Disney CFO explains rationale for MyMagic+ on earnings conf call

[MonorailLime]

First, Disney management almost certainly knows more about the situation than some guy on the internet who doesn't even know how MM+/FP+ will work.

This has pretty much been my point all along. Unless someone in this thread is on the MM+/FP+ design team or higher, the have no idea how the system will work.
True, Disney takes more than one person to manage, but I've never claimed that. I'm pretty sure Disney has consulted with Operations areas in this design process.

 

[doconeill]

Just to clarify with some statements on this site. I a currently in Epcot and spoke with a Cast Member from a team Disney is calling "Park Support." This is the team responsible for facilitating the roll-out of MyMagic+ to individual areas.
The Cast Member stated that Disney has NOT released any policy on same-day fast passes, and that three was used exclusively for pre-booking tests only. The Cast Member stated that in the future, the standard policy of holding one FastPass at a time (with the exception of the 2 hour return limit) should stay in place. The exception, he stated, was that you can get a FastPass on a mobile device rather than criss-crossing the park to get one.
Granted, it's a Cast Member, but seeing as he is on the team deploying MM+, I'm going to say he knows more than anybody on this forum.
Again, he stated that Disney HAS NOT announced any policy for FastPass+ and that 3 was for a pre-booking system test ONLY.

Just as an FYI, Nick Franklin, the EVP in charge of next generation technology, is the on that stated very clearly that guests would be able to pre-book three FP+ per day. He wasn't talking about testing, but it was part of the announcement about MyMagic+. Pretty official, even if subject to change.

 

[MonorailLime]

Just as an FYI, Nick Franklin, the EVP in charge of next generation technology, is the on that stated very clearly that guests would be able to pre-book three FP+ per day. He wasn't talking about testing, but it was part of the announcement about MyMagic+. Pretty official, even if subject to change.

Could you post a link to an article by a reputable site (not a user posted forum) that was posted after the last FP+ test stating this in the interview?
I know he said this upon the release, but the excitement of such an announcement is often cause for accidental omissions of clarifying information.

 

[doconeill]

Could you post a link to an article by a reputable site (not a user posted forum) that was posted after the last FP+ test stating this in the interview?
I know he said this upon the release, but the excitement of such an announcement is often cause for accidental omissions of clarifying information.

I don't know why you are asking about him stating it after the last FP+ test. I stated very specifically he said it when they announced MyMagic+ at the beginning. There have been no public statements countering that since.

And all tests that I have heard of conducted since then have kept to the three.

 

[MonorailLime]

I don't know why you are asking about him stating it after the last FP+ test. I stated very specifically he said it when they announced MyMagic+ at the beginning. There have been no public statements countering that since.

And all tests that I have heard of conducted since then have kept to the three.

I worked for this company prior to the financial collapse of 07/08. I am asking because I know this company very well. Having worked in the theme park industry for 10+ years, I have learned that a vague debut simply means "We haven't figured it all out yet."
He may have stated this many months ago, but projects like this change day to day. And he referenced prebookings. He did not, on the other hand, mention anything about day-of bookings.

 

[doconeill]

He may have stated this many months ago, but projects like this change day to day. And he referenced prebookings. He did not, on the other hand, mention anything about day-of bookings.

And I did not say otherwise. I may have misread what you said about three being only used for pre-booking tests...it sounded to me like you were saying that it was ONLY for tests, and wouldn't apply in real life.

All I was saying is that his statement is about as official as you can get before they publish the exact rules (which is something Disney most definitely has a problem doing anyways), and there have been no contradictions since.

Also, in the interview, he did not say for certain that they would have same-day FP+s but they have an "expectation" that they "may" be able to offer additional FP+s "as you go", which could very well mean same day "traditional-style". Could be other things as well.

It will be all about the numbers in the end (which I mentioned either earlier in this thread or another).

Anyways, here is the video:

http://miami.cbslocal.com/latest-videos?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=8145834

 

[MonorailLime]

And I did not say otherwise. I may have misread what you said about three being only used for pre-booking tests...it sounded to me like you were saying that it was ONLY for tests, and wouldn't apply in real life. All I was saying is that his statement is about as official as you can get before they publish the exact rules (which is something Disney most definitely has a problem doing anyways), and there have been no contradictions since. Also, in the interview, he did not say for certain that they would have same-day FP+s but they have an "expectation" that they "may" be able to offer additional FP+s "as you go", which could very well mean same day "traditional-style". Could be other things as well. It will be all about the numbers in the end (which I mentioned either earlier in this thread or another). Anyways, here is the video: http://miami.cbslocal.com/latest-videos?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=8145834

From everything I have been told, 3 was selected as a "step up." In 2007 when I left for a project on a... more adventurous island... The average FP per Guest ration was about 1.5 for a day. 3 is a step down for almost everyone on this forum, but it is a step up for most other guests. 3 was also a magic number based on the bandwidth available for the Test servers. I have not heard of a higher/lower number, but I'm interested to see what the final decisions are upon roll-out. All I have said or have been saying is that these policies have yet to be enforced or become effective.
Any official can say anything. Until this is what the public experiences, it's pretty much just words.

 

[dadddio]

Given that we have been burned before in MM+ threads by people who claim insider knowledge and end up full of something else, I'll remain skeptical. No offense Lime, but you could be Mousermerf, for all I know.

 

[Angel Ariel]

There's a difference between bashing a project and expressing concerns. I think it's entirely valid to express concerns about FP+ and MM+.

There seem to be backhanded insults being directed at those who express anything other than absolute faith/love for MM+/FP+, which I think is just as wrong as those who have absolute negativity about it.

My response to MM+ and FP+ is measured. I can see good things about it, but I also have some concerns. I'm willing to withhold judgement until it's released to the general public, but I'll be honest - I'm hoping it's after my trip in October, because I don't really want to be one of the guinea pigs during the initial full release.

 

[twebber55]

There's a difference between bashing a project and expressing concerns. I think it's entirely valid to express concerns about FP+ and MM+.

There seem to be backhanded insults being directed at those who express anything other than absolute faith/love for MM+/FP+, which I think is just as wrong as those who have absolute negativity about it.

My response to MM+ and FP+ is measured. I can see good things about it, but I also have some concerns. I'm willing to withhold judgement until it's released to the general public, but I'll be honest - I'm hoping it's after my trip in October, because I don't really want to be one of the guinea pigs during the initial full release.

Good point. Im going next june so im hoping kinks are worked out

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

Given that we have been burned before in MM+ threads by people who claim insider knowledge and end up full of something else, I'll remain skeptical. No offense Lime, but you could be Mousermerf, for all I know.

~Oh wow! I didn't catch that, but I definitely see a correlation there, especially with all of the Epcot 'insight'. But, at least the poster doesn't shove his biased perspective down everyone's throat as official and/or factual information. It's funny you should mention that thread, I called it as entirely false in my very first post and I was repeatedly attacked for that, lol. While everyone else "speculated" and considered the possibilities, it was never one for me. Still, even after that the outlandish claims about FP+ continue, it's so sad. Also, I could never be that tacky & stoop so low as to refer to another human being as a "lab rat." Different strokes for different folks, I guess.

~Anyway, I would just absolutely *LOVE* to be among the first wave of fabulous people to use Magic Bands and FP+!!! I've seen NOTHING credible to give cause for concern.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Also, I could never be that tacky & stoop so low as to refer to another human being as a "lab rat."

I was not referring to any specific human beings, I was simply using a common metaphor. No offense was meant. If you have a personal problem with me that you feel the need to name call, please feel free to PM me.

~Anyway, I would just absolutely *LOVE* to be among the first wave of fabulous people to use Magic Bands and FP+!!! I've seen NOTHING credible to give cause for concern.

As for this comment - no one has questioned that you have absolute faith in MM+ and are excited about it. I certainly have not - you're welcome to feel how you feel. I have concerns - and yes, they are credible concerns. My concerns are not based on the wild speculation being thrown about. They are based on the terms and conditions Disney has released, and my family's touring style. The first is the only official information released, and the second is subjective and variable by family. Both are valid - as it is equally valid to have the absolute faith in it that you do. I am open minded about how MM+ could turn out, and I am withholding judgment until its release. Concerns are not judgement.

 

[MonorailLime]

Given that we have been burned before in MM+ threads by people who claim insider knowledge and end up full of something else, I'll remain skeptical. No offense Lime, but you could be Mousermerf, for all I know.

You may remain skeptical, no offense taken. I'm not a designer with MM+, but I have worked on Disney projects before. I simply state this because as a young designer, I was frustrated with constant lack of consistency and change in direction with many elements of these projects. This is why I am supportive of this project -- because somewhere there is a twenty something year old who didn't want to be on this project but got thrown into it.
Also... Who is mousermerf? I feel like there is a backstory here that could be quite entertaining.

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Dear Moderator,

Please, Please, Please make it stop.

Thank you!

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Dear Moderator,

Please, Please, Please make it stop.

Thank you!

Simply don't read it. Why rain on everyone else's parade?

 

[dadddio]

You may remain skeptical, no offense taken. I'm not a designer with MM+, but I have worked on Disney projects before. I simply state this because as a young designer, I was frustrated with constant lack of consistency and change in direction with many elements of these projects. This is why I am supportive of this project -- because somewhere there is a twenty something year old who didn't want to be on this project but got thrown into it.
Also... Who is mousermerf? I feel like there is a backstory here that could be quite entertaining.

He was just someone who popped in out of the blue claiming to have a bunch of on point experience and insider knowledge and then he was found to be full of it.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

And dont forget our fabulous upgrades...you know, FLE ... It's so much better than HP or Seaworld's Antartica ... Oh wait...

I'm heading home today from an 8 day trip at contemporary...

I can't even begin to encapsulate my thoughts on the "fantastic" new fantasyland additions...

Snow White needs to be the most thrilling ride in Disney history...or this thing won't even qualify to be "smoke and mirrors"

They didnt even bother to bring the mirrors...and cut costs on the smoke

 

[larry_poppins]

Glad you are back Lockedoutlogic! I missed your input. Looking forward to hearing about your Contemporary trip!


Larry