What is your line in the sand?

[btk2333]

I think it's more than fair for those that are paying for onsite to get a longer FP window.

Agreed

It's going to bother me if they DON'T do this. I like staying deluxe and the price is getting more & more difficult to meet. I think the customers that spend the most deserve more rewards from the company. And right now the perks just are not there

Agreed

 

[ncdj2013]

And I think it royally stinks, and I am a DVC owner! It should not matter where one is staying, whether it is with grandma down the road or in the GF!!!! Everyone pays the same to walk through those gates, they should be treated the same. EMH is enough for onsite, imho.

Fortunately for me Disney sees the benefit of rewarding it's top customers. Everyone does not pay the same. Onsite guests pay much more.

 

[SirDuff]

I do, thanks! We haven't had to use it yet - they refused to give us one for the 4-7 before the Halloween party (turned out that we didn't need it but didn't know that beforehand). But I think during the Toy Story test they weren't allowing any DAS's at all or am I wrong about that? It's a hypothetical that they would do this large scale, but if they did I can't imagine going back to Disney AP's. I recognize that my feelings might be a little illogical in that I'd be mad that Disney would be saying that I can't wait in a line we wouldn't wait in anyway . But there is something about removing the choice (again hypothetical since they haven't done FP+ only on a permanent basis) that would bug me.

You are correct about that. My understanding of that is that the DAS is used to help those who cannot wait in the standby line - it creates an experience equal to the standby line. Since there was no standby line, there was no equal experience to create. Essentially, nobody (those with or without disabilities) could wait in the standby line so it was an equal experience. Not sure what will happen if they do FB only full-time.

 

[starsweeper]

With 4 young kids (8, 8, 3 & 2), I doubt there is anything that would keep us from going to WDW a few more times while they are young. However, taking away morning EMH and going to an all FP+ experience would likely make us limit going to every 3-5 years. We cancelled an October trip this year due to uncertainty about our experience. We can afford trips every year if we want but if I don't think it will be enjoyable that year, I have no problem doing something else--we also want our kids to experience lots of the USA before college.

 

[Susiequsie60]

Originally Posted by ncdj2013
I think it's more than fair for those that are paying for onsite to get a longer FP window.

Agreed


Originally Posted by ncdj2013
It's going to bother me if they DON'T do this. I like staying deluxe and the price is getting more & more difficult to meet. I think the customers that spend the most deserve more rewards from the company. And right now the perks just are not there
Agreed


And double agreed here too.

As far as staying on-site versus off, I think the FP+ timing is a fine incentive. And there's nothing wrong with offering an incentive to stay on-site. WDW wants you to stay on-site. It makes sense.

And as far as staying Deluxe - I do think it would be fine to offer more "ammenities" for this. You are paying more money. You should get something in return. I'm new to the Deluxe resorts - always been a Moderate girl myself. Last year was our first time going Deluxe. But I feel the same way no matter which level I'm staying at. It would all factor in to my decision making process.

And to the original question: I'm not really at the line yet. Maybe I'm just a really good WDW vacation planner, and a not-so-good other vacation planner (like European say.) My husband and I are driving to WDW in February, staying at the BWI for 7 nights with park hopper passes the entire time, and it's costing us less than $3,000. Factoring in trying to fly to Europe for a decent price and all of the extras we'd have to pay for to keep us entertained - I think WDW is pretty reasonable. Yes, a vacation at a rented shore house would be less, but to me that comparing apples and oranges. For what you get, I think WDW is pretty good.

Don't get me wrong. There are plenty of things I'm not crazy about. Don't really care for the new FP+ system. Like the old FP much much better. Don't like to plan my actual rides 2 months in advance. I think it's ridiculous. Wish I could make some dinner reservations in advance but am too scared something will happen and we'll miss them and be charged. In general, I don't like Disney's entire restaurant reservation system.

But so far - nothing is really pushing my buttons that hard. I still think we get a pretty good bang for the buck when we head to WDW. Not sure what would actually put me over the edge . . .

 

[poppinspenguins]

It's going to bother me if they DON'T do this. I like staying deluxe and the price is getting more & more difficult to meet. I think the customers that spend the most deserve more rewards from the company. And right now the perks just are not there

I respectfully disagree. The deluxe resort guests already get perks, by way of:

Better Accomodations
Best Location (often walking distance)
More Onsite dining options
the best pools on property
Better Views

Since the price of park admission does not change regardless of where you stay. I consider it a separate entity.

I have stayed both value and deluxe. I do not think i deserve more "in park" perks as a deluxe guest. What I do deserve is the best accomodations on Disney property; and that is what I am receiving.

All that said, I think the Deluxe are exorbitantly priced; and could understand why some would want more. I just don't agree that preferential park treatment is the answer. I actually do not even think it is feasible given the sheet number of deluxe rooms.

 

[mom2rtk]

It's going to bother me if they DON'T do this. I like staying deluxe and the price is getting more & more difficult to meet. I think the customers that spend the most deserve more rewards from the company. And right now the perks just are not there

Neither is the capacity there for them to use FP as one of those perks.

 

[Mkrop]

Fortunately for me Disney sees the benefit of rewarding it's top customers. Everyone does not pay the same. Onsite guests pay much more.

But to heck with their AP and local customers who dont stay onsite

WDW offers onsite guests plenty of perks, you have more time in the park. The FP- system was fair to all.

As one of WDW's top customer, esp since I own DVC, I would love to see more perks in discounted tickets.

[/B]

I respectfully disagree. The deluxe resort guests already get perks, by way of:

Better Accomodations
Best Location (often walking distance)
More Onsite dining options
the best pools on property
Better Views

Since the price of park admission does not change regardless of where you stay. I consider it a separate entity.

I have stayed both value and deluxe. I do not think i deserve more in park perks as a deluxe guest.

 

[btk2333]

[/B]

I respectfully disagree. The deluxe resort guests already get perks, by way of:

Better Accomodations
Best Location (often walking distance)
More Onsite dining options
the best pools on property
Better Views

All that said, I think the Deluxe are exorbitantly priced; and could understand why some would want more. I just don't agree that preferential park treatment is the answer. I actually do not even think it is feasible given the sheet number of deluxe rooms.

Are those perks enough to get you to stay deluxe every trip? If no, then it makes plenty of business sense for them to offer more incentives to try to fill their deluxe rooms. Their options are either decrease price or increase demand, by offering my perks they can increase demand.

 

[Number Six]

[/B]

I respectfully disagree. The deluxe resort guests already get perks, by way of:

Better Accomodations
Best Location (often walking distance)
More Onsite dining options
the best pools on property
Better Views

Since the price of park admission does not change regardless of where you stay. I consider it a separate entity.

I have stayed both value and deluxe. I do not think i deserve more "in park" perks as a deluxe guest. What I do deserve is the best accomodations on Disney property; and that is what I am receiving.

All that said, I think the Deluxe are exorbitantly priced; and could understand why some would want more. I just don't agree that preferential park treatment is the answer. I actually do not even think it is feasible given the sheet number of deluxe rooms.

What extra dining options do deluxe guests get?

 

[wdw4rfam]

Our line was drawn this year. We have been coming home feeling like something was missing the past 3-4 years, but this was it. We spent more money than we ever have, and rode/saw half of what we used to. So I'd say FP + was it for us. We gave it a try, and it is a no go for us. I came home with no post trip blues this year, and $200 richer because I had planned to book bounce back, and all of us agreed no way. I'd have to say it was FP+, and the fact that there is no low crowd time to go anymore! along with other things that topped it off.

 

[poppinspenguins]

What extra dining options do deluxe guests get?

They generally have a number of on site dining options as opposed to one food court as well as usually being walking distance to additional options.

Personally not a perk for me, but disney often touts it, so i assume they consider it a perk

 

[Number Six]

They generally have a number of on site dining options as opposed to one food court as well as usually being walking distance to additional options.

Personally not a perk for me, but disney often touts it, so i assume they consider it a perk

Oh ok. I thought you were saying there were places deluxe people could eat that others couldn't. That would chafe my chaps!

 

[poppinspenguins]

Are those perks enough to get you to stay deluxe every trip? If no, then it makes plenty of business sense for them to offer more incentives to try to fill their deluxe rooms. Their options are either decrease price or increase demand, by offering my perks they can increase demand.

Making business sense and me agreeing with it are 2 different things. It is a cheap way for them (basically free) to get more people in the deluxes. but I think it is a detriment to other guests (who paid the same as a deluxe guest to enjoy the park)

I would stay Deluxe again without in park perks, as people have been doing for yrs.

If I ever stay at the beach club again I doubt I will spend more than one day in the park. I will enjoy the pool the entire time.

 

[btk2333]

Making business sense and me agreeing with it are 2 different things. It is a cheap way for them (basically free) to get more people in the deluxes. but I think it is a detriment to other guests (who paid the same as a deluxe guest to enjoy the park)

Fair enough. We are still talking hypotheticals right now as Disney isn't actually doing this. The question would be- does Disney get more money by filling their deluxe resorts to make up for the money lost by non-deluxe guests deciding not to go to WDW? I think the current fast pass window test is a good test for this (and maybe Disney feels the same way).

Either way I'd say it won't be long until the deluxes get more FPs. Maybe there will be an option to pay more for extra FPs if you stay at the values call it a "deluxe value package" or something like that where you pay an extra $50 a night for an extra FP every day.

 

[mellyf]

[/B]


All that said, I think the Deluxe are exorbitantly priced; and could understand why some would want more. I just don't agree that preferential park treatment is the answer. I actually do not even think it is feasible given the sheet number of deluxe rooms.

I completely agree, and we've never stayed anything BUT deluxe. However, I also feel that I'm rapidly approaching my line in the sand, both with prices and with the pre-planning that is necessary. My husband and I have already decided that our next Disney trip will be to Disneyland.

 

[redsbe]

Crowds would be the defining point for me. Having visited WDW or DLR 16 times since the 1970s, much has changed including the costs but crowds resulting in long lines and overall crowded park experiences such as shows and parades have eroded at the experience. Each of our two kids got 5 trips at various ages from 4 to 16 and neither is interested in going back now that they are teenagers. We would visit WDW or DLR every 2-3 years and take shorter less expensive car travel family trips in other years so they got to experience other sites and locations. WDW and DLR still offer much and when compared to other mid to high end vacations they remain cost competitive, especially when considering cruises or trips overseas where the air flight costs alone can be $1000 or more compared to WDW. I have also went alone and with my wife several times over those years, but she is not interested and we are starting to look at other locations for variety. I think we got great values and experiences, and certainly memories with all those trips, but not planning to return in the future. I am taking my mother in December as she has not been for a number of years and wanted the christmas experience, but we are keeping the planing simple and not focusing on trying to get to every ride and attraction - mostly since we have both done them all over the years. Perhaps years in the future I may take my grandchildren when and if they arrive, but more immediate interest and attraction to WDW and DLR is not there. Perhaps if and when a fully developed Star Wars themed land is added I may be attracted but only time will tell.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

For me it is a general attitude that seems to be slipping away. I've been going since the early 70's. Even though Walt died before the park opened, for many years WDW remained true to the ideas he outlined. There was always something new to discover, the parks were spectacularly clean, the customer service was exceptional.

I feel like Disney has lost their way. It isn't so much one thing, as a series of things that have made Disney a shadow of it's former glory. Instead of improving the product, they decided to punish the customer and destroy the product.

The no-show fee is one example. If the prior system wasn't working well, then Disney should fix it, but punishing/restricting every customer is not the creative and intelligent solution. Disney used to take the opposite approach. They improved the product.

There's a glaring shortage of places to eat in the Magic Kingdom. I can't see where Disney wouldn't do better if they offered more places to dine in the park.

Likewise, if MK is getting crowded, the solution isn't to punish guests who want to go there. It is finding ways to make AK, Epcot, and HS more appealing.

The line in the sand for me, is the feeling I now get when ponder a return trip with my extended family. I used to enjoy planning trips for everyone. Now the prospect makes me sad.

 

[johnndonna]

The only thing that really bothers me is changing the chicken fingers at Roaring Forks, the rise in prices....on everything, everywhere within the property, less buses running, bus drivers with attitudes, less boats running, boat drivers with attitudes [Top Gun Ray Bans, really? Does the boat go that fast across the little pond that you require $150 sunglasses?] Changing the guest speaker at the Candle Light Processional at the last minute......again, cast members not smiling, cast members chewing gum and cracking gum while I am standing less than 3 feet away from them, Cast members wearing uniforms that look like they have been in combat [and lost], AC not working at Dinosaur, Disney somehow allowing what I can only describe as "Citizens against Personal Hygiene" into the parks [and before anyone goes mental, these people spent more money on their shoes than I spend on my car payment so I don't want to hear "Some people can't afford to shower"] and now we have to pay for parking with a season pass and DVC membership. Wait, what was the question? For the record, I still love WDW and it's the only place I want to vacation. I have 85 stays on property and I have never been to universal. I am willing to point out that service is really starting to suffer in the theme parks but it's still the only place I want to go. Lighten up Mouse Lovers, the place is still awesome.

 

[ncdj2013]

Are those perks enough to get you to stay deluxe every trip? If no, then it makes plenty of business sense for them to offer more incentives to try to fill their deluxe rooms. Their options are either decrease price or increase demand, by offering my perks they can increase demand.

Actually the 2 best reasons for me to stay deluxe are room service and elevators.