4th Fastpass easier today 6/7 than yesterday?

[CMNJ]

I guess the only area left in question is for someone who entered the park, used 2 of their 3 FP and left for whatever reason. Can someone use their 3rd FP? I'd guess no

I asked this very same question regarding 4th or 5th FP as we travel with older family often who may not make it as late as their upcoming FP

 

[ArwenMarie]

Or Disney could just automatically "lock" the change party function at midnight for FP's scheduled the next day.

That's a good point

 

[scard192]

AngiTN probably did what I always do to get a fourth or subsequent FP+ for Tier I attractions - keep refreshing the screen. I think most people check once and see that MDE says there are no more FP+, and they give up. If you keep refreshing the screen, more often than not a time will pop up that wasn't available before. It can take some persistence, but I've had very good success getting subsequent FP+ on the same day for just about any attractions I wanted (for two people).

Yes, refresh was my friend last November. I would grab a 4,5,6 FP+ for our group and if the time was not what I really wanted I just kept refreshing on my phone (used the website, not the app) until I got the times I wanted. Persistence was the key, my sister was laughing at me as I kept working to get better times (or overlapping ones) but I was determined and was able to move the times up, often by several hours from what they were when I initially booked them. there were 6 of us.
don't give up, keep trying. I got Test Track, EE, RnRC, ToT after we used our 1st 3 FP+

 

[SBWB48]

is it really necessary to argue about what is clearly a non-abusive use of a function that disney specifically spent time and money implementing? Disney is not trying to shut down the parents of sick kids, or kids who chicken out on a ride at the last minute or whatever other legitimate uses of change party led them to implement it in the first place.

Yeah, right...

"Darling, I know you have a fever, but since we can't use the change party function to transfer our FastPasses to Dad's & Ben's, we're going to need to go with them to the park today. We couldn't stand to see your FastPasses going unused. Even though they already have their own FastPasses booked, I know. It would just be a waste for them not to get to use ours, too. You'll have to focus on getting better later, honey."

Love the unrealistic scenarios sometimes posted on these boards...

Re: "whatever other legitimate uses of change party led them to implement it in the first place" Agree, and hence, just going to bow out of this discussion over unrealistic scenarios after this post . While some may deem them unrealistic, they are also the reason why forums and boards as such exists; it's because everyone has their own circumstances and situations. If all were well, the FAQs on Disney's website should be sufficient to address all scenarios and we wouldn't find ourselves here on the boards, reading through numerous threads and asking WWYD scenarios. Things happen and it was implemented utilizing resources likely for that reason.

 

[fan1080]

What if dad and older child now want to have a different touring strategy based on the fact that the younger sibling will not be in the park that day and therefore have no use for Dumbo and Magic Carpets FPs. Rather, they would like to ride Space and BTMRR today. Then tomorrow, when the younger sibling is feeling better they will ride the attractions that cater to shorter Disney guests.

Not saying Dad and child are entitled to 6 FPs. Just saying the Change Party function should remain because there are many valid reasons why guests would want to change their FP plans.

As you said, there are many reasons to allow Change Party. If there is a scenario that is "exceptional", we have the option to stop in at guest services and ask if there is anything they can do to help.

 

[Shanti]

AngiTN probably did what I always do to get a fourth or subsequent FP+ for Tier I attractions - keep refreshing the screen. I think most people check once and see that MDE says there are no more FP+, and they give up. If you keep refreshing the screen, more often than not a time will pop up that wasn't available before. It can take some persistence, but I've had very good success getting subsequent FP+ on the same day for just about any attractions I wanted (for two people).

So it sounds like these 4th FPs might be more available now to those who don't want to keep refreshing their phone again and again. That's pretty exciting, as having my nose in my phone half the day is not something I want to do while enjoying the Disney parks with my son. I like to be present & enjoy the experience with him. I look forward to hearing more reports of 4th FP availability from people who tour this summer, & who aren't constantly refreshing their phones, but instead just check once in a while, like most people.

 

[Marionnette]

I disagree. Dad and Child 2 don't get to use 6 prebooked FP's each just because Mom and child 1 stayed home. Especially when only 2 ticket entitlements were used that day.

However, unless Mom and sick child have APs, they will actually be losing a day from their tickets thru attrition. For the sake of argument, let's suppose that the family has 6-day tickets and pre-booked FP+ for all 6 days for Mom, Dad, Bud and Princess. Bud wakes up sick on day #3 and Mom stays back at the resort with him. Dad and Princess go to a park for the day. Mom and Bud now have one additional day of park admission on their tickets (which will expire 14 days after their first use) and the family is heading back to Heartland, USA the morning of day #7. Whether they used their ticket at the gate or allowed the unused days to expire, Disney still got their money for the full 6 days. Is it so unreasonable to at least allow Dad and Princess to use the FP+ that were reserved with Mom's and Bud's ticket? IMO, chances are very slim that Mom or Dad is going to go into MDE and cancel those FPs so that someone else can snag them. Mom is too busy with a sick child and Dad is busy having a fun day with Princess. The FPs will simply go to waste.

Just playing devil's advocate here and throwing some food out there for thought.

 

[ChristineOH]

I really think discussing all of these scenarios is unnecessary. I don't think Disney is concerned about someone using Grandma's FP because she doesn't want to ride Space Mountain or sick Timmy's FP because he's at his resort.

I imagine the accounts they are looking for (in addition to these "tour guides") are the ones where someone has used her sister's family's APs (or an old set of tickets with days left, or tickets for a future trip) to double book FP at 60 days, and then every day, they are changing over a second set of prebooked FP to their account, because sister's family isn't even at WDW. They're looking for people who are double dipping, not people who are using legitimately booked FP for people who intended to be or actually are in the parks.

 

[AngiTN]

So it sounds like these 4th FPs might be more available now to those who don't want to keep refreshing their phone again and again. That's pretty exciting, as having my nose in my phone half the day is not something I want to do while enjoying the Disney parks with my son. I like to be present & enjoy the experience with him. I look forward to hearing more reports of 4th FP availability from people who tour this summer, & who aren't constantly refreshing their phones, but instead just check once in a while, like most people.

No, I don't really think it's going to change. But only time will tell

I've asked this before but do folks really think hundreds were booking illegitimate FP? I don't.

 

[fan1080]

However, unless Mom and sick child have APs, they will actually be losing a day from their tickets thru attrition. For the sake of argument, let's suppose that they family has 6-day tickets and pre-booked FP+ for all 6 days for Mom, Dad, Bud and Princess. Bud wakes up sick on day #3 and Mom stays back at the resort with him. Dad and Princess go to a park for the day. Mom and Bud now have one additional day of park admission on their tickets (which will expire 14 days after their first use) and the family is heading back to Heartland, USA the morning of day #7. Whether they used their ticket at the gate or allowed the unused days to expire, Disney still got their money for the full 6 days. Is it so unreasonable to at least allow Dad and Princess to use the FP+ that were reserved with Mom's and Bud's ticket? IMO, chances are very slim that Mom or Dad is going to go into MDE and cancel those FPs so that someone else can snag them. Mom is too busy with a sick child and Dad is busy having a fun day with Princess. The FPs will simply go to waste.

Just playing devil's advocate here and throwing some food out there for thought.

It's unfortunate, but allowing this would leave the FP+ system open to abuse. Removing the ability to use change party the day of FP+ reservations, unless both tickets have been used to enter the park, will help alleviate the abuse.

 

[Shanti]

No, I don't really think it's going to change. But only time will tell

A PP described having a much easier time with it yesterday than ever before, so it does look hopeful.

 

[ChristineOH]

No, I don't really think it's going to change. But only time will tell

I've asked this before but do folks really think hundreds were booking illegitimate FP? I don't.

It really does sound like there were a lot of people using junk bands to double dip on FP upon park arrival. Lots of people have admitted to it here, and I've seen it referenced in many trip reports. For all the people who post about it, there are lots more who don't bother to post. The other method, no, probably not too many.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I think we all agree that Change Party is a valid function and needs to exist

The question is does the average park-goer need access to it or not. I already said my theory as to why parkgoers have access (it cuts workload at call centers). But they could easily take it away and you would just have to call to clean up any messes you made or stop by Guest Services or your concierge and have FPs moved during your trip.

 

[ArwenMarie]

No, I don't really think it's going to change. But only time will tell

I've asked this before but do folks really think hundreds were booking illegitimate FP? I don't.

From what I read in other places, apparently CMs were also doing a lot of booking on their accounts and passing the FPs around to friends, etc.

Between that, the kiosks, sharing APs, using other tickets, I think the numbers could have been significant when they all added up

 

[AngiTN]

It really does sound like there were a lot of people using junk bands to double dip on FP upon park arrival. Lots of people have admitted to it here, and I've seen it referenced in many trip reports. For all the people who post about it, there are lots more who don't bother to post. The other method, no, probably not too many.

Even lots of DisBoarders are a VERY, VERY small percentage of total Disney guests.

 

[Shanti]

Even lots of DisBoarders are a VERY, VERY small percentage of total Disney guests.

But the unofficial tour guides using it pumped up the volume considerably.

 

[LucyBC80]

How would that work though? I can't see how these unofficial guides could do this. For themselves, sure. But not for clients.

Create a second MDE. Buy AP. Link it another finger. Enter the park twice, each using a different AP and finger. There, you now can hold two sets of FP. If you really put your money into it you can have up to ten APs with no problem.

 

[cabanafrau]

However, unless Mom and sick child have APs, they will actually be losing a day from their tickets thru attrition. For the sake of argument, let's suppose that they family has 6-day tickets and pre-booked FP+ for all 6 days for Mom, Dad, Bud and Princess. Bud wakes up sick on day #3 and Mom stays back at the resort with him. Dad and Princess go to a park for the day. Mom and Bud now have one additional day of park admission on their tickets (which will expire 14 days after their first use) and the family is heading back to Heartland, USA the morning of day #7. Whether they used their ticket at the gate or allowed the unused days to expire, Disney still got their money for the full 6 days. Is it so unreasonable to at least allow Dad and Princess to use the FP+ that were reserved with Mom's and Bud's ticket? IMO, chances are very slim that Mom or Dad is going to go into MDE and cancel those FPs so that someone else can snag them. Mom is too busy with a sick child and Dad is busy having a fun day with Princess. The FPs will simply go to waste.

Just playing devil's advocate here and throwing some food out there for thought.

IMO because of those who have abused the system I think the answer either needs to be found at Guest Services (unlikely Disney wants to staff for that) or it's the same as the risk of tickets for a live event and one of the kids gets sick in the 3rd inning. Not closing up the loophole allows continued abuse by scammers and leaves room for the possibility that another family who's spent their hard earned money on a WDW visit and didn't grasp the intricacies of planning as quickly or didn't understand the need to book attractions 60 days out isn't left with only lesser choices. Family one with the sick kid may be disappointed. But inexperienced Family two has also plunked down cash to be in the park that day and deserves an opportunity at the resources also.

Honestly reading all this fuss across so many Disney sites just drives home the fact WDW no longer offers the experiences we enjoyed so much. Haven't gotten a handle yet at the changes planned for DLR and I hope they don't destroy that park by heading down this same type of path, or one equally as ridiculous. I miss the days before the FP plague invaded. Level playing field for everyone.

 

[Gentry2004]

I really think discussing all of these scenarios is unnecessary. I don't think Disney is concerned about someone using Grandma's FP because she doesn't want to ride Space Mountain or sick Timmy's FP because he's at his resort.

I imagine the accounts they are looking for (in addition to these "tour guides") are the ones where someone has used her sister's family's APs (or an old set of tickets with days left, or tickets for a future trip) to double book FP at 60 days, and then every day, they are changing over a second set of prebooked FP to their account, because sister's family isn't even at WDW. They're looking for people who are double dipping, not people who are using legitimately booked FP for people who intended to be or actually are in the parks.

How is Disney supposed to know if your sister/aunt/cousin whose FP's you transferred to your account truly intended to be in the park?

 

[DizBelle]

I really think discussing all of these scenarios is unnecessary. I don't think Disney is concerned about someone using Grandma's FP because she doesn't want to ride Space Mountain or sick Timmy's FP because he's at his resort.

I imagine the accounts they are looking for (in addition to these "tour guides") are the ones where someone has used her sister's family's APs (or an old set of tickets with days left, or tickets for a future trip) to double book FP at 60 days, and then every day, they are changing over a second set of prebooked FP to their account, because sister's family isn't even at WDW. They're looking for people who are double dipping, not people who are using legitimately booked FP for people who intended to be or actually are in the parks.

Is there some kind of "system sweep" happening at night? This is the first I've heard of it.