After full roll-out, FP+ will work with a MagicBand *or* an RFID ticket card. Yes, the Band is a perk for on-site Guests, but the Card works the same way as the Band for admission and FP+.
For those who are still under the (IMO incorrect) assumption that FP+ is and will be strictly a perk for on-site Guests, I ask you why Disney would put it so visible on the WDW website, with no mention that it's for on-site guests only, if it's not intended to be for everyone after the full roll-out. Yes, it's a bit tricky right now because of the testing, but when everyone has access to it it'll even the playing field.
The goal of FP+ is to get as many to prebook as much of their vacations at WDW as possible. Onsite or offsite, corporate Disney wants your money. Recall it was Disney CFO Jay Rasulo who announced:
“So if we can get people to plan their vacation before they leave home, we know that we get more time with them. We get a bigger share of their wallet.”
Corporate Disney wants everyone to preplan, wants everyone to participate in FP+.
The problem is WDW has a ride capacity problem on its headliner attractions. At three theme parks, the problem is epic.
Rather than solve the issue by adding capacity (I like what they did with Dumbo), Disney has invested heavily in the three major components of MyMagic+ (MM+): My Disney Experience, FP+, and MagicBands.
With MM+, corporate Disney is trying to take an approach common in corporate America today: contain operating costs while simultaneously growing revenue by focusing on key accounts.
Disney needs to target their best customers more effectively. Onsite guests are particularly important to Disney's plans because they stay at WDW’s highly profitable resorts (margins are incredible), are more likely to eat within the World, and tend to spend big on merchandise and other cash experiences. In Vegas parlance, onsite guests are the high rollers. Recently, too many having been traveling up I-4 to spend their vacation dollars elsewhere. Disney has to do something to keep them onsite. This means, one way or the other, providing onsite guests with a better experience.
We’ve already seen two moves designed to do exactly this.
First, onsite guests will be able to book their FP+ experiences at 60 days plus 10 days from the start of their trips. This is similar to the existing policy for Advanced Dining Reservations (ADR). Onsite guests have an advantage. They will be able to book their FP+ experiences earlier. Short-term, it’s going to take most onsite guests time to figure this out but, eventually, they will get the hang of it. Once they do, most offsite guests will find it extremely difficult to obtain FP+ for high-demand/low-capacity attractions such as Toy Story Mania.
Second, as a result of FP+ feedback, Disney has decided to let guests pick whatever 3 FP+ experiences they want. It seems those testing the system didn’t like being forced into lesser experiences (sorry Figment). Along with the first policy, just think what a tremendous advantage this will be for onsite guests. By being an uber planner (which is what Disney wants), onsite guests will be able to book their Epcot FP+ experiences for Soarin’, Test Track, and Mission: Space. Guess what offsite guests will be offered.
Eventually, everyone will “participate” in FP+,
if FP+ experiences at Epcot for Figment, Nemo, and Living with the Land can be considered “participation”.
In addition to increasing revenue, Disney intends to use MM+ to reduce operating expense. One of the biggest expenses targeted is Extra Magic Hours (EMH), WDW’s best but most expensive onsite perk. Disney already has started reducing hours and has a long term objective to eliminate it. (BTW, I’m not convinced they ever will be able to eliminate Morning EMH since this is offered for “The Boy Who Won’t Be Named” and is very successful there.) With EMH either eliminated or reduced, we have to ask ourselves: What onsite perk will replace EMH? The obvious answer is FP+ and MagicBands.
Overwhelmingly, corporate Disney has a positive public image. Disney leadership is simply taking advantage of this asset to grow revenue. That’s why, for example, ticket prices have increased 25% in three years. FP+ continues this trend by focusing WDW resources to implement further revenue growth by maximizing resource utilization. Alternatively, if you prefer, give more to the “haves” and less to the “have nots”. Those running the show in Burbank don’t view this as wrong. Quite the contrary, they view it as smart.
Always remember that FP+ does not increase capacity; it simply changes how existing capacity is allocated. Some will gain; some will lose. Corporate Disney wants those spending the most to gain the most. It’s good business for corporate Disney.
You’ll have to decide if it’s good for you.
I am proud that most people are avoid the dorkiness of that.
