New Fast Pass PLUS converting paper tickets and passes

mainedis

Earning My Ears
Joined
Nov 6, 2011
The description of the new Fastpass+ system has some potentially nice features. But the worst part of this announcement is the fine print in the terms and conditions about being required to convert paper tickets to electronic in order to participate. That makes sense since you're using a new electronic system.

But where I have a problem is when it says... "once you convert the tickets or pass to FP+, you will no longer be able to participate in the regular fastpass system in the parks". That's ridiculous.

Also, currently people can use the regular fast pass system in multiple parks in one day. Now, if it's implemented as described it's a huge downgrade to covert annual passes or regular tickets to "paperless". The terms say ONE park only for FP+. That would be fine if you could still use "regular" FP at another park you AREN'T use for FP+, but you can't. The Dining equivalent would be like saying if you made an online reservation you then aren't allowed to make a reservation in person at a restaurant. Doesn't make sense and I certainly won't be converting my annual pass to "paperless" if it prevents me from using the regular fast pass system. The new FP+ should enhance the experience not limit it.

And if I'm reading the details correctly, annual pass holders would need to carry around an RF device (I'm assuming bracelet) and also our "de-activated" paper pass in order to still get discounts at the parks. I like that Disney is investing in making the "experience" better for guests, but they need to re-think some of the details of this plan.
 
The way I read it ,it seems even Disney doesn't even know for sure how it's going to work or if it's going to work,there's all kinds of situations that just aren't answered or Disney's being very vague about.All I know is if they don't find a way to straighten them all out,making sure everyone knows how it works and that it works and is equal and fair to everyone,if it doesn't then just drop it and go back to good old FP which works well enough.I have an AP and some days I visit 3-4 parks in one day so I better be able to get FP's at more than one park a day,if I can't what's the point,this would be like a downgrade not an upgrade.There's still threads going around about how people don't understand regular FP,they think they can just collect FP's as they go,they think they have to pay for them etc..You roll this out Disney might have to give everyone who attends their park an 8 hour class before their trip so they can get the basics.
 
I have an AP and some days I visit 3-4 parks in one day so I better be able to get FP's at more than one park a day,if I can't what's the point,this would be like a downgrade not an upgrade.

Totally agree and this is my biggest concern. I want to give the new system a fair chance but I won't even want to convert my AP to "electronic" if I'm then tied to ONE park per day. That rule of FP+ at only one park makes no sense, unless FP+ users can still benefit from the "regular" fast passes at the park you aren't using FP+. So if I use FP+ at Hollywood Studios, and then go to Epcot I'm stuck in all stand-by lines. Makes no sense.
 
Yep. This is exactly my concern as well. We're AP holders, and DVC. I'm even concerned about connecting my DVC reservation onto the "Disney Experience" because I can see something getting totally screwed up.

I will NOT convert my AP to only get FPs at one park per day. I also have 3 little kids and cannot super plan my trips. I plan, but I don't plan every minute of everyday.

And, does this mean once I convert my AP that for every trip I'm stuck with FP+ and not regular fastpass?
 


The description of the new Fastpass+ system has some potentially nice features. But the worst part of this announcement is the fine print in the terms and conditions about being required to convert paper tickets to electronic in order to participate. That makes sense since you're using a new electronic system.

But where I have a problem is when it says... "once you convert the tickets or pass to FP+, you will no longer be able to participate in the regular fastpass system in the parks". That's ridiculous.

Also, currently people can use the regular fast pass system in multiple parks in one day. Now, if it's implemented as described it's a huge downgrade to covert annual passes or regular tickets to "paperless". The terms say ONE park only for FP+. That would be fine if you could still use "regular" FP at another park you AREN'T use for FP+, but you can't. The Dining equivalent would be like saying if you made an online reservation you then aren't allowed to make a reservation in person at a restaurant. Doesn't make sense and I certainly won't be converting my annual pass to "paperless" if it prevents me from using the regular fast pass system. The new FP+ should enhance the experience not limit it.

And if I'm reading the details correctly, annual pass holders would need to carry around an RF device (I'm assuming bracelet) and also our "de-activated" paper pass in order to still get discounts at the parks. I like that Disney is investing in making the "experience" better for guests, but they need to re-think some of the details of this plan.

I think the goal of this is to enhance the entire experience of the parks like meet and greets, parades, special celebrations, shows, concerts, artists, overlooked rides. All of this at the expense of the popular rides. From the NYtimes, this is what Disney feels is the average patrons experience:

"Disney World guests currently plod through entrance turnstiles, redeeming paper tickets, and then decide what to ride; food and merchandise are bought with cash or credit cards. (Disney hotel key cards can also be used to charge items.) People race to FastPass kiosks, which dispense a limited number of free line-skipping tickets. But gridlock quickly sets in and most people wait. And wait."

The FP+ is designed to "fix" that problem.
 
And, does this mean once I convert my AP that for every trip I'm stuck with FP+ and not regular fastpass?

From the "terms and conditions" posted in the DIS post, it clearly says that once you convert to electronic you can't use the old pass and can't participate in the current fast pass system (and the "old paper pass" is needed for the current fast pass machines). I'm assuming that yes it would be for all future trips. In addition, we as AP holders would still have to carry our "deactivated" paper pass to get 10% discounts. Does not seem to be an enhancement to me...
 
I think the goal of this is to enhance the entire experience of the parks like meet and greets, parades, special celebrations, shows, concerts, artists, overlooked rides.

I like the potential of reserving FP times for attractions like Soarin and Toy Storia Mania and it's a creative idea to reserve fireworks viewing areas etc. But at the expense of being locked into ONE park per day? I'm not okay with being forced into ALL standby lines at the 2nd park I choose to go to... I'm okay with change, okay with the reality of long lines as part of my day and adjusting expectations but I am not okay with effectively having my AP downgraded (by no longer being able to benefit from the park hopping because I lose "multiple park" FP access by joining FP+
 


I like the potential of reserving FP times for attractions like Soarin and Toy Storia Mania and it's a creative idea to reserve fireworks viewing areas etc. But at the expense of being locked into ONE park per day? I'm not okay with being forced into ALL standby lines at the 2nd park I choose to go to... I'm okay with change, okay with the reality of long lines as part of my day and adjusting expectations but I am not okay with effectively having my AP downgraded (by no longer being able to benefit from the park hopping because I lose "multiple park" FP access by joining FP+

I hear you. I agree it is not a net gain, but a shift. I too hop everyday, it is not going to be good for me.
 
From the "terms and conditions" posted in the DIS post, it clearly says that once you convert to electronic you can't use the old pass and can't participate in the current fast pass system (and the "old paper pass" is needed for the current fast pass machines). I'm assuming that yes it would be for all future trips. In addition, we as AP holders would still have to carry our "deactivated" paper pass to get 10% discounts. Does not seem to be an enhancement to me...


That is what I thought the conditons were. No thanks.

My DH and I are heading down next week, and I would love to maybe grab a FP for Soarin' or something, but it won't be nearly the same kind of touring we would do with our kids, and I wouldn't want to tie our APs up in some "experience" we don't want/need for a couple's trip.
 
My DH and I are heading down next week, and I would love to maybe grab a FP for Soarin' or something, but it won't be nearly the same kind of touring we would do with our kids, and I wouldn't want to tie our APs up in some "experience" we don't want/need for a couple's trip.

Disney really needs to re-think some of the details of the new system... "as is" the negatives outweigh the positives. But I realize nothing is final yet. Now, if they announced tomorrow that they were renovating and doubling the size of Soarin and Toy Story Mania I might change my mind. Because no matter what system is in place for FP, Disney needs to re-invest in the "big ticket" rides.
 
So does this mean if (currently) our tickets are tied to our room key that we will need to separate them if we wish to use regular fastpass? My trip isn't until December so hopefully we'll have answers by then but I don't have an interest in fastpass plus and don't want to be forced to have it just because my tickets are connected to my room key. :confused3
 
DOOM1001 said:
The way I read it ,it seems even Disney doesn't even know for sure how it's going to work or if it's going to work,there's all kinds of situations that just aren't answered or Disney's being very vague about.All I know is if they don't find a way to straighten them all out,making sure everyone knows how it works and that it works and is equal and fair to everyone,if it doesn't then just drop it and go back to good old FP which works well enough.

I would not bet a single dollar on Disney realizing this program is problematic and going back to the old FP system. They've dumped nearly $2 billion into this new system, so with that kind of investment, there's no turning back now. Adapt and move along seems to be the name of the game these days.
 
I wish we had a roll out date and more details. Our trip is in 6 weeks. If (and I realize this is ALL a big "IF" at this point) I can leave my AP as a paper ticket and use it to still get fast passes the regular way.. great, and they will have to pry it out of my tight little fist. However, if I can't and need to book fastpass+ reservations, it would be nice to know now so I can do some planning.
However, I can't see it being ready in time since as Canadians we don't even have access to the new website at this point and the old website won't show most of our reservations.

This is all just a lot of speculation and conjecture at this point, which is all nice in theory, until it potentially impacts the five thousand dollar vacation you're about to go on and you have no answers.:headache:
 
We plan on being at Disney onsite for 4 days and then going offside. We were planning on buying a 6 day ticket and then going a couple of more times. Does anyone know how that will work - will we still use a wrist band after we check out ??
 
I may be wrong but I read it as this:

IN ADVANCE you can book up to 3 fast passes at one park.

Key words being in advance. It really only makes sense that once you scan your band at the park entrance and are in the park you can book more fast passes. It would make sense and keep people from booking 5 rides on TSM before they are even there and work similar to the fp-, with the added benefit of 3 in advance w/o having to run at rope drop, therefore "enhancing your experience".

As for offsiters, it says you will be able to participate with a card or add a band for a cost. Makes sense. The band will come with MYW packages and if you don't have that then you can use the card or buy a designer band.
 
I may be wrong but I read it as this:

IN ADVANCE you can book up to 3 fast passes at one park.

Key words being in advance. It really only makes sense that once you scan your band at the park entrance and are in the park you can book more fast passes. It would make sense and keep people from booking 5 rides on TSM before they are even there and work similar to the fp-, with the added benefit of 3 in advance w/o having to run at rope drop, therefore "enhancing your experience".

As for offsiters, it says you will be able to participate with a card or add a band for a cost. Makes sense. The band will come with MYW packages and if you don't have that then you can use the card or buy a designer band.
I also think this is where it's headed. It'll be great if this turns out to be the case. I'm a RD person, but for people who aren't, they can book TSM well in advance for a 2 pm slot and not have to worry about dragging everyone out of bed. That'll make it even better for me because the parks will be even less crowded for RD than they are now!
 
I may be wrong but I read it as this:

IN ADVANCE you can book up to 3 fast passes at one park.

Key words being in advance. It really only makes sense that once you scan your band at the park entrance and are in the park you can book more fast passes. It would make sense and keep people from booking 5 rides on TSM before they are even there and work similar to the fp-, with the added benefit of 3 in advance w/o having to run at rope drop, therefore "enhancing your experience".

As for offsiters, it says you will be able to participate with a card or add a band for a cost. Makes sense. The band will come with MYW packages and if you don't have that then you can use the card or buy a designer band.

I hadn't thought of that at all but boy do I hope you are on to something here. 3 a day just wasn't going to cut it as we like to ride certain things over and over and other things never. We do use rope drop so we should be able to get in Soarin' and Test Track fairly easily on our Epcot day for example. But it would be nice to be able to do them again without the huge lines that go with them.

Anyway, I have heard nothing to indicate that will actually be the case (being able to book more than your allotted 3) but it would be really nice if we could.
 
Would some one link the description of the new fast pass system. I've been pretty much staying out of the fray but I'd like to at least know what's going on. LOL

Oops never mind, I found some thing.
 
The technical issue is that the fastpass machines do not have any capability of reading a RFID chip. They are only capable of reading a magnetic stripe. The bracelets do not have a magnetic stripe.
 
I may be wrong but I read it as this:

IN ADVANCE you can book up to 3 fast passes at one park.

Key words being in advance. It really only makes sense that once you scan your band at the park entrance and are in the park you can book more fast passes. It would make sense and keep people from booking 5 rides on TSM before they are even there and work similar to the fp-, with the added benefit of 3 in advance w/o having to run at rope drop, therefore "enhancing your experience".

I was also hoping this was the case, but I don't think it is.

When you're in the park, and you realize one of the FP+ you picked is no good, you can exchange it for a better time (pending availability). If you could get additional FPs once in the park, then there would be no need to exchange the one you don't want for a new one (unless it's for the same ride, and there's that limit of 1 FP for each ride).
 

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