I'm Done!!! Too Many Changes We Don't Like

[mom2rtk]

If what ends up happening with the Disney theme parks is that the parks are more enjoyable for the die-hards, encouraging them to go more, and less enjoyable for the non-die-hards, so they go less frequently, then that's really the best outcome for everyone. Disney will make more money off of the "serious" park go-ers than they ever made off families like us who are just looking for a fun vacation. And those of us who enjoy it less will have a fabulous time in Kauai.

I think it's going to be hard to sell die-hards on ride rationing, even if they come in a stylish band. They better make sure this system is user-friendly to the newbies out there or they're going to have a problem on their hands. Or wrists.

 

[Jeslynb]

I think it's going to be hard to sell die-hards on ride rationing, even if they come in a stylish band. They better make sure this system is user-friendly to the newbies out there or they're going to have a problem on their hands. Or wrists.

I agree. I suppose they'll have to tweak it as they go.

 

[Nancyg56]

That was my point...I wasn't saying it was new, I was saying that the cc guarantee hasn't made them any easier to get

The CC guarantee would not necessarily make certain restaurants easier to get, but it should make it easier for the staff to plan, and to ensure that the ADR's that are in place are kept. It also may help from having those specialty restaurant ADR's get all swooped up by those folks who have multiple times reserved in multiple restaurants and who will choose when it is closer. It dshould make the field a little more open.

 

[Colleen27]

It also may help from having those specialty restaurant ADR's get all swooped up by those folks who have multiple times reserved in multiple restaurants and who will choose when it is closer. It dshould make the field a little more open.

I don't think it has. Lurk on the cancellation threads for a while - you still get the posts from people who made ADRs for BoG and Le C and Chef Mickey every night of their trip. They're just canceling them a little sooner now. But from the POV of the average guest who isn't checking the cancellation threads or the dining site over and over again there's really no difference - the top restaurants are booked solid at 180+ and the hoarders still hoard.

 

[agavegirl1]

Just for fun, I "lurked" a bit on the cancellation thread and I was stunned. Posts included multiple cancellations for the same meals on the same day. I really didn't think that many people would do this. I guess since nobody can know what park they will be in 180 days out, it happens. I guess I was just blissfully unaware.

 

[mom2rtk]

Just for fun, I "lurked" a bit on the cancellation thread and I was stunned. Posts included multiple cancellations for the same meals on the same day. I really didn't think that many people would do this. I guess since nobody can know what park they will be in 180 days out, it happens. I guess I was just blissfully unaware.

I have to hold back from laying into every one of those posters, but know that if people lash out, they will keep doing what they are doing, but just not post in the cancellation threads any more.

But yes, it's eye-opening.

 

[ppjluvsdvc]

I was really hoping that the online reservations had stopped people from making the multiple reservations at the same time. I guess there are those who are going to find a way around everything.

 

[Mkrop]

I have to hold back from laying into every one of those posters, but know that if people lash out, they will keep doing what they are doing, but just not post in the cancellation threads any more.

But yes, it's eye-opening.

But I thought no one did that anymore

I have never had an issue committing to a meal or a type of food at 180 days out, Italian works just fine and I can stick with it, but for those who cant make up their mind why wouldnt they just make multi ADRs

 

[mom2rtk]

But I thought no one did that anymore

I have never had an issue committing to a meal or a type of food at 180 days out, Italian works just fine and I can stick with it, but for those who cant make up their mind why wouldnt they just make multi ADRs

They still can. And still do. I don't double book. But if I did I probably would cancel the extras in the dark of the night and never fess up to it on the cancellation thread.

I don't have a problem committing 180 days out either. We are doing DLR this year and it seems so odd to have had to wait until 60 days out to commit!

 

[CarrieR]

If what ends up happening with the Disney theme parks is that the parks are more enjoyable for the die-hards, encouraging them to go more, and less enjoyable for the non-die-hards, so they go less frequently, then that's really the best outcome for everyone. Disney will make more money off of the "serious" park go-ers than they ever made off families like us who are just looking for a fun vacation. And those of us who enjoy it less will have a fabulous time in Kauai.

Everybody wins.

Incidentally, the "story" behind this change is that it is supposed to make it MORE enjoyable for the new vacationer... first time vacationers spend more per cap then those of us who go frequently. And it makes sense - as frequent visitors, we might go to LC and order soup, pretzel bread and creme brulee as dinner, with the TiW discount, since we know what we like and it's a "normal" eatery for us. The casual vacationer would be a whole lot more likely to go to a steak house for, you know - steak! We buy few souvenirs (I like that t-shirt, but $29.95 much? Meh, I'll think about it and buy it in a couple of months if I decide I want it.) Plus, we make sure we have the best possible value on our room rate, etc, etc.

Likewise, as a frequent visitor, I know what I was able to get accomplished on my trips in 2011 (July 4th week, low crowd Sept, and Christmas week - incidentally we were able to do more in July and Dec!) vs 2012 after FP time enforcement vs now. I am really dreading our Christmas week trip, to be honest. When we are paying more (and it is a lot more, not only for tickets and rooms but also the pricing on food - and things like all-day menus instead of separate lunch and dinner menus,) and getting so much less, we are not visitors they are retaining. Our Dec trip is paid nearly in full (airfare, rented DVC points, and the end of APs,) but the APs expire in January. They are not being renewed and I honestly can't say when my next trip will be. A lot of the "we're done" posts are coming from the die-hards.

So if this move is offending the casual vacationer... and offending the die-hard... who is it appealing to?

 

[magicbob]

So if this move is offending the casual vacationer... and offending the die-hard... who is it appealing to?

GOOD QUESTION.

 

[JanaDee]

It's funny to read the posts on this board over the last few weeks with so many posting "great - don't come! More park for me!" Whenever I read that I think "Yep - more park for you. Enjoy!"

If what ends up happening with the Disney theme parks is that the parks are more enjoyable for the die-hards, encouraging them to go more, and less enjoyable for the non-die-hards, so they go less frequently, then that's really the best outcome for everyone. Disney will make more money off of the "serious" park go-ers than they ever made off families like us who are just looking for a fun vacation. And those of us who enjoy it less will have a fabulous time in Kauai.

Everybody wins.

I think all the advantages goes to first-timers or infrequent visitors with the new FP+ changes. Diehards know how good the "old" system worked and will take their vacation dollars elsewhere (like you, we are eying Hawaii) to get the value they deserve for their vacations.

My AP expired yesterday, after my 4th trip in the last 12 months. It won't be renewed.

 

[ponyboy]

-and make sure we don't forget to cancel ADRs far enough in advance to avoid a CC charge.

Oh no! How inconvenient for you to actually have to be responsible for a reservation you made!

People taking up reservation spots and then no showing is the reason for the ADR policy change and it sounds like you were part of the problem.

As someone who actually shows up for their reservations it sounds like Disney did the right thing to correct the issue to me.

 

[Jeslynb]

I think all the advantages goes to first-timers or infrequent visitors with the new FP+ changes. Diehards know how good the "old" system worked and will take their vacation dollars elsewhere (like you, we are eying Hawaii) to get the value they deserve for their vacations.

My AP expired yesterday, after my 4th trip in the last 12 months. It won't be renewed.

Good point. I think the way it went is my mind was that with FP+, Disney was appealing to the people who care enough about park proximity and themeing to pay $500/night for a not-spectacular room. That's what I meant by die-hards (vs people like us who enjoy onsite convenience, but also like offsite for other reasons - we're not too particular). But maybe that's not accurate - maybe first time visitors are the most likely to book onsite in which case FP+ makes a bit more sense.

If you want any Hawaii advice, feel free to PM me. We've been a number of times including last December. Wonderful place for a family vacation.

 

[WDSearcher]

I think all the advantages goes to first-timers or infrequent visitors with the new FP+ changes. Diehards know how good the "old" system worked and will take their vacation dollars elsewhere (like you, we are eying Hawaii) to get the value they deserve for their vacations.

My AP expired yesterday, after my 4th trip in the last 12 months. It won't be renewed.

Without knowing how many years you've HAD an AP, the fact that you're not renewing doesn't necessarily mean anything. Clearly, you had a need for one this year, as you took four trips. Maybe next year you wouldn't have renewed anyway because you've had a bit of Disney overload and Hawaii was on your radar.

I think a portion of diehards might take their vacation dollars elsewhere; some may simply not travel to WDW as often. Some may be saying they'll never return, but will plan another trip once they've cooled down and all the FP+ facts have been released and bugs have been worked out. Whether a Disney vacation is still "the value they deserve" probably depends on more than just how many times they can ride TSMM in a day.

I do think that a lot of Disney diehards (not you, necessarily) might see the advent of FP+ as giving them a valid excuse to walk away for a while and try something new without feeling "guilty". People get in ruts. They wait for something to push them into something new. If FP+ and all of its problems (actual and perceived) push some people into new experiences, I don't see how that's a negative. I'm sure even Disney expected that to happen and has planned for it.

 

[ugadog99]

FP+...well, haven't used it so have no opinion, yet. I'm reading and waiting until it fully rolls out in it's final version. In the meantime, we'll deal as needed.

GAC: abuse brings changes, period. Fair? Maybe not, but not a surprise, either.

ADR change: umm...we don't plan too many ADRs and the ones we do we keep. We eat at not so popular places anyway with CM or TIW discounts, so it's a non issue.

WDW is my happy place, changes or not. I can be happy with whatever changes as long as I have my Disney fix. It's the only place I can totally relax and forget the real world.

 

[JanaDee]

Without knowing how many years you've HAD an AP, the fact that you're not renewing doesn't necessarily mean anything. Clearly, you had a need for one this year, as you took four trips. Maybe next year you wouldn't have renewed anyway because you've had a bit of Disney overload and Hawaii was on your radar.

I think a portion of diehards might take their vacation dollars elsewhere; some may simply not travel to WDW as often. Some may be saying they'll never return, but will plan another trip once they've cooled down and all the FP+ facts have been released and bugs have been worked out. Whether a Disney vacation is still "the value they deserve" probably depends on more than just how many times they can ride TSMM in a day.

I do think that a lot of Disney diehards (not you, necessarily) might see the advent of FP+ as giving them a valid excuse to walk away for a while and try something new without feeling "guilty". People get in ruts. They wait for something to push them into something new. If FP+ and all of its problems (actual and perceived) push some people into new experiences, I don't see how that's a negative. I'm sure even Disney expected that to happen and has planned for it.

Every WDW guests opinion has merit, whether they are a first time visitor or a long time local.

I have never felt an ounce of guilt about spending my money on other vacation destination. In fact, it has never even occurred to me that I should feel guilty.

 

[RainK]

Although I haven't used FP+, what I have read and heard from others, I am not a fan. I don't want to have to reserve my time to go on Spalsh Mountain months in advance....but that's just me.

As far as CC on ADR, I don't mind at all. If you're not going to go to your ADR, then don't book it. It may prevent people from just reserving ADR "just in case" while other people REALLY want to eat there but couldn't get an ADR.

As far a crowds, we went the 3rd week in August for our last trip and the crowds were no worse than before...it was very manageable.

We did notice, however, there was a LOT of trash around. It was not as clean as it normally was. The bathrooms in the parks were very dirty which are not like Disney. I absolutely noticed the park cleanliness was lacking this past trip as compared to all previous trips.

We too noticed band aids and small debris in the BC pool that were there for days in a row. I do think they need to improve on the cleanliness standards like they used to. It has gone downhill.

With all that being sad, we still love Disney and will always return.

 

[Belle'sFan]

I've been interested in the many posts about FP plus! Been to the world seven trips and have used a FP maybe once. We arrive at RD, hit the "must dos" first thing and enjoy the less congested attractions in the afternoon. Even during Presidents week, this plan has worked for us. As non FP users, I'm wondering if any of the FPchsnges will effect our plans? Will increased FP plus planning mean longer lines in general, requiring us to jump on the FP bandwagon or not?

 

[JanaDee]

Although I haven't used FP+, what I have read and heard from others, I am not a fan. I don't want to have to reserve my time to go on Spalsh Mountain months in advance....but that's just me.

As far as CC on ADR, I don't mind at all. If you're not going to go to your ADR, then don't book it. It may prevent people from just reserving ADR "just in case" while other people REALLY want to eat there but couldn't get an ADR.

As far a crowds, we went the 3rd week in August for our last trip and the crowds were no worse than before...it was very manageable.

We did notice, however, there was a LOT of trash around. It was not as clean as it normally was. The bathrooms in the parks were very dirty which are not like Disney. I absolutely noticed the park cleanliness was lacking this past trip as compared to all previous trips.

We too noticed band aids and small debris in the BC pool that were there for days in a row. I do think they need to improve on the cleanliness standards like they used to. It has gone downhill.

With all that being sad, we still love Disney and will always return.

I just returned from a trip. I am not a fan of FP+. A few days we didn't use our FP+, since our plans changed.

I noticed the same thing as you ~ bathrooms were disgustingly dirty and there was a lot more trash laying around.