FP + What we know and what we want to know

[MAYNARDS99]

Hmm...I have frequent flyer numbers or loyalty cards for six airlines, five hotels, three grocery stores, probably twenty online stores, yet for Disney I do not have an "account".

Oh wait...I do! I have registered online with Disney and have made many ADR's, room reservations, and purchased tickets. I almost always use my KTTW card to buy souvenirs, snacks and pay for QS meals.

Disney knows EXACTLY how much my family and I spend. The MagicBand will just provide more timely information.

Let the "money dropping and frequent Disney visitor" upgrades and perks begin! Why yes, we would like to reserve ALL of our FastPass+ attractions, and premium parade viewing spots! I imagine our concierge host will arrange that for me.

 

[Rosanne]

You seem to "know" all kinds of things.

What I know is there can be many reasons corporate decisions are made.
Most are a based on a combination of situations.

One decision was made to offer the parade.

Another was made to update and modify it (but continue it) after the 2000 year-change celebration was over.

Another decision was made to stop the parade entirely.

Somewhere in there the park hopping was likely considered and discussed.
It may have been seen as a GOOD thing by some and a BAD thing by others,
but to claim that THE one deciding factor for the parade cancellation was unwanted park-hopping to Epcot is less than likely.

Staffing with CM's for parade crowd control, congestion for foot traffic in WS, and physical ailments with the CM's wearing the giant wind-resisting puppets were
also problems for those (really GOOD) Epcot parades.

Which is why I think it is appropriate for those of us that don't like the proposed format to voice that opinion. It's not spreading "doom and gloom" it's simply voicing an opinion on a proposed change that we feel will impact us negatively. Who knows we may be heard and changes reconsidered.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Hmm...I have frequent flyer numbers or loyalty cards for six airlines, five hotels, three grocery stores, probably twenty online stores, yet for Disney I do not have an "account".

Oh wait...I do! I have registered online with Disney and have made many ADR's, room reservations, and purchased tickets. I almost always use my KTTW card to buy souvenirs, snacks and pay for QS meals.

Disney knows EXACTLY how much my family and I spend. The MagicBand will just provide more timely information.

Let the "money dropping and frequent Disney visitor" upgrades and perks begin! Why yes, we would like to reserve ALL of our FastPass+ attractions, and premium parade viewing spots! I imagine our concierge host will arrange that for me.

This is my feeling about the tracking aspect. They have this info on me anyway -- why not get it to them more quickly, since I trust they'll make pretty effective use of it, and I'm not afraid of a super-tailored marketing pitch being hurled my way -- I can take it!

And I very much appreciate these things being OPT-IN. I'm sick of companies like FaceBook and Google forcing you to OPT-OUT... Yeah... Opt out of their every-changing privacy-creeping "features". So many people don't even understand what they're giving these companies - its all so convoluted and deceptive in some cases.

Once all is "finalized", and as things change over time (new features, etc.), I hope that Disney does an exceptional job of informing guests as to what info they are sharing, etc. AND, that they continue to make every new feature OPT-IN.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

It's not that I worry what Disney will do with the information. Although I don't think that Disney needs to know absolutely everything we do and buy in the park. According to some people in this thread, Disney has been tracking the "uber FP user" which is the main reason they are creating FP+. I actually don't beleive that but just because I don't beleive that, doesn't make it true.

Whatever data Disney collects on people, goes straight to various departments. These departments work on marketing, data analysis and in general, how to design a system that gets more money from it's customers. Their systems aren't exactly designed to make people more satisfied with their experience.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore Disney and happily hand over my money to them for a vacation. But I don't see why Disney needs to know exactly where we are everyday, how much we are spending in the parks. They get their money from us, I don't see why they need to know what we bought a popcorn and coke at 11:33am in Adventureland, pulled a FP for Jungle Cruise at 12:03pm, spend $85.83 on a jacket, keychain, coffee mug and a CD in Fantasyland at 1:13pm, used the restrooms at 1:46pm lmao: okay I made that last one up but you never know.... )

I can't control what Disney does. Could their system connect our AP or our room reservation and still track our FP's and park entrys Of course, if they do, good luck to them. I'll stay vacation there. I just feel uncomfortable how big corporations are now taking so much data and using it (usually not for the benefit of the customer) As I said, don't get me wrong, I absolutely love Disney and will continue to vacation there.

Thanks for sharing your take! I'm sure Disney forecasts a certain percentage of "non-adopters"... DH puts it this way: some people will just feel it has the 'ick' factor -- feels like too much privacy creep -- even if they don't "fear" the info is in the wrong hands.

 

[Majik9]

At 6pm, which is standard crossover for all parks. It was the afternoon parade at Epcot that caused the problems.

When Crossover for parks is mutual the buses, boats, monorails.. aren't try to just move people to one location for an hour. People are also leaving and going back the other way, and leaving to go home. A midday crossover was deemed too much of a pain in the butt to keep things going.

You can cite whatever opinion you want, but I know why this decision was made. I'm being gracious in sharing that information to explain why decisions people may not understand are made... and the constant attitude in response is really not making me want to be so forthcoming.

If you can be gracious in sharing the above information can you be gracious and share your previous job title?

 

[Disney_Princess83]

Thanks for sharing your take! I'm sure Disney forecasts a certain percentage of "non-adopters"... DH puts it this way: some people will just feel it has the 'ick' factor -- feels like too much privacy creep -- even if they don't "fear" the info is in the wrong hands.

Yes this is exactly us. I don't think Disney is giving our information away (I'm not sure anyone would want to know how much popcorn we concume and how many times we take a FP to meet Mickey LOL) But your post sums it up perfectly. It has an ick factor to it that we aren't comfortable with.

 

[JaimeA]

I doubt it but it's possible.

At the end of the day, I can't stop what Disney accesses. Obviously I've bought everything directly from them (AP, hotel reservation ect) If they connect them and decide my information is that valuable to them, then so be it. However I KNOW that if I put everything on my KTTW card then they will have absolutely all my information.

If you have a band on your wrist and use cash at a register, Disney will know how much you spent anyway. The magic band will register with the nearby reader and announce it is you. All Disney has to do is match up the times on the register to your ping on the RFID reader. I have no idea if they will do this or not but technology is very powerful. Between the video surveillance and RFID readers they will know exactly how many times you used a restroom if the wanted to.

Supermarkets use this technology to do marketing. They use the cameras and your grocery card to watch why you purchased what you did. What did you buy that was eye level verses what item did you search for. It is scary but that is technology today.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

"Now, rather than dashing as a group, or even splitting up to gather FastPasses, imagine booking guaranteed ride times for your favorite shows and attractions even before setting foot in the park. With MyMagic+, guests will be able to do that and more, enabling them to spend more time together and creating an experience that’s better for everyone."


I am starting to believe that if a family can pre-book experiences in one park/day and with careful planning (thank you Disney) are able to experience everything they wish during this time frame, the need for a 7-10+ day Disney exclusive vacation (previously needed to experience all you wanted to ) will be a thing of the past. Hmm I am also starting to think this has the potential to backfire.

 

[katdralion]

I wonder if anyone at Disney has considered how FP+ will affect overseas visitors?

I don't know what % of visitors are from overseas but I would imagine it would be a fair amount. We live in a wee village with a population of only 1800 and yet know of at least 1 other DVC family in the village! Nearly everyone I know has either been to Disney or would like to go.

The Brits tend to travel at peak times, for at least 2 or 3 weeks and usually don't buy tickets in advance from Disney so most will be shut out of FP+ and relegated to riding SB at the busiest times of year. I think this will make for a lot of very unhappy guests especially if they have been used to the old FP system!

Even if we did have access to FP+, it would not be fun having to schedule rides for a 3 week trip, 5 or 6 days, fine but not 22 days, that's a chore!

 

[bcrook]

I wonder if anyone at Disney has considered how FP+ will affect overseas visitors?

I don't know what % of visitors are from overseas but I would imagine it would be a fair amount. We live in a wee village with a population of only 1800 and yet know of at least 1 other DVC family in the village! Nearly everyone I know has either been to Disney or would like to go.

The Brits tend to travel at peak times, for at least 2 or 3 weeks and usually don't buy tickets in advance from Disney so most will be shut out of FP+ and relegated to riding SB at the busiest times of year. I think this will make for a lot of very unhappy guests especially if they have been used to the old FP system!

Even if we did have access to FP+, it would not be fun having to schedule rides for a 3 week trip, 5 or 6 days, fine but not 22 days, that's a chore!

I understand your concerns. I wouldn't think most rides will be a problem even in peak times. But e-ticket rides will be frustrating to get. You might only have to worry about a few rides at each park, and even those might be available when you first arrive for some days of your 22 days.

 

[katdralion]

I understand your concerns. I wouldn't think most rides will be a problem even in peak times. But e-ticket rides will be frustrating to get. You might only have to worry about a few rides at each park, and even those might be available when you first arrive for some days of your 22 days.

Thanks for your reply but we mainly ride the e-ticket rides, that's the problem! We don't usually do a lot of rides per day but always do the headliners and we're used to just sauntering up and pulling a FP if the line is long. Won't be able to do that anymore and it makes me sad! I don't like feeling sad about My Happy Place!

 

[jade1]

I am starting to believe that if a family can pre-book experiences in one park/day and with careful planning (thank you Disney) are able to experience everything they wish during this time frame, the need for a 7-10+ day Disney exclusive vacation (previously needed to experience all you wanted to ) will be a thing of the past.

Sure hope so, could use more time for SAB, Fishing, Golf, Circ, and mostly relaxing if the FL sun.

 

[bcrook]

Here is the link to some information about survey questions given to participants in the trial runs.

Here is one question: "- Would you buy tickets through Disney in order to use this feature?" Obviously pointing to FP+ being a feature of park tickets purchases through Disney (possibly as an add on like park hopper or water parks and more) or just comes as a feature that wouldn't be offered to tickets from discounted retailers.

The italics was the comment of person being surveyed.

 

[Jen12573]

Thank you so much for all the info in this thread! I'm trying hard to read through all this, and will continue doing so, but was wondering the following and haven't found my answer yet:

Speculation on when this may roll out? We leave in 69 days.

If we hop, starting in Epcot with no FP+ "reservations", then hop to DHS where we make our FP+ "reservations", can we use the old-fashioned FP at Epcot, our first park of the day? Or no?

Thanks, back to reading more about this.

 

[Robo]

1- Speculation on when this may roll out? We leave in 69 days.

2- If we hop, starting in Epcot with no FP+ "reservations", then hop to DHS where we make our FP+ "reservations", can we use the old-fashioned FP at Epcot, our first park of the day? Or no?

Thanks, back to reading more about this.

1- Unknown.

2- From the information that has been revealed so far, no.
Can that info be incorrect or changed? Maybe.

 

[doconeill]

Here is the link to some information about survey questions given to participants in the trial runs.

Here is one question: "- Would you buy tickets through Disney in order to use this feature?" Obviously pointing to FP+ being a feature of park tickets purchases through Disney (possibly as an add on like park hopper or water parks and more) or just comes as a feature that wouldn't be offered to tickets from discounted retailers.

The italics was the comment of person being surveyed.

What percentage of people don't get their tickets through Disney now? I bet that's probably pretty low. If the question was dependent upon a previous question about whether tickets were obtained through a third party or not, it would be more meaningful.

They may have been trying to judge if they could get away with making it a requirement, or at least determining how much work they'd have to put in to dealing with third-party tickets.

 

[Jen12573]

1- Unknown.

2- From the information that has been revealed so far, no.
Can that info be incorrect or changed? Maybe.

Thanks a bunch. I had a feeling #2 would likely be "not likely". Hopefully we know when, soon. Well, or not since I don't like the limitations. Thank you for all of this great info and discussion!

 

[bcrook]

What percentage of people don't get their tickets through Disney now? I bet that's probably pretty low. If the question was dependent upon a previous question about whether tickets were obtained through a third party or not, it would be more meaningful.

They may have been trying to judge if they could get away with making it a requirement, or at least determining how much work they'd have to put in to dealing with third-party tickets.

I wasn't expecting that response! I think a lot of people buy tickets through Undercover Tourist and AAA. I have purchased all my tickets through AAA.

 

[mistysue]

I see in the opening post that there is this idea that the FP+ could be used to counter service orders... I haven't seen any further comments on this.
Anybody know anything?
Honestly, with all of my son's allergies we could that CS meals easily took us 1 hour +. We would wait 10-15 minutes in line, then wait 10 minutes for the chef, then they go cook... we had good 30 minute waits for fried foods on more than one occasion. You can't imagine the hassle until you have to do it. It would make me mad to give up fastpasses completely, but it would often save us more time to pre-order his meals than get FP's for major headliners.
On average, it took us less time from arrival to departure to go to TS than CS locations.

I would really hope that if they allow pre-ordering options they may open something up through special diets that wouldn't make you use a FP+ slot for it. It would make their jobs much easier.

 

[bcrook]

Thanks a bunch. I had a feeling #2 would likely be "not likely". Hopefully we know when, soon. Well, or not since I don't like the limitations. Thank you for all of this great info and discussion!

My teenage kids agree with you!