Interesting comments from Iger...

[Maleficent Dragon]

Interesting comments from Iger....

Disney Profits inch up.. Iger said the project MyMagic 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. 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. Disney profit inches up as travelers spend more -

Orlando Sentinel http://skygrid.me/13EGZpY

He lies without reservation?

 

[larryz]

He lies without reservation?

Are you saying we're going to need to make ALRs now? (advance lying reservations)...

 

[buckeev]

.......... for all of us that go Christmas week thru New Year's, can you imagine this completely up and going...no regular fast passes, wi-fi in the parks being used by 10,000+ people a day.....PR NIGHTMARE!!!!

Can I imagine it?...I am actually EXPECTING and PLANNING for it!

 

[shyjade]

It's easy for a test to be successful when testers are able to use FP+ and regular FP at the same time, and the system is allowing them to book FPs for more than 1 park in a day! Off course testers are giving it great feedback!

For every post I read how amazing it is because the testers never waited in line for anything, I want to cry. It only means the bandaid will be ripped off sooner and reality will be biting the rest of us when it's rolled out with all the limitations in place.

If we can use both FP+ & regular FPs once it's rolled out to the masses, then I will love it too. Call me a skeptic, but I don't see that happening.

 

[Rileygirl]

I think you only need to read the 'post your fp+ experiences here' to see that Iger is infact, not lying. But his team made dam well sure that the response would be positive, under the 'test' conditions. Again, brilliant marketing.

I think people are getting confused about 'same day' fast passes and the new fp+ system. I completely believe, and it has been stated by official sources, that same day fast passes are going to be available. (not through fast pass machines, but through the kiosks, cms with ipads, and your phone). And I also believe, people who prebook their fp+ will definetly be able to get more 'same day' on top of the prebooked. Disney has created the 'pool' to be big enough to allow just that. And, in the next year, I cannot see that the user interface will be so great as to bring in the necessity of the 'limits' outlined in the terms and conditions.

If you are going in the next 6 months, I think you should be pretty darn happy with the nextgen- technological glitches aside. It probably will be a pain with MDE, and people going in groups, life will be a little harder I think. Just be prepared, have a paper print out of anything you can as 'back up' (Im thinking of screen shots of your fp+ bookings, you can use that as a reminder in the park if you dont want to turn your wifi on, you can still look at 'pictures') and be organized, but also take it in stride. Honestly, if I had to be going at Christmas, and could choose the year, I would pick this one coming up. The advantages of fp+ prebooking, along with the other 'loose' controls are going to give you a fabulous advantage during peak season.

Its going to be interesting to watch how fast the general population come 'online' with this new program. I think the 'resort guests' will be easy to get on the grid, way more then ever before. Disney will have 'quick picks' and the whole process will be very similar, in my mind, to the way booking the Disney cruise is. Fun little steps, you can take breaks inbetween, and presto, perfect vacation for joe public.

Now, off site guests will be harder to 'bring into the fold' so to speak. But Disney wants them, make no mistake. If they can put into the hands the casino chip mentality of the magic band - holy crap - its going to be raining money for them. If the little test this summer already has had a significant financial return by Disney (as indicated by Iger in this article), you can bet the bean counters are getting hot and bothered with the thought of off site guests. But, how is Disney going to do that?

I've been thinking about that lately. And here is my logic on the thought. Why do people choose offsite instead of onsite? I guess there are lots of reasons.
1) large family's are expensive to house at Disney. Disney is trying to do the family suite thing, but its certainly cheaper and roomier offsite
2)personal preference of a different location or hotel
3)doing different attractions besides wdw, and wanting a more central location.
4)cost- I think this is the single biggest factor. If Disney was the same cost for the same room type, then I believe most people would probably choose onsite if they were only doing disney

I'm certain there are more reasons then this, but I think the single biggest factor is money. Staying off site is certainly a budget conscious thing to do. So, how can Disney bring off site guests onto the grid when they are ready? I think its going to be money. Prepurchased discount prices on theme park tickets. A relevant savings in relationship of time of prepurchase. I actually thought we would see this in June, but obviously this whole program is months off schedule. Maybe even a year off schedule.

The reason I bring the 'off site' guest into this post? I dont think we will see a huge problem, or perhaps say, much stricter control measures on fp+ until the off site guest is brought into the equasion. Disney built the system and put every freakin attraction on the grid because they fully intend to capture the off site guest. But until there are incentives for the offsite guest to 'play', I dont think the sytem is going to be overwhelmed. We may see some stricter controls, indeed, the double dipping cant last too long I would think, and there MAY be some impact on fp line lengths, or standby line lengths at least at the more popular attractions, but overall, its gravy time for disboarders. And should be for quite a while, IMHO.

~A