VIP/Golden FastPass Rumor???

[mjstaceyuofm]

I gotta agree with AV on this one. I DO NOT like the idea of a "golden fastpass" or a purchasable FP perk... Heck, I don't even like FP as it is right now...

 

[I Love Pluto]

Why? Just because they pay an extra $100 bucks a day for "free" bagels in the morning doesn't mean they are entitled to make me wait in longer lines. What you pay for your resort should have nothing to do with how you're treated in the parks. They choose to pay more for their room, but we all pay the same for our tickets.

I agree! I cannot believe a fellow DISer would even suggest this. Value resorts were created for those of us who love Disney but are not rich.

 

[K9Z9WZ]

... Heck, I don't even like FP as it is right now...

Why not? all one needs to do is to plan properly and it works great. If one can't plan properly, it's not Fast Pass system's fault.

The point is that some people just don't have the time to spend 2 or 3 days at MK due to work, etc. For me, as an example, sometimes I only have one day between conference to go to MK and there is no way I can add another day before or after the conference. I will have no choice but to pay for the Golden Fast Pass even if the price is the same as the park entrance (or more).

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

How about giving golden fastpasses to DVC owners only? Now that would boost sales.

maybe selling it at an extreme premium? something like the price of a day entry ticket (what is it now? $60? $70?)

I've never used Concierge but it would make sense to offer this to them.

These are all horrible ideas, basicly what you all are saying is let all the rich people walk right on the headliners and make the people staying in the values feel like second class citizens and wait hours in line.

I gotta agree with AV on this one. I DO NOT like the idea of a "golden fastpass" or a purchasable FP perk... Heck, I don't even like FP as it is right now...

I don't like it as purchasable but if it is only given out randomly and seldomly thats okay, it like FP like it is b/c it is accessable to anyone and it is limited so it does not really effect the normal lines.

 

[Beca]

Like it or no, I think there is probably a good chance that SOMETHING will be implemented, as technology allows. I read the permits WDW received a year ago. I remember reading something that made me think you would be "reserving" fastpasses from your room (via tv, or something), and that the number of fastpasses you could "reserve" would be based on what hotel, and what level of service you were receiveing. There would always be some fastpasses available in the park for everyone (including non-park guests), but the number of these would be smaller.

I think WDW is trying to find a compromise between the people who LOVE Universal's system, and people who hate it. I also think WDW is "first and foremost" a money-making endeavor. Therefore, if they can add a "perk" that doesn't cost them anything; and, as a result, charge and extra $200 per night for their "free bagel".....why wouldn't they do it? I'm not arguing that they should/shouldn't....I'm just saying, if you can offer something that doesn't cost you anything, but adds value to something you already sell...well, most businesses would do that in a heartbeat...

 

[mjstaceyuofm]

Why not? all one needs to do is to plan properly and it works great. If one can't plan properly, it's not Fast Pass system's fault.

The point is that some people just don't have the time to spend 2 or 3 days at MK due to work, etc. For me, as an example, sometimes I only have one day between conference to go to MK and there is no way I can add another day before or after the conference. I will have no choice but to pay for the Golden Fast Pass even if the price is the same as the park entrance (or more).

I don't disagree with you that FP if used properly can be a great asset to one's ability to tour the parks. I'd venture to say that 99.99% of us on these boards *know* how to plan a day at the parks properly including the use of FP - myself included. Having two young boys, FP definitely helps in the parks. I'm not ignorant about society's "time-crunch" and the feeling that we all need to "be first in line" or "don't have time to waste at the MK for 2 days". My beef with FP is more global and philosophical. I could go on for days about why I don't like FP in the grand scheme of things, but I can summarize a few key points:

FP = longer standby wait times
FP = less "imagineering" in the queues....
FP = you better "commando"-plan your day otherwise you miss out on FP for key attractions
FP = reward for the impatient

<<puts on WDW rose-colored glasses>>
And lastly, to me, FP symbolizes a huge change in philosophy as to how the parks should operate. Back in the 80's and early-mid 90's the parks could operate at a decent clip with decent crowds, so the lines were never ridiculous. There were always enough attractions and things to do to mitigate and smooth out the crowds. Now, if every room is not sold out and the parks aren't bulging at the seams, the WDC is not making money. Disney has to pack the parks to be successful. FP is a direct by-product of that. They surely didn't add the attractions to absorb the crowds and came up with FP as an alternative.

Just my $0.02

 

[allisonswonderland]

I wish they would do something more along the lines of for resorts guests onl but I guess that is what EMH are for - so no that will not work-

 

[tms295]

I think scheduling/reserving your fastpasses via hotel tv or front desk... will only lead to people not showing up when they are supposed to and other guests wanting to fastpass a ride won't be able to because someone reserved all the times available and decided they want to change there plans.

Fastpass works fine the way it is now. I don't think it was ever intended to allow guests to see and do everything in 1 day. Rather it was designed to give guests a break from waiting in line ALL DAY long and spend more time in there shops... spending more money!

 

[MJMcBride]

. I DO NOT like the idea of a "golden fastpass" or a purchasable FP perk... Heck, I don't even like FP as it is right now...

I agree about the Golden Fastpass at least as part of a perk for more expensive resorts. That is a perk of EMH. Once your in the park, I feel you should be treated the same.

Although Disney is always looking for ways to ensure people never even set foot in any place other than Disney. Frankly, I think they'll require people to wear blindfolds as they take the bus from the airport to their resort. We don't want them to see those nasty billboards from competitors, do we?

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

mjstaceyuofm, I respectfully disagree with all of your conclusions on FP. I don't think they have increased lines to any significant degree and with a little planning (not much mind you) the FP eliminates the need for many of the lines altogether. As for less imagineering at the queues, have you seen E:E???? Regarding the "commando" comment, very few attractions empty out of FP's early. For those few that do, yes you will need a plan that may be bothersome or you will wait in line. I don't see this as rewarding the impatient at all though. I like FP because I can think of lots of things to do with my time other than stand in queues for hours waiting for 2 minute theme park attractions.

As for the OT, certainly Disney is a business and will implement somthing if it can be profitable and not be a black eye PR wise. Universal's FOTL is their biggest draw but they are also only three hotels and they have recently done away with Express Pass for regular guests (unless you buy them) and are experiencing a terrible PR backlash. I know my family didn't renew our AP's this year and we're one of three families from our little town who have done this for the same reason, so I think Disney will tread very lightly on this.

 

[raidermatt]

Peter's right, technology is not an obstacle. Its a balancing act and at least to this point, Disney feels the status quo is the best option.

I think the perceived benefit of FP is greater than the actual benefit. Sure, guests who really understand how to use the system make it work for them. But its also easy to fall into traps. Like going back 10-15 minutes before your FP time and waiting by the queue. Or getting a FP for the ride with a 20 minute queue instead of the 70 minute queue. Or getting a FP for an attraction, then walking across the park to do something, then walking all the way back to use the FP.

I see lots of guests doing these things, and I wonder if sometimes they get to the end of their day and don't really feel anymore satisfied than if there was no FP at all.

Be that as it may, there would definitely be a backlash if FP use was somehow restricted. Any type of premium FP would have to be a concern because (a) this will create "castes" of guests in the park at the same time which is dangerous, and (b) the more premium FPs were used, the less others would be able to use FP.

That's not to say Disney won't make some changes. Just that its a tricky stituation, even if all you look at are short term financial impacts.

 

[Beca]

Be that as it may, there would definitely be a backlash if FP use was somehow restricted. Any type of premium FP would have to be a concern because (a) this will create "castes" of guests in the park at the same time which is dangerous, and (b) the more premium FPs were used, the less others would be able to use FP..

But, aren't there already "castes" of guests in the parks? Have you ever experienced someone being turned away from an attraction during evening EMH? I have seen more than one CM getting their rear-end chewed by a guest who insists, "I paid good money to be in this park, and now you're telling me I cannot ride this ride because I haven't forked over BIG BUCKS to stay at one of your fancy hotels?"

Seriously, I understand that many of you would be upset over a differentiation of resort guests based on the price of their room, but how is that fundamentally different from differentiating between on-site and off-site guests. There are many people who feel that they are being "less valued" because they need to stay at an off-site $39 per night room. They are already saying that WDW should not be a place where how much money you have to spend determines your wait times at the rides....but no one who posts here seems to have a problem with EMH for WDW guests.

Why is differentiating between WDW resort guests different from differentiating IN THE PARKS between those who stay on and off site? Everyone spent the same to be in the parks at that time. It seems there is a bit of a "double standard" going on.

Personally, I have never stayed concierge...it is too rich for my blood. However, I would not mind if concierge guests got unlimited fast passes. I am currently planning a trip to Europe, where it is common for those in more expensive rooms to receive "perks" at certain events. And, who knows...if DVC gave unlimited fast passes for concierge, maybe my family would "splurge" sometime and stay concierge...one night's stay would equal two days' worth of unlimited fast passes....that could be cool!!

 

[tms295]

Is it typical of concierge to be sold out at resorts... I think the only way it would become a PERK for concierge guest to get a Golden Fastpass... is if the main objective of disney would be to increase their concierge room sales.... not just to reward people that are staying in concierge rooms... Remember disney is a business... and a businesses main objective to to generate profit!

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

I think we all understand that Disney is a business first and foremost, perhaps some wish Disney were more of a Company that actually lived up to the standards it butters its bread with, but that's another argument.

If they want to offer Concierge guests this kind of perk then I really can't see it being done at current concierge prices. Perhaps Disney will be looking to upgrade its service to that of its competetors and charge 750-1000 per night (or more) as many top hotels and resorts do then they could easity justify and financially quantify their decision to treat the truely privialaged class differently. Additionally, I can't see Disney offering a Universal type add on for such a moderate price (relatively) like Universal does. This not only looks bad and angers many people but ultimately doesn't have the ability to really be profitable in any meaningful way.

 

[raidermatt]

But, aren't there already "castes" of guests in the parks? Have you ever experienced someone being turned away from an attraction during evening EMH?

Yes, I have, and to be honest, I don't like seeing it. I know, its hardly a tragedy, but I really do feel bad for someone being turned away while others file past. Being a sap, I guess, I feel especially bad for the children. I hate to see the disappointment in my own kid's eyes when we get to one of his favorite attractions and its closed. So I truly feel for the families that I see this happening to because they didn't stay on site, for whatever reasons.

So yes, it is already happening, and yes, its not the ideal situation.

And just because it already happens, that doesn't mean it should be expanded. Further, at least with EMH, most non-resort guests leave at park closing probably not even really knowing anything unusual was going on. FP is something that runs at all times. If you start segregating there, its taking things to another level.

So yes, some of us do see the problem with EMH. No double-standard there.

 

[Beca]

So yes, some of us do see the problem with EMH. No double-standard there.

It may sound weird, but I respect that!!! Unfortunately, you are DEFINITELY in the minority. My family doesn't do EMH's either (except for WS...we just love it there), but not out of any sense of "guilt". We don't do them because there are SOOO many park guests (who obviously have NO sense of guilt) at each park, that we find them all to jam-packed!!!! Definitely not my idea of a "fun time". Actually, we have reached a point where we avoid a park if it is having an EMH at ALL (well, except for AK if it has an early EMH, and we are going in the afternoon...no one stays a whole day at AK). EMH's are too much of a nightmare for us. However, they don't bother me on a "philosophical" level.

 

[K9Z9WZ]

the way I see it, you pay more, you get more, it's fair plain and simple. Remember the old adage "you get what you paid for"?. Same difference.

If we complain about this then we should also complain about people getting concierge service just because they pay more. Complain about people flying first class getting better service and better and/or larger seats. Complain about buyers of top of the line Lexus get a better service than a stripped-out Yaris.

 

[MJMcBride]

the way I see it, you pay more, you get more, it's fair plain and simple. Remember the old adage "you get what you paid for"?. Same difference.

If we complain about this then we should also complain about people getting concierge service just because they pay more. Complain about people flying first class getting better service and better and/or larger seats. Complain about buyers of top of the line Lexus get a better service than a stripped-out Yaris.

But they are not paying more to get in the parks if this would just be a perk for DVC or conceirge resorts.

 

[K9Z9WZ]

But they are not paying more to get in the parks if this would just be a perk for DVC or conceirge resorts.

and why do they stay at DVC or concierge resorts? To go to USO? I don't think so; obviously to go to the WDW parks. It's part of the 'admission'.

 

[raidermatt]

the way I see it, you pay more, you get more, it's fair plain and simple. Remember the old adage "you get what you paid for"?. Same difference.

That's a general concept that provides no evidence either in support of or against any particular action. Certainly if fails to acknowledge any potential drawbacks to the action. And we all know there are drawbacks, which is why these things aren't more prevalent today.

and why do they stay at DVC or concierge resorts? To go to USO? I don't think so; obviously to go to the WDW parks. It's part of the 'admission'.

No, these guests are required to purchase admission tickets just like anybody else. DVC members do currently get a discount on premium APs, but that's it.

"Extra" FPs are not given to these groups.