Non-resort guests can not reserve FP+ early

[3happydancers]

This is our family too. We did purchase a Samsung tablet last year and put wifi on with one of the goals to use it at Disney. The Disney app is not compatible with it and won't download.

So sorry. I know how expensive those things are. But do you see what I mean. Not only are people feeling pressured to have access to the APP but they are limited to which devices are compatible. If I am not mistaken, the Samsung tablet has an android system. You'd think it would be compatible.

Unfortunately, some have the attitude of, oh well, not Disney's problem. But I think eventually, people are going to be turned off and that pendulum will start swinging back. I know I do not and will not allow any company or person force me into something I do not feel right about or that I feel is down right wrong. So yes, it will be adios to Disney and our DVC membership if Disney does not make change for the better! The world is vast, in which Disney is a tiny dot, with wonderful things to offer. If I am going to spend this kind of money, may as well spend it in the actual country than in Epcot, traveling across country visiting other parks with extreme roller coasters or riding the rapids for an invigorating thrill. Will there be lines. Probably. But I know I won't be forced into things I don't agree with.

 

[abner1776]

Disneys' main focus with WDW is keeping the on property resorts full, which is why they provide ME for free...if you use ME you are not driving which means you are spending 100% of your time at WDW and spending $$$. A car gives you the ability to go elsewhere...which means you are not in the parks or resorts...and you are not spending money at WDW.

Why do you think they are building so many DVC resorts - once the resort sells out, they are almost guarenteed close to 100% occupancy for the next 40 years. How many non-DVC resorts have they opened up over the past 5 years as compared with DVC resorts ?

Once they have you on-property, you are a walking ATM for Disney and that's their goal.

So, with that said, where do you think they are going to put their incentives for things such as FP+ ....on-property guests or off-property guests ??

..and just for the record, I am a DVC member...they opened the pool and I dove right in !!!

 

[3happydancers]

OT I'm looking at the Virgin Mobile Beyond Talk plan no contract. My iPod is dying and it doesn't cost much more to buy the phone.

Thanks, but most of these phone demand a monthly purchase of about $35 or more which I cannot do right now. I have a simple Tracfone which costs about $130.00 a year. I do not use much in the way of minutes or data.

 

[3happydancers]

Disneys' main focus with WDW is keeping the on property resorts full, which is why they provide ME for free...if you use ME you are not driving which means you are spending 100% of your time at WDW and spending $$$. A car gives you the ability to go elsewhere...which means you are not in the parks or resorts...and you are not spending money at WDW.

Why do you think they are building so many DVC resorts - once the resort sells out, they are almost guarenteed close to 100% occupancy for the next 40 years. How many non-DVC resorts have they opened up over the past 5 years as compared with DVC resorts ?

Once they have you on-property, you are a walking ATM for Disney and that's their goal.

So, with that said, where do you think they are going to put their incentives for things such as FP+ ....on-property guests or off-property guests ??

..and just for the record, I am a DVC member...they opened the pool and I dove right in !!!

Totally makes sense except for the fast pass plus. We are DVC owners too but we fail to see the perk that FP+ offers. For us, it is a pain not a perk. It is most limiting and restrictive. This has actually forced us to reevaluate our future with Disney and DVC.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

As to people complaining about Disney onsite not being affordable for large families, sorry but oh well, it's not on Disney to provide large rooms for your family. The typical family is 4, thats the norm that's what they accommodate.

We are a family of five. In our social circles, that's the norm. If you have five kids, then we think it's a large family.
It's not "on Disney" but it's still frustrating, nonetheless, and can be fixed by Disney easily. Some inexpensive hotels chains accommodate families of five with rollaways and/or pull-out couches. I know which ones don't and avoid them. A popular tourist area in our state has multiple cheap hotels with three-queen bedrooms. At Universal, we can stay in one basic (albeit expensive) room, paying $25 for a rollaway or using an inflatable mattress. On Carnival cruises, we can share one cheap room with a trundle bed and bunks. At Disney, our only option is POR, which is a moderate at moderate prices, not a value/budget hotel.

Mostly, I think larger families just want everyone to understand the price difference for us in onsite/offsite can be significant, and we are limited in which resorts we can experience. Also, if Disney is so focused on making everyone stay onsite, they might be interested in understanding the number one reason that many families don't.

 

[NickyKnack]

People say it's 50/50 onsite/offsite in the parks.

But the other number you need is how much profit per-day-per-guest the average onsite customer generates for Disney versus offsite.

Disney doesn't want more people in its parks, they want more people in their hotels. They are in the hotel business, the parks are just a way to fill up rooms and restaurants.

You know, I was going to protest this, but it would explain why they are so willing to spill more cash into DCV and Hotels and not into the parks.

 

[3happydancers]

We are a family of five. In our social circles, that's the norm.
It's not "on Disney" but it's still frustrating, nonetheless, and can be fixed by Disney easily. Some inexpensive hotels chains accommodate families of five with rollaways and/or pull-out couches. I know which ones don't and avoid them. A popular tourist area in our state has multiple cheap hotels with three-queen bedrooms. At Universal, we can stay in one basic (albeit expensive) room, paying $25 for a rollaway or using an inflatable mattress. On Carnival cruises, we can share one cheap room with a trundle bed and bunks. At Disney, our only option is POR, which is a moderate at moderate prices, not a value/budget hotel.

Mostly, I think larger families just want everyone to understand the price difference for us in onsite/offsite can be significant, and we are limited in which resorts we can experience. Also, if Disney is so focused on making everyone stay onsite, they might be interesting in understanding the number one reason that many families don't.

My family is small, but we have friends and other family members whose families are much larger. If Disney was truly interested, they would address this, but they choose not to. So much for a family loving park Walt once created.

 

[My3Princez]

Thanks, but most of these phone demand a monthly purchase of about $35 or more which I cannot do right now. I have a simple Tracfone which costs about $130.00 a year. I do not use much in the way of minutes or data.

Used phone off eBay and no contract pageplus.

 

[Bullseye]

EMH doesn't affect every park, every day. Disney as stated the reason for the new system was to lock guest into their parks before they ever leave their homes. Totally locking off-site guest out of any pre-booking is locking them into anything. Aren't on-site guest already kind of locked in? Pre-booking may in fact become for on-site guest only but that doesn't go with what Disney has said is one of the top goals of the new system.

You know I'm probably just thick-headed but I don't get why the new system "locks guest in to their parks" any more than the old system did . We're going for 11 days in June, but I still only bought an 8 day ticket because were doing US/IOA for two days just like we always do. Since I rent a car I'm still going to shop and dine off-site sometimes...just like we always do. I don't get it

 

[Networth]

Maybe because I only stay at the GF or CR besides POR once or twice but don't the standard rooms Accommodate 5? I was just back at the Grand in December and the room right next to us(we had a king) had 2 queens and a coach/bed. That room sleeps 5 and it was not a suite.

 

[dayvewc]

You know I'm probably just thick-headed but I don't get why the new system "locks guest in to their parks" any more than the old system did . We're going for 11 days in June, but I still only bought an 8 day ticket because were doing US/IOA for two days just like we always do. Since I rent a car I'm still going to shop and dine off-site sometimes...just like we always do. I don't get it

A lot of it deals with potentialities of the system, but as an example:

When people book 60 days in advance, then Disney knows exactly who will be in which park on what day and at what time. This allows them to schedule exactly the number of cast members needed and saves them payroll.

With the fully functioning system, Disney could send alerts based on past information about specific guests of different kinds to help normalize traffic flow through the parks and minimize wait times. These alerts could be things like "bonus FP's" or coupons only good for the next 15 minutes. ("Buy your normal Dolewhip and get a Mickey Pretzel 25% off").

Just an idea and my humble opinion. The "locking people in" is as much about alerting Disney to actual needs instead of projected needs. This prevents understaffing, which slows things down but also eliminates overstaffing which costs extra.

 

[3happydancers]

Maybe because I only stay at the GF or CR besides POR once or twice but don't the standard rooms Accommodate 5? I was just back at the Grand in December and the room right next to us(we had a king) had 2 queens and a coach/bed. That room sleeps 5 and it was not a suite.

I can't say for the GF as I've never stayed there. This could have been a DVC resort in which case you will find rooms that sleep 5; again not sure. But most Disney resorts only offer accommodations for 4. I do know that Riverside has trundles so they offer sleeping for 5 and I believe there are a few family suites in the value section (which resort I am not sure). I've stayed PORFQ and the Coronado, also only 4. Friends have stayed at CBR, again only 4 unless this has changed. Outside of that, one would have to pay for the a studio, 1 or 2 bedroom, or even larger accommodations at a DVC resort and these are extremely costly even with renting DVC points. If my info is incorrect, someone else, I am sure, would know and correct me.

 

[TeresaNJ]

Totally makes sense except for the fast pass plus. We are DVC owners too but we fail to see the perk that FP+ offers. For us, it is a pain not a perk. It is most limiting and restrictive. This has actually forced us to reevaluate our future with Disney and DVC.

We've been DVC members since 2001. Own at BCV & VWL. Our family trip this past October was so disheartening, aggravating, & so not magical, that we put both our DVCs up for sale. BCV just sold, going through closing now. We were only going to sell the Beach Club contract, as we are buying a home with a good amount of land & starting a hobby farm, but then decided to put our Wilderness contract too. Thought I'd feel sick about it, but as my adult Disney loving son just said to me yesterday, WDW has changed, & not in a good way.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

Maybe because I only stay at the GF or CR besides POR once or twice but don't the standard rooms Accommodate 5? I was just back at the Grand in December and the room right next to us(we had a king) had 2 queens and a coach/bed. That room sleeps 5 and it was not a suite.

Yes, standard rooms in some (not all, like Animal Kingdom Lodge) deluxe resorts like the GF and CR accommodate five, but that is the range of $500-$700/night, which is not affordable for typical families. We are splurging on one night at a Universal Studios "deluxe" resort with front of the line privileges for $300, but could not even afford that for more than one night.

There are no value/budget resorts that accommodate more than four in a standard room. Family suites in the two budget resorts that offer them are $250-350. The only moderate resort that allows more than five in a standard room is the POR.

 

[flipflops]

In response to those that think the onsite visitors should have perks...of course they should. However, FP was for everybody and now you are taking something away from the masses. I think that is wrong. I understand EH and things like that but FP was offered to all of us. I agree that the magic of Disney is lessening and that makes me sad. And 4 people in a family does not seem to be the norm anymore.

 

[momof2n2]

Thanks, but most of these phone demand a monthly purchase of about $35 or more which I cannot do right now. I have a simple Tracfone which costs about $130.00 a year. I do not use much in the way of minutes or data.

I hear you.
My tracfone is six years old and I had another one before that.
The reason I jumped in here at all was that I was even considering this switch BASED ON a vacation to WDW. Like, were it not for this trip I wouldn't even have considered it. Apple might be in I'm MM+!

 

[AliceandAriel]

We've been DVC members since 2001. Own at BCV & VWL. Our family trip this past October was so disheartening, aggravating, & so not magical, that we put both our DVCs up for sale. BCV just sold, going through closing now. We were only going to sell the Beach Club contract, as we are buying a home with a good amount of land & starting a hobby farm, but then decided to put our Wilderness contract too. Thought I'd feel sick about it, but as my adult Disney loving son just said to me yesterday, WDW has changed, & not in a good way.

Sad, but your opinion of Disney's 'current state' is your opinion. My family and others are happy with Disney currently, even with the changes. We take them in stride- and learn to adapt. It makes for an interesting day or two at the start but by mid-trip we've got it all down pat.

However, I will say until this stuff is all set in Mickey marble, we will not be investing in DVC.

 

[AliceandAriel]

The difference is that EMH is a perk that doesn't negatively affect off-site guests. At least not in any noticeable way. Eliminating the existing FP system and allowing only on-site guests to pre-book FP+ means that you are taking a large number of FP slots that used to be available to everyone and making them available only for on-site guests. Are you really surprised that people would be upset when they find out WDW is going to take away something they used to have?

But how does EMH not? If I pay $100 for my park ticket and get 12 hours out of if, but Jane stayed onsite and gets 16 hours out of it in the same day, who is affected negatively? People who stay offsite constantly say it's for money reasons- but I bet they don't think about how much money is being 'wasted' by not having EMH. I factor that knowledge into my onsite stays, which makes the price tags a little bit easier to swallow. How does that not negatively affect offsiters?

Like I said before, I understand how something Disney used to have for all is in a sense being taken away from those offsite now, but it is and it isn't. People get to book them first thing in the morning- rather than run around the park like a knucklehead for that one coveted pass they must have like TSMM. I look at the availability of FP+ to offsiters the same way the DDP used to offer appetizers- it was once on the plan, but now you pay OOP. Not saying I like it or dislike like it, but I will learn to roll with the punches.

 

[summerskye]

I just spent the past hour or so reading all these posts. I think it could be best put as "everybody has different views and opinions". Your view does not make mine wrong or better. Nor does mine change the value of yours.

That being said, I would like to make a few comments.
Staying on-site should have perks.
Staying off-site should not penalize one.

By making the FP+ system to all even advance reservation ability, then Disney is not hurting off-site guest. Allowing on-site guest additional reservation time and additional FP+ as a perk for staying on-site. We have many times used the mornings to collect FP- and ride stand-by. Then late afternoons and/or evenings enjoyed to pocket full of FPs. We have had 6-8 sets at times.

I would love to see "Disney" adjust the system as follows
1) Allow "all" guest the opportunity to make advanced FP+ reservations.
(maybe allow off-site 2wks and on-site 4wks as a perk)
2) As a perk, on-site get 5 FP+ per day vs. off-site 3 FP+ per day.
3) Allow FP+ park hopper friendly.

This way the system is the same for all with a few perks for on-site guests

I am sure some will agree and some will not. Just remember, everybody has and is entitled to their own view.



Now, step away from the legacy FP machine and nobody gets hurt...

 

[AliceandAriel]

EMH doesn't affect every park, every day. Disney as stated the reason for the new system was to lock guest into their parks before they ever leave their homes. Totally locking off-site guest out of any pre-booking is locking them into anything. Aren't on-site guest already kind of locked in? Pre-booking may in fact become for on-site guest only but that doesn't go with what Disney has said is one of the top goals of the new system.

Pure opinion, but that's okay! It's actually the opposite for us. We take advantage of EMH when we stay onsite because we like the parks and are glad to have more time there. I know the general consensus is to avoid EMH park days like the plague, but we've never done that and always came out fine and dandy.

Onsite guests aren't really locked in as well as Disney wants, which is why they're doing what they're doing now. Many of us are the crazy park hopping type, and in a way this system looks like it's attempting to curb that. If you're smart, you simply tackle it from a different avenue, and make sure to do two parks in a day and have one of those parks planned for your FP+ and the other you get on what rides you can and are willing to wait for. Offsite guests have nothing locked in. They can come and go to all outside Orlando avenues as they wish. Disney wants their money, but not nearly as bad to chase them down for it. Onsiters are easy wallets.