I love the MyMagic+ and Magic Bands.

[MarkyMouse]

I just spent four days at the park. I LOVED my magic band and the fast pass plus system! Loved it!!

 

[DisneyKentucky]

I know that, but I don't like they spent 1.3 billion on MDE when both Epcot and DHS are in serious serious needs of TLC.

Honestly, I never noticed the need for something added for both of these parks because I tend to go at Christmas. That said, I think DHS has had some plans to change it up on the horizon. As for Epcot, I honestly don't know what to add to the front part.

All that said, the MDE should end up paying for itself if it's increasing revenue 10%.

 

[disneysteve]

As for Epcot, I honestly don't know what to add to the front part.

At the very least, they could reopen Wonders of Life. There is a whole pavilion that had some great attractions (Cranium Command, Body Wars, etc.) sitting vacant for no good reason. They also had the best snack bar with healthy options that you couldn't get anywhere else in the park.

 

[AndyPok1]

I know that, but I don't like they spent 1.3 billion on MDE when both Epcot and DHS are in serious serious needs of TLC.

This number is misleading. The whole amount isn't/wasn't spent on the public facing MM+/MDX. Many non-guest facing things are included (e.g. costuming inventory) that increases cast happiness and lowers fixed costs thus helping the company.

 

[DisneyKentucky]

At the very least, they could reopen Wonders of Life. There is a whole pavilion that had some great attractions (Cranium Command, Body Wars, etc.) sitting vacant for no good reason. They also had the best snack bar with healthy options that you couldn't get anywhere else in the park.

Why do you think it remains closed? To be honest, I never experienced it. Is it lack of use by patrons or expense to run? It's odd if it would make profit (snack bar) and they don't open it while keeping Captain EO and Imagination open which is nearly a ghost town.

 

[AndyPok1]

Why do you think it remains closed?

What I've heard from random people that have absolutely no connection, so it could be a bunch of BS is that it is more useful as the Festival Center than as a full-time attraction/pavilion.

Also, pretty sure Body Wars no longer exists in it.

 

[DisneyKentucky]

What I've heard from random people that have absolutely no connection, so it could be a bunch of BS is that it is more useful as the Festival Center than as a full-time attraction/pavilion.

Also, pretty sure Body Wars no longer exists in it.

Are we talking about the place they held some seminars during food and wine? If so, it's kind of small and perfect for F&W and other stuff. I've always wondered about the place in between Mexico and Test Track. I've never actually done anything in that building except use the restroom. I love Epcot and the space that isn't used feels right to me.... It doesn't feel overcrowded.

 

[lugnut33]

Honestly, I never noticed the need for something added for both of these parks because I tend to go at Christmas. That said, I think DHS has had some plans to change it up on the horizon. As for Epcot, I honestly don't know what to add to the front part.

All that said, the MDE should end up paying for itself if it's increasing revenue 10%.

The glaring example of why both those parks need attention comes from the tiering of FP+ at both those parks. They did that because there is not enough headlining ride capacity at those parks and everyone selects the few headliners that are available.

As for Epcot, there have been numerous discussions about how dated Future World has become (don't get me wrong, I like nostalgia, but the park was not meant to be a stroll down memory lane) and how it has lost focus.

 

[DisneyDiana]

I love FP+ too! I have not seen anything but complaints on other threads...this refreshing. At this point, there really doesn't seem to be a need to book them 60 days out which seems to be a common complaint. I realized how much I liked the new system in December when I woke up to a cold, rainy morning. We had FP+s for the morning and I was able to go on and move them to late afternoon while still in my pjs. I also liked not having to fight the crowd at RD just to get a reasonable time for Soarin. It has definitely changed our touring plan for the better. I admit before we went I thought I wouldn't like. I will be unhappy if the day ever comes where you can't switch them around on the actual day you are in the park but I hope it never comes to that.

 

[DisneyKentucky]

The glaring example of why both those parks need attention comes from the tiering of FP+ at both those parks. They did that because there is not enough headlining ride capacity at those parks and everyone selects the few headliners that are available.

As for Epcot, there have been numerous discussions about how dated Future World has become (don't get me wrong, I like nostalgia, but the park was not meant to be a stroll down memory lane) and how it has lost focus.

Same could be said for Tomorrowland and the World in general (we as a nation are toying with abandoning NASA funding).

 

[disneysteve]

Why do you think it remains closed? To be honest, I never experienced it.

What I've heard from random people that have absolutely no connection, so it could be a bunch of BS is that it is more useful as the Festival Center than as a full-time attraction/pavilion.

I've always wondered about the place in between Mexico and Test Track.

If I recall, the original story of why they closed WoL was that they lost their sponsor. That always seemed kind of lame to me. Couldn't Disney afford to keep the place open on their own? Or line up a new sponsor? There are plenty of health-related companies out there.

I don't buy the story of them wanting to use it as the Festival Center because that didn't start happening until years after it closed. They could have easily put up a little building somewhere just for that purpose. They've got the Millennium Village building.

The place on the way to Mexico was the Odyssey restaurant. Another good example of problems at Epcot. The restaurant closed for some reason never to reopen. Now the building gets used occasionally for special functions but that's it. Future World could absolutely use more places to eat. The options are pretty slim currently. They clearly have the space to do it.

 

[FireDancer]

At the very least, they could reopen Wonders of Life. There is a whole pavilion that had some great attractions (Cranium Command, Body Wars, etc.) sitting vacant for no good reason. They also had the best snack bar with healthy options that you couldn't get anywhere else in the park.

I really wish they would open WoL. A health and fitness themed pavilion goes perfectly with what Epcot should be, edutainment. With their increased focus on endurance events and some of the moves they made in other areas it seems like the current management is on board with the message WoL was trying to send.

I applaud Habit Heroes but the pavilion was better.

Epcot is still my favorite park but I'd really like to reintroduce pavilions that had multiple attractions and an entire experience. Mission:SPACE should have been a full space themed pavilion that included the ride they currently have. Making it just the ride was not what I think they should have done.

 

[lugnut33]

I really wish they would open WoL. A health and fitness themed pavilion goes perfectly with what Epcot should be, edutainment. With their increased focus on endurance events and some of the moves they made in other areas it seems like the current management is on board with the message WoL was trying to send.

I applaud Habit Heroes but the pavilion was better.

Epcot is still my favorite park but I'd really like to reintroduce pavilions that had multiple attractions and an entire experience. Mission:SPACE should have been a full space themed pavilion that included the ride they currently have. Making it just the ride was not what I think they should have done.

I totally agree with everything you said, especially about Mission Space. There are so many cool things they have learned about our universe that could be edutained to the masses. Honestly, who isn't fascinated by black holes and super-novas?

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I love FP+ too! I have not seen anything but complaints on other threads...this refreshing. At this point, there really doesn't seem to be a need to book them 60 days out which seems to be a common complaint. I realized how much I liked the new system in December when I woke up to a cold, rainy morning. We had FP+s for the morning and I was able to go on and move them to late afternoon while still in my pjs. I also liked not having to fight the crowd at RD just to get a reasonable time for Soarin. It has definitely changed our touring plan for the better. I admit before we went I thought I wouldn't like. I will be unhappy if the day ever comes where you can't switch them around on the actual day you are in the park but I hope it never comes to that.

I totally agree with this. I've also been able to move FP+s that morning or even afternoon. A friend of mine had the best scenario one time. She was in Epcot by the UK and made one for Soarin'. By the time she walked over there, her time was up. Rare I know, but golden!

 

[OKW Lover]

Still not sold on MagicBands, but don't mind the FP+ part as much.

The MB work fine but I don't like having it in my wrist. Ok you say, don't wear it in your wrist. Well then it goes in my pocket, which it doesn't fit we'll in. I'd rather just use my RFID enabled AP which is easy to carry. Not only that but I need it for discounts anyway.

 

[disneysteve]

The MB work fine but I don't like having it in my wrist. Ok you say, don't wear it in your wrist.

I have not experienced the MB yet as we stay offsite but I have no intention of ever spending my trip with a wide rubber band around my wrist especially in Florida heat. Mine would definitely be in my pocket or on the strap of my backpack or somewhere else other than my wrist.

 

[mommakrispix]

In December 2012, my mother (who's a DVC member), my husband, myself and our 20 month old daughter went down to Disney and were selected to test out the Fast Pass + program. I LOVED IT. I used to be a just show up and go type of girl, but now with a child, planning with the fastpass+ made our lives that much simpler. We were able to schedule things that we really wanted our daughter to see, like the Disney Jr live show, around her nap times and we were able to schedule meals at the times we knew she'd be the least cranky. My hubby and I are going down in March for our anniversary, without our daughter, and I'm excited to test out the magic bands before we bring her back down again.

The only thing I can see, so far, is that (like mentioned on the Podcasts) I'd like to do multi-park fast passes. I do enjoy park hopping find it a little restrictive.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

The only thing I can see, so far, is that (like mentioned on the Podcasts) I'd like to do multi-park fast passes. I do enjoy park hopping find it a little restrictive.

I strongly believe that park hopping with FP+ is coming. Disney would not risk losing money on park hopper tickets. It's my understanding that they had trouble getting the technology to work (shocker lol) which is why we haven't seen it just yet. I'm sure it will be happening soon.

 

[disneysteve]

I strongly believe that park hopping with FP+ is coming. Disney would not risk losing money on park hopper tickets. It's my understanding that they had trouble getting the technology to work (shocker lol) which is why we haven't seen it just yet. I'm sure it will be happening soon.

I agree. I think the one park thing was just part of the trial phase.

 

[mommakrispix]

I agree. I think the one park thing was just part of the trial phase.

I'm sure it's just a trial phase. Can't wait when it happens!