After reading hundreds of posts about FP+.....

[ks-man]

It seems like there are two major complaints and one other complaint that is a notch lower.

1) Tiering at Epcot, AK and DHS
2) Limiting FP+ to only 3 per day
and to a less extent
3) Needing to plan anywhere from 1-60 days before you go

The first two are easily rectified by Disney using their existing system if they discover that those limits aren't needed based on the flow. I'm sure Disney will monitor the wait times of the FP+ queues and if they are too fast they will allow more people to get into those lines. If FP+ queues are very long then it means that there is a capacity issue and people are really complaining that more people are using FP+ as compared to FP- which to Disney is a positive.

My guess is that eventually Disney will allow a floating number of FP+ moving forward where you could perhaps only book 3 in advance but at the park based on minimal queues in certain FP+ rides allow you to book more FP through the kiosks and app. So if I'm in a standby line for SM and check my app about what to do next and see an available FP+ for Dumbo I can grab it. This might allow me get to more than 3 for the day and maybe up to 6 or 7 like before.

I guess my main point is that there is no reason that FP+ can't do the same things as FP- but it is better b/c you can use bands and an app where before you had to pull paper. The issues right now is that they are still figuring it all out. Sure it will end up slightly different since more people will have access but while Superusers will be frustrated most users will end up better off. So people are very upset b/c they think the current workings of FP+ (which aren't perfect) are how they will be for the next 10 years.

So instead of sending your complain to Disney about how FP+ ruined your trip and you'll never go back, instead explain the things you liked about FP+ (the bands, ability to see things on the app) and how if they can streamline that with allowing you the ability to find low wait lines and grab a few more FP how that would be awesome.

Disclaimer - My first trip to Disney using FP+ is in April so I haven't experienced it yet but I will go into it with a positive attitude but certainly understand there will be issues and hopefully in the upcoming months and years Disney will figure out the way to make the experience the best for everybody.

 

[999DoomBuggies]

fast pass + sucks as a whole. Basically disney took a big giant dump on the theme park experience.

Not enough passes, eliminates the rewards for the die hard theme park goers that want to hustle, the IT behind my magic is absolute garbage, and the general lack of vision for fast pass + is ridiculous.


Not to mention that there should never be a pirates, HM, Spaceship Earth, etc fast pass. I mean ever. Whoever threw that idea on the table should be fired immediately and then required to come to this message board and apologize for being an idiot.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

It seems like there are two major complaints and one other complaint that is a notch lower.

1) Tiering at Epcot, AK and DHS
2) Limiting FP+ to only 3 per day
and to a less extent
3) Needing to plan anywhere from 1-60 days before you go

The first two are easily rectified by Disney using their existing system if they discover that those limits aren't needed based on the flow. I'm sure Disney will monitor the wait times of the FP+ queues and if they are too fast they will allow more people to get into those lines. If FP+ queues are very long then it means that there is a capacity issue and people are really complaining that more people are using FP+ as compared to FP- which to Disney is a positive.

My guess is that eventually Disney will allow a floating number of FP+ moving forward where you could perhaps only book 3 in advance but at the park based on minimal queues in certain FP+ rides allow you to book more FP through the kiosks and app. So if I'm in a standby line for SM and check my app about what to do next and see an available FP+ for Dumbo I can grab it. This might allow me get to more than 3 for the day and maybe up to 6 or 7 like before.

I guess my main point is that there is no reason that FP+ can't do the same things as FP- but it is better b/c you can use bands and an app where before you had to pull paper. The issues right now is that they are still figuring it all out. Sure it will end up slightly different since more people will have access but while Superusers will be frustrated most users will end up better off. So people are very upset b/c they think the current workings of FP+ (which aren't perfect) are how they will be for the next 10 years.

So instead of sending your complain to Disney about how FP+ ruined your trip and you'll never go back, instead explain the things you liked about FP+ (the bands, ability to see things on the app) and how if they can streamline that with allowing you the ability to find low wait lines and grab a few more FP how that would be awesome.

Disclaimer - My first trip to Disney using FP+ is in April so I haven't experienced it yet but I will go into it with a positive attitude but certainly understand there will be issues and hopefully in the upcoming months and years Disney will figure out the way to make the experience the best for everybody.

last I heard there was "Only" tiering at DHS and Epcot - did they add AK recently?

 

[RDawn]

I like your attitude! Have a wonderful time in April & keep us posted on your FP+ experience.

 

[ucfknight]

last I heard there was "Only" tiering at DHS and Epcot - did they add AK recently?

No they have not.
Still only DHS and Epcot are tiered.

 

[JanaDee]

I've tried really hard to come up with at least one positive about FP+/MB's.

I can't.

 

[smitch425]

I've tried really hard to come up with at least one positive about FP+/MB's.

I can't.

Regarding FP+, here's one...

You can sleep in on your DHS day and still get to FP TSM.

Management has already stated to multiple people that there will be significant changes made to the system (regarding hopping, for example). It hasn't even been fully rolled out for a month yet. The final product will likely be much different. Personally, I loved using the system, but I do hope they make some changes. I think it has the potential to be great. It just needs time to be implemented to its fullest potential. Hopefully guest feedback will get it headed in the right direction.

Magic Bands are the best part of the whole My Magic+ initiative. So much easier than messing with cards. We loved the ease of use, and we really never noticed we were wearing them, until we took them off.

 

[snoopy352]

I guess my main point is that there is no reason that FP+ can't do the same things as FP-

FP- = minimum of six FP tickets per day
FP+ = maximum of three FP tickets per day, with tiering, no park hopping, and inability to use FP on the same ride at the same park on the same day

You really do believe that FP+ can do the same things as FP-???

 

[pmf1234]

I just got back last week from Disney. I wanted to put in my experience. I liked the FP+ for the most part. We had park hoppers and my kids favorite ride was test track and TSM. But because we could not pick both we only did TSM once because line was too long. We are not morning people. We did not do any rope drops. I tried to get them up so we could ride TSM again but did not want to. I hope that if you have a park hopper you can FP test track at Epcot and then FP TSM at HS. Or FP BTM at MK then Test Track at Epcot, because that was my only complaint. Otherwise had a great time.

 

[999DoomBuggies]

FP- = minimum of six FP tickets per day
FP+ = maximum of three FP tickets per day, with tiering, no park hopping, and inability to use FP on the same ride at the same park on the same day

You really do believe that FP+ can do the same things as FP-???

this

You would have to go out of your way to ensure not getting 6 fast passes a day in the old system.

A visitor had the chance of riding TT and Soaring without excessive waits swallowing a large chunk of the park day. Now this is no more.

 

[kittyab]

We had had no issues with the FP+ when we were there in November BUT I did do a lot of planning in advance. I can see the FP+ being a issue for those who like to do things on the fly.

There was no tiering when were there though.

 

[mayesq]

Regarding FP+, here's one...

You can sleep in on your DHS day and still get to FP TSM.

Management has already stated to multiple people that there will be significant changes made to the system (regarding hopping, for example). It hasn't even been fully rolled out for a month yet. The final product will likely be much different. Personally, I loved using the system, but I do hope they make some changes. I think it has the potential to be great. It just needs time to be implemented to its fullest potential. Hopefully guest feedback will get it headed in the right direction.

Magic Bands are the best part of the whole My Magic+ initiative. So much easier than messing with cards. We loved the ease of use, and we really never noticed we were wearing them, until we took them off.

How is this an advantage? If there is a ride you really want to go on, you make the effort to get there early and ride it, or wait in line. The whole idea of FP+ really sucks for people like me that live a few hours away and might take a quick trip to Disney for the weekend to ride our favorite rides only to deal with this ridiculous system and have to sacrifice one family member's favorite ride for another. Or be forced to wait in ridiculous lines.

I, as a Florida resident, am not happy and don't plan on visiting Disney anytime soon due to this change. At least Universal gives a true perk for staying in their parks.

 

[StacyMarie]

fast pass + sucks as a whole. Basically disney took a big giant dump on the theme park experience.

Not enough passes, eliminates the rewards for the die hard theme park goers that want to hustle, the IT behind my magic is absolute garbage, and the general lack of vision for fast pass + is ridiculous.

Not to mention that there should never be a pirates, HM, Spaceship Earth, etc fast pass. I mean ever. Whoever threw that idea on the table should be fired immediately and then required to come to this message board and apologize for being an idiot.

Agree 100%, which is why we are 90% sure we are spending our vacation dollars elsewhere this year!

 

[StacyMarie]

FP- = minimum of six FP tickets per day
FP+ = maximum of three FP tickets per day, with tiering, no park hopping, and inability to use FP on the same ride at the same park on the same day

You really do believe that FP+ can do the same things as FP-???

I agree!!!!

 

[smitch425]

this

You would have to go out of your way to ensure not getting 6 fast passes a day in the old system.

A visitor had the chance of riding TT and Soaring without excessive waits swallowing a large chunk of the park day. Now this is no more.

You can get there at rope drop and ride one standby and one with FP+. That would be the best way to not eat up time.

 

[ougrad86]

I'm trying to keep a positive attitude about FP+. It is difficult. I am not going to write Disney a letter saying I am glad I need to wear a band around the park or I am glad I can see everything on the app . We booked our FP+ last night, 5 people. We used the web site on my iPad since the apps were buggy; my friend couldn't even copy her FP to her DD, she had to sign in on my iPad for the web site. The app still is not displaying properly, so I am just saving images of the screen on the web site. Even so, there are times when I try to pull up the FP even on the web site and it instructs me to call IT. I can see it on some sections but not others . It is not a very well constructed web site or app.

We were always rope droppers. We had no problem picking up the FP's, my son got a kick out of running around for them. We never waited more than 20 minutes - our Lines app told us the FP times, so we did not waste time running there when the time was not right. We had no problem keeping track of when our FP's or ADR's were. Very simple .

My trip is not ruined, and I enjoy planning, but this is beyond enjoyable. The resort we were planning to stay in we did not book because it was off-site (SOG, for military families). This may be our last trip with our kids since they are going off to college, so we wanted to make sure we get as much from this trip as we could. We will have fun, but we need to stay to a very precise schedule, whereas before there was some spontaneity during the day. FP+ is not an enhancement to the way we tour .

 

[minnie mum]

Disclaimer - My first trip to Disney using FP+ is in April so I haven't experienced it yet but I will go into it with a positive attitude but certainly understand there will be issues and hopefully in the upcoming months and years Disney will figure out the way to make the experience the best for everybody.

Please come back and report the condition of your rose colored glasses after you have actually experienced using FP+. I will be interested to know how understanding you are of the "issues" once they directly impact your park days. Hopefully you will still be happy to wait patiently for months or years while they get this monstrosity functioning properly. I am not willing to spend several thousand dollars for a substandard experience that requires me to be patient and understanding of Disney's incompetence while they continue to fumble about trying to get this whole new system running as it should.

 

[jgasko]

It seems like most of the complaints are from people who liked to get to the park at rope drop then run all over the place trying to get fp-. The people who like the fp+, I absolutely love it, prefer a more relaxed trip. If you know you are going to be at the parks all day, get fass passes for one park in the afternoon while enjoying another park earlier in the day. Being a local, fp+ also means that I can plan a quick trip a day or two ahead of time. My only complaint is that at epcot I do not want to ride the headline rides, but I am required to get a fp for one anyway, I would love to be able to pick a max of 1 headline, or else 3 of the "lower" rides.

 

[smitch425]

How is this an advantage? If there is a ride you really want to go on, you make the effort to get there early and ride it, or wait in line. The whole idea of FP+ really sucks for people like me that live a few hours away and might take a quick trip to Disney for the weekend to ride our favorite rides only to deal with this ridiculous system and have to sacrifice one family member's favorite ride for another. Or be forced to wait in ridiculous lines.

I, as a Florida resident, am not happy and don't plan on visiting Disney anytime soon due to this change. At least Universal gives a true perk for staying in their parks.

How is it an advantage?? YOU CAN SLEEP IN. How was that not clear? We are not morning people, and Disney trips can be exhausting. The ability to not have to hit rope drop is a huge plus for many. I've seen several people state that they will finally get to see what TSM is about because they could never get there before FPs were gone for the day, and weren't going to stand in long standby lines. Is that their own fault? Absolutely! That doesn't discount the fact that this new system does benefit them. As with any change, someone wins and someone loses. There is no perfect system. Disney has done their research, and they are collecting data. They will make the changes they deem necessary as the system continues to roll out. Today's system is not the final product.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

FP- = minimum of six FP tickets per day
FP+ = maximum of three FP tickets per day, with tiering, no park hopping, and inability to use FP on the same ride at the same park on the same day

You really do believe that FP+ can do the same things as FP-???

um, that minimum of FP- really depends on the crowd level and your touring style.

We were there in August and on a Thursday all of the FP- for both Soarin' and Test Tract were gone by late morning. You are right if you do rope-drop, etc., but not for all families/touring styles

with FP+ I could pretty much guarantee that I could get a FP+ for Soarin' if I wanted to

It definitely isn't perfect and hope they get all the technology kinks out and figure out how to tweak it properly ... but there are some benefits of the system and just like people figured out how to maximize FP- they will figure out how to maximize FP+ - just will take some time