Thoughts on MM+ being introduced to the other parks.
The number $2 billion gets thrown around a lot, and it probably true for the total cost of the system, but I think people overlook the fact that the entire My Magic+ system is more than just FastPass+.
It may be the case that internally Disney has evaluated that FP+ is underperforming for what they desired, but the rest of the system (which we as guests don't really "see")
is doing exactly what they desired.
From my admittedly fallible memory, weren't aspects of the entire upgrade to allow the integration of all of the different systems in use at WDW? From hotel reservations, to ticket purchases, to dining, to the room-key, PhotoPass, etc.? Not to mention the internal systems that I don't know about.
When you further factor in the additional capabilities inherent in the MagicBands, coupled with Disney (in general) being a familiy destination vacation, what parent
wouldn't eventually want the ability to be able to pull up a real-time map of the current park and see where their child is based on the last RFID sensor that detected the associated MB?
Or from the financial aspect of guests spending money, the ability to use a credit card linked through the
MDE on the Magic Band? Haven't studies shown a measureable increase in spending for each step away from cash money the customer has to go through? (Least likely to purchase something if they must pull cash out of a wallet, slightly more likely to if writing a check, even more likely to purchase through use of a credit card, and truckloads of souvenirs when they are just billed to the room AND delivered there for you?)
Think about the day when the only thing required to visit Disney is the Magic Band and a finger. Through the link to your MDE account, it will have the credit/debit card you have on file for purchases; the connectivity to the hotel reservations will allow you to board DME, check-in, and enter your room; the connectivity to the dining reservation system will be your access to for ADRs; the connectivity to ticket sales will be your access to the gates (and theoretically would allow AP discounts); the connectivity to the DVC systems would theoretically allow for DVC discounts and/or other promotions. Plus the system also lets you pre-book 3 rides, for minimal waits on boarding.
Do I think that all of the behind the scenes upgrades and updates could have been done while leaving FP alone? Absolutely. But I also think that Disney wanted to tie in something that would entice / force people to change up to the MB's, and that decision was to roll FP into the system as well.
I can absolutely see where Disney would want to expand the MM+ system to the other parks, even if the FP+ has not been optimal from the guest experience.
(In the interest of full disclosure, the FP+ has not negatively impacted
my touring strategy, and overall I have liked the entire system. I recognize that part of what I like is due to an appreciation for the capabilities that I see in the system, whether they are currently available or not. I am not discounting that other people view it differently and some have had severe negative impacts to their preferred vacation style from FP+).
Just my random $0.02
<-- That pretty much sums up the way he looked 
None of it bothers me.
