VIP to skip the lines

[Martini35]

I think the author definitely slants things away from Disney. Is it worse/better that Universal offers it at a rate that maybe more people can afford to be VIPs? Money talks everytime. But both parks do charitable stuff for deserving people as well.

I have muscular dystrophy but am still mobile while my Mom used an ECV last time at Disney (Christmas so busy season). Only line that was shorter was ITSM. And I think that is just because of the loading issues. I don't expect any special treatment...I just need a bit more time to get on and off the ride (yes that was me that cause the ride to stop, sorry in advance or for past offences ). And stairs are not my friend so I have to really want to ride that ride! I don't think a disabled tour guide is getting people on rides any faster unless they are doing the fast pass sprint across the park at Disney.

Perks at Universal staying on property far out weigh any perks at Disney.

 

[CerysG]

It does seem to be a bit over the top but there must be people willing to pay for it! But on the other hand I've made the choice to stay on resort at Universal and I get to skip the line as well and ultimately it's not free but I saved and put money aside so I could do this. I'm not poor but nor am I rich I just made the choice to save so I could do this.
I wish Disney offered the same thing for it's onsite gusts as there seems to be less and less perks for them but it is what it is and again its our choice how we spend our money for our trip.

 

[glocon]

Definitely not in my budget, but waaaay cheaper then Disney's.

Staying onsite is good enough for me anyway. Wish WDW did have something more to offer than FP. But I guess since it is so big, it is not feasible.

I did feel bad at HHN last year, we got booed once in the ep line. And I don't blame those people, the lines were horrendous. We are not well off by any means, but I will save longer in order to get the extra perks like ep at HHN and staying onsite.

 

[StarWarsJez]

Whether we like it or not, VIP (or 'premium service' or 'diamond/gold/silver/bronze club' or 'first class') is just a part of everyday life. Whether that's theme parks, the health service, the cars we drive or even the roads we drive on.

If you're a guest at one of the Universal hotels you effectively get front of line service anyway so VIP is just an extension of this I guess.

 

[macraven]

Rip, agree with everything you said.

totally agree also.


UO California is a smaller park.
for those that want to do it all in one day, vip tour is the way to go if the park is crowded and you can afford it.


that place is not like UO orlando where you can spend more time in the parks.

if i was in california to see the sites, i'd be tempted to drop the money on the vip tour.
there is a lot more in CA to see than just the theme parks.

 

[ballarinamom]

As someone going to both WDW and US next week, I want to weigh in....US has an express pass (Six Flags calls their similar pass a flash pass). It costs upwards of $100 per person (depending on time of year) on top of the ticket price. It's their equivalent of the FP. It allows a one time through each ride. If you stay onsite you get an unlimited Express pass for each day for up to 5 people in your group. Disney on the other hand charges $315 an hour / minimum 6 hours for the " plaid" to take up to 10 people. The guide is an unlimited, not timed fast pass. They will give your priority seating for parades, shows and fireworks. I've taken many tours including Disneylands "Walking in Walts footsteps" and "holiday tour". They take you to the front of the line for certain rides. Priority seats for parades.....they are all optional add ons and anyone can CHOOSE to do these or not...so what's the big deal?

 

[Metro West]

I did feel bad at HHN last year, we got booed once in the ep line. And I don't blame those people, the lines were horrendous. We are not well off by any means, but I will save longer in order to get the extra perks like ep at HHN and staying onsite.

I have absolutely no shame or guilt about using an EP during HHN. I spent the money just like everyone else to purchase an HHN EP so if people can't deal, that's their problem. Everyone has the chance to purchase an EP so if these people can't afford it, maybe they should plan a little better for the next year. The only time I ever use an EP is for HHN. For me the bottom line is...if you can afford it and you want to splurge, then by all means...do it!

 

[Rip]

Definitely not in my budget, but waaaay cheaper then Disney's.

Staying onsite is good enough for me anyway. Wish WDW did have something more to offer than FP. But I guess since it is so big, it is not feasible.

I did feel bad at HHN last year, we got booed once in the ep line. And I don't blame those people, the lines were horrendous. We are not well off by any means, but I will save longer in order to get the extra perks like ep at HHN and staying onsite.

Don't ever feel bad, they had the same choice you did.

 

[RMulieri]

I have no problems with it.Lots of companies and places do this

 

[damo]

Such a ridiculous argument. Only the privileged get to go to the parks anyways. Paid express pass is just as fair as paid admission.

I honestly believe that Disney is setting up for a tiered system with their new fastpass+ thing. It may not be soon, but it is coming. WDW and Universal are business out to make money and if they can charge, why wouldn't they?

 

[cieslack]

Such a ridiculous argument. Only the privileged get to go to the parks anyways. Paid express pass is just as fair as paid admission.

I honestly believe that Disney is setting up for a tiered system with their new fastpass+ thing. It may not be soon, but it is coming. WDW and Universal are business out to make money and if they can charge, why wouldn't they?

Exactly.

 

[indimom]

I just don't get the outrage over these VIP passes or Express Pass perks.

I Love Express Pass at UO and can't wait until our trip to enjoy it.
And, I've mentioned it before, but I'll pass it on... you don't have to be wealthy to manage it. We certainly aren't.

I signed up for two blue sky rewards cards from American Express: one for DH, one for me. We always pay our monthly bills on a credit card for rewards. We just moved them to these cards long enough to earn the rewards offered, which completely covered our two nights at Universal's Royal Pacific Resort. So, for us, we will be staying in a fantastic resort and enjoying those Express Pass perks for FREE!

I will have no guilt bypassing the lines because anyone can do what I did...

 

[schumigirl]

I just don't get the outrage over these VIP passes or Express Pass perks.

I Love Express Pass at UO and can't wait until our trip to enjoy it.

I will have no guilt bypassing the lines because anyone can do what I did...

LOL.....me neither!!!

We too use our EP with no guilt whatsoever and will continue to do so. Why should we feel guilty?

We stayed onsite at Disney in 2008 and got the perk of EMH. Should that be stopped too as being exclusive for onsite guests? No. I wonder if the people who moan do stay onsite and get those privileges too.

I never understand the people who get panties in a bunch about what other people have or they don`t have. The author of that article is quite transparent in his agenda.

I also know a few people to who Disney/Universal/Florida/USA is out of reach financially. I don`t think they would begrudge anyone who can afford it the joy of their trip.



Rip.....well done to you, sounds as if you have worked really hard to have a good life

BBQMonster.......very good point

 

[saskdw]

Such a ridiculous argument. Only the privileged get to go to the parks anyways. Paid express pass is just as fair as paid admission.

I honestly believe that Disney is setting up for a tiered system with their new fastpass+ thing. It may not be soon, but it is coming. WDW and Universal are business out to make money and if they can charge, why wouldn't they?

Even more ridiculous to make the argument on a vacation planning board!!

 

[DCTooTall]

Such a ridiculous argument. Only the privileged get to go to the parks anyways. Paid express pass is just as fair as paid admission.

I honestly believe that Disney is setting up for a tiered system with their new fastpass+ thing. It may not be soon, but it is coming. WDW and Universal are business out to make money and if they can charge, why wouldn't they?

In general, I don't have any issue with the express or VIP perks.

Disney's VIP tours have been around for YEARS, and where actually started due to the simple fact that it's a HUGE draw everyone, including the rich and famous. There comes a point when unfortunately someone's celebrity status can cause such a fuss and commotion that the only way those people can do the parks with their family was thru a special VIP tour which allowed them to avoid the crowds (who would mob them). I don't have a problem with this.

Universal's Express system, I don't have any issue with. They've designed it quite well, and while it can be expensive, It doesn't take away from the services offered to the "average joe" and is available to everyone.


honestly.... What worries me about the rumored Disney setting themselves up or a teired system, is that Disney appears to be working towards a system that is actually taking away from what the average joe currently gets (and even the non-average joe, such as Passholders who are paying a TON of money) in order to be able to resell it them in a tiered fashion.

(And unlike with Airlines and bag fees, I can't justify it by pointing to the massive increase in costs or the red pouring out of their books which show a need to find new revenue)

 

[snoopboop]

Actually, what bothered me about the article was the "VIP" quoted as saying the he doesn't have time to stand in line. He came off as pretentious and rude. Seriously, if you PREFER to not stand in line, that's totally fine.... but you "don't have time" to? Sheesh. Of all of the guests in the park, he probably has the MOST options for flexibility with his time, LOL.

 

[DutchsMommy]

Actually, what bothered me about the article was the "VIP" quoted as saying the he doesn't have time to stand in line. He came off as pretentious and rude. Seriously, if you PREFER to not stand in line, that's totally fine.... but you "don't have time" to? Sheesh. Of all of the guests in the park, he probably has the MOST options for flexibility with his time, LOL.

I have to agree. I don't mind the VIP concept but that article seemed written to encite! I would hope that "VIP" was misquoted! I personally don't think $299 is that much when you look at how much the rest of the trip is costing, and alot of the 'backstage' tours (at least @ WDW) are near that price. I would definitely consider saving my sheckles for a special treat like this. And, if you are talking 'rich', assume say earning over $1MM per year, then $299 is truly a drop in the bucket...its all relative....

 

[rschaen]

I don't even think it's unethical. She's legitimately disabled and Disney provides for those with certain disabilities the ability to avoid many of the long waits*.

*Presumably, I've actually heard that the whole "skipping to the front" for those with disabilities is largely a myth.

When we were there, the guests in wheelchairs waited in the same lines up to the point (in some attractions) where there were steps. No biggie at all.

 

[bumbershoot]

I don't even think it's unethical. She's legitimately disabled and Disney provides for those with certain disabilities the ability to avoid many of the long waits*.

*Presumably, I've actually heard that the whole "skipping to the front" for those with disabilities is largely a myth.

I don't think you can call it a myth or not. Some peopel have a longer wait; some people don't. Depends on the ride, the group in front of you, the groups in front of them all day, the placement of the accessible ride vehicles at the moment you get to the front of your line, etc. Some people have great luck, others don't.


BUT I don't think *most* tour guides actually ride with their customers, so if the guides are going into the lines, the lines THEY have access to, and riding with the customers to get that perk transferred to the paying customers, that is going beyond what a normal tourguide would do.

I have muscular dystrophy but am still mobile while my Mom used an ECV last time at Disney (Christmas so busy season). Only line that was shorter was ITSM. And I think that is just because of the loading issues. I don't expect any special treatment...I just need a bit more time to get on and off the ride (yes that was me that cause the ride to stop, sorry in advance or for past offences ). And stairs are not my friend so I have to really want to ride that ride!

My Disney acronym knowledge is failing me here, and I cannot figure out ITSM. Regardless, you can get a GAC that lets you bypass stairs, if that would make your day easier to not have to deal with stairs for that ride.

Of all of the guests in the park, he probably has the MOST options for flexibility with his time, LOL.

Maybe, maybe not. Depends on what his business is like, and what his life is like. My sis in law isn't a CEO, but she's a partner in a huge law firm in So Cal, and her free time is *extremely* limited. Her vacation time is generally scheduled along with work trips, and considering how often her court appearances are rescheduled, her vacations are as well. She missed Thanksgiving, her birthday, Christmas, and my brother's birthday this year because a court date kept being rescheduled at the very last minute, with no time to create new plans. She might join us for a day at Disneyland, but she's on call 24/7, and might have to leave asap.

Maybe someday I'll tell her about the VIP tours at Disneyland (and at Universal Hollywood once Wizarding World is done there) to see if she'd like to schedule one for all of us to do, to maximize her time...but they do have to be scheduled in advance, so the likelihood is that she wouldn't end up being able to join us.

I have to agree. I don't mind the VIP concept but that article seemed written to encite! I would hope that "VIP" was misquoted! I personally don't think $299 is that much when you look at how much the rest of the trip is costing, and alot of the 'backstage' tours (at least @ WDW) are near that price. I would definitely consider saving my sheckles for a special treat like this. And, if you are talking 'rich', assume say earning over $1MM per year, then $299 is truly a drop in the bucket...its all relative....

On one hand, isn't it 229 per person per day?

On the other hand, no that's not a lot to someone making a great living.

 

[Bluer101]

By no means are we loaded and we choose to do VIP and staying onsite. Years ago we always stayed offsite and had no express. Then we said let's pay the extra cost. The rest is history, I will no longer visit UNiversal without being onsite. If I can't swing the money I will not go plain and simple. Also from someone that lives rather close and can visit quite a bit we still enjoy onsite with VIP treatment.

Now you can also argue that it's not fair that most of the worlds population can't even afford to go to the theme parks or let along go on a vacation at all. So why doesn't the theme parks make it free for everyone?

Supply and demand, if someone is willing to pay for better experience than that's fine with me.

Why don't all the hotels have the same rooms and same rates? Why is there cheap and expensive restaurants? We can go on forever. There are plenty of things I cannot afford and that's a fact of life. If you don't like it don't do it, but don't force others into no choice. This is what makes the world go around and has variety. What a boring world if everyone did the same thing.