Wrapping it Up (Like a Mummy)
You and I know that Disney parks are still a great place and a great deal. We know Disney still tends to, in general, provide the highest quality in theme parks. We know that Disney has a wealth of potential, content, talent, and other resources and can still make magic. We also know that is a business, but not JUST a business.

However, like it or not, Disney parks are part of a publicly traded corporation, and must produce good financial results. While YOU may believe that regularly adding top-notch new attractions will pay off, the evidence suggests that Disney management disagrees, particularly for their older theme parks. Executives need incentives for capital investments. If you don't like the way things are going right now, Disney needs to be the innovator once again and bring in a new way of pricing the parks. The departure of any executive from the company will not really change things. Any replacement will have the same problems to deal with.

Disney can entice people dropping by their non-admission areas (like Downtown Disney) to spend a few hours and some bucks in gated parks with a PFP system - money Disney would not otherwise get.

Roll-out strategy and marketing would be key to the success of such a program, to be sure. Perhaps with another sizable unlimited passport price increase, a PFP system could be introduced as an alternative.

A PFP system would allow for "feature-length" attractions without raising the prices of the people who just want to do the short, simple attractions. Annual passholders would benefit from a better quality experience, as would the average guest. The average guest could opt for a PFP system when they show up during the "renovation season". Investors in Disney would benefit from increased casual usage and from clear knowledge of what in particular is making money in the parks, and what is not.

One last thing- if you think offering ONLY "all you can eat, one size fits all" unlimited passports is great for attractions, then why not the same for the food/snacks in the park if not the merchandise? All of the arguments for the "pay one price" for attractions can also be applied to the food in the park. If you think the POP model doesn't affect attraction availability, then ask yourself if you think there would be as many vending carts dotting the walkways of the park if your admission price included as all-you-can-eat from vending stands. You'd probably see fewer stands, and you'd see lines at every single one of them, and some people would eat until they got sick.

I'd like to see more choices in the pricing at Disney parks, and more variety in the offerings- not because I think Disney parks aren't loads of fun right now (I can't get enough of them, myself), but because I know Disney is sitting on so much potential. Smartcards are one way to accomplish that, and another way to encourage corporate-wide synergy.