FP+ Details Are Out!

[Robo]

Marketing and PR need their research and testing as much as the tech teams do. Unfortunately, most of this data is relatively useless due to the fact that the FP system remains in place while these testers are using the FP+....

Of course, I do tend to look down my nose at marketing and PR, so I may be slightly biased .

Another staggeringly difficult aspect of "market research" is to not skew the results by using improperly worded questions.

There's a great book on the production of motion pictures which gets it's title from the question that a very high-up film producer used to ask of those who had seen his new film:

"Tell Me How You Love the Picture"

Great marketing research, eh?

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

But is it really optional if so many people are doing it that all the good rides/times are taken 60 days out?

I get that concern. It just seems like it would be counter to Disney's interests for them to set something up that would so drastically worsen the experience for any guest who doesn't like micro-planning.

Enough people like the "we'll figure it out as we go" method that I'd assume they would play with the mix of reserved FP+ vs. standby (maybe vs. same day FP+) to hit the "best possible" mix.

Not saying they'll necessarily get it "right" from the start, but it's in their interests to reach a good balance. And the best balance overall still won't make every guest happy. But I suspect you're in good company not wanting to plan EVERY DETAIL this much -- they'd have to address this, if they know what's good for them, I think.

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[mom2rtk]

And you can say, "Well then DON'T. It's optional!"

But it's only required if you actually want to ride anything.

 

[Planogirl]

I see that nothing new is known and people are still conjecturing. I also see that a few people are chastising others for their thoughts. Nothing new here.

I'll just add that I doubt that Disney puts much weight in what is said here. I've said that the notion of not allowing offsite visitors equal access to FP+ is downright stupid and I stand by that. I also don't expect Disney to care a bit about what I think because I'm just one voice in a multitude and not the typical WDW visitor by far.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

But it's only required if you actually want to ride anything.

Why would one go to an amusement park for rides? Or character M&Gs? I go just to hang out, and suck in the Disney atmosphere.









Not.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Things will likely look considerably different once everyone has 60 day access (+10 for all 18 resorts) and demand is at least 10 times higher than the testing phase (10 is my lowball number here, I'm guessing it would be MUCH more than 10 times the demand than we see now, even scaling everything up linearly.)

Makes sense. The marketing/pr piece is just always so much more difficult to nail down than the technical for the reasons you mentioned and then some - subjectivity is tough! They have to do their best to piece together historical info with effectively partial tests of the current system.

Sounds from focus groups that they are at least asking many of the right questions - that gives me hope that they'll keep same day FP in some form, for instance. Fingers crossed...

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[seashoreCM]

Why is it so difficult to run Fastpass Plus at the same time as regular (original; legacy) Fastpass? There will definitely be some limit on the number of FP+ slots per hour and we can start out small like 15% to 20% and then the FP+ considers itself fully booked for that time segment.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Another staggeringly difficult aspect of "market research" is to not skew the results by using improperly worded questions.

There's a great book on the production of motion pictures which gets it's title from the question that a very high-up film producer used to ask of those who had seen his new film:

"Tell Me How You Love the Picture"

Great marketing research, eh?

LOVE IT!! So true.

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[Robo]

Why is it so difficult to run Fastpass Plus at the same time as regular (original; legacy) Fastpass? There will definitely be some limit on the number of FP+ slots per hour and we can start out small like 15% to 20% and then the FP+ considers itself fully booked for that time segment.

The balancing act of making ENOUGH FP+ Advance Attraction Reservations (AAR's) available in the system once Disney makes a (surely) very grandiose and world-wide
ANNOUCEMENT
that "all ticketed guests will be able to book their favorite FP's in advance."

If they don't HAVE ENOUGH Toy Story Mania and Soarin' (etc.) E-ticket AAR's available,
the whole thing could be a PR disaster.

(As if it was not already dead on course for that, anyway.)

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

The balancing act of making ENOUGH FP+ Advance Attraction Reservations (AAR's) available in the system once Disney makes a (surely) very grandiose and world-wide
ANNOUCEMENT
that "all ticketed guests will be able to book their favorite FP's in advance."

If they don't HAVE ENOUGH Toy Story Mania and Soarin' (etc.) E-ticket AAR's available,
the whole thing could be a PR disaster.

(As if it was not already dead on course for that, anyway.)

Sounds like TSMM would be the attraction equivalent of BOG restaurant? I could see that...

I still don't think that makes the FP+ system any more a PR disaster than the ADR system is.

Though maybe some see ADRs as a disaster already!! I do know some really don't like it.

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[doconeill]

We have seen a couple, like the fact that even offsite guests should be able to use FP+ by linking their tickets to a MDX account.

BUT, the details have only created more questions. Like what about if you are getting tickets from a third party, what about people with APs, what about people with AP vouchers. How much will the +10 days for resort guests effect non-resort guests (if there really is a +10) ... etc.

Disney has stated in the terms and conditions, that AP holders and those with Magic Your Way Tickets, will get to pre-book 60 days in advance. They did not say, "only purchased from Disney", "only in a package", or anything like that.

So I don't think there are any questions about third party and AP holders, at least those with tickets in hand.

Vouchers I believe will handled just like APs as they also have ticket IDs, but that's a guess right now since the system isn't fully implemented yet.

 

[Robo]

Sounds like TSMM would be the attraction equivalent of BOG restaurant? I could see that...

I still don't think that makes the FP+ system any more a PR disaster than the ADR system is.

Though maybe some see ADRs as a disaster already!! I do know some really don't like it.

The ADR system is ancillary to experiencing theme park attractions.
(Attractions are the essence of most Disney trips.)

FastPasses directly affect the access of the attractions experience.

The "implied promise" of being able to book your favorite attractions in advance can
set up far more precarious situations than meal ADR scheduling.

 

[mom2rtk]

If they don't HAVE ENOUGH Toy Story Mania and Soarin' (etc.) E-ticket AAR's available,
the whole thing could be a PR disaster.

Don't forget they don't just need slots for these rides. They need afternoon and evening slots. Because isn't that what everyone assumes they are getting?

I still don't think that makes the FP+ system any more a PR disaster than the ADR system is.

I see dining as more of a secondary experience at Disney. Attractions are the core reason people go. And why the are willing to pay what it takes for admission.

That is what makes this different from ADRs. And cinnamon rolls. And room snafus.

People feel more strongly about this because it has the potential to affect their core reason for going to Disney more than any other change Disney has made in recent time.

 

[squirrel4569]

Trying to think of a way to put a positive spin on this. Knowing that FP as we know it will be going away, what would make FP+ better?

Here are my thoughts.

Eliminate the 60 day and 60 + 10 day bookings. Enable guests to book with their smartphones/laptops/kiosks but only day of after the park has opened. We'll say that if there are early morning EMH resort guests can pull FP at that time as a perk.

Up the number of FP allocations to 5 per day and if they are AP holders or PH holders they can use them at any park.

Allow duplicate FP bookings but they must be spaced out by a predetermined time length, say 2 hours.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

I think FP+ has potential to be good but there are some things that really won't be understood by guests or Disney until after it's fully rolled out and they see how it's really used and reacted to. My guess is that what we see on the initial rollout will be far different after a month, a quarter and a year.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

The ADR system is ancillary to experiencing theme park attractions.
(Attractions are the essence of most Disney trips.)

FastPasses directly affect the access of attractions experience.

The "implied promise" of being able to book your favorite attractions in advance can
set up far more precarious situations than meal ADR scheduling.

Totally agree -- true it is different.

I guess I wonder what the final marketing push will look like... how hard are they going to lean into the "YOU CAN BOOK ALL YOUR FAVORITES AHEAD OF TIME" thing... accompanied by beautiful photos of TSMM, the mountains, etc. Hmmm... I'm really curious what that will all look like, since setting expectations IS so important...

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I see dining as more of a secondary experience at Disney. Attractions are the core reason people go. And why the are willing to pay what it takes for admission.

That is what makes this different from ADRs. And cinnamon rolls. And room snafus.

People feel more strongly about this because it has the potential to affect their core reason for going to Disney more than any other change Disney has made in recent time.

Good point, as I said to Robo, too. It is different. Some do call the ADR system a disaster on DIS, but I agree that it's not central to one's experience for most people.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Trying to think of a way to put a positive spin on this. Knowing that FP as we know it will be going away, what would make FP+ better?

Here are my thoughts.

Eliminate the 60 day and 60 + 10 day bookings. Enable guests to book with their smartphones/laptops/kiosks but only day of after the park has opened. We'll say that if there are early morning EMH resort guests can pull FP at that time as a perk.

Up the number of FP allocations to 5 per day and if they are AP holders or PH holders they can use them at any park.

Allow duplicate FP bookings but they must be spaced out by a predetermined time length, say 2 hours.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

I think FP+ has potential to be good but there are some things that really won't be understood by guests or Disney until after it's fully rolled out and they see how it's really used and reacted to. My guess is that what we see on the initial rollout will be far different after a month, a quarter and a year.

I'd bet that you're right -- adjustments will be made as they get more guest feedback over time. The system is built to allow it.

And I like your suggestions, btw... I hope you wrote them a letter or get picked for testing!!

 

[Robo]

I guess I wonder what the final marketing push will look like... how hard are they going to lean into the "YOU CAN BOOK ALL YOUR FAVORITES AHEAD OF TIME" thing... accompanied by beautiful photos of TSMM, the mountains, etc. Hmmm... I'm really curious what that will all look like, since setting expectations IS so important...

And, now you are tuned into THIS PROBLEM as the starting point of so many of us here with our trepidation.

HOW will they be able to come up with enough FP+ to satisfy enough guests
when Disney's actual already stated announcements (not even sales hype, yet)
has focused on guests being able to pre-book their most-wanted ride experiences?

(It was actually quoted from a Disney bigwig that his kids favorite ride names ended in "Mountain" and that this new FP system was designed to make riding those attractions easier for all guests.)

 

[Shaden]

Trying to think of a way to put a positive spin on this. Knowing that FP as we know it will be going away, what would make FP+ better?

Here are my thoughts.

Eliminate the 60 day and 60 + 10 day bookings. Enable guests to book with their smartphones/laptops/kiosks but only day of after the park has opened. We'll say that if there are early morning EMH resort guests can pull FP at that time as a perk.

Up the number of FP allocations to 5 per day and if they are AP holders or PH holders they can use them at any park.

Allow duplicate FP bookings but they must be spaced out by a predetermined time length, say 2 hours.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

I think FP+ has potential to be good but there are some things that really won't be understood by guests or Disney until after it's fully rolled out and they see how it's really used and reacted to. My guess is that what we see on the initial rollout will be far different after a month, a quarter and a year.

Yea I could see a lot of this being better, generally a lot of the problems come from the inability to accurately plan 60 days out. What's the weather going to be like, what mood are the kids going to be in, how well are they going to tolerate certain rides on certain days. What happens if someone gets sick or a certain ride is closed on a given day, etc etc.

I don't mind the technology, the use of the magic bands etc. But I really believe that this just adds another element of long term, blind, planning, which will constrict people's ability to do what they want when they want, on their "vacation".

And you are right, the system will undoubtedly see updates, but I think that's WHY this is such a big deal for people here. Imagine if you are one of the people booked during the initial roll out, and there are serious issues with it.

The problem is that Disney is not going to give you back your money, or your vacation time, because the FP+ system lowered the quality or enjoyment of your vacation

 

[cuteinnocent]

Unless they are REALLY idiots, they HAVE to allow more same day passes like the way it is now - it would just be better electronically. Otherwise that makes no sense for park hopping and would basically make stand by lines be way worse than now since you can definitely use more than 3 a day currently. As long as you can get extra same day passes (they should just keep it the same like now, having a window until you get your next one) then I will love it and will like not having to run around everywhere collecting passes (since I'm the fp runner!).