All The New Developments

[doconeill]

Or buy a -$25 external charging battery (they have USB and/or iphone connectors) and let your phone recharge while you are on the go.

Maybe they can provide them free to resort guests?

 

[ChristineNic]

Do you really think they would plan to have all fastpasses used up by the time the park opens? If I has to guess id say they'll release waves of fastpass+ availability.

If they handle FP+ the same way as they handle ADR's, then yes, they will allow people to book all of the Fastpasses before the park opens.

Before I found the DIS, I would have expected that Disney would hold some dining availability for hotel guests, day guests and walk-ups.

What are my chances of getting a BOG or 'Ohana dinner reservation for tomorrow evening today?

As a FL resident and AP holder, I rarely plan a trip to WDW more than a month in advance. FP+ sounds like it will negatively impact my trips to WDW. The more details of FP+ that I hear, Universal's style of FOTL access for on site guests is becoming much more appealing.

 

[Golf4283]

I think comparing the handling of dining reservations to fastpasses is incorrect myself. For one dining reservations are in addition to the entertainment provided with the price of a ticket. The rides themselves are what the ticket is used for. The two are separate functions and only related in the fact that you need park entry to enjoy.

Just my opinion on those comparisons.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[hakepb]

Seems to me that you don't want me to be able to make an objective opinion.

I'm not talking about MM/FP+ here. I'm talking about Wi-Fi. MM/FP+ wasn't even in use (beyond internal testing) when I was there. It was problematic just with "normal" usage. How many guests even know how to turn off wi-fi when they aren't really using their phone? I have to content with them as well.

I think what Disney WANTS guests to do with MM/FP+ is going to make it worse.



Why should I have to use my limited mobile data just to make their stuff work?

Maybe that's why they are in cahoots with AT&T...

I think you have a great point on WiFi. I'm not aware of many free wifi rollouts that are successful with a user base as large and dense as WDW parks.

Here's one discussion on wifi in large conference ballrooms, and why it is often bad:
http://serverfault.com/questions/72...-always-so-terrible-at-large-tech-conferences

With enough equipment and a large enough tech team, you can make it happen...but I doubt Disney would pay as much per person as Apple pays for its WWDC conference (where attendees pay $1599 for a week)

 

[Rip]

If they handle FP+ the same way as they handle ADR's, then yes, they will allow people to book all of the Fastpasses before the park opens.

Before I found the DIS, I would have expected that Disney would hold some dining availability for hotel guests, day guests and walk-ups.

What are my chances of getting a BOG or 'Ohana dinner reservation for tomorrow evening today?

As a FL resident and AP holder, I rarely plan a trip to WDW more than a month in advance. FP+ sounds like it will negatively impact my trips to WDW. The more details of FP+ that I hear, Universal's style of FOTL access for on site guests is becoming much more appealing.

Even if they do keep the current FP system (not likely) and they do limit FP+ to allow for walk-ups (even less likely), you would still have fewer FPs available on the day of, making it less likely to actually be able to use it anyway. So no matter how you try to find the positive, ultimately it will be a negative for every person either not willing or not able to micromanage which ride they want to do 2 months down the road.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

You DO realize who Cheshire is, right? She is not one who traditionally "whines". Have some respect for once. PLEASE?

He's not a she, either

 

[darnheather]

I'm not a CM, I have no insight into their security procedures, but I will say this...

As a guest, I loved the Mickey readers during our June trip. No clumsy turnstyle to make your way through, it's awesome. BUT, in the back of my mind, I'm thinking, "Wow. It seems like it would be so easy now to just waltz right into the park with no physical barrier here." I know the turnstyles didn't seem like much of a detererrent, but just having a physical barrier seems like it would be more secure than having nothing. Especially at RD, when there's a lot of chaos. I noticed that if you use the reader closest to the park (??? not sure how to describe that), you're practically past the gate CM before you get your green light. Plus, there are now readers on each side, with two readers per side, so you've got one CM now "in charge" of 4 readers at a time, and guests who impatiently want to get into the park. It seemed like total chaos to me when we were there and frankly not all that secure. I'm sure the famed invisible Disney security guards would swoop right in if some funny business were to take place, but at RD on a busy day I can totally see how a situation could get out of control quickly.

Thanks.

I'm glad all these people are souring on Disney, less crowds for me. I just got back from using the magic bands and fastpass+. The system was awesome and we would only plan the night before and make changes during the day depending on how kids were holding up. Also every castmember we met laughed and said they hadn't seen the bands yet. They were all excited to see us using them. Not sure where all this negative comes from considering not many people have even used the system yet. I say don't knock it till you try it.

I also don't get why people are getting mad at Disney for trying to innovate. Look at fastpasses. Disney started that program now lots of parks emulate it. I think someone there must at least know what they're doing. Have some faith people. Just because you can't take advantage and get 6 fastpasses in a day whats it matter? Lines are well controlled when we were there just in peak season. Longest line we waited in was like 40 minutes.

Also as far as people rushing the park to get in we asked a castmember at DHS about that and she said that people have tried to but no one has made it yet. They chase them down and have video surveillance to monitor them. It's a non-issue from my standpoint.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Thank you!

Are you a card carrying member of the "gaggle" wearing rose colored glasses?

Yep and I am too. Mary Sunshine, that's me. No more reading this thread just going to and move along.

 

[UNCFanatik]

Yep and I am too. Mary Sunshine, that's me. No more reading this thread just going to and move along.

I will have to report this to the "gaggle" monitor Mad Hattered so he/she can place you on the watch list.

 

[PrincessV]

What does this have to do with RFID cards, MM+, FP+ or anything else the OP was talking about?

Unmanaged crowds is a "change?" Lines for rides?

Apologies if I misunderstood, but "All the New Developments" to me includes a variety of recent-ish changes, though I understand the issue du jour is mostly MDE/FP+. Whether long lines, poor crowd management, or rude CMs are a direct result of MDE/FP+ is certainly debatable; I'm not privy to the kinds of information to say one way or another. But as a regular at WDW, these are the things I'm seeing in the resorts and parks as of late. The point I was making is that its' not just MDE or FP+ effecting the guest experiences, but also other changes in how things are run. Such as fewer CMs handling crowd control in peak times. Or utlization of more ride vehicles to handle increased attendance. Or adequate staffing and support of front-line CMs.

As for Wifi or MDE app, why did you need to use that at all? A year ago, none of that existed, so why did those things ruin your vacation THIS year?
I use my iPhone in the park for three things: 1. Check weather radar 2. Take photos 3. Check wait times.
None of these tasks "ruined" my vacation in July.

Well, for one thing, Wifi's been around for more than a year. Did I need to use MDE to access my ADRs, resort reservation info, FP return times, etc.? No. But Disney is pushing its use and I didn't want to carry around a bunch of notes so I gave it a try - it sucked. It alone did not ruin my vacation; I never said that it did.

Paying more for less. Less of what? I'm sorry, but if you are comparing your recent trip to 1986, then you're going to be disappointed. What was different about a previous trip that made this one pale in comparison?

No, I'm comparing a lifetime of 100s of trips over a span of nearly 30 years, as I said. I don't visit for a week once in a while; I'm there on a regular basis. Which doesn't make my view better or worse than anyone else's, but it does change the perspective. As I said, it's hard to pinpoint an exact moment or change that led to my recent dissatisfaction with WDW - I think it's really a build-up of a lot of things that aren't particularly impact-ful on their own, but all together add up to something bigger, if that makes any sense. Off the top of my head - FL passholder and ticket rates rising far higher than inflation rates, the rise and fall of good dining, the change from seeing upper management in the parks to not being able to speak to a manager without a huge ordeal, CMs who clearly took pride in their work and appeared to feel valued to more snarly interactions than pleasant ones, a perceived lack of focus on guest satisfaction in search of ever-higher profit margins, an increasing need to plan in advance for, well, everything, it seems... etc., etc. Are all of those things directly related to MDE or FP+? No. But I think they're all part and parcel of WDW's current direction, as are MDE/FP+ - and it's not a direction that works well for me and my family, thus decreasing our enjoyment of the WDW product.

Free dining is not free. There's no need to end it because Disney makes a bajillion dollars off people willing to pay rack rate.

Yup.

 

[MichiganDVC]

Or, you could add ride capacity in the parks by adding new attractions, lands, or even a new park.

They are planning to convert significant space in HS to Star Wars Land and significant space in AK to Avatarland. No, I am not interested in hearing about how people don't like that idea or didn't like Avatar, etc... I never saw it, but though it looked cool and would make an interesting backdrop for a new ride/restaurant/night show in AK or whatever they do.

Free dining is not free. There's no need to end it because Disney makes a bajillion dollars off people willing to pay rack rate.

My point was what would increase MY satisfaction, not Disney's profit. My quality of trip would go up if there were less visitors and no free dining.

And to the other poster who says we are all planning freaks hovering over our computers...
That's me!!

So until WDW assures me that I will be able to ride my favorite rides without having to wait in a long SB line if we want to change parks due to a variety of factors or just bc they mood strikes us, I am not thrilled. When they can tell me that just bc I scheduled TSMM on Tues at 11am and now I have a puking kid that needs to stay in the room, that I can ride it another day without having to stand in a 110 minute line and until then I am not jumping for joy over this FP+.

FP+ is going to be a perk. Disney is having it as an incentive for you to guarantee a park day (rather than going to Sea World or staying at the resort, etc...) Everyone is acting like FP+ will be the only way to ride anything!!
If you had TSMM as a FP+ on a Wed. at 11:00am, and you have a sick kid, you would be able to do the following:
A. Try to switch to a later TSMM time
B. Go to HS at rope drop the next day and get a regular FP when everyone is feeling better
C. Not ride TSMM

Basically, FP+ is just giving you a 3rd option where none existed before. As of today, you really only have options B and C.

Why are people complaining about an additional perk?

 

[Marie17]

Thanks Cheshire for posting this thread. It is nice to see that CMs are having concerns.

Also - is the same team responsible for the website as the one that will be responsible for the in-park wifi, apps, magic bands, and fp+ systems? Just wondering because I don't understand how the website crashes every time that Free Dining is released. They should have a handle on this situation now as this isn't their first rodeo with the promotion.

Is the website still down? How many hours is that now? I hope the rfid and fp+ systems don't go down this long.

 

[ghtx]

This Post/Thread is to discuss all the new developments related to admissions at WDW, popularly known as Next Generation.

There certainly aren't enough threads about that!

 

[chrispeto]

Thanks Cheshire for posting this thread. It is nice to see that CMs are having concerns.

Also - is the same team responsible for the website as the one that will be responsible for the in-park wifi, apps, magic bands, and fp+ systems? Just wondering because I don't understand how the website crashes every time that Free Dining is released. They should have a handle on this situation now as this isn't their first rodeo with the promotion.

Is the website still down? How many hours is that now? I hope the rfid and fp+ systems don't go down this long.

Imagine the chaos, if the FP+ system went down especially during peak seasons

 

[nkereina]

Disclaimer: I'm neither for or against FP+. I think there's pros and cons so I see both sides.

Um, no. Not even close. We don't do ADR's, don't pay for info on touring the parks & don't obsessively plan our vacations. In fact, we go with no touring plan at all & often don't know which park we're visiting on a given day until the evening before. My family does NOT operate that way, never has & never will. So for us FP+ would literally force us to change the way we vacation at Disney.

Quite frankly, it's all turning into too much WORK when we're supposed to be having FUN. I'm glad we're ready for our Disney break when our APs expire in October & we keep saying we're skipping the next 2 years until this irons out, but I could see us pushing that out to 3-5 years, easily. I have no interest in spending my hard earned vacation dollars dealing with the aggravation of testing this system; the cost is literally too high for all that when we could visit many, many other places & often for a fraction of the overall cost compared to Disney.

People who won't use FP+ are like people who don't make ADRs. You don't fret that all the good restaurants will be gone and you won't eat - so don't fret that all the good FPs will be gone and you won't ride anything. EVERY ride will still be available once FP+ comes along - you just might have to wait longer.

Possible. Possible. Possible.

That's all these threads are ever about! What might happen. Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with speculation. What I cannot stand are the people are are threatening to never come back or sell their DVC contracts because FP+ will ruin their lives.

It is a message bored after all. This is the biggest news relating to Disney currently. If we weren't speculating, what would there be to talk about?

 

[lugnut33]

Or buy a -$25 external charging battery (they have USB and/or iphone connectors) and let your phone recharge while you are on the go.

Great, more added expense. I'll buy one for all 4 of us, that's only $100. I'll just go out to my money tree and get it.

 

[hakepb]

Great, more added expense. I'll buy one for all 4 of us, that's only $100. I'll just go out to my money tree and get it.

The one I bought was enough to recharge 2 iPhones from 0 to 70%..so you only need 2 for your family.

Its extra, but beats sealing an AC outlet.

 

[Angel Ariel]

The people who complain about having to plan rides 60 days out are the same people huddled over their computers at 12:00am at their 180+10 ADR day and pay for crowd calendars and touring plans. I call BS to their complaining. Frankly, if you're on the DIS and you're a regular contributor, you're most likely a planner.
Of course, being negative draws more attention and gets more responses.

You can call BS if you like, but you'd be wrong. Yes I'm here, and yes I like to post...but i'm not an uber planner by any stretch.

Our October trip is still not entirely planned. The only ADR I went to get at 180 days was BOG for dinner, because it's necessary. I still haven't finalized where we're going to eat the rest of the time we're there. Heck, I still haven't figured out what parks we're going to on what days. My ILs just changed how long they're going to be with us on the trip, which is going to change how we tour the parks...so I'm glad I hadn't planned it all out yet!

If FP+ were in effect right now, i'd have one day to figure all of that out before having to schedule rides. I'm nowhere near being able to do that yet, and I don't like the idea of being forced into that by Disney.

Yes, there *may* be same-day FP like there are now. There *may* be same-day FPs available for the headliners. But those are just as much assumptions at this point as the assumptions that the pre-booked FPs will eat up all of the same day FP availability for the headliners.

What it comes down to for us is that Disney wants me to micromanage our vacation, and I really don't want to have to do that. I will if I need to, because I enjoy Disney when i'm there, but that doesn't mean it's something I want.

 

[waynesgirl]

Sorry, Cheshire. Didn't mean to diminish your masculinity. Perhaps we can arm wrestle sometime in 2018 when we possibly visit WDW again.

Almost peed my pants...sorry Cheshire, but it was funny.

Free dining is not free. There's no need to end it because Disney makes a bajillion dollars off people willing to pay rack rate.

Exactly...

I don't post a whole bunch on these boards lately because there is always someone who disagrees quickly and heatedly on anything and everything but I did make the comment last year- that got me flamed- about the UT tickets and the 900 gazillion different issues and responses on what WDW would and should and could do. Well, I think I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. The same thing for AP tickets and such- finally they went to the RFID cards and now to the wristbands. Same thing with FP and FP+...

The list will grow but the bottom line is people complain. A lot. About everything. They want it easier, they want it faster, they want it better because they pay for it. Cool. People want to plan their vacation to a pinpoint so they get the best ADRs and told everyone else that it was tough noogies because that's how they roll. People bought UT tickets and then could go upgrade, saving money. People wanted to use technology in the parks, so now you can. Now, FP+ looks to do the same thing, but it has kinda backfired. Those people who want to plan don't like how the "proposed" plan is working out, because it doesn't favor what they like to do.

So, in the long run, it comes down to people are going to hate it because it doesn't suit their needs- so far, because it is all speculative at this point- but after being on these boards for years, I hate to say it but this is what alot have been asking for but since it doesn't jive with what they originally wanted, then it isn't cool. So many people have been asking for this- for years. It's here, buttercup.

Personally, I am looking forward to the technology to best work for me eventually. Like CF was saying, even he isn't aware of what's going on...maybe because too much info is getting leaked, maybe because he isn't supposed to know, or even WDW doesn't know. Maybe they are linking all tickets so UT can't be bridged anymore. Maybe they are trying to make FP+ a package-deal only. Maybe they are phasing out people and we aren't privy to it, because we AREN'T executives.

You'll give yourself a headache folks. Get over it. It's a vacation. If you hate it, don't go. But it's too late.

 

[lugnut33]

You kinda hit on the crux of it waynesgirl, people are paying a lot of money and demand something for that money. And honestly, they should demand the best for the money they are paying, a WDW trip is not cheap.

It's the same when it comes to sports teams as an example. People pay a lot of money to see a game and when they don't perform well the fans boo.

 

[DisneyFanSince71]

There is a strong correlation between satisfied guests and revenue. There is just a strong correlation between revenue and profits.

I don't see how Disney flips guests from satisfied to unsatisfied and makes more money. I do think upper management understands that (to the contrary of some who say upper management is not listening)

Perhaps the new Disney system is a way to customize the Disney experience. Just bought a plush Pooh doll..... sheezam... get sent FP tickets to go on the Pooh ride.

Your a loyal, high paying, customer at Disney and missed your FP window by a few minutes the auto turnstile will still allow your FP. If you come infrequently to the park, maybe you don't get the grace period.

CM's treat everybody the same as they don't know who they are denying entrants to rides, but the Disney system does. So that "intelligence" is brought forward to key places at the park.

When you go into a park right now you interact with Disney, but Disney doesn't interact with you. They would like to change that.

Disney has been treating people fairly for almost 60 years. When you get on line for a ride you don't know if the person behind you is an AP or someone who has come for the one and only Disney experience. IMHO, Disney would like to get out of the "fairness" business and distribute the magic more by who brings in the most money. That is what the casinos do, the airlines do and Universal does.

The question is can they do it in such a way that would not alienate a significant share of their population who might get just a bit less magic.

Time will tell if this strategy works, but past experience will tell you it will.