Disney MaxPass reviews

[disneygeek90]

Those of you who have never used FP+ before may be surprised at how much more spontaneous you can be with Fastpasses on the day of. You don't need to be savvy with the app, either. At any FP+ kiosk in the parks, cast members will let you know what's available and you can secure a fastpass right away. Imagine being able to get a fastpass for Radiator Springs Racers at 7:00 at night. Today, that's just about impossible. But with FP+ you can change your fastpass selections, so windows are opening all the time. That lets the spontaneous people benefit from other guests' cancellations.

I was a big Next Gen skeptic, and I still wonder whether even the great result is worth the exorbitant cost it took to implement. But I was absolutely shocked to find how much I love the new system. I have zero, and I mean zero regrets about FP+ replacing the old system at WDW.

EDIT: One day, I rode Peter Pan's Flight on a whim. This is a ride whose wait times are always too long for me to justify waiting in line. But on a whim, I decided to check on fastpasses for it. Twenty minutes later, I walked right up the fastpass queue.

Exactly. The way I look at it, it allows for more spontaneity. I can decide I want to go to the parks day of or day before, and have a FP for a ride at 6pm. In the old days, if you weren't rope dropping most of the E ticket rides, their FP's would all be gone by early afternoon. I wouldn't be able to show up at 5pm and have a fastpass for Test Track at 6. I regularly do this now.

 

[Texas84]

And with MB2 you don't have to use a band.

 

[Disney Irish]

What would they have to lose by selling collectible magic bands for $30 a pop without adding any more infrastructure? Why couldn't it be something just used at the park attraction touch points? Just because they use it in a bigger way at WDW doesn't mean that it has to be done that way here. It's a different market. I guess I'm assuming that if the touch points work for the ticket bar codes / phones than they can work for the magic bands. Maybe I'm wrong.

I've never held a magic band in person and have no attachments to them. I guess I don't understand the hate these things get. Sounds way better than pulling out your phone or ticket all day. As a father holding an 18 month old at the parks among other things all day, they sound very convenient.

Lastly how is this better technology for the consumer? Because we don't have to pay for the hardware? Maybe better for Disney because it's cheaper set up costs for them. But it's not better for me to have to pull a phone out of my pocket.

I think you are misunderstanding how MBs work at WDW and how MaxPass/FP+ work at DLR.

MBs are a wrist band (or keychain) with an RFID chip inside. MaxPass/FP+ use bar codes either from your ticket/AP/phone or on the FP ticket. These are two very different technologies. They do not use the same infrastructure. DLR is not setup with RFID chip readers (Touch Points) or the backend systems to make it work. What has been being setup at FP enabled attractions at DLR is the bar code scanners that taps into the existing backend infrastructure used today. These are not touch points, even though it looks like it. These are bar code scanners, just like the handheld ones that cast members use today.

As I mentioned previously they would have to likely spend a couple hundred million dollars to put into place the infrastructure for MBs. There is just not the ROI for it to make it worth it.

Edit -

One additional piece of infrastructure that MBs require that DLR doesn't have is fingerprint readers. You need to have your fingerprint scanned every time you use the MBs to make sure you are the person suppose to be using the MB. DLR doesn't have this infrastructure in place either.

 

[drizgirl]

I think you are misunderstanding how MBs work at WDW and how MaxPass/FP+ work at DLR.

MBs are a wrist band (or keychain) with an RFID chip inside. MaxPass/FP+ use bar codes either from your ticket/AP or on the FP ticket. These are two very different technologies. They do not use the same infrastructure. DLR is not setup with RFID chip readers (Touch Points) or the backend systems to make it work. What has been being setup at FP enabled attractions is the bar code scanners that taps into the existing backend infrastructure used today. These are not touch points, even though it looks like it. These are bar code scanners, just like the handheld ones that cast members use today.

As I mentioned previously they would have to likely spend a couple hundred million dollars to put into place the infrastructure for MBs. There is just not the ROI for it to make it worth it.

Edit -

One additional piece of infrastructure that MBs require that DLR doesn't have is fingerprint readers. You need to have your fingerprint scanned every time you use the MBs to make sure you are the person suppose to be using the MB. DLR doesn't have this infrastructure in place either.

Agreed. It's about so much more than the magicband.

 

[Disney Irish]

Agreed. It's about so much more than the magicband.

People think its just "Hey I like the wrist bands, so easy" but don't realize the actual technology and what it would take to put it into place. Disney has moved on from the RFID technology as is most of the rest of the world. RFID systems are very costly, and is the reason why Disney is not implementing it in any of their other parks. I mean think about it. They just built from the ground up Shanghai Disney. If they were really investing in MBs with RFID it would have been implemented there where the costs would have been lower. But no they decided to go with the app as well because mobile is the future and cheaper to implement and quicker to update.

 

[mickEblu]

That could easily be remedied by limiting the reservations for APs through blackouts, limited times of the day/week, allowing bookings in the parks, or all of the above.

Yeah it would take some tweaking and maybe some time to get it right but I guess it can be done.

 

[mickEblu]

I think you are misunderstanding how MBs work at WDW and how MaxPass/FP+ work at DLR.

MBs are a wrist band (or keychain) with an RFID chip inside. MaxPass/FP+ use bar codes either from your ticket/AP/phone or on the FP ticket. These are two very different technologies. They do not use the same infrastructure. DLR is not setup with RFID chip readers (Touch Points) or the backend systems to make it work. What has been being setup at FP enabled attractions at DLR is the bar code scanners that taps into the existing backend infrastructure used today. These are not touch points, even though it looks like it. These are bar code scanners, just like the handheld ones that cast members use today.

As I mentioned previously they would have to likely spend a couple hundred million dollars to put into place the infrastructure for MBs. There is just not the ROI for it to make it worth it.

Edit -

One additional piece of infrastructure that MBs require that DLR doesn't have is fingerprint readers. You need to have your fingerprint scanned every time you use the MBs to make sure you are the person suppose to be using the MB. DLR doesn't have this infrastructure in place either.

Well it sounds like you know a lot more about the technology Than I do. So I guess I was wrong.

 

[Disney Irish]

Well it sounds like you know a lot more about the technology Than I do. So I guess I was wrong.

I'll admit I like the idea of MBs but I just understand what it takes it get it implemented. Its not just as simple as some think it is. Plus its outdated technology.

Also while some have complained about the idea of using phones while at DL, just look around DLR. All you see is a sea of phones being used. Disney is tapping into that and saying hey why not get them to use it for our products. That is why more and more features are being built into the Disneyland App. MaxPass is just phase one when it comes to FPs. Rumors are the reservation system from WDW is coming as well in the near future and tied directly to the app.

Pretty soon you will be doing everything in the app. I'm betting they are already finding a way so you can use the app to make purchases at the parks. So basically you will get MBs without the need for having the bands.

 

[mickEblu]

I'll admit I like the idea of MBs but I just understand what it takes it get it implemented. Its not just as simple as some think it is. Plus its outdated technology.

Also while some have complained about the idea of using phones while at DL, just look around DLR. All you see is a sea of phones being used. Disney is tapping into that and saying hey why not get them to use it for our products. That is why more and more features are being built into the Disneyland App. MaxPass is just phase one when it comes to FPs. Rumors are the reservation system from WDW is coming as well in the near future and tied directly to the app.

Pretty soon you will be doing everything in the app. I'm betting they are already finding a way so you can use the app to make purchases at the parks. So basically you will get MBs without the need for having the bands.

It makes sense that they would want to use phones instead if they need all the new infrastructure. I thought since they already have the technology at WDW that it would of been easy to make the new touch points compatable with MBs as well as the tickets and phones.

I'm still not understanding how the technology is outdated. It's still more convenient for the guest. I guess I'm more focused on the user experience and you are explaining Disney's motivations.

 

[drizgirl]

It makes sense that they would want to use phones instead if they need all the new infrastructure. I thought since they already have the technology at WDW that it would of been easy to make the new touch points compatable with MBs as well as the tickets and phones.

I'm still not understanding how the technology is outdated. It's still more convenient for the guest. I guess I'm more focused on the user experience and you are explaining Disney's motivations.

Believe me, if Disney could have spread some of that MM+ cost around to Shanghai and Anaheim, they would have been all over it. For them to decide not to tells me there were big issues with adding it in those places.

 

[Disney Irish]

It makes sense that they would want to use phones instead if they need all the new infrastructure. I thought since they already have the technology at WDW that it would of been easy to make the new touch points compatable with MBs as well as the tickets and phones.

I'm still not understanding how the technology is outdated. It's still more convenient for the guest. I guess I'm more focused on the user experience and you are explaining Disney's motivations.

Unfortunately is not just a simple plug and play system as one would think. You can't just take one system built for a specific place and plop it down into another place built on a completely different system.

Also RFIDs tags are not cheap, especially when compared to barcodes. Smart barcodes are fractions of pennies compared to an RFID tag costing on average .20 and that's for the cheap ones. I'm betting the custom ones that Disney uses for MBs are closer to a dollar or more. And when a majority of the ones given out are free, that several million a year out the door for just MBs and up keep for the system. Not to mention the Billions they already spent just to get it up and running. So you can see why Disney isn't just going to move it into another park.

I won't get into the boring discussion of why its outdated tech, but will say its slowly being replaced with better tech. And I'm not speaking just about the theme park or entertainment industry. Its being replaced in all industries that use it.

So the app is the better and cheaper way to go. And its basically the same system with the ability to update it quicker and build more features into it. You are only looking at the one small piece of the larger system. I'm looking at it from the whole pie, from system to guest experience.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

I actually like physical paper tickets and plastic hotel card keys.

You are clearly *OLD* and *OUT OF TOUCH*!

 

[dweezil78]

I won't get into the boring discussion of why its outdated tech, but will say its slowly being replaced with better tech. And I'm not speaking just about the theme park or entertainment industry. Its being replaced in all industries that use it.

Eh, yeah but that's just like anything else w/ technology. It's like saying why get a new computer if there's going to be something better a few years from now. Why make a ride if the tech for it will be better in 5 years. At some point, you just gotta bite the bullet and use the tools currently available while hopefully innovating and pushing things forward. If they did install a chip-based system, you'd hope it's whatever was current and not simply copying and pasting what was put in FL when FP+ was first installed.

The barcode thing will work ok enough here, but the downside to that is it still relies in digging through pockets to get your paper tickets/AP or launching an app on a smartphone. With Magicband, you just put your wrist on the machine and off you go. Just a smoother guest experience (now that it finally works well).

 

[Travel Junkie]

The barcode thing will work ok enough here, but the downside to that is it still relies in digging through pockets to get your paper tickets/AP or launching an app on a smartphone. With Magicband, you just put your wrist on the machine and off you go. Just a smoother guest experience (now that it finally works well).

Has society really gotten this lazy?

 

[Deleted member 107043]

Am I correct in assuming every person in your party old enough to have a ticket will have to carry a phone with them all day in the parks under the Maxpass system? I'm fine with it, but I can see this becoming problematic for parents with several kids in tow. Bands or key fobs seem much better from a user experience perspective. On the other hand I guess you'd still need to the phone to make reservations on the app either way.

 

[Californian Elitist]

You are clearly *OLD* and *OUT OF TOUCH*!

Thanks!

 

[Californian Elitist]

Has society really gotten this lazy?

Yes. The days of WALL•E are fast approaching.

 

[mickEblu]

Has society really gotten this lazy?

It's more that we ve become dependent on technology and like convenience where we can have it. I wish we could go back to simpler times where we didn't need smart phones to "survive" but that's the world we live in now. So being that we don't live in 1955 or even 1995 and we re going to have to now scan a ticket or phone before going on every ride I'd rather just scan a bracelet on my wrist. It's a preference. Personally I won't die without the convenience. I burn many more calories going to the gym 4x per week.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

Considering that people get more accomplished in a day than they used to do in a week (ok, I'm exaggerating a little) I would hardly say today's society is lazy. To MickElbu's point it isn't about not being able, it's about having a convenience that minimizes friction and allows us to focus on things that matter at the parks, like having fun. And if Disney can drive more transactions though the ease of technology then it's a win/win for all.

 

[Disney Irish]

Eh, yeah but that's just like anything else w/ technology. It's like saying why get a new computer if there's going to be something better a few years from now. Why make a ride if the tech for it will be better in 5 years. At some point, you just gotta bite the bullet and use the tools currently available while hopefully innovating and pushing things forward. If they did install a chip-based system, you'd hope it's whatever was current and not simply copying and pasting what was put in FL when FP+ was first installed.

The barcode thing will work ok enough here, but the downside to that is it still relies in digging through pockets to get your paper tickets/AP or launching an app on a smartphone. With Magicband, you just put your wrist on the machine and off you go. Just a smoother guest experience (now that it finally works well).

While I agree you have to use the technology of the times, but that doesn't mean you are stuck with that technology for every project you have from now until the end of time. MM+ project inception is almost 10 years old. Smart phones were not as big back then. So they were looking at a system that used different tech to get the experience they wanted for guests. Technology has jumped leaps and bounds since then. If MM+ was started today I'm sure RFID would not have been a consideration.

Point is you move with the tech, you are not bound by it. You are not locked into a specific tech just because one project uses it.