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

[devoy1701]

i am tired of those with more money being treated better than those with less. yes, you should be able to buy more expensive things, but not be treated better. disney is the one place where we should all be equal. i could swing the extra cost for unlimited fastpasses, but i don't believe it is morally right. i shouldn't be treated better than anyone else (i.e.- get to wave to you as you stand in line and i pass you all by), because i earn more than you (or my father left me more money than yours). i know universal does this, one of the reasons i don't go there! we are all equal !

Oh give me a break. These possible options aren't about how much a person makes, it's about how much a person is willing to spend while on vacation to make it what they want. You don't have to be rich to splurge. I just graduated from college and by no means do I make alot of money (yet) but my GF and I ALWAYS splurge on our vacations because we budget the extra cash when we go away.

And how does/why should what is morally right come into play with the use of fast passes?! If the option becomes available, there are no 'morals' invovled...it's just do i want to pay for it or not?

 

[ChrisM]

i am tired of those with more money being treated better than those with less. yes, you should be able to buy more expensive things, but not be treated better. disney is the one place where we should all be equal. i could swing the extra cost for unlimited fastpasses, but i don't believe it is morally right. i shouldn't be treated better than anyone else (i.e.- get to wave to you as you stand in line and i pass you all by), because i earn more than you (or my father left me more money than yours). i know universal does this, one of the reasons i don't go there! we are all equal !

Sorry, the Fantasyland expansion isn't that expansive.

 

[SwooshOU]

What's the deal with the everybody has to be equal mentality?

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

What's the deal with the everybody has to be equal mentality?

communism boy plain old communism.

 

[ChrisM]

What's the deal with the everybody has to be equal mentality?

Just some old fashion envy masquerading as benevolence.

 

[DVCOwner]

i am tired of those with more money being treated better than those with less. yes, you should be able to buy more expensive things, but not be treated better. disney is the one place where we should all be equal. i could swing the extra cost for unlimited fastpasses, but i don't believe it is morally right. i shouldn't be treated better than anyone else (i.e.- get to wave to you as you stand in line and i pass you all by), because i earn more than you (or my father left me more money than yours). i know universal does this, one of the reasons i don't go there! we are all equal !

We are all equal so....
I do not want to pay more for a park hopper
I don't want to pay more to go to a water park
I don't want to pay more to go on a tour
I don't want to pay more to play mini golf
I don't want to pay more to SCUBA in the "seas"
I don't want to pay more to ride a segway around EPCOT
I don't want to pay more to parasail
I don't want to pay more for a private party during the fireworks
I don't want to pay more "add any other thing you want"

There is money to be made from those that are willing to pay more.

 

[MickeyKimmy]

Someone mentioned on the survey a pass that didn't include any attractions at all and said they wish there was one that included only shows but not rides.

I received this survey and in the version I received they had both listed and wanted your opinion on them - a park ticket that did not allow access to rides or shows and also one that allowed access to shows only but nothing with a ride vehicle.

 

[devoy1701]

Someone mentioned on the survey a pass that didn't include any attractions at all and said they wish there was one that included only shows but not rides.

I received this survey and in the version I received they had both listed and wanted your opinion on them - a park ticket that did not allow access to rides or shows and also one that allowed access to shows only but nothing with a ride vehicle.

Thanks for the clarification. That sounds good that they would offer a ticket that allowed someone to see the shows but not go on rides. Although my grandmother would still want to ride IASW!!!

 

[mrbghd]

i am tired of those with more money being treated better than those with less. yes, you should be able to buy more expensive things, but not be treated better. disney is the one place where we should all be equal. i could swing the extra cost for unlimited fastpasses, but i don't believe it is morally right. i shouldn't be treated better than anyone else (i.e.- get to wave to you as you stand in line and i pass you all by), because i earn more than you (or my father left me more money than yours). i know universal does this, one of the reasons i don't go there! we are all equal !

Wow, just wow. I didn't have any money left to me, I built myself up. Sorry to tell youthis is AMERICA. It is perfectly fair that if I can afford something that you cannot I can do it! Should we all just get the exact same things in life no matter what? I also hate to tell you this stuff is already happening. People who pay for VIP treatment at the parks get it. If you think that is morally wrong my advice is to go to a communist country to live.

 

[stuart]

I can't see what the problem with the equality issue is. In fact I'm quite surprised they haven't had more VIP options in the past. You may well have guests that pay more to get some VIP benefits - but will it make their holiday any more special than someone whos staying at a Value resort or saved hard to stay at a Deluxe but can't stretch to VIP options? Yes, Disney is a family resort and comapny but as a company they do need to make money.

Not everyone can be in a very high paid profession and can afford to come every year, or can afford to stay at a moderate / deluxe resort. Not everyone is able to fly to disney in First / Business / Premium Economy class on their flight to Orlando. In fact, if Disney ever had their own airline then I would be pretty sure they would have a two class economy / first layout. A relatively well off family has the choice of flying a long distance in a economy only Disney airline, or paying to go with another airline in a first class cabin - then it will be the latter and Disney would lose out.Not everyone can afford to go on holiday - when you can - even those who say we are all equal. Thats just a fact of life. Would you stop going to Disney because your neighbour or a family friend can now no longer afford to go?

For those guests who can afford what ive listed in the above paragraph, those who do have disposable income I can't see why Disney shouldn't offer VIP perks because unfortunately some guests can't afford these benefits. It really would be a potential gold mine for them - and at no huge cost to implement. The money generated from these VIP perks can surely go into improving the park experience - new rides / projects / refurbs etc which all guests will be able to enjoy and benefit from. With the recent developments of the Waldorf and Four Seasons and Golden Oaks/Ridge (whatever its called) you are going to have more people coming to the parks who have plenty money to spend, and as a company it is only right that Disney should be able to rake the money in from them.

As has been stated - the hotel choice and cabin choice on the Disney cruise ships is set up to accommodate nearly all budgets - and even within the moderate and deluxe hotels there are different room options which people can pay for such as water / park views. If people are willing to pay for a water room view (which could mean the pool) then I think they will happily pay for some of the VIP options.

And for those again who have said Disney should be equal - and stay on property. Do you think then that EMH should be for everyone with a park ticket? There will be people staying off property (including the LBV Plaza hotels) who have paid the same, or in some cases more perhaps as guests staying on property - and say well why if I've paid the same as them, got the same tickets, should they be allowed in the park but we can't?

As far as things like the VIP Fastpass are concerend. There will not be a huge amount of these being offered and certainly not have a greatly detremental effect on fastpass / standby lines. The queue times will not go up that much and in terms of logistics if 16 people have a VIP fastpass as opposed to a normal one and have three goes on Toy Story 3 in a row - then thats 16 guests who can get a seat in a show that they might not have other wise.

I think Disney over the years have probably lost out on quite a bit of money from those who can afford to pay for extra benefits. Understandably part of the reason this might not have been pushed is the focus on the 'family' resort and negative press that might come from the offering of such perks. However, Disney have done a lot in recent times in terms of discounting park tickets, hotel stays, merchandise and free dining in the harder times to attract guests but there are still guests coming who can afford to spend money and Disney by all means should be making the mosts from these guests as well.

 

[Dwarful]

From what I could tell the VIP Fastpass offer doesn't say if it will be per day or per trip. If it is per trip I could see lots and lots of people jumping on this because it wouldn't be that expensive per day. If it is per day then I'd say it would probably be more popular in MK. I doubt at that price point they would limit it to a very small number. We used to do the Eride nights every trip that they were offered and they were only $15 per person and a huge benefit...way better than evening EMH's...the park was truly near empty...I wish they'd cut the evening EMH's and bring those back.

 

[mrbghd]

This board doesn't mirror the opinions of the public at large. And, as I've mentioned in other posts in this thread, Disney is currently underserving a very lucrative market. They've realized it and are likely going to aggressively pursue it. It's extremely unlikely that the pursuit of this market is going to noticeably impact their other markets, if at all.

In fact, what Disney is probably realizing is that they've catered too extensively to those of modest means and it's hurting them with their premium, and more potentially lucrative, customers. Time to turn that Walmart-ization trend around.

EXACTLY. Our only complaint this year was the amount of "cheapening"of their product to meet the desires of those who cannot afford more. Thinkf of it like this: 100 guests a day who do the parks on the cheap(stay offsite, bring food into parks etc.) who spend lets say $50 each equals $5,000 per day. Now lets say 50 of them stop coming because they are offended/jealous, etc over these "perks. But those 50 are replace by 25 "high dollar guest who spend $150 per guest. That means $2500 per day from "cheaper" guests plus $3750 by "high dollar"guests for a total of $6250. This amount is with 25 less visitors per day. This is a win-win for Disney.

Lastly, there are already "perks" available for those willing to pay for them: vip tour guides, conceirege level rooms, preferred seating at shows, etc.

My advice to those who do not like this is to stop going to Disney!

 

[CaptainWinter]

Among the points of view on VIP tickets:

- some conjecture that VIP passes will result in longer lines for non-VIP guests, could make their trip more expensive, etc., and don't welcome it.

- some conjecture VIPs would have no negative effect on lines, that the program is good business for Disney, would like to take advantage of it themselves, etc., and welcome it.

OK -- so it goes. It's just a survey. Walt wouldn't have wanted anyone to get hot under the collar over this, would he? We are talking about Disney World after all.

 

[Horizonsfan]

I don't think it's necessary that everything and anything be available to all guests. However at $82 (ignoring parking) bucks a pop, they are running the risk of scaring away/ ticking off much of their guests. They might not lose attendance for a few more years but they sure do seem to be close to a tipping point.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

We are all equal so....
I do not want to pay more for a park hopper
I don't want to pay more to go to a water park
I don't want to pay more to go on a tour
I don't want to pay more to play mini golf
I don't want to pay more to SCUBA in the "seas"
I don't want to pay more to ride a segway around EPCOT
I don't want to pay more to parasail
I don't want to pay more for a private party during the fireworks
I don't want to pay more "add any other thing you want"

There is money to be made from those that are willing to pay more.

EVERY SINGLE THING you just listed are extras that don't effect the common guest.

All you people that don't see any potential down side to this are making assumptions that:

1. A vast majority of people won't do these things, and therefore it won't effect "average Joe".
2. That Disney won't completely change the way the systems work to cater to the people that have paid more.

Sak is right... This is going to be a way to get people to pay more, and give less of an experience to those that don't.

What will all you people say if they totally change fastpass so that the only way you really benefit from it is to pay? Is everyone going to be okay with that? Something you've gotten for years for free you now have to pay for, or else you're going to spend 15% more time standing in lines? How's that going to go over? People go ape @#$ on here about refillable mugs, food changes, ticket prices raising... I can't wait to see what happens when they change this.

I'm all for "extras" that don't effect the masses if they choose not to participate. And they can come up with a TON of those to "tap that market" as many have referred to it as. But when people here start feeling forced to pay extra just to keep the same thing they had before... It's gonna get ugly. It already has. Go read some threads about the dining plan.

I have no doubt they've sat around and talked about things like you see on this list as ways to recoup lost profit for free dining, AP room discounts, etc... They want their money, and they'll find creative ways to get it... In some cases, even taking it from all of us while we have a huge smile on our faces (because we blindly don't know any better... Not because we're having fun).

 

[Buried20KLeague]

OK -- so it goes. It's just a survey. Walt wouldn't have wanted anyone to get hot under the collar over this, would he? We are talking about Disney World after all.

I suggest on this that where there's smoke there's fire. And if Sak is right and Uni is asking these same questions... I'd imagine you could be fairly sure that we'll see most of this in the not too distant future.

Will it be good or bad? Don't know till they roll it out. But I'm hesitant to think there's no way it could be a problem.

 

[Thrill]

Of course it does. Even if the VIP-Fastpass is only an additional privilege to a still existing normal FP it will affect both normal Fastpassers and Standbyers.
If the VIP-Fastpass allows unlimited Fastpasses you can do all Fastpass attractions in a very short time. There are a lot of Fastpasses that run out before afternoon, sometimes even in late noon. With the VIP-FP owners this will be even faster as they can get FP without having to wait for 1 1/2 hour or even more before they can get their next one. And I already mentioned 150 bucks is not THAT expensive, it's quite affordable. If you stay for ten days, my next trip length, then thats only 15 $ per day and person for guaranteed access to all FP-attractions. A lot of people could afford it, I could afford it and in opposite to any other privileges like special tours, better hotels etc. it would negatively influence the trip of every single guest who cannot afford it. And if they would really introduce it I would even feel forced to buy it because I don't want my disney experience to be harmed by much longer waiting lines at FP-attractions and still I would feel quite bad about it because I know that my privilege harms the fun of others.

I messed up the phrasing there. The VIP FastPass was the only part that would hurt anyone. For a whole trip, $150 a person is affordable, but I would hope that this is a daily fee and allows only one FP per ride at a time, so that people can't get one VIP pass and use it for the rest of their family. At $150 per day with a limited amount of VIP passes (the article said it was limited, I believe) it shouldn't be that bad.

 

[the-reason14]

What will all you people say if they totally change fastpass so that the only way you really benefit from it is to pay? Is everyone going to be okay with that? Something you've gotten for years for free you now have to pay for, or else you're going to spend 15% more time standing in lines? How's that going to go over? People go ape @#$ on here about refillable mugs, food changes, ticket prices raising... I can't wait to see what happens when they change this.

I'm all for "extras" that don't effect the masses if they choose not to participate. And they can come up with a TON of those to "tap that market" as many have referred to it as. But when people here start feeling forced to pay extra just to keep the same thing they had before... It's gonna get ugly. It already has. Go read some threads about the dining plan.

I agree. It's good that they're considering an option to where, for the most part, fastpass would still be free. But given all the flaws the system already has, why give people the option to get unlimited when it's just gonna mess it up worse? I would hate having to pay extra to truly benefit from something that I have been benefitting from for years. I think it's a slap in the face. I hope this is nothing more than an article.

 

[wolf359]

I don't think it's necessary that everything and anything be available to all guests. However at $82 (ignoring parking) bucks a pop, they are running the risk of scaring away/ ticking off much of their guests. They might not lose attendance for a few more years but they sure do seem to be close to a tipping point.

The same thing was said six years ago when the price of a one-day ticket dramatically increased because of Magic Your Way.

And attendance at Walt Disney World has only increased since then. So it's hard to believe simply an increase in park ticket cost will have any dramatic effect.

 

[CaptainWinter]

I suggest on this that where there's smoke there's fire.

Maybe, although in many cases, with Disney, where there's smoke there's not fire. Too many examples to mention.

Will it be good or bad? Don't know till they roll it out.

Agreed.