So this "real world" testing is meaningless but speculation based on hearsay is important enough for 330+ pages of comments?
It would only be "Real World" testing if there were artificial restraints put on it to match the constraints of full participation property wide. Re-read this:
As has already been covered, this is meaningless because the testing is occurring in a vacuum where FP+ are plentiful, even at the last minute. If you got FP and FP+ with essentially all reservations available, I'm sure you'd think highly of the system too. While this testing is important for operational understanding, the feedback from users must be taken with a huge heaping of salt.
If there is no competition for scarcity (read: E-ticket Attractions) then of course it's a perk. If the published information to date is to be believed, unless you sacrifice something, (Read: Sleep, Spontaneity, etc.) you will be hard pressed to get FastPassMinus to work to full benefit. There will be a loss somewhere for the consumer and especially for the "loyal" customers.
Furthermore, "speculation based on hearsay" is caused by lack of complete or consistent information on any and all aspects of this MyMagicMinus foray. This is exacerbated by the negative associated with the NGE's price tag versus the lack of investment in maintaining the parks. Not to mention "loyal" customers being treated with less care and made to feel like a just a source of revenue. When members here can recite quotes about this program getting deeper into the customers wallet it does not instill "high hopes".
Fortunately I will be able to observe all NGE related "fun" on my upcoming trip. I will crow far and wide if I see something different than the "gloom and doom" opined and offered here. My experience so far, all negative. I can't even link my PAP to My Disney Experience. (It's a known issue.)
Let's change the way of thinking about your vacation time.
Every experience you have is "once in a lifetime". The moment you got to experience Space Mountain for the first time can't be replaced. You can attempt to re-create it, but it will always be a different and hopefully enjoyable experience. In a larger respect, every trip to WDW is unique and has it's own memories. You look back and "Remember the Magic". You plan to go back and have an equal or greater experience the next time. After all, the consensuses here is that WDW relies on repeat visits.
This new version of "vacation" time will change all that. By imposing additional
limits on your "vacation", your experience will suffer. You now have a schedule that must be maintained or you may "miss out". How many additional melt downs will occur? When a child wants to ride Dumbo again but can't be cause it conflicts with the 4 other things you have to do in a regimented order. Sure you can opt out of those "planning prisons" but then your experiences will really suffer.
When you tour the "parks" with children, you are doing two things; attempting to give them that first great experience and living vicariously by seeing it through their eyes. The first time you ride with them on TSMM can't be replaced. I personally have fond memories of my first attraction experiences with my parents. I want that for all children that visit the "parks". There are already enough limits on your "vacation", (read: time, money, height, etc.) why add more or let some other entity do it?
As far as the testing being completely "meaningless", I would surmise that it is designed to flesh out the actual "functionality" of the bands. It seems that they work as hoped in most cases. They can:
Operate the lock on your door (most of the time).
Can be used as a pay system (most of the time).
Can be used in lieu of a traditional ticket (most of the time).
Can be used to verify reserved attraction passes (most of the time).
I hope they don't unleash this upon the whole of their customer base until the "most of the time" becomes "nearly all of the time" with rare exceptions. I noticed while I was composing this you posted additionally from an experience. Seems like there are a few positives from someone. They still outline the very concerns that some have with MyMagicMinus...
As an aside, remember when customers were "guests"? There is still a taste of that at the original "Disneyland" and it's sister park.
You are a passionate poster whom I agree with most of the time. I understand wanting to sit back and wait. It is clear to me however, that sitting back and not voicing concerns with this whole thing is how we end up with severe disappointments. Recent track record of TDO is the primary cause of this concern.
*1023*
ATTENTION: Usual suspects, please move along. We all know that Disney is a for profit multinational. We all know that we can vacation elsewhere. We all know that we posses more knowledge than some visitors. Etc, etc, etc.
