My Magic + details ...

[RunnerEd]

So if i'm reading into what they're trying to do correctly (and I could be wrong as this whole thing is very complicated), by introducing FP+, they are hoping to even out crowd distribution on rides on any given day. For example, if say Soarin and Test Track were normally 80 on a given day, they'd hope to get it down to maybe 60, while increasing JIYM and Nemo to 20-25, both of which are normally walk-ons. By evenly distributing the crowds more, not only are they working the system, but they are creating an illusion for those not able to use the system, as the wait times will appear lower, when in reality they will end up waiting the same amount of time they would normally wait.

Am I on the right track here, or am I totally off base?

I think the stated goals above are great. I'm just a career non-commissioned officer and not an expert but if it were me, I think I would start with making JIYM (and the 3D theater in the same building), Nemo, Universe of Energy, and the entire Wonders of Life pavilion worth visiting instead of forcing people into them. Add 3-5 attractions back in World Showcase and see how much shorter the lines for TT and Soarin' are. Again, I'm just a NCO who has never made 6 or 7 figures running a theme park so I'm probably wrong :/

 

[djkidkaz]

I think once you park hop and tap your band at the turnstile it should reset your MM+ app back to three available fast passes. BAM! Problem solved.

 

[fbp]

This is likely going live around the same time Diagon Alley opens? And probably on the heels of another amazing Universal announcement? The Universal strategists just schooled the WDW strategists. Congrats to them on anticipating the perfect time to strike.

 

[StageFrenzy]

The reason it is three per day is only one park has more than 3 headliners that need fp (maybe)

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

I haven't read all the posts, but it seems like I'm in the majority here when I say I do not like this whole FP+ thing. The Magic Band thing, yeah, cool, that I can live with. But NOT the FP+. I do not see how this is ANY easier than the FP system now. I know they want this to be fair for everyone and allow everyone the equal opportunity to get FP but that's EXACTLY what the system now does. Everyone going to that park that day has a chance at a FP. With the new system, only people who know they will be at that park 60 days out will be able to book the "good" FPs. You really can't be spontaneous with this and change your plans. EX: Planning to spend the day at MK but change you mind to HS. You know that the good FPs will be taken already (Tower, TSMM, RNRC) so you're stuck with what.. the Great Movie Ride, Lights Motors Action and the Backlot Tour? That hardly seems fair at all. With the current system, all attractions are fair game. And don't even get me started on how this will affect people with AP's who visit on a whim. Or how it will affect Grandma and Grandpa who are 70+ and aren't as tech savy as younger people are. My Grandmother can barely figure out her email, let alone booking FP's online should she ever decide to book a trip!

 

[draybook]

I too skipped a lot of posts. I simply am looking for one detail. I'm assuming that after your vacation you will be allowed to keep the now deactivated band. Is that correct?

 

[marni1971]

Micromanaged beyond recognition.

 

[Clamman73]

*rubbing temples like I have a migraine*

 

[TubaGeek]

I'm liking this less and less...
One detail not brought up in the OP, though: there's already a FP+ kiosk over at Buzz Lightyear in MK.

 

[devoy1701]

Will Passholders be able to get same-day FPs anymore?

 

[3BratsToDisney]

So if people are making FP+ now 60 days out when this goes live does that mean for someone like our family who don't even make ADR's can't get any FP+ on the day we decide to go to lets say MK? Because all the FP+ would of been taken up 2 months ago? We could never plan where and what we want to do that far in advance, we are *gasps* a spontaneous family and hate to be forced to a schedule while on vacation.

 

[bubbles1812]

You know what really grinds my gears?

When I preplan a FP for Splash Mountain and hop in line perfectly fine, but then the ride breaks down when I'm in line. Then when I come back later to use it (assuming they have a plan and not just a SOL method), it's still down, but I'm ready to leave the park.

Happened to me with paper FPs on my last trip actually, it just would me off even more if I planned it two months ahead of time.

That's honestly a really good point. Anyone know how they expect to address the inevitable ride closures? @WDW1974? @maxairmike. It's now not so simple as giving out FPs for later... And presumably people aren't going to want to "switch" to a different ride since they will have booked "that particular ride" 2 months in advance. I know I wouldn't. And pointing out that "Hey FPs are available at the HM that you can switch to" isnt going to cut it

 

[devoy1701]

DL and DCL, here we come. We live within driving distance of WDW and will sometimes call DVC to see what they have next weekend and shoot down for a 3 or 4 day visit with little to no planning. This is absolute crap that will make me cut that out to some extent. Of course, being a DVC member means I have a free room at a sweet resort that's a short drive from Sea World and Universal Orlando.

We've been to DL more times in the past 4 years than WDW and we live in Tampa.

 

[ParentsOf4]

This is likely going live around the same time Diagon Alley opens? And probably on the heels of another amazing Universal announcement? The Universal strategists just schooled the WDW strategists. Congrats to them on anticipating the perfect time to strike.

This is what I'm most interested in watching. If the MM+/MDX/FP+ rollout delays much longer, it is going to be forced to go head-to-head with Diagon Alley, which Uni has announced for 2014.

I can imagine a scenario where USF attendance soars because of Diagon Alley and WDW gets some of the spillover. Yet Disney claims MM+ is a resounding success and it is MM+ that's actually the driving force behind the attendance increase. They did something similar for WWOHP in 2010. Gotta love corporate PR.

 

[PhotoDave219]

We've been to DL more times in the past 4 years than WDW and we live in Tampa.

Well, its easier then getting on I-4

 

[zero creativity]

I didn't read through all of the posts so I apologize if this has already been covered, but how would this work with outside tickets? We usually buy tickets from MWR (military tickets) or undercover tourist. Would it be more difficult to use these tickets? Is this a way for Disney to push out outside sellers?

 

[PhotoDave219]

I didn't read through all of the posts so I apologize if this has already been covered, but how would this work with outside tickets? We usually buy tickets from MWR (military tickets) or undercover tourist. Would it be more difficult to use these tickets? Is this a way for Disney to push out outside sellers?

We dont have an answer to that however its likely to be the same as how same-day ticket media would be handled.

My personal belief is that anyone who isnt booking a trip through Disney and doesnt get their tickets 3 months in advance - including passholders - will be SOL.

 

[bubbles1812]

This has been my question all along. There are maybe 3 attractions per park that I'd feel the need to "schedule" but from time to time I'd like a fast pass depending on the line. If I need to se my phone so be it.has it been said that same day passes are going away?

It has been said that this is the ultimate goal. Even for guests that come in on the "same day" will only get 3, which they will reserve at the kiosks before going about their day. You may of course change your FPs as you will when you are in whatever park, but that's your limit... 3. There will be no paper FPs. There will be no virtual FPs available to use besides those 3 you reserved. Fun eh?

 

[sublimesting]

Oh Disney what have you done!?!

I foresee a crash in the Disney stocks when addendance plummets due to loss of long time guests who hate this system, the paramount confusion of the your average visitor and the failure to recoup the money spent on this travesty.

I hate:

3 "experiences" a day. Food?! Are you kidding me? That counts as an experience?
One park per day?

What they are trying to do plain and simple is manage where we go in the parks so there is an even distribution of people eating, riding and shopping at the same time. This can be broken down into a simle formula. There are 3 groups of people Disney sees:
A: Attraction riders
B: Eaters
C: Shoppers

They want each person to be in group B three times per day at least. Then they want to manage the rest of your time between groups A and C.

These will further be broke down into: time categories such as:
Your family will arrive at MK at 8:00 am and eat at 8:30. Then we want you on SPace Mountain at 9:45. You'll eat again at 1:00 and ride SPalsh at 2:00. You have a parade reservation at 3:00. You should be shopping at 3:45 after the parade until you eat again at 5:00. Then you have a reservation for HM at 7:00. You will be given a temporary shopping discount at 9:00 for 20% off so you can stay and shop more.

Family #2 is scheduled to arrive at 9:00 for breakfast at 9:00. They are scheduled to be at HM at 10:15. We need them on the other side of the park at 10:45 due to high capacity in Liberty Square at 11:00. They will be given a Dole Whip discount at 11:00 and a bonus FP to the Swiss Family Tree house. This manages park flow to redirect traffic.

This will go on in a disgusting mathematical formula where we are all numbers managed by the system to maximize Disney's profit.

Universal here I come!!!!!

 

[aladdin2007]

Way too complicated just to enjoy a nice day at the parks which should be simple and fun, its overkill. Like others have said the day is coming when you will have to reserve your bathroom time slot.....But its sounding like us passholders wont be allowed to do fastpass at all anymore when you just come for the day? Or am I reading into that wrong. If true thats saying we dont want you here and you have no chance of getting on unless you wait in the standby or plan out days ahead, sometimes we dont know when were coming and its a spur of the moment visit.