WOW, FP+ is worse than I even imagined

[Sandy321]

My earliest contributions to FP+ argument were that FP+ was simply a trade-off to get guests to wear the RFID tracking device. For me, the MBs were always the key - to unobtrusively track all your physical movements (times, routes, activities) with which to build behavioral models, to push in-park notifications, etc. They would learn not just how many guest did a particular thing, but which guests...and what these guests did right before and right after, what they did the day before and the day after, what they had planned to do but then chose not to, what they still had planned to in the future.

Just a huge data mining operation.

I don't know what % of guests have to play along (by wearing MBs) to make the venture worth doing (profitable), but it seems to me that 1/2 ain't good.

I've always felt this was a response to fear of what they saw over the horizon.

I think so many young people are used to giving up their privacy, and some of us "old people" are wondering about the trade off. This reminds me of the trackers installed in visiting websites that CBS 60 minutes highlighted, they gave a website that you could install to block trackers. It shows how many trackers are blocked, I was more amazed at what websites I visit that have no trackers (like our High School) and fyi the disboards have 5 - where does this tracking info go? what does it mean? I have NO IDEA! lol

but still, it makes me wonder about the trade off to privacy, I know, who cares that there is a secret file on me that has all my info tracked and stored - what could it possible mean? I have no idea, I do know that ads are tracked this way,

 

[magicbob]

I think so many young people are used to giving up their privacy, and some of us "old people" are wondering about the trade off. This reminds me of the trackers installed in visiting websites that CBS 60 minutes highlighted, they gave a website that you could install to block trackers. It shows how many trackers are blocked, I was more amazed at what websites I visit that have no trackers (like our High School) and fyi the disboards have 5 - where does this tracking info go? what does it mean? I have NO IDEA! lol

but still, it makes me wonder about the trade off to privacy, I know, who cares that there is a secret file on me that has all my info tracked and stored - what could it possible mean? I have no idea, I do know that ads are tracked this way,

Yep. Not only are websites you visit tracked to target you, for example, with Disney ads on Google and Yahoo. But when you're visiting any website your IP address provides information about your physical location. I travel throughout Europe a lot (live and work there right now). Using WIFI at the hotel from a laptop or iPad, my physical location determines what ads I see. When I'm in France, I get French ads, in Germany I get German ads, in Poland I get Polish ads, etc.

 

[lugnut33]

I'm right there with all of you that dislike FP+ and understand the passionate opinions of it. However, I truly believe that we are in the minority of disliking the new system. I have a relative that worked with FP+ and they told me the majority of people visiting love the system. When Disney says there is high guest satisfaction for FP+ in the feedback the get they are not lying.

 

[OtherScott]

I think so many young people are used to giving up their privacy, and some of us "old people" are wondering about the trade off. This reminds me of the trackers installed in visiting websites that CBS 60 minutes highlighted, they gave a website that you could install to block trackers. It shows how many trackers are blocked, I was more amazed at what websites I visit that have no trackers (like our High School) and fyi the disboards have 5 - where does this tracking info go? what does it mean? I have NO IDEA! lol

but still, it makes me wonder about the trade off to privacy, I know, who cares that there is a secret file on me that has all my info tracked and stored - what could it possible mean? I have no idea, I do know that ads are tracked this way,

DIS is big enough, and diverse enough, that your info is probably worth more by maintaining proprietary control (they don't need to sell it).

Generally speaking, I'm okay surrendering so personal behavioral information. If my webpages are going to be cluttered with ads, I would prefer they be ads I am interest in.

So, if Disney can move me and millions of others around their facilities in a more orderly fashion, I'm okay. The minute the value of the trade becomes less than the cost, I'm out.

 

[Suvadoo]

I'm right there with all of you that dislike FP+ and understand the passionate opinions of it. However, I truly believe that we are in the minority of disliking the new system. I have a relative that worked with FP+ and they told me the majority of people visiting love the system. When Disney says there is high guest satisfaction for FP+ in the feedback the get they are not lying.

However at the stockholders meeting, Disney executives stated that only 50% of the park guests are using the FP+. So the high guest satifaction applies to only half of the park guests.

 

[cakebaker]

However at the stockholders meeting, Disney executives stated that only 50% of the park guests are using the FP+. So the high guest satifaction applies to only half of the park guests.

It took years for a good number of people to start using legacy FP- that half of the guests are already using fp+ is pretty impressive.

 

[L&Lfan]

I have been going to WDW practically every year since 1972 and I hate FP+. Just needed to say it. I am currently in the planning stages of my 4th visit (Nov '13, Jun '14, Sep '14 and Nov '14) using FP+ and it hasn't enhanced my vacations at all. It's only made them a pain in the a**.

 

[surferdave]

It took years for a good number of people to start using legacy FP- that half of the guests are already using fp+ is pretty impressive.

That's really not a valid comparison. Disney did no promotion for legacy FP (many guests thought it cost extra right up until they took the machines out) but has done a hard sell on FP+.

 

[Suvadoo]

It took years for a good number of people to start using legacy FP- that half of the guests are already using fp+ is pretty impressive.

Most guests are first time visitors. MDE and the FP+ system are complicated. How is Disney going to convince the other half of park goers to use MDE and FP+? So far, they've used huge advertising campaigns and only gotten 50% compliance. I don't think they'll substantially increase the amount of MDE and FP+ users.
Also, FP+ and MDE requires a lot of IT support and I don't think they'll be able to reduce the support staff unless the system becomes way easier to use and less glitchy.

 

[WillAustin]

That is the myth that revisionist history hath wrought. There was only one attraction in all of WDW that people ran to early in the day to ensure themselves of a FP, and that was TSMM. Did people rush to get FPs at other attractions? Sure. But did they need to? No. In all of my trips to WDW under the old system, never, ever, EVER, EVER did I get shut out of obtaining a FP for an attraction that I wanted. Never.

This. Definitely. It's now a tangibly diminished experience for our family.

It took years for a good number of people to start using legacy FP- that half of the guests are already using fp+ is pretty impressive.

If only half are using it now, I'd hate to see how it works if that number goes up to 75% plus. They don't have the headliner capacity for another 25-30% of people to use it.

 

[mom2rtk]

Most guests are first time visitors. MDE and the FP+ system are complicated. How is Disney going to convince the other half of park goers to use MDE and FP+? So far, they've used huge advertising campaigns and only gotten 50% compliance. I don't think they'll substantially increase the amount of MDE and FP+ users.
Also, FP+ and MDE requires a lot of IT support and I don't think they'll be able to reduce the support staff unless the system becomes way easier to use and less glitchy.

Also consider that the die-hard Disney fans are already on board. On-site guests are on board. The low-hanging fruit has been picked. The remaining 50% (probably mostly offsite visitors) would be much harder to communicate with and get on board.

 

[Laketravis]

Our 60 day window opens up in 12 days. Going to be doing the same thing we did last year, arriving before the week of Thanksgiving and staying thru the week after Thanksgiving:

16 Days of FP+ The Good, The Bad, And the Fugly.

I'll be curious if many of my previous observations still hold true; our upcoming trip should make for an interesting comparison with last year's trip at the same time of year because the legacy FP's were still available and there was no tiering when we made our FP reservations last year.

 

[MickeyOCD]

Our 60 day window opens up in 12 days. Going to be doing the same thing we did last year, arriving before the week of Thanksgiving and staying thru the week after Thanksgiving: 16 Days of FP+ The Good, The Bad, And the Fugly. I'll be curious if many of my previous observations still hold true; our upcoming trip should make for an interesting comparison with last year's trip at the same time of year because the legacy FP's were still available and there was no tiering when we made our FP reservations last year.

Can I subscribe now?! That's gonna be a humdinger of a Trip Report, I'm sure of it! talk about comparisons. Not gonna be apples to oranges, but apples to apples. Exact same time frame. Can not wait to hear this report Laketravis!!

 

[lugnut33]

I just know from Disney's prospective this has been a resounding success based on guest feedback. Remember, MDE is more than just Fp+.

 

[mom2rtk]

I just know from Disney's prospective this has been a resounding success based on guest feedback. Remember, MDE is more than just Fp+.

Well, it certainly could be judged a success based on the feedback on Facebook.

 

[lugnut33]

Well, it certainly could be judged a success based on the feedback on Facebook.

I really think you need to separate those on the internet from guests in the park. It's guests in the parks that Disney is worried about.

 

[Praying Colonel]

However at the stockholders meeting, Disney executives stated that only 50% of the park guests are using the FP+. So the high guest satifaction applies to only half of the park guests.

 

[surferdave]

I really think you need to separate those on the internet from guests in the park. It's guests in the parks that Disney is worried about.

She's referring to the fact that the Disney Facebook was riddled with negative feedback on FP+ that all vanished without a trace one day. That seriously eroded trust in Disney's openness with the kind of feedback they've been getting.

 

[mom2rtk]

She's referring to the fact that the Disney Facebook was riddled with negative feedback on FP+ that all vanished without a trace one day. That seriously eroded trust in Disney's openness with the kind of feedback they've been getting.

That.

 

[flicx]

Gotta say that facebook move by Disney sure caused me not to trust the mouse anymore. Its like rigging a ballot box!