notnothin
Active Member
This is to be expected around here.
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MyMagic+ article from Fast Company magazine
- Thread starter AustinC
- Start date
This is to be expected around here.
sshindel
The Epcot Manifesto
1) Thank you for writing a very interesting article. With what I know working for other large corporations, the inter-group and corporate vs vendor politics seemed exactly as I would expect, and would lead to a lot of the situations you describe.
2) There are a lot of posters on this site who have a very well defined viewpoint of the company (both positive and negative) and will not listen to any information that does not speak to this pre-defined viewpoint.
3) I have no doubt that you spoke with many people in all different areas of the company, and have a very broad spectrum of opinions based on the interviews that you had. I think you did a very good job in laying out the many different aspects of a project this large with this far reaching impact on a massive corporation like Disney.
4) Welcome to the forums!
Kingoglow
Well-Known Member
@AustinC Thank you for responding in more detail.
I suppose I glossed over the 'Intent to return' metric initially. I can see how user experiences like MM+ could help increase that statistic for the average vacationer. As I mentioned, it certainly makes me excited to receive our magic bands for our upcoming trip.
As to:
Reading through your response that I would point out that on this board, majority opinion about how could $1 billion best be used to increase the 'intent to return stat' will be very different from what have in your piece. Specifically, the majority here would argue that spending that $1 billion on additional attractions (like your Expedition Everest example ~x10) would not only increase 'intent to return' but also solve a major pain point that all guests experience at WDW... capacity/congestion.
We have speculated here many times that, for the price of NGE/MM+ (wether it be $1 billion or higher) WDW could have and should have constructed 8 or more major attractions across the four parks. This course of action would have also addressed the long term vision/planning issue that you bring up. At the same time spread out the massive crowds that are let into the parks (a big safety issue) as well as start to spread out these crowds around the four parks.
As I mentioned before, I like your piece. I don't want to argue the fine points of it. I just want to provide you some context on the POV you will see here on a WDW fan site and how our POV is very different from how Disney has chosen to invest their $1 billion.
Finally, thank you for pointing out the marketing spend as a comparison. It is easy to forget that Disney writes check like this. I just wish that it was spent on upkeep in the parks and additional attractions.
I suppose I glossed over the 'Intent to return' metric initially. I can see how user experiences like MM+ could help increase that statistic for the average vacationer. As I mentioned, it certainly makes me excited to receive our magic bands for our upcoming trip.
As to:
Reading through your response that I would point out that on this board, majority opinion about how could $1 billion best be used to increase the 'intent to return stat' will be very different from what have in your piece. Specifically, the majority here would argue that spending that $1 billion on additional attractions (like your Expedition Everest example ~x10) would not only increase 'intent to return' but also solve a major pain point that all guests experience at WDW... capacity/congestion.
We have speculated here many times that, for the price of NGE/MM+ (wether it be $1 billion or higher) WDW could have and should have constructed 8 or more major attractions across the four parks. This course of action would have also addressed the long term vision/planning issue that you bring up. At the same time spread out the massive crowds that are let into the parks (a big safety issue) as well as start to spread out these crowds around the four parks.
As I mentioned before, I like your piece. I don't want to argue the fine points of it. I just want to provide you some context on the POV you will see here on a WDW fan site and how our POV is very different from how Disney has chosen to invest their $1 billion.
Finally, thank you for pointing out the marketing spend as a comparison. It is easy to forget that Disney writes check like this. I just wish that it was spent on upkeep in the parks and additional attractions.
RSoxNo1
Well-Known Member
@AustinC Thanks again for stopping by here to answer questions. The two issues that keep cropping up on here weren't really addressed in the article, were these topics discussed at all?
- Many of us on here resent the pre-planning elements of Fastpass+ as well as it's implementation on attractions that previously never required Fastpass. What is the larger opinion of the program internally and externally?
- With Next Gen being a tech driven project, what are the anticipated annual maintenance costs required for system upgrades and enhancements?
RandomPrincess
Keep Moving Forward
I hate the it's too much planning to go to WDW argument. You don't have to plan a single thing. You can show up and go with the flow if that is your style. You had to plan before MM+ if you wanted to eat at the most popular places or snag a FP for the most popular rides.
You need to do similar planning for other types of vacations as well unless you are again just going with the flow. I'm currently planning a 10 day road trip around the Midwest and the logistics and planning involved are much more complicated then a trip to WDW. And will probably cost us about the same as a trip to WDW.
Where I do think WDW messes up the planning is how far in advance you have to make your plans. 180 day for dining is crazy that is 6 months why not 60 like FP+ or even 30 for everyone on site.
You need to do similar planning for other types of vacations as well unless you are again just going with the flow. I'm currently planning a 10 day road trip around the Midwest and the logistics and planning involved are much more complicated then a trip to WDW. And will probably cost us about the same as a trip to WDW.
Where I do think WDW messes up the planning is how far in advance you have to make your plans. 180 day for dining is crazy that is 6 months why not 60 like FP+ or even 30 for everyone on site.
Austin, you'll have to excuse our resident naysayers. They don't seem to like anything that TWDC has done lately at WDW, and especially not MM+. A few "insiders" have stated that they were told that the cost was upwards of $2 billion, and they are sure that there sources are correct, and you are being fed a line. I think they're overblowing it, because they don't like it.
My wife and I both love the MM+ program, and all of the aspects of it so far. We are one of the majority that have never had a problem with any part of it, from FP+, park entry, ADRs, room keys, merchandise charging, etc. It has simply worked for us. I know that it has not for some people here, but like any immensely large IT project, there are bound to be people that have issues. Look at all the bugs that any OS has. MOST people never see any of them, and they don't affect their systems at all. SOME people see the bugs because they affect something on their systems and how they are using them. I really believe that Disney is trying to iron out all of the issues with the system, and that there will be even fewer problems in the future. I also believe they are going to be adding capability to the system as time goes on. One new feature that appears to be coming is the DAS card will be electronic in the next month or so. I'll bet there is a lot more coming.
I will be labeled as a Disney apologist by the naysayers, but I don't believe everything Disney has done is great, but I do believe that they are trying very hard. I just don't believe that it is any where near as bad as they pronounce. Thankfully, we are all entitled to our opinion, but be warned, if your opinion is different than theirs, they will come up with all kinds of "facts" to support their position, and how you are wrong. I see it already started with the "puff piece" name that some are giving to your article. I thought it was extremely well written. Kudos!
RSoxNo1
Well-Known Member
If you show up and go you are at a significant disadvantage. Prior to Fastpass+ this wasn't anywhere near the same problem.
Insane planning? We spent all of 30 minutes one day gathering up all of our FP+ reservations for a 9 day trip. We spent about 45 minutes doing all the reservations for our ADRs. What the heck kind of planning do you do?
im going to WDW in june and pretty much cant stand the idea of setting up an account, however im glad once I get there I did..just think everything runs smoother...also an advantage our group found last year is what if you have people in your group who don't like to open the park? they want to sleep in and show up by noon....FP+ helps tremendously in that area
DDLand
Well-Known Member
I was more understanding of that point before reading @AustinC article. Now that we know more, my opinion has swung. From his article:
Adding 10 new rides doesn't solve the fundemental issue. People's tastes are changing. Whereas before people may have been willing to go with the flow, now in the Internet Age, people have different expectations. They want to get the experiences they want. Not left up to chance. Not requiring chasing after wait times or FP Returns.
People are different. My Magic just recognizes the difference.
RandomPrincess
Keep Moving Forward
You are at a disadvantage at almost any vacation destination if you show up with no planning.
tissandtully
Well-Known Member
Man, quality journalism and you're bashing it? Maybe you should do your own report? I feel you are way too negative most of the time. TWDC isn't always out to get you. I'm close to pushing the mute button.
I'm not seeing that. If I used to go to MK at 11am instead of rope drop, the chances that I could even get a FP for something like Space Mountain was very small. Now I can schedule that FP+ for when we want to be there. To us, that is a HUGE improvement. In addition, if I get to the park at rope drop, I can still ride the most popular rides, and then I have my FP+ scheduled for later in the day, or even at a different park. In the past, try going to HS in the morning, and then traveling to EPCOT in the late afternoon or early evening, and riding Soarin' or Test Track. Not going to happen under the old system without waiting in a huge line, and you certainly weren't going to get a FP for either one by that time.
RSoxNo1
Well-Known Member
That's a fair point. However, I would like to see the survey results of people that show up without planning and those that show up with planning. Then compare those to similar results on other family vacation destinations. I would guess the extremes are more visible at Disney World.
I still think its an upgrade from the original fast pass
JMO of course
RSoxNo1
Well-Known Member
I think 3 in advance is too many and Disney's system supports that argument. They've added Fastpass+ where it doesn't belong in order to satisfy the 3 in advance rule. They've also developed tiers because two of the parks simply can't support 3 Fastpass+ reservations in advance. I think the best hybrid plan is 1 in advance and an additional Fastpass+ upon checking into the park. No other restrictions throughout the day and once you use a Fastpass+ you can get another one. This would make park hopping easier and allow those that like to sleep in still get a primo Fastpass when they arrive.
Edit: I also think that once you're in the park every Fastpass+ beyond the one you actually schedule should revert to "Next Available". That would really simplify the system for the masses.
RandomPrincess
Keep Moving Forward
I think the "TRIP TO DISNEY" is such a big deal for many families that they put so much pressure on the trip they wouldn't necessarily put into another trip. So it adds lots of stress to the situations. Some of that does come from the planning aspect but some of it is just from to high expectations. So when things go wrong at Disney is seems like a nightmare and the trip is ruined to some people.
We have had people post how their trip was ruined by not being able to walk into CRT with no ADR a If you went to any major city for a trip and weren't able to walk into one of their most popular restaurants without at reservation would they feel their trip to the city was ruined. Probably not.
stretchsje
Well-Known Member
AustinC, great article.
What was the opportunity cost for NGE? Was there an alternative plan to increase customer satisfaction and visitation? Surely there's no shortage of ideas at Disney.
Many people here think the Orlando parks have been severely lacking for additional attractions and maintenance over the past decade and blame both MyMagic+ and a shift in corporate culture/accounting for this. I think a trip to Disneyland validates their criticism. On the east coast, the guest experience has changed, while on the west coast, there have been more new (or enhanced) experiences for guests. I wonder which parks' internal metrics have showed more improvement.
What was the opportunity cost for NGE? Was there an alternative plan to increase customer satisfaction and visitation? Surely there's no shortage of ideas at Disney.
Many people here think the Orlando parks have been severely lacking for additional attractions and maintenance over the past decade and blame both MyMagic+ and a shift in corporate culture/accounting for this. I think a trip to Disneyland validates their criticism. On the east coast, the guest experience has changed, while on the west coast, there have been more new (or enhanced) experiences for guests. I wonder which parks' internal metrics have showed more improvement.
Good points. It is possible that since the system is still relatively new, Disney is already talking about tweaks and fixes. They have already added the ability to get more after the first 3 are gone. They are also adding in support for DAS as well, so who knows what may come next. Time will tell.