Disney finally Made Me Mad

[Reddog1134]

Why would this require a FP+ only attraction though?

They could just require everybody to scan their band/ticket as they enter the stand by line.

Because WDW is an international destination and they may require time to program a specific name.

 

[mom2rtk]

It's ok .... I have already booked our room for next year and banked a request for our DVC rental points so, sadly for some no doubt, I'm not disappearing anytime soon

Glad to hear it!

 

[Zeebs]

This may have already been said so forgive me if it has but I thought I read a rumor at one point last year that characters like these may start talking. This may be far fetched but if they do I also heard that with the new magic band technology the CM's know the name of each person entering when you scan, I experienced being greeted by name by the CM at the entrance after using a FP+ at a M&G last year during testing. Is possible that if they do talk it will be magical computer powered speaking since the CM's won't actually be able to do the voices and that with scanning the band at the entrance with the FP+ system it buys them time to insert the guest's names in the computer generated character voice? I'm just trying to think three steps ahead since I can't see them doing this without it being part of a larger magical plan. Otherwise it makes no sense. The fact that it's not face characters they are doing this with is what makes me really wonder.

I don't care if the characters dress in drag and do the hula, there is no need for the line to be fastpass only.

 

[preemiemama]

This makes a ton of sense to me. I agree, this is not just a random "hey let's throw FP+ only on Pooh and see what happens" type decision. There is an end goal here and the talking/personalized interaction may just be it. It would explain why they are picking M&G that don't have a huge crowd normally - smaller flow of people will allow them to work out bugs.

These are also M&G with limited time offerings during the day. If there is a speaking component they have the potential to get very crowded very quickly when word gets out- and they may want to avoid a mess like A&E have become. TS Mickey is open from park open to close. It can handle the demand for a talking character. These smaller locations currently don't have the capacity. There has to be a larger purpose.

 

[EPCOTatNight]

You're complaining about complaining, and questioning why people would go somewhere they don't like. Just like you're doing. Unless of course you like the complaining, but then why would you be complaining about it (or sorry, questioning it)?

You keep making false claims. I never questioned why someone old go somewhere that they didn't like. I just gave a suggestion for a solution. Nor did I complain about your complaining. Furthermore, I like reading these threads because some are just silly. I just wonder why people do something that causes them distress. To me, it's just not that big of a deal. It you want to complain, have at it. Just don't try to paint us with the same brush. Your complaining isn't ruining my day; it's enhancing it by providing entertainment. Like I said, you were wrong. You can try another witty retort, but you still can't produce the quote that I asked for. Asking why is not complaining, but if it makes you feel better, then believe that. I won't try to bring logic into the discussion anymore.

Sent from my IPad using DisBoards.

 

[EPCOTatNight]

This is a thread set up to discuss a change at WDW. It's not here to explain why people complain. Give it a rest already.

I don't recall commenting to you. A poster replied to me. I replied to them. Did you ask that poster to give it a rest or just me because I don't share your view?

Sent from my IPad using DisBoards.

 

[morethananyonex]

No - I agree with you as well. Too many people think if it doesn't make sense to them, it's either for some nefarious purpose or that there's just no possible logical reason. I see many possible logical reasons and many demographics this benefits. I don't like it but not terribly upset by it either at this point considering there are other places to meet the characters that are FP+ only in certain locations. To be determined is how easy it will be to get one of these as a 4th FP+ and whether they either add a lot more kiosks or make the 4th available via app. But withholding judgment for now.

Again, it was always easy to fairly easy to meet Pooh and Tigger there. FP+ doesn't shave much if any time off of that, but it does force you to stick to a scheduled time and restricts how (and if) you can enter the line.

Because WDW is an international destination and they may require time to program a specific name.

I would assume if they had technology that had the characters saying names, some kids are just not going to be able to hear theirs because of Disney erring on the side of caution and not screwing up a hard name.

But even with FP+ only, you likely have the eventual possibility of someone standing in the UK store, booking a FP+ and walking up. What do they do then if that was a name that needed extra programming? How much time does something like this take? Even without MDE use, there's a kiosk right at International Gateway. What if it's a large group of names that need extra work without much lead time?

I think the more likely scenario is Disney creating more FP options just like when it stuck them at other places that never needed it.

 

[shepd]

So how is this going to play out on the slow days? I'm going during that super slow week in September where almost nobody visits the parks. Are they really going to have these employees just sit there twiddling thumbs while people use up fastpasses to try to get to the point they can schedule a meet?

During peak times I can see this being somewhat reasonably useful, but when it's not busy at all (you know, those days where multiple rides say "NO WAIT"), this is just going to drive everyone pointlessly nuts.

 

[leebee]

It's the FP+ ONLY part that bothers me the most, for the obvious reasons. "No honey, we can't see Pooh because we rode Soarin'." HOWEVER… maybe the FP+POO status is because this IS going to be a talking character experience, and they need to know who the kid is. Disney has some fascinating technology- think about Turtle Talk w/Crush. How cool would it be for some little kid from France (or any country) if Pooh could greet him in his native language? I am sure Disney has the technological capability to do this. While I think FP+ ONLY is a TERRIBLE idea, I can see how cool it'd be for some little kid from a foreign country to get to talk with his favorite character in his own language. Talk about a draw for overseas guests!

Sigh… remember when planning a Disney trip was fun, and the vacation was somewhat spontaneous and relaxing? Sign me up, I think I'll be in the Cava

 

[FLchick415]

So how is this going to play out on the slow days? I'm going during that super slow week in September where almost nobody visits the parks. Are they really going to have these employees just sit there twiddling thumbs while people use up fastpasses to try to get to the point they can schedule a meet?

During peak times I can see this being somewhat reasonably useful, but when it's not busy at all (you know, those days where multiple rides say "NO WAIT"), this is just going to drive everyone pointlessly nuts.

Well, as of right now, the FP+ ONLY for the M&G doesn't go past May 24. Not sure when, or if, that'll change.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

One of my favorite Disney memories is randomly running into a short line for Pooh tucked away at DHS and my littlest DD forgetting that she is terrified of costumed characters and giving him a hug. She had a similar experience when Snow White joined her at the well in Epcot. Those unexpected moments are what made us love Disney.

 

[Reddog1134]

You keep making false claims. I never questioned why someone old go somewhere that they didn't like. I just gave a suggestion for a solution. Nor did I complain about your complaining. Furthermore, I like reading these threads because some are just silly. I just wonder why people do something that causes them distress. To me, it's just not that big of a deal. It you want to complain, have at it. Just don't try to paint us with the same brush. Your complaining isn't ruining my day; it's enhancing it by providing entertainment. Like I said, you were wrong. You can try another witty retort, but you still can't produce the quote that I asked for. Asking why is not complaining, but if it makes you feel better, then believe that. I won't try to bring logic into the discussion anymore.

If you are seeking an answer to "Why would someone go to a place they don't like?" it's because they actually DO like WDW. They just don't like some of the things that are being done. Some people might be hyperbolic and say these thing ruin WDW but I would think most are just venting their frustration.

By coming here they are expressing their opinions, they may get some insight or a different perspective on what is going on. Maybe that will help them except it. Maybe they'll get an idea on improving it and they can share that idea with Disney on their next trip when they are asked to participate in a survey.

Maybe they DO just like complaining.

 

[Reddog1134]

In response to anyone that said this shows Epcot is lacking in attractions, there is hope.

http://www.jerryrees.com/page19/page19.html

http://www.jerryrees.com/page7/page7.html

 

[Don Disney]

Wow! Until I hear/see evidence that this is actually a good thing....I'll just reserve a vote in the"idiocy"column.

 

[kidsgobears]

I remember the good ol' days.

 

[fbb]

In response to anyone that said this shows Epcot is lacking in attractions, there is hope.

http://www.jerryrees.com/page19/page19.html

http://www.jerryrees.com/page7/page7.html

Probably gonna be a clone of the princess meeting hall at MK.

 

[Luvchefmic]

FP+ has hit a new low. Looks like nothing more than a strong arm tactic to get people to pay admission but not do certain rides.

So when there is a lull, do the characters just sit around and twiddle their thumbs instead of seeing standby people?

What they'll probably do is schedule the characters for less park time =less pay
More money from customers ( I think they can throw away that " guest " nonsense ) less money for friends of characters

I haven't looked at mesaboy2 link or the other links provided, yet but I'm going to say this The day the characters are met only using a FP+ option or at a character meal is the day I throw in the towel and don't go anymore For me that would be the ultimate last straw

I never thought I would say that after 30 years of visiting

 

[Merbean09]

You know I always felt sort of guilty when I used to play Roller Coaster Tycoon and would charge admission to the washrooms, but maybe I was just ahead of the curve

This just made the thread for me.
Carry on...

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

A bunch of people think Disney knew exactly how they were going to roll all of this out from the get go. I wonder if one of them will chime in and let us know what's coming next.

I personally think they're just throwing crap at the wall to see what sticks. Then they high 5 one another and say "I can't believe we got away with that!" Then they step it up a notch.

Seems to me that a bunch of people had the ability to not get hysterical about the FP+ change WDW made, and adopt a wait and see attitude recognizing that any large scale change to a company's operations (or really ANY large scale project) has a degree of latitude to change, adapt, modify and improve as it rolls out, and that ultimately WDW wants happy and satisfied customers, and furthermore that they have had a very long history of being literally world class in providing entertainment options that produce said customers.

 

[mom2rtk]

Seems to me that a bunch of people had the ability to not get hysterical about the FP+ change WDW made, and adopt a wait and see attitude recognizing that any large scale change to a company's operations (or really ANY large scale project) has a degree of latitude to change, adapt, modify and improve as it rolls out, and that ultimately WDW wants happy and satisfied customers, and furthermore that they have had a very long history of being literally world class in providing entertainment options that produce said customers.

I'm glad you're willing to risk thousands of dollars to be a guinea pig. Others are not. I had 1 or 2 years left when I could take my daughter out of school for a week-long trip to Disney and they are being frittered away with them putzing around with a system I won't spend money on. And that makes me sad.