New DisneyParksBlog on MyMagic+ and FP+

[dadddio]

top that off with the fact that once you have given them permission to data mine your kids, what is to stop them from selling that info to other companies? You have opted in, and given them permission.

You may or may not have given that permission. It would be one thing for them to aggregate information and sell it. It would be another for them to sell identifiable information. They would not need any permission to sell aggregated, non-identifiable data, I wouldn't think. That being said, the aggregate data is much more useful to companies, so that's likely what would be sold. I can't for the life of me think of how non-aggregated data would be useful.

Also, I am of the thought that Disney would likely not sell useful aggregated data to their competitors. They'd make full use of it in-house, of course.

 

[Planogirl]

Why is it that some people can't see that everyone doesn't tour in the same way? Some people are unhappy because this new technology doesn't appear to fit their touring style so it's understandable that they would be critical. There always has to be a group who bash them for not finding everything involving Disney to be perfect though.

Personally, I don't want to preplan my trips to such a large degree. I don't want to be tied to a particular park and to rides and show so far in advance. It just doesn't suit me. It also won't keep me from visiting other area attractions which I'm sure is at least part of the goal here.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

The main idea, even in the time of Walt, was always to make as much money as possible. No one created WDW out of the pure goodness and magic of their hearts, it is a business.

Since the beginning, my mom has said, "Ain't no flies on Disney." If they can make it easier to push you to spend money, they will! But most of the time that increases my enjoyment. Don't want us to go offsite? Make free transportation to the airport. Wonderful for us. Don't want to carry that purchase all day? Send it back to the resort. Weddings, adults, kids, multi-generations, disability spectrum, make it as easy as possible for all these groups to spend money on Disney.

We have also always joked that Disney knows everything we do online and every time we visit a disney site and everything we purchase, etc. Now they're just admitting to all the information. I think it will make my trips better and make it easier for me to do things besides run around the park looking for fastpasses. Limited Time Magic may be a failure of their marketing department, but I don't believe that nextgen won't succeed in bringing them more money

If mickey brought me a bloody mary in bed, I would definitely consider it a win!

Not thrilled with the idea of wearing a wristband either. But, even if they don't make another format (e.g. card) available, what prevents us from just putting our and our children's wristbands in our bag like we do current park tix? Doesn't seem like a big problem to me.

If these are real concerns for anyone, they can opt out!

So much privacy paranoia coming from people using the internet. I am sure the irony is lost on them. Too funny...

Seriously...people are never happy, you can't please everyone...I like the idea of no paper fast passes...what a waste. Not having to run across parks for fast passes is awesome. We go to WDW from Chicago A LOT, and I am excited to see change...they will work out the kinks. Disney rocks, and so I have faith in them working this through. It may not be perfect at first, but come on...

I am more disappointed about the reduction of discount for my premier passport. Seriously!

It still amazes me -- though it shouldn't anymore -- how negative people can be on here!! CRANKY!!

And many of the same ones complaining about any new technology Disney tries, also complain that Disney isn't investing enough in the parks!

A WDW vacation - and planning it - makes me happy. Even when I'm not 100% thrilled with every little aspect of every change Disney makes. I'm looking forward to what this new technology can bring.

Time for me to take a DIS break! I know... I won't let the "logout" hit me on the way out!

~All of these posts are really, really good. I couldn't believe my eyes! I appreciate a good, sound, reasonable post & a little humor, too.

 

[Maddysdaddy]

So confused............

We're coming in March.

I already have a few dining reservations linked to my WDW profile, but:
1 - we're DVC members staying on points - can they be linked to my WDW profile(?); and,
2 - we bought the DVC PAP's, but all I have is an email certificate that doesn't look like any of the pass registration options under "My Profile".

Any advice appreciated.

 

[skater]

~All of these posts are really, really good. I couldn't believe my eyes! I appreciate a good, sound, reasonable post & a little humor, too.

Isn't it funny that we all believe the sound posts are the ones we agree with . I'm not being snarky - its that way for most of us .

 

[mom2rtk]

Isn't it funny that we all believe the sound posts are the ones we agree with . I'm not being snarky - its that way for most of us .

Yep, funny how that works.

 

[Waddler]

If mickey brought me a bloody mary in bed, I would definitely consider it a win!

Yeah! It's already waiting at your door and $30 has been charged to your account. Call 1-800-W-DISNEY to opt out.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

Isn't it funny that we all believe the sound posts are the ones we agree with . I'm not being snarky - its that way for most of us .

~I think you are being snarky & I don't appreciate the tone of your post, in spite of the emoticons. The posts I quoted above *are* sound & reasonable. Who are you to suggest, otherwise? I don't have to "agree" with a post to consider it sound -- that's a very immature and rude thing to say, but typical. I have every right to like and appreciate what I wan't on these boards without ridicule. It's funny how I don't care about what anyone else thinks -- people are entitled to their own opinion. I would appreciate it, going forward if you & your "buddy(s)" focus your negativity elsewhere! Thanks so much!

 

[maggiew]

As I understand it, your CC info won't be on the chip. It will be rather like the current KTTW card where it identifies the guest and whether he has spending priveledges, but doesn't actually include the CC number. The CC number is already in the system from check-in, so doesn't need to be on the card. The issue of someone somehow cloning bracelets to ring up charges is a good one, but can be avoided as it is with CCs. A simple way would for the system to pop up a picture of the bracelet holder at point of purchase.

This makes me feel better knowing that my actual CC info isn't on the bracelet.

Maggie

 

[Missyrose]

Isn't it funny that we all believe the sound posts are the ones we agree with . I'm not being snarky - its that way for most of us .

Yep, funny how that works.

Yep, totally agree.

And I see the irony in someone goodvibes) pointing out that the emoticons don't mean anything.

 

[SaraJayne]

Isn't it funny that we all believe the sound posts are the ones we agree with . I'm not being snarky - its that way for most of us .

Yes, it is human nature.

 

[Melodious]

Yeah! It's already waiting at your door and $30 has been charged to your account. Call 1-800-W-DISNEY to opt out.

There are some days it would definitely be money well spent In fact many hotels I've stayed at in Europe I swear it did cost that much. I just don't find it terrible for them to use data to try to personalize experiences or marketing *shrugs*

 

[beccy1606]

My family (all adults!) are those lunatics taking it in turns to run off and grab fastpasses for everyone in our party lol, so the part about being able to pre-book them sounds like a fantastic idea to us!

It was a pain in the **** having to split up and of course, the rest of us couldn't queue for anything else while we waited for the 'runner' to get back anyway! It would be great for someone like me who likes to plan our days with military precision lol.

My main concern would be a limit to the number you can have in a day. We used the fastpass system all day long; every time our current window for a ride opened, we would grab fastpasses for something else and ride shorter queues in between to maximise how much we could fit in. (With limited time at the parks and coming all the way from the UK that's imperative!).
We also like to park hop so if there is also a one park per day limit that may also be problematic!

Another good thing about the bands though would not be having millions of pieces of paper flying around or the millions of different photocards we somehow ended up with! All photos on one wristband would also be a good thing for us!

With regards to losing the bands, there are pros and cons. I like the idea of combining things as much as possible and only having one thing to worry about (reducing the risk of losing things). On the flip side, if you do lose the band, you lose everything at once (room key, money, photos, fastpasses, park ticket) lol! Hmmm.... think i'm still undecided!

 

[Melodious]

Why is it that some people can't see that everyone doesn't tour in the same way? Some people are unhappy because this new technology doesn't appear to fit their touring style so it's understandable that they would be critical. There always has to be a group who bash them for not finding everything involving Disney to be perfect though.

Personally, I don't want to preplan my trips to such a large degree. I don't want to be tied to a particular park and to rides and show so far in advance. It just doesn't suit me. It also won't keep me from visiting other area attractions which I'm sure is at least part of the goal here.

You are correct. It will not suit everyone, nothing does. I think part of the problem is that we still don't actually know how it will be implemented and whether it will look different six months after that. Also, the previous FP system didn't work for me so I'm simply expressing my own opinion that I am excited and looking forward to a new system. My positive opinion is just as valid since no one cared that I didn't like old fastpass with enforcement. I just had to deal with it

 

[GoofEeyore26]

Ii think I will keep my paper ticket and continue to hoard FP's first thing in the morning. Even with the "new" FP policy we can still easily use 5 to 8 FP's in a day. And with child swap...forgetaboutit... How will they check at the rides for EMH with no key card..... Are they going to scan everyone?

Obviously I'm hoping that when the site is functioning I will be able to book at 60 days just like I can with dining at 180. If not I will go and still enjoy. No big deal. It doesn't look like they are doing away with regular fastpass so I will have that (I'm sure fewer but we rarely use them anyway). I'm not worried. It will all workout.

Just a heads up, they WILL be doing away with the current Fast Pass system. An EVP indicated as such on an interview with an Orlando TV station yesterday. The goal is to have everyone opt-in to using the RFID so they can target, mine, and gather information - if they don't "force" this opt-in the projected revenue will fall apart. Don't for a second think Disney is making a 2 billion dollar investment just for guest "experience." It's a business.

That is one good thing about this FP+ - it isn't going to be able to replace EMH. If anything, EMH will be needed to be expanded now so that onsite guests can actually ride the headliners more than once.

The goal is to eventually phase out EMH completely because they are losing money having the parks open those extra hours (hence already cutting Evening EMH). The benefit of staying onsite will be the 60 day window for FP+.



One thing that bothers me is that we like to park hop. This system appears to be set up to deter people from doing that. You can only book FP+ for one park a day, AND you will not be able to get FP at another park. So you're essentially left with waiting on lines at the end of the day or beginning...your choice. I for one try to avoid lines at all costs, and this will be a problem.

 

[luulu1999]

Meh, I'm going to hold off until people actually start using it before passing judgement. Right now, my biggest concern is the tan line that I'll get on my wrist.

And for the record, we only go once every 2-3 years, and I still consider our infrequent trips very relaxing. If an attraction has a shorter wait time, we ride/see it. If not, we move on. We enjoy what we do experience, and don't stress about what we don't get to experience. Makes for a much more enjoyable trip. But that may not fit everybody's idea of a successful Disney trip, either.

We went to DL for Christmas and it was our first trip ever and that's how we were we would just go on the ones with the shortest waits....we had a few must do's that we would wait a little longer but if it said more than 30 mins we skipped it!!

I too would like to have more facts before making a decision to me I don't think its too bad of an idea once the kinks get worked out...im sure at first it will be a little hectic

 

[UNCFanatik]

One thing that bothers me is that we like to park hop. This system appears to be set up to deter people from doing that. You can only book FP+ for one park a day, AND you will not be able to get FP at another park. So you're essentially left with waiting on lines at the end of the day or beginning...your choice. I for one try to avoid lines at all costs, and this will be a problem.

I would still think one could park hop effectively under the proposed FP+ program. There will still be that segment of people that do not want to get up early on vacation and do rope drop. You could make Rope Drop at one park and minimize your time in line and then hop over to another park where you have made your allotment of FP+ reservations. Personally, this would be my daily strategy when/if FP+ meant the eventual demise of the regular FPs. I would park hop MORE not less.

 

[luulu1999]

I think I will treat them like the Kttw cards....I will carry all the little ones in my backpack....one thing I wish they would offer is a nonremovable one for little kids that way if they get lost CMs can get info on how to contact parents! And kids do get lost from good parents! so there could be some positives from this system....

Thats a really good idea for the lost kids....I only have two kids and will keep their bracelets with me!!

 

[GoofEeyore26]

I would still think one could park hop effectively under the proposed FP+ program. There will still be that segment of people that do not want to get up early on vacation and do rope drop. You could make Rope Drop at one park and minimize your time in line and then hop over to another park where you have made your allotment of FP+ reservations. Personally, this would be my daily strategy when/if FP+ meant the eventual demise of the regular FPs. I would park hop MORE not less.

You make a good point, i was actually thinking the same thing. One problem is usually after the first 1.5 hours in a park the lines get past what i'm willing to wait (30 min). That is usually when we pull out the fast passes. Also for that second park you will really only have FP+ for 2 rides that need it, not 3.


I will say it will be nice to have reservations for popular rides the day we arrive.

 

[Mad Hattered]

Yeah, the stupid blog wouldn't post my response. I just love how they are making themselves look good and that people agree with this move. I think the joke will be on Disney.