MyMagic+ executive gone, now Disney needs to remove certain fast passes

[RalphinSC]

There's a big difference between laughing AT someone and laughing WITH them.

This. If you think a post or a response to be "tongue in cheek", your chuckling isn't at the expense of the OP, it's more along the lines of appreciating the wit and slyness.

Perhaps I'm off base here, but I found the original post to have some good points, but with a bit of sarcastic humor since it was presented in such an unbalanced way.

 

[RalphinSC]

The OP is not laughing!!! He wasn't laughing yesterday and he isn't laughing today. He is serious about his letter and others were too!! I gotta give the OP credit for sticking to his guns not changing his opinion in order to save face!!!!

The OP can be cackling uncontrollably behind his keyboard and we'd never know....

I could be laughing right now.

Not everyone is fully vested in the ultimate seriousness of every word ever typed into an internet message board. Some things make for interesting, and yes even humorous conversation; especially if presented in the right light.

I find the fact of besieging Disney executives with angry letters and message board postings to be a bit funny. I like the spirit of the OP, whether misguided, serious, or not. I'll choose not to take it seriously, it's much more enjoyable to smile and laugh about things every now and then.

That's not being disrespectful, how I take it is between me and the information. When you put something up on a public internet forum, you kind of lose the ability to dictate how others perceive your thoughts.

 

[mousefan73]

The more I think about it, the OP could be working for The Onion.

 

[lugnut33]

I still dislike many aspects of FP+.

That said, I know my negative feedback is probably opposite what Disney is hearing.

 

[MightyGitis]

In that spirit, the other side of the coin is to embrace the change. I just looked on MDE and at at 3:40 1 person, could get a FP+ for 3:45 for Haunted Mansion, or 4:00 on POTC, or 4:30 on Jungle Cruise. Looking on Touring Plan, a year ago today, Haunted Mansion has 35 min. wait at 3:45, POTC had a 30 min. wait, and Jungle Cruise had a 45 minute wait (down from over an hour earlier in the day). Those sound like prime potential 4th, 5th and 6th FP+. Even based on last year's waits these FP+'s would save time.

Where on touring plans can you look at historic wait times? Because I've seen people claim that last year POTC and HM never had a wait of 30 min or more and I've never known where to look to find out waits before FP+ was added. I am a subscriber I just don't know where to look.

 

[johde]

Where on touring plans can you look at historic wait times? Because I've seen people claim that last year POTC and HM never had a wait of 30 min or more and I've never known where to look to find out waits before FP+ was added. I am a subscriber I just don't know where to look.

I can't remember how far back you can go for individual rides. I normally go to http://touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/historical-crowds . Then use the drop downs on the bottom right to get to the day I'm looking for. My subscription has currently lapsed so I can't see overall crowd levels but if I dig in, I can see park level crowds and individual attractions. Being a subscriber, you can probably see more data than I can.

 

[surferdave]

I just looked on MDE and at at 3:40 1 person

What is available for one person is aways great. Try 3 or 4 for a typical guest visit.

 

[MightyGitis]

What is available for one person is aways great. Try 3 or 4 for a typical guest visit.

They probably are the only one with an AP to check for. I can't check for four people unless I have four people with valid tickets linked. So I have an AP and my sister has an AP so I can check for two people and see similar things. But I can't confirm for more than two.

 

[mossy1]

I really wonder if the entire fast plus plus system hinges on "making" these few attractions fast pass as some are suggesting?

I really do think it is based on having these other attractions available.

I wish they would eliminate the Tier problem. Allow people to book Tier 1 in the morning and another Tier 1 at night (and so we switch spots, better than waiting 80 min on one or the other, and if you hop, you hop, that's your business. We didn't hop this time.). That would have solved our knock down drag out family drama. We always used to be able to get FP- for RR and for TSMM. This either/or business is HORRIBLE.

I also think the tiered system is what drives people crazy! I hope they increase the number you can get in advance perhaps letting you "trade" some tier 2 for tier 1. For example let you have 5 "credits" to start off with then you could use them almost like TS or CS credits, tier 1(TS) costing 2 credits, tier 2(CS) is one credit.

To bad they got rid of the old FP right around my anniversary! I wish I could go back tomorrow, but I won't be going back to WDW for a while. Let them figure this crap out and work some on Avatar. In the meantime, DisneyLand...no FP+....so, what's up...?

I am also pushing my next visit back to see how this all works out and give them time to finish up some of the other projects, such as Poly refurb and DTD or Disney Springs reno. Have fun in DL!!

 

[FlipHipster]

I hope they increase the number you can get in advance perhaps letting you "trade" some tier 2 for tier 1.For example let you have 5 "credits" to start off with then you could use them almost like TS or CS credits, tier 1(TS) costing 2 credits, tier 2(CS) is one credit.

E-ticket+

It's actually a brilliant move, they are bringing back virtual e-ticket with an extremely high cover charge.

 

[dbramer]

1. Press releases state he left on his own terms.. Yes, there is a good chance he could have been asked to leave too. but no one knows for sure.

2. I highly doubt that if he was "fired" is was not because you are upset that you cannot get more than 3 FPs at the beginninig and rides that in the past did not need one, now have have one and now have lines.

3. IF he was fired , most likely it would be because this project took too long and was overbudget ( which is also not 100% confirmed).


and who says this project is a failure??? Disboarders and other commando fanatics that really used the old FP to their benefit. Nothing wrong with that, but keep in mind the millions and millions of more guest who are clueless and for the first time even realize before their trip there are FPs??

AND FPs are only a small part of MY Magic Plus project, doesnt this entail also Magic bands, online linking/booking, apps etc.... Yes these things have their issues/kinks, but in the end Disney does have something to show for themselves.

And who knows maybe it wasnt even his department that decided on the fast pass rules.. I am assuming, but the way our company works IT develps and enables.. Other department make up the guidelines for their product specifics.. Sooooo maybe the guy in charge of the themparks made up the FP, line rules.... I will admit have no idea how Diseny is set up , but I highly doubt this guy sat for hours and discussed how many FPss one gets. for us its a big deal and maybe the one feature we notice AT times the most, but for the BIG PICTURE , I would think internally his focus was justifying cost by showing increased revenue via increased online package bookings, linking reservations, ease of in park purchasing. and collecting customer data/trends.

As a matter of fact, the original press release said that he had turned over his responsibilities 6 months ago, which is par for the course when someone has completed the project and turns it over to the everyday goons who will implement the process. He is, as is usually the process, taking his expertise to the open market to get his big paycheck as a consultant.

I do not get the "fired" reference from the tone of the press release. It sounds like an amicable parting of ways after the mission was completed.

 

[mom2rtk]

Can someone remind me when it was that Mr. Iger paid his visit to the parks to try the magic bands out for himself? Was that by chance around 6 months ago?

 

[Itinkso]

Can someone remind me when it was that Mr. Iger paid his visit to the parks to try the magic bands out for himself? Was that by chance around 6 months ago?

It was around the beginning of November, I believe. A number of execs were in the park to watch the final rehearsal of MOUCP... and Iger stayed at Contemp.

 

[mom2rtk]

It was around the beginning of November, I believe. A number of execs were in the park to watch the final rehearsal of MOUCP... and Iger stayed at Contemp.

So 7 months ago Mr. Iger tried the Magic Bands out for himself. Then a month later the exec in charge of MM+ was relieved of his duties.

Maybe he was left because Mr. Iger gave him a huge bonus when his Magic Band failed and he no longer needed a job?

 

[MightyGitis]

So 7 months ago Mr. Iger tried the Magic Bands out for himself. Then a month later the exec in charge of MM+ was relieved of his duties. Maybe he was left because Mr. Iger gave him a huge bonus when his Magic Band failed and he no longer needed a job?

According to this: *********************************/2013/rumor-spotlight-november-27-disney-world/

Iger was there because of delays. So if the parting of ways was forced it wasn't because he didn't like the project it was because he wanted the project to go faster.

In looking for this I read a few articles that called MagicBands Bob Iger's passion project. He wanted them. And he wanted them faster.

So either way this guy isn't gone because of FP+ slot allocations I don't believe.

Edit: oops looks like I can't post the link because it's from one of the filtered sites. Here's the part I meant:

"Disney’s financial types were counting on the initial roll-out this year to start to boost Disney World’s revenues in 2014, as guests are expected to spend more time on property and more money on souvenirs once every minute detail of their vacations have been planned months in advance and with wallet-less transactions making money out of sight, out of mind. The loss of that revenue is damning; the fact that even more now has to be spent on further patches and upgrades is downright disastrous. (And this is just for Orlando – forget about shipping NextGen to all of the other resorts all across the globe, as was expected to be happening in the very near future.

This is so disastrous, in fact, that Bob Iger and all of Disney’s top executives reportedly flew out to Orlando earlier this month for a series of “tense” meetings on the subject."

Published November 27th confirming he was there in November.

 

[mom2rtk]

According to this: *********************************/2013/rumor-spotlight-november-27-disney-world/

Iger was there because of delays. So if the parting of ways was forced it wasn't because he didn't like the project it was because he wanted the project to go faster.

In looking for this I read a few articles that called MagicBands Bob Iger's passion project. He wanted them. And he wanted them faster.

So either way this guy isn't gone because of FP+ slot allocations I don't believe.

Edit: oops looks like I can't post the link because it's from one of the filtered sites. Here's the part I meant:

"Disney’s financial types were counting on the initial roll-out this year to start to boost Disney World’s revenues in 2014, as guests are expected to spend more time on property and more money on souvenirs once every minute detail of their vacations have been planned months in advance and with wallet-less transactions making money out of sight, out of mind. The loss of that revenue is damning; the fact that even more now has to be spent on further patches and upgrades is downright disastrous. (And this is just for Orlando – forget about shipping NextGen to all of the other resorts all across the globe, as was expected to be happening in the very near future.

This is so disastrous, in fact, that Bob Iger and all of Disney’s top executives reportedly flew out to Orlando earlier this month for a series of “tense” meetings on the subject."

Published November 27th confirming he was there in November.

It didn't have to be about slot allocations? There were enough issues with this rollout that you can pick your poison.

Weren't there reports that Mr. Iger's Magic Band didn't function properly? If your CEO shows up to test out the project you are in charge of, and things don't work, you might as well resign. Or a few months down the line you will be the subject of a press release saying you "moved on to pursue other interests".

 

[MightyGitis]

It didn't have to be about slot allocations? There were enough issues with this rollout that you can pick your poison. Weren't there reports that Mr. Iger's Magic Band didn't function properly? If your CEO shows up to test out the project you are in charge of, and things don't work, you might as well resign. Or a few months down the line you will be the subject of a press release saying you "moved on to pursue other interests".

I hunted and hunted for an article about Iger's actual experience with the band and couldn't find one. Maybe someone else will have better luck.

I mentioned the FP+ because that seemed to be the main gripe of the OP on this thread is what attractions had FP+. He/ she wasn't complaining about a delayed rollout and faulty software.

 

[mom2rtk]

I mentioned the FP+ because that seemed to be the main gripe of the OP on this thread is what attractions had FP+. He/ she wasn't complaining about a delayed rollout and faulty software.

And I was responding to a post that was made discussing the departure of the executive in charge of MM+. These things morph into other topics sometimes.

 

[MightyGitis]

And I was responding to a post that was made discussing the departure of the executive in charge of MM+. These things morph into other topics sometimes.

Yeah it happens often here. Lol.

 

[TimothyG]

I think there needs to be a little perspective. I remember that the legacy Fastpass system also had VERY negative reviews when it came out in 1999. People HATED having to get a ticket and return to the ride at a later time. You can actually do a Google search for Fastpass and limit it to results between the years 1999 and 2000 and you'll find a few message board posts that sound very similar to the ones we're hearing today. From what I remember, the original Fastpass also increased the average standby wait time to a greater extent than Fastpass+ did.

As for the Nick's departure, it was coming for reasons that had nothing to do with Fastpass+ or guest feedback. Nextgen was/is way over time and budget. That will get you canned as an executive at most publicly traded companies.

And to the point of Iger or other management being let go: There is absolutely no possible way that that will happen (aside from a major scandal). Take a look at Disney's stock price over the last 5 years. Iger specifically has had his retirement date moved back because shareholders want him as CEO so badly. If anything, the management team is going to get huge raises over the next year. They definitely won't be getting canned for having Disney Parks make the most money they've ever made.