FP+ is Live! Magic Bands in the park!

[polyfor4]

The BOG fastpass plus for lunch was awesome! We reserved a time for 1:00 and were in and out by 1:30, meanwhile the wait to get in the door was an hour. Definitely made me a believer in fastpass plus. HOWEVER the credit card/ RFID scanners everywhere we checked out were an absolute nightmare. Literally every time I tried to pay either with a credit card or room key never worked and the cast member had to manually swipe my card. Obviously just a glitch but wow 8 days in the park and very rarely did the machines work. Also the touch entries to the park are not yet efficient. Not only do the RFID scanners take too long but many people did not have KTTK and that slowed down the process even more. We had the military salute tickets and therefore could not use RFID so a cast member with an iPad had to scan us in if we were at an RFID entrance. No big deal for us but what a headache for Disney, it looked like unorganized chaos. I went through the gate without having my card scanned and actually had to go back to have them scan me in for the day. I do think fastpass plus will be revolutionary and benefit our trips but they have a long way to go. I have a marketing degree and am still puzzled about how to educate that many guests. If anyone can do it, it's Disney but after seeing the first glimpses of the process in the park, it's going to be years before Disney has this down to a science.

 

[Ferrentinos]

The BOG fastpass plus for lunch was awesome! We reserved a time for 1:00 and were in and out by 1:30, meanwhile the wait to get in the door was an hour. Definitely made me a believer in fastpass plus. HOWEVER the credit card/ RFID scanners everywhere we checked out were an absolute nightmare. Literally every time I tried to pay either with a credit card or room key never worked and the cast member had to manually swipe my card. Obviously just a glitch but wow 8 days in the park and very rarely did the machines work. Also the touch entries to the park are not yet efficient. Not only do the RFID scanners take too long but many people did not have KTTK and that slowed down the process even more. We had the military salute tickets and therefore could not use RFID so a cast member with an iPad had to scan us in if we were at an RFID entrance. No big deal for us but what a headache for Disney, it looked like unorganized chaos. I went through the gate without having my card scanned and actually had to go back to have them scan me in for the day. I do think fastpass plus will be revolutionary and benefit our trips but they have a long way to go. I have a marketing degree and am still puzzled about how to educate that many guests. If anyone can do it, it's Disney but after seeing the first glimpses of the process in the park, it's going to be years before Disney has this down to a science.

I am sure you reported this earlier but this thread is hard to keep up with! When did you receive the FP for BOG? We have been trying for an ADR for months and have lost hope - would love a little pixie dust on our lunch there!!!

 

[doconeill]

I believe BOG fastpass is for concierge level resort guests right now.

As for RFID, the only problems do far was entering the PIN on some of the pinpads...they slide around as you try to enter.

Zero signs of any guest-usable FP+ kiosks at DHS.

 

[jade1]

Universal Studios Preferred Annual Pass (no black out days, which often gives discounts on hotels, gives 10% off food and merch), is $289 and renewal is $189

WDW Annual Pass (no black out days, and often gives discounts on hotels and merch) is $609 and renewal is $563.

True but $199 will buy an ap with hopping and is not a renewal price. Just check when you are going to be sure your ok, it's really just Xmas and Easter, then 1park in July.

 

[polyfor4]

I guess the fastpass plus for BOG lunch was for club level because we were given it at check in. I really underestimated the line for lunch, definitely a need for fastpass plus there. There is a table to check in for it by philharmagic and I noticed they had a stack of reservation cards, it is possible that maybe they randomly hand some out. Also when we checked in to our resort we were told that having the app and checking online can help your chances with being selected to test fastpass plus. It sounded like some people were being invited via online.

 

[WillAustin]

HOWEVER the credit card/ RFID scanners everywhere we checked out were an absolute nightmare. Literally every time I tried to pay either with a credit card or room key never worked and the cast member had to manually swipe my card. Obviously just a glitch but wow 8 days in the park and very rarely did the machines work.

Wow. When we were there at the end of January, they had installed the RFID scanners at several of the CS places. We had trouble paying with the scanners almost every time. I would have thought they'd have that part fixed by now.

Of course, it's probably a different glitch this time.

 

[damo]

True but $199 will buy an ap with hopping and is not a renewal price. Just check when you are going to be sure your ok, it's really just Xmas and Easter, then 1park in July.

Yes, but that is the power pass and it will not get you any discounts or free parking.

With the 40% off of hotel rooms with the Universal Preferred, one short stay will often pay for your pass.

 

[mom2rtk]

We really didn't have any problem with the wait at BOG for lunch in December with on a 9 crowd level day. (The line was long, but it moved very quickly). But I have to say that if the presence of FP+ does to BOG what it did to ETWB (i.e. make the leftover standby line into the ultra-slow standby line) then I'll never have lunch there again. Because I won't give up a ride FP in the MK to do it.

 

[Planogirl]

Fair enough ! It will keep Disney on thier toes if there is some sort of competition in the area. I still don't think we are talking apples to apples when the 2 are compared however.

Nope, you are talking apples and oranges. However it is possible to like both apples and oranges.

I don't begrudge those who prefer WDW over Universal. I understand that because I've been there. We like both plain and simple and I'll just refrain from mentioning which one we prefer.

 

[damo]

Nope, you are talking apples and oranges. However it is possible to like both apples and oranges.

Bingo. We certainly don't want the parks to be the same. It is perfect that they both have their own niches.

 

[Ferrentinos]

I guess the fastpass plus for BOG lunch was for club level because we were given it at check in. I really underestimated the line for lunch, definitely a need for fastpass plus there. There is a table to check in for it by philharmagic and I noticed they had a stack of reservation cards, it is possible that maybe they randomly hand some out. Also when we checked in to our resort we were told that having the app and checking online can help your chances with being selected to test fastpass plus. It sounded like some people were being invited via online.

We are staying CL for the first time next month. Maybe well get lucky!

 

[TreyQ3]

I think everyone should be aware of small sample sizes. Maybe the market is big enough for both of them.

We are at WDW now and are staying at BCR for 7 days. We also stayed at HRH at US/IOA for 3 days at the beginning of this trip. My DS(11) and DS(8) had fun at US/IOA but at the end of 3 days they were ready to go to WDW. This is their 10th trip to Disney (including WDW, DLR, Tokyo and HKG + DCL) so I wouldn't classify their excitement as newbies.

We are DVC members and took advantage of the PAP sale. So for this 12 month period we will be at WDW for 3 weeks. This trip is a tweener trip and we decided to drive for the first time. We are loving the flexibility to drive to different places. But this is also tempered with the 12 hour drive down and back. I'm not sure we will drive again.

At US/IOA we loved the unlimited FOTL passes from staying on property - this was critical for the Memorial Day weekend. The novelty of new rides was nice, but since DW and I both get motion sickness easily we weren't exactly thrilled with them. The boys enjoyed the Simpsons but we were green walking off the ride. FJ is definitely a step above other rides and the roller coasters are on different level. At the end of the trip, we all agreed that this was an every 3+ year experience for us. I don't think we would have gone to US/IOA without already having PAP and making the decision to drive. No way would I have forked out for tickets to both parks.

We are DVC members and have been brainwashed to love all thing Mickey! So far the highlight of the trip for the boys has been SWW. We have also gone to the water parks for the first time. For us this has been a nice mix of old and new. We let our boys help plan the trip and the first rides they chose were POTC and BTMRR. While DS(11) has read the HP books and really enjoyed FJ, he was really ready to go to WDW and ride those rides.

In our opinion, US/IOA is complimentary to WDW. It doesn't compete for my family's $s. Of course YMMV. But I would argue, our feelings are just as correct as your friends or other posters in this thread.

As far as FP+, I'm a half-full kind of guy. I give Disney the benefit of the doubt that this will be better. Maybe it will and maybe it wont. But I'm not going to worry about something that isn't defined yet. We were chosen for a previous FP+ test and didn't have any problems. We just swapped our PAP for the RFID ones and my DS(8) commented that he liked the new way better. So different strokes for different folks. . .

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Wow. When we were there at the end of January, they had installed the RFID scanners at several of the CS places. We had trouble paying with the scanners almost every time. I would have thought they'd have that part fixed by now.

Of course, it's probably a different glitch this time.

We were there 5/9-5/18 and they worked fine. Must be a new glitch.

 

[NickyKnack]

Ok we don't own smart phones or Ipads - does anyone have advice on the cheapest way to stay connected in the parks? I guess Disney is trying to get me to give my money to someone else because it looks like I have no choice but to buy tech I've never wanted and wont really want to use for anything else... but if that's what I have to do to stay "competitive' so be it; and you can bet that money is going to come out of cash I would have spent on stuff at Disney.

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

Ok we don't own smart phones or Ipads - does anyone have advice on the cheapest way to stay connected in the parks? I guess Disney is trying to get me to give my money to someone else because it looks like I have no choice but to buy tech I've never wanted and wont really want to use for anything else... but if that's what I have to do to stay "competitive' so be it; and you can bet that money is going to come out of cash I would have spent on stuff at Disney.

I understand what you are saying. I talked my DH into getting a tablet and signing up for a data plan because of all the new stuff coming to Disney parks. We had been on the fence so this pushed is over. Thing is, we got a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 and THE APP WON'T WORK ON IT!! Beyond annoyed about this. It isn't like we purchased some no name tablet! I don't understand why it won't work. It seems if Disney really wants guest to use this app then they will get it working on ALL devices!! I mean, I can get Angry Birds to work on our tablet and even our Nook tablet but the Disney app...no luck!

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

I believe BOG fastpass is for concierge level resort guests right now.


.

I find that interesting.

We are staying CL for the first time next month. Maybe well get lucky!

Enjoy!

 

[Happy99]

Universal Studios Preferred Annual Pass (no black out days, which often gives discounts on hotels, gives 10% off food and merch), is $289 and renewal is $189

WDW Annual Pass (no black out days, and often gives discounts on hotels and merch) is $609 and renewal is $563.

US 2parks, WDW 4 parks
That has probably something to do with the difference in price too

 

[jade1]

Yes, but that is the power pass and it will not get you any discounts or free parking.

With the 40% off of hotel rooms with the Universal Preferred, one short stay will often pay for your pass.

And that may be the way to go. I was just pointing out to rileygirl that there is a small price increase available for more than 4 days passes.

You can get a 7 day hopper for $199 as long as you don't go Xmas Easter ot July, plus it's good for a year.

Or a 7 day for $289 any time of the year plus discounts like you say isn't bad either, esp if you do a 2nd trip a year later. And renew for $189.

 

[robinbutterfly]

Can someone sum up the Fastpass + and magicbands so I don't have to try to sort through 114 pages.

 

[Robo]

Can someone sum up the Fastpass + and magicbands so I don't have to try to sort through 114 pages.

First thing to know is that neither FP+ or MagicBands are NOT currently available to guests.

Nobody knows anything "for sure."
And, what we do "know" or can piece together from the "moving target of dripped out information"
is confusingly complex enough that it cannot be summed up in just a few words.

But...
HERE and HERE ya go.