Lightning Lane Premier Pass

[peter11435]

While true, you also don't need it to visit the parks. Outside of the Express pass, the cost to visit Universal is cheaper, especially their hotels.

You don’t need LL to visit the Disney parks.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Universals fastpass product is nearly identical to Disney’s….

The cheaper one is…

The other is way better at way less of a price

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

You don’t need LL to visit the Disney parks.

…except they have spent 20 years not adding capacity as travel volume has increased to try to con everyone into believing they need it…

 

[peter11435]

…except they have spent 20 years not adding capacity as travel volume has increased to try to con everyone into believing they need it…

You don’t need LL to visit the Disney parks.

 

[Jrb1979]

You don’t need LL to visit the Disney parks.

You're right you don't but Disney's average guest has been trained to needing it as most complain about long waits. Whereas at Universal, their average guests accept waiting in line is part of going to a park.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

You don’t need LL to visit the Disney parks.

I didn’t say otherwise

 

[Chi84]

You're right you don't but Disney's average guest has been trained to needing it as most complain about long waits. Whereas at Universal, their average guests accept waiting in line is part of going to a park.

If Universal has better guests who haven’t been “trained” and don’t mind waiting in line, then those guests deserve a better experience. What does that have to do with Disney?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

If Universal has better guests who haven’t been “trained” and don’t mind waiting in line, then those guests deserve a better experience. What does that have to do with Disney?

There is very little compelling argument against 2 concepts:

1. Wdw has some of the most loyal customers on earth
2. Wdw customers are some of the DUMBEST customers on earth. In terms of making common sense choices

Both things can be and are in fact true

Jrb’s point is a valid one…in that universal goers are more comfortable with a traditional amusement park…where waits are assumed/expected.

Disney was great at crowd management - hell…they practically invented it - so the long expectation was you can navigate/be somewhat comfortable ( other than heat) by balancing lines, shows, displays without lines, popup entertainment, shopping and dining to move around effectively.

That is destroyed. There are logjams and fretting about “packed” crowds on days that are what would have been at most “moderate” in the previous eras.

 

[IanDLBZF]

2. Wdw customers are some of the DUMBEST customers on earth.

 

[Chi84]

There is very little compelling argument against 2 concepts:

1. Wdw has some of the most loyal customers on earth
2. Wdw customers are some of the DUMBEST customers on earth. In terms of making common sense choices

Both things can be and are in fact true

Jrb’s point is a valid one…in that universal goers are more comfortable with a traditional amusement park…where waits are assumed/expected.

Disney was great at crowd management - hell…they practically invented it - so the long expectation was you can navigate/be somewhat comfortable ( other than heat) by balancing lines, shows, displays without lines, popup entertainment, shopping and dining to move around effectively.

That is destroyed. There are logjams and fretting about “packed” crowds on days that are what would have been at most “moderate” in the previous eras.

I’m smart but not loyal. There are still too many of us and that will almost always be the case right until the end.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

As far as their habits…they absolutely are.

Want to try to spin paying $400 extra for one ride each on a very OLD slate of amusement rides in a park…to “avoid crowds”…when they can’t even fill their own hotel rooms across the water?

Oh please…do?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I’m smart but not loyal. There are still too many of us and that will almost always be the case right until the end.

Making explanations for anything they are doing from a philosophy/operation standpoint right now is the definition of loyalty

Also given away by “us”

Believe me now or believe me when it dawns later

 

[Chi84]

Making explanations for anything they are doing from a philosophy/operation standpoint right now is the definition of loyalty

Also given away by “us”

Believe me now or believe me when it dawns later

I’m not making excuses for anything they are doing from a philosophy/operation standpoint. They’re killing off their future by making it so expensive to have a good experience.

I don’t know what you mean by “given away by us” or what will dawn later. If you clarify I’ll respond.

 

[GhostHost1000]

I’m not making excuses for anything they are doing from a philosophy/operation standpoint. They’re killing off their future by making it so expensive to have a good experience.

I don’t know what you mean by “given away by us” or what will dawn later. If you clarify I’ll respond.

They’re killing off their future by a lot more than that, the expense is just part of it.

 

[Chi84]

They’re killing off their future by a lot more than that, the expense is just part of it.

Right. It was short-sighted to discontinue Magical Express and airport baggage services. Their ride reservation system is a complicated pain.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

It just doesn't seem hard to me for something as trivial as theme park lines.

For example, I know I am in the minority on this but, I can't stand peanut butter. That doesn't mean I can't imagine that the way I feel about some other food I enjoy is how the people who love peanut butter feel when they eat it. I will NEVER spend money on it personally but more power to those that do.

I just wish people would at least try to put themselves in others shoes more often instead of assuming everything is an attack on their own personal beliefs (which I know we are all guilty of at times, including myself). Sure, this is an internet message board in 2024 so maybe I am the unrealistic one here but an honest conversation about these topics would be a lot more interesting.

In a way the subject is trivial, but in another sense, theme park upcharges are core to everyone's collective theme park experience.

The more parkgoers embrace theme park upcharges, the more all parkgoers are impacted. Upcharges get normalized, even if we don't buy each particular upcharge. Companies are always looking for new revenue.

When Disney changed over to dated park tickets, for example, other companies followed suit.

The more parkgoers embrace upcharges; the more companies will happily charge us more.

 

[Chi84]

In a way the subject is trivial, but in another sense, theme park upcharges are core to everyone's collective theme park experience.

The more parkgoers embrace theme park upcharges, the more all parkgoers are impacted. Upcharges get normalized, even if we don't buy each particular upcharge. Companies are always looking for new revenue.

When Disney changed over to dated park tickets, for example, other companies followed suit.

The more parkgoers embrace upcharges; the more companies will happily charge us more.

All of that is correct. But if someone believes a upcharge product is desirable or essential to their vacation they will buy it.

I imagine very few WDW planning sessions include a discussion of how those plans impact everyone’s collective theme park experience.

I’m just being pragmatic. If a company sells a product people want or feel they need people will purchase it.

 

[HauntedPirate]

All of that is correct. But if someone believes the marketing campaign that a upcharge product is desirable or essential to their vacation they will buy it.

I imagine very few WDW planning sessions include a discussion of how those plans impact everyone’s collective theme park experience.

I’m just being pragmatic. If a company sells a product people want or feel they need people will purchase it.

FTFY.

It couldn't be that the company also pushes said upcharges at every opportunity. For example - It's at the top of your MDE screen when you open it. Or at the top of the Tip Board in the MDE app - "Purchase Lightning Lane Passes". Or the toggle switch - 'Show Only Lightning Lane Experiences".

They have you hook, line, and sinker.

 

[Chi84]

FTFY.

It couldn't be that the company also pushes said upcharges at every opportunity. For example - It's at the top of your MDE screen when you open it. Or at the top of the Tip Board in the MDE app - "Purchase Lightning Lane Passes". Or the toggle switch - 'Show Only Lightning Lane Experiences".

They have you hook, line, and sinker.

No I’m talking about people who know what they’re buying. For example, we had a large group with 4 very young children who would have been miserable standing in long lines so we bought LLMP and LLSP.

Also, we wanted to go to MVMCP to see the special parade, fireworks and to get on the rides with no wait. We all loved it.

We even got a cabana at BB because we wanted a home base where everyone would be comfortable.

Advertising/marketing doesn’t work on frequent visitors.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

I’m just being pragmatic. If a company sells a product people want or feel they need people will purchase it.

Alas, none of us needs to visit a theme park, so we don't actually need to buy any theme park upcharges.

Imagine though if hospitals and other businesses adopted the same upcharge model...

Have a medical emergency? Good News! Our hospital now offers Lighting Lane Emergency Care for a small upcharge!
(Or you can wait in the regular line to be seen for triage care if your medical needs are not urgent. The standby wait will be an extra 30-60minutes.)

We actually do now have paid Express Lanes on some highways like I-4 in FL. And airport security has multiple upcharge options.

Maybe large theaters/sporting venues should add the premium bathroom opportunity!

Starbucks is also missing out on a possible revenue opportunity.