FP+ is Live! Magic Bands in the park!

[Planogirl]

Disney drop ticket prices? Maybe when mice fly. I would be willing to bet my vintage Mickey ears that this will NOT be part of the plan.

However, it could lead to a price war....

 

[ghtx]

Disney drop ticket prices? Maybe when mice fly. I would be willing to bet my vintage Mickey ears that this will NOT be part of the plan.

However, it could lead to a price war....

They have done so before. When they first introduced MYW tickets, the price of a base ticket (no hopper) was cheaper than it was before.

 

[maiapapaya]

Isn't this exactly what is dragging the airlines out of the red?

But is Disney operating in the red? Would they go to this type of system because they are in financial straights and it's a way to try to keep ticket prices reasonable while trying to find more money to bring into the coffers? Or would it be because they can (based on finding a novel way to sell it to their customers)? Those are two different things (thinking from a PR perspective)

It's one thing if an industry is seeing a lot of companies close to failing for financial reasons and a re-tooling of the fee structure helps to keep ticket prices from being insanely high, while making more money off of things that people may want, but aren't necessities. It's something different if a company starts to charge premiums on everything, just to squeeze more money out of their guests.

Of course Disney is a business and it's totally within their rights to charge what they want however they choose. But, if I decide I don't want to pay for a crappy sandwich on a flight or not check a bag, but the person next to me does it has no affect on my experience. But if Disney were to create "premium" viewing locations, for example, it will affect traffic flow around the hub and down MS (therefore potentially affecting my experience if I get caught in the pre-parade traffic jams that would form multiple times/day)

They may get it past first timers who might be thrilled that they can pay for premium viewing for their families, not realizing it was free before, but they also run the risk of people thinking "wow, you even have to pay to watch the fireworks and parades at Disney if you want a decent view."

 

[Squidgyness]

I just think Disney popped into the R&D dept to check up on this thing and got a nasty shock.

"Hey guys we still on for the deadline, yeah? ... WHAT? You spent how much? And it still doesn't work? But I already told the press! Oh no... Right, see if you can fudge it. We can't have blown a billion for nothing... *ring ring* what's that... oh it's the attendance figures for theme parks... HOW MANY? Harry Potter... Cuuuurse youuuu! I knew I shouldn't have slept in the day the fastpasses to the Harry potter rights auction went online! *shakes fist*"

I guess I'm a die hard cynic though...

 

[Planogirl]

They have done so before. When they first introduced MYW tickets, the price of a base ticket (no hopper) was cheaper than it was before.

It won't happen now. I just don't believe it.

 

[Rileygirl]

I should say, the price drop is probably a flight of fancy. It would be a shocker though.

And whatever they implement, its going to look simple on the surface, easy to use, but put us all in a psychological head lock, just like they did with Magical Express and MWY tickets.

anyhow, mostly joking about my previous scenario. unless of course it happens, and then I will say, -see, I was right! And if it dosent, I will say, see- I was right.

Hedging bets is always a good thing....

Also, I am thinking that the IT thing is the most unbelievable of this entire scenario, with price drop a close second.

 

[Momtomouselover]

How then, I know you are going to ask, is this damn system going to make lines shorter overall for anybody? other then the 3 you get, how can this possibley make any sense? I would reply, it may be a couple of factors. One is, if they increase the number of fp percentages in the grid, then overall even more will be available, and it will be possible that for a large part of the year, 5, 6, or even 7 are available for prebooking. As standby times are going to be horrendous from mid morning to night, most people will avoid them like the plague. The strategy will be for us to pre book as many as possible in advance, and then hop around like little bunnies in the park hitting the suprise and amaze button as often as we can, and go where disney tells us, if we like the attraction. If you can do it from your personal device, you wont have to actually run around at all, just hit the ap and select what appeals to you. Welcome to appointment riding.

Now, of course, as said, this sounds great in theory. And the very wise could use specific times of year, or specific times of day, to fit in a couple of great attractions using the standby line. However, its the application that is concerning. Can they do it? Again, I say, this could be a clusterfudge'. Chaos, Cats and dogs living together...

This "appointment riding" makes me cringe. Assuming you are right then not only are you best off (or at least until you understand the system for supposed "extra" FP 's) buying tickets in advance, deciding 60 days earlier what parks you want to go to on what day, you also need to determine roughly what time you want to ride and be in the parks. Additionally you lose further flexibility the day you are in the park if you are expected to check into a kiosk or stare at a phone to "score" extras to avoid standby lines and thus be lead around by your nose. You can't decide when your kid says "let's ride that again" to grab a FP and ride again later or if the standby line is short enough, presumably something you will see less of with the new system, just ride standby.

In my view this system only helps those people that like to go to the parks and ride a couple things, soak in the atmosphere, and maybe watch a parade or fireworks...the end. Is the price of a park ticket worth that? How about a park ticket and food and on site reservations? Not to mention for how many days. My parents would like this system but they have purchased 7 day tickets before and went 3-4 days and rode 3 things max or took in just shows. How much of the demographic fits this bucket? A potential solution to those that want to ride more and have access to more FP+ would be charging for them and/or link to resort tiers. How many will pay for this additional access? Maybe more than we think...maybe enough. Plus I guess if you have enough people who will pay more you can lose some guests which means less staffing needed, less crowds. Couple this with knowing people's plans...perhaps the math works.

Will everyone like it? Certainly not but perhaps that is not the goal. This system, again a big IF since I'm assuming three and tiered FP's, charging for additional. etc. benefits those who are willing to spend more and those happy with less. Win for Disney. Just think they can also market it to those who are happy with less as a "more relaxed vacation". To the newby "choose a more relaxed vacation or option to upgrade". To those with large expendable vacation budgets "choose a more relaxed vacation or upgrade with super-duper FP+, ride all you want with little or no waiting".

 

[maiapapaya]

and while I'm grumping at Disney just a comment, just because I want to vent ... there was some discussion that perhaps interactive queues are going in because Disney is aware they are going to be negatively impacting SB waiting and this is their way of pre-emptively appeasing the masses. If this is the case boo to you Disney! I had naively thought that the interactive queues were WDW's recognition that often the waits are long and unpleasant and therefore they were trying to make it a more positive experience. I'm really disappointed with all of the Big Brother, manipulate the crowds and their money talk. There would have been much better ways for WDW to improve their guests' experience and competing with Universal. It's all just so unmagical. Disney already had it right with quality service, impeccable theming, innovative and fresh attractions. Had they stuck to that formula they would have maintained their standing in the industry. Not really thinking the Magic Bands and all the related hoo-ha are going to do that for them.

 

[Squidgyness]

and while I'm grumping at Disney just a comment, just because I want to vent ... there was some discussion that perhaps interactive queues are going in because Disney is aware they are going to be negatively impacting SB waiting and this is their way of pre-emptively appeasing the masses. If this is the case boo to you Disney! I had naively thought that the interactive queues were WDW's recognition that often the waits are long and unpleasant and therefore they were trying to make it a more positive experience. I'm really disappointed with all of the Big Brother, manipulate the crowds and their money talk. There would have been much better ways for WDW to improve their guests' experience and competing with Universal. It's all just so unmagical. Disney already had it right with quality service, impeccable theming, innovative and fresh attractions. Had they stuck to that formula they would have maintained their standing in the industry. Not really thinking the Magic Bands and all the related hoo-ha are going to do that for them.

I whole heartedly agree with this vent.

Even if I could use this system, and use it well, I doubt I'd be excited for it. It would just be... another thing to figure out and use. Still wouldn't be what I wanted to see from Disney.

But it might just be what we get I suppose. I still want to see the surveys that Disney did for who would use such a system, and who really wanted it.

I bet they didn't include the finer details, just a simple yes/no. Because who is going to say no to shorter lines? Some might have said no to prebooking rides, but what the hay, Disney probably thought they could change their minds. Then they got round to giving millions of people all a fair crack at fastpasses in advance and... things got way too real, way too fast.

 

[Momtomouselover]

I wonder if it would work to implement the benefits of MagicBands but have the FP+ system be an add-on benefit. How many and how much would people pay for it? Then they can keep regular FP minus whatever it takes to give some amount of FP+. I would potentially pay for it on some days that I want to "relax" on or if you could have both...well, then it is worth more. Do the numbers work then? You can still use MagicBands to track, get data, have interactivity, offer up bonus day of FP+ for free when capacity allows.

 

[Momtomouselover]

I whole heartedly agree with this vent.

Even if I could use this system, and use it well, I doubt I'd be excited for it. It would just be... another thing to figure out and use. Still wouldn't be what I wanted to see from Disney.

But it might just be what we get I suppose. I still want to see the surveys that Disney did for who would use such a system, and who really wanted it.

I bet they didn't include the finer details, just a simple yes/no. Because who is going to say no to shorter lines? Some might have said no to prebooking rides, but what the hay, Disney probably thought they could change their minds. Then they got round to giving millions of people all a fair crack at fastpasses in advance and... things got way too real, way too fast.

This ^

I'm hoping they are looking now for better ways to do this without totally wasting the 1BN. I guess that is the thought process behind my FP+ as an added benefit idea.

 

[magicbob]

Actually it does still benefit the planner. Because the planner will fuss and fume about it, but will indeed keep checking back until they get what they want.

I agree with you but I think "benefit" is perhaps too strong a word. I'd say it won't "deter" those of us who are determined from getting what we want, but we will have to be greatly inconvenienced and put forth a lot more effort for a much smaller "return."

Once we had our BOG ADRs for our December trip (what a FIASCO of poor IT, poor infrastructure and poor management decisions THAT day was!) we got a crazy idea that it would be fun to eat in both castles in the MK on the same day. CRT was already booked. But if you set your mind to something you can often make it happen. I knew if I kept checking, I'd find something and I did. The first time I got wasn't great, but I took it and kept checking back. Eventually I got exactly what I was after.

Again, I agree. Determination will pay off for many. I've also scored "impossible" CRT reservations in the past... much like you described. I kept checking and took the first thing that came open even though it wasn't what I wanted and then kept checking back and changing my reservation for closer and closer to what I wanted. After three changes, I was finally able to get what I wanted.

As much as people complain about going through this for a hard to get ADR, think about having to endure it just to avoid a 2 hour wait for Soarin'.

You are still relating this to your own personal desires Magic Bob. And to hope disney will tailor make a system that is going to make the 10% even more happy, I think this is an error.

I don't expect Disney to create a system that caters to me or makes me "more happy." But, of course we all want a system that is not going to negatively impact us. I still maintain that the system (as described) will not really benefit the 80%ers. I get that it makes sense from a business standpoint to make 80% of the people "more happy" even if that means making 10% less happy. But (admittedly made up) statistics are not going to convince me that this system will make those masses more happy. I'll believe it when I see it.

My paranoia is creeping in again and I'm beginning to wonder if this thread is being monitored and we are the most underpaid, unwilling and unwitting focus group Disney has ever had.

And Rileygirl is really Disney's mole who is running the focus group and trying to sell us naysayers on the merits of the plan!

Actually, Rileygirl... I agree with much of what you have presented. It is thought provoking and insightful. I just don't agree with the assessment that the system is going to enhance everyone's experience.

 

[mom2rtk]

I agree with you but I think "benefit" is perhaps too strong a word. I'd say it won't "deter" those of us who are determined from getting what we want, but we will have to be greatly inconvenienced and put forth a lot more effort for a much smaller "return."

Agreed.

gain, I agree. Determination will pay off for many. I've also scored "impossible" CRT reservations in the past... much like you described. I kept checking and took the first thing that came open even though it wasn't what I wanted and then kept checking back and changing my reservation for closer and closer to what I wanted. After three changes, I was finally able to get what I wanted.

As much as people complain about going through this for a hard to get ADR, think about having to endure it just to avoid a 2 hour wait for Soarin'.

Yeah. That would definitely be my jumping off point. 2 hours is more than I'd wait for any ride. 1 hour is probably more than I'll wait for any ride as well.

And babysitting my computer to score one ADR is manageable. But if I needed to do that for many rides, that would be another jumping off point.

So I wait. I know what my limits are. But I don't know yet if the new system will push me past those limits. But I've given it a lot of thought and know by now what I will and won't do.

 

[Rileygirl]

I wished I work for Disney. And trust me, I think they are pretty peeved at me if I am even close to right on any of this stuff. This is the stuff they DONT WANT us to know. In my opinion. I mean, how am I selling it to people when I point out its faults that are going to effect us? I think I just am trying to look at the big picture, thats all

I keep hoping, however, and exec from either disney or Universal will call me up and offer a me a dream job.Of course, the paranoid in me also makes me think that instead of a job offer, one day I will walk out my front door, and a mouse, in a trench coat and shades, is planning to take me out.

Now, neither thing has happened so far, so maybe I am so off the mark, its just cause for a lot of laughter around the water cooler some where.

But the next few days and weeks should be so exciting. Park attendance stats, and the mouses counter move. I am glued to my computer!

 

[Squidgyness]

I think we will all remain sceptical till it is introduced, whenever that may be.

We have covered every major aspect of FP+ as far as I am aware, and I think that this topic contains a lot of concerns, thoughts and worries, hopefully balanced with some more positive hopes.

Of course it remains to be seen how much of this Disney is also talking over, but I for one think this thread is a great example of debate and one which Disney would be foolish to ignore. Which they may well be, I don't know. But I hope some of the concerns expressed here are addressed, as do we all I think.

I'm just glad this topic stayed the course and remained a friendly debate. Time to pat ourselves on the back I think.

So I wait. I know what my limits are. But I don't know yet if the new system will push me past those limits. But I've given it a lot of thought and know by now what I will and won't do.

This is where I'm at right now after all that debate. I know what I want, what I could cope with and what I couldn't cope with. I just hope it's not the last one, but I'm planning for it just in case.

 

[Rileygirl]

Right, perhaps its time that this thread floats down to in significance. Its been lots of fun.

~A

 

[Bflo Dave]

Last sept. we were asked to do a trial on the FP+ and you can get paper FP also the card or wristband they give has a tag inside and you can just wave it at the kiosk and print out the FP.

 

[mesaboy2]

Last sept. we were asked to do a trial on the FP+ and you can get paper FP also the card or wristband they give has a tag inside and you can just wave it at the kiosk and print out the FP.

Unknown if this will be the case when the full system is operational. We'll see.

 

[maiapapaya]

So I wait. I know what my limits are. But I don't know yet if the new system will push me past those limits. But I've given it a lot of thought and know by now what I will and won't do.

This is where I'm at right now after all that debate. I know what I want, what I could cope with and what I couldn't cope with. I just hope it's not the last one, but I'm planning for it just in case.

That's where we are too. We will be at WDW for only one park day next March before our first ever cruise. How that goes wrt to any changes related to FP+ could affect any decisions for future trips.

I don't know if they would be into any stage of roll out by then with the delays or possibly still in some phase of testing. It will be busy enough as it is with it being spring break season, but if SB lines are unbearable because of added stress put on them due to FP+ I will probably be hard pressed to convince DH that it isn't time to move on (obviously I'm already somewhat up against that with a cruise booked instead of our usual WDW trip!)

 

[mom2rtk]

But is Disney operating in the red?

I can't think of many companies that would let a silly thing like being in the black keep them from doing something they have seen successfully bring big revenue into other companies.