My Magic + details ...

[unkadug]

Thanks for replying. I'd avoided this thread for ages as I thought it would be confusing and today I finally decided to take a look to see if it would effect our trip much this year. As we always get AP's we tend to pop into the parks a lot over visits rather than do 'full days' and the use of FP's as well as our knowledge of what time to visit what attractions has always worked very well for us. I'm genuinely worried that with these forced changes that long time regular visitors like us will suffer more than the once in a blue moon visitors who don't really have a planned way of doing things. With less FP's issued I can see standyby lines increasing a lot. I'm maybe being cynical but I imagine it's in Disney's interest to make FP+'s 'spaced out' over many hours on the same day to keep guests in the park longer to spend more money on food and drink etc. If so the chances of getting 3 FP+'s in advance for a 3-4 hour period for 1 day would seem unlikely making 'popping into' the parks less attractive to visitors like ourselves who currently love doing that. Maybe I'm worrying over nothing but it's all rather depressing really

I'm looking forward to NEXT years Unofficial Guide to WDW to see how this changes their touring plans. I have a feeling some things will be dramatically changed and @lentesta has his work cut out for him.

 

[Clamman73]

so...can you refuse the RFID bracelet and ask for your regular ticket...or is this being forced upon you? I prefer the experience of getting them yourself and more importantly to park hop. 3 FP's in one day is fair, but is all this really being done because standby lines are getting ridiculously long. Wouldn't it be in disney's best interest to keep you out of lines, and out where you can spend money?

Maybe this upcoming Peter Pan refurb is to put a gift shop in the middle of the switchback standby line. Just some super sarcasm there!

 

[AndyS2992]

Maybe this upcoming Peter Pan refurb is to put a gift shop in the middle of the switchback standby line. Just some super sarcasm there!

Yeah but the sad thing is that it is something TDO might actually do to make more $$$ lol

 

[BigThunderMatt]

3) your 3 FP+s will be tiered so you will not be able to get a FP for 3 E-tickets

This isn't true. I just tested FP+ the other day and had FastPasses at MK for all 3 mountains. They got rid of the tiering system a while ago due to negative test feedback.

 

[AndyS2992]

This isn't true. I just tested FP+ the other day and had FastPasses at MK for all 3 mountains. They got rid of the tiering system a while ago due to negative test feedback.

Oh good. The only thing they need to do now to make me embrace this is to keep regular FP and get rid of FP+ or have both which is unlikely as FP queues would be too long. I wish they would just leave FP alone and just make the FP terminals RFID friendly where you tap your band and the FP time stores on the app.

 

[WDW1974]

Tom Stagg's statement is intentionally misleading. He referenced one very small moderate successful test out of many. Most of these tests have been such disasters that guest spending was the least of their concerns.

EDIT: With respect to guest spending, they were dealing with a test pool working with new technology who were told to "use your wristband to make purchases!" as a selling point like it was an exciting new revolution in the world of vacations. No doubt these wristbands are going to fuel some impulse purchases because of the uniqueness of the technology, but as it rolls out and becomes standard the "coolness" will wear off and guest spending patterns will level off to.... exactly what they would have been anyway.

Absolutely. Guests were told specifically to use their bands, so I'd love to know exactly how Staggs can claim such nonsense.

This is the same BS that was sold with FP. If folks have budgeted say $300 for purchases during a trip, very few are suddenly going to spend $345, let alone say $799 just because they can wave their Mickey. People are dumb, but not that dumb.

 

[nytimez]

just because they can wave their Mickey.

...and that, ladies and gentlemen, is your dirty-sounding phrase of the day.

 

[WDW1974]

This isn't true. I just tested FP+ the other day and had FastPasses at MK for all 3 mountains. They got rid of the tiering system a while ago due to negative test feedback.

I almost think this is a bad thing if it winds up an actuality. Think of how many people will simply book the three mountain attractions in advance leading to MUCH longer waits for everyone unless they cut capacity to a tiny fraction, which they won't.

I had a CM friend do the test Wednesday with a free room at DAK Lodge and a day at EPCOT with pre-reserved FPs at Soarin, Tron Track and Maelstrom. Of course, those are three of the top four FP attractions in the park ...which was VERY uncrowded.

But I guess we'll all have to wait and see what a mess this is ...

 

[maxairmike]

I highly doubt they leave the system without some form of tiering for attractions. With as many tests as they currently have going on and planned, I expect to see at least one or two more variations of controls on FP+ pop up.

 

[BoardwalkGlenn]

I just logged into MDE and a new pop-up showed up telling me to link tickets, manage family & friends, and to learn more about FP+ which will be coming later this year.

There's a bunch of new FAQs and "Learn About" pages (including Magic Bands) now when you log in. Basically it all says "coming later this year" and that you can reserve up to 4 FP+ depending on certain factors.

Depending on availability, you should be able to reserve access to up to 4 FastPass+ attractions and entertainment experiences each day.​

 

[yellowb]

I just logged into MDE and a new pop-up showed up telling me to link tickets, manage family & friends, and to learn more about FP+ which will be coming later this year.

There's a bunch of new FAQs and "Learn About" pages (including Magic Bands) now when you log in. Basically it all says "coming later this year" and that you can reserve up to 4 FP+ depending on certain factors.

Depending on availability, you should be able to reserve access to up to 4 FastPass+ attractions and entertainment experiences each day.​

I saw this as well. Here is the full FAQ for this topic:

The total number of FastPass+ experiences available to you during your visit depends on several factors including availability and the vacation packages and tickets linked to your Disney account. Generally, FastPass+ eligible Guests are able to select one set of FastPass+ experiences each day for every valid theme park ticket linked to their account.
Depending on availability, you should be able to reserve access to up to 4 FastPass+ attractions and entertainment experiences each day.
So, it appears 4 will be the primary number, but there could be more depending on package and ticket?

 

[bubbles1812]

I saw this as well. Here is the full FAQ for this topic:

The total number of FastPass+ experiences available to you during your visit depends on several factors including availability and the vacation packages and tickets linked to your Disney account. Generally, FastPass+ eligible Guests are able to select one set of FastPass+ experiences each day for every valid theme park ticket linked to their account.
Depending on availability, you should be able to reserve access to up to 4 FastPass+ attractions and entertainment experiences each day.
So, it appears 4 will be the primary number, but there could be more depending on package and ticket?

"Depending on the package." Translation: Stay with a Deluxe resort package, and we'll give you more... And nuts to everyone else who can't afford the Grand Floridian.

I suppose 4 is a better number than 3, but it's still piddly compared to what I can get with regular FP. I think 5 would be a better number, at least for the MK.

 

[J061112C]

I saw this as well. Here is the full FAQ for this topic:

The total number of FastPass+ experiences available to you during your visit depends on several factors including availability and the vacation packages and tickets linked to your Disney account. Generally, FastPass+ eligible Guests are able to select one set of FastPass+ experiences each day for every valid theme park ticket linked to their account.
Depending on availability, you should be able to reserve access to up to 4 FastPass+ attractions and entertainment experiences each day.
So, it appears 4 will be the primary number, but there could be more depending on package and ticket?

So they are basically monetizing the FP system by offering more to people staying on property, is what it sounds like. It's a new incentive they will have to offer, in order to get more guests to stay on property. I suppose it's kind of like the extra magic hours that only on property resort guests can take advantage of.

Wonder where annual pass holders will fit into the equation.

 

[Clamman73]

"Depending on the package." Translation: Stay with a Deluxe resort package, and we'll give you more... And nuts to everyone else who can't afford the Grand Floridian.

I suppose 4 is a better number than 3, but it's still piddly compared to what I can get with regular FP. I think 5 would be a better number, at least for the MK.

I'm not sure how I would take it if Deluxe guests got an extra fastpass...It doesn't change my life, but I already understand the benefits and pleasures of staying in a monorail resort vs Pop - they don't have to rub it in though.

 

[RSoxNo1]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-...ts-sales-in-disney-world-test.html?cmpid=yhoo



Looks like the magic bands will do what Disney wanted them to do... increase guest spending

They were being tested by people staying at deluxe resorts... wouldn't those people have more money?

 

[RSoxNo1]

Some My Disney Experience observations from this morning:

• I've been booking the same two reservations every day for the last few days because we don't know what day we'll want to eat at these restaurants.
• Today the site has been much slower and has timed out on my multiple times
• At one point the times in the drop down menu switched to either Chinese or Japanese (pardon my ignorance) for the AM/PM indicator
• The "Remember Me" checkbox doesn't work as I've had to put in my ID/Password on the 2nd reservation
• I've had it pull "no available tables" and then I'll run it again and there are 3 options

Edit: Just saw Donald (timed out) again after I had selected my time and moved onto the next screen.
Edit #2: I'm on the automated phone system now... no option to link to existing ID, but they made sure to get my credit card info because that could translate to potential $$.

 

[englanddg]

Some My Disney Experience observations from this morning:

• I've been booking the same two reservations every day for the last few days because we don't know what day we'll want to eat at these restaurants.
• Today the site has been much slower and has timed out on my multiple times
• At one point the times in the drop down menu switched to either Chinese or Japanese (pardon my ignorance) for the AM/PM indicator
• The "Remember Me" checkbox doesn't work as I've had to put in my ID/Password on the 2nd reservation
• I've had it pull "no available tables" and then I'll run it again and there are 3 options

Edit: Just saw Donald (timed out) again after I had selected my time and moved onto the next screen.

I think I just found a picture of the development team.

 

[lentesta]

I'm looking forward to NEXT years Unofficial Guide to WDW to see how this changes their touring plans. I have a feeling some things will be dramatically changed and @lentesta has his work cut out for him.

We've had Fastpass+ support for the touring plans since April(?). Something like that. So you can see how it would affect any touring plan for any day. (There's still a lot of secondary unknowns, like how much Fastpass is going to affect Small World, for example, but we're working on it.)

For the book, we added the estimated Fastpass return times to each touring plan, and then rank the attractions by how much time you'd save in line by getting the Fastpass. Here's sample text from one of the plans:

Start time for Fastpass+: Peter Pan’s Flight 10:15 a.m.; Buzz Lightyear’s​

Space Ranger Spin 3:50 p.m.; Jungle Cruise 5 p.m.; The Many Adventure of Winnie Pooh 7:35 p.m.;The Barnstormer and Dumbo the Flying Elephant 7:25 p.m.; Under the Sea 8:10 p.m. Prioritize Peter Pan’s Flight, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and Under the Sea if needed.​

 

[John]

Here is something I thought about....in my case I visit on a CM discount. We get our ticket comped. Our FP+ will be linked to our room ressie. SO if I have ressies for say seven days but have zero intentions of visiting the parks everyday we still can make our FP+ reservations....thus taking a FP that someone else could use. Is there enough situations like mine that will make a difference? If I don't show up for that time slot it isn't like someone else could use that FP.....that time slot is now wasted. I intend to make my ressies for everyday I have available. Why? because I am not the uber planner. I may have a loose plan of action but I visit and do what I want at whim. Disney is forcing me to do this. I really would rather not have to do it but if I do decide to go to the parks at least I have something. Maybe there wont be that many guest visiting the parks that are in my situation and in the big picture it wont matter much. But lets say its 5,000 people ( which I am sure it is many more) that are visiting the parks on a particular day that their ticket is comped.....that's 15,000 FP's right there.

Now you multiply that times the number of people who simply blow off their FP ressie now your talking about many many unused FP's. You say...."big deal" the line will be shorter? Ok but what about the people who couldn't score that now unused FP and now has a FP for COP? Because Disney wants you to plan every second of your day...I don't think that FP+ will make it easier to do more on your visit. Between Dining ressies and FP ressies and standby lines I don't think this lends itself to a commando style of doing the parks. Disney dosnt care if you experience more....they just want you to have a finite amount to do so they can extrapolate the most amount of money from you by controlling your visit.

Its no longer about the guest experience. Some of you say you don't mind this new program...that other then Fp+ it seems like a nice addition. IMO anything that makes it more work....more to do.....more involved to vacation is a hindrance of why I am on vacation to begin with. This time when I visit WDW. Not only will I be visiting less days....I am doing just the opposite of what Disney wanted me to do... I am not doing the dining plan ( first time since its inception) I will make my FP+ ressies but have no intentions of adhering to them. If I am in that park at that time I will use them if not.....system be dammed. I didn't volunteer to do it. If Disney or you don't want me or don't like me doing this....then just let me have my regular FP. They cant have it both ways. I will pay cash for most things like I always do. Am I doing this out of spite because I don't like the program? NO! I am doing it because I want a stress free....relatively flexible vacation. I get one a year and I just want to enjoy myself and relax. Disney has now officially "ressied" me to death.

 

[BigThunderMatt]

Here is something I thought about....in my case I visit on a CM discount. We get our ticket comped. Our FP+ will be linked to our room ressie. SO if I have ressies for say seven days but have zero intentions of visiting the parks everyday we still can make our FP+ reservations....thus taking a FP that someone else could use.

A room-only reservation does not allow you to pre-book FastPasses prior to your visit. You have to have active ticket media associated with your My Disney Experience account in conjunction with the room reservation to pre-book FastPasses. If a CM is letting you in or you are using comp tickets, that is not something you can link to the account. I have heard that down the road if the Cast Member is staying in the room with you and plans on letting you in they will be able to pre-book FastPasses about 7 days prior but that's it.

I think this is in place to help prevent the same situation with FP+ that occurred with dining reservations that led to the whole CC guarantee thing.

Also, Carousel of Progress will not have FP+ I wish people would stop using this as an example.