Originally Posted By standor I like a carefree spur of the moment decision on how to enjoy my vacation. I don't like the idea of planning my intinerary 6 months in advance. Disney is making it impossible to enjoy using their parks. There are other parks throughout the country that would love to take my money.
Originally Posted By CDF2 All of these upscale packages and plans and reservations will have little impact until it gets to the point that there is such a significant number of privileged guests that it begins to generate real and discernable impact on the regular day visitor or even AP holders. If "regular" guests start finding that FPs to BTMRR or SM aren't available until 2PM even when they first get into the park, then you will see some friction and reaction - until something drastic like that happens, all of these Disney resort add-ons are simply going to be more cash in the coffers.
Originally Posted By sjhym333 I think the average guest will even notice. They will just assume that FP's are popular and went quickly. You would be amazed at how many guests still think there is an upcharge for a regular FP. Disney obviously thinks that catering to the guest with the discretionary money to do these types of packages are the way to go in the future. In some ways it is a smart business move (even though I hate the whole thing). They cater to the family/watching their budget crowds by expanding on the value resorts with Art of Animation and then do an add on for those who can afford to do that. I have good friends who fall into that crowd that can afford it and they tend to be planners (maybe that's why they have that kind of money) who would pay for this type of experience
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom My understanding is that there is no additional charge for any XPass tickets. XPass tickets are available to anyone. The only difference is that if you purchase an XPass ticket six weeks prior to your WDW park visit then you can "book" up to four fast pass tickets as specific times for each day during your stay versus if you purchase an XPass ticket the same day as you enter a WDW park, you can only "book" one fast pass ticket for that day. The incentive is to purchase your XPass ticket at least six weeks prior to your visit. The incentive for Disney is that they get your money six weeks earlier than necessary, thus drawing the intrest. The vast majority of WDW park visitors book their WDW trips months in advance. So this change will go unnoticed. This WDW parks "perk" will only affect cast members and individuals who purchase same day tickets or annual passholders.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 this could be the'jump the shark' moment in next gen- overloding even those most diligent planners lke me-- or maybe it will so little utilized there will be no effect and just die a natural death
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb Tom, I'm a little confused by your post. Is there no additional charge or do you purchase the X Pass? I'm not trying to be a smart aleck, for once, I just need some clarification.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom My understanding is that a day pass ticket will be called an XPass. Instead of getting a Fast Pass with your ticket at various kiosks around the parks. I believe ultimately WDW would like to replace the Fast Pass machines with a day pass/ XPass ticket with built in fast pass privileges which varies depending on the date of purchase, and informing WDW which attractions you would like to "Fast Pass" at which times on certain days. Viola, no more Fast Pass machines. Thus, no more expenditures for Fast Pass machine maintenance, upkeep, and litter removal (actually a good thing in my opinion). What I disagree with is that a day pass/ XPass ticket purchased 6 weeks out has greater priviliges than a day pass/ XPass same day ticket. Plus, how do you handle an annual pass holder ticket? I have no problem replacing a paper day pass ticket with one with a magnetic strip that has "smart function capabilities" such as allowing one to use the ticket for built in "Fast Pass" privileges. My point is that a day pass/XPass ticket purchased 6 weeks out should have the same priviliges as one purchased the same day.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I really don't view this move as a "jumping the shark" move at all. Clearly, WDW management is looking at ways to reduce waste. The entire Fast Pass system is redundant and each day creates a huge amount of waste removal. All of which can be easily eliminated by means of a "smart" day pass parks ticket. So, I view this as a good, smart move. I think that "smart" day pass tickets will cause a certain amount of distrust among WDW park guests since guests are use to the Fast Pass system and assume it is used honestly and with good intentions. I believe the assumption here is that ultimately, since there is no possible way of varification, the XPass system can be easily manipulated by WDW management so that an XPass could be good for Fast pass priviliges on all rides in all parks during ones WDW stay. And when you are standing in line like I have for 3 hours at TSMM watching Fast Passers keep passing the standby line with zero abatement then you start getting very annoyed with the entire Fast Pass system. In the grand scheme of things it really doesn't matter since WDW already has a pass for certain quests which grants them Fast Pass priviliges on ALL rides (available for parties with a person with autism and there is one other group which escapes me at this time granted these special passes). I just think the XPass opens the door to elevating more guest tensions. Quests are going to believe that the new XPass system allows WDW management to manipulate XPass tickets to their desire, allowing some special folks full priviliges. People don't go to WDW for an overly complicated, tension inducing ticket system. We all understand there are going to be crowds. We all understand that we have to be patient, and may have to wait prior to experiencing rides and attractions while at WDW. The problem comes when your typical guest is asked to wait in queue for ridiculously long times to get on rides. Having to wait 3 hours during non peak times to experience a ride is "bad show". And doesn't make for a pleasant WDW park experience.
Originally Posted By sjhym333 While I agree that this will save Disney money on printing all those FP's, Disney has always the ability to do what it looks like they are doing with this recent test without spending all the $ they have with NextGen. I think there is more to this whole thing than just saving money on FP's and FP Machines. I think Disney sees a way to keep people on property, upcharge to make money or something alone those lines. Why else spend the amount of money they are investing to do this?
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I agree sjhym333. There is probably more to XPass and NeXtGen than meets the eye. What probably makes more sense is for a WDW daypass/XPass parks ticket to be something downloadable to your smart phone. That way you can actually see the times you are scheduled for your FastPass ride experience. This would not only eliminate a paper Fastpass, but also a daypass park ticket as well. Even though not everyone entering the parks may have a smart phone, this move could help deminish a significant number of daypass park tickets. Just a suggestion!
Originally Posted By FenwayGirl We got to try the Xpass last week. We were met at the ME and asked if we wanted to try it. The Xpass was a plastic card. They had us pick out 4 attractions, then they timed the fast passes. It wasnt anything different from a regular fast pass...but I wouldn't pay for the service
Originally Posted By danyoung >TSMM= Toy Story Midway Madness< That would be Toy Story Midway Mania (or was there a joke there I missed?).
Originally Posted By LacyBelle Didn't the name of the attraction go through a few revisions before opening? (Or perhaps that was just an inconsistency within the Disney geek community as we chatted about it online.) I seem to recall the names being interchangable there for awhile before it was settled on. Might just be age affecting my memory, though.
Originally Posted By danyoung It's between Toy Story Mania and Toy Story MIDWAY Mania. The Midway part works in DCA, not so much in DHS. But they can't really decide even to this day what to call it officially, so you see it both ways. >Madness, Mania... what evs ;-)< Did you just "what evs" me, Deb? I'm WAY too stuffy and stodgy to accept that kind of slang, young lady! <hee hee>
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb I remember something similar, then again I'm even older than you so take it for what it's worth.
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb 59 was for 57. And Dan called me YOUNG lady (blushing and giggling like a girl with far less gray in her hair).
