A sequel? Nah, not this one

[LuvtheGoof]

Again, adding capacity doesn’t mean much if it the larger goal is to keep attractions per guest per hour low.

So how can adding attractions not add guests per hour capacity?

 

[lazyboy97o]

So how can adding attractions not add guests per hour capacity?

Attractions per guest per hour. As the number of people increase, wait times increase and people can do less in a day.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

Attractions per guest per hour. As the number of people increase, wait times increase and people can do less in a day.

So what you are saying is that more people are going to the parks (pandemic times excluded, of course), and that even though Disney has added or will add more attractions, people are still limited as to how many they can do in a day?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

...this is a fantastic thread. Mucho Gracias, Amigos

 

[lazyboy97o]

So what you are saying is that more people are going to the parks (pandemic times excluded, of course), and that even though Disney has added or will add more attractions, people are still limited as to how many they can do in a day?

Prior to the pandemic the parks were designed for you to do just enough to be satisfied and not more, which is below industry standards. They want you in crowds and waiting around, hopefully making some impulse purchases and paying more for things like staying on site for early access to FastPass+ or other uncharge events. They're adding just enough for people to stay satisfied, but not nearly as satisfied as they are now that deliberate crowding is verboten. The Magic Kingdom, the world's busiest theme park has abandoned attraction and retail space and less dining capacity than 30 years ago. Dining makes money, but someone figured out people will grumble but go along and wait while costs can be lowered. That has been the strategy, make people just miserable enough.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

Prior to the pandemic the parks were designed for you to do just enough to be satisfied and not more, which is below industry standards. They want you in crowds and waiting around, hopefully making some impulse purchases and paying more for things like staying on site for early access to FastPass+ or other uncharge events. They're adding just enough for people to stay satisfied, but not nearly as satisfied as they are now that deliberate crowding is verboten. The Magic Kingdom, the world's busiest theme park has abandoned attraction and retail space and less dining capacity than 30 years ago. Dining makes money, but someone figured out people will grumble but go along and wait while costs can be lowered. That has been the strategy, make people just miserable enough.

Wait a minute. You state that they want you in crowds and waiting around, but I thought the whole FP+ and MDE was designed to get you out of waiting in line, and spending money? So which is it? You can't have it both ways. Either I'm standing in a crowded queue and not spending money, or I'm not in the queue and I'm spending money.

 

[DCLcruiser]

M:S is a lot better than it gets credit for. Orange that is. I just wish, since it's been around for awhile now, they would set it up like Star Tours where the mission was randomized. Doing the exact same mission is getting old.

...although falling off that cliff is always possible!

 

[easyrowrdw]

Wait a minute. You state that they want you in crowds and waiting around, but I thought the whole FP+ and MDE was designed to get you out of waiting in line, and spending money? So which is it? You can't have it both ways. Either I'm standing in a crowded queue and not spending money, or I'm not in the queue and I'm spending money.

With FP+ I almost never wait in line for more than 20-30 minutes. We do way more than 8 attractions in a day at MK. We usually have almost that many by lunch.

As for spending, we probably spend more if only because we're staying on property now. The FP advantage enticement certainly worked for us. Apparently my experience is different from many others here though.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

With FP+ I almost never wait in line for more than 20-30 minutes. We do way more than 8 attractions in a day at MK. We usually have almost that many by lunch.

As for spending, we probably spend more if only because we're staying on property now. The FP advantage enticement certainly worked for us. Apparently my experience is different from many others here though.

That is our experience as well. We have easily done 8 attractions in MK by lunch. We then take a break at the resort and head somewhere else for the evening.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Wait a minute. You state that they want you in crowds and waiting around, but I thought the whole FP+ and MDE was designed to get you out of waiting in line, and spending money? So which is it? You can't have it both ways. Either I'm standing in a crowded queue and not spending money, or I'm not in the queue and I'm spending money.

You think crowding only occurs in queues?

 

[LuvtheGoof]

You think crowding only occurs in queues?

So you're saying they are also crowding into stores? That is usually a choice people make to purchase something. I'm sure there are lots of people, like us, that won't stick around and buy anything if the store is crowded. Doesn't seem like a good plan to me.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Prior to the pandemic the parks were redesigned by the current management regime for you to do just enough to be satisfied and not more, which is below industry standards. They want you in crowds and waiting around, hopefully making some impulse purchases and paying more for things like staying on site for early access to FastPass+ or other uncharge events. They're adding just enough for people to stay satisfied, but not nearly as satisfied as they are now that deliberate crowding is verboten. The Magic Kingdom, the world's busiest theme park has abandoned attraction and retail space and less dining capacity than 30 years ago. Dining makes money, but someone figured out people will grumble but go along and wait while costs can be lowered. That has been the strategy, make people just miserable enough.

FTFY

Wait a minute. You state that they want you in crowds and waiting around, but I thought the whole FP+ and MDE was designed to get you out of waiting in line, and spending money? So which is it? You can't have it both ways. Either I'm standing in a crowded queue and not spending money, or I'm not in the queue and I'm spending money.

That was the design of fastpass 1.0. And it worked because it made people actually put in the tiniest bit of effort day of to get the fastpasses.

MDE/+ destroyed that model by adding “convenience” that highlighted just how little you had and flooding unnecessary ride reservations.

It altered the traditional crowd distribution ebbs and flows and gave them a black eye.
...which is why they have quietly strangled + in a pool of covid...

 

[marni1971]

Wait a minute. You state that they want you in crowds and waiting around, but I thought the whole FP+ and MDE was designed to get you out of waiting in line, and spending money? So which is it? You can't have it both ways. Either I'm standing in a crowded queue and not spending money, or I'm not in the queue and I'm spending money.

FP and Plus was designed to get you out of an attraction quicker - to then have more time to eat or shop.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

FP and Plus was designed to get you out of an attraction quicker - to then have more time to eat or shop.

Right...and the numbers and design of the booking system has rendered it largely ineffective

 

[Family_Man]

Prior to the pandemic the parks were designed for you to do just enough to be satisfied and not more, which is below industry standards. They want you in crowds and waiting around, hopefully making some impulse purchases and paying more for things like staying on site for early access to FastPass+ or other uncharge events. They're adding just enough for people to stay satisfied, but not nearly as satisfied as they are now that deliberate crowding is verboten. The Magic Kingdom, the world's busiest theme park has abandoned attraction and retail space and less dining capacity than 30 years ago. Dining makes money, but someone figured out people will grumble but go along and wait while costs can be lowered. That has been the strategy, make people just miserable enough.

So this largely aligns with what I have thought about the parks. To put this in other terms, it seems that Disney used to think their success was made on the back of high guest satisfaction. But in the past 5-10 years, they realized they could increase profitability at the expense of overall guest satisfaction. And that also drives the focus on one very expensive attraction to get people in the gate, rather than several smaller attractions that make them more satisfied with their time in the parks when all was said and done.

My question - have Disney guest satisfaction surveys shown a downward decline over the past 10 years? If so, do they have concerns over the long term demand?

 

[SamusAranX]

You would think right now, though, they'd want to be catering to APs. Yeah, they don't spend as much money in the parks as the people who visit once a year, but since those people aren't visiting right now, APs are the next best thing. An AP spending $2 on a popcorn refill is better than $0.

If only popcorn refills were $2.00...

 

[JoeCamel]

If only popcorn refills were $2.00...

They are at Universal

 

[SamusAranX]

They are at Universal

Well that settles it, Universal AP holder post COVID, here i come!

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

My question - have Disney guest satisfaction surveys shown a downward decline over the past 10 years? If so, do they have concerns over the long term demand?

...you’d never know if they had.

 

[Family_Man]

...you’d never know if they had.

I wouldn't know...

But some insiders on this forum might....?