Fast Pass to become "Pay for Play"?

[cobbler]

Yeah, a lot of problems with this. Espec for us AP holders.

Also what about those who choose to stay at moderates because we love certain resorts and the themes. Sure we could afford deluxe but so far we have chosen not to because we like other resorts.

If they want to do something to tie it to the resorts it shouldn't be based on the level of resort you are staying at. And some of the AP holders do stay at values a lot for those day trips because they go so frequently.

And don't tie it to the room key for how much you spend either. I never charge to my room key because I use my debit card or bring cash. There is no need to charge to my room key.

Its just one of those wait and see type things I guess.

 

[Lewisc]

I agree with your first two points. However the free FP system is what will allow Disney to give some guests preferential treatment without it being obvious to other guests. Every guest entering the FP queue will be showing the same piece of paper. It won't be obvious how and when the guest got the pass.

I see lots of complaints. DVC members aren't paying Disney anything for their current stay. There will be complaints if they're excluded but there really isn't any logical reason to include them.

Present packages like MYW Dining exclude AP holders. There will be complaints if Disney limits the perk to guests who book a package that includes tickets.

Somehow I think this plan will wind up replacing EMH for much of the year.

One of the rumor boards, I think Screamscape, had a similar rumor shortly after FP first came out. Special guests would get benefit from a warp in the time space continuum and would get an immediate return time no matter what.

Some of this may be related to Soaring. Allow a guest with a FP for later in the day to get additional FP before the normal window would open up.

MKCP5 and kpm76,


We stay at the Beach Club because we love it there. We get access to Stormalong Bay and walk to and from Epcot, especially after Illuminations, this is a great perk......

You pay for theme park admission, you should get what comes along with it.

....
I also think that if WDW had never offered free fast passes and instituted this system from the beginning, there would be a lot less resistance and animosity about it.

 

[LovePug]

If they do it, how would the slower times of the year work? I'd think the system would be useful during the summer but off-peak times it wouldn't be worth it necessarily.

I'm happy with the system the way it is I guess.

This is exactly what I was thinking . We stay offsite. This wouldn't get me to stay onsite, it would get me to cut our two trips a year (one in the summer and one during Value season) to one trip a year during Value season . If, on the other hand (as someone else mentioned), AP holders were included (whether they stay onsite or off) I'd probably just go back to buying APs instead of the MYW tickets. I guess we'll just wait and see what happens....

 

[Doc and Family]

Lewisc,

Points well taken.

 

[lillygator]

Just disgusting. I love how everyone who can afford to go deluxe feels so entitled to bigger and better and more. Perhaps if they downgraded and gave the money to a family who had never been to the parks becasue paying rent is pretty difficult they might find the kind of joy that their heart is really desiring.

Don't misunderstand. Most people work very hard for their money and deserve to spend it as they see fit. If it is on a deluxe vacation, good for them. But to automatically assume that you deserve better than the family that has been saving for the past eight years to get to WDW one time in a budget resort with their children is elitist and says alot about your character

Who is automatically assuming they deserve better than the "family who has been saving 8 years"?

DH and I both work very hard for our money and I spent many years struggling through college to get where I am today. I don't think taking a deluxe vacation deems one an elitest...(I realize that is not exactly what you said but the implication is still there....)

If they offer this as a paid extra there will definitely be people willing to pay for it.

I am all for paying for extra's - for the simplicity (with 2 small children every time saving thing helps)...prior to the DCL change in booking spa, kid's club and Palo ~ I had booked the REAS package - only to be able to make my reservations ahead of time. I am willing to pay extra for the convience. (now it's not needed)

I think that paying for deluxe, mod or value entitles you to those resort amenities...nothing different at the park...as far as admission goes. If they want to charge for FP - great. I'd be all for it. I don't think the wait times in lines would change all that much anyway. You are going to have lines at any theme park - that is inevitable...some days may be less than others.

 

[Miller1412]

Just disgusting. I love how everyone who can afford to go deluxe feels so entitled to bigger and better and more. Perhaps if they downgraded and gave the money to a family who had never been to the parks becasue paying rent is pretty difficult they might find the kind of joy that their heart is really desiring.

Don't misunderstand. Most people work very hard for their money and deserve to spend it as they see fit. If it is on a deluxe vacation, good for them. But to automatically assume that you deserve better than the family that has been saving for the past eight years to get to WDW one time in a budget resort with their children is elitist and says alot about your character

Be careful here...not everyone who stays at a deluxe feels that they deserve better. While it's true that some people truly are doing the best they can to afford a value, it can also be true that people are scrimping and saving to get in to a deluxe. Many times it's in how you budget for your vacation or simply what you choose to pay for. Many average to wealthy families choose to stay in a value. Everyone has their own reasons for the resort they choose. Staying in a deluxe does not automatically mean you are wealthy, selfish OR elitist. Nor does it mean that you are not kindhearted or charitable. It's a matter of personal choice. No more, no less.

 

[lillygator]

Be careful here...not everyone who stays at a deluxe feels that they deserve better. While it's true that some people truly are doing the best they can to afford a value, it can also be true that people are scrimping and saving to get in to a deluxe. Many times it's in how you budget for your vacation or simply what you choose to pay for. Many average to wealthy families choose to stay in a value. Everyone has their own reasons for the resort they choose. Staying in a deluxe does not automatically mean you are wealthy, selfish OR elitist. Nor does it mean that you are not kindhearted or charitable. It's a matter of personal choice. No more, no less.

I totally agree!!

 

[Lewisc]

I just read the link to the patent application. Disney is trying to patent every possible permutation of FP. Number of passes to be issued at once, bonus FP's, future return times and so on.

It may just be an attempt to do an end-run around other parks from using a FP type of system without having to either pay licensing fees to Disney or at least have to pay legal fees to fight Disney. It might be setting up the patent system so Disney can do what it wants at a later time without having to fight any other company.

It's certainly possible Disney is considering a VIP FP but I wouldn't put much credibility in Jim Hill's article.

Question, if everyone on site could get unlimited FP's could offsite guests ever get to ride Splash Mountain?

 

[hannahouse]

DH and I both work very hard for our money and I spent many years struggling through college to get where I am today. I don't think taking a deluxe vacation deems one an elitest...(I realize that is not exactly what you said but the implication is still there....)

I think it would be a great perk.

 

[safetymom]

Just because Disney has applied for a patent doesn't mean that they will implement this system.

 

[ophie]

The reality though is that, if this goes through, it will look and feel like class discrimination (whether it actually is or not). If they do add an option for people to buy additional FPs it should not be attached to the resorts. If it's done at all (which I'm still leary about) make it an add-on option to the existing ticket options (incl. SPs & APs).

Please note all the "if"s

 

[goofy4tink]

Be careful here...not everyone who stays at a deluxe feels that they deserve better. While it's true that some people truly are doing the best they can to afford a value, it can also be true that people are scrimping and saving to get in to a deluxe. Many times it's in how you budget for your vacation or simply what you choose to pay for. Many average to wealthy families choose to stay in a value. Everyone has their own reasons for the resort they choose. Staying in a deluxe does not automatically mean you are wealthy, selfish OR elitist. Nor does it mean that you are not kindhearted or charitable. It's a matter of personal choice. No more, no less.

Thank-you for saying what I wanted to say but was so far into a hissy fit that I couldn't put it down!! I've stayed at all levels of resorts...own DVC and I still stay at value resorts on occasion. Man, I am so not a snob or an elitist. Life isn't always about fair or equal. You pay more at a deluxe, you get more. You want a nice pool slide, then don't stay at AllStarMusic. Very simple. There are always going to be people that can afford more than others...doesn't make them any better than anyone else though. I go to WDW at least once a year...I certainly don't think that makes me 'better' than someone else...luckier? Yep, definately. But, just luckier, not better.

Now, I will concede that my earlier thoughts may be a little off. Maybe Disney could have a system where anyone staying on-site, DVC or not, would be eligible for X number of FPs, per day. It probably shouldn't be based on where you stay or if you have a MYW pass. I stay DVC and use an AP for the most part. But again...I don't use FP all that much, so no big deal.

 

[SJUGuy]

I see lots of complaints. DVC members aren't paying Disney anything for their current stay. There will be complaints if they're excluded but there really isn't any logical reason to include them.

What exactly do you mean when you say DVC members aren't paying Disney anything for their current stay. I have been a DVC member for 4 years and to my recollection Disney has never forgotten to take their payment out of my account during a given month. So I believe your statement that we do not pay anything is very much incorrect. Sorry, had to get that off my chest. That being said I think we should wait and see what the deal is with this instead of guessing all the different ways that Disney will handle this. Maybe it will work out so everyone likes it. Disney has been pretty good at that up to this point

 

[Lewisc]

If you financed your DVC purchase your monthly payments aren't for your current stay but just a mortgage. Your annual dues/maintenance charges doesn't really do anything for Disney. It just goes to maintain YOUR investment. I guess you could say a small part goes to Disney as a management fee but they'll get that even if the unit is empty.

I can't see Disney ignorning DVC guests. It would hurt current DVC sales. My only point is Disney really doesn't have any reason to provide a perk. Disney doesn't care if you stay in your DVC, rent it or if it just stays empty. Actualy Disney benefits if DVC members don't stay, the inventory goes back to Disney to rent out.

The patent was filed almost a year ago. I certainly can see the benefits going to RACK RATE customers who purchase A PACKAGE INCLUDING MYW Tickets and dining. Too many rooms to make it available to all guests.

What exactly do you mean when you say DVC members aren't paying Disney anything for their current stay. I have been a DVC member for 4 years and to my recolection Disney has never forgotton to take their payment out of my account during a given month. So I believe your statement that we do not pay anything is very much incorrect. Sorry had to get that off my chest. That being said I think we should wait and see what the deal is with this instead of guessing all the different ways that disney will handle this. Maybe it will work out so everyone likes it. Disney has been pretty good at that up to this point

 

[missypie]

I see lots of complaints. DVC members aren't paying Disney anything for their current stay. There will be complaints if they're excluded but there really isn't any logical reason to include them.

What exactly do you mean when you say DVC members aren't paying Disney anything for their current stay. I have been a DVC member for 4 years and to my recolection Disney has never forgotton to take their payment out of my account during a given month. So I believe your statement that we do not pay anything is very much incorrect. Sorry had to get that off my chest. That being said I think we should wait and see what the deal is with this instead of guessing all the different ways that disney will handle this. Maybe it will work out so everyone likes it. Disney has been pretty good at that up to this point

I think the poster meant that the money the DVC members pay might be accounted for differently by Disney; perhaps not counted toward money spent for the purposes of doling out FP (sort of like how you can only get the dining plan with a package with a rack rate room). I would think that the DVC members who have enough points for a two bedroom would be among the biggest spenders of all. But if Disney (who, of course, would be making the rules) wanted to only give the extra FP to people paying rack rate for a package, the DVC members would be upset.

Disney would only do all of this if it could market it as a positive. If they need to market a lot of DVC memberships, they might add it as a perk. But if all they want to market is deluxe room packages at rack rate, that is where the perk would be.

 

[Miller1412]

Ehhhh.....I agree and disagree.

Where they may not ALWAYS be wealthy, most of the time, they are much better off than those who simply cannot afford to stay at a deluxe.

At $300 a night, I can't imagine staying at a deluxe.

If Disney wants to start charging more for tickets to the parks and give fastpass perks for that, that's fine. But for Disney to give those perks based on where you stay on property, but still charge everyone the same amount for admission, would be totally wrong.

I agree that many people can't even think about staying deluxe with the costs. My argument was the generalization "everyone" in the deluxe resorts and the notion that everyone who stays deluxe is wealthy and elitist. That's just not always the case. I can speak personally on that one!!

 

[lillygator]

we all really don't pay the same admission price either....not with all the ticket options there are out there....

 

[JACKNAG]

Here are some sections from the patent application: march 2005

[0248] a. Spending per guest at hotels can determine different hierarchies of access to Fastpass. Thus, the more that is spent by a patron, the higher the priority can be for Fastpass.

[0249] b. Hotel accommodation in related resorts and environments associated with the entertainment center are allocated different priorities. Where a patron is in a related hotel, a higher priority can be given.


0250] c. Different levels and hierarchies can be applicable at different hotels. Thus, more luxurious hotels can have higher priorities.


0251] 2. Seasonal differences can be factored into the grant of different privileges. Accordingly, special promotions for Fastpass can be provided according to the season.

0253] Different hierarchical models can be established for the ability and right to obtain and use the Fastpass according to different priorities.

0255] a. Spending per guest at hotels can determine different hierarchies of access to Fastpass. Thus, the more that is spent by a patron, the higher the priority can be for Fastpass

 

[BostonRob]

All this talk of elitism and discrimination is really just sour grapes and whining. If you're getting what you paid for, why should you care that other people pay more and get more?

For the record, I'm far from wealthy. But I pay careful attention to my money and spent it as I see fit. Anytime we get more choices, I say that's a good thing. If I decide to go for the $1500 vacation, I'll know what I'm getting and be happy with it. If I choose to budget more for my vacation, its nice to know I'll get more for paying more.

Either way, it is none of my businsess or concern what other people are getting.

 

[Mickmse2002]

If you financed your DVC purchase your monthly payments aren't for your current stay but just a mortgage. Your annual dues/maintenance charges doesn't really do anything for Disney. It just goes to maintain YOUR investment. I guess you could say a small part goes to Disney as a management fee but they'll get that even if the unit is empty.

I can't see Disney ignorning DVC guests. It would hurt current DVC sales. My only point is Disney really doesn't have any reason to provide a perk. Disney doesn't care if you stay in your DVC, rent it or if it just stays empty. Actualy Disney benefits if DVC members don't stay, the inventory goes back to Disney to rent out.

I must really be reading what you mean incorrectly. How can anyone think that someone who has purchased points through DVC isn't paying for a room? That's exactly what you are paying for. And the annual dues directly cover the expenses of your home resort, including the pools, transportation, etc. It is absurd to think that DVC'ers do not pay for a room.