Don't Waste Your Money: Disney Changes Fast Pass, some fans unhappy

[rteetz]

Which is exactly why it doesn't interest me. I want to choose what park I go toon what day. I don't want to say , hey. Epcot has EMH today so let's go there

and most planning websites tell you to avoid those parks on those days because its busier. I don't plane my vacation around the. But if I'm at the park that day it is nice.

 

[rteetz]

In an extension of the issues covered in the article the OP posted, I offer the piece in the link below. It's based on some interesting observations of Disney park management during the recent Christmas-New Years period: http://micechat.com/53144-crush-disney-crowds-masks-weaker-parks-flaws/

there's mice chat again at least there's nothing I oppose in this article tho it's pretty factual

 

[mm1971]

I'm all for Disney providing benefits to those staying on-site that off-site guest don't get the option. It's a business and they need to compete with all of the other lodging options. Some feel these benefits are sufficient to pay a little extra to be on property, others do not. Just think how difficult it would be to fill rooms if they allowed off-site guests to have all the same benefits. Why would that make sense for Disney? They have the value resorts. Still a little more $$, yes, but still pretty competitive rates to other/similar vacations from my experience. We usually stay moderate as the values are a little too cramped and the deluxe are not a very good value for our money (our opinion).

We stay on property for the EMH and the service we get. We did always us FP and likely used FP more than 3x per day. However, with FP+ is we only get 3 than so be it. We'll use the 3 we get and then we'll go on rides with shorter lines. The longer line rides will have to wait until the next time or next trip.

 

[StirlingSilver83]

We have a trip planned for WDW the end of March and are staying on the monorail. I am super excited about trying the new FP+, yes it was a little on the pricey side to stay at 1 of Disneys resorts, but with 2 kids I wanted Easy, lol...plus I haven't stayed at a monorail resort since I was like 12, lol. But Disney does offer value resorts for people on a tight budget to stay at and if you go through a travel agent like AAA I'm sure you get even more discounts at staying at those resorts. Plus disney does offer a ton of perks for staying in their hotels like the dining plans, the transportation system, and now FP+ I really don't see why everyone is complaining. If you want a Magical vacation in my mind there is only 1 place to go and that is Disney, lol.

 

[tjkraz]

One of our local news stations syndicates reports from Mr. "Don't Waste Your Money."

This WDW commentary is no more insightful than any others. A few days ago he interviewed a consumer--ONE consumer--who received a fraud alert from her bank. Then he revealed that two days earlier she had shopped at Target. The inference was that she had fallen victim to the Target data breach. Of course, it's plausible that she did but...but all he did was infer the link with no investigation whatsoever.

He's also recently blown the lid off of high payday loan fees and the cost of gym memberships.

No story this guy has ever published qualifies as "journalism." He just looks for the most sensationalistic angle to discuss a topic...drops a few basic consumer tips...and cashes his check.

I can' t believe new stations even pay this guy for his stuff.

 

[wdwgreg]

I think EMH should be everyday and at all parks everyday . If so that would interest me but the current system is just too restricting for me

There is EMH hours every day at , at east one park, either morning or evening depenidng on crowd levels and other events (such as MNSSHP AND MVMCP) more than one park will have EMH

Disney does it on one hand as a perk for people staying at a Disney resort but also to allow them to 'manage' crowds better

for example on a monday if they put EMH on in the morning at Animal Kingdom then they know that Animal Kingdom will be busy on Monday morning so they will need extra staff (equally DHS is unlikely to be so they can have less staff) but tuesday will most likely be a quiet day as a large percentage of resort guests will have gone on Monday and AK is not a repeat day park for most guests

With the magic bands and the prebooking of fps this may become less useful to them

 

[seashoreCM]

I would be satisfied with same day Fast Pass (plus) reservations for off site guests more or less as described so far, if there was a way for all who desire it to complete it before rope drop. I'll leave it to the imagination (of the Imagineers of course) on how to implement that, but I'll say that there exist no-brainer methods.

Disney Defends Changes

Disney, though, says this will end the mad race to Fast Pass machines when the park opens (the Space Mountain Fast Pass machine is a favorite at Rope Drop).

Disney also says this will save time, as you will not have to visit a ride just to grab a pass.

In addition, Disney says there's no worry longer any worry about losing a Fast Pass paper ticket, a technology that was cutting edge in 1994 but now needs to change for changing times.

There will still be a mad race to Fast Pass machines, the new kind where you make your same day FP+ reservations.

It won't save time when you have to wait in line to get to a machine for a same day FP. This is because it takes a lot longer for someone to click through (drill down) the screens to get the desired FP compared with the old style machines where there was just one maneuver, insert a card and out comes the FP. By the way, Disney could have (but only once temporarily, at Animal Kingdom, did) save the guests' time by putting the old style FP machines for the various rides in other strategic locations.

And there are reports that Disney's computers have been losing FPs. With no proof of non-reservation, the CM at the ride has had to let guests into the FP queue on a he said she said word.

 

[tjkraz]

I would be satisfied with same day Fast Pass (plus) reservations for off site guests more or less as described so far, if there was a way for all who desire it to complete it before rope drop. I'll leave it to the imagination (of the Imagineers of course) on how to implement that, but I'll say that there exist no-brainer methods.

WDW is already testing FP+ reservations and MDE access for off-site guests.

There will still be a mad race to Fast Pass machines, the new kind where you make your same day FP+ reservations.

But not all guests are required to do so. There are other options.

 

[manning]

Disney was a master at pushing the crowd to one area. Part of the reason is that they can save money by closing down other areas, such as the Backlot Tour and the surrounding food establishments. Everything they do now is calculated to maximize profit: save money where they can by closing things, and otherwise open new things with higher prices that they hope will bring even more money (Tortuga Tavern, I’m looking at you)

Disney has the right to maximize profit. I have the right to maximize the use of my money.

I bought DVC at $65 per point years ago. I saw the price increases coming down the road so bought enough points that I would ever need. Now it will cost you $150 per point soon to be $155. Maximized my money there.

This is the first time I haven't bought any tickets and just staying at DVC to get away from the cold. Maximized my money.

Eating in more. Earl of Sandwich, good and relatively cheap. Ate at Ragland. Great food more expensive, but then can sit by Fulton and listen to the music. Eat at swan/Dolphin and get 20% DVC discount. Don't have to pay Disney to get the discount. Eating more off site. Maximized my money.

Disney food high for what you get.

I confuse some of my friends. They can't make up their minds whether I'm cheap or a smart consumer. Of course being prejudice I like to think the later.

And what am I doing with the money I save. Traveling to other places.

 

[delilah]

We used the FP+ and MDE app on our phone on our most recent visit in December. Yes, we had only 3 FP+, but, when Space Mountain was down for our FP+, they sent a message to my phone, and I was given the choice to make a different FP+ or go on SM any time the remainder of the day. I think we changed it to Splash Mountain, since it was about 90 that day, and I didn't want to schedule Splash Mountain in advance, not know how cold it was going to be at the time of our trip. We were able to go on Space Mountain stand by later on.

If you have MDE, you don't have to go to the kiosks. I don't even know where the kiosks are, to be honest about it.

 

[oneprincessjo]

According to a different news story, 50% of the WDW patrons never used FP, so it sounds like there were quite a few people leisurely walking parks and surviving without FP.

That would be me!!! I would get maybe one fast pass my entire vacation if at all... I also tend to go during low crowd seasons so it's not really necessary.

 

[swarlock]

I hope Disney can find a way to accomadate anyone that's an Annual Passholder.

 

[bcrook]

That would be me!!! I would get maybe one fast pass my entire vacation if at all... I also tend to go during low crowd seasons so it's not really necessary.

I thought it was funny in October. I was traveling with a group of 9. We were going for food and wine. Most of the people in my group were around 50 years old. They normally couldn't care less about rides or FP, but on this trip - I couldn't get them to give up those FP+. They felt like they paid for them, and they were going to use them!

I kept saying, "let's go get a drink at tutto gusto." But they would say, we don't have time we have to get to DHS to use our great movie ride FP+.

You might get sucked into it now!

 

[nugov2]

Honestly? Of course it's ''unfair'' but it's a Disney system being applied with priority to people that use Disney resorts...

Their park, their system, their rules...

Disney can't really compete with lower prices of off site hotels, but of course they want to book their own places and make money on that... they need to offer something extra, and priority on Fast Passes seems like the golden ticket really.

I agree. I just hope that all the people who say this now feel the same when/if they start charging for extra FP(which I think is the ultimate goal) and start giving deluxe 7 FP, Mod 4 and value 3 FP(also I think part of the ultimate goal).

 

[oneprincessjo]

I thought it was funny in October. I was traveling with a group of 9. We were going for food and wine. Most of the people in my group were around 50 years old. They normally couldn't care less about rides or FP, but on this trip - I couldn't get them to give up those FP+. They felt like they paid for them, and they were going to use them!

I kept saying, "let's go get a drink at tutto gusto." But they would say, we don't have time we have to get to DHS to use our great movie ride FP+.

You might get sucked into it now!

Hahaha... I definitely made all my fast pass ressies for my trip this upcoming week.. but my 2 year old will be running the show... so I won't let myself get too attached to my times

 

[DISdiningFan83]

I never used paper FastPasses ever. I hated the idea of having to run around and grab them at rope drop, but on my last trip in November I used my 3 FastPass+ selections everyday. It was very convenient and I also enjoy planing my vacation ahead of time so thats not a issue for me. Im sure gong before they tiered HS and Epcot helped too.

 

[bcrook]

Hahaha... I definitely made all my fast pass ressies for my trip this upcoming week.. but my 2 year old will be running the show... so I won't let myself get too attached to my times

Good luck and have fun!

 

[indytarheel]

I love the idea of the fast passes being on the wristband generally, and I love that you can reserve in advance. As someone who usually stays onsite, the bias to onsite favors me, so that is ok too.

There is one thing that I don't like and what is affecting my decision to return currently. (I currently, for the first time in more than 10 years, do not have a trip planned to Disney World in the next 5 years and am not sure I will add one in). The one thing is the limit to the fastpasses. Our usual touring plan involved utilizing fast pass heavily and staying out of lines as much as possible to enjoy other parts of the park at a more leisurely pace and to keep our sons from complaining about lines, etc.

Now, since we can only get one headliner fastpass and 2 for minor rides, it seems we'll be spending almost all our time in line and we'll end up not being able to ride as many rides. We used to have up to 7 fastpasses in one day (same park) and it greatly enhanced our experience in the park. Being able to cut the wait at only one ride where it really matters tells me the next trip would be a grueling gauntlet of going from line to line. I can get that at Kings Island or Six Flags and don't really need to go to Florida to get that.

Coupled with the tickets going up to around $100 per ticket, it just doesn't sound as inviting to me. We're going through with our Disneyland trip this summer but are planning National Park and other types of trips for other years. Like I said, a Disney World trip originally planned in 2016 is now no longer on our radar... the price has finally passed my ceiling and the declining value associated with the new fast pass system combines to make this decision in my book.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Personally, I don't really feel badly for those that stay off site. They can still get FP+s using the kiosks in the parks. Staying on site had the opportunity to use the bands and reserve FP+s in advance as perks. I think there should be perks for paying the extra to stay on property.

 

[bcrook]

Personally, I don't really feel badly for those that stay off site. They can still get FP+s using the kiosks in the parks. Staying on site had the opportunity to use the bands and reserve FP+s in advance as perks. I think there should be perks for paying the extra to stay on property.

I agree with this going forward, but I think it is harsh to switch the system on people who have scheduled vacations in the last year and staying off site. When they booked their place off site and bought their tickets Disney was treating all guests in the park similarly.

After this transition period people can decide to stay off site or not based on the perk.

As long as DVC members are not penalized in the next phase, my DVC points have gained value, and I will definitely not be using my Wyndham points at bonnet creek during peak times anymore.

During the non peak times, none of this matters anyway.

I still don't understand how tying FP+ to onsite stays is going to fill rooms in the non-peak times. Nobody needs the FP then. Disney is still going to need discounts and free dining. During peak times, they are running at a ridiculously high occupancy rate already. It just doesn't make sense.

Something is still missing.