News Gotta Pay2Play: Paid FP on the way!

[21stamps]

Reading a lot of these posts, and the $50 figure that keeps getting thrown around, I don't think some have fully comprehended the scope of the price.

It is $50, per PERSON, per DAY.

So our "typical family of 4" is going to pay $200+tax for 3 additional FP's for their group. For one day.

And these FP apparently are under the same rules as the other ones, with the 90-day booking, have to be selected ahead of time, etc.

I know we have become quickly accustomed to what is really rather ridiculous to begin with - booking FP for specific times three months out (not knowing what the weather will be like, crowd levels, etc.) - but then paying those kind of prices on top of that - I can't help but just think we have crossed the line into insanity here.

I still find the price really shocking for a "test" - you would think they would start lower and then go up. The whole thing really does just make me shake my head...

It’s optional, so no one will have to pay it. It’s also not something that would be needed for every day of a trip.
$50pp isn’t too outrageous. It’s $15 per ride.

 

[MisterPenguin]

I still find the price really shocking for a "test" - you would think they would start lower and then go up. The whole thing really does just make me shake my head.

From the business point of view, it's always better to start high and lower it. You then look like the good guy giving discounts. And if your shoot-for-the-moon price actually lands the whales, then you keep it high.

 

[MisterPenguin]

It’s optional, so no one will have to pay it. It’s also not something that would be needed for every day of a trip.
$50pp isn’t too outrageous. It’s $15 per ride.

...after paying about a $200 upcharge on a club-level room (per day!) which certainly doesn't get you $200 worth of extra services.

 

[AEfx]

It’s optional, so no one will have to pay it. It’s also not something that would be needed for every day of a trip.
$50pp isn’t too outrageous. It’s $15 per ride.

I didn't say it wasn't optional...I'm commenting on the product they are offering and the value of it. Everything we talk about is "optional".

That said, your math needs some work to begin with - and you are also making the "pp" phrasing which really doesn't give a great idea of the actual cost.

$17.66 per person, per ride ($50+$3 tax = $53/3).

So a family of four is going to pay almost $71 per ride.

For a FP they have to book weeks or months ahead of time that they don't even know if they are going to actually need.

I know that "time is money" - I'm just trying to get my head around how anyone could actually find that any sort of "value" who isn't wealthy enough just to hire a plaid guide to take you around in the first place. Forgetting the cost, the criteria to make it even logistically feasible to actually take full advantage of it really makes it seem like it is designed for newbies who just don't know any better.

 

[AEfx]

From the business point of view, it's always better to start high and lower it. You then look like the good guy giving discounts. And if your shoot-for-the-moon price actually lands the whales, then you keep it high.

But since when has Disney ever done that? LOL.

In all seriousness, I'm thinking about add-ons things like PhotoPass, e-Ticket nights, etc. They usually go up not down.

This whole thing is just making me think that they are getting ready for Star Wars land...because nothing at WDW is in such demand right now to make this even approach reasonable given you already get 3 FP per day.

 

[21stamps]

I didn't say it wasn't optional...I'm commenting on the product they are offering and the value of it. Everything we talk about is "optional".

That said, your math needs some work to begin with - and you are also making the "pp" phrasing which really doesn't give a great idea of the actual cost.

$17.66 per person, per ride ($50+$3 tax = $53/3).

So a family of four is going to pay almost $71 per ride.

For a FP they have to book weeks or months ahead of time that they don't even know if they are going to actually need.

I know that "time is money" - I'm just trying to get my head around how anyone could actually find that any sort of "value" who isn't wealthy enough just to hire a plaid guide to take you around in the first place. Forgetting the cost, the criteria to make it even logistically feasible to actually take full advantage of it really makes it seem like it is designed for newbies who just don't know any better.

Ok, $15 + Tax per ride.
Compared to the Slingshot or Vomatron at Old Town it’s a great bargain

I think people will do it if certain rides are very important... but not everyday of the trip. It’s still much cheaper than any of the tours or paid “extra hours”.

 

[21stamps]

...after paying about a $200 upcharge on a club-level room (per day!) which certainly doesn't get you $200 worth of extra services.

It’s not always a $200upcharge though. It depends on what room types the consumer is comparing.

ETA.. I mentioned it earlier, but compare tpv rooms at Poly and GF with standard view club level. The pricing is the same or less in Club Level. If a guarantee of rides are very important to someone, they may choose to skip Theme Park View and go with CL instead for that trip.

 

[ScoutN]

Having what is termed 2 Millenial kids, one with a Millenial Husband and having numerous employees who fall into the "millenial" category, I would respectfully disagree that they wont go to Disney. Most I deal with see Disney as a great trip because as someone said, they put a lot of weight on experience over belongings. They plan their money and plan their trips. The idea that planning out so far is bad for them is crazy. If anything it is more in their wheelhouse. They like the age of go online , put it together, be done and then go when its time. Will they eventually see a Stock crash or a housing bubble burst? Of course. Things are cyclical. It will be interesting to see how they prepared and how they react. For now, based on my observations of ones I deal with regularly and looking around the parks when I go. Disney isnt having any issues attracting them and the prices being charged are not scaring them away. Do they need to clean the parks up, make better decisions on attractions, resorts, restaurants? Absolutely, but, I do think they are working on that and Disney will be just fine. And this addition of FP purchasing actually fits them even more because they can plan more efficiently. I, like many, think this goes over well, and will be expanded in the future. Probably sooner rather than later.

Cool, and I am a millennial who went from 30+ nights a year on property to almost zero in the last year. WDW is missing a ton of money from us with all the planning BS.

 

[MisterPenguin]

It’s not always a $200upcharge though. It depends on what room types the consumer is comparing.

You know the point I was making. And an occasional blip on pricing doesn't invalidate it.

 

[21stamps]

You know the point I was making. And an occasional blip on pricing doesn't invalidate it.

It’s not a blip.. I doubt that people are comparing standard view to club level at most resorts. I think it’s more of a comparison of the more expensive room types vs club.

There’s a $200 gap on a lot of rooms compared to the entry level category at a resort. I personally wouldn’t pay for tpv club level at Poly or GF on a family trip, but apparently a lot of other people do. The “get 3 FP for $50” is just another benefit on top of what someone was paying anyway.

 

[AEfx]

Ok, $15 + Tax per ride.

At the risk of being pedantic (too late), $15x3 is only $45, even without tax...

Compared to the Slingshot or Vomatron at Old Town it’s a great bargain

Their site doesn't list prices, but the first searches that come up are that there are widespread coupons which make them cost $15. That is how most tourist traps like that operate, by having an increased sticker price and then dumping coupons in every location imaginable so people feel like they are getting more of a "value".

They are also single charge attractions. In the case of Disney parks, you are already paying hundreds of dollars per day for a family to go, this additional charge is just to save a partial amount of line time. It's a gamble that you will even really need them for many rides, especially when you are booking them so far out, and how few attractions per park actually need it.

I think people will do it if certain rides are very important... but not everyday of the trip. It’s still much cheaper than any of the tours.

And I think they are going to get a lot of refund requests from those that buy ahead of time and then face the practical realities of using them. For these prices, people are going to be expecting true "front of the line" access, which this isn't.

That is one reason why it seems so off to me - you would have to be very experienced at visiting WDW to actually get the maximum benefit out of it (booking multiple parks, etc.) yet it seems designed for people who don't know any better and think they need 6FP in a day and end up booking things like "Aladdin's Carpets". Once they see what it actually buys them, I think a lot of folks will find it a rip off - people that have the kind of money to do something like this generally have pretty high expectations when they fork out for this kind of extra,

 

[AEfx]

The “get 3 FP for $50” is just another benefit on top of what someone was paying anyway.

The fact you refer to it as a "benefit" just tells me that you are just playing Devil's Advocate, because you can't really believe all this LOL.

 

[AEfx]

It’s optional, so no one will have to pay it. It’s also not something that would be needed for every day of a trip.
$50pp isn’t too outrageous. It’s $15 per ride.

Just to further clarify, per the OP, if it is indeed true - there is a 3-day minimum as well.

So the cheapest someone is going to get out of this for a family of 4 is going to be $636 dollars for 9 extra FP...

Clearly designed so people won't just say "well, we will do it for one day for Avatar-land..."

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

We were paying extra for years without getting any improvements at all though, I'd settle for Disney catching up to where they should be regarding attractions before they start asking for more money from guests.

Amen...the first 10 years of iger saw massive price increases with little investment lb for lb...

Wall Street should love him
For that...the park fans should absolutely hate him...but can't focus on the ball

 

[21stamps]

At the risk of being pedantic (too late), $15x3 is only $45, even without tax...



Their site doesn't list prices, but the first searches that come up are that there are widespread coupons which make them cost $15. That is how most tourist traps like that operate, by having an increased sticker price and then dumping coupons in every location imaginable so people feel like they are getting more of a "value".

They are also single charge attractions. In the case of Disney parks, you are already paying hundreds of dollars per day for a family to go, this additional charge is just to save a partial amount of line time. It's a gamble that you will even really need them for many rides, especially when you are booking them so far out, and how few attractions per park actually need it.



And I think they are going to get a lot of refund requests from those that buy ahead of time and then face the practical realities of using them. For these prices, people are going to be expecting true "front of the line" access, which this isn't.

That is one reason why it seems so off to me - you would have to be very experienced at visiting WDW to actually get the maximum benefit out of it (booking multiple parks, etc.) yet it seems designed for people who don't know any better and think they need 6FP in a day and end up booking things like "Aladdin's Carpets". Once they see what it actually buys them, I think a lot of folks will find it a rip off - people that have the kind of money to do something like this generally have pretty high expectations when they fork out for this kind of extra,

You’re not being pedantic. I’m an idiot for typing $15..I blame my super long day... the saddest part- math is my job.lol

The rides I mentioned are $25pp. I’ve never been able to use coupons for them.. but I’ll have to try next time!

I don’t think they will get a lot of refund requests. I know people here always talk about “front of the line”.. but I’ve never done anything that was a true ‘jump on immediately’. I think most people who purchase fast lane/express passes elsewhere are already used to wait times even with one.

I also know that people here always assume that someone ‘must not know any better’ if they’re willing to pay for convenience.
It’s about knowing what your time is worth, not about ‘not knowing any better”

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I'm not 100% on whether I care about this anyway...

But can we please not call selling fastpass at 15% the daily ticket fee a "benefit"?

It is not...I'll remind that 4-5 fastpasses under legacy was easily achieved most days...

The whole thing has gotten worse...from
Many angles

 

[21stamps]

The fact you refer to it as a "benefit" just tells me that you are just playing Devil's Advocate, because you can't really believe all this LOL.

I think any additional opportunity is a benefit. It’s something you can only get with a certain room type right now, so that’s a ‘benefit’ of booking if someone chooses to take advantage of it.

Just to further clarify, per the OP, if it is indeed true - there is a 3-day minimum as well.

So the cheapest someone is going to get out of this for a family of 4 is going to be $636 dollars for 9 extra FP...

Clearly designed so people won't just say "well, we will do it for one day for Avatar-land..."

I think the 3 day thing is stupid. At most it should be 2 day minimum. I’m assuming they’re trying to limit the amount of people who will do it, which does make a little sense.

 

[21stamps]

I'm not 100% on whether I care about this anyway...

But can we please not call selling fastpass at 15% the daily ticket fee a "benefit"?

It is not...I'll remind that 4-5 fastpasses under legacy was easily achieved most days...

The whole thing has gotten worse...from
Many angles

I do consider extra options as benefits. I did early morning magic last year.. can’t rave about it enough. I booked and cancelled an Easter AKL trip in ‘17.. one of the reasons for canceling, the main reason actually,. Is because I was scared of crowds and EMM wasn’t offered on my dates.
So instead, I went to a Great Wolf Lodge and an amusement park.. I spent the same money as I would have at Disney (mostly because I had a WDW AP)

I’m not bothered by whatever Disney offers as “extra”. If I want it, I’ll get it. If I don’t want it, more power to the people who do..I hope they enjoy it.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I do consider extra options as benefits. I did early morning magic last year.. can’t rave about it enough. I booked and cancelled an Easter AKL trip in ‘17.. one of the reasons for canceling, the main reason actually,. Is because I was scared of crowds and EMM wasn’t offered on my dates.
So instead, I went to a Great Wolf Lodge and an amusement park.. I spent the same money as I would have at Disney (mostly because I had a WDW AP)

I’m not bothered by whatever Disney offers as “extra”. If I want it, I’ll get it. If I don’t want it, more power to the people who do..I hope they enjoy it.

Well I respectfully disagree with the term "benefit"

Your health insurance or vacation is a "benefit" for doing your job...

At wdw...a benefit is transportation, magical express, emh....

Upsells are upsells...if we start crossing the two terms and they get wind of it..."benefits"
Will lead us all to bankruptcy.

 

[AEfx]

I also know that people here always assume that someone ‘must not know any better’ if they’re willing to pay for convenience.
It’s about knowing what your time is worth, not about ‘not knowing any better”

That's just it - I think when those buying this months in advance find out how little "convenience" this actually is (with all the scheduling, how many rides have FP that really don't save you any great deal of time, etc.) they will feel short-changed.