I believe Iger said "early next year", not fiscal year. No way is it rolling out in October.
As quoted directly from the article
Iger said Disney is now targeting a "probable full rollout in the early part" of its 2014 fiscal year, which begins in October. Executives had previously said they were aiming to have MyMagic+ fully implemented by the end of this year.
No!
We'll be there from October 22 until the 31st and I do not want the new system to be rolled out in time for our arrival. I'm disgusted over it all, the lack of proper information, the fact that we're AP holders but still have no idea what MM+ entails for us, even more so since we'll be staying off site on this vacation.
Are my daughter and I even going to be extended an invitation to book FP+ or order a silly MB? Or, because we're off site, will we need to line up every morning like cattle at a kiosk to maybe get
a FP for a "didn't need FP before" attraction, for the park we happen to be in?
Someone should tell Iger that 80,000 testers is peanuts compared to the hundreds of thousands of people who spend a single day throughout the entire resort. All that I've been reading and hearing (here, on blogs, via friends/family who were in test groups) on the new system is that it's not ready to be presented to the general public. That won't stop Iger though.
Maybe I'd be more excited if more information, correct information, was readily available. If the entire system was laid out in detail. Then, at least, I would know what the entire switcharoo encompasses. I've been keeping all of my crossables crossed that MM+ wouldn't be rolled out for our October trip; I'll continue crossing in hopes that the regular old FP kiosks will still be working and that I like what I see, because if I don't those AP won't be renewed.
As quoted from the article
Iger said the project began a new "beta phase" Aug. 2 in which the systems will ultimately be used by more than 80,000 customers. He said guests who have used the features in early tests have reacted positively, though he did not elaborate.
The test groups so far have been incredibly small. The one in June was reported to be around 3000 in TOTAL. August is obviously going to be a larger number of people in the test, with the number or resorts that are being used, and quite honestly, you can see that in the number of Disboarders who are reporting 'being tested' in August.
Now, the number that Iger quotes, 80,000 intrigues me. He does not qualify it by saying, per day, per week, per month, nothing like that. Hmmm. 80,000 per day? Is it an average between the 4 parks? Who knows? Logically speaking, he cant mean per year, or even per month, because of the current numbers of people who used the old fp system exceeds that. So, what pray tell, is the 80,000? My educated guess is he goofed up, and let out a stat that tells us far more then what AdmiralBoomer would have one beleive.
His conservative estimate is, right now, 80,000 per day. That is FAR MORE, I would hazzard a guess, then what is currently using the fp system. Even spread out over 4 parks.
And, IMHO, 'beta testing' will just continue to roll on. In september, even more hotels will be added to the grid, by the end of October, any on site resort guest will have the 'opportunity' to test. They are going to call it a 'test' probably for another 6 months, so people cant get upset if there are MAJOR technological glitches, if they have OPTED IN for the test. Very wise Mickey. 60 days in advance wont come into play for a while, because they have to 'manage' the opportunity of fp+ as more players come online. So, its going to be 'shorter notice' on the selection of fp+ for the oncoming testers, IYKWIM.
My other guess on this 80,000 stat: its regarding onsite guests. Door is wide open when off site guests go on the grid. (que song from trump show 'money, money, money.... MONEY')
But, it still is going to be a slow roll out. Even is by the end of October, everyone on site who wishes to participate can, the number may be relatively small. HOw many people will choose to do so, without a massive advertizing campaign? Also, it appears they have work still to do with DVC and even perhaps AP's, and not sure when that will all come into play. DVC has got to be a significant number and player. On the other hand, people love new stuff, and love to be 'chosen'. So perhaps by making this an 'opportunity' to be 'chosen' to 'test' something 'new' IS an advertizing campaign! Nice. I like it.
Interesting times. Thanks for the article OP
EDITED TO ADD:
1. THE 80,000 MAY NOT SOUND LIKE A LOT PER DAY, IF YOU CONSIDER THE NUMBER OF FP'S AVAIALBLE IN THE OLD SYTEM, AND HOW THEY WOULD BE GONE SO SOON FOR THE HEADLINERS. BUT YOU MUST REMEMBER, IGER IS NOT SAYING 80,000 FP+ PER DAY, BUT 80,000 DIFFERENT AND UNIQUE CUSTOMERS USING THE SYSTEM. THINK ABOUT THAT. RIGHT NOW, ITS A 'RELATIVE' FEW MAXIMIZING THE SYSTEM. SOON ITS GOING TO BE THE MASSES USING THE SYSTEM THAT HAS INHERENT LIMITATIONS LIKE 3 PER DAY, ONE PER ATTRACTION.....
2. I JUST GOT A LOOK AT THE INVITATION TO BE A TESTER ON THE AUGUST THREAD. LOOKS LIKE DISNEY IS USING THE 'TESTING' AS A TERRIFIC WAY OF ADVERTIZING. GO CHECK IT OUT, I THINK ITS ON PAGE 53 ON THE 'AUGUST TESTERS' THREAD. ~a
