POLL: Do you think that FP+ and Magic Bands are a good investment or a waste?

[meg39]

I will probably never get to experience them due to lack of funds to stay on site (unless they bring them to off site guests as well) and I think it sounds great! Having everything on your arm simplifies the trip so much, and to pre plan at least one ride is really not that bad. At first I was annoyed, and then I saw a family wearing them in June (wow, look how far we have come. They were the only family I saw wearing them) and I was stoked! Gosh. Plus, they probably had to use that specific money for technology. So once this trial is over, everything is running smoothly, and people get off of their negative nelly horses, I think it won't be a big deal.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

What I find hilarious is that I received a survey about my last trip and it won't open. I do not work in IT for a living so I have no knowledge of why this happens but I find it sad to spend $1B and not even have the survey work.

 

[Silock]

MagicBands are fine, FP+ is what sucks.

 

[jbish]

I would think some of the "too early to tells" are not positives for this reason.

It was for my vote. I had no problems with MBs, themselves and it does make things simpler. FP+ is still a work in progress, I think.

When you think about the billions spent by drug companies researching, developing, testing, and marketing new drugs, what's a billion in a major technological development for a company like Disney?

 

[Belle1386]

I really wish they had taken the money spent for Magic Bands and FP+ and put it into new attractions in the parks. DHS and DAK are in need of expansion. I can't imagine what it has cost them in money and time to get these new innovations up and running.

 

[ChipnDale79]

The wording is horrible in the poll, therefore I can't vote.

I'm on board with Magicbands, but I hate the idea of Fast Pass+.

I've heard from several long time visitors that have decided to stop going because of Fast Pass +.

 

[Belle1386]

I don't have feelings about the bands themselves one way or the other. They may actually have advantages by not requiring people to carry as much around with them as pointed out earlier. What I do object to is Disney trying to control more of our visit time. They continue to keep making everyone's visit more structured and less flexible.

They've already succeeded in making the dining experience a regimented ordeal instead of a relaxing experience by forcing visitors to decide far in advance of their trip when and where they will dine. They have also, through their free dining programs, significantly reduced the variability and choices available on the menus.

Now they want to make us decide well in advance of a trip what rides and shows we will visit at what times!

Are they doing any of these things to make the visitors experience better? I really don't think so. They are doing them to increase the bottom line and without having to increase the capacity of available rides, shows and restaurants. They are just trying to make more by doing less! Something that's good for them but bad for the visitors.

I completely agree with you, KYMickey... it is not about the guest experience, it is about the money... that's the bottom line, no matter how much it's sugar coated.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

Just would like to get an idea with a poll on here.

Bob Roberts (Old School DVC OKW Member, from an era when Disney gave free passes for DVC member stays, seriously this is true. It was a time before Disney got crazy cheap)

~There was a time and it was long ago. Where were you then? It's too late now. Obviously, I didn't vote in the poll because it's biased, lol. But, it's a good investment! The parks were overlooked and neglected for many years. There is some focus on the parks again, finally. Disney showed little to no interest in adding rides -- neglecting the parks for several years. No one cried, when all the money was allocated for endless DVC and boats. Disney did not want to invest in new rides, now they are -- sort of. When I read some of the complaints about Magic Bands, I think of this.

Ken Olsen was co-founder and CEO of Digital Equipment Corporation, at one time the world’s second-largest computer company.

Ken Olsen: "There is no reason for any individual to have a computer in his home."

~Iger may be a lot of things, but he is not this guy. ^^^ He stays ahead of the curve, and so far most of his decisions have paid off very well for Disney. The parks fell through cracks but at least Disney acknowledges this to an extent after some serious embarrassment from Universal. I love that Disney is implementing new tech in the parks and resorts.

 

[diznutiam2]

I like the concept of the the magic bands. The only thing that I didn't like is the fast pass piece. It only allows you to choose three. You can't choose 1 fp at one park and the other 2 fps at other parks. It doesn't give you the flexibility. During the holidays I can't see why we can't pick and choose more than three fps. The wait times were over 2 hours long. There is no way I am going to wait 2 hrs for a ride. There needs to be more meat and potatoes with the FPs to make this band worth using.

 

[FlipHipster]

MB have amazing potential. When you consider all the possible applications it's mind boggling. Disney is in a pretty unique position as well. User acceptance is one of the most difficult hurdles to cross with this stuff. Disney has people standing in line willing to strap a tracking/data collecting device to their wrist in exchange for the promise of an improved user experience. As long as they get the 2nd part right it could be a very good investment. It still remains to be seen what they do with it though...

FP+, not real crazy about the current FP structure but it is what it is. Hopefully they aren't finished tweaking. I am holding out hope that the new infrastructure helps them manage the queues better overall. If they figure out a combination that really does get everyone through more lines quicker, then I'm all for it, bring it on.

 

[wiigirl]

I completely agree with you, KYMickey... it is not about the guest experience, it is about the money... that's the bottom line, no matter how much it's sugar coated.

Exactly!

 

[Jetsetter42]

As others have said, I can't really vote in the poorly worded poll, since I'm actually a fan of the next-gen changes that Disney is making with MDE, MD and FP+. We are debating a platform that is still in the making so who knows what it will look like in 5 years. I agree that it would be nice to choose more than 3 FP+ attractions per day, but I'm sure that's something they will tweak going forward.

Our experience with the MBs has been very positive in our two trips to the park since it's inception. We'll be back in May again so we'll see what has changed by then.

 

[tleager]

I have used the MB's twice, and other than a small hiccup, they have been flawless. I love not having to fumble for a ticket, and I liked scheduling FastPasses. I am a planner, so FP+ is right up my alley.

 

[AquaDame]

Planner or not, 3 FP a day is not my bag, so we will be visiting DLR in the future. Once DLR uses the same system (if it does stay the way it is at present) then we'll have to reevaluate. Regardless, we absolutely are not giving WDW more of our money in the near future. We already had our trip in two weeks planned and booked (mostly to catch a Disney Cruise Line cruise that was cancelled with short notice so we are angry for other reasons also) or we would not be going until the system is fully in place - if at all depending on what it looks like. Given the recent changes to DCL cruises as well, we also have no plans to book another cruise in the near future either.

No, I am not blowing smoke, or will "get over it" and go soon. They really have taken the fun and value out of it for us. As it is, we have cancelled a bunch of dining reservations so we can be more flexible and work with THEIR increasingly inflexible choices.

 

[Laketravis]

Given the recent changes to DCL cruises as well....

Could you elaborate on that? I'm curious what changes....

 

[Son of Gadsden]

I also wasn't sure how to vote because of the trolling in the wording.

I like MM+, FP+, MagicBands, etc. Our experiences on our December trip were great.

Whether those changes were worth the money spent by Disney has yet to be seen. I would have rather seen Beastly Kingdom brought to life, or any amount of other new attractions, resorts, etc...but Disney had this technology on the agenda instead.

 

[AquaDame]

Could you elaborate on that? I'm curious what changes....

Raised prices for Palo, the room, and excursions/rentals on Castaway Cay (to be fair everyone does this and it is to be expected so that's minor), killed High Tea and added a VERY expensive princess tea instead, changed the on board booking incentive so you have to use it within 18 months and added blackout dates, and lowered the stateroom credits for doing so. They even removed the pittance $25 credit for booking online... and yet the *GT, local & military rates are all over for so much cheaper that I feel swindled by booking opening day. The whole company has just made me feel nickel and dimed with their changes. I'm also just not impressed with the way they have been handling their cancellations, posting schedules for the following year, handling the issues with the magic following her dry dock, and customer service prior to getting on the ship in general.

 

[Rumors Rocks]

As others have said, I can't really vote in the poorly worded poll, since I'm actually a fan of the next-gen changes that Disney is making with MDE, MD and FP+. We are debating a platform that is still in the making so who knows what it will look like in 5 years. I agree that it would be nice to choose more than 3 FP+ attractions per day, but I'm sure that's something they will tweak going forward.

Our experience with the MBs has been very positive in our two trips to the park since it's inception. We'll be back in May again so we'll see what has changed by then.

 

[disneylovin24]

I wish you worded your poll a bit differently - very obvious what result you want.

I like MB and FP+ and had a good experience with them. I felt they added convenience which was great. Sometimes improving a vacation does not involve just adding rides and attractions. I think as Disney really masters this system it will improve how people vacation.

 

[Surfinpiratee]

Magic Bands were going to happen anyway, I like the idea of magic bands, not the idea of Fastpass+. I still rather have the money invested in new attractions but I know once I get my Magic Band I am going to love it

Yeah I love magic bands!! It was SO easy using it as a room key. And not have to dig through my purse to try to find a card. Plus they're cute! And an awesome souvenir! I've been wearing mine since I've been home from Disney!

I'm still indifferent about FP+. At frat I didn't make any...then once I got there I wanted to make some, just for the fun of it. I wanted to make some for Soarin and TT. Wellllll, you can't do that which is dumb.

But we had no problems so I do like them