Disney has lost another family - do they care?

[flicx]

Most people who are voicing concerns here aren't calling it quits without trying it. Even this thread was started by someone who is in Disney now, experiencing FP+, and that is what influenced his decision.

Exactly many have tried it. That 3 fast pass number is basically a joke too. Many who have tried say one or two of the three they give you are useless/unnecessary. So many days you essentially get one fast pass. I don't need to try it to understand the concept!

 

[Mad Hattered]

I know but I've seen people who aren't trying it call it quits as well because the pre planning is too much.

I would bet more people are upset that you only get 3 per day in one park, the tiers and no park hopping.

 

[lugnut33]

Even though I dislike FP+ I realize that my opinion of it will have no effect whatsoever on Disney because simply put, the parks are packed. I also believe that the vast majority of people love FP+ because they don't know any better. Sort of like McDonalds, millions of people think it's great (they must or it wouldn't be so busy) because they've never had any real cooking.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I know but I've seen people who aren't trying it call it quits as well because the pre planning is too much.

I don't think that's entirely new to.fp+ though. I've helped many families who were overwhelmed with the preplanning even before fp+. I can definitely see fp+ being the tipping point to.just not bother for some of those families.

 

[rteetz]

I would bet more people are upset that you only get 3 per day in one park, the tiers and no park hopping.

I understand that I'm not exactly happy about it either but it is what it is. I'm sure disney has also looked into how many the average guest uses per day and thats how they came up with 3 FPs.

 

[rteetz]

I don't think that's entirely new to.fp+ though. I've helped many families who were overwhelmed with the preplanning even before fp+. I can definitely see fp+ being the tipping point to.just not bother for some of those families.

I understand disboards is a great place for these things I've also helped plenty of people here and in real life but most people don't go onto boards like this or have disney fanatic friends.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

I know but I've seen people who aren't trying it call it quits as well because the pre planning is too much.

I have seen lots of folks say they don't want to spend thousands of dollars on a trip. I totally understand this. For someone that was used to pulling 6 FPs a day and for multiple rides and different parks, they don't need to spend thousands of dollars to know the new system will not give them the experience they want. I totally understand why folks want to wait and let the dust settle. for the record, I tried the system in Dec..was at Pop so FP+ only. I had a great trip (it was my first time at Christmas) so seeing the resort decorations, Osborne Lights and CP at Epcot were the main reason the trip was so great. I def experienced longer waits for rides in the afternoon/evening where previously I could have pulled a FP_ for one ride and then waited in line for another....essentially waiting in 1 line for 2 rides.

 

[rteetz]

I have seen lots of folks say they don't want to spend thousands of dollars on a trip. I totally understand this. For someone that was used to pulling 6 FPs a day and for multiple rides and different parks, they don't need to spend thousands of dollars to know the new system will not give them the experience they want. I totally understand why folks want to wait and let the dust settle. for the record, I tried the system in Dec..was at Pop so FP+ only. I had a great trip (it was my first time at Christmas) so seeing the resort decorations, Osborne Lights and CP at Epcot were the main reason the trip was so great. I def experienced longer waits for rides in the afternoon/evening where previously I could have pulled a FP_ for one ride and then waited in line for another....essentially waiting in 1 line for 2 rides.

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.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

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.

I agree with you about being there vs being in the snow. 2nd.snowiest winter for me here in IL. Back to the subject though, I have estimated it will cost me about $5,000 to bring my sis and her family if we stay onsite (there are 6 of us). $5,000 is A LOT of money to me and I'm sure it's lots to others.too. I would imagine others are thinking "is it really worth $5k to go to Disney when we know X, Y, and Z or should we spend that money elsewhere". I don't feel there is anything wrong with this. I don't care how others spend their money. That being said, even though I know my niece and nephews will get a lesser experience than they would have compared to FP_, I am still going to take them b/c I want to share that experience with them. Just a little frustrating to know how much it costs and I know (the kids won't though) that we're getting lesser value for that money.

ETA: since this will be a one n done for them, it is extremely important to me that they get to ride a the headliners....and heaven forbid maybe even one of their favorites twice. Of course I won't know their fave rides til.we get down there. Makes planning a little difficult. I see us watching lots of YouTube videos in our future.

 

[MrInfinity]

Funny if you read my post I said disney needs to make a profit. Universal prices at hotels are far more reasonable than Disney. Compare the deluxes sometime. You can still grab a room at a universal deluxe for under 150 with front of the line .

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.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I understand disboards is a great place for these things I've also helped plenty of people here and in real life but most people don't go onto boards like this or have disney fanatic friends.

That's what I was getting at...I think we are agreeing there

 

[Shaden]

...then you never know what you're gonna get. Maybe one day you'll get TSMM maybe one day you'll get RnRC.

I'm sorry. Couldn't resist.

Amy, that was pretty well done too. You and Mesa are winning the night so far !

 

[Mad Hattered]

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.

It all depends on when you are going and how many people are in your party.

 

[rteetz]

I agree with you about being there vs being in the snow. 2nd.snowiest winter for me here in IL. Back to the subject though, I have estimated it will cost me about $5,000 to bring my sis and her family if we stay onsite (there are 6 of us). $5,000 is A LOT of money to me and I'm sure it's lots to others.too. I would imagine others are thinking "is it really worth $5k to go to Disney when we know X, Y, and Z or should we spend that money elsewhere". I don't feel there is anything wrong with this. I don't care how others spend their money. That being said, even though I know my niece and nephews will get a lesser experience than they would have compared to FP_, I am still going to take them b/c I want to share that experience with them. Just a little frustrating to know how much it costs and I know (the kids won't though) that we're getting lesser value for that money. ETA: since this will be a one n done for them, it is extremely important to me that they get to ride a the headliners....and heaven forbid maybe even one of their favorites twice. Of course I won't know their fave rides til.we get down there. Makes planning a little difficult. I see us watching lots of YouTube videos in our future.

oh I understand completely for our family of five its about 4300 on site and we try to go every couple years and it keeps getting more and more expensive hotel, parks, and airfare. After we to this year we don't know when we will be back next so we want to do as much as possible. I'm looking to get back in 2017-2018 time frame to see avatar and disney springs but if prices keep rising who knows. But to me I won't not go because I get can't more than 3 FPs thats just me.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

oh I understand completely for our family of five its about 4300 on site and we try to go every couple years and it keeps getting more and more expensive hotel, parks, and airfare. After we to this year we don't know when we will be back next so we want to do as much as possible. I'm looking to get back in 2017-2018 time frame to see avatar and disney springs but if prices keep rising who knows. But to me I won't not go because I get can't more than 3 FPs thats just me.

My guess the FP+ rules might be the straw that broken the camels back. Others have stated about the increase in price and quality of food. Changing the ride experience was the last straw. I still personally don't see where it's any of my business to tell someone how to spend their money though. That's my main burn with the statement "Just try it, you might like it". Yes - you're right - they might like it....they might not. Just b/c someone says they aren't gonna go doesn't mean that person thinks everyone that does go is wasting their money...no one is right or wrong.

 

[EMode]

But Universal is only maybe 2 days worth of parks? And there's not much to do with little kids, IMO. Most of the park is used for roller coasters. I guess if your family is mostly teenagers, then it's a 3 day park? But WDW is a 6-7 day vacation for us, and Universal can be done in half a day (we just do Harry Potter there) so staying onsite at Universal gets us no perks at all. Unless FJ has FOTL access now?

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.

 

[rteetz]

My guess the FP+ rules might be the straw that broken the camels back. Others have stated about the increase in price and quality of food. Changing the ride experience was the last straw. I still personally don't see where it's any of my business to tell someone how to spend their money though. That's my main burn with the statement "Just try it, you might like it". Yes - you're right - they might like it....they might not. Just b/c someone says they aren't gonna go doesn't mean that person thinks everyone that does go is wasting their money...no one is right or wrong.

that's very true it's pretty much an endless argument you have the FP+ lovers going against the FP+ with the people who are unsure in the middle trying to figure out who is right and who is wrong.

 

[Networth]

To answer the OP. No they don't why would they? Look at their first fiscal quarter. I do hope you find a way the system works for you or you find another place that you enjoy.

“We had an incredibly strong first quarter, delivering a 32% increase in adjusted earnings per share and double-digit increases in operating income in all business segments,” said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company. “These results reflect the strength of our unprecedented portfolio of brands, a constant focus on creativity and innovation, and the continued success of our long-term strategy.”

http://thewaltdisneycompany.com/sites/default/files/reports/q1-fy14-earnings.pdf

 

[Planogirl]

I priced it for our Spring Break trip and its $445 a night. For $110 less a night I can book onsite at US. With the benefit of FOTL access and unlimited ride access its a no brainer which is the better value for our money.
I love WDW but thanks to FP+ the perks of staying onsite are no longer worth the cost to do so for our family when compared to what you can get elsewhere.

Wow! That's just bizarre.

 

[Planogirl]

But Universal is only maybe 2 days worth of parks? And there's not much to do with little kids, IMO. Most of the park is used for roller coasters. I guess if your family is mostly teenagers, then it's a 3 day park? But WDW is a 6-7 day vacation for us, and Universal can be done in half a day (we just do Harry Potter there) so staying onsite at Universal gets us no perks at all. Unless FJ has FOTL access now?

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.