Any new news about fast pass plus?

[doconeill]

A new wdwmagic article posted today. Basically, while they claim "source familiar to the situation", it looks like a summary of stuff we know already.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/other/mymag...ll-work-when-it-goes-live-later-this-year.htm (this was also posted up in TPAS, and I'm sure someone else will post a new thread with it, but it's here as it's pertinent to this conversation and I posted it first so there! )

Yeah...nothing new, and a few old items from the T&C that aren't in the latest revision, like AP holders needing to hold on to the ticket card for discounts.

About the only real new thing is that they say parking booths will have touchpoints - so that looks like it will be one of the "features" of the bands - parking entitlements. That should settle some issues.

 

[dwheaton]

And disney painted themselves in a bit of a corner regarding charges, because when disney first unveiled this new magic band/fastpass plus system in jan/feb, a congressman sent an aggressive letter with all sorts of questions/allegations about privacy rights, etc (and other issues relating to the system), but disney shot right back with an aggressive response. But one of the questions was whether disney would be charging for the fastpass plus, and disney said no- and was pretty unequivocal. They may try to "wiggle" around their response in the future (eg, maybe some basic level will be "free", but charge extra for more/better service) but I assume they do not want to be accused of lying to congress - I was actually a bit surprised at the directness of the response at that particular question.

Good points about the situation with the congressman. I think the more likely scenario is that Disney will offer perks to resort guests and have tiers based on where you stay. It will technically be free since there's no charge, but paying more for hotels will lead to better perks.

 

[doconeill]

And disney painted themselves in a bit of a corner regarding charges, because when disney first unveiled this new magic band/fastpass plus system in jan/feb, a congressman sent an aggressive letter with all sorts of questions/allegations about privacy rights, etc (and other issues relating to the system), but disney shot right back with an aggressive response. But one of the questions was whether disney would be charging for the fastpass plus, and disney said no- and was pretty unequivocal. They may try to "wiggle" around their response in the future (eg, maybe some basic level will be "free", but charge extra for more/better service) but I assume they do not want to be accused of lying to congress - I was actually a bit surprised at the directness of the response at that particular question.

I seriously doubt that if they decided to change it, that congress would call them out for lying. It hadn't been implemented yet. And I really don't know what purpose the question served - is tracking our movements and using our personal data somehow better if we were paying for it?

The whole thing with the congressman - which in my opinion was nothing more than an election ploy (and he's local to me and I might have voted for him if I had the time to get to the polls), and served no other real purpose.

 

[vbmom40]

My Family will be going to DL in December do the new fast passes apply to the DL resort or are they for WDW only?

 

[doconeill]

My Family will be going to DL in December do the new fast passes apply to the DL resort or are they for WDW only?

They have not announced plans to use this at DL - yet.

 

[jimsanfilippo]

Good points about the situation with the congressman. I think the more likely scenario is that Disney will offer perks to resort guests and have tiers based on where you stay. It will technically be free since there's no charge, but paying more for hotels will lead to better perks.

But there is absolutely nothing stopping Disney from changing their minds about it being free in a few years. It's not like they'll have congressional hearings if they decide to start charging. Disney wouldn't have misled congress, they would just have changed direction after reviewing how it has worked for a while. I can see them beginning to charge for it for people staying off-property down the road.

 

[NicoleK1974]

~I doubt if you are still following this thread, but I like really like this post, so I will quote you again.

~Currently, there is another FP+ test underway at WDW, for guests staying at AKL, except this time it's with the Magic Bands. What's so funny is a poster described her experience and it was so similar to yours and the other reviews I've encountered. The poster said she felt just like a VIP, too!

~Anyway, by her accounts the test is going very smoothly and she is having a fabulous time, so hopefully this will be a sign of things to come!!! So get ready for 2014, it will be here before you know it!

I just came back as we are planning our next UNEXPECTED trip!

I would love if it rolled out my Halloween when we are going to be there!

BTW: to anyone I confused by saying it saved me over 1/2 a day just from the Toy Story FP+, I meant just having that issue alone solved saved me a 1/2 day.

We also FP+ for Little Mermaid and....I think it might have been Disney Jr. Show....

But we were at HS a total of about 4 hours to do everything we wanted and also to eat, whereas if we didn't have the FP+, it would have been al ALL DAY at HS just kinda waiting in lines and wandering around waiting for FP times, getting pushed and shoved at rope drop, the hassle of all that, etc.

So instead of getting up at the crack of dawn just to grab a FP for TS, we were able to do other thing we wanted until about 1:00 in the afternoon.

 

[beer dave]

This is what I was expecting. A little planning and a lot of available time.

 

[f19810]

I just came back as we are planning our next UNEXPECTED trip!




So instead of getting up at the crack of dawn just to grab a FP for TS, we were able to do other thing we wanted until about 1:00 in the afternoon.

Now you will have to get up at the crack of dawn to reserve your fastpass+ for TSM. With fastpass+ you may get up at the crack of dawn and not be able to get your fastpass. At least with the current system, if you get up at the crack of dawn to get to DHS, you KNOW that you will get the fastpass. I can't get some ADRs at 180 days, now I have to worry about this.

 

[Pick-A-Lilys]

Well...I'm sure I'm in the minority, but this is WAY too much planning for me for a leisurely vacation. I'm ok with scheduling where I have dining reservations...but scheduling Fastpasses....nope...bad idea.

 

[tmadden]

I don't like how Disney is putting all the headliner attractions in the same group. Expect this @ Hollywood Studios & EPCOT also
Before Leaving Home

Randomly selected guests who booked Disney’s Magical Express as part of their vacation were selected for the test. About a week before they were scheduled to arrive at Disney World, they received a package at home that included the new FastPass Plus cards (embedded with RFID technology) and instructions on selecting four experiences. The mailing showed these lists:

Select two experiences from this group:

The Barnstormer
Celebrate A Dream Come True Parade
Dumbo The Flying Elephant (which already has a queueless waiting system)
Haunted Mansion
Jungle Cruise
The Many Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh
Mickey’s PhilharMagic
Town Square Theater: Meet Mickey & Minnie

And also: Select two experiences from this group:

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Main Street Electrical Parade
Peter Pan’s Flight
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Town Square Theater: Meet The Disney Princesses
Wishes Nighttime Spectacular

I think it is interesting that several of the experiences were not attractions at all but shows and parades. Historically FastPass has not been available for these events. Disney has reportedly done tests of reserved seating for parades and fireworks shows (Source). I do like this idea, since to get a decent viewing spot you normally have to camp out an hour or more in advance. Also, I saw a roped off viewing area for the Main Street Electrical Parade directly in front of Cinderella Castle. I thought it was unusual, and assumed it was for VIPs for handicapped access. But it may well have been part of the FastPass Plus test – for those who scheduled the parade experience in a advance, they could go to the reserved viewing spot and get good seat without a long wait.

 

[DocWes]

So instead of getting up at the crack of dawn just to grab a FP for TS, we were able to do other thing we wanted until about 1:00 in the afternoon.

I think this is exactly what Disney is trying to do. Free up time and improve the experience so you will be happier, spend more and come back.

Being a Disney newbie last year, we found it overwhelming trying to rush around for FPs and then sometimes having times that were many hours later in the day. I might be in the minority on the Dis boards but I think the FP+ will in the end make for more relaxing trips with more quality time and less wasted time.

 

[doconeill]

I don't like how Disney is putting all the headliner attractions in the same group. Expect this @ Hollywood Studios & EPCOT also
Before Leaving Home

Randomly selected guests who booked Disney’s Magical Express as part of their vacation were selected for the test. About a week before they were scheduled to arrive at Disney World, they received a package at home that included the new FastPass Plus cards (embedded with RFID technology) and instructions on selecting four experiences. The mailing showed these lists:

Select two experiences from this group:

The Barnstormer
Celebrate A Dream Come True Parade
Dumbo The Flying Elephant (which already has a queueless waiting system)
Haunted Mansion
Jungle Cruise
The Many Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh
Mickey’s PhilharMagic
Town Square Theater: Meet Mickey & Minnie

And also: Select two experiences from this group:

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Main Street Electrical Parade
Peter Pan’s Flight
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Town Square Theater: Meet The Disney Princesses
Wishes Nighttime Spectacular

I think it is interesting that several of the experiences were not attractions at all but shows and parades. Historically FastPass has not been available for these events. Disney has reportedly done tests of reserved seating for parades and fireworks shows (Source). I do like this idea, since to get a decent viewing spot you normally have to camp out an hour or more in advance. Also, I saw a roped off viewing area for the Main Street Electrical Parade directly in front of Cinderella Castle. I thought it was unusual, and assumed it was for VIPs for handicapped access. But it may well have been part of the FastPass Plus test – for those who scheduled the parade experience in a advance, they could go to the reserved viewing spot and get good seat without a long wait.

That article (found here) is ANCIENT information and has no bearing on anything tested in the last couple months or upcoming tests.

The article has no obvious date (a pet peeve for sites that post "news"), but it was actually posted in September.