Fast passes being enforced

[PeterPanic]

It's not my job or your job to worry about someone else's touring plan. If I get to MK at rope drop and I ride Space and grab a FP. Then my FP window opens at 10, should I look at the people who are walking up Main Street because they're just getting to the park and say "man, I should really hold off getting another FP so these poor saps have a better shot at riding?" It's not my job to worry about what rides the late arrivers want to ride any more than it's your job to judge or police the way I tour. As long as I play by Disney's rules, what does anyone care?

It's your and my worry if we are one of the 16 deprived of a fastpass because one group decides that they should have their share and 16 others. That's all I'm saying.

Standby is always available. Any guest can use standby, at anytime of the day, and are welcome to go standby repeatedly if they choose.

That was exactly the point of my response. If someone wants to ride it multiple times get a fastpass and then use standby for additional rides. That will automatically shorten the standby lines overall because instead of 4 "extra" rides they my cut it down to only a couple. That not only frees up fastpass availability but also speeds up the standby.

It is stuff like this that causes me to hate Fastpass as much as I do. It has caused nothing but frustration to the majority since it was started. And for what? So that a few could be happy. Not a good tradeoff in any business customer service manual.

But you guys are correct, it's not my problem except on the few days a year that I am in the parks. So everyone do your thing.

 

[PeterPanic]

If the axiom of "first-come-first served" for FP was a problem Disney was worried about or wanted to alleviate, Disney could have, at any time in the last decade or so, simply have limited one FP, per attraction, per park ticket, per day.

They didn't.

Robo, that is very true, however, I can't help but think of it as the question of 'where does a 500 lb Gorilla sleep?' The answer, of course, is 'any where it wants'. Fastpass is that Gorilla and any changes will cause an uproar that for years Disney didn't care to correct. Same as use it all day after your window opens became yet another Gorilla. It appears that they tackled that once they had a new system that needed it corrected to make their goals attainable. They didn't care, at that point, whether or not the "guests" were all happy. That's the same reason why they didn't correct this other problem and won't unless it interferes with Disney Company's goals.

 

[fan1080]

It's your and my worry if we are one of the 16 deprived of a fastpass because one group decides that they should have their share and 16 others. That's all I'm saying.

That was exactly the point of my response. If someone wants to ride it multiple times get a fastpass and then use standby for additional rides. That will automatically shorten the standby lines overall because instead of 4 "extra" rides they my cut it down to only a couple. That not only frees up fastpass availability but also speeds up the standby.

It is stuff like this that causes me to hate Fastpass as much as I do. It has caused nothing but frustration to the majority since it was started. And for what? So that a few could be happy. Not a good tradeoff in any business customer service manual.

But you guys are correct, it's not my problem except on the few days a year that I am in the parks. So everyone do your thing.

And my point was that if someone can't get a FP, because someone else got them all before they had a chance to get one, they are welcome to use standby.

FP wasn't perfect, it had issues, Disney knew that and made adjustments along the way.

To say others were deprived is a little over the top. Standby is always an option for everyone, including those who couldn't get a FP.

 

[mom2rtk]

It's your and my worry if we are one of the 16 deprived of a fastpass because one group decides that they should have their share and 16 others. That's all I'm saying.



That was exactly the point of my response. If someone wants to ride it multiple times get a fastpass and then use standby for additional rides. That will automatically shorten the standby lines overall because instead of 4 "extra" rides they my cut it down to only a couple. That not only frees up fastpass availability but also speeds up the standby.

It is stuff like this that causes me to hate Fastpass as much as I do. It has caused nothing but frustration to the majority since it was started. And for what? So that a few could be happy. Not a good tradeoff in any business customer service manual.

But you guys are correct, it's not my problem except on the few days a year that I am in the parks. So everyone do your thing.

Do you not use fastpass? It's available to every single guest in the park, free of charge.

 

[skater]

Standby is always available. Any guest can use standby, at anytime of the day, and are welcome to go standby repeatedly if they choose.

Yes it is, but I'm getting concerned that standby will be less of a decent option if the reports are true about wait times being longer than posted. Who wants to get into a line with a 45 min. wait expectation and lose 2 hours of touring time? If this is a trend, and if it continues, we won't be able to ride much of anything repeatedly. This may be the new reality (hopefully not), but it will be hard to forget about when we had it better.

 

[fan1080]

Yes it is, but I'm getting concerned that standby will be less of a decent option if the reports are true about wait times being longer than posted. Who wants to get into a line with a 45 min. wait expectation and lose 2 hours of touring time? If this is a trend, and if it continues, we won't be able to ride much of anything repeatedly. This may be the new reality (hopefully not), but it will be hard to forget about when we had it better.

Agreed, but there are likely many factors affecting standby lines at the moment. This is obviously a transitioning period, so hopefully Disney works out the kinks.

No one really knows how this stuff is going to finally play out. Disney may not have all the answers right now either. That's likely why they have been running tests and implementing slowly, so they can gauge how it all goes and where changes/adjustments are necessary.

Time will tell.

 

[Missyrose]

It's your and my worry if we are one of the 16 deprived of a fastpass because one group decides that they should have their share and 16 others. That's all I'm saying.

If that person physically blocked you from coming into the park that morning, then yes, they've deprived you of those FPs. If they didn't, why weren't you there to pull the FPs that morning if riding that ride via FP was so important to you?

Complaining that someone is using the system within its rules is just complaining for complaining's sake.

Like Robo has said many, many times on previous FP+ threads: If Disney wanted to limit each guest to one ride on each headliner via FP each day, that could have been an easy fix for them to make.

 

[tiggspring]

I'm curious to see just how much the new system will impact the average visitor. Lets face it the average visitor just shows up ,usually late and thinks they will have fun until the see the lines. When i talk Disny planning most people think its crazy. We always went to our favorite ride got FP rode standby then went to next favorite picked up Fp and rode stand by and saved passed for later. I never felt gulty because if we knew we wouldent get back we would find a family of five that looked like they were about to meltdown and surprise them with our. FP. Talk about magical moments . Now I will be able to book our FP months out which will be great for us. I have Fibromyalgia so I have to plan to survive but lets face it you get more for your money when you plan evrything in advance. I think that average clueless visitor WILL LOSE. There is no learning curve. You either know 180 days out or you dont uses FP much like the average visitor has a hell of a time getting a sit down meal without a crazy wait.

 

[mesaboy2]

I'm curious to see just how much the new system will impact the average visitor. Lets face it the average visitor just shows up ,usually late and thinks they will have fun until the see the lines. When i talk Disny planning most people think its crazy. We always went to our favorite ride got FP rode standby then went to next favorite picked up Fp and rode stand by and saved passed for later. I never felt gulty because if we knew we wouldent get back we would find a family of five that looked like they were about to meltdown and surprise them with our. FP. Talk about magical moments . Now I will be able to book our FP months out which will be great for us. I have Fibromyalgia so I have to plan to survive but lets face it you get more for your money when you plan evrything in advance. I think that average clueless visitor WILL LOSE. There is no learning curve. You either know 180 days out or you dont uses FP much like the average visitor has a hell of a time getting a sit down meal without a crazy wait.

 

[skater]

Agreed, but there are likely many factors affecting standby lines at the moment. This is obviously a transitioning period, so hopefully Disney works out the kinks.

No one really knows how this stuff is going to finally play out. Disney may not have all the answers right now either. That's likely why they have been running tests and implementing slowly, so they can gauge how it all goes and where changes/adjustments are necessary.

Time will tell.

I really hope they do work out the kinks. I love Disney mostly due to nostalgia and the wonderful memories we've made there. Its a special place and nobody else comes close. I want this to work. Based on what I've been reading, my trust level is a little low right now. It would be a shame for someone's once in a lifetime trip to be marred by Disney working out the kinks.

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

I'm curious to see just how much the new system will impact the average visitor. Lets face it the average visitor just shows up ,usually late and thinks they will have fun until the see the lines. When i talk Disny planning most people think its crazy. We always went to our favorite ride got FP rode standby then went to next favorite picked up Fp and rode stand by and saved passed for later. I never felt gulty because if we knew we wouldent get back we would find a family of five that looked like they were about to meltdown and surprise them with our. FP. Talk about magical moments . Now I will be able to book our FP months out which will be great for us. I have Fibromyalgia so I have to plan to survive but lets face it you get more for your money when you plan evrything in advance. I think that average clueless visitor WILL LOSE. There is no learning curve. You either know 180 days out or you dont uses FP much like the average visitor has a hell of a time getting a sit down meal without a crazy wait.

I also agree. And although I firmly believe that Disney can do what they want with their FPs, it bugs me that it appears that are trying to limit our family (that takes the time to be informed, be there at rope drop and spend more time in the park) and save them for families that aren't willing to do the same. I once travelled with my DB's family and gave my sister-in-law my Disney planning book and told her she just needed to get an idea which rides were most important for their family to do. We hit the parks the first day and she looked at me and said "where should go?". When I asked what they wanted to ride, she had no idea! I had to fight the whole day trying to get them to understand it was not the best way to tour to just stop at the first ride you get and move around the park. They knew they needed to be informed and just decided not to do it. They have another trip planned for fall of this year (without our family!!! ) and they will make no more plans than they did before. There is NO WAY they will be setting up FP+'s 60 days out. No matter how many times I tell them they need to. I wonder what families like this will find when they hit the park.

 

[fan1080]

I really hope they do work out the kinks. I love Disney mostly due to nostalgia and the wonderful memories we've made there. Its a special place and nobody else comes close. I want this to work. Based on what I've been reading, my trust level is a little low right now. It would be a shame for someone's once in a lifetime trip to be marred by Disney working out the kinks.

Wow, you sound exactly like myself, I could have written those same 2 lines!

From travelling as a kid with my family, to my Disneymoon, to the multiple trips I've had with my wife and daughters, nothing can compare!

 

[mom2rtk]

I think Disney is planning to "deal" with "low information" visitors with their quick pick system.

I'm not as convinced it will actually accomplish what they want though, and expect to see a fairly high no-show rate. Which will be fine once they quantify it and offer enough FP+ slots to compensate. Those going during the roll-out period are the ones who will likely get the short end of this stick.

 

[UNCFanatik]

I'm curious to see just how much the new system will impact the average visitor. Lets face it the average visitor just shows up ,usually late and thinks they will have fun until the see the lines. When i talk Disny planning most people think its crazy. We always went to our favorite ride got FP rode standby then went to next favorite picked up Fp and rode stand by and saved passed for later. I never felt gulty because if we knew we wouldent get back we would find a family of five that looked like they were about to meltdown and surprise them with our. FP. Talk about magical moments . Now I will be able to book our FP months out which will be great for us. I have Fibromyalgia so I have to plan to survive but lets face it you get more for your money when you plan evrything in advance. I think that average clueless visitor WILL LOSE. There is no learning curve. You either know 180 days out or you dont uses FP much like the average visitor has a hell of a time getting a sit down meal without a crazy wait.

First off, you violated the terms of the FPs. They are not transferable. Not up to you or anyone else to act as a distribution point for FPs.

As for why Disney didnt make any changes to the FP system, that is mere speculation. It could be based on several factors. Keep in mind that the My Magic + initiative was years in the making. They may have wanted to make changes with the FP system but waited because of the whole FP overhaul as part of the My Magic+ program. Again, Disney may seen problems that they wanted to correct with FP but just waited.

And it is too early to tell how the average "clueless" visitor will be affected because FP+ hasnt even been rolled out yet and already we are seeing conflicting reports on how it will function.

 

[wannabemini]

Holy Mickey Ears! You mean they've started turning you away if you got fast passes for 10:00-10:30 and you come back at 10:50?? What if you were stuck in a line somewhere? Or stuck eating? That really stinks!! We used to get FPs knowing we could ride later, as long as it was after the first time on the FP.

Phooey! Do the new touring plans take this little kink into account now??

 

[rastuso]

Wow, this is a great thread, and the anti FP+ posts aren't being removed like another site.

The clueless guest issue is the HUGE wildcard in all this. Will Disney automatically sign guests up for FP+, if they don't do it themselves? They should, to try and make them happy, since they can always change it, when they finally DO get a clue.

The one thing this is defintely going to do is ruin the experience that the EE fan, and myself, and many others were used to having. A day of E ticket rides with FPs. With FP+, it really is looking like we will ALL have a ONE E ticket FP day, and be in standby for all the others.

Yes, this levels the playing field, socialism for E ticket lines, if you will. The person showing up at noon will get just as many E ticket FPs as I do, showing up 30 minutes before RD, and knowing the system liket he back of my hand. The thing is, that doesnt' make the clueless perons happier, becuase they were ignorant to the whole issue to begin with. But it DOES really upset anyone who knew how to use the FP system to its fulles. You know, the ones that some say are abusers.

But the truely clueless Grand Floridian guest will have a horrible day, since they will be waiting in long lines for everything, even though they are paying through the nose. This is why I ultimately beleive FP+ will vary drastically based on resort level. And I could even see GF guests getting text alerts if an E ticket FP that they want is now available if they want to change their schedule.

I cancelled our plans to visit this year. There are simply too many questions, and as it looks, FP+ is going to make our standard visit a part of Yesterland. And I'm not paying $85 a day to get one E ticket, and then wait in 60 minute plus lines for all the other ones. Not with the Hard Rock Hotel just down the road, and it's associated perks.

I just hope MNSSHP remains FP/FP+ free. It will truly be the Nirvana of MK visiting opportunities. Hell, we may do weekend trips to Florida JUST for MNSSHP, if FP+ does what it looks like it will be doing.

One other observation about the EE FPs. I'm surprised you could do this. There is/was a little known FP rule that you could NOT get an FP for a ride that you had an FP for already, if the start time of that FP hasn't arrived yet. My guess is these FPs are from a slow day, or that rule would have triggered. It took a CM a VERY long time to describe the rule to me at TDL when I was trying to get a second Pooh FP hours before the one in my hand was usable.

FP+ is NOT designed to increase the average Disboarder's visit to WDW fun factor. Many folks see this already. Some are apparently not smart enough to see through the PR fog. It seems to be a big intelligence test for WDW visitors. If the rollout proves the average guest is a moron, and happy with one E ticket FP a day, then that's what the new norm will be.

Visiting the DMV, and watching recent elections makes me quite confident that single E ticket FP days will be the norm from here on out.

-R

 

[Robo]

Holy Mickey Ears!

1- You mean they've started turning you away if you got fast passes for 10:00-10:30 and you come back at 10:50??

2- What if you were stuck in a line somewhere? Or stuck eating?

3- That really stinks!! We used to get FPs knowing we could ride later, as long as it was after the first time on the FP.

Phooey!

4- Do the new touring plans take this little kink into account now??

1- Yup. (Actually the window in your example would be 9:30-10:30- always one hour.)

2- Certain KINDS of delays may (or may not) figure into that cut-off
but, in general, you must return within the posted one-hour window.

3- Many agree. (Some, however, think it's just peachy.)
The enforced one-hour window is price of adding the "new improved" system.

4- Some do. All WILL, very soon.

 

[wannabemini]

Not the answer I wanted, lol--but good to have the info! And love the way you numbered & answered! Cracked me up!

Thanks again!!

 

[fan1080]

There is/was a little known FP rule that you could NOT get an FP for a ride that you had an FP for already, if the start time of that FP hasn't arrived yet. -R

The rule is/was:

You can get another FP when:

1. Your current FP window opens.
or
2. 2 hours from the time you received your current FP.

Which ever was the sooner of those times.

And,

Sometimes, much earlier than 2 hours too. FP's sometimes had a quick return time, much less than 2 hours. Not sure if this happened at EE, but for sure rules 1 and 2 above always applied.

Just applying rules 1 and 2:

If a guest was there at rope drop for 8am, get a FP by 8:15, next would be available at 10:15, then 12:15, 2:15, 4:15. Plenty of time to collect 5 FPs.

 

[mom2rtk]

If a guest was there at rope drop for 8am, get a FP by 8:15, next would be available at 10:15, then 12:15, 2:15, 4:15. Plenty of time to collect 5 FPs.

Sort of hard to do if you're in bed sleeping though.