NextGen/xPass Making the News Again

[mesaboy2]

You get the xpass benefit if you stay at any Disney resort. The size of the benefit would vary depending on the resort - and why shouldn't it? Just like the size and amenities of the room vary depending on the resort and how much it costs. I don't expect a Grand Floridian room or amenities for an All Stars price. That's just silly.

You only get EMH (a park perk) if you stay at a Disney resort - that's a park perk tied to your staing in a Disney resort. So this is nothing new.

Everyone staying at a Disney resort would get the xpass benefit. The resort you stay in affects the size of that benefit. Just like you only get to go to the concierge lounge if you are staying in concierge room. I can't pay for a room at POP Century and expect to get in the concierge lounge at the Contemporary.

This is just a further incentive for people to stay on property and also a further incentive for people to stay at the more deluxe resorts. Why wouldn't Disney want to encourage people to stay at their resorts? Further, why wouldn't they want to encourage people to stay at the more deluxe resorts? Sounds good for business to me.

It is new in that there is currently no distinction between guests staying at different-tiered resorts in the parks. Disney's current model is that you get what you pay for at your resort. Extending those tiered bennies to the parks also doesn't sit well with me as a regular plebe.

Also, an oft-forgotten component of these on-site/off-site perk discussions are the locals. Not only do they (okay, we ) have less need of staying onsite, but they are more likely to visit on a whim--which doesn't lend itself to advance xPass reservations. How would you accommodate them?

 

[seashoreCM]

You get the xpass benefit if you stay at any Disney resort. The size of the benefit would vary depending on the resort - and why shouldn't it? Just like the size and amenities of the room vary depending on the resort and how much it costs. I don't expect a Grand Floridian room or amenities for an All Stars price. That's just silly.

... The resort you stay in affects the size of that benefit. Just like you only get to go to the concierge lounge if you are staying in concierge room. I can't pay for a room at POP Century and expect to get in the concierge lounge at the Contemporary.

The size of the park benefit package should not depend on whether I am staying at a deluxe resort or a value resort or a Motel 6.

No I would not expect to get into the concierge lounge at the Contemporary if I am not staying at the Contemporary but I would expect the same availability of and access to Peter Pan at Magic Kingdom or Toy Story Mania at Hollywood Studios (examples) given valid admission regardless of where I spent the previous night or will spend the upcoming night.

 

[Reddog1134]

Further, why wouldn't they want to encourage people to stay at the more deluxe resorts?

I think if Disney was pushing guests towards deluxe resorts, they wouldn't be building Art of Animation right now.

 

[DizBelle]

I think if Disney was pushing guests towards deluxe resorts, they wouldn't be building Art of Animation right now.

I'm sure they would rather you stay on property than off property - hence the value resorts.

I'm also sure they would rather you stay at the more deluxe resorts than the less deluxe resorts - hence the benefits and amenities of staying at those resorts.

 

[DizBelle]

The size of the park benefit package should not depend on whether I am staying at a deluxe resort or a value resort or a Motel 6.

No I would not expect to get into the concierge lounge at the Contemporary if I am not staying at the Contemporary but I would expect the same availability of and access to Peter Pan at Magic Kingdom or Toy Story Mania at Hollywood Studios (examples) given valid admission regardless of where I spent the previous night or will spend the upcoming night.

You do have the same access. If you are staying at a value, you can choose to get an XPass for Peter Pan just like someone staying at a deluxe. And if you are staying off property, you can get a fastpass form the kiosk on the day you are at the park. The benefit of staying on property is being able to get them ahead of time. The benefit of staying at a more deluxe resort is being able to get a few more of them.

EVERYONE with park admission can get fastpasses. The XPass benefit is getting some in advance.

Are people making the same complaint about resort guests being able to make ADRs for an additional 10 days ahead of the 180 day mark?

 

[Reddog1134]

I'm sure they would rather you stay on property than off property - hence the value resorts.

I'm also sure they would rather you stay at the more deluxe resorts than the less deluxe resorts - hence the benefits and amenities of staying at those resorts.

People (for the most part) don't stay offsite due to a lack of rooms. They do it because of money. So pushing people to deluxes would just leave a lot of empty value rooms.

Edited to clarify: Every company wants to up-sell you but if Disney is trying to push you out of the value and into the deluxe, then who is taking your place in the value?

 

[TDC Nala]

Doesn't matter to me. I won't be paying for it (this means I will not shell out the money for it - not that I expect to be staying places where they won't charge me for it - I'll wait for more info to see that, but I won't give them money for this)

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I wouldn't worry too much about what was said at that link
regarding who can play, and how.

Too many unknowns at this point.

Perhaps the title of the thread should be changed since it is not accurate information. Or perhaps deleted altogether???

 

[Balt ravens fan]

I think if Disney was pushing guests towards deluxe resorts, they wouldn't be building Art of Animation right now.

Most of AoA is deluxe, Just the little mermaid section is standard rooms. They may not call it deluxe, but the prices are "Deluxe" prices for the suites and I would think if XPASS is tiered for resorts the suites at AoA will get XPASS.

Personally, I think this is all a lot of speculation, nobody knows what Disney we really do with xPass.

That being said, I think it is a huge mistake, it make Disney less special. When I am in the park I don't want to be thinking oh those are upperclass people who can afford the GF or Poly or whatever. It just loses some magic that way. It would only happen in line really, but it would happen.

Kind of similar, I was in line for Soarin (fast pass line) right ahead of us, 4 girls who were part of a volleyball team had a GAC card. They were four girls around 17, nothing wrong physically or mentally, and I overheard one of them say to the others - this will get us in front of all the lines all day long - bragging how they basically scammed the system - how they got the card from the mother. Me, I was not happy didn't make a "scene" or really say anything except to my wife, and my wife didn't notice she had no idea, she doesn't come on the boards and doesn't even know what a GAC card is.

Similarly, There will be those people who are in line thinking, you know what, I saved everything I could to buy 1000 dollars worth of tickets for my family, pay 1000 dollars for All-Star Music, and pay 1000 dollars for food, souvieniers, whatever - 3000 dollars total - to Disney, and what do I get, I get to get passed by people who could spend more, lots more. I would be the type to NOT be happy but not really make a scene or anything. My wife though would say don't stress about it, and not even notice these other people until of course I pointed it out

I think Disney is banking on people being a lot more like my wife. They are happy to be in Disney and not thinking about the "justice" of it. "Why do some people get to jump up in line?" People just go to Disney and make choices.

That being said, I just did a lot of speculation about something that we don't even know will exist. So once the "official" word is out, I will figure out how to make the best of it, how to still tour the parks without it (and maybe with it), and love Disney, and my family will not even have all the info about it ... lol

Will I stay at a real expensive resort, maybe if I win the lottery, or get a big bonus at work somehow, but most likely I will just figure out how to enjoy some Disney Magic while saving money

There will always be ways to "work" the system - legally that is

 

[Reddog1134]

Most of AoA is deluxe, Just the little mermaid section is standard rooms. They may not call it deluxe, but the prices are "Deluxe" prices for the suites and I would think if XPASS is tiered for resorts the suites at AoA will get XPASS.

They are definitely NOT deluxe. They are family suites.

AoA suites may cost a little more than the ASM suites but they are nowhere near the cost of a deluxe and have far fewer offerings.

 

[mesaboy2]

You do have the same access. If you are staying at a value, you can choose to get an XPass for Peter Pan just like someone staying at a deluxe. And if you are staying off property, you can get a fastpass form the kiosk on the day you are at the park. The benefit of staying on property is being able to get them ahead of time. The benefit of staying at a more deluxe resort is being able to get a few more of them.

EVERYONE with park admission can get fastpasses. The XPass benefit is getting some in advance.

Are people making the same complaint about resort guests being able to make ADRs for an additional 10 days ahead of the 180 day mark?

The bolded conflicts with the rest of your post.

I do not have a problem with on-site/off-site distinctions, since the value tier is affordable for most guests. I do have a problem with additional in-park benefits based on resort tier, as the deluxe tier in particular is not generally affordable by most. Call me sappy, but inside the parks I want everyone treated mostly the same.

ETA: I agree with most everything Balt Ravens Fan said above, even though I don't like the Ravens.

 

[CentralFloridian99]

I doubt it will happen. It's probably going to be Deluxe Resort exclusive.

 

[seashoreCM]

Yeah after looking at it more closely (with number) I think your right. I would estimate that Disney assigns roughly 20% of a rides OHRC (Operational Hourly Ride Capacity) to the FP system. That would effectively make the FP line ~%25 that of the standby line, which seems reasonable. .

It's more like 70 to 80 percent for Fastpass. (A few rides may have less)

 

[Reddog1134]

The bolded conflicts with the rest of your post.

I do not have a problem with on-site/off-site distinctions, since the value tier is affordable for most guests. I do have a problem with additional in-park benefits based on resort tier, as the deluxe tier in particular is not generally affordable by most. Call me sappy, but inside the parks I want everyone treated mostly the same.

ETA: I agree with most everything Balt Ravens Fan said above, even though I don't like the Ravens.

I think the on-site/off-site thing is more of a problem than the value/deluxe thing.

It may be possible to know someone is staying on-site because they are using Xpass. But how do I know they are staying at a deluxe? Unless I follow them around all day, I can't tell how many rides they were able to book.

 

[Balt ravens fan]

They are definitely NOT deluxe. They are family suites.

AoA suites may cost a little more than the ASM suites but they are nowhere near the cost of a deluxe and have far fewer offerings.

Just choose a random night in December (the 5th):

Wilderness Lodge = 305.00
AKL = 305.00
Themed Family Suite at AoA = 265.00

To me that is not much difference. So they are definitely "NEAR" the cost of a deluxe room (40 dollars difference is certainly near.) My wife and I were actually looking at this the other day - and it would be a real debate between staying at WL or Themed family suite, once you add in XPASS it would be a no brainer for the 40 dollar difference. So I would think they would have to give XPASS to AoA suites - that is IF they went in this direction.

Now a Little Mermaid room = 118.00

That is a "BIG" Difference.

And not all DELUXE rooms are the same rate, so giving it to just Deluxe resorts doesn't make sense, in terms of "fairness". Because I can pay 300 for a deluxe room or I could pay 1000 for a deluxe room per night.

ETA: Rooms range from 95.00 (All Star) to 1965.00 (GF 2 bedroom Club level). And you have all kinds of prices in between.

Good luck Disney. (Of course this is all speculation)

 

[RMulieri]

I always said once Disney finds a way to make a profit on it they will charge for it.I am indifferent right now and will wait to see how it plays out

 

[CandleontheWater]

Yeah after looking at it more closely (with number) I think your right. I would estimate that Disney assigns roughly 20% of a rides OHRC (Operational Hourly Ride Capacity) to the FP system. That would effectively make the FP line ~%25 that of the standby line, which seems reasonable. For a ride like Soarin' with an OHRC of ~1400 (or 16800 per day), that would equate to 3360 Fast passes available for Soarin' over the course of a day. If this was offered as a free perk (even if it were limited to those staying onsite, ~25,000 rooms), those FPs would be gone in a matter of minutes (if not faster) of them being made available. The only way I see this working is if it were a paid perk.

On the other hand, it has been stated that the concept behind this is to try and reduce the wait times. The only way to truly do that is to control how many people are at a particular attraction at any particular time. The best way to accomplish that is to have everyone (or as many people as possible) have assigned times. In fact this is the concept behind the Fast Pass system. Enforcing the return times is crucial to keeping the Fast Pass line at a relatively constant 5-10 minute wait. If this is their true goal, then perhaps the xPass system will be a "supplement" to the fast pass system to the detriment of the standby line. However since some people will be in the xPass line (yes I know a 3rd line at each of the attractions), fewer people will be in the standby line, so it should balance. If they make the windows for the xPass tickets 2 hours (which I wish they would do with the FP return window now), then it will allow for some flexibility yet still allow them to control the flow of guest, to some extent, at each attraction.

I guess all this makes sense, and I give you props for attempting to figure out the math behind it, but one thing that keeps bugging me is that if they send more people over to the "short" line (be it FP or XPass or a combo of both) than the "short" line will get longer.

If the goal really is to get select guests through the lines faster (those who take advantage of the Xpass system, or who hold FPs), then they have to keep those lines short. The only way I can see them doing that is by either taking away FP entirely, or taking a percentage of FPs and devoting them to XPass guests. If they try to keep the same number of FPs and then add Xpass volume on top of that, then the "short" lines just get longer.

Right now the goal wait time in the FP line is under 15 mintues, right? If they give out the same number of Xpasses as they do Fastpasses, then that could potentially double the wait time to 30 minutes, which I don't see as an advantage, and certainly not something I would pay for!

 

[doconeill]

It's more like 70 to 80 percent for Fastpass. (A few rides may have less)

I haven't really found any concrete info that it is as high as that, although at various times it's been quoted that it is as high as 90%.

 

[Reddog1134]

Just choose a random night in December (the 5th):

Wilderness Lodge = 305.00
AKL = 305.00
Themed Family Suite at AoA = 265.00

To me that is not much difference. So they are definitely "NEAR" the cost of a deluxe room (40 dollars difference is certainly near.) My wife and I were actually looking at this the other day - and it would be a real debate between staying at WL or Themed family suite, once you add in XPASS it would be a no brainer for the 40 dollar difference. So I would think they would have to give XPASS to AoA suites - that is IF they went in this direction.

Now a Little Mermaid room = 118.00

That is a "BIG" Difference.

And not all DELUXE rooms are the same rate, so giving it to just Deluxe resorts doesn't make sense, in terms of "fairness". Because I can pay 300 for a deluxe room or I could pay 1000 for a deluxe room per night.

Good luck Disney. (Of course this is all speculation)

You ARE correct. I didn't realize the price was that close. But I still maintain that they are not deluxe and Disney will never consider them anything but value.

 

[mesaboy2]

I think the on-site/off-site thing is more of a problem than the value/deluxe thing.

It may be possible to know someone is staying on-site because they are using Xpass. But how do I know they are staying at a deluxe? Unless I follow them around all day, I can't tell how many rides they were able to book.

Sure, but I don't need (or want) to personally observe a particular party using their xPasses. It'd be enough to just know that's how the system works to annoy me.

But BRF is right--we're all just speculating on what-ifs.