State of Fast Pass Return (or replacement)

[Oscar_The_Grouch]

Are the few single rider lines still available in the parks? As a sometimes solo traveller to WDW these can cut hours of queuing from the day. I was never happier than when I could ride Expedition Everest five or six times an hour! If they ditched FP I hope these lines would still be an option.

 

[anomamatt]

Just remember, the more rides they build the less need there is for paid fastpass.

Vice versa the more successful paid fastpass is, the less incentive there is to build more rides.

That will depend on how the paid FP+ revenue compares to entry costs.

Assuming an average of 100k guests a day and $125 in entry costs => ~$12.5M.

Paid FP+ wild guesses: 30k guests at $100 => ~$3M. (And you can argue X number of guests for $Y, but I bet it comes in under $5M).

If those numbers ever get close to one another, then I'd start to worry . But I bet the paid FP+ program won't have revenue that approaches the gate.

 

[::danielle::]

Vice versa the more successful paid fastpass is, the less incentive there is to build more rides.

not necessarily. Every trip I think “We’ve done it all. That’s our last trip.”

Then they build something new and curiosity gets the best of me and I find myself planning our last trip to Disney....again.

 

[FCDub]

I'm grateful that your family was able to enjoy that experience together. The moral character in me wishes anyone who wasn't classified as upper-upper-middle class could enjoy that as well once in their lives. Nay, 3/4 of this country can not even step foot on Disney grounds as a family of four. (Nearly two-thirds of Americans, 63%, say they’ve been living paycheck to paycheck since the Covid-19 pandemic hit)

This situation we are in, which is perpetually getting worse and worse in terms of affordability, is literally the antithesis of what Walt wanted. Yes, Walt is gone and Disney is now a publicly traded mega corporation with no regard, but the founder's spirit will always be attached to the property no matter what.

I hope everyone here realizes that there is going to be an entire generation of children that grow up who's only exposure to the parks is through youtube vloggers.

Not everything needs to be affordable to everyone. This notion that someone’s childhood is ruined because they didn’t get to go to Disney World is unrealistic.

And unless you have a good Ouija board, not a single person here can claim any of this is “what Walt wanted.”

 

[vincep]

I find the staffing excuse pretty bogus. Disney does not want staff for monetary reasons. Do you realize all the entertainers who want to be working but don't have jobs doing what they want to? And what about all the regular staff members who were laid off? Don't they want to be back?
This as been going on for a while. A staff member once told me orientation was once 3-4 days. Then it became 4 hours. Why? Money.
And I am incredulous anybody would ascribe any benevolence to Iger or Chapek or Eisner. These men are what you call sharks. Your comfort is not their concern. Their bonuses and stock incentives are. Disney was a very very ambitious man. This is well known to everyone. But he was not a shark.

 

[ChipnDale79]

Not everything needs to be affordable to everyone. This notion that someone’s childhood is ruined because they didn’t get to go to Disney World is unrealistic.

And unless you have a good Ouija board, not a single person here can claim any of this is “what Walt wanted.”

Not everyone can afford one now, but I don’t understand why people are ok with squeezing people out, just so they can have a better time.

 

[New Mouse]

I find the staffing excuse pretty bogus. Disney does not want staff for monetary reasons. Do you realize all the entertainers who want to be working but don't have jobs doing what they want to? And what about all the regular staff members who were laid off? Don't they want to be back?

Check out the video of Donkey the meet and greet at Universal... giving commentary on Disneys staffing situation.

 

[cakebaker]

Disney does not want staff for monetary reasons. Do you realize all the entertainers who want to be working but don't have jobs doing what they want to?

There is simply no way to talk around the fact that they haven't called performers back. They don't even know how many would return because they haven't bothered to start re-calling. Why????? $$$$$

 

[cakebaker]

Check out the video of Donkey the meet and greet at Universal... giving commentary on Disneys staffing situation.

While it was hilarious, everything he said was true.

 

[Launchpad_Mcquack]

this notion that someone’s childhood is ruined because they didn’t get to go to Disney World is unrealistic.

And unless you have a good Ouija board, not a single person here can claim any of this is “what Walt wanted.”

Bit of a hyperbole, I don't believe I said anything close to "someone's childhood being ruined"

Regarding Walt, there is a wealth of interviews, books, and video for which you can make a reasonable judgement on what he felt was important and why he was doing what he was doing. It is not a leap in logic to assume that he did not intend the park to cater solely to the wealthy.

 

[ellbell]

Can't figure out why so many people who have what seems like a giant hate on with Disney continue to post on a board for people who love Disney. Not saying there is nothing to have issue with (nothing is perfect) but the incredible bashing that goes on just blows my mind.

 

[cakebaker]

Can't figure out why so many people who have what seems like a giant hate on with Disney continue to post on a board for people who love Disney. Not saying there is nothing to have issue with (nothing is perfect) but the incredible bashing that goes on just blows my mind.

You don't have to be blind to their faults and refuse to see what they're doing to love WDW.

In fact, I think the more you love WDW, the more it bothers you to see what they're doing.

 

[FCDub]

Bit of a hyperbole, I don't believe I said anything close to "someone's childhood being ruined"

Regarding Walt, there is a wealth of interviews, books, and video for which you can make a reasonable judgement on what he felt was important and why he was doing what he was doing. It is not a leap in logic to assume that he did not intend the park to cater solely to the wealthy.

"I hope everyone here realizes that there is going to be an entire generation of children that grow up who's only exposure to the parks is through youtube vloggers." --> that is pearl-clutching. Going to Disney World isn't an American rite-of-passage, no matter what Disney fans might think. Those children growing up watching blogs will probably turn out just fine. Most of my friends never went to Disney World during their childhood and turned out perfectly well.

And Disney parks have NEVER been egalitarian. The opened with ticket books. Want better rides? Pay more money. Can't afford to buy more ticket books? Enjoy the carousel all day.

 

[Launchpad_Mcquack]

Can't figure out why so many people who have what seems like a giant hate on with Disney

1. Free Parking was removed for no good reason other than more profits
2. Dining Plan was adjusted to the point where it is a ripoff... for more profits
3. DisneyLand AP's were pruned because they took advantage of Covid... for more profits
4. FP's are widely believed to be changing and have already changed at many other parks... for more profits
5. Magical Express was cut off with no alternatives other than guests left paying the bill when a perfectly viable bus transportation had been working fine for years... for more profits
6. The company has used a PANDEMIC that has killed over 4 million people around the world as an excuse to to make these changes... for more profits
7. Extra magic hours only for guests who shell out $500+ a night at a deluxe resort, moderates/value guests are NOT WELCOME... for more profits

... Shall I continue?

 

[ellbell]

1. Free Parking was removed for no good reason other than more profits
2. Dining Plan was adjusted to the point where it is a ripoff... for more profits
3. DisneyLand AP's were pruned because they took advantage of Covid... for more profits
4. FP's are widely believed to be changing and have already changed at many other parks... for more profits
5. Magical Express was cut off with no alternatives other than guests left paying the bill when a perfectly viable bus transportation had been working find for years... for more profits
6. The company has used a PANDEMIC that has killed over 4 million people around the world as an excuse to to make these changes... for more profits
7. Extra magic hours only for guests who shell out $500+ a night at a deluxe resort, moderates/value guests are NOT WELCOME... for more profits

... Shall I continue?

Right but on that note your love of Disney has obviously faded so why not move on instead of bash them. I just don't get why the energy is wasted bashing a company that literally only cares about the money you spend. I get things aren't like the good old days but the guy in charge right now doesn't care and bashing the company doesn't change a damn thing and the hatred on a message board does even less.

 

[ChipnDale79]

Can't figure out why so many people who have what seems like a giant hate on with Disney continue to post on a board for people who love Disney. Not saying there is nothing to have issue with (nothing is perfect) but the incredible bashing that goes on just blows my mind.

I love disney, and i love visiting Disney World. I think what you see here is a lot of people that are frustrated with something they love so much.

 

[ChipnDale79]

You don't have to be blind to their faults and refuse to see what they're doing to love WDW.

In fact, I think the more you love WDW, the more it bothers you to see what they're doing.

this is a really good post.

 

[Branderson610]

The entitlement is very strong here.

 

[Leight19]

I think my biggest issue with paid fastpass is it disincentives Disney from being efficient on slower crowd days. They already cut back ride capacity when crowds are low (presumably to save on operational costs). What are they going to do when they see 15 min waits don’t generate as much paid fast pass revenue as when there are 60 min waits?

 

[Dis Dragon]

I find the staffing excuse pretty bogus. Disney does not want staff for monetary reasons. Do you realize all the entertainers who want to be working but don't have jobs doing what they want to? And what about all the regular staff members who were laid off? Don't they want to be back?
This as been going on for a while. A staff member once told me orientation was once 3-4 days. Then it became 4 hours. Why? Money.
And I am incredulous anybody would ascribe any benevolence to Iger or Chapek or Eisner. These men are what you call sharks. Your comfort is not their concern. Their bonuses and stock incentives are. Disney was a very very ambitious man. This is well known to everyone. But he was not a shark.

Eisner was a shark but at least he had some vision and creativity, even though it went sideways at times. The growth of the parks under Eisner can't be ignored - he actually did it under all segments, where Iger put the parks aside and focused on movies and streaming to grow the company. I think Eisner was an *** personally but I can't help but admire what he helped push forward and create in his years as CEO.