Disney considering VIP and other add-on options to their tickets....

[CoffeeJedi]

Where does is say that Fastpasses would ONLY be available to VIP's? It just says "unlimited" use of Fastpass. Currently, they are limited to a certain number per day, with set return times. The VIP option would just remove those limitations for those buyers.

 

[devoy1701]

VERY stupid. At least some of these options are. Fastpass was open to every one, making it a privilege to those able to pay more would annoy a lot of guests who couldn't afford it and would feel as a second-class guest. It feels very undisneyesque. I wouldn't pay for this privilege and I don't know if I even would accept it. Perhaps I would even boycott Disney as long as they introduce this. And going back to the ticket-system is by far the greatest mistake they could do. I would definitely not go to WDW any longer if they brought back the ticket system, I don't want to think about what I am spending my limited tickets on. I want to be free in my choices.

They already do this with the VIP Tour Guides...people with them get premium access to FP, restuarants, shows, etc...

You probably hardly notice that don't you. And most likely you would hardly notice these changes should they be implemented unless a patron using one of these options flaunts and shouts to everyone around them "HEY, I GET UNLIMITED FASTPASSES...TOO BAD FOR YOU!!!"

I think you'll still be able to go about your merry day and there will be no changes to your experience at the parks if this is implemented.

 

[David S.]

Premium Holiday Ticket – Entrance to the Magic Kingdom or Disneyland on popular holidays with a limit on the number of guests allowed in the park, allowing more time with characters and shorter lines for attractions ($99 per person, per day – $17 more than the current one-day ticket);

I, for one, would HATE this! The reason I get the AP that doesn't have black out days is so I can go any day of the year!

Two of my favorite days of the year to visit MK are New Year's Eve and Easter Sunday. New Year's so I can see the fireworks and celebrate the New Year at my favorite park, and Easter because the Easter Bunny and several other spring-type characters (like Thumper and Rabbit) are in the afternoon parade (pre-parade), and also because Main Street has a unique Easter music loop on that day only.

If they made holidays like that a whooping 100 dollar upcharge, they'd basically be giving me blackout dates as well as asking me to pay over one fifth of my AP price for ONE DAY!

I agree with the poster who said they'd like to see MORE done for AP holders, not less!

Let's hope this is just talk and nothing comes of this. I joined the board out of enthusiasm for the parks and to discuss my love of them and favorite attractions; NOT to bash "TDO". But these type of potential money-making schemes (such as AP blackout dates and letting people pay more for unlimited FPs, unlike the current system where everyone is EQUAL*), sure would make me feel some resentment towards "TDO", as I've been a loyal passholder for a long time, and buy LOTS of snacks and souvenirs!

*The unlimited FP thing wouldn't bother me as much, as long as those NOT paying this fee are still allowed to use Fastpass the way it is now

 

[Buried20KLeague]

It looks like we just stumbled onto a prime use of the RFID / NextGen technology.

Given the correct sensor array it will be trivial for CMs to identify and escort those with expired tickets out of the parks or to deny guests access to ride queues (or identify them if they manage to slip in).

The unlimited Fast Pass feature sounds interesting, but if it's really at that cost and it's not guaranteed Fast Pass access to all attractions at all times (i.e. you still need to actually secure a paper Fast Pass from the general FP pool) it's really not worth the expense. At that price it has to be unlimited and at any time.

This.

It's sounding more and more like this RFID initiative is more about Disney finding ways to charge premiums and limit access than it is for Winnie the Pooh to say hi to little Joey when he rides the ride.

Which kind of makes sense, given the usual pattern of TDO.

 

[devoy1701]

This.

It's sounding more and more like this RFID initiative is more about Disney finding ways to charge premiums and limit access than it is for Winnie the Pooh to say hi to little Joey when he rides the ride.

Which kind of makes sense, given the usual pattern of TDO.

at the end of the day, Disney is a business...who's responsibility is to make money for it's shareholders. What is wrong with finding new creative ways to charge premiums for premium experiences? They have always done this in a way to ensure that the "little guy" is still not missing out on what Disney has to offer.

And in response to the Holiday ticket, how is blacking out part or all of a day and charging a premium for it any different at all then shutting a park down early because of a hard ticket party or event like Grad Night or night of Joy? It's not like Disney would shut down all 4 parks on one day and say the only way you can get in would be to pay an additional $100. And it doesn't say anything about restricting APs.

 

[Bork Bork]

Where does is say that Fastpasses would ONLY be available to VIP's? It just says "unlimited" use of Fastpass. Currently, they are limited to a certain number per day, with set return times. The VIP option would just remove those limitations for those buyers.

WDW already has this operating for the GADGAD promotion. They have special FP machines for VoluntEARs who opted for the FPs. After all FPs are distributed, this machine stays open for VoluntEARs.

If WDW limited the number of VIP FPs, this would have little effect on guests. I don't see a problem with getting more if you pay more.

 

[CaptainWinter]

at the end of the day, Disney is a business...who's responsibility is to make money for it's shareholders. What is wrong with finding new creative ways to charge premiums for premium experiences? They have always done this in a way to ensure that the "little guy" is still not missing out on what Disney has to offer.

There are lots of people who can't afford to go to Disney World as it stands, so they don't in fact do anything for the little guy. They serve the middle guy, and above.

The problem with introducing premium experiences is the way it adds layers to the parks. The creation of an upper-level guest entails the simultaneous creation of a *lower-level* guest. Who wants to feel they're having the second-best experience in the most fun place on earth? I like the fact that once I enter the gates I'm pretty much the same as everyone else (a few VIP tourers aside).

For this reason I'm not in favor of Golden Oak, VIP tix and Night Kingdom (may it rest in peace).

 

[Brian_WDW74]

Let's hope this is just talk and nothing comes of this. I joined the board out of enthusiasm for the parks and to discuss my love of them and favorite attractions; NOT to bash "TDO". But these type of potential money-making schemes (such as AP blackout dates and letting people pay more for unlimited FPs, unlike the current system where everyone is EQUAL*), sure would make me feel some resentment towards "TDO", as I've been a loyal passholder for a long time, and buy LOTS of snacks and souvenirs!

The survey specifically says "Magic Kingdom or Disneyland." This appears to be more of a "Disney Parks" idea from higher up than TDO. So while TDO can certainly be blamed for many things, this doesn't seem to be one of them.

 

[ob1thx1138]

The half day tickets and touring only tickets would not be any trouble at all once the system is in place. Your room keey/ticket would simply have an RFID in it and you would use that to unlock the turnstile to the ride. There is already a CM at the front of every line and they could assist people having problems or have to go around the turnstile.

Also they are not going to escourt you out of the park once your half day ticket is expired. You will just be in touring mode from that time on. Why would they kick you out when there are still hot dogs and t-shirts for you to spend your money on. You will just not be allowed into the attractions.

We use RFID a lot here at my palce of buisness. The chips are in our ID badges which we wear on lanyards. They are the size of a credit card and not any thicker, so all you would have to do is wear your room key/ticket on a lanyard and hold it up to the reader on the turnstile to get onto the rides. Pretty easy if you ask me. Would make getting fast passes quicker as well. as you would not have to feed them into the machine, just hold one up to the reader at a time.

 

[CarlFredricksen]

Doesn't DL already have a half day pass? When I was there in 2005 we had a negative experience and customer service gave us x2, after 4:00PM entry passes

 

[Tigger1988]

Sigh, when will people learn that surveys, focus groups and the like are NOT meant to be shared publicly?

How about everyone just simmer down until something regarding these options is announced officially. Just because it appears in a survey doesn't mean it's actually happening.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

at the end of the day, Disney is a business...who's responsibility is to make money for it's shareholders. What is wrong with finding new creative ways to charge premiums for premium experiences? They have always done this in a way to ensure that the "little guy" is still not missing out on what Disney has to offer.

Oh, TRUST ME... I know. But there's a difference between making money the right way and squeezing people and alienating groups of people.

Right way: Adding themed rooms to resorts. A perfect way to charge a premium, that doesn't negatively impact anyone else's experience in any way. If you want to stay in the room, you pay for it and stay there.

Right way: This rumored walking Safari experience. At least at first blush, this doesn't seem like it will negatively impact anyone else riding the attraction, so no one is negatively impacted.

WRONG WAY: Creating "paid" perks that create "classes" of guests, that negatively and directly impact others. If the Joneses don't pay up for this or that, they're going to have to wait in longer lines, they have to wait longer to get a table, etc... There seem to be many examples of exactly this type of thing in the list. And sure... You can bet that I'd pay for these things. But not because I WANTED to... But because I felt that I would HAVE to, or else my vacation might be negatively effected. I'm certain I wouldn't be alone in that mindset.

Earning money isn't just "earning money". There's a right and wrong.

 

[ChrisM]

I think folks needs to start getting used to the idea of Disney starting to aggressively court the up-market dollars.

What you've seen over the last 15-20 years, and what people have grown accustomed to, is Disney charging hard at down-market dollars. Witness the explosion of Value resorts, endless promotions, "free" dining, etc. What Disney now sees is twofold:

(1) In a difficult economy down-market customers have the least amount of disposable income and their discretionary spending cuts leave less for the Mouse.

(2) They really haven't done nearly as much as they can to exploit the up-market and separate these people from their dollars.

That said, it's almost by necessity that Disney is going to start offering more "premium" experiences and options for those willing to pay for them. This is a largely untapped market for them. I think we all better start getting used to the idea, whether you love it or hate.

 

[devoy1701]

There are lots of people who can't afford to go to Disney World as it stands, so they don't in fact do anything for the little guy. They serve the middle guy, and above.

The problem with introducing premium experiences is the way it adds layers to the parks. The creation of an upper-level guest entails the simultaneous creation of a *lower-level* guest. Who wants to feel they're having the second-best experience in the most fun place on earth? I like the fact that once I enter the gates I'm pretty much the same as everyone else (a few VIP tourers aside).

For this reason I'm not in favor of Golden Oak, VIP tix and Night Kingdom (may it rest in peace).

Do you feel like you are any less of a person when you see someone with a VIP Tour Guide??? You see the tour guide, but you not having one does not negatively affect your experience. How would having these ticket tiers be any different at all? You wouldn't be able to tell by looking at them who has a premium Unlimited Fast Pass ticket or who got to use a separate VIP entrance.

Why worry about something that isn't going to affect you directly. Is it the idea that bothers you? Are you bothered by the fact that you'll (and most of us for that matter) will never get to stay in the Castle Suite or get to access Club 33????

stop griping...there are many MANY amenities that alot of us can't afford, or don't want. There's nothing wrong with Disney wanting to cater some of it's offerings to the higher class.

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

Sigh, when will people learn that surveys, focus groups and the like are NOT meant to be shared publicly?

How about everyone just simmer down until something regarding these options is announced officially. Just because it appears in a survey doesn't mean it's actually happening.

Agreed. Its only a survey; its not like any of these ticket plans are going to be enacted next week. No need to be getting riled up or start calling for boycotts.

 

[WDWmazprty]

Anyone wanna share my popcorn? :slurp::king:

 

[devoy1701]

Oh, TRUST ME... I know. But there's a difference between making money the right way and squeezing people and alienating groups of people.

Right way: Adding themed rooms to resorts. A perfect way to charge a premium, that doesn't negatively impact anyone else's experience in any way. If you want to stay in the room, you pay for it and stay there.

Right way: This rumored walking Safari experience. At least at first blush, this doesn't seem like it will negatively impact anyone else riding the attraction, so no one is negatively impacted.

WRONG WAY: Creating "paid" perks that create "classes" of guests, that negatively and directly impact others. If the Joneses don't pay up for this or that, they're going to have to wait in longer lines, they have to wait longer to get a table, etc... There seem to be many examples of exactly this type of thing in the list. And sure... You can bet that I'd pay for these things. But not because I WANTED to... But because I felt that I would HAVE to, or else my vacation might be negatively effected. I'm certain I wouldn't be alone in that mindset.

Earning money isn't just "earning money". There's a right and wrong.

someone already pointed out that voluntEARS who chose fastpasses as their reward already have access to more FPs beyond your normal park guest. It certainly isn't noticable to most visitors. You make it seem like half of the park goers are going to be using this and half are SOL. Chances are a majority of the visitors won't even know these options exists and another good portion will know but wouldn't think twice about paying for it. We're probably talking about a very small amount of the daily guests who would utilize something like this.

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

Anyone wanna share my popcorn? :slurp::king:

Why, thank you!

 

[ChrisM]

Earning money isn't just "earning money". There's a right and wrong.

I think that's a load of spit. And it's simply envy rearing its ugly head.

I'm a bit envious of people who have nothing better to do and a pantload of free time to sit on various Disney boards and wring every bit of info on every tip, trick, and discount possible...and sit on the phone and online all day securing prime ADRs right at that 180 day window. I don't think it's particularly fair, but that's life. Oh, well.

 

[WDWmazprty]

Why, thank you!

I have some soda here too. What a great show!