Will AP's be blacked out when new attractions open?

[joelkfla]

QUESTION: WHO is actually getting this survey? We are APs, a couple different kinds of them right now. None of us got it. So I am wondering if they fine-tuned the recepients to just those with Orlando zip codes? Be interesting to see who is getting this.

No, I'm local AP holder and did not get it. But I just got the pass 3 mos. ago, so maybe if it has been going on for 6 mos., I missed the window.

I assumed it was the in-park in-person surveys. You know, how they ask where you're from and maybe what kind of ticket you have, and then say, "Thanks, but you're not who we're interested in."

 

[HopperFan]

No, I'm local AP holder and did not get it. But I just got the pass 3 mos. ago, so maybe if it has been going on for 6 mos., I missed the window.

I assumed it was the in-park in-person surveys. You know, how they ask where you're from and maybe what kind of ticket you have, and then say, "Thanks, but you're not who we're interested in."

Have to say the last few times they approached they didn't ask me questions like before other than would I do a survey, they just scanned my MB and thanked me. At that point I figure the computers will do the deciding on who to pick.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I completed this survey some time ago -- we are NOT locals; we're DVC members and visit 1-3 times a year.

I don't even want to think about the logistics around this one. And I can't share what DH said when I read him the question...

It does seem funny to me that this is being reported on all of a sudden...

 

[DebbieB]

If they were going to do that, they would have to tell you before you buy the pass. My guess would be it would be a lower priced pass option, similar to how Florida residents have the silver and gold options with blackout dates.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Local news reported that one of Disney's latest surveys asked AP holders whether they would continue to buy AP's if they were blacked out for the 1st few weeks after a new attraction or show opened.

Disney responded with the usual, "Maybe we will, maybe we won't."

According to WDWNT, Disney is asking about passes being blocked out for 2 months after new attractions open. (that's more than just a few weeks, IMO)

 

[HopperFan]

If they were going to do that, they would have to tell you before you buy the pass. My guess would be it would be a lower priced pass option, similar to how Florida residents have the silver and gold options with blackout dates.

Which would probably not resolve their problem because those who buy it won't care about rushing there anyway and those who won't buy are the ones clogging the lines.

 

[richmo]

I'm not one that cares whether I'm among the first to experience a new attraction, buy a new iPhone or any of that kind of thing.

That said: if, as an AP holder, Disney blocked me from obtaining FP+'s for the first few weeks of an attraction, I'd be okay with that. (Presumably, there'd be nothing to stop me from going standby, but if its a long wait, I'll save it for the next trip). However, if the intent is to enforce a total blockout of either that park or all the parks (which I seriously doubt they would mean), then I would have a pretty serious problem with that.

 

[1lilspark]

I think we'll see a new level of AP especially for locals. It'll be Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Platinum plus. So Bronze will have the most black out dates including when attractions first release or may have different black out dates for different parks (weekends, new attraction releases for a month at that park, summer, christmas, spring break, no Photopass, and no free parking) and cost what Silver currently does. Silver will be whatever it is now (summer then spring break and Christmas, no photopass and no free parking) and cost what Gold currently does, Gold will have summer and Christmas blacked out (includes photopass and parking) and cost what Platinum does, Platinum will maintain having access to the 4 parks and no black outs but will cost what Platinum plus does now. The Platinum plus will go up and include access to water parks, golf, etc.

Just my theory nothing to really back it up.

I have a similar theory with a Bronze level blocking out Thanksgiving week as well as popular 3 day weekends+ no parking and Silver going from free to discounted parking (possibly also with thanksgiving blocked)

The survey is old news though since I renewed (and even upgraded) I won't have to deal with the new tiers and pricing until next year

 

[PrincessV]

QUESTION: WHO is actually getting this survey? We are APs, a couple different kinds of them right now. None of us got it. So I am wondering if they fine-tuned the recepients to just those with Orlando zip codes? Be interesting to see who is getting this.

I've gotten a couple different surveys with mention of something like this. I'm a FL resident Gold AP holder: not in Orlando, but Tampa Bay area, so close enough for day trips if I feel like 2 hours of driving each way, but usually do overnights.

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

I would be utterly shocked to see any new AP types that didn't include parking, since the inclusion of parking with all APs was pretty much the only thing that got positive feedback in last year's changes.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

Maybe this is totally off-base, but wouldn't blocking AP holders from entering a certain park the first few weeks to months after an attraction opens create a lot of bad press with bloggers? I'd assume most bloggers are AP holders; and I'd think the bloggers wouldn't be happy about being blocked from entering a park, especially with so many new things coming down the pike in the next several years. (Yeah, they could get day passes, but that would suck for their bottom line.)

I follow several well-known blogs on FB, as do many of my friends who are only "casual" Disney fans/goers. I know a lot of my friends get their Disney news and reviews from these blogs, and they'd probably be pretty put-off by a lot of negative press in them.

 

[Accident]

The survey did not imply you would be blocked from rides but rather blocked from the park completely.

I saw a survey earlier in the year that did talk about blockout periods for new attractions and dining. It also recently came out again. It's unclear what story OP was talking about from his post but he does mention blockouts from rides so I don't think your referencing the same survey.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

A lot of those bloggers are considered media and would probably get invited to a media preview (for free. With perks). The ones that don't, are probably the ones Disney doesn't care about.

 

[Accident]

Maybe this is totally off-base, but wouldn't blocking AP holders from entering a certain park the first few weeks to months after an attraction opens create a lot of bad press with bloggers? I'd assume most bloggers are AP holders; and I'd think the bloggers wouldn't be happy about being blocked from entering a park, especially with so many new things coming down the pike in the next several years. (Yeah, they could get day passes, but that would suck for their bottom

They generally get invited to press previews and such. I doubt they have an AP with blockouts or they would have trouble entering the park without paying more during certain seasons.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Maybe this is totally off-base, but wouldn't blocking AP holders from entering a certain park the first few weeks to months after an attraction opens create a lot of bad press with bloggers? I'd assume most bloggers are AP holders; and I'd think the bloggers wouldn't be happy about being blocked from entering a park, especially with so many new things coming down the pike in the next several years. (Yeah, they could get day passes, but that would suck for their bottom line.)

I follow several well-known blogs on FB, as do many of my friends who are only "casual" Disney fans/goers. I know a lot of my friends get their Disney news and reviews from these blogs, and they'd probably be pretty put-off by a lot of negative press in them.

While they likely get in free to cover events, outside of those events I'd be surprised if they are in the market for APs with any restrictions at all.

I saw a survey earlier in the year that did talk about blockout periods for new attractions and dining.

 

[cvjw]

I got this survey months and months ago - during the spring maybe? No clue why the media is just now reporting on it.

My family of 4 are gold ap holders from metro Atlanta. We visit multiple weeks per year.

 

[mrzrich]

What a difference a few years makes. When Laugh Floor had its "Passholder preview" some years back, it was during a Seasonal Blackout. They lifted the blackout at MK for that weekend.