Virtual throwaway room

[over50visits]

With all the discussion of reserving a throwaway room/campsite just to get the perks (early FP reservation, for example), it seems to me Disney could solve everything with a new class of phantom rooms.

You reserve this virtual room, but it doesn't exist. You have a reservation number, get MBs, have onsite privileges, can use transportation, free park parking, early entry, etc.....everything exactly as if you were staying in a real room. Everything.

(1) Disney makes more money (their top priority)
(2) Staying offsite is now a great option if you want a bigger room, lower cost, condo, etc
(3) People who want real reservations aren't now locked out (witness the empty campgrounds)
(4) You get all the privileges you've gotten before when you had to reserve a room you didn't intend to use
(5) No need to rationalize

Everyone wins (well, except we have to spend even more for our vacation).

Just a couple of problems need solving. I wonder how Disney would handle package delivery to your virtual room. Virtual delivery? And what would a concierge level virtual room be like?

 

[acebatonfan]

Disney could do something simpler and charge for each itemized "on-site" benefit and could make additional money that way (especially if people only want certain on-site privileges).

For instance, they could charge per day:

• Ability to use EMH - $15
• Ability to make FP+ reservations -$20
• Ability to use a resort pool - $5-15 (depends on if the pool is value, moderate, or deluxe)

If someone purchases all three benefits (assuming they choose to use a value resort pool), they would be paying $40 per day, which is about $9 cheaper than the price for a campsite during value season. Of course, there are some features I didn't include that would be considered a "benefit", such as the use of ME or package shipment to the room. The prices of the benefits can also change depending on if it is value or peak season (such as charging $40 to make FP+ reservations during Christmas week).

 

[Kathryn777]

And please add ability to charge to your MB. That was SOOO nice for the 2 days we had it

 

[JanaDee]

Disney could do something simpler and charge for each itemized "on-site" benefit and could make additional money that way (especially if people only want certain on-site privileges).

For instance, they could charge per day:

• Ability to use EMH - $15
• Ability to make FP+ reservations -$20
• Ability to use a resort pool - $5-15 (depends on if the pool is value, moderate, or deluxe)

If someone purchases all three benefits (assuming they choose to use a value resort pool), they would be paying $40 per day, which is about $9 cheaper than the price for a campsite during value season. Of course, there are some features I didn't include that would be considered a "benefit", such as the use of ME or package shipment to the room. The prices of the benefits can also change depending on if it is value or peak season (such as charging $40 to make FP+ reservations during Christmas week).

I disagree. EMH and resort pools should be for onsite guests only. If I am a resort guest and my resort's pool is so full of people that we can't use it due to people that aren't staying there (with the exception of the DVC pools), CS is going to hear about it.

 

[MPB82]

Or how about you just save more money or go less often and stay on site. Or stay off site and don't get the perks off those who stay on site.

It's like asking for a virtual plane ticket that gets you there faster but you don't pay for you just pay car gas and tolls

 

[ArwenMarie]

I don't think they would need to do this since their occupancy runs at around 80%.

I don't think they mind people doing booking throwaway rooms. They'd rather fill them and boost their occupancy rate.

 

[piccolopat]

Actually Disney could handle this by only allowing FP+ for the days you actually stay onsite. If you buy a phantom room for one night you should only be able to make FP+ reservations for one day and those would be subject to cancellation if you don't actually check in. That's the only fair way to do things if the perks are really just intended for onsite guests. Charging to your Magic Band should be available to everyone as long as you link it to a valid credit card, even if you have to pay a fee for the privilege. I don't want to see offsite guests in the onsite pools at all.

 

[glohoffman]

I completely disagree with charging for resort pool use. I would be pretty upset if I shelled out a pretty penny to stay at a deluxe just to find the pool swamped with people who only paid $20 or so to use it. I understand the want to early fastpass booking, but the reason there are perks to staying on-site is to get people to stay on-site ...

 

[olwyngdh]

I completely disagree with charging for resort pool use. I would be pretty upset if I shelled out a pretty penny to stay at a deluxe just to find the pool swamped with people who only paid $20 or so to use it. I understand the want to early fastpass booking, but the reason there are perks to staying on-site is to get people to stay on-site ...

Yep!! But as we have seen, there are people staying offsite who think they are entitled to the perks. I just wish they could only make fast passes for the time they have their throwaway room, and lose their fast passes if they don't check in.