Disney's NextGen Initiative

[Hockeyman55]

But have they become any more relaxing? Having to get up to make a dining reservation 180 days out and constantly checking your watch to make sure you make it because if not, forget eating at a popular (i.e. decent) table service place that day. Now you'll be reserving FP+ from home, rushing from one place to the next to make sure you make your times. Disney knows that they have a lot of influence over both how guests vacation and how other corporations present their vacations, and it puzzles me that Disney would encourage systems and vacation styles that burn out their guests and make a visit not relaxing. I'm willing to bet that if Disney decided to tackle the issue, they could largely do it through marketing and effect pretty quick change that would trickle up through general consumer habits and through their corporate Disney Institute training program. Advertise that you have a product that is best enjoyed if you slow down and take in the details, enjoy the finer things, don't rush and worry about doing and seeing everything on this one vacation because we'll still be here, come back and enjoy a completely different vacation by experiencing more new things.

Maybe its just me, and the super planners have taken over for good. But it just irks me that when people come to Orlando to these amazing parks that they miss the forest for the trees by rushing around like chickens with their heads cut off, subsequently taking some of the fun and most all of the relaxation out of what should be a time to unwind.

Ive seen people rag on the others that complain about not being able to get a last min reservation at Disney and don't understand the secret of it? Saying that anyone who makes a ressie 180 days out just doesn't know what they are doing and you can get a table anytime. Seriously how do you walk up Le Cellier and get a table or any other popular places? Get there when they first open perhaps?

And I agree, taking a trip to Disney is becoming such less of a vacation and more work trying to coordinate ADRs and soon rides. We tend to only do breakfast ADRs before the parks open that way there isn't a need plan a day around lunch and dinner and allow for ore spontaneity. We still do the occasional ADS for dinner or late lunch but few and far between.

 

[Kevin38]

Yeah, I haven't bought Disney APs since I got custody of my girls. $1500 is a bit much for 3 APs considering I am a single Dad with 2 kids and my Ex is 20 months behind on child support. Plus, my kids would rather have a root canal than go to Disney.

My youngest(17) has stepped thru more coasters than most people have ridden (he doesn't ride)
Now that he has a choice he doesn't go with me anymore .I am evil parent who has dragged his kid to
many theme/amusement parks for his whole life.
When he was younger I made him wait in line with me then step thru to the exit when I got on and wait for me.
When I was a Family of 4 (before the ex hit the road)I could not swing 1600-1700 for 4 AP's
Now that I only have to buy 2 AP's (me and the GF) I am thinking Seaworld/Busch Garden is a better deal
Of course I have Uni AP's and will renew them unless they raise price significantly.

 

[TomTheRiddle]

honestly though you all take the Disney hate too far, like really your own personal experiences will change so much with NextGen? i doubt it. do i think FastPass+ is stupid? yes. and Spidey makes a fair point with the regular FastPass for sure. but still it's not like it's the worst idea ever with the other NextGen offerings. you all exaggerate everything going on when it'll mean nothing in the end because a) Disney will make the money back ten fold anyway and b) your preference of the perfect vacation experience isn't the majority, some people actually think the FastPass+ and other offerings boost their experiences. so what's the point with being over the top about any of this? seriously what is the point?

Because how Disney makes the money in the end is not relevant to me or my opinions and the point is that its okay for them, but FastPass+ and other offerings ruin the line for the people who don't want to use them.

No one is being "over the top" about it. Its a crappy system and we're all expressing our dissatisfaction about the crappy system that we have to endure for the "benefit" of others. I hate the argument that it'll mean nothing in the end. It will mean something in the end the second they start seeing significant guest attendance drops and the lower guest happiness scores. Disney may make their money back 10 fold initially but if that dives to 9 fold, you'll see some changes. Disney isn't about the idea anymore, its about what makes them money. If NextGen makes less than they want, they'll call it off.

Universal changes ideas frequently. So does Disney, they're just more stubborn about it.

 

[JungleSkip]

OK, I do have to laugh, because I don't ever remember Disney being a relaxing vacation. I went long before fast pass was in the parks and I remember my parents being tired and really done with the whole thing. Heck, we took a break from any parks one day and I remember my sister and I being done with the parks and wanting that one day break. Relaxing was never a word I would use for Orlando vacations.

What's "before Fastpass". Because there was a time 2-3 years before Fastpass when the commando WDW mentality became the norm.

But from 1971-1996/7, WDW was an INCREDIBLY relaxing place, and still is as long as you're not running from ride to ride and take the time to actually enjoy THE RESORT. WDW was built as "the Vacation Capital of the World" not as "Let's run from park to park and never stop". Fort Wilderness, golf, mini golf, pools, shopping, dining, resorts, water sports, horseback riding, etc, etc. All available and highly advertised in the past. But now Disney has completely changed the purpose of WDW and tries to get people into the commando mode that has ruined the resort's feel overall.

 

[Mad Dog]

And that's the problem with people today. The whole "time=$$$" thing and our ridiculous desire for instant gratification taken to ridiculous extremes has made a relaxing Disney vacation a thing of the past. You are now basically penalized (and will be more so with NextGen) for wanting to actually take it slow on vacation and just be spontaneous. Would it really kill people to slow down and look at the details? No, it would actually make things more enjoyable. Unfortunately we have become obsessed with getting what we want NOW and I will not spend a minute more than I must waiting for it because my time is monetarily valuable. Drives me absolutely nuts.

I very much agree. We try to take a long vacation so we can relax and enjoy the ambiance of the parks. Fortunately, we are able to go during the slower months of the year, so a combination of fast pass and shorter stand by lines at Disney works well for us. But I don't like the concept of My Magic + reservations. The numbers probably won't work well to be able to have many repeat rides on E ticket attractions like the present FASTPASS. And it sure as heck destroys the spontaniety that adds that extra plus to a vacation experience. I'm pretty much a uber planner for vacations as an overview, but I don't want every moment to be planned like a Disney Dining Plan, which I abhor.

 

[tribbleorlfl]

And that's the problem with people today. The whole "time=$$$" thing and our ridiculous desire for instant gratification taken to ridiculous extremes has made a relaxing Disney vacation a thing of the past.

I'm guessing you've never set foot in an Economics class, because there is an opportunity cost to going on vacation at WDW or anywhere else: missing income from going on vacation instead of working; and the cost of travel, lodging and entertainment of the vacation that would not be incurred had the family not gone on vacation. For that reason, vacation time has value and is quite literally equal to money.

It has nothing to do w/ instant gratification and everything to do with the fact most people are of limited resources (in both time and money), thus generally seek to maximize the return on their investment. With coming to Orlando, that means cramming every single ride, show, parade, meet & greet and fireworks display they can into every free second. As such, going to Orlando and WDW has never been, or ever will be, a relaxing vacation for many visitors.

These are the folks Fastpass+ and the whole Next Gen experience are geared for, a significant portion of WDW guests. I have no doubt that once the bugs are ironed out and it's fully implemented, this will be widely popular w/ those guests.

The question remains, how will the experience be for AP's and regulars who do not plan their visits 6 months out, but may decide that day to go to the parks? I don't think that's been as well thought out.

Did I mention I will not be dropping a thousand bones on renewing my annual passes for my wife and I this year.

Might it have something to do w/ the fact your wife is expecting? (Congrats, btw). Once she hits about 7 months, you'll find the last thing she wants to do is run around a theme park. And then, once the baby comes, you'll probably find the hassle of getting the little one ready for a full day out isn't really worth it for something a) they won't remember and b) you won't be able to enjoy as a full family.

I had considered letting my AP lapse when my daughter was born in January, just bc I remembered how little we went after my son was born. However, my son is now 8 and loves going to WDW, so it was still economically feasible to keep the pass even with fewer visits. Your mileage might very.

 

[Andy]

Might it have something to do w/ the fact your wife is expecting? (Congrats, btw). Once she hits about 7 months, you'll find the last thing she wants to do is run around a theme park. And then, once the baby comes, you'll probably find the hassle of getting the little one ready for a full day out isn't really worth it for something a) they won't remember and b) you won't be able to enjoy as a full family.

I had considered letting my AP lapse when my daughter was born in January, just bc I remembered how little we went after my son was born. However, my son is now 8 and loves going to WDW, so it was still economically feasible to keep the pass even with fewer visits. Your mileage might very.

While that has come into the process, we will be keeping passes for Universal and soon replacing Disney with Sea World and BGT. Yes we will not be able to bring HTF Jr to the parks for some time my wife and I still love to go. Granda and Grandpa are not far away

 

[Hockeyman55]

While that has come into the process, we will be keeping passes for Universal and soon replacing Disney with Sea World and BGT. Yes we will not be able to bring HTF Jr to the parks for some time my wife and I still love to go. Granda and Grandpa are not far away

We took our oldest at 6 months old and it was one of the best times we have ever gone. The look on her face when she saw the characters and lights and everything for the first time was priceless. Sure she wont remember but we took tons of pictures and videos for her to have later on. Fast forward to now and she is almost 3 and you want to talk about a hassle, terrible twos at Disney don't work so well

 

[IzzyB]

But have they become any more relaxing? Having to get up to make a dining reservation 180 days out and constantly checking your watch to make sure you make it because if not, forget eating at a popular (i.e. decent) table service place that day. Now you'll be reserving FP+ from home, rushing from one place to the next to make sure you make your times. Disney knows that they have a lot of influence over both how guests vacation and how other corporations present their vacations, and it puzzles me that Disney would encourage systems and vacation styles that burn out their guests and make a visit not relaxing. I'm willing to bet that if Disney decided to tackle the issue, they could largely do it through marketing and effect pretty quick change that would trickle up through general consumer habits and through their corporate Disney Institute training program. Advertise that you have a product that is best enjoyed if you slow down and take in the details, enjoy the finer things, don't rush and worry about doing and seeing everything on this one vacation because we'll still be here, come back and enjoy a completely different vacation by experiencing more new things.

Maybe its just me, and the super planners have taken over for good. But it just irks me that when people come to Orlando to these amazing parks that they miss the forest for the trees by rushing around like chickens with their heads cut off, subsequently taking some of the fun and most all of the relaxation out of what should be a time to unwind.

To me it is the same. When I was kid we made reservations to eat at a country or did counter service somewhere. I don't understand how Disney could do reservations to restaurants differently. I mean if no reservations were taken everyone would be eating at the most popular times and so there would be huge lines for certain parts of the day and it would be dead other parts of the day. So it ends up evening out the crowds.

While you can't walk up to Canada whenever you want, there are places you can walk up to. I have also seen reservations for Canada a couple days in advance of when we are going. The Garden Grill is pretty popular, yet I have eaten there probably 3 or 4 times and once was even without reservations. Again, I am just not sure what system could be put in place to make this situation better. And to say take away Disney Dining plan is just dumb from a business sense and it is a hugely popular program with most of the GP. I have not heard one bad thing about it from the guests and my friend was telling me all of her friends and her kids friends were going to Disney this year or have already gone and how all the parents were raving about this cool dining program Disney has. The parks have to make money and they do it by keeping people happy and giving them as many opportunities to spend money as possible.

I understand we ALL want Disney to build more rides, so do I. But to say it is less relaxing now, I don't know you can say that. Some people are more relaxed knowing they have a place to eat and their day planned out in advance. My friend was telling me there are books telling you how to get around the park and which rides to ride when. She said her one friend fully followed it and loved their vacation. You can't get more planned than that.

 

[IzzyB]

What's "before Fastpass". Because there was a time 2-3 years before Fastpass when the commando WDW mentality became the norm.

But from 1971-1996/7, WDW was an INCREDIBLY relaxing place, and still is as long as you're not running from ride to ride and take the time to actually enjoy THE RESORT. WDW was built as "the Vacation Capital of the World" not as "Let's run from park to park and never stop". Fort Wilderness, golf, mini golf, pools, shopping, dining, resorts, water sports, horseback riding, etc, etc. All available and highly advertised in the past. But now Disney has completely changed the purpose of WDW and tries to get people into the commando mode that has ruined the resort's feel overall.

Well I graduated high school in 95 and all of my family vacations except one were before I graduated high school. So for me it would be before 95 and I know we ran from park to park. I remember a couple days leaving one park and going back to another one that we had really enjoyed and wanted to do more. We also did Sea World and Universal that trip and that was also the trip we all needed a rest including me!!! We also always made reservations if we were going to do a sit down restaurant, but we very rarely did those since money was tight.

 

[IzzyB]

I'm guessing you've never set foot in an Economics class, because there is an opportunity cost to going on vacation at WDW or anywhere else: missing income from going on vacation instead of working; and the cost of travel, lodging and entertainment of the vacation that would not be incurred had the family not gone on vacation. For that reason, vacation time has value and is quite literally equal to money.

It has nothing to do w/ instant gratification and everything to do with the fact most people are of limited resources (in both time and money), thus generally seek to maximize the return on their investment. With coming to Orlando, that means cramming every single ride, show, parade, meet & greet and fireworks display they can into every free second. As such, going to Orlando and WDW has never been, or ever will be, a relaxing vacation for many visitors.

These are the folks Fastpass+ and the whole Next Gen experience are geared for, a significant portion of WDW guests. I have no doubt that once the bugs are ironed out and it's fully implemented, this will be widely popular w/ those guests.

The question remains, how will the experience be for AP's and regulars who do not plan their visits 6 months out, but may decide that day to go to the parks? I don't think that's been as well thought out.

I totally agree with you. Time is money in a lot of cases. Would I rather clean my house and not spend that extra two hours with my son and daughter who need me to spend time with them or should I spend $100 to pay someone to come in and clean for me. I don't think there is anything wrong with this. Especially when it comes to my son, I want to make sure I spend enough time with him to get him what he needs so he can some day walk, talk, and eat like his sister. So yes, I pay for someone to clean my house and pool and we pay someone to cut our grass. I don't ever regret these decision because time is money and I would rather have time than money. Until one of us loses our job and we have to cut back expenses, it will continue to be my theory. Now keep in mind we DO have savings and we DO have money to last 2 1/2 years after cutting expenses if one of us would lose our job, so we are smart with our money.

Might it have something to do w/ the fact your wife is expecting? (Congrats, btw). Once she hits about 7 months, you'll find the last thing she wants to do is run around a theme park. And then, once the baby comes, you'll probably find the hassle of getting the little one ready for a full day out isn't really worth it for something a) they won't remember and b) you won't be able to enjoy as a full family.

I had considered letting my AP lapse when my daughter was born in January, just bc I remembered how little we went after my son was born. However, my son is now 8 and loves going to WDW, so it was still economically feasible to keep the pass even with fewer visits. Your mileage might very.

You know, since my kids have turned one we go to the parks way more now than we ever did. And you haven't seen a hassle to get two kids ready to go somewhere until you have met my twins - lol However the first time we went to a park after they were born was when they were 10 months old, so we did not go the first year really all that much.

 

[maxairmike]

I'm guessing you've never set foot in an Economics class, because there is an opportunity cost to going on vacation at WDW or anywhere else: missing income from going on vacation instead of working; and the cost of travel, lodging and entertainment of the vacation that would not be incurred had the family not gone on vacation. For that reason, vacation time has value and is quite literally equal to money.

It has nothing to do w/ instant gratification and everything to do with the fact most people are of limited resources (in both time and money), thus generally seek to maximize the return on their investment. With coming to Orlando, that means cramming every single ride, show, parade, meet & greet and fireworks display they can into every free second. As such, going to Orlando and WDW has never been, or ever will be, a relaxing vacation for many visitors.

These are the folks Fastpass+ and the whole Next Gen experience are geared for, a significant portion of WDW guests. I have no doubt that once the bugs are ironed out and it's fully implemented, this will be widely popular w/ those guests.

The question remains, how will the experience be for AP's and regulars who do not plan their visits 6 months out, but may decide that day to go to the parks? I don't think that's been as well thought out.

I am (was, will be again soon) a business major of one specialty track or another, so there goes that theory. I think I would have a pretty miserable life if I treated every day and moment like a balance sheet, especially my vacation time to unwind and relax.

Also, I've worked in the industry for several years at a few different parks (Orlando and non-Orlando), so I like to think I have a decent grasp on the industry as a whole; including daily interactions with guests and the systems that make the parks tick and guests happy.

I guess I have a different definition of "relax" than most people these days, especially when it comes to vacation. Oddly enough, I'm hoping I can strike a good balance between my desire to get all the amazing pictures I can on my trip out West soon, and not running myself ragged doing so. I know there's the urge to do it all, but that's not my idea of fun or relaxing, and I know it takes balance. I don't think Disney encourages any balance at all. I believe their guests would enjoy it more, and the results would show it.

 

[TomTheRiddle]

Went to EPCOT today and converted my pass. That was fine.

Funny enough, Test Track was down for two hours and they reopened with MASSIVE 60 minute FastPass line and a 180 minute standby wait. It was awful.

 

[Andy]

So what do I have to do to convert my pass? How long do I have to do it? What if I don't?

 

[maxairmike]

I believe the center is set up through the end of the month or mid May. Just walk in (hope there's no wait), hand them your paper pass and I believe my friend gave them their license as well, they do some computer magic, tap your new plastic pass on the Mickey head, and hand you your new RFID pass. With no line, it takes maybe 5 minutes and works immediately (well, as immediately as you can get to another park ). If you don't...no clue. I'd imagine they'll scold you at the turnstile, hand you over to the GRAPE behind them, and that person will walk you over to Guest Relations to get your pass switched out right then. Of course that is just what I would think makes the most sense, and I still chuckle when I say/type "GRAPE."

 

[IzzyB]

So my magnetic strip stopped working and my husband lost his pass. So we stopped off at a ticket booth to get new passes before going into Magic Kingdom today and they gave us the new passes. They still directed us to go to the Odyssey building to find out information about the bands and stuff. Was there any information there that we don't already know? I did want to see the stuff there, so may still stop in if I am at Epcot.

 

[maxairmike]

I heard that they're now letting guests play with MagicBands and they're putting "new" info there for the AP holders converting their paper passes. Outside of that, I don't know any more or to what extent that is true.

 

[JungleSkip]

So final MyMagic+ details from Spirit

From an inside source at WDW:

FP+ in a Nutshell:
-60 days from arrival, plus 10 days with resort reservation like dining. Guest selects park. Then their three preferred experiences (attractions, food, spectaculars, activities) and then the MyDisneyExperience (MDX) gives up to four groups (early, mid, late, all day) of their choices and/or substitutions. There will be activities that are FP+ only - no standby option. The immediate party then has the same set of FPs and from there the Guest can modify individuals if they want different experiences/times. You can also then copy with friends not traveling in the same reservation or under control of/created by the primary.
-One park per day.
-No paper (legacy) FP.
-Same FP return policies. Must return within time window, five minute early and fifteen minute late grace period.
-Guests can modify their park up until their first FP+ is used in park. Then they can only modify within that park.
-No MDX account or valid park tickets? No FP+. MDX allows legacy ticket conversion for some tickets by keyed in information and now barcode via camera. Partially redeemed tickets must have at least one day. Once converted, cannot be transferred. (This attaches demographics to tickets that wouldn't and encourages buying tickets directly from Disney. This won't completely devistate the 192 scalpers, but is aimed at them.)
-Special event tickets do not count at this time (nomenclature change from 'hard ticket' since most tickets are now hard...)
-FP+ downtimes are still being hammered out.

Low tech or no tech? Reservation Center can help, but they are being instructed to actively teach the Guest how to do this on their own by accessing the account via proxy. Front line cast actively encouraged to ask Guest to use their device (iDevices and Android) to show Guests how to do it themselves.

MagicBands:
-Nine Colors (Red, Blue, Green, Pink, Yellow, Orange, Iconic Gray, and NEW Purple...)
-Shipped to Guest's address (WORLDWIDE) within thirty to ten days of arrival.
-Shipped to resort if within nine days of arrival.
-Guest gets Iconic Gray if within five days of resort reservation arrival.
-MagicBands for non-resort or year long passes being determined.
-Replacement MagicBands will be Iconic Gray.
-MagicBands costs Disney roughly $4.50 each to produce, there's a world-wide shortage of RFID due to the 20k being produced daily.
-Waterproof, doesn't float.
-Three year battery, can be disabled.
-Multiple ticket entitlements can be loaded onto the MagicBand. No Tables in Wonderland or Cirque du Soleil at the moment.

Annual Passholders:
-First replacement MagicBand is free, $50 afterwards or RF plastic card alternative.
-Same FP+ rules (can book FP+ sixty days out, one park only, three selections, etc.)
-Benefits and discounts will be on a separate RF enabled card.
-Will have the ability to add a credit card to their MagicBand similar to Key to the World currently.

Parking/Toll Plaza:
-Touch Points have been added to verify resort and year long passes.

In Park Kiosks:
-Guest Relations in parks will have terminals for same day, same park FP+ and MDX registration.
-Sid's is likely closing and converting over for this.
-Old WorldKey booths by Epcot's lobby will be one location.
-MK is already open at Town Square Theater (Old Disney Visa location.)
-Downtown will be indoors adjacent to their Marketplace location.
-AK still being formalized.
-Other in-park regional locations being tested.

WDW is making it really easy for me to spend my money at DLR and UOR.

 

[jtsalien]

That's really discouraging. Which is a shame, because I had old tickets updated on my last trip to use the new gates and they were actually very convenient.

 

[Hockeyman55]

You think they will require a 6 month old baby to have one of these bands on for rides and shows?

Annual Passholders:
-First replacement MagicBand is free, $50 afterwards or RF plastic card alternative.

Holy cow.

I will be testing this out in December but I know a lot of our day around the parks are spontaneous with the rides and shows base don how the kids are. Not looking forward to having to keep track of all this