News Gotta Pay2Play: Paid FP on the way!

[disnyfan89]

Some initial questions / points.

Would the fees be paid per day or per vacation package?

You could pay for this service per day like you do in Disneyland and just like Disneyland when buying tickets you can opt to include it everyday as an add on. I would designate the Ultimate package as a length of stay product only.

What would a qualifying package be exactly, just a package as opposed to room only?

You must book your hotel and tickets (and maybe even flights) together through Disney. Your length of stay, hotel level and other factors would determine how many you can prebook. And just to be clear this is over the course of your stay and not each day. I've modeled this off of packages that TDL offers where you get bonus FPs for booking select packages.

If the latter, what would count for AP holders and DVC members?

AP's and DVC would not qualify for these vacation package offers just like they do not qualify for other vacation package offers. Ap's have the ability to add on a tier of their choice to their pass at a discounted rate for the entire length of the pass. (For example at DL you can add on MaxPass for $75 for the year). DVC I don't know the in and outs of but I imagine certain benifits could be offered with either discount rates and if you stay at your home resort you would qualify for the ability to get these prebooked passes.

If I'm booking for 2 or 3 weeks, why should I only get the same no. of these "experiences" as someone staying 1 night?

How would they encourage people to stay for longer with this plan? Suely they" d rather have people stay for a week than 3 days, but this plan doesn't have anything to support that.

See above about packages.

All this of course ignores the significant cost of FP+ which they won't get rid of. Any plan has to work as an addition to FP+, like @larryz 's, rather than getting rid of it. They cannot abandon their massive outgoings on developing FP+, however much you may like them to.

This actually would work utilizing the current FP system. See MaxPass in DL. It's MDE but delivered differently. Obviously some reprogramming would be necessary but they don't have to replace any of the in park hardware. It would just be re-purposed.

 

[nickys]

You could pay for this service per day like you do in Disneyland. I would designate the Ultimate package as a length of stay product only.


You must book your hotel and tickets (and maybe even flights) together through Disney. Your length of stay, hotel level and other factors would determine how many you can prebook. And just to be clear this is over the course of your stay and not each day. I've modeled this off of packages that TDL offers where you get bonus FPs for booking select packages.



AP's and DVC would not qualify for these vacation package offers just like they do not qualify for other vacation package offers. Ap's have the ability to add on a tier of their choice to their pass at a discounted rate for the entire length of the pass. (For example at DL you can add on MaxPass for $75 for the year). DVC I don't know the in and outs of but I imagine certain benifits could be offered with either discount rates and if you stay at your home resort you would qualify for the ability to get these prebooked passes.

See above about packages.




This actually would work utilizing the current FP system. See MaxPass in DL. It's MDE but delivered differently. Obviously some reprogramming would be necessary but they don't have to replace any of the in park hardware. It would just be re-purposed.

Well thought out!

But I think it's too complicated, that's 5 tiers, plus the AP and DVC extra tiers.

And I think the pre-booking thing would have to be expanded to be any kind of incentive to stay longer. If you're giving someone just 1 pre-booked FP for a 2 night stay, by the time you get to 2 weeks it'll need to be more than 5 IMO.

In any case it's removing all existing perks, which is never a good PR thing to do!

And of course, the first thing everyone would go for is FoP (now), and the Star Wars rides when they open. So not solving the "FoP problem" whichever the latest ride might be.

 

[disnyfan89]

Well thought out!

But I think it's too complicated, that's 5 tiers, plus the AP and DVC extra tiers.

And I think the pre-booking thing would have to be expanded to be any kind of incentive to stay longer. If you're giving someone just 1 pre-booked FP for a 2 night stay, by the time you get to 2 weeks it'll need to be more than 5 IMO.

In any case it's removing all existing perks, which is never a good PR thing to do!

And of course, the first thing everyone would go for is FoP (now), and the Star Wars rides when they open. So not solving the "FoP problem" whichever the latest ride might be.

Multiple tiers could be possible if smartly marketed. Universal has multiple tiers of express as does six flags for their flash pass so it's an easier system to grasp than most would think as the precedent for it already exists.

As for the 1-5, I was just throwing out a random number range. It could be more, it could be less.

No perks are being removed, just reshuffled. Free FP would still exist, it would just return to the method most guests remember. You'd be surprised how many first time visitors to Disney don't understand the current reserve in advance model. I'm a concierge in the orlando area and it's always the hardest thing for guests to grasp if they aren't familiar with the system. Most of my guest assume they just get three passes a day they can use at any time and don't realize you have to download an app, link your tickets, create a profile for every guest, and then select their FP for a designated time.

Disneyland has proven a tiered FP fpr pay system can work and Shanghai shows how unifying a central booking point can work as well.

And while it may not solve the new attraction FP rush problem, it does return guests to the even playing field of first come first served.

 

[nickys]

Multiple tiers could be possible if smartly marketed. Universal has multiple tiers of express as does six flags for their flash pass so it's an easier system to grasp than most would think as the precedent for it already exists.

As for the 1-5, I was just throwing out a random number range. It could be more, it could be less.

No perks are being removed, just reshuffled. Free FP would still exist, it would just return to the method most guests remember. You'd be surprised how many first time visitors to Disney don't understand the current reserve in advance model. I'm a concierge in the orlando area and it's always the hardest thing for guests to grasp if they aren't familiar with the system. Most of my guest assume they just get three passes a day they can use at any time and don't realize you have to download an app, link your tickets, create a profile for every guest, and then select their FP for a designated time.

Disneyland has proven a tiered FP fpr pay system can work and Shanghai shows how unifying a central booking point can work as well.

And while it may not solve the new attraction FP rush problem, it does return guests to the even playing field of first come first served.

Taking away pre-booking of FPs would be seen as removing a perk for those who know how it works. Which would be anyone who's stayed onsite since it was introduced. It took me about 30 minutes to fathom it out on our first trip after MDE was introduced. And that was before I joined any online forum for WDW fans!

If people really buy tickets without doing ANY research, even on the WDW website, then I despair. If they go to watch a movie, surely they check the times first, same thing applies given the money they're paying for Disney tickets.

Since your clients are using the services of a concierge, surely you just talk them through it or do it for them? Or do you mean a concierge at a hotel? In which case perhaps they'd be better just going and winging it.

 

[disnyfan89]

Taking away pre-booking of FPs would be seen as removing a perk for those who know how it works. Which would be anyone who's stayed onsite since it was introduced. It took me about 30 minutes to fathom it out on our first trip after MDE was introduced. And that was before I joined any online forum for WDW fans!

If people really buy tickets without doing ANY research, even on the WDW website, then I despair. If they go to watch a movie, surely they check the times first, same thing applies given the money they're paying for Disney tickets.

Since your clients are using the services of a concierge, surely you just talk them through it or do it for them? Or do you mean a concierge at a hotel? In which case perhaps they'd be better just going and winging it.

While I understand the concern a guest may have if the system was to change it would be no different than the many times Disney decided to change or remove a perk that used to exist. It would be up to the PR team at that point to sell the benefit of the new system same as they did when FP+ was introduced. As a consumer, I see the benefit of the tier system vs the current FP+ system. It's why I will be using Maxpass when I go to DL this week on vacation.

And yes, as a concierge at a high end hotel not associated with Disney I help walk guests through the FP system and show them at least how to book their first one. Especially if it's for the tickets I just sold them ;-)

 

[Rteetz]

That's Marathon weekend. One of the busiest weekends of the year.

You also had several schools still off that week. It wasn’t just marathon crowds. I’ve gone to marathon weekend for four years in a row and this year was by far the busiest I’ve ever seen. Part of that is schools still being out due to the holidays. Next year marathon weekend moves back a week.

 

[Kman101]

Finding amusement in attacking people via the Internet is is much worse than anything that I’ve seen him type.

It's sad some of you think that's what it is, but OK.

And it's funny how some of you call out those who call out Ford, which kind of makes all of you hypocrites You're (as I'm doing now) doing the same thing you're telling others to stop doing. This goes for @larandtra too.

But go on and think it's "bullying". Trust in that many who don't say anything feel how they feel about Ford. It's not just a bunch of people getting their jollies off picking on him. Come on now

And I agree with the others, if you don't like someone calling out Ford, block them, just like you and others advise them to block who/what they don't like. But I think we should all be capable of getting along. But Ford has a laundry list of falsities and I see no harm in calling him to task for them. People could take him seriously, so I see no reason correcting the information. Is there a better way to go about it? Sure, but that's been tried.

But we spend pages on this kind of nonsense. It gets tiresome. Each thread, wash rinse and repeat. "You're too mean!!!!" "You're too much of a pixie duster!!!!". I'm simplifying but it never seems to fail.

Too bad really good discussions get lost in this crap.

We all have the ability to control what we react to. Maybe you don't always need to devolve into "I don't get it you're all too negative" and you don't always need to voice it. Just like some of you don't like hearing Ford called to task ... sometimes we need to take our own advice (and this post is directed at a variety of posters ...)

While I don't like the hyperbole and narrative Ford sets up and sticks with no matter what, I think he doth protests too much at times .... it's ok to still want to love the company even if you don't like how they're currently operating

 

[NoChesterHester]

Other than arguing about false Internet personalities has there been any more info on the pay for play Fastpass system?

 

[nickys]

Other than arguing about false Internet personalities has there been any more info on the pay for play Fastpass system?

Only thing I've heard confirmed is that once you're within the 60 day window, you can change your ordinary FPs yourself (they will book those for you at 90 days), and you can repeat a ride you have a CL extra FP for.

You cannot change your CL extra FPs yourself, that must be done by Signature Services.

I did see someone say they actually found it quite hard to schedule their 6 FPs, lunch, dinner and the evening viewing into a plan that made sense!

I'm sure the first people I saw book are due to be there in a week or so. I'll look out for anything else.

 

[21stamps]

It's sad some of you think that's what it is, but OK.

And it's funny how some of you call out those who call out Ford, which kind of makes all of you hypocrites You're (as I'm doing now) doing the same thing you're telling others to stop doing. This goes for @larandtra too.

But go on and think it's "bullying". Trust in that many who don't say anything feel how they feel about Ford. It's not just a bunch of people getting their jollies off picking on him. Come on now

And I agree with the others, if you don't like someone calling out Ford, block them, just like you and others advise them to block who/what they don't like. But I think we should all be capable of getting along. But Ford has a laundry list of falsities and I see no harm in calling him to task for them. People could take him seriously, so I see no reason correcting the information. Is there a better way to go about it? Sure, but that's been tried.

But we spend pages on this kind of nonsense. It gets tiresome. Each thread, wash rinse and repeat. "You're too mean!!!!" "You're too much of a pixie duster!!!!". I'm simplifying but it never seems to fail.

Too bad really good discussions get lost in this crap.

We all have the ability to control what we react to. Maybe you don't always need to devolve into "I don't get it you're all too negative" and you don't always need to voice it. Just like some of you don't like hearing Ford called to task ... sometimes we need to take our own advice (and this post is directed at a variety of posters ...)

While I don't like the hyperbole and narrative Ford sets up and sticks with no matter what, I think he doth protests too much at times .... it's ok to still want to love the company even if you don't like how they're currently operating

I apologize, for myself and the others, if calling out the act of people enjoying some weird internet gang mindset of attackers.. is viewed as the same as actually attacking someone for no reason, a someone who to my limited knowledge, doesn’t make a habit of personal attacks.

If that’s hypocrisy then I’ll proudly wear it

 

[Chessiv]

So much anger over what really amounts to nothing. Walt created Club 33. Disney parks have always had elements that only cater to the wealthy. That’s never impeded my enjoyment of the parks. The people spreading hate and in the same paragraph discussing the virtues of “the happiest place on earth.” A little ironic and hypocritical.

 

[FigmentJedi]

So much anger over what really amounts to nothing. Walt created Club 33. Disney parks have always had elements that only cater to the wealthy. That’s never impeded my enjoyment of the parks. The people spreading hate and in the same paragraph discussing the virtues of “the happiest place on earth.” A little ironic and hypocritical.

Club 33 was primarily intended for corporate sponsors and VIPs and only became known as an expensive country club around the 90s. And of course now, its just become Applebee's for millionaires with anything of historic value stripped away and not even bothering with being secretive.

 

[Kman101]

Club 33 was primarily intended for corporate sponsors and VIPs and only became known as an expensive country club around the 90s. And of course now, its just become Applebee's for millionaires with anything of historic value stripped away and not even bothering with being secretive.

This ...

 

[Chessiv]

So much anger over what really amounts to nothing. And the ugly capitalism comments?? Those who think Walt would never have done this seem to forget he created Club 33

Club 33 was primarily intended for corporate sponsors and VIPs and only became known as an expensive country club around the 90s. And of course now, its just become Applebee's for millionaires with anything of historic value stripped away and not even bothering with being secretive.

The point is no different. Club 33 was created as a special experience for special people. A few suggested

This ...

The original point remains; Walt made club 33 for vips and special people.

 

[AEfx]

Taking away pre-booking of FPs would be seen as removing a perk for those who know how it works.

On the contrary, an awful lot of people would be thrilled, as they see the "perk" as a burden more than anything else.

The entire concept is just crazy - booking a ride for a specific time months out? There are so many things wrong with the idea itself - or that things are so mismanaged on the park experience level that it would even be thought of as necessary.

Many folks do it because they have to, because that is the current system available - but this was never to "enhance" guest experience, it was for Disney to be able to more tightly control and predict it, as part of maximizing your overall spending.

 

[flynnibus]

The original point remains; Walt made club 33 for vips and special people.

Walt also had his anniversary party in the park. That doesn't mean he intended the parks to become a rehearsal hall.

Your club 33 analogy completely misses what it was setup for. A place to do business.

 

[TrojanUSC]

On the contrary, an awful lot of people would be thrilled, as they see the "perk" as a burden more than anything else.

The entire concept is just crazy - booking a ride for a specific time months out? There are so many things wrong with the idea itself - or that things are so mismanaged on the park experience level that it would even be thought of as necessary.

Many folks do it because they have to, because that is the current system available - but this was never to "enhance" guest experience, it was for Disney to be able to more tightly control and predict it, as part of maximizing your overall spending.

Fastpass in general was entirely about getting guests out of line and in shops/restaurants. The fact it could also make guests feel benefitted by not standing in a queue was secondary.

 

[nickys]

On the contrary, an awful lot of people would be thrilled, as they see the "perk" as a burden more than anything else.

The entire concept is just crazy - booking a ride for a specific time months out? There are so many things wrong with the idea itself - or that things are so mismanaged on the park experience level that it would even be thought of as necessary.

Many folks do it because they have to, because that is the current system available - but this was never to "enhance" guest experience, it was for Disney to be able to more tightly control and predict it, as part of maximizing your overall spending.

But it does mean you CAN be sure of experiencing the really new, popular rides though, IF you can get an FP 2 months out. Which is how this particular branch of the discussion started.

But yes, I know some people hate it, others like me actually prefer it now the parks are so much busier.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Was in AK twice this weekend. Never saw so many VIP Tours going on there as now...

So, again, people shelling out big bucks for front of line access is not new.

 

[ford91exploder]

It's sad some of you think that's what it is, but OK.

And it's funny how some of you call out those who call out Ford, which kind of makes all of you hypocrites You're (as I'm doing now) doing the same thing you're telling others to stop doing. This goes for @larandtra too.

But go on and think it's "bullying". Trust in that many who don't say anything feel how they feel about Ford. It's not just a bunch of people getting their jollies off picking on him. Come on now

And I agree with the others, if you don't like someone calling out Ford, block them, just like you and others advise them to block who/what they don't like. But I think we should all be capable of getting along. But Ford has a laundry list of falsities and I see no harm in calling him to task for them. People could take him seriously, so I see no reason correcting the information. Is there a better way to go about it? Sure, but that's been tried.

But we spend pages on this kind of nonsense. It gets tiresome. Each thread, wash rinse and repeat. "You're too mean!!!!" "You're too much of a pixie duster!!!!". I'm simplifying but it never seems to fail.

Too bad really good discussions get lost in this crap.

We all have the ability to control what we react to. Maybe you don't always need to devolve into "I don't get it you're all too negative" and you don't always need to voice it. Just like some of you don't like hearing Ford called to task ... sometimes we need to take our own advice (and this post is directed at a variety of posters ...)

While I don't like the hyperbole and narrative Ford sets up and sticks with no matter what, I think he doth protests too much at times .... it's ok to still want to love the company even if you don't like how they're currently operating

You @Kman101 and people like you are the ones who take my speculations on Disneys future actions and present them as 'FACTS' I'm not an insider and never claimed to be one. - Yet here we are talking about PAID fastpasses, When FP hit my comments were along the lines of it's only a matter of time before paid fastpasses are a thing (and of course was called a liar because DISNEY would never CHARGE for FP cuz they luvs woo) , And here we are with a paid fast passes coming down the pike.

I really wonder about the critical thinking skills of the average american who takes something written in a active voice and mistakes that for truth. Not everyone writes in third person passive voice (look em up)

And yet nearly all the negative things about Disney world i speculated about have come to pass.

And after a string of bad experiences at WDW hell will freeze over before I return.