Magic Kingdom going FP+ only on 1/14/14

[Redhawk]

It may be as Callen explains above, you can't have overlapping FP windows. Are FP return windows always one full hour? If so, and the park is only open for two more hours, then there in't enough "time" to schedule 3 open hours.

Also, the last hour in the parks tends to have thinning crowds anyway (unless it's high-crowd time, and I can't speak for that) so usually the standby lines get shorter and the wait isn't so bad.

Keep in mind the person who originally pointed out this "glitch" is an AP holder who, for now, can't schedule advance FPs.

 

[SirLink]

Disney has huge margins on hotel rooms. WDW is for the most part a bunch of hotels with a few theme parks sprinkled in. The only way they come close to that 11% is to get more people to stay on property. Hotel occupancy has been flat or down the past few years. I can't see them not keeping on property guests at an advantage with this system. There has also been speculation that they could reduce or eliminate EMHs and replace them with advanced FP+ reservations as the on property park perk saving costs. Rolling the full system out to everyone makes little business sense. Then again a lot of this system makes little sense so they probably will do it to be consistent.

Rolling the system to everyone makes the most sense, this system is about the upsell of "personalization", you want to a)control the behavior of everyone in the park b)you want to manage staffing costs as well as food costs c)increase spending. It is better to tap the whole market of guests coming to the resort onsite/offsite/AP'ers. Simply keeping it to resort guests would not generate the amount TWDC wants/needs to recoup investment.

 

[dstrawn9889]

as for the 1 fp in the last hour, you couldnt go back to a kiosk once the first was used and schedule another? i read somewhere in the morass of this thread that you could get a RnR, then use it and then change one of your remaining two to RnR (for example). is this correct?

 

[stevehousse]

You can't have the same ride in your FP que at the same time. You can change it to the same ride after u already used it if you want as long as their is availability, but if u wanted all 3 FP for the same ride you would have to switch it each time after u rode.

 

[stevehousse]

Rolling the system to everyone makes the most sense, this system is about the upsell of "personalization", you want to a)control the behavior of everyone in the park b)you want to manage staffing costs as well as food costs c)increase spending. It is better to tap the whole market of guests coming to the resort onsite/offsite/AP'ers. Simply keeping it to resort guests would not generate the amount TWDC wants/needs to recoup investment.

No offense but I don't think you understand how running a business works. They will not use MM+ as a tool for labor/operating costs alone like u keep stating. Like I stated earlier, there is no guarantee that even if you have FP selected for a certain park, wether u r onsite or off, that your plans will change and you will head somewhere else! Lot of people go into a vacation with one plan and end up changing it around.

Businesses like this run their labor/ food cost numbers by trends set year after year. So let's say it's thanksgiving, and they know they have had x number of guests from previous years, they will staff appropriately to that number, not base it off of how many FP reservations they have!?!

Mm+ has not stated anywhere that they are using this as a cost effective tool. It's to simply keep guests days planned as much as they can, so they are "forced" to stay on property and spend money there instead leaving and spending it elsewhere.

Again, most day guests buy theirtickets day off, many will not even know about this new system until they step into the parks!

 

[JimboJones123]

Yes but you have to remember that fast passes run out just like on the old system so I am not surprised by this...

They had not run out .

 

[JimboJones123]

as for the 1 fp in the last hour, you couldnt go back to a kiosk once the first was used and schedule another? i read somewhere in the morass of this thread that you could get a RnR, then use it and then change one of your remaining two to RnR (for example). is this correct?

Nope. We went back. They still said no.

Just a notice that if you are planning a late trip to mind your Fastpass expectations.

 

[Redhawk]

Nope. We went back. They still said no.

Just a notice that if you are planning a late trip to mind your Fastpass expectations.

I've edited my previous response because I keep forgetting that at this time non-resort guests cannot make advance FP+ selections, even if they buy their tickets (via Disney) in advance. I've heard this will soon change, but for now, it's good to know that if you wait to use your 3 FP+ selections on the same day in a second park, you may end up getting only 1 or 2, depending on what time you arrive in the park.

At this time, no one can schedule FPs for two parks in one day, even with advance FP+.

I understand that AP holders are angry right now because they don't get to reserve advance FP selections yet, but I'm pretty sure Disney is working to figure out some solution to that.

And maybe soon we'll find that Park Hopper will allow for at least one FP in a second park that same day. I don't expect the system to stay static.

 

[SirLink]

No offense but I don't think you understand how running a business works. They will not use MM+ as a tool for labor/operating costs alone like u keep stating. Like I stated earlier, there is no guarantee that even if you have FP selected for a certain park, wether u r onsite or off, that your plans will change and you will head somewhere else! Lot of people go into a vacation with one plan and end up changing it around.

Businesses like this run their labor/ food cost numbers by trends set year after year. So let's say it's thanksgiving, and they know they have had x number of guests from previous years, they will staff appropriately to that number, not base it off of how many FP reservations they have!?!

Mm+ has not stated anywhere that they are using this as a cost effective tool. It's to simply keep guests days planned as much as they can, so they are "forced" to stay on property and spend money there instead leaving and spending it elsewhere.

Again, most day guests buy theirtickets day off, many will not even know about this new system until they step into the parks!

No offense but ...I have stated the three goals if you like are to increase guest spending, lower operating costs, control behavior of guests. Did I state how they would reduce operating costs based on FP+? Nope, they are still using analytic tools to do that - they just have more knowledge of how "guests" tour the park ... or rather that is the plan.

Again let me state slowly: I.DID.NOT.STATE.FP+.ALONE.WOULD.BE.USED.TO.CUT.OPERATIONAL.COSTS. ....

 

[stevehousse]

1)Please as I have stated the three goals if you like are to increase guest spending, lower operating costs, control behavior of guests. Did I state how they would reduce operating costs based on FP+? Nope, they are still using analytic tools to do that - they just have more knowledge of how "guests" tour the park ... or rather that is the plan.

2)Your second point is exactly why MM+ was myopic in the first place.

3)What? They want better data in order to cost cut - what more do you want to know. They are not doing it to improve the guest experience. Again you only get the best data if you can get people to book and have access to the "full" system. Ideally they would like offsite guests to pay for Magic Bands as well ...

4)Yep a high proportion of guests are bought the morning of the entry to the park ... another reason why it was a myopic decision. Disney would like everybody to plan as much as possible ... everybody, and you can't "trap" offsite guests. Hmm wonder what it is for oh yes better/more accurate data ...

But thanks for thinking a)you know me or b)my capabilities in business.

No where has Disney stated they are using mm+ as a cost cutting device, which you keep claiming they are in several replies. Do you hve proof of them going to use this data as such? You are the only person I have seen that keeps bringing this up. It makes no sense for offsite guests to be able to pre book FP selections in advance like it does for guests staying onsite which u keep claiming they will do, when most day guests won't even know what te new system is about until they enter the park.

 

[SirLink]

No where has Disney stated they are using mm+ as a cost cutting device, which you keep claiming they are in several replies. Do you hve proof of them going to use this data as such? You are the only person I have seen that keeps bringing this up. It makes no sense for offsite guests to be able to pre book FP selections in advance like it does for guests staying onsite which u keep claiming they will do, when most day guests won't even know what te new system is about until they enter the park.

Lets tackle this in several points:

• What do you think Disney is using the extra data ... for guest experience?
  
• UK Tour Operators and UK Ticket Brokers have been told offsite guests can prebook their FP+ from the Mouse mouth too ... so there is that. Oh and upgrade to MagicBands if done within a certain time frame ... it wasn't given to them(NB: I would hazard the offsite tests done this month, will give Disney a better time frame whether you have to book the physical tickets 90 days in advance of your trip).

 

[JimboJones123]

I've edited my previous response because I keep forgetting that at this time non-resort guests cannot make advance FP+ selections, even if they buy their tickets (via Disney) in advance. I've heard this will soon change, but for now, it's good to know that if you wait to use your 3 FP+ selections on the same day in a second park, you may end up getting only 1 or 2, depending on what time you arrive in the park.

At this time, no one can schedule FPs for two parks in one day, even with advance FP+.

I understand that AP holders are angry right now because they don't get to reserve advance FP selections yet, but I'm pretty sure Disney is working to figure out some solution to that.

And maybe soon we'll find that Park Hopper will allow for at least one FP in a second park that same day. I don't expect the system to stay static.

I fear that this may be the downfall of the system. Once the floodgates open, APs will book every Sorin, TSMM, and Test Track FP 60 days out. There are a ton of us that are "local". Easily enough to fill every single park. If only a small percentage decide to book FPs religiously, this could cause the entire system to crumble. Disney knows this and fears it. They also fear continuing to give APs a lower grade service. Especially when they are a solid chunk of room reservations at any given time.

It will be interesting to see how it plays out.

 

[JimboJones123]

No where has Disney stated they are using mm+ as a cost cutting device, which you keep claiming they are in several replies. Do you hve proof of them going to use this data as such? You are the only person I have seen that keeps bringing this up. It makes no sense for offsite guests to be able to pre book FP selections in advance like it does for guests staying onsite which u keep claiming they will do, when most day guests won't even know what te new system is about until they enter the park.

Well, in my experience last night, they sure did. Before, I would have been able to get 2-3 fastpasses when arriving at the MK with two hours left until close. FP+ restricted me to one. One less fastpass to use in the last half hour of park operations to back up lines. Oh, and none of the FP options that I saw included windows up to the 8 pm close time. If Disney is cutting FP earlier in the night, it would very much be a cost cutting measure.

 

[asianway]

No where has Disney stated they are using mm+ as a cost cutting device, which you keep claiming they are in several replies. Do you hve proof of them going to use this data as such? You are the only person I have seen that keeps bringing this up. It makes no sense for offsite guests to be able to pre book FP selections in advance like it does for guests staying onsite which u keep claiming they will do, when most day guests won't even know what te new system is about until they enter the park.

Why wouldn't they? This is exactly how they schedule restaurant labor now using dining reservations

 

[Redhawk]

I fear that this may be the downfall of the system. Once the floodgates open, APs will book every Sorin, TSMM, and Test Track FP 60 days out. There are a ton of us that are "local". Easily enough to fill every single park. If only a small percentage decide to book FPs religiously, this could cause the entire system to crumble. Disney knows this and fears it. They also fear continuing to give APs a lower grade service. Especially when they are a solid chunk of room reservations at any given time.

It will be interesting to see how it plays out.

It seems like a lot of people think that those who are reserving FP in advance will take up ALL the fast passes, sort of like how you have to call very early now for ADRs or they're all gone (at certain times of year). This is not what will happen. I believe a number of FP slots will be reserved for same-day selection.

If I'm wrong about this and a person has to buy their tickets that far in advance in order to get any chance of FP slots, then Disney will be making a huge mistake. I don't think they're that stupid, but then again, who knows?

 

[stevehousse]

Well, in my experience last night, they sure did. Before, I would have been able to get 2-3 fastpasses when arriving at the MK with two hours left until close. FP+ restricted me to one. One less fastpass to use in the last half hour of park operations to back up lines. Oh, and none of the FP options that I saw included windows up to the 8 pm close time. If Disney is cutting FP earlier in the night, it would very much be a cost cutting measure.

The reason you can't get three FP+ selections is because how the system works. You can only have 1 FP for a 1 hour window. If you got to the park at let's say 7 and it closes at 9. That 7-8pm times lot has already started, so you wouldn't see an option for 7-8pm. You would only have 1 FP+ option available for 8-9pm.

Why wouldn't they? This is exactly how they schedule restaurant labor now using dining reservations

Having worked in that industry for years at several different restaurant groups, you don't just base your labor off of reservations alone.

 

[Redhawk]

It may be that the new system will not allow FP that go all the way up to the closing hour. Could it be the Disney wants to shut down the rides sooner and herd people into the shops and toward the exits right before closing?

 

[JimboJones123]

The reason you can't get three FP+ selections is because how the system works. You can only have 1 FP for a 1 hour window. If you got to the park at let's say 7 and it closes at 9. That 7-8pm times lot has already started, so you wouldn't see an option for 7-8pm. You would only have 1 FP+ option available for 8-9pm.



Having worked in that industry for years at several different restaurant groups, you don't just base your labor off of reservations alone.

My FP was 7:40. We could have easily used another.

 

[vinnya1726]

I don't know about steep discounts on hotels, if they are offering them, I certainly haven't been able to benefit from them. Disney's own 10k seems to imply that they are charging a higher per room/night price for hotels than ever before.

"Revenue growth of 10% at our domestic operations reflected a 5% increase from higher average guest spending and a 4% increase from volume. Increased guest spending was due to higher average ticket prices, food, beverage and merchandise spending, and average daily hotel room rates."

That aside, I understand your point, that MM+ is making it comparatively more attractive to be an onsite guest than ever before and that Disney is motivated to do so. I completely agree with you and it makes sense if you consider that Disney is more like a hotel business with theme parks attached.

Perhaps when APs have access to MDE with advanced FP+ reservations, comparated to onsite guests it won't seem as bad as it is now. We can only speculate about when that will happen.

I see this from all sides. I do think local AP users need to reserve FP+ in advance, but I also think those staying on site need to be given something extra because they are staying onsite. I do not think we will ever find an answer that will make everyone happy...which is why Disney is in a no win situation.

 

[asianway]

The reason you can't get three FP+ selections is because how the system works. You can only have 1 FP for a 1 hour window. If you got to the park at let's say 7 and it closes at 9. That 7-8pm times lot has already started, so you wouldn't see an option for 7-8pm. You would only have 1 FP+ option available for 8-9pm.



Having worked in that industry for years at several different restaurant groups, you don't just base your labor off of reservations alone.

No other restaurant in the world does. Except WDW. Put down the pixie dust pipe & try to understand how ruthless WDW is with their staffing models.