Why use "test" in FP+ marketing??

[tj4disney]

I received the mail piece with the Incredibles touting FP+...it clearly emphasizes this as being a test.

Have also seen a tv ad directly promoting FP+, in which they invite you to partake during the test.

Obviously using "test" to describe FP+ is very important to them. But why? Seems like they want to leave themselves quite a bit of latitude to change this thing. If it were only minor tweaks from here on out, I can't imagine they would feel the need to label it a "test". I think the fact they are marketing the test aspect so heavily shows that they are wary of this whole thing, and realize they've got alot to still figure out.

So are they just starting off with stressing the heck out of these FP+ lines to see how people react, knowing that the final product will likely look quite different?

If yes, the question becomes...just how far could this change? A reversion almost to the old system with alot more day-of FP's available? How about just 1 advance FP, and the rest are day of?

Another option that has been mentioned on these boards is the whole idea of either directly paying for FP's, or tying more FP's to level of on-site accommodation. Seems to me that the use of "test" in all the marketing makes this more likely to be the case.

Other options??

Bottom lime...I predict big changes, not just small tweaks.

 

[sixbitslocum]

I agree. I think they are using "test" because they are collecting data as they work toward the ultimate goal of FP+. Much like the original FP resulted in an overall reduction in wait times of the group as a whole, I think FP+ is the next step in reducing the wait times further. I know it doesn't seem like that now, but check out my theories in this thread (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3242399) and let me know what you think.

I think there will be many changes and tweaks to the system as they work toward their ultimate goal.

 

[tj4disney]

Hmm, interesting thoughts in your thread.

So ultimately are you essentially describing a reservation system? So let's say there are 6 lands, and each land has enough attractions to entertain 5,000 people/hour with nobody waiting more than 15 minutes. Is Disney's ultimate vision to basically have each group of 5,000 move from one land to the next throughout a day? In theory, everybody would be able to experience everything with low wait time for all attractions.

While that's obviously not a totally realistic goal, I can see where that general sentiment could be what they are aiming for. Of course, the rub is whether that's even the experience that park-goers are really looking for.

 

[sixbitslocum]

I'm not saying you would move in a group with other guests. You would still pick the rides you want and the general times you wanted them. Let me give you an example...

I believe as it evolves FP+ will probably end up allowing 5 or 6 fastpasses per day. With that many fastpasses, you could schedule a time on all the "premiere" rides in each park. You'd be able to ride each ride with minimal wait time and be able to use the extra time to enjoy other aspects of the park. As they give out more fastpasses, more people will move through the fastpass line, so fewer standby riders will be processed.

Basically it would be a shift away from having to wait in a standby line toward more use of fastpasses. Remember the daily capacity of each ride isn't going to change. If you are getting on the rides faster, it doesn't mean you'll get in more rides. It just means you'll have more time to do other things.

 

[Lorrained]

Oh I'm hoping that means that when they realise it's awful they may revert back to the old system which seemed much more logical!!

I have a friend who is planning her first trip there and is really excited and I told her to check it and fill me in on all the info as they go before we do. When I explained the new FP+ and the old one she started to read up on it and now she is worried about their trip.

 

[CassieF]

I believe as it evolves FP+ will probably end up allowing 5 or 6 fastpasses per day. With that many fastpasses, you could schedule a time on all the "premiere" rides in each park. You'd be able to ride each ride with minimal wait time and be able to use the extra time to enjoy other aspects of the park. As they give out more fastpasses, more people will move through the fastpass line, so fewer standby riders will be processed.

Basically it would be a shift away from having to wait in a standby line toward more use of fastpasses. Remember the daily capacity of each ride isn't going to change. If you are getting on the rides faster, it doesn't mean you'll get in more rides. It just means you'll have more time to do other things.

All this would do would be to make the FP return times longer, turning it into the new standby. As long as the return times were over Presidents' Day, can you imagine if everyone had double the number of FP? I do think three is too few, but when you go from half the guests to 90% using FP there is no room for additional FP

 

[magicbob]

Why use "test" in FP+ marketing??

I received the mail piece with the Incredibles touting FP+...it clearly emphasizes this as being a test.

Have also seen a tv ad directly promoting FP+, in which they invite you to partake during the test.

Obviously using "test" to describe FP+ is very important to them. But why?

Managing expectations. Since it's only a test, things are bound to go wrong. And, hey... we told you it was still in testing, so don't expect a refund or anything.

 

[BudgieMama]

My DH works in software engineering, and says for the scale of the system, a test would likely go on for some time. It's called a test because they really are still testing and ironing out the bugs. That's an ongoing process. He says there's no way he'd sign it off as a finished product for at least another year if he was part of the IT team.

 

[bleeps]

The ultimate goal of the Disney company is to feed the bottom line and keep shareholders happy. The huge investment in RFID technology is ultimately about making more money. They are "testing" to figure out a way to get more people into the parks, and get more money out of all those people while they are in the parks. RFID, in the bands, gives them lots of levers to move to test (variables in how the technology is used) how to achieve their goal.

The testing is about balancing what they want (more people, more money) with a guest experience that's as palatable as possible (so that you don't decrease attendance). How far can guests be pushed (how little can you give them, and yet at the same time how can you create a system where they perceive they are getting something worthwhile), and still come back for more?

We're waiting to see how the dust settles before we decide to give Disney more of our vacation dollars (after years of annual trips done at deluxe resorts, of DDxDP, etc.). Despite how cynical I may sound, I am ultimately hoping that they can make the adjustments that result in a guest experience that I'm willing to pay for, and it's not quite there yet. Just IMHO.

 

[AmyB2006]

Managing expectations. Since it's only a test, things are bound to go wrong. And, hey... we told you it was still in testing, so don't expect a refund or anything.

Haaa, yes, I think this has a lot to do with it. But I also think there will be changes that occur bigger than just small tweaks.

 

[crostorfer]

Managing expectations. Since it's only a test, things are bound to go wrong. And, hey... we told you it was still in testing, so don't expect a refund or anything.

But please, come and spend $2500-$10,000 to be our guinea pigs, because we certainly didn't lower prices to go along with those lowered expectations. In fact, we raised them.

 

[ucfknight]

The main reasons they are using test is because:

A. They haven't yet rolled out planned features (eg annual pass holders haven't been sent their MagicBands yet and can't book in advance unless they previously stayed onsite)

B. They are still collecting data and feedback (LOTS of surveys) so they can tweak the system before calling it final

 

[EMode]

Managing expectations. Since it's only a test, things are bound to go wrong. And, hey... we told you it was still in testing, so don't expect a refund or anything.

But please, come and spend $2500-$10,000 to be our guinea pigs, because we certainly didn't lower prices to go along with those lowered expectations. In fact, we raised them.

Disney's marketing department is genius. Let's get people so excited to be part of our test that they are willing to shell out more money to be part of it!

 

[magicbob]

The main reasons they are using test is because:

A. They haven't yet rolled out planned features (eg annual pass holders haven't been sent their MagicBands yet and can't book in advance unless they previously stayed onsite)

B. They are still collecting data and feedback (LOTS of surveys) so they can tweak the system before calling it final

Don't get me wrong. I think that (as you and other posters have said) they ARE doing actual testing.

However, the OP asks about why they are making a big deal in the MARKETING about it being a test. To me, that's because they want an "out" for when things don't go as guests would have liked.

"Well, you were here during a period of testing. These "glitches" are bound to happen. But you were given fair warning that the testing was occurring."

 

[DisneyAllyC]

So that people will be aware in case of a problem that its not perfect yet

 

[tj4disney]

Don't get me wrong. I think that as you and others posters have said, they ARE doing actual testing.

However, the OP asks about why they are making a big deal in the MARKETING about it being a test. To me, that's because they want an "out" for when things don't go as guests would have liked.

"Well, you were here during a period of testing. These "glitches" are bound to happen. But you were given fair warning that the testing was occurring."

Right on Magicbob. And if they already know they want/need an out, they clearly understand they have an issue on their hands, and they are not where they ultimately want to go. Which is.....I don't know. Do they have a concrete endgame in mind? Or many multiple options? Or just a vague idea/concept...a mission statement sitting in a drawer somewhere?

I think sixbitslocum could be on to a general end state. To me it basically amounts to a reservation system. Are they gunning for a park-wide experience where there's almost nothing but virtual queues? I haven't been to MK since they re-did Dumbo, but isn't the idea there to free up people to mill around in a certain area until close to their ride time? So what about that concept park-wide? I can imagine a bunch of execs buying into such a concept that would solve all their line issues..."everybody can see 90% of the attractions in our parks (once) with minimal wait times".

Problem is I'm not sure that's the experience most people want, at least with the current "big-ticket" ride capacity.

 

[ciera321]

Managing expectations. Since it's only a test, things are bound to go wrong. And, hey... we told you it was still in testing, so don't expect a refund or anything.

This exactly! Disney has it both ways....Come join in the fun and be a part of the test!!! AND covering their behinds with the above: "hey... we told you it was still in testing, so don't expect a refund or anything"....

 

[minnie mum]

Don't get me wrong. I think that (as you and other posters have said) they ARE doing actual testing.

However, the OP asks about why they are making a big deal in the MARKETING about it being a test. To me, that's because they want an "out" for when things don't go as guests would have liked.

"Well, you were here during a period of testing. These "glitches" are bound to happen. But you were given fair warning that the testing was occurring."

WINNER!! This is it exactly. As many complaints as we see currently, can you imagine the uproar if they WEREN'T including that disclaimer? If folks thought that they were using a system that Disney considered already fully functional?? We'd need a whole new forum.

 

[clsteve]

Managing expectations. Since it's only a test, things are bound to go wrong. And, hey... we told you it was still in testing, so don't expect a refund or anything.

This is the point.

The System, at the very least, ceased to be in "test" once the FP- machines were pulled out.

• Is MDE in production?: Yes
  
• Are MB's in production?: Yes
  
• Is the full infrastructure of FP+ in production- Mickeys, Kiosks, the app, the wifi?: Yes
  
• Is the ability to make FP reservations in advance in production?: Yes
  
• Is the ability to make same day FP reservations in production?: Yes
  
• Is Tiering in production? Yes
  

Changing the number of FP's available, giving off-site advance ressie ability, more tiering (or less), etc., - these are Business Decisions their production system allows them to do.

What's being tested: The Paying Guest. We are paying for the opportunity to load balance a production system. That is why they're calling it a "test"....

 

[BudgieMama]

The System, at the very least, ceased to be in "test" once the FP- machines were pulled out.

My DH is following this discussion with interest, and as he hasn't got an account, has asked me to post that, no, the test finally started properly when they pulled the FP- machines. With any large infrastructure software change, there are various levels of test, and you can't complete it till everything has been running live, as it is finally designed to, and till the engineers have had the chance to iron the kinks on the full system. It's the worst part of the test for everyone concerned (consumers, and the engineers) because the backup is gone, and everyone gets mad when it doesn't work, but it is a vital part of the test!