FP+ Details Are Out!

[dayvewc]

Then the answer needs to be "I'm sure you are aware this is an entirely new approach to theme park line maintenance. We have designed FP+ to be a dynamic system, capable of being shaped in short notice to fit the conditions in the parks. You're going to have to trust a company with Disney's reputation for customer service to do what is needed to assure the best possible parks experience. But a lot of the specifics are being perfected as we go."

........ instead of "We don't know".

Or maybe that's what they said and the PPs just summarized.......

Can I say I'm going to lmao if the form letters start having something very similar to this?

 

[Shaden]

Then the answer needs to be "I'm sure you are aware this is an entirely new approach to theme park line maintenance. We have designed FP+ to be a dynamic system, capable of being shaped in short notice to fit the conditions in the parks. You're going to have to trust a company with Disney's reputation for customer service to do what is needed to assure the best possible parks experience. But a lot of the specifics are being perfected as we go."

........ instead of "We don't know".

Or maybe that's what they said and the PPs just summarized.......

Lol, the person I spoke with used the words "We don't know" at least a dozen times.

 

[ford91exploder]

There was a article in BusinessWeek or something like it a while back about the FP+ system, The gist was they wanted to get people OFF the rides and into the stores and restaurants because thats where the most profit in the parks division come from.

That being said, I'd love to spend more time eating good food but ADR's are in such short supply last trip most meals were cooked and eaten in room DVC with lots of points so 2BR accomodations.

And the merchandise for the most part is JUNK and it's the insipid 'Disney Parks' which has just about the same appeal as 'Six Flags'. If they want us to spend more give us something to spend it on and I dont mean a $10 hot dog or cheap plastic trash.

You can tell the current executives spend NO time in the park like Walt and in the early days Eisner did where they actually experienced the park as it was sort of like 'Undercover Boss'.

I'm still confused. We on the DIS are such an infinitesimally small piece of Disney's customer base that they should not be concerned with what we think of FP+.

Yet we were apparently a big enough piece of the puzzle to completely ruin the traditional fastpass system so that rides now need to be rationed.

Just so confused......

 

[mom2rtk]

Lol, the person I spoke with used the words "We don't know" at least a dozen times.

OK. Scratch that theory.

I'm sorry, that's just wrong. The act of them calling is definitely a plus in Disney's favor. I like that. But really, if that's all you've got...... just send the dang form letter and be done with it.

Unless they REALLY are flummoxed over the low participation in the last test and focus group and are looking to HEAR what customers have to say. I might have to carve out some time to write something down.

 

[mejo]

It sounds like they call people back to hear more not to answer more questions

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

This is one of the things that I and some others have been positing for quite some time. I don't see how else they could do it!

You can look at historical data, model scenarios extensively, etc, but until implemented you don't know precisely how it will go.

So you design a flexible system that you can adjust as needed -- which it sounds like they have.

That's entirely different from surmising "they don't have a clue".

If what you said here is completely true: then how do they know the end result will be something better than they have now?

 

[Angel Ariel]

This HAS to be very frustrating for them to have to answer questions and defend a program that hasn't been fully planned, is still in testing, and has not gone fully live yet.

If it is so frustrating for them to field concerns, then why would the CMs that are calling the DIS posters who've e-mailed in specifically tell those CMs that Disney is looking for feedback now?

If we're supposed to "have faith" that Disney is going to get this right - shouldn't we also "have faith" that Disney means what they say when they say they want feedback now?

 

[mom2rtk]

It sounds like they call people back to hear more not to answer more questions

I think that's a fair assumption at this point. And all the more reason more people should write in.

 

[WillAustin]

Maybe not "entitled" but I do want to know what changes are coming and what I perceive as good vacation value for my family because I am expected to pay lots of money for a trip either 45 days out OR in FULL upon arrival for room-only.

Agreed. Especially if any upcoming changes might potentially drastically change the way we plan our park days.

I'm still confused. We on the DIS are such an infinitesimally small piece of Disney's customer base that they should not be concerned with what we think of FP+.

Yet we were apparently a big enough piece of the puzzle to completely ruin the traditional fastpass system so that rides now need to be rationed.

Just so confused......

It's the same train of thought that only a tiny "select" group of people knew you could use FPs after the time window but the group was so large it ruined the lines at the end of the day for everyone else.

 

[magicbob]

There was a article in BusinessWeek or something like it a while back about the FP+ system, The gist was they wanted to get people OFF the rides and into the stores and restaurants because thats where the most profit in the parks division come from.

Guests will go on their three FP+ rides, look at the incredibly LONG standby lines and opt to walk into the gift shop instead of waiting in that 1-2 hour line. Mission accomplished!

But I wonder how many guests will vow never to return? The biggest complaint people have already is long lines. And they don't spend thousands to visit the gift shop. They go there primarily to get ON the rides.

 

[buzzrelly]

I'm still confused. We on the DIS are such an infinitesimally small piece of Disney's customer base that they should not be concerned with what we think of FP+.

Yet we were apparently a big enough piece of the puzzle to completely ruin the traditional fastpass system so that rides now need to be rationed.

Just so confused......

HaHa! I got a good chuckle out of this. I think it speaks to the split-personality of this board. And for every point, there's a counterpoint. I've read these Fastpass + threads a lot and haven't taken the jump in to give my opinion prior to this because I know in the end, it won't matter. They are moving forward with Fastpass+ with, or without our approval. I am definitely on the side of "I am not a fan of this and it really screws up the way I like to tour the parks," but I am still keeping my fingers crossed that maybe it won't be as bad as I am imagining. In any case, my next trip isn't until next June, so they have 11 months to straighten this all out!

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

If what you said here is completely true: then how do they know the end result will be something better than they have now?

They don't "know" -- it's impossible to "know" this with 100% certainty. They've invested a lot of money, so I'll assume they "project" that it will be better. And are collecting feedback, etc. to try to ensure that it's better.

What else should they do? Never seek to improve because they don't already know for SURE that it will be better? Did they KNOW that the current FP system was going to be better to most guests than only having standby?

 

[ExBellhop]

Did they KNOW that the current FP system was going to be better to most guests than only having standby?

Maybe the same folks who "knew" that the new Journey Into Imagination would be better than the old one

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Maybe the same folks who "knew" that the new Journey Into Imagination would be better than the old one

Look: I didn't say they never hit and miss!!

My point is that a company can never know with certainty when they try to improve an offering like this. They can model, project, theorize, test, collect feedback, etc. and then they make a bet.

 

[ExBellhop]

I know, just bein' silly. This thread gets super serious Except you and me. We're awesome.

 

[rastuso]

then again, in the years to come, it seems logical to think that there will be some good additions and major expansions...there is just too much time tested material that Disney has to work with to not add and expand.

I'm not sure if the FP nonusers spend lots of money or not. But that isn't really the issue. It is if Disney can get them to spend MORE. And all the while that MORE being more than what they will lose from me and those like me.

Who buys all the insane profit margin pins and vinylmations? Joe sixpack or Joe DISer? Disney's food is overpriced, but I'd have to guess that certain merch is truly where they make the cash. They want you in the park to buy merch, and to a lesser degree food. That's why FP was invented. However, apparently over the years, fewer folks are spending that extra time on merch and food, and are instead spending it on more FPs.

Carsland wasn't built to sell rooms, or even tickets. It was built to sell cars and shirts with cars on them. The more tickets sold, the lower the satisfaction of the average visitor if the number of rides stays the same. Unless you are filling up a park no one is visiting, like DCA.

WDW doesn't need to sell more tickets, the lines are already full, and they seem to refuse to build E tickets. Again, the last MK E ticket was Splash, for cryin' out loud. They DO need/want to sell more pins that cost them a quarter and sell for $8. And yeah, they like to sell food that costs $3 for $8 too, and a souvinier bucket of popcorn for $10 that cost them less than a dollar, with the popcorn. But NORMAL meals aren't the huge money makers. Joe sixpack is going to buy burgers and fries for the kids, but will they buy the high margin comfort foods? Not if they are on a really strict budget.

WDW is so popular because it IS that yearly magical vacation for many people, and those folks buy pins every year, and a shirt for the family every year, etc. FP+ doesn't help those folks at all.

Maybe all us naysayers on DIS are completely wrong, and the lifers don't really spend a lot of cash there, but I bet we do. Many industries try very hard to build a repeat fanbase, such a cruise lines, and DVC is exactly that. Disney, with FP+ seems to be wanting to run off their repeat fanbase because they were using the FP system too wisely.

I'm definitely not the only person who will absolutely stop spending $300 a day for their family to go to WDW if we're only getting 3 FP+s, and the rest is baking in the standby line. And I've spent a fair amount there. And will be spending quite a bit at DL in a month. Note that I'm going to DL, not WDW. When the decision was made, I assumed FP+ could be in place, and that drove us off.

The math simply isn't there, unless the current clueless non FP users simply become clueless FP+ users. But most of us believe one of the huge points is to reduce the clueless number as much as possible.

Jason

 

[doggydoc]

This thread may only have 1100+ posts and, yes, for the most part that is from a minority of posters, BUT it has over 57,000 views. Unless the the minority is sitting at their computers 24/7 refreshing the discussion over and over I think it is reaching more people than the number of posts would indicate.

 

[momof2n2]

Actually, I'm seriously shocked that people feel they are entitled to answers from Disney on what their future plans are for what they are probably perceiving as a 'guest benefit.' Don't get me wrong, I understand people are concerned, but, I can't figure out how you would really expect Disney to 'handle' this.

I can't imagine Disney would set up a department to handle complaints and inquiries about a resort that is in the planning stages, why would they even think they need to go to extra lengths to answer questions about Fastpass+.

It's going to be what it's going to be. I can't see anyones individual benefit to knowing now what Disney plans for this project when it rolls out 100%. I would bet that Disney is flummoxed by the reaction to this.

I have been going to Disney for years and years. It is one of our favorite vacation spots. I have loved every resort I've stayed at. I love their customer service. I love most decisions they have made to enhance my experience. I can't figure out why they don't get the benefit of the doubt on this.

When it comes out, if people feel they can't go to these theme parks anymore because of this new system I can totally understand that. What I can't understand is people making up their minds in advance when they haven't even experienced it yet.

Bob, you state your experiences very well and I appreciate your POV. But, I have to make up my mind before I sink thousands of dollars into a vacation that might not live up to what we have come to expect from our past trips.

 

[mom2rtk]

My point is that a company can never know with certainty when they try to improve an offering like this. They can model, project, theorize, test, collect feedback, etc. and then they make a bet.

For all we know, they had 95% positive feedback on the original fastpass in-park tests and only 38% positive on the in-park fastpass + tests. There's just no way to know. No, it's not possible to know with certainty how something will go when released to the masses. But it's possible to get a pretty good idea.

This thread may only have 1100+ posts and, yes, for the most part that is from a minority of posters, BUT it has over 57,000 views. Unless the the minority is sitting at their computers 24/7 refreshing the discussion over and over I think it is reaching more people than the number of posts would indicate.

OK, I'll admit it. I'm responsible for 32,458 of those views.

 

[mom2rtk]

Who buys all the insane profit margin pins and vinylmations?
Jason

Over here again. I think I bought 2 of every pin on New Fantasyland last December. I might have bought 3 of one of them. Don't ask. And no, I won't say how much it all was.