Fast Pass to become "Pay for Play"?

[jarestel]

That incident is the poster child for the prototypical irrational customer-base. After scores of customer surveys and tests, using protocols that have been, almost every time in the past and every time since, a very reliable indicator of success, that one time (as well as a handful of others) it totally backfires. Most of the time, the science works perfectly.

It's only the most glaring example of bad decision making we've seen in recent years, but companies reverse and change policies all the time due to consumer feedback. But nevertheless, customers ultimately determine a company's pricing and quality policies since most businesses want to make money, not prove a point.

Maybe everyone will love any modifications Disney makes to the FP program. Time will tell if and when this FP deal ever happens.

 

[jarestel]

Good point! Besides, the Coca Cola comparison is shaky at best. WDW would not be shutting down the old park and reopening a "new improved" product. When you get right down to it, it would basically be a price increase for those who choose to pay it.

Rather than argue ( or bicker, if you choose ) over semantics regarding how related the example is and lose sight of the obvious point, I'll remind you that if customers want something, it will happen. If they don't the company will backtrack faster than the character caravans disappeared.

 

[imatoad]

The reality is, you can't please everyone, all the time. Some will love the idea, others will not.

 

[luvmygirls]

As a soon to be 1st timer of WDW, and someone who lives Paycheck - Paycheck, I wanted to give my children the WDW Experience so we scrimped & saved to have enough just to get there, find a place to stay, park tickets, food, we couldn't afford/justify the $$ on-site.

Don't the "onsite" guests already have the perk of EMH?? For someone who already is a family of "5" we can't stay in a value without booking 2 rooms & quite frankly if I'm going to Disney, & I'm not sure a "moderate" would even be enough "space" for my kids..I am however.. going for the park experience not the "resort" experience.. I agree with a poster who said we all pay the same for the park tickets, please Disney don't take this one away!

JMO,
Shelly (putting on my flame retardant clothes)

 

[babar41]

I admit, I haven't read this entire thread, only made it throught the first 4 pages then on to the last page, so I appologize if this thought has already been made...

I agree that the Disney experiece is magical, that everyone no matter what their walk in life is is made to feel special and magical. I believe that the CM's at the counter service are just as sweet as the waiters/waitresses at the Coral Reef. Your dining experience is different, the $'s are different, but both are magical.

We need to remember that the change of FP is not going to keep people from riding the rides if they don't have FP. Go to any ride and there is a line for the regular stand by as well as FP. The FP opportunity does not keep people from riding without FP.

I remember when FP first started. It was great! When your ride time "window" came you could almost walk right up and get on the ride. Sometimes there was a 5 or at most 10 minute wait. Unfortunately that is not the way it is anymore.

The last couple of years (and we go during the value season) DH and I have waited 45 minutes to an hour with our FP for a ride. I admit, they were on popular rides (but isn't that why they have FP for those rides?) 2 years ago after being in the FP lane for K. Safari for over an hour we got close enough to see what the problem was. The CM was taking 4 times the people from the stand-by line. I understand both lines were long, but I thought this was crazy. A person who walked into the stand-by line just as we were joining the FP line actually ended up boarding the same ride we did! That was a waste of a FP in my opinion. There have been many times we have just thrown our FP tickets away after seeing the line.

Something needs to be done. I'm not saying that tying your FP to the amount of $'s your spending is the answer, but something needs to be done! Last year we went to US for the first time and experienced FOL. Reminded us of how FP used to be. When I was planning this trip I choose to stay at US for the perk of FOL, not because I enjoy spending 3X more for a room!

It seems to be an accepted fact that WDW could not limit the FP to people staying on Disney property. I really don't understand this. Yes, it would disappoint people not stayin on property, but that might be an incentive for tham to stay on property. It also would help releave some of the overload of FP.

I know I am probably going to be blasted for this and I'm sorry if I have hurt anyones feelings, but I honestly believe FP is no longer doing what it was designed to do and some changes need to be made. I'm not trying to exclude anyone, but in the real world you do get what you pay for and WDW (no matter how magical it is) is still part of the real world. If FP is tied to staying at WDW some people would not get the benefit of it. At the same time there are many people who don't get any benefit of WDW because of $'s. It is expensive to go to Disney period!

OK, I'm getting off my soap box. Sorry this is so long and rambling. Sorry if I hurt anyones feelings.

 

[LovePug]

But if the FP system is removed, it will alter our plans to visit during those busy summer months because there's no way we're standing in 90+ min lines in 90+ degree heat. The FP's were the only way we could enjoy ourselves during the busy times. It just doesn't make sense to subject ourselves to heat/crowds/long lines during the summer without this perk. It turns out to be a waste of a Hopper day. We've experienced this before. Felt like we wasted 1 full day off a Hopper and maybe got to do 3 rides/attractions the entire day due to crowds/lines/temps. We will perhaps knock down our 1-3 yearly visits to 1. I feel others will react similarily.

 

[tlbwriter]

Rather than argue ( or bicker, if you choose ) over semantics regarding how related the example is and lose sight of the obvious point, I'll remind you that if customers want something, it will happen. If they don't the company will backtrack faster than the character caravans disappeared.

Well, that's the bottom line, isn't it? If Disney implements this plan, and it gives them the results they apparently want (i.e., more people staying in more expensive resorts), they'll stick with it. If they find people staying away in droves because it's no longer worth the extra wait in line, the plan will go away.

 

[MickeyDee]

Like several others have stated, I would imagine this will be tied into package deals, as opposed to the resort you stay in. Like how they have the MYW with dining and then the MYW Premium package. I would think that would be an included benefit of the premium package, regardless of what resort you stay at.

 

[ashjohnson80]

I think that the people who have more money to spend on their vacation who are able to stay in the nicest most expensive resort there will love this idea. But for people like me who struggle just to say in value, it would really take away from my trip. And I don't stay in value b/c I'm cheap, its because I really can't afford anything else. OH well I guess I should be penalized for that...

 

[dicdover]

I feel like I have to put in my two cents. Since Universal implemented a similar plan, I have never gone back. I refuse to spend the kind of money a vacation costs to be treated like a second-class citizen. If Disney goes forward with this plan, I will not go back. As simple as that.
You can talk about Disney being a company and that it is unreasonable for them not to consider profit. However, the Disney Empire is built on customer satisfaction. This system will alienate a lot of people and in the long run it will have a negative impact on their business. I love Disney World, but as I said before, they would lose my forever if they go to this system. Vegas here I come!!

 

[nursemelis374]

Goodbye codes!

I am just catching up with this post. One thing I have to say is that I think a lot of the internet community will really be affected by this in that there will probably be a lot less codes at the higher-end resorts and these are the people that frequently use, or depend, on these codes to be able to stay at a nicer resort.

I think this some form of this would be genius on Disney's account. I stay on-property at Universal solely to be able to to have FOTL access.

 

[lllovell]

Dicdover - the last line of your post truly cracked me up!! Where do you think "money spent = better perks" started? Vegas is home to this particular type of perk promotion and they have figured out every possible way to get the most money out of each guest by using it.

 

[Miss Inga Depointe]

I'm just trying to understand why it is so upsetting for people that people who pay more get more. Isn't that, well, reality?

 

[tlbwriter]

I'm just trying to understand why it is so upsetting for people that people who pay more get more. Isn't that, well, reality?

It's because people who are paying more for Item A are getting more of Item B, and there is no way of getting more of Item B alone. I don't think anyone has a problem with the idea of getting more for paying more. But when the only way to get more is to pay more for something else that you don't want or need in the first place, it's naturally going to frustrate some people. I've brought up this analogy a couple of times, and no one has responded... how would you feel about it if only visitors to Deluxe resorts could get park hopper tickets?

 

[lllovell]

Jovidan - don't let the turkeys get you down!

Its hard to imagine getting so emotional over something that might not even happen. I find this an interesting debate (as my many posts will indicate) because it does have points for either "side", but honestly, no matter what they decide, we will stiff vacation at WDW. Like MYW, I bet the transition will be no big deal even when it seems like it will be a nightmare, etc. Time will tell, but I will continue to hope for the best from Disney.

 

[lllovell]

It's because people who are paying more for Item A are getting more of Item B, and there is no way of getting more of Item B alone. I don't think anyone has a problem with the idea of getting more for paying more. But when the only way to get more is to pay more for something else that you don't want or need in the first place, it's naturally going to frustrate some people. I've brought up this analogy a couple of times, and no one has responded... how would you feel about it if only visitors to Deluxe resorts could get park hopper tickets?

I haven't responded to this because no where does it say that Value and Moderate guests will NOT get this benefit. It is simply that Moderate and Deluxe might get more than Value (and we have no idea at what level, but I am SURE no less than the average family could avail themselves to the FP system now). People in Deluxe resorts do get more already and as a patron, I can certainly afford the specific tickets I want, but does it mean that I shouldn't be allowed to get whatever level (or number of days I choose) because someone else can only afford non-hopping, length of stay basic tickets? There are already "perks" offered to those that can afford more. The nice thing is that peope who can't are also given "cheaper" options. If you made this a truly "pay to play" type of situation, you would definately be taking away some people's ability to get FP "upgrades" for lack of a better term. THAT would not be fair to me, but starting at a good base level for the Values and moving up is fine with me.

 

[Lewisc]

I think it's because of this:

The following are just examples...

Family A is paying $300 a night to stay at the Grande Floridian.
Family B is paying $80 a night to stay at Pop Century.
Family A is getting the perks of nicer, bigger rooms. They're in a better location. They're on the monorail. They have room service. They have a bellhop. They have full service restaurants, etc, etc. Family A is "getting what they paid for".

Family A is paying $199 for a 7 day Magic Your Way Base Theme Park Ticket.
Family B is paying $199 for a 7 day Magic Your Way Base Theme Park Ticket.
Why should Family A get any more of a perk IN THE THEME PARKS, than Family B?

Family C is paying $199 for a 7 day Magic Your Way Base Theme Park Ticket.
They are staying offsite at Days Inn.

IMHO Family B has no right to get any more of a perk than Family C.

Besides if Disney gives all these perks to all on-site guests including S/D and DVC guests and all AP holders the rest of the guests get screwed.

 

[lllovell]

See, from day 1, I NEVER had a problem with MYW tickets. First off, because I have an AP. Secondly, I think it works out just fine. I never saw what the big deal with that was.

lol ok - I am laughing because this arguement is why some of us agree with this potential "program" and some don't. "I have an AP" so basically MYW didn't apply to you so it didn't matter to you. We stay at moderates when paying cash and are DVC members so deluxe when staying on points, so this probably won't negatively effect me either, so maybe that is why it is so much easier for me to support it. (again - I state that I don't see any way that Value guests are going to be shortchanged - Disney wont let that happen...there are THOUSANDS of those rooms available and its just as important to keep them filled as the few thousand of the other rooms).

MYW tickets never bothered me, but lots of people really got upset at first. They seemed complicated, confusing, more expensive (until the number crunchers stepped up), etc yet their implementation has been pretty painless. There were talks around here of terrible check in lines, slow entry (ok - bioscanners are not helping on this one - but its getting better) and other concerns, most of which turned out to be unfounded as well. There was concern that the general public would NEVER understand their ticketing options and would slow the rest of us down on our way to our wonderful family vacations - again - didnt happen.

I didn't really have an opinion of MYW, but it did take a little bit for me to sift through the overload of opinions to find the facts. This will work out esentially the same way. Once it is implemented, we will know. Until then, its all speculation and people saying "I will NEVER go again" or "It doesn't bother me" don't really know and won't know until then, right?

 

[tlbwriter]

I haven't responded to this because no where does it say that Value and Moderate guests will NOT get this benefit. It is simply that Moderate and Deluxe might get more than Value (and we have no idea at what level, but I am SURE no less than the average family could avail themselves to the FP system now).

Fine. So, to make it more relevant, what if the more you spent on your resort, the more parks you could hop to. Value guests could park hop on half of their days. Moderate guests, 2/3 of their days. Deluxe guests, all of their days.

People in Deluxe resorts do get more already and as a patron, I can certainly afford the specific tickets I want, but does it mean that I shouldn't be allowed to get whatever level (or number of days I choose) because someone else can only afford non-hopping, length of stay basic tickets?

Um, what does it have to do with someone else not being able to afford it? That's not the point. The point is that only people who are willing to spend a certain amount on someting completely separate from their park tickets will get the full benefit of this service.

There are already "perks" offered to those that can afford more. The nice thing is that peope who can't are also given "cheaper" options. If you made this a truly "pay to play" type of situation, you would definately be taking away some people's ability to get FP "upgrades" for lack of a better term.

Why would that be any different? As the plan is written, the perks are offered to those who can/will spend more on their resort. And you say that doesn't hurt anybody. So, if you changed the plan to the perks were offered to those who spend more on their park tickets, why would any more people be priced out of it?

 

[lllovell]

Fine. So, to make it more relevant, what if the more you spent on your resort, the more parks you could hop to. Value guests could park hop on half of their days. Moderate guests, 2/3 of their days. Deluxe guests, all of their days.



Um, what does it have to do with someone else not being able to afford it? That's not the point. The point is that only people who are willing to spend a certain amount on someting completely separate from their park tickets will get the full benefit of this service.



Why would that be any different? As the plan is written, the perks are offered to those who can/will spend more on their resort. And you say that doesn't hurt anybody. So, if you changed the plan to the perks were offered to those who spend more on their park tickets, why would any more people be priced out of it?

I have a problem with your analogy because you are trying to compare it to things that wont happen. You also are making the same assumption again and again that the value resorts (and moderates) will NOT get good benefit from this. The way I read it, ALL RESORTS will get some benefits. So I can't debate your other points because we have a core difference in opinions about who will have the chance to use this new system (if it is even ever put into place). I firmly believe that Disney would not leave out their core groups - the approximately 20,000 value rooms, the AP holders (probably just Florida residents), DVC members, etc. You think that it will only benefit those at the very top of the ladder. This seperation in beliefs makes the rest of the points mute.

My point about the tickets is that not everyone can afford the best tickets now, so how is it different to say that people who spend different amounts of money on their onsite accomidations shouldn't be "purchasing" more than someone who is staying offsite? If I can purchase a ticket with all the extras and someone else can only purchase the basic ticket for length of stay and it cost me more money for my ticket overall but I get more benefits because each day I buy becomes cheaper, how is that not the same? I am spending more and getting a net day by day for less. Is that fair to the person that can only buy a one day non-hopping ticket on a per day comparison?