More updated Fastpass+ information

[Disney_Princess83]

I'm not saying that its a bad thing. In fact, I am the user that I described in my other post. That doesn't mean that it isn't in the company's (and typical guest's) best interest to change my behavior, however.

I know you weren't specifically saying it was bad, it just seems that it's a general belief the uber users were "bad" and the reason they were change the entire FP system. This logic seems strange to me because in reality uber users are a very small percentage of park guests. Whatever Disney is trying to achieve, it isn't to stop or control this small group

 

[Rosanne]

Oh I absolutely agree with you and cannot fault a thing you have said. I was trying to point out that the socio economic structure is already set out by tiered levels of luxury/basics with the Disney resorts. I do think that is a fact of life and something most people have a grasp on whether they like it or not. You're right, if you live in this world you cannot escape the reality of it.

But the parks are different. It shouldn't matter when you are in the parks who paid for what resort or hotel or whether they took the Disney bus or drove their car there. The parks are where Walt wanted the families to be able to enjoy time together and have fun. Segregating people in the parks by their economic status leaves a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. I admit, it would be a tighter budget if I had to incorporate additional privileges being charged for into my vacation budget, but it is not unattainable for me. But not everyone is that blessed and I don't think that is fair.

This.

BTW, people will jump on the word, "fair". That's predictable. Therefore, I agree with everything you have said and will stop before the word, "fair", and it is a reasonable stance.

 

[dadddio]

So you think if I get 3 FP+ choices in the MK, I'll get to choose the 3 mountains? Or that if I get 2 or more choices in Epcot I'll get to choose TT and Soarin? Or Rnr, ToT and TSMM at DHS? I just don't think they will allow that.

That's really what this boils down to. We can argue about what they tested when, but in the end, do you think I'll have access to the same selection of FP rides I did before? It probably won't even be close.

I have no reason to believe that you won't. Bad math and forum speculation is not enough to convince me.

 

[mom2rtk]

I have no reason to believe that you won't. Bad math and forum speculation is not enough to convince me.

Well, whatever you believe ..... and whatever I believe..... is really immaterial.

It will be what it is. And then we'll chat again I'm sure.

In the meantime, we'll hust have to agree to disagree on how we both *think* it will roll out.

 

[iheartjuppy]

Nope, no way would I be happy to have to pay for more FP+
In fact, if it were an option I would have to reassess whether Disney was going to be a vacation destination for us in the future.

Charging for FP+ immediately cuts out out a good chunk of Disney goers from ever being able to experience that benefit. What's a few hundred more dollars? Well to some, it's the difference between going to Disney and not going at all!

Park privileges are not the same as resort privileges in my view. Everyone accessing the parks has the same options for park tickets. You do not get a discount on your park tickets for staying onsite or get charged more if you do not. That is fair.

Guests staying in a Deluxe resort get deluxe resort amenities and benefits. Those at a value resort have fewer. But they are resort benefits and yes, they are based on what you pay, but the nicer pools and in-resort restaurants deluxe guests get to enjoy do not take away from the experience of those who paid to stay in a value or a moderate. Paying for FP immediately changes the park experience based on what you as a guest can afford. I see this as prejudice.

I don't think park privileges and resort privileges are separate right now, so I think it's definitely a possibility that an Enhanced FP+ could be offered either at a cost, or dependent on resort/room type (or both). At present, EMH are a "park privilege" based exclusively on the fact that the people allowed in are resort guests (available to all resort guests, for no extra charge), and the special safaris are park privileges available ONLY to RESORT guests staying in a deluxe resort, at Club Level (and at an additional cost). I would think Enhanced FP+ (more rides, park hopping, or no tiering, whatever) could easily be added as an opportunity to either type of resort guest, with or without additional charge. ADRs at 180+10 could even be argued as a park privilege for resort guests...

 

[dadddio]

I know you weren't specifically saying it was bad, it just seems that it's a general belief the uber users were "bad" and the reason they were change the entire FP system. This logic seems strange to me because in reality uber users are a very small percentage of park guests. Whatever Disney is trying to achieve, it isn't to stop or control this small group

Use of FP in this manner runs contrary to the company's purpose for FP. While they certainly didn't spend a billion dollars to change this behavior, resolving the issue at the same time as the other MM+ changes seems like smart business.

 

[dadddio]

Well, whatever you believe ..... and whatever I believe..... is really immaterial.

It will be what it is. And then we'll chat again I'm sure.

In the meantime, we'll hust have to agree to disagree on how we both *think* it will roll out.

I'm glad that you came around to agree with me.

 

[Turn the Page]

Even know Universal may only have two parks, if you stay on property, you never wait in line for anything except HP and that Rock and Roll Coaster.

Deluxe hotel guests, and concierge guests should be getting that perk at Disney.

The GF holiday/Spring Break concierge is over $900 night. When we first started staying there in 2001, it was $250 night. And there was some sort of unlimited FP option if you bought through AAA.

Disney is overcomplicating this.

I, for one, would be really upset if they moved to this system.

The people who pay more for their room already get perks the rest of us don't. Nicer room, nicer resort amenities, better location, bigger room, better pool, etc. If they are paying the same amount for park tickets they shouldn't be allowed extra fast passes just because they spent more on the room.

What about some sort of reward system for repeat stays? I have cousins that have been there about 30 times. They have never stayed in a deluxe location.....wait I take that back, they did once for their honeymoon. Almost all the trips have been at Fort Wilderness and a couple at a value resort. Over the years they have spent many times the amount of money that someone staying club level at the GF but it's fair that the people staying at the GF for their first trip get more FP's than my cousins on their 35th trip? I don't think so. Like I said, some sort of reward system would be better. On your first trip you get 3 fp's a day, on your second you get 4, fifth trip you get 5, and on and on. That system would at least reward the people who actually spend a lot of money at the resort rather than those that just poneyed up for a one time stay at the GF.

And I'm sorry, I don't care how much you spent on your hotel stay, that should not get your out of waiting in some lines.

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm glad that you came around to agree with me.

So that was you took from my post?

I guess I need to be more blunt next time.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

So that was you took from my post?

I guess I need to be more blunt next time.

 

[AThrillingChase]

My local park is cedar point. They recently introduced a FP type deal. But it is not based on their resorts, it is based on buying a separate ticket for $50. aka anyone can buy.

Of course they CAN charge more based on hotel level, but that goes against what has made them so popular in the 1st place so I am not yet convinced of that. We'll see I guess.

As other users have said, if you pay more for a deluxe you get a nicer hotel. But we all pay the same ticket rate for the most part, so my issue would be giving deluxe guests more perks that then disadvantage me even though I pay the same for park entry. 1000's of deluxe guests getting more passes would directly affect me by making lines longer.

What you do is your own business, but when it starts affecting me, that is when I start caring

 

[mom2rtk]

1000's of deluxe guests getting more passes would directly affect me by making lines longer.

That's my problem with the whole thing. It's a zero sum game. If they start moving a bunch of people UP in the line, that means a bunch of others have to move DOWN.

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

I, for one,am excited about the possibility. As many times we've been to Disney you know how many times I've ridden TSM? 0, zilch, never!! Me and DH love having leasurly morning....vacations are our relaxing time. I REFUSE to do RD anywhere, much less at Disney's version of "running of the bulls" to TSM.....shoot even the FPs are gone for the day before we get there!

Now we can have our cake and eat it too....sleep in, have breakfast, nap, shop, and be at our favorite ride at a time of our choosing. But it's just the two of us, no kiddos needing meets and greets, or long kiddie rides. I think this will work great for our touring style!

 

[mom2rtk]

I, for one,am excited about the possibility. As many times we've been to Disney you know how many times I've ridden TSM? 0, zilch, never!! Me and DH love having leasurly morning....vacations are our relaxing time. I REFUSE to do RD anywhere, much less at Disney's version of "running of the bulls" to TSM.....shoot even the FPs are gone for the day before we get there!

Now we can have our cake and eat it too....sleep in, have breakfast, nap, shop, and be at our favorite ride at a time of our choosing. But it's just the two of us, no kiddos needing meets and greets, or long kiddie rides. I think this will work great for our touring style!

Ah yes.... another taker for the elusive late day TSMM fastpass. We could probably fill all those slots just with posters in this thread!

 

[EagleScout]

That's my problem with the whole thing. It's a zero sum game. If they start moving a bunch of people UP in the line, that means a bunch of others have to move DOWN.

Indeed it is a zero sum game, and I do think it could get a bit weird at parks if the tiering of tickets gets too crazy - maybe giving out extra FP+ or allow earlier access to database, to some extent, but even though our family might be able to afford it, I don't know if I would feel comfortable if every ride had 3 or 4 different types of lines. As it is, there is a VIP package, which is 250/hour (more at peak times), minimum 6 hours, which gives essentially full front of line privileges for that day. If the tiering starts to become too stark, more may start using that (maybe that is the plan). And I will say regarding super-users, I do not begrudge them their "success", but our family dynamics preclude that sort of commando style travel, and it would be nice to be able to use soar in and test track and tsmm again.

 

[DougEMG]

If one looks at Universal Studios one can see the type of things Disney could do.

1. Guest at the three deluxe hotels get an Unlimited Express Pass which gets them to the front of the line for just about all rides as often as they want.

2. The new non deluxe resort Universal is building will NOT have the Unlimited Express Pass.

3. Any park guest can buy the Unlimited Express Pass

4. Any park guest can buy an Express Pass that is good for one front of the line entrance for each ride.

Disney is spending a lot of money on this new technology and it would be foolish to think they will not look at monetizing FP+ in some manner.

Personally I think the days of every park guest being treated the same are numbered.

 

[AThrillingChase]

I am getting worried about the MDE app over here. It STILL isnt available for blackberry, and I cant even access via web because it requires flash. I guess those kiosks will be fun

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

Ah yes.... another taker for the elusive late day TSMM fastpass. We could probably fill all those slots just with posters in this thread!

If not, no big whoop, we own DVC for R&R, not literally sweating about rides

 

[clareita]

Ah yes.... another taker for the elusive late day TSMM fastpass. We could probably fill all those slots just with posters in this thread!

.

I think I am the only person who doesn't think that TSMM is super awesome. Fun, yes. Worth waiting in a SB line for more than 25 minutes, no.

 

[doggydoc]

But the parks are different. It shouldn't matter when you are in the parks who paid for what resort or hotel or whether they took the Disney bus or drove their car there. The parks are where Walt wanted the families to be able to enjoy time together and have fun. Segregating people in the parks by their economic status leaves a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. I admit, it would be a tighter budget if I had to incorporate additional privileges being charged for into my vacation budget, but it is not unattainable for me. But not everyone is that blessed and I don't think that is fair.

Sorry life is not fair. Some people have more, not because they are "blessed" but because they work darn hard. There is already great disparity in the parks due to economic resources. Some can't afford to eat at CRT or other character dinners, is it unfair their kids don't get those unique character interactions? Some can afford private tours with unlimited FP access, should that not be allowed? Even in the beginning of WDW some could afford more ride tickets than others, was that unfair? I think Walt's vision was to have a place where all families could have a great experience, not that all families could have the SAME great experience.