Spend More get More Fastpasses...coming soon to a Disney near You.

[minnie61650]

Disneyland hates fastpass as they rightly should. Nobody from management down to the line workers wants fast pass in the PArk that Walt built.


I've been ignoring this thread, but I just caught up a bit.

As AV said, those special parade viewing areas, the Fantasmic Dinner packages, all that stuff is so UnDisney it's laughable. IT eats up prime viewing realestate that used to be for anyone.

ITA with you and AV and others who feel that the Fastpass should not be tiered.
I also agree with doconeill;20656836 that patents are used to protect ideas and to keep others from using those ideas.......:

Just because a patent is filed does not mean all parts of the patent are going to be utilized in the future.

 

[Demosthenes]

So past wrongs justify new wrongs.

The way Disney had operated - yes, Fantasmic Dinner packages are unDisney. They take away spots that normal guests would have been able to use.

You have to ask yourself - how did Disney grow and thrive for nearly fifty yers without having to con, cheat, squirel and pummel their guests for pennies. Cheap and ignorant plans like 'FastPasses for the Elite' are a signal that Disney can't manage its core business anymore. The nickel and dime scams are for businesses that give a fudge about people, or the fly-by-night flea carnivals.

Build a ride that people will travel to see - you'll book the hotel rooms. Run restaurants that offer good value and service - you'll be able to charge for the food.

But sharpening pencils is either than creating quality. Maybe if one day Disney focuses back on the reason why people go to WDW - and it's not because they'll get a free FastPass - the company won't need cheat their customers anymore.

While there are certainly things that Disney does wrong, I don't believe this is one of them. Disney must compete for hotel guests, and doing so by plussing the deluxe guest's park experience frankly makes good business sense. This is a move that not only encourages attendance in Disney Parks over the competition, it also frees time up for the biggest spenders to be out of lines and in stores and restaurants.

You can argue that Disney should simply make the best park to attract visitors, but I would counter that they already have, and that they continue to make significant upgrades and tweaks to make them better; some of those are complete failures (JIYI), others are smashing successes (Soarin'), but in either case, Disney will adjust by guest demand. The same will be true for this change, if it even takes place. If guests react to it positively, it will stay around, otherwise, it will get tweaked.

 

[TDERadulski]

Disneyland Paris has a program in place such that when you book a delux hotel you recieve a Disney Hotel FASTPASS (1 FASTPASS per day & per person). And when you book a concierge or suitge at one of the delux hotels you recieve a VIP FASTPASS (for unlimited access to FASTPASS® lane). This is in addition to the regular fastpass system (like what is in place at WDW).

Perhaps WDW is leaning towards something similar?

 

[A_NY_Outlaw]

At a park like WDW, I would consider buying fastpasses, or paying money for it, just because of the large volume of people that go to the parks. when we went to six flags this past summer, they had a 3 ride "fastpass" wannabe, for $10. It just wasn't worth it to us, not after being spoiled with something like they have at WDW.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

While there are certainly things that Disney does wrong, I don't believe this is one of them. Disney must compete for hotel guests, and doing so by plussing the deluxe guest's park experience frankly makes good business sense. This is a move that not only encourages attendance in Disney Parks over the competition, it also frees time up for the biggest spenders to be out of lines and in stores and restaurants.

You can argue that Disney should simply make the best park to attract visitors, but I would counter that they already have, and that they continue to make significant upgrades and tweaks to make them better; some of those are complete failures (JIYI), others are smashing successes (Soarin'), but in either case, Disney will adjust by guest demand. The same will be true for this change, if it even takes place. If guests react to it positively, it will stay around, otherwise, it will get tweaked.

If Disney TRULY wants to complete with other Deluxe Resorts....it should offer true Deluxe Resorts - with facilities and services which honestly can compete. Oh heck, as an example, a few years ago you had to call guest services at the Beach Club if you wanted a COFFEE POT in your room.

They are at a physical disadvantage with smaller rooms than hotels just outside the gate - they compensated by adding fridges to the rooms.

Disney's "Deluxe" resorts are often rated as 3 3/2 start hotels. As an example, I stayed at the Staybridge Suites - just outside the gate - a few seasons ago when I arrived late. Their rate this December is $118 for a studio suite -- full and completely equipped kitchen, sitting area, 2 tv's, FULL --- and I mean FULL breakfast and free park shuttle. Average room size 615 square feet. Average room size for a Beach Club - Yacht Club room is 385 square feet - $315 for the same night in December.

Disney is just looking for a no $$$$ solution to drive more guests on property. The current programs at WDW are for cost reductions in budgets.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

sorry... thats 3 1/2 star ratings....sorry for the typo.

 

[Demosthenes]

If Disney TRULY wants to complete with other Deluxe Resorts....it should offer true Deluxe Resorts - with facilities and services which honestly can compete. Oh heck, as an example, a few years ago you had to call guest services at the Beach Club if you wanted a COFFEE POT in your room.

They are at a physical disadvantage with smaller rooms than hotels just outside the gate - they compensated by adding fridges to the rooms.

Disney's "Deluxe" resorts are often rated as 3 3/2 start hotels. As an example, I stayed at the Staybridge Suites - just outside the gate - a few seasons ago when I arrived late. Their rate this December is $118 for a studio suite -- full and completely equipped kitchen, sitting area, 2 tv's, FULL --- and I mean FULL breakfast and free park shuttle. Average room size 615 square feet. Average room size for a Beach Club - Yacht Club room is 385 square feet - $315 for the same night in December.

Disney is just looking for a no $$$$ solution to drive more guests on property. The current programs at WDW are for cost reductions in budgets.

I certainly agree that improving the quality of the deluxe resort experience at the resort would attract more people as well; I just think that attracting deluxe resort guests by plussing their park experience is a sensible idea too. I can't see how Disney would think that that this change is a no-money solution since it costs money to implement, but certainly (like any business) they are looking for the most cost effective means to drive more business.

 

[Steven41782]

I just hope this technology allows me to text over to Test Track for a fast pass while in line for one at Soarin'. I always seem to be the designated fast pass runner. Would much rather be the fast past texter!

 

[CanadianGuy]

this has been coming for a long time and is 10x more likley and closer to taking place thee new [*TOY STORY MANIA*] at MGM.....

How's that for an insert?

So can I ride Fire Mountain in April then?

Knox

 

[EUROPACL]

How's that for an insert?

So can I ride Fire Mountain in April then?

Knox

Terrible you missed the most importan part...[Insert great new ride here]...besides Toy Knock Off Clone Mania was announced before this thread was started.

 

[CanadianGuy]

I couldn't resist. Let's blame mangled typing or quoting on the missed 'great'

Knox

 

[CarrianneB]

I can see all the different opinions on here, but as for WHY they would do it, they do it to sell those deluxe rooms.

I stayed at Universal a few years back and loved having the fastpass type entrance on every ride - as many times as I wanted. This was even better than the fastpass you could buy - which was good only once on every ride.

THe next time I want to go to universal, I will book a Universal room - not my DVC room, or anything else. Solely because it's worth it to me to pay the extra for the room to get that special fastpass.

That is what WDW would be looking for - the person that would stay somewhere else, if not for this perk.

 

[disrailfan]

As someone already mentioned, this patent is like 3 or 4 years old now.

As far as Deluxe or DVC is concerned, as a DVC member I already get in park and resort perks that others do not get, discounts on tours, dicounts on meals and of course my favorite a discount of $100 on Annual Passes.

DVC was also giving out a exclusive Fast Pass to guests that purchased an interest in DVC.

I don't know that I should get any different level or number of fastpasses than anyone staying at a value or moderate. But I do like the idea of being able to print my fast passes before I leave the room. I think this would allow guests with families or large parties plan their day more effectively.

 

[Chuck S]

Some rides that used to issue fastpasses no longer do, or the fastpasses are closed seasonally. Personally, I would expect not to see an electronic fast pass, but a pre-printed fastpass card, similar to the Dream fastpasses, issued at time of check-in if you stay a full week in a Disney resort (or DVC), one for each park, during busy seasons.

 

[disrailfan]

Chuck S. I noticed too that the HM does not have Fastpass any longer. I like the idea of giving resort guests a card at checkin like the dream team fast passes.