I like getting surveys from Walt Disney World–not the ones about satisfaction with the hotels, because they are too long and boring, but the ones about real business issues, like this one about room deals.
These surveys about real issues help to illuminate what Disney is thinking about.
So I’m getting ready for my second test of MyMagic+, MagicBands, and Fastpass+, coming up in mid-November, and Monday I got a really interesting survey emailed from Disney about my process for getting ready for that visit.
Now I am OK with FastPass+–so far–for first time visitors following the approaches recommended by this site, as among other things they’ll have their target parks set months ahead.
But repeat visitors have raised a number of issues with this new Disney program that’s being tested now–and so far as I have seen til now there’s not been much response.
The survey, though, raises some real hope that some of these concerns might be heard…
The first interesting thing about the survey is that there are typos in the emailed invitation. (Frequent readers of this site know I’m an expert on typos–though usually in their creation, not their discovery.)
The word “we’re” in the first line is rendered as “were.” And–as Heidi notes below–the “We’d” that should begin the second para has also lost its apostrophe. Mandy notes below that the comma in the second para is wrong, and the “for” before “we” in the last para, though perhaps not a typo, is certainly not idiomatic.
Not a big deal…but one could reasonably infer–not certainly, but reasonably–that this survey was created in a bit of a rush…which is itself interesting…
I usually just “spam” unsolicited emails with both links and typos, but I was hoping this survey was real, and so tested the survey link–and it passed Sucuri with all green.
But it’s still a bit of a bummer, because, as you’ll see in a second, I see this as an important survey, and many who notice the typo will assume because of it that the email is a phishing attack, and dump it to spam.
That would be too bad, as there are some important questions here that are worth your answering…and answering well!
The survey is pretty short, and soon into it you get asked about aspects of preparing for the MyMagic+/MagicBands/Fastpass+ test that were troublesome.
I noted issues I’d had with online check-in (eventually resolved), and also checked that I had some problems with Fastpass+ selections. I had no technical problems with them–rather, I had problems of desire.
Like about ten million other people, I wanted more Fastpass+ than 3, more parades, and the ability to park hop. And I wasn’t sure what screen would come up next…
And what’s above was the next screen. Note that I got to explicitly address the issues of not enough Fastpass+, attractions offered, and no park hopping. Fascinating…and potentially quite important.
Disney did not need to do this survey, and if it wanted to duck some of the widespread complaints about the emerging Fastpass+ program, while claiming it had surveyed its guests, it could easily have done so–like this (I’ve seen similar surveys):
What did you think about your FastPass+ Selections? (Click the one answer that best fits)
- Spectacularly Marvelous
- Quite Marvelous
- Marvelous
But that’s not what this survey question is…it’s a real question that gives as options real concerns.
And guess what the next page (above) was about? Spontaneity, or lack of same–another of the resounding issues with Fastpass+.
Despite the firmness with which some make their predictions, no one really knows anything about the final implementation of Fastpass+. It’s way too early for any of us–even Disney.
Me, I’m delighted that the program will have the opportunity to be influenced by surveys like this…but dismayed that the typos in the emailed invitation will lead many to not trust it enough to answer it…and if enough people “spam” it, it’ll get classed as “spam” when delivered…and many will never see it at all.
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Just got a survey this morning. The email looked like it had fixed the errors mentioned above. Was happy to participate!
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Great KE!
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KE, thanks for the info!! I will definitely keep trying, because I agree with you – it is a must! I’m so excited to eat there.
Dave, I was finally able to make Fastpass+ reservations yesterday. My theory is that it was because I commented here. Disney took notice and made sure that they fixed the situation. 🙂 As of yet, no parade reservations were available to me. And Epcot was interesting – I was told I could pick one Fastpass+ from the first group – Maelstrom, Meet Disney Pals @ Epcot Character Spot, Soarin’, or Test Track – and then two from the second group – Captain EO, Figment, Living w/ Land, Mission: Space, Spaceship Earth, The Seas w/ Nemo, and Turtle Talk. That intrigued me because of the rumors that Disney will do it this way, not allowing guests to choose three Fastpass+ of the major headliners. We shall see how it goes!
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Mandy, thanks for the update! And see this on Epcot: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2013/11/03/one-headliner-per-day-on-fastpass-now-being-tested-at-epcot/
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Mandy- I have the same issue. I called and was told that only select guests are getting the BOG offer for FastPass+ and to keep trying. I was also told that the closer it gets, the best chance to get the offer- so keep checking. I’ve tried a few times so far and figure I’ll try a few more. The cast members I talked with also told me to ask when I checked in and I might be able to book a FastPass+ at that time. It’s all worth a shot. Here’s hoping because BOG is definitely a must. I will stand in a line if I have to, but I would prefer a FastPass+ ADR. 🙂
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In the second paragraph the comma after “test” should not be there. But then that’s just crazy proofreading. 😉
I am having a time of it booking Fastpass+. Strangely, MyDisneyExperience let me customize our MagicBands but will not allow me to check-in online or to book Fastpass+. I was on the phone with Disney about it yesterday and hope that they fix it.
Also, I went to book a Fastpass+ for Be Our Guest, and the one day during our vacation when I wanted to go was the only day that wasn’t an option. Is this strange? It is Wednesday, Dec. 11, which doesn’t seem like it would be busy.
I have never planned so much for a vacation. Thanks for your site, Dave – the information here is invaluable!
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Hi Mandy and thanks for the kind words! Good luck with everything–and no, I can’t explain any of the oddness…
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Oh, I want to get one of these surveys…
I’d like to provide info on the issues with military discount tickets and FP+.
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Glad to see this…Thanks for writing about it. I would love a survey like this because I have many of the concerns that you mentioned. I would worry about spam too, so if I see it, now I know! Thanks!
There is one thing I wanted to report and see if you had any opinion or inside knowledge: I am staying at AoA and was NEVER offered any parade, fireworks, or other non-ride happenings when making my selections. It made me wonder if a Value resort guest would get a “watered down” experience than someone who stays at a Moderate or Deluxe. I also wonder about guests who do not stay on property and how FastPass+ will be of use to them, if at all. At least with the “old” system every guest had “equal” opportunity regardless of how much money they had spent to be there.
Disney does have a lot of questions to answer about the final phases and full implementation of FastPass+ and I’m glad to hear that they are seeking answers from guests in order to continue the Disney experience we have all come to love and expect.
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KE, re how it will be used for off-site guests..well, I guess we’ll see. And I know the offer of parades and fireworks shows varies by the day you are looking at, and also how close to your trip you are–more is available weekends, and the closer your trip…
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I hope they start testing the magic bands/fastpass + with passholders.
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I see that they also missed the apostrophe in what should be “We’d” at the beginning of the 2nd paragraph. Quite honestly, in a professional context, the use of the contractions should have been left out altogether. But, it’s a great survey – maybe it will generate some changes. 🙂
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OOh nice catch Heidi!
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