TSM standby-less test Oct. 6-9

[cakebaker]

This thread has talked about almost everything.

Only thing left is the Dole Whip v. Citrus Swirl debate. (I am 100% in Orange Bird's camp on this one).

I don't even know what Citrus Swirl is- I don't have to. Dole Whip vs anything-
Dole Whip wins.

 

[minnie-apple-mouse]

Are you saying : In leui of free dining offer double FP+ ? If so it's an interesting idea. I just wonder how they could make that work for HS or Epcot.

Yes in place of it. Well they could have 6 per day-3 in one park and 3 in another, forcing the "hopper" addition. Or they could offer "no tiers" and allow repeats.

We just went to Disney at the end of Sept/ beginning of October. I only used the kiosks to get extra FP on one day our entire trip. While my family would have been happy to have extra rides on Soarin, TT and TSMM, we did ride each 2 or 3 times during our trip. I think the longest line we ever waited in was 30 minutes and I think that happened twice during our trip. I would not trade Free Dining for extra FP+ reservations, it's just not worth it in low season.

We know that-but a lot of folks would see the ability to reserve 6 (or more) per day as something important to them. Free dining could be better for some-but they could drop that at any time anyway.

And your experience proves its all that much more attainable (offering more FP+ on low seasons).

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

This thread has talked about almost everything.

Only thing left is the Dole Whip v. Citrus Swirl debate. (I am 100% in Orange Bird's camp on this one).

Clearly the Dole Whip... and not just the Dole Whip but Dole Whip Float. The real question is: Straight pineapple, pineapple and orange swirl, or pineapple and vanilla swirl? And, so as to keep it semi-on topic, I would definitely get a FP+ for a Dole Whip on those crowded days when the lines seems to be as long for this tasty frozen treat as it is to meet Anna and Elsa. Aint nobody got time for that.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Disney isn't after the vacationer who has a tight budget. They're after the ones who can afford to stay on site, yet don't.

Having a budget is not the same thing as having a tight budget. Not spending $350/night on a hotel room doesn't mean one is on a tight budget.

 

[cakebaker]

Having a budget is not the same thing as having a tight budget. Not spending $350/night on a hotel room doesn't mean one is on a tight budget.

Well first, AOA suite doesn't have to cost $350 a night.

Sigh- So apparently you object the the word "tight"- what one person considers a tight budget, another may not but.....

Let's say it this way. Disney (in my opinion of course) is looking for the type of guest who doesn't object to paying $350 or more for a room, yet still chooses to stay off site.

 

[Suvadoo]

Having a budget is not the same thing as having a tight budget. Not spending $350/night on a hotel room doesn't mean one is on a tight budget.

I also look at what you could get for $350/ night off site. It's amazing. In some cases, I don't think people would be willing to sacrifice their off site perks for additional FP+'s.

 

[cakebaker]

Clearly the Dole Whip... and not just the Dole Whip but Dole Whip Float. The real question is: Straight pineapple, pineapple and orange swirl, or pineapple and vanilla swirl? And, so as to keep it semi-on topic, I would definitely get a FP+ for a Dole Whip on those crowded days when the lines seems to be as long for this tasty frozen treat as it is to meet Anna and Elsa. Aint nobody got time for that.

I thought Dole Whip Float was understood.

Straight up pineapple- I'm a purist.

 

[Laketravis]

I'm thinking of having chicken for dinner this evening.

Thoughts?

 

[cakebaker]

I also look at what you could get for $350/ night off site. It's amazing. In some cases, I don't think people would be willing to sacrifice their off site perks for additional FP+'s.

I'm quite sure Disney will never convince everyone to stay on site. Heaven help us if they did- we'd never get a room!

There's no question you can get some great off site rooms. It's a matter of what matters most to someone. I can get a great room a lot of places at great prices. I can only get WDW at WDW and I want it 100% of the time I'm there.

They have me, perks or no perks. I'm not their target either. But I sure am more than willing to go ahead and take whatever perks they want to throw at everyone to convince them to stay on site.

 

[cakebaker]

I'm thinking of having chicken for dinner this evening.

Thoughts?

That's ridiculous. Chicken??? Really????

Do you know how those poor chickens suffer in mass production? I hope you at least are eating free range chickens.

Sheesh!

 

[robinb]

I thought Dole Whip Float was understood.

Straight up pineapple- I'm a purist.

Me too .

 

[Angel Ariel]

Well first, AOA suite doesn't have to cost $350 a night.

Sigh- So apparently you object the the word "tight"- what one person considers a tight budget, another may not but.....

Let's say it this way. Disney (in my opinion of course) is looking for the type of guest who doesn't object to paying $350 or more for a room, yet still chooses to stay off site.

You mention getting discounts that cover AoA. Every discount I've ever received has specifically excluded AoA...so the option you had is apparently not always available to everyone. Discounts are very much dependent on time of year, and you and I have already established we travel at different times of the year..so it shouldn't be surprising that what you found offered to you would be different than what I've found.

As for the rest...I don't disagree that Disney is looking for guests that will spend more. What Disney is looking for, and what guests actually have, aren't always the same thing.

 

[Suvadoo]

I'm quite sure Disney will never convince everyone to stay on site. Heaven help us if they did- we'd never get a room!

There's no question you can get some great off site rooms. It's a matter of what matters most to someone. I can get a great room a lot of places at great prices. I can only get WDW at WDW and I want it 100% of the time I'm there.

They have me, perks or no perks. I'm not their target either. But I sure am more than willing to go ahead and take whatever perks they want to throw at everyone to convince them to stay on site.

Except the Free Dining Plan!!!

 

[cakebaker]

Except the Free Dining Plan!!!

Thank you! What was I thinking!!!

NO FREE DINING!

 

[cakebaker]

What Disney is looking for, and what guests actually have, aren't always the same thing.

So true- and that's kind of my original point.

If you don't have it, Disney isn't looking for you. There are plenty of people who do and Disney wants them.

 

[vacationer1954]

How is Disney "working so much harder" to get larger families to stay onsite?

By redesigning the second half of Pop Century into Art of Animation with family suites.

Adding perks doesn't increase someone's available vacation budget.

But it does change how valuable something is perceived.

 

[Planogirl]

I don't like Dole Whips or Citrus Swirls. I do however like chicken.

I doubt that Disney really wants to only appeal to the rich. The truly rich won't bother with WDW and are there enough of the others to go around? The upper middle class is a good target but by all accounts shrinking, at least in the USA.

This is interesting to think about.

 

[flicx]

I don't like Dole Whips or Citrus Swirls. I do however like chicken.

I doubt that Disney really wants to only appeal to the rich. The truly rich won't bother with WDW and are there enough of the others to go around? The upper middle class is a good target but by all accounts shrinking, at least in the USA.

This is interesting to think about.

Interesting, just a few years ago I made the observation at the rate of price increases on tickets, food and rooms, before long Disney would soon be only affordable to the wealthy. I got flamed pretty bad back then, now it doesn't seem to far off!

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

I'm thinking of having chicken for dinner this evening. Thoughts?

Tastes like chicken.

 

[mommajo143]

Just so everyone has full information, AoA family suites are $450 a night during peak times without discounts and always at least $350. Way off-topic, but those suites are a sore spot for me because I was so excited when I first heard about them, imagining they'd be priced at most $50 more than a regular budget room.

agreed - I was so excited about the rooms when they first were building them & when I saw ads & promo materials I was super stoked... Now I get sad when I see them - too expensive for us... We can stay at a moderate cheaper or a deluxe for not too much more...with a good price on a DVC Rental it is not too much more. Wish they would bring that level of theming to other rooms. Pirate rooms were fun and royal rooms too but even those don't compare to what I see in pics from AoA family suites.