MM+ never materialized?

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I'm a librarian and recorded them all. I guess you can say I kept really good track of them. I've stayed away from the Disboards for awhile (people are just too defensive about Disney) and I didn't really follow along with the changes. So, two years later I was a little shocked to find that very little of MM+ had been implemented and most of it abandoned. In its place was a slick magic band (that can't keep track of my discounts. Grrrr) and a ride rationing system with full out tiers in two parks. And FP+ Queues! I knew Peter Pan was getting a line update, I had no idea it would include a FP+ Queue three rows deep and continuously full.

Now I wanted to discuss it with people who go there a lot. When I write my tripadvisor reports it won't be very favorable!

I will take a look at your links when I have a chance.

Until recently--I had no idea Disney had a marketing campaign with the trigger word of spontaneity.

 

[Kobey]

I think this is exactly why Disney doesn't give out too much information about future projects. There is so much planning and integrating to do, that not all ideas can be made to happen. If they put out a press release that they want to breed actual banshees for Avatar world, everyone expects it to happen. Then we're disappointed when it doesn't work out. And as Robo pointed out, technology can improve so fast that a lot of their ideas may get scrapped simply because they aren't needed any more or not worth the investment since the "wow factor" would be gone.

 

[mom2rtk]

It may not favor for you, but they are not physically blocking you from ever being able to try for those things.

Just like being at rope drop to pull legacy FPs early in the day was always available to everyone. Nobody ever blocked a FP machine if someone was there and wanted to pull a ticket.

 

[LOL!]

I think this is exactly why Disney doesn't give out too much information about future projects. There is so much planning and integrating to do, that not all ideas can be made to happen. If they put out a press release that they want to breed actual banshees for Avatar world, everyone expects it to happen. Then we're disappointed when it doesn't work out. And as Robo pointed out, technology can improve so fast that a lot of their ideas may get scrapped simply because they aren't needed any more or not worth the investment since the "wow factor" would be gone.

Good point. They've probably been so focused on animal feces as snacks that some of the other ideas have had to take a back seat.

 

[cakebaker]

Just like being at rope drop to pull legacy FPs early in the day was always available to everyone. Nobody ever blocked a FP machine if someone was there and wanted to pull a ticket.

Just exactly like that.

I didn't like it, it didn't fit well into how we like to visit the parks. I didn't consider fp to be a complete and total failure nor did I think WDW had abandoned the guest experience because of it. I adjusted and did the best we could with the system that was in place.

 

[DoingDisney]

Your opportunity is her other than for self-determined reasons, you have access to the same reservations, the same +10 privileges, as everyone else. You even have the same opportunity to book concierge for those perks as well. Other than $$$, Disney places no limitations upon those opportunities aside from capacity.

It may not favor for you, but they are not physically blocking you from ever being able to try for those things.

It sucks. But if I don't have an opportunity, it is my own personal restrictions that made it so.

They actually are. There isn't enough capacity in the on site rooms to allow "all" guests to stay onsite and have access to the 60 day booking point.

And while you put the caveat of "other than $$$", its of course not that simple. because $$$ is a huge issue for most people, and some people really can't afford to splurge for onsite access, particularly as WDW continues to jack up onsite fees. Essentially it becomes a pay to play system, creates 2 tiers of guests, but both are paying the same for the actual tickets to the parks.

Now, as someone who has only ever stayed onsite, this advantages me, and I see the value in trying to generate onsite bookings through park synergies, all good things from a business perspective, but that does not give everyone the same opportunity.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I completely understand your point. I get that IT is expensive.

As a vacation goer spending thousands of dollars on my Disney vacations, I'm going off what the marketing and PR materials said would happen. When Tom Staggs and Nick Franklin went to the press and blogs they promised a PLUS experience that would transform the theme park industry. When Rasulo was giving finance interviews he was talking about capturing customers with new technology and locking them in.

Nobody was saying, "this 1.5 billion MM+ initiative is going to take a completely outdated WDW from the 20th century to the 21st Century... It has to be done...Most of it will be in the background nobody will notice it."

As for what has come of it isn't cutting edge, original, groundbreaking, or even widely popular. You can see there is a lack of consensus on these boards about the success, and I saw it in the parks and resorts. I spent my money, I'm comparing my experience to what was discussed by Disney since 2012. And my review: MM+ doesn't really exist... There isn't a Plus for sure, and what they created doesn't make experience any better than any other park.

It is clearly a mechanism to distribute a very limited set of ride reservations to a very large group people. A system needed at WDW because of the shortage of rides, and clearly not needed at DLR in California because they have a sufficient number of rides to accommodate their guests.

I guess when DLR goes to the magic bands (not calling it plus anything), they will be doing it for the data mining, infrastructure upgrades, keyless doors, and pay with the bracelet. I spent a week there in mid June, the crowd levels were high, I didn't Fastpasses that often...they aren't even available for a lot of rides. If I could walk into a park, use my phone to grab a Fastpass for 4:00 pm for Grizzly Falls that sounds ok to me. It will be like a digital version of legacy with convenient times. And same day Fastpasses would work there too.

Currently Dhs nor Epcot even have 3 FP slots to share per customer...about 2.5 per customer and that counts a full day of the Land and Figment and Nemo. Which is why they have tiers (and tears). Disney California Adventure has about 6 FP per customer more than Epcot and DHS combined - their weakest ride is probably Monsters Inc. FP+ was designed to ration the rides in Florida because the company mismanaged their parks. FP+ might be able to work as people had hoped WDW would in California because of the capacity. WDW's shortfall is a total lack of attractions for a growing population base. The bracelets didn't help that for me and my family. My BIL spent four days on site and still didn't get a chance to ride a Test Track, Splash, Peter Pan, Space Mountain or Aerosmith. We had to waste Fastpasses on Lion King show, Nemo, Spaceship Earth, and the Great Movie Ride. His remaining 8 FPs got him Soarin, TSMM, dinosaur, Everest, mine train, Anna and Elsa with his daughter (can't believe parents have to waste a FP for that), btmrr and tower of terror. He was in at rope drop three times, and stayed to close every night.

We all got to ride the Barnstormer as much as we wanted at 11:30 at night. We had a blast. I guess that was a PLUS but it had nothing to do with my magic band...

Meanwhile, those TV screens that I saw installed in 2013 on IASW are still hidden behind plywood cutouts.

Farvel! Ciao! Shalom! Adios!

What was your BIL doing over 4 days open to close at the parks to have missed all that you posted?

 

[Angel Ariel]

Your opportunity is her other than for self-determined reasons, you have access to the same reservations, the same +10 privileges, as everyone else. You even have the same opportunity to book concierge for those perks as well. Other than $$$, Disney places no limitations upon those opportunities aside from capacity.

It may not favor for you, but they are not physically blocking you from ever being able to try for those things.

It sucks. But if I don't have an opportunity, it is my own personal restrictions that made it so.

How did I have the same opportunity last year when I went to go book a&e at midnight at my 60 day mark and they were all gone for my entire trip?

 

[DoingDisney]

How did I have the same opportunity last year when I went to go book a&e at midnight at my 60 day mark and they were all gone for my entire trip?

Another good point, seeing that there is the +10 included on resort bookings. If I am staying for 7 days, starting on the second of the month, and someone else is staying 8 days starting on the 1st of the month, they get to pick over the FPs for my entire trip before I even get a chance to look at them.

 

[bcrook]

I'm thinking that we are on the "ebb" side of MM+ rather than still in some sort of "flow" towards expansion of it.

Consider in the resent past that there have been several things that were on the "verge of happening" at Disney but technology, needs, and attitudes moved on before they could be implemented.

Case-in-point:
The use of portable gaming systems for in-park ride-wait info and the like.
Systems were even tested in the parks, but before they could be implemented, smart phones
swept the country AND swept away the need for a bulky game system to communicate with guests.

By the time Disney works/worked out a foolproof way of saying, "Hi Aloishous!" that kind of "gee whiz" technology is/was
"who wants it?" or more importantly, "who cares?"

Consider how many are "impressed" when we get an email from a company that "knows my name."
(Many of us wish that they DIDN'T.)

Retailer Walmart started a program a few years ago where checkout clerks called customers by name when credit/debit cards or checks were used.
It was thought that customers would like being recognized in a personal way.
But in practice, it was so disliked by customers that Walmart quickly stopped the program.

I understand your point. That does kind of that suggest that Staggs and Franklin don't have a grip on long term growth though.

I was thinking more things like MrsHull referenced, Star Tours and Monsters Inc. that doesn't get old. I think there us great potential in the interactive nature of things like scuttle. It would be easy to "turn off" if you didn't want to be accosted. I would walk through that little mermaid queue many times to see how the responses change. More things like a Turtle Talk would be great. Oh by the way, enchanted tales with belle was prime ground for a turtle talk experience. They missed that completely. That experience was a snoozer for a 47 year old man and his 19 year old son. So much possibility...

And for some reason I was thinking (naive I know!) that Disney would be able to institute a little of the Magic from a Year of a Million Dreams that I loved in 2007 and 2008. Special bonus Fastpasses, maybe an invitation to select fireworks location, a surprise reservation to be our guest for lunch, a free smoothie, notices of no waiting at La Cava, brand new merchandise available, a discount for an iced latte at Starbucks, a picture of a photopass photographer waiting just for me around the corner with new magic touches. Maybe a special invitation to meet my favorite characters King Louie or Rafiki. At DLR they had Cast Members circulating in the Radiator Springs line selling popcorn and other things. Maybe I could go on my app and have something delivered to me while I'm waiting in Splash Line?

Also I thought the picture and videos would be more substantial. For example the ride movie that popped up in my account after tower of terror. That was pretty cool. I would think it would be easy to create that for me as I traveled through Animal kingdom for example. Sensors know where I ate, what I purchased and what attractions I visited. It could sew something together and throw in a few photo pass pictures. Voila.

I also thought maybe the ride reservation system would get better, but unfortunately it's a lot worse. Compared to DLR it is horrible - but once again that is a ride capacity problem that can't be fixed.

It seemed like the potential was there.

 

[Kobey]

Good point. They've probably been so focused on animal feces as snacks that some of the other ideas have had to take a back seat.

It was probably a good idea until somebody gave some to their kid, then took them to the petting zoo where they found more to eat. Hey, that would be a good internet rumor to start. Who knows, maybe it's even true.

 

[cakebaker]

They actually are. There isn't enough capacity in the on site rooms to allow "all" guests to stay onsite and have access to the 60 day booking point.

You still have the same opportunity as anyone else to book. If you wait until there is no availability, that's your choice. The opportunity was there. And I don't think we've yet seen a time when every room at every resort was fully booked.

And while you put the caveat of "other than $$$", its of course not that simple. because $$$ is a huge issue for most people, and some people really can't afford to splurge for onsite access, particularly as WDW continues to jack up onsite fees. Essentially it becomes a pay to play system, creates 2 tiers of guests, but both are paying the same for the actual tickets to the parks.

What one can afford is not WDW's problem. There are people who can't afford to go at all- whether on site or off. Do you suggest there just shouldn't be a WDW at all in that case?

And many times I have read on these boards that people do not choose to stay off site because of the money. In fact, it's been considered to be quite a insult to suggest so. It's always been a pay to play system.

 

[LOL!]

It was probably a good idea until somebody gave some to their kid, then took them to the petting zoo where they found more to eat. Hey, that would be a good internet rumor to start. Who knows, maybe it's even true.

LOL! For some reason that reminded me of that part of the Simpsons Ride about free refills.

 

[LOL!]

I suppose it's like saying that every child has the opportunity to be President of the United States.

True, but highly unlikely.

 

[JimmyV]

You had the same opportunity. You did not have the same result. The chance was the same though. But the finite number for capacity places a barrier to everyone getting to do it.

But your opportunity was the same.

So Disney could ration out its ride space by way of a "Powerball" style lottery and that would be OK? Everybody enters the lottery and has the same chance as everybody else. Somehow, I think that most guests would have a problem with that.

 

[DoingDisney]

What one can afford is not WDW's problem. There are people who can't afford to go at all- whether on site or off. Do you suggest there just shouldn't be a WDW at all in that case?

And many times I have read on these boards that people do not choose to stay off site because of the money. In fact, it's been considered to be quite a insult to suggest so. It's always been a pay to play system.

This only adds another level of pay to play though, this level didn't exist before, now it does. Its really that simple. Now you have to pay (and pay extra since rates have gone up) in order to have the best access to FP, where as in the past, everyone, on site, offsite, deluxe, motel 6, everyone who paid for a park pass had the same opportunity.

 

[bcrook]

People who stay on-site have a 60 day opportunity. People who don't have a 30 day opportunity. That's just one example how "Everybody" does not have "the same opportunity".

But as someone has already pointed out, this thread wasn't about Fast Pass and making it about Fast Pass is probably a death knell.

Yeah after going to Disneyland and seeing how parks with lots of rides don't even need Fastpasses, it doesn't seem like a worthy topic anymore. I still can't get over riding TSMM multiple times with short waits with no Fastpasses. I was stunned to walk on Soarin at 6:00 pm via standby.

I only pulled four Fastpasses at dlr over 5 days. 1 for Maters Testrack (but rode it once standby 45 minute wait), 1 for tower of terror (needed that one), and 1 for
Indiana Jones, and I grabbed one for Grizzly falls on a hot day at 2:00 pm. The return time? 3:30!!!

I used one for Fantasmic! In Disneyland. I bought the dining package for world of color.

WDW Fastpass system was designed to make up for a lack of rides and to lick people into their vacations months in advance. I for the locking in part, that doesn't seem to be working well, there is too much ride availability the week before leaving, so there is no urgency other than for a few select experiences.

And apparently the rest of the My Magic promises just disappeared.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

So Disney could ration out its ride space by way of a "Powerball" style lottery and that would be OK? Everybody enters the lottery and has the same chance as everybody else. Somehow, I think that most guests would have a problem with that.

It is not a lottery. The idea is not comparable.

 

[bcrook]

So Disney could ration out its ride space by way of a "Powerball" style lottery and that would be OK? Everybody enters the lottery and has the same chance as everybody else. Somehow, I think that most guests would have a problem with that.

Good point!

 

[walker0829]

Not sure if it's been mentioned or not but if Universal can make ET say your name at the end(albeit you have to tell them) you would think the MB could have the same effect with the long range sensor that's also used for pictures.