Jim Hill on XPass coming in 2012

[Condorman]

How embarrassing for anyone out there to blame Disney for trying to monetize an aspect of guest visitation by providing a VIP experience. They already allow the cheapskates to stay off-property, the next level up to stay at Fort Wilderness, then the Values, Moderates and Deluxes. If you have more money than that you can buy into the Golden Oak homes on-site.

Need I remind everyone that it was Walt Disney himself who created Club 33 (though he died before it was completed) -- a VIP hangout for visiting celebrities, politicians and executives, so as to increase adult visitation to DL and possibly spark investment and sponsorship in the park? You can argue that it was not made available to everyday guests, but that's not the point.

Are you against First Class on planes? Are you against suites in hotels? What sort of communist thought-processes go on in the minds of some of you that just hates the idea of providing a better means for some people to enjoy a day at a Disney theme park?

What truly bothers some of you is the possible price-tag. If Disney only charged $10 a day for this add-on, none of you would have a problem with it. Every one of you would do it. But you know it will cost $100+ per day, and that's why you dislike the idea. Just because you can't afford it, or you're a penny-pincher, doesn't make an idea bad, wrong or pointless. How embarrassing for you.

 

[wm49rs]

I'll just have to live with the ignominy of being an off-site penny pincher. Of course, by staying off-site I'm able to afford both an AP and multiple trips to WDW in a year, so I'm sure Disney will suffer my passing in their newest scheme with their usual aplomb.

 

[WDW1974]

How embarrassing for anyone out there to blame Disney for trying to monetize an aspect of guest visitation by providing a VIP experience. They already allow the cheapskates to stay off-property, the next level up to stay at Fort Wilderness, then the Values, Moderates and Deluxes. If you have more money than that you can buy into the Golden Oak homes on-site.

Why not feed them ... I seem to recall that it was Old Dead Dude Disney who once said that every guest was a VIP and that everyone was to be treated thusly. Guess it's OK to trot him out to shill timeshare sales or pricey fanboi D23 events, but not when his quotes actually contradict the way the company or its management conducts business today.

And perhaps you misspoke when you called people who stayed off-site cheapskates. Perhaps you meant they were smart ... or savvy ... or discerning ... or just not gullible enough to buy into all the marketing MAGIC?

Need I remind everyone that it was Walt Disney himself who created Club 33 (though he died before it was completed) -- a VIP hangout for visiting celebrities, politicians and executives, so as to increase adult visitation to DL and possibly spark investment and sponsorship in the park? You can argue that it was not made available to everyday guests, but that's not the point.

Club 33 was made largely for VIPs and local business people and luminaries. It has vastly changed now (hence the changes happening in Anaheim today) as almost anyone can buy themselves entry for a lunch or dinner (some of us elitist snobs don't think this is exactly a good thing).

But I am trying to figure out what the point is ... because Club 33 was never part of the DL experience for 99.999999% of guests, it was cloaked in mystery and most folks had no clue it even existed before the online Disney forums were born.

It is completely different than taking what was an equal playing field for ALL guests and tilting it based on what is in your bank account or what number the credit bureaus assign to you.

Are you against First Class on planes? Are you against suites in hotels? What sort of communist thought-processes go on in the minds of some of you that just hates the idea of providing a better means for some people to enjoy a day at a Disney theme park?

Nope. I love First Class. Fly up front as much as I can -- and NEVER pay for it (even to Europe and Asia, where it really counts!) ... But what Disney is doing is akin to the 'unbundling' (love new corpspeak) airlines are doing now where you pay extra for ANY/EVERY thing that was once included in the ticket. From your luggage to your seat location to the time you board ... etc. And, no, I don't want to see that bastardized version of capitalism make its way to theme parks.

What truly bothers some of you is the possible price-tag. If Disney only charged $10 a day for this add-on, none of you would have a problem with it. Every one of you would do it. But you know it will cost $100+ per day, and that's why you dislike the idea. Just because you can't afford it, or you're a penny-pincher, doesn't make an idea bad, wrong or pointless. How embarrassing for you.

So glad one of the resident trolls shows up and decides he/she/it can speak for everyone else here. You have no idea why most people don't care for the idea and you don't really care ... you likely were just angry Santa left coal in your stocking and decided to take it out on all the MAGICal denizens here.

:xmas:

 

[bayoubelle]

How embarrassing for anyone out there to blame Disney for trying to monetize an aspect of guest visitation by providing a VIP experience. They already allow the cheapskates to stay off-property, the next level up to stay at Fort Wilderness, then the Values, Moderates and Deluxes. If you have more money than that you can buy into the Golden Oak homes on-site.

Need I remind everyone that it was Walt Disney himself who created Club 33 (though he died before it was completed) -- a VIP hangout for visiting celebrities, politicians and executives, so as to increase adult visitation to DL and possibly spark investment and sponsorship in the park? You can argue that it was not made available to everyday guests, but that's not the point.

Are you against First Class on planes? Are you against suites in hotels? What sort of communist thought-processes go on in the minds of some of you that just hates the idea of providing a better means for some people to enjoy a day at a Disney theme park?

What truly bothers some of you is the possible price-tag. If Disney only charged $10 a day for this add-on, none of you would have a problem with it. Every one of you would do it. But you know it will cost $100+ per day, and that's why you dislike the idea. Just because you can't afford it, or you're a penny-pincher, doesn't make an idea bad, wrong or pointless. How embarrassing for you.

No possible about the price tag for me, a few years ago we paid the money and took the Premium VIP tour. My daughter invited 3 girls to be our guests at the Yacht Club, it was Spring Break and insanely crowded. We were using FPs and still had very long waits for everything.
Now we know to study the crowd calendar before we plan a trip.

 

[pax_65]

What truly bothers some of you is the possible price-tag. If Disney only charged $10 a day for this add-on, none of you would have a problem with it. Every one of you would do it. But you know it will cost $100+ per day, and that's why you dislike the idea. Just because you can't afford it, or you're a penny-pincher, doesn't make an idea bad, wrong or pointless. How embarrassing for you.

I actually feel nearly the opposite of what you've posted. If Disney charges a premium for these services so that very few are able to do it, I think the impact to us "regular" guests will be minimal. However, if they charge just a few bucks more, it will be so popular that you'll have to pay it also if you want to ride your favorite attraction.

In other words, if the price is modest, the popularity of it will basically make it a disguised price increase. You'll have to pay it if you want to have the same kind of trip experience you've had in the past.

 

[disneydiva72]

They need to stop building so many damned DVC's and put money into the parks...such as MORE RIDES. More rides and the people are spread out more, but of course this xpass stuff is cheaper. I PERSONALLY would hate my day planned out like this, it would drive me crazy to be on such a schedule, I am already annoyed that I need to plan my dinner and lunch times out months in advance, some will say "why do you do it then?" .....well...because you really dont have a choice if you want a decent meal....now the need to plan out rides? Ugh. :dazzle:

 

[G00fyDad]

They need to stop building so many damned DVC's and put money into the parks...such as MORE RIDES. More rides and the people are spread out more, but of course this xpass stuff is cheaper. I PERSONALLY would hate my day planned out like this, it would drive me crazy to be on such a schedule, I am already annoyed that I need to plan my dinner and lunch times out months in advance, some will say "why do you do it then?" .....well...because you really dont have a choice if you want a decent meal....now the need to plan out rides? Ugh. :dazzle:

But here's the thing. You don't have to use the Xpass system. Keep things loosey goosey if you want. For those of us that like to plan ahead, it works out great. For instance, we are creatures of habit to a degree when it comes to Disney World. We always do the following:

Day 1 - No parks. Just DTD all day then back to the resort to relax and swim for the night.
Day 2 - MK. We ride all of the major rides first thing in the morning so we can skip the long waits later in the day.
Day 3 - AK. We ride all of the major rides first thing in the morning so we can skip the long waits later in the day.
Day 4 - DHS. We ride all of the major rides first thing in the morning so we can skip the long waits later in the day.
Day 5 - EPCOT. We ride all of the major rides first thing in the morning so we can skip the long waits later in the day.
Day 6 - Clearwater Beach. Then back to the resort to swim some more and relax.
Day 7 - MK. We ride all of the major rides first thing in the morning so we can skip the long waits later in the day.
Day 8 - MK. We ride all of the major rides first thing in the morning so we can skip the long waits later in the day.
Day 9 - EPCOT. We ride all of the major rides first thing in the morning so we can skip the long waits later in the day.
Day 10 - Fly home.

So why wouldn't we want to schedule our Xpasses for each of those days as early as possible so that we can skip the little bit of a line that does form early in the morning and get through them faster? That way we can just walk around and relax and enjoy the rest of our day having already ridden all of the major rides between 9am and 11am that morning. Believe me, I am definately not one of these "drill instructor" people that tell my family where to be and when to be there all day long. We keep things really loose for the most part but the morning schedule above is exactly what we all love doing. And a lot of people are the same way. Just because some here are not like that, it does not mean that no one is.

 

[GLaDOS]

But here's the thing. You don't have to use the Xpass system. Keep things loosey goosey if you want.

Sure. Just like people say it's not necessary to use Fastpass as some people claim. Yet if the parks are even moderately crowded, not using Fastpass will be a detriment to your experience.

If this goes as it seems it will, it will hinder your experience like not booking restaurants 180 days out and not using the DDP if you don't use it. Obviously it's too early to say it definitely will, but it definitely has me wary to return to Disney World.

 

[G00fyDad]

Sure. Just like people say it's not necessary to use Fastpass as some people claim. Yet if the parks are even moderately crowded, not using Fastpass will be a detriment to your experience.
If this goes as it seems it will, it will hinder your experience like not booking restaurants 180 days out and not using the DDP if you don't use it. Obviously it's too early to say it definitely will, but it definitely has me wary to return to Disney World.

How do you know this? :shrug: That's just it, you don't. No one knows what kind of impact this will have on the parks. It may be a colossal mistake or it could be one of the best things they have ever come up with. Me personally, I'll use the h*** out of this if it comes to pass (no pun intended) but I have no idea how this will impact other aspects of Disney World and niether does anyone else.

For you and others that say that they will skip Disney if it happens, please, do it. That means more room in the parks for those of us that simply like going to Disney and not b***ing about every single thing that the parks do that upset us. It's called Disney World, not Steve's World or Bob's World. They'll do what they want when they want and we can either go or not. Simple as that. Ifor one will be one that still goes.

 

[GLaDOS]

How do you know this? :shrug: That's just it, you don't.

Because I've been to the parks when it's moderately crowded and not been able to get a fastpass.

Fastpass has been around for a while now. I think I do know this.:wave:

 

[G00fyDad]

Because I've been to the parks when it's moderately crowded and not been able to get a fastpass.

Fastpass has been around for a while now. I think I do know this.:wave:

So have I and that is no indicator. Thanks.

 

[pax_65]

For you and others that say that they will skip Disney if it happens, please, do it.

Nice.

It's one thing if Disney is providing options to enhance your vacation experience. You have a choice - plan ahead and pay more, and you can improve your vacation... don't, and you can have the same experience you've always had. I have no problem with that.

However, it's another thing to say you MUST do these things in order to maintain the same vacation experience you've had in the past.

The financial thing aside, forcing people to plan ahead is a fundamental change in the Disney experience. We enjoy letting the kids decide what they want to do on any given day. Kids don't plan 180 days out.

If Disney is a place where everyone can be kids together, why would they force people to plan like adults?

Spontaneity = FUN!

 

[G00fyDad]

Nice.

It's one thing if Disney is providing options to enhance your vacation experience. You have a choice - plan ahead and pay more, and you can improve your vacation... don't, and you can have the same experience you've always had. I have no problem with that.

However, it's another thing to say you MUST do these things in order to maintain the same vacation experience you've had in the past.

The financial thing aside, forcing people to plan ahead is a fundamental change in the Disney experience. We enjoy letting the kids decide what they want to do on any given day. Kids don't plan 180 days out.

If Disney is a place where everyone can be kids together, why would they force people to plan like adults?

Spontaneity = FUN!

And I totally understand that spontaneity works for you and many others. And that is great. What you do that makes the trips fun for you is perfect for you. But not for others. Others prefer a strict schedule. I don't, but others do. We are a little of both. We love ADRs and the idea of the XPass system. But again, how do any of us have any idea how this will affect the current FP system or ride line lengths? The truth is, no one knows, yet. And using the excuse "I've been to WDW before" doesn't cut it. No one has any idea how this will turn out. I like the idea but I may end up hating it once it gets up and running. I just don't know about it yet and neither does anyone else.

 

[pax_65]

But again, how do any of us have any idea how this will affect the current FP system or ride line lengths? The truth is, no one knows, yet.

True enough. My point is, I hope Disney takes into consideration ALL of their guests when they implement this system. Specifically, I hope they limit the number of XPASSes that get distributed so the capacity of FastPass is not diminished dramatically and standby is still a reasonable option.

I fear they will do to the parks what they did to dining. By pushing the dining plans so hard and allowing people to make multiple ADRs for the same night, they killed last-minute ADRs and walk-ups for all the most popular restaurants. Now there is no choice - either you make ADRs 180 days out or you're doing counter service. Period.

 

[midwest_mice]

I for one will not let X-Pass ruin a vacation for me. I hope that when it is implimented, they do the same sequence as fastpass. Just because your Xpass time says 12:30, doesn't mean you will be on the ride itself at 12:30, they should still have to wait in the fastpass line. I keep thinking of the scenario at Space Mountain during peak times. When you get into the fastpass line, you still have the line inside the loading area to wait in, sometimes 10 minutes if the whole que is full.
It will be quite interesting to see how it first goes over. If people are going to pay "x" amount to get their ride times, you know there will be some that throw a fit if they still have to wait in any kind of line.

 

[righttrack]

This is really like an "arms race". The rules of engagement changed with the introduction of Extra Magic Hours. Prior to that, minus themeing and parking, staying on property didn't have any real advantage. Fastpass, and behavior changed again. This too. Will it become a necessity, like staying on property and using fastpass has become? I guess time will tell. If they think they can make enough money just selling these in limited number, there won't be much effect. If they price it so that they can get more people to do it, it will have significant effect.

 

[G00fyDad]

True enough. My point is, I hope Disney takes into consideration ALL of their guests when they implement this system. Specifically, I hope they limit the number of XPASSes that get distributed so the capacity of FastPass is not diminished dramatically and standby is still a reasonable option.

I fear they will do to the parks what they did to dining. By pushing the dining plans so hard and allowing people to make multiple ADRs for the same night, they killed last-minute ADRs and walk-ups for all the most popular restaurants. Now there is no choice - either you make ADRs 180 days out or you're doing counter service. Period.

I for one will not let X-Pass ruin a vacation for me. I hope that when it is implimented, they do the same sequence as fastpass. Just because your Xpass time says 12:30, doesn't mean you will be on the ride itself at 12:30, they should still have to wait in the fastpass line. I keep thinking of the scenario at Space Mountain during peak times. When you get into the fastpass line, you still have the line inside the loading area to wait in, sometimes 10 minutes if the whole que is full.
It will be quite interesting to see how it first goes over. If people are going to pay "x" amount to get their ride times, you know there will be some that throw a fit if they still have to wait in any kind of line.

I think that they will handle this the same way that they handle the current ADR system (hopefully slightly better though ) and that they will only allow a few Xpasses per attraction per hour. Once all are gone then they are gone. Just like a table at a restaraunt, once its booked it is gone. Now they just need some way to weed out the (Insert non-Disney word here) people that book more than one ADR per meal and apply that same technique to the XPass.

 

[MaryJaneP]

If you could buy non-stop instapasses for your favorite rides, would you? I think certain well-heeled guests, despite their denial as being so, would favor it, and XPass is just one step along this path.

Would this shut out a number of guests due to capacity being used? I think the answer is obviously "yes" as there are only a certain number of seats that can be filled per ride.

So, the result could only be that money buys preferred access to rides and causes other paying guests to miss rides. Not my idea of fair, but obviously supporter of xpass think it is.

I fly Southwest. I used to be able to get an "A" boarding pass by doing online login 24 hours before flight. Then Southwest offered, for an additional fee, automatic preferred login. Now, since all other flyers pay the extra fee and get "A" boarding passes, I never get better than mid-"B" boaring passes even though I follow same 24 hour pre-flight checkin. So money buys access and shuts other flyers out. Unless, of course, we want to pay extra. This is exactly how XPass will affect ride availability.

XPass is a bad idea that I hope never gets approved.

 

[HauntedPirate]

Anything that separates the guest from their money... Nothing like more enabling of the instant-gratification mentality of many people these days. :brick:

 

[bullsforthewin]

Anything that separates the guest from their money... Nothing like more enabling of the instant-gratification mentality of many people these days. :brick:

Yeah because Disney would still be open if they did not care about money

I still laugh that people complain about ADRs....just like in the real world most restaurants you need reservations. If i am visiting New York you better believe that i will make dinner reservations when i book my trip that is called common sense.