TSM standby-less test Oct. 6-9

[FlipHipster]

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.

Why not? Wouldn't you want that family staying in the suite at the Poly to have a good time? Throw in couple extra headliner FP's. Maybe even a box seat for the parade. Don't forget to come back, you know where the good stuff is. Tell your friends...

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

Am I the only one that thinks that if Disney started this extra FP+s for onsite and basically make off-site guest only get left overs at 30 days that they run the risk of running off a good many of those off-siters? I just don't think they would see huge numbers of people changing to stay on-site. I've seen it said on here that off-siters make up to 50% of the daily park attendance. Forget the cost of the rooms and weather they take away discounts, wouldn't those onsite guest need to see a huge increase in ticket prices to help cover all those off-site guest that Disney is running off? I've also seen it said on here that Disney doesn't have enough rooms to cover the amount of people they need in their parks. How is them changing the FP+ rules going to help them keeping the off-site guest coming to Disney? If they run off 30 to 40% of their park goers would taking away discounts and free dining really make up for the lose in ticket sales? How about the food and merchandise that that 30 to 40% would buy? How much of cost do on-site guest want to put on those extra FP+s?? Because I believe there would have to be some pretty big increases to make up for all those guest that Disney just may be running off and straight into the other Orlando parks.

 

[smidgy]

Oh my, I was kind of hoping no one would ask. You'll probably be sorry you did...but here goes:

First, it's usually only a better deal if you're staying at a value, and then it is a reduced plan. But still, pay $100 you get a room and some food for up to 4 people. No matter, we wouldn't touch a free dining discount no matter how good the deal. It's a pia and it turns your vacation into nothing but planning meals and trying to figure out just how much you can manage to get. I see people all the time talking about what the most expensive thing on the menu is- not what they want to eat but what costs the most? Is crazy...

But, my hatred of it has nothing to do with whether it's a good deal or not. It is nigh on to impossible to get adr's during free dining unless you book 6 months out. We searched for weeks looking for 1 single sit down meal, Mama Melrose for our last trip. We finally got it a few days before we left.

This time we stayed AOA, last time it was POP (giving the values a shot). The food court- OMG. The lines at the stations while people figure out do they want the grapes or do they want the carrots that comes with kid meal- where's little susie- I need to know which she wants..blah, blah, blah....Because god knows, it's free and you couldn't possibly waste all that free-ness and pick the wrong one. Yeah, well little Suzie is laying out in the middle of the floor of the food court apparently making snow angels in the dust while you take 3 hours to order your meals! Just get the damn bag of grapes. She can eat them or not!!!

Then the register while people who don't have a clue how the free dining works figure out.... wait!!! this that or the other is included- oh my god- I have to go back and get it cause even though I don't really want it, it's free sooo.....

And I suppose it doesn't matter that you can't get an ADR during free dining because they've dumbed down the menus so badly to make up for giving it away that there are few places even worth eating at anymore.

It's a freakin' mess, it's wildly popular so the parks and resorts are packed. I hate, hate, hate it. When I get the question I always get- are you on the dining plan?- I proudly say no, and I swear I see a wave of relief pass over the cm's face.

I hate it to the point of being unhealthy.

And please, no one tell me how many restaurants they got to do walk up or how easy they secured their ADR with only 24 hours to plan. Great- glad you could do it. Maybe you could share your table with us because we never can, so either it's hard or the disney gods have cursed us. Either way adr's aren't happening on trips we make during free dining.

Sorry you asked, aren't you. I feel better now though.

LOL! and these are some of the reasons that, when referring to "free" dining, I put the word "free" in quotes.

hubby and I have a love/hate relationship with "free" dining. as a server, I love being waited on. and I love being able to order the most expensive thing on the menu and not worrying about the price.

but, then again, as a server, now I am tipping 20% on that expensive item (no, I don't HAVE to, but I'm a server so of course I do)

it is only a good deal if you were going to eat that way anyway.. we usually end up grabbing a bunch of crappy candy at the gift shop the last day for snack credits. the room only discount is a much better discount, I have NO idea how those with the deluxe dining plan eat all that food!

but I still like it once in a while, since we have done most of the parks umpteen times and I look at it as I get a bunch of nice dinners at my favorite place in the world. and I have gotten to eat at some very nice signature restaurants I normally wouldn't book, such as Jikos. Narcosses, Yachtsman Steak house, etc. I LOVE the hoop de doo REVUE (it's NOT a review!!! lol)
hated the aloha Luau. I won't go back to Le Cellier now that it is 2 credits.. not worth it.

now we are just 2 adults.. when with the grandkids, it's worth it to book character buffets rather than wait inline for them..

 

[minnie-apple-mouse]

Am I the only one that thinks that if Disney started this extra FP+s for onsite and basically make off-site guest only get left overs at 30 days that they run the risk of running off a good many of those off-siters? .

Couple things-as others have said the off season supply has been plentiful, so they could offer more the low seasons. They also could allow 3 at 60 days, and 3 at 30 days so the "leftovers" are the same as now.

Lastly-they can always (and will) add attractions that increases the FP+ supply going forward. There are numerous ways they can disperse those.

 

[Canuckbiggs]

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.

I just don't get the prices for Disney rooms (especially anything above a standard room) or the willingness of people to pay it, while making due with inferior accommodations?

Maybe it is just me but I don't see ANY value in rooms at Disney and simply won't accept jamming my family of 4 into a shoebox of a room.

I know we certainly can afford it. But that doesn't mean I will pay for something that doesn't provide any perceived value.

JMO

 

[smidgy]

I just don't get the prices for Disney rooms (especially anything above a standard room) or the willingness of people to pay it, while making due with inferior accommodations?

Maybe it is just me but I don't see ANY value in rooms at Disney and simply won't accept jamming my family of 4 into a shoebox of a room.

I know we certainly can afford it. But that doesn't mean I will pay for something that doesn't provide any perceived value.

JMO

well, here is where we have to agree to disagree. we never stay offsite (when we used to drive down, we might stay one night at a cheap motel in kissimee jsut so we could arrive anight early and check into Disney really early on check in day!)

we just love being IN disney World our whole stay.. not just "visiting" on park days. we hop a bus, or a boat, or monorail, or walk, and go to a park. we go for rope drop and take a much needed break in the afternoon for a swim, nap, cocktail hour and go bakc to a park in the late afternoon, or evening.

It is SO worth it to us to stay on site!!

 

[Canuckbiggs]

well, here is where we have to agree to disagree. we never stay offsite (when we used to drive down, we might stay one night at a cheap motel in kissimee jsut so we could arrive anight early and check into Disney really early on check in day!)

we just love being IN disney World our whole stay.. not just "visiting" on park days. we hop a bus, or a boat, or monorail, or walk, and go to a park. we go for rope drop and take a much needed break in the afternoon for a swim, nap, cocktail hour and go bakc to a park in the late afternoon, or evening.

It is SO worth it to us to stay on site!!

I go to the parks for rope drop and scoot back to the 5000 square foot house, with a private pool and hot tub quicker than many Disney guest can get back to their hotels via bus transport. All for less than half of what a 2 bedroom suite would cost us. Plus I get a full gourmet kitchen plus an outdoor kitchen to enjoy a few meals with my family, instead of being forced to eat out 3 times a day, like I would if I am held hostage in a hotel room.

We will enjoy eating out at some Disney restaurants of our choice. But only if we feel like it.

I am thinking of what I get once the hotel room door closes. Because that is what you are paying for.

 

[smidgy]

I go to the parks for rope drop and scoot back to the 5000 square foot house, with a private pool and hot tub quicker than many Disney guest can get back to their hotels via bus transport. All for less than half of what a 2 bedroom suite would cost us. Plus I get a full gourmet kitchen plus an outdoor kitchen to enjoy a few meals with my family, instead of being forced to eat out 3 times a day, like I would if I am held hostage in a hotel room.

We will enjoy eating out at some Disney restaurants of our choice. But only if we feel like it.

I am thinking of what I get once the hotel room door closes. Because that is what you are paying for.

well, we usually only eat once a day, maybe twice. I cook at home, and I am a waitress, so I like to vacation when I am on vacation; I don't need or want a gourmet kitchen. and I like a full sized resort pool.. more luxourious to me than a teeny private pool.

and that is the beauty of all the OPTIONS ! i LOVE IT.. there is something for everyone.. I have many friends who always stay offsite, either renting a home, or a timeshare they have points at, or many other options...

which is why I am adamantly opposed to any type of tiered system for fast passes. I do disney my way, you do disney your way (some of us even go over to the dark side.. I loved the new cabana bay resort at universal)

 

[Silock]

The guests who can afford more and pay more to stay and Disney hotels can say it isn't fair that guests who stay offsite and pay Disney less money overall should have the same chance of getting on prime attractions. It is all a matter of where you are sitting.

But they don't. EMH is a huge advantage. Offsite guests are held out for an entire hour. On property guests don't have to FP+ anything for 2 hours at the beginning of the day. Not quite as good at the end of the day, but I've been doing evening EMH at MK after Wishes and you can walk on literally any ride. It's pretty amazing.

 

[spayne12]

I just don't get the prices for Disney rooms (especially anything above a standard room) or the willingness of people to pay it, while making due with inferior accommodations? Maybe it is just me but I don't see ANY value in rooms at Disney and simply won't accept jamming my family of 4 into a shoebox of a room. I know we certainly can afford it. But that doesn't mean I will pay for something that doesn't provide any perceived value. JMO

Friends of ours booked their vistana resort non time share for 700 for the week, they had to get a mini van for 400, then park passed for four were almost 1500. I paid less than that and we are staying with free dining at cbr granted not sure if they searched for deals we also allotted a travel day so we are there an extra day. that will work for us now as my son is only 2 and she has an 11 and 9 year old. room might be small but we also won't be there much. it all depends on wha the value is plus her inlaws decided to stay with them because they had a large room again if there was a deal I would have done it elsewhere but this sold me

 

[Silock]

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.

I would think that's a fairly small set of people. If I could afford to stay on-site any time I went to WDW, I would. But I can't. The only way I could see staying offsite when you could afford to stay on site is simply convenience with a large party.

On a side note, staying offsite is what allows us to spend 2 weeks in Orlando, 10 of them at WDW. It's actually less expensive for us to stay 2 weeks off-site than it would be to stay 7 days on property.

 

[vacationer1954]

I would think that's a fairly small set of people.

But maybe big enough for changes like this to make sense for Disney.

 

[lllGurulll]

moves like this really make me worry about our June 2015 vacation. I'm already not a fan of FP+ as it is with all the horror stories I hear. I dread having to plan my vacation rides out in advance already. It was one thing planning out the days but having to plan out specific ride times too....

Come on Disney.

 

[cakebaker]

I just don't get the prices for Disney rooms (especially anything above a standard room) or the willingness of people to pay it, while making due with inferior accommodations?

Maybe it is just me but I don't see ANY value in rooms at Disney and simply won't accept jamming my family of 4 into a shoebox of a room.

I know we certainly can afford it. But that doesn't mean I will pay for something that doesn't provide any perceived value.

JMO

They're only inferior to someone who wants a different kind of vacation.

I don't want a 5000 sq ft house to manage on vacation. I don't want a huge kitchen with people in there cooking and making messes that have to be cleaned up. I don't want a tiny little backyard pool. I have a big house and a small pool to maintain at home. I want to have someone else do the work while I'm on vacation.

I don't want to spend that much time out of the parks. It eats time cooking and cleaning. I can cook and clean at home. I'm not forced to eat my meals out- I want to eat out. I want someone else to cook it and clean it up...every single meal.

We wouldn't be able to take breaks during the day as easily if we were off site. During the middle of the day there are virtually no lines at our bus stop and a minimal wait for one to arrive- most times we find ourselves hurrying to get to the waiting bus rather than us waiting on the bus. A quick ride and we're back to our resort. If we're at a monorail resort, it's even quicker. And we don't have to go back to an oven hot car and drive. I don't even want to drive on vacation. I'm on vacation, not making a mini move to another home.

I also want the advantage of staying in the parks after the off site people have left. I don't see the advantage of emh in the mornings- but I sure do at night. Rides are walk ons- even some of the most popular rides. I also like having a jump on getting fp's. That extra 30 days is what makes me not have to post that I couldn't get what I was looking for. I'm hoping with the push to get more on site guests, the perks will just get better.

But mostly, why I stay on site is something that if you don't understand it, I can't explain it. You either get it or you don't- If there wasn't a single perk, if I had to join the masses at the ferry- I'd still stay on site. Because I'm in WDW 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week for my entire trip. I never leave the magic. I want total immersion and I can't get that anywhere but an on site resort.

We don't want to be isolated on our vacation in a private home. Some of our most memorable times are spent at the pool watching my grandson interact with children from all over the world- it's amazing to watch 2 children who have no way to communicate other than with gestures and motions and smiles happily play together. We won't get that sitting in a house.

So to each their own. What you call inferior I call superior in every way.

 

[kbelle8995]

I used to stay onsite but the prices have gotten on the high side so now I stay elsewhere.

I get better deals. I have seen my dollar go less and less farther with Disney with each passing year.

 

[Jennasis]

They're only inferior to someone who wants a different kind of vacation.

I don't want a 5000 sq ft house to manage on vacation. I don't want a huge kitchen with people in there cooking and making messes that have to be cleaned up. I don't want a tiny little backyard pool. I have a big house and a small pool to maintain at home. I want to have someone else do the work while I'm on vacation.

I don't want to spend that much time out of the parks. It eats time cooking and cleaning. I can cook and clean at home. I'm not forced to eat my meals out- I want to eat out. I want someone else to cook it and clean it up...every single meal.

We wouldn't be able to take breaks during the day as easily if we were off site. During the middle of the day there are virtually no lines at our bus stop and a minimal wait for one to arrive- most times we find ourselves hurrying to get to the waiting bus rather than us waiting on the bus. A quick ride and we're back to our resort. If we're at a monorail resort, it's even quicker. And we don't have to go back to an oven hot car and drive. I don't even want to drive on vacation. I'm on vacation, not making a mini move to another home.

I also want the advantage of staying in the parks after the off site people have left. I don't see the advantage of emh in the mornings- but I sure do at night. Rides are walk ons- even some of the most popular rides. I also like having a jump on getting fp's. That extra 30 days is what makes me not have to post that I couldn't get what I was looking for. I'm hoping with the push to get more on site guests, the perks will just get better.

But mostly, why I stay on site is something that if you don't understand it, I can't explain it. You either get it or you don't- If there wasn't a single perk, if I had to join the masses at the ferry- I'd still stay on site. Because I'm in WDW 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week for my entire trip. I never leave the magic. I want total immersion and I can't get that anywhere but an on site resort.

We don't want to be isolated on our vacation in a private home. Some of our most memorable times are spent at the pool watching my grandson interact with children from all over the world- it's amazing to watch 2 children who have no way to communicate other than with gestures and motions and smiles happily play together. We won't get that sitting in a house.

So to each their own. What you call inferior I call superior in every way.

Uh oh...something we agree on...every single word. Clearly the apocalypse is nigh!

 

[MaryKatesMom]

They're only inferior to someone who wants a different kind of vacation.

I don't want a 5000 sq ft house to manage on vacation. I don't want a huge kitchen with people in there cooking and making messes that have to be cleaned up. I don't want a tiny little backyard pool. I have a big house and a small pool to maintain at home. I want to have someone else do the work while I'm on vacation.

I don't want to spend that much time out of the parks. It eats time cooking and cleaning. I can cook and clean at home. I'm not forced to eat my meals out- I want to eat out. I want someone else to cook it and clean it up...every single meal.

We wouldn't be able to take breaks during the day as easily if we were off site. During the middle of the day there are virtually no lines at our bus stop and a minimal wait for one to arrive- most times we find ourselves hurrying to get to the waiting bus rather than us waiting on the bus. A quick ride and we're back to our resort. If we're at a monorail resort, it's even quicker. And we don't have to go back to an oven hot car and drive. I don't even want to drive on vacation. I'm on vacation, not making a mini move to another home.

I also want the advantage of staying in the parks after the off site people have left. I don't see the advantage of emh in the mornings- but I sure do at night. Rides are walk ons- even some of the most popular rides. I also like having a jump on getting fp's. That extra 30 days is what makes me not have to post that I couldn't get what I was looking for. I'm hoping with the push to get more on site guests, the perks will just get better.

But mostly, why I stay on site is something that if you don't understand it, I can't explain it. You either get it or you don't- If there wasn't a single perk, if I had to join the masses at the ferry- I'd still stay on site. Because I'm in WDW 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week for my entire trip. I never leave the magic. I want total immersion and I can't get that anywhere but an on site resort.

We don't want to be isolated on our vacation in a private home. Some of our most memorable times are spent at the pool watching my grandson interact with children from all over the world- it's amazing to watch 2 children who have no way to communicate other than with gestures and motions and smiles happily play together. We won't get that sitting in a house.

So to each their own. What you call inferior I call superior in every way.

Uh oh...something we agree on...every single word. Clearly the apocalypse is nigh!

Same here. I'm an Epcot resort girl through and through.

I'm actually researching a Disneyland vacation and thinking of staying at the Grand Californian next year. The cost of the room BC WV CL room is almost exactly the same for the GC WV CL room. The round trip airfare looks about the same so far but the flight time is 5 hours longer of course. So we won't get PAP's and only go once a year but they still uses FP- and apparently EE isn't as crowded and no transportation issues.

We went a few years ago and always wanted to go back. Loved walking out the door into the park. No monorail, pain in the neck behind the front gate people IG, no bus, no boat.

 

[cakebaker]

Same here. I'm an Epcot resort girl through and through.

I'm actually researching a Disneyland vacation and thinking of staying at the Grand Californian next year. The cost of the room BC WV CL room is almost exactly the same for the GC WV CL room. The round trip airfare looks about the same so far but the flight time is 5 hours longer of course. So we won't get PAP's and only go once a year but they still uses FP- and apparently EE isn't as crowded and no transportation issues.

We went a few years ago and always wanted to go back. Loved walking out the door into the park. No monorail, pain in the neck behind the front gate people IG, no bus, no boat.

We stayed at the GC both trips we took to DL. Absolutely loved that place- the service, the location. If we go back, I wouldn't stay anywhere else.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

2015 rates weren't on wdwinfo.com, but there were several weeks in 2014 where the rack rate was under $300. Respectfully, why would you expect a unit offering more than twice what a regular room does would only cost an extra $50? Even the AS Family Suites cost a little more than two ASMusic rooms.

I'm sorry this is so off topic, but since you ask -- I knew only what the magazine advertisements said -- the suites offered room for up to six -- and had heard that it included pull-out furniture. At certain hotel chains across the country, we can get a room with extra space and a pull-out couch or third bed for, on average, $20 more per night. I had not yet stayed onsite as a family of more than three and knew nothing about the AS suites. I admit it was wishful thinking. Fortunately, we're a family of five and still able to fit in a Port Orleans room, but it would be nice to see a different resort and I feel for families of six, and the families of five who can't afford Port Orleans, especially all of us who can't travel during school weeks, when the rates are lower.

I can deal with onsite guests having a FP+ timing advantage, but I think it's important that standby is always an option and offsite guests don't feel shut out of anything. Because there will always be millions of offsite guests, who choose to stay offsite for a million reasons. And many do feel Disney is optional and will make other choices. The primary reasons most people around here go to Florida are to escape the winters and visit grandparents who have permanently escaped the winters. I know it's shocking, but Disney is just one (expensive) thing to do. Yes, I'm starting to understand that these are not Disney's ideal customers, and Disney currently believes that they will always have enough customers.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I think it's great that Orlando has so many lodging options for all different budgets and needs. If only every vacation destination had such choices!

I think with Disney onsite versus offsite, it's really the car that makes the difference for a lot of folks. If you need/enjoy using Magical Express and/or the onsite Disney transportation, then onsite is a no-brainer.

If you like having a car anyway, those perks are meaningless and then you start weighing other options.