FP+ is Live! Magic Bands in the park!

[Squidgyness]

that makes sense because you can not insert a magic band into the current fast pass systems.

what this doesn't say is once the old fast pass system is phased out will these kiosks function in a similar way as the old.

that is the unanswered question.

It would actually make sense to use a simplified form of the app on the kiosk (and from what I've seen they do), and that app has the option to reserve new passes so the in park kiosks might hopefully have one too in that case.

See this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cI4x3ZkMEB8 for the ability to modify your booking. I wonder if that green button on the bottom right of your intro page after you swipe takes you to another screen showing options to add more bookings in park and not just change current ones? I can't make it out but it seems to say "choose" or "change".

 

[bwang123]

Not sure if this is ok but I found this on another site. http://www.wdwthemeparks.com/news/2013/02/01/fastpass-testing-and-pirates-turnstyles#prettyPhoto
Check the pics out. The pic on the left at the bottom (click to enlarge) shows a selection screen in park.

This was part of the test as it says, not sure when it was taken but there is no reason this or something similar couldnt be rolled out when fastpass+ does.

See this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cI4x3ZkMEB8 for the ability to modify your booking. (I wonder if that green button on then bottom right of your intro page after you swipe takes you to another screen showing options to add more bookings in park and not just change current ones? I can't make it out but it seems to say "choose" or "change".)

that "kiosk" in the first link is still there. it was turned on while we walked by the entrance to pirates on may 16th. no one was using it and the way its positioned, it looks like its for CMs only.

 

[Squidgyness]

that "kiosk" in the first link is still there. it was turned on while we walked by the entrance to pirates on may 16th. no one was using it and the way its positioned, it looks like its for CMs only.

Ah okay. Not sure why it wouldnt be locked down to just that ride? Why have the option to select different attractions, are they going to lug the thing around to different ones? Or, is it a staff login screen so they can say where they were stationed at that day... probably the latter. Oh well. I thought I'd cracked it for a minute! I'll take that pic out as it seems I jumped the gun.

 

[doconeill]

that "kiosk" in the first link is still there. it was turned on while we walked by the entrance to pirates on may 16th. no one was using it and the way its positioned, it looks like its for CMs only.

That's my thought...that's the CM's interface (it talks about touch points, and makes me think it's like the QS cash registers - handles guests scanning on either side of it.

Someone (MonorailLime) said that the in-park kiosks would all be CM controlled...

 

[Squidgyness]

Yeah I realise that now. By the way, in the description of that video I posted showing a guest changing their bookings, it says:

"With FastPass+, guests can make their attraction reservations online or at a computer in the park, then to enter the attraction, they go in the special queue and touch their card to the Mickey symbol."

Interesting.

 

[doggydoc]

Not sure if this is ok but I found this on another site. http://www.wdwthemeparks.com/news/2013/02/01/fastpass-testing-and-pirates-turnstyles#prettyPhoto
Check the pics out. The pic on the left at the bottom (click to enlarge) shows a selection screen in park.

This was part of the test as it says, not sure when it was taken but there is no reason this or something similar to the website couldnt be rolled out on the kiosks in park when fastpass+ goes live.

It would actually make sense to use a form of the app on the kiosk (and from what I've seen they do), and that app has the option to reserve new passes so the in park kiosks should hopefully have one too in that case.

See this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cI4x3ZkMEB8 for the ability to modify your booking. (I wonder if that green button on the bottom right of your intro page after you swipe takes you to another screen showing options to add more bookings in park and not just change current ones? I can't make it out but it seems to say "choose" or "change".)

Awesome find... so much for argument that this discussion has no worth.

That screenshot of the kiosk is interesting but confusing. It says Magic Kingdom but then has drop down menus for Attraction, this would support the possibility of in-park FP selection, but also has Location, Station and two drop downs for Touch Points. Unfortunately this could be some sort of set up menu for use by IT, or could be a way for CM's to make adjustments for potential glitches in the system. If it was just for FP selection why the extra cryptic drop downs?

I can't discern the writing on the green button on the video either. I did note however that when recognizing the RFID card the initial screen looked nothing like the screenshot referenced above.

I am hopeful that there we will not be limited to 3 FP's per day. I just don't want to believe Disney would do that to us. As far as the ongoing debate Disney could clear it up in a heartbeat by simply providing more information. The longer they withhold details the more I fear it is because they KNOW a large segment won't be happy with it and they want time to get their "happy happy, fun fun, FP+ is great" campaign in gear before we REALLY start screaming in angst.

 

[doconeill]

Ah okay. Not sure why it wouldnt be locked down to just that ride? Why have the option to select different attractions, are they going to lug the thing around to different ones? Or, is it a staff login screen so they can say where they were stationed at that day... probably the latter. Oh well. I thought I'd cracked it for a minute! I'll take that pic out as it seems I jumped the gun.

From the reports, it seems likely that in the parks, the CMs will help you make changes, including to different attractions/experiences. Probably a quicker but more cryptic interface.

 

[Squidgyness]

Awesome find... so much for argument that this discussion has no worth.

That screenshot of the kiosk is interesting but confusing. It says Magic Kingdom but then has drop down menus for Attraction, this would support the possibility of in-park FP selection, but also has Location, Station and two drop downs for Touch Points. Unfortunately this could be some sort of set up menu for use by IT, or could be a way for CM's to make adjustments for potential glitches in the system. If it was just for FP selection why the extra cryptic drop downs?

I can't discern the writing on the green button on the video either. I did note however that when recognizing the RFID card the initial screen looked nothing like the screenshot referenced above.

I am hopeful that there we will not be limited to 3 FP's per day. I just don't want to believe Disney would do that to us. As far as the ongoing debate Disney could clear it up in a heartbeat by simply providing more information. The longer they withhold details the more I fear it is because they KNOW a large segment won't be happy with it and they want time to get their "happy happy, fun fun, FP+ is great" campaign in gear before we REALLY start screaming in angst.

Yeah I think it is like a checkout, the employee has to log in and put in location, that sort of thing. Looks like a CM point.

That green button im fairly sure begins with a Ch or an O. Ch would make most sense, and given the description below the video I just quoted, Change, or Choose seems a good prospect.

Given the amount of money they are pumping in to this project, why not make a video detailing the basics, who what where why how (inc. how many passes) and when (rough deadline obviously, like a quarter). This is what most tech companies do.

Instead all we get are lots of semi-detailed "why's" and a vague "everyone will have some access" on "who". Nothing much beyond "3 passes beforehand, an app and kiosks" for the rest. Could be a few reasons why, I'm leaning towards the cynical ones.

 

[Dreamer & Wisher]

Thanks for those links. The video was really interesting. I like the system, but I think it may be a bit time consuming. I think there may be some confusion for some guests.

We will be there in 11 days, I wonder if there will be more testing? I think it would be fun to participate in the testing.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

I can think of two reasons they haven't released specifics:

1. They want to release it with a propaganda campaign to drown out the WDW vets who won't like it

2. They haven't figured out/decided upon the specifics, and don't want to have to double back (like what happened with New Fantasyland).

I'm leaning towards #2. It seems when WDW got its new leadership earlier this year (Feb?) is when all the info about FP+ abruptly stopped. As if the new leadership wanted to take a closer look at how FP+ was going to work, and also make major changes.

It wouldn't suprise me if FP+ is completely different upon release than what it was looking like last Dec, when details first started coming out. Of course, the public may never know how much (if at all) the new management changed things.

 

[DougEMG]

I can think of two reasons they haven't released specifics:

1. They want to release it with a propaganda campaign to drown out the WDW vets who won't like it

2. They haven't figured out/decided upon the specifics, and don't want to have to double back (like what happened with New Fantasyland).

I'm leaning towards #2. It seems when WDW got its new leadership earlier this year (Feb?) is when all the info about FP+ abruptly stopped. As if the new leadership wanted to take a closer look at how FP+ was going to work, and also make major changes.

It wouldn't suprise me if FP+ is completely different upon release than what it was looking like last Dec, when details first started coming out. Of course, the public may never know how much (if at all) the new management changed things.

#3 Could be that they can't get their IT system working so they can't give any specific details yet!

 

[g-dad66]

#3 Could be that they can't get their IT system working so they can't give any specific details yet!

Agree.

Of course, there could be other reasons too, but we know from first-hand experience that their IT isn't ready for prime time yet.

 

[doconeill]

I'm actually not overly interested in debating this, so I will make a couple final points and also suggest you listen at least one more time.

1) The information was part of the NEWS section of the video. I suppose it could have been simply a restatement of known information but that is not how it was presented.

2) At 30:51 he states "we are just getting information about FP+"

3) At 31:23 he very clearly states that once you choose to go Magic Band you can NOT use the regular FP system. Specifically it was stated that once you get a Magic Band you can not use regular FP.

I finally had a chance to listen again (spent most of the day on the phone with a support tech who instead of helping fix a problem bricked the device ). I just want to make sure we're understanding it correctly.

2) "We've gotten some information on, regarding Fastpass Plus..." Can't tell if he means it was new information or not.

You are correct on 3. I think I was interpreting it as implying that if you chose to use the MagicBand for Fastpass+, you couldn't use it for Fastpass, as opposed to stating if you HAVE a MagicBand, you can only use Fastpass+.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

#3 Could be that they can't get their IT system working so they can't give any specific details yet!

Not getting the system working could explain the delay, but not the lack of information. They could give the details on what they planned to do, despite the tech not being ready.

Unless, they're not sure whether they can ever get the tech working right. Otherwise, tech issues alone shouldn't prevent an unveiling of what this is going to look like.

 

[doggydoc]

2) "We've gotten some information on, regarding Fastpass Plus..." Can't tell if he means it was new information or not.

There is definitely room for doubt there, especially since the information is at best second hand anyway.

I just don't understand the need for so much secrecy. Disney knows about all the speculation and debate, what are they trying to hide? The parameters had to have been set up before attempting implementation. You don't set up a system and say "well we'll see how it works and then decide how we'll have guests use it afterwards." It would be an IT nightmare trying to account for all possible permutations.

It is possible the wifi limitations inside the parks are giving them fits. Let's not forget there has already been a successful test of prescheduling FP's and use of the kiosks (see video linked earlier in discussion) which apparently went very well. They may be delaying rollout until the poor wifi and slow website problems are solved, but that doesn't explain all the secrecy. The metrics on how many FP's could be prescheduled and then how many would be remaining for same day should have been worked out BEFORE attempts at implementation. Certainly they couldn't be relying on the tests to provide that because results would be skewed by the ability to concurrently utilize the old system

I am afraid that the corp bigwigs may have been stunned that many of the uber planners among us aren't jumping up and down and singing the praises of prescheduling FP's, despite the limitations. That I can believe because I am pretty sure very few of them have EVER waited in a SB line. They wouldn't understand the strong feelings against having draconian FP limitations. If that is the case and they are trying to backwards engineer a system for acquiring same day FP's, then no wonder it is a mess.

 

[doconeill]

There is definitely room for doubt there, especially since the information is at best second hand anyway.

I just don't understand the need for so much secrecy. Disney knows about all the speculation and debate, what are they trying to hide? The parameters had to have been set up before attempting implementation. You don't set up a system and say "well we'll see how it works and then decide how we'll have guests use it afterwards." It would be an IT nightmare trying to account for all possible permutations.

It is possible the wifi limitations inside the parks are giving them fits. Let's not forget there has already been a successful test of prescheduling FP's and use of the kiosks (see video linked earlier in discussion) which apparently went very well. They may be delaying rollout until the poor wifi and slow website problems are solved, but that doesn't explain all the secrecy. The metrics on how many FP's could be prescheduled and then how many would be remaining for same day should have been worked out BEFORE attempts at implementation. Certainly they couldn't be relying on the tests to provide that because results would be skewed by the ability to concurrently utilize the old system

I am afraid that the corp bigwigs may have been stunned that many of the uber planners among us aren't jumping up and down and singing the praises of prescheduling FP's, despite the limitations. That I can believe because I am pretty sure very few of them have EVER waited in a SB line. They wouldn't understand the strong feelings against having draconian FP limitations. If that is the case and they are trying to backwards engineer a system for acquiring same day FP's, then no wonder it is a mess.

I think there are a LOT of things giving them fits. The web site doesn't always work. The app SELDOM works wherever yo are. Wi-Fi is a problem in the parks. You can't link profiles easily. The RFID cards are hit and miss for actually working. And that isn't even getting near to Fastpass+ itself.

I really think that they were hoping to get to real-world trials by now but all the myriad of other problems has completely turned things on their ear.

I would LOVE to talk to Nick Franklin though and at least ask, "Is it really only 3 FP+ per day overall, aside from 'bonuses'"? And get him on camera saying it, since no one would believe it...

 

[Sammie]

If "the average guest" was "out of the loop" on regular FP how in the world is FP+ going to be easier for them?

I don't think they will have any trouble with using this. It will be well promoted by Disney and Disney travel agents, bloggers. There will be help for guests that need it after they arrive.

However the use of the ticket to return after the stated date was something that many never, ever thought of doing. While it was allowed, again not arguing right or wrong on this, just saying it was not common knowledge to the masses.

Many, many people never got a fast pass, because they did not want to be there at opening and rush from place to place to gather them. So when they arrived the fastpasses for that day were gone.

This will help that guest and believe me there are many of them.

Disney has spent a lot of money and time listening to guests complaints and suggestions on Fast pass. This program is based on that feedback.

The problem many DISers forget that there is a huge contingency of guests that do not frequent these forums or others. This might be a vocal group but it is not the vocal majority.

 

[Squidgyness]

The idea of them retrofitting changes on to the fastpass plus system is fascinating. Someone earlier recalled the sudden dearth of information was consistent with a change at disney. Anyone know if they've undergone a management change or something? I don't keep tabs on the companies history itself.

 

[mesaboy2]

The idea of them retrofitting changes on to the fastpass plus system is fascinating. Someone earlier recalled the sudden dearth of information was consistent with a change at disney. Anyone know if they've undergone a management change or something? I don't keep tabs on the companies history itself.

George Kalogridis replaced Meg Crofton as WDW president in January. I seem to recall this was about the same time we got our first look at the infamous MDE Terms and Conditions, but I have no idea if the two are related.

 

[doconeill]

George Kalogridis replaced Meg Crofton as WDW president in January. I seem to recall this was about the same time we got our first look at the infamous MDE Terms and Conditions, but I have no idea if the two are related.

Most of the information came out around the first week of January - Jan 7th or before, as that's when I wrote up an article on it. The changing of the guard was announced January 9th. Hmm...