FP+ is Live! Magic Bands in the park!

[Robo]

Should've just sunk their money into doing what they do best ... bringing back the former impeccable Disney standards, fixing their aging infrastructure (ie. the monorail) and focus on some mind-blowing new attractions (that Monsters Inc coaster that has never materialized, Star Wars Land, Cars Land east ...)

This is one of THE principle issues.

They had zero idea if a new FastPass technology would or would not make them money.
Huge classic business GAMBLE.

From the other end, building out new attractions (especially proven winners like Carsland,) and rides associated with other major Disney (and new Disney acquisition) tie-ins, would have been a 90%+ sure-thing, easy to market, no explanations needed, "money pouring in," HIT!

I just don't get it.

 

[Rileygirl]

edited to delete

 

[Squidgyness]

This is such a big gamble for Disney. I'm sure as the imagineers sat around planning it sounded great ... hey we can combine everything into these RDIF bands, tickets, FP, payment ... people will be able to book their FP's, personalize and decorate them ... it'll be so awesome!! ... The PTB bought it, because it sounds so cutting edge and who doesn't love the latest & greatest tech toys? The problem seems to be with the reality of the implementation, all the unanswered questions that should have been ironed out up front. Now they're in a bit of a bind. They've announced this great new technology, invested in it and now reality is probably hitting them in the face. It's either going to take a lot longer to roll out than initially thought or they're going to have to just drop it (unlikely with $$ already sunk into it & to save face). As mentioned earlier, unfortunately it will result in a roll out before the bugs are all ironed out (more so than you would normally expect with new technology) and it's going to be a mess for quite a while. Potentially a big PR nightmare. If they get it right, and it all goes smoothly, huge PR win. Unfortunately I don't think that is ever going to happen. Should've just sunk their money into doing what they do best ... bringing back the former impeccable Disney standards, fixing their aging infrastructure (ie. the monorail) and focus on some mind-blowing new attractions (that Monsters Inc coaster that has never materialized, Star Wars Land, Cars Land east ...)

Sums everything intrinsically wrong with this step in this direction really.

I could make a list of things I wanted before this and we'd be here for a while. Reality bites makes a lot of sense to me.

"Guys... tests say standby lines at HM were longer than we thought they'd be"

"Guys, guests are saying that three fastpasses are great but they wanted more, and they wanted more than one a ride a day... how can we implement this?"

"Guys, the app and wifi are a little spotty, what can we do to fix them?"

"Guys, what's the deadline again... oh crap!"

 

[Robo]

Regarding Kiosks

Perhaps a reason that Disney has not already retrofitted the fp machines is because they dont want them 2 have dual purpose, it would add confusion to the guest trying either to get a fp, or fp+.

They will be either an old fp machine, or the fancier new one with a touch screen. As people get switched over to the 'new' system, they simply keep taking old fp kiosks away, and changing them to the new one. By changing the ratio of old to new, they can use this as a bit of carrot and stick. Long line for the 2 old fp machines, or short line for the new fancy ones.

What I am imagining is something that just slides in, and has some sort of touchscreen window, so people can select more fp+, or change their existing ones. the FP machines already come with a printer, so no need for golf pencils and scribble paper.

And this could literally happen over night, if it was just a 'slide' in thing.

Is that possible doconeill?

Adding printers is possible.
How easily that can be done depends on what kind of hardware and connections they designed into the touch-point Mickey Heads.

Physically, I don't think they would be able "slide" anything in to the current touch-point devices.
Adding a screen and printer adjacent to the touch-points would be possible, but less than "sleek-looking,"
as to be practical, they would have to large enough to contain enough paper of some kind (heat-print?) to not need
refills multiple times per day.

 

[doconeill]

Regarding Kiosks

Perhaps a reason that Disney has not already retrofitted the fp machines is because they dont want them 2 have dual purpose, it would add confusion to the guest trying either to get a fp, or fp+.

They will be either an old fp machine, or the fancier new one with a touch screen. As people get switched over to the 'new' system, they simply keep taking old fp kiosks away, and changing them to the new one. By changing the ratio of old to new, they can use this as a bit of carrot and stick. Long line for the 2 old fp machines, or short line for the new fancy ones.

What I am imagining is something that just slides in, and has some sort of touchscreen window, so people can select more fp+, or change their existing ones. the FP machines already come with a printer, so no need for golf pencils and scribble paper.

And this could literally happen over night, if it was just a 'slide' in thing.

Is that possible doconeill?

Possible yes. But I doubt that they are just "slide in" replacements to add a touch screen and everything else. There could be different power requirements, etc. Think about a smartphone - if you've got a power usage feature like the Android phones I've used, the consistently #1 power usage item is usually your screen - even if you don't use it a lot.

And as I said earlier, I would have expected at least a few to be deployed and at the ready, even if not available, but there doesn't appear to be any.

 

[Rileygirl]

fp+ and Kiosks :Its perplexing.

Notice I am totally ignoring all posts that talk about the terrible track record of Disney and their IT team. Because it is true and a reality right now. All of my posts and hypothoses have been based on the fact that 1)Disney can fix their IT problems that they are currently having and 2)Make the whole system 10 times more complicated then it already is, and run it flawlessly.

My only possible response is, if Disney spent that wad of cash doing it, they must at least THINK they can pull it off. If they can't, it puts them years behind Universal. It will cost them business. If they can pull it off, they can blow it out of the water.

 

[Robo]

If they can pull it off, they can blow it out of the water.

I just don't see that.

Disney can't touch Universal's stay-onsite-get-front-of-the-line-pass, no matter what they do.

And, offering a paltry few (1-3 per day) advance FP's to "everybody" means that "NOT everybody" will get a fabulous advance FP for a fabulous attraction, every fabulous day, at every fabulous park.

Even if everything WORKS for Disney on this, it's just not "all that" fabulous.

It leaves much of the day exactly the same line-waiting experience as now (at best)
and a great many slower queues for many guests (at worst.)

 

[maiapapaya]

This is one of THE principle issues.

They had zero idea if a new FastPass technology would or would not make them money.
Huge classic business GAMBLE.

From the other end, building out new attractions (especially proven winners like Carsland,) and rides associated with other major Disney (and new Disney acquisition) tie-ins, would have been a 90%+ sure-thing, easy to market, no explanations needed, "money pouring in," HIT!

I just don't get it.

Kind of makes you wonder if TPTB really do read the forums & boards as much as people think. I don't recall reading too many threads about "hey wouldn't it be great if WDW launched some new high tech ticket technology?!" What do ppl post about wrt Disney improving things for guests? Bringing back the old high standards that seem to have slipped (including food standards wrt variety, quality etc), great new attractions (and there have been some fantastic suggestions floated around here), revamping the aged stuff (monorail, Epcot, etc).

fp+ and Kiosks :Its perplexing.

Notice I am totally ignoring all posts that talk about the terrible track record of Disney and their IT team. Because it is true and a reality right now. All of my posts and hypothoses have been based on the fact that 1)Disney can fix their IT problems that they are currently having and 2)Make the whole system 10 times more complicated then it already is, and run it flawlessly.

My only possible response is, if Disney spent that wad of cash doing it, they must at least THINK they can pull it off. If they can't, it puts them years behind Universal. It will cost them business. If they can pull it off, they can blow it out of the water.

Even IF they can pull it off I really wonder if it will be the win over Universal that they think. Would the novelty wear off? Would ppl who've never visited be swayed by the new system (vs. the new offerings reportedly coming to Universal) or the soft WDW visitors who might go elsewhere (because they aren't die hard Disney fans) or repeat Disney visitors who would have rather seen money spent elsewhere? (eg "it's the same old attractions at WDW, but I got this cool new bracelet, even though I only got one E-ticket FP ...") High tech gadgetry vs. quality product and attractions? I know what wins in my mind over the long run.

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

If they can pull it off, they can blow it out of the water.

I don't know if I totally agree with this. It is rides and attractions that draw people in. It may in fact get the ones that are already there to be happier and spend more money. But I'm not sure I buy the idea that a mom and dad are sitting at home thinking of their kid's likes, planning their vacation will go....well, junior loves thrill rides but lets go to Disney instead of Universal because we can prebook 3 FP+s. And with that flex ticket, they can do the thrill rides for even cheaper.

 

[Rileygirl]

I have a very long post coming how I can see it being state of the art, blow your pants off type deal for the 80%, using just what we know about the system now. It wont be done for a few hours, the kids are hungry, and I cant possibly feed them chicken nuggets again.

~A

 

[Robo]

I have a very long post coming how I can see it being state of the art, blow your pants off type deal for the 80%, using just what we know about the system now. It wont be done for a few hours, the kids are hungry, and I cant possibly feed them chicken nuggets again.

~A

Remember...
"UNDER-Promise/OVER-Deliver" can apply to posts on this board, too.

 

[damo]

It sure won't pull me away from Universal. I would have been much more blown away by several great new rides, but that's just me.

 

[mom2rtk]

Even if everything WORKS for Disney on this, it's just not "all that" fabulous.

Yep. Therein lies the problem.

I cant possibly feed them chicken nuggets again.

~A

You really need to get your priorities straight. I bet your kids are willing to take one for the team. Well, mine would be. But then mine have tasted my non-chicken nugget cooking.

 

[mesaboy2]

It sure won't pull me away from Universal. I would have been much more blown away by several great new rides, but that's just me.

No, it isn't.

 

[Squidgyness]

No, it isn't.

Yup.

This isn't even convincing me I want to go back, im at a wait and see stage. Wait and see. For disney. I'd have thought they'd have to try very hard to create a policy that would make me have second thoughts about going back before I saw it implemented and the results, but they pulled it off.

Even if it works or just doesn't affect me if I don't use it, it's still wouldn't convince me to spend any less time at universal than I would have.

All those Harry potter ads are wreaking havoc. I've seen a few floating about the Internet (universal studios, seaworld and the flexi ticket parks in general seem far more adept at Internet advertising if you ask me). Disney meanwhile are silent on new developments. Only disney adverts I've seen recently are the same old ones from before. Biiiiig mistake.

I'm fairly sure they are the exact same ads from last season on tv here.

New rides are 100% positive. Seriously. Even if this new system is 80% positive, that chance for bad press still nags at me, and I'm not even an executive. This might have been an occasion where choosing the safer option (new area, new attractions) but trying to spice it up within those safe boundaries would have been wiser. I can't believe the accountants signed off on this massive investment.

Those imagineers or whoever dreamed this up must be very persuasive.

"More money!"
"You're sure this will bring in more money? Why?"
"Because they won't be in lines, so they will spend money! It's a sure thing and everyone will love it! Tom staggs kids were in here whining about long lines just the other day!"
"A sure thing hmm? Ummmm... Okay. Will it be simple?"
"Uhhhh... Sure. No problem. I think."

Speaking of IT, the dis servers just conked out on me... I had to log out and in again... Maybe its a sign?

 

[Missyrose]

"More money!"
"You're sure this will bring in more money? Why?"
"Because they won't be in lines, so they will spend money! It's a sure thing and everyone will love it! Tom staggs kids were in here whining about long lines just the other day!"
"A sure thing hmm? Ummmm... Okay. Will it be simple?"
"Uhhhh... Sure. No problem. I think."

Actually the "more money" argument has far less to do with the fewer lines and far more to do with the data mining the Magic Bands supposedly will give Disney. The whole idea is to get to know your customers better and have an open line with them for targeted advertising.

Crowd control and the "shorter" lines are just a byproduct of what Disney has invested its money in.

 

[Squidgyness]

Actually the "more money" argument has far less to do with the fewer lines and far more to do with the data mining the Magic Bands supposedly will give Disney. The whole idea is to get to know your customers better and have an open line with them for targeted advertising.

Crowd control and the "shorter" lines are just a byproduct of what Disney has invested its money in.

Assuming it actually makes lines shorter of course. I've heard bad things about the fp plus test at HM for example.

 

[Missyrose]

Assuming it actually makes lines shorter of course. I've heard bad things about the fp plus test at HM for example.

Hence the quotation marks. But yes, common sense would indicate that adding a line of people to queues that are fairly continually loading currently will do nothing but slow down the flow.

 

[Squidgyness]

Hence the quotation marks. But yes, common sense would indicate that adding a line of people to queues that are fairly continually loading currently will do nothing but slow down the flow.

And yet disney did it anyway... Makes you wonder if they have some secret information no one else can figure out.

Is the meaning of life planning rides in advance? I thought it was 42.

 

[Robo]

Is the meaning of life planning rides in advance? I thought it was 42.

That's the answer to life, the universe, and everything.

(I do have my towel.)