My husband didn't believe me about FP+

[Mkrop]

How is it even possible that all the FP+ slots could be locked up when you logged in the second your window opened? It has to mean that some software-savvy cheats (and yes, I have no problem calling a spade a spade in this case) are gaming the system. And what does it mean when Disney can compensate you by giving you the FP+ reservations when you call to complain? It means that they hold some of them back, probably because they know full well that some people are gaming the system.

This system should not be a crapshoot. Worse, it should definitely not be a rigged carny game. And if Disney becomes aware that certain unscrupulous people are gaming their software, it would be high time to cancel their MDE accounts and freeze them out of the FP+ system. Or are they going to let the cheats just keep shafting the rest of us?

1. My response is "60 days, plus length of stay."
2. It does not "have to mean software-savvy cheats..."

Yes I would agree with Robo, we assumed it was people who had vacation days starting before us who gobbled up the FP+. They did tell him on the phone that they do hold back FPs for 30days and 7 days, but I am not sure I buy that, but that is what they told him

 

[Robo]

Yes I would agree with Robo, we assumed it was people who had vacation days starting before us who gobbled up the FP+. They did tell him on the phone that they do hold back FPs for 30days and 7 days, but I am not sure I buy that, but that is what they told him

The phone CMs have no insider knowledge about park operations and FP.

And, from what we do know from so many, many reports here, there seem to be no regular FP+ "hold-backs."

 

[3DisneyFanz]

Everyone using the system has been in the hole since day one. Since there is always someone checking in ahead of you there are always people with a better chance than you to get a FP. Unless you've been living in a resort for the past few years you'll never be the first person to get a chance at a FP.

 

[3DisneyFanz]

If by FP+ you could be shut out of getting a FastPass to A&E 60 days in advance, then by FP-, you could be shut out of getting a FastPass to A&E by not getting there first thing in the morning. (We all know if SDMT was under FP-, the tickets would be gone in the first hour.)
Both have their pros and cons. In either case, if you get so shut out, you can wait standby.
FP+ just changes when you attempt to get them. With FP-, you'd get them first thing in the morning. Now, you get them the day before, or 30 days before, or 60 days before at your discretion.



I do agree with you there, FP- was a simpler system. But in the way that using a pen and paper is simpler than using a computer. Simpler -- not necessarily better.



Exactly. It's just a different line. It's a line we can wait in at home, before our trip, instead of at the parks during vacation.



I didn't see that in my experience. We rode as much under FP+ as FP-. The lines were not particularly longer. Figment did have a 20 min wait early in the day, but we Fast Passed it... so it was actually shorter. Then later in the day there was no wait.



There are varying reasons to install / not install it at other parks. The biggest difference is that WDW caters to vacationers who plan to visit months in advance, but Disneyland is predominantly a locals park and for ppl who visit LA and do DL for a day or two. If FP+ goes to Disneyland, it may have some different functionality to accommodate their guests.

Seeing the use of a FP for Figment as a positive is proof that Disney knew people would just be happy with something which is why they added it to so many things that never needed it before creating SB lines where none existed before.

 

[grimley1968]

I didn't see that in my experience. We rode as much under FP+ as FP-. The lines were not particularly longer. Figment did have a 20 min wait early in the day, but we Fast Passed it... so it was actually shorter. Then later in the day there was no wait.

about the bolded.

Never in my experience of going to EPCOT since right after it opened all the way to October 2013, and riding the various incarnations of Figment, have I seen more than a 5 minute-wait for this ride. Not once. A 20-minute wait for Figment at any time of day, IMO, is proof positive of what Flicx was saying about secondary (and tertiary) rides seeing longer lines under the FP+ system. That seems particularly longer to me.

EPCOT and DHS are exposed by any type of ride-rationing system due to their lack of attractions. FP+ seems to expose that lack of attractions in these parks more than legacy FP ever did.

 

[MrInfinity]

about the bolded. Never in my experience of going to EPCOT since right after it opened all the way to October 2013, and riding the various incarnations of Figment, have I seen more than a 5 minute-wait for this ride.

Well, good! It was around 20 min when we encountered it in 2010 and 2012. Been going to Epcot since right after it opened too. Don't get me wrong, I did not say the wait was "always this" or "always that"... Figment was quite varied in my experience. You hit it between 10 and 12, it's busy, but you come back a couple hours later, it's cleared out. I don't find that to be different now, with the exception that between 9 and 12 we'll have Fast Passes to it.

EPCOT and DHS are exposed by any type of ride-rationing system due to their lack of attractions. FP+ seems to expose that lack of attractions in these parks more than legacy FP ever did.

Sure, it makes it pretty clear. I thought DHS was light on non-show type attractions under FP-, and it still is. It's our least favorite of the 4 parks. As you know, the TSMM vs RnR tier choice is a simple matter of capacity, but it was no better under FP-, because the same capacity existed then... it was just easier to pull multiples at the expense of other guests. That is not really "better" in my opinion.

The capacity will be different once TSL and SWL open up and the most desired rides effectively double. Epcot, doesn't really bother me as much as it seems to bother you. We love Soarin and Test Track, and despite frequent mocking, Figment. For a family with little ones, Figment has one of the catchiest tunes and best wow-moments at the end. But that's an aside. For us, a couple days in Epcot are a given. You've got Soarin, TT, SE, MS, LWTL, Figment as just the rides (eventually, Frozen), plus a world of depth in the World Showcase (DHS in comparison, has around the same # of rides but lacks this entire other section). Phineas and Ferb quests keep our kids running around for hours. We have custom T-Shirts, including our Fast-Pass-Inator. For as much as I love FP+, even I enjoy the satire that is playing on the love/hate that exists regarding FP+.

 

[itchin2go]

Never in my experience of going to EPCOT since right after it opened all the way to October 2013, and riding the various incarnations of Figment, have I seen more than a 5 minute-wait for this ride. Not once. A 20-minute wait for Figment at any time of day, IMO, is proof positive of what Flicx was saying about secondary (and tertiary) rides seeing longer lines under the FP+ system. That seems particularly longer to me.

ITA. I've said it before, but it was rare for us to even have anyone on the ride with us.

 

[GaryDis]

about the bolded.

Never in my experience of going to EPCOT since right after it opened all the way to October 2013, and riding the various incarnations of Figment, have I seen more than a 5 minute-wait for this ride. Not once. A 20-minute wait for Figment at any time of day, IMO, is proof positive of what Flicx was saying about secondary (and tertiary) rides seeing longer lines under the FP+ system. That seems particularly longer to me.

It's difficult for me to remember the early days, though I do remember a long wait for Honey I Shrunk the Audience. I don't think it was ever as bad as Space Ship Earth, but a five minute max feels unreasonable to me. Maybe 15.

 

[SureAsLiz]

Locals in Orlando seem to like FP+ from what I gather (in general from blogs/podcasts etc and even reading on here). Even people who live within a hour or two and get to visit frequently seem to be ok with it as well.

The people who seem to be most opposed to it are people who are tourist visitors who have to travel a long distance, who go once a year or less and who have to sink a lot of money into airfare, lodging, etc.

If you have some insight on locals in Orlando, and you think the general consensus of those is that they're okay with it, then that's great to hear. If that's the case, then less would need to be changed in bringing FP+ to DL.

I'm going to tack onto this and say that, as a local, I love FP+ and I haven't heard anything negative about it from those around me.

I am often able to get 7DMT and A&E same day or day before. Last weekend (I know the crowds dropped so that helped) I was able to log on at 2pm and get a FP for FoF at 245 and A&E at 6. I've gotten 7DMT and A&E as a 4th pass for a decent time.

I've booked trips for family (a group of 6) and have been able to get all the passes they wanted within 30 days of the trip.

I've just never understood the immense value that people seem to place on FP+ and the impact it will have on the quality of their trip. For the most part, you aren't locked into specific times/attractions since they can be changed while you are in the park, you have a huge window to redeem the passes, and you aren't penalized if you don't (like ADR's).

 

[Angel Ariel]

I am often able to get 7DMT and A&E same day or day before. Last weekend (I know the crowds dropped so that helped) I was able to log on at 2pm and get a FP for FoF at 245 and A&E at 6. I've gotten 7DMT and A&E as a 4th pass for a decent time.

For the most part, you aren't locked into specific times/attractions since they can be changed while you are in the park

We did not find much flexibility with FP+ when we were in the park. Had we had the experience you recounted (even if it was with rides/experiences that aren't so new) I have no doubt I'd feel similarly to you. It just wasn't our experience.

 

[Mkrop]

I'm going to tack onto this and say that, as a local, I love FP+ and I haven't heard anything negative about it from those around me.

I am often able to get 7DMT and A&E same day or day before. Last weekend (I know the crowds dropped so that helped) I was able to log on at 2pm and get a FP for FoF at 245 and A&E at 6. I've gotten 7DMT and A&E as a 4th pass for a decent time.

I've booked trips for family (a group of 6) and have been able to get all the passes they wanted within 30 days of the trip.

I've just never understood the immense value that people seem to place on FP+ and the impact it will have on the quality of their trip. For the most part, you aren't locked into specific times/attractions since they can be changed while you are in the park, you have a huge window to redeem the passes, and you aren't penalized if you don't (like ADR's).

We did not find much flexibility with FP+ when we were in the park. Had we had the experience you recounted (even if it was with rides/experiences that aren't so new) I have no doubt I'd feel similarly to you. It just wasn't our experience.

Exactly what Angel Ariel said...we dont see to find the flexibility or the availability for the 4th FP for the things WE want to ride.

 

[xmansmom]

We want to book the 7dmride & there was nothing available. Do we just have to try every day? (We're Disneyland people and hope it never comes to this there!) I don't mind booking them, but there's nothing available? How can that be? You say you change when you get closer - can you get 7dmr one month out?

No, you WILL NOT get a fp for 7dmr one month out. This happened to us last summer. My husband's job sometimes makes it necessary to change our vacation plans at the last minute. The fpasses we did get were for mostly for rides that had no lines and were later in the day so there was no real hope of getting any extras. We go often enough that we pass on anything that is too long of a wait. If it had been a one time dream vacation I'd be pretty upset.

The thing that really made me angry is that we went into Dumbo (6:30 fp), scanned our bands and were told the ride was closed due to weather. When we asked about our fp we were told that we used it already. No, we hadn't but were told that it didn't matter because we scanned our bands already. Perhaps they could have told us it was closed before we scanned!?! Their basic attitude was that it wasn't their problem. Ugh!

 

[Colleen27]

Exactly what Angel Ariel said...we dont see to find the flexibility or the availability for the 4th FP for the things WE want to ride.

Same here. We booked our last trip about 45 days out and despite checking daily, sometimes more than once a day, I never found availability for A&E. I only got 7DMT because they pushed the opening time an hour early and I happened to be online the morning the calendar changed to get one of the new 8-9am slots. Those were gone by lunchtime that day. We only tried for a 4th FP once (the other time I thought about it the line at the kiosk changed my mind) and none of what I'd hoped to get (any of the mountains, Buzz Lightyear) were available. Sure, I could have gotten a FP for Dumbo or Philharmagic but who needs that?

I'm not making any FPs for my upcoming trip because I have only the vaguest idea when I'll be in the parks. It'll be interesting to see what's available same-day but I'm not expecting great things and since I'll be solo I know I'll still enjoy the trip even if I don't get on a single ride.

 

[Mkrop]

One of our favorites even though my kids are older is Goofys Barnstormer. It was always our go to ride when even FP- ran out. We had a hard time getting THAT as the 4th FP and the lines were over an hour! This was beg of Aug, and we have been that time before so it is not like we did not know summer touring

 

[Lucius Best]

The thing that really made me angry is that we went into Dumbo (6:30 fp), scanned our bands and were told the ride was closed due to weather. When we asked about our fp we were told that we used it already. No, we hadn't but were told that it didn't matter because we scanned our bands already. Perhaps they could have told us it was closed before we scanned!?! Their basic attitude was that it wasn't their problem. Ugh!

I was concerned about how this would work before our FP+ trip. Over the years with old paper FP-, there were numerous times where we would flash the paper pass to enter the FP return queue, and then change our mind (either because the ride broke down, or we discovered that the standby line was so short that we didn't need to use our FP right then, or the FP return line was ridiculously long). Since we had not turned in our paper FPs at the merge point, we could always come back. I was worried about what would happen with your FP+ if the ride broke down after you scanned your Magicband once, or twice. The one time we had a problem with ToT, there were CMs with tablets there offering to modify our FP for us. Being told "it wasn't their problem" is a pretty poor response, I would have definitely spoken to someone about it.

 

[mom2rtk]

I was concerned about how this would work before our FP+ trip. Over the years with old paper FP-, there were numerous times where we would flash the paper pass to enter the FP return queue, and then change our mind (either because the ride broke down, or we discovered that the standby line was so short that we didn't need to use our FP right then, or the FP return line was ridiculously long). Since we had not turned in our paper FPs at the merge point, we could always come back. I was worried about what would happen with your FP+ if the ride broke down after you scanned your Magicband once, or twice. The one time we had a problem with ToT, there were CMs with tablets there offering to modify our FP for us. Being told "it wasn't their problem" is a pretty poor response, I would have definitely spoken to someone about it.

Sounds like the CMs are getting weary of the myriad of little issues that nobody anticipated with this system.

 

[Jon84]

I was concerned about how this would work before our FP+ trip. Over the years with old paper FP-, there were numerous times where we would flash the paper pass to enter the FP return queue, and then change our mind (either because the ride broke down, or we discovered that the standby line was so short that we didn't need to use our FP right then, or the FP return line was ridiculously long). Since we had not turned in our paper FPs at the merge point, we could always come back. I was worried about what would happen with your FP+ if the ride broke down after you scanned your Magicband once, or twice. The one time we had a problem with ToT, there were CMs with tablets there offering to modify our FP for us. Being told "it wasn't their problem" is a pretty poor response, I would have definitely spoken to someone about it.

Similar on RNRC. Got to just after the pre-show and it stopped working, except they handed out return paper passes to everyone as it was after the second scan.

 

[Lucius Best]

We did not find much flexibility with FP+ when we were in the park. Had we had the experience you recounted (even if it was with rides/experiences that aren't so new) I have no doubt I'd feel similarly to you. It just wasn't our experience.

Definitely agree, it seems fairly obvious to me that availability of FP+, flexibility of modifying FP+, and ability to book 4th FP+ at kiosks are all going to depend greatly on crowd level/time of year/day of week/which park/weather/timing/luck/etc. On our first FP+ trip, we did 3 days at MK (all recommended days), and our experience booking 4th FPs at kiosks varied tremendously over the course of a single week. As an example, this is what we saw:

Predicted crowd level 4 Wed, felt like a 5, choices at 1pm: HM/PotC 2pm, BTMRR 4pm, Space/Splash 6pm, no 7DMT/A&E.
Predicted crowd level 5 Fri, felt like an 8, choices at 1pm: HM/PotC 4pm, BTMRR/Splash 8pm, no 7DMT/A&E.
Predicted crowd level 4 rainy Tues, felt like a 2, choices at 1pm: almost every ride 1:05pm, Space 1:20pm, no 7DMT/A&E.

On the first day our FP+ experience was similar to what we were used to with paper FP. On Friday FP+ was practically useless. On Tuesday FP+ was awesome. Simply an illustration of how people can have different experiences with FP+ depending on when they happen to go.

 

[ArwenMarie]

The thing that really made me angry is that we went into Dumbo (6:30 fp), scanned our bands and were told the ride was closed due to weather. When we asked about our fp we were told that we used it already. No, we hadn't but were told that it didn't matter because we scanned our bands already. Perhaps they could have told us it was closed before we scanned!?! Their basic attitude was that it wasn't their problem. Ugh!

That's weird. Space just broke down on us this past trip after we had scanned at both FP points, and we got paper anytime FPs that were good for a week. It has happened to us on TSMM as well and we got the same thing (on a previous trip but with FP+) Maybe that is just something they don't do at Dumbo?

 

[ArwenMarie]

Sounds like the CMs are getting weary of the myriad of little issues that nobody anticipated with this system.

I noticed that on our past trip, comparing the WDW attractions CMs and the Universal TMs, since we visited both parks. I wouldn't say one group is friendlier or ruder than the other.

But the WDW CMs at the attractions looked WAY more stressed out than the Universal TMs. When you think that they are on the frontlines with this, ugh! So many people coming up scanning bands that don't have the right time/ride/both, then they have to explain, etc. Must be exhausting.