Disney says guests will be able to reserve ride times from home

[doconeill]

Disney does have various patents that would allow resort guests to get FPs in advance (which this does sound an awful lot similar to... )

There obviously has to be limits as they cannot exceed the ride capacity and they still have to allow for standby guests. My biggest question has to do with the impact on Fastpasses themselves. I feel they must come from the same pool as the FPs.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

I am not sure Disney wants to go to a "pay for" type of queing system. While Disney definitely sorts its customers into classes (AP holders, fla residents, DVC members, etc) and gives them different benefits, etc....they have always tried to not create a strict economic money incentive. While they have add on services (even personal tour guides for VIP's, etc) it has always been very low key and gives the appearance that a low income family staying off site is on the same terms as a Deluxe Concierge Guest who has bought the Premium Plan while in the parks and during normal times.

I could actually see it being offered only to on site guests or something similar, so they will get their money in a backhanded way and not just someone sliding a $100 bill under the pay window.

I think you're looking at Disney too altruistically. They no longer care about what they stand for beyond how it affects their PR and marketing. Money is the name of the game and when they figure they can sell FP packages for $250.00 pp (or whatever their actual # is) then it'll happen. This new technology angle is a way to show the public how futuristic and fore thinking they are (mis direction, if you will).

With regard to FP capacity, I don't think they'll care too much if the FP's are sold out and the regular guest gets little or no shot. After all anyone could buy it, right? Don't get me wrong, they'll implement it with as little negative PR impact as possible, so a bone or two could be thrown to the peons but don't hold your breath for parity.

 

[doconeill]

I think you're looking at Disney too altruistically. They no longer care about what they stand for beyond how it affects their PR and marketing. Money is the name of the game and when they figure they can sell FP packages for $250.00 pp (or whatever their actual # is) then it'll happen. This new technology angle is a way to show the public how futuristic and fore thinking they are (mis direction, if you will).

With regard to FP capacity, I don't think they'll care too much if the FP's are sold out and the regular guest gets little or no shot. After all anyone could buy it, right? Don't get me wrong, they'll implement it with as little negative PR impact as possible, so a bone or two could be thrown to the peons but don't hold your breath for parity.

Disney has so far had many opportunities to make FP "pay for play" or introduce additional features as such, and they haven't so far. Doesn't mean they won't - but if $$ was the bottom line they would have done it already.

A lot of their focus over the last several years has been on getting bodies in the resorts. I think this will be introduced as an added benefit for that.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Disney has so far had many opportunities to make FP "pay for play" or introduce additional features as such, and they haven't so far. Doesn't mean they won't - but if $$ was the bottom line they would have done it already.

A lot of their focus over the last several years has been on getting bodies in the resorts. I think this will be introduced as an added benefit for that.

Waiting for the right opportunity maybe? They're aren't dolts in that boardroom and would certainly be looking to make the biggest killing they can. Just maybe THAT opp hasn't exposed itself yet.

 

[Braden's Momma]

What a terrible idea!

The mere thought of having to reserve ride times in advance has sent me into a blind panic! It's bad enough having to plan meals in advance. In fact we've given up on the dining plan for this reason as it was taking away the fun, having to plan everything around meals.

I take it this would also mean the end of the fastpass in its current form. So if you hadn't booked in advance there would be no alternative to long lines. Or even worse, would it mean that if you hadn't booked and the park was busy, you wouldn't be able to ride at all!

We like to go with the flow. We've been going to Disney since 1994 and never had a problem with this. If the lines are long we get a fastpass or we do something else and come back another time. No big deal!

If they introduce advance ride booking then I don't think we would be going back to Disney which would also mean selling our DVC.

I do hope they think this through properly.

I totally agree with you! Last year was the first time that I experienced having to to ADRs. Let me tell you, I feel like all we did was eat! I was not even hungry. I did not like having to plan my vacation around ADRs. This trip I went to QSDP to avoid having my vacation scheduled to a T. If they implement this new fast pass system that would even be worse, IMHO. Everything we do will be set, what if we decide we are too hungry to catch a show that we booked? Ugh...I don't like it....I WANT to ENJOY my vacation. I have to stay on a schedule at work.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

....I WANT to ENJOY my vacation. I have to stay on a schedule at work.

Try Universal. It's much more like WDW USED to be.

 

[patsal]

Try Universal. It's much more like WDW USED to be.

So true, I never really thought it would be, didn't want to admit it, but that was what I found when I took my vacation dollars there for a change. Since this summer is set in stone at WDW I am eagerly planning my 2012 summer to include much more Universal and much less WDW.

 

[jade1]

FP? Whats a FP? Oh yea, that's that ticket you can get for the popular attractions if you are not a night owl. Our kids are now in their 20's so the Disney window for them is skewed, shutting them out for most good FP's. Boo hoo I tell them-that's the way it is "currently".

Penalized for a vacation habit of sleeping in, heading down for lunch at the pool, enjoying a swim and the weather, hitting the parks late, a few attractions, dinner, a night show, drinks/nightlife etc. EMH is a joke-the waits are as bad as ever.

Reserving a FP would be a perfect solution for folks in this category.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

FP? Whats a FP? Oh yea, that's that ticket you can get for the popular attractions if you are not a night owl. Our kids are now in their 20's so the Disney window for them is skewed, shutting them out for most good FP's. Boo hoo I tell them-that's the way it is "currently".

Penalized for a vacation habit of sleeping in, heading down for lunch at the pool, enjoying a swim and the weather, hitting the parks late, a few attractions, dinner, a night show, drinks/nightlife etc. EMH is a joke-the waits are as bad as ever.

Reserving a FP would be a perfect solution for folks in this category.

Of course so would taking vacations (and your vacation $$$) elsewhere be a good solution.

 

[jade1]

Of course so would taking vacations (and your vacation $$$) elsewhere be a good solution.

Hmm-maybe Disney thought of that?