My Magic+ and DVC stays

[fflmaster]

CONVERTING TO PAPERLESS TICKETS
Once available, you may convert certain paper tickets or passes to a paperless ticket or pass in the Site/App. Once converted, your ticket or pass park admission entitlements are stored in your account and fulfilled by an RF Device. The paper ticket or pass becomes void and is no longer valid for admission. However, you may want to keep your paper pass for validation in the event you do not receive your RF Device before your visit or if you are a passholder you should keep your paper pass for validation of other passholder benefits.
You are required to convert paper tickets and passes in order to make and use FastPass+ selections. Once you convert a ticket or pass you will no longer be able to participate in the standard FASTPASS service upon arrival at the parks.

My question is once this is available WHY WOULD I WANT TO BE TIED TO THIS?

From everything I read you will only be able to schedule 3 items in one park only.

Yes this sounds great for those that don't want to go to RD for the mad dash to TSM or Soarin or want to use this option for fireworks or parade fastpasses, but seems to take everything else away.

My family likes to Park Hop. The new system seems to exclude this.

My family uses the fastpass system many many times to ride multiple times. The new system seems to exclude this.

If you can do both then I am all for the new system, but from the passage above listed in the web site I don't think you will be able to do both regular fastpass and fastpass+.

Disney must have something up for this to work. My only guess is the the fastpass we use now will be going away very soon.

 

[DougEMG]

Disney must have something up for this to work. My only guess is the the fastpass we use now will be going away very soon.

The expectation is that once FP+ is fully rolled out that the FP tickets will be removed.

There was a huge long threat on the new FP+ system under the Theme Park Strategies that was eventually locked.

Some people are going to like the new system (my wife cause she only goes in the late afternoon so now can book some FP+ for stuff) and some aren't going to like it (me and my daughter as we get multiple FP for the same ride).

 

[Sammie]

Concerning this new program, and what it all entails, we aren't feeling the magic. Especially as to privacy being questioned by a lawmaker.
As huge Disney fans, with a DVC membership, and recently expired Premier passes, we are just stunned by Iger's response. That is not at all what we would have expected from Disney. And I say Disney as opposed to just one executive.
Disney should have expressed concern about a politician wanting more information, and invited him to see for himself what Disney wants to implement into it's theme parks. But no, Disney did not respond in typical Disney fashion. Disney's response to a justifiable question from an elected official is unsettling, and suspect in our opinion.

I thought Iger's response was right on target. It was insulting for Disney to be accused of anything that would put children at risk. He answered all the questions that were asked.

Did you read his response?

What is suspect is Markey singling out Disney for using RFID when other resorts have already done so without being questioned.

 

[Longhairbear]

I thought Iger's response was right on target. It was insulting for Disney to be accused of anything that would put children at risk. He answered all the questions that were asked.

Did you read his response?

What is suspect is Markey singling out Disney for using RFID when other resorts have already done so without being questioned.

I disagree.

 

[Casemily]

I disagree.

Would you mind commenting further with specifics? Your pp sounds like someone very upset, but after re-reading Iger's statement and your, I have no idea why. Thanks!

 

[Chuck S]

I don't understand how the RFID tag will be a whole lot different, even tracking-wise, to what they do now. I mean, most cash resort guests already have charging and tickets on their room keys. So, they can already track our spending and fastpass usage through the currently existing tickets. And it would be odd if they already don't do some target marketing based on that info.

 

[Longhairbear]

Would you mind commenting further with specifics? Your pp sounds like someone very upset, but after re-reading Iger's statement and your, I have no idea why. Thanks!

I am saying that Iger's response was very un Disney. I also don't think he answered truthfully.
That is what I got out of it.

 

[Brian Noble]

What is suspect is Markey

Rep. Markey has a long and storied history of crusades when it comes to theme parks and amusement parks. Usually, he laments the lack of federal oversight of such places. This is just more of the same. For the most part, he gets zero traction on any of the committees on which he serves with these issues. But, he does know a good PR opportunity when he sees it.

I am saying that Iger's response was very un Disney. I also don't think he answered truthfully.

It was certainly sharply worded, but frankly I think that was warranted. I'm not sure what you think was untruthful about the answer. I would be curious to hear more.

 

[keishashadow]

Well, we will be activating our PAP' s in a couple of weeks from our vouchers and we are holding regular annual pass vouchers for use the next year. We had purchased them just prior to the announcement of the DVC special offer and we called and were told we had two years to use the regular AP vouchers. Sounds off topic but now I' m curious to see what I'll be told in two weeks. I'll ask, too, about making reservations with an inactive AP.

I think they are making up the rules as they go along. Thanks for the info.

Auntie Peep

This would be different from way things have worked in the past. I can't see that Disney could institute a change in terms or suddenly add a use-by date to tickets that were sold as open-ended for the first date of use. If they do try it, they should be called out imo.

I purchased 'regular' APs (via will-call numbers vs paper vouchers) in the summer of '11 before that year's price increase with the intention of stockpiling them. We still have non-expiry tix on hand.

Note that I specifically asked when i purchased the set of APs in '11 if there was a 'use-by/activation date' and was told there was not.

When i purchased the discounted PAPs past December I verified the original set of APs were still waiting for me to pick them up. The CM stated it's not uncommon for guests to have multiples on file.

 

[Longhairbear]

Rep. Markey has a long and storied history of crusades when it comes to theme parks and amusement parks. Usually, he laments the lack of federal oversight of such places. This is just more of the same. For the most part, he gets zero traction on any of the committees on which he serves with these issues. But, he does know a good PR opportunity when he sees it.


It was certainly sharply worded, but frankly I think that was warranted. I'm not sure what you think was untruthful about the answer. I would be curious to hear more.

I think the way it was worded causes me to not believe him. Otherwise I have no proof one way, or the other. The rest of the materials provided did not sway me in one direction or another, nor away from my thinking he was not being truthful.
I had no opinion of the man until this incident, now I do.

 

[bcrook]

I don't understand what you mean by being 'forced into online check-in?' It's not mandatory.

If you want to make a location request, just call MS, they'll be happy to add it to your reservation. You can also speak with the CM checking you in at the resort and ask them to find you a better location, if the one you're assigned isn't appropriate for your husband's needs.

I think the "forced into online check in" is linked to the idea that FP+ reservations could get to the point of ADRs for popular restaurants. The ride reservations will start booking up at 60 days, and only the bad times will be left the later one waits. People will feel the pressure to get "eligible" tickets hooked up and check in so they can compete for the Advanced Ride Reservations.

Eligible tickets is another issue. The Terms and Agreements and the exit surveys of trial runs point to the requirement of buying tickets through Disney. But, it doesn't seem logical...so I would follow Brian Nobles advice and wait as long as you can to decide.

 

[bcrook]

Surely they will work it out for AP vouchers and will call numbers to be able to pre-book the fastpasses. If not, the angry villagers will be attacking the castle with emails. And really, since many DVCers have AP and AP vouchers, it is unlikely that DVC marketing would want to be seen as a whole lot "less than" compared to the standard occasional resort stay. Most new owners and potential buyers already cringe at the limited housekeeping from a sales standpoint, until they experience it.

Somebody reported they were able to link their confirmation number from their AP to their account and that served as their eligible ticket. But as Sammie said earlier we don't know for sure.

The expectation is that once FP+ is fully rolled out that the FP tickets will be removed.

There was a huge long threat on the new FP+ system under the Theme Park Strategies that was eventually locked.

Some people are going to like the new system (my wife cause she only goes in the late afternoon so now can book some FP+ for stuff) and some aren't going to like it (me and my daughter as we get multiple FP for the same ride).

Even if FP are not removed, the more popular rides will book up quickly 60 days in advance and there won't be slots available the day of. Also, every ride is not connected to the the regular FP system.

The summary of the long thread is in my signature if anybody is interested.

 

[bcrook]

I don't understand how the RFID tag will be a whole lot different, even tracking-wise, to what they do now. I mean, most cash resort guests already have charging and tickets on their room keys. So, they can already track our spending and fastpass usage through the currently existing tickets. And it would be odd if they already don't do some target marketing based on that info.

There are hidden sensors throughout the parks and resorts. They will be collecting information on movements all day. So it is definitely a "step up" in their data collection. The sensors will only be able to detect the magicband.

All of this information is farmed out to third party systems. The privacy details are lengthy. I don't know how I feel about it.

 

[Longhairbear]

There are hidden sensors throughout the parks and resorts. They will be collecting information on movements all day. So it is definitely a "step up" in their data collection. The sensors will only be able to detect the magicband.

All of this information is farmed out to third party systems. The privacy details are lengthy. I don't know how I feel about it.

We are not sure how all this will impact our vacations. We assume that the reservation itself is only of concern to how many days we actually spend in WDW. Once in WDW they track our spending according to the shops we pass by, including restaurants. They might track our groceries at our DVC resorts to see how much we are spending for cooking, as opposed to eating out. They won't know how much we spend at offsite groceries, but could assume that by figuring out where we don't eat out daily.
We both love to cook, and love being able to on vacation in our DVC. We can tour the parks all day, and then come back to our vacation home and cook up a storm. It's the very reason we got our membership, among other reasons. I hope Disney tracks that to improve the menus in WDW to compete with me, and get us into the restaurants.

 

[Waddler]

Disney should have expressed concern about a politician wanting more information, and invited him to see for himself what Disney wants to implement into it's theme parks. But no, Disney did not respond in typical Disney fashion.

We're in the minority, but I agree with you.

I didn't see anything directly accusatory or insulting in the politician's original letter, just a list of questions. It happens all the time in politics and business. It's a game.

I thought the tone of Iger's response was overly emotional and a bit unprofessional. No need to puff out his chest and scream, "but I'm the 800-pound gorilla!" I wish he would've just let the facts speak for themselves.

Disney shouldn't be surprised that some people are wary of the changes. I think many inquiring minds would be easily pacified with transparent, direct answers, delivered without attitude.

 

[Chuck S]

This explains a lot. This guy is 66 years old, and hasn't been to theme park since he was a child. I'm guessing never to a Disney park. He is completely unfamiliar with modern Theme Parks.

This is from an interview with Theme Park Insider, though no date for the interview is given that I can find.

When was the last time you visited a theme park? Where did you go? What is your favorite theme park, and why?

Rep. Markey: As a boy I grew up visiting parks in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

 

[MsTessP]

This particular politician is an idiot (he "represents" my state).

I don't fault the attitude of Iger or his response in the least. As Iger pointed out, the questions in Markey's letter could have been easily answered by reviewing the public statements made by Disney as they have been rolling out this program.

As far as overbearing bullying tactics, I believe that this was present in Markey's letter. If Markey was not interested in a public bluster to somehow advance his stance in a business-unfriendly administation, he could have privately asked Iger about any and all of his concerns. Instead, he decided to make this inquiry public. Iger had no other recourse than to make his response public in return.

Iger had to scramble, along with the PR and IR departments of Disney, to deflect any concerns or unfair assumptions that this public bullying by Markey may have created.

As a Disney shareholder, I am disgusted by the actions of Rep. Markey. As a voter in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I have clearly made my feelings known to the office of Rep. Markey.

 

[Sammie]

We're in the minority, but I agree with you.

I didn't see anything directly accusatory or insulting in the politician's original letter, just a list of questions. It happens all the time in politics and business. It's a game.

I thought the tone of Iger's response was overly emotional and a bit unprofessional. No need to puff out his chest and scream, "but I'm the 800-pound gorilla!" I wish he would've just let the facts speak for themselves.

Disney shouldn't be surprised that some people are wary of the changes. I think many inquiring minds would be easily pacified with transparent, direct answers, delivered without attitude.

It wasn't so much how he asked, Markey that is, but that he asked at all. Other companies have been using RFID without this public outcry.

For some reason Disney just seems to be the company that some love to hate.

I thought Mr. Iger's response was spot on. Much of what Markey asked is public knowledge and had he or his staff done their research they would have had their answers.

And parts of Markey's letter literally could have been taken verbatim from the heated discussions even here on the DIS, makes one wonder if someone alerted Markey, instead of him doing this as part of his job.

It is almost like some people want this to fail.

 

[keishashadow]

It wasn't so much how he asked, Markey that is, but that he asked at all. Other companies have been using RFID without this public outcry.

For some reason Disney just seems to be the company that some love to hate.

I thought Mr. Iger's response was spot on. Much of what Markey asked is public knowledge and had he or his staff done their research they would have had their answers.

And parts of Markey's letter literally could have been taken verbatim from the heated discussions even here on the DIS, makes one wonder if someone alerted Markey, instead of him doing this as part of his job.

It is almost like some people want this to fail.

i admit that i do. Mostly because i'm not particularly tech friendly and just don't want to jump thru hoops to book a FP so far in advance. It certainly makes me think twice about booking a last minute trip.

The technology is growing in use and doesn't bother many but there is a growing contingent of population who feel this sort of technology is just another chink as to invasion of privacy/loss of freedom whether it's in a private park or not. Disney is a high profile company, it's the perfect test case to be challenged.

 

[Peepster]

Okay, I'm old enough to have been through a lot of changes at Disney parks and I'm predicting that MDE, at least in this original form, will fail. And I am also quick to point out that I've also been wrong about a lot of things in my lifetime.

It's not even that I WANT it to fail but something in my gut just says that, on several levels, this is not something the general public is going to invest time and effort in.

For the first time in MY Disney loving avocation I feel as if I'm being pushed around and I find myself questioning things I never questioned before.

That being said, we have more trips planned in the next couple of years than ever before. I promise myself that, if I prove to be wrong, and end up loving and using the system as does the majority of Disney fandom, I'll come back here and eat crow.

This is also the first time we've ever discussed selling our DVC timeshare after our trips are done, too.

And, keishashadow, I am certain about that two year window on the AP because we were hoping to pocket it for future use, too. I think you're right.

Auntie Peep
who STILL is not bright enough to get rid of the below mess