FP+ rollout - the next steps

[kay1864]

This is just me hazarding a guess as to what happens next. Does this make sense?

1. MB/FP+ is tested with more and more onsite guests
- FP- machines still work with RFID tickets and paper tickets

2. MB/FP+ becomes the norm for all onsite guests.
- KTTW possibly still available short-term for onsite guests, but are phased out quickly
- FP- machines still work with RFID tickets and paper tickets (for offsite guests)

3. MB/FP+ becomes the norm for all park guests (onsite and offsite).
- Offsite guests who buy tickets in advance will be mailed MB instead of RFID tickets, and invited to add their CC as part of MDE, and FP+ will be available
- Guests who show up with paper tickets will be required to exchange them for MB before admission (or possibly for RFID cards)
- Paper tickets no longer work for admission
- Paper tickets no longer work for FP-
- FP- machines removed

Any other steps in this process? (other than "myriad lamenting threads on the DISboards" )

 

[Cafeen]

The major thing you're missing is the fact that MB are an alternative to ticket media and not the systemic replacement (that is the RFID cards).

As such, RFID based KTTW cards/tickets are here to stay, and it's likely that offsite guests will be given RFID media rather than MagicBands (though, they will be available, at a price).

It makes much more sense for Disney to stick to RFID cards rather than MagicBands as the base form of media since:
1) They are far cheaper
2) MagicBands can be seen as either Ugly, Intrusive, Invasion of Privacy, Uncomfortable, or simply unwanted (or any/all of the above) while RFID cards are very similar in external look and base functionality (the mag stripe replaced with RFID chip, basically) as the media of today (well, since they ARE the media of today.... but you know what I mean ).

Now, replace MagicBands with RFID media in there, allowing MBs be optional and stuff, and you're probably right. (Though, I don't see them supporting off-site CC functionality either, too much risk imo).

 

[mountdew1]

Non RFID tickets are already being phased out. They have been distributing RFID enabled media for a while now. At some point all old tickets will have made their way though the resellers, and they will all only be selling new RFID tickets. Yes, some people will still have non expiration tickets that would need to be switched over, or media that they had bought at a cheaper price to hold onto. But I'd wager that within 6 months 95%+ of all tickets at WDW will be RFID enabled.

The RFID enablement is what allows a ticket to work with FP+. Registering an RFID ticket with your account will let you make FP+ reservations. By all accounts, just like how on property guests get the +10 when it comes to making ADRs, on property guests will get some similar advance over off premise guests.

No one is forced to use a MB. RFID enabled ticket media or RFID enabled KTTW will work just fine. MBs will almost definitely be exclusive to on property guests. Why? Because they want to offer the perks that will come with it. No one knows what these will be, but plenty of suggestions have been put forth. Extra FP+ slots if you stay on property, and perhaps even more as you go up in price on your resort. Or maybe NGE experiences that require the MB. These may be something like having Mickey know your name. Staying on property and wearing a MB? Great, you can go visit talking Mickey. Staying off property or opted out of the MB and chose a KTTW instead? Ok, you go in line to see the mute Mickey. Some of the ideas being rumored require the long range reach tracking of the MB that isn't possible with the KTTW. Some people are even suggesting that EMH will be phased out completely, and instead replaced with whatever extra perks they included with the MB.

I think your overall thought process is pretty much dead on. Except that the MB will be an on site "opt in" perk, and everyone else will simply have RFID enabled media.

 

[kay1864]

Excellent thoughts, thanks!

Do the following make sense for RFID cards (for offsite visitors)?

1. They can still be used for FP+ for day of visit, by using in-park kiosks.

2. They could also (theoretically) be used for FP+ in advance, if:
- purchased in advance
- guest sets up MDE account
- guest links cards to MDE
- at which point FP+ could be offered to guest (if 60 days or less, of course)

3. They could also (theoretically) be used for park purchases, if
- guest sets up MDE account
- guest links cards to MDE
- guest adds CC info (and PIN) to MDE
- However I'm not sure I see the advantage to the guest.
--- Getting my RFID card out of my pocket is no easier than getting my CC out.
--- Swipe vs. tap doesn't matter much to me.

Given 1 and 2 above, I don't see a significant time lag between:

MB/FP+ becomes the norm for all onsite guests

and

RFID card/FP+ becomes the norm for all offsite guests

Since it:
- avoids confusion for guests between FP+ and FP-
- gets the labor savings for WDW as soon as possible (and paper etc.)

I could see global MB/RFID being done within a week or so of each other, assuming it's after the Xmas/NYE rush.

 

[Cafeen]

Excellent thoughts, thanks!

Do the following make sense for RFID cards (for offsite visitors)?

1. They can still be used for FP+ for day of visit, by using in-park kiosks.

2. They could also (theoretically) be used for FP+ in advance, if:
- purchased in advance
- guest sets up MDE account
- guest links cards to MDE
- at which point FP+ could be offered to guest (if 60 days or less, of course)

Both of these are acknowledged intentions of the RFID rollout in general. Note that tickets would be required ahead of time (just like they are now for onsite guests with the FP+ testing) to access the FP+ stuff. (APs count in here). Whether or not this ends up happening is still up in the air, but from what I've heard and read, this is exactly the intention.

3. They could also (theoretically) be used for park purchases, if
- guest sets up MDE account
- guest links cards to MDE
- guest adds CC info (and PIN) to MDE
- However I'm not sure I see the advantage to the guest.
--- Getting my RFID card out of my pocket is no easier than getting my CCout.
--- Swipe vs. tap doesn't matter much to me.

This, I see as a bit more problematic. How room charging currently works is that Disney sets up a small credit account for each room. The room charges go against that account and not against the CC on file. Once the guest checks out, requests to cash out, or hits the specified limit, then the CC is charged.

If for whatever reason (fraud, lack of funds, etc) the charge fails, Disney can take action while the guest is still on property (if not done before, charges get processed overnight before your check-out day). They also have much more verified information regarding the guest since they have to verify addresses along with photo id. None of these options exist for a guest offsite.

Now, that's only using the current system as it stands... there's potential (theoretical potential) that they could incorporate some sort of passthrough system, so that charges unattached to a room get processed immediately. Not sure if that's worth the risk just yet through. Perhaps if the increased spending that they're crediting MBs with continues.

Given 1 and 2 above, I don't see a significant time lag between:

MB/FP+ becomes the norm for all onsite guests

and

RFID card/FP+ becomes the norm for all offsite guests

Since it:
- avoids confusion for guests between FP+ and FP-
- gets the labor savings for WDW as soon as possible (and paper etc.)

I could see global MB/RFID being done within a week or so of each other, assuming it's after the Xmas/NYE rush.

This is already happening to some extent.

RFID cards are the norm for onsite right now and quickly becoming the norm for offsite guests as well. This switchover has already happened (all new tickets and APs are RFID-based.) MBs (for now, until the active RFID functionality has some counterpart system to play with) are basically a different form-factor for the RFID cards. FP+ is "simply" a subsystem of the overarching network/system that utilizes the RFID tech along with the MDE application (web/mobile) to provide the service.

FP+ doesn't rely on MBs and can be rolled out without them, the reverse holds true as well (There are many people who think the two are the same thing, I've been working off and on to dispel that myth!)

Now, all of that aside, I see just before the holiday rush as a perfect time to launch MBs in full. Especially when thinking about that report that linked possible increased spending to the MB tests. FP+, I feel it's too big of a game-changer and too big of a load on the network to release just before one of the three busiest times of the year and should be held off until early Jan (though, I can foresee a sizable test over the holidays to load test the system...)

 

[kattyjemmeg]

No!! Please roll out FP+ for offsite guests before Xmas!!! Pretty please!!!!

 

[Cafeen]

Hm.. Refreshing after posting seems to double my posts now. This is a new thing with vBulletin (assuming these boards are still using vBulletin...they were a couple years ago).