FP + What we know and what we want to know

[mom2rtk]

Originally Posted by Lorilais_mommie

I didn't hear.. Go ahead a tell me... :-(

It was an ugly feeding frenzy. I didn't even get a phone line to RING until mid-morning.

First they announced it would be August 20th at noon. Then at the last minute they changed to 7 AM. Here's how I prepared:


IMG_5818 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

Not that it did any good. I dialed. And I dialed. And I dialed. Then I dialed some more. I didn't even get a phone to RING (let alone be put on hold) until mid-morning.

To top things off, their automated ADR system (the one that answered if you finally got through) did not have an option for entering a CC guarantee, which everyone believed would be required. But then word went out from on high that any ADR without a CC hold would be dumped that night. So the feeding frenzy of trying to get in on the phone lines started anew (to add a CC guarantee).

After all that, many folks still came up empty. The ones that got through had all been calling alternate numbers (DVC, BBB, PL, even the Disney Store).

Bottom line: Poor planning + poor Disney technical infrastructure = One very frustrating morning for a lot of folks.

[bcrook]

Originally Posted by doconeill

Did you watch the video with the SVP in charge of NextGen? He specifically says they will let guests choose 3 FP+ in advance, but they have the expectation to be able to give "additional" surprises and FP+ as they go along. But I'm notsure if that means them making adjustments, or guests as they go through the day in the park, or whatever.

Yes, I watched the video. And I am very confident those extra surprises and FP+ surprises will be targeted options as others have said. They could still be very cool. When I am there in June and I have been limited to my 3 FP+ per day, and I get a message from My Disney Experience that says I have a new FP+ to order QS from BOG right now, I might take them up on it. But this is far from getting additional e-ticket ride options.

[mom2rtk]

Originally Posted by bcrook

But this is far from getting additional e-ticket ride options.

Maybe they could refer to those as "Consolation FPs".

[bcrook]

Originally Posted by asmit4

I'm new here- haven't been on the threads in a long time....this FP plus thing will offer 3 FPs in advance with possibility for more upon arrival....but if you go that route you can't get any regular FPs? I can stack FPs all day no problem. We are very good at planning it out and arriving early. I can ride TSM 3 times in 1 day all by 11am!

Seems like the regular FPs might be the way to go for our commando family.

...the possibility for more... I wouldn't count on that option. Disney is clearly not saying this anywhere. As mom2trk has said, this would make the FP situation even worse - a feeding frenzy.

If you use the regular FPs, the advanced FP+ may drain the availability of the regular FP. IF you are not going during the Peak season, you should be fine with Commando.

Sammie does a nice job of explaining how we got to this stage...

Originally Posted by Sammie

Exactly and this is why they came up with Fastpass+. Disney always has a mindset as to how they 'want' things to run. When that does not happen, they slowly change it to what they want it to be even to not allowing you to come back after the designated time. That was never the way the program was suppose to work. Did they allow it, sure, because Disney hates aggressive enforcement of anything. So they have now come up with something to eliminate the "super" fast pass users without being actively aggressive about it.

From the beginning they probably wanted no one to have more than 3 per person per park.

And as you say, they don't have to please everyone, just enough to be profitable.

As the saying goes, "we have seen the enemy and he is us"

[phineasfan100]

Originally Posted by mom2rtk

So do you guys have visions of them announcing something saying everyone within 60 days of their trips can log on next Monday at 7 AM (or whatever dayt) to reserve their FP slots?

I hope none of you remember the fiasco that went on when they opened BOG ADRs. It might give you nightmares.

What is BOG?

[mesaboy2]

Originally Posted by phineasfan100

What is BOG?

Be Our Guest, the signature restaurant in New Fantasyland.

[bcrook]

Originally Posted by mom2rtk

Maybe they could refer to those as "Consolation FPs".

Good one. Think that might stick. CFPs? or ConFPs?

I just can't imagine some of the scenarios of having preFP+ and day of FP+. A huge chunk will be drained in advance. Then as you said, there will be a much greater demand for rope drop because there will be a small number of FP+ available at the park. That will cause the feeding frenzy. As Will Austin says if the system restricts FP+ until in the park, everyone will be on their phones grabbing whatever they can and fighting at the central kiosks. There is no way that is going work. And after all this technology, I don't see people rushing all the parks to the rides to the few FP that remain that would be the "running of the bulls x10")

IF they add more FP+ to the system, then Standby becomes unbearable - and - FP lines grow to the point where it is not really a FP anyway.

[phineasfan100]

Originally Posted by mesaboy2

Be Our Guest, the signature restaurant in New Fantasyland.

Yeah, I haven't been on the boards for a few months, so I missed this

[Jennasis]

A few things again..

I wonder if the kiosks for those without smart phones might be located IN the actual resort lobbies? Or if they'll add a "web tv" thing to the rooms so people can book/manage their accounts from the resort/rooms.

Also, about those alleged TEXTS disney will send out to remind you of targeted sales, when your room is ready, surprise FP etc...I REALLY have a hard time hearing/feeling my texts go off when i'm in the park. Unless I'm constantly checking, I'll never hear a text coming in.

And people who don't carry a phone in the park (yeah, I hear there are some who roll that way) well they'll get nothing at all.

[phineasfan100]

Originally Posted by Jennasis

A few things again..

I wonder if the kiosks for those without smart phones might be located IN the actual resort lobbies? Or if they'll add a "web tv" thing to the rooms so people can book/manage their accounts from the resort/rooms.

Also, about those alleged TEXTS disney will send out to remind you of targeted sales, when your room is ready, surprise FP etc...I REALLY have a hard time hearing/feeling my texts go off when i'm in the park. Unless I'm constantly checking, I'll never hear a text coming in.

And people who don't carry a phone in the park (yeah, I hear there are some who roll that way) well they'll get nothing at all.

Well, with this system, people will be more likely to bring their phones into the park because I can just imagine the lines at the new FP+ kiosks...

[mom2rtk]

Originally Posted by bcrook

Good one. Think that might stick. CFPs? or ConFPs?

I just can't imagine some of the scenarios of having preFP+ and day of FP+. A huge chunk will be drained in advance. Then as you said, there will be a much greater demand for rope drop because there will be a small number of FP+ available at the park. That will cause the feeding frenzy. As Will Austin says if the system restricts FP+ until in the park, everyone will be on their phones grabbing whatever they can and fighting at the central kiosks. There is no way that is going work. And after all this technology, I don't see people rushing all the parks to the rides to the few FP that remain that would be the "running of the bulls x10")

IF they add more FP+ to the system, then Standby becomes unbearable - and - FP lines grow to the point where it is not really a FP anyway.

OK, I sort of like "CFPs". Although "conFPs" might ring more true since they are trying to con us into thinking this is a better system.

And as for the scenario where they add more FPs overall, causing the FP line to slow down, I have christened those the "not quite as slow" passes. I guess they will have to be "NQSPs".

[mom2rtk]

Originally Posted by phineasfan100

Yeah, I haven't been on the boards for a few months, so I missed this

Sorry about that.

It really was a mess though. And the part I didn't get was that they should have KNOWN it would be a mess and prepared for it. The mess about not prompting to enter a CC number, then after people had spent hours trying to get through, putting the word out that they had to call back or lose that ADR..... it was just crazy.

I know this is something different entirely. But I have no faith in Disney to be able to anticipate the level of demand as this rolls out and have systems in place to deal with it adequately.

I am glad it sounds like they will roll it out by resort. That at least is a start.

But believe it or not, this is important to people. People are not all happy just to be going to Disney. They actually CARE about getting to do the attractions they choose once they finally enter the parks.

[phineasfan100]

Originally Posted by mom2rtk

Sorry about that.

It really was a mess though. And the part I didn't get was that they should have KNOWN it would be a mess and prepared for it. The mess about not prompting to enter a CC number, then after people had spent hours trying to get through, putting the word out that they had to call back or lose that ADR..... it was just crazy.

I know this is something different entirely. But I have no faith in Disney to be able to anticipate the level of demand as this rolls out and have systems in place to deal with it adequately.

I am glad it sounds like they will roll it out by resort. That at least is a start.

But believe it or not, this is important to people. People are not all happy just to be going to Disney. They actually CARE about getting to do the attractions they choose once they finally enter the parks.

I have noticed Disney has been doing this lately. Sometimes I wish Walt was still alive.

[bcrook]

Originally Posted by mom2rtk

OK, I sort of like "CFPs". Although "conFPs" might ring more true since they are trying to con us into thinking this is a better system.

And as for the scenario where they add more FPs overall, causing the FP line to slow down, I have christened those the "not quite as slow" passes. I guess they will have to be "NQSPs".

Oh yes, I have seen that. Somebody else is going to have to keep a list of all the new acronyms because of these changes.

[bcrook]

Once Disney has all this data of how many people are scheduled to be which park for 60 days in advance. How will they use this system to even out crowds? Do you think people will get offers of extra FP+ to change their plans for the day?

AND I hope that data becomes available so we can choose our park wisely. I would love to know in advance how many people are pre-booked in each park.