the why behind fastpass+

[Golf4283]

This feeds in to what I said about pivoting away from the way Disney operates. They do not want to be Universal. Selling FOTL access is so "undemocratic" to the way Disney traditionally operates. If Disney wanted to monetize opportunity, it would already be charging people for prime ADRs. You don't think that people would pay $10 per person for a guaranteed spot at 'Ohana, Claifornia Grill during Wishes, Be Our Guest for dinner? We all know how hard it is to get certain ADRs and how supply falls so short of demand. But Disney has never tried to capitalize on that. I don't see FP+ any differently. To do otherwise would be to bow to the business strategies of Universal which I think is like fingernails on the chalkboard to the PTB.

I think it's hard to make a comparison between dinner reservations (a universally acceptable practice in the world) which is almost always free of charge anywhere, and FP+ (which is a specialized service)

Granted I agree that it's a slippery slope for Disney should they ever charge.

We're all talking hypotheticals here though.

I also want to add that I'm really enjoying this debate. It's not turned angry at any point that I can tell and is a really good discussion.

 

[Arsenal1982]

JimmyV, why are you so angry?

 

[JimmyV]

I'm sure people smarter than me are looking into this very question...

My hope is that a solution will arise in the next few months that allows the system to function smoothly.

As to the first point, I don't think I agree.

As to the second point, the FP+ system is tied to the tracks and there is a Mine Train coming through the tunnel. Things are going to get reeeeaaaal interesting reeeaaaal soon. Mine Train FPs are going to be currency, just like BoG ADRs were/are.

 

[JimmyV]

JimmyV, why are you so angry?

What an odd statement. I'm not. See below.

I also want to add that I'm really enjoying this debate. It's not turned angry at any point that I can tell and is a really good discussion.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

But Disney has never tried to capitalize on that. I don't see FP+ any differently. To do otherwise would be to bow to the business strategies of Universal which I think is like fingernails on the chalkboard to the PTB.

I agree to a point, but I can absolutely see Disney doing things like giving resort guests extra FP+ reservations as a part of a promotional deal during value seasons. They want to move away from free dining, and this is a way to do that.

Will they ever charge directly for more? I hope not. But maybe include more in package deals. There is clearly real value here. It is obvious from the complaints about the system. The real question is how Disney will leverage that value to their advantage - because they will.

 

[faneuil]

They are charging no show fees at some restaurants, which isn't a new concept by any stretch.

I can remember years and years ago Six Flags charging for FOTL privileges.
(That was so left field, I'm sorry).

 

[ktlm]

Great post on the patent post by the way, brilliant

Thanks!

 

[JanaDee]

To be fair, Disney marketed the heck out of FP- when it first came out. What they are doing now is pretty standard - like US marketing Diagon Alley.

But some people *still* don't know FP+ is free. I was reading a review on TripAdvisor from someone that was there a week or so ago. She said they never used the "fast system" because you had to pay for it.



Of course, this same person also said MK only had fast-food to eat, so take it for what it's worth.

 

[faneuil]

As to the first point, I don't think I agree.

As to the second point, the FP+ system is tied to the tracks and there is a Mine Train coming through the tunnel. Things are going to get reeeeaaaal interesting reeeaaaal soon. Mine Train FPs are going to be currency, just like BoG ADRs were/are.

Summer's here before you can blink practically. They'll need to get these lines under control.

JanaDee: As recently as December, I heard ppl saying FP- was a rip off, because it cost too much. I spoke with them and tried to explain, but they insisted. It wasn't worth it. So yeah, there is misconception.

 

[JimmyV]

I agree to a point, but I can absolutely see Disney doing things like giving resort guests extra FP+ reservations as a part of a promotional deal during value seasons. They want to move away from free dining, and this is a way to do that.

Will they ever charge directly for more? I hope not. But maybe include more in package deals. There is clearly real value here. It is obvious from the complaints about the system. The real question is how Disney will leverage that value to their advantage - because they will.

OK. I can see that. Book a Deluxe for 4 nights or more and get an extra FP per day. Sort of an invisible sale. I absolutely can see that. But it still leaves us with the capacity issue. For every FP+ that they sell/give away, they have to take it from somewhere else. If they strip too many away from other guests, there will be fallout. But if they do this during "slow" times such as when they had Free Dining, it may turn out that stripping 20% of FPs from the masses may not be at all impactful. But if they took FPs away from people during President's Day weekend, people would have grabbed Gaston, their torches and pitchforks and killed the beast.

 

[JanaDee]

I honestly don't fault them for this either. I pay good money when I go down to stay onsite (DVC member) and I like having benefits that offisite guests don't have.

I guess that makes me a brat or spoiled because some people just can't afford to stay on site, which I understand. Such is life though, it's not always fair.

Edited to fix a typo above when I meant to say "offsite guests don't have"

ENTITLED!!

Sorry, someone had to say it.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

But if they took FPs away from people during President's Day weekend, people would have grabbed, Gaston, their torches and pitchforks and killed the beast.

 

[DisneyAllyC]

Plus of course the Magic Bands are free but I'm guessing someday they will charge for them. Then there are the decorations for the bands. How much are the charms for the bands?

 

[JanaDee]

As to the first point, I don't think I agree.

As to the second point, the FP+ system is tied to the tracks and there is a Mine Train coming through the tunnel. Things are going to get reeeeaaaal interesting reeeaaaal soon. Mine Train FPs are going to be currency, just like BoG ADRs were/are.

We saw what happened President's Day weekend with FP+ and standby. Imagine what Easter Week will be like.

 

[dwheaton]

As to the first point, I don't think I agree.

Hey, I try to give them the benefit of the doubt. I have my concerns about who's driving this runaway mine train, but there has to be some logic, right?

Right?

 

[faneuil]

Plus of course the Magic Bands are free but I'm guessing someday they will charge for them. Then there are the decorations for the bands. How much are the charms for the bands?

I was told, by a Cast Member, that anyone staying off site and local AP holder who do not stay onsite, will have to pay $15 a band.

And no, it wasn't a bus driver.

 

[ethanwa]

Why if the other system was working would they change it?

The other old FP- system wasn't working, despite what people say, their fear of change, and nostalgia for the past.

Example:

I had to wake up at the crack of dawn and be at rope drop at Hollywood Studios just to RUN to Toy Story Mania so my kids could get a FastPass to go on the ride at 1PM. It was NOT FUN.

FP+ is a change made to even the playing field for everyone eventually (obviously FP+ isn't rolled out to AP and offsite yet, but it will be), not just the hardcore tour/planning guests who have been to Disney 15 times before.

I welcome the change.

 

[ethanwa]

... and local AP holder who do not stay onsite, will have to pay $15 a band.

Not true. It's been suggested to AP holders many times (in the Mickey Monitor and elsewhere) that holders will get MagicBands as part of their AP.

See this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3200696

 

[dwheaton]

The other old FP- system wasn't working, despite what people say, their fear of change, and nostalgia for the past.

Example:

I had to wake up at the crack of dawn and be at rope drop at Hollywood Studios just to RUN to Toy Story Mania so my kids could get a FastPass to go on the ride at 1PM. It was NOT FUN.

FP+ make is a change made to even the playing field for everyone eventually (obviously FP+ isn't rolled out to AP and offsite yet, but it will be), not just the hardcore tour/planning guests who have been to Disney 15 times before.

I welcome the change.

I can understand this point since that was difficult in the case of TSM.

However, Disney didn't make this change to level the playing field. If they really wanted to level it, that would simply remove all FP and just have one line across the board. They could even set up a single-rider line at more rides to allow for another way to experience it. FP+ may accomplish what benefits you, but all the evidence points to different reasons for the change.

 

[mcd2745]

Also I thought there was a stat that most people used FP- 1 time or less a day? The average FP was less than 3 with a majority pulled by a smaller minority.

According to a recent Orlando Sentinel article...FP- was only used by about 50% of guests. And of the people that did use FP-, they used an average of 2 per day.

Assuming those numbers are true, it's not a stretch to see where the "powers that be" at Disney would think that 3 FP+ is an overall "improvement" for guests - they are giving us a 50% increase above what the average guest used. Additionally, if they can also increase the overall participation level from around 50% up to the 80-90% range...you could also see how they would think this should constitute an "improvement" for the average guest.

Problem here is....very few DISers, if any, woud consider themselves an average guest.