Changes to FASTPASS may be coming

[Lauriebar]

I do understand that, but think that would be a bad way of conducting business. Perhaps in your mind Disney can do no wrong, but I have a right to disagree with their decisions. And I understand this is all speculation at this point on what they are going to do.

I do not have an idealistic view of Disney, far from it. It appears to me that you are the one who expects to much out of Disney not me. This is not a moral issue it is an economic one. WDW is in the business of making money however they can and they will make business decisions that will help them gain maximum profits.

 

[AEfx]

I find the rationale that you are PAYING more for a high end resort so you get more in the parks absolutely ridiculous.

The reason you pay more for the Grand Floridian than the All Stars is:

1 - closer to Magic Kingdom, not to mention the visuals & prettier resort
2 - use of the monorail for MK & Epcot
3 - and the most important - HIGHER degree of service, larger rooms, prettier environment, less rooms (so it is less crowded), valet service, luggage service to your room, concierge.

If disney wanted to give ALL their hotel guests more perks than people outside, which they already do, with EHM, than I could live with it. But you get what you pay for in a Disney resort already - the quality of the hotel.

Totally agree, Kevin.

Having to pay for park benefits creates a class system within the parks and is simply wrong. Part of the beauty and magic of Disney is that once in the park, for most intents and purposes everyone is equal as far as experiencing attractions.

All anyone has to look at is the comments of those who misunderstand the FP system as is (not realizing it is for everyone) to get a preview of the type of responses people will have to a class system instituted in the happiest place on earth.

Inside the parks, a resort guest should be a resort guest. Period.

AEfx

 

[Bravesfn1]

I do not have an idealistic view of Disney, far from it. It appears to me that you are the one who expects to much out of Disney not me. This is not a moral issue it is an economic one. WDW is in the business of making money however they can and they will make business decisions that will help them gain maximum profits.

You are way off base in your comments. I don't expect too much out of Disney, just stating my opinion that it would be a bad business decision in my opinion. That all it is an opinion. People who are locals, people who stay off site, and people who stay at value or moderate Disney resorts may be offended by this. These people add up to a greater number than people staying at Deluxe resorts in my opinion. Therefore maybe a bad business decision if they are alienated by this type of move. Thanks for informing me that Disney is a business! You are just not getting it

 

[Lauriebar]

You are way off base in your comments. I don't expect too much out of Disney, just stating my opinion that it would be a bad business decision in my opinion. That all it is an opinion. People who are locals, people who stay off site, and people who stay at value or moderate Disney resorts may be offended by this. These people add up to a greater number than people staying at Deluxe resorts in my opinion. Therefore maybe a bad business decision if they are alienated by this type of move. Thanks for informing me that Disney is a business! You are just not getting it

You mean I am not agreeing with you? There is nothing wrong with discussing this issue in an adult manner which I would like to do. You are entitled to your opinion as am I. I'm not trying to attack you, I would just like to understand your position a little better.

 

[bucklmd]

Until the admission to the parks is included in the room rate, it is not an amenity.

 

[speck76]

Until the admission to the parks is included in the room rate, it is not an amenity.

Packages

 

[Snapper Bean]

Are non-Disney resort guests offended by the notion of EMH? It seems nobody has a problem with offending people as long as its somebody else.

 

[sheryl2007]

Heres a thought; if just the SUGGESTION of implementing this type of program can lead to this much debate on the boards, what will happen if it is ever implemented???:hammer:

 

[leebier]

Well, people have a point that there is a risk of irritating/alienating people who save for 5 years to go on a Disney trip and then get the impression that others are "line-jumping."

So just make the system low-key. Those who buy the perks get a regular paper fastpass to hand in for the fastpass line, no one in the line has any idea how many FPs the party has or when they got them. Keep the in-park FPs just the same as they are now. Allocate a certain # of FPs for the in-park machines and a certain # for people who can reserve in advance. Don't let people do the "pick a time from a screen" thing inside the parks (once in the park, traditional FP is the only thing you can do), but allow them to do it from their PC at home, from the Hotel lobby or from their TV in their room.

You can allow for a certain number of pre-booked FPs, ensure there are plenty out there in the machines for the non-deluxe and off-site guest, and no one knows who is who once you walk into the park.

Those who pay more can get an extra benefit, those who pay less don't notice a difference.

As for the parks not being an amenity, to split hairs here is silly. Disney is in the business of packaging their seperate goods together. They way they can make profit is by cross-selling items. By cross-selling benefits, they encourage people to stay in Deluxe hotels, as is a smart way of doing business.

As for those who say "I'd rather stay in a value because I don't feel like I get as much for my money in a Deluxe," you are <i> exactly </i> the person this type of benefit is for. You <b> have </b> the money to stay at a Deluxe but are choosing not to. They are finding reasons for you to upgrade. They want your money and they want to give you something valuable in return for it (otherwise, you wouldn't be willing to give them the money, that's why capitalism works). So you aren't staying at Deluxe's now, but if you had the change to get a "super FP", would you now consider the extra room rate? Some of you said yes, and that's why they'd consider doing this.

For the naysayers, you are right, there is a real possibility of ing people off if they did something like this. That's why they have to do it with class and subtletry. Don't make the value customers feel less cared for by the staff but quietly thank the deluxers for their increased expenditure.

Leebier

 

[sheryl2007]

I think one of the big differences between giving front-of-line fastpasses to deluxe/aaa/??? people versus EMH, is that with EMH, people who aren't privy to the benefit know exactly what to expect. They know that the park closes at a certain time for them. During the time the park is open to everybody, everyone is on equal ground. During the time the park is EMH, its only open to those who have access, and then those people allowed in the park for the EMH are all on equal ground.

When you mix perks into "everybody" time is where people may get riled up, because everyone isn't on equal ground.

I agree with this, as long as people even get the hint that they are being "cheated" or " discriminated" against, they get upset, whether or not it's accurate or justified.

 

[HauntedPirate]

I've put off commenting until now. My 2 cents:

- It's a patent *application*. It doesn't mean it'll happen.

- If implemented, it will create a caste system. The big push that they've been using with FP was that it's evenly available to everyone who enters the parks. Why ruin the years of goodwill they've built up for a (my opinion only) stupid, un-Disney idea like this?

- IMHO, where you stay shouldn't affect the availability of FP, or your ability to get one. You enter the parks, everyone's on even ground. EMH's are a great draw to get people to stay in their resorts.

I honestly think that if they do this, there will be a backlash.

Whew, I got thru the whole thing without mentioning the "source" , even though lentesta posted it first, I believe. :lol:

 

[dxwwf3]

I honestly think that if they do this, there will be a backlash.

I don't care who you are, I don't see how you can disagree with this statement. Even if Disney made FP for Disney resort guests only, I think there would be a big backlash. Now if they want to have a FP book that gives Deluxe Resort guests EXTRA FP's then I would think that would work just fine.

Either way I guess I personally don't care that much. I won't be staying in a Deluxe either way and I can live without FP. I like using it and I think the system works, but if Disney want to change it then I think I will be able to adjust quickly.

 

[MKCustodial]

Agreed on all counts, except I don't really like FP. :lol:

 

[Snapper Bean]

1. Nobody seems offended by Extra Magic Hours, a theme park benefit, which is a distinction made between staying on site and off site.

2. Many seem offended by the notion of Deluxe Resort Guests getting additional them park benefits than Value Resort Guests.

3. Considering that revenue difference between staying off site and at a value resort (as low as $99 per night) is smaller than the difference between staying at Deluxe Resort and a Value Resort, its kind of hard to see a difference.

4. In other words, people who are offended by the notion that Deluxe Resort Guests might be afforded theme park perks logically should be just as offended the concept of Extra Magic Hours.

 

[Lauriebar]

- IMHO, where you stay shouldn't affect the availability of FP, or your ability to get one. You enter the parks, everyone's on even ground. EMH's are a great draw to get people to stay in their resorts.

But everyone is not truely on even ground are they? Non Disney resort staying guests are not offered the same park hours as those staying on property even though they have both payed the exact same price for their tickets.

EMH's are an incentive for guests to spend more money at WDW by staying on property. Why is this okay and Disney offering an incentive for guests to upgrade to a Deluxe Resort is not?

 

[dxwwf3]

1. Nobody seems offended by Extra Magic Hours, a theme park benefit, which is a distinction made between staying on site and off site.

and

Why is this okay and Disney offering an incentive for guests to upgrade to a Deluxe Resort is not?

If EHM had been introduced as something for everyone and it had been popular for 5 or 6 years and then they decided to make it for Disney resort guests only, then I could see a problem. But as it is, EMH is something that is being introduced as a WDW resort guest benefit. So my reasoning is, if FastPass had originally been introduced as an on-site perk (or even Deluxe resort only) then there wouldn't be a problem. But too many people know about and have used FastPass now. So NOW making FP for Deluxe only is taking something away from alot of guests. EMH for on site guests was never available for others, so they aren't losing anything. And that's where I see a difference. I hope I worded that clearly.

 

[Lauriebar]

If EHM had been introduced as something for everyone and it had been popular for 5 or 6 years and then they decided to make it for Disney resort guests only, then I could see a problem. But as it is, EMH is something that is being introduced as a WDW resort guest benefit. So my reasoning is, if FastPass had originally been introduced as an on-site perk (or even Deluxe resort only) then there wouldn't be a problem. But too many people know about and have used FastPass now. So NOW making FP for Deluxe only is taking something away from alot of guests. EMH for on site guests was never available for others, so they aren't losing anything. And that's where I see a difference. I hope I worded that clearly.

You make your point very clearly and I understand your position even though I respectfully disagree about whether or not this is a good thing. I guess my whole feeling is that WDW is going to implement these changes. I think it will happen very slowly and quietly but, it will happen.

 

[dxwwf3]

I think it will happen very slowly and quietly but, it will happen.

I don't think it can happen slowly and quietly. FastPass is almost a household name now (Sure some people call it Fast Track, Test Track, and Fast Lane, but you know what I mean ). I think alot of guests go to WDW now expecting to use FP.

 

[Lauriebar]

I don't think it can happen slowly and quietly. FastPass is almost a household name now (Sure some people call it Fast Track, Test Track, and Fast Lane, but you know what I mean ). I think alot of guests go to WDW now expecting to use FP.

I guess only time will tell

 

[inafog]

What offends me

Just thinking it out here, so bear with me if I'm repetitive or not terribly logical...

I suppose it offends me in a number of ways. I do find it offensive, to the point that if FP is changed in the ways we've been speculating, I will probably stop visiting Disney. Others have pointed out that everyone pays the same to get in. That's not necessarily true. An AP holder or FL resident pays less per admission than someone on a 5 or 6 day MYW ticket. Similarly, not everyone pays the same to stay on-site, even in the same resort. I am staying off-site in a 3-bedroom condo for most of my next trip because a) it's summer so rates are higher everywhere; b) we're travelling with extended family and c) I couldn't get the acceptable rates I usually get for AKL or WL--I have never paid rack rate for staying on-site. I will be paying less for the condo than I would for CBR on AP rates.

Now, I generally agree with Unofficial Guide in saying that there's a direct relationship between time and money at WDW; it's a trade I'm willing to make for accommodations. But one of the best features of the FP system has been that anyone can get one. If my kids want to ride something that has an incredibly long line we can get a FP and come back later, without me spending an hour nagging them not to swing the chains at people and irritating everyone around me. Since we've mostly been going in October and March the past few years, I have used FP maybe twice per day the past several trips. But the availability of FPs is one of the reasons I'm willing to try going in summer.

It's true that FP could be used as a perk for staying on-site, just as EMH are. The problem is that they haven't been used that way. It seems unfair for WDW to let us have them for free for years and then change that system so that the more we pay the more time we can save. It seems like a rather sinister way to part people from their money faster. Besides, access to EMH is not limited by the resort you are staying in.

It's not like WDW is a terribly affordable trip anyway; my DH and I spent 5 weeks in Greece for what it costs us to go to WDW for 10 days. We go to WDW mainly because we have children who like to go (although we do enjoy it ourselves). FP makes WDW much more accessible for people like us, travelling with small children or older parents, which includes just about everyone in the park. I think making people pay for FP by making them available only to resort guests is going to increase the numbers of people you hear about (or even see) who rent a wheelchair solely to get to the front of the line.

Sorry to be so stream-of-consciousness. I think it's a terrible idea to tie FP to where you're staying, and an even worse one to tie it to the cost of the resort. I think of FP as a perk you get for showing up at WDW and visiting the parks because that's how it's always been presented--on the MK guide map it says "FASTPASS is included with your Theme Park admission--everyone can use it!" And I think everyone should be allowed to use it. So, I'm hoping that all this speculation remains just that; it takes a long time to get a U.S. patent and in this case, the longer the better.