FP+ Details Are Out!

[ArwenMarie]

I don't get this AT ALL. Truly. Don't understand the rationale one bit.

(on my cell, or I'd include a lot of those little "shrugging shoulders like I don't get it" smilies -- picture them here, please )

Here's my reasoning for why I think Disney wants to make money off of this at some point...

They had a working FP system that was free with park admission. If they just wanted more people to be able to use it, they could have just educated people more. They could have even spread out the FPs during the day so things didn't run out before noon, etc.

Instead they built an app that conveniently has a credit card in it. It's very much like the iTunes/App store app in theory...If it ever works, it will be very easy to just tap and purchase.

If they wanted to switch to bands for tickets and room keys and charging privileges, they could have done that without building the app. Many places already do that (ex: Great Wolf Lodge), it's not that complicated.

I guess I just don't believe that a corporation spent this much money and won't try to monetize it in some way. Call me a cynic!

My 2 cents anyway

 

[mom2rtk]

They had a working FP system that was free with park admission. If they just wanted more people to be able to use it, they could have just educated people more. They could have even spread out the FPs during the day so things didn't run out before noon, etc.

They also could have programmed that system to allow only 1 ticket per ride per day, or 3 total for the day (or whatever number). But that's just so negative. Clearly a takeaway. Look how many people are willing to jump in with the new limits just because it comes with a shiny new band. Well, not really shiny, but you see my point.

 

[su_A_ve]

The limits are just there to ensure the potential revenue expansion.

You want more FP+? You want FP+ hop? Here's the premium plan version for $XXX. Just like all others are doing.

 

[d1gitman]

I know Disney does pretty well and all, but enough to pay the bill for that many electric cars?!?!

how expensive is the gas, oil and engine maintenance of the current vehicles?

 

[Shaden]

Indeed, and from an ROI stand point, while they could have spent $1 Billion on a new PARK, (Fantasy land 2 cost, 460 ?, imagine with economies of scale, in a new area, what they could have done with $1B.

A new park could have had a major impact on crowd levels, wait times, etc ....

BUUUUUT a new park requires massive yearly overhead as well, employees, energy, transit, maintenance, etc etc ...

FP+ and the MDX ... no REAL overhead, a few pasty IT folk

But, they are going to want an ROI, and people speculated it would mean needing fewer employees in the parks, although this seems like a limited savings, certainly nothing to amount to the $1B mark, people talk more sales, keeping people out of the lines and in shops, but again, I doubt the effectiveness of this, we drop lots of cash as it is at WDW I can pretty much assure you that FP+ will not increase how much we spend.

BUT, if you can monetize FP+ itself, well, in 2012 I believe the 4 parks combined for 48.5 Million visits. If you could (on average) get 5$ extra from each of those visits for FP+s that's $250 Million / year, paying for the $1B in just 4 years.

Of course, that's also true if any of their other possibilities plays out, like that people will spend more money due to FP+ ... but I really don't see that happening.

 

[wdwlver]

The limits are just there to ensure the potential revenue expansion.

You want more FP+? You want FP+ hop? Here's the premium plan version for $XXX. Just like all others are doing.

I can totally see that happening.

For my family since we hop and enjoy utilizing more than 3 fp per day.....we would definitely upgrade if available.

I'm sure I'm not the only one and boom there you have it....new revenue steam for Disney.

 

[mom2rtk]

FP+ and the MDX ... no REAL overhead, a few pasty IT folk

...... and apparently not even the high end ones who know what they're doing.

 

[ArwenMarie]

They also could have programmed that system to allow only 1 ticket per ride per day, or 3 total for the day (or whatever number). But that's just so negative. Clearly a takeaway. Look how many people are willing to jump in with the new limits just because it comes with a shiny new band. Well, not really shiny, but you see my point.

Yep. And they are adding the band, IMO, for the exact reason you said. And they will sell you shiny cover for it if you wish, for a price

 

[ArwenMarie]

The limits are just there to ensure the potential revenue expansion.

You want more FP+? You want FP+ hop? Here's the premium plan version for $XXX. Just like all others are doing.

Yep. We just went to BG Williamsburg. Now, their tickets are a lot cheaper than WDW. Anyway, they were selling "Quick Queues"...$20 bucks for one day for a FOTL pass for each of their big rides once. If you wanted an unlimited Quick Queue, $50 for one day.

 

[ArwenMarie]

If you could (on average) get 5$ extra from each of those visits for FP+s that's $250 Million / year, paying for the $1B in just 4 years.

Wow, it's crazy when you see the numbers like that. They'll probably be able make it back just on all of the band covers and jibbutz they are going to sell.

 

[ford91exploder]

The disease of american business 'rent seeking' instead of creating new products and services because the 'rent' seems like a sure thing as opposed to taking a risk on a new product or service.

A new park would have been a risk and in american business you have largely a bunch of ticket punchers who dont take risks and always follow the crowd, Look at the formulaic series of disasters in the movies, 'We'll get some big stars, lots of CGI explosions we'll make money' - good script meh who needs that 'sides it costs money that we could spend on CGI...

The only original movie this summer is Monsters University and it just keeps making money and the money men did not want to make this movie. Bean counters have a function make sure all beans are in proper bins, They do not do well at PRODUCING BEANS.

The sage of Omaha has a saying which is most applicable 'If you manage for the bottom line, pretty soon you will not have a bottom line'

Indeed, and from an ROI stand point, while they could have spent $1 Billion on a new PARK, (Fantasy land 2 cost, 460 ?, imagine with economies of scale, in a new area, what they could have done with $1B.

A new park could have had a major impact on crowd levels, wait times, etc ....

BUUUUUT a new park requires massive yearly overhead as well, employees, energy, transit, maintenance, etc etc ...

FP+ and the MDX ... no REAL overhead, a few pasty IT folk

But, they are going to want an ROI, and people speculated it would mean needing fewer employees in the parks, although this seems like a limited savings, certainly nothing to amount to the $1B mark, people talk more sales, keeping people out of the lines and in shops, but again, I doubt the effectiveness of this, we drop lots of cash as it is at WDW I can pretty much assure you that FP+ will not increase how much we spend.

BUT, if you can monetize FP+ itself, well, in 2012 I believe the 4 parks combined for 48.5 Million visits. If you could (on average) get 5$ extra from each of those visits for FP+s that's $250 Million / year, paying for the $1B in just 4 years.

Of course, that's also true if any of their other possibilities plays out, like that people will spend more money due to FP+ ... but I really don't see that happening.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

how expensive is the gas, oil and engine maintenance of the current vehicles?

First, I was 100% just kidding.

Second, ... ... no, I guess there's just that.

 

[squirrel4569]

First, I was 100% just kidding.

Second, ... ... no, I guess there's just that.

Solar powered electric cars at Tomorrowland Speedway would be sweet. That would be a definitely upgrade.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Solar powered electric cars at Tomorrowland Speedway would be sweet. That would be a definitely upgrade.

Sure that doesn't belong in Fantasyland?

Disclaimer: Just kidding.

 

[d1gitman]

Solar powered electric cars at Tomorrowland Speedway would be sweet. That would be a definitely upgrade.

I wonder if there is enough space to fit enough solar panels to keep the cars running. Solar is pretty limited. I think something that is electromagnetic would be cool. As part of the futuristic aspect they could have a section of th ride that is auto pilot and narrarated and demonstrates things like collision avoidance. Acceleration handling. Could have jetson styled vehicles to play on the retro-futuristic theme

 

[ford91exploder]

Probably not, But Disney could BUY solar power from the grid to make up for what they cannot produce locally, And it would smell a lot better than the 50+ odd lawnmower engines, And advanced tech could be demonstrated mag-lev cars would be really cool.

I wonder if there is enough space to fit enough solar panels to keep the cars running. Solar is pretty limited. I think something that is electromagnetic would be cool. As part of the futuristic aspect they could have a section of th ride that is auto pilot and narrarated and demonstrates things like collision avoidance. Acceleration handling. Could have jetson styled vehicles to play on the retro-futuristic theme

 

[Robo]

I wonder if there is enough space to fit enough solar panels to keep the cars running. Solar is pretty limited. I think something that is electromagnetic would be cool. As part of the futuristic aspect they could have a section of th ride that is auto pilot and narrarated and demonstrates things like collision avoidance. Acceleration handling. Could have jetson styled vehicles to play on the retro-futuristic theme

It is/was called Test Track.
It is/was a technological nightmare for maintenance.

And, correct. No way solar would run all of those cars.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Probably not, But Disney could BUY solar power from the grid to make up for what they cannot produce locally, And it would smell a lot better than the 50+ odd lawnmower engines, And advanced tech could be demonstrated mag-lev cars would be really cool.

Government subsidy, maybe?

OK... I'm done with "humor" for the day.

And with DIS... Fireworks Dessert Party still not open, so I'm outta' here! G'night ladies and gentlemen! LOL!

 

[su_A_ve]

I can totally see that happening.

For my family since we hop and enjoy utilizing more than 3 fp per day.....we would definitely upgrade if available.

I'm sure I'm not the only one and boom there you have it....new revenue steam for Disney.

And I think we have that already.. VIP tours... You get front of the line access for the duration of the tour...

UGH.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

Perfect spot for a new headliner would be the tomorrowland speedway. It takes up a large space with an old, outdated, available everywhere, B attraction! How about a Cars simulation ride?