More updated Fastpass+ information

[mcd2745]

This is pretty much how the patents describe the system as working, sorta. In that there is a "reservation" aspect of it, as well as a more dynamic "day of" aspect of it. The patents describe a system wherein Guest is walking through the park. Let's say it's 10:00 and Guest is in Adventureland. Disney knows this because of the RFID technology, which is tracking Guest's location. Guest has an 11:00 "reservation" for Jungle Cruise. Let's say the wait at POTC is only 5 minutes at this point. Guest is sent a notification that they've been "awarded" a "surprise" FP+ for POTC. So they go to POTC and ride, and come out feeling like they just got sprinkled with Pixie Dust, thus creating goodwill for Disney. Did Disney really do anything other than direct them toward a ride that already had a minimal wait? No. But the appearance of magic is there.

Let's also say that coming off POTC, Guest now gets a notification that there is no wait for Dole Whips. Such a notification implies that there is usually a wait for Dole Whips. Maybe this Guest has never had a Dole Whip. Maybe they don't even know what a Dole Whip is. But Disney has just implied that Dole Whips are Something Special That People Usually Line Up For. So, they go get in line for Dole Whip, even though when they first came off POTC, they never had any intention of buying a Dole Whip. Disney just made a sale due entirely to clever marketing. If the Guest doesn't take the bait with just being told that they have an opportunity to experience something special, then the Guest Experience Management system records that. Maybe next time the Guest is enticed to get in line for a Dole Whip by a coupon. The possibilities are endless.

FP+ is definitely more than just line management. It's purpose would be totally defeated if guests are spending MORE time in lines. You can't give out too many pre-park appointments because it would take away from the dynamic capability of the system once inside the parks.

I think that the other thing this system is designed to do is sorta override the innate nature of humans to get into a line just because there's a line there. If you have an appointment (either made ahead of time or magically given to you when you arrive) for a certain attraction, many guests are going to feel compelled to keep that appointment. They've essentially been testing this concept with the SURPRISE FPs for years now. How many times do you see people who are relatively new to Disney bragging about their surprise Dumbo FPs, or their surprise Philharmagic FPs? Was Disney really giving them anything of value? Not really. But Disney created goodwill, and they were none the wiser. Disney vets may know better, but Disney vets also make up a very small percentage of daily guests.

This is very long. Sorry. I really am fascinated by the technology. When I read the patents it made me realize what a powerful system this could be, and I think it really exceeds anything most people are imagining now, because we're so tied to the old way of doing things.

Or maybe I just drank the Kool-Aid.

Excellent post.

Allow me to sorta "nit-pick" on this sentenece, though. Because I think it's an imprtant distinction that too often gets lost in these discussions.

FP+ is definitely more than just line management.

FP+ probably is basically just about line management. However, FP+ is just one part - the line management part - of the overall MyMagic+ (MM+). I think too many people are thinking of FP+ in a vacuum and not as one component of the greater MM+/NextGen.

 

[2Tiggies]

I'm going to come clean here: I'm really working to resist the urge to feel a sense of panic (?) / disappointment (?) [can't find appropriate words] about the new system, and keeping myself from forming an opinion based on the knowledge that not much has been confirmed at this stage. I want to like the new system but I'm having a hard time sifting through speculation and facts with so much information coming from so many sources.

Anyone else feel this way?

Change is part of life and we will and do adapt. But this 'hype' and anticipation and speculation, coupled with an enormous element of unconfirmed and unknown is trying its best to stress me out

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

Excellent post.

Allow me to sorta "nit-pick" on this sentenece, though. Because I think it's an imprtant distinction that too often gets lost in these discussions.




FP+ probably is basically just about line management. However, FP+ is just one part - the line management part - of the overall MyMagic+ (MM+). I think too many people are thinking of FP+ in a vacuum and not as one component of the greater MM+/NextGen.

yes like in Minority Report when Tom Cruise walks into the Gap and a holographic salesperson appears "good afternoon Mr. Yamakato, welcome back to the Gap, how did those assorted tank tops work out for you?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlX_F1VKIdo

 

[mickeygirl14]

FP+ probably is basically just about line management. However, FP+ is just one part - the line management part - of the overall MyMagic+ (MM+). I think too many people are thinking of FP+ in a vacuum and not as one component of the greater MM+/NextGen.

Well said...I too am reserving judgement to see how this is all going to play out with the whole MDE/MM+ system in place. I would love to see Disney's IT department pull it off and make this work. However, I can't decide if I'm hoping this is all in place by our trip in June or not. It's a lot of CHANGE - and we all know how that usually goes over.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

I completely disagree!

I see more park hoppers. I would plan the AM at ropedrop at one park, minimal lines, and then use my FP+ reservations later in the afternoon/evening. Usually when you park hop, all of the FP are gone for the night...this way, they are built in.

Put me in the very excited for the MagicBands and FP+ scheduling. I think 3 is adequate. I would prefer 5, but the folks at WDW have access to far much information/data than any of us do. I'm guessing that any more offered then cause the lines would get worse, availability of FP reservations would drop, and loss of flexibility would be too significant. Tiered awesomeness seems to be the only way to go...think back to the olden days of the individual ride tickets...I think they were priced based on awesomeness or something like that.

I will say that WDW was VERY SMART to start enforcing FP times prior to this change. Going from being able to collect a handful of FP to use later in the evening to the new (to be determined) system, would have sucked. I noticed that during our Jan '13 trip, we used probably around 3 FP a day, given the new enforcement. This was a harder change for me to take than stepping from FP enforcement days to 3 FP+ days.

~You've just hit a home run with this fabulous post!!! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, letsgoreds!

 

[mickeygirl14]

I'm going to come clean here: I'm really working to resist the urge to feel a sense of panic (?) / disappointment (?) [can't find appropriate words] about the new system, and keeping myself from forming an opinion based on the knowledge that not much has been confirmed at this stage. I want to like the new system but I'm having a hard time sifting through speculation and facts with so much information coming from so many sources.

Anyone else feel this way?

Change is part of life and we will and do adapt. But this 'hype' and anticipation and speculation, coupled with an enormous element of unconfirmed and unknown is trying its best to stress me out

Couldn't agree more - I wish they hadn't announced ANYTHING until it was 100% ready to roll out.

 

[World Showcaser]

Holy freak out, Batman. 8 pages of pure freaking out! I echo those who say wait and see. I think FP+ is going to be great. Even if I could just FP Toy Story Mania from home instead of having to rush there first thing after rope drop, I would think it's a better system. And for those who don't want to make FP reservations months in advance then...don't? Nobody is forcing anyone to plan.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I'm going to come clean here: I'm really working to resist the urge to feel a sense of panic (?) / disappointment (?) [can't find appropriate words] about the new system, and keeping myself from forming an opinion based on the knowledge that not much has been confirmed at this stage. I want to like the new system but I'm having a hard time sifting through speculation and facts with so much information coming from so many sources.

Anyone else feel this way?

Change is part of life and we will and do adapt. But this 'hype' and anticipation and speculation, coupled with an enormous element of unconfirmed and unknown is trying its best to stress me out

I was right there with you a few months ago when the speculation really took hold.

I am attempting not to panic/worry/obsess about it as the weeks pass and we know virtually nothing more now than we did then. (I am HOPING that it is partially because the roll out to My Disney Experience was such a disaster that they are working out the bugs before it gets bigger.)

I will say that the more I read about it (speculation or not) I am realizing that this will hinder, not hamper, our park touring. We have been talking about scaling back our trips to WDW over the next few years for a variety of reasons. And with these proposed changes, I am not sure I will miss it all that much...

I truly hope that Disney Springs and whatever the rumored DHS announcement is will be enough to lure us back in a few years to check it out.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

Holy freak out, Batman. 8 pages of pure freaking out! I echo those who say wait and see. I think FP+ is going to be great. Even if I could just FP Toy Story Mania from home instead of having to rush there first thing after rope drop, I would think it's a better system. And for those who don't want to make FP reservations months in advance then...don't? Nobody is forcing anyone to plan.

~LOL. Excellent post!!!

 

[Angel Ariel]

~Really, Robo. I love this, I can't wait for fastpass +, & it is every bit of fabulous! I really hope those people who hate this, have luck finding another place to vacation! I just love Disney World!

OK, seriously...i get that this is something you're looking forward to, but I think it's a bit rude to suggest that those who don't find another park to vacation at.

I adore WDW. We just got back from there earlier this week. I'm not looking forward to FP+ as it's been discussed. It was difficult enough to make our pre-planned ADRs with a group of 9 people (6 adults, 2 children, 1 infant). With that age range, there is a LOT of need for flexibility/spontaneity, and FP+ is pretty much the complete antithesis of that. I ended up canceling 3 of our ADRs because we weren't going to be able to make them. That's not such a huge deal, there's always counter service. But having to cancel a BTMRR FP for some reason? Would have been a much bigger deal, esp. for the 6 y/o.

Just because I see potential flaws and problems, doesn't mean I love Disney any less and should be finding somewhere else to vacation.

ETA:

So, please respect my opinion, as I am respecting yours.

It's not respecting another's opinion to insinuate that if they don't like something, that they should find somewhere else to vacation.

 

[2Tiggies]

I was right there with you a few months ago when the speculation really took hold.

I am attempting not to panic/worry/obsess about it as the weeks pass and we know virtually nothing more now than we did then. (I am HOPING that it is partially because the roll out to My Disney Experience was such a disaster that they are working out the bugs before it gets bigger.)

I will say that the more I read about it (speculation or not) I am realizing that this will hinder, not hamper, our park touring. We have been talking about scaling back our trips to WDW over the next few years for a variety of reasons. And with these proposed changes, I am not sure I will miss it all that much...

I truly hope that Disney Springs and whatever the rumored DHS announcement is will be enough to lure us back in a few years to check it out.

Part of the panic is the possibility of sitting Disney out this year for the first time in who knows how many years. Going once a year gives keeps us fairly up to date with the changes as between the booking, then planning then being there stages, we only ever have to deal with changes over the course of less than a year on each trip.

But now that I've read your post and the way you have put your perspective across, I think maybe skipping a year could be more of a blessing as it allows time for the unknowns to surface and be confirmed. Hanging on to positivity here

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

OK, seriously...i get that this is something you're looking forward to, but I think it's a bit rude to suggest that those who don't find another park to vacation at.

I adore WDW. We just got back from there earlier this week. I'm not looking forward to FP+ as it's been discussed. It was difficult enough to make our pre-planned ADRs with a group of 9 people (6 adults, 2 children, 1 infant). With that age range, there is a LOT of need for flexibility/spontaneity, and FP+ is pretty much the complete antithesis of that. I ended up canceling 3 of our ADRs because we weren't going to be able to make them. That's not such a huge deal, there's always counter service. But having to cancel a BTMRR FP for some reason? Would have been a much bigger deal, esp. for the 6 y/o.

Just because I see potential flaws and problems, doesn't mean I love Disney any less and should be finding somewhere else to vacation.

~Again, I didn't say that. I have no interest in telling people where or how to vacation -- there are several posters here that stated they will cancel their trips because of FP+, and are currently looking into exploring other destinations. Again, we're all different, I totally respect the opinions of those who don't embrace the concept of FP+. I hope this helps to clarify things for you!

 

[Glennie5]

Pixie dust is the business that they are in, so sure.

Oh I didn't mean Disney's pixie dust.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

ETA:

It's not respecting another's opinion to insinuate that if they don't like something, that they should find somewhere else to vacation.

You are twisting my words. Please stop. I did not say anyone who doesn't like FP+ should have to vacation somewhere else. Let it go.

 

[mom2rtk]

First we were introduced to the term "superuser".

Now it's "awesomeness based tier system".

Could it get any better?

I don't find it shocking at all the people have strong feelings about this. We're not talking about merchandise in the gift shops. We're not talking about dinner reservations. We're not talking about getting to and from the parks. We're talking about ride access. That's the bread and butter of what people pay all that money to come to Disney for. I'd be more shocked if people didn't have strong feelings.

Let's just get this show on the road so we can argue about some facts!

 

[meredith1]

Holy freak out, Batman. 8 pages of pure freaking out! I echo those who say wait and see. I think FP+ is going to be great. Even if I could just FP Toy Story Mania from home instead of having to rush there first thing after rope drop, I would think it's a better system. And for those who don't want to make FP reservations months in advance then...don't? Nobody is forcing anyone to plan.

Yep. I am excited because I'm going to make HS a later day park day. I can get my FP for TSM, go to dinner at Brown Derby and see the Osborne Lights all in one trip instead of going at RD one day for TSM and go back another day so I can see the lights! Frees me up to do something I wouldn't normally have time for.

Count me in as pumped for the new system.

 

[Robo]

...timing.

 

[JustAKid]

...timing.

10...9...8...7...6...

 

[mesaboy2]

Has the second-hand pixie dust left the room yet? I don't want to risk breathing any.

 

[2Tiggies]

Oh my gosh, those two lead-in posts and then the predicted response literally made me snort diet Coke out of my nose. Thanks for the really good laugh!

At least it was Diet