2 changes can take FP+ from ZERO to HERO!

[cigar95]

That's exciting! Is there more info about this somewhere?? I'm going to book my FPs tomorrow (60 days, yay!!) and this might change my strategy slightly...

I don't know that any of the operational changes ever get public announcement, since things are being adjusted so rapidly. This came from someone in operations and development who is very involved in the rollout. The only way to know for sure if it works for you is to scan your band at the kiosk and see what options pop up! (Just to throw another wrench in the works - because there are different testing buckets, not everyone's accounts are going to work the same, so things like this may work for some guests and not others.)

And I also have to caution that things that are in place this week may be changed three or four times before your trip, so please don't assume that this option will still be in place when you make your critical planning decisions. (Yeah, I know that's frustrating. Wish I could give you better news on that front.)

 

[KatieCharlotte]

...and the day off site guests can pre-book is the day that the "60 Days Out" mark becomes the new Rope Drop. Unless they program the system to intentionally leave some FPs available for the day of arrival, the combination of on site guests, off site guests and AP Holders will blow through the total number of FPs available for a given day well in advance of that day's arrival. Mine Train FPs will be gone by 9:00 a.m. on the 60th day out, every day for the forseeable future. Toy Story Mania as well. bcrook has estimated that TSM can dole out 12,000-15,000 FPs each day. On a day when 35,000 people go to DHS, that means that a third to a half of all people can get a FP. As soon as all guests can pre-book, the race will be on!

I'm very curious what percentage of people are booking at 60+ days. Of course, as more people hear that they should book early, that number will keep growing. Obviously, the word got out far beyond the disboards that it was necessary to arrive early at DHS and head straight to TSMM, so I assume we'll see the same thing at 60 days, only people will book all their FP+ while they're securing their TSMM and Mine Train.

 

[DebbieB]

Zero to hero..

1) No tiers

2) Allow repeats

3) Increase FP allowance

4) Additional FP for hopping

Just my 2 cents..

How is there going to be enough to go around without huge return lines?

good suggestions ... I had some similar thoughts, and also add the caveat that the technology needs to work efficiently as well (i.e., IT kinks worked out)

1. Allow park hopping

2. Keep only allowing 3 pre-booked FP+ only for people who stay on site as an additional attraction to staying on site. Day of allow people to book 3 at a time "day of" FP+ ... so for people staying on site this would be a total of 6. Then, after you use up a "day of" FP+ you can book another (possibly with a time delay) - so if there are still openings you can get even more FP+'s

3. Not sure about Tiering - I get that it might be necessary, so perhaps only allow one Tier 1 as a pre-booked FP+ but maybe allow another "day of"

I think this is fair. Although they are already planning to allow AP Holders to pick in advance. There should be something extra for onsite.

 

[meeko987]

I could reluctantly go along with a 3 pass limit and even the tiers.

But my feelings about Disney (which are quite positive) would certainly be even more bright if off-site guests had advanced booking of FP+. My family, like many, spends $1200 a vacation just to walk in the gate - not including many hundreds more for food and souvenirs. I don't want to have to work in strategic visits (when and where) to kiosks.

In December, we found a cast member with an iPad to get our Animal Kingdom FP+. There was only one visitor ahead of us, yet it still took about 5 minutes for our turn. When we told the cast member our selections, there were repeated technical difficulties (resulting in us having to do the entire process 3 times), but eventually, the CM showed us our three return times. It was a bit challenging to process the information (specifically, how the times would force us to eat lunch during the busiest part of the lunch crowd) knowing that others were lined up behind us waiting for their turn (glaring?).

We ended up not using 2 of the 3 FP+ and still had a great day at the park. I'm guessing that the other 3 parks will be more challenging to plan for, so it would be nice to have the FP+ ahead of time like the on-site guests.

 

[HopperFan]

Based on the current system and upcoming additions in parks we've played with "options" and bounced thoughts.....

Structure:
- Tiers will stay and increase as attractions levels change
- Initial FP+ numbers stay basically the same with exception of MK
- Potential for additional FP+ after use of the other ones, lots of different scenarios for what rules would be
- Potential for 1 extra FP+ in another park included with the Park Hopper option.
- Potential for extra FP+ being offered (as they tested in fall at MK, we got 4) during slower times of year. It's much cheaper to offer extra FP+ than Free Dining.

AK - Stays as is until Lion King Show returns then we could see a Tier system because the show will have a high demand. Once the Avatarland opens the tier system will be once again adjusted. 3 FP+ total.

DHS - Stays the same as it is now. If and when the other "lands" are added this will go through a big change. 3 FP+ total.

EPCOT - Stays the same as it is now. 3 FP+ total.

MK - Has potential for the most change. There is enough in this park to offer 4-5 FP+ BUT with more tiers. Maybe a 3 tier level. A perfect time to implement would be when the Mine Ride opens because the demand will be off the charts. 4-5 FP+ possible.

 

[scousemouse09]

I'm in favor of an idea someone posted awhile back - make it like the dining plan - give us 3 FP credits per day for the length of our stay and let me decide how to use them

We've got an 8 day (7 night - onsite) stay coming up in May - give me 24 credits per person for the whole trip and I'll book them for the parks / days I'd like to use them for. Some days we may only use 1 or 2 per person and other days we'll use more. That would make me a happy camper.

I really, really like this idea!

 

[shell8558]

I don't know that any of the operational changes ever get public announcement, since things are being adjusted so rapidly. This came from someone in operations and development who is very involved in the rollout. The only way to know for sure if it works for you is to scan your band at the kiosk and see what options pop up! (Just to throw another wrench in the works - because there are different testing buckets, not everyone's accounts are going to work the same, so things like this may work for some guests and not others.) And I also have to caution that things that are in place this week may be changed three or four times before your trip, so please don't assume that this option will still be in place when you make your critical planning decisions. (Yeah, I know that's frustrating. Wish I could give you better news on that front.)

Ok - I'm here now now and have a question. Could I try to book another fastpass for a different park tomorrow afternoon after I use the first one at 10am?? Or does it have to be at the same park . And can I do it on my phone or do I have to visit a kiosk?

 

[redrosesix]

5) Register thousands of complaints from guests who weren't able to get any FP+s for the most popular rides.

The sad truth is that the tiers are necessary if the goal is to ensure that every guest gets at least one decent FP+. Otherwise, the "early birds" will pick popular rides for all three of their FP+ and they will run out three times faster, meaning lots of people will only have Captain EO, Figment, and Living with the Land to choose from.

Agreed! And if i can't get what I want more than 5 days out, I'm cancelling my RO reservation. So I don't think they'll do it. I also don't want people getting more FPs -- the return lines are too long already. And since FP+ takes priority over SB, at some point there will be enough people waiting in the FP return line that the people in SB never get to ride.

I'm in favor of an idea someone posted awhile back - make it like the dining plan - give us 3 FP credits per day for the length of our stay and let me decide how to use them

We've got an 8 day (7 night - onsite) stay coming up in May - give me 24 credits per person for the whole trip and I'll book them for the parks / days I'd like to use them for. Some days we may only use 1 or 2 per person and other days we'll use more. That would make me a happy camper.

THIS - I want THIS! And our list won't be the same as yours, so it's all good.

I could reluctantly go along with a 3 pass limit and even the tiers.

But my feelings about Disney (which are quite positive) would certainly be even more bright if off-site guests had advanced booking of FP+. My family, like many, spends $1200 a vacation just to walk in the gate - not including many hundreds more for food and souvenirs. I don't want to have to work in strategic visits (when and where) to kiosks.

In December, we found a cast member with an iPad to get our Animal Kingdom FP+. There was only one visitor ahead of us, yet it still took about 5 minutes for our turn. When we told the cast member our selections, there were repeated technical difficulties (resulting in us having to do the entire process 3 times), but eventually, the CM showed us our three return times. It was a bit challenging to process the information (specifically, how the times would force us to eat lunch during the busiest part of the lunch crowd) knowing that others were lined up behind us waiting for their turn (glaring?).

We ended up not using 2 of the 3 FP+ and still had a great day at the park. I'm guessing that the other 3 parks will be more challenging to plan for, so it would be nice to have the FP+ ahead of time like the on-site guests.

I actually want offsiters to get adv booking privileges... so Disney will know what days they're going to show up and put the extra capacity in place so that I can get through the SB lines faster too.

Seriously, had never considered how much more difficult it was to book day of, since we changed many day of, but we're more of a go with the flow type of family. I thought you'd be able to choose your times, same as we had to when booking in advance, to get the times you wanted for each area of the park.

 

[cigar95]

Ok - I'm here now now and have a question. Could I try to book another fastpass for a different park tomorrow afternoon after I use the first one at 10am?? Or does it have to be at the same park . And can I do it on my phone or do I have to visit a kiosk?

From what I understand, all the reservations beyond the first three will need to be done at a kiosk. (I'm guessing that includes the tablets carried by the CMs as well.) If so, that also answers the first question - you couldn't make the reservation at the second park until you get to the second park.

(Again, this is all a brand new wrinkle, which could change at any time.)

But since we're all waiting for confirmation that this really works, please try it!

 

[shell8558]

Great - thank you. I will try tomorrow night. I don't plan on getting to Epcot until 5 or 6 so I am sure all fastpasses will be gone , but I'm still going to try. Thanks for the info !

 

[redrosesix]

Great - thank you. I will try tomorrow night. I don't plan on getting to Epcot until 5 or 6 so I am sure all fastpasses will be gone , but I'm still going to try. Thanks for the info !

I'm sure there will be some for Captain EO

 

[TLSnell1981]

How is there going to be enough to go around without huge return lines?



I think this is fair. Although they are already planning to allow AP Holders to pick in advance. There should be something extra for onsite.

The previous FP system wasn't broken. Disney just decided to herd the guest to suit their needs. aka encourage them to spend more $$$.

I can't ride roller coasters or TOT, so actually, I have one usable FP per day. The others are throwaways. Equitable? Meh, not so much. This has absolutely nothing to do with being "fair". It's about $$$, pure and simple.

 

[DebbieB]

The previous FP system wasn't broken. Disney just decided to herd the guest to suit their needs. aka encourage them to spend more $$$.

I can't ride roller coasters or TOT, so actually, I have one usable FP per day. The others are throwaways. Equitable? Meh, not so much. This has absolutely nothing to do with being "fair". It's about $$$, pure and simple.

What I meant by "fair" was giving everyone a reasonable chance to get their choices. If they eliminated tiering and increased the number of fastpasses each person would be able to get (as you suggested), the first people who jumped on the internet would get their choices, while others would just get the leftovers. Nothing to do with making $$$. In fact, it would cost them business because people would not want to book last minute.

 

[TLSnell1981]

What I meant by "fair" was giving everyone a reasonable chance to get their choices. If they eliminated tiering and increased the number of fastpasses each person would be able to get (as you suggested), the first people who jumped on the internet would get their choices, while others would just get the leftovers. Nothing to do with making $$$. In fact, it would cost them business because people would not want to book last minute.

Non Disney resort guests are getting leftovers. Will this encourage guests to stay on site, thus boosting revenue for Disney? They may not come straight out and offer FP for $$$$, but it wouldn't surprise me. Disney also expects to make more $$$ by manipulating their guest's activities by tracking their every move and monitoring their interests.

Disney didn't spend a Billion $ on MM to make FP "fair". It's about the money...always.

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm in favor of an idea someone posted awhile back - make it like the dining plan - give us 3 FP credits per day for the length of our stay and let me decide how to use them

We've got an 8 day (7 night - onsite) stay coming up in May - give me 24 credits per person for the whole trip and I'll book them for the parks / days I'd like to use them for. Some days we may only use 1 or 2 per person and other days we'll use more. That would make me a happy camper.

I mentioned this suggestion some time ago. But honestly the more I think about it, the more I think it will never happen (much to my dismay). If they let me use up my 7 days worth of credits in 5 days, that leaves me 2 days free to go to Universal and/or Sea World, which is precisely what they are trying to prevent with FP+.

Still though, the more we read, the more it appears that Disney is going to have to "give" on something with FP+. And if there isn't capacity to give more than 3 or take tiers away at EP and DHS...... I'm not exactly sure what they WILL give back.

It's definitely going to be interesting to see where it all goes.......

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

I mentioned this suggestion some time ago. But honestly the more I think about it, the more I think it will never happen (much to my dismay). If they let me use up my 7 days worth of credits in 5 days, that leaves me 2 days free to go to Universal and/or Sea World, which is precisely what they are trying to prevent with FP+.

Still though, the more we read, the more it appears that Disney is going to have to "give" on something with FP+. And if there isn't capacity to give more than 3 or take tiers away at EP and DHS...... I'm not exactly sure what they WILL give back.

It's definitely going to be interesting to see where it all goes.......

an excellent point - I should have been more clear - they should still tie FP to the number of ticket days (we have APs so for us it would be tied to days on site). So if you had 7 days worth of tickets you'd have 21 FP per person - you could book them all for just 5 days but you'd have spent the $$ for 7 days worth. And yes I can see people buying 10 days worth of tickets to get more FP.....!

Great suggestion for the 'dining plan FP system' BTW!

 

[mom2rtk]

an excellent point - I should have been more clear - they should still tie FP to the number of ticket days (we have APs so for us it would be tied to days on site). So if you had 7 days worth of tickets you'd have 21 FP per person - you could book them all for just 5 days but you'd have spent the $$ for 7 days worth. And yes I can see people buying 10 days worth of tickets to get more FP.....!

Great suggestion for the 'dining plan FP system' BTW!

The problem of course is that the "out" days on tickets are only $10. Everyone would buy up every extra $10 day they could just to get the extra $3 FP slots.

I still wish they'd do it though. It really fits our touring style better. We tend to do ride centered days and parade/character/show centered days. And it would be a nice perk for onsite visitors that wouldn't require that Disney actually give up extra slots they might not really have capacity for.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

I mentioned this suggestion some time ago. But honestly the more I think about it, the more I think it will never happen (much to my dismay). If they let me use up my 7 days worth of credits in 5 days, that leaves me 2 days free to go to Universal and/or Sea World, which is precisely what they are trying to prevent with FP+.

Still though, the more we read, the more it appears that Disney is going to have to "give" on something with FP+. And if there isn't capacity to give more than 3 or take tiers away at EP and DHS...... I'm not exactly sure what they WILL give back.

It's definitely going to be interesting to see where it all goes.......

The only thing I see them giving back is the ability to use extra capacity where and when it exists -- more FP+ during the slowest weeks, bonus FP+ to redirect the crowds, more at MK but w/ tiers, maybe a limited system for booking more day-of.

 

[mom2rtk]

The only thing I see them giving back is the ability to use extra capacity where and when it exists -- more FP+ during the slowest weeks, bonus FP+ to redirect the crowds, more at MK but w/ tiers, maybe a limited system for booking more day-of.

You mean more FP+ spots when you need it least?

I doubt that we're far off from whatever the next round of adjustments will be. I'm thinking that will come when they start offering FP+ for the Mine Train.

 

[maryj11]

Zero to hero..

1) No tiers

2) Allow repeats

3) Increase FP allowance

4) Additional FP for hopping

Just my 2 cents..

At least 4 fastpass + tickets a day would help !