Is there a way for Disney to squelch this trend.

[mrzrich]

The buying of "throwaway sites" has gone on for years when people want to buy the DDP, get free parking and EMH. Most sane people realized it wasnt really worth it, but now that FP+ has come into play, the TPAS Forum has people buzzing that its a great idea.

Makes me so mad especially considering how few tent/pop up sites there are to begin with.

 

[Sur]

I keep wondering if there is a downside, for Disney, being it is paid. From the perspective of actual Fort users, it stinks.

I can just see holidays with every tent/pop-up sites not actually being used.With the limitation placed on using the higher priced sites to pitch a tent, its not going to fare well.

 

[Brocktoon]

I may be jaded, but I think a better question is does Disney even have a reason to stop the trend. If Disney can eventaully show that the throwaway site trend is widespread enough that they lose more money than gain, they may do something. Otherwise I don't think anything will happen, as money for a site is still $$$ in Disney's pocket whether the site is used or not. If a lot of empty sites are actually empty due to throwaway trends ... I agree with you that it's frustrating with so many limited sites compared to the values. Two things Disney could do to curb any potential trend:

1) Require a minimum stay ... 3-Days? 2-Days?

2) Drop the amount of people allowed per site down from 10.

 

[KristinU]

I may be jaded, but I think a better question is does Disney even have a reason to stop the trend. If Disney can eventaully show that the throwaway site trend is widespread enough that they lose more money than gain, they may do something. Otherwise I don't think anything will happen, as money for a site is still $$$ in Disney's pocket whether the site is used or not. If a lot of empty sites are actually empty due to throwaway trends ... I agree with you that it's frustrating with so many limited sites compared to the values. Two things Disney could do to curb any potential trend:

1) Require a minimum stay ... 3-Days? 2-Days?

2) Drop the amount of people allowed per site down from 10.

Sadly, I agree with this. Disney probably doesn't care unless it hurts revenue, which it could if someone books one night and prevents the site from being reserved for the remainder of a given block of time.

Solutions:
1) also with the minimum stay thing. They do it at popular campgrounds elsewhere, in fact one up here near Boston has some blocks that are Friday to Friday, some blocks that are Saturday to Saturday, and some blocks that are Sunday to Sunday during the summer months, with just a handful of sites that are available for reservations of 3 nights or more during that high season (Normandy Farms)

2) charge fees for children and additional adults (not saying I like the idea, but I'm saying it would be a solution) We've all seen it where campground fees only include two adults or two adults and two kids.

3) Disney starts offering some sort of a la carte package for these perks (like Universal) Tie it to some sort of dining plan and they'd make a mint without ever having to house or clean up after these folks. I bet they'd still fill the rooms as well. Because they'd have to offer a different level of perks for resort guests. It could be a win-win.

 

[lodge]

Or unlink the cheap means of overriding the system by making the linking of the bands only possible with a check in. They can send the bands, allow for FP+ bookings, but it only becomes active if the person checks in the reservation. This will deter many. Make it further of a deterrent by requiring an in person check out too. Also, don't allow dropping to one night, for those that make every other night bookings. The magic bands, ultimately, can be used to determine who is using the system in a method that shuts others out, in this matter, and they'll be banned for life, like some others we know. The only way around that is to get a new home address, afaik.

eta: the technology will find who's doing this anyway, just by the nature of their tracking capabilities. I, for one, am not willing to risk being banned from my happiest place on Earth!

 

[mrzrich]

The check in process isn't deterring them. They are bragging about getting up on their first park day and driving to FW. They park their cars at FW, check in, and then hop on the FW bus to DHS in time for AM EMH.

 

[mrzrich]

There are only 90 tent/pop up sites total in all of FW.

There are

1,920 at All-Star Movies Resort
1,728 standard rooms at All-Star Music Resort
1,920 at All-Star Sports Resort
2,880 at Pop Century Classic Years Resort
and
864 Little Mermaid rooms at AOA

If they want to book a value room and waste $100, whatever, but it just stinks that they take a scarce spot away from someone who truly wants to tent camp.

 

[bama_ed]

I went over to the TPAS board and read a little of the "throwaway room" thread. OMG, I'm glad some of those folks don't post over here.

This concept is nothing new but the Magic Bands has given it new life.

If Disney management were smart they'd put an end to it. Because they're losing money if they knowingly let it continue.

Pay attention.

I have no problem with people paying for a campsite but not using it. But perks such as EMH and Fast Pass are benefits for GUESTS STAYING ON SITE. So to me, Disney could stop it by allowing such perks beginning on resort arrival day and ending at midnight of resort departure day. If you book a one night stay, you would only get two days of perks (checkin and checkout days) and if you booked Fast Pass rides beyond those dates, they'd be cancelled because you are no longer an ON SITE GUEST. People try to clutter the discussion by saying "oh I have a 7 day ticket" or "it's a 3 day ticket I can use over 14 days after first use".

Baloney. People do split stays all the time.

Now, you say to yourself, "Ed, why would management want to control this?". The answer is simple. Greed.

In the throwaway concept, folks say "that's an extra night of revenue Disney wouldn't have otherwise". I'd say those people are near sighted. I would ask Disney:

- how much are those folks spending at the Meadow Trading Post? (zero)
- how much are those folks spending at Trails End or Crockett's Tavern? (zero)
- how much are those folks spending on recreation like boat rentals, golf carts, or Segway Fort tours? (zero)

If management wants to allow this, I offer the following advice:

- create a "virtual loop" (call it loop 2900) and book these throwaway room folks there.
- that frees up the site for us who want to actually come in and spend money.
- Disney gets my bucks as well as the throwaway room revenue.
- if they book the throwaway folks into a real site, that keeps me from booking and spending cash. Just sayin' . Duh

I really pity the people who use this strategy. Disney ought to tie the Magic Bands to the parking gates to control the abuse of the free parking for on site guests. The EMH (and late) parks are typically more crowded so never recommended as the "best park to visit that day".

Limiting the onsite perks to the dates a guest pays for an onsite resort "room" is honoring the promise and prevents abuse. It opens up availability for us campers wanting to actually show up and spend dough over several days.

If you speak the language the Disney management understands, we can get our way.

Bama Ed

 

[FFWRX]

Is there a scanner for parking? They are stealing free parking if not. Also how do they control EMH? They are abusing those if you dont have to scan to get on the ride too.

 

[nabi]

If management wants to allow this, I offer the following advice: - create a "virtual loop" (call it loop 2900) and book these throwaway room folks there. - that frees up the site for us who want to actually come in and spend money.

good idea but how would they determine who gets put in the virtual loop? Let's just hope those bands keep track of such activity and they get banned like the TA did.