FP+ is Live! Magic Bands in the park!

[mom2rtk]

At least. I believe the "testing" started with the Dream Fastpasses from the (Two-and-a-half) Year Of A Million Dreams promotion which started in 2006. Then in 2009 came the Birthday Fastpass option, followed by the nearly-identical Give A Disney Day Fastpass option, which started the tiered selections.

I too believe that testing was a precursor to all of this.

But I don't think they've done a test yet where traditional FP was limited in any way to those participating in the test. It sounds to me like they are making assumptions that might not be indicative of how people will behave in real world execution. If I had the option of parade or fireworks viewing, I might have considered it. But ONLY if my other ride FP options remained unchanged. And while we don't know yet if there will be same-day FP options, I do think it's a safe assumption it will not be at all like the test (where you could continue to pull as many fastpasses for headliners as ever before.)

 

[darnheather]

@MichiganDVC I can totally see my own children taking their kids to Universal to see Harry Potter, but that might be because I'm a Potter-head and have made them in my own image. Yes we're going to DW first but Universal will be our next big trip once the other half of Potter world is finished.

 

[gwmort]

I too believe that testing was a precursor to all of this.

But I don't think they've done a test yet where traditional FP was limited in any way to those participating in the test. It sounds to me like they are making assumptions that might not be indicative of how people will behave in real world execution. If I had the option of parade or fireworks viewing, I might have considered it. But ONLY if my other ride FP options remained unchanged. And while we don't know yet if there will be same-day FP options, I do think it's a safe assumption it will not be at all like the test (where you could continue to pull as many fastpasses for headliners as ever before.)

I believe there are a large number of guests who don't use much fp now because they don't do the big rides, real small kids or older guests, etc... Having a passive activity to spend there premium fp allotments on would likely be very popular in a group that does not get much benefit from the current system. I don't think it is meant to be a ride all of the biggest rides and get these cool other perks too. They are not trying to make life better for the uber planners.

 

[mom2rtk]

I believe there are a large number of guests who don't use much fp now because they don't do the big rides, real small kids or older guests, etc... Having a passive activity to spend there premium fp allotments on would likely be very popular in a group that does not get much benefit from the current system. I don't think it is meant to be a ride all of the biggest rides and get these cool other perks too. They are not trying to make life better for the uber planners.

No, but there are a LOT of people for whom Disney is about the rides. And they have not yet tested how those folks choose fastpasses when it's either/or. They can claim they tested it all they want. But they didn't.

They might have tested the system operationally. They might have tested whether some people have an interest in parade/fireworks fastpasses. But they have not tested the level of that interest when it's either/or. Maybe they couldn't find a way to test it operationally. Or maybe they didn't want to see how popular it was when other fastpass privileges were turned off. But they didn't test it.

 

[gwmort]

No, but there are a LOT of people for whom Disney is about the rides. And they have not yet tested how those folks choose fastpasses when it's either/or. They can claim they tested it all they want. But they didn't.

They might have tested the system operationally. They might have tested whether some people have an interest in parade/fireworks fastpasses. But they have not tested the level of that interest when it's either/or. Maybe they couldn't find a way to test it operationally. Or maybe they didn't want to see how popular it was when other fastpass privileges were turned off. But they didn't test it.

I agree with your statement. However, just because they haven't tested it yet doesn't mean they haven't researched it. They have all those survey guys in the parks getting data on how people like to tour. They likely have tracked for years how many times a particular ticket pulls a fastpass on a particular day so they know how many most guests use.

The proposed three a day matches my personal touring style really well, I would certainly volunteer to test the new system at the exclusion of the other on my next trip in June. I would wager there are thousands of others who would too, particularly if it meant getting to fp attractions no one else can (like ETwB).

I am excited to see how the systems turns out and optimistic it will be a value add to our future vacations.

 

[doconeill]

I too believe that testing was a precursor to all of this.

But I don't think they've done a test yet where traditional FP was limited in any way to those participating in the test. It sounds to me like they are making assumptions that might not be indicative of how people will behave in real world execution. If I had the option of parade or fireworks viewing, I might have considered it. But ONLY if my other ride FP options remained unchanged. And while we don't know yet if there will be same-day FP options, I do think it's a safe assumption it will not be at all like the test (where you could continue to pull as many fastpasses for headliners as ever before.)

That has always been one of my main beefs with the tests. What I choose to use the "bonus" for when I can use the old system as normal will be affected - say, the parade viewing instead of Space Mountain. If I instead have limited choices overall, I may choose very different things. So if they are inferring that the parade is popular based on previous tests, yet they are going to severely limit FP+ choices, their premise is invalid.

 

[BebopBaloo]

I'm sure I missed it somewhere as I've been trying to follow along. I keep reading folks saying that there will only be 3 FP+ and maybe per park, or total... anyways..can someone direct me to the exact source of that information? I keep reading it as if it is official, but I haven't seen the official mentioning of it.
Thanks!

 

[Robo]

- those who are soaking in the Parade or ride experience may get distracted by a non-stop string of "hello Bobby, hello Suzie, hello Cindy, hello Juan, hello File Not Found.

We have some pertinent info regarding the "Personalized Digital Interaction."
(PDI, "Public Displays of Interaction?")

Consider the initial reaction on the WDW fan sites when they unveiled the new Spaceship Earth with the screen-grabs of guests' faces paste onto the cartoony finale of the ride.

It was judged as underwhelming (many HATED it) among many of the Disney fans.

But, you just don't hear much about it anymore.

 

[MichiganDVC]

Books like Harry Potter may not be timeless, but this series will certainly be relevant for many decades to come. Just as children that like science fiction still enjoy Ender's Game, so will those who prefer fantasy like Harry Potter and the Lord of the Rings series. This series has more readers than any other in HISTORY, and more copies are sold every day. So far, more than 450 million copies have been sold (half again more than any other book series), and it has been printed in 67 different languages.

Consider that the NY Times changed the way that it manages its Best Sellers list TWICE because of the Harry Potter books. Why? Because the books dominated the top spots on its lists for too long. After more than 18 months holding at least the top 3 spots, the NY Times added a children's books category to make room for other novels. But the Harry Potter books similarly dominated that list, so they soon created a "series" list under children's books.

For more than a decade, the Harry Potter books dominated book sales all over the world. I think it is here to stay, and that our grandchildren, and great grandchildren will love the books as much as our children (and many of us) did.

You do know, of course, that there are nearly 7 billion people on earth now right? So I do not doubt that Harry Potter series was one of the if not the best selling book series of all time. However, by sheer numbers there are simply more people on earth and especially in the last 20 years, more people who have contact with United States and Western media to be able to have access to their works than ever before. So, I wonder how much of the sales had to do with the delivery of books through the Internet through things like Kindle? And if not Kindle, just social media and the ability to deliver information about things like Harry Potter series across the globe. It's never happened before in all of history!!

My point is, and I think will find this in the next 25 years, is that with the spread of information across the globe and the quickness by which it travels through social media, our world is about to become a mile wide and an inch deep. I am afraid that the next Harry Potter-like series is just around the corner and another couple hundred million people in the world will buy those too, and then a few months later be on to the next series after that. These don't necessarily have to be good books, just popular... and they will sell hundreds of millions of copies because there are several billion people the world who can access them now.

So either the Harry Potter series was revolutionary in all of the history of literature or it's going to fade out with time like all the other generational works to do. I'm not saying kids absolutely will not read HP 20 years from now.., I'm saying they probably won't trek to central Florida to see Harry Potter land.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

The proposed three a day matches my personal touring style really well, I would certainly volunteer to test the new system at the exclusion of the other on my next trip in June. I would wager there are thousands of others who would too, particularly if it meant getting to fp attractions no one else can (like ETwB).

Some will love the new system, and some will hate it. Personally, if they limited me to 3 FPs/day and only 1 or 2 of them headliners, I would probably stop going to WDW. This from a man who has averaged 22 days in WDW each year for the last 13 years.

 

[hollygolitely93]

We have some pertinent info regarding the "Personalized Digital Interaction."
(PDI, "Public Displays of Interaction?")

Consider the initial reaction on the WDW fan sites when they unveiled the new Spaceship Earth with the screen-grabs of guests' faces paste onto the cartoony finale of the ride.

It was judged as underwhelming (many HATED it) among many of the Disney fans.

But, you just don't hear much about it anymore.

Never knew the before version and we adore the photos...campy! Just shows change is sometimes harder than new...

 

[BuckeyeBama]

So either the Harry Potter series was revolutionary in all of the history of literature or it's going to fade out with time like all the other generational works to do. I'm not saying kids absolutely will not read HP 20 years from now.., I'm saying they probably won't trek to central Florida to see Harry Potter land.

We shall see. I'm betting on Harry.

 

[hollygolitely93]

You do know, of course, that there are nearly 7 billion people on earth now right? So I do not doubt that Harry Potter series was one of the if not the best selling book series of all time. However, by sheer numbers there are simply more people on earth and especially in the last 20 years, more people who have contact with United States and Western media to be able to have access to their works than ever before. So, I wonder how much of the sales had to do with the delivery of books through the Internet through things like Kindle? And if not Kindle, just social media and the ability to deliver information about things like Harry Potter series across the globe. It's never happened before in all of history!!

My point is, and I think will find this in the next 25 years, is that with the spread of information across the globe and the quickness by which it travels through social media, our world is about to become a mile wide and an inch deep. I am afraid that the next Harry Potter-like series is just around the corner and another couple hundred million people in the world will buy those too, and then a few months later be on to the next series after that. These don't necessarily have to be good books, just popular... and they will sell hundreds of millions of copies because there are several billion people the world who can access them now.

So either the Harry Potter series was revolutionary in all of the history of literature or it's going to fade out with time like all the other generational works to do. I'm not saying kids absolutely will not read HP 20 years from now.., I'm saying they probably won't trek to central Florida to see Harry Potter land.

Can't buy Harry Potter through kindle...ebooks just recently made available via pottermore site.,,so all those book sales were paper copies

I agree with your point in social media...

But a seven book series over multiple years and eight movies aren't all as successful as they were without it being a revolutionary series. It is as relevant as A new fantasyland based on belle, Ariel and Snow White...for sure

But your point is understood.

 

[darnheather]

Some will love the new system, and some will hate it. Personally, if they limited me to 3 FPs/day and only 1 or 2 of them headliners, I would probably stop going to WDW. This from a man who has averaged 22 days in WDW each year for the last 13 years.

So the only reason you go to Disney is because you can get FPs to certain rides? I thought there was more to the DW experience than that.

 

[WillAustin]

Some will love the new system, and some will hate it. Personally, if they limited me to 3 FPs/day and only 1 or 2 of them headliners, I would probably stop going to WDW. This from a man who has averaged 22 days in WDW each year for the last 13 years.

I'm feeling the same way. I wish they'd let us know how it's going to work because 3 is not enough for us.

So the only reason you go to Disney is because you can get FPs to certain rides? I thought there was more to the DW experience than that.

I know that when we go, because of FPs, we are able to ride what we want, as many times as we want, without ever waiting more than 15 minutes. Limiting the number of FPs we can get to a number below what we can currently use significantly changes our experience in a negative way.

 

[damo]

You do know, of course, that there are nearly 7 billion people on earth now right? So I do not doubt that Harry Potter series was one of the if not the best selling book series of all time. However, by sheer numbers there are simply more people on earth and especially in the last 20 years, more people who have contact with United States and Western media to be able to have access to their works than ever before. So, I wonder how much of the sales had to do with the delivery of books through the Internet through things like Kindle? And if not Kindle, just social media and the ability to deliver information about things like Harry Potter series across the globe. It's never happened before in all of history!!

My point is, and I think will find this in the next 25 years, is that with the spread of information across the globe and the quickness by which it travels through social media, our world is about to become a mile wide and an inch deep. I am afraid that the next Harry Potter-like series is just around the corner and another couple hundred million people in the world will buy those too, and then a few months later be on to the next series after that. These don't necessarily have to be good books, just popular... and they will sell hundreds of millions of copies because there are several billion people the world who can access them now.

So either the Harry Potter series was revolutionary in all of the history of literature or it's going to fade out with time like all the other generational works to do. I'm not saying kids absolutely will not read HP 20 years from now.., I'm saying they probably won't trek to central Florida to see Harry Potter land.

In the next 20 years, new rides will be coming out. What does it matter if Harry Potter is the not the main draw in 20 years? What 20 year old ride at WDW is the major reason for people coming to WDW?

Universal regularly rips down old rides to put in new ones. Heck, they ripped out Jaws to put in the new Diagon Alley. If need be, in 20 years they can rip out Diagon Alley.

I think that is what people would rather have had WDW do. Rip out some of the old areas that are needing improvement or are housing nothing, and put something new in, instead of the Fastpass +.

 

[maddiebee]

I'm wondering how affective small tests are for something that so drastically affects so many of disneys guests. Does testing it on small groups really demonstrate the impact it will have across a whole park, let alone all 4?

 

[mom2rtk]

So the only reason you go to Disney is because you can get FPs to certain rides? I thought there was more to the DW experience than that.

I go to Disney for a variety of reasons. I like the parades, shows, characters AND rides. My husband likes the rides. If we wait an hour for Space Mountain, 45 minutes for Splash, an hour for BTMRR, and 45 minutes for Peter Pan, there isn't much time left for parades, characters and shows.

FP has been an integral part of Disney being a pleasing vacation destination for our family. Messing with that puts it all up for re-evaluation.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

So the only reason you go to Disney is because you can get FPs to certain rides? I thought there was more to the DW experience than that.

No, but WDW is not a large enough draw for me without those attractions, and I will not wait on line for an hour to ride anything. Even during the slow season, the headliners all draw long lines.

 

[Squidgyness]

I'm feeling the same way. I wish they'd let us know how it's going to work because 3 is not enough for us.

I know that when we go, because of FPs, we are able to ride what we want, as many times as we want, without ever waiting more than 15 minutes. Limiting the number of FPs we can get to a number below what we can currently use significantly changes our experience in a negative way.

Yeah. Attractions are a main reason I go to Florida in general. People might argue that the general theming and other aspects are important too, but its pretty pointless if I'm stuck in an hour long line and can't enjoy these other aspects because I refused to schedule my rides in advance, or couldn't.

Also, I couldn't help smiling at 'FP Super user' under your username

I'm wondering how affective small tests are for something that so drastically affects so many of disneys guests. Does testing it on small groups really demonstrate the impact it will have across a whole park, let alone all 4?

Not only will it not tell if there will be a problem if one doesn't appear in the small tests, but if a problem does appear in small tests (like the haunted mansion reports of a longer standby line for example) then it will be magnified tenfold once rolled out fully.