75 mins for HM!?!?!? Time to fire current Disney parks MGMT

[Angel Ariel]

It will never be "done". That's why they made the huge investment. It's called "big data", and they will use it to change the program constantly over time.

I would expect that if you go to WDW every year, your FP+, ADR, and perks will be slightly different with each trip.

I don't think anyone is expecting it to be "done" as in "no changes after this point ever" - that would be silly.

There does have to come a point, however, where Disney no longer refers to it as a test. You can change parameters and tweak the system over time even after announcing that the "testing period" is over and this system is fully in place.

 

[clsteve]

OK, if we assume that lines are longer for secondary rides right now and decide this could be due to FP+ or bigger crowds or both (probably the right answer) then the problem becomes how to tour when this happens. As more people get access to FP+, then those who have become 'true' standby might wait longer and longer. Since we all likely want to ride more than three rides that could at some point include all of us. Rope drop is nice early in the day but I hope that entities such as the UOG people come up with some plans on how to handle all of this.

It's odd though because supposedly crowds haven't increased that much this year but who knows? I personally believe that building new attractions would have been a better solution to the crowd problem but that ship has sailed.

You're spot on. If they're successful in using this to get people to stay in the Parks longer by spreading out the FP ressies, the dynamic greatly changes- especially if the FP-to-SB ratios also change. Not everyone is going to use that time to shop and eat.

 

[WillAustin]

I just don't understand chancing it while it isn't all rolled out and at least close to steady-state, and then complaining as though I had no choice but to plan a WDW vacation.

Because we love WDW and I plan to continue to give them feedback to help move it in a direction that is better for us. We've already been part of the testing on our last trip, but there have been several changes since then.

I complain because I believe it will have an effect on how they change the system. I know I'm certainly not alone.

It's not a risk that we'll have a terrible trip. Wherever we go, we have fun no matter what. But if the value ends up not being there after all, I'll let Disney and everyone else know what I think.

 

[JeremyGNJ]

I don't think anyone is expecting it to be "done" as in "no changes after this point ever" - that would be silly.

There does have to come a point, however, where Disney no longer refers to it as a test. You can change parameters and tweak the system over time even after announcing that the "testing period" is over and this system is fully in place.

No, what I mean is that the testing period *IS* over. Its done, live, production-ready, they're allowing off-sites guests to use it starting tomorrow.

But you could see minor or major changes at any point. Slow seasons you might see "book now and you will get 5 FP+ per day". Or you might see "book an ADR and get a free FP+". It will never be FAIR again. It will be targeted and ever-changing.

 

[WannabeWeasley]

No, what I mean is that the testing period *IS* over. Its done, live, production-ready, they're allowing off-sites guests to use it starting tomorrow.

But you could see minor or major changes at any point. Slow seasons you might see "book now and you will get 5 FP+ per day". Or you might see "book an ADR and get a free FP+". It will never be FAIR again. It will be targeted and ever-changing.

Then their PR nightmare will continue. People will continue to inuddate them with horrible feedback on their website and Facebook pages and their surveys, not to mention all over all Disney related social media and the internet. The majority of people HATE the new Fastpass+ system, surely you aren't implying that those marketing geniuses at Disney are stupid enough to believe all of this guest dissatisfaction will simply just go way?

 

[WillAustin]

No, what I mean is that the testing period *IS* over. Its done, live, production-ready, they're allowing off-sites guests to use it starting tomorrow.

They are still calling it a "test" though.

They shouldn't be calling it a test as they continue to tweak FP numbers and ratios. That is something that will last forever, literally, and change all the time.

 

[mom2rtk]

I don't think anyone is expecting it to be "done" as in "no changes after this point ever" - that would be silly.

There does have to come a point, however, where Disney no longer refers to it as a test. You can change parameters and tweak the system over time even after announcing that the "testing period" is over and this system is fully in place.

Is there an up side to them once they no longer call it a test? I see the up side in calling it a test in that they can hide behind it when things don't go well for someone. But once they stop calling it a test, they have to fully own anything that goes wrong. And I just don't see an up side. So I'm guessing it will continue being called a test for a while still.

 

[WillAustin]

Is there an up side to them once they no longer call it a test? I see the up side in calling it a test in that they can hide behind it when things don't go well for someone. But once they stop calling it a test, they have to fully own anything that goes wrong. And I just don't see an up side. So I'm guessing it will continue being called a test for a while still.

I agree with that. Remaining in "testing" probably lets them encounter far fewer people that need guest recovery, or at least dismiss them more easily.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Because we love WDW and I plan to continue to give them feedback to help move it in a direction that is better for us. We've already been part of the testing on our last trip, but there have been several changes since then.

I complain because I believe it will have an effect on how they change the system. I know I'm certainly not alone.

It's not a risk that we'll have a terrible trip. Wherever we go, we have fun no matter what. But if the value ends up not being there after all, I'll let Disney and everyone else know what I think.

We just disagree as to whether repeated complaints online will make any difference at all. I don't believe businesses like Disney work that way. I think they make decisions based on their reliable, randomly-sampled guest feedback -- not DISboards.

But it's great to hear that your family will have fun no matter what status FP+ is in on your next trip!!

 

[JeremyGNJ]

Is there an up side to them once they no longer call it a test? I see the up side in calling it a test in that they can hide behind it when things don't go well for someone. But once they stop calling it a test, they have to fully own anything that goes wrong. And I just don't see an up side. So I'm guessing it will continue being called a test for a while still.

This is the "google method". If you always call it "beta", then people cant complain when something doesn't work.

 

[WillAustin]

We just disagree as to whether repeated complaints online will make any difference at all. I don't believe businesses like Disney work that way. I think they make decisions based on their reliable, randomly-sampled guest feedback -- not DISboards.

But it's great to hear that your family will have fun no matter what status FP+ is in on your next trip!!

Thanks!

Good thing I was in the random sample after our last trip.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Thanks!

Good thing I was in the random sample after our last trip.

We were "sampled" on our last trip as well... can you say "same-day FP+", "more than 3", and "park hopping FP+"?!?!?

 

[Laz]

I suspect most people aren't shocked when a massive project doesn't tie up when originally planned. And thank goodness they didn't ACTUALLY publicize a drop-dead DATE... imagine the fallout -- especially on DIS!

Here's the bottom line for me:

-- If I am so sensitive to the exact status of FP+ on my next trip, I will wait until it actually is fully rolled out and beyond major growing pains before scheduling my vacation. I'll wait for the reports that all customer categories have access, until reports on here or elsewhere suggest things are steady-state for some time.

-- If I am NOT so sensitive, I will chance it.

I just don't understand chancing it while it isn't all rolled out and at least close to steady-state, and then complaining as though I had no choice but to plan a WDW vacation.

My feelings EXACTLY!

 

[Angel Ariel]

No, what I mean is that the testing period *IS* over. Its done, live, production-ready, they're allowing off-sites guests to use it starting tomorrow.

But you could see minor or major changes at any point.

That is exactly what my.point was. This can't really be called testing any more, and yet Disney is still referring to this in commercials on TV and such as a test. At some point that language has to come to an end, even if tweaks to the mm+ or fp+ system continue.

 

[WillAustin]

We were "sampled" on our last trip as well... can you say "same-day FP+", "more than 3", and "park hopping FP+"?!?!?

That's exactly what I told them, too.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Is there an up side to them once they no longer call it a test? I see the up side in calling it a test in that they can hide behind it when things don't go well for someone. But once they stop calling it a test, they have to fully own anything that goes wrong. And I just don't see an up side. So I'm guessing it will continue being called a test for a while still.

ItA that that is why it is still being called a test, but after everyone has MB and prebook access, how long can they continue to get away with calling it a test?

Last I.looked, about a.month ago, the website was still calling this a test and saying that regular FASTPASS was still available- when legacy kiosks had already been gone for a month. Earlier today I think I saw a MB page that said you has to be staying onsite at certain hotels to get a MB...all onsite hotels have had it.for quite a.while, and offsite gets them this week. When there are no alternatives, and everyone has access, when do they stop getting away with calling it a test?

 

[WillAustin]

Last I.looked, about a.month ago, the website was still calling this a test...

Right now, if you let it switch to the second image, the main WDW page says:

Reserve Attractions in Advance
Test FastPass+ ›

 

[Angel Ariel]

Right now, if you let it switch to the second image, the main WDW page says:

Reserve Attractions in Advance
Test FastPass+ ›

I was more referring to saying that legacy fp was still available as well...I don't remember what page I saw that on, or if.ot still says that now...but there's no excuse for that wording being there a month after legacy kiosks were removed..

 

[Mad Hattered]

A little more from Josh.

http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorized/characterpalooza-more-boozy-lemonades-is-there-anything-to-do-here-32514/

 

[999DoomBuggies]

A little more from Josh. http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorized/characterpalooza-more-boozy-lemonades-is-there-anything-to-do-here-32514/

I always love when Josh posts. I obviously agree with Josh that there is no question that the lines are longer.

Definitely worth a read.