BIG change to FP+ today

[wisblue]

I wonder how many pre booked FP are going to go to waste (even though I know there will be somebody in the standby line to take their place)? Will missed FP times be dealt with like missed ADRs?

I'm sure there will be a lot, just like a number of paper FPs go to waste now. I'm also sure that Disney will have a pretty good handle on this and will overbook to try to get the number of riders through the FP lines that they want.

Because there is no marginal revenue loss associated with missing a ride time, there is no need to charge someone for a no show.

 

[robpa]

And nowhere will the description of FP+ say oh by the way if you want a FP+ for TSMM or the Mine Coaster you better be staying onsite and schedule exactly 60 days out, perhaps deep into your +10.

And what you are proposing is really just a complete rollout of the new DAS system, but to all guests. I'll go out on a limb and say "mark my words.... not gonna happen."

I agree, there won't be very much left for same day. There can only be so many fastpasses available per ride per day, the popular ones will be eaten up 60 days in advance and you thought it was hard to get a TSMM legacy fastpass before it will be darn near impossible if they even have a same day fastpass system. There will be far fewer same day available.

 

[Planogirl]

I actually might just pick one of the other choices in tier one if I had access. The Illuminations FP+ looks appealing. It's weird to see Maelstrom in that group.

So what does everyone think the phrase "mark my words" means? Dictionary.com defines it as "Pay attention to what I say, as in Mark my words, that man is not to be trusted".

I'll just add that I think that there might just be other changes to the FP+ rules. It would be possible to include the offsite people in prebooking (you must buy passes from Disney and you have to specify dates) but they probably won't go there. I don't know where they'll go with this but I don't believe that they'll take a chance on upsetting so many people by making it hard to ride headliners.

Maybe I'm being too positive now...

 

[jade1]

People who want to sleep in would still get to do at least one major attraction at a park, which is one more than they can do now at a busy time of the year.

100%

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

Why is it that SB lines are just fine for those of us that have concerns about FP+ and our ability to ride the headliners but apparently isn't good enough for those that wish to sleep in and get to the park after lunch? We keep getting told that no one is taking rides away from us because we can always get in the SB line. And then we are told that it wasn't really fair that those RDers were getting "all" the FPs for the headliners leaving those that slept in to only having the option of using the SB line.

 

[Sheilby]

I wonder how many pre booked FP are going to go to waste (even though I know there will be somebody in the standby line to take their place)? Will missed FP times be dealt with like missed ADRs?

A lot of FP+ times probably go to waste, probably even more than FP- times since those could at least be easily handed off. If MDE is being finicky (when isn't it?) and they can't make their window, I'm sure a lot just abandon it. No need to deal with it like an ADR though, it doesn't cost them anything and they will probably over book the slots once they get a feel for the % of no-shows they get.

Tonight my friend abandoned all her FP+s, her flight arrived late, then there was a problem with her reservation, and when she got to her room at SSR it was smelled of mold and her husband and son started reacting so they had to move. After all the time I spent on the phone with IT straightening out her FPs, she didn't even get to use her Soarin, TT or Maelstrom FP+.

Why is it that SB lines are just fine for those of us that have concerns about FP+ and our ability to ride the headliners but apparently isn't good enough for those that wish to sleep in and get to the park after lunch? We keep getting told that no one is taking rides away from us because we can always get in the SB line. And then we are told that it wasn't really fair that those RDers were getting "all" the FPs for the headliners leaving those that slept in to only having the option of using the SB line.

Don't go using your logic around here missy

 

[Angel Ariel]

That was my point. It is no more elitist than what Universal is doing, and there are plenty of people here who are saying that FP+ is going to cause them to cancel their Disney vacations and spend a week at Universal instead because they can get FOTL passes there.

At Universal you can get an advantage over everyone else either by staying in one of their hotels or by shelling out extra money (and during busy periods that extra money is sizeable).

The difference, IMO, is that universal went to a paid FP system not long after introducing it in the first place. Disney has offered it for free for everyone for over a decade. If Disney had made it a paid feature when universal did, I don't think it would be as much of an issue for as many people as it would be now.

 

[disneyerin]

 

[disneyerin]

It's not a glitch unfortunately. I think Disney is trying to test all their options before a full roll out. One attraction they did not put on the tier 1 lost was mission space. I believe Disney is going to figure out that there needs to be some perk whether it depends on which hotel you stay on property or off or even if you pay to get more. One thing that is good about this is it's only at Epcot it's not everyday it's only on certain dates of November @Epcyclopedia: Test Dates: November 4, 8, 11, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29 Dec 1, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 16, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29
This is still only a test it can still be changed I just think Disney is weighing all of the options out there.

We're going on Dec 17th and 21st and were only given one choice......
Oh well.....

 

[nugov2]

The difference, IMO, is that universal went to a paid FP system not long after introducing it in the first place. Disney has offered it for free for everyone for over a decade. If Disney had made it a paid feature when universal did, I don't think it would be as much of an issue for as many people as it would be now.

I think this is WDW way of transitioning there system over to that, but are trying to do it in a way where it is still free, but not really. This will cause less upset guests if it still appears to be free or if you stay on site in a deluxe is basically free. First roll out FP+...give a few in the testing. Then roll out to resorts where each level gets a different amount and then off site non resort guests get a couple if you purchase a MB. Then you can buy an additional FP+ for 9.99-14.99 each varying by season! Poof they now have a system in place similar to universal. An offsite person 3 or 4 extra FP+ per ride and they have an extra $135 per family of 4 per day. Not quite as high at the universal system, but still money in their pocket either way and it doesn't cause the outrage of just of a switch from free to paid.

I only read a few posts on this thread so if this has been posted sorry....I just can't invest that much time at this late hour

 

[wisblue]

Why is it that SB lines are just fine for those of us that have concerns about FP+ and our ability to ride the headliners but apparently isn't good enough for those that wish to sleep in and get to the park after lunch? We keep getting told that no one is taking rides away from us because we can always get in the SB line. And then we are told that it wasn't really fair that those RDers were getting "all" the FPs for the headliners leaving those that slept in to only having the option of using the SB line.

We are park opening people ourselves, so I don't have any sympathy for people who like to sleep in. In fact, I love them because they keep the parks from getting too crowded too early.

But, I'm trying to look at this from the standpoint of Disney, who is trying to appeal to as many people as possible, not just those willing to get up early on their vacations.

 

[Mad Hattered]

But, I'm trying to look at this from the standpoint of Disney, who is trying to appeal to as many people as possible, not just those willing to get up early on their vacations.

The real World is made up of a whole bunch of places that you don't have to get up early. But bass do bite better in the morning.

 

[Planogirl]

Why is it that SB lines are just fine for those of us that have concerns about FP+ and our ability to ride the headliners but apparently isn't good enough for those that wish to sleep in and get to the park after lunch? We keep getting told that no one is taking rides away from us because we can always get in the SB line. And then we are told that it wasn't really fair that those RDers were getting "all" the FPs for the headliners leaving those that slept in to only having the option of using the SB line.

I agree! Also, how many times have we seen people post that no one used to get fastpasses at all and therefore it was no big deal to get none now?

 

[Planogirl]

I think this is WDW way of transitioning there system over to that, but are trying to do it in a way where it is still free, but not really. This will cause less upset guests if it still appears to be free or if you stay on site in a deluxe is basically free. First roll out FP+...give a few in the testing. Then roll out to resorts where each level gets a different amount and then off site non resort guests get a couple if you purchase a MB. Then you can buy an additional FP+ for 9.99-14.99 each varying by season! Poof they now have a system in place similar to universal. An offsite person 3 or 4 extra FP+ per ride and they have an extra $135 per family of 4 per day. Not quite as high at the universal system, but still money in their pocket either way and it doesn't cause the outrage of just of a switch from free to paid.

I only read a few posts on this thread so if this has been posted sorry....I just can't invest that much time at this late hour

I would pay extra money to get fastpasses but Disney won't take it! I personally would rather do that then get nothing at all or have to wait until day of visit to see what's left.

At Universal I would get express for virtually every ride or of course unlimited express if we pay the big bucks. However, it's really not necessary unless you visit during a busy time or at least that has been our experience. That is, unless Disney drives too many people to Universal. Please don't do that!

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

I agree! Also, how many times have we seen people post that no one used to get fastpasses at all and therefore it was no big deal to get none now?

OR the ones that only travel during non peak season, take 3 or 4 trips a year or spend 10 to 14 days in the parks each trip telling those with concerns that FP+ is no big deal and we should just be happy to be at Disney because it isn't all about the rides. Sure when you get to go to Epcot 6 to 8 times in a year it isn't a big deal if you don't get to ride your favorite. But you would think they would understand that isn't the majority of Disney's guest. Our family gets 1 day in each park each year and we must travel during summer time. And even we are lucky because many get 1 or 2 days in each park in a lifetime.

 

[monty]

A couple of things I am confused about. Apologies if this has already been covered in this thread.


We haven't been to WDW for 5 years but the last time we went we were at DHS at rope drop and I waited in line for at least 30mins. for a FP for TSM and then getting into line to ride it which was like a 90min. wait already at 9.30am. I think all the FP's were gone well before 10am. Isn't that more or less comparable to as it is now? Has the inability to get FP's on the day really changed that much? I seem to remember similar times with Soarin'.

I also seem to remember when I first started reading about FP+, people who were testing were reporting that they were able to pick from groups in MK which sounds like what they are testing at Epcot now.

 

[Mad Hattered]

We haven't been to WDW for 5 years but the last time we went we were at DHS at rope drop and I waited in line for at least 30mins. for a FP for TSM and then getting into line to ride it which was like a 90min. wait already at 9.30am. I think all the FP's were gone well before 10am. Isn't that more or less comparable to as it is now?

TSMM opened 5 years ago in 2008. It was new and that is pretty much the only reason your situation would be comparable to what is going on now. There aren't enough attractions in DHS, EPCOT or AK to fill the void. That is the problem.

 

[basas]

Not a Fastpass+ fan, but I thought "tiering" the system was always part of the plan? Of course everyone would like Fastpass+ for all of the headliners, but it isn’t possible (maybe now when the 'test' is limited, but not eventually) - the capacity of the attractions is still limited and why do you think they went and added FP+ to a million attractions that didn’t need it? So people can feel like they’re “getting something” when in reality the attraction rarely has a wait (or until now rarely had a wait...).

 

[basas]

BTW- Toy Story Mania at Calfornia Adventure? No Fastpass and rarely a wait more than 45-50 minutes. The situation at WDW is ridiculous. If Disney were smart they would remove FP/FP+ from that ride and make everybody wait standby.

 

[Bee2u]

My other pet peeve is gif signatures.

I'll take that under advisement.

But I love your giraffe gif! It makes me smile every time I see it.