FP + What we know and what we want to know

[doconeill]

If this is true and DVC members are excluded, why would anyone buy into DVC in the future? People buy into DVC because of the Disney Parks and being treated like a Disney resort hotel guest. There are much nicer timeshare accommodations offsite at a fraction of the cost!

Like I said earlier, DVC members DO pay-to-play. They just did so up front. AND they pay their dues to maintain it.

Yes, DVC were excluded from FD but I think to most this wasn't a deal breaker. Although to be honest, we would not have bought into DVC after FD was offered, it definitely diminshed its value for us! But if the current FP system disappears (which seems likely at this point) and regular park guest are only allowed 1 FP+ for a headliner, xtra FP+ for onsite guests will be a huge advantage. One which I don't think people will be willing to give up for DVC. I know we wouldn't!

Free Dining was a bit of a different beast, although there are some parallels. But they didn't need to drive bookings at DVC resorts - DVC has other ways of doing that (the DVC "seasons" do not line up with CRO), and DVC is responsible for it. DVC could potentially offer Free Dining themselves - but it is probably way too costly just to get members to use their points, when they have to use them anyways.

 

[lugnut33]

If this is true and DVC members are excluded, why would anyone buy into DVC in the future? People buy into DVC because of the Disney Parks and being treated like a Disney resort hotel guest. There are much nicer timeshare accommodations offsite at a fraction of the cost!


Yes, DVC were excluded from FD but I think to most this wasn't a deal breaker. Although to be honest, we would not have bought into DVC after FD was offered, it definitely diminshed its value for us! But if the current FP system disappears (which seems likely at this point) and regular park guest are only allowed 1 FP+ for a headliner, xtra FP+ for onsite guests will be a huge advantage. One which I don't think people will be willing to give up for DVC. I know we wouldn't!

I truly believe that DVC'ers staying at resorts will be treated just like other resort guests and will have access to the FP+ system while staying in the DVC resort. I don't think it's too hard for Disney to say that access to the FP+ system (at whatever level all the other guests staying in comparable resorts) is a perk of being a DVC owner. Just like you get to use the transportation, free parking, EMH, and other resort guest privileges.

 

[mom2rtk]

If we were looking at booking a last minute holiday, I would check out FP+. If we couldn't get anything decent, we wouldn't book. I could probably live without ADR's for a short trip but not without FP for certain rides.

I also wonder what will happen with people who still aren't aware of FP+ when they book. I've heard SO many people who have booked the DDP or just booked a Disney holiday, can't get into a restaurant and then get angry. "What do you mean we can't get a table? I'm on the dining plan! What do you mean I had to book six months ago?" I've heard it so often. Can you imagine if people find out they could have had a 10 minute wait for Space Mountain but instead, they have to ride standby for an hour??? Poor ride CM's

It really does just add a new layer of "uh-oh" to their sales process. Anyone booking a trip during peak season still has the option of getting to the park early to get a FP. But if FP- goes away and FP+ is completely booked, that runs the risk of really alienating some guests.

It would make sense to offer it for free for awhile before charging for it. However, it could also backfire hugely on them that they back off this notion before it ever gets implemented.

This is one "what if" I am not losing any sleep over now.

Interesting turn in the conversation. I suppose what makes the most sense is for everyone to be "given" 3 for free, then offer bonus "extras" to those staying onsite. But there reaches a point where the numbers just don't seem like they could possibly add up.

I do think this past year has been a big experiment with Disney pushing as many FPs through their system as possible to see just what the max-out point is. There are new threads every day about how standby just barely moves and FP lines are out the door. Couple that with how much later into the day FP has been available and how soon the return times are, and it comes into focus.

Interesting...he's saying it is the "long term" plan. How long term he doesn't say. If Disney rolls it out to everyone, completes the conversion to FP+ only, and then turns around and says, "Now it's only for Resort guests", many, many people will be upset. (worthy of a first post question I think...)

They could also do things differently at DLR.


The addendum falls in line with our expectations that FP really will go away.

I honestly think they would not do that. Just like they would not leave their military folks or DVC folks in the lurch. I honestly think what we are going to see rolled out soon is step one in the grand plan. Not the grand plan. I think we'll see everyone with 3 FPs, and more for other specific special interest groups to follow.

If this is true and DVC members are excluded, why would anyone buy into DVC in the future? People buy into DVC because of the Disney Parks and being treated like a Disney resort hotel guest. There are much nicer timeshare accommodations offsite at a fraction of the cost!


Yes, DVC were excluded from FD but I think to most this wasn't a deal breaker. Although to be honest, we would not have bought into DVC after FD was offered, it definitely diminshed its value for us! But if the current FP system disappears (which seems likely at this point) and regular park guest are only allowed 1 FP+ for a headliner, xtra FP+ for onsite guests will be a huge advantage. One which I don't think people will be willing to give up for DVC. I know we wouldn't!

You're absolutely right. And while I'm glad I don't own DVC and as such don't need to sweat this out with other owners right now...... I don't see Disney ticking off that big a group in that way.

 

[dadddio]

I'm surprised at how some want to make me feel bad that I think that if I do the work by doing research and being at the park at RD and stay until closing that I think is okay that I get more FPs. Isn't that what we are taught as children? You do the work and you reap the rewards. I don't want anyone to have a bad time on their vacation but why should I be happy that Disney wants to take from my family that will do the work and give it to someone that doesn't want to do the same. I really really do not like getting up early. I am so not a morning person but I do it for Disney so that I can reap my rewards.

It may be that as far as the company and the bulk of the guests are concerned, it's not about 'the work'. It's about overall customer satisfaction.

I believe this is about so much more that FPs but just something that Disney saw a chance to do something about. But I refuse to take the blame (super-user) for all these changes and I refuse to feel bad that I feel like I deserve more for my "work". Just as someone that paid more for their ticket at US deserves more than the normal ticket by moving to the front of the line. And maybe that is where Disney is headed anyway!

No one is 'blaming' anyone or asking anyone to feel 'bad' for their use of FP. FP apparently wasn't benefiting the entire guest population and is being redesigned. It stinks for those few of us who 'put in the work' and received the most advantage from the system, but it is what it is.

 

[lugnut33]

Interesting...he's saying it is the "long term" plan. How long term he doesn't say. If Disney rolls it out to everyone, completes the conversion to FP+ only, and then turns around and says, "Now it's only for Resort guests", many, many people will be upset. (worthy of a first post question I think...)

They could also do things differently at DLR.


The addendum falls in line with our expectations that FP really will go away.

Accessible for those willing to pay. Or maybe there will be a base and then you can pay to add on privileges.

 

[Robo]

No one is 'blaming' anyone or asking anyone to feel 'bad' for their use of FP.

Oh, really?

No one is doing that?



Maybe a cursory review of this and other FP+ threads is in order.

 

[dadddio]

I truly believe that DVC'ers staying at resorts will be treated just like other resort guests and will have access to the FP+ system while staying in the DVC resort. I don't think it's too hard for Disney to say that access to the FP+ system (at whatever level all the other guests staying in comparable resorts) is a perk of being a DVC owner. Just like you get to use the transportation, free parking, EMH, and other resort guest privileges.

The way it has been presented, FP+ is about whether you have a valid ticket, not where you are sleeping. As such, DVC members would need no unique rules.

 

[dadddio]

Oh, really?

No one is doing that?



Maybe a review of this and other FP+ threads is in order.

I see a bunch of posts decrying that it isn't fair how Disney is making people change their touring style. I don't see any individuals being made to feel bad for their current touring styles.

It should also be noted that just because the company MIGHT be using FP+ to force 'superusers' to change their touring styles doesn't mean that those 'superusers' are doing anything inherently wrong. They are merely using the system as it is designed. When the new system comes out, we will all work to make sure that we are using it to our maximum benefit. There isn't anything wrong with that.

 

[katdralion]

I truly believe that DVC'ers staying at resorts will be treated just like other resort guests and will have access to the FP+ system while staying in the DVC resort. I don't think it's too hard for Disney to say that access to the FP+ system (at whatever level all the other guests staying in comparable resorts) is a perk of being a DVC owner. Just like you get to use the transportation, free parking, EMH, and other resort guest privileges.

Not according to this!

1) My understanding it's is a perk for Deluxe "cash paying" guests.
2) It is a way to get folks to stay Deluxe - and pay the premium.
3) DVC members staying on points are not "paying guests".
. . . with so many DVC rooms, it would mean too many "paying guests" would miss the privilege
. . . it would overwhelm the system and not let "paying guests" get into it
4) However, people staying at DVC resorts on cash are "paying guests".

NOTE: Thus could change, but according to the briefing I attended where
it was mentioned, this seems to be the final outcome.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

Oh, really?

No one is doing that?



Maybe a cursory review of this and other FP+ threads is in order.

I feel bad that I've been using a service that WDW provided for all their guests, included with their park admission. However I can absolve by guilt but saying that I have NEVER taken a FP for TSM! So at least I wasn't "stopping" anyone riding those rides....

 

[mom2rtk]

I don't see any individuals being made to feel bad for their current touring styles.

Seriuosly?

That's priceless.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

I see a bunch of posts decrying that it isn't fair how Disney is making people change their touring style. I don't see any individuals being made to feel bad for their current touring styles.

It should also be noted that just because the company MIGHT be using FP+ to force 'superusers' to change their touring styles doesn't mean that those 'superusers' are doing anything inherently wrong. They are merely using the system as it is designed. When the new system comes out, we will all work to make sure that we are using it to our maximum benefit. There isn't anything wrong with that.

We have to call them "uber-users"! Everytime someone says "uber-user" or "entitled" in this thread, we have to take a sip of a DoleWhip (any drink will do if you have to improvise)

 

[Cinderumbrella]

We have to call them "uber-users"! Everytime someone says "uber-user" or "entitled" in this thread, we have to take a sip of a DoleWhip (any drink will do if you have to improvise)

 

[Disney_Princess83]

Seriuosly?

That's priceless.

I already said I feel bad.... Hello, my name is Disney_Princess83 and I'am a FastPass user... I have been for years. Sometimes I use them 2-3 times per day during my trips. Some people did an intervention to help me see that they have a problem...."

 

[Robo]

I don't see any individuals being made to feel bad for their current touring styles.

Seriuosly?

That's priceless.

I started to go back and multi-quote posts, but I nearly burned out a motherboard.

 

[dadddio]

I started to go back and multi-quote posts, but I nearly burned out a motherboard.

We may simply be having a definitional disagreement. Either way, I hope you aren't feeling bad. I don't think that you are a bad person.

 

[js]

Exactly. Send Disney an email. I think the more they hear from everyone, the more they can come up with solutions to these things.

Hi. I would like to send Disney an e-mail.
Can you all please let me know which e-mail address would be the best to use?

Thank you VERY much.

 

[Robo]

Hi. I would like to send Disney an e-mail.
Can you all please let me know which e-mail address would be the best to use?

Thank you VERY much.

eMail-

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com



Snail Mail-

Walt Disney World Guest Communications
PO Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040

 

[lugnut33]

The way it has been presented, FP+ is about whether you have a valid ticket, not where you are sleeping. As such, DVC members would need no unique rules.

That's the way it's being rolled out, but that's not it's end purpose. They have been talking about this for years and I think Iger even mentioned during one his speeches at a shareholder meeting that it was going to be used to pump up profits by getting people to "add on" to their vacation.

 

[mom2rtk]

I started to go back and multi-quote posts, but I nearly burned out a motherboard.

And that's saying something.

You know, since your motherboard has already gotten you through 65K posts.