News Gotta Pay2Play: Paid FP on the way!

[danv3]

That this was coming was obvious from the outset. I never understood why so many here and online generally thought Disney wasn’t going to sell fastpasses.

 

[asianway]

If this is your response, then you didn't understand what he said.

Check the wait times today on MDE on what would normally be a slow day on a Wednesday. Or tomorrow around 10am EST. BTM will likely be around 50-60 minutes an hour after park opening. Why? One side running. It "feels" crowded, without actually being crowded.

Again- keep in mind Disney has come out and mentioned attendance being down. Even more, claiming that is their intent- to reduce attendance while increasing profits. And they've been successful.

So ticket prices mean nothing when they can artificially manipulate waits and lines on the fly. Why have both sides open to allow a 20 min wait- even at $200/ticket- if people are willing to wait 45 mins? Half the labor, half the operating expense, double the profits.

The day they stop manipulating wait times is the day I'll agree with you that ticket prices are what can improve wait times.

You know Im the first one to call Disney out - but this is hardly new. I always went in July, high season and BTMRR would only run one side for the first hour routinely over 20 years ago. These were on days they knew the MK would be slammed. The unofficial guide even in the 90s would point to the ramping up of capacity by adding more vehicles throughout the day(no idea if if it still does, I just dont need that type of info anymore sorry @lentesta )

 

[MisterPenguin]

Also worth noting there is a 3 day minimum requirement to purchase.

At least a 3 Day stay at a club level room? Or the purchase of at least a 3 day Ticket (doesn't apply to AP)? OR, 3 days worth of buying FPs at $50/day for at total of at least $150 per person?

 

[m steve]

The precedent that this sets is troubling to me. Selling privileges to rich people and, simultaneously, reducing the number of FP available to "regular" guests is despicable. It shows how much the company values its not so wealthy customers.

 

[MisterPenguin]

That's definitely true, but the rooms are still competitive to Disney's rooms and it's unlimited access to all rides rather than three planned 60 days in advance. Universal definitely has the edge here.

Their express pass isn't for their value resorts. And it didn't apply to Wizarding Worlds for a few years.

Apart from Wizarding Worlds, you hardly need the express at Universal except for a few peak times.

 

[RustySpork]

Their express pass isn't for their value resorts. And it didn't apply to Wizarding Worlds for a few years.

Apart from Wizarding Worlds, you hardly need the express at Universal except for a few peak times.

Yes, you're right on all counts. Fortunately it is available at Wizarding Worlds now. I've used the after 4pm express for a long time, I wouldn't enjoy the parks nearly as much without it. I'd pay a premium to have a similar option available at WDW.

 

[lazyboy97o]

They ARE working to increase capacity. Just at a pace that doesn't keep up. The only way to limit it in the short term is to increase ticket prices, which is what I said originally.

They are adding capacity to keep up. There is no desire to decrease crowding. They found the limits and will continue to push on them.

 

[Kamikaze]

If this is your response, then you didn't understand what he said.

Check the wait times today on MDE on what would normally be a slow day on a Wednesday. Or tomorrow around 10am EST. BTM will likely be around 50-60 minutes an hour after park opening. Why? One side running. It "feels" crowded, without actually being crowded.

Again- keep in mind Disney has come out and mentioned attendance being down. Even more, claiming that is their intent- to reduce attendance while increasing profits. And they've been successful.

So ticket prices mean nothing when they can artificially manipulate waits and lines on the fly. Why have both sides open to allow a 20 min wait- even at $200/ticket- if people are willing to wait 45 mins? Half the labor, half the operating expense, double the profits.

The day they stop manipulating wait times is the day I'll agree with you that ticket prices are what can improve wait times.

I would not say wait times for a given attraction and 'crowding' are the same thing.

Wait times are obviously manipulated by things such as number of cars, amount of FPs given, operating hours, etc.

Crowding is determined by the daily attendance, which is primarily controlled by ticket prices.

If he was discussing wait times by saying 'crowding', then he's correct. But I thought he was talking about the actual daily attendance (crowd).

 

[The_Jobu]

I'm down with that ...

Just try and allow some Canadians to sneak in too.

 

[Kamikaze]

They are adding capacity to keep up. There is no desire to decrease crowding. They found the limits and will continue to push on them.

I'd be more inclined to agree if they hadn't stated at earnings reports that they were okay with attendance declines because it reduced overcrowding. It certainly helps that they have been making money money on less guests, which is obviously the long term goal.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

All the Deluxes offer concierge/club level rooms.

....ohhh the story of "club Level" is so much deeper for those that have fought In the "war"...

 

[matt9112]

I'm down with that ...

nah fix your own Disney park. stop sucking up all the capacity at ours. not my fault DLP isn't popular with Europeans. go on your 300 week vacations over there. your local GDP will thank you.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I'd be more inclined to agree if they hadn't stated at earnings reports that they were okay with attendance declines because it reduced overcrowding. It certainly helps that they have been making money money on less guests, which is obviously the long term goal.

That is not
Their goal...they can state it until their blue in the face.

There are good motivations for them to take that stance...but market forces make it impossible

 

[kong1802]

I mean, in all honesty, they should feel pretty bad about charging $200/night for a continental breakfast and a shot of Kahlua and give the good people of club level some extra FP's....

I kid......

 

[monothingie]

People Listen! There's a little secret I want to share about how you can get as many "BONUS" FP you want and it won't cost you a thing.

All you have to do is just go to guest relations and complain about something. All you have to do embellish a minor inconvenience, or better yet, just make something up! If you have small children, bring them in crying, what monster wouldn't' say no to a teary eyed five year old prop with Mickey hat.

You can watch the free fast passes roll in if you can do these simple things, and if you don't think deception is a bad thing, or if you simply want to stick it to the mouse and Bob Iger.

DISCLAIMER: OFFER MAY RESULT IN MILD NASUEA AND CRAMPS AS WELL AS POSSIBLE BANISHMENT FROM PARKS. IF YOUR EXPERIENCE AT GUEST RELATIONS LASTS FOR MORE THAN 4 HOURS CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR AS THIS MAY BE AN INDICATION OF A SERIOUS MEDICAL CONDITION.

 

[PJBuckeye]

Charging for FP is the kick on effect. Once this test is integrated successfully, why would they stop here? Can you think of one possible reason why they wouldn't expand this program to all DVC guests? Deluxe resort guests? Eventually all resort guests?

Why would this be an issue? I would love this at moderates. It would be great if I could pay $1,000 over 5 days for 15 extra fast passes (for each person in my family). This would likely save me from needing a day 6&7, which means I save $250 a night on hotel and another $200-300 a day on food. This would pay for itself if it was offered on moderate resorts.

 

[YorkshireT]

The rolling out of Fastpass to partner hotels was all part of the screw em til they bleed game. When this 'trial' is done they will roll out to everyone on site and in a partner hotels. Thousands of potential extra customers per week, forking out a minimum of $150 a head (has to be paid for a minimum of 3 nights).

 

[njDizFan]

As a fellow 34 year old from Texas, let me reason with you here Rob.

Please don't mistake "Entitlement" with expectations or realizations. Everyone understands the basic concept of supply and demand. Everyone understands that we have the choice to pay, or not pay for something.

What you are failing to understand, is that it is ok to look at a situation, and see how it negatively affects you, and to dislike the change.

Using @Master Yoda here as a rebuttal to my original post, for example:


So if I show up at 9:15am to Jiffy Lube, and Yoda only has one inspector there doing car inspections but there are 3 people in front of me that day, I'm waiting an hour. That doesn't mean I disagree with Yoda's business philosophy. Say 9:15 is generally a slow time, so why would he have 3 employees there doing inspections when on most days he'd be paying them to do nothing? I get it. Totally. Concept understood.

That doesn't mean it doesn't suck waiting an hour to get an inspection. So let's not confuse that for entitlement.


That all said- I like you Rob. For two reasons.
1) You're from Texas.
2) You made that whole post without saying "Disney is a Business". So that's a win in my book.

Adding to that analogy what if Master Yoda offered a FP for his lube service. So even though you got up early, dropped the kids off at school and sped to the shop, your space was already digitally held by another person who spent $50 to bump you off the line. So you are stuck there for an hour even though you know that 9:15 is usually the slow time of the day. Master Yoda could either pay for extra employees or even easier charge somebody extra for the same service.

Sure it is in his right to offer this service but perhaps it will sway my decision to patronize Master Lube.

 

[njDizFan]

Why would this be an issue? I would love this at moderates. It would be great if I could pay $1,000 over 5 days for 15 extra fast passes (for each person in my family). This would likely save me from needing a day 6&7, which means I save $250 a night on hotel and another $200-300 a day on food. This would pay for itself if it was offered on moderate resorts.

Why not just charge more and guarantee all the rides in 2 days so you can be home and relax on the couch instead of all that stupid vacation stuff.

 

[blueslegend]

Thank the Lord for DVC. If a park is busy I leave. If not I’ll stay. I can come back tomorrow, next week or next year. With 6 Fastpasses that’s 5-6 hours in a park. Methinks not. Three will suffice. The only issue I have is why if I have a park hopper can I not book my three Fastpasses for different parks? That needs to be addressed.