Latest: Is Walt Disney World Going to do Too Much For High End Customers?

Originally Posted By AutoPost

This topic is for Discussion of <a href="http://www.LaughingPlace.com/Latest-ID-79071.asp" target="_blank"><b>Latest: Is Walt Disney World Going to do Too Much For High End Customers?</b></a>
<p>Jim Hill looks at Disney's XPass program, a system rumored to give special perks to Walt Disney World's high-end customers, and the steps they seem to be taking in that direction already.</p>

 

Originally Posted By CDF2

With stratification being seen in all sorts of places in our country these days being it be in terms of things like fast-track freeway lanes or airline club cards or luxury boxes at sports stadiums or concierge floors in hotels, I don't think this sort of thing really matters that much anymore to anybody.

Sure, there will be some guy waiting in line for a ride that gets irked because the Fastpass line people get in before he does or some person gets ticked off because all of the American Airlines Gold and Platinum cardholders took up all the overhead space forcing him to check his carry-on - but these things are here to stay as the economy seems to show more signs of greater divergence between those with and those without.

Give Disney credit for developing a way to milk more blood out of the turnip without really changing anything other than collecting money and making a few software keystrokes in their software to enable those special privileges.

 

Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt

Pre-book attractions? What happened to spontaneity? Somehow, this doesn't seem like a whole lotta fun.

 

Originally Posted By Manfried

I'm tired of Fastpass and totally programmed vacations. I think its time to sell the old place, buy an RV and live on the road for a while.

 

Originally Posted By skinnerbox

My WDW vacation days are over. I'll gladly go to Uni instead, where I don't have to book dining reservations six months in advance in order to eat something other than quick counter service for every meal.

Seriously, what the heck is going on with Disney? Even if the XPass only lets you reserve one or two rides per day as some posters have claimed on other boards, that's enough to book up the most popular FP rides, months in advance, to the point all the same-day FPs will disappear for in-park visitors by noon.

I hate commando style vacations. WDW has been slowly turning into an overpriced and overcrowded theme park boot camp. Enough is enough.

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

I would rather they invest in maintaining the place, and making the deluxe hotels truly deluxe. If you ignore the beauty of the architecture and pools, the "deluxe"hotels offer 2-3 star level of service at best. Mix in the nightmare of buses (seriously people, the service is embarrassing compared to other cities and even theme parks), dining reservation hell, poor maintenance, and the rampant synergistic commercalism everywhere (add in horrid weather and all the bible belt/right wing elements) and WDW is not my idea of fun.

It used to be wonderful, then they Walmarted the place to an extreme. This new plan does not surprise me at all however, I would not be surprised at all if this was the original vision when FP first came on line. I wish fp would go away frankly, but then I think we have the same chance of that as seeing an aa laden edutainment attraction the whole family can enjoy.

Check out Puy Du Fou folks, that is where the Baloos are trying next year, I understand it is far more immersive and casual than Disney.

 

Originally Posted By CDF2

"I would not be surprised at all if this was the original vision when FP first came on line."

Most certainly there was this background beast looming in the distance that given that ticket media could be programmed to allow differential access to FPs that there might be some exclusive programs that would grant their owners more ready or reserved access. These boards had many discussions of these background capabilities and how they might result in "normal" guests being shorted versus those guests buying premium access.

But as these type of programs come more into being, might it be the case that many of the Disney fans of these boards begin to realize how less of a vacation experience one might actually get if they are running against the clock all day to make ride appointments, dining reservations and reserved parade viewings? Will there be any time to just relax and enjoy the parks compared to an "if its Tuesday at 3PM it must the a parade at Disney Studios or if its Thursday at 8AM it must be Expedition Everest" kind of thing?

Fastpass seems to be pretty good at the most simplest level - if there are one or two or maybe even three attractions that a person really wants to experience that typcially have long lines then FP gives that person a good chance at being able to do so without a lot of waiting if they make getting an FP for that ride a priority.

It would seem to me, that for the rank and file guests, the more important improvement that Disney could make would be to post the wait time boards for different attractions at various locations throughout the park (rather than just at the central hub) so that guests might be able to make more efficient choices when in the different areas of the park. I think there has been mention of an application for smartphones that might be available to do this but lets face it, sometimes leaving behind the electronic watchdog is really what a vacation is all about for those of us who have to feed the beast 24x7 already.

So give the fat cats and those willing to spend thousands on upscale features a minute-by-minute tour of WDW and its environments - just give me a little more onsite information that might make the day go a bit more efficiently and those other guys can do whatever they want.

 

Originally Posted By vbdad55

funny how those who rip Disney for this sort of stuff have no issue with Uni where people today pay for 'front of the line' passes...

either this stuff is a bad idea or it's not

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

I agree it is bad in all parks - Disney, Universal, Merlin, all of them. I am cool with resort only EMH, but not FP (with the exception of disability and babyswitch scenarios)

 

Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub

Did you happen to read some of the comments? I was surprised to read people still think DVC or APs should be receiving special treatment. I love being in both categories but honestly I never considered staying DVC was a luxury.Having a yearly pass is a discounted privilege. Certainly not luxury.
I originally visited once a year and stayed at the deluxes. Then I discovered POP and stayed at the values so I could go monthly alternating between DL and WDW. Now after reading this I am considering going back to being a once a year deluxe guest. I guess that means I would pay for the extra perks...
And I would never go to Universal and not stay on property paying for their perks voluntarily. This October I noticed Virgin Holiday offering big perks for the Air/hotel packages for overseas guests! It is all about the money.

 

Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub

I happen to think Disney has been genius at targeting specific guest categories to fill the resorts at WDW. Probably since 9-11. I noticed marketing for Hispanics/Blacks/foreign countries and families with young children (pre-school ages) Now the young athletic markets are HUGE. I think enticing the rich families with the parents that can afford $500 for a round of golf was their last final challenge. I still think WDW needs new parades fireworks attractions and maintenance improvements to satisfy that crowd.

 

Originally Posted By FerretAfros

>>Now the young athletic markets are HUGE.<<

And they seem to know how to get it to work, too. I don't think that I would be making a trip to WDW in a month if it wasn't for the Marathon Weekend, and it was also able to convince a handful of my friends to do it too. Several of us got into running as a result of it (can a result happen before the actual event?), so it can't be all bad news, right?

 

Originally Posted By wahooskipper

What a racket "destination running" has become. I ran the Vegas Rock and Roll Half a couple of weeks ago. 44,000 runners at $100+ per person not too mention the hotel, food, airfare, etc. Someone is making a killing and...Disney certainly was smart to get in on the action.

 

Originally Posted By fkurucz

>>I love being in both categories but honestly I never considered staying DVC was a luxury<<

Since the average American can't afford to buy into DVC ($16,000 minimum to buy in, IIRC) it is a luxury.

 

Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub

Sorry I guess it is easy to forget about the price increase over the years. The only reason I was able to afford it was the employee discount. I figured it was now or never. I usually just use the standard view basic room. I could never afford it today to buy in.

 

Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom

When you consider that room rates for family suites at the Disney's Art of Animation Resort will be begin at $248 a night, if your a repeat visitor to WDW DVC are a bargain.

Also, I would argue that your average American can not afford a vacation at WDW. I guess in that sense WDW is a luxury. WDW's day passes are far more expensive than any other Disney park in the world, let alone non Disney parks.

My objection is not with Disney providing upscale accomidations for some quests. My objection is when Disney, instead of building rides or attractions that any park quest can experience, creates exclusive park experiences for priveleged guests that include seperate ride vehicles and buildings; ie Wild Safari Trek.

 

Originally Posted By leobloom

My problem isn't so much with the company targeting "exclusive" experiences or high-end customers. But I do have a problem with them focusing on this over adding new attractions, shows, and parades.

 

Originally Posted By vbdad55

I'm not sure it's that they're focusing on the high end stuff more as it is, much of it is realtively simple add on's- little capital investment - or idea investment needed.

 

Originally Posted By leobloom

Well, whatever you want to call NEXGEN -- that is the ultimate waste of money.

The lack of new quality attractions and additions is one of the reasons this place is as dead as it is.

 

Originally Posted By CDF2

"I'm not sure it's that they're focusing on the high end stuff more as it is, much of it is realtively simple add on's- little capital investment - or idea investment needed."

With all of the talent that Disney seemingly has at their disposal in terms of their own legendary Imagineering group and others from Hollywood like George Lucas or James Cameron willing to work with them, I think many of us feel that there seems to be less creativity and amazing stuff being considered than some of these simplistic extra-cost add-on experiences.

Sure, it was Disney Imagineering that set the bar so high - but that's what made Disney parks great over the years and has led to their leadership in the business. Let's hope that current management can recapture that notion of "watch and be amazed" instead of "hey investors, watch us show you the way in which we will get you better stock prices through minimal investment in high-end offerings that a willing well-monied public is happy to gobble up".