4th FP+ is still a mirage Updated 2nd attempt

[btk2333]

From reading your post, you were an Uber trip planner prior to FP+.

I'm not a big planner, so the new FP+ system does require more of my time, if I want to use it.

without a doubt I'm an uber planner but I'm like this on any vacation. I can't stand not knowing where I'm eating on each day or what park we're visiting. It's the same if we go to New York, Paris, Rome, or China. Disney wants people to plan because it allows them to manage staffing better.

 

[Rhiannona]

The APP inventory is the same as the Kiosk inventory fyi. Sometimes an attraction appears and when you click on it, it will say "no FP+ times available" or even if it appears during the original 3 booking and you try to book for it, it wont appear is no reason to get angry at the CM. Which I have seen many times.

 

[Suvadoo]

The APP inventory is the same as the Kiosk inventory fyi. Sometimes an attraction appears and when you click on it, it will say "no FP+ times available" or even if it appears during the original 3 booking and you try to book for it, it wont appear is no reason to get angry at the CM. Which I have seen many times.

I really feel sorry for the CMs. Guests are trying to navigate a glitchy software program and the CMs become the target of their frustration. A few posters have complained about snippy or unhelpful CMs, but I think their attitudes are a direct result of being yelled at multiple times.

I know how frustrated I become when I run into any and all computer glitches. I try everything I can think of to resolve the issue before I contact any type of IT support because I hate phone holds. It's the same in the parks, except I'm stuck standing in another line to supposedly spend less time standing in an attraction line!

Hey, maybe that's Disney's hidden agenda! The Guest Relations line is another way to divert guests into less popular activities or attractions. Maybe they should offer FP+ for Guest Relations since the standby line is usually 45 minutes!

 

[nkereina]

If the 4th kiosk FP+ "pool" is different from the 3 advanced FP+ "pool", then why would there be no availability at 11am like you've stated? With that logic, there should be ample availability by that time since I would guess most visitors either a) haven't arrived yet b) haven't used their 3 FP+ yet and/or c) don't know to use their 3 FP+ up first thing so they can obtain a kiosk FP.


What I don't get is why they wouldn't let you cancel your 4th FP for Peter Pan at the kiosk. Is that normal? Are the kiosk FPs really set in stone so choose wisely? Or would you have been able to cancel if you were in MK? Confused about the rules surrounding this.

 

[lillykat]

Interesting. I was able to modify, change and cancel our 4th, 5th and 6th FPs that I booked at a kiosk but then showed up on my app back in a May. Also I didn't look closely but it seemed the ones on my app were the same as the kiosk. I had other issues though. We were in MK with a splash mountain FP but storming so the ride was closed. They told us we had to book and use the third FP before we could go to EPCOT and book a 4th. If we didn't book and use a third at the MK we would be unable to get a 4th (even if we simple just booked and let expire the 3rd at the MK). Kind of a pain.

 

[Luckybee]

I'm sure you're right, but here's the question. How much more time was required for planning your trip?

I've given up on counting the hours that have gone into planning what 1/2 day we're doing what park, what rides we're doing and at what time, what morning, afternoon, and evening and where we'll be and so on and so on etc.

Last trip about 4 or 5 yrs ago to D we spent about 30 minutes deciding where we wanted to stay and booked flights and the only thing pre booked was the concierge safari at AKL. We decided what park to go to when we got up in the am. We booked a few dinner ressies in advance (only one on property which was V and A...only booked it about 3 weeks in advance thou)

That is more our typical holiday. I'm very very concerned that this Sept/ Oct trip is going to be too darn structured esp for dh.

Don't get me wrong. I tend to be a planner. But I hate forced planning as opposed to enjoyable planning. The difference with this is that there appears to be little if any flexibility to change one's plans.

 

[Raenstoirm]

Third, the CMs at the kiosk cannot cancel FP, even the Plus 1 FP. To cancel it, you need to go to a Guest Relations CM. They have access to cancel it.

Not true, but you have to see a "manager." We had our 4th FP+ for maelstrom, but hopped over to MK before I used mine. When we tried to book a 5th FP+ at MK, I was denied. A manager with an iPad had to come over to the kiosk and delete my epcot FP+. It was a bit of a pain, but not that big of a deal.

But she had already booked the fourth FP at a kiosk. I thought I had read somewhere that once you book your fourth at a kiosk, you can actually make changes with your own device.

We could not do that in May, however I too have heard of people being able to.

What I don't get is why they wouldn't let you cancel your 4th FP for Peter Pan at the kiosk. Is that normal? Are the kiosk FPs really set in stone so choose wisely? Or would you have been able to cancel if you were in MK? Confused about the rules surrounding this.

Poor OP hit a major glitch with the new system. That is not the norm (well it is kinda the norm, but it is not SUPPOSED to be the norm , so don't go in expecting issues. You may get lucky.)

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Of course you're allowed to hate it. The question is what are you going to do about your hatred for the new system. I prefer most parts of the old system too. However, the new system is here and it's not bad enough for me to not go to the parks. As a result, I try to learn enough about the system to enjoy my vacations, I've done two FP+ vacations that since legacy went away and they've been just as enjoyable as any vacation prior to the new system- but that's just my outlook on the situation

I too am an uber planner excel shreadsheet and all. I also use both touring plans and easywdw. Have you plugged in a customed plan yet only to be told to minimize wait do not use the FP? This is my 3rd FP plus vacation. However, I found I needed to cancel most TS lunches and had a hurry up then wait touring that I do not like. I also do RD and found I was able to do much less. If your happy getting less, good for you.

And for the record I was smiling and polite to the CM. sort of laughing actually.

FP+, according to a BC concierge, Fast pass plus was designed as a ride redistribution. Less for some more for others. I know which group I'm in.

 

[ThumpersMommy]

I just returned from an 8-day trip and can tell you that most of the popular attractions were gone by the time we went to get our 4th FP+, both at MK and Epcot. I specifically booked the earliest FP+'s I could so that we could get our 4th, 5th, etc. It did not work that well. The lines for the FP+ kiosks were very long itself. If you want to be sure to get one of the mountains, get that in your first 3 allotted FP+, otherwise chances are you will not be able to get it. We did have 2 days where I made the FP+ for later on in the evening, which was nice to be able to ride our favorites at night as we have in the past, but a bummer because we could not get any FP until those were used, at which point, nothing would be left anyway. One day, some of my party forgot to swipe their magic bands at the 2nd FP scanner on a ride, and it wrecked the ability for any of us to be able to get a 4th FP at another park later that day. Only good thing is that you could sleep in if you had FP+ set for later on, not having to be there at rope drop. Otherwise, I prefer the old system but will try to plan better for the next trip.

 

[Bullseye]

I'm sure you're right, but here's the question. How much more time was required for planning your trip?

1 hour. At the sixty day mark I spent one hour picking FP+ elections. It was easy.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Just updated my second try at a 4th FP+ at Maelstrom.

 

[lugnut33]

It's pure magic, wrapped up in pixie dust!!

 

[ParrotBill]

It's pure magic, wrapped up in pixie dust!!

"Don't inhale"

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I really wanted a FP+ to Maelstrom because when I originally made my FP+ selections it was considered a Tier 1. It had changed but I was not aware of that until I went to change my August FP+.

I guess I did not get the memo.