Guest Test of Magic Bands (Official Notice)

[andrewilley]

However, imagine trying to reschedule something during Christmas week when everybody has access to the system and people had already scheduled their FP+ experiences months in advance.

That's my biggest long-term concern too, if they don't make the decision to hold some slots back for on-the-day guests. Otherwise they're just going to turn FastPass into the debacle that ADRs have become for impulse visitors. "Le Cellier? Be Our Guest? Sorry, no chance... but don't worry, Nine Dragons and Tony's Town Square are available."

Andre

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

We tested the magic bands fom Thursday till yesterday. All went well for the most part. Issues with the handheld scanners for dining plan so had to use the card. The pool bars are not set up yet either. The best part about the fast passes is the ability to change them on the fly. We got a later start than expected and our fast pass time had come and gone. I went in and rescheduled for a different experience (by choice) and walked over or immediate access it will pop up a bunch of times and all you do is select which time works for you.

Thanks for sharing your experience!! I like how easy testers say it is to change these things on the fly -- at least technically speaking -- this is not a full test of availability of options to switch to until fully implemented, I assume.

I do worry about not having existing FP after full rollout, assuming they stick with that. I'm still remaining open-minded and optimistic, though.

 

[ArwenMarie]

That's my biggest long-term concern too, if they don't make the decision to hold some slots back for on-the-day guests. Otherwise they're just going to turn FastPass into the debacle that ADRs have become for impulse visitors. "Le Cellier? Be Our Guest? Sorry, no chance... but don't worry, Nine Dragons and Tony's Town Square are available."

Andre

It's a little bit different than ADRs though, because stand-by will still be available. And of course, getting there at rope drop.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

That's my biggest long-term concern too, if they don't make the decision to hold some slots back for on-the-day guests. Otherwise they're just going to turn FastPass into the debacle that ADRs have become for impulse visitors. "Le Cellier? Be Our Guest? Sorry, no chance... but don't worry, Nine Dragons and Tony's Town Square are available."

Andre

All in the eye of the beholder. I don't consider the ADR system a debacle. It's like many aspects of life: your options when you plan ahead are different than when you don't. I can't eat at the Inn at Little Washington or visit the 9/11 memorial without notice either...

That said, I'm sure they'll tweak the system as they go. They can adjust what they make/keep available for any given day if they deem necessary given guest feedback.

 

[darnheather]

If enough people are like me, they won't remember a FP from 3:55 to 4:55 at HM and another from 6:45 to 7:45 at Pirates. I'd need a way to keep track.

I would set an alarm on my phone, my spouse would do it with his wristwatch.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I would set an alarm on my phone, my spouse would do it with his wristwatch.

Or for those who are anti-technology-of-any-kind-altogether, there's always writing yourself a note!! The way my mom did everything! Which, incidentally, I don't know how she managed!! I don't want to think about what would happen if I lost my iPhone!!

 

[darnheather]

Can individuals within a family hold different fastpass+?

Also, with only 3000 people being in the test group (per a previous post, I don't know how true it is) I'm sure it was easy to find FP+ replacements when needed. However, imagine trying to reschedule something during Christmas week when everybody has access to the system and people had already scheduled their FP+ experiences months in advance.

Well the number of people here who "swear" they won't use it, and the number of people out there who can't figure out the ADR system after all these years, I'm honestly not going to worry for a long time.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Well the number of people here who "swear" they won't use it, and the number of people out there who can't figure out the ADR system after all these years, I'm honestly not going to worry for a long time.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

While the test seems to be going well, I just don't see how on-the-fly changes are going to work in the real world from a logistical point of view. Assuming that they do allow you to reassign one of your FP+s to a later time if you miss your first window (and early information said that this would NOT be allowed...a missed appointment=a missed FP+ opportunity, not the ability to change appointment times), isn't it just going to clog up rides as the day goes on? The standby lines won't be moving to accommodate all the FP+ returners, and the FP lines are going to be clogged as well, with both prescheduled folks and those with on-the-fly appointments made that day. I'm hoping that the execs are looking at these tests as merely technology tests and not as tests on how the program will run, because with so few people testing the system, of course there will be more ride capacity to rebook appointments. I really don't see how the rebooking aspect is going to work well in a crowded park with 75,000 people all using the same system and vying for the same limited number of slots. I also don't see how this is going to eliminate people waiting in the standby lines, because if all the slots for a particular ride are taken, but you REALLY want to ride the ride, you're going to be willing to wait instead of taking that time to shop or whatever it is Disney wants you to do instead of waiting in line.

Question for the testers: I know that they've been surveying people to see what they think of the system. Is one of the questions you're asked whether you would like the FP+ system if you weren't allowed to use the legacy system at the same time? Also, out of curiosity...did you try booking a FP+ slot after all the traditional FPs were distributed for the day for any ride?

 

[rastuso]

Probably not...the fact that we could use our existing FP+ AND use our KTTW to get same day FP is what allowed us to ride EE and SP multiple times!

Here's the only quote you need from a tester. It's funny to read the folks saying how wonderful it was for them to change FP+ times on the fly (not the poster I'm quoting, but others). OF COURSE YOU CAN. You were part of a TINY test group.

I'd love to hear what the "ugly" was that Disney is hearing. If anyone is complaining about being part of this test, they're from Mars. It was like hitting the vacation lottery in the middle of the busy season.

I wonder if Disney is asking the question this poster was answering "Would you have been satisfied without your normal FP access?" If they aren't asking that question, they aren't looking for any real data.

And as for just planning that many people are too ignorant to use normal FP now, and figuring the same for FP+. Didn't Disney already say they will give folks FP+ if they don't pick them? So at least the on-site guests will get FP+ always. And when you enter for the day with a ticket you just bought, you will be assigned 3. Three horrible ones, but 3 FP+ all the same. They pretty much have to. Imagine a guest from the Comfort Inn on a once in a lifetime trip showing up to buy tickets, and realize that everyone else has FP+, but they have nothing. Disney will have 3 times the highest daily attendance number of FP+ available all the time. Even if your 3 are Hall of Presidents, Carousel of Progress, and the mind-blowing Mickey's Philharmagic.


Jason

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Question for the testers: Is one of the questions you're asked whether you would like the FP+ system if you weren't allowed to use the legacy system at the same time?

I'd be interested to know if this is one of the questions, too...

 

[DougEMG]

Disney has WiFi. If you really wanted to, you could go to ebay and buy a 3 year old android smartphone for $20 or less, and just use the WiFi and never hook it up to a phone line.

Disney WiFi in the parks works great if there aren't that many people in the park, but if the park is actually busy forget about ever connecting to the WiFi.

Disney WiFi is totally annoying, when you need it the most, it isn't available.

 

[fflmaster]

Here's the only quote you need from a tester. It's funny to read the folks saying how wonderful it was for them to change FP+ times on the fly (not the poster I'm quoting, but others). OF COURSE YOU CAN. You were part of a TINY test group.

I'd love to hear what the "ugly" was that Disney is hearing. If anyone is complaining about being part of this test, they're from Mars. It was like hitting the vacation lottery in the middle of the busy season.

I wonder if Disney is asking the question this poster was answering "Would you have been satisfied without your normal FP access?" If they aren't asking that question, they aren't looking for any real data.

And as for just planning that many people are too ignorant to use normal FP now, and figuring the same for FP+. Didn't Disney already say they will give folks FP+ if they don't pick them? So at least the on-site guests will get FP+ always. And when you enter for the day with a ticket you just bought, you will be assigned 3. Three horrible ones, but 3 FP+ all the same. They pretty much have to. Imagine a guest from the Comfort Inn on a once in a lifetime trip showing up to buy tickets, and realize that everyone else has FP+, but they have nothing. Disney will have 3 times the highest daily attendance number of FP+ available all the time. Even if your 3 are Hall of Presidents, Carousel of Progress, and the mind-blowing Mickey's Philharmagic.

Agree with everything you say except putting down one of my favorite rides/shows. I love Mickey's Philharmagic. I see it at least 3 sometimes four times when in disney.

 

[Mom2Stitch]

I have read every post on this thread, it is so interesting.

Change is so scary, especially when the "old" way seemed to work so well. Here where I work we went from a very antiquated system-think green screen terminals-to SAP. For some folks that was like going from 1st grade to college.

Right now I'm cautiously optimisitc that the powers that be will make the right, good decisions from the research they are currently doing. I think that to keep it fair they will have to keep some sort of same day FP, if not then aren't we just back to basic stand by lines for the non planners?

I'm also hoping that it isn't ultimately about getting to a point where we are paying for FP. I think that will be a sad day for Disney if that happens.

We have a trip planned for September, if asked to participate I'd be glad to. DH is not so happy about it, but he's still upset about when they took away the packages where you got to use "wishes" for meals

 

[lugnut33]

At least nobody will have a problem getting FP+ for Stitch and Hall of Presidents! Don't get me wrong, I like HOP, but it's a huge theater that I've never had a problem finding a seat in, why add FP+ unless you anticipate people not being able to get FP+ for the major attractions and will be willing to settle for HOP?

 

[doconeill]

At least nobody will have a problem getting FP+ for Stitch...

Oh yes they will...it's not on the list

 

[mlips09]

Here's the only quote you need from a tester. It's funny to read the folks saying how wonderful it was for them to change FP+ times on the fly (not the poster I'm quoting, but others). OF COURSE YOU CAN. You were part of a TINY test group.

I'd love to hear what the "ugly" was that Disney is hearing. If anyone is complaining about being part of this test, they're from Mars. It was like hitting the vacation lottery in the middle of the busy season.

I wonder if Disney is asking the question this poster was answering "Would you have been satisfied without your normal FP access?" If they aren't asking that question, they aren't looking for any real data.

And as for just planning that many people are too ignorant to use normal FP now, and figuring the same for FP+. Didn't Disney already say they will give folks FP+ if they don't pick them? So at least the on-site guests will get FP+ always. And when you enter for the day with a ticket you just bought, you will be assigned 3. Three horrible ones, but 3 FP+ all the same. They pretty much have to. Imagine a guest from the Comfort Inn on a once in a lifetime trip showing up to buy tickets, and realize that everyone else has FP+, but they have nothing. Disney will have 3 times the highest daily attendance number of FP+ available all the time. Even if your 3 are Hall of Presidents, Carousel of Progress, and the mind-blowing Mickey's Philharmagic.

Jason

Basic math tells you that they aren't going to book every seat for every train of every ride for that day. That would be stupid. So of course they are going to only release a certain number to "planners" because disney is all about guest service and if a bunch of guests are unable to get fast passes and are forced to skip the e tickets then it would cut their business off at the knees. Disney is excellent but we know a lot of guests come mostly to ride their favorites. All this conjecture and no one knows how the system is even going to work yet. You think a company of disneys caliber is going to spend billions on something that would even have a chance of not improving guest scarification and therefore return and word of mouth guests? You're crazy.

 

[WillAustin]

You think a company of disneys caliber is going to spend billions on something that would even have a chance of not improving guest scarification and therefore return and word of mouth guests? You're crazy.

I know I'll be scarred forever if they limit me to 3 FP+s.

 

[lugnut33]

Oh yes they will...it's not on the list

Why go through the expense of installing the RFID readers if they don't plan on using them?

 

[doconeill]

Why go through the expense of installing the RFID readers if they don't plan on using them?

I never bothered to look...they did put the touchpoints at Stitch? Maybe they were just, "Put them everywhere, in case they change their minds!"