The great Fastpass+ and MagicBands debate

[doconeill]

There's been a lot of this in the TPAS boards, but since Pete brought it up in the podcast...I'm interesting if Pete's source can clarify a few things...we techie planners need to know

[EDIT: The original paragraph was wrong - heard and interpreted differently] I couldn't tell if Pete meant that if you chose to use MagicBand for Fastpass+, then you couldn't use it for Fastpass, implying that you still could, at least as long as the old FP still exists, if you chose not to use Fastpass. Just to clarify: Currently, you can't use an RFID-only device to get a regular Fastpass at the kiosks. So if you have a MagicBand, it seems like you are forced into Fastpass+ only, unless they also give you a card to use in the machines.

The RFID cards they are currently distributing work because they also have the old magnetic stripe.

As far as I know, there were no plans to retrofit the old kiosks with an RFID reader, since it seemed like the plan was to get rid of them altogether. [I don't think they were planning to have to issue RFID cards so early in relation to being able to offer Fastpass+, but backed into a corner when they started the entrance conversions...]

As for the 3 per day - that is the GREAT debate. Disney has basically said you can get 3 "in advance", but said little about during the park day other than Nick Franklin alluding to some extra magic...a lot of people are assuming that you will still be able to get additional FP+ during the day, like the old system, via app/web/special FP+ kiosks in the parks. One of the big arguments for this is that all the previous tests of FP+ allowed people to use the existing system as well. If that was not the case, all the customer feedback on how great the system was might not apply

During the chat, Carol asked how many FPs under the old system could you typically get during the day. I ballparked it at about 7-8 during a 12 hour day (I know some can do more). So only 3 represents about a 60% reduction. But I've also heard that of FP users, 3 is actually more in line with typical usage, and I know that we've generally not done more than 4 in most cases. So this might not be as bad as it sounds.

However, testing has always limited what attractions you can select by tiering them - the E-tickets in 1 tier, and everything else in another - think the Donald/Daisy lists for the Birthday/GAD FP cards. If you can only use one (or less likely two) of your FP+ choices for the attractions you really need them for, that limit I think it much more of a problem than the 3 overall.

So, was Pete's source merely talking about the 3 in advance, or 3 overall? I've actually been on both sides of the fence here, and now I'm about 50-50 of it happening either way.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

For me, it isn't about the number of FPs you'll receive as a result of the new system. I think that the technology is going to have a major impact on guest experience in a variety of ways. I'm excited to see what the future holds.

 

[rsauer]

We will be in Orlando for two weeks in early December with partially used 10 day park hoppers. Any pass system is confusing, but the existence of two "competing" systems will befuddle many people. Old passes? New passes? Magic bands? The investment of $1 billion seems to be aimed at helping Disney predict and control guest choices in order to better staff and supply the parks. Whether real human beings can adjust is debatable and there is a part of me that would like to see the venture collapse.
I remember the old punch card tickets- I knew how many days I had left. Now I need to check with guest services when I arrive to check my number of days.

On the plus side, some aspects of the pass system work well for me. When I used WDW passes at DLP during D23 Expo, the cast member took the passes to the office and returned with DLP passes. But the days used were never debited from the WDW passes. This suggests that as complexities increase even cast member understanding will be unable to keep up.

One thing that the new system should allow is online access to allow guest to see the information on the pass or band. Disney could do this now but they do not want you to more easily sell used tickets so the info on them is invisible.

 

[OKW Lover]

Brian, I suspect the 7-8 FP in a day number you ball parked was the outside bound and would only apply to somebody who really, really worked at it by doing only FP attractions. I'd think that most visitors that use FP only do 2-3 a day.

 

[rteetz]

I think it may seem like a huge and different change at first, i believe it will old a lot for the future. If disney wasn't planning on building on this they wouldn't have spent 1 billion dollars on it nor would they have pushed it back for further testing. Disney is working very hard to prefect this system before its rolled out and i think it will be amazing once fully implemented and once people start to use it to its full ability. We will just have to wait and see.

disney lover at heart

 

[cmwade77]

Brian, I suspect the 7-8 FP in a day number you ball parked was the outside bound and would only apply to somebody who really, really worked at it by doing only FP attractions. I'd think that most visitors that use FP only do 2-3 a day.

I would actually say that the average, based on my observations would be about 5-6 a day.

 

[doconeill]

Brian, I suspect the 7-8 FP in a day number you ball parked was the outside bound and would only apply to somebody who really, really worked at it by doing only FP attractions. I'd think that most visitors that use FP only do 2-3 a day.

That was what I meant...7-8 was an upper bound for most who try - real power users can probably get more by optimizing the order. 3 was what I heard was a typical average.

 

[Sammie]

For me, it isn't about the number of FPs you'll receive as a result of the new system. I think that the technology is going to have a major impact on guest experience in a variety of ways. I'm excited to see what the future holds.

Well said, I am excited and tired of the naysayers about this program, I loved Pete's comments on it.

 

[doconeill]

It's also been pointed out that Pete said you need a Disney resort reservation to use Fastpass+ - this is new information...Disney has previously publically said that it will be available to anyone with a valid MYW ticket (of course, to book ahead you need a MYW ticket in advance and associate it with your DME profile (via a mechanism that doesn't exist yet).

Was this perhaps still referring to the MagicBands? Or did they change things?

 

[WaltD4Me]

Trying to be open minded about Magic Bands, but no matter how hard I try I can't envision booking attractions before I even get there. I love planning, but am not an UBER planner like that. I also don't like that it doesn't allow for park hopping. We always hop. Hopefully that will change.

 

[DSNY4ever]

Trying to be open minded about Magic Bands, but no matter how hard I try I can't envision booking attractions before I even get there. I love planning, but am not an UBER planner like that. I also don't like that it doesn't allow for park hopping. We always hop. Hopefully that will change.

Ditto. And I know Pete has said you don't *have* to use it, but is that going to be like saying you don't *have* to make ADRs?

I am trying to put my trust in the fact that Disney usually impresses me with this stuff, they haven't let me down yet

I would also be very curious to see if they would bring this to Disneyland. Disneyland is so much more laid back and is such a locals' park. Not many people would book rides so far in advance, and not as many people stay on property. Lots of interesting things to think about.

 

[disneysteve]

I haven't followed all of the info but are the bands just for resort guests? We stay offsite and I'm hoping we won't need to get them. I really have no desire to wear a rubber bracelet while I'm in the parks especially since we have been going in mid-August the past few years. I'd much prefer continuing to use paper tickets or plastic card-type tickets if they need to have an RFID chip.

Also, what happens to the tickets we have now? Can we still use them or do we need to convert them when we arrive?

 

[doconeill]

I haven't followed all of the info but are the bands just for resort guests? We stay offsite and I'm hoping we won't need to get them. I really have no desire to wear a rubber bracelet while I'm in the parks especially since we have been going in mid-August the past few years. I'd much prefer continuing to use paper tickets or plastic card-type tickets if they need to have an RFID chip.

Also, what happens to the tickets we have now? Can we still use them or do we need to convert them when we arrive?

The reports are that resort guests and AP holders will get them for free, but non-resort guests may be able to get them for a charge. You can always opt-out and get just the RFID card.

The RFID cards will be able to handle the same features as the bands, with the exception of features that require the transmitter, which haven't been specified yet (but the common example is triggering unique personal experiences on attractions, princesses knowing your child's name before you approach, etc.).

You can continue to use existing non-RFID tickets, at least until they get rid of anything that can read them. That would likely be once conversion to FP+ is complete and FP is shut down. Then you would be required to convert to RFID cards or MagicBands.

 

[disneysteve]

The reports are that resort guests and AP holders will get them for free, but non-resort guests may be able to get them for a charge. You can always opt-out and get just the RFID card.

The RFID cards will be able to handle the same features as the bands, with the exception of features that require the transmitter, which haven't been specified yet (but the common example is triggering unique personal experiences on attractions, princesses knowing your child's name before you approach, etc.).

You can continue to use existing non-RFID tickets, at least until they get rid of anything that can read them. That would likely be once conversion to FP+ is complete and FP is shut down. Then you would be required to convert to RFID cards or MagicBands.

Thank you Doc. Very helpful info. I hope they continue to have a non-bracelet option. I'm fine with the RFID cards.