Eliminate the Park Reservation Requirements

[Grumpy by Birth]

I think Disney’s definition of “capacity” will change. They are trying to make the parks more enjoyable. So hopefully we won’t see the wall to wall people in the Magic Kingdom of Christmas, New Years and 4th of July.
But what will be interesting is will the “capacity” of a big holiday be the same as a middle of the week day at the beginning of May??

I wouldn't hold my breath for Disney to limit crowds just to make the parks less crowded (although it sure would be nice if they did). Unless an external factor like COVID is forcing reduced attendance caps, I expect them to admit as many people in as the Fire Marshal will allow.

 

[dez1978]

Do you know that for a fact or are you making an assumption? And even if it is actually true why are you upset with other AP holders and not upset with Disney - you know the people that made the actual decision?

It doesn't change the fact that if you are a local AP holder the reservation system is severely limiting.

Because I think the park reservation thing makes sense and I don't have a problem with it. And I understand why Disney made the actual decision and why they are not selling more AP's. What I don't understand is why people who understood what they were getting when they renewed/bought/activated their AP's are complaining about how they are entitled to something other than what they knew they were getting.


Adding: Having said all that, I understand it's frustrating. And I can understand why you'd be frustrated. I'm just saying the complaining is exactly why they aren't selling more, not that you are wrong for being frustrated.

 

[cakebaker]

I wouldn't hold my breath for Disney to limit crowds just to make the parks less crowded (although it sure would be nice if they did). Unless an external factor like COVID is forcing reduced attendance caps, I expect them to admit as many people in as the Fire Marshal will allow.

I absolutely agree. I see nothing that says they're going to permanently lower capacity to make parks more enjoyable.

 

[Rick195275]

I wouldn't hold my breath for Disney to limit crowds just to make the parks less crowded (although it sure would be nice if they did). Unless an external factor like COVID is forcing reduced attendance caps, I expect them to admit as many people in as the Fire Marshal will allow.

I agree with you and think it’s more of a staffing issue that’s forcing them to keep capacity lower. Until they have enough staff to open everything to capacity they can’t. Once they do I think they will open the flood gates so to speak. Not sure what that will mean for the park reservation system. Maybe just becomes more of a formality with park hopping restrictions

 

[ford91exploder]

Yet TDO may have found the financial ‘sweet spot’ so to speak on park operations, limited crowds + vastly smaller staff may make WDW MORE profitable than it was when it was jammed,

plus with DVC to support the deluxes they dont need as many cash guests (only big spenders welcome) and if DVC’ers cant secure a reservation well that’s too bad as Disney has their money already.

 

[jade1]

plus with DVC to support the deluxes they dont need as many cash guests (only big spenders welcome) and if DVC’ers cant secure a reservation well that’s too bad as Disney has their money already.

But again DVC'ers can bank if they want, or rent for triple the cost of dues or sell at an all time high.

 

[ChipnDale79]

I think Disney’s definition of “capacity” will change. They are trying to make the parks more enjoyable. So hopefully we won’t see the wall to wall people in the Magic Kingdom of Christmas, New Years and 4th of July.
But what will be interesting is will the “capacity” of a big holiday be the same as a middle of the week day at the beginning of May??

Look, I hate how crowded it got also, but this isn’t the way to do it. It’s now going to be harder and harder for working families to afford Disney, it’s frustrating

 

[jkh36619]

Disney has been doing this for years in the form of dining reservations. Nothing was more frustrating than having a sweet FP open up or see a short SB and be up against a dining reservation. We swore off table services except for the occasional and do strictly QS or booths. I don't like rigidity.

 

[ford91exploder]

But again DVC'ers can bank if they want, or rent for triple the cost of dues or sell at an all time high.

But for how long???, Remember access to the parks are a primary driver of DVC’s value, lose that access and DVC is just another timeshare. We USED to have 800 points till an experience which left wife in tears, no reservation when we got there (even though everything printed out to cope with the all too frequent computer failures). For some reason reservation ‘disappeared’ even though we had paper proof, Fortunately I had status at Marriott so got a villa there for points and 2500 bucks in cash. We sold DVC immediately after that. As it was clear that we were not valued as customers any longer. I almost gave it back to Disney but it would have been a futile gesture as they simply would have resold the points. We resold throgh one of the usual suspects

 

[jade1]

But for how long???, Remember access to the parks are a primary driver of DVC’s value, lose that access and DVC is just another timeshare. We USED to have 800 points till an experience which left wife in tears, no reservation when we got there (even though everything printed out to cope with the all too frequent computer failures). For some reason reservation ‘disappeared’ even though we had paper proof, Fortunately I had status at Marriott so got a villa there for points and 2500 bucks in cash. We sold DVC immediately after that. As it was clear that we were not valued as customers any longer. I almost gave it back to Disney but it would have been a futile gesture as they simply would have resold the points. We resold throgh one of the usual suspects

People have been saying "but for how long" for a very long time.

Limited park access? The parks literally closed for 4 months, and then only partially opened with limited reservation ability on 30% park attendance for like 10 months and counting.

The result of this limited park access-DVC is at peak historical resale value, or can be rented in minutes for triple the cost of dues-my guess your concern is not in the majority.

 

[ford91exploder]

People have been saying "but for how long" for a very long time.

Limited park access? The parks literally closed for 4 months, and then only partially opened with limited reservation ability on 30% park attendance for like 10 months and counting.

The result of this limited park access-DVC is at peak historical resale value, or can be rented in minutes for triple the cost of dues-my guess your concern is not in the majority.

Negative opinions on businesses never are till the reality hits all at once.

 

[jade1]

Negative opinions on businesses never are till the reality hits all at once.

Yea well after 4 years of saying it, I would be miffed at it's success as well I suppose.

Regardless, your limited park access would be the final (it's just another timeshare) nail argument, just crashed and burned.

 

[ford91exploder]

Yea well after 4 years of saying it, I would be miffed at it's success as well I suppose.

Regardless, your limited park access would be the final (it's just another timeshare) nail argument, just crashed and burned.

Lets see what attendance is next year, right now people are so desperate to go anywhere they will accept anything at any price.

 

[dez1978]

People have been saying "but for how long" for a very long time.

Limited park access? The parks literally closed for 4 months, and then only partially opened with limited reservation ability on 30% park attendance for like 10 months and counting.

The result of this limited park access-DVC is at peak historical resale value, or can be rented in minutes for triple the cost of dues-my guess your concern is not in the majority.

Renting them only works if there is room availability. With the excess points everyone is trying to use, trying to find a room is getting difficult inside 11 months

 

[parasail_of_congress]

I'll throw in another reason i dont like the park reservation system. I found out yesterday that a friend of mine is going to be at disney for a day the same day we are, we didnt know that ahead of time before we made plans. His family is only going to DHS for one day, and of course its not for a day that we have a reservation at DHS.

the rigidity of this is, is annoying.

I would compare this to something more like two groups buying tickets separtely to a seated concert - the groups could catch up before or after, but during the concert they would be in completely separate sections of the arena. I mean, it's hard enough to plan a Disney trip with people you know are going, let alone those who you don't know about!

 

[jade1]

Renting them only works if there is room availability. With the excess points everyone is trying to use, trying to find a room is getting difficult inside 11 months

There are sights buying them to rent. But indeed we plan to continue reserving rooms well in advance, and often some last minute.

 

[dez1978]

There are sights buying them to rent. But indeed we plan to continue reserving rooms well in advance, and often some last minute.

I know you can rent them. I rented out all of my points for this year, but it was all at the 11 month mark. My point was just as far as renting points goes, it's harder to coordinate that for last minute trips when you might have to piece together a reservation. I'm sure you CAN find last min reservations, just that it's much harder than it would have been in the past with the excess points.

 

[ChipnDale79]

I would compare this to something more like two groups buying tickets separtely to a seated concert - the groups could catch up before or after, but during the concert they would be in completely separate sections of the arena. I mean, it's hard enough to plan a Disney trip with people you know are going, let alone those who you don't know about!

Im sorry, i'm not going to compare them. they arent apples to apples nor do they cost nearly the same.

 

[The Jackal]

But again DVC'ers can bank if they want, or rent for triple the cost of dues or sell at an all time high.

No one is paying $25 pp for RIV or $21 pp for SSR. There might be a one or two that can get 3 times the MF’s, but not all. Most rent in the $16-18 pp.

 

[parasail_of_congress]

Im sorry, i'm not going to compare them. they arent apples to apples nor do they cost nearly the same.

I'm not suggesting you can't be frustrated with the park reservations. I'm just pointing out there are numerous situations where people's spur-of-the-moment plans don't entirely work out due to something being sold out or lack of availiability. I mean, nearly every episode of Seinfeld is predicated on not having a cell phone - think about how frustrating it would be to still live in the '90s if trying to plan, haha. Also, are you thinking a one-day Disney ticket is cheaper or more expensive than concert tickets, because it really depends on the concert and types of seats.