My magic+ testing report

[maxairmike]

I think they are looking to distribute guests more evenly across the park, not make it so everyone gets what they want.

Bingo. They only care about what guests want as long as it fits within the model they've pre-determined for this system. It is going to work the way they want it to come hell or high water, and any changes they make that are perceived as guest friendly are only made because they can fit them within that model. While there's a lot of marketing behind this focused on the guest experience, its really half or less of the real reason behind it. The big benefits go back to scheduling labor, inventory, and transportation.

 

[WDWFREAK53]

I think they are looking to distribute guests more evenly across the park, not make it so everyone gets what they want.

I understand that but I thought the original logic behind FastPass was "Less time standing in line, more time spending money on food/merchandise."

This will eliminate that logic.

Take MK...now you can only get one mountain on FP...but you're waiting in line for the other two...whereas now you get FP for all three and have free time to spend on food/merchandise.

 

[maxairmike]

I understand that but I thought the original logic behind FastPass was "Less time standing in line, more time spending money on food/merchandise."

This will eliminate that logic.

Take MK...now you can only get one mountain on FP...but you're waiting in line for the other two...whereas now you get FP for all three and have free time to spend on food/merchandise.

The issue with this is that while that was the original intent of the FP system, is that really how a majority of guests use it? No. You get a FP and get in a line for another experience, repeat until you reach your FP time or want food/reach an ADR time. The only time the system "works" as it was intended is when you run up against a situation where lines are longer than the time to your FP window, so you have an impulse snack/meal or browse a shop. That's a last resort option for most, though.

 

[muteki]

I understand that but I thought the original logic behind FastPass was "Less time standing in line, more time spending money on food/merchandise."

This will eliminate that logic.

Take MK...now you can only get one mountain on FP...but you're waiting in line for the other two...whereas now you get FP for all three and have free time to spend on food/merchandise.

I think they understand that with attendance rising as it has, and capacity in general staying flat, the shops and restaurants are going to be full whether people can get FPs to Space/Splash/Thunder or not.

There is no incentive to keep you out of line because there enough people in the park spending money as it is.

 

[CohibaMan]

The only time the system "works" as it was intended is when you run up against a situation where lines are longer than the time to your FP window, so you have an impulse snack/meal or browse a shop. That's a last resort option for most, though.

I agree 100%. I always thought that Disney never wanted you to stop moving. That's why there is no where to sit. People that are moving spend money, whereas people sitting on benches in the shade do not.

 

[asianway]

I understand that but I thought the original logic behind FastPass was "Less time standing in line, more time spending money on food/merchandise."

This will eliminate that logic.

Take MK...now you can only get one mountain on FP...but you're waiting in line for the other two...whereas now you get FP for all three and have free time to spend on food/merchandise.

Merf has spoken about this quite a bit, and proffers that that theory was flawed, and they never saw the spend increase like they wanted. Instead guests were waiting in two lines at once regardless, and as such, the original FP rollout was a failure. FP+ serves to remedy all that.

 

[Tim_4]

I love watching the train wreck of people who were so sure NextGen would torpedo the guest experience. They're actually upset that @disney206313 is enjoying the product because that doesn't jive with their pontificating.

 

[ddrongowski]

T

Unfortunately this is false. Testers only get the three fastpasses from fastpass+ . No paper fadtpasses are available for testers. Whether the three fast pass limit will remain or not is not certain, but every cm who asks us for feedback begs us to tell them that they need to make the limit bigger, and seem like they desperately want it changed.

AWESOME! Hope Disney lets it be unlimited FP+'s, that way every FP will already be gone. So unless you plan your trip out in detail 60 days prior, you are sol. This works for me!

 

[ddrongowski]

Unfortunately a small portion of guests currently use fast passes to their maximum. They need to limit to 3 because way more guests will be using it and the overall inventory will need to be better managed.

I saw guests using it at Spaceship Earth - so be glad they are burning them at less popular attractions

NO... it is AWESOME! I believe they should allow it to be unlimited, get as many as you want. Then sell them on EBAY!!!!! j/k

 

[ddrongowski]

Just think though. With FP at rides like SSE, the standby line will slow down. So if enough guests use FP+ on SSE, then you'll need to use it, too. Constantly moving rides don't need FP, IMO.

Feel free to use it on Stitch, though!

CHILI DOG!!!!

 

[ddrongowski]

I have an idea... WDW should FP+ every ride, and they only way you get to ride is if you have a FP+ for it....


Again j/k

 

[ddrongowski]

Sorry but that sounds unbelievably aggravating, especially if you're trying to trek around a family with kids.

I'm really nervous, as I'm sure most of us here are, about the future with this crap.

WDW isn't about family with kids anymore, didn't you get the memo?

 

[nytimez]

There is no incentive to keep you out of line because there enough people in the park spending money as it is.

LOL

 

[ddrongowski]

Nope. Not. At. All.

I've been getting words from resort CM's who are getting trained on the system. Conveniently, because of how the system is, they actually give out manuals detailing what to do in the NextGen related programs and the new procedures being put in place. Needless to say, I read them both.

As for FP+....even in terms of explanations, the facilitators acknowledged that it's the most vague and complicated of the explanations in relation to NextGen.

The ground rules are these:

3 FP's per PARK, per DAY.

In other words...if you're park hopping...good luck. I asked someone involved on the rollout team what their plan is when it comes to park hoppers.

Their response?: "There's plenty of Standby lines to choose from!"

So yes...only 3 FP per PARK, per DAY.

Keep in mind...paper FP's are going extinct once FP+ completely takes over. FP+ will be the absolute ONLY way to get FP's.

I just wanted to clear that up honestly. People deserve to get the full truth about all this when they've been so secretive about it...

When people see more of the functions that is part of NextGen, there's a particular part where Cast who deal with reservations will be going headfirst into that I wonder how it ever got past Legal...

When I spoke with Erin from Disney Corporate about this. He said it is 3FP's for 1 park, per day. I asked for clarification and he said MK for day 1 = 3 fp's, Epcot for day 2 = 3 fp's, etc.. and no you will not be able to get 3 at MK and 3 at epcot 3 for AK 3 for DHS for day 1.

 

[ddrongowski]

If they keep this "planning" method up, I think it will hurt them. If you have to plan your every minute, I see all types of guests (first timers, veterans, etc) being stressed and not wanting to go back (especially the first timers).

BAH! Us type "A" persons LOVE IT!!!!!

 

[ddrongowski]

I have an Annual Pass - how will this new system benefit me? I rarely stay on WDW property so it seems I am going to be left out as the focus is on WDW guests.

Your not a resort guest? Well to bad for you. That is the message from Disney Corp.

 

[ddrongowski]

IMO, it shouldn't matter what a guest pays for hotel. It should be tied into the park admission like it has been. We all pay a lot. Although I'm sure there are people who stay at deluxe resorts who would say differently.

Buy 51% of Disney stock then they will care what you think.

 

[tracyandalex]

Indeed. Get to MK an hour early so you can ride the tram to the TTR, then take the monorail over to the gates. Then stampede with the herd down Main Street so that you can get to your favorite ride first and BOOM! There is already a 30 minute wait because people booked FPs. I haven't taken the time to read all of the literature on how the program will work, but somebody please tell me that the earliest FP return will be available will be like 10:00AM or an hour after a park opens.

This is what I am wondering too. I like @ParentsOf4 strategy, but if there are FP+ available when the park opens then this strategy may either be a bust or not as effective as it previously was.

 

[Dwarful]

As of right now FP+ is supposed to be reserved 60 days

I hope this stays true. 60 days I can understand, by then you know what the extra magic hours are and most people know 60 days in advance that they are going to wdw. Usually we know close to 90.

 

[ddrongowski]

until MM+ is fully rolled out we will have no idea what to fully expect. That's kind of scary. The secretiviness doesnt serve them.any benefit. As far as the OP saying the bands are comfortable, I have to respectfully disagree. I was allowed to try one on in May. It wasnt the worst, but the chip in the middle was blocky and the corners of it jammed into my wristbone as I handed my wife the camera to take a picture of me. Taking my back pack off for the photo had the same affect on my wrist. I wasnt in any severe pain but it would definitely get irratating.

magic band by wdisney9000, on Flickr

That's because you have muscle on your arms. Most people are sticks.