Does Disney even care about AP Holders Anymore?

[TSR6]

Didn't Jim Hill recently get kicked out of the parks???

....sounds like someone has a bone to pick if you ask me.

 

[Anewman]

Lets pretend this is not just some big IF.

They implemted overnight. OK now WE ALL DECIDE if we continue to purchase APs because we are not satisfied with what we get for the money. How hard is that?

If Disney sees that they need to entice sales of APs and decide to add benifits, again we consider them and decide if we want to purchase APs. There will always be that back and fourth.

IF(there is that word again) Disney does go to some kind of tiered FASTPASS system, I am confident that AP holders will be somewhere near the top of the hill.

 

[disrailfan]

IF(there is that word again) Disney does go to some kind of tiered FASTPASS system, I am confident that AP holders will be somewhere near the top of the hill.

I agree, but then that is why I have AP's even with living in Indiana. Because we own DVC we travel twice per year. Between the DVC discounts and the AP discounts we get a pretty good amount of discounts at the parks and resorts. This year DVC members even got deeply discounted AP's which is something I am hoping they keep around.

I hope that they do something with FastPass that will allow people at the resorts and the AP holders to have a better advantage in the parks.

 

[tjkraz]

civileng68,

Two comments:

1. The title of your post implies that something has changed in recent months / years as compared to the past. I'm a relatively new AP holder. Setting aside the purely specualtive JHM post, are there some perks or benefits that have been reduced or eliminated in recent memory?

2. I don't claim to know how Disney projects the financial impact of a FL AP holder, but based upon your description, I would guess that you are fairly atypical. As AP holders and DVC members, we RARELY buy soft drinks, water or snacks in the theme parks. We only eat one meal per day in Disney restaurants. The one area we splurge is souvenirs, but we live 1000 miles away so it's not like we have easy access to those shopping opportunities year round.

If we lived in the Orlando area, we'd likely spend dozens of days per year in the theme parks, and spend little-to-nothing during each trip. That may make me atypical as well, but my point is that (IMO) those who visit often are more likely to be ready, willing and able to minimize their additional out of pocket costs. (i.e. just remembering to grab a bottle of soda from the fridge eliminates an otherwise excessive $2.50 charge at the parks.)

Again, I have nothing on which to draw a hard conclusion. But I'm thinking back to the early FastPass days when the suits were convinced other revenues would jump as folks had more time to eat, drink and shop instead of standing in lines. This later proved to be a false assumption. Perhaps they have more recently realized that AP holders know the system better than others and really don't add as much to the mix (financially) as was once believed.

 

[DancingBear]

The patent just talks about what capabilities the FastPass system might have. Whether and how these capabilities are implemented is completely up in the air at this point.

There are many upsides and downsides to the various implementation options, including limiting to just concierge, or just deluxe, or just to frequent visitors, etc.

Disney is smart enough to realize this, and they will not make any decisions until they've considered the options, done some testing, researched guest opinions, etc. They may get it wrong (see, e.g., getting rid of EE), but certainly they understand that there are public relations issues, guest satisfaction issues (both of those getting the perk and those not getting), whether the perk draws guests, etc.

I think the title of the OP is a bit silly, as nothing has been done yet, and apparently the AP program does carry significant additional perks, despite AP holders having lost their lounges, etc. I am sure the AP program will continue to be evaluated in the context of all of the goals Disney has for the parks. It may be discouraged (as at Disneyland, where they jacked up the price significantly, to reduce the casual local crowds) or encouraged, depending upon the resort-wide strategies. For example, maybe "regular" annual passes may have blackout dates, similar to the Florida passes, so the APs are more focused to bringing folks to the park at slower times.

It has certainly appeared that Disney has been trying very hard in the last few years to bring more focus to the discounting program at WDW. From a simple seasonal pricing strategy on rooms, to more focused code offers, timed release of AP and other room discounts, postcards, etc. And with the MYW passes this year, the multi-day park pass pricing has been brought into this same strategy.

 

[WDW_DV]

I don't want to get into a huge debate...

Boy did YOU come to the wrong place. Debates? on Dis? NEVER

 

[dzneelvr]

seems to me the original poster has an issue with being a Florida AP holder. I opened the thread as an out-of-state AP holder and the points--at least the majority of them--don't apply to us because we stay at the resort, etc. etc.

I would agree that it definitly sounds like in-state APs get less perks than those of us who "visit" your fair state. I don't have any answers for you. I just know the AP gives us a goodly amount of discounts that help manage our costs because we go in such a concentrated time frame.

 

[bubblefactory]

Just a comment on the fast pass system at another disney park :-

There is already a two-tier system in operation at Disneyland Paris. If you have a suite at any onsite hotel or a Castle Club room at the Disneyland Hotel ( like Main B Concierge at GF ) you get a VIP fastpass for each person on check-in valid for length of stay. You can just walk into any FP line between 11am and two hours before park closure with the one pass which you use throughout your stay. What if this perk was introduced for concierge guests at WDW ? I believe this would be a fair system for the guests in high priced rooms.

 

[disrailfan]

I think the title of the OP is a bit silly, as nothing has been done yet, and apparently the AP program does carry significant additional perks, despite AP holders having lost their lounges, etc. I am sure the AP program will continue to be evaluated in the context of all of the goals Disney has for the parks. It may be discouraged (as at Disneyland, where they jacked up the price significantly, to reduce the casual local crowds) or encouraged, depending upon the resort-wide strategies. For example, maybe "regular" annual passes may have blackout dates, similar to the Florida passes, so the APs are more focused to bringing folks to the park at slower times.

But see there is some of the confusion , Disney made it clear that when they were doing the Lounges for AP holders that it was on a trial basis and that it may be discontinued at any time. We were AP holders then and saw the lounges barely used, and at that time we went in June when it is relatively hot and crowded.

Bottom Line here is that WDW is allowed as a business to make changes, maybe we may like them and maybe we won't. Personally I can see where every decision that they have made has made sense. EE was a plus when the parks were crowded, they were cancelled after 9/11 due to the attendance rates falling. Now that attendance is picking up again they are bringing things like EE back to the parks.

Personally I think if I were in charge at WDW I would concentrate on bringing the guests from all over the world and making them want to come back and not concentrating on the atypical Florida Passholder that spends 15-20 weekends a year there but does not get a room onsite. I stay onsite and appreciate the "perks" that my family and guests get when we stay onsite.

Just my 2 cents worth. I know someone will have comments and if I have offended someone I appoligize in advance. It seems these days that I always offend someone in these boards.

 

[GOOFYFREEK]

I hope hotel guest do get this. Disney get all my money why should I enjoy additonal perks.

 

[SoCalKDG]

I agree, however, my point is, when does it get to the point where you are already getting what you paid for? I think right now you get what you pay for.

But lets say occupancy levels for the Deluxes has dipped below 70%(resort wide its about 78%). So Disney determines that people don't feel like they are getting their money's worth at a Deluxe. Disney could drop the cost(ha ha) or they add another perk/option to the deluxe package. Three FP's per day that can be reserved the night before.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

The purpose of most perks Disney gives out is to sell something or to keep someone they sold something modestly happy. The comment posted above is a good example. If Disney wanted to drive their deluxe occupancy up to 80% without a code one way to do it is some sort of FP benefit.

 

[disrailfan]

But lets say occupancy levels for the Deluxes has dipped below 70%(resort wide its about 78%). So Disney determines that people don't feel like they are getting their money's worth at a Deluxe. Disney could drop the cost(ha ha) or they add another perk/option to the deluxe package. Three FP's per day that can be reserved the night before.

Aren't they already doing this? They currently during slow seasons (October and January) give very deep discounts on the deluxe rooms as it is. I have seen the WL and AKL go for as cheap as $149 a night.

 

[SoCalKDG]

Aren't they already doing this? They currently during slow seasons (October and January) give very deep discounts on the deluxe rooms as it is. I have seen the WL and AKL go for as cheap as $149 a night.

With discounting. The object is to not discount. Adding additional perks such as FP for Deluxe(or any of the onsite hotels) would be a way to fill the room without discounting.

 

[LeftCoaster]

Didn't Jim Hill recently get kicked out of the parks???

....sounds like someone has a bone to pick if you ask me.

Yes he did. It happened a couple of months ago at DL. anyway, I don't think he was doing this because he has a bone to pick. He was just being, Well, Jim.

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

And (donning flame suit) I do believe people who stay on site should receive little extra perks (over day guests and off site guests). I don't want to get into a huge debate.. it's just my humble opinion at this time.

And I agree with the poster above. People are becoming concerned about something that isn't even an issue yet.

I was just saying this to DH the other day!! I think fast passes should be for guests staying on Disney property. Flame away, JMO!! Would Disney do it, I doubt it!