A Spirited 15 Rounds ...

[Pixieish]

This "new" sense of "paid entitlement" is something I fear is getting very out of hand at the US Disney Parks.

I'm not naïve enough to say that there was never a modicum of this from the very beginning of Walt's fantasy playlands; but, there has been a significant uptick in the quantity of paying more to get more at the parks and more alarmingly - the visibility of it.

It's one thing to have a secret Club behind a hidden entrance for those that want to pay for it; but, it's an entirely different matter when you start seeing entire sections of the park carved up for VIP viewing, upcharge events, and special perks. The difference in my opinion is "seeing" it.

Club 33 or one of the EPCOT corporate hospitality venues were tantalizing because if you knew about it - there is an aura of mystery around it. The forbidden fruit factor at work. The unknown is always tempting.

Now, on a trip to Disneyland guests will find entire sections of the Hub roped off for VIPs and upcharge access. Over the course of the last several years, this has grown from a small section in the northern spoke to now wrapping around the entire front side. You see similar sections for Fantasmic and the parades. Of course the same holds true at WDW with more and more real estate and services withheld for those that pay for it.

For me at least, the alarming part is there is no veil of secrecy around this. Parks is taking the exact things that people want to do or see - and they are finding ways to monetize it. Instead of hiding it behind the curtain, they are now drawing attention to it (did you see the giant lanyards they gave to Disney After Hours guests - not very incognito). Instead of making every guest feel that they are special the moment they walk through the gate, they are creating fiefdoms of the "haves" and the "have nots". They want the average guest to see and know there is a way to get more at Disney Parks if you are willing to pay for it.

Are we at the breaking point yet where people will say enough is enough?

Unfortunately, I don't think so. For me at least, I recognize that Time is more valuable on my vacation than Money. If they continue to offer up good and services that give me ways to save time while I'm on vacation (like Disney After Hours or Fantasmic or World of Color dining) - I'll continue to take advantage of them. I just don't like how "in-your-face" it is to the guests. When FastPass gets monetized, I'm sure I'll feel guilty like I do when I'm at Universal blowing past everyone in standby while I'm deep down thanking them for not staying at a Universal Deluxe Resort.

Star Wars will unfortunately have some really cool stuff for those that want to pay for it.

Another thing about the "paid entitlement" that Iger and his cronies fail to realize - consumers catch on quickly. You can visit any of the Facebook groups and most of the questions asked are "Is X worth the extra money?". Once the youtube videos of the up-charged experiences hit the web, everyone will know exactly what they are paying for and profits from those won't be nearly what the company expects. Yes, there will be some who do it as a one-off deal, but those won't produce the huge money they want.

 

[FullSailDan]

Good to know. I'm doing the monthly pass now but don't know if I will keep past my 15 month offer. While I enjoy going, it's not something I feel I have to do overly often like Disney. Maybe an "every other year" type thing. But being 10 mins away it sometimes seems silly not to have one.

I feel ya, we thought the same thing. Sadly most of the rides at UO are all very "whippy" or jerky, and my husband has back issues from a military incident. We also thought the quality left a lot to be desired. He'll put up with the pain for SM and BTM, but just didnt enjoy UO's 3D stuff enough to bear it. We just came to the conclusion a couple hundred a year was better spent elsewhere, like more churros or dolewhips.

 

[disneygeek90]

I feel ya, we thought the same thing. Sadly most of the rides at UO are all very "whippy" or jerky, and my husband has back issues from a military incident. We also thought the quality left a lot to be desired. He'll put up with the pain for SM and BTM, but just didnt enjoy UO's 3D stuff enough to bear it. We just came to the conclusion a couple hundred a year was better spent elsewhere, like more churros or dolewhips.

Now if/when Nintendo-Land comes to fruition, I will be all over that. But I agree. I don't even get nauseated easily from rides but two 3D/screenz rides from Universal in a row and I'm borderline queasy.

 

[rael ramone]

THIS EXACTLY. And if Disney doesn't think even little kids will feel the difference, they're dead wrong. Kids deal with enough clique crap at school...they don't need to feel it on vacation, too.

....those Mommies & Daddies love their kids more than your Mommy & Daddy love you.....

 

[rael ramone]

It's a $125 prix fixe dinner where you get a 18 oz. Bone-In Kobe Rib-eye with a side of Tater Tots.

you mean a side of Cockerell Fries.... (I prefer Tater Tots myself....)

 

[Pixieish]

....those Mommies & Daddies love their kids more than your Mommy & Daddy love you.....

Don't even get me started.

 

[pax_65]

....those Mommies & Daddies love their kids more than your Mommy & Daddy love you.....

If you really loved your kids, you'd swipe your Magic Band just one more time. Go ahead... it's easy... you know you want to...

 

[rael ramone]

Don't even get me started.

There's a good mini editorial in the last two Unofficial Guides (in the 'cost/money' section.... I can paraphrase points off the top of my head, but I think it's best to seek it out and read it for yourself.... You'll both cheer (that someone is saying it and putting it in print in a guidebook that many read before their trip) and groan (that the conditions exist that it needs to be said)...

 

[Pixieish]

There's a good mini editorial in the last two Unofficial Guides (in the 'cost/money' section.... I can paraphrase points off the top of my head, but I think it's best to seek it out and read it for yourself.... You'll both cheer (that someone is saying it and putting it in print in a guidebook that many read before their trip) and groan (that the conditions exist that it needs to be said)...

Is it in the 2015 edition? That's the most recent I have...didn't feel the need to buy one last year for a short trip.

 

[rael ramone]

Is it in the 2015 edition? That's the most recent I have...didn't feel the need to buy one last year for a short trip.

I don't think so, I believe it was new to the 2016 version and maintained in the 2017 version.

CORRECTION: New to 2017, maintained in 2018.

 

[Pixieish]

I don't think so, I believe it was new to the 2016 version and maintained in the 2017 version.

Thanks...I'll have to order one.

 

[mickEblu]

This "new" sense of "paid entitlement" is something I fear is getting very out of hand at the US Disney Parks.

I'm not naïve enough to say that there was never a modicum of this from the very beginning of Walt's fantasy playlands; but, there has been a significant uptick in the quantity of paying more to get more at the parks and more alarmingly - the visibility of it.

It's one thing to have a secret Club behind a hidden entrance for those that want to pay for it; but, it's an entirely different matter when you start seeing entire sections of the park carved up for VIP viewing, upcharge events, and special perks. The difference in my opinion is "seeing" it.

Club 33 or one of the EPCOT corporate hospitality venues were tantalizing because if you knew about it - there is an aura of mystery around it. The forbidden fruit factor at work. The unknown is always tempting.

Now, on a trip to Disneyland guests will find entire sections of the Hub roped off for VIPs and upcharge access. Over the course of the last several years, this has grown from a small section in the northern spoke to now wrapping around the entire front side. You see similar sections for Fantasmic and the parades. Of course the same holds true at WDW with more and more real estate and services withheld for those that pay for it.

For me at least, the alarming part is there is no veil of secrecy around this. Parks is taking the exact things that people want to do or see - and they are finding ways to monetize it. Instead of hiding it behind the curtain, they are now drawing attention to it (did you see the giant lanyards they gave to Disney After Hours guests - not very incognito). Instead of making every guest feel that they are special the moment they walk through the gate, they are creating fiefdoms of the "haves" and the "have nots". They want the average guest to see and know there is a way to get more at Disney Parks if you are willing to pay for it.

Are we at the breaking point yet where people will say enough is enough?

Unfortunately, I don't think so. For me at least, I recognize that Time is more valuable on my vacation than Money. If they continue to offer up good and services that give me ways to save time while I'm on vacation (like Disney After Hours or Fantasmic or World of Color dining) - I'll continue to take advantage of them. I just don't like how "in-your-face" it is to the guests. When FastPass gets monetized, I'm sure I'll feel guilty like I do when I'm at Universal blowing past everyone in standby while I'm deep down thanking them for not staying at a Universal Deluxe Resort.

Star Wars will unfortunately have some really cool stuff for those that want to pay for it.

Do you think this new approach could have anything to do with crowds and the growing number of APs? I'm a DLR AP and the only thing that I have noticed is that they rope off part of the hub in front of the castle for fireworks. I never really gave it a second thought as ive been to the park countless times and have seen and done everything I want to do. I wonder if this could be part of the reason they don't care about hiding these things anymore. As an AP, you re ok with the "base" experience as you know that every once in a while you can pay extra for something special like a Blue Bayou Fantasmic dining package.This and the crowds of course. Maybe in the past there was no market for these experiences because the parks weren't so crowded.

As far as the SWL extras, the only way I will pay more is if it somehow enhances any of the ride experiences. Is that the case? If not, I'm totally fine with just enjoying the attractions and hopefully - good food/ snacks.

 

[Mike S]

Good luck with that. After having a pass for a year, the husband and I went maaaaaybe 3 times despite being 15-20 minutes away. We discovered the same, "must go in person" policy (which is absurd! what if we had been forced to move suddenly?) Made the cutoff for cancelling and then they still charged us for 2 or 3 months after. Raised all kinds of trouble with their customer service, no help, tried the social media shaming route and got a "Sorry, our system is automated" and never a refund. Finally had to call Visa and refuse any further charges from universal. Thankfully Visa refunded us but said since it was an automatic draft we technically didn't qualify for it.

As I was on the phone they said it had something to do with Florida law. I'm fine as I'll get my money back one way or another. Either Universal refunds me or my sister is as it's not even my pass that renewed, it's hers. She's cancelling it tonight.

 

[cheezbat]

You came very close to getting your wish. The Fremont street hotels agreed to build this and then an idiot at Paramount decided to back out of the deal.View attachment 234050

I remember reading about that. Such a stupid decision. Would've been a huge attraction and moneymaker.

 

[Pixieish]

I don't think so, I believe it was new to the 2016 version and maintained in the 2017 version.

CORRECTION: New to 2017, maintained in 2018.

Wow...you could almost hear how ticked off he was when he wrote that!

 

[HauntedPirate]

This "new" sense of "paid entitlement" is something I fear is getting very out of hand at the US Disney Parks.

I'm not naïve enough to say that there was never a modicum of this from the very beginning of Walt's fantasy playlands; but, there has been a significant uptick in the quantity of paying more to get more at the parks and more alarmingly - the visibility of it.

It's one thing to have a secret Club behind a hidden entrance for those that want to pay for it; but, it's an entirely different matter when you start seeing entire sections of the park carved up for VIP viewing, upcharge events, and special perks. The difference in my opinion is "seeing" it.

Club 33 or one of the EPCOT corporate hospitality venues were tantalizing because if you knew about it - there is an aura of mystery around it. The forbidden fruit factor at work. The unknown is always tempting.

Now, on a trip to Disneyland guests will find entire sections of the Hub roped off for VIPs and upcharge access. Over the course of the last several years, this has grown from a small section in the northern spoke to now wrapping around the entire front side. You see similar sections for Fantasmic and the parades. Of course the same holds true at WDW with more and more real estate and services withheld for those that pay for it.

For me at least, the alarming part is there is no veil of secrecy around this. Parks is taking the exact things that people want to do or see - and they are finding ways to monetize it. Instead of hiding it behind the curtain, they are now drawing attention to it (did you see the giant lanyards they gave to Disney After Hours guests - not very incognito). Instead of making every guest feel that they are special the moment they walk through the gate, they are creating fiefdoms of the "haves" and the "have nots". They want the average guest to see and know there is a way to get more at Disney Parks if you are willing to pay for it.

Are we at the breaking point yet where people will say enough is enough?

Unfortunately, I don't think so. For me at least, I recognize that Time is more valuable on my vacation than Money. If they continue to offer up good and services that give me ways to save time while I'm on vacation (like Disney After Hours or Fantasmic or World of Color dining) - I'll continue to take advantage of them. I just don't like how "in-your-face" it is to the guests. When FastPass gets monetized, I'm sure I'll feel guilty like I do when I'm at Universal blowing past everyone in standby while I'm deep down thanking them for not staying at a Universal Deluxe Resort.

Star Wars will unfortunately have some really cool stuff for those that want to pay for it.

But... but... We can still do EVERYTHING we've always been able to do without paying for it, can't we? I mean, there have been dozens of posters here who have tried to claim that, ad naseum (despite the evidence presented to the contrary), so we must be mistaken and they are correct.

I fear that eventually, you will have (at least) two tiers of guests - Those willing to pay to see things like HEA from "premium locations", like in front of the castle and down Main Street, and those unwilling to fork over even more money to the greedy TDO/TDA pigs and have to view HEA from "standard locations", which basically amounts to every other location around the park with a limited and/or obstructed view of the Castle.

Personally, I'm disgusted with the caste system that Disney is creating, to separate guests and their experience according to their willingness to pay fees and up-charges once inside the parks.

 

[VJ]

Disney has uploaded "The Dream Called EPCOT", the 1980 promo video, in HD and in full via the Disney Parks Blog. Really hope this trend continues!

 

[Nemo14]

Disney has uploaded "The Dream Called EPCOT", the 1980 promo video, in HD and in full via the Disney Parks Blog. Really hope this trend continues!

*sigh*

 

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

Disney has uploaded "The Dream Called EPCOT", the 1980 promo video, in HD and in full via the Disney Parks Blog. Really hope this trend continues!

It's amazing to me that anyone can watch that, and then take one look at the current park (especially with what's to come) and think they're the same park or that its heading in the right direction...Thank you Disney for slapping us silly with nostalgia then pulling the proverbial rug out from under us by giving us GOTG...

 

[britain]

They've come so far, yet there's so very far to go.