MyMagic+ and FastPass+

[DisneyKidds]

Ha, CLASSIC!

(clap..........clap......clap.....CLAP.....CLAP)

We start with the WT et. al. cheering their golden goose, their silver bullet, their iron clad proof that the 'experts' and 'all their clients' just don't like FP+. Much dancing upon the graves of the PR team ensues.

But then, as affirmed as they have been misled into feeling, the WT et. al. realize they want the PR team.....deep down in places they don't want to think about the NEED the PR team.....(well YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE PR TEAM......who was wisely leaving this private party alone).

Realizing their need of the PR team to give their DIS life meaning, the WT et. al. call upon the PR team.

Shortly thereafter a small contingent of the PR team summarily dismisses the so called 'experts', kills the golden goose, takes away the silver bullet.........and we get a classic redirection that it is Disney's fault that the 'experts' don't know very much at all about the system they endeavored to give us a 'refresher course' on.

Did I miss anything?

 

[DisneyKidds]

For the record, I hadn't posted because I frankly didn't see much value in the podcast, to either side of the FP+ aisle. I figured I'd let you have your 'moment', as valuable or worthless as it may be.

I was not in the least bit surprised that a bunch of locals didn't like the system, and only shared vague feedback from their clients that agreed with their predisposition against.

 

[Laketravis]

A comment from the article Angel Ariel cited:

"Disney added "plus one" after listening to guest feedback, yet Staggs said a small percentage of visitors use it."

Could it be because the kiosks themselves are somewhat hidden from view and not easily found? Or that there just aren't a lot of good choices left? Or that despite "quest feedback", most guests are content with just three? Or that the process itself is designed to limit usage?

Of course, if only a "small percentage of visitors use it", why is there often nothing left but B and C choices?

(Hint: capacity).

 

[Laketravis]

Did I miss anything?

I think you did an excellent job of acknowledging the existence of a coordinated PR Team - does the arrival of "a small contingent" indicate they have decided they need to get this thread shut down as well?

 

[wisblue]

This thread doesn't need to be shut down.

I only posted on it in the first place because of the calls for input from someone who prefers FP+ to paper FP. So, I gave my opinion that the podcast added nothing to the overall discussion of the subject.

Now that it seems to be accepted that the podcast represented nothing more than the personal opinions of some local residents who were poorly informed, I have nothing more to add to the thread.

And I don't have the time or desire today to engage in still another fruitless chase down the rabbit hole.

 

[ArwenMarie]

A comment from the article Angel Ariel cited:

"Disney added "plus one" after listening to guest feedback, yet Staggs said a small percentage of visitors use it."

Could it be because the kiosks themselves are somewhat hidden from view and not easily found? Or that there just aren't a lot of good choices left? Or that despite "quest feedback", most guests are content with just three? Or that the process itself is designed to limit usage?

Of course, if only a "small percentage of visitors use it", why is there often nothing left but B and C choices?

(Hint: capacity).

Yep yep and yep.

The 4th FP was purely a PR move IMO. The howling over "I can only get THREE" was crazy as we all remember. As soon as they threw the 4th FP option out there, the howls virtually stopped, even from the biggest opponents to FP+.

They realized there wasn't enough left to sell or use as incentives anyway, in fact there wasn't even enough to leave DHS and Epcot untiered. So it was nothing to them to let people pick through what is left.

Brilliant.

 

[mom2rtk]

Yep yep and yep.

The 4th FP was purely a PR move IMO. The howling over "I can only get THREE" was crazy as we all remember. As soon as they threw the 4th FP option out there, the howls virtually stopped, even from the biggest opponents to FP+.

They realized there wasn't enough left to sell or use as incentives anyway, in fact there wasn't even enough to leave DHS and Epcot untiered. So it was nothing to them to let people pick through what is left.

Brilliant.

I agree. A smart move on Disney's part.

I no longer complain about "only 3" just because it would require too much energy to then launch into the discussion about why B rides that didn't previously need a FP at all just don't count as a 4th FP at all in my book. To me it's still ostensibly "only 3".

 

[Shaden]

Ha, CLASSIC!

(clap..........clap......clap.....CLAP.....CLAP)

We start with the WT et. al. cheering their golden goose, their silver bullet, their iron clad proof that the 'experts' and 'all their clients' just don't like FP+. Much dancing upon the graves of the PR team ensues.

But then, as affirmed as they have been misled into feeling, the WT et. al. realize they want the PR team.....deep down in places they don't want to think about the NEED the PR team.....(well YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE PR TEAM......who was wisely leaving this private party alone).

Realizing their need of the PR team to give their DIS life meaning, the WT et. al. call upon the PR team.

Shortly thereafter a small contingent of the PR team summarily dismisses the so called 'experts', kills the golden goose, takes away the silver bullet.........and we get a classic redirection that it is Disney's fault that the 'experts' don't know very much at all about the system they endeavored to give us a 'refresher course' on.

Did I miss anything?

For the record, I hadn't posted because I frankly didn't see much value in the podcast, to either side of the FP+ aisle. I figured I'd let you have your 'moment', as valuable or worthless as it may be.

I was not in the least bit surprised that a bunch of locals didn't like the system, and only shared vague feedback from their clients that agreed with their predisposition against.

And there they are, on their high and mighty horse, vapid and impotent. Unable to actually respond to the points raised in the video, dismissing them offhandedly, and those who find solid insight in them, redirecting us away from the actual content of the panel.... all the while claiming that it is others who are redirecting of course.

Attempting to position themself above the fray in "letting others have their moment", but not being surprised that a bunch of people who clearly didn't like the system and were predisposed not to from the first place still don't like the system and are only highlighting the responses that confirm said predisposition. Because, you know, they are so in tune with the podcasters and know exactly how they approached FP+ with closed minds and such.

But they will lead us from this debate, solidify that those who don't like FP+ are wrong and have no points or solid ground to stand on, by offering us barbs and jabs, semi-veiled insults, and absolutely no content, all the while accusing those they are attempting to dismiss and diminish of doing the very same.

Bravo Bravo - you add so much value to the conversation. You are right we absolutely -needed- you to come back and join the conversation with a whole lot of nothing, pretending you have solved the worlds greatest puzzle. You are like the person who always boasts that you could do whatever you want, but you never actually do it ... but trust you, you would be awesome at it if you did, way better than anyone else. Full of talk and rhetoric, empty of action and substance. Yea, we needed that alright.

 

[JanaDee]

Ha, CLASSIC!

(clap..........clap......clap.....CLAP.....CLAP)

We start with the WT et. al. cheering their golden goose, their silver bullet, their iron clad proof that the 'experts' and 'all their clients' just don't like FP+. Much dancing upon the graves of the PR team ensues.

But then, as affirmed as they have been misled into feeling, the WT et. al. realize they want the PR team.....deep down in places they don't want to think about the NEED the PR team.....(well YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE PR TEAM......who was wisely leaving this private party alone).

Realizing their need of the PR team to give their DIS life meaning, the WT et. al. call upon the PR team.

Shortly thereafter a small contingent of the PR team summarily dismisses the so called 'experts', kills the golden goose, takes away the silver bullet.........and we get a classic redirection that it is Disney's fault that the 'experts' don't know very much at all about the system they endeavored to give us a 'refresher course' on.

Did I miss anything?

For the record, I hadn't posted because I frankly didn't see much value in the podcast, to either side of the FP+ aisle. I figured I'd let you have your 'moment', as valuable or worthless as it may be.

I was not in the least bit surprised that a bunch of locals didn't like the system, and only shared vague feedback from their clients that agreed with their predisposition against.

So you're admitting you don't have anything valuable to add to the discussion, just more derision and condescension for those that have a different opinion than you.

Oh and Wis, glad to see you're finally admitting and acknowledging the multiple complaints against FP+.

 

[JanaDee]

Just because your DH didn't have a problem with it doesn't mean that goes for every other new Disney person.

The family I helped plan a trip for in November had never been to Disney. My friend came to me AFTER she'd booked/started trying to plan her family's trip because - in *her* words - she was completely overwhelmed with the planning (ADRs, the MDE account, FP+ - all of it). I emphasize that she started booking/planning the trip on her own to emphasize that her feelings were what she brought *to* me, not something she got *from* me.

As I have said all along on these boards - I understand that there are many who pick up on it right away, who are not overwhelmed, etc. I don't doubt those people or question their experience at all.

That said, there are people who DO have a more difficult/overwhelming experience with the system, and their experience does not deserve to be dismissed as "well, someone just overcomplicated it for them. It's easy, because it was easy for this person"*

I had the same experience helping 2 different families.

 

[Mickey&Mouse]

Ha, CLASSIC!

(clap..........clap......clap.....CLAP.....CLAP)

We start with the WT et. al. cheering their golden goose, their silver bullet, their iron clad proof that the 'experts' and 'all their clients' just don't like FP+. Much dancing upon the graves of the PR team ensues.

But then, as affirmed as they have been misled into feeling, the WT et. al. realize they want the PR team.....deep down in places they don't want to think about the NEED the PR team.....(well YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE PR TEAM......who was wisely leaving this private party alone).

Realizing their need of the PR team to give their DIS life meaning, the WT et. al. call upon the PR team.

Shortly thereafter a small contingent of the PR team summarily dismisses the so called 'experts', kills the golden goose, takes away the silver bullet.........and we get a classic redirection that it is Disney's fault that the 'experts' don't know very much at all about the system they endeavored to give us a 'refresher course' on.

Did I miss anything?

I think you missed a lot.

This was only the second post in the thread:

Thanks for the link.
It was nice to finally see the Dis Unplugged podcast crew give their honest opinions on FP+ and MDE: spontaneity gone, glitchy app, people looking at their phones rather than enjoying the parks, feeling overscheduled, FP+ created long SB lines on rides like IASW, POC, HM.
There were 7 hosts on the Dis Unplugged panel and no one was particularly complimentary about MDE or FP+.

I also thought it was interesting when they were talking about their Dreams Unlimited clients who didn't visit WDW very often and didn't know about MDE and FP+. The client reaction was basically described as incredulous when they were told about making ride reservations.

And it sums up the podcast very well. Since that post there’s been many posts commenting on the different levels of frustration in dealing with FP+, with a wide range of reasons. Seemingly in agreement with the podcast hosts and their clients. Not too different from other FP+ related threads. And I don’t doubt that many of their clients feel the frustration at the level of planning now required for a Disney vacation. How couldn’t they? I mean planning for a trip is one thing, but the level of planning now required for a more successful Disney trip is almost indescribable. All due to FP+.

I thought the podcast was valuable in the sense that it helped to validate some of my frustrations, as I’m in the planning stages of an upcoming trip. What used to be more of a fun process (planning a trip) has now been transformed into a confusing, worrisome, frustrating, and stressful process. My FP+ window is not until March; however, I’ve been reading and studying for weeks just trying to understand all the ins and outs. I’ve been reading here on the DIS to find out about others experiences, and learn from mistakes made, etc. I still don’t feel like I have a handle on it though because of the unknown aspects: will Disney change x, y, or z before our trip, what availability will be at midnight, what availability will be if/when I need to make a change, etc. There’s not much flexibility, and it feels much too restrictive.

With Legacy we could have a loose plan, a more structured plan, or no plan at all. When the unexpected happened, such as the weather changing, we could change our days on the fly. No big deal. With Legacy we had a clean slate every day while at Disney. The freedom this provided cannot be overstated.

 

[wisblue]

Oh and Wis, glad to see you're finally admitting and acknowledging the multiple complaints against FP+.

I have participated in many of the discussions dealing with these complaints, so there is no reason for me to "admit" that they exist.

Just because I don't have the same complaints doesn't mean I don't recognize and acknowledge them.

 

[DisneyKidds]

But they will lead us from this debate, solidify that those who don't like FP+ are wrong and have no points or solid ground to stand on...........Yea, we needed that alright.

Well that was one bitter cup of coffee!

Um.....Shaden, you do realize that it was the WT et. al. that called us out? Heck, this whole thread was likely just a vehicle to call us out and beat us over the head with your "podcast affirmation". Really, please.

For the record, I've never told anyone they were right or wrong to like or dislike FP+. That's a personal, subjective judgement to which everyone is entitled, including the DIS round table members. I would never tell them, or anyone, they were wrong to personally dislike FP+. So what if they have emotion, and even agenda, that might allow them to color the discussion in their preferred shade when discussing client feedback. It's valid input, but no conclusion.

Could one argue that a bunch of DIS centric locals are not a representative cross section of WDW guests? Perhaps. That they don't seem particularly well informed? Maybe. But none of that makes them wrong. It's just input.

Yes, I've gone down rabbit holes with the WT et. al., but not to tell anyone they are wrong for not liking FP+. You know what the podcast members didn't do? They didn't make any sweeping generalizations that the only way one can find value in a WDW vacation is if they are happy doing only three attractions, and then having long lines for everything else. Had they said some nonsense like that I'd have a lot more input.

 

[JanaDee]

Well that was one bitter cup of coffee!

Um.....Shaden, you do realize that it was the WT et. al. that called us out? Heck, this whole thread was likely just a vehicle to call us out and beat us over the head with your "podcast affirmation". Really, please.

For the record, I've never told anyone they were right or wrong to like or dislike FP+. That's a personal, subjective judgement to which everyone is entitled, including the DIS round table members. I would never tell them, or anyone, they were wrong to personally dislike FP+. So what if they have emotion, and even agenda, that might allow them to color the discussion in their preferred shade when discussing client feedback. It's valid input, but no conclusion.

Could one argue that a bunch of DIS centric locals are not a representative cross section of WDW guests? Perhaps. That they don't seem particularly well informed? Maybe. But none of that makes them wrong. It's just input.

Yes, I've gone down rabbit holes with the WT et. al., but not to tell anyone they are wrong for not liking FP+. You know what the podcast members didn't do? They didn't make any sweeping generalizations that the only way one can find value in a WDW vacation is if they are happy doing only three attractions, and then having long lines for everything else. Had they said some nonsense like that I'd have a lot more input.

Who is this "WT" that you keep slyly referencing?

 

[Suvadoo]

I thought you might find this Dis Unplugged Disneyland edition's podcast interesting:

http://www.disunplugged.com/2015/01/06/dis-unplugged-podcast-010415-disneyland-show/

They start discussing the topic 12:25 - 26:00
The hosts discuss FP+ coming to DLR and their experiences with FP+ while visiting WDW. Once again, they are giving their own opinions, but I don't think they enjoyed FP+ at WDW and this is from a tourist perspective.

I keep seeing the podcaster's opinions as just a bunch of locals who dislike FP+. Well, the DLR podcasters who visited WDW didn't have very good things to say about FP+ either. These people are WDW tourists, and they don't want FP+ to come to DLR. The link to the podcast is in my previous post

 

[Angel Ariel]

Seems like the debate is suddenly shifting.

It has been my observation that the VAST majority of the complaints about FP+ on these boards have come from people who feel like the system results in them being able to do less than they did before. There are also a lot of complaints about the need to make decisions about what park to be in on which day in order to select FPs and then what time of that day to select which attractions. Then there are the complaints that the FP selections they want are not available, even if they try to select them the instant they are first able to make them. And then the complaints that FP+ makes standby lines longer than they used to be for some attractions.

None of these complaints have anything to do with the system being too complicated for them to figure out. If FPs for certain attractions are running out in advance, that suggests to me that a lot of guests are having no trouble figuring out how the system works.

Sure, FP+ is confusing for a lot of people who are trying to use it for the first time. But trips to WDW have always been a little confusing or intimidating. If that wasn't true there wouldn't be as many guidebooks as there have been trying to help people get the most out of their WDW vacations.

This thread has gone so far off track at this point, but I wanted to respond to this.

For me, no, the debate is not "suddenly shifting." I think -and have since Sept when I could first use the FP+ interface myself - that the actual interface for booking FP+ is easy. I don't think that is what anyone is referring to as complicated. If one is happy to accept whatever options first pop up (which I imagine many first time guests do), then the system is pretty simple.

Where it starts to become complicated is when you really want to tailor your FP+ selections/times as is supposed to be the big benefit to this system. In this regard, I do not believe the system is as transparent as it should be.

Just as a quick example of the info/strategies I personally found benefitted me in the FP+ booking process:

1.) Knowing that if I wanted to book A&E/7DT (we wanted both) - to start booking FP+ at the end of our trip and working our way forward.

2.) Knowing to accept the options Disney gives you for the *opposite* time of day as when you want to actually use your FP+, so that you can see all FP+ availability in the times you're actually wanting to book.

3.) Knowing that if you couldn't find a FP+ for your entire party for a certain ride, to try single people FP+ and get overlapping times. (Actually had to use this strategy on rides I never thought would be an issue - Buzz and Spaceship Earth).

4.) Knowing that the availability that shows up when you search on the app is different than the availability that shows up on the website. So if you search on the app and there isn't availability, try the website and see if it's different (in multiple cases this was true for us).

It's not that those things above are complicated per se. Complicated isn't the word I'd use. But they also aren't things Disney advertises or discusses anywhere.

Are they *required* to know to use the system? No, and I'm not saying they are. I am saying that knowing the above did, in my personal case, help the FP+ booking process run a lot more smoothly and I was a lot happier with the FP+ schedule I ended up with than I would have been with what Disney wanted to give me. I'm also saying I don't think the above things are in any way intuitive - especially to those who are more unfamiliar with Disney in general.

 

[WillAustin]

I'm also saying I don't think the above things are in any way intuitive - especially to those who are more unfamiliar with Disney in general.

Not unlike allowing legacy FP returns after the time expired.

 

[JimmyV]

Just because I don't have the same complaints doesn't mean I don't recognize and acknowledge them.

A refreshingly enlightened view, and quite a departure from the many others who cannot resist posting: "It worked great for me, so all of the rest of you must be wrong!" This Board sees an awful lot of that. But oddly, not on this thread. Your well-reasoned viewpoint has always been helpful in framing the debate.

 

[jade1]

The hosts discuss FP+ coming to DLR

Is this happening?

Source:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/trav...-disney/os-disney-mymagic-20141225-story.html

I saw a thread around here somewhere that said this would happen by 2016, but I didn't see that in the article.

Whoa, that's an incredible "double down" if this is as bad as many seem to think.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Not unlike allowing legacy FP returns after the time expired.

TBH, I don't know that we ever knew you could do that...at least not until all the talk about it going away. We ever did the FP hoarding thing - we used them in the window.

So I agree that part of legacy wasn't intuitive - but it also wasn't using the system as intended (not wrong, but not as intended). FP+' intent is to be able to schedule not just what rides you want, but when you want them...so, to me, that's a lot of non-intuitive aspects for something that you are supposed to be using the system for.