NextGen's Effect on DVC

[gmi3804]

What with all the talk about the NextGen program coming to WDW, I wonder if DVC members and guests will have access to the park planning website for their trips, or if it will be something only available to those staying on cash reservations in Disney resorts. Having recently purchased my first DVC contracts, I hope this is something we'll be able to take advantage of. Has anyone heard anything?

 

[Sammie]

It is all rumor at this point.

 

[rentayenta]

What's NextGen?

 

[mjstaceyuofm]

NextGen is the working name for the big WDW project that will allow guests to schedule FP's ahead of time as part of the vacation planning process. There are many other facets to this project, but essentially, this is the biggest element. My guess is that NextGen will ultimately be available to DVC members. Like everything else DVC, we tend to get things made available to the general booking population a bit later than everyone else.

 

[jennypenny]

I wonder if we'll have to schedule our restroom breaks as well

 

[mjc2003]

I wonder if we'll have to schedule our restroom breaks as well

As part of the NextGen implementation, and in conjunction with the Magic of Disney, guests will no longer need to use the restrooms for the duration of their trip.

 

[twinklebug]

I'm sure it will be offered to DVC members, but I think most members will skip it. Why pay to get FPs when we already know our way around, know when to and when not to hit the parks and getting on every ride during the trip no longer is a must-do issue.

This DVC member likes to sit back and relax while the crowd scrambles.

 

[tjkraz]

Why pay to get FPs...

MANY details are yet to be decided but most recent information suggests Disney will not be charging extra for the NextGen perks. They will be value-added services offered to Disney resort guests.

And seeing as though DVC members have access to the same perks as cash guests (DME, EMH, transportation, package delivery, etc.), I suspect the same will hold true here.

 

[Chuck S]

This DVC member likes to sit back and relax while the crowd scrambles.

It even more fun to to take breaks during the day, sit on a bench and people watch. You can tell the overplanners, they look exhausted, and love to scream..."But that's not on the schedule until later. We're going somewhere else right now."

 

[mjc2003]

MANY details are yet to be decided but most recent information suggests Disney will not be charging extra for the NextGen perks. They will be value-added services offered to Disney resort guests.

I recently spoke to somebody who said that DME and EMH were not enough to justify the high prices on site when you can find sometimes nicer rooms or suites for far less 10 minutes away. I think Disney knows this as well, hence a really significant value added service. "Stay on site, skip the lines".

 

[tjkraz]

I recently spoke to somebody who said that DME and EMH were not enough to justify the high prices on site when you can find sometimes nicer rooms or suites for far less 10 minutes away. I think Disney knows this as well, hence a really significant value added service. "Stay on site, skip the lines".

Agree completely. Always thought the attempt to charge money for FASTPASSES as a standalone product was misguided. Use this to create more demand for Disney hotel rooms and then start reducing discounts even further. THAT is how they will (should) turn it into a money maker.

 

[JimMIA]

As part of the NextGen implementation, and in conjunction with the Magic of Disney, guests will no longer need to use the restrooms for the duration of their trip.

Think of it as "streamlining to enhance the ownership experience in response to Member feedback."

 

[JimMIA]

Agree completely. Always thought the attempt to charge money for FASTPASSES as a standalone product was misguided. Use this to create more demand for Disney hotel rooms and then start reducing discounts even further. THAT is how they will (should) turn it into a money maker.

I agree. Remember the speculation that they'd start charging for DME once it got established?

OTOH, captive-audience programs like this can sometimes morph from occupancy-drivers to profit centers. Anyone remember DDP?

 

[hakepb]

I agree. Remember the speculation that they'd start charging for DME once it got established?

OTOH, captive-audience programs like this can sometimes morph from occupancy-drivers to profit centers. Anyone remember DDP?

Can't wait until the first thread complaining that there is a free Next-gen week during their DVC stay resulting in longer fast pass lines. And the "only Stitch is available for advanced FP booking" .....

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

I wonder if we'll have to schedule our restroom breaks as well

As part of the NextGen implementation, and in conjunction with the Magic of Disney, guests will no longer need to use the restrooms for the duration of their trip.

Think of it as "streamlining to enhance the ownership experience in response to Member feedback."

The reason the GFV construction footprint is so small is because they no longer need to put any bathrooms in the villas.

As an aside, DME buses will be scheduled to leave for the airport 4 hours prior to flight departure in the future to allow Disney resort guests a full extra hour to use the airport's public restrooms.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Ok, silliness aside, I think it will be their intention to extend this to DVC members. However, I won't hold my breath that the interfaces will work correctly with our reservation numbers. (Anyone tried to book an ADR online at the 180+10 point using a DVC reservation number recently?)

 

[hakepb]

The reason the GFV construction footprint is so small is because they no longer need to put any bathrooms in the villas.

As an aside, DME buses will be scheduled to leave for the airport 4 hours prior to flight departure in the future to allow Disney resort guests a full extra hour to use the airport's public restrooms.

That's corporate brilliance! Eliminate expensive rooms dedicated to waste. That will definitely improve profit!

 

[Greysword]

Not only rides, but the idea seems to be to add FP to parades and firework viewing areas, too. The NexGen bracelets are reported to replace the KTTW cards, too, thus act as room keys, tickets, soft drink dispensers (refillable mugs), and other things.

As such, we will get them, at least for the room access part. Also, APs could possibly be stored on them, so you wouldn't want to loose them. These are the more immediate uses for the DVC community.

 

[nadira36]

Oh no! I just heard about this! And just purchased DVC (2 days ago) Honestly if I'd heard of this before I wouldn't have bought DVC - the thought of this is enough to say I wouldn't bother coming back to Disney. I HATE planning. I hate schedules while on vacation. I make ADRs out of necessity, but also know exactly which ones I can cancel last minute and I only ever get FPs for the rides I know my littles will really want to ride multiple times.

If they roll this out the way it sounds, then there'll either be massive stand-by lines, or so much planning that the entire vacation will suck (IMO).

I know it's a ways away, but for me a good portion of the Disney Magic is how the day unexpectedly unfolds. Those random moments that happen when you're not planning. Especially with 3 kiddos under 5, we can't say 'we're doing that later' we say, 'sure we'll stop and play in the boneyard, again.' We say, 'certainly we'll be happy to ride space ranger spin (for the 20th time today) instead of making our pooh bear FP time.' That'd change drastically if everything had to be planned in advance.

 

[mjstaceyuofm]

Nadira - take heart, you're not alone with the many minions of WDW fans (like myself) that feel like a trip to Disney has turned into an exercise in your ability to plan a vacation vs. enjoy one... The spontaneity was sucked out of a WDW vacation a long time ago. At this point, I think we just have to see how the nextgen system unfolds. If you're forced to plan FPs 2-3 months ahead of time that might be difficult, but 2-weeks to 10 days ahead of time may be more manageable and really enhance your time there and on-site.

Buying DVC essentially forced you into planning your vacations anyway - where do you want to stay - home resort or someplace else? When, how many points will it be, what type of unit, location, do I bank / borrow points, etc.? Do I get an AP with the discount because I'll be back in a years time, etc....

I just think planning is part of the deal when vacationing at WDW.

But, I do sympathize with you, and you shouldn't let this nextgen thing make you think you made a bad decision with DVC.