FP+ Details Are Out!

[mom2mickeyfan]

This is all about getting more revenue per guest - Iger has actually stated that. Increasing revenue WITHOUT increasing attendance.

The way to do that for our family is to make us spend more time in the parks (more food, drinks and snacks) which the current FP has done. Have I mentioned that the normally spend 14 to 16 hours in MK in one day??? Or to have more/better items to purchase. I purchased all that I wanted to purchase. We left with gift cards unused.

 

[d1gitman]

Increasing attendance would be a diminishing return, in a sense...the parks can only handle so much, and during peak periods they are often stretched to the limits, complaints of crowds are on the rise, and could in fact result in loss of attendance instead.

If they really wanted to increase attendance, they'd have to be looking at the fabled Fifth Gate (sounds like a horror movie...) in order to disperse the crowds...and despite the rumors and insistence, there appears to be nothing of the sort going on...i gotta believe that within the next 2-5 yrs. they will announce a 5th gate...way too much material not to...Lucasfilm and Marvel....easily could have a 5th & 6th gate...or large expansions to DHS with 6 new headliners. one would think that a company like Disney wouldn't purchase those brands just to sit on existing revenue streams, but rather exploit them...using the parks as commercials for movies is more and more prevelant and would be an easy thing for thme to do with their own gates or lands
This is all about getting more revenue per guest - Iger has actually stated that. Increasing revenue WITHOUT increasing attendance. Funny how I recall people on the DIS calling for Eisner's head prior to Iger...now we don't seem to like Iger's direction either...hmmm...have they thawed Walt's head yet?

. Maybe the Disney Decade wasn't so bad afterall

 

[momof2n2]

How is this even close to answering Shaden's scenario of not getting on your "favourite attraction" while on your WDW trip?

For my family, it's not a good day if you only do a headliner once... It's a waste of the day entirely if you don't get on it at all.

 

[ArwenMarie]

There will be more FPs given out, but they won't be given for free. I would predict that the magic number will be 3 on that.

Here is how I see the bucket of FPs distributed....The first priority will be to make sure that booked resort package guests get prebooked FPs.

"Leftovers" will be used as incentives...to entice you to upgrade your resort, or even just to book a package. The same way they use dining and room discounts now.

Leftovers will also be sold. I can see it now, "For 3 extra FPs a day for your stay for $25 a day...here you go!" As easy as pressing a button (if you've ever played games on an iPad, you know how easy it is to feed money into those games).

Just my prediction...we shall see.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

Completely off topic:

Does anybody else find this guy kinda creepy?!

 

[d1gitman]

I don't believe they were saying limit use to three, but control use so more people can use it.

Well have to agree to disagree. I see a huge increase in FP availability so no reason to so strickly reduce them and make so many people unhappy. Not only parades and fireworks which can use lots of FP's but DOUBLE the rides. And depending upon how people book parades and fireworks in advance can determine how much space they set aside! AND all unused FP's because someone went to a different park or left the park can now be reused! By allowing everyone the opportunity to do 3 in advance and then allow some same day FP's, this will achieve both. The 6 hour people will be ensured the few favorites and the 17 hour people will be there long enough to get several more FP's. There are so many other ways the new Magic Band data can be used to customize FP allocation on the fly to better serve customers.

The difference in our opposite views are based on certain unknowns about which we make opposite assumptions. So we will have to wait and see. I trust that the statistical people have figured out how to keep the majority happy and increase that 17 million attendance at MK to 20 Million. THEN they can add some new rides.



EXACTLY, EXACTLY, EXACTLY!!! Did I mention I agree. Wait and see, this won't be the end of the FP world as everybody thinks.



While I don't think they will block off all, they can adjust the areas blocked off according to how many people request FP's in advance for these things. I think the "6 hour visit - first time people will use them for parades and fireworks in droves.

I am still convinced this is going to be a very good thing in the long run. The only negative will be during the time any adjustments need to be made.

I know, I know, Mr. Polyanna here. Hey, somebody hand me a big glass of that koolaid. Gotta decide what color Magic Band I want. Let's see...

step right on up to the bar and I'll pour you another glass of kool-aid...what's your flavor?

 

[momof2n2]

So you think they will shut down the entire World Showcase during Illuminations unless you have a FP+?

I was mostly imagining Main Street, the Hub, and the spokes... Some bright green ropes to cord off and a boatload of CMs to check your passes. Then again, they can't cut back staff in that scenario.

But sure... Can't you see the area along the railing around the water being reserved for FP+ holders only? My days of staking out my family's spot an hour early will be over.

 

[jade1]

I could see the entire "front row" if you would, being blocked off for FP+ ... yes.

We will soon know. Very few folks are in any front row at Illuminations, just isnt necessary. Most are crowds or just strolling by during. Plus over a mile around seems extreme, esp when wind ruins a lot of it, we will see.

 

[momof2n2]

We will soon know. Very few folks are in any front row at Illuminations, just isnt necessary. Most are crowds or just strolling by during. Plus over a mile around seems extreme, esp when wind ruins a lot of it, we will see.

Well... To this mom it is necessary. I want to have my brood sitting on the ground where I can see them. Preferably in front of Canada Pavilion.

Oooo. FP Plus Plus... Now I can pick the spot! Or request front row of EE. Or your lucky car in TSMM.

 

[jade1]

I was mostly imagining Main Street, the Hub, and the spokes... Some bright green ropes to cord off and a boatload of CMs to check your passes. Then again, they can't cut back staff in that scenario.

But sure... Can't you see the area along the railing around the water being reserved for FP+ holders only? My days of staking out my family's spot an hour early will be over.

Agreed-I made the exact same point a few pages back, but Illuminations I'm not buying. And even at MK-losing the spoke area-would be hard to believe they would take it all, and if the do its still great on main street IMO.

 

[jade1]

Well... To this mom it is necessary. I want to have my brood sitting on the ground where I can see them. Preferably in front of Canada Pavilion.

Oooo. FP Plus Plus... Now I can pick the spot! Or request front row of EE. Or your lucky car in TSMM.

So you are one of the very few folks, then you will love FP+ for Illuminations-IF it is indeed the entire front row. We will see.

 

[doconeill]

i gotta believe that within the next 2-5 yrs. they will announce a 5th gate...way too much material not to...Lucasfilm and Marvel....easily could have a 5th & 6th gate...or large expansions to DHS with 6 new headliners. one would think that a company like Disney wouldn't purchase those brands just to sit on existing revenue streams, but rather exploit them...using the parks as commercials for movies is more and more prevelant and would be an easy thing for thme to do with their own gates or lands

Maybe. But you won't see a Marvel gate at WDW, period. Universal has that all locked up and there really isn't anything Disney can do about it.

Adding another park means adding all the overhead that has to go with it. You are starting over with staffing, resources, and other fixed operational costs to reach the minimum operational levels regardless of attendance, so it takes quite a while to break-even with economies of scale. They'd have to predict attendance levels to explode in the near future.

You are FAR more likely to see expansions of existing parks. The increases in fixed costs are minimal in those cases because it can make use of the same parking facilities, same ticket facilities, same maintenance facilities, etc.

 

[jade1]

For my family, it's not a good day if you only do a headliner once... It's a waste of the day entirely if you don't get on it at all.

He never said a "headliner", he said your favourite attraction. My point was if you have one favourite attraction to make or break your trip-there are ways to make it happen if its indeed up and running.

 

[momof2n2]

So you are one of the very few folks, then you will love FP+ for Illuminations-IF it is indeed the entire front row. We will see.

Maybe. But I'd probably want all three for Soarin' on our Epcot day...

 

[momof2n2]

He never said a "headliner", he said your favourite attraction. My point was if you have one favourite attraction to make or break your trip-there are ways to make it happen if its indeed up and running.

Okay. You're right. My mistake.
But if your favorite is NOT a headliner chances are better at riding multiple times anyway. Right? I guess it depends on time of year, huh?

 

[d1gitman]

I was mostly imagining Main Street, the Hub, and the spokes... Some bright green ropes to cord off and a boatload of CMs to check your passes. Then again, they can't cut back staff in that scenario.

But sure... Can't you see the area along the railing around the water being reserved for FP+ holders only? My days of staking out my family's spot an hour early will be over.

i don't see FP+ as a means to cut back staff. FP didn't...there are CM's at all the current FP entrances and sometimes midway in the line and there will be CM's at all the Mickey heads for FP+ too.

 

[Shaden]

He never said a "headliner", he said your favourite attraction. My point was if you have one favourite attraction to make or break your trip-there are ways to make it happen if its indeed up and running.

Okay. You're right. My mistake.
But if your favorite is NOT a headliner chances are better at riding multiple times anyway. Right? I guess it depends on time of year, huh?

I meant headliner, there wouldn't be a concern otherwise ...

 

[Cafeen]

i don't see FP+ as a means to cut back staff. FP didn't...there are CM's at all the current FP entrances and sometimes midway in the line and there will be CM's at all the Mickey heads for FP+ too.

With FP+, each attraction will not need it's own FP machine. As such, they can cut down the number of groups of machines and centralize the FP+ kiosk locations a bit. Once things get rolling (it'll be understandable to staff them higher when it's new), the staffing requirements will likely be no more than the current requirements, which means 1 CM per location most of the time. As such, they can cut down on the total attractions CMs since FP pick up will be out of the rotation for most of them.

Though, they will need a FP return person at the new FP+ attractions... so maybe it ends up being a wash?

For FW/Parades, they'll likely only need a couple CMs with tablets to handle the FP needs there. I'm not expecting a huge location, but rather naturally blocked off places (e.g. Inner Town Square, the area between the mercantiles at World Showcase Lagoon, the patios at WS lagoon, the Rose Garden at MK, etc)

 

[jackieinJuneau]

So I have been fallowing this thread but I am not sure if this has been pointed out. On MDE the wording around the Wish List seems to have changed a little or at least I just noticed it. It says " You can search items and bookmark them to add to your itinerary when booking windows are available." Its the when books windows are available part that I thought was new, before it stressed how it wasn't a resevation it still states that on things like fireworks but it also implies that is a tool they want you to use to plan your fass pass + before your booking window. It seems like there are alot of little changes on MDE biulding up to fast pass +.

 

[d1gitman]

With FP+, each attraction will not need it's own FP machine. As such, they can cut down the number of groups of machines and centralize the FP+ kiosk locations a bit. Once things get rolling (it'll be understandable to staff them higher when it's new), the staffing requirements will likely be no more than the current requirements, which means 1 CM per location most of the time. As such, they can cut down on the total attractions CMs since FP pick up will be out of the rotation for most of them.

Though, they will need a FP return person at the new FP+ attractions... so maybe it ends up being a wash?

For FW/Parades, they'll likely only need a couple CMs with tablets to handle the FP needs there. I'm not expecting a huge location, but rather naturally blocked off places (e.g. Inner Town Square, the area between the mercantiles at World Showcase Lagoon, the patios at WS lagoon, the Rose Garden at MK, etc)

so what your saying is that you agree with me (it's okay to)