Fast Pass to become "Pay for Play"?

[hannahouse]

No no please no! Can you imagine being behind an indecisive couple in the fast pass line who have to discuss or debate what their return time should be? My head would explode!

This whole debate is too funny -

 

[tracy51]

No no please no! Can you imagine being behind an indecisive couple in the fast pass line who have to discuss or debate what their return time should be? My head would explode!

That would be my family you're refering to

 

[ladysoleil]

People keep talking about Vegas. What do you think would happen if a high roller with millions of comp points was standing in a line for a buffett and Jimmy Crack Corn, who's never been there, was in front of him in the same line? Would it be fair to let the high roller not wait in the same line for the same food at the same price? If I were Jimmy Crack Corn, and someone cut in front of me because they were staying at a nicer hotel, I'd punch him in the nose.

Hate to break the news to you, but this already happens. Most casinos have "express" lanes for the people with higher rated player cards. You may not notice them because they're often not in the same spot as the "general public" entrance, but trust me, the high rollers will be seated and served before you do, and they may not even pay for that buffet food, either.

 

[back2disney]

But the fact of the matter is, some people (myself included) simply cannot afford to stay at the Grande Floridian.

No, but you(DISNEY IS COMPETING WITH THE OFFSITES HERE) can stay at the Pop Century and get some FP's(enough to make it worth it and be happy) to stay ahead of the long waits of the offsites. Staying at the GF will get you some more FP's(probably enough to make you bored). In the end I bet Disney is just trying smooth out the seasonality they have throughout the year/week/day, but more importantly to fill up their rooms to 100%capacity(which would probably happen) with happily returning guests. They should also implement and market it so that it is easy to do(say using the internet).

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) I wonder if the FastPass change will happen.
2) It had logic and purpose, but is bad.
3) It sets up a two-tier patron system.
4) I don't like making people 2nd or 3rd class.


PERSONAL OPINION: If this happens, I bet there will a HUGE backlash on the internet. For people not wealthy enough to afford frequent visits or deluxe hotels, they would be relegated to fewer FP's. And the people who cannot afford to stay on site would be almost out of luck. If this comes about, COUNT ME IN ON A BOYCOTT. In fact, where do I sign up to be a leader?

 

[mickeysaver]

Interesting concept, but Disney would be missing a bigger picture. Just because I stay in a value resort with my honey doesn't mean that we don't spend a lot of money on our vacation. Sure the room is cheap, but you should see the stuff that we bring home. OMG! We always have a $1000 + budget for stuff....not food....just stuff. If I don't have $250 to $300 a day to spend on stuff, I am not going to have a happy honey. When we go to WDW, typically it's for a 5 to 8 days at a time. So, you figure in food, we always eat onsite, and the room, we always stay onsite and suddenly you have a couple that is dropping bigger bucks, but is staying in a value resort.

Needless to say, I realize that there are people that stay in the deluxe hotels that certainly out spend us on stuff.....and food....and certainly the hotel. But, you can't lump each guest together based on the resort they book. I would hate to see FP doled out in any manner other than consistantly and fairly based on being an onsite guest, with better perks only given out, if you stay in concierge.

I wish that Disney knew how much of our disposable income was spent on their goods and services each year. I dare say that only Ford Motor Company and our mortgage company get a bigger slice of our annual budget.

Give me a Disney products key fob to scan at DisneyDirect, DisneyAuctions, DisneyDeals, TDS, and WDW. I will rack up and obscene amount of points in record time. Then, tell me how many FP's I am entitled to at WDW. I bet that I would never be able to use them all.....even being booked in a value resort. Maggie

 

[Lizzybee]

The Six Flags by my house has a Fast Lane thing, you buy a ticket with a certain number of punches and you get a set number of uses for that day unless you buy more. I've never bothered with it since I'm a season pass holder there and if the lines aren't worth it I just do it another day. On the other hand, the fact that Fast Pass isn't cost based at Disney gives me the feeling it's a more efficient and friendly place than Six Flags. I know it's a business, but part of the reason that people like me who have passes to other theme parks, still choose to visit Disney because it is "different and better" than the regular parks. As a family we don't ride too many rides that require fast passes really so I'd probably one of those people handing them out to others who could use them instead of having them go to waste...whether they "paid" for them or not by staying on property or just needed more than they got based on what they could afford to pay for a resort. Who says I have to keep my pixie dust to myself

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

There are as many different Disney Fans as snowflakes. We do not care for the big thrill rides that need FP's the most and probably only use one FP a day and sometimes none. We are the sort who pick them up and hand them off to another family as a way to spread the pixie dust though.

I would love to see some sort of Webtv console in each room, maybe an actual computer in the higher priced rooms, and you could plug in what park you wanted for the following day and what rides/attractions you wanted to do and would get an itinerary printed out or on the screen for you to copy so that it would greatly reduce frustration and waiting time. Of course, many would not show up for their appointed times, as many already do, and there would be some wiggle room for last minute walk ons. Might even help DW as they would have some idea of which parks/atractions etc. might the busiest on any given day and be able to allocate their resources better.

If this is faulty logic I will await a more knowledgeable reply and I will read it with interest and respect.

Slightly Goofy

 

[GarrettJD]

The author of the piece takes several liberties with the application and makes it seem a lot worse than it really is.

That sure sounds like Jim Hill.

I'm personally going to wait and see how Disney handles this before passing any kind of judgement-- but this could go either way.

 

[rmontgo892]

(putting on my flame suit....)There is no one that can say Disney is not an economic venture.

Doesn't it make sense that say...(lets throw some numbers out there....) you are spending 15k on a vacation compared to say $1500 shouldn't there be "perks"?

Disney just like any other business out there is out to "cultivate" more money from the bottom line. That means encouraging people to spend more and more. In order to do that, they have to offer more "perks" for more money. Disney is FAR from the first company to do something like this.

Look at Universal, right? Guests of their resorts get a FOTL pass. I always thought Disney should do something with perks for guests that stay onsite! It's about time! If you spend $$$$ onsite, why shouldn't you get a perk? Just like Magic Hours. A perk ONLY for onsite guests!

 

[jgalecpa]

Sorry, but it is a long established business practive that:

"You get what you pay for"

Lexus and Camry are basically the same car, but some pay for the extra perks of a lexus.

That is their choice.

People don't pay the premium fee for the Grand Floridian, for example, just to see beautiful downtown Lake Buena Vista.

If they pay more, why shouldn't they get more?

IMHO

 

[jgalecpa]

What I just noticed is that virtually everyone that has viewed this thread has responded.

Good dialogue.

Jim

 

[tlbwriter]

I think all of these points have already been made, but here goes...

(1) Ya'll are getting your panties into a bunch over something that may never happen. Companies often patent ideas that they have no intention of using, just so anyone else who uses them will have to pay for the right to use it.

(2) Implying that people who stay at Deluxe resorts are "elitist" is an ugly thing to say... it's just as bad as implying that people who stay at Value resorts are "cheap." Let's watch out for our glass houses.

(3) Lots of people stay at Values because they want to, not because they have to. Haven't you noticed that wealthy people are often extremely frugal? And conversely, people who aren't wealthy often save for a Deluxe resort. So let's not stereotype anyone, okay?

(4) I have no problem with WDW providing more perks to people who spend more money. But giving you park perks based on your resort spending just doesn't make sense. It should be based on the amount you spend to enter the park. I'm sure that if it worked that way, many vacationers would choose to stay in a Value resort and spend the extra cash on park perks instead.

(5) Those who don't fly into Orlando are subsidizing Magical Express for those who do. Is anyone complaining about that?

 

[WaltD4Me]

I would be very surprised if Disney did this. I would think those coming to Disney maybe for the first time and staying at a Value might find Disney disappointing if they had to stand in long lines all day and not be able to get a FP or only a few simply because they are in a Value resort.

Disney does alot of repeat business, alot of people, even non-fanatics go to Disney more than once, so I don't think Disney is going to want to alienate that repeat business. Maybe you stay off site your first trip, in a Value the next, then a moderate and then with any luck a Deluxe, but if you don't have a good experience on that first trip then all the return trips Disney hopes you'll make won't happen.

 

[tlbwriter]

Sorry, but it is a long established business practive that:

"You get what you pay for"

Lexus and Camry are basically the same car, but some pay for the extra perks of a lexus.

That is their choice.

People don't pay the premium fee for the Grand Floridian, for example, just to see beautiful downtown Lake Buena Vista.

If they pay more, why shouldn't they get more?

Well, I agree with that, but what is sticking in peoples' craws is that you aren't paying more for the park. Just for the resort.

 

[jgalecpa]

Well, I agree with that, but what is sticking in peoples' craws is that you aren't paying more for the park. Just for the resort.

I understand that point, however, I believe the resort is a part of the Disney experience.

When people budget for their "Disney trip", as all of us do, the lodging is an integral part of it.

I think of it as an extension of the Parks.

There are characters in the lobby, at the pools, etc.

My Disney experience doesn't start when I hit the turnstile at the Magic kingdom, but when I turn off the intersate, see the Ears on the MGM water tower and drive into my Disney accomodations.

Good point, though.

Jim

 

[rmontgo892]

I swear I am not trying to be obtuse, but how it is different for people to pay for a nicer hotel if they want to or to pay for extra FP if they want to?

Do you think that EMH is wrong since its not open to everyone that buys a ticket, but only for those staying onsite?

Good point! I know Disney got beat up over the Early Entry debacle. Off site Guests claimed(complained) they had as much right to early entry since the park tickets(at the time anyway) were all the same.

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

I agree that no one knows IF this is going to happen, but it prob. won't suprise me if it does.

However- With Disney promoting the stay, and play, for $1500, is making a lot of people who thought on-site was too expensive, rethink their plans. I can think of 6 people, I work with, who are going because of this "deal." Every single one of them have been to Disney, before and know what it is like at the parks, just not the resorts.

I think that adding to many perks, to the more expensive resorts, after claiming that you can go for $1,500, is going to upset a lot of people. I can hear the "see I told you they were just trying to reel us in" comments now. "forget it, we're just staying off-site"

Disney has also introduced the fast pass, to all ticket holders, getting them used to it, and most liking it, and now, saying "WE gotcha" To enjoy that now, you have to not only stay on-site, but spend 2-3 times on your room.

My family is going 2 times this year. We can afford a deluxe, so the added perks might get us to stay there. But our trips, would be much fewer, and further in-between. I will def. be spending more, in my 2 value resort vacations, than I would be in 1 deluxe resort vacation. So in essence Disney might make more on the resort, but def. not the meals, sov., illuminations cruises, kids clubs, etc. that we spend. I know my family is pretty insignificant to the overall picture, but I'm sure others will have to make those types of decisions.

 

[maxaroni]

I'm in the 'bad idea' camp. IMO, Disney is for all of the people and all people should be treated equally. On-site guests do get perks for being on-site...fine. Deluxe hotel guests get more perks due to location, amenities and transportation...fine, they are paying for that. Bad idea to segregate the hotels for FP...just a bad, disgusting idea. There are many many people that can't afford to go several times/year, many people that when they do go it's a huge trip for them. Why should they get penalized? I highly doubt this would go well in Walt's eyes.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

jgalecpa, I think I understand what you are saying but I respectfully disagree. As far as the Lexus/Camry comparison. I happen to drive a Camry (4 banger0 cause the upgraded Camry uses premium gasoline and my car is rated a better choice by Consumer Reports than the Lexus and to pay more, for me would be wasteful. Because I have made this choice I can afford more gas to go places and have more disposable income to go more places, more often and have more money to spend once I get there. I would be heartily ticked off if people who were driving Lexus' were accorded a special lane or allowed to go faster than the posted speed limit because they drive a more expensive car. (now if they are willing to pay a much higher highway tax to do so and it would improve the roads for everyone I might change my mind)

I do not mind special perks for those who stay on site (we do because of the perks) but think it very unfair to sort people out in the parks according to how much they pay. You pay for your room and what standard of luxury you want to enjoy while in it, you can choose which restaurant according to what you wish to pay. Everyone pays sort of the same price for their park admission. Some get more out of their day than others but that is their choice. Everyone should have the same chances to enjoy themselves IMO. (only exemption is us DISers cause we research these things and knowledge is power)

If, Disney, and I sincerely doubt that they would do this, they would greatly alienate many of their customers and I am willing to guess that when you put the amount of budget/moderate visitors against the luxury visitors you have a vast majority of the former. IMHO when Disney started building many value and moderate resorts they started to grow by leaps and bounds.

I am on my third Toyota Camry and in the nearly 20 years that I have owned one I have only had one $50 (non maintenance) repair. I made a mistake and took my car to a quick lube where they goofed. I are a Camry girl and will remain so until proven otherwise.

Slightly Goofy (who loves Lexus owners too)