparison for 5 nights during Spring Break, WDW came out $1200 more for us, and that does include park passes. This is for a Lion King Suite at AoA which is what we need to accomodate our family of 5 and POR isn't available, and I'm not willing to pay for a Deluxe resort. WDW blocked out or dates for their current spring promo, US didn't. That is another plus in my book.
My heart will always be with Disney, but my wallet can't afford to be anymore

 

[North of Mouse]

again I understand everyone is different but I think people should still give it a try it may turn out it works better for you. Any time I go to disney I have a good time I've never not had a good time. I don't think in my opinion because you only get three FP that will ruin your vacation. Yes it is different and may not be the best but its disney and there is still a lot to do other than rides as well. I love just being there in the atmosphere I'd rather be there and not go on a single ride than be here in cold snowy wisconsin any day.

No, we 'don't have to give it a try to know it want be as good!

We also have never been to Disney and not had a good time, but, never has there been so many changes (and IMO not for the better). Have been going since the MK opened so understand a certain amount of changes over the years.

As for just 'being' there and not 'ride a single ride'! No, thank you! We also enjoy the atmosphere there, but will not travel 600 miles (plus all the expenses) 'just' for atmosphere.

We have been AP holders and have gone 2-3 times a year the last few years, but not this year. We have made vacation plans elsewhere, and won't be returning to Disney until they work 'a lot' of kinks out - if ever.

 

[MrInfinity]

Where are you getting these numbers? The other comment was about the nightly price of a Universal resort. I just checked pricing for three nights in May for a family of four and came up with $289.50 per night for Portofino. The Hard Rock and Royal Pacific came up as $270.60 and $239.10 per night.

Were you including passes? I just checked the pricing for 3 day park to park passes on the Universal website and they came to a total of $588 for four adults.

WHERE are you coming up with $3000?

By the way, Universal often has sales. I haven't seen $150 a night for a while though.

I'll go run it again. I was surprised it was so much. We are a family of 6... that might affect it. 3 Disney adults, 2 Disney children and 1 Disney toddler.

Yes, including passes.

 

[kbelle8995]

Part of the experience of Disney is the rich environment of the park.

BUT that's a lot of money to just walk around. And rides are a part of it too.

 

[Schmeck]

I don't have little kids so for us that isn't a concern and we are not going for a whole week and since its our first trip there we have no idea how many days it is for our family. I'm just looking at what I get in regards to the money I'm going to spend. I can spend more and stay at WDW for 5 days and get less of what I value on a vacation (we are a ride family). I do not want to spend all that money to spend more time in line and less time on rides. FP+ (the 3 a day limit and one park only, and tiering) just doesn't work with how we like to do WDW so I'm not willing to spend thousands of dollars for the "privilege" to use it. We'll try US because they offer a way of doing their parks in a way that fits for our family at a price that we feel is worth it.

Good thing you do not have little kids, as 19 out of Universal's 26 rides have a height requirement. It is definitely a resort aimed at entertaining families with older kids, as well as young couples and Spring Break crowds.

We've been able to get in everything we want to do with only 3 legacy FPs for our trips. But we are rope drop/EMH and my daughter is a super-planner for our trips. She's already started planning for our next trip, which we haven't even booked yet, LOL! She's even enjoying the "challenge" of FP+, not that it's really a challenge. We do go for longer than 5 days though, so it is easy to plan two half days at MK and EPCOT for FP+, with one must-do ride at rope drop.

 

[btk2333]

No, we 'don't have to give it a try to know it want be as good!

We also have never been to Disney and not had a good time, but, never has there been so many changes (and IMO not for the better). Have been going since the MK opened so understand a certain amount of changes over the years.

As for just 'being' there and not 'ride a single ride'! No, thank you! We also enjoy the atmosphere there, but will not travel 600 miles (plus all the expenses) 'just' for atmosphere.

We have been AP holders and have gone 2-3 times a year the last few years, but not this year. We have made vacation plans elsewhere, and won't be returning to Disney until they work 'a lot' of kinks out - if ever.

I hope you have many magical vacations in the future to our new vacation destinations

 

[damo]

I'll go run it again. I was surprised it was so much. We are a family of 6... that might affect it. 3 Disney adults, 2 Disney children and 1 Disney toddler.

Yes, including passes.

If all six of you want to stay in one room, you will need to book a Portofino or Villa Suite. This can be very expensive. I suggest purchasing one annual power pass that ($199 but is blacked out for the summer, if you are going in summer get the preferred pass for $259) and then use the code APH to get a discount. You'll be paying about $50 more for the pass but will be saving over $200/night.

For a May stay, the price goes from $611/night for a suite to $397/night

Annual pass rates for dates after Diagon Alley is open are not available yet.

 

[leebee]

25 trips to Disney under our belts, 7 onsite and the rest offsite. We choose to close parks rather than open them so we never make rope drop; our goal is to be out the door by 10am, whether onsite or off. Legacy FP always worked very well for us, without a runner. For example, on MK day we'd go to Splash and pull FP, then do BTMRR standby while waiting for our FP time. DD would then ride Splash twice as I don't ride it, and while she was on Splash I'd get 2 more BTMRR FPs. Another ride on BTMRR and it was off to HM. Into FantasyLand and get a PP FP, then ride a bunch of stuff in FL until PP time. Ride PP, grab Pooh FP, do the rest of FantasyLand, ride Pooh. Off to TomorrowLand, where we'd get Space FP, then ride other TL rides (TTA, CoP, Buzz, Laugh Floor, teacups, etc.) waiting for the FP time. DD would ride Space twice in a row with FP (as I don't' ride it). There's 10 FP, with DD riding Space and Splash twice, we both rode BTMRR twice, and each rode Peter Pan and Pooh. After that, it'd be a toss-up. Does DD want to ride Space again, or should we head over to AdventureLand, where we'd do Carpets and POC standby? Parade? Train back to Splash to repeat the Splash/BTMRR experience? Somewhere in there, having lunch would eat up (no pun) the FP wait times, too. It worked for us, and, yes, my not riding the big mountains helped DD get on them more frequently, but that doesn't matter anymore. Now I don't know how we'll tour in MK.

Getting to DHS at 11-ish meant no FP for TSMM. We knew this and therefore would either get up at the crack of dawn for RD OR not ride. Actually, DHS is usually our "check-in day" park, as we don't really care about TSMM, DD could get 2 ToT FPs at once as I don't ride it, and she could do RnRC on single rider or with FP, depending on the timing. Nothing else at DHS really needed a FP in our estimation. Epcot was a little trickier, as FP for Soarin would run out mid-afternoon. Usually we'd get to the park around 10:30-11, pull Soarin FP, then go ride TT (single rider) and DD would do Mission Space. Then over to SE, then to LwtL, then usually our Soarin time would be available, depending on wait times and return times. SOmetimes we'd get an evening return time for either Soarin or TT and head to WS… the late return time would usually allow us to get another FP for in-between, so we'd FP Maelstrom, then do some WS, go on Maelstrom, finish up WS, do the late day FP, watch Illum from the front of the park. Six fps at Epcot, which is what we'll get now, but our 6 were all for what are now considered Tier 1 rides… and 6 is greater than 2, which is what we are now allowed.

I know, this is all boring… but it shows how we used Legacy FP, staying offsite, without a runner. It could be done, easily, but took a little planning. NOW? I don't know how we are going to do our touring.

Another comment about staying offsite: Even with Disney tickets, it's FAR easier to do other things. When we stay offsite, we get 4 day Disney tickets; one for each park. THEN we also go to SeaWorld or KEnnedy Space Center, or just lounge around one day, go to outlet stores, etc. It's FAR easier to waste time at a hotel when you are not paying $150 for the hotel and missing a $75 park day- so I "get" what Disney is trying to do by locking people in.

In October, we are going to WDW for 4 park days to celebrate DD's 21st birthday. We are renting DVD points to stay at BWV. We will probably go to each park one day, doing the Food and Wine festival to celebrate DD's b'day. I am considering adding PH so we can have dinner at F&W a couple of times, but that's a LOT of money ($177 plus tax for 3 park-hopping privileges). I am trying not to freak out over what I see as a loss of value for our touring style. FORTUNATELY we aren't going until October, so this whole FP+ fiasco will hopefully have time to shake out. We can't postpone our trip: DD turns 21 at the end of September, and doing F&W with us to celebrate this milestone has been her dream for about 5 years now. $200 a day is a lot of money to spend basically standing in line most of the time or lounging around a pool (yes, we do shows.. but have no desire to shop at Disney… might be the only people on the face of the earth who come back with NO souvenirs!). I am trying to keep my anxiety to a minimum, but I don't think that this'll be the Disney experience we have always enjoyed.

 

[rteetz]

No, we 'don't have to give it a try to know it want be as good! We also have never been to Disney and not had a good time, but, never has there been so many changes (and IMO not for the better). Have been going since the MK opened so understand a certain amount of changes over the years. As for just 'being' there and not 'ride a single ride'! No, thank you! We also enjoy the atmosphere there, but will not travel 600 miles (plus all the expenses) 'just' for atmosphere. We have been AP holders and have gone 2-3 times a year the last few years, but not this year. We have made vacation plans elsewhere, and won't be returning to Disney until they work 'a lot' of kinks out - if ever.

ok I understand for me I only go every 2-3 years so I'm not going to stop because of FP+. In my opinion I don't think its unmanageable to only use three FPs a day. Tiering does not help that I understand I'm not saying I'm happy about that either I'm also not a fan of no park hopping but it is what it is because until disney starts losing money they aren't going to change. I also strongly believe over the next couple years the system will work much more smoothly and will probably have more changes who knows what they will be tho. Most people that went to the parks didn't use FP anyways because they didn't know about it or thought you had to pay extra for it. And at least you said we will wait until disney works the kinks out and then think about going back or not unlike some people who are just done for good or so they say. I don't think we have seen the final product of this system yet, I don't know if we ever will because it will be much easier for this system to adapt to new things.

 

[Ellwood970]

I think I am done with Disney for a while but not because of fastpass. I think the parks are declining in appearance and show like in the late 90's early 2000's. That one billion sure coild have been put to better use imo.

 

[rteetz]

25 trips to Disney under our belts, 7 onsite and the rest offsite. We choose to close parks rather than open them so we never make rope drop; our goal is to be out the door by 10am, whether onsite or off. Legacy FP always worked very well for us, without a runner. For example, on MK day we'd go to Splash and pull FP, then do BTMRR standby while waiting for our FP time. DD would then ride Splash twice as I don't ride it, and while she was on Splash I'd get 2 more BTMRR FPs. Another ride on BTMRR and it was off to HM. Into FantasyLand and get a PP FP, then ride a bunch of stuff in FL until PP time. Ride PP, grab Pooh FP, do the rest of FantasyLand, ride Pooh. Off to TomorrowLand, where we'd get Space FP, then ride other TL rides (TTA, CoP, Buzz, Laugh Floor, teacups, etc.) waiting for the FP time. DD would ride Space twice in a row with FP (as I don't' ride it). There's 10 FP, with DD riding Space and Splash twice, we both rode BTMRR twice, and each rode Peter Pan and Pooh. After that, it'd be a toss-up. Does DD want to ride Space again, or should we head over to AdventureLand, where we'd do Carpets and POC standby? Parade? Train back to Splash to repeat the Splash/BTMRR experience? Somewhere in there, having lunch would eat up (no pun) the FP wait times, too. It worked for us, and, yes, my not riding the big mountains helped DD get on them more frequently, but that doesn't matter anymore. Now I don't know how we'll tour in MK. Getting to DHS at 11-ish meant no FP for TSMM. We knew this and therefore would either get up at the crack of dawn for RD OR not ride. Actually, DHS is usually our "check-in day" park, as we don't really care about TSMM, DD could get 2 ToT FPs at once as I don't ride it, and she could do RnRC on single rider or with FP, depending on the timing. Nothing else at DHS really needed a FP in our estimation. Epcot was a little trickier, as FP for Soarin would run out mid-afternoon. Usually we'd get to the park around 10:30-11, pull Soarin FP, then go ride TT (single rider) and DD would do Mission Space. Then over to SE, then to LwtL, then usually our Soarin time would be available, depending on wait times and return times. SOmetimes we'd get an evening return time for either Soarin or TT and head to WS… the late return time would usually allow us to get another FP for in-between, so we'd FP Maelstrom, then do some WS, go on Maelstrom, finish up WS, do the late day FP, watch Illum from the front of the park. Six fps at Epcot, which is what we'll get now, but our 6 were all for what are now considered Tier 1 rides… and 6 is greater than 2, which is what we are now allowed. I know, this is all boring… but it shows how we used Legacy FP, staying offsite, without a runner. It could be done, easily, but took a little planning. NOW? I don't know how we are going to do our touring. Another comment about staying offsite: Even with Disney tickets, it's FAR easier to do other things. When we stay offsite, we get 4 day Disney tickets; one for each park. THEN we also go to SeaWorld or KEnnedy Space Center, or just lounge around one day, go to outlet stores, etc. It's FAR easier to waste time at a hotel when you are not paying $150 for the hotel and missing a $75 park day- so I "get" what Disney is trying to do by locking people in. In October, we are going to WDW for 4 park days to celebrate DD's 21st birthday. We are renting DVD points to stay at BWV. We will probably go to each park one day, doing the Food and Wine festival to celebrate DD's b'day. I am considering adding PH so we can have dinner at F&W a couple of times, but that's a LOT of money ($177 plus tax for 3 park-hopping privileges). I am trying not to freak out over what I see as a loss of value for our touring style. FORTUNATELY we aren't going until October, so this whole FP+ fiasco will hopefully have time to shake out. We can't postpone our trip: DD turns 21 at the end of September, and doing F&W with us to celebrate this milestone has been her dream for about 5 years now. $200 a day is a lot of money to spend basically standing in line most of the time or lounging around a pool (yes, we do shows.. but have no desire to shop at Disney… might be the only people on the face of the earth who come back with NO souvenirs!). I am trying to keep my anxiety to a minimum, but I don't think that this'll be the Disney experience we have always enjoyed.

you said it was all possible with a little planning. Well so is the new system. I never had a runner either and we fared just fine. I also think you will have some time to watch and see what happens because you go in October. This system will not be finished for a while yet we could very well still see park hopping added to it and more FPs per day whether they are free or you have to pay for more. There are new rumors every day about what new things are going to happen. I also don't think standing in a 30 minute line is going to hurt you either over an hour is different but I'll stand in a 30-45 minute Line any day at disney than be in what feels like Antarctica.

 

[rteetz]

I think I am done with Disney for a while but not because of fastpass. I think the parks are declining in appearance and show like in the late 90's early 2000's. That one billion sure coild have been put to better use imo.

I completely agree with you even CM experience is declining. The overall concept of mymagic+ is really good disney needs to put 1 billion in the parks too.

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

Wow!

I remember my 1st trip. We had a coupon book where we could only pick 2or3 E ticket rides for the DAY and we had to wait in line for them and now here we are complaining that we only get 3 FP's.........

I remember when I was 14 and waited in line for 2 hours at 10 pm to ride space mt. Splash and Big thunder weren't even built yet.

FP is a perk we are so lucky to get......

Disney draws crowds.....lines are long......I have kids....never can go during slow time......we always make the best of it......

If you want to ride rides you stand in line....this is the case at every park....yes some you can pay extra for to skip the lines, but Disney never did that....they gave it to everyone for free.

I'm a little sick of the poor me stories...... If your not happy then find somewhere else to go......

All of you who max out the old FP system never gave a hoot to the standby people.....

And about complaining about PH because you can only get 1 park.....I have never entered a park at 7 and had the availability to get a FP.? They were gone by 12-4 on most days.

The parks are aways insane after 11:30 am. So what has changed?

The old system was nice,but there were flaws. I hated that they started enforcing the return time....talk about being confined and needing to plan...running to a ride just to get FP's and the having to leave there because you time was 3 hours away? In Epcot, DH would run to land and meet us at TT, we do TT a few time, mission space, head over to land, get another FP, ....etc...back and forth...back on forth....all the extra walking wasted so much time??

I think it will be so nice to pick your time......hummm the mornings have the least wait so getting FP around 2-5 will be great without all the extra walking to and from each ride. Plus they have so many other choices......for the couples who don't ride Roller coaster, they can pick out a parade spot, or dine at BOG, or parents with kids who want to meet the character can without long waits. The system is changing....it will be better for some and worst for some, but I think overall its a fairer system than the old one with less hassle.

The people who are complaining were the ones who max out the FP......but by doing so they prevented others from enjoying the rides without waits as there are only so many to go around......like I said...TSM to be out of FP by12 most days.....I never had a chance....but now if I go to Epcot in morning and want to go to DHS In he evening...I can at least ride 3 rides at 7,8 and 9

So they limit you to 3...... We are lucky to have 3 so,please stop complaining.

And those of you who maxed out the old system will find ways to max out this one too.

I hate the DDP....but don't stop going to Disney because of it......I just wing it..sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

 

[rteetz]

Wow! I remember my 1st trip. We had a coupon book where we could only pick 2or3 E ticket rides for the DAY and we had to wait in line for them and now here we are complaining that we only get 3 FP's......... I remember when I was 14 and waited in line for 2 hours at 10 pm to ride space mt. Splash and Big thunder weren't even built yet. FP is a perk we are so lucky to get...... Disney draws crowds.....lines are long......I have kids....never can go during slow time......we always make the best of it...... If you want to ride rides you stand in line....this is the case at every park....yes some you can pay extra for to skip the lines, but Disney never did that....they gave it to everyone for free. I'm a little sick of the poor me stories...... If your not happy then find somewhere else to go...... All of you who max out the old FP system never gave a hoot to the standby people..... And about complaining about PH because you can only get 1 park.....I have never entered a park at 7 and had the availability to get a FP.? They were gone by 12-4 on most days. The parks are aways insane after 11:30 am. So what has changed? The old system was nice,but there were flaws. I hated that they started enforcing the return time....talk about being confined and needing to plan...running to a ride just to get FP's and the having to leave there because you time was 3 hours away? In Epcot, DH would tun to land and meet us at TT, we do TT a few time, mission space, head over to land, get another FP, ....etc...back and forth...back on forth....all the extra walking wasted so much time?? I think it will be so nice to pick your time......hummm the mornings have the least wait so getting FP around 2-5 will be great without all the extra walking to and from each ride. Plus they have so many other choices......for the couples who don't ride Roller coaster, they can pick out a parade spot, or dine at BOG, or parents with kids who want to meet the character can without long waits. The system is changing....it will be better for some and worst for some, but I think overall its a fairer system than the old one with less hassle. The people who are complaining were the ones who max out the FP......but by doing so they prevented others from enjoying the rides without waits as there are only so many to go around......like I said...TSM to be out of FP by12 most days.....I never had a chance....but now if I go to Epcot in morning and want to go to DHS In he evening...I can at least ride 3 rides at 7,8 and 9 So they limit you to 3...... We are lucky to have 3 so,please stop complaining. And hose of you who maxed out the old system will find ways to max out this one too.

that sums up how I feel but every time I say something along these line of oh there were days with no FP or remember the e tickets I get ridiculed because oh we aren't in those times anymore. Hey there was a time without computers to and everyone survived. Now that a system goes computerized and allows for you to be more flexible people go nuts. You never had FP for parades and shows before now you do. You never had the ability to book FP 60 days out now you do. You never had the ability to change you FP to a time you wanted in the park on your smart phone now you do.

 

[EMode]

Good thing you do not have little kids, as 19 out of Universal's 26 rides have a height requirement. It is definitely a resort aimed at entertaining families with older kids, as well as young couples and Spring Break crowds.

We've been able to get in everything we want to do with only 3 legacy FPs for our trips. But we are rope drop/EMH and my daughter is a super-planner for our trips. She's already started planning for our next trip, which we haven't even booked yet, LOL! She's even enjoying the "challenge" of FP+, not that it's really a challenge. We do go for longer than 5 days though, so it is easy to plan two half days at MK and EPCOT for FP+, with one must-do ride at rope drop.

My youngest is now old enough to really enjoy the bigger thrill rides so it is a perfect time for us to try Universal. Maybe it was fate that it coincided with FP+

We were never rope drop people, we were park closers and we always utilized FP- to be able to ride our favorites multiple times with minimum wait. There were some times we had to wait in SB longer than we really wanted but for the most part it was wait in SB for less than 15-20 minutes, grab a FP and come back later. Depending on the SB wait when we came back we'd jump in that line and then use our FP after since it was still in the window. Granted, we have never been during super crowded times (except Labor Day last year) so because we have to go during Spring Break I anticipate much longer SB lines than we've ever had to deal with before. Since the kids are older we don't spend as much time watching parades and seeing shows as we used too, we are there mainly for the rides. Although I could spend all day in the drawing class at HS and have a great day
Being that we can only get 3 FP+s for the entire day means much more time in SB or less riding what we want. I am not ready to pay all that money to see if it works for us right now. I'll wait, maybe next year things will be different. I won't say I'll never go back to WDW because I know that isn't true, but I will definitely look for other places where we feel our vacation dollars go farther for the time being.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Wow!

I remember my 1st trip. We had a coupon book where we could only pick 2or3 E ticket rides for the DAY and we had to wait in line for them and now here we are complaining that we only get 3 FP's.........

I remember when I was 14 and waited in line for 2 hours at 10 pm to ride space mt. Splash and Big thunder weren't even built yet.

FP is a perk we are so lucky to get......

.

.

So, moving backwards is a plus?

Disney is lucky to have customers like me. If they no longer value my business? I can easily spend my $$$$$ elsewhere.