Is attendance really down at WDW this or…

[DisneyHead123]

They could have made more bank just raising ticket prices $20 and not paying to change anything.

The reality is the system costs money to run, but instead of making everyone pay for it, only those who use it are paying for it.

Beyond that, it sounds like it needs some tweaking.

I thought they did raise ticket prices, but I understand your general point. They could have raised them $20 more.

That said, perception is still important. Labeling something “nickel and diming” vs. “paying a la carte from a menu of amazing services” is subjective. There’s generally emotion behind subjective perceptions. And I think the perception right now leans towards “nickel and diming” (as opposed to the days when people happily paid for dessert parties, after hours parties, tours, and “early mornings in Fantasy / Toy Story Land”, seeing this as a delightful menu of add-ons, not nickel diming.)

 

[el_super]

If this complicated handover takes 1 hour, get this 'complicated procedure' done 2 hours before the park opens.

You're still not understanding. Sometimes the opening can be smooth and done right on time, and sometimes something will be discovered that needs immediate attention. Planning to have all the rides up and running an hour before they open to guests would just put more wear and tear on the equipment, and cause more downtimes.

Because the forum is there to share your experiences about all things Disney. It's how people to make a balanced opinion before they go.

Did you use the forum opinions to inform your current trip?

 

[el_super]

They could have made more bank just raising ticket prices $20 and not paying to change anything.

They could have, but I think the goal wasn't increasing revenue as much as it was reducing the usage of Fastpass. Fastpass was great for awhile, but when everyone uses it, it cannot work. It was a mistake to offer it for free in the first place.

 

[Thepuma]

You're still not understanding. Sometimes the opening can be smooth and done right on time, and sometimes something will be discovered that needs immediate attention. Planning to have all the rides up and running an hour before they open to guests would just put more wear and tear on the equipment, and cause more downtimes.



Did you use the forum opinions to inform your current trip?

Yes

 

[el_super]

Yes

So after all the negative things posted on this forum in the last year you still went?

 

[Thepuma]

So after all the negative things posted on this forum in the last year you still went?

Unfortunately I gave credence to those who were saying the parks were a lot quiter than normal - it now transpires these people either haven't actually been or haven't been in a good few years.

 

[celluloid]

They could have, but I think the goal wasn't increasing revenue as much as it was reducing the usage of Fastpass. Fastpass was great for awhile, but when everyone uses it, it cannot work. It was a mistake to offer it for free in the first place.

A business never charges for something with a goal of decreasing revenue. It is always the primary goal.
Fastpass was great when everyone uses it as it keeps people in the park longer. Fastpass was created because when people are in line they are not potential revenues and fastpass keeps people in the park for the next required meal time, merchandise purchase or beverage/treat.
The same reason Disney still tries to hold night time entertainment.

Virtually waiting has people spending more. Just like how everyone can use the virtual queue for Tron and Guardians. The demand does not make it necessary but people spend more when they are elsewhere and backtracking before they are allowed to ride.

People were happy to use it because it was free. Disney got greedy and feels since so many other parks offer priority for a higher price they could offer the same basic premise for a lot less, but its becoming evident people don't feel it is worth it.

 

[el_super]

A business never charges for something with a goal of decreasing revenue. It is always the primary goal.

You're right. Disney said themselves that the crowding in the park was impacting guest satisfaction numbers and potentially impacting long term desire to return. Decreasing park crowding was going to net them more long term, in repeat visits and eliminating free Fastpass worked to satisfy that goal. The only ones super bummed about Fastpass going away were the ones that learned how to exploit the system at the expense of others.

 

[Trauma]

You're right. Disney said themselves that the crowding in the park was impacting guest satisfaction numbers and potentially impacting long term desire to return. Decreasing park crowding was going to net them more long term, in repeat visits and eliminating free Fastpass worked to satisfy that goal. The only ones super bummed about Fastpass going away were the ones that learned how to exploit the system at the expense of others.

So the only people that are bummed about the free system being replaced by a payed system, are people who abused the free system?

I can see why your a super fan.

Your imagination has no limits.

 

[LittleBuford]

The only ones super bummed about Fastpass going away were the ones that learned how to exploit the system at the expense of others.

Could you clarify what you mean by exploiting the system?

 

[Lilofan]

Could you clarify what you mean by exploiting the system?

When Toy Story Midway Mania opened approx 15 years ago at DHS, fast passes which were sold out by the morning were treated like gold. Some fellow guests were standing on Mickey Ave at the time selling their fast passes for $10 each and getting willing buyers . The other option was standing in line for 130 min.

 

[LittleBuford]

When Toy Story Midway Mania opened approx 15 years ago at DHS, fast passes which were sold out by the morning were treated like gold. Some fellow guests were standing on Mickey Ave at the time selling their fast passes for $10 each and getting willing buyers . The other option was standing in line for 130 min.

That has nothing to do with FastPass+, though.

 

[Dranth]

You're right. Disney said themselves that the crowding in the park was impacting guest satisfaction numbers and potentially impacting long term desire to return. Decreasing park crowding was going to net them more long term, in repeat visits and eliminating free Fastpass worked to satisfy that goal. The only ones super bummed about Fastpass going away were the ones that learned how to exploit the system at the expense of others.

Exploiting may be too harsh a description for what was going on but it certainly was advantageous to be well familiar with the system.

 

[Tha Realest]

You're right. Disney said themselves that the crowding in the park was impacting guest satisfaction numbers and potentially impacting long term desire to return. Decreasing park crowding was going to net them more long term, in repeat visits and eliminating free Fastpass worked to satisfy that goal. The only ones super bummed about Fastpass going away were the ones that learned how to exploit the system at the expense of others.

Ah yes, those who figure out how to maximize FP to be more effective and efficient for themselves were the exploitative ones, and not the multibillion dollar theme park operator that froze put-through capacity over two decades ago.

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

Actual exploitation of Fastpass included using expired tickets to get additional passes.

I'm sure there were other exploits back in the day.

 

[Marionnette]

Exploiting may be too harsh a description for what was going on but it certainly was advantageous to be well familiar with the system.

Similarly, it is advantageous to be well familiar with the Genie+ system in order to maximize its worth. That's why YouTube is flooded with Genie+"hacks" for stacking ride reservations and other hints to get the most from it.

 

[el_super]

Could you clarify what you mean by exploiting the system?

Exploiting may be too harsh a description for what was going on but it certainly was advantageous to be well familiar with the system.

You're right... exploitation is probably too harsh to explain it since people weren't really exploiting something unintended. People that knew the system and came in with the most knowledge definitely had an advantage in using it and booking more Fastpasses than those who did not. So it rewarded those that came over and over and over again while generally shutting out anyone coming in new that didn't know they had to plan everything out six months in advance.

 

[Dranth]

Similarly, it is advantageous to be well familiar with the Genie+ system in order to maximize its worth. That's why YouTube is flooded with Genie+"hacks" for stacking ride reservations and other hints to get the most from it.

Agreed, as would be the case with any system that could be implemented. However, there are degrees to these type of things and I would be willing to bet the average gap between extremes is better with G+ vs. FP+.

 

[Disstevefan1]

When Toy Story Midway Mania opened approx 15 years ago at DHS, fast passes which were sold out by the morning were treated like gold. Some fellow guests were standing on Mickey Ave at the time selling their fast passes for $10 each and getting willing buyers . The other option was standing in line for 130 min.

Ah, the paper Fastpass days. Good times indeed. The best part about paper Fastpasses was to go to the end of the queue and make some magic for someone and give them a fastpass.

 

[Trauma]

You're right... exploitation is probably too harsh to explain it since people weren't really exploiting something unintended. People that knew the system and came in with the most knowledge definitely had an advantage in using it and booking more Fastpasses than those who did not. So it rewarded those that came over and over and over again while generally shutting out anyone coming in new that didn't know they had to plan everything out six months in advance.

Same is true with G+.

I will bet you all my DVC points I get more rides per day than the average guest.

So what’s your point ?