FP+ = WDW Losing Money

[mizzougrad91]

I see to huge pitfalls to the new FP+ system. A large number of people (according to posts on here and other boards) no longer see staying at the resorts as a perk. With decreased EMH and the problems that still exist with the current FP+ system, people are going to take a long hard look at what they are "really" paying for and compare that to what more they can get offsite. For my up coming visit in May I have a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo 5 min disney for 1/4 of the price I would pay to stay at the All Star. If I were a Disney exec I would be the MOST concerned with this next "bottom line" observation. With the new system people are spending more time in line and that means pure and simple less time to shop and eat. That is where Disney makes the most money! I hope that when they start to see significant losses that we will start to see changes to the system. It might not be immediate, but I would not be surprised if that fact has already become quite evident.

 

[stairstepmom]

For us, this is true. We seriously disliked FP+ and one of the reasons we still had a great vacation was that we were there for so long, so we had plenty of time to spread out our FP+ to make sure we rode everything we wanted to. We spent a lot of time rushing to FP+ windows (we had an extremely hard time changing things on the fly between all the lovely "blips" and no availability, perhaps because we are such a large party?), skipping over rides with long standby lines for which we used to just get a FP for, and took long afternoon breaks which we did not do previously. We spent 1k in souvenirs in our 2012 trip (6 nights) and only $300 this last trip (10 nights). So MBs and FP+ certainly didn't make us spend more money there.

So, it's clear to us now that with the new system we must take longer trips, and that means either less frequent onsite stays or staying off property. We're trying out the latter next year! We spent $7k for our rooms for our onsite stay; we're spending only $2k for a beautiful 5 bd house! I will miss being in the Bubble, but we need to find a way to still feel we're getting the same value for our money as we did for our fabulous 2012 FP-filled trip LOL, and that means no longer giving so much money to the mouse.

 

[CdnCarrie]

It doesn't change anything for us at all. we stay on property because we love being there. FP+ has nothing to do with it.

 

[mizzougrad91]

It doesn't change anything for us at all. we stay on property because we love being there. FP+ has nothing to do with it.

I think it is great you love staying on property. My point is that there are people who opt for onsite property for the perks. If the perks aren't there anymore more people will compare how their dollars are being spent. $124 for a glorified motel room at All Star verses a condo or private home minutes from Disney for much less. Most people don't like spending more and getting less.

 

[prudence64]

I guess I don't see the connection between fp+ and not staying on site. The old system wasn't just for those in the resorts either.

But, I'm hoping you are correct so they will offer free dining again if they need to create an incentive. (I'm staying on site either way because I like the transportation and the themes of the resorts)

 

[supergoofy]

I found the only affordable way to go to the World was offsite.

We are a family of five and there are very few rooms for that size of a party minus the villas. And we decided to take oldest daughters friend so we are now a party of 6. With that many we are now officially down to 2 rooms or a villa.


I can rent a 2 bed 2 bath 1200 sq ft condo for 1/2 the price of a value suite. When I add in the car rental and parking I still come out ahead.


FP+ wont deter me. I have been once before which was a decade ago so I don't know how bad it is.

 

[RoosMama]

I see to huge pitfalls to the new FP+ system. A large number of people (according to posts on here and other boards) no longer see staying at the resorts as a perk. With decreased EMH and the problems that still exist with the current FP+ system, people are going to take a long hard look at what they are "really" paying for and compare that to what more they can get offsite. For my up coming visit in May I have a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo 5 min disney for 1/4 of the price I would pay to stay at the All Star. If I were a Disney exec I would be the MOST concerned with this next "bottom line" observation. With the new system people are spending more time in line and that means pure and simple less time to shop and eat. That is where Disney makes the most money! I hope that when they start to see significant losses that we will start to see changes to the system. It might not be immediate, but I would not be surprised if that fact has already become quite evident.

I know this could change, but right now the perk to staying onsite is reserving FP+ ahead of time, right?

 

[Q-man]

Who I feel really sorry for are the DVC owners who are stuck with decades of a lesser experience than what they bought into.

 

[prudence64]

When was fast pass ever just for on site guests? Off site guests could use the old system equally with on site guests. So what perk are on site guests losing?

 

[mizzougrad91]

When was fast pass ever just for on site guests? Off site guests could use the old system equally with on site guests. So what perk are on site guests losing?

Yes resort guests can reserve their 3 fp's, but imo, that is a downgrade from what you got with the original system. The old system of getting fp for as many attractions as they can and for as many top tier attractions. I have read multiple threads where resort guests don't see the new system as a perk but a deterrent. I am saying that the system still needs to be seriously tweaked so that people feel like they are paying for MORE and not getting less.

 

[prudence64]

Yes resort guests can reserve their 3 fp's, but imo, that is a downgrade from what you got with the original system. The old system of getting fp for as many attractions as they can and for as many top tier attractions. I have read multiple threads where resort guests don't see the new system as a perk but a deterrent. I am saying that the system still needs to be seriously tweaked so that people feel like they are paying for MORE and not getting less.

But what does that have to do with changing your mind about staying on site?

 

[Sammie]

I understand why some are not happy with Fastpass+ because it changes their park touring from what it was with Legacy.

However both onsite guests and offsite quests had same and equal access to Legacy so why would anyone think that Fastpass+ was going to greatly change that?

I for one am glad it didn't.

 

[jade1]

Who I feel really sorry for are the DVC owners who are stuck with decades of a lesser experience than what they bought into.

Yea, but you can feel happy for us owners that are now getting more than we bought into as well.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I think there are a lot of peope who feel this way...thinking of ways to still go, but spend less and maybe do other things as well.

I think they are going to give extra FPs for onsite and higher-level like deluxe, but we'll see I guess.

 

[Sammie]

Who I feel really sorry for are the DVC owners who are stuck with decades of a lesser experience than what they bought into.

I have already broke even on our investment in DVC many times over and actually my POS said nothing about buying a certain situation at the parks.

We bought luxury villas at a set price for 50 years, that is much less than rack rate, so please do not worry about us poor DVC owners, I can assure you the majority of us are very happy with our purchase.

We spend less and less time each year in the parks and more at our resorts and doing WDW Recreation anyway, so any changes really do not impact our stays.

However I love Fastpass+ and can't wait to see what the future will bring with it.

 

[sethschroeder]

Yes resort guests can reserve their 3 fp's, but imo, that is a downgrade from what you got with the original system. The old system of getting fp for as many attractions as they can and for as many top tier attractions. I have read multiple threads where resort guests don't see the new system as a perk but a deterrent. I am saying that the system still needs to be seriously tweaked so that people feel like they are paying for MORE and not getting less.

WHAT????

Aren't you arguing attendance will be down? not resorts specifically....

 

[Viva Las Disney]

It doesn't change anything for us at all. we stay on property because we love being there. FP+ has nothing to do with it.

I also don't see any connection between FP+ and deciding where to stay. FP+ doesn't have anything to do with the hotels feeling, theme, price, amenities, food, transportation, etc so for me it's a non factor.

 

[wisblue]

Who I feel really sorry for are the DVC owners who are stuck with decades of a lesser experience than what they bought into.

Don't feel sorry for us. Our DVC membership has already allowed us to stay at many wonderful resorts for about a third of what it would have cost otherwise, and our adult daughters and their families will enjoy using those points long after I am gone.

And they don't care about FP or FP+ one way or the other.

 

[sonofanarchy]

Who I feel really sorry for are the DVC owners who are stuck with decades of a lesser experience than what they bought into.

I was close to buying 2 years ago. I'm very thankful now that I didn't. With the perks and entertainment that has been taken away, plus the amazing work Universal has done with the resort, I'm spending more and more time there.

FWIW, it's clear many owners do feel this way, as resale listings are at an all time high. If that's not an indication as to how people feel about Disney right now, I don't know what is.

 

[Planogirl]

I don't see this making much of a difference in hotel booking unless people decide that they don't like or love this system. Most people will likely not even notice a change.

Now high prices could eventually affect them. Maybe.