WIRED article: Disney's $1 Billion Bet on a Magical Wristband

[mom2rtk]

But I do understand that some people fear change.

I like change...... good change. That's where this breaks down.

If I hate change, why did I enjoy Carsland and the huge renovation of DCA? If I hate change why do I actually (unlike many here) look forward to the new Frozen ride in Epcot? If I hate change why am I looking forward to new things coming to DHS? If I hate change why do I look forward to changing things up at DL for the 60th anniversary?

Simply reducing this to people fearing change is a comment meant to insult.

 

[jade1]

If we had found the flexibility you did on our November trip, we may have felt differently. Short hours and parties, imo, significantly affect the flexibility of the system - neither of which are an issue on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Actually sit back and read your response, remember just how horrible FP+ was going to be? Esp peak times on those long discussions back when?

Just amazing.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Those effected FP- as well.

I didn't say it didn't. I wasn't comparing the two. just pointing out that just because the flexibility exists on Christmas doesn't mean that same flexibility exists year round. You found that flexibility, and I'm glad. We did not. Had we experienced what you did, our opinion would be different.

To answer your comparison to legacy - yes short hours and parties affected how we toured. In our experience, legacy affected it less than fp+ did.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Actually sit back and read your response, remember just how horrible FP+ was going to be? Esp peak times on those long discussions back when?

Just amazing.

And I'm glad it isn't. I'm happy to.be proven wrong on that front. I've been.nothing but honest about the fact that, seeing it in implementation, it works quite well at the most peak times.

Others may not agree, but I don't see how I'm responsible for what they say or think.

 

[jade1]

And I'm glad it isn't. I'm happy to.be proven wrong on that front. I've been.nothing but honest about the fact that, seeing it in implementation, it works quite well at the most peak times.

Others may not agree, but I don't see how I'm responsible for what they say or think.

Actually just pointing out how positive towards FP+ your response was-it's much appreciated.

 

[cakebaker]

I was the "designated runner" for my family in FP- days, and not once did I ever actually run, or even walk fast. I don't run on vacation.

Here's the designated runner I'm talking about and this is just one of dozens upon dozens of old threads discussing it:

"Imagine the absolute fastest a human being can walk without running, and then add a little more speed, and you're there."

"I love being the FP runner! I swerve, duck, and weave through the parks at my own speed ..."

http://www.disboards.com/threads/and-the-torch-is-passed-im-the-fastpass-runner.2732607/

 

[Angel Ariel]

Actually just pointing out how positive towards FP+ your response was-it's much appreciated.

I definitely see its value during peak times. That isn't when we visit, though, and the benefits did not outweigh the negatives on our November trip. They equaled out at "meh".

 

[grimley1968]

Here's the designated runner I'm talking about and this is just one of dozens upon dozens of old threads discussing it:

"Imagine the absolute fastest a human being can walk without running, and then add a little more speed, and you're there."

"I love being the FP runner! I swerve, duck, and weave through the parks at my own speed ..."

http://www.disboards.com/threads/and-the-torch-is-passed-im-the-fastpass-runner.2732607/

Just because there's a thread about it, with some hyperbole added for good measure, does not mean that that was "SOP" in those days. What is reported on a few threads on a Disney message board is not indicative of everyone's behavior while at WDW.

 

[flicx]

This is actually quite comical to me. First they launch FP+ with a "lock it in" ad campaign. Now they want us to believe FP+ increases spontaneity.

Sort of sounds to me like they're just throwing stuff at the wall to see what sticks.

More rhetoric from the Disney hype machine. We used to go to Disney with less than a weeks notice. Not going to try that now.

 

[cakebaker]

Just because there's a thread about it, with some hyperbole added for good measure, does not mean that that was "SOP" in those days.

There are dozens and dozens of threads about it. I'm not going to post them all, but it was extremely popular. Especially among those who like to ride the same thing multiple times. For those who liked to collect multiple fp's and re-ride several time, it was the technique to use.

 

[mom2rtk]

There are dozens and dozens of threads about it. I'm not going to post them all, but it was extremely popular. It was. Especially among those who like to ride the same thing multiple times. For those who like to collect multiple fp's and re-ride several time, it was the technique to use.

Popular is not the same as required.

 

[jade1]

I definitely see its value during peak times. That isn't when we visit, though, and the benefits did not outweigh the negatives on our November trip. They equaled out at "meh".

For what it's worth-I guarantee you accomplished more in the "attraction" category than we did-but we would not choose that over our XMAS trip and the things we enjoy then. Its all about choices/strategies and what guests want to accomplish with whats available. FP+ has moved XMAS week from amazing to incredibly amazing for us.

 

[cakebaker]

Popular is not the same as required.

It was if you wanted to max out your fp capabilities. It was also necessary if you needed early return times for the popular rides.

But I'm satisfied to quantify it by saying it was commonly done and a very popular technique.

 

[jade1]

More rhetoric from the Disney hype machine. We used to go to Disney with less than a weeks notice. Not going to try that now.

Bummer-we just went with less than a weeks notice-it was awesome (but not like XMAS), every headliner was available "inside" the parks at the kiosk. But we are used to peak weeks.

 

[grimley1968]

There are dozens and dozens of threads about it. I'm not going to post them all, but it was extremely popular. It was. Especially among those who like to ride the same thing multiple times. For those who like to collect multiple fp's and re-ride several time, it was the technique to use.

You keep making blanket statements like the bolded and "SOP" above. We were a family that liked to collect multiple FP's and re-ride several times if possible, but I never, ever ran. It was pretty leisurely in my experience. I would separate from the family, go grab us some drinks or snacks, and grab FP's in our future path. When the window opened for the next FP, I'd go get them for the family again, and again, in our future path. The only reason I even broke into a sweat was because of the heat. No running was necessary in my experience.

 

[flicx]

Bummer-we just went with less than a weeks notice-it was awesome (but not like XMAS), every headliner was available "inside" the parks at the kiosk. But we are used to peak weeks.

I am glad it worked for you. It is too much of a financial risk for my family if you have very limited access to rides on short notice. Not everyone has had your result.

 

[Cormoran]

Well, I actually said the article was to explain how all the technology can be used together. I wasn't saying that this was a source of technical detail. However, there are indeed some technical details in the article, including;

I don't think that statement is really technical since I can understand it and I am not technical. IMO this is fluff advertising, nothing else.

 

[ConnieB]

My kids and I were talking about this article....and one of them said "but mom, we have to be spontaneous because we can't plan more than 3 rides, so once those are done, since the rest that are left for a 4th are generally walk on or near it, we do stand around going "ok, now what do you want to do".

 

[jade1]

I am glad it worked for you. It is too much of a financial risk for my family if you have very limited access to rides on short notice. Not everyone has had your result.

I can see that, as the months/years go by-there will be some good feedback on what weeks are best etc. Maybe none will work for you, but so far the first week of March would be high on my recommended list.

Here is just one example on a perfect 80 degree weekend day in March:

 

[Angel Ariel]

It was if you wanted to max out your fp capabilities. It was also necessary if you needed early return times for the popular rides.

It depends on ones definition of maxing out fp capabilities. We very easily got 6-8 fp in MK with how we toured. No running. But our re-rides were most often for Buzz and Space...close together, and available for the vast majority of the day on our trips. I'm sure there are some here that would.consider 6-8 fps as maxing out fp capabilities, and I'm sure there are others who consider that above average, but not maxing out.

But I'm satisfied to quantify it by saying it was commonly done and a very popular technique.

On the DIS, sure. But again that it was popular doesn't mean the DISers who said they didn't tour like that are lying about how they used to tour now.