Disney , please don't do this...

[mrsmorrow]

They need to sell WWWD shirts in the gift shops, it's become a popular mantra for supporting any opinion.

LOL Maybe those could be a perk for staying onsite?

 

[surferdave]

LOL Maybe those could be a perk for staying onsite?

I think that's what Walt would have wanted.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I hope the opposite. I would love to get extra for being a resort guest, and I would even more like to be able to pay for an unlimited front of line pass like you can at Universal. I'd pay in a second.

I agree...I would pay for unlimited FP and upgrade resorts for more perks.

Me too. In a second.

I agree.

I'm in this camp as well.

The introduction of the option to pay for an unlimited Fastpass would bring us back to the Disney Parks, not drive us from them.

For all those that are opposed to the premise of an unlimited (or even a once-per-ride) FP for a fee, I wonder how many have actually tried the Universal and SeaWorld similar sytems? (Express Pass and Quick Queue?)

 

[DavidNYC]

There is a lot documented on things Walt has said so not a stretch at all to see how a general paid FP would go against his vision. All the comparisons to Club 33 or comparing to the days when admission was free and you paid per ride are just silly.

Yes, there is a VIP tour but HUGE difference between a rarely used thing like that and what you see at things like six flags where person after person jumps ahead of you.

Not that this is right, but big difference in park experience between having a privileged 1% and having a privileged 25%. The more people in the upper tier the worse off those that can't have it.

 

[CarolynU]

I'm in this camp as well.

The introduction of the option to pay for an unlimited Fastpass would bring us back to the Disney Parks, not drive us from them.

For all those that are opposed to the premise of an unlimited (or even a once-per-ride) FP for a fee, I wonder how many have actually tried the Universal and SeaWorld similar sytems? (Express Pass and Quick Queue?)

I haven't and don't intend to.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I haven't and don't intend to.

And that's totally fine.....and what I expect that most posters' answers will be. They are opposed to the idea but have never actually experienced the other systems.

 

[mrsmorrow]

Legacy FP wasn't broke and therefore didn't need to be fixed...but that's obviously a moot point now. In terms of "fair" it doesn't get any fairer than how it used to be. But fair can be a subjective term and especially when it comes to Disney and people's hard earned money and well earned vacation time. It will never be fair simply because the degree of self-entitlement people feel varies so greatly. Would I love more than 3 FP's and no tiering and multiple parks? Absolutely! But the self entitlement that people feel runs across all "classes"...it never gonna be fair.

 

[Hannathy]

These threads always amuse me. Walt whether as good at business as Roy or not was a businessman. He wanted to make money! Nothing wrong with that. Making money is what keeps Disney in business, keeps them growing.

If Walt wasn't about making money he wouldn't have done 2 things:

Rides wouldn't have cost different amounts! There wouldn't have been A rides and E rides. Not many parks at the time did this.

2nd thing, He wouldn't have bought 75% or more of the land for WDW in Florida secretly and under aliases and dummy corporations. He knew if word got out the land would cost a ton so he wanted to buy it when it was dirt cheap and he did.

You can throw int the 3rd if you want, just building WDW! knew he couldn't expand in California much more and he saw another money making chance to draw people.

First and foremost it is a business with a duty to it's stock holders to make the most money it can.

I think those who stay on Disney should get more FP's

 

[LilyWDW]

People who say "What would Walt do?" are fooling themselves if they actually think they know. Why do I say this? Because Walt isn't here. He hasn't seen how much his company has grown. He hasn't dealt with the increases in crowds. He hasn't dealt with the changes in societal thinking that have occurred since he was on this earth. Do people truly think that NONE of his original thoughts or ideas would not have changed since 1966?? Or that he wouldn't NOW see that some things that worked in 1955 when Disneyland opened wouldn't work today?

You are taking a man and quotes from that man out of context and trying to shove them into something to support your argument. It doesn't work that way. There is NO way to know what Walt would think TODAY. You can not discount all the changes and experiences that the man would have had between then and now.

As for more FP+ for resort guests... I would be all for it. Personally, I think onsite perks are lacking. EMHs have been shortened over the years (plus, I avoid them due to crowds later in the day). Transportation can be used by anyone, not just resort guests. I do like ME, but honestly that is not a HUGE perk compared to what I believe they should have. When a guest shows loyalty (and I believe paying to stay on site does so), then they should be rewarded. It keeps them coming back and staying with you again. FP+ perks would be GREAT for this. It would also help Disney fill rooms, which is always good for their business (and there is NOTHING wrong with a business wanting to make money).

To be blunt, if you don't like the direction that Disney is taking, you have choices. No one is promised a Disney vacation in their lifetimes. It has NEVER been something everyone can afford... and there is nothing wrong with that.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I hope the opposite. I would love to get extra for being a resort guest, and I would even more like to be able to pay for an unlimited front of line pass like you can at Universal. I'd pay in a second.

Yep, I remember the books. We always left at the end of the night with a few books full of unused "lesser" rides.

I agree...I would pay for unlimited FP and upgrade resorts for more perks.

You mean like charging extra for your unused days not to expire?

Charging for special tiers of fastpass would be the smartest thing they could do.

Disney needs to build more attractions, not more places to stay.

I've said since the beginning there will be a way to purchase more FP+'s. And I would be happy to do it.

We can no longer travel during value season when FP- wasn't necessary. It is a vastly different experience. I am dreading the liines over Easter because now I really feel that I am only going to be able to experience 3 rides period. And at Epcot either ToT OR Soarin'. I won't be able to ride both and would love the chance to buy extra FP+

Way back WDW knew people would pay more for Space than IASW and they charged more. Also, remember when Park Hopping was part of a ticket, now it costs extra.

WDW absolutely needs more E-ticket rides. Especially, ones the whole family can enjoy. Fantasyland will be great when the grandkids start arriving but I've got awhile yet. TSM and Soarin' are not thrill rides and they are two of the most popular rides on property.

I've always wanted a ride in WS similar to the part in PP when they fly over London. A fast loader, where you ride over miniature cities around the world. Something that anyone of any age or disability can ride. If you've ever noticed, someone is always watching the miniature train in the Germany pavilion.

 

[JanaDee]

I never understood this rationale. Why don't you just vacation at the nearest Holiday Inn Express? Unless you work there, of course.

Or stay home, for free. You aren't at work.

 

[Tink575]

I know when it comes to it Disney is a company and its ultimate goal is to make money, and this may come from me growing up poor, but I always thought there was something magical about once you entered the parks everyone was the same. Everyone had the same shot at meeting a princess, riding a ride or seeing the fireworks no matter how much money they had. We usually stay on property and can probably learn to live with just three fastpasses but somehow knowing some people can buy more "magic" will just make the place seem less special.

There were ticket books years ago at Disneyland and WDW. If you wanted to go on more "E ticket" and other rides you had to buy more ticket books. The playing field then was not really equal either.

 

[CarolynU]

And that's totally fine.....and what I expect that most posters' answers will be. They are opposed to the idea but have never actually experienced the other systems.

I just like the idea that once every family with their children enters WDW everyone has an equal shot at getting on everything without a tiered onsite/offsite system. With FP+ as opposed to legacy FP I'm one of the people who gain by the 60 day booking window and that plus the other onsite perks I mentioned is enough for me.

If people love the idea of getting FOL access at UNiversal and Seaworld then I'm sure they would love a similar system at WDW. I'm sure that there are some people who would love a Deluxe stay= 10 FP+ with a 90day booking window, Moderates 6FP+ with a 60 day booking window, Value 4 FP+ with a 40 day booking window, offsiters 3 FP+ with a 30 day booking window or any other permutation.

Each to their own, but personally despite the advantages I would gain it doesn't sit comfortably with me.

As I said though it appears that I'm in the minority.

 

[JanaDee]

I'd be on board with this. This is America, more $ = more benefits. That's not to sound like a jerk, but that's the way it goes. Gotta pay to play.

People already pay plenty to play.

 

[sonofanarchy]

I never said other theme parks, or venues, don't bleed customers dry. Professional sporting events are worse than most theme parks. But, Disney does it too, they aren't exempt.

And why are you all of a sudden Disney Defender? Apparently FP+ hasn't completely beaten all of the pixie dust out of you.

I'm not Disney's defender. I just call it like I see it. FP+ sucks, but that doesn't mean everything Disney does does as well. I take my kids out all the time to local parks, venues, etc. Disney, by comparison, is a bargain.

 

[2Tiggies]

I'm not Disney's defender. I just call it like I see it. FP+ sucks, but that doesn't mean everything Disney does does as well. I take my kids out all the time to local parks, venues, etc. Disney, by comparison, is a bargain.

I really do get this and do share your view on it. Cost per day of our Disney length of stay hoppers gives us a lower price per day than the meh local theme park per day.

The difference is, if I went to our local theme park, I would suck it up, pack a picnic and it would just be one day. WDW is much further away for us so when you add on meals, flights, resort/hotel, insurance and all kinds of other expenses, it's just in a completely different category entirely. Unless you live locally, you can't avoid these additional expense and for most, a 1 or 2 day visit to the parks is just not cost effective.

The main difference is that WDW is a vacation destination. Most theme parks are a day out.

 

[MadToad]

People who say "What would Walt do?" are fooling themselves if they actually think they know. Why do I say this? Because Walt isn't here. He hasn't seen how much his company has grown. He hasn't dealt with the increases in crowds. He hasn't dealt with the changes in societal thinking that have occurred since he was on this earth. Do people truly think that NONE of his original thoughts or ideas would not have changed since 1966?? Or that he wouldn't NOW see that some things that worked in 1955 when Disneyland opened wouldn't work today?

You are taking a man and quotes from that man out of context and trying to shove them into something to support your argument. It doesn't work that way. There is NO way to know what Walt would think TODAY. You can not discount all the changes and experiences that the man would have had between then and now.

Thank you. I have grown so tired of everyone knowing what Walt would do. Walt was many things, including a shrewd businessman, and he had a team of very shrewd/brilliant businessmen behind him. The only thing I am sure of is that Walt, today, would be a superior spokesperson than Disney's current chief, Iger, who has all the charisma of an old gym sock.

 

[morethananyonex]

I don't think Disney has the capacity now to charge for extra. I also don't think this model is coming anytime soon given the options stated in the recent surveys. If they're going to allow people park hopping, some way to get more than 3 FP+ and those extra same day FP+ not being subject to tiers, I can't see them also charging for additional FP+. There aren't enough worthwhile options to buy at that point.

I do think it's silly when people start pulling out the what would Walt do arguments. None of us know. What we do know is he created theme parks that while awesome and all alienated many families who could not afford it. They still do. Walt wanted to have a profitable business. I'm not sure why some people treat him as though he was Mother Teresa of the theme park world. He wanted your money too. The difference is he may not have been so in your face about it. Also don't forget the internet wasn't around in the 50's for people to scrutinize every public comment the Disney company made.

I don't know why some people keep getting stuck on Disney giving more to people who give them more. They've always done it, it's not new. I don't know if they will give more to onsite guests or not (besides the booking window) I have arguments for both ways. Either way, it shouldn't be surprising if Disney does choose to shape this in a way that rewards people for onsite stays. They are a business, they want the extra money from a family staying onsite all other things equal.

 

[jade1]

I can't see Disney having enough capacity to give everyone three and then give even more to those who stay in more expensive resorts. I can't see them selling extra ones either unless they charge a lot to keep demand down.

I don't think Disney has the capacity now to charge for extra.

Charge for new FP+ attractions (starting with 7DMT) and use the revenue to build more new attractions.

These will not count against your 3.

Standby at no charge, and shake the hands of the FP+ folks as they walk by for creating said attraction.

 

[Tink575]

Charge for new FP+ attractions (starting with 7DMT) and use the revenue to build more new attractions. Standby at no charge, and shake the hands of the FP+ folks as they walk by for creating said attraction.

Universal IOA excludes Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey from their Express Passes. Hotel guests get early admission. I wonder if Disney might follow their example and make 7DMT available for EMH, no FP+ at all, everyone else rides Standby.