FP + What we know and what we want to know

[Planogirl]

I've read through quite a bit of this tonight and virtually every scenario involves spending more money. If this works it's brilliant on Disney's part. Annoying but brilliant.

 

[bigAWL]

Update:

The first guests who "qualify" have been flagged in the reservations system. The intent is to make the offer at check-in. Due to various "reasons" (people making mistakes primarily) the early flagged guests are arriving today but the resorts don't have their stock of bands yet.

To clarify, it's not meant to be all guests at a particular resort, though the resort(s) chosen are a limiting factor of eligibility. They're looking for certain criteria and also applying a bit of random assignment.

It's the same as an overbook and upgrade setup in Disney's hotel system. Guests who meet the criteria (dates, room type, etc..) are "flagged" and will be offered the upgrade - or in this case Magic Band - as they arrive. It's like a sort of random lottery. there's only a certain number of spots, like how there's only a certain number of upgrades when they do it for rooms, and people can refuse (and people do refuse room upgrades for various reasons) but once they reach the limit that has been set the other guests who are "flagged" wont even know about it.

This is interesting. Thanks for the update! Do you know if it is being started at multiple resorts?

You don't mention FP+ specifically and do state that they don't have the bands yet. Is FP+ part of this phase? Without the bands will they be using some card that could enable them to use both FP and FP+ the way the testing was done?

 

[bcrook]

After keeping up with the almost 2000 posts on this thread and worrying about how my june trip will go, i just watched Celebrate the magic on youtube, had tears in my eyes, and realized that whatever they do to fastpasses I will always go back. No one does the magic like Disney....

This thread is about staying on top of the changes the best we can right now. Many of us are planning expensive vacations before the end of the year. With so little information from Disney we are left to pull out what we can from the facts and propaganda we have. I feel responsible for 13 people I talked into spending thousands of dollars on Disney vacations. None of these people would be going to Disney if I didn't "sell"them on it.

One couple has to make their flight plans today, so they were asking for the most up to date information today. They decided to take three days of their week and stay at Universal. Others are deciding if they should rely on YES tickets (they gave up on the idea). Others are approaching decisions on DVC rentals at the 7 month mark. Some of us are trying to decide between AP, non expiration, and basic tickets and reconciling this with our budgets.

So I don't think it is simply worrying. I will go back to Disney, but as planogirl says...

I've read through quite a bit of this tonight and virtually every scenario involves spending more money. If this works it's brilliant on Disney's part. Annoying but brilliant.

And becoming an even more captive audience.

 

[HelenParr]

I have yet to feel the brilliance, or see the high revenue return opportunity. I get the marketing ideas, but data collection, changing flow and offering alternative experiences does not equate to revenue. It might. But it is not obvious that it will.

My supermarket has the scanner devices so you can shop and bag while you go, and then just swipe once at checkout. It is tagged to my supermarket account. The scanner tries to get you to buy more things, sends alerts, gives coupons while you are on site. The system also knows what I buy, and I get coupons and offers in the mail. The convenience (and technology which has been excellent, unlike the DW website) is great. But I am not spending more. I like it for the service and speed aspect, and that keeps me loyal to that store..but if it was glitchy, it would probably turn me off to their store completely.

Disney has a history of weak and glitchy tech. Amazing with their resources, but it is fairly obvious. On the other hand they have no real competition for what they can offer. Part of why they can have bad tech, and you still go back. The convenience add ons are nice (I enjoyed the RFID room card last trip a ton!! So nice to just wave it, particularly with things in your hands) but it is not "wow me" technology. It is not why I will go back to DW. And when all of this glitches, I will still go back.

 

[bcrook]

Sorry havnt read the last 10 pages..

Just checking to see if anyone has heard a date for when FP+ is up?
Or if anyone has entered virtual tickets yet?

I will update the front page as soon as we know something new. Mousermerf suggests small numbers of people might start today at select locations.

 

[bcrook]

I have yet to feel the brilliance, or see the high revenue return opportunity. I get the marketing ideas, but data collection, changing flow and offering alternative experiences does not equate to revenue. It might. But it is not obvious that it will.

My supermarket has the scanner devices so you can shop and bag while you go, and then just swipe once at checkout. It is tagged to my supermarket account. The scanner tries to get you to buy more things, sends alerts, gives coupons while you are on site. The system also knows what I buy, and I get coupons and offers in the mail. The convenience (and technology which has been excellent, unlike the DW website) is great. But I am not spending more. I like it for the service and speed aspect, and that keeps me loyal to that store..but if it was glitchy, it would probably turn me off to their store completely.

Disney has a history of weak and glitchy tech. Amazing with their resources, but it is fairly obvious. On the other hand they have no real competition for what they can offer. Part of why they can have bad tech, and you still go back. The convenience add ons are nice (I enjoyed the RFID room card last trip a ton!! So nice to just wave it, particularly with things in your hands) but it is not "wow me" technology. It is not why I will go back to DW. And when all of this glitches, I will still go back.

There is a thread on DIS unplugged that started this conversation. It would be worth tackling that question over there. Because that is another cryptic piece of this.

 

[Robo]

I've read through quite a bit of this tonight and virtually every scenario involves spending more money. If this works it's brilliant on Disney's part. Annoying but brilliant.

I will say quite the opposite.

If it was only a money thing, they could have just raised the prices across the board by, oh 35%, and folks who have the money would still come.
Folks without the money would either not come or make shorter trips, stay off-site, etc.

But, Disney has claimed (I still say much of this is corporate puffery) that they "invested" a billion dollars (some say more) in this, and they have yet to make 35 cents of it back.

But, they have managed to stir up a portion of their base customers, and mostly not in a good way.

Brilliant?

Hmmmmmmmmmmm.

 

[bigAWL]

Disney has a pretty long track record of maintaining a pretty large market share of the theme park vacationers around the world. I don't think they've done this by building the most rides, or the most advanced rides, and certainly not by simply raising ticket prices. It seems to me they've done it by creating an immersive vacation experience unmatched by anyone else... along with a healthy dose of marketing. Not everything Disney has done has been a huge success. This may or may not recoup them all their investment. I don't think it's going to lose them much of their market share.

Edit: and I think Disney execs must see some pretty big opportunity with this, or they wouldn't be doing it.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

After keeping up with the almost 2000 posts on this thread and worrying about how my june trip will go, i just watched Celebrate the magic on youtube, had tears in my eyes, and realized that whatever they do to fastpasses I will always go back. No one does the magic like Disney....

I'm with you!!

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I've read through quite a bit of this tonight and virtually every scenario involves spending more money. If this works it's brilliant on Disney's part. Annoying but brilliant.

I feel the need to quote DH: "We never leave WDW thinking: 'WOW! THAT WAS CHEAP!', but we ALWAYS leave thinking: 'it was worth every penny'.

At least, that's us.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

But, they have managed to stir up a portion of their base customers, and mostly not in a good way.

I don't think you can judge from DISboards that their "base customers" have been stirred up "mostly not in a good way" -- not a big enough portion of them, anyway.

As with feedback to a company, those with negative things to say are more likely to post. And trust me: I know plenty of Disney loyalists who don't even set foot on DIS because of the negativity often found.

DIS is a small part of Disney's "base", and I'd guess many who like it (SO FAR) on here are keeping quiet rather than get pounced on and accused of being a Disney plant whose bonus depends on touting FP+ on here!! Lol!!

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Disney has a pretty long track record of maintaining a pretty large market share of the theme park vacationers around the world. I don't think they've done this by building the most rides, or the most advanced rides, and certainly not by simply raising ticket prices. It seems to me they've done it by creating an immersive vacation experience unmatched by anyone else... along with a healthy dose of marketing. Not everything Disney has done has been a huge success. This may or may not recoup them all their investment. I don't think it's going to lose them much of their market share.

Edit: and I think Disney execs must see some pretty big opportunity with this, or they wouldn't be doing it.

Thumbs up!

 

[doconeill]

I don't think you can judge from DISboards that their "base customers" have been stirred up "mostly not in a good way" -- not a big enough portion of them, anyway.

As with feedback to a company, those with negative things to say are more likely to post. And trust me: I know plenty of Disney loyalists who don't even set foot on DIS because of the negativity often found.

DIS is a small part of Disney's "base", and I'd guess many who like it (SO FAR) on here are keeping quiet rather than get pounced on and accused of being a Disney plant whose bonus depends on touting FP+ on here!! Lol!!

He said "portion of their base customers", not all of them. So in that he is accurate. And it's not just on the DIS...I know other groups not too happy at this point about the changes.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

He said "portion of their base customers", not all of them. So in that he is accurate. And it's not just on the DIS...I know other groups not too happy at this point about the changes.

Yes. And my point is that this "portion" likely represents a very small number of whatever we're calling a "base customer" -- and a really small number of their overall audience.

And the other boards are largely the same -- it's more than just online -- those with negative things to say are more likely to voice opinions. Especially when those who oppose get accused of ridiculous things like I was.

Just saying you really cannot draw ANY conclusions from the tiny, heavily skewed sample on DIS or any other board.

 

[doconeill]

Yes. And my point is that this "portion" likely represents a very small number of whatever we're calling a "base customer" -- and a really small number of their overall audience.

And the other boards are largely the same -- it's more than just online -- those with negative things to say are more likely to voice opinions. Especially when those who oppose get accused of ridiculous things like I was.

Just saying you really cannot draw ANY conclusions from the tiny, heavily skewed sample on DIS or any other board. And to extrapolate that this is enough to possibly hurt Disney's bottom line, not enough evidence/data for that by a long shot -- not yet, anyway.

I don't think it will hurt Disney's bottom line, but that's not my problem to worry about. I, like most everyone else, is concern about how it will affect ME. I am part of a portion of their customer base - those who return on average once or more a year, own DVC (which to me means I'm more likely to spend money in the parks per trip since I'm not actively paying for the room), and are knowledgeable about the parks. And one I would think they'd like to retain, whether I represent a similar 0.1%, 1% or 10%.

I don't think this has anything to do with the tendency for mosts to be more negative anyways. I'm just not seeing the "+" in FastPass+ right now. Disney needs to change my opinion.

 

[Disneygirl 792]

I feel the need to quote DH: "We never leave WDW thinking: 'WOW! THAT WAS CHEAP!', but we ALWAYS leave thinking: 'it was worth every penny'.

At least, that's us.

That's what we say too!!

 

[dadddio]

But, they have managed to stir up a portion of their base customers, and mostly not in a good way.

the same can be said about every decision the company has ever made. Every change will make some small part of the customer base to be unhappy. This one seems to be designed to make more people more happy than it makes less happy. That's a win.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I don't think it will hurt Disney's bottom line, but that's not my problem to worry about. I, like most everyone else, is concern about how it will affect ME. I am part of a portion of their customer base - those who return on average once or more a year, own DVC (which to me means I'm more likely to spend money in the parks per trip since I'm not actively paying for the room), and are knowledgeable about the parks. And one I would think they'd like to retain, whether I represent a similar 0.1%, 1% or 10%.

I don't think this has anything to do with the tendency for mosts to be more negative anyways. I'm just not seeing the "+" in FastPass+ right now. Disney needs to change my opinion.

I hear ya' -- I do.

Here's my analogy -- let me try it out on you guys:

If Disney's most loyal customer is an attendee at a Star Trek convention, the über-poster on DIS is the guy dressed in costume speaking Clingon.

Whadya' think?!? LOL!

Seriously: I do think they "care" about us DVCers, APers, etc. -- makes good business sense to care. All I'm saying is that I'm staying tuned for more details, and trusting that this company that has delivered so much "magic" and plain cool stuff (in my view) will ultimately make this another magical and cool thing. Oh - and make money - 'cause that's ok, too.

 

[ilovemk76]

Yes. And my point is that this "portion" likely represents a very small number of whatever we're calling a "base customer" -- and a really small number of their overall audience.

And the other boards are largely the same -- it's more than just online -- those with negative things to say are more likely to voice opinions. Especially when those who oppose get accused of ridiculous things like I was.

Just saying you really cannot draw ANY conclusions from the tiny, heavily skewed sample on DIS or any other board.

You comment about the negative is true. When we had to leave early due to Sandy, I asked to speak to a manager. When I told her that I wanted to let her know how helpful CMs A, B and C were helping us get something done so we could leave, the manager thanked us for a positive story. She said most of the time when a manager is called it is to be complained to not to compliment about a CM.

the same can be said about every decision the company has ever made. Every change will make some small part of the customer base to be unhappy. This one seems to be designed to make more people more happy than it makes less happy. That's a win.

------


I love when the DVCers, APers or locals act like Disney should only cater to them. They are a company and need to cater to all their customers, even one who have yet to visit.



We are APers and we never expect anything but what we paid for - a year of park entrances. We like the merchandise and room discounts but they are a perk and we never think we deserve more just because we have an AP.

We go with the flow and will with this new FP+. We do not value our vacation by the number of rides we got of a headliner in a four hour period but the ability to get away from our everyday life in a magical place and that we are relaxed when we return.
And many of ones on the other sites who are unhappy the exact same posters as on here.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

And many of ones on the other sites who are unhappy the exact same posters as on here.

You comment about the negative is true. When we had to leave early due to Sandy, I asked to speak to a manager. When I told her that I wanted to let her know how helpful CMs A, B and C were helping us get something done so we could leave, the manager thanked us for a positive story. She said most of the time when a manager is called it is to be complained to not to compliment about a CM.

Exactly! Good point about many of the same posters on different sites, too.

I do this all the time. The other day we were at a restaurant, and our waiter was new. He was nervous, but PHENOMENAL! So I asked on the way out if I could fill out a survey or chat with a manager. The looks on their faces read: "uh, oh!" until I told them why!

It's human nature to go out of your way to complain but not to compliment. Then you add in accusations of being a Disney plant, and I think that keeps some others from chiming in. THEN you figure that most people checking in here just want INFO and don't want to get dragged into this (um, like I have...) won't say anything at all -- and who can blame them!

I've had chunks of free time recently -- once those evaporate once again, I'll just be checkin that first page here. Which reminds me: thanks again, bcrook, for starting it and keep it it up!!