Let's speculate about Polynesian some more!

[Jwaire]

Those are some sad waterparks. Volcano Bay blows them away, and Sea World throws in aquatica when you buy a gold pass. I’m not sure even “free admission on arrival day” is going to help. Who wants to get off an airplane and rush over there when they close at 5 pm, unless you land at 9am why bother?

They're hoping it keeps the water parks alive. The resorts can continue to hike prices without repercussions, but the water parks can't. Now, you will have the resorts paying the water parks for every guest that uses this promotion.

Interesting strategy, but I would have made it good for the length of stay.

I would also bet people have stopped buying the water park add-on too because ticket prices have soared.

 

[mkatsy]

They're hoping it keeps the water parks alive. The resorts can continue to hike prices without repercussions, but the water parks can't. Now, you will have the resorts paying the water parks for every guest that uses this promotion.

Interesting strategy, but I would have made it good for the length of stay.

I would also bet people have stopped buying the water park add-on too because ticket prices have soared.

Length of stay would have been brilliant, especially if you had older teens or college kids. Let them take the bus over to the water park, and meet you back at the resort for dinner. Arrival day, with youngsters, just feels like too much extra work.

 

[DVCsloth]

I think it's kind of a nice perk that Disney is offering to DVC members, "assuming it's DVC". Even if you only go for a few hours while waiting for your room to get ready. Nice lazy river with different stops for adult beverages. Bus or Uber back and the room is ready. We drive if we're at Riviera and going to Typhoon Lagoon, literally 5 minutes once you leave the resort "Joffrey's" for me though if I'm the driver.

 

[Cabius]

I think it's kind of a nice perk that Disney is offering to DVC members, "assuming it's DVC".

It is indeed included with DVC stays (though not exclusively; it's a general WDW benefit)

https://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/discounts-perks-offers

 

[Chili327]

Length of stay would have been brilliant, especially if you had older teens or college kids. Let them take the bus over to the water park, and meet you back at the resort for dinner. Arrival day, with youngsters, just feels like too much extra work.

or just one day per visit (2 night min or something), use it whenever you want.

 

[Cabius]

or just one day per visit (2 night min or something), use it whenever you want.

I think they want to have more things on the list of on-site perks, to counter the narrative that it's no longer worth staying on-site. (No more Magical Express, no more free Magic Bands, barely any EMM, and apparently it's open-season on resort pools to boot!)

But they still want to sell tickets to these water parks, and wouldn't want to do length-of-stay passes, or even enough flexibility that people who would otherwise have bought a water park ticket stop doing so.

Their best-case scenario is that folks book on-site because they feel like the experience is different, and special. And then don't actually USE the perk.

 

[mkatsy]

I think they want to have more things on the list of on-site perks, to counter the narrative that it's no longer worth staying on-site. (No more Magical Express, no more free Magic Bands, barely any EMM, and apparently it's open-season on resort pools to boot!)

But they still want to sell tickets to these water parks, and wouldn't want to do length-of-stay passes, or even enough flexibility that people who would otherwise have bought a water park ticket stop doing so.

Their best-case scenario is that folks book on-site because they feel like the experience is different, and special. And then don't actually USE the perk.

The people that don’t have to pack a small circus to go over there, actually help the rest of us out by freeing up space at the resort pools. I’m not sure how much room it is actually going to make but the older kids will probably pressure their parents to take them to the big slides.

 

[Genie+]

I think they want to have more things on the list of on-site perks, to counter the narrative that it's no longer worth staying on-site. (No more Magical Express, no more free Magic Bands, barely any EMM, and apparently it's open-season on resort pools to boot!)

But they still want to sell tickets to these water parks, and wouldn't want to do length-of-stay passes, or even enough flexibility that people who would otherwise have bought a water park ticket stop doing so.

Their best-case scenario is that folks book on-site because they feel like the experience is different, and special. And then don't actually USE the perk.

I thought the same thing. We’ve had a waterpark added free to our WDW package many times and never used. That was due to higher priority things we wanted to do, limited time on trip, and in some cases would’ve had to forfeit part of the expensive park tickets already purchased.

It looks nice on paper. The value can be there, just not necessarily. Nice regardless. At least it is an added option.

 

[intamin]

I think they want to have more things on the list of on-site perks, to counter the narrative that it's no longer worth staying on-site. (No more Magical Express, no more free Magic Bands, barely any EMM, and apparently it's open-season on resort pools to boot!)

But they still want to sell tickets to these water parks, and wouldn't want to do length-of-stay passes, or even enough flexibility that people who would otherwise have bought a water park ticket stop doing so.

Their best-case scenario is that folks book on-site because they feel like the experience is different, and special. And then don't actually USE the perk.

I wonder if Universal made their own version of Magical Express it would tempt Disney to bring theirs back. I suppose unlikely given they already offer free express pass for guests staying in their deluxe resorts and Disney isn't trying to offer Genie+ to their guests. I feel like if Disney reduced their discounts and added on Genie+ it would add more perceived value.

 

[AwfulWaffle]

I wonder if Universal made their own version of Magical Express it would tempt Disney to bring theirs back. I suppose unlikely given they already offer free express pass for guests staying in their deluxe resorts and Disney isn't trying to offer Genie+ to their guests. I feel like if Disney reduced their discounts and added on Genie+ it would add more perceived value.

Even if we never get it back at least very soon we will have an express to Disney springs. Not as convenient but it will run every 30 minutes so not terrible for only one transfer.

 

[maui22]

If Disney wants more revenue from the water parks, perhaps use wristband policy at every near park resort? Then folks not staying at a resort might spend time at water parks as opposed to pool crashing. Every person who pool crashes today…may spend more money in the parks or the water parks.

 

[tidefan]

Those are some sad waterparks. Volcano Bay blows them away, and Sea World throws in aquatica when you buy a gold pass. I’m not sure even “free admission on arrival day” is going to help. Who wants to get off an airplane and rush over there when they close at 5 pm, unless you land at 9am why bother?

This I very much disagree with. We love Typhoon Lagoon (granted, it was better with the sharks, but I digress). We have visited many times and enjoy getting away. I will say they always seem pretty packed whenever we have been there.

I will say that always having our car makes this much easier…

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

If Disney wants more revenue from the water parks, perhaps use wristband policy at every near park resort? Then folks not staying at a resort might spend time at water parks as opposed to pool crashing. Every person who pool crashes today…may spend more money in the parks or the water parks.

At least having the resort pools on wristband access during periods when the temps are over 80 and/or the hotel is more than 95% sold out would be a huge win for guests. I doubt it would drive many guests to water parks most days between Dec-Mar, but it could make a significant difference in the summer.

My silver lining take on the tiny poly tower pool is that it will almost force Poly to implement wrist bands if they want hotel guests to keep coming back and paying current prices. Unfortunately, since nothing else at the resort is limited to resort guests, I am worried the whole place (especially dining and bars) will be a zoo and potentially even spill over into VGF, which I own and love for its relatively calm vibe.

 

[Chili327]

My silver lining take on the tiny poly tower pool is that it will almost force Poly to implement wrist bands if they want hotel guests to keep coming back and paying current prices.

I'm going to make a point of doing a DVC tour of the tower when the pool is completely overloaded, & keep asking them about it.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

I'm going to make a point of doing a DVC tour of the tower when the pool is completely overloaded, & keep asking them about it.

Make sure to check out the wait for Dole whip and pull open the quick service app to see how long it will take to order food.

 

[mkatsy]

This I very much disagree with. We love Typhoon Lagoon (granted, it was better with the sharks, but I digress). We have visited many times and enjoy getting away. I will say they always seem pretty packed whenever we have been there.

I will say that always having our car makes this much easier…

Have you been to Volcano Bay and used the TapuTapu band?

 

[mkatsy]

I'm going to make a point of doing a DVC tour of the tower when the pool is completely overloaded, & keep asking them about it.

Exceeding the bathing load potentially endangers the health, safety, or welfare of people using the pool it would be a shame if people started emailing videos to the health department.