Paid Fastpass.

[TXAKDisneyFan]

You must be looking at a suite to get that high of a price for Royal Pacific. It's $370 CAD a night for us to stay there in a standard room in late April for four nights. And although I'm sure the price increases in the summer, I doubt it would jump that high. If we had a family of 3 adults and 3 children we could get a suite and the price would be $974 CAD a night, or $727 USD for the same dates. Of course that room would also be a little over 1000 sq feet which is bigger than some houses in our area. When you subtract the price of the fastpasses which is $90 for the cheapest days, from that, you get a room rate of essentially $187USD a night for a bigger room than what you will get at any moderate at WDW for the same price.

Edit: Portofino Bay is even cheaper at $559USD a night, granted the room is half the size as the Royal Pacific Room. But if cost is a factor then that knocks your rate down to essentially $20 a night.

I said in my post that for 4+ people, you need a suite or more than one room. The point is that for larger families, WDW accommodates with higher room capacities for regular rooms whereas Uni does not, making Uni more expensive. Larger families cannot fit into regular rooms at Uni, and therefore have no choice but to book a suite (or two rooms, although I also stated that two rooms is even more expensive than a suite).

 

[Madonna3]

I actually like the idea of having fastpass+ be given to those staying on-site and make it a paid service to those staying off.

The perks for staying onsite have dwindled to the point where there's just no benefit.

I get Magic Bands with my hotel stay? Big deal. This is at most a $20 value. I have 35 of these at home.
I get to charge stuff to my room? So what. My credit card works either directly or indirectly and I have to carry around my ID anyway and my passholder card so what's another card in the purse?
I get my stuff delivered to my hotel? Don't care. I don't mind picking it up on my way out.
I get transportation to the parks? Everyone does. It's not a benefit for on-site only guests

I get to reserve ride times ahead of off-site guests at no cost? Sign me up.

However, I also believe that opens a Pandora's Box. Once on-site guests accept this as a perk and off-site guests pay the price, then how long before it becomes a charge to all? Maybe on-site pay less, but it's not long before Disney tries to squeeze the dollar out of everyone.

 

[mom2rtk]

I actually like the idea of having fastpass+ be given to those staying on-site and make it a paid service to those staying off.

The perks for staying onsite have dwindled to the point where there's just no benefit.

I get Magic Bands with my hotel stay? Big deal. This is at most a $20 value. I have 35 of these at home.
I get to charge stuff to my room? So what. My credit card works either directly or indirectly and I have to carry around my ID anyway and my passholder card so what's another card in the purse?
I get my stuff delivered to my hotel? Don't care. I don't mind picking it up on my way out.
I get transportation to the parks? Everyone does. It's not a benefit for on-site only guests

I get to reserve ride times ahead of off-site guests at no cost? Sign me up.

However, I also believe that opens a Pandora's Box. Once on-site guests accept this as a perk and off-site guests pay the price, then how long before it becomes a charge to all? Maybe on-site pay less, but it's not long before Disney tries to squeeze the dollar out of everyone.

I get your point. But keep in mind you are an outlier. WDW has more first time visitors than guests with 35 magic bands at home.

 

[TCRAIG]

Probably be $99.99 here

More like $299 per day!

 

[Madonna3]

I get your point. But keep in mind you are an outlier. WDW has more first time visitors than guests with 35 magic bands at home.

I'm just saying a $20 magic band doesn't exactly drive the desire to stay on property.

 

[OldsDr]

Just so we're clear, my stated argument for the viewers at home is:

"The pricing policies have become reckless and it will either a. Price all of us out or b. Cause catastrophic damage to disney when they destroy their theme park market and there's no going back"

This is not an "or" statement it is a "then" statement

a happens then b happens

 

[lockedoutlogic]

This is not an "or" statement it is a "then" statement

a happens then b happens

Sadly...it's hard to disagree...

It's what happens when you become just another mercenary run corporation with "in the moment" executives that worry far too much about "all that money" out there overseas and don't feed the bones to the loyal doggies at home.

 

[LadyD]

Disneyland is already starting to test the waters with the idea of paid fastpasses by introducing the Max Pass. Yes, there will still be a free fastpass option, but they are continuing the trend of finding every little thing they can charge for and doing so. The markets between WDW and Disneyland are incredibly different, so I would not expect to see something like this at WDW any time soon, BUT if the Max Pass is successful, I would not be surprised if they try to find a way to finagle something similar at WDW. And then it would not be a stretch to see them phase out the free fastpasses or make them extremely limited in some capacity.

 

[Nancyg56]

Just so we're clear, my stated argument for the viewers at home is:

"The pricing policies have become reckless and it will either a. Price all of us out or b. Cause catastrophic damage to disney when they destroy their theme park market and there's no going back"

I never thought that I would agree with you in this respect, but I find that I am growing disillusioned with the seemingly endless upcharges lately. I dont look for a "cheap" DIsney vacation, but I cringed at my latest booking and while I have not canceled it yet, I am in the process of pricing an all inclusive Aruba trip for my family that seems to be less expensive.

I think that once Disney crosses the line between charging for "Extras" and charging for what was previously included there will be a slow backlash, but it will be a backlash all the same. I think it is already happening.

 

[Madonna3]

I never thought that I would agree with you in this respect, but I find that I am growing disillusioned with the seemingly endless upcharges lately. I dont look for a "cheap" DIsney vacation, but I cringed at my latest booking and while I have not canceled it yet, I am in the process of pricing an all inclusive Aruba trip for my family that seems to be less expensive.

I think that once Disney crosses the line between charging for "Extras" and charging for what was previously included there will be a slow backlash, but it will be a backlash all the same. I think it is already happening.

Yes, it is, but not by the people who "matter". It's happening to the lower and middle income brackets and they don't care because the upper income brackets are still coming and so are the foreign visitors and then you have the "once in a lifetimers" who also don't care what it cost because they believe they're never going to do it again.

I spend a lot when I go to WDW, but I guarantee another family staying the same amount of time as me, will outspend me every time.

 

[Lightsoutx12]

I actually like the idea of having fastpass+ be given to those staying on-site and make it a paid service to those staying off.

The perks for staying onsite have dwindled to the point where there's just no benefit.

I get Magic Bands with my hotel stay? Big deal. This is at most a $20 value. I have 35 of these at home.
I get to charge stuff to my room? So what. My credit card works either directly or indirectly and I have to carry around my ID anyway and my passholder card so what's another card in the purse?
I get my stuff delivered to my hotel? Don't care. I don't mind picking it up on my way out.
I get transportation to the parks? Everyone does. It's not a benefit for on-site only guests

I get to reserve ride times ahead of off-site guests at no cost? Sign me up.

However, I also believe that opens a Pandora's Box. Once on-site guests accept this as a perk and off-site guests pay the price, then how long before it becomes a charge to all? Maybe on-site pay less, but it's not long before Disney tries to squeeze the dollar out of everyone.

This is perfect. I work in the industry so it is true what you are saying. Guests at the end of the day want what is going to save them the most money while still having a great vacation. If a family can stay off property and save a great chunk of change then they are going to do it. The only real benefit that is worth it, is EMH but even those sometimes are not that interesting for some guests. I believe Disney should start looking at the idea that perhaps Deluxe guests receive a fast pass similar to Universal's (all day and unlimited use) on site (moderate and value and annual passes and off site?) use the current system. I was trying to think what they could do to deter people from staying off site like perhaps they have to pay for fast pass but that really doesn't seem fair.

 

[Nancyg56]

Yes, it is, but not by the people who "matter". It's happening to the lower and middle income brackets and they don't care because the upper income brackets are still coming and so are the foreign visitors and then you have the "once in a lifetimers" who also don't care what it cost because they believe they're never going to do it again.

I spend a lot when I go to WDW, but I guarantee another family staying the same amount of time as me, will outspend me every time.

Oh I know! My budget is generous as well but no way will I ever match some of the bigger spenders.

 

[sabrecmc]

When we stayed at the castle club level at Disneyland Paris Hotel, we got a "VIP Fastpass" that let us use the FP line whenever we wanted. That was definitely a perk that was worth paying extra for, along with the other neat things about castle club. Universal does that FotL thing, but not for the really big rides like Harry Potter, so maybe you could have something like that for rides that aren't Tier 1 or whatever? Honestly, at one point in time, if I could've paid extra for a FP that just let us ride Peter Pan over and over, I would have. My daughter was OBSESSED with that ride!

I figure something along those lines is coming at some point. There is money to be made there, so I'm sure Disney will come up with something.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I never thought that I would agree with you in this respect, but I find that I am growing disillusioned with the seemingly endless upcharges lately. I dont look for a "cheap" DIsney vacation, but I cringed at my latest booking and while I have not canceled it yet, I am in the process of pricing an all inclusive Aruba trip for my family that seems to be less expensive.

I think that once Disney crosses the line between charging for "Extras" and charging for what was previously included there will be a slow backlash, but it will be a backlash all the same. I think it is already happening.

I wrote this on another thread:

I have vacation club...and for the first time in years I have points actually banked...and I'm just happier not booking anything this year...

That normally is a sad thing...because I use the WDW trips to look forward too and break up the monotony...
But that urge just isn't there.

When you lose me...or make a trip "take it or leave it"...you've done serious damage to the foundation of your business...there is no way to argue against it. None.

 

[Nancyg56]

I wrote this on another thread:


When you loose me...or make a trip "take it or leave it"...you've done serious damage to the foundation of your business...there is no way to argue against it. None.

I think you are right on many levels. I don't pretend to know the reasoning behind all the uncharges, but I surmise that Disney ventures in other areas are impacting the total bottom line and the U.S. parks seem to be the revenue source that supports them. I'm not okay with that. I don't mind added events that can be purchased, but I feel that once the included benefits are reduced to add more that can be bought, the value begins to be lost.

It's just not feasible to rely on the once and done folks. They won't be back when the economy changes. They won't be back when overseas tourists stay away. They won't be back when something better crops up, and they won't invest in Disney's favorite construction project: DVC.

If the decision makers forget that they need the frequent flyers to continue to fund all their projects during the downswings they won't be able to continue to enjoy the upswings.

Many years ago my DMIL's parish wanted to build a new school and everyone committed to paying for it. The Priest who implemented the fund drive keftcand another took his place. He was awful, and made changes that were not welcomed. As he shut out more and more people they would contact the Archdiocese and were ignored. So they left and took they money with them. Hey! You can't do that! You made a pledge. They did get rid of the tyrant Pastor but a lot if the parishners never returned.

The same thing can happen to Disney. You should never take your most loyal supporters for granted. They have a line not to be crossed, just like everyone else.

 

[Beer Me]

Yes I did forget that you do receive the fast passes for staying on their three premiere properties. But they are much higher than the other two resorts but much less expensive than any Disney property.

Just now checked Hard Rock for the same week in July that I've booked BC. The difference is <$10.

The express pass is a huge perk and arguably makes HRH a better value but let's not get carried away.

 

[Lightsoutx12]

Just now checked Hard Rock for the same week in July that I've booked BC. The difference is <$10.

The express pass is a huge perk and arguably makes HRH a better value but let's not get carried away.

For that month maybe, but not necessarily throughout the year. To me the fact that you receive the express pass for all day use is automatically a better value than any Disney property. Personally I prefer Disney to Universal, but it just doesn't feel like Disney gives as much staying at a Deluxe vs a premiere hotel at Universal

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I think you are right on many levels. I don't pretend to know the reasoning behind all the uncharges, but I surmise that Disney ventures in other areas are impacting the total bottom line and the U.S. parks seem to be the revenue source that supports them. I'm not okay with that. I don't mind added events that can be purchased, but I feel that once the included benefits are reduced to add more that can be bought, the value begins to be lost.

It's just not feasible to rely on the once and done folks. They won't be back when the economy changes. They won't be back when overseas tourists stay away. They won't be back when something better crops up, and they won't invest in Disney's favorite construction project: DVC.

If the decision makers forget that they need the frequent flyers to continue to fund all their projects during the downswings they won't be able to continue to enjoy the upswings.

Many years ago my DMIL's parish wanted to build a new school and everyone committed to paying for it. The Priest who implemented the fund drive keftcand another took his place. He was awful, and made changes that were not welcomed. As he shut out more and more people they would contact the Archdiocese and were ignored. So they left and took they money with them. Hey! You can't do that! You made a pledge. They did get rid of the tyrant Pastor but a lot if the parishners never returned.

The same thing can happen to Disney. You should never take your most loyal supporters for granted. They have a line not to be crossed, just like everyone else.

Everyone hear should just let this "soak in"

 

[wilkeliza]

Disney has proven the past few quarters that even though people are saying nope and taking their wallet and going home enough have stepped up to fill the gap plus some. They aren't hiding what they are doing. They said it in a publicly reported share hokders meeting. The goal is to find the balance where they get there money but park attendence is lower so they can again offer the best experience possible. Right now they are seeingn what the market can bare and don't care if they lose a person or two because they can make up what you are worth to them. People need to stop disillusioning themselves as to what disney is. Sure they market magic and feel goodness but at the end of the day they are a business and have to what is best to keep them in the fortune 500 (fortune 20 actually if I remember the list correct)

 

[ChipnDale79]

I actually like the idea of having fastpass+ be given to those staying on-site and make it a paid service to those staying off.

The perks for staying onsite have dwindled to the point where there's just no benefit.

I actually agree with you on this. I feel that slowly some perks have started to disappear for staying onsite. For the cost we're paying, I think this is a good one to have.