Explain to me why I have to pay full price for a test

[LarryNabisco]

Someone explain why I have to pay full price for an AP when WDW is openly saying they are running a test which as we all know is negatively impacting the experience of WDW and limiting what is available to me, why was I not advised of the test ahead of renewing my AP? Was WDW operating in good faith by not disclosing to me this test would be happening? I feel ripped off.

Please make a case, help me understand.

 

[ucfknight]

Your Annual Pass contract does not promise you anything related to FastPass. They could completely eliminate all FastPasses tomorrow or say it is only for resort guests and there is nothing you could do about it other than not renew next year and take your business elsewhere.

 

[LarryNabisco]

Your Annual Pass contract does not promise you anything related to FastPass. They could completely eliminate all FastPasses tomorrow or say it is only for resort guests and there is nothing you could do about it other than not renew next year and take your business elsewhere.

A valid point, however since its been a key part of the experience for years should the test not have been mentioned in good faith ahead of my renewal?

I absolutely plan on not renewing.

 

[OKW Lover]

The FP+ program (which I presume the OP is referring to as the "test") is totally unrelated to the admission media. AP, day guest, resort guest, it doesn't matter. The price of admission is what it is.

 

[Marthasor]

I think you should contact guest services and let them know how you feel.

I renewed my DS6's AP last May prior to the test AND prior to the GAC being changed (my son has autism). I felt exactly the same way you do. In fact, I didn't think I would ever be able to take him back to WDW. I was so angry and disappointed. Before I gave up, I decided to try it and we've now done 2 trips using FP+. The first trip was hard and there were a lot of glitches, but our trip last week went incredibly smoothly. In fact, it was the best trip we have ever had to WDW and this was my son's 14th WDW trip, so that's saying a lot! It works really well for us to the point that we don't even need the new DAS system. With FP+, I'm able to pretty much replicate how we toured the park with the GAC. We go in, do the rides he wants to do with very little wait, we eat, we shop, we're out of there. Granted, everyone has their own touring style and it's not going to work for everyone and I think you have a very, valid point regarding not getting what you expected. I really encourage you to contact Disney and let them know how you feel.

 

[dwheaton]

Wow. There are some really friendly people in this thread. I agree with the previous poster that you should make your concerns known to Guest Services. While it is in Disney's right to make any changes, they'll only know about your issues if you pass the word.

This is quite a fun time at the parks from what I've heard...

 

[Golf4283]

Someone explain why I have to pay full price for an AP when WDW is openly saying they are running a test which as we all know is negatively impacting the experience of WDW and limiting what is available to me, why was I not advised of the test ahead of renewing my AP? Was WDW operating in good faith by not disclosing to me this test would be happening? I feel ripped off.

Please make a case, help me understand.

This is your opinion obviously. The FP+ system made our trip so much more relaxing not having to worry about running to TSM or other places to get a fastpass before they ran out.

 

[Spork24]

This is your opinion obviously. The FP+ system made our trip so much more relaxing not having to worry about running to TSM or other places to get a fastpass before they ran out.

Ditto. I love FP+

 

[sets14]

IIRC, testing has been going on for well over a year and my magic/FP+ has been discussed, announced for about two years. So my question is why did you purchase/renew during a test phase? Disney owes you nothing but the product you bought which is entry to each park.

 

[EMode]

Someone explain why I have to pay full price for an AP when WDW is openly saying they are running a test which as we all know is negatively impacting the experience of WDW and limiting what is available to me, why was I not advised of the test ahead of renewing my AP? Was WDW operating in good faith by not disclosing to me this test would be happening? I feel ripped off.

Please make a case, help me understand.

You got a deal, they just raised their prices during this test.

 

[JillyBean1899]

Your AP allows you access to the parks during "any regular operating hours that are not separately ticketed events". There is nothing that says you're guaranteed to be able to ride a certain number of rides or see a certain number of shows per day. I'm sorry you feel Disney mistreated you or cheated you, but complaining on the DIS Boards will not accomplish anything, since there is no guarantee anyone from Disney will ever see it. Your best bet is to contact Guest Relations and express your dissatisfaction, and if you are still unhappy with the resolution your only choices will be to "suck it up" and continue going to Disney or spend your vacation dollars elsewhere.

 

[disnut8]

Disney owes you nothing but the product you bought which is entry to each park.

Totally agree with this statement. As an Annual Passholder myself, I haven't been yet during all the FastPass + stuff but am going next week. Staying offsite so I'll need to do the same day stuff. BUT - I wouldn't even be able to walk through the gates at all if I didn't have that Annual Pass. Without that Annual Pass, I wouldn't be able to do anything in the parks at Disney World. At all.

Even if I ride absolutely nothing, I will still enjoy the parks at Disney World. Why? Because my Annual Pass got me through the gates. I will see the Flower and Garden Festival. I will see the concerts over the weekend. I will go to Animal Kingdom and I will see animals. I will see Illuminations. I will see lots of other performers at various places. I will get my Tuscan sandwich at the Studios. I will see lots of different things like I do every single time I go to Disney World. Because it's not all about the rides.

 

[morethananyonex]

Disney would decrease prices (or create discounts) during the "test" if they found it was impacting ticket sales. I think you can figure out why they have not.

But I can't agree with the attitude that Disney owes you nothing more with your ticket than admission into the gates. While that may be technically true, I think you would have a lot of upset guests if 90% of the rides were closed and "Disney owes you nothing but admission" would be of little comfort. Disney may owe you nothing else, but there are many factors that come together to make ticket prices worth it or not worth it. It's totally understandable that something that is not technically tied directly to a ticket can impact that worth of that ticket.

 

[sets14]

Disney would decrease prices (or create discounts) during the "test" if they found it was impacting ticket sales. I think you can figure out why they have not.

But I can't agree with the attitude that Disney owes you nothing more with your ticket than admission into the gates. While that may be technically true, I think you would have a lot of upset guests if 90% of the rides were closed and "Disney owes you nothing but admission" would be of little comfort. Disney may owe you nothing else, but there are many factors that come together to make ticket prices worth it or not worth it. It's totally understandable that something that is not technically tied directly to a ticket can impact that worth of that ticket.

But if you knew a year in advance 90% of the rides would be closed, you wouldn't buy a ticket. The OP knew or should have known about FP+ long before now- we were aware and following closely before purchasing AP's in Sept. We knew when buying the it was a somewhat fluid test and that things could change. Nothing about this is a "surprise". OP's complaint is very different then arriving in day to 90% of rides down. As an aside, Disney has been very generous when there are major park disruptions-when studios had a huge power outage people were allowed to go to any other park for free, without having a park hopper. Apples and oranges.

 

[Kellykins1218]

What test? You're paying for admission.

 

[rwdavis2]

Because they can.

 

[dawgsgirl]

These responses crack me up! OP, Disney does things like this because they can. AND, now you pay even more for the privilege of testing!!

 

[gdrj]

Someone explain why I have to pay full price for an AP when WDW is openly saying they are running a test which as we all know is negatively impacting the experience of WDW and limiting what is available to me, why was I not advised of the test ahead of renewing my AP? Was WDW operating in good faith by not disclosing to me this test would be happening? I feel ripped off.

Please make a case, help me understand.

Like others said there is so much more to Disney World than FP+ which for the average person (from what I've read) typically took advantage of 2 FP in the legacy system ( I understand there were people that were able to get 85 Fastpasses in a Day and Disney World is ruined ).

With that said, using your logic, they owe you when a ride goes down, when a ride is being refurb'd, when they close a ride permanately, when they change your favorite parade, when the Main St Bakery was closed, when rain forces fireworks to not happen, when its too cold to use the pools at your resort, when they don't offer EMH's in the park you want on a certain day.

Parks, businesses, our employers, change things all the time.

I'm not happy with some parts of FP+ but if I want to go on some key rides or the tier-ing impacts or I want to go on multiple times on a ride, there are ways to do it. You can still be at the rope drop and get on a couple rides at a minimum if not more with minimal wait and than take advantage of your FP+ (at the same park as rope drop or plan all your FP's for another park later in the day). Many people visit parks multiple days so you can get on most rides. You can take advantage of EMH's if on property. We were there Christmas week and stayed off property, MK was open until midnight, we had no problem with many rides when we would stop back later in the day.

Does it impact you based on what you are use to, absolutely. Can you vent to Disney or in the future not go, absolutely.

I vaguely remember when FP first rolled out years ago there were complaints that it would ruin Disney, they are taking up space from the regular lines, that Disney won't see me again etc.. Walt would turnover in his grave. Somehow it worked out.

Things change you adapt, many times it works out, sometimes it doesn't. I'm not trying to be a total wise$%#, just that FP+ for me is just 1 small piece of the time I spend with my family on vacation.

 

[morethananyonex]

But if you knew a year in advance 90% of the rides would be closed, you wouldn't buy a ticket. The OP knew or should have known about FP+ long before now- we were aware and following closely before purchasing AP's in Sept. We knew when buying the it was a somewhat fluid test and that things could change. Nothing about this is a "surprise". OP's complaint is very different then arriving in day to 90% of rides down. As an aside, Disney has been very generous when there are major park disruptions-when studios had a huge power outage people were allowed to go to any other park for free, without having a park hopper. Apples and oranges.

Nobody knew a year in advance where this was headed (except people on the inside). Disney had not been open about where this was going, and they still aren't. Many things about FP+ have been a huge surprise, even to those who have kept on top of every single change. I mean, who was expecting tiers? Even the most informed DIS member was taken by surprise when the first person reported having to choose between Soarin' and TT. If tiers are the straw that broke the camels back for someone, no amount of research could have prevented their disappointment if they bought an AP even the night before it was implemented.

I'm not saying OP's complaint is the same as 90% of the rides being closed. I'm saying I don't agree with the attitude that all Disney owes you is walking through the gates, and therefore they can do whatever they want on the other side. While it is true that they can, I think it is a poor excuse that is being used to justify changes that some people are finding negatively impact them. Although if you truly do believe that all Disney owes you is admission into the gates and that is all you're paying for, why would there be a difference between a major change to the FP system or tons of rides being closed? In both situations, you're still getting what Disney "owes" you, aren't you?

 

[magicbob]

Many things about FP+ have been a huge surprise, even to those who have kept on top of every single change. I mean, who was expecting tiers? Even the most informed DIS member was taken by surprise when the first person reported having to choose between Soarin' and TT.

Ooo. Ooo. I know! (Where's that Arnold Horshack graphic when you need it?)

Many of us shouted from the rooftops that tiers and other "features" were coming based on the original terms & conditions released (leaked?) when all of this first began. Of course, we were mocked and ridiculed as naysayers for believing such a thing could happen.