Is the Lack of Magic Bands hurting UOR's Overall Image?

[Hockeyman55]

Facebook, Google, and my cell phone co. think I'm Bob, a dental floss rancher from Montana.

Wait, you're not a dental floss rancher?

 

[Mad Dog]

Look to Spaceship Earth. Wait times have increased since implementing FP.

The two attractions I see mentioned most often are POC and Haunted Mansion which were largely walk ons before FP+ and now usually have 30 to 45 minute waits on moderate and slow crowd days. ...My 60 day window opened for FP+ last night and I used it for the first time. It was easier than I anticipated, actually a little fun, and I wasn't blocked from anything (except Frozen M&G which I didn't want anyway, and that was 30 minutes after the window opened). Just keeping my fingers crossed that our Magic Bands work without issue.

 

[JungleSkip]

The two attractions I see mentioned most often are POC and Haunted Mansion which were largely walk ons before FP+ and now usually have 30 to 45 minute waits on moderate and slow crowd days. ...My 60 day window opened for FP+ last night and I used it for the first time. It was easier than I anticipated, actually a little fun, and I wasn't blocked from anything (except Frozen M&G which I didn't want anyway, and that was 30 minutes after the window opened). Just keeping my fingers crossed that our Magic Bands work without issue.

The fact that POTC and HM aren't easily rideable now is the worst thing about FP+, which is already terrible in general

 

[Hockeyman55]

The fact that POTC and HM aren't easily rideable now is the worst thing about FP+, which is already terrible in general

For me it makes taking a spontaneous last minute trip less appealing

 

[Teebin]

For me it makes taking a spontaneous last minute trip less appealing

As a one time AP holder, that would have killed it for me long before I inevitably let it slide anyway. I got the sense that WDW doesn't really care about FL AP holders.

 

[Mad Dog]

For me it makes taking a spontaneous last minute trip less appealing

And that's one of the main reasons I love Universal. No reservations needed for anything which keeps a vacation spontaneous, and both exciting & relaxing at the same time.

 

[MrRoamer]

As a one time AP holder, that would have killed it for me long before I inevitably let it slide anyway. I got the sense that WDW doesn't really care about FL AP holders.

I'm pretty sure they quit caring about us quite a bit before the Magic Bands came out.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

FP+ started as a way to book before hand but then morphed into a way to push guests off desirable rides into others, instead of investing in new attractions.

TouringPlans and UG have data showing slow loading attractions with long lines see a dip, while many other attractions have seen increases.

 

[NJBrandon]

I'm doing Disney next week and am going MagicBand-less. I am staying off-site and it there's no reason for me to spend $13+ on each MagicBand when my RFID card does the exact same thing.

 

[rhino4evr]

And that's one of the main reasons I love Universal. No reservations needed for anything which keeps a vacation spontaneous, and both exciting & relaxing at the same time.

Fastpass+ is optional. You can still walk on plenty of rides, when you want. People act like the waits have increased by 30+ minutes for attractions with fast pass. This isn't the case from my experience at all. Last time I was at Disney I walked on HM, Pirates, and a several other rides with 10-15 min or less wait. Is it possible I waited an extra 5 mins, due to some fast passers in front of me? Possibly, but I didn't notice anything "Awful" as some of you have made it out to be.

the rides that always have lines (Mountains), still have similar waits 35-45 - 60 minutes depending on how busy the park is.

I think this idea that "I can't go to the park randomly" is an internal struggle. Possibly because you know that if you HAD planned ahead, you wouldn't have to wait at all on several of the "big" rides. Its not like they have completely cut off standby lines.

So what makes this any different then going to UOR, and not buying an Express?

Alas I'm getting off discussion. As I stated in my first post. the main question is do you think it makes UOR look inferior by not having this "updated" form of admission/photo pass/etc.

 

[s8film40]

I think there are two sides to this, it's nice to be able to plan out your trip ahead of time this part in itself isn't bad. However because of this system you HAVE to plan out your trip ahead of time. While you can say that Fastpass doesn't really affect wait times (which is just outright untrue) then why would you want a Fastpass in the first place. If it's only a 15-20 minute walk on then whats the point of Fastpass? In addition to this the Fastpass lines have increased significantly. This summer on multiple occasions I have experienced 30+ minute waits in a Fastpass line. I know that these were not that out of the ordinary occurrences either as the cast members were prepared and had pre-made signs that they would carry to the end of the Fastpass line to indicate where the end of the line was since it was stretching way away from the attraction entrance. While some people enjoy the ability to plan out their trip ahead of time most are doing it out of fear of having long lines if they don't. The system for a lot of people raises the stress level of the vacation. I overhear people all the time saying things like hurry we have to go here for our Fastpass, no we can't do that now we have to go to our fastpass etc.

Now as for the hardware side of it I think Universal could improve. The Magic Band itself is already becoming antiquated, and I doubt it will even be around in 5 years or so. Most hotels have moved to using smartphone apps. Personally I would like to see Universal move to an RFID system that relies mostly on a phone app but could use cards as a back-up.

 

[rhino4evr]

I've seen lots of people use fast passes on rides with no wait what so ever. A lot of the "less knowledgeable" tourists, have no idea what rides are more popular, or what areas of the park get crowded first. "OH I GOT A FREE FAST PASS FOR PHILHARMAGIC" can be heard on a regular basis.

 

[graspthesun]

Personally I would like to see Universal move to an RFID system that relies mostly on a phone app but could use cards as a back-up.

Do you mean NFC?

 

[s8film40]

Do you mean NFC?

Yes, they are the same thing.

 

[s8film40]

Ironically Disneyland just released an app that now handles ticket media. I think this is the route Universal should go this could also handle Express pass as well. I also think for Disneyland at least adding the ability to get a Fastpass for whatever the current distribution time is would be a great compromise. It wouldn't create the need to plan like FP+ does but would eliminate the need to walk over to the attraction just to get the Fastpass.

 

[Nick]

For me it makes taking a spontaneous last minute trip less appealing

I guess to each their own. Maybe because i'm a local it doesn't bother me as much, I actually enjoy the system a lot more than before. The only FP+ that you can't get a day out I find is for SDMT (and once you secure a FP+ you can always change time to pretty much whenever). Like I said though, for me, I really like it.

I can see how planning a last minute from somewhere else in the country could be frustrating in a few ways.

 

[Frank Drackman]

Facebook, Google, and my cell phone co. think I'm Bob, a dental floss rancher from Montana.

Cool, I once saw a guy named Frank sing a song about you!

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Fastpass+ is optional.

So is buying tickets the day of, staying off site, and doing many other things. But Disney does not want that. They want to predict attendance, staffing, and minimize costs.

 

[UNIrd]

I still don't see how the bands make a day at Disney or even planning a Day at Disney really different from before, except for the plus that you can technically now waltz onto three attractions that you pre-reserved without even having to step foot on property. AND not having to take out your wallet to pay around the park (another plus, except those $3.50 Sprites add up real quick).

A lot of the parks now seem to offer apps with wait times, dining reservations, etc. Not much different there. The bands has always been more about Disney wanting to know where you're going, who you're with, and what you're spending.

 

[Cheezbat]

Simple answer...no.


Almost everyone I know that has visited found the magic bands to be a waste of time. The only positive thing I heard actually related to their use with the hotels. Universal doesn't need anything like this.