My Magic + details ...

[WDW1974]

This is so true. I used to be terrified of visiting foreign places especially those where there might be a language barrier. No more. The only thing that keeps me from roaming the earth freely now is funds. Now that I'm learning how to study and find success in faraway lands I feel zero need to revisit the same ol' same ol' of WDW. Adventure is out there, people!

Agreed. I've actually steered a few noobs away in recent times.



So has anyone else heard any further info about the notion that EMH would be phased out as the MM+ was implemented? That came up in conversation many moons back but I don't think I've seen any further mention of it.

I have almost no respect for anyone who visits WDW every year and goes no where else. People can do what they want, but that doesn't mean I have to respect them for that. The world is full of exciting, amazing and awe inspiring locales that truly put the MK to shame. That put any theme park to shame. People need go experience as much as they can or they tend to be ignorant about the world and other nation's and people. A lot of WDW guests fall into the American rube and proud of it category.

EMH is going away. It has been greatly reduced this summer. I mentioned it in my Observations thread and someone else started a separate thread on it. I'd expect night hours to be completely gone following ndct Spring Break with mornings not far after.

This summer, they have cut MK and EPCOT from two nights of three hours each to one night of two hours each.

 

[Californian Elitist]

I actually feel bad for myself and my friend. We've yet to visit WDW (looking to go in three to four years) and we'll have to deal with this load of BS. I don't plan my Disneyland trips, there's no way in hell I'm planning which freaking rides I want to experience at such and such time. I thought dining was going to be annoying... This just might take the cake. Whoever heard of reserving an attraction? It really boggles my mind.

 

[WDW1974]

Whatever happened to the whole soda machine card reading system that was supposed to solve the issue of people stealing soda? Did that implantation work or fail?

Failed. Greatly.

 

[englanddg]

One nice thing I can say about the MM+ website.

At least I get to see Donald a lot!

 

[PUSH]

I actually feel bad for myself and my friend. We've yet to visit WDW (looking to go in three to four years) and we'll have to deal with this load of BS. I don't plan my Disneyland trips, there's no way in hell I'm planning which freaking rides I want to experience at such and such time. I thought dining was going to be annoying... This just might take the cake. Whoever heard of reserving an attraction? It really boggles my mind.

I feel bad for everyone outside of the hardcore planners.

 

[WDW1974]

That will completely depend on how well guest will be at using the kiosks. so figure very long, but hey just use your smartphone.

What if I don't have a smartphone or I want to leave mine in my room because I'm on vacation and don't want to be bothered by it?

I doubt Disney is going to give everyone an iPhone like they did management last week.

Siri, what attraction do I have scheduled at 2? Siri?!?!?! What do you mean there's no signal?!?! There has to be one. I can't live without you ... .... And the mass suicides begin.

 

[Mr.Skunkape]

How long till we see magic bands on EBAY

 

[WDW1974]

It's now been revealed what the advantage will be for onsite guests: 60 + 10 days booking vs. just 60 days for everyone else.

For popular attractions, this will be a huge advantage.

I'm still waiting for a clearer explanation of what will happen to local AP holders. Let's see how this evolves.

Most of the year, there may be some hope. But if someone staying at the Rosen Shingle Creek, Marriott World Center or Holiday Inn I-Drive thinks they're getting a TSMM, Soarin or Space Mountain FP Christmas week, they're very mistaken. They may be spending $800 a night at the Poly and still be shut out.

 

[ScoutN]

Most of the year, there may be some hope. But if someone staying at the Rosen Shingle Creek, Marriott World Center or Holiday Inn I-Drive thinks they're getting a TSMM, Soarin or Space Mountain FP Christmas week, they're very mistaken. They may be spending $800 a night at the Poly and still be shut out.

Shafts the DVC members that do not always book 60+ days out. What a joke. DVC members will not be taking this one lightly in the slightest form whatsoever. Complete and total BS.

 

[WDW1974]

It took over 15 minutes to get into EPCOT the other day. Why? It was busy, and people are to.....technologically challenged/dense to see that there are two RFID and finger print scanners, listen to CMs, and understand they have to scan the card and put a finger on the scanner. People act like it's rocket science. I hate to think what the MM+ kiosks will look like.

I had no issues with the new entry. Just like the old ones, people stood around looking confused and I'd step around them to a reader no one was using and tapped, fingered and walked ...yes, sometimes, I did get dirty looks. People are crazy and I can deal with it.

 

[Calvin Coolidge]

What if I don't have a smartphone or I want to leave mine in my room because I'm on vacation and don't want to be bothered by it?

I doubt Disney is going to give everyone an iPhone like they did management last week.

Siri, what attraction do I have scheduled at 2? Siri?!?!?! What do you mean there's no signal?!?! There has to be one. I can't live without you ... .... And the mass suicides begin.

I don't have a smartphone (I know, I'm a bad millennial, but those things are expensive! I don't need a data plan to text) and I don't intend to get one. It's a little frustrating to me that WDW is planning on treating me like I'm less than everyone else because of something dumb like that.

I don't see how making me go back to the park entrance to use a kiosk is any better than making me go across the park to pick up a fastpass.

 

[WDW1974]

I tried to read everything but I don't know if I missed this or not but to me a crucial component is if they are still doing tiered levels of FP+ to choose from ... @WDW1974

For example are they still going to make you choose 1 FP+ each from Group A, B, and C? Where Group A is all E-tickets, and Groups B and C are lesser attractions or entertainment ... essentially giving you only one worthwhile fastpass?

yes, I believe they are still doing that ... You are not going to get a FP for all three MK mountains, for instance.

 

[Longhairbear]

Shafts the DVC members that do not always book 60+ days out. What a joke. DVC members will not be taking this one lightly in the slightest form whatsoever. Complete and total BS.

When we book our DVC at 11, or 7 months out we sometimes have to have a second choice ready for dates because the dates we wanted were booked solid. We almost never get ADR's, and end up not being able to get a walkup at various restaurants. That led us to buying groceries and cooking in our villa. Disney lost our dining business years ago because of there being no walkups, and DDP is partly to blame.
We love to relax, and do things on the fly. We don't usually get fastpasses for anything. If FP+ extends the standby lines to the point going to the parks is useless for guests like us, Disney will lose our theme park business as well. We have no problem with staying at our DVC villa, and going off property to the competition.

 

[WDW1974]

But even if you do that commando style today, it is difficult to get fast passes for anything at Epcot or DHS.

that has not been my experience, largely ... I got a ToT FP on May 4th at about 8 p.m. And also had a soarin one at night that I just remembered too.

 

[Beholder]

yes, I believe they are still doing that ... You are not going to get a FP for all three MK mountains, for instance.

I can't help but think that when these type details start coming out, that's when the typical park goer will start to complain. And then bad press. And then the back pedaling. I know I'm dreaming, but this is really going to start making people pretty angry.

 

[PUSH]

that has not been my experience, largely ... I got a ToT FP on May 4th at about 8 p.m. And also had a soarin one at night that I just remembered too.

Same here. Got a FP on two different nights for ToT.

 

[ddrongowski]

What if I don't have a smartphone or I want to leave mine in my room because I'm on vacation and don't want to be bothered by it?

I doubt Disney is going to give everyone an iPhone like they did management last week.

Siri, what attraction do I have scheduled at 2? Siri?!?!?! What do you mean there's no signal?!?! There has to be one. I can't live without you ... .... And the mass suicides begin.

This is what I do, and the FP+ supporters will say allude that your a loser if you don't carry your smartphone 24x7. Your not a loser. But WDW is going to be.

 

[Tim_4]

If there is record attendance, record profits, why are there layoffs?

Finance/accounting/IT teams are being cut at large companies everywhere. There's bloat.

 

[Next Big Thing]

I have almost no respect for anyone who visits WDW every year and goes no where else. People can do what they want, but that doesn't mean I have to respect them for that. The world is full of exciting, amazing and awe inspiring locales that truly put the MK to shame. That put any theme park to shame. People need go experience as much as they can or they tend to be ignorant about the world and other nation's and people. A lot of WDW guests fall into the American rube and proud of it category.

EMH is going away. It has been greatly reduced this summer. I mentioned it in my Observations thread and someone else started a separate thread on it. I'd expect night hours to be completely gone following ndct Spring Break with mornings not far after.

This summer, they have cut MK and EPCOT from two nights of three hours each to one night of two hours each.

With EMH being cut, will the regular hours be extended any, or will it just stay as is?

And as an aside: With this new system of FP+ only one park per day and EMH being cut, how are they doing themselves ANY favors? There is seemingly no incentive to buy a parkhopper now and EMH was the main incentive to stay on property. I know MM+ is supposed to be what is replacing that incentive, but it really feels like it's going to all come crashing down on them.

 

[spaceghost]

Ok, my $.02 is that if it works, it could be good for some visitors and not good for others. If it doesn't work, it could be a trainwreck for everybody. That is going to depend on infrastructure, CM training, and end user communication/messaging. If they can make it work, I think it will actually help your infrequent visitors. I think it is actually much simpler than the existing system. There are so many guests that visit now without any prep that still end up not using the existing system because they don't know how it works, or they don't get to the park early enough, etc. This could be FP socialism, if you will. Of course, who this impacts negatively are those of us here - the regulars, locals, CMs, and otherwise savvy visitors. That's not exactly your best business model...but maybe the potential increase in satisfaction from the other guests will make up for it?

I will say two more things -

1. I am very curious to see how this impacts standby times for attractions. It seems that this could lower waits for headliner attractions, while increasing waits at non-headliners. I am sure that is the hope from TWDC. The devil will be in the details though. I do find the "science" behind this fascinating. (Yes, I'm a geek.)
2. I am not going to miss being the FP mule. That's one plus. No more running from one end of a park to another just to get FPs while the rest of the family gets to take their time and enjoy the parks... Of course, now I might end up waiting in longer lines, but hey, you win some, you lose some...