Disney holding back FP+s for day-of

[CT Disney]

I'll start by saying I do not like the new system at all and wish it would go back to how it was done. But if pre-booking is the system Disney wants to go with, then I want to get what I want at 60 days. I do not like the idea that my family could search everyday before our trip, stalking the website, spending lots of time and not get what we want to find a family that does no planning gets a FP+ slot the morning they enter the park that we had be searching for. If Disney wants me to preplan my rides then reward me for doing so. Again, it isn't my choice. I don't want to pre-book my rides but what I dislike even more is not being able to get what I want not because of my effort but because Disney is controlling the slots. I am viewing this as how it will impact our vacation. Not what is best for Disney. I also know that it is Disney's right to control it in anyway they want.

I totally get where you are coming from. I am a pre-planner and I LOVE to be first in line But, I do wish that everyone would consider this fact:

Not everyone is on-board with this system yet. Disney CMs and their guests can not pre-book any FP+. As of right now, CMs and their guests need to book all of their FP+ day-of, at the kiosks. Until Disney gets their own employees on-board, I certainly hope they are holding some FP+ aside for day-of booking. Consider our situation:

My DH is a CM up in Connecticut. We have had our August 2014 on-site reservations booked since October of 2013. I would love nothing more than to pre-book our FPs before our trip. But, that's jut not possible. My DH puts in a lot of work for his awesome employer and I think it would be really unfortunate if he couldn't at least try out the new mine train, among other things.

I totally understand that Disney needs to get its regular customers set-up and operational in MDX before they bring their own employees on-board. But, until that time I think it would be great if Disney kept some FP+ slots available for day-of booking. I guess I'm just trying to make the point that, as of now, not everyone who books day-of FP+ are families who "do no planning".

 

[DisneyWisher]

My thoughts exactly. Does this really work? I don't get how restarting your phone makes a difference in whether or not there are slots available.

OtherScott I would get out of the app, double click on the home button and force close the app and it would still show nothing available. Restarting the phone worked to get other time slots. I was just giving an option that worked for me and my iPhone. For me I'd rather find a way that works than keep getting "nothing available" or error with our system. But hey, that's just me.

 

[The Hub]

Well, you've hit on the naked truth of how corporations work.

But, I'm sure Disney would say, guests are also getting more value in return.

Take the single day, off-site guest as an example: previously, that person might show up on a level 7 day at 11am, spend 6 frustrated hours in the park in long SB's and leave unsatisfied. Now, (their thinking, not mine) that same guest gets to do 3 rides they want with minimal wait. In return, Disney has now spread those rides out over an 8 or 9 hour period- expecting those additional 2 or 3 hours will bring in a higher spend rate from that guest. Higher level of satisfaction for the guest, more revenue for Disney (again, their thinking, not mine).

With the millions who visit, just moving the time-in-park needle a few percentage points is real revenue. It won't work for all guests in each category and they're not expecting it to- just the overall percentages moving in their favor is what they want.

Officially, I have to say Disney treats all guests the same, they care about all guests the same, etc.

However, this is not a discussion board owned by The Walt Disney Company. Disney no longer cares about their Annual Passholders, nor do they care about offsite guests. In fact, they no longer care about their onsite weekend guests. They only care about those who stay onsite for about a week or longer.

This is the reasoning: If you purchase a 10 day ticket, after so many days, it gets discounted to I believe $10 per day. I don't know how many days, but it should be $10. I have never been a Ticketing/Guest Relations Cast Member. If you book a resort room at $300, it is the same price. Would Disney prefer to make ~$350 per person per 10 day ticket for an offsite guest or ~$3000 + ~$350 per person for a 10 day onsite guest? The cost of the room stays the same for each night, whereas the ticket gets discounted to $10.

 

[JimmyV]

In fact, they no longer care about their onsite weekend guests. They only care about those who stay onsite for about a week or longer.

This is the reasoning: If you purchase a 10 day ticket, after so many days, it gets discounted to I believe $10 per day. I don't know how many days, but it should be $10. I have never been a Ticketing/Guest Relations Cast Member. If you book a resort room at $300, it is the same price. Would Disney prefer to make ~$350 per person per 10 day ticket for an offsite guest or ~$3000 + ~$350 per person for a 10 day onsite guest? The cost of the room stays the same for each night, whereas the ticket gets discounted to $10.

Someone's math is wrong. Either yours or Disney's. Because the price of the admission reduces down to $10 per day the longer one stays, Disney should care more about people who stay for a short period of time. Assume that a room at the Contemporary is going to be rented out for 10 days. Which makes Disney more money?:

a. Room 1014 --Family #1 rents the room for the whole 10 days and buys 10 day passes. They eat all meals on site and each member of the Family buys 2 souveniers/sweatshirts to commorate their visit.

b. Room 1016--Family #2 rents the room for 5 days, buys 5 day passes, and then checks out, followed by Family #3 who rents the room for the next 5 days and buys 5 day passes. Both families eat all meals on site and each member of Family #2 and Family #3 buys 2 souveniers/sweatshirts to commorate their visit.

or

c. Room 1018--Family #4 rents the room for 3 days and buys 3 day passes, then checks out and is followed by Family #5 who rents the room for 3 days and buys 3 day passes, and they check out and are followed by Family #6 who rents the room for 4 days and buys 4 day passes. All three families eat all meals on site and each member of Family #4, Family #5 and Family #6 buys 2 souveniers/sweatshirts to commorate their visit.

Disney makes more money from scenario "c". The room revenue is constant as is the meal revenue*. But Disney makes more money from tickets and souveniers by turning the room over to three different families instead of having one family act as "squatters" for the whole 10 days.

*The meal revenue may not be constant. A family staying for 10 days may develop palate and wallet fatigue and eat less expensive meals as the vacation wears on. But the two families of 5 might not develop that fatigue and might contine to eat higher priced, fancier meals throughout their stays, and the three families on shorter vacations might splurge the whole time they are there and eat Signature dinners every night.

There is a breaking point after which your "gracious host" would rather that you pack up and leave, and let someone new, excited, enthusiastic and with full pockets come in and take your place. For Disney, that point is in the 5-7 day range. Disney doesn't want 10 day guests. Or, better stated, it doesn't prefer them.

 

[OtherScott]

This is not cool. Guest: So...are there any FPs available? Customer Service: Yes and No. G: What do you mean? CS: YES there are, but NO, you can't have one. If this is really the way that things are going to work, then I am guessing that a lot of the "I love FP+" people are going to retract their vote, and the "FP+ is actually more fair than FP-" argument is going to be really, really hard to sustain.

Depends on scale. If Deluxe room guests are offered FP choices on the quarter hour and day guests are offered on the half, not much talk about fairness.

And wait until Disney is able to strategically overbook and the pattern fails...

 

[mom4graceandlogan]

I certainly hope that they have some day of available! CM and their guests are not the only ones left out. We are going on a chorus competition trip April 23-26. We are staying onsite at Pop but are considered a tour group. We will get grey magic bands upon arrival that are unlinked to our either paper or card tickets. So unable to set up anything on MDE until arrival despite staying onsite until after we check in. Now being in the Disney know I am going to see if I can stay up late start setting up MDE's linking tickets and 6 other people and probably ne helping the other chaperones do the same. ( while they think I am the crazy Disney lady). These girls and boys have worked their buns off fundraising and many have not been to Disney. It will be a shame if they are shut out from all of the headliners because everything is booked in advance. We have 2 1/2 days total in the parks. Soarin was a 150 minute last week. We wont be able to afford to lose that much park time and we can't split the group up either. I will wait with anyone that does not want to ride. There are so many people I know that get to go to Disney as part of a convention and stay offsite or as a once in a lifetime birthday trip etc. it will be a shame if these people not in the Disney know show up and have to explain to their kids that many attractions may not be available. I know standby is an option, but nobody should have to stand in an 80 minute line with a 6 year old and have realistically no options but stand by. In looking at the wait times, FP + is booking up the attractions that usually you could count on as a reasonable wait and now the waits are much longer. For anyone going please keep reporting back same day availability feedback. Thanks.

 

[clsteve]

Officially, I have to say Disney treats all guests the same, they care about all guests the same, etc.

However, this is not a discussion board owned by The Walt Disney Company. Disney no longer cares about their Annual Passholders, nor do they care about offsite guests. In fact, they no longer care about their onsite weekend guests. They only care about those who stay onsite for about a week or longer.

This is the reasoning: If you purchase a 10 day ticket, after so many days, it gets discounted to I believe $10 per day. I don't know how many days, but it should be $10. I have never been a Ticketing/Guest Relations Cast Member. If you book a resort room at $300, it is the same price. Would Disney prefer to make ~$350 per person per 10 day ticket for an offsite guest or ~$3000 + ~$350 per person for a 10 day onsite guest? The cost of the room stays the same for each night, whereas the ticket gets discounted to $10.

Yep, the naked truth.

Not hard to see where beneficial FP reservations that makes them excited for the trip, happy in-Park, but also gets them out of the Park in a timely fashion to head to DTD, or book that tee time, day spa outing, fishing trip, sig meal, etc., maximizes Disney's finite ride commodity.

You don't have to give more FP's to on-site----- perhaps, maximizing how and when they're used accomplishes the same goal without being as transparent as we might have thought.....

 

[mickeysgirl17]

This is not cool.

Guest: So...are there any FPs available?

Customer Service: Yes and No.

G: What do you mean?

CS: YES there are, but NO, you can't have one.

If this is really the way that things are going to work, then I am guessing that a lot of the "I love FP+" people are going to retract their vote, and the "FP+ is actually more fair than FP-" argument is going to be really, really hard to sustain.

If this is the case, there are going to be a lot of angry people. This system will never last. I'm tempted to start taking bets on when Disney will go back to the old system or come up with yet another new system.

I totally get where you are coming from. I am a pre-planner and I LOVE to be first in line But, I do wish that everyone would consider this fact:

Not everyone is on-board with this system yet. Disney CMs and their guests can not pre-book any FP+. As of right now, CMs and their guests need to book all of their FP+ day-of, at the kiosks. Until Disney gets their own employees on-board, I certainly hope they are holding some FP+ aside for day-of booking. Consider our situation:

My DH is a CM up in Connecticut. We have had our August 2014 on-site reservations booked since October of 2013. I would love nothing more than to pre-book our FPs before our trip. But, that's jut not possible. My DH puts in a lot of work for his awesome employer and I think it would be really unfortunate if he couldn't at least try out the new mine train, among other things.

I totally understand that Disney needs to get its regular customers set-up and operational in MDX before they bring their own employees on-board. But, until that time I think it would be great if Disney kept some FP+ slots available for day-of booking. I guess I'm just trying to make the point that, as of now, not everyone who books day-of FP+ are families who "do no planning".

Its completely understandable that CM's and their families want to get their fastpasses too. However, there should be a completely separate system for them. A certain amount of fastpasses should be reserved for them separately so they can be guaranteed to get what they want the day they are there. They shouldn't have to fight for what Disney held back for them and day of guests who didn't book in advance. This whole system is so unfair to so many people. People who book 60 days out who have to change their fp time may run into availability issues because of day guests. This isn't a very good advantage for people who stay on site. My issue is that people are getting messages saying "no times available" when in fact there are some fastpasses being held back for people to get at kiosks when they arrive in the park. They are there but not everyone can get them. Its a very unfair system for so many people and it is going to make a lot of people including myself angry I've seen posts of a few people who have called Disney and were told that fastpasses are still available for an attraction, however they can't have them (likely because Disney is holding some for day of guests, for the kiosks, or for the people who can only book 30 days out)...there are so many wonderful CMs out there and it would be terrible if they can't get anything and have to stand in long kiosk lines and fight for whats left.

 

[mom2rtk]

I'll start by saying I do not like the new system at all and wish it would go back to how it was done. But if pre-booking is the system Disney wants to go with, then I want to get what I want at 60 days. I do not like the idea that my family could search everyday before our trip, stalking the website, spending lots of time and not get what we want to find a family that does no planning gets a FP+ slot the morning they enter the park that we had be searching for. If Disney wants me to preplan my rides then reward me for doing so. Again, it isn't my choice. I don't want to pre-book my rides but what I dislike even more is not being able to get what I want not because of my effort but because Disney is controlling the slots. I am viewing this as how it will impact our vacation. Not what is best for Disney. I also know that it is Disney's right to control it in anyway they want.

Well said. And absolutely how I feel. Don't make me chase my dang tail. ADRs at 180 days. FPs at 60 days. Parade and Wishes FPs? Something else, but nothing set. BOG FP? Yet another date. Fantasmic dining package? Perhaps yet another date. Tomorrowland Dessert party? You got it.... .yet another date.

^This about sums up my thoughts/feelings on the system as it currently stands. I really won't appreciate them holding back FP+ for day-of guests if it comes at the expense of guests pre-planning, as Disney is forcing us to do (if we want FPs that is - I know I don't HAVE to do anything). I wish the whole system could be day of - just let me sign in a 6 or 7 AM and book my FP+s for that day. But we all know their web site wouldn't handle that.

And honestly, everyone says the onsite people don't have to worry, that they won't all book up. OK then, why do they need to hold any back at all then? Hmmmmmm????????

I think the fact that those numbers (25-40%) were before offsite could prebook is very, very important. It will take some time to get everyone prebooking, especially offsite. I can see the logic behind always holding some back for day-of, but I think that number will move as needed.

I also think that there can be different choices built into the system depending what class of customer you are (offsite or onsite). Maybe if you are onsite, you get to see more choices even if it means that they take that slot away from the FPs that have been set aside.

For Anna and Elsa, has there been any availability day-of I wonder?

Mine Train will be another interesting example.

A/E don't start until the 20th. It will be very interesting to see if any are held back.

And they would get away with it too if it weren't for those meddling guests and their dang expectations.

This is not cool.

Guest: So...are there any FPs available?

Customer Service: Yes and No.

G: What do you mean?

CS: YES there are, but NO, you can't have one.

If this is really the way that things are going to work, then I am guessing that a lot of the "I love FP+" people are going to retract their vote, and the "FP+ is actually more fair than FP-" argument is going to be really, really hard to sustain.

Agreed. SO not cool. And much harder to hold the "I love FP" line.

I would love to see an update from The Hub about whether they are holding back at a similar level now that offsite has the ability to prebook. If they have moved some of those same day slots to 30 days out, I wonder if that's a separate pool from on-site? It would be possible that offsite guests could have access to FPs that onsite guests cannot. That wouldn't be common, but I could definitely see it happening for A/E and 7DMT.

At 60 days out at midnight, you should be able to get everything you want as an onsite customer. If not, Disney risks people canceling their rooms/packages.

Yep. If I have a package booked and can't get what I want at 60 days, no WAY am I chasing a smaller pool same day. I'm just going to cancel.

 

[amg35]

Depends on scale. If Deluxe room guests are offered FP choices on the quarter hour and day guests are offered on the half, not much talk about fairness.

And wait until Disney is able to strategically overbook and the pattern fails...

What does this mean? I keep reading about who gets to book when, where you stay, how long you stay....

Isn't it for onsite guests 60 days out regardless of which resort you are staying in? Or has this changed?

 

[clsteve]

Someone's math is wrong. Either yours or Disney's. Because the price of the admission reduces down to $10 per day the longer one stays, Disney should care more about people who stay for a short period of time. Assume that a room at the Contemporary is going to be rented out for 10 days. Which makes Disney more money?:

a. Room 1014 --Family #1 rents the room for the whole 10 days and buys 10 day passes. They eat all meals on site and each member of the Family buys 2 souveniers/sweatshirts to commorate their visit.

b. Room 1016--Family #2 rents the room for 5 days, buys 5 day passes, and then checks out, followed by Family #3 who rents the room for the next 5 days and buys 5 day passes. Both families eat all meals on site and each member of Family #2 and Family #3 buys 2 souveniers/sweatshirts to commorate their visit.

or

c. Room 1018--Family #4 rents the room for 3 days and buys 3 day passes, then checks out and is followed by Family #5 who rents the room for 3 days and buys 3 day passes, and they check out and are followed by Family #6 who rents the room for 4 days and buys 4 day passes. All three families eat all meals on site and each member of Family #4, Family #5 and Family #6 buys 2 souveniers/sweatshirts to commorate their visit.

Disney makes more money from scenario "c". The room revenue is constant as is the meal revenue*. But Disney makes more money from tickets and souveniers by turning the room over to three different families instead of having one family act as "squatters" for the whole 10 days.

*The meal revenue may not be constant. A family staying for 10 days may develop palate and wallet fatigue and eat less expensive meals as the vacation wears on. But the two families of 5 might not develop that fatigue and might contine to eat higher priced, fancier meals throughout their stays, and the three families on shorter vacations might splurge the whole time they are there and eat Signature dinners every night.

There is a breaking point after which your "gracious host" would rather that you pack up and leave, and let someone new, excited, enthusiastic and with full pockets come in and take your place. For Disney, that point is in the 5-7 day range. Disney doesn't want 10 day guests. Or, better stated, it doesn't prefer them.

There's just one big issue with scenario "C" that goes against every revenue model in the Resort Industry: you're not taking into account the impact of the check-in and check-out days. Plus, it's unrealistic to insert constants souvenirs, meals, etc.

Check in and Check out are not only the lowest spend days for the guest, they are the highest expense/resource intensive days for the Resort. Please don't get me wrong- I'm not trying to be difficult, it's just a given. No reason to go into all of the models, everyone just needs to think about how little they do/spend/eat at Disney on the day they arrive and the day they leave versus a full day. Then think about how much more expensive for the Resort it is to totally clean your room (and wash all the sheets and towels, etc.) versus making up your room.

Resorts look at guest expenditure per day and expense per day. "C" would not be the one Disney would pick.

You are right that there is a fatigue factor for too long a stay, but there's a reason every Resort in the world gives incentives for longer stays.

 

[The Hub]

Someone's math is wrong. Either yours or Disney's. Because the price of the admission reduces down to $10 per day the longer one stays, Disney should care more about people who stay for a short period of time. Assume that a room at the Contemporary is going to be rented out for 10 days. Which makes Disney more money?:

a. Room 1014 --Family #1 rents the room for the whole 10 days and buys 10 day passes. They eat all meals on site and each member of the Family buys 2 souveniers/sweatshirts to commorate their visit.

b. Room 1016--Family #2 rents the room for 5 days, buys 5 day passes, and then checks out, followed by Family #3 who rents the room for the next 5 days and buys 5 day passes. Both families eat all meals on site and each member of Family #2 and Family #3 buys 2 souveniers/sweatshirts to commorate their visit.

or

c. Room 1018--Family #4 rents the room for 3 days and buys 3 day passes, then checks out and is followed by Family #5 who rents the room for 3 days and buys 3 day passes, and they check out and are followed by Family #6 who rents the room for 4 days and buys 4 day passes. All three families eat all meals on site and each member of Family #4, Family #5 and Family #6 buys 2 souveniers/sweatshirts to commorate their visit.

Disney makes more money from scenario "c". The room revenue is constant as is the meal revenue*. But Disney makes more money from tickets and souveniers by turning the room over to three different families instead of having one family act as "squatters" for the whole 10 days.

*The meal revenue may not be constant. A family staying for 10 days may develop palate and wallet fatigue and eat less expensive meals as the vacation wears on. But the two families of 5 might not develop that fatigue and might contine to eat higher priced, fancier meals throughout their stays, and the three families on shorter vacations might splurge the whole time they are there and eat Signature dinners every night.

There is a breaking point after which your "gracious host" would rather that you pack up and leave, and let someone new, excited, enthusiastic and with full pockets come in and take your place. For Disney, that point is in the 5-7 day range. Disney doesn't want 10 day guests. Or, better stated, it doesn't prefer them.

Perhaps the example wasn't clear. This is the reason behind all the onsite/resort commercials. Disney wants guests to have the average Disney vacation. This is seven nights with a 5 day ticket at a Disney resort. All resort rooms are perishable. If they don't get sold... well, they don't get sold. However, Disney would prefer to continue selling rooms at a much higher and consistent rate (250-500+/nt) versus letting those rooms sit empty. After a certain amount of days, theme park admission gets discounted to $10/day. Offsite guests are able to visit the park for as little as $10 plus taxes.

If a guest wants to visit the theme parks, Disney is going to sell them a ticket, regardless. Disney wants them staying in a resort because it is more revenue for them. Research has shown that onsite guests spend more for food and beverages. Anything offsite is too far away for those without transportation to experience and cab fares would discourage the guest from leaving Disney property. Merchandise... the more a guest walks passed something, the more they will buy. Disney's new target demographic, the first time visitor/once in a lifetime visitor, will spend a considerably higher amount on souvenirs and food than those who are Passholders or frequent guests.

My next point was about the onsite weekend guests. Sure, Disney likes them. However, they already have captured the week-long guest's market and the weekend guest's market. The 3-4 day guest during the week isn't there. Those perishable rooms sit empty with a loss of revenue. A great majority of those rooms sit empty during off season. The only time, really, when they're nearly all full is during the holidays in December or those that would result in a three day school weekend throughout the country.

Most front line Cast Members do care. Most coordinators do care. Some leaders do care. A couple of in-park executive teams do care. However, those in Burbank now only care about the money and shareholders.

Well said. And absolutely how I feel. Don't make me chase my dang tail. ADRs at 180 days. FPs at 60 days. Parade and Wishes FPs? Something else, but nothing set. BOG FP? Yet another date. Fantasmic dining package? Perhaps yet another date. Tomorrowland Dessert party? You got it.... .yet another date.



And honestly, everyone says the onsite people don't have to worry, that they won't all book up. OK then, why do they need to hold any back at all then? Hmmmmmm????????



A/E don't start until the 20th. It will be very interesting to see if any are held back.







Agreed. SO not cool. And much harder to hold the "I love FP" line.

I would love to see an update from The Hub about whether they are holding back at a similar level now that offsite has the ability to prebook. If they have moved some of those same day slots to 30 days out, I wonder if that's a separate pool from on-site? It would be possible that offsite guests could have access to FPs that onsite guests cannot. That wouldn't be common, but I could definitely see it happening for A/E and 7DMT.



Yep. If I have a package booked and can't get what I want at 60 days, no WAY am I chasing a smaller pool same day. I'm just going to cancel.

If my leaders share the information during a track talk, I would be happy to relay it. As I said, they gave those numbers after MyMagic+ was opened for Passholders, but before offsite was opened.

 

[OtherScott]

What does this mean? I keep reading about who gets to book when, where you stay, how long you stay.... Isn't it for onsite guests 60 days out regardless of which resort you are staying in? Or has this changed?

Some discussion about how Disney might use FP windows to favor some classes of guests over others. They can conceivably give Deluxe Resort guests more booking options than day guests on the assumption that more revenue comes with the former.

My thought is that there are so many classes of visitors that tailoring will not be significantly advantageous - unless it is blatantly implemented.

 

[OtherScott]

Perhaps the example wasn't clear. This is the reason behind all the onsite/resort commercials. Disney wants guests to have the average Disney vacation. This is seven nights with a 5 day ticket at a Disney resort. All resort rooms are perishable. If they don't get sold... well, they don't get sold. However, Disney would prefer to continue selling rooms at a much higher and consistent rate (250-500+/nt) versus letting those rooms sit empty. After a certain amount of days, theme park admission gets discounted to $10/day. Offsite guests are able to visit the park for as little as $10 plus taxes. If a guest wants to visit the theme parks, Disney is going to sell them a ticket, regardless. Disney wants them staying in a resort because it is more revenue for them. Research has shown that onsite guests spend more for food and beverages. Anything offsite is too far away for those without transportation to experience and cab fares would discourage the guest from leaving Disney property. Merchandise... the more a guest walks passed something, the more they will buy. Disney's new target demographic, the first time visitor/once in a lifetime visitor, will spend a considerably higher amount on souvenirs and food than those who are Passholders or frequent guests. My next point was about the onsite weekend guests. Sure, Disney likes them. However, they already have captured the week-long guest's market and the weekend guest's market. The 3-4 day guest during the week isn't there. Those perishable rooms sit empty with a loss of revenue. A great majority of those rooms sit empty during off season. The only time, really, when they're nearly all full is during the holidays in December or those that would result in a three day school weekend throughout the country. Most front line Cast Members do care. Most coordinators do care. Some leaders do care. A couple of in-park executive teams do care. However, those in Burbank now only care about the money and shareholders. If my leaders share the information during a track talk, I would be happy to relay it. As I said, they gave those numbers after MyMagic+ was opened for Passholders, but before offsite was opened.

Don't know where this $10 ticket price comes from. Book 10 ala carte and it's $35 per day. Add 10 day to a room and it's $50 per day.

As for resort spending, SEC filing shows $257 per room, per night. That number needs to be divided by number of guests. It only represents non-park spending, not profit. Subtract reservations, desk staff, transportation, housekeeping, landscapers, maintenance, life guards, restaurant staff, wear and tear and it just doesn't seem that big.

Maybe I misread something.

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

Some discussion about how Disney might use FP windows to favor some classes of guests over others. They can conceivably give Deluxe Resort guests more booking options than day guests on the assumption that more revenue comes with the former.

My thought is that there are so many classes of visitors that tailoring will not be significantly advantageous - unless it is blatantly implemented.

But here is what I wonder. Why would it serve Disney to do this if isn't known. It isn't like people will go home and say that if you just pony up and stay in deluxe resort then you have more choice. In theory, these guest won't even know there is any difference. At least that is what we are talking about. That those staying in value or off-site guest will never know what they are missing because Disney isn't going to come out and say it is happening. So if those that aren't getting the choices don't know what they are missing, how will those that do get more choice know they are getting something special? Where is the benefit in that for Disney? If know one knows it is going on, how will it convince a family to move on-site from off-site or to move up from a value resort. Sure those guest spend more money but it will do nothing to move more guest to that spending level.

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

All the talk about booking 60 days really isn't a problem. But to me it doesn't make it difference if it 60, 30 or 14 days out. I do not like the idea that Disney keeping FP+ I want from me to offer them to a guest day of that didn't use their great new preplanning system.

 

[OtherScott]

But here is what I wonder. Why would it serve Disney to do this if isn't known. It isn't like people will go home and say that if you just pony up and stay in deluxe resort then you have more choice. In theory, these guest won't even know there is any difference. At least that is what we are talking about. That those staying in value or off-site guest will never know what they are missing because Disney isn't going to come out and say it is happening. So if those that aren't getting the choices don't know what they are missing, how will those that do get more choice know they are getting something special? Where is the benefit in that for Disney? If know one knows it is going on, how will it convince a family to move on-site from off-site or to move up from a value resort. Sure those guest spend more money but it will do nothing to move more guest to that spending level.

That's why I said they would have to blatant.

 

[clsteve]

But here is what I wonder. Why would it serve Disney to do this if isn't known. It isn't like people will go home and say that if you just pony up and stay in deluxe resort then you have more choice. In theory, these guest won't even know there is any difference. At least that is what we are talking about. That those staying in value or off-site guest will never know what they are missing because Disney isn't going to come out and say it is happening. So if those that aren't getting the choices don't know what they are missing, how will those that do get more choice know they are getting something special? Where is the benefit in that for Disney? If know one knows it is going on, how will it convince a family to move on-site from off-site or to move up from a value resort. Sure those guest spend more money but it will do nothing to move more guest to that spending level.

An excellent point.

Why do it this way? Simply put- they can't do much more than they already have because they have to measure the impact (positive and negative) of what they've already done: 60 day advanced for on-site/ 30 day for off-site being the most visible.

If they opened with too many of the system options they have to increase revenue at one time, they wouldn't be able to measure which worked, worked best, or were flat out busts.

And, the non-visible ones could well be the most important to measure first. Such as: If they can use FP ressies to get off-site committed to Disney 30 days out and use FP return times to keep them in the Parks longer for a larger spend rate- big, measurable win. Same with maximizing on-site guest in-the-Park time for more spending at Disney outside of the Park- very measurable.

If you turn on all the faucets at once, it's hard to measure which are filling the pool the best.

 

[mom2rtk]

If my leaders share the information during a track talk, I would be happy to relay it. As I said, they gave those numbers after MyMagic+ was opened for Passholders, but before offsite was opened.

Thank you as always for the information!

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

Someone's math is wrong. Either yours or Disney's. Because the price of the admission reduces down to $10 per day the longer one stays, Disney should care more about people who stay for a short period of time. Assume that a room at the Contemporary is going to be rented out for 10 days. Which makes Disney more money?: a. Room 1014 --Family #1 rents the room for the whole 10 days and buys 10 day passes. They eat all meals on site and each member of the Family buys 2 souveniers/sweatshirts to commorate their visit. b. Room 1016--Family #2 rents the room for 5 days, buys 5 day passes, and then checks out, followed by Family #3 who rents the room for the next 5 days and buys 5 day passes. Both families eat all meals on site and each member of Family #2 and Family #3 buys 2 souveniers/sweatshirts to commorate their visit. or c. Room 1018--Family #4 rents the room for 3 days and buys 3 day passes, then checks out and is followed by Family #5 who rents the room for 3 days and buys 3 day passes, and they check out and are followed by Family #6 who rents the room for 4 days and buys 4 day passes. All three families eat all meals on site and each member of Family #4, Family #5 and Family #6 buys 2 souveniers/sweatshirts to commorate their visit. Disney makes more money from scenario "c". The room revenue is constant as is the meal revenue*. But Disney makes more money from tickets and souveniers by turning the room over to three different families instead of having one family act as "squatters" for the whole 10 days. *The meal revenue may not be constant. A family staying for 10 days may develop palate and wallet fatigue and eat less expensive meals as the vacation wears on. But the two families of 5 might not develop that fatigue and might contine to eat higher priced, fancier meals throughout their stays, and the three families on shorter vacations might splurge the whole time they are there and eat Signature dinners every night. There is a breaking point after which your "gracious host" would rather that you pack up and leave, and let someone new, excited, enthusiastic and with full pockets come in and take your place. For Disney, that point is in the 5-7 day range. Disney doesn't want 10 day guests. Or, better stated, it doesn't prefer them.

Then for those thinking about split stays they should go for it. Then Disney won't realize their family staying 5 days at one resort and 5 at another is really a ten day family.