Are changes coming to Florida passholder program?

[CaptainAmerica]

No, they aren't. A new parade or nighttime show isn't going to see any significant increase in attendance, and not every new attraction is a headliner, so those new attractions won't have significant impact on attendance either.

Yeah... you're just plain wrong.

 

[Dizney Crew]

Being an AP holder and living within 30 mins of the parks is a great luxury we have living in CF. We love having the option to just go to the park for a few hours on the wknds and not feeling like we have to cram everything in on one visit. Is it frustrating that we can't get FP for the newer attractions (Frozen, 7DMT) yes, does that make me not want my AP anymore, absolutely not. Would I be upset if the AP holders regardless of price tier were to suddenly be blocked out of new attractions (Avatar, SW, TSL) of course. But I just don't see what advantage as far as crowds are concerned this would solve. We get blocked out of Avatar for 3 months, then more AP just go MK, EPCOT, HS, and the lines their get longer.

Also it would be interesting in how much the average AP spends on a visit to the parks. I find it hard to believe that most AP don't spend some $$ on a visit and just strictly go for "Free" if you will. Also curious if CM perks, like getting into the parks and comp passes for free, how much of a impact this has on attendance. I know that is a Big benefit that draws people into working for Disney, but if they had stricter Blackouts dates and got less comps if this would help solve crowd issues.

 

[CJR]

Also curious if CM perks, like getting into the parks and comp passes for free, how much of a impact this has on attendance. I know that is a Big benefit that draws people into working for Disney, but if they had stricter Blackouts dates and got less comps if this would help solve crowd issues.

I don't think this survey had much to do with crowd issues as it does with Disney trying to figure out a way to squeeze more money out of people. Given attendance is down, despite the opening of Frozen, Soarin', and additions at AK, I don't think they're too concerned about capacity. Actually, I read it in a way that Disney wants locals to visit the parks more often... for a price.

They want to find a way to encourage people to upgrade their passes without costing them (Disney) anything. A lot of local people have downgraded and dropped their passes entirely in recent time. I think the problem here is many local people just don't find the more expensive passes valuable enough when they can go during a slower period and save (in some cases) over a thousand dollars for their family.

Disney is likely to find out that most local people will rather wait a couple months to ride the new stuff than spend money they don't have (most jobs in central Florida don't truly support having $700 per person passes) on more expensive passes that get them on rides sooner. If people can wait several years from an announcement to opening day, what's two more months really? For that reason, I don't see Disney getting what they're wanting by this change (pass upgrades), but I could see them attempting it anyway. They do, run the risk of having even more people drop their passes though, so it'll be interesting to see what they end up deciding on.

 

[matt9112]

The discount also barely applies anywhere so I've just stopped asking.

haha me too its so insane......worthless yellow card.

 

[matt9112]

Being an AP holder and living within 30 mins of the parks is a great luxury we have living in CF. We love having the option to just go to the park for a few hours on the wknds and not feeling like we have to cram everything in on one visit. Is it frustrating that we can't get FP for the newer attractions (Frozen, 7DMT) yes, does that make me not want my AP anymore, absolutely not. Would I be upset if the AP holders regardless of price tier were to suddenly be blocked out of new attractions (Avatar, SW, TSL) of course. But I just don't see what advantage as far as crowds are concerned this would solve. We get blocked out of Avatar for 3 months, then more AP just go MK, EPCOT, HS, and the lines their get longer.

Also it would be interesting in how much the average AP spends on a visit to the parks. I find it hard to believe that most AP don't spend some $$ on a visit and just strictly go for "Free" if you will. Also curious if CM perks, like getting into the parks and comp passes for free, how much of a impact this has on attendance. I know that is a Big benefit that draws people into working for Disney, but if they had stricter Blackouts dates and got less comps if this would help solve crowd issues.

just went with AP passes and stayed off site....still dropped 7 bills....

 

[matt9112]

I don't think this survey had much to do with crowd issues as it does with Disney trying to figure out a way to squeeze more money out of people. Given attendance is down, despite the opening of Frozen, Soarin', and additions at AK, I don't think they're too concerned about capacity. Actually, I read it in a way that Disney wants locals to visit the parks more often... for a price.

They want to find a way to encourage people to upgrade their passes without costing them (Disney) anything. A lot of local people have downgraded and dropped their passes entirely in recent time. I think the problem here is many local people just don't find the more expensive passes valuable enough when they can go during a slower period and save (in some cases) over a thousand dollars for their family.

Disney is likely to find out that most local people will rather wait a couple months to ride the new stuff than spend money they don't have (most jobs in central Florida don't truly support having $700 per person passes) on more expensive passes that get them on rides sooner. If people can wait several years from an announcement to opening day, what's two more months really? For that reason, I don't see Disney getting what they're wanting by this change (pass upgrades), but I could see them attempting it anyway. They do, run the risk of having even more people drop their passes though, so it'll be interesting to see what they end up deciding on.

how about make APs feel worth something....give us something to come more often for....real discounts...maybe some EMH access....or just let us go the way of the dinos....after all this isn't California. This was our first year of APs (silver pass) and it might be our last the guys down the street have alot more raw value to me comparisons aside. they seem to care a touch more.

 

[matt9112]

Is this any different than how the program works now? Different tiers of pass have different amounts of blocked dates? Lower tier passholders are blocked during periods of peak demand?

they want to block out rides....regardless of season in principle AP holders blocked out of rides as long as they stay popular.

 

[matt9112]

I've been a Disney fan for a very long time even to the point of buying DVC before it was a thing, I'm not a fan of how the parks are being RUN these days and the only way change will be effected is if Disney fans stop visiting, we are in many respects our worst enemies because we keep on visiting no matter how much Disney cuts or raises prices.

In New England there is a chain of grocery stores (Demoulas/Market Basket) which paid decent wages/benefits to employees and treated them well, There was a boardroom coup where the CEO and his team were ousted and replaced with the traditional "employees are the rungs on the ladder to success, dont be afraid to step on them" type of management.

Well - the customers organized a boycott and the chain almost went out of business, Finally they capitulated and sold the company back to the original management team and once again it's thriving business.

If Disney fans did the same to the Parks and Resorts unit - I think we would see some changes which were positive for the guests instead of the management's pay packets.

i brought food and water to employees (purchased at shaws)

 

[dreamfinder912]

I personally don't understand why Florida residents get a discount on passes and then a 12 month payment plan to pay it off. It's like the residents of 49 other states are paying some sort of penalty for not living in Florida. Was this some deal originally made with the Florida legislature decades ago?

Two things...

1: don't think of it as paying a penalty, think of it as not having to plan your route to work and when you can grocery shop around tourists. You also get an economy -not- based around everyone else's travel plans and mosquito/gator/whatever fears.

2: because I'm so close to Disney, I'm sure Disney wants to make sure I'm spending my weekends (and money) on them. The discount exists to try and keep me from going somewhere else.

 

[Mike S]

Not like we get to do new attractions in a practical sense, anyway. We've ridden 7 Dwarfs Mine Train once since it opened and it was entirely due to a Fastpass+ glitch that put them on our account. (After riding, I'm glad I didn't ever try to do the two hour wait. I'd have been angry getting off it.) Otherwise, unless you book in advance for a room so you can get your faspasses 60+ days in advance, good luck getting them for the new thing. it'll probably be years before we ride the refurbished Norway attraction. An hour+ in line for a ride less than 5 minutes long isn't practical with a young child.

I got on Frozen in less than 10 minutes once they started letting us in. Just get there early.

My sister was also there recently and said that although it said 70 minutes she miraculously got on in 15. I highly doubt that's anywhere near the norm though.

So in a way, this "new rule" would be redundant, since many locals wouldn't stay on property, they couldn't get a fastpass at 60 days out, so the system already takes care of keeping locals off new rides.

Doesn't keep me off

 

[matt9112]

Two things...

1: don't think of it as paying a penalty, think of it as not having to plan your route to work and when you can grocery shop around tourists. You also get an economy -not- based around everyone else's travel plans and mosquito/gator/whatever fears.

2: because I'm so close to Disney, I'm sure Disney wants to make sure I'm spending my weekends (and money) on them. The discount exists to try and keep me from going somewhere else.

yes to add to this is simply not attractive for most out of state guests...if you can travel that often you have coin....keep in mind we drive to EPCOT on weekdays just to do it.

 

[ford91exploder]

i brought food and water to employees (purchased at shaws)

OUTSTANDING! - Thank you for doing that!

 

[LongLiveTheKing]

Not like we get to do new attractions in a practical sense, anyway. We've ridden 7 Dwarfs Mine Train once since it opened and it was entirely due to a Fastpass+ glitch that put them on our account. (After riding, I'm glad I didn't ever try to do the two hour wait. I'd have been angry getting off it.) Otherwise, unless you book in advance for a room so you can get your faspasses 60+ days in advance, good luck getting them for the new thing. it'll probably be years before we ride the refurbished Norway attraction. An hour+ in line for a ride less than 5 minutes long isn't practical with a young child.

Yeah but even if you don't want to bother with the new ride (it's still their choice), a lot of AP users would still get shafted for months with the parks and rides unrelated to the new release if that proposal were to go through.

 

[LongLiveTheKing]

I seem to recall this being a fairly common thing at DLR. If you ever read any the reports on some of the sites that include weekly updates on DLR, when they talk about crowds they always say things like "APs have 2 days before block outs begin." or "Next Weds is the first say for APs to go w/o block outs

I'm talking about the proposed entire months of blockouts, not the couple day blockouts here and there with no weekends. Even week long blockouts are uncommon and are pretty much the second half of December.

 

[21stamps]

Two things...

1: don't think of it as paying a penalty, think of it as not having to plan your route to work and when you can grocery shop around tourists. You also get an economy -not- based around everyone else's travel plans and mosquito/gator/whatever fears.

2: because I'm so close to Disney, I'm sure Disney wants to make sure I'm spending my weekends (and money) on them. The discount exists to try and keep me from going somewhere else.

To add to that.,

Most places give "Florida Resident" discounts, some even give specific to where you live.

When I lived in Key West I paid different prices than tourists for a lot of things. Back then I was a smoker (gross I know), but just an example my cigarettes were $2 cheaper per pack. Same with Starbucks, jet skis, etc. you had to be an island local to receive those.

When I lived in Ft Lauderdale, then Boca Raton, and eventually Palm Beach, we didn't really get those perks- but, we did always get things like "One way flight free to the Dominican Republic (included in vacation package)",--mostly during the summer months, especially August and September. Also, back before the 2005 hurricanes, there used to be an AMAZING deal from FLL to Biloxi.. Round trip flight, leaving in the evening, 1 night at the Grand, returning early morning. For $79!!!!

Now, I'm 1000 miles away and omg I miss my cheap Caribbean and Central America flights, and Florida resident perks!!

Disney always had a ton of Billboards on I95 advertising their Florida Resident discounts. Even if you live 4 hours away it's an easy last minute weekend trip. Like others have said, Florida residents tend to travel to tourist places during off season..so it helps give a boost during an otherwise "slow" time.

 

[Bocabear]

To add to that.,

Most places give "Florida Resident" discounts, some even give specific to where you live.

When I lived in Key West I paid different prices than tourists for a lot of things. Back then I was a smoker (gross I know), but just an example my cigarettes were $2 cheaper per pack. Same with Starbucks, jet skis, etc. you had to be an island local to receive those.

When I lived in Ft Lauderdale, then Boca Raton, and eventually Palm Beach, we didn't really get those perks- but, we did always get things like "One way flight free to the Dominican Republic (included in vacation package)",--mostly during the summer months, especially August and September. Also, back before the 2005 hurricanes, there used to be an AMAZING deal from FLL to Biloxi.. Round trip flight, leaving in the evening, 1 night at the Grand, returning early morning. For $79!!!!

Now, I'm 1000 miles away and omg I miss my cheap Caribbean and Central America flights, and Florida resident perks!!

Disney always had a ton of Billboards on I95 advertising their Florida Resident discounts. Even if you live 4 hours away it's an easy last minute weekend trip. Like others have said, Florida residents tend to travel to tourist places during off season..so it helps give a boost during an otherwise "slow" time.

There is still a "Locals" discount at a lot of restaurants and businesses in Key West...It is lovely to take advantage of that! At the Rum Bar, Jill and Anne always give me a discount on my bar tab! Love that place... Key West is very different when you have a place there...it's a lovely small town where everyone knows everyone... Far different from the tourist experience on the West end of Duval...

 

[21stamps]

There is still a "Locals" discount at a lot of restaurants and businesses in Key West...It is lovely to take advantage of that! At the Rum Bar, Jill and Anne always give me a discount on my bar tab! Love that place... Key West is very different when you have a place there...it's a lovely small town where everyone knows everyone... Far different from the tourist experience on the West end of Duval...

Completely!!!! People are like "I went to Key West and the beaches were horrible, not what I expected!!" Ummm.. 1st off, it's a Rock. Secondly, and most importantly, shame on you for only drinking on Duval and not exploring the outside of the island. You're paying ridic hotel prices already, rent a darn boat and see why people love the place so much.
I'm not hating on Duval, I lived across from Hogs Breath in an overpriced apartment above a tee shirt shop..lol. But if you're going to KW, get off the island and experience the beauty. Don't eat at Hard Rock, go to the amazing local places. I hate when people say bad things about my favorite rock . I've even read people on cruise boards who think they shouldn't take their kids off the ship while in port. My kiddo loves Key West!

 

[Bocabear]

Completely!!!! People are like "I went to Key West and the beaches were horrible, not what I expected!!" Ummm.. 1st off, it's a Rock. Secondly, and most importantly, shame on you for only drinking on Duval and not exploring the outside of the island. You're paying ridic hotel prices already, rent a darn boat and see why people love the place so much.
I'm not hating on Duval, I lived across from Hogs Breath in an overpriced apartment above a tee shirt shop..lol. But if you're going to KW, get off the island and experience the beauty. Don't eat at Hard Rock, go to the amazing local places. I hate when people say bad things about my favorite rock . I've even read people on cruise boards who think they shouldn't take their kids off the ship while in port. My kiddo loves Key West!

There is so much history there...Lots of things to see, even for the kids, but you are right...people go and spend their entire time there on Duval drinking and not seeing what the island really has to offer. We have a place on Whitehead and Julia...at the sane and quiet end of the street I took a cruise once that stopped in Key West.. they were in port from 8am- 11 am... the excursions listed a bar crawl and a snorkeling tour... Bar Crawl at 8 am??? That's just nuts!! OOps sorry off topic!

 

[21stamps]

There is so much history there...Lots of things to see, even for the kids, but you are right...people go and spend their entire time there on Duval drinking and not seeing what the island really has to offer. We have a place on Whitehead and Julia...at the sane and quiet end of the street I took a cruise once that stopped in Key West.. they were in port from 8am- 11 am... the excursions listed a bar crawl and a snorkeling tour... Bar Crawl at 8 am??? That's just nuts!! OOps sorry off topic!

It's sad that more people don't realize that. There are great museums.. Great "teachable moments". My son developed a love for lighthouses whole in KW, he's also semi obsessed with the overseas railroad (I modified the story a bit) and it opened up the door to learn about Flagler and Florida's history of development... And of course- pirates and ship wrecks! Most of all marine life though, I'm an avid diver..I took him to Dry Tortugas for his first "big" snorkeling trip..I can't wait til he is old enough to dive!!

I'm jealous of your residence..I love Whitehead St!!

Ok sorry.. Back on topic.

 

[pax_65]

I don't think this survey had much to do with crowd issues as it does with Disney trying to figure out a way to squeeze more money out of people.

^THIS. Disney spent decades treating their guests like royalty and building up tremendous loyalty (which is why many of us are here). These days there's an arrogance that says "We can charge whatever we want and our loyal guests will pay it." To some extent that may be true, but it's short-sighted thinking. Slowly but surely, our loyalty will decline - and their fanbase will fade away.