Reservation expansion

Sirwalterraleigh

Premium Member
And our last 2 trips weren't the greatest (we still enjoyed the parks), but that was because of family members that kept inviting themselves on our trips, but then decided not to have fun.

Next trip (hopefully we go) is back to the two of us, so we'll see if we get back on track!
…yeah but you got conned on upsells too…

Which i give free advice to avoid all the time 💰
 

Chip Chipperson

Well-Known Member
I am hoping this is not the case. It's also possible they offer only one afternoon reservation slot to start.

I think the afternoon Park Pass options for APs makes sense (provided they don't result in reduced full-day reservation availability). Local APs are the most likely to just drop in later in the day to eat around the world in Epcot for dinner during one of the many festivals, for example. Right now, that requires a Park Pass, but Disney has no way of knowing that they aren't showing up until late-afternoon. That type of visit potentially blocks someone else from getting a reservation for that park that day, but there's no other option for the local AP right now since they can't get in at all without a Park Pas reservation, so they book their reservation and then head over when they're done with work, errands, etc.
 

mikejs78

Well-Known Member
But you paid to have reasonable crowds because they forced your hand over the years.

That’s all I’m saying. It is a truthful analysis of why that happened.

One nice benefit that wasn't an upsell - the delux-only evening hours. I stay at YC for two reasons and two reasons only:
  • Crescent Lake is one of the best areas on property
  • I love being able to walk to Epcot
Anything else is bonus. And that evening low-crowd two hours was definitely a bonus.
 

dreday3

Well-Known Member
One nice benefit that wasn't an upsell - the delux-only evening hours. I stay at YC for two reasons and two reasons only:
  • Crescent Lake is one of the best areas on property
  • I love being able to walk to Epcot
Anything else is bonus. And that evening low-crowd two hours was definitely a bonus.

We're going back to Beach Club for same reasons! Also excited to utilize the extra hours.

I will fully admit after staying there, Gran Destino Tower is a nicer/newer/fresher hotel (the Tower, not CSR) and for a lot less money, but the walk to the parks is just toooooo perfect. And I really love the solarium at BC.
 

crazy4disney

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
We are going again because we still want to. I may have complaints from time to time, but I can say for certain I've never stated "we aren't going back" because that would be lying.

I am not yet disillusioned to the point of no return. Even with park reservations and genie +.

But I am happy to receive some perks as a resort guest, so lay 'em on me! :D
same here i have no said im not going back but i same respect they get less of my money when it comes to other things... November was still fun but as i said definitely different park ressies dont annoy me as FP to me was nothing more than the same... Genie is terrible plain and simple & to me is also effected DAS wait times as well negatively
 

DisneyHead123

Well-Known Member
Frankly: nothing.

And that’s the wrong move. Need much more capital expenditure…especially if there is a recession. Don’t make the same mistakes again. Build cheap and prepare for the crowds.

But chapek is a yutz…I was watching himself get self embarrassed in Paris just today…what a buffoon
My prediction:

- They go back to something like a glorified FP+ system next year. ("Have it your way!"... Oh, wait, wait, Burger King did that... ok, let's call it "Your day - your way!!")

- Over the next 5 years, park attendance dips fairly substantially with the triple punch of: 1. Post Covid travel slowing down 2. A recession 3. Universal opening two new parks that likely appeal a great deal to older kids, especially boys (a weak spot for Disney). At that point they'll panic and add a couple of new lands (and hopefully will have learned their lesson from Hollywood Studios and put a few more rides in them). I don't think they'll add a 5th park, but I could also see them trying to do something new offsite - a Disney Springs expansion, maybe, or a Vero beach experience but closer to Orlando.
 

Tha Realest

Well-Known Member
totally agree... the overlays vs additions crushed these parks & then add in the cancelled projects added downtimes to rides during the day created a bigger monster
Interesting point. I wonder if the overlays vs. additions mindset is a Burbank-based one, in which they never had the gift of space so repurposing under-utilized attractions was the only way to go under their paradigm.

I also think EPCOT's model, requiring sponsorships to offset the maintenance, had a lot to do with their repurposing.
 

Tha Realest

Well-Known Member
My prediction:

- They go back to something like a glorified FP+ system next year. ("Have it your way!"... Oh, wait, wait, Burger King did that... ok, let's call it "Your day - your way!!")

- Over the next 5 years, park attendance dips fairly substantially with the triple punch of: 1. Post Covid travel slowing down 2. A recession 3. Universal opening two new parks that likely appeal a great deal to older kids, especially boys (a weak spot for Disney). At that point they'll panic and add a couple of new lands (and hopefully will have learned their lesson from Hollywood Studios and put a few more rides in them). I don't think they'll add a 5th park, but I could also see them trying to do something new offsite - a Disney Springs expansion, maybe, or a Vero beach experience but closer to Orlando.
I hadn't considered that, especially when the competition to Epic Universe is taking a popular, thrilling, gender-neutral ride and pulling it under the princess umbrella.
 

Sirwalterraleigh

Premium Member
Interesting point. I wonder if the overlays vs. additions mindset is a Burbank-based one, in which they never had the gift of space so repurposing under-utilized attractions was the only way to go under their paradigm.

I also think EPCOT's model, requiring sponsorships to offset the maintenance, had a lot to do with their repurposing.
Overlays vs additions is threefold:
1. PR to act like something is new
2. The appearance of reinvestment meant for fans and long game investors
3. The same or even less operational cost afterward
 

Sirwalterraleigh

Premium Member
One nice benefit that wasn't an upsell - the delux-only evening hours. I stay at YC for two reasons and two reasons only:
  • Crescent Lake is one of the best areas on property
  • I love being able to walk to Epcot
Anything else is bonus. And that evening low-crowd two hours was definitely a bonus.
I was at magic kingdom twice late for DAKL …and that was good/worked.

Morning half hours are useless unless you genie blocked it afterward.


By the way…we were supposed to meet up and get hammered and fall into a lagoon, Weren’t we??

You stood me up, you tease 😡
 

Sirwalterraleigh

Premium Member
Oh…I didn’t get this…are they SELLING the park hopper with passes when they surprise return in a few weeks?

Now I get it…what “key” is that gonna be?
 

Sirwalterraleigh

Premium Member
I think it will be paid, yes, but essentially just be a paid version of the old FP+ with a few cosmetic alterations.
They can’t do prebooking from your snack lair months into advance…and you can’t do it for every ride.

That’s why they never did it in Disneyland. The numbers and logistics don’t work.

Nor should they…doesn’t make sense.
 

aladdin2007

Well-Known Member
I think the afternoon Park Pass options for APs makes sense (provided they don't result in reduced full-day reservation availability). Local APs are the most likely to just drop in later in the day to eat around the world in Epcot for dinner during one of the many festivals, for example. Right now, that requires a Park Pass, but Disney has no way of knowing that they aren't showing up until late-afternoon. That type of visit potentially blocks someone else from getting a reservation for that park that day, but there's no other option for the local AP right now since they can't get in at all without a Park Pas reservation, so they book their reservation and then head over when they're done with work, errands, etc.
that's not going to work well. Some of us come over from other areas in the state and we come for the day,,,they get too communistic with all this (the reserve annoyance is bad enough) and restrict the times and this and that to when we can come and when we cant, that's it, we want out. Were paying too much money for a pass that's getting too restricted with too many do's and don'ts.
 

LuvtheGoof

DVC Guru
Premium Member
that's not going to work well. Some of us come over from other areas in the state and we come for the day,,,they get too communistic with all this (the reserve annoyance is bad enough) and restrict the times and this and that to when we can come and when we cant, that's it, we want out. Were paying too much money for a pass that's getting too restricted with too many do's and don'ts.
He's not saying that you won't be able to make a park pass for when the park opens in the morning. He says that there will be additional time(s) added if you know that you aren't going to be there first thing. More options. Not less.
 

Chip Chipperson

Well-Known Member
that's not going to work well. Some of us come over from other areas in the state and we come for the day,,,they get too communistic with all this (the reserve annoyance is bad enough) and restrict the times and this and that to when we can come and when we cant, that's it, we want out. Were paying too much money for a pass that's getting too restricted with too many do's and don'ts.

That's why I said it would be a good thing only if they don't reduce the number of regular Park Pass reservations available for APs if/when this rolls out. In that case, these options would be in addition to the current options rather than a reduction of what's available now.
 

DisneyHead123

Well-Known Member
They can’t do prebooking from your snack lair months into advance…and you can’t do it for every ride.

That’s why they never did it in Disneyland. The numbers and logistics don’t work.

Nor should they…doesn’t make sense.
I’m not sure what you mean. We both agree that FP+ existed, yes? That is what I see coming back in some gussied up form (but paid). Disney avoids new infrastructure whenever possible, IMO. They bucked that trend with Genie+ with horrible results in customer satisfaction, so I see them doing a hard about-face and going with a method that they know, probably more so than ever after the attempt at something new kinda blew up in their face. They’ll probably keep something like day off ILL in the name of being “spontaneous”, though.
 

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