This will be a mess to start no doubt. Just like magic bands was
Oh, I think we all see the issues and potential problems. I think the key is how quickly will Disney respond to the issues, or will they get stuck in red tape, and blaming Guests for "just not understanding" how to use it.
What happens if my phone dies due to battery issues? Does every person need their own SmartPhone? If not, when folks return, does each person have to scan their own "hard" ticket to enter the FP line?
Just as the FP was when it started, and even today, you have the haves and have-nots. I know I was the first to try to educate the masses with the "Joy of FastPass guides" when you learned what would trigger a FP (at first, a Ralphs Frequent Shopper card worked), then when they figured out that they needed something more than just looking for "a" barcode in the right place and started with the correct number sequence and keeping track of that number being used yet, learning which FP machines talked to each other, (At first, they didn't at all). So we had the connected and unconnected attractions. Then they realized that locals would just bring in their friends AP for the day (when the friend didn't plan to go, or coming later (You met them at the Entrance Plaza area) to get multiple ones, so you had the real-time verification with the turnstiles, and that the entire party had to be present, and then Disney added the "show" FP's, etc. But Knowledge was power to maximize the FP system.
Now you need to provide the right equipment (at your own expense, such as the phone, the 4G network costs, and more than likely a back-up battery for safety. (Or be restricted in using it during the day to make sure it doesn't run out), having enough free memory to install the Disneyland App, and how much bigger will be the new version that works with the new digital FP's?
And then getting the "regular" guest to understand they need to install the App to access the opportunity to get the FP's.
And then we have the special perks. I remember when Walt Disney Travel would issue special "Any Time/Any FP ride" FP's usually as part of a Hotel Package.. Amazing how many of those ended up in the CM's pocket and handed to their friends later and got re-used multiple times.
So do the Disney owned Hotel guests get an early time to start requesting them, do they get to hold "more" FP's at the same time? Does WDTC also offer a perk to the Good Neighbor Hotel packages (not as good as the Disney owned Hotels, but still something an AP holder or a walk up guest doesn't get?
And we can keep going...
So Disney has addresses issues in the past, sometimes quicker than others. *The Anytime FP's" was found to be a problem by TDA early, but since WDTC had already advertised, printed flyers for Travel Agents, etc. they couldn't stop the program until the end of the year. (Red Tape).
And I think if Disney decides they have to place free Wi-Fi in the parks, they will be dealing with a lot of issues, simple things like we know that inside specific buildings and attractions, it will be hard to provide service, similar to how 4G networks don't always work. To the needed Bandwidth and access nodes (amount of users at one time). I can see the bean counters saying to install what they think is the minimum and then address shortages and add what is needed, so they don't over power the system. (aka costs).
I know they learned some things from FP+ at WDW, including that there are a lot of problems/issues and they needed to come up with something different. Now Disneyland will become the Guinea Pig, and will have to see if they want to attach Hotel Room Keys to the app, will it allow room charges for food/merchandise to the Credit Card on file, and for which members of the group?
What happens if the phone is stolen in the park?
I can keep going.
Looks like Guest Services CM's will be very busy for awhile......
