FP+ Kiosks and additional FP's

[mom2rtk]

They really do need to know where you are for it to work. I'll give you a couple of good examples. You and your family are staying at one of the Monorail resorts. You use your three reserved FPs, you decide to head back to the resort for pool time. While the kids are swimming, Mom or Dad (or both)grab a cocktail and an iPhone, log on the app and start pinging the database over and over trying to score a 7DMT ressie.

Multiply that by all the Mono Resorts, plus the EPCOT Resorts doing the same thing (incl for DHS)...

You can start to see the issue. Compound that by guests scoring that FP, reserving it, but not making it back in time or just deciding the pool is more fun after all.

Too much variability, no control

That's just not how they want this whole thing to work. And they just aren't near mature enough with this - technically or business process-wise - to manage anything but the in Park kiosk

My guess is that the actual usage rate goes down the later in the day it gets, making 4th, 5th and subsequent FPs more likely to be wasted. That could be why they are requiring they be made in the park (by requiring they be made at a kiosk).

 

[clsteve]

My guess is that the actual usage rate goes down the later in the day it gets, making 4th, 5th and subsequent FPs more likely to be wasted. That could be why they are requiring they be made in the park (by requiring they be made at a kiosk).

Now that we're further into this, we seem to be forgetting some of the reasons why they put this whole thing together. They'd much rather use that available in park ressie to keep a guest already there, there.

Why get somebody to waste a couple of hours coming back, or canceling that mini golf,or leaving Disney Springs, or any other spending activity, for that FP?

Until they can validate you are in the Park by other means, they need the kiosk. And that's beyond the host of complexities real time location validation causes on the back end.

 

[Laketravis]

Now that we're further into this, we seem to be forgetting some of the reasons why they put this whole thing together. They'd much rather use that available in park ressie to keep a guest already there, there.

Why get somebody to waste a couple of hours coming back, or canceling that mini golf,or leaving Disney Springs, or any other spending activity, for that FP?

Until they can validate you are in the Park by other means, they need the kiosk. And that's beyond the host of complexities real time location validation causes on the back end.

Makes sense.

 

[mom2rtk]

Now that we're further into this, we seem to be forgetting some of the reasons why they put this whole thing together. They'd much rather use that available in park ressie to keep a guest already there, there.

Why get somebody to waste a couple of hours coming back, or canceling that mini golf,or leaving Disney Springs, or any other spending activity, for that FP?

Until they can validate you are in the Park by other means, they need the kiosk. And that's beyond the host of complexities real time location validation causes on the back end.

I have to think they can make the system only work if you are in the park. Isn't that how the first Disney app worked?

But the problem is that they seem to want the app to work outside the park part of the time while being restricted to working only inside the park part of the time.

 

[g8torphan]

The app was listing nothing available last night around 7.

Went to the kiosk by PP. Almost everything was listed.Grabbed a Buzz for 725.
Walked straight there and the FP line was just short of Laugh Floor, probably took 20 minutes. Clearly overbooked. SB was listed as 80.

 

[Suvadoo]

The app was listing nothing available last night around 7.

Went to the kiosk by PP. Almost everything was listed.Grabbed a Buzz for 725.
Walked straight there and the FP line was just short of Laugh Floor, probably took 20 minutes. Clearly overbooked. SB was listed as 80.

Was the SB line moving at all?

 

[g8torphan]

Not really from what I could tell.

There seemed to be some issues with Buzz as both times I rode it stopped for a minute or so, that may have been why the lines were so long.

The Buzz in the line is covered up too so the wait is even more boring

 

[clsteve]

I have to think they can make the system only work if you are in the park. Isn't that how the first Disney app worked?

But the problem is that they seem to want the app to work outside the park part of the time while being restricted to working only inside the park part of the time.

You would think so, but this is where the whole MDE as the global app has its limits. With MDE, I'm not limited to the in-Park wireless. I can go IPad via AT&T, for example. No way to know where I am then.

And, we have to remember that theyre on Ops Budget now. That's this year money to affect changes. Big diff going forward.

It's also very telling that their most recent 4th FP enhancement is still very controlled - using club level concierge.

So, that also supports the locational issue and may also point to them segregating the "day of" data for control and performance.

This is a complex beast when you take into account all of the business rules behind this.In the grand scheme, making it easier to get that 4th FP is not a big priority.

Just as it doesnt seem to be a big priority for Delta to replace the plane we were supposed to be on at 6:30am this morning to Fla. Still hanging out in the airport.......

 

[mom2rtk]

You would think so, but this is where the whole MDE as the global app has its limits. With MDE, I'm not limited to the in-Park wireless. I can go IPad via AT&T, for example. No way to know where I am then.

And, we have to remember that theyre on Ops Budget now. That's this year money to affect changes. Big diff going forward.

It's also very telling that their most recent 4th FP enhancement is still very controlled - using club level concierge.

So, that also supports the locational issue and may also point to them segregating the "day of" data for control and performance.

This is a complex beast when you take into account all of the business rules behind this.In the grand scheme, making it easier to get that 4th FP is not a big priority.

Just as it doesnt seem to be a big priority for Delta to replace the plane we were supposed to be on at 6:30am this morning to Fla. Still hanging out in the airport.......

I agree. I'm not holding my breath for any big changes any time soon.

And UGH on the plane issue. I hope one shows up for you soon.

 

[clsteve]

I agree. I'm not holding my breath for any big changes any time soon.

And UGH on the plane issue. I hope one shows up for you soon.

One of those trips - flight cancelled last night. Had to spend the night, and now here we sit.....

I need to type this quickly, before my better half catches a glance - but at least we only missed a night sleeping on that horrible bed in my MiL's guest room and not one of our nights at RPH!

If we'd done fun visit first and family visit last in the itinerary, we would have lost a night at RPH and our Typhoon Lagoon day.....!

Love my MiL though......

 

[mom2rtk]

One of those trips - flight cancelled last night. Had to spend the night, and now here we sit.....

I need to type this quickly, before my better half catches a glance - but at least we only missed a night sleeping on that horrible bed in my MiL's guest room and not one of our nights at RPH!

If we'd done fun visit first and family visit last in the itinerary, we would have lost a night at RPH and our Typhoon Lagoon day.....!

Love my MiL though......

Fingers crossed this is the only bump along the way. Can't wait to her how it all goes when you get back.

And yeah, definitely a silver lining that the lost day wasn't on the other end.

Safe travels!

 

[jtowntoflorida]

...

It's also very telling that their most recent 4th FP enhancement is still very controlled - using club level concierge.

So, that also supports the locational issue and may also point to them segregating the "day of" data for control and performance.

...

Your resort concierge can also arrange your 4th FP+ for you, so that's even more leakage outside the park.


Hope you make it to FL soon! There's nothing more frustrating than airline issue while you're just trying to get to your vacation destination!

 

[Rebekkap]

You would think so, but this is where the whole MDE as the global app has its limits. With MDE, I'm not limited to the in-Park wireless. I can go IPad via AT&T, for example. No way to know where I am then.

Yeah there is. It's called location services. And it doesn't matter whether you're accessing the internet via a SIM card, or via wi-fi, it can still tell where you are.

 

[Laketravis]

Yeah there is. It's called location services. And it doesn't matter whether you're accessing the internet via a SIM card, or via wi-fi, it can still tell where you are.

Which would point back to ease of use and with ease of use all available FP's could be gone within a few hours.

 

[TJDisneymama]

Why couldnt/cant they just have a kiosk at each FP attraction? Just like the old FP machines. So annoying. The whole FP+ thing is bad enough as it is, but then to think 4 kiosks hidden throughout the park is sufficient for all of us is just ridiculous.

 

[clsteve]

Fingers crossed this is the only bump along the way. Can't wait to her how it all goes when you get back.

And yeah, definitely a silver lining that the lost day wasn't on the other end.

Safe travels!

Made it! A day and a half late, but we're here and thats all that matters...

Yeah there is. It's called location services. And it doesn't matter whether you're accessing the internet via a SIM card, or via wi-fi, it can still tell where you are.

Sounds so simple doesn't it?

Until you look at crushing performance by having to validate location for Every guest transaction throughout the system. Untenable, realistically. Besides the fact that you can turn it off for a device. I know I do, so what then?

These things are so incredibly complex once you get into the detail. There's a reason these cost in the hundreds of millions and why the Accentures of the world exist.

And it's also the reason why those who design and manage these huge projects burn out so quickly - they're oversold to management, the timeframes are unrealistic, and everybody you deal with thinks they're technical because their cousin Harvey is in IT at Pepboys and he said it shouldn't be taking this long.

Phew, that flashback says its time to get off here and back to vacation......

 

[Rebekkap]

Made it! A day and a half late, but we're here and thats all that matters...


Sounds so simple doesn't it?

Until you look at crushing performance by having to validate location for Every guest transactionUntenable. Besides the fact that you can turn it off for a device. I know I do, so what then?

These things are so incredibly complex once you get into the detail. There's a reason these cost in the hundreds of millions and why the Accentures of the world exist.

And it's also the reason why those who design and manage these huge projects burn out so quickly - they're oversold to management, the timeframes are unrealistic, and everybody you deal with thinks they're technical because their cousin Harvey is in IT at Pepboys and he said it shouldn't be taking this long.

Phew, that flashback says its time to get off here and back to vacation......

So like the original Disneyworld app, if you turn location services off, it won't work - ie to book the fourth fastpass, you have to have it on, and you have to be in the park. I used to work in IT, I have experienced large, complex IT projects myself. But thanks for explaining them to me.

 

[Rebekkap]

Which would point back to ease of use and with ease of use all available FP's could be gone within a few hours.

Not necessarily saying it's the solution, just pointing out it's factually incorrect to say if you're accessing the internet via a SIM card there's no way for Disney to tell your location.

 

[Laketravis]

Not necessarily saying it's the solution, just pointing out it's factually incorrect to say if you're accessing the internet via a SIM card there's no way for Disney to tell your location.

I understood your point. And I'm just saying I think the most compelling reason they don't offer an easy way to obtain additional FP's (like with the app) is because the supply would be exhausted very quickly each day. Not like it isn't running out fast now by requiring that the request be provisioned by kiosk or concierge, it would just happen faster if it were easier to do.

 

[wisblue]

Maybe Disney is also drawing a line on how much of an advantage they are willing to give people who have smartphones over people who don't. There are still some of those people left.