FP + What we know and what we want to know

[gwmort]

This Thanksgiving we were walking by one of the E-ticket rides and a couple approached us and offered their fps they couldn't use.

The next day I pulled 4 fps (we are family of 4) for EE, but then DW and DD decided they were too chicken, DS and I were going to go twice (which I know is technically against the rules). DS was a little wobbly after the first ride and the window was coming to a close so we went to the end of the SB line and offered the extra 2 to someone there.

Our awareness to the situation a little heightened we noticed it happening all over the place the next few days.

I can see how Disney would probably prefer my fps expired unused to keep the SB lines moving better. the people standing in SB that the couple I transferred my fps too got line jumped effectively (compared to the natural consequence of expiration) and had lowered satisfaction but the 2 that got the pixie dust got increased satisfaction so I am not sure how it nets out.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I like Disney. I "cry at the first sight of the castle and boo hoo when I watch parades on YouTube. That doesn't mean I have to like this.

Uh, I don't recall saying anyone HAD TO like this...? Actually, I'm more in the camp that we don't know enough yet to love it or hate it. I like what I hear so far, but still waiting for more details (re: AP, etc.).

 

[BeccaG]

OK, I get it, thanks.

BUT.....doesn't that line of reasoning lead to the conclusion that it's better to encourage repeat business rather than first-time customers? Don't repeat customers use fewer resources? (e.g. "If we don't ride TSM this trip, no biggie, we'll be back again in 6 months."

Yet, we are told that FP+ is designed to reduce the complaints from first-time (or infrequent) customers at the expense of us repeat FP super-users, aren't we?

Seems strange to me.

Not sure I'm buying all this cost of operation conversation but I find it fascinating! My guess on your question above, is if this is truly Disney's logic, is that if you make first time visitors happy, they are more likely to repeat.

 

[g-dad66]

Agree! I'm just on here looking for new, real information, not to read pages and pages of bickering over other issues. I keep hoping to see a new press release from Disney posted on here. Keeping my fingers crossed!

I think you only need to check post #1 for this. Bcrook is doing a nice job of keeping it updated. (Thanks, bcrook)

(Also just check the Attractions and Strategies main page for new threads, as any new development is likely to generate one or more new threads.)

No need to get sucked into this vortex of speculation and bickering like the rest of us who just can't seem to stop.

 

[BeccaG]

Same here. We're taking a 1 year old in April. It'll be our first trip ever with a kid. If the rumors up-thread are correct, FP+ will be in full force and FP- will be gone (or on its way out).

I hope rider swap stays the same as it is now, where the second group can ride any time after the first group has ridden. I don't care if they give me a paper ticket or program it into a computer. The thought of juggling rider swap windows with FP+ windows, ADRs and baby needs stresses me out.

I hope they announce something soon. I'm the tour guide of my group, and I just want to have a game plan already. I feel like I need to monitor the WDW news every day just so we don't miss out on something important.

FWIW, I don't think you have too much to worry about in regards to changing your plans. Roll out begins in Spring, I've even heard seen rumors of April written but all the info is jumbled in my head so where I read it is uncertain. Unless you are staying at one of the early adopting resorts, your plans should stay in tack! I hope you have a great trip!

 

[jahber]

Do you live in FL? If so, you're gaming the system, and that must be stopped.

Yes, I love it that some people think I'm gaming the system by using a discount (FL resident) that Disney offers me ( I can see that you were being sarcastic ). If they didn't WANT me to use it, why did they send me a reminder card with a renewal discount when my passes expired? Wait, that's an extra discount I used. That's double-gaming the system! Shoot, and my daughter and I use my DH and DS's SM fastpasses, since they can't ride that ride.

And by the by, yes, they say nontransferable, but right now there's no way to identify whose is whose. So if I accidentally use my son's FP instead of mine, by the letter of the law (which is what some people are absolutely sticking to) I'm as guilty as the person who gives hers away. Which is yet another reason why I think it's silly to argue that it's unethical to let your child use your FP. I personally believe that the "nontransferable" fine print (the SPIRIT of the law) was intended to stop the sale of fastpasses. It's easier to use a blanket term rather than stipulate what a "sale" is. But that's just my opinion. So if someone wants to think I'm abusing the system or deceptive for letting my child use a FP that I paid for, that's their opinion. Maybe we should call the Supreme Court in on this one.

 

[OnlyDisney]

I'm sorry if this has been asked, but my brain has started to get all mushy reading about this.

We were thinking about renting points through David to stay at Bay Lake Tower. Would this effect our FP+ or is it too early for an answer?

 

[poohj80]

We tested FP+ in December, but now can't even access the web site. I am assuming it won't be active again until it's implemented for all?

 

[estherhead]

Here's what I've been speculating about today. Clearly I'm not the only one.

http://www.fastcodesign.com/1671648/disney-s-mega-video-game-to-end-all-disney-video-games#1


"And if you believe in conspiracy theories, consider the grander possibilities. Disney just announced that they’re spending $1 billion to bring RFID into their parks. Does that mean a child could bring their collection of Infinity toys to be scanned at various checkpoints in Disney World to unlock even more content in their game? Could an Infinity player experience totally unique aspects to Disney World? Technically speaking, yes, that sort of groundbreaking cross-pollination is absolutely possible. To infinity and beyond, indeed."

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonev...ew-with-john-pleasants-of-disney-interactive/

JE: There’s a huge opportunity for Disney to seed this initiative across their cruises, global theme parks, Radio Disney, ABC…It would be neat to visit Epcot, for example, and pick up a version of Captain Jack Sparrow unique to that location, especially if he unlocked very unique content. Is that something you’re entertaining?

JP: Yes. One thing that gives us a tremendous amount of flexibility is the power discs. Those change environments, capabilities, characters. [Disney Infinity] is intended to be a platform that can leverage that synergy. I want to be honest here: We haven’t done anything yet. Once it gets out there and it’s an awesome experience on all platforms, gets good adoption across all the channels…we’ll leverage that. We’ve got a trick up our sleeve with regards to the parks, but I’m not allowed to talk about that just yet…

 

[doconeill]

We tested FP+ in December, but now can't even access the web site. I am assuming it won't be active again until it's implemented for all?

Access which web site? Was there a secret web site for FP+ during the test?

But since you are here...

Did you like it?

Did you like it because you could use it in addition to regular FP?

Would you like it if you couldn't use regular FP?

Did Disney bother to ask these questions?

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

Access which web site? Was there a secret web site for FP+ during the test?

But since you are here...

Did you like it?

Did you like it because you could use it in addition to regular FP?

Would you like it if you couldn't use regular FP?

Did Disney bother to ask these questions?

We are all on the edge of our seats....

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Access which web site? Was there a secret web site for FP+ during the test?

But since you are here...

Did you like it?

Did you like it because you could use it in addition to regular FP?

Would you like it if you couldn't use regular FP?

Did Disney bother to ask these questions?

I think this is what they call "leading the witness"... ...

 

[poohj80]

Access which web site? Was there a secret web site for FP+ during the test?

But since you are here...

Did you like it?

Did you like it because you could use it in addition to regular FP?

Would you like it if you couldn't use regular FP?

Did Disney bother to ask these questions?

There was a FP+ web site we used to select which FPs we wanted prior to arriving. We could login during our trip and switch them around as our plans changed. It was really easy and GREAT when visiting during a busy time.

We loved it because we didn't have to race around the park for FPs and hope the times fit our schedule (especially now that the return time is being enforced). Of course, we never got to use our regular BTMR FPs because it was down most of the day (as was Splash, Space, Small World, and Little Mermaid). It will be interesting to see how Disney manages days like this when guests have reserved FP+s only to find they are unable to use them.

Disney did send us a survey to complete after our experience.

 

[poohj80]

We are all on the edge of our seats....

I didn't think any of this info was new. It's all been reported on the boards over the past few months.

 

[Jennasis]

So Disney spent $1billion on this project right? So...where are they expecting to recoup that money? This isn't being done out of the kindness of their hearts. There has to be some moneymaking component to it that they feel will bring them a return on their investment (and I don't see that being people spending money on "special" magicbands).

There is another shoe to be dropped still.

 

[doconeill]

There was a FP+ web site we used to select which FPs we wanted prior to arriving. We could login during our trip and switch them around as our plans changed. It was really easy and GREAT when visiting during a busy time.

We loved it because we didn't have to race around the park for FPs and hope the times fit our schedule (especially now that the return time is being enforced). Of course, we never got to use our regular BTMR FPs because it was down most of the day (as was Splash, Space, Small World, and Little Mermaid). It will be interesting to see how Disney manages days like this when guests have reserved FP+s only to find they are unable to use them.

Disney did send us a survey to complete after our experience.

I didn't think any of this info was new. It's all been reported on the boards over the past few months.

But it wasn't really what I was asking. At issue is whether Disney got a lot of positive feedback based on what you could do, that you apparently can't do now - utilize regular FPs and FP+s. So what I'm really getting at is - if you liked FP+, would you still like it as much given that you cannot also use FP, yet still have the same restrictions with FP+ (limited number, limited tiers), and if Disney asked specifically for that opinion...

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

I didn't think any of this info was new. It's all been reported on the boards over the past few months.

We are all wondering what the questions were that disney ask...

And just to be clear.. You were allowed to use FP- along with FP+ correct?

if you liked FP+, would you still like it as much given that you cannot also use FP, yet still have the same restrictions with FP+ (limited number, limited tiers), and if Disney asked specifically for that opinion...

And the answer to this..

 

[poohj80]

But it wasn't really what I was asking. At issue is whether Disney got a lot of positive feedback based on what you could do, that you apparently can't do now - utilize regular FPs and FP+s. So what I'm really getting at is - if you liked FP+, would you still like it as much given that you cannot also use FP, yet still have the same restrictions with FP+ (limited number, limited tiers), and if Disney asked specifically for that opinion...

I don't remember if there was a specific question on the survey but there were several opportunities to right in opinions on how the system worked.

I think I would still use it as it gave us access to FPs we couldn't normally get like reserved seating for MSEP which was a God send on a very busy night especially with kids who are not going to camp out for hours to get a good spot.

 

[doconeill]

So Disney spent $1billion on this project right? So...where are they expecting to recoup that money? This isn't being done out of the kindness of their hearts. There has to be some moneymaking component to it that they feel will bring them a return on their investment (and I don't see that being people spending money on "special" magicbands).

There is another shoe to be dropped still.

They expect guests to increase spending at the parks by 10-20%.

In 2011, it had over 17 million visitors. Let's just assume that each visitor spent $100. 10% is $10 - multiplied by 17 million. That's $170 million dollars a year. It could still take 10 years to recoup the costs, But that's why it's called an investment.

Plus, as an earlier poster noted from some articles, there is a huge potential to create cross-company synergies using this technology. Imagine your kid being able to bring their Skylander-err, I mean Disney Infinity - figure to the parks, and use it for a Sorcerers-type game in the park.How many times will they want to do that, with different figures? Need another park day...but wait! You can buy WDW-exclusive figures and power discs that unlock special features in the game when they get home! Or put your MagicBand on the portal, and now the game refers to your child by name!

Oh, wait...they have them at Disneyland too! MUST HAVE!

Stop in a Disney store, and on every visit get a personalized message from Mickey, or Minnie...

Plenty of opportunity, methinks.

Then again, they expected people to use Fastpass and then go shop...

 

[Waddler]

FWIW, I don't think you have too much to worry about in regards to changing your plans. Roll out begins in Spring, I've even heard seen rumors of April written but all the info is jumbled in my head so where I read it is uncertain. Unless you are staying at one of the early adopting resorts, your plans should stay in tack! I hope you have a great trip!

Hrm... what?

Are you saying that you don't think it'll be implemented by my April trip?