New article about FP+ done by msn...

[Mommy2Corinne]

Does anyone else feel like they want to put their arm around Iger, pat your hand on his back as one would console a young child who just fell down and skinned his knee and say "there, there, now...poor baby...."

No. I kinda want to push him back down and rub some salt into his wounds. Is that mean of me?

 

[rluey29]

ok I understand but really this should make it easier to get FPs because you go to one place to get all three instead of going to each FP location to get one. You don't need to plan ahead they just allow you to do that. There are still FPs available the day of I haven't heard of a day yet where there hasn't been. And you also don't need to have a smart phone thats why they have a bunch of kiosks all over the place. Like I said before it's not an improvement for everyone in theory its a great system but in reality its different.

We have had two different days where rides were out of FP+ just in February. One of the rides was PP in MK, we arrived by 9:30 and they were all out.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I swear Iger and the Disney spokeperson must be smoking crack. 80% positive that is laughable.

My thoughts exactly!

Will Disney sell the data, that's mined from their "guests"? I know, we seem to be more focused on other enhancements i.e. FP....but the stalking aspect is a bit creepy.

 

[ciera321]

I read the article.

Iger and the "Disney spokeswoman" are both delusional.

Totally agree. they can say what they want, it won't change the facts! I don't believe for a minute that only 2% of the feedback is negative.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Does anyone else feel like they want to put their arm around Iger, pat your hand on his back as one would console a young child who just fell down and skinned his knee and say "there, there, now...poor baby...."

Wow, this guy is TOTALLY.OUT.OF.TOUCH Honestly, it's scary how out of touch these people are right now.

I completely agree with them being out of touch but not sure Iger deserves a hug.

Posters on the Dis are often saying Disney would never spend the $billion plus on this if they didn't know it was going to improve profits but I wonder have these posters never worked anywhere where upper management is completely out of touch. Or worked somewhere when a new software system was being installed and even if the testers are finding problems it gets pushed out to meet deadlines. There had to have been IS folks at Disney saying this wasn't ready to be pushed out but I'm sure someone's bonus was tied to its roll out.

 

[Robo]

Totally agree. they can say what they want, it won't change the facts! I don't believe for a minute that only 2% of the feedback is negative.

I'd like to know what the percentage of feedback is negative just from
their own front-line CM's!

 

[bcrook]

My thoughts exactly!

Will Disney sell the data, that's mined from their "guests"? I know, we seem to be more focused on other enhancements i.e. FP....but the stalking aspect is a bit creepy.

The privacy policy is interesting.

 

[Planogirl]

I don't have a problem with MDE either...when it works. I used it last year just to keep my schedule in one place and it was (usually) just fine.

...how many employees in costume should roam around at any given time.

When do employees in costume roam around?

 

[TLSnell1981]

I completely agree with them being out of touch but not sure Iger deserves a hug.

Posters on the Dis are often saying Disney would never spend the $billion plus on this if they didn't know it was going to improve profits but I wonder have these posters never worked anywhere where upper management is completely out of touch. Or worked somewhere when a new software system was being installed and even if the testers are finding problems it gets pushed out to meet deadlines. There had to have been IS folks at Disney saying this wasn't ready to be pushed out but I'm sure someone's bonus was tied to its roll out.

They spent a $$$$$$$$$$ with the intention of making a profit. It wasn't to "level the playing field" or "making it fair".

The privacy policy is interesting.

We voluntarily agree to the policy in order to use the website/app. Otherwise, we can't book FP, TS, etc.

 

[Ravenne]

Interesting. Key phrases I'm taking away from this article.

Intelligence collected using the bands coupled with what visitors input into the related My Disney Experience app and website -- all voluntary -- help Disney determine when to add more staff at rides, what restaurants should serve, which souvenirs should be stocked, and how many employees in costume should roam around at any given time

Ummmm...

All I could think of when I read this was when I played Roller Coaster Tycoon circa 10 yrs ago. I did the exact same thing and I don't recall it working too well for me. My theme park went up in smokes with many, many angry customers. So far, MDE has been mostly an experience in frustration and, "what does it say I have a reservation for this time?" whenever I log in. And I haven't even stepped foot on property yet. Maybe they need to log off of Roller Coaster Tycoon and step foot into their parks, stand in a FP+ kiosk line, then try to get their MBs to work on a ride...or 3. Heck, make a dummy reservation or few and see what happens. See what guests really see instead of just spreadsheets and figures thrown at them. They need to make an episode of Undercover Boss with them at the Parks.

 

[Minniekins]

Totally agree. they can say what they want, it won't change the facts! I don't believe for a minute that only 2% of the feedback is negative.

I'd like to know what the percentage of feedback is negative just from
their own front-line CM's!

Exactly! A number of posters/guests in the parks said, in addition to their own negative feelings, they had heard and seen others guests expressing their unhappiness, frustration, even anger, particularly about FP+ and the changes that has entailed for everyone. Even CM's have been reported to have very negative feelings and attitudes about this. If there were only 2% people giving negative feedback how is it that so many have been overheard expressing their unhappiness? If so many were so happy and positive, wouldn't those comments also be overheard and in overwhelming numbers? Posters recount the friends and family who have come back from trips, very unhappy with things. Posters have said they heard direct negative comments from CM's as well as experienced their frustrations as they were trying to help guests and trying to do their jobs. I don't recall any other time when you would hear so many comments about frustrated CM's and guests. This board has huge numbers of negative comments and unhappy guests. It's just a small view of the bigger picture. If it was just this board that wouldn't be so much maybe, but you see the same on lots of other boards and even on Disney's own FB page. You'd think there would be so many more positive posts everywhere if things were really so overwhelming positive. It should be happy happy everywhere in the parks and resorts, guests and CM's, but the whole vibe and attitudes are certainly not as magical as it has been in the past. I also don't think the surveys would be so long with so many questions asking about various scenarios concerning things that are known issues that people are very unhappy with, there would be not much need for that.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Even CM's have been reported to have very negative feelings and attitudes about this. If there were only 2% people giving negative feedback how is it that so many have been overheard expressing their unhappiness? If so many were so happy and positive, wouldn't those comments also be overheard and in overwhelming numbers?

I hear this all the time on these boards. No, people who are HAPPY about something are not anywhere near as vocal as people who are UNHAPPY with something. Human nature. Well known and uncontroversial in marketing, etc.

I don't know about 2%, but particularly if they are looking at MDX (and not FP+ on its own), I wouldn't be surprised if the vast majority of feedback is positive.

And who knows how they're defining negative vs. positive feedback? They may be hanging that on one question like "Overall, are you happy or unhappy with MDX?" or "If you had the option to take or leave all of MDX, which would you do?" or "Does MDX create a better or worse experience for you overall in the parks?"

I'd love more than 3 FP+ per day. I'd love to choose in more than one park per day. They really need to add various discounts to the band (AP, DVC, TIW, etc.). But if they asked me overall to give all of MDX either a thumbs up or thumbs down, I'd give it a thumbs up after two trips with the bands.

 

[kbelle8995]

Personally I'm in a wait and see mode on FP+ and Magic bands. Haven't been given the option to experience it being a lowly passholder.

However, I doubt that they've only had 2% complaints on this program. It's PR they are going to put a positive spin on things. That's what corporations do.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

2% is probably right when you consider the negative ones are being deleted. If you can't see them, everyone is happy.

 

[JanaDee]

2% is probably right when you consider the negative ones are being deleted. If you can't see them, everyone is happy.

Their FB is full of negative reviews of the system.

 

[johde]

What I don't get is how FP+ allows for greater capacity at the MK. It seems to be doing the opposite. Are they roping in the capacity gains of the Snow White Mine Train into those figures since it opens soon?

I feel like the strongest indicator is the "rolling boulder" idea that Kevin Yee mentions. Yesterday, I spoke to my sister, who's a Disney fan but hasn't visited since 2008. She's taking her kids in June and hates the idea of FP+. She also wants nothing to do with the Magic Bands. My mom and dad go every year but aren't excessive planners (or riders), and they don't even want to go back at this point. These are anecdotal examples, but it's hardly just the diehards that have issues.

According to the article they are claiming:

Chief Executive Officer Robert Iger told analysts in February that the new system helped the Magic Kingdom park accommodate 3,000 additional daily guests during the Christmas holiday season by reducing congestion around the most popular attractions.

In theory that could happen. Under FP- you needed to travel to a headliner twice. Once to get your FP and a second time to ride so the area around. This leads to extra congestion in certain areas of the park. Under FP+ you only need to visit the area once leading to less congestion in the area.

Not in the article but frequently stated as a goal of FP+ is greater utilization of second tier attractions. More people riding 2nd tier attractions leads to more people in their queues so fewer people in the walkways. You can let more people in to fill up that space.

In practice, until they get a handle on the backups at the first scanner it could have the opposite effect. Long lines of people waiting to scan their MB, even if it moves quickly, congests the walkways and potentially lowers park capacity.

 

[surferdave]

I think capacity is the number of people that cross the turnstiles each day, regardless of how long they stay or how many are in the park at the same time. Maybe what's increased capacity is more people are entering the park, touring their 3 FP+ attractions and leaving.

 

[disney1990]

So the man in the article, floating in the pool, doesn't have to carry any identification with him? I thought you needed it with you at all times; when did this change?

If they believe that only 2% of the responses are negative, they need to read through the comments at the bottom of the MSN article - some of them are more vicious than those here on the DIS board or the Disney Facebook page.

People do not want to be tracked and they definitely don't want their children tracked. Plus, they are fearful of identity theft.

I think this article is going to hurt FP+ and Magic Bands even more than we all could with our comments.

 

[glamdring269]

One key to this article is that Disney invested a billion for MyMagic+. Universal invested in more Harry Potter themed rides and areas. It's likely not a coincidence that when we return to Orlando in October we will be spending less days at WDW and will be heading to Universal for our first time. Really looking forward to it.

 

[Donut23]

One key to this article is that Disney invested a billion for MyMagic+. Universal invested in more Harry Potter themed rides and areas. It's likely not a coincidence that when we return to Orlando in October we will be spending less days at WDW and will be heading to Universal for our first time. Really looking forward to it.

Who knows.

When the dust settles, the US Beancounters may look back and realize their best marketing program for half of 2014 was Disney's FP+. Hahaha!