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

[JanaDee]

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.

TSMM has never been a priority for us (actually, DHS has never been a priority for us, we skip it more often than not) and we found the MB to be bulky and uncomfortable. We much prefer cards.

 

[STLMickeyMom]

FP+ isn't perfect, but I don't think the old FP system was perfect either. we aren't rope drop people and we don't want to run around the park getting FPs. that didn't work for us either. we actually didn't mind FP+ when we went in January. it actually helped me plan our day and worked really well for our family. we didn't feel rushed, we got to do the rides we wanted and got to sleep in on our HS day! nothing is going to be perfect for everyone and all the different ways people like to tour the park. you just have to find a way to make the system work for you....

 

[smitch425]

TSMM has never been a priority for us (actually, DHS has never been a priority for us, we skip more often than not) and we found the MB to be bulky and uncomfortable. We much prefer cards.

Did you cut the band at all? My band could have been kid size, but I liked the look of the grey. I just cut it off like this, and it made a huge difference...

 

[JanaDee]

Did you cut the band at all? My band could have been kid size, but I liked the look of the grey. I just cut it off like this, and it made a huge difference...

The size of the band had nothing to do with how uncomfortable it was, it was the part where the RFID is located. It is bulky, inflexible and awkward.

 

[Golf4283]

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.

This is all relative. I think Disney did a great thing by implementing this. No more taking advantage of the rules of the old system. Disney is now in control of the fastpasses and who gets them and how many.

No more can a person have their KTTW card and their ticket separate and pull double the fastpasses. No longer can the rides that aren't part of the fastpass group be taken advantage of. No more running to the FP kiosk to pull a random time that you won't even know until you get there.

Fastpass Plus makes the overall user experience better. The die-hard commando people are generally in the angered group because they could pull more fastpasses per day than rides in the park.

In my opinion Disney decided to level the playing field for the non "hustling" guests who want take advantage of the system and its benefits. Someone like me can now enjoy my experience much more not having to worry about getting to TSMM at 9am when the park opens and fastpasses are already gone. I can have reserved them beforehand.

This just goes to show that overall some people will be happy (me) and some will be mad. Either way Disney World will attract guests. If it's not you it'll be someone else.

 

[AmyB2006]

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

I'm sorry, but I got here and I literally laughed out loud. This was funny to read, even if I don't agree with you.

However this:

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.

I do agree with.

 

[ucfknight]

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

I can't.

Doesn't sound like you tried very hard.

 

[JanaDee]

Doesn't sound like you tried very hard.

I have, ever since the end of October, when I used it. For us, there is nothing positive about the new FP system or MB's.

 

[jon18uk]

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.

I never managed to get a FP to Soarin' on our last few trips. We would mainly go to EpCoT in the afternoons so they were all distributed. Got TT FP- a few times though.
Biggest advantage of FP+ will be being knowing I have Soarin' pre-scheduled.
Biggest annoyance currently is that I can't get a FP at AK and then goto EpCoT in the evening and get use my Soarin' one. In AK could usually get FP- for Everest then ride Safari Standby (or vice-versa), with FP+ would probably get FP+ for both then go watch a show instead!

 

[jade1]

I have, ever since the end of October, when I used it. For us, there is nothing positive about the new FP system or MB's.

How about having the 3 Mountains (or TSM/TOT/RNR) waiting for you on arrival day/eve.

Obviously I'm talking about folks that fly in that morning and check in early afternoon.

 

[amylevan]

The size of the band had nothing to do with how uncomfortable it was, it was the part where the RFID is located. It is bulky, inflexible and awkward.

I wear a watch religiously, so I didn't mind the MB too much. But several members of our party hated them, one of which was my 4 yr old son. So guess who got to carry a bulky band around? A card would have been much easier for me to lug around.

 

[anelson81993]

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.

Please keep in mind that not everyone has the ability to see things on the app or use the app at all. I, for example, do not own a single device that supports the app. Neither does anyone in my family. When we visited as a family, we could not use the app at all. Honestly, I prefer the paper to apps I don't have. While I've never had the opportunity to work with the app because I don't have a device for it, from the response it's getting here, I'd say that the paper probably works better for me.

In addition, some people's tickets aren't on the app yet. Off-site guests don't get to use the app, including some residents and APs who have yet to stay on site. I'm glad that you like the app, but please remember that not all of us can use it and can even say that we like it. With one of the major benefits (as suggested in your post) being the app, having it only available to a limited quantity of people makes it not much of a benefit at all.

 

[LONES]

We were at Disney the week of 1/19-1/26. I was very skeptical of the MB and FP+ before our trip. I do have to say after trying it... I didn't hate it. I know that's not exactly a ringing endorsement !

I travel with my husband, 2 kids (9&7) and my parents. None of these people are capable of getting moving in the morning. As much as I would love to be a rope-dropper... I've come to accept that it's never going to happen. That being said, I did ride Toy Story Mania for the first time ever at 1:30pm on January 21st. I was very happy to be able to do that. However, if it was that important to me, I would have made it a point to get my butt to rope drop on one of our previous trips. I never had a problem with the fact that "the early birds got the worm" so to speak. I knew what I had to do if I wanted to ride it with little wait, and for many years chose not to.

I did hate the fact that because I chose to FP TSM, I could not pull a FP for Rockin' Rollercoaster. That is the absolutely ridiculous part of this whole new system. Let me ride the rides I want to...

We didn't experience any issues with our MB's except for my Husband whose band worked about 50% of the time for park entry. Every other time a CM with an ipad rectifed the situation in about 60 seconds. It was mildly annoying, but nothing that really bothered us.

My major source of frustration with this was the planning. I fully admit to not being very tech saavy at all. I don't even own a smart phone. Trying to set up our fastpasses was torture for me. I seriously cried, I was so frustrated. I know enough to know that any web site run by Disney is a soup sandwich. It boggles my mind that I can go on any po-dunk little web site out there and accomplish what I need to.... but Disney websites repeatedly cause me to want to put my fist through a wall. The fact that Disney has now made your park experience completely dependant on your ability to navigate their website makes me want to laugh and/or cry!

 

[Dreams0308]

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.

I agree with you and it's refreshing to hear someone think about this a little more logically. Have fun on your trip! I also think you are right about the fact that Disney has the ability to change their system and to adapt based on results from testing and how guests are reacting to the system. They can always increase the number of FP+'s. They are still working out the kinks and trying to determine the best way to implement everything.

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-???

Disney designed both systems, so I think if they wanted to change the system, they could. We know they are going to have to add the Park Hopping options or else their park hopping tickets are useless and people will stop buying that option. Eventually they will make changes!!! I don't think the system is a final product right now, and I think it's illogical to think Disney is just sitting back marvelling at the "amazing final product." We know they are looking at feedback and guest comments. I think we can give them more time than a month, but that's just my opinion.

I feel like it wouldn't be that hard to make the new min. 6 FP+ per day. I think Disney is trying to determine what giving people 3 does and see how it affects SB lines and FP lines and crowds.

The tiering thing is a new idea as well. I just think it's crazy that people are saying "I can't ride X ride/ attraction at all because I can't get a FP+" .... No one is stopping you from waiting in the SB line..... A lot of people wait in SB lines everyday. It's ridiculous and untrue that people are saying they "can't ride" at all without a FP+. I've waiting in tons of SB lines...

Personally, I think it is nice that I can now go into EPCOT and not run like a maniac past Spaceship Earth and all the details I would love to stop and see, to get into the MASS line down the escalator in The Land towards Soarin' to get a FP-. I can just reserve it ahead of time and not worry about it. And then I can walk over to TT and get in the SB line and ride that too.

I like the idea of being able to get a FP+ from my phone on the go and not having to actually walk to that area of a park and get a physical FP ticket. Getting FP tickets can cause a lot of backtracking through the park and wasting time walking around to the machines. To me that is a really nice advantage of this new system.

TSMM has never been a priority for us (actually, DHS has never been a priority for us, we skip it more often than not) and we found the MB to be bulky and uncomfortable. We much prefer cards.

I wear a watch religiously, so I didn't mind the MB too much. But several members of our party hated them, one of which was my 4 yr old son. So guess who got to carry a bulky band around? A card would have been much easier for me to lug around.

You can ask for a Key to the World Card instead with the RFID in it instead of using the MB. That is an option as Disney cannot "make" you use the bands. Then with the card, it can just go in your wallet as usual or wherever you used to store your paper FP-'s.

 

[revdon64]

Just wondering how the people who are so angry over the change to FP+ and the limitations are responding to rumors today that they're testing removing the limits. What I read is that after you've used your three pre-scheduled ones you'll be able to schedule more. Seems to make sense. Here's the link http://*************************/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1411802#p1411802

OOPS, didn't work. Anyway, it's Theme Park Reviews

 

[JanaDee]

You can ask for a Key to the World Card instead with the RFID in it instead of using the MB. That is an option as Disney cannot "make" you use the bands. Then with the card, it can just go in your wallet as usual or wherever you used to store your paper FP-'s.

A poster that just came back said they asked for the cards and were denied.

 

[dobtia]

This debate has been "interesting" for months as comes down to basic "what is best for my family" argument.

I am pretty sure that we are not going to have peace in the near future. The I want to sleep in and still ride TSM, TT, Soarin and the the I like rope drop and riding rides multiple times during the day people just won't agree....and for transparency I am a June visitor so for me it was rope drop and multiple rides.

However my biggest thoughts lately have been....why just Disney world and not Disneyland...kind of have that picked on feeling just a bit...lol. My other biggest thought is....with a billion dollars spent on this....many how many new rides could that have been...2 or 3 at bot EPCOT and DHS. (I left out AK because of Avatar land, and we know that is a totally different thread)

Now back to planning my first on-site trip

 

[Dreams0308]

A poster that just came back said they asked for the cards and were denied.

Sorry, I didn't see that post. Sometimes it's hard to catch all of them and read through all the comments.

That's interesting. I would have asked to speak with a manager and asked why. If you were really that upset with using the bands, I am sure they would at least try to accomodate you. I still don't think they can force you to wear a band. Not sure though....

 

[ks-man]

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-???

Wow, just got back after starting the thread and see 3 pages worth...

You either misunderstood my point or didn't read my whole post and jumped the gun to express your dissatisfaction. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume the former.

I agree that FP+ in its current implementation can't do what FP- did but that isn't any technological issue but a decision on Disney's part about limitations and tiers to the FP system. If they wanted to allow more tickets on FP+, allow park hopping and allow multiple FP on the same ride that is a minor code change and then easily implemented.

People continue complaining about the FP+ system but in truth there is nothing that I've read (apart from a few bugs in MDE) that really deals with complaining about the new FP system yet rather about the rules that Disney attached to the new system. Keep in mind this new system is brand new and Disney will almost certainly change the rules.

Think about it another way. Had Disney changed the rules on FP- but stuck with the paper and you were limited to 3/day, no park hopping, tiering and no multiple FP for the same ride, would your complaints be any different?

If not than recognize you are complaining about Disney's rules and not the FP+ system itself. Everything I've learned in my research is that the FP+ system is actually quite good but the rules from Disney seem to need some adjusting. That is very good news as the new system can move forward and the rules can change.

 

[snoopy352]

Wow, just got back after starting the thread and see 3 pages worth...

You either misunderstood my point or didn't read my whole post and jumped the gun to express your dissatisfaction. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume the former.

I agree that FP+ in its current implementation can't do what FP- did but that isn't any technological issue but a decision on Disney's part about limitations and tiers to the FP system. If they wanted to allow more tickets on FP+, allow park hopping and allow multiple FP on the same ride that is a minor code change and then easily implemented.

People continue complaining about the FP+ system but in truth there is nothing that I've read (apart from a few bugs in MDE) that really deals with complaining about the new FP system yet rather about the rules that Disney attached to the new system. Keep in mind this new system is brand new and Disney will almost certainly change the rules.

Think about it another way. Had Disney changed the rules on FP- but stuck with the paper and you were limited to 3/day, no park hopping, tiering and no multiple FP for the same ride, would your complaints be any different?

If not than recognize you are complaining about Disney's rules and not the FP+ system itself. Everything I've learned in my research is that the FP+ system is actually quite good but the rules from Disney seem to need some adjusting. That is very good news as the new system can move forward and the rules can change.

From a technological standpoint I certainly agree with all this - I did misunderstand you and thought you were referring to the rules that were in place for FP+ as a comparison to FP-.