MyMagic+ Delay - Article

[Planogirl]

I may start another thread just for the heck of it, but seriously folks, get yourself prepared for paying for Fastpass. There's no way around it. There is absolutely NO positives when it comes right down to it with the new system. I would bet good money Disney is going down this path because they know people will still want to go, but will not stand for this nonsense. By 2015 ticket options will be as such:

MYW Base Ticket
MYW with Park Hopper
MYW with No Expiration
MYW with water park and fun
MYW with limited FP
MYW with FP Unlimited

They copied Universal's take on the GAC. And they're now copying Universal's Express program, only a lot slower.

Sorry, but anybody who thinks the new system is an improvement on the old one, is either delusional, or has never been to WDW during peak season.

I've wondered about this but could Disney really implement something like this with so many resorts? Universal only has three resorts and two parks while Disney has a ton of resorts and four parks. I don't think that it would work as well unless they strictly limit availability.

Plus Universal doesn't charge for those three resorts to get unlimited express and us offsite people can buy both limited and unlimited. That would seem to be different by necessity too.

 

[mom2rtk]

I may start another thread just for the heck of it, but seriously folks, get yourself prepared for paying for Fastpass.

It's a sad commentary on the whole thing that I am actually hoping now that they will charge for FP. But the truth is that I just don't think they will have capacity to do that.

You can see how well it's going over to take away unlimited FP and limit it to 3. What are they going to do now, take those 3 away to start selling those spots? I think it's pretty clear already that they are having capacity issues at the current level.

 

[ArwenMarie]

See my post above. By 2015. And before anyone asks, no I have no insider info and I don't know anyone who works for Disney. There just simply is no other logical explanation for what they are doing.

What do you mean...the tiering?

I will stand by my assertion that there will never be unlimited FP via the band, only with something like the VIP tour, or priced the same anyway. Selling a la carte..perhaps.

Maybe there will be resort and offsite tiering though, which is a form of monetization.

 

[ArwenMarie]

It's a sad commentary on the whole thing that I am actually hoping now that they will charge for FP. But the truth is that I just don't think they will have capacity to do that.

You can see how well it's going over to take away unlimited FP and limit it to 3. What are they going to do now, take those 3 away to start selling those spots? I think it's pretty clear already that they are having capacity issues at the current level.

Its not even three anymore because of the tiering, at least in Epcot and DHS.

 

[mom2rtk]

Its not even three anymore because of the tiering, at least in Epcot and DHS.

True.

 

[disneytraveler]

Gee I cant wait until my next trip in 2014. I just missed testing by one day at SSR

 

[bcrook]

yes! it's getting harder to cancel or change things, so we just left some of them alone. i was able to change some of our selections on our trip, but it was a process. also, they make you pick three FP+ when you're making reservations. for Epcot, we didn't really need three, but had no choice. so, that takes up a reservation that someone else may want.

as far as the last paragraph, TRUE! if i can't get both Test Track and Soarin' at Epcot, then that forces me to do one of two things: wait in line for one of them or schedule another morning for Epcot. neither of those options is freeing up time for me to spend money.

I understand your post. And I am not being sarcastic at all, but I can't imagine what could be chosen as the third option that would deny someone a desired fastpass. Nemo, the land, figment, EO, spaceship earth? There are plenty of those available. Maybe a character meet and greet? It is slim pickings at Epcot.

 

[sonofanarchy]

I've wondered about this but could Disney really implement something like this with so many resorts? Universal only has three resorts and two parks while Disney has a ton of resorts and four parks. I don't think that it would work as well unless they strictly limit availability.

Plus Universal doesn't charge for those three resorts to get unlimited express and us offsite people can buy both limited and unlimited. That would seem to be different by necessity too.

That's just it - They will limit availability to resort guests, and on a first come first serve basis. No different than how Universal does it for offsite guests. True, Universal only has 3 resorts, but they only have 2 parks which to divide the people up. Disney having 2 more parks would make it easier to distribute more.

 

[wen8jr]

So where does everyone think the Swan and Dolphin will end up...treated as an onsite or offsite resort?

 

[bcrook]

That's just it - They will limit availability to resort guests, and on a first come first serve basis. No different than how Universal does it for offsite guests. True, Universal only has 3 resorts, but they only have 2 parks which to divide the people up. Disney having 2 more parks would make it easier to distribute more.

I don't know about this. This would alienate off site guests. The FP+ plan is to get people to lock in reservations months in advance. Off site guests will be wooed with the lure of FP+ too. The execs have explained this multiple times directed at their stockholders.

Disney will have to add a lot of major rides to have the capacity to start using extra fastpasses as incentives.

Also, If Disney needs to fill rooms, it will be during the off peak times: January, May, September, early November. During these times FP+ are hardly even needed - and getting more wont be that great of an incentive.

If this entire FP+ system doesn't collapse upon itself in the next six weeks, great days of recovery will be waiting in January. As much as I dislike the FP+ system, I don't see anything like pay for play before 2020 when avatarland, Carsland, and Star Wars land are up and running. It s clear that Epcot needs a ride or two.

 

[bcrook]

So where does everyone think the Swan and Dolphin will end up...treated as an onsite or offsite resort?

I still think this will be connected to MDX accounts and tickets not resorts. Everyone will be on the magicband feed eventually.

 

[Planogirl]

That's just it - They will limit availability to resort guests, and on a first come first serve basis. No different than how Universal does it for offsite guests. True, Universal only has 3 resorts, but they only have 2 parks which to divide the people up. Disney having 2 more parks would make it easier to distribute more.

They would have to limit it when it comes to onsite guests too. True that Disney has double the amount of parks but they also have way more than double the number of resorts. They could of course limit it to three for purchase but that certainly wouldn't be anything like Universal's unlimited Express!

 

[rastuso]

I've wondered about this but could Disney really implement something like this with so many resorts? Universal only has three resorts and two parks while Disney has a ton of resorts and four parks. I don't think that it would work as well unless they strictly limit availability.

Plus Universal doesn't charge for those three resorts to get unlimited express and us offsite people can buy both limited and unlimited. That would seem to be different by necessity too.

Disney has too many resort guests to give them much. I definitely see a future where Moderates get one extra, and Deluxe get 2 extra a day. But, that would be after tiering.

Problem is, Disney hasn't installed new rides. For decades they have been ignoring the fact, and now it's time for all those executives that got huge bonuses for cutting costs, and are now long gone, to have a real impact on the company. However it's not going to be a good impact.

I've said it before, Disney World just isn't building E tickets. Splash Mountain was the last one at the MK, in 1989!!!! The ride capacity at the Magic Kingdom has stayed relatively flat since then. Meanwhile, attendance has gone up by at least 50%, probably more, but I don't have those numbers in front of me.

Epcot has essentially added Soarin and Maelstrom as the ONLY capacity increases since the park opened. Life opened, and closed. And that was over 30 years ago. I'd guess attendance has way more than doubled since then.

If Disney cared about capacity, they would build a second track for TSMM, which would cost very little, and make a HUGE impact on guest satisfaction.

Meanwhile, Universal is increasing capacity like mad. Disney adds a new restaurant, while Uni adds a Harry Potter Land, and Transformers. and another Harry Potter land, and Springfield.

But, don't worry, Disney is on the verge of opening quite possibly the greatest kids coaster on the planet. With mind blowing effects, such as semi-static statues, with one or two points of articulated movement in a small dark scene before you careen into an unrelenting 25 mph crazy-kooky roller-coaster with seats that sorta rock a little.

Who needs Gringott's when you have the ground breaking Dwarf coaster. I mean, it's taken 3 years to build, it has to be Amazing!!!, right?

But anyway, selling FP+ will only make the situation worse for other guests. The only way they are getting out of the hole is by building rides, and increasing ride capacity. I don't see that happening anytime in the next 3 years at least. So, the big question will be what will 3 years of FP+ insanity do to Disney's visitor base. Sure, the Brazilian tour groups will still come in full force. But how long will people be driving from all over the Eastern half of the US to visit the Mouse for a week, if that week ends up giving them the same rides they used to get in a day?

I posted a warning on my FP account last night to let my uninformed friends know what may be waiting for them this March.

There is no quick fix for this problem. And as expensive as Disney makes their rides now, they may never get out of the hole.

Let's take DS for example. OK, they're building a Star Wars land there. Let's assume it doesn't replace any other rides. And it's comparable to Cars Land. Which I HIGHLY doubt, since that was $5-600 million, and Disney World doesn't' spend that kind of money unless it is on plastic bracelets. But even if they did put in a little land speeder flat ride, a slave Leia meet and greet, and a big E ticket Death Star chase E ticket, it would only add 2000 more rides per hour at best. The one E-ticket would be enough to average out to not even 1/4 of a ride more for every daily attendee to WDW. Big friggin' deal.

Add a similar Avatar Land to the mix, and maybe you get close to 1/2 of a ride for everyone.

And you know a Star Wars land, done right, will bring a huge number of new people to be disappointed to find out that for their one week stay in a moderate resort, they will likely only get 2 rides on the main Star Wars ride, and spend most of their other time in lines.

Meanwhile, Universal will end up adding 4 or 5 e-tickets in the last 10 years, once Gringott's opens, with a few more already on the board. And that is for a MUCH smaller attendance base. When you compare neW rides to attendance, Universal is simply blowing Disney away.

But, I'm sure all these facts are wrong, and like the FP+ lovers say, everything will be fine, and likely IMPROVE thanks to Magic Bands.

Jason

 

[Planogirl]

Such a cynical attitude rastuso. (And I agree. )

I've often wondered if the casual visitor will really be all that enthralled with the one guaranteed headliner at Epcot. Some seem to think that this will be all they want but as vacations become more and more expensive and people in general become more and more demanding, you have to wonder.

Plus we don't know if rationing is over with. There is really too much we don't know.

 

[rastuso]

They would have to limit it when it comes to onsite guests too. True that Disney has double the amount of parks but they also have way more than double the number of resorts. They could of course limit it to three for purchase but that certainly wouldn't be anything like Universal's unlimited Express!

You can't compare number of parks, you must compare number of rides.

After the Dwarf coaster, and the Troll coaster open next year, what do both resorts have to offer, in total, for big and/or thrill rides?

Disney
MK - Splash, BTMRR, Space, Mansion, Dwarf coaster, Pirates, I'll even throw in Buzz

Epcot - TT, Space, Soarin

Studios - ToT, RnRC, TSMM

AK - Everest, Kali, Dinosaur, Safari

That's a total of 17.

Universal
Studios - RRR, Transformers, Troll coaster, MIB, Mummy, Simpsons

IOA - Spidey, Hulk, Dudley, Popeye, River Adventure, FJ, DD, Hogwarts express.

That's 14!!!

So, as far as BIG rides, all of WDW only has 3 more than Universal Orlando. However, Disney's overal attendance is almost 3 times Universals. And two years from now, I bet Uni has added at least one more, while Disney will still not have anything else new. In 3 years, MAYBE, Disney will add a couple more, but I bet Uni will too.

Disney has banked on Princess and rodent meet and greets to draw attendance. Universal has built state of the art rides.

What is the last absolute cutting edge ride that was built at WDW? You could maybe say Space, but that didn't exactly go over well. Besides that, I don't even know.

Universal has blown people away with Spider-man, Forbidden Journey, and likely Hogwart's Express and Gringott's. And I think even Mummy is more advanced than almost any ride WDW has opened in the last 20 years.

I've been going to WDW for almost 40 years. I love the place, but they are about to be a huge victim of corporate America. You can keep squeezing and squeezing, to increase profits. But sooner or later, you need a new turnip.

Meanwhile Eisner is on a Yacht somewhere drinking mimosas from an African Rhino horn.

Jason

 

[ArwenMarie]

Such a cynical attitude rastuso. (And I agree. )

I've often wondered if the casual visitor will really be all that enthralled with the one guaranteed headliner at Epcot. Some seem to think that this will be all they want but as vacations become more and more expensive and people in general become more and more demanding, you have to wonder.

Plus we don't know if rationing is over with. There is really too much we don't know.

I don't know about the first-time/casual visitor. But I was for the concept of FP+ because I detest rope drop. But the tiering will be the thing that drives me away from WDW, or at least makes me shorten my trips and perhaps split them with another destination

 

[sonofanarchy]

I don't know about this. This would alienate off site guests. The FP+ plan is to get people to lock in reservations months in advance. Off site guests will be wooed with the lure of FP+ too. The execs have explained this multiple times directed at their stockholders.

Disney will have to add a lot of major rides to have the capacity to start using extra fastpasses as incentives.

Also, If Disney needs to fill rooms, it will be during the off peak times: January, May, September, early November. During these times FP+ are hardly even needed - and getting more wont be that great of an incentive.

If this entire FP+ system doesn't collapse upon itself in the next six weeks, great days of recovery will be waiting in January. As much as I dislike the FP+ system, I don't see anything like pay for play before 2020 when avatarland, Carsland, and Star Wars land are up and running. It s clear that Epcot needs a ride or two.

They've alienated on-site guests as well. They're alienating everybody with the new program. There has got to be some master plan in the end behind all this.

The execs statements regarding FP+ are such cop-out loads of crap. Nobody loves WDW like the people on this board, yet look at the number of people cancelling their trips. I didn't cancel January just because the new system is a mess right now. I cancelled it because even when it's done, it still is horrible. 3 FP's a day, and only 1 can be used for the mountains? In what world is that an improvement over the old system?

 

[sonofanarchy]

I don't know about the first-time/casual visitor. But I was for the concept of FP+ because I detest rope drop. But the tiering will be the thing that drives me away from WDW, or at least makes me shorten my trips and perhaps split them with another destination

This is pretty much it. I thought the idea of planning ride times out 2 months in advance was absurd, but I could deal with it as long as they didn't place these awful restrictions on it. Three per day and tiering will (and already has) driven me away.

 

[clsteve]

You can't compare number of parks, you must compare number of rides.

After the Dwarf coaster, and the Troll coaster open next year, what do both resorts have to offer, in total, for big and/or thrill rides?

Disney
MK - Splash, BTMRR, Space, Mansion, Dwarf coaster, Pirates, I'll even throw in Buzz

Epcot - TT, Space, Soarin

Studios - ToT, RnRC, TSMM

AK - Everest, Kali, Dinosaur, Safari

That's a total of 17.

Universal
Studios - RRR, Transformers, Troll coaster, MIB, Mummy, Simpsons

IOA - Spidey, Hulk, Dudley, Popeye, River Adventure, FJ, DD, Hogwarts express.

That's 14!!!

So, as far as BIG rides, all of WDW only has 3 more than Universal Orlando. However, Disney's overal attendance is almost 3 times Universals. And two years from now, I bet Uni has added at least one more, while Disney will still not have anything else new. In 3 years, MAYBE, Disney will add a couple more, but I bet Uni will too.

Disney has banked on Princess and rodent meet and greets to draw attendance. Universal has built state of the art rides.

What is the last absolute cutting edge ride that was built at WDW? You could maybe say Space, but that didn't exactly go over well. Besides that, I don't even know.

Universal has blown people away with Spider-man, Forbidden Journey, and likely Hogwart's Express and Gringott's. And I think even Mummy is more advanced than almost any ride WDW has opened in the last 20 years.

I've been going to WDW for almost 40 years. I love the place, but they are about to be a huge victim of corporate America. You can keep squeezing and squeezing, to increase profits. But sooner or later, you need a new turnip.

Meanwhile Eisner is on a Yacht somewhere drinking mimosas from an African Rhino horn.

Jason

Adding Dragon Challenge, Despicable Me, to your total puts them almost even....

 

[rastuso]

Adding Dragon Challenge, Despicable Me, to your total puts them almost even....

I do have DD, or Dueling Dragons. I wasn't counting shows. But, I do think a few other Uni rides are borderline for inclusion, like Dr. Doom.

Point is, if you take the out the fluff that is meet and greets, and very low tech dark rides (which I LOVE, but are losing their luster in general), and you can plainly see the massive attraction glut Disney has created for itself.

I mean, who on this board, 3 years ago, would have said: "You know what, I sure wish Disney would limit my FPs to 3 a day, that way I wouldn't have to get up early!"

Yet there are plenty on here now acting like it's a great idea.

Jason