Disney has lost another family - do they care?

[practicallyperfect77]

FP+ will change in the future what and how it will change is till a mystery but the luxury of the new system is that it will be easier to change something on this one as opposed to the old one because its all computerized and what not. The whole concept of MyMagic+ is really good. The problem is people who are used to getting 6+ FPs a day can't get that anymore. I'm sure disney has looked into the numbers and found that three was a good number. Very early in the test of FP+ they gave out 4 to some guests but they haven't done anything else with that.

I honestly have no problem with MM+ and being tracked and knowing they will advertise specifically how I tour. I do have issues with the FP+ limitations. Personally I think I would love some type of hybrid system. Where you can book one or two in advance but then book more once in the park. That would be an improvement in my opinion. Folks that never got the coveted TSM or Soarin' fast pass could still do so. Openers to closers wouldn't have their experience lessened....win win! Except maybe for Disney b/c they want the FP super users shopping. It'll be interesting tho to see if those folks shop, stand in longer standby lines, or go to resort and swim.

 

[aaarcher86]

Okay. Spend your vacation money somewhere else. Many of the FP+ decriers are making similar threats online. That's not going to cause anything to change.

Amen

Disney doesn't care about individual families because they're a business. It's not personal. If another family replaces the one that's leaving they haven't lost anything.

 

[jmkrat]

If your friend does not use FP+ over Easter her trip will be a complete disaster. Easter crowds are horrible.

We always went around the Easter break time and was never able to get FP's. We did just fine and had to use SB for everything. They also have a lot more Extra Magic Hours.

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

We always went the around the Easter break time and was never able to get FP's. We did just fine and had to use SB for everything. They also have a lot more Extra Magic Hours.

Thank you. That is exactly what I have been telling my friend.

 

[hockeymomNS]

I am just back from a week at Disney with the Magic Band and FP+ system. I can only comment on my experience and my thoughts on how it will affect our travels. This trip was a trip with my life long best friend, so two middle aged women who are btw huge Disney fans.

First of all, I had no issues at all making my reservations. The system "blipped" once and only for two minutes one night. I was able to change plans as the week unfolded using My Disney Experience on my phone. I do appreciate that this is a slower time of year.

Secondly I am left thinking that all was well and easy for two people staying on site during a slow time of year........that however is not when we typically travel. Also, we travel from Canada and can only visit once per year or once every second year.

We are two moms of two teens/adults. As of late we rent a house together, so that puts us off site. Her daughter and daughters' bf are teachers as is my sons gf. That leaves us travelling at Xmas or summer. As the process is now, Xmas would be even more of a nightmare. I can't even imagine how crowded those kiosks will be. Now I did hear that they may be changing things and that off site guests will be able to make reservations once their tickets are bought. That would make things better. The three per day is a bit of a pain, but I don't see that being a huge deal for us. The one park/day will be. We usually park hop so that will change things for us.

So, hmmm. I am the Disney freak. My husband and kids enjoy a day or two but it is mostly nostalgia and for Mom. They do love the thrill rides and theming of Universal. I do foresee perhaps that the family trips will involve the week at the house and a night at Universal using the FOTL pass. I think that the Disney visits may lay with Mom's trips or just the parents trips when we can travel at less busy times.

Again this is only how things at this time pertain to my situation.

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

Except the family who's visiting DHS only once, on arrival day. Or the group who drives from a distant point in Florida or a nearby state. Or the party who can't get out ofthe room early enough for rope drop for medical reasons. Or the second- or third-shift worker whose internal clock is on a different schedule.

Before you could get to DHS at 10 or 11 and get a FP for TSM & RnR. Can't do that anymore no matter what time you walk in the gate. The same goes for Epcot. You could get to the park by 11 and still get a FP for Soarin' and TT. Can't do that anymore. So even if this family gets only one day at Epcot and wants to sleep in getting to the park around 11, theystill get less with the way the system is set up currently.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Thank you. That is exactly what I have been telling my friend.

All about expectations in my opinion. If your friend knows going in that it's going to be crowded and is expecting to stand in lines, expectations will be met. I'm not opposed to standing in long lines sometimes. For example on my last trip I was on a mission to get all my fave rides in on my last day. I did this...FP+ actually helped since I ended the day at HS and had TSm and RnRC ressies. But I also had to stand in a 70 min line for Soarin'. Eben tho FP+ benefited me that day, overall I had a lesser experience when looking at the trip as a whole.

 

[rteetz]

I honestly have no problem with MM+ and being tracked and knowing they will advertise specifically how I tour. I do have issues with the FP+ limitations. Personally I think I would love some type of hybrid system. Where you can book one or two in advance but then book more once in the park. That would be an improvement in my opinion. Folks that never got the coveted TSM or Soarin' fast pass could still do so. Openers to closers wouldn't have their experience lessened....win win! Except maybe for Disney b/c they want the FP super users shopping. It'll be interesting tho to see if those folks shop, stand in longer standby lines, or go to resort and swim.

I understand completely what you are saying and FP+ is part of mymagic+ so. Your not the first to say you would like a "hybrid" system and definitely not the last but i don't see it happening. Disney wants guests spending more money exactly how you said instead of going from ride to ride they want them in the shops. Also you said some may just stay at the pools but if you do that and are on site you will probably spend money there too for food and drinks or when you kids go into the souvenir shop. I personally wouldn't be surprised if one day we see queues with gift shops in them stand in line and shop at the same time. who knows only time will tell what happens with FP+.

 

[btk2333]

Before you could get to DHS at 10 or 11 and get a FP for TSM & RnR. Can't do that anymore no matter what time you walk in the gate. The same goes for Epcot. You could get to the park by 11 and still get a FP for Soarin' and TT. Can't do that anymore. So even if this family gets only one day at Epcot and wants to sleep in getting to the park around 11, theystill get less with the way the system is set up currently.

I've seen TSM and Soarin' fast passes gone by 11:00 several times... and even if they were left, they were for like 8:00.

Also, you can now change your FPPs so you have Soarin and TT/ RnRc and TSM in the same day. Tiering still exists when you book it, but when you go in to change it does not.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

I've seen TSM and Soarin' fast passes gone by 11:00 several times... and even if they were left, they were for like 8:00.

Also, you can now change your FPPs so you have Soarin and TT/ RnRc and TSM in the same day. Tiering still exists when you book it, but when you go in to change it does not.

Unfortunately, I believe this glitch was fixed.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

I understand completely what you are saying and FP+ is part of mymagic+ so. Your not the first to say you would like a "hybrid" system and definitely not the last but i don't see it happening. Disney wants guests spending more money exactly how you said instead of going from ride to ride they want them in the shops. Also you said some may just stay at the pools but if you do that and are on site you will probably spend money there too for food and drinks or when you kids go into the souvenir shop. I personally wouldn't be surprised if one day we see queues with gift shops in them stand in line and shop at the same time. who knows only time will tell what happens with FP+.

You gotta eat regrdless if in the parks or not so not really an additional spend in my opinion. Yes more compared to home. I also see lots of folks using their 3FP+ and then heading over to different Orlando attractions. Not getting any more money that way either. I know Disney is a a for profit company. I don't fault them for wanting folks to be spending more. I think the folks that don't like the new system are sad that something they loved and found value in no longer exists. Well it does - just have to go to DL instead.

 

[estherhead]

The OP's original question of does Disney care that they have lost her is simply answered by saying, "No, they don't."

Per Bob Iger in the 2014 1st quarter (which includes 2013 Christmas season):
Guest spending was up 8 percent and "per room spending" was up 5%.
They we were able to accommodate 3000 more guests per day during peak holiday season at MK due to MM+.

If they really can accommodate more people then they will make more money. And once they stop spending money on MM+, it will be even more profitable.

They aren't feeling the angst that is on Disboards.

So if you don't want to go back, don't. And if it truly is as horrible as you are saying that it is, you won't care either. You'll be happy to find a new happy place that fits into your vacation model. And other vacation goers will fill your Disney spot.

It won't go away. Many, many people like it. We are in testing so it will evolve into something slightly different, but it will stay.

So if it is a dealbreaker for your family, then it is.

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

Also, you can now change your FPPs so you have Soarin and TT/ RnRc and TSM in the same day. Tiering still exists when you book it, but when you go in to change it does not.

From my understanding, this is no longer possible.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

The OP's original question of does Disney care that they have lost her is simply answered by saying, "No, they don't."

Per Bob Iger in the 2014 1st quarter (which includes 2013 Christmas season):
Guest spending was up 8 percent and "per room spending" was up 5%.
They we were able to accommodate 3000 more guests per day during peak holiday season at MK due to MM+.

If they really can accommodate more people then they will make more money. And once they stop spending money on MM+, it will be even more profitable.

They aren't feeling the angst that is on Disboards.

So if you don't want to go back, don't. And if it truly is as horrible as you are saying that it is, you won't care either. You'll be happy to find a new happy place that fits into your vacation model. And other vacation goers will fill your Disney spot.

It won't go away. Many, many people like it. We are in testing so it will evolve into something slightly different, but it will stay.

So if it is a dealbreaker for your family, then it is.

Curious - anyone know what he means by accommodating 3000 more guests? Is that 3000 more in the parks or staying at resort? How did MM+ attribute to this?

 

[btk2333]

Unfortunately, I believe this glitch was fixed.

From my understanding, this is no longer possible.

My apologies- see what happens when I go away from the board for a weekend!

 

[practicallyperfect77]

My apologies- see what happens when I go away from the board for a weekend!

I know! Happens so quickly. Was great while it lasted and happy for the folks that were able to redo their ressies.

 

[rteetz]

You gotta eat regrdless if in the parks or not so not really an additional spend in my opinion. Yes more compared to home. I also see lots of folks using their 3FP+ and then heading over to different Orlando attractions. Not getting any more money that way either. I know Disney is a a for profit company. I don't fault them for wanting folks to be spending more. I think the folks that don't like the new system are sad that something they loved and found value in no longer exists. Well it does - just have to go to DL instead.

exactly I'm looking into a future DL trip I've never been and I'd love to go.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Amen

Disney doesn't care about individual families because they're a business. It's not personal. If another family replaces the one that's leaving they haven't lost anything.

If Disney didn't care at all about losing those families, they wouldn't be calling people who have emailed them with concerns about fp+.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

If Disney didn't care at all about losing those families, they wouldn't be calling people who have emailed them with concerns about fp+.

Or, they could be calling them to see if their strategy is playing out as they had planned, or to identify unintended consequences (note the use of the word "unintended" - some of these complaints were clearly anticipated, hence intended). We don't know what we don't know. When they start giving those callers some sort of incentive to return, I'll agree with you. Right now, they are not. They are just cataloging data.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Or, they could be calling them to see if their strategy is playing out as they had planned, or to identify unintended consequences (note the use of the word "unintended" - some of these complaints were clearly anticipated, hence intended). We don't know what we don't know. When they start giving those callers some sort of incentive to return, I'll agree with you. Right now, they are not. They are just cataloging data.

I stand by my statement that if Disney did not care at all, which is what I was responding to, then they wouldn't be bothering with the phone calls.

The phone call I personally received was absolutely a CM attempting to mollify my concerns and get me to return. Did she offer me any incentives on the phone, no, but I received quite a bit of mail from them, both email and snail, with special offera/pin codes not too long after that call. (Which we have not gotten much of in the past)