Magic Kingdom going FP+ only on 1/14/14

[wm49rs]

I disagree, I think that two hours at night or an hour in the morning can be MORE of an extra access to rides that FP+, depending on how you use it. Just because YOU don't value it, doesn't mean that others don't.

If the EMH is in the evening, then it would seem the FP+ system wouldn't be necessary, or would have run out of available FPs for the day. And the same can be argued in part for the morning hours, as the FP+ is supposedly tied into the park schedule. As you said, this is a perk for those staying on-site, so it shouldn't impact those staying off-site.

And I'm sorry, but where did I say I didn't value EMH? I simply don't believe it should negatively impact those staying offsite vis a vis the FP+ system.

 

[seafoodbuffet]

If the cost of the AP is already at the low range of a single stay, and that AP family visits multiple times (and many in the area are there on almost a daily basis) spending on food, drink and merchandise, then it's not unfair to say they're spending either as much or more than those making one visit per year....

But an AP staying offsite is only going to generate additional food/merch revenue. If you're offsite, you might be bringing your own lunches and buying no merch. I'm sure Disney has run these numbers but I'm skeptical that a median AP is far and away worth a lot more than an onsite resort guest (if anyone has real numbers, I'd be happy to be proven wrong).

Besides, Disney hasn't said AP's aren't going to have access to MM+ and MagicBands, they just haven't done it yet. If you're impatient, apparently a single night's stay at the cheapest resort will enable you to have advanced FP+ reservations through MDE (I haven't tried this, but I'm sure somebody can comment on it).

I honestly don't understand why APs are so hopping mad or feel so entitled. I'm an AP (albeit not a local) and while I would love to have these benefits sooner, I'm not ed off that I don't have it yet.

 

[Nemo14]

I'm not an AP, but I do understand their concerns. There was a time not that long ago when the locals and AP holders helped Disney through some tough economic times. Now Disney chooses to institute a system that rather than rewarding that loyalty basically thumbs their nose at them. I think I'd be a bit perturbed too.

 

[wm49rs]

But an AP staying offsite is only going to generate additional food/merch revenue. If you're offsite, you might be bringing your own lunches and buying no merch. I'm sure Disney has run these numbers but I'm skeptical that a median AP is far and away worth a lot more than an onsite resort guest (if anyone has real numbers, I'd be happy to be proven wrong).

Besides, Disney hasn't said AP's aren't going to have access to MM+ and MagicBands, they just haven't done it yet. If you're impatient, apparently a single night's stay at the cheapest resort will enable you to have advanced FP+ reservations through MDE (I haven't tried this, but I'm sure somebody can comment on it).

I honestly don't understand why APs are so hopping mad or feel so entitled. I'm an AP (albeit not a local) and while I would love to have these benefits sooner, I'm not ed off that I don't have it yet.

Well, as you said, no real numbers. But those attending the F&W Festival on the weekend (or the F&G one) are primarily locals, and they're spending plenty. Those who came for the Villains Party last year mainly comprised the same. And it's not unfair to say those attending the 24-hour day at MK the past couple of years have been at least half CMs/locals. So yes, they spend, and the cumulative amounts (by your own calculations) are at least the same as a low-end trip, if not more.

I never said I was impatient for anything, nor claimed any sort of entitlement. So we let's leave the personal insults off to side....

 

[seafoodbuffet]

I never said I was impatient for anything, nor claimed any sort of entitlement. So we let's leave the personal insults off to side....

You may not be, but plenty of APs are clearly both impatient and angered by how they've been treated (the numberous AP-related MM+ threads are pretty good indication of that). Bottom line, Disney has publicly said that APs will have access to FP+ including advanced reservations at some point. Complaining that it's not available now is sorta like complaining that Avatarland isn't yet built.

 

[Fractal514]

If the EMH is in the evening, then it would seem the FP+ system wouldn't be necessary, or would have run out of available FPs for the day. And the same can be argued in part for the morning hours, as the FP+ is supposedly tied into the park schedule. As you said, this is a perk for those staying on-site, so it shouldn't impact those staying off-site.

And I'm sorry, but where did I say I didn't value EMH? I simply don't believe it should negatively impact those staying offsite vis a vis the FP+ system.

I think I misinterpreted what you said. I thought you were saying that EMH aren't valuable compared to FP+. My original point was that Disney has already had in place a system where those staying on site get more access, so it isn't a new thing.

 

[Fractal514]

Well, as you said, no real numbers. But those attending the F&W Festival on the weekend (or the F&G one) are primarily locals, and they're spending plenty. Those who came for the Villains Party last year mainly comprised the same. And it's not unfair to say those attending the 24-hour day at MK the past couple of years have been at least half CMs/locals. So yes, they spend, and the cumulative amounts (by your own calculations) are at least the same as a low-end trip, if not more.

I never said I was impatient for anything, nor claimed any sort of entitlement. So we let's leave the personal insults off to side....

I would point out that things like Food and Wine and the Villains party are Disney's way of doing things for the locals and are, in and of themselves, a way of showing appreciation.

 

[wm49rs]

You may not be, but plenty of APs are clearly both impatient and angered by how they've been treated (the numberous AP-related MM+ threads are pretty good indication of that). Bottom line, Disney has publicly said that APs will have access to FP+ including advanced reservations at some point. Complaining that it's not available now is sorta like complaining that Avatarland isn't yet built.

And as has been said before, it wasn't too long ago the APs were really helping to keep the parks going, particularly the locals. And the fact that they've seen their benefits reduced, while being given only a vague timeframe for what will become the only way to get FPs soon, would be irritating to many....

 

[wm49rs]

I would point out that things like Food and Wine and the Villains party are Disney's way of doing things for the locals and are, in and of themselves, a way of showing appreciation.

No, it's not. Disney does plenty to market and place offers for those coming from outside the area, as they do for the holidays and the Star Wars Weekends at DHS.

 

[Fractal514]

No, it's not. Disney does plenty to market and place offers for those coming from outside the area, as they do for the holidays and the Star Wars Weekends at DHS.

Cmon, don't try to win the argument, be realistic. How many folks do you think Disney expected would plan a vacation around The Villain's Party or the 24 hour thing, versus how many locals did they expect?

You have a point about Food and Wine and Star Wars Weekends, but a lot of the Limited Time Magic stuff was primarily enjoyed by locals.

 

[donsullivan]

I would point out that things like Food and Wine and the Villains party are Disney's way of doing things for the locals and are, in and of themselves, a way of showing appreciation.

If you really think they began these annual festivals to 'appreciate' locals you really don't get it. These events were added with the sole objective of filling resort rooms and filling the parks during what were previously low periods of attendance in the parks.

 

[wm49rs]

Cmon, don't try to win the argument, be realistic. How many folks do you think Disney expected would plan a vacation around The Villain's Party or the 24 hour thing, versus how many locals did they expect?

You have a point about Food and Wine and Star Wars Weekends, but a lot of the Limited Time Magic stuff was primarily enjoyed by locals.

Those two, no. That was something to entice the locals as it was one was a one-time (for now) event. Those are (or were) events where they expect the APs to attend and spend.

But they most certainly market the Flower & Garden Festival, the Food & Wine Festival and the Star Wars Weekends as heavily as they do for the holidays...

 

[seafoodbuffet]

And as has been said before, it wasn't too long ago the APs were really helping to keep the parks going, particularly the locals. And the fact that they've seen their benefits reduced, while being given only a vague timeframe for what will become the only way to get FPs soon, would be irritating to many....

Expecting companies to have a sense of loyalty to consumers is exactly why people are disappointed. Remember that companies exist to serve their owners and shareholders first, beyond all else. If people don't like the way TDO is behaving, local alternatives (Uni) exist as competition. If the market moves far enough away from them, Disney may do additional things (build attractions, add AP benenfits) to attract those consumers back.

Arguments like "I've given Disney $xxx,xxx over the years" may be persuasive with a GR PERSON as an individual, but means very little to WDW as a COMPANY.

 

[wm49rs]

Expecting companies to have a sense of loyalty to consumers is exactly why people are disappointed. Remember that companies exist to serve their owners and shareholders first, beyond all else. If people don't like the way TDO is behaving, local alternatives (Uni) exist as competition. If the market moves far enough away from them, Disney may do additional things (build attractions, add AP benenfits) to attract those consumers back.

Arguments like "I've given Disney $xxx,xxx over the years" may be persuasive with a GR PERSON as an individual, but means very little to WDW as a COMPANY.

Of course. Which is why Disney sends quarterly newsletters, emails and the like, to not build that customer bond and loyalty....

It's not unreasonable to expect some modicum of loyalty to be a two-way street. Simply saying one is SOL because Disney is a business is a tired argument. Disney tries to build this loyalty, practically from birth. As such, they are (and should be) expected to show a little loyalty in the other direction....

 

[TRONorail10]

Can you imagine if they allowed every CM and comp ticket to have reservation privileges? Without a resort reservation, there's no way to control how far in advance they could be reserved, and thus, guests would not have access to the full allocation.

I apologize if I come off a bid rude, but when a cast member visits a park, they are a GUEST. When CM's are denied the same privileges as regular guests off the street, that's when you start to get descension amongst the ranks.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

It's not unreasonable to expect some modicum of loyalty to be a two-way street. Simply saying one is SOL because Disney is a business is a tired argument. Disney tries to build this loyalty, practically from birth. As such, they are (and should be) expected to show a little loyalty in the other direction....

Remember the Magic Kingdom Club?

http://www.yesterland.com/mkc.html

 

[donsullivan]

You may not be, but plenty of APs are clearly both impatient and angered by how they've been treated (the numberous AP-related MM+ threads are pretty good indication of that). Bottom line, Disney has publicly said that APs will have access to FP+ including advanced reservations at some point. Complaining that it's not available now is sorta like complaining that Avatarland isn't yet built.

I get that this issue does not impact 'most' of you but constantly seeing so many decide that since it's not an issue for them, others do not have the right to be bothered by it is part of what is heightening the frustration.

For me personally, the only issue I've been bothered by is that Disney did not deliver on their commitment of April 2013 (see link in my earlier post) to allow non-resort guest Passholders to reserve FP+ in advance (9 months ago). Without that, our ability to fully experience the parks has continued to be reduced with each passing month. And when combined with Disney's refusal to communicate anything on the topic we can only assume that what they publicly told us when we purchased our AP's was not true. They took our money with the commitment of a park experience that they are not delivering.

If you are a Passholder staying at a resort, you are not impacted by this specific issue but do not have the right to dismiss the impact on others such as local Passholders who are.

 

[JimboJones123]

Well, as you said, no real numbers. But those attending the F&W Festival on the weekend (or the F&G one) are primarily locals, and they're spending plenty. Those who came for the Villains Party last year mainly comprised the same. And it's not unfair to say those attending the 24-hour day at MK the past couple of years have been at least half CMs/locals. So yes, they spend, and the cumulative amounts (by your own calculations) are at least the same as a low-end trip, if not more.

I never said I was impatient for anything, nor claimed any sort of entitlement. So we let's leave the personal insults off to side....

Those attending the Villians Party wanted to spend money, but DHS had scarce merchandise and just as little food and beverage open. I still contend that Disney lost a million dollars that night in money that was just dying to be spent. It took 55 minutes for me to get cups at Backlot Express for sodas. We left right after fireworks because we were so hungry and did not want to wait even longer for food. We also wasted an hour in line for merchandise that was gone. We probably would have spent over $300 that night.

 

[JimboJones123]

Remember the Magic Kingdom Club?

http://www.yesterland.com/mkc.html

I loved my MKC card. I got mine when I was 16. I went to the Disney Store at my local mall almost weekly in the early 90s. Amazing how easy it was for Disney to pry almost all of my crappy high school job money right out of my pocket by just making me feel appreciated as a fan. The discount was not exceptional, but at a time when there really were not many club cards out there, having this card in my pocket was a passport to magic.

 

[wm49rs]

Those attending the Villians Party wanted to spend money, but DHS had scarce merchandise and just as little food and beverage open. I still contend that Disney lost a million dollars that night in money that was just dying to be spent. It took 55 minutes for me to get cups at Backlot Express for sodas. We left right after fireworks because we were so hungry and did not want to wait even longer for food. We also wasted an hour in line for merchandise that was gone. We probably would have spent over $300 that night.

And at the prices Disney charges with their other festivals, it's not unreasonable to say APs would be spending similar amounts....