AP's to get 20 FP+ per quarter

[Planogirl]

My thoughts exactly. It does. I think the thinly veiled comment of "you can opt in" or "go with the flow" pretty much sums it up. Play along or stand in stand-by for however long it takes.

You're welcome. They are probably contacting DVC right now to be sure I don't get any of my room requests because I'm bucking the system.

Stand-by for hours or three fastpasses and stand-by for hours. Wow, what a choice.

I don't know why but I'm going to try to stay optimistic that this will be better than it sounds. It just has to be.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Stand-by for hours or three fastpasses and stand-by for hours. Wow, what a choice.

I don't know why but I'm going to try to stay optimistic that this will be better than it sounds. It just has to be.

I truly hope so.

 

[ford91exploder]

Stand-by for hours or three fastpasses and stand-by for hours. Wow, what a choice.

I don't know why but I'm going to try to stay optimistic that this will be better than it sounds. It just has to be.

Since it involves Disney and customer facing computer systems, it will be far worse than anyone can imagine...

Why can't Disney get the same folks who do the computerized Animatronics (which ALWAYS work) to do the customer facing computer systems which in Rocket G Squirrel's immortal words "But Bullwinkle that trick NEVER works..."

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Since it involves Disney and customer facing computer systems, it will be far worse than anyone can imagine...

Why can't Disney get the same folks who do the computerized Animatronics (which ALWAYS work) to do the customer facing computer systems which in Rocket G Squirrel's immortal words "But Bullwinkle that trick NEVER works..."

I'm wondering if they have THOSE folks anymore. I think the Yehti went down about a month in on EE and hasn't come back up yet...

 

[Robbi]

Okay, here is a long post with the response from Disney and below it the email I sent last night....

Original Message Follows:
------------------------
I know so much of the new FP+ system is in the testing/rumor phase. I
personally own DVC and only come every few years, although our income
level is changing and we will soon be visiting more often and be Annual Pass
holders. We are bringing our kids and grandkids this coming July - 10 ...

Thanks so much for contacting WDW and posting both your letter and the reply.

I'm hoping that if we don't renew our passes, that we will still have access to FPs- at least those left for each day.

Since it involves Disney and customer facing computer systems, it will be far worse than anyone can imagine...

Why can't Disney get the same folks who do the computerized Animatronics (which ALWAYS work) to do the customer facing computer systems which in Rocket G Squirrel's immortal words "But Bullwinkle that trick NEVER works..."

No kidding
Yesterday evening I went to the Disney site to look over AP rates after receiving an email about discounts. The email stated:

Passholders!
Save up to 35%
at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels!

For stays most nights 1/2–3/22/13.
Book now through 3/22/13.


I went to the Disney AP site and this is what is posted:

Passholders, enjoy a magical mini-vacation—with typically smaller crowds and cooler weather—at Walt Disney World Resort in early 2013! Book by March 22, 2013 and save up to 35% at select Disney Resort hotels for stays most nights January 2 through January 17, 2013 and January 21 through February 13, 2013.

Further down on the page, the correct date of March 22 as the last date of the discount is listed.

PITIFUL

Kids would get points off on a paper with incorrect information and when I was studying journalism in college, I would have gotten an "F".

 

[bcrook]

My thoughts exactly. It does. I think the thinly veiled comment of "you can opt in" or "go with the flow" pretty much sums it up. Play along or stand in stand-by for however long it takes.

You're welcome. They are probably contacting DVC right now to be sure I don't get any of my room requests because I'm bucking the system.

You're welcome. Sorry. I don't mean to be a thread hog - just didn't go back and read before responding.

I wanted to add, that when they talk about Opting in, I chose not to purchase the DDP on this next trip, because we don't want the rigid schedule it takes to get where you need to be for meals - especially with the transportation system. So this can work the same way I guess. We can Opt out of the park and relax by the pool or go to Vero Beach next time and not spend as much $$.

Hilton head is a lovely resort too! HHI and vero beach may turn out to be the hardest DVC resorts to book! .

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

Actually they didn't get rid of gratuity to help out the guests who complained. They now have a forced gratuity we (not Disney) pay on top of what we pay for the plan. Have you ever heard how to boil a frog? You do it slowly so they don't realize in time to jump out of the pot. The reality is the brought out the dining plan and got everyone excited about it then they slowly take things away while upping the price. They take away gratuity and then appetizers and then there's seasonal pricing etc.

Now they're doing the same with the FP. They start lowering how many FP you can get and I see in the future a possibility of charging for it or to add more to it. The money on this would have better been spent on refurbs & cosmetic fix ups which are desperately needed around all 4 parks which would improved guest satisfaction. Will people continue to go? Probably, but there is always a point at which the majority of your consumers decide what you charge vs what you deliver isn't worth it. WDW may not be there yet but it seems they are trying to see how far they can get.

~I totally feel you on the dining plan. When Disney removed the gratuity it was a huge blow because we tip well! Anyway, I'm hopeful that things will work out fine for everyone, so hang in there! Stay positive!

A billion bucks or so.


I bet I could have built a whole new gate for a billion bucks...

~LOL.

RCT III with the "Jurassic Park" add-on pack.

~Hmmm... it's very interesting that in RCT, when the parks got too crowded you had to raise the price, so less peeps would come and more peeps would leave, and then you could manage your park better. Is this Disney's strategy? Are they overwhelmed?

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hilton head is a lovely resort too! HHI and vero beach may turn out to be the hardest DVC resorts to book! .

That could happen!

 

[issa]

I have read all 69 pages so far..

and I am curious about a possibility and trying to see the positives

What if FP+ stays generally the same as current FP - different method of acquiring the FP's but the same time restrictions / availability that currently exist for all park guests. The same ability for people to acquire FP.

I will refer to the 3 FP+ you get to choose before you arrive are "Pre" FP+

What if the 3 "Pre "FP+" you pick - are If your a resort guest - or an AP holder

- this would be a great selling point for staying onsite for travelers esp. new guests or older guests or ones that don't want to do rope drop etc Or for AP's such as "what makes you return to Disney again and again? - now you have 20 "Pre" FP+ per quarter to ensure you get the magic you love when you visit.

Disney is basically saying - Plan your vacation with us - and YOUR priority for the trip - what ever that is - seeing the fireworks in a magical way, your princess meeting her FAV princess, Your teen riding Splash Mountain- the thing that YOU dream about your Disney trip - you can make come true! No more stress or worry about trying to make THAT element of your trip happen - its ALREADY PLANNED.

A lot of stress from a disney vacation comes from "will we get to do the one thing little Billy or Sue soooo desperately wants" hence Dumbo or die or we HAVE to see Belle. Disney could say " We can give you these 3 "pre"FP+ per day and you can customize your vacation to make it the most magical for your family and know before you leave home - the magic WILL happen for you - You WILL see that or Ride that- and you WON'T have to fight thru rope drop or a meet and greet line etc to get it. When you Stay Onsite the magic WILL happen for you. Relax - you KNOW when your going to do what you want to do.

Resort guests - they are a priority to Disney and after the investment in a Disney vacation, should have some way of making a big part of a of their dream vacation come true - a promise of THEIR personal dream. Disney knows its Hotels are expensive - maybe they are trying to give even MORE value in staying onsite by making the promise of the vacation people want - rather than stay onsite with these old so called perks...and take your chances of getting your dream IF you plan enough..and IF you know enough.

With the technology available today - I don't think Disney could ignore the changes. Paper tickets could not last forever. Disney saw a opportunity possibly in making the whole system better and then had the vision to make it do even more.


By not having to criss cross a park to get FP+ - Disney knows some issues for people are that its HUGE and its a LOT of walking. Many people are not prepared for that element. with FP+ - you reduce a lot of crisscross walking and time in just getting a FP. Thats valuable to a lot of people.

Easing the flow of que lines. Imagine 2 CMs - 1 person watching the FP+ lights, people just strolling buy - green light ...green light ...people just walking , no pause to look at times,to verify time etc.

Blue light - sorry sir - step right over here to speak with CM#2 - and people just keep on walking..moving the line along.

No lost FP tickets - everything is right there
No shuffing thru wallets, pockets or purses, no more " I thought YOU had them"

No more losing out on FP times
Oh no - we have FP's and we wont be back at Splash Mountain in time - before that FP was a loss for you and your family. FP+ you have the ability to go on your phone ..or to a Kiosk and say " Sorry - Sue is having a meltdown
atm and we can't do the ride or Lunch took longer than we thought - I will RESCHEDULE our FP's for later on.

That adds SOOO much more flexibility than you have with current FP's

Making Disney personalized - how often do people wear a button with " it's my Birthday" hoping for just a little more magic their way....when they scan - a cm can say Happy Birthday! To All resort guests - no need for the "inside scoop" of how and where to get a Happy Birthday button.

Entrance to the park - No more turnstyles - just walk and green light

This brings Disney up to a whole new lvl. Keeping up with the way our whole world is changing. I think its innovative to look ahead and make the changes now ...rather than play catch up later.

Yes I am sure currently adding FP+ people to the already existing Fp ques would add more congestion as its being tested. But once everything is switched over
- those same people would be competing for FP ANYWAYS. Disney makes the parks less daunting to the people who are investing the most as Disney tourist - those staying on site. Disney is investing in THEIR satisfaction in making their personal dream vacation - more of a reality. For Ap Holders - there is a reason why they are AP holder and invest in the ability to return to Disney again and again - 20 "pre" FP+ would be a way to say - Enjoy what you love the most - without the hassle. Go, Enjoy your day and know that what you want - is already planned and waiting for you.

I wonder how many first timers go and say " I would love to go on safari and see the parade in Magic Kingdom at night !! "

and travel agent or friend says - For the Safari -wake up early to be there 30 mins before rope drop to...

rope drop??

Yes - its when they Open the parks- it can get crazy but try to be up front, when the rope drops..you run up the path btw - I suggest you look up the park map online so you know the lay of the land first.

or for the parade - for a really GOOD spot - line up 60 - 90 mins BEFORE the parade - bring towels to stake out your spot.

What if Disney could provide those experiences to their guests...without that hassle - need of knowledge or stress? Now they can.

It MAY lighten up lines in the sense that people in line for princesses - instead of a 2 hour line with everyone que'd up - Now some people wont show up in that line till 1030 or 11 - knowing they already have a Fp+ time. It disperses the line.

these are just some thoughts trying to look at the postive and the whys.

fwiw - we are Local residents with Annual passes. We very rarely stay onsite anymore - maybe once every 2yrs or so. I would love to show up at Epcot with FP+ for test track- My 9yr old DD LOVES TestTrack - If we get JUST TestTrack in that day and enjoy the rest of the park - its a win for us. Knowing we Have a FP+ before we walk out the door and being able to plan around that time - is awsome.

TestTrack Fp+ is at 4pm - great lets enter at the World showcase entrance, have some lunch and stroll over to TestTrack from there! Perfect !

I suppose thats why I can understand the value - so many people have the 1 or 2 things that if they can do THAT - and then enjoy the rest of the park. Its a great day. Disney is trying to make the customers that invest the most with them have that 1-3 things that make a great day happen. Huge customer satisfaction - personalized by making everyones 1 thing...come true.

Dreams come true = repeat customers.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

You make alot of really great points. Sounds like a CM?
I have a problem with the choices. In the test phase, they let you choose from lists where you could only choose two of your favs, but maybe all 3 of your favs were on the same list. So in your Family, Johnny gets his dream, Susie gets her dream, but sorry Bobby we couldn't choose yours. Then your choice on the second list is none of the above.

Secondly, when you only go once every few years, you want to have the opportunity to experience ALL of your favs. If you are standing in line for hours because you can't get a FP, you quickly cross some of those things off the list and become a dissatisfied guest.

I think your scenario will work great for you, though.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I am still *hoping* that the grouping was merely for the test phase and your 3 will be any 3 you want (although I doubt they would allow duplicates).

I am still trying very hard NOT to get worked about all my "what ifs" until we get more details on the actual implementation. (But it ain't easy! )

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

I have read all 69 pages so far..

and I am curious about a possibility and trying to see the positives

What if FP+ stays generally the same as current FP - different method of acquiring the FP's but the same time restrictions / availability that currently exist for all park guests. The same ability for people to acquire FP.

I will refer to the 3 FP+ you get to choose before you arrive are "Pre" FP+

What if the 3 "Pre "FP+" you pick - are If your a resort guest - or an AP holder

- this would be a great selling point for staying onsite for travelers esp. new guests or older guests or ones that don't want to do rope drop etc Or for AP's such as "what makes you return to Disney again and again? - now you have 20 "Pre" FP+ per quarter to ensure you get the magic you love when you visit.

Disney is basically saying - Plan your vacation with us - and YOUR priority for the trip - what ever that is - seeing the fireworks in a magical way, your princess meeting her FAV princess, Your teen riding Splash Mountain- the thing that YOU dream about your Disney trip - you can make come true! No more stress or worry about trying to make THAT element of your trip happen - its ALREADY PLANNED.

A lot of stress from a disney vacation comes from "will we get to do the one thing little Billy or Sue soooo desperately wants" hence Dumbo or die or we HAVE to see Belle. Disney could say " We can give you these 3 "pre"FP+ per day and you can customize your vacation to make it the most magical for your family and know before you leave home - the magic WILL happen for you - You WILL see that or Ride that- and you WON'T have to fight thru rope drop or a meet and greet line etc to get it. When you Stay Onsite the magic WILL happen for you. Relax - you KNOW when your going to do what you want to do.

Resort guests - they are a priority to Disney and after the investment in a Disney vacation, should have some way of making a big part of a of their dream vacation come true - a promise of THEIR personal dream. Disney knows its Hotels are expensive - maybe they are trying to give even MORE value in staying onsite by making the promise of the vacation people want - rather than stay onsite with these old so called perks...and take your chances of getting your dream IF you plan enough..and IF you know enough.

With the technology available today - I don't think Disney could ignore the changes. Paper tickets could not last forever. Disney saw a opportunity possibly in making the whole system better and then had the vision to make it do even more.


By not having to criss cross a park to get FP+ - Disney knows some issues for people are that its HUGE and its a LOT of walking. Many people are not prepared for that element. with FP+ - you reduce a lot of crisscross walking and time in just getting a FP. Thats valuable to a lot of people.

Easing the flow of que lines. Imagine 2 CMs - 1 person watching the FP+ lights, people just strolling buy - green light ...green light ...people just walking , no pause to look at times,to verify time etc.

Blue light - sorry sir - step right over here to speak with CM#2 - and people just keep on walking..moving the line along.

No lost FP tickets - everything is right there
No shuffing thru wallets, pockets or purses, no more " I thought YOU had them"

No more losing out on FP times
Oh no - we have FP's and we wont be back at Splash Mountain in time - before that FP was a loss for you and your family. FP+ you have the ability to go on your phone ..or to a Kiosk and say " Sorry - Sue is having a meltdown
atm and we can't do the ride or Lunch took longer than we thought - I will RESCHEDULE our FP's for later on.

That adds SOOO much more flexibility than you have with current FP's

Making Disney personalized - how often do people wear a button with " it's my Birthday" hoping for just a little more magic their way....when they scan - a cm can say Happy Birthday! To All resort guests - no need for the "inside scoop" of how and where to get a Happy Birthday button.

Entrance to the park - No more turnstyles - just walk and green light

This brings Disney up to a whole new lvl. Keeping up with the way our whole world is changing. I think its innovative to look ahead and make the changes now ...rather than play catch up later.

Yes I am sure currently adding FP+ people to the already existing Fp ques would add more congestion as its being tested. But once everything is switched over
- those same people would be competing for FP ANYWAYS. Disney makes the parks less daunting to the people who are investing the most as Disney tourist - those staying on site. Disney is investing in THEIR satisfaction in making their personal dream vacation - more of a reality. For Ap Holders - there is a reason why they are AP holder and invest in the ability to return to Disney again and again - 20 "pre" FP+ would be a way to say - Enjoy what you love the most - without the hassle. Go, Enjoy your day and know that what you want - is already planned and waiting for you.

I wonder how many first timers go and say " I would love to go on safari and see the parade in Magic Kingdom at night !! "

and travel agent or friend says - For the Safari -wake up early to be there 30 mins before rope drop to...

rope drop??

Yes - its when they Open the parks- it can get crazy but try to be up front, when the rope drops..you run up the path btw - I suggest you look up the park map online so you know the lay of the land first.

or for the parade - for a really GOOD spot - line up 60 - 90 mins BEFORE the parade - bring towels to stake out your spot.

What if Disney could provide those experiences to their guests...without that hassle - need of knowledge or stress? Now they can.

It MAY lighten up lines in the sense that people in line for princesses - instead of a 2 hour line with everyone que'd up - Now some people wont show up in that line till 1030 or 11 - knowing they already have a Fp+ time. It disperses the line.

these are just some thoughts trying to look at the postive and the whys.

fwiw - we are Local residents with Annual passes. We very rarely stay onsite anymore - maybe once every 2yrs or so. I would love to show up at Epcot with FP+ for test track- My 9yr old DD LOVES TestTrack - If we get JUST TestTrack in that day and enjoy the rest of the park - its a win for us. Knowing we Have a FP+ before we walk out the door and being able to plan around that time - is awsome.

TestTrack Fp+ is at 4pm - great lets enter at the World showcase entrance, have some lunch and stroll over to TestTrack from there! Perfect !

I suppose thats why I can understand the value - so many people have the 1 or 2 things that if they can do THAT - and then enjoy the rest of the park. Its a great day. Disney is trying to make the customers that invest the most with them have that 1-3 things that make a great day happen. Huge customer satisfaction - personalized by making everyones 1 thing...come true.

Dreams come true = repeat customers.

~Fabulous post!!! I love it!!! Thanks so much for sharing your brilliant perspective!

 

[WillAustin]

fwiw - we are Local residents with Annual passes. We very rarely stay onsite anymore - maybe once every 2yrs or so. I would love to show up at Epcot with FP+ for test track- My 9yr old DD LOVES TestTrack - If we get JUST TestTrack in that day and enjoy the rest of the park - its a win for us.

Test Track is my 9 year old son's favorite ride. In all our previous trips with the current system, we have been able to ride it 3-4 times in addition to riding everything else, and really never have had to wait more than 15 minutes in any line.

One ride FP and then deciding if we wanted to ride standby to go again is a huge net loss for us.

I see how it will benefit some people, just not our family.

 

[mom2rtk]

Test Track is my 9 year old son's favorite ride. In all our previous trips with the current system, we have been able to ride it 3-4 times in addition to riding everything else, and really never have had to wait more than 15 minutes in any line.

One ride FP and then deciding if we wanted to ride standby to go again is a huge net loss for us.

I see how it will benefit some people, just not our family.

Time to share the ride wealth!

This really is one of the greatest potential downsides of this. And I think they're missing the boat on it. For very person who LOVES Test Track and wants to ride it more than once, there's another person who loves Soarin and would gladly give up some TT Fps to do so.

This just strikes me as arbitrarily limited in the name of "fairness". But that seems to be a trend these days.

 

[Planogirl]

You make alot of really great points. Sounds like a CM?
I have a problem with the choices. In the test phase, they let you choose from lists where you could only choose two of your favs, but maybe all 3 of your favs were on the same list. So in your Family, Johnny gets his dream, Susie gets her dream, but sorry Bobby we couldn't choose yours. Then your choice on the second list is none of the above.

Secondly, when you only go once every few years, you want to have the opportunity to experience ALL of your favs. If you are standing in line for hours because you can't get a FP, you quickly cross some of those things off the list and become a dissatisfied guest.

I think your scenario will work great for you, though.

I agree! Plus what if you have four favorites and they all happen to be popular? If you go during a busy time then you might spend way more time in line than before. WDW is expensive and personally I don't want to spend a lot of the day waiting in line.

As far as getting people to stay at resorts, that is limited too. If all of the resorts fill up then what about those who can't get a room? What about locals and people with large families or pets who for budget reasons stay offsite? And what about those who just don't want to stay onsite? (Said in defiance. )

What if you decide to book a last minute trip? I'm sure that many people do that but you'll likely find the headliner rides all booked up.

 

[issa]

lol I wish I was a CM !

But for now - I am simply a stay at home mom

"So in your Family, Johnny gets his dream, Susie gets her dream, but sorry Bobby we couldn't choose yours. Then your choice on the second list is none of the above."

We dont know what the available "pre" FP+ would be atm - would they be the test list we have seen - or all of them open or limits on which list?

but in the situation you supply - with 3 per day in 1 park - since resort guests are likely to stay multiple days - perhaps you could do 2 magic kingdom days - Or - maybe Johnny's dream is in Epcot on Tuesday - and Susie and bobby are in Magic Kingdom which you visit Wednesday.

I am really looking forward to more concrete information being released

Also I said at the top of my post

Fp stays basically the SAME for all guests - I.e when guests get to the park - they have the same time limits and availability as they do NOW. I did read a post from a blog that said as much ..looking very Disney official - i will try and find it.
So - for those that like to ride Test track 5 times - sure - use your FP+ on Testtrack for lets say 1pm - get there at opening, grab a FP , ride stand by , use your FP, Ride standby, grab ANOTHER FP cause time window is open now, Use your FP+ cause the time slot is open -Heck ride it AGAIn standby and then come back to ride on your Last FP time slot.
Your doing nothing really different then you do now. Your still spending the day at testrack juggling standby and FP times - you just have one additonal FP+ you planned ahead on.

Disney is making a perk for ONSITE guests and limiting them to 3 "pre"FP+- and maximizing the experiences to everything people wait for - Not just rides
but meet and greets, parades, fireworks - these PreFP+'s make the vacation for guests.

Now lets add another twist - what if ONLY resort guests got to choose certain options - lets say the Firework and parade "pre" FP+ option - i.e regular guests can choose FP+ from the Standard selection of current FP options i.e rides. But the perk to have a Firework viewing area or parade area...thats for resort guests. That further thins our the impact of "preFP+" on line ques - because their making the choices to invest in experiences. Its another Perk to staying On site - and takes nothing away from off site because it was a free for all BEFORE the FP+ anyways - its business as usual. Stake out a spot 1 hour ahead.

 

[houseful of boys]

In one of the other threads about fp+, it's been established via video that the 3 fp+ that you can reserve will be available to ALL guests, onsite and off.

 

[Planogirl]

Now lets add another twist - what if ONLY resort guests got to choose certain options - lets say the Firework and parade "pre" FP+ option - i.e regular guests can choose FP+ from the Standard selection of current FP options i.e rides. But the perk to have a Firework viewing area or parade area...thats for resort guests. That further thins our the impact of "preFP+" on line ques - because their making the choices to invest in experiences. Its another Perk to staying On site - and takes nothing away from off site because it was a free for all BEFORE the FP+ anyways - its business as usual. Stake out a spot 1 hour ahead.

I personally believe that offsite guests should have as much access to fireworks and parades as onsite guests. It's one thing to give onsite guests extra hours but I don't agree that it's fair to limit experiences during regular park hours to only certain special people. Those offsite guests have purchased passes too and usually they pay quite a bit to do so.

 

[doconeill]

Also I said at the top of my post

Fp stays basically the SAME for all guests - I.e when guests get to the park - they have the same time limits and availability as they do NOW. I did read a post from a blog that said as much ..looking very Disney official - i will try and find it.

Fastpass stays the same for NOW, as it will take time to make FP+ available to everyone. It is very likely to be phased out completely in favor of FP+.

And the "very official" Disney Terms & Conditions say that once you are converted to FP+, you CANNOT use regular Fastpass - since you will no longer have a ticket to use in the FP machines.

Disney is making a perk for ONSITE guests and limiting them to 3 "pre"FP+- and maximizing the experiences to everything people wait for - Not just rides
but meet and greets, parades, fireworks - these PreFP+'s make the vacation for guests.

This is not a perk for just onsite guests...the video in on of the articles has the SVP in charge of the program stating very specifically that it will be usable by everyone. However, it will be rolled out to onsite guests first and more as they work out the kinks, etc. It will likely take up to a year before total conversion.

Someone somewhere mentioned that guests at BWI might be the first to use it...

 

[Melodious]

I just don't think there will be no fp+ day of. Disney doesn't give out a lot of info because they don't want to be held to anything. But they've stated many times that guests can participate who don't like to plan in advance and people can change selections last minute.

Fp+ is not the whole game. They need as many people as possible to participate in MyMagic+. Thus they don't want people who won't book 60 days in advance to escape the system. There will probably be a push to get guests to sign up, and make fp+, when they get to the park. I think there will have to be some fps left as enticement, even good ones