FastPass+ Disney's Angle

[Sky07]

I have been paying close attention to the FastPass+ at WDW. I am a DLR guy myself (west coast), but would like to take the kids to WDW at some point.

I believe it all comes down to this: WDW onsite resort guests can book the FastPasses online thru the Internet. Offsite guests can't do it.

I believe it is the intention of WDW to use this as a "perk" for staying onsite. I think this is the single most important aspect of Disney releasing this new system.

This makes me absolutely furious. I have seen corporate greed in action many times, but this takes the cake, right along with big tobacco.

I hope many, many people complain and continue complaining to WDW about this. They have too much invested to take the system out at this point, but we may be able to get them to "re-think" allowing offsite guests to access the online system, as well as increase the maximum beyond 3\day.

 

[AmyB2006]

Right now, this is the case. But I don't think it will remain this way when the final product is rolled out. But that's jmo, of course, based on what I've read.

 

[matt1979]

Right now, this is the case. But I don't think it will remain this way when the final product is rolled out. But that's jmo, of course, based on what I've read.

Until they do that though...offsite guests certainly are justified in feeling slighted by DW...especially if they made their plans before the full rollout to on-site guests was completed and paper FP was done away with. I haven't been to DW in 16 years...so I think my overall experience with FP+ will be neutral or even positive...especially since we're there later this week during a quiet week. But one thing is for sure...I am so incredibly thankful we made the choice to stay on-site. Had we opted for offsite...I'd probably be pretty dang upset about the system at this point.

 

[AmyB2006]

Until they do that though...offsite guests certainly are justified in feeling slighted by DW...especially if they made their plans before the full rollout to on-site guests was completed and paper FP was done away with. I haven't been to DW in 16 years...so I think my overall experience with FP+ will be neutral or even positive...especially since we're there later this week during a quiet week. But one thing is for sure...I am so incredibly thankful we made the choice to stay on-site. Had we opted for offsite...I'd probably be pretty dang upset about the system at this point.

Totally understandable, and of course they're justified. I was just disagreeing with the OPs sentiment that this will be a permanent on site "perk".

 

[matt1979]

Totally understandable, and of course they're justified. I was just disagreeing with the OPs sentiment that this will be a permanent on site "perk".

Agreed! Certainly think it would be a dumb move by Disney to make something that's so limiting to off-site guests a permanent thing. I'm sure even they realize there will always be a sizeable number of guests that will opt to stay off-site vs. on-site.

 

[AmyB2006]

Especially since they've stated their main goal is to "lock you in" to your plans at their parks. If off site guests can't do that ahead of time, well that's not really "locking you in". LOL I think it will come eventually.

 

[jeneric997]

I think they will offer off site guests online booking in the future.

If you want to know what Disney's true angle you should check out this article from the Orlando Sentinel:
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com...004_1_mymagic-walt-disney-world-vacation-time

Here is one part of the article, my emphasis added:
"Jay Rasulo, the Disney Co. chief financial officer, recently told stock analysts that MyMagic+ will allow Disney to sell "services that we can now offer on a personalized basis, because we know who you are, where you are and — if you tell us why are you are coming to visit Walt Disney World for this vacation — whether you're a first-time visitor, a 50th-time visitor, it is your child's fifth birthday, it is a graduation, it's an anniversary.

"The more you share with us as a guest, the more we are able to tailor services and, we think, get a lift in selling those services," Rasulo said."

While I think that Disney is slightly concerned about people's reaction to FP+, I don't think it is their main concern. They are getting what they want, information on you. FP+ is just a way to keep track of you and if you are staying on property and you don't have a day of FP+ planned, they will probably try to offer you something to get you to go to the parks. I don't think it will work, but they sure thought it would!

 

[agavegirl1]

I think they will offer off site guests online booking in the future.

If you want to know what Disney's true angle you should check out this article from the Orlando Sentinel:
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com...004_1_mymagic-walt-disney-world-vacation-time

Here is one part of the article, my emphasis added:
"Jay Rasulo, the Disney Co. chief financial officer, recently told stock analysts that MyMagic+ will allow Disney to sell "services that we can now offer on a personalized basis, because we know who you are, where you are and — if you tell us why are you are coming to visit Walt Disney World for this vacation — whether you're a first-time visitor, a 50th-time visitor, it is your child's fifth birthday, it is a graduation, it's an anniversary.

"The more you share with us as a guest, the more we are able to tailor services and, we think, get a lift in selling those services," Rasulo said."

While I think that Disney is slightly concerned about people's reaction to FP+, I don't think it is their main concern. They are getting what they want, information on you. FP+ is just a way to keep track of you and if you are staying on property and you don't have a day of FP+ planned, they will probably try to offer you something to get you to go to the parks. I don't think it will work, but they sure thought it would!

Thanks Jeneric...I was looking for the articles and quotes I have saved from actual Disney suits but your information will work. Last year, Tom Staggs talked about integrative tech for the queues that would allow personalization. I suspect such "magical" personalized experiences can be had at an upcharge. Also, additional FP+ experiences for a price. If Johnny wants his birthday acknowledged by a parade float or character for all the World to see, just see your concierge to purchase this "Magical Experience" with reserved seating for said parade.

In addition, the information Disney obtains through the use of MM+ is invaluable to Parks and Resorts but, possibly more importantly, to just about anybody who wants to sell you stuff.

 

[pharaoh]

I have seen corporate greed in action many times, but this takes the cake, right along with big tobacco.

Except Disney isn't selling a product that will literally kill you. But yeah, same thing.

 

[btk2333]

I have been paying close attention to the FastPass+ at WDW. I am a DLR guy myself (west coast), but would like to take the kids to WDW at some point.

I believe it all comes down to this: WDW onsite resort guests can book the FastPasses online thru the Internet. Offsite guests can't do it.

I believe it is the intention of WDW to use this as a "perk" for staying onsite. I think this is the single most important aspect of Disney releasing this new system.

This makes me absolutely furious. I have seen corporate greed in action many times, but this takes the cake, right along with big tobacco.

I hope many, many people complain and continue complaining to WDW about this. They have too much invested to take the system out at this point, but we may be able to get them to "re-think" allowing offsite guests to access the online system, as well as increase the maximum beyond 3\day.

While I agree with you that it is likely to remain a perk- I think that is a good thing- makes perfect sense for Disney to offer more perks to onsite guests- comparing Disney to big tobacco is quite a stretch... It's like saying Disney wants you to stay on property, staying on property will give you cancer, and you will die.

A better comparison might be Universal resorts- they offer onsite guests front of the line passes because they want you to stay at their resorts... Resort destinations and tobacco companies... wow that's a first...

Disney wants you to stay on property so they get more money- that much is obvious- Disney is a corporation and for them to pretend otherwise would be silly.