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

[redrosesix]

Being able to book a Fastpass in advance for headliners at any time you choose even late afternoon and evening without even having to go to the attraction until you are ready to ride, not possible with Legacy.

Booking Fastpass for parades, Fireworks, shows, not possible with Legacy.

Knowing in advance what time your Fastpass is, so you can plan dinners, recreation, etc. with Legacy there was no way to know what time you would get one, if you got anything.

Magic Bands are a major improvement in convenience, no card to try and keep up with especially at the pools.

you clearly haven't used the syste during a busy time, since nobody has. We still haven't gotten to a truly busy time where fp+ exists without fp- in all parks. Even so this week lots of people are complaining that ADRs are running late -- so you have to choose between your ADR and your fp. Most of them are gone by dinner time so there isn't the option of rebooking. And some of the bands don't work as well as you'd think -- my daughter's works through her sweater, she only has to get it near the Mickey for it to work. I actually have to take mine off and use it like....a KTTW card. So I'd rather have a card.

In short, you're talking about the way it's supposed to work. Not the way it actually works. And it's not even that crowded right now. I hope you don't lose it when a ride is done or your ADR runs late and all your well-laid plans fall apart. It's better to assume it won't work exactly as planned and if it does consider it Pixie Dust.

Like I said before, FP+ isn't a replacement for FP-. It's a totally different system. It's more like using DDP instead of making an ADR day of and paying OOP. Same food, same price just maybe more convenient for people who need to plan in advance.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

Just got back yesterday. My first experience with fp+.

We were able to do all the headliners, and all the rides we wanted in less time than it took me last year about the same time.

There could surely be some tweaks, but overall we love the new system!!!

 

[Sammie]

you clearly haven't used the system, at least not during a busy time. This week lots of people are complaining that ADRs are running late -- so you have to choose between your ADR and your fp. Most of them are gone by dinner time so there isn't the option of rebooking. And some of the bands don't work as well as you'd think -- my daughter's works through her sweater, she only has to get it near the Mickey for it to work. I actually have to take mine off and use it like....a KTTW card. So I'd rather have a card.

In short, you're talking about the way it's supposed to work. Not the way it actually works. And it's not even that crowded right now. I hope you don't lose it when a ride is done or your ADR runs late and all your well-laid plans fall apart. It's better to assume it won't work exactly as planned and if it does consider it Pixie Dust.

Like I said before, FP+ isn't a replacement for FP-. It's a totally different system. It's more like using DDP instead of making an ADR day of and paying OOP. Same food, same price just maybe more convenient for people who need to plan in advance.

I absolutely love that people on here know what someone has personally experienced and yet they weren't there.

Are you psychic?

We have used it twice, both times during busy time periods, and it worked perfectly for us. Just as I said it did. Why in the world would I describe why I like something if I had not actually experienced it. Unlike some, I don't do that.

So sorry your experience with Fastpass was not a pleasant one but both of ours was and looking forward to using it again soon.

 

[redrosesix]

I absolutely love that people on here know what someone has personally experienced and yet they weren't there.

Are you psychic?

We have used it twice, both times during busy time periods, and it worked perfectly for us. Just as I said it did. Why in the world would I describe why I like something if I had not actually experienced it. Unlike some, I don't do that.

So sorry your experience with Fastpass was not a pleasant one but both of ours was and looking forward to using it again soon.

Ours wasn't an unpleasant experience, it just wasn't overwhelmingly great and amazing. I am not in awe of how well it works. And nobody has used it in a busy time yet -- that's actually what I meant but didn't write very well and I have since edited it (dealing with a trip crisis atm due to weather). Anyone who used the system during Christmas was using it when fp- hadn't been removed yet, and it wasn't available in all parks, and there was no tiering.

So even our relatively limited experience with it was during a non-busy time. But even so, a lot of other guests have been having bad experiences with the system. For us it just wasn't that helpful, since better planning actually helps more. And if anything, it actually got in the way of just enjoying ourselves in the parks. I did like fp-, since we could look at a ride and decide at that moment whether we wanted to skip it, wait for it or fp it (and go have dinner, shop, or do a different ride while waiting). We don't think that fp+ in any way replaces it because it doesn't do the same thing at all.

 

[DanInMN]

We just returned from Orlando on Sunday. We stayed offsite this time, but were onsite in September. In general the FP+ worked okay on both visits.

- This time my wife's card worked once, then quit. We had to get it replaced. That was mildly annoying, but it only took 5 minutes.

- Since we were offsite we could not setup FP+ in advance, so we did it in the parks with the CM's carrying the iPads. In many cases there were fairly long lines to get the FP+. We walked past those and later found other locations with no line. It makes no sense to me to wait in line to get a pass to avoid lines! This could easily be fixed with enough self-service kiosks instead of the limited number of CM's available.

- Using RFID to enter the park was slowing down the process. This is partly because the readers are in pairs and people would always walk up to the first reader, the second reader was seldom used. Physically changing the layout a bit could double the throughput.

All the whining about 3 FP+ per day, tiering, and unable to hop... those are policy decisions made by Disney. Accommodating different rules will be easy. It could emulate the old paper system almost exactly, if that was desired. Hopefully Disney will allow hopping for those who want it (we never hop), and after the first three FP+ have been used allow people to get a few more if available.

Fundamentally Disney needs to expand the total ride capacity at the parks, instead of spending so much effort on rationing.

With all that said, we will probably take a break from Disney for awhile. Not because of FP+, but because there are other things to do and places to see in the real world.

 

[MrInfinity]

I'm so looking forward to FP+ on our May trip. For me, the biggest benefit is not having to run off to get tickets any more! You know how it is... you show up at a park, stand outside for 30 min, then finally get let in -- your kids are stoked and looking all around... and you have to ditch them! You, the runner, have to run off, alone, while they bee-line to some other ride. Move it kids we have a ride to get to see you in 20! Yeah no more! Now I can do all of that from the comfort of my home in my jammies... and on park day, we can just show up and go to our rides! I already have our FP's picked for Epcot (the Epcot glitch) and I absolutely love the days I have planned out. The absolute best part is we no longer have to break off and do the commando thing, running around like crazy men fighting for little paper tickets.

It's all about attitude and embracing change. I understand some ppl learned how to work the old system. So learn the new one! Enjoy the positives of it and forget the awful fighting for tickets of times past. I'd say I spent a good hour per park day-- on my own, just going for tickets. Talk about a waste!

DW is so much about enjoying time w your family, and now I can plan our rides, queue them up from home, and go have fun.

 

[tlady]

I would add to the list of complaints: being limited to using the FP only once on any specific ride, per day. That is another ridiculous and very limiting change to the system.

 

[Shaden]

Being able to book a Fastpass in advance for headliners at any time you choose even late afternoon and evening without even having to go to the attraction until you are ready to ride, not possible with Legacy.

Booking Fastpass for parades, Fireworks, shows, not possible with Legacy.

Knowing in advance what time your Fastpass is, so you can plan dinners, recreation, etc. with Legacy there was no way to know what time you would get one, if you got anything.

Magic Bands are a major improvement in convenience, no card to try and keep up with especially at the pools.

What is hilarious is that, this is one advantage. Pre-booking. Which is also a disadvantage ... even most people who sight this as a pro, also admit it can be a con.

Oh and I guess Fastpass availability for Fireworks and such could be seen as an advantage, though its not something tied to FP+, they could have always done this, they just chose not to. The only reason they do it now is to create more capacity. But fair enough, 1.5 advantages, 1 of which can be seen as a disadvantage, and the other well, more than counterbalanced by the major restrictions the system offers.

I also like that you have to try and reach for another "advantage of FP+" ... by sighting Magic Bands ??? Which are an entirely different thing than FP+.

But, there it is.

 

[Shaden]

I'm so looking forward to FP+ on our May trip. For me, the biggest benefit is not having to run off to get tickets any more! You know how it is... you show up at a park, stand outside for 30 min, then finally get let in -- your kids are stoked and looking all around... and you have to ditch them! You, the runner, have to run off, alone, while they bee-line to some other ride. Move it kids we have a ride to get to see you in 20! Yeah no more! Now I can do all of that from the comfort of my home in my jammies... and on park day, we can just show up and go to our rides! I already have our FP's picked for Epcot (the Epcot glitch) and I absolutely love the days I have planned out. The absolute best part is we no longer have to break off and do the commando thing, running around like crazy men fighting for little paper tickets.

It's all about attitude and embracing change. I understand some ppl learned how to work the old system. So learn the new one! Enjoy the positives of it and forget the awful fighting for tickets of times past. I'd say I spent a good hour per park day-- on my own, just going for tickets. Talk about a waste!

DW is so much about enjoying time w your family, and now I can plan our rides, queue them up from home, and go have fun.

Ah here we are with "fuzzy logic" indeed again.

This is just such an exaggeration, there was no need to run for FPs at RD. If that was the case, then all the people telling us how RD is still an option with zero to minimal wait times (including yourself) would be full of crap.

This is especially true for most of May, though to be fair, SWW can increase traffic, still, generally in May no need. Though in May you used to be able to pull 5-10 FPs in a day with ease, for multiple rides on headliners. Of course, you wont be doing that this year, and neither will we.

LOL "running around like crazy men fighting for little paper tickets" such an exaggeration ... but you know, if your fuzzy logic means that you are happy with 1 headliner FP pre-booked while giving up several headliner FPs, then, I guess all the power to you, but don't pretend like this ends some crazy fight for a super limited supply of FPs. Except your implication is that you want to ride rides (that's why you used to run around like crazy???) Except now, you really will only get 1 FP that matters, congrats.

We already learned the new one .... 3 Tiered FP = 1 FP .... 1FP < 4, 5, 6+ FPs. Prebooking, blessing and a curse. FP+, just not a good change for the vast majority of us who "knew" the previous system.

 

[rmom50]

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.

^^^ Amen my haunted cousin. There was a line for FIGMENT in mid November - COME ON NOW DISNEY. CM and I chuckled about it then - now... it SNOT PHUNNY. 3 months ago today I was part of this experiment - IT DIDNT WORK THEN and it doesn't work now and it will never work... imho.

 

[MrInfinity]

Ah here we are with "fuzzy logic" indeed again.

This is just such an exaggeration, there was no need to run for FPs at RD. If that was the case, then all the people telling us how RD is still an option with zero to minimal wait times (including yourself) would be full of crap.

This is especially true for most of May, though to be fair, SWW can increase traffic, still, generally in May no need. Though in May you used to be able to pull 5-10 FPs in a day with ease, for multiple rides on headliners. Of course, you wont be doing that this year, and neither will we.

LOL "running around like crazy men fighting for little paper tickets" such an exaggeration ... but you know, if your fuzzy logic means that you are happy with 1 headliner FP pre-booked while giving up several headliner FPs, then, I guess all the power to you, but don't pretend like this ends some crazy fight for a super limited supply of FPs. Except your implication is that you want to ride rides (that's why you used to run around like crazy???) Except now, you really will only get 1 FP that matters, congrats.

We already learned the new one .... 3 Tiered FP = 1 FP .... 1FP < 4, 5, 6+ FPs. Prebooking, blessing and a curse. FP+, just not a good change for the vast majority of us who "knew" the previous system.

Wow. You must be fun to be with at Disney!

I'm speaking from 1st hand experience here. Long time Disney-goer. Been going to DW since I was a kid, teen, adult. DL many times too! I am really looking forward to this.

I seriously have every ride penciled in for my days. I don't see how splitting off from your fam is better than just showing up and enjoying your day. Oh well. I'm not trying to convince you, I was just sharing my enjoyment of the new system!

You can debate me if you like, but being over-the-top negative about the place you love and adore is self-defeating. Oh and look I'm not even going to insinuate anything about you based on your name!

5-10 fp? no of course not. the rides cannot handle everyone doing that. If you used to pull 5-10 per day then I'm glad others will now get on more and you will get on the same as them!

Most of all, have fun... That's what vacation is about!!!

PS. 3=3. Unless you only want to ride Soarin all day long. Boooring. Can you really ride that 5-6 times per day?

 

[Sammie]

Ours wasn't an unpleasant experience, it just wasn't overwhelmingly great and amazing. I am not in awe of how well it works. And nobody has used it in a busy time yet -- that's actually what I meant but didn't write very well and I have since edited it (dealing with a trip crisis atm due to weather). Anyone who used the system during Christmas was using it when fp- hadn't been removed yet, and it wasn't available in all parks, and there was no tiering.

So even our relatively limited experience with it was during a non-busy time. But even so, a lot of other guests have been having bad experiences with the system. For us it just wasn't that helpful, since better planning actually helps more. And if anything, it actually got in the way of just enjoying ourselves in the parks. I did like fp-, since we could look at a ride and decide at that moment whether we wanted to skip it, wait for it or fp it (and go have dinner, shop, or do a different ride while waiting). We don't think that fp+ in any way replaces it because it doesn't do the same thing at all.

when we tested we used no Legacy Fastpasses at all. So yet again you are completely unaware of what we experienced.

 

[Sammie]

What is hilarious is that, this is one advantage. Pre-booking. Which is also a disadvantage ... even most people who sight this as a pro, also admit it can be a con.

Oh and I guess Fastpass availability for Fireworks and such could be seen as an advantage, though its not something tied to FP+, they could have always done this, they just chose not to. The only reason they do it now is to create more capacity. But fair enough, 1.5 advantages, 1 of which can be seen as a disadvantage, and the other well, more than counterbalanced by the major restrictions the system offers.

I also like that you have to try and reach for another "advantage of FP+" ... by sighting Magic Bands ??? Which are an entirely different thing than FP+.

But, there it is.

You know some of you are really just too much, the nit picking is ridiculous. If you will go back to the quote where someone said they could not think of one advantage of Fastpass+/MBs, so I was simply answering that aspect of the question.

I honestly could care less at this point who likes it and who doesn't. Your dislike is as valid as my like. So if you discredit my ability to like it, you discredit your ability to dislike it.

It just really seems to bother some of you that people truly do like it and yes we are raving about it to Disney every chance we get.

 

[jwhtewolfd]

I'm referencing a few things in your response to my first post which isn't quoted above.

Complaining about it being cold and needing to line up your bands is really quite surprising as anything you are using your bands for you needed to use your room key and/or a paper FP- before. I guess you could have been wearing gloves but to complain about some pretty impressive technology (once the bugs are worked out) b/c you have a few seconds of exposed skin in Florida really feels like you're simply complaining for the sake of complaining. Wow. Yes, I did wear gloves. I also wore several layers plus a coat and a scarf as 40 degree temperatures are cold to me. I wasn't complaining about "a few seconds of exposed skin in Florida." My point was that it was inconvenient FOR ME to have to free up my hands to be able to roll up my sleeves to expose the band so it could be read. I still have to carry several cards (AP, TiW, ID); the band just added a step in that once I finished shuffling my cards, I still had to put them away and expose the band. Same for opening the room door. Still had to set all my bags down to roll up the sleeves to open the door. No more or less convenient than a card for me. Sure this won't be an issue in Florida 10 out of 12 months, but the "impressive technology" is just an RFID chip. I'm just not as blown away by it as you seem to be. There are tons of posts of people loving the simplicity of the band and not needing a room key/credit card and simply waving their band (again initial bugs not withstanding). Good for them. You said the bands were something to like about FP+. I'm simply disagreeing. It's also not "waving" the band. The scanners are pretty temperamental about having the chip aligned exactly right. I saw many blue circles (both for me and those ahead of me in various lines) over the course of two weeks.

"Also, low lines are a thing of the past since rides that never needed FP+ now have it. For example, I've gone in late January for the last 4 years. Pirates has always been walk on, at MOST less than 10 minutes, at any time of the day, but with FP+ this past January it was consistently 25 - 30 minutes, sometimes up to 40 minutes. Same with Haunted Mansion. Even Figment had a wait time, which I've personally never seen before. "

What about the new FP+ would lead to a longer line other than more people being in the park and more people using the new system? I guess there could have been initial bugs but those need to be worked out and just think where our country would be if we weren't willing to roll out new things in fear of a few small bumps along the way. I just don't follow the rationale that FP+ is leading to increased wait times across the board for no other reason than FP+. More likely it is due to increased park attendance (take a look at Disney's financial reports) and you would almost certainly be facing the same lines with FP-
Pirates has closed off one side of the line for FP+. They are essentially running the ride at half capacity, causing it to back up. As far as the other rides, I don't have a guess, especially Figment, b/c who would FP+ Figment? All I know is that I know what 3 and 4 out of 10 crowds feel like to me at the end of January. Crowds felt the same this year. Certain lines were consistently longer this year.

While I understand that people don't care about how positive the overall experience will be for people 6 months, 24 months and years in the future, Disney certainly does. The Fantasyland construction was a nuisance and negatively affected people for years but look how things are now. There is a balance that Disney must find between current experience vs. future and that isn't going to change at Disney or anywhere else.
Construction in one area of one park does not affect my experience in the other 3 parks. I go in January and September - I don't even care about the crane.

Look, I am going to be negatively impacted on my next trip to Disney outside of some big rule changes. I've been to Disney 3 times in the last 4 years and we always utilized FP- to its fullest. We park hop and will often go to MK in the morning and hit up Epcot later in the day for dinner. In my perfect world I would like the new system with the old rules and the old allocation (essentially knowledgeable people only using it) however I recognize that won't happen. I will instead focus on the positives (no more running across the park to get a paper ticket for no other reason than wanting to go on a ride two hours later and I'm also looking forward to my first experience on TSMM. In the past we would always get to DHS early in the day but b/c of either a breakfast reservation or simply the factor of having two kids we could never get a FP- until 3-4 hours after we arrived. We would never spend that long in DHS to make it worthwhile.

You can focus on the positives, but I know how my trip played out. Forgive me if I'm just not excited. I scheduled 3 FP+ per day. Honestly, I probably used less than 50% of them. I'm not the "superuser," but I couldn't use them the way I wanted. My worst case of "abuse" with FP- was that I'd use it to ride Winnie the Pooh 2 or 3 times in a day, b/c I think the ride is stinkin' adorable, but I don't want to wait 25 minutes in that play area for it. Was my trip ruined? No. Will I go back? Of course. But there was nothing I particularly liked about FP+.

 

[CanadianPaco]

The issue around park hopping keeps nagging at me ... Disney makes money with park hoppers so I keep thinking that "something" is going to change with the 3 FP+ alottment as the current design discourages park hopping.

 

[MrInfinity]

The issue around park hopping keeps nagging at me ... Disney makes money with park hoppers so I keep thinking that "something" is going to change with the 3 FP+ alottment as the current design discourages park hopping.

It's so interesting how 2 ppl can look at the same situation and think the complete opposite. See, I think it encourages hoppers.

FP-:
Park A: Rope drop 8-9am. Grab some paper FPs. Ride with FP- for your rides thru about 11am. Break for lunch. FP- now has return times of 4pm so they're not useful. Park getting busy anyways - leave.

Resort break.

Park B: Arrive, get an FP- for late. Cool rides are booked. Others have long lines. Great you get to go on one or two things.

FP+:
Park A: Rope drop 8-9am. Then ride more from 9am-11am while lines are only moderate. Break for lunch. Park getting busy - leave.

Resort break.

Park B: Arrive, FP+ all scheduled for 6pm, 7pm, and 8pm. Go eat dinner. Don't stress about the fact that all FP- are gone already. Now go on your rides. You have 3 queued up. Awesome. By the time you're done it's night-time parade, then the park clears out and you have more short lines.

I think it's pretty commonly accepted now that Hopper plans with taking your FP+ at the afternoon park actually work pretty nicely. You lock in 3 rides when you'd otherwise have a chance of everything being picked over by that time.

Granted I don't hop... but I follow that basic strategy, just with Park B being the same park as Park A.

 

[Dreams0308]

It makes no sense to me to wait in line to get a pass to avoid lines! This could easily be fixed with enough self-service kiosks instead of the limited number of CM's available.

HAHA .....honestly I don't think this is a new thing...

I've waiting in tons of lines to get a paper FP- in my time at the parks, and those were from "self service paper distributing kiosks." This isn't any different than the old system. I've always thought the same thing however with the old system too (waiting in line so I don't have to wait in line). I'm just trying to say that this isn't a result of FP+

 

[JanaDee]

Being able to book a Fastpass in advance for headliners at any time you choose even late afternoon and evening without even having to go to the attraction until you are ready to ride, not possible with Legacy.

Booking Fastpass for parades, Fireworks, shows, not possible with Legacy.

Knowing in advance what time your Fastpass is, so you can plan dinners, recreation, etc. with Legacy there was no way to know what time you would get one, if you got anything.

Magic Bands are a major improvement in convenience, no card to try and keep up with especially at the pools.

As I already explained, none of those are positives for us.

 

[anelson81993]

OP, I'd be interested to know what your response is to those who have a legitimate concern about the system rather than the restriction. As you might have seen, many people have raised legitimate concerns about the bands. I wear a wristband every day, almost all the time (memory/awareness wristband). The Magicbands are uncomfortable for me to wear. They aren't like a watch or a regular wristband, especially in the place where the chip is--that's just an uncomfortable bulky spot on my wrist. In addition, half the system (and half of what you consider the good part of the system--the part where you can make changes and book using a smartphone) is inaccessible to many people for various reasons. Off-site guests currently can't use the app to do anything related to FP+. Some AP-holders and locals who have not stayed on site cannot use the app for FP+. Those without smartphones cannot use the app at all. It's not a benefit to me to be able to make changes on the fly using my smartphone, or use the app at all, if I cannot do it. I'm not blaming Disney for me not having a smartphone, but when one of the biggest benefits is the ability to use an app that requires one, it's hard to see how that benefits me. My concern is absolutely a valid concern about the system itself, because it requires the use of technology that not everyone has, and still isn't open to everyone who has that technology. You indicated earlier on that you had not seen any complaints about the system itself, only its restrictions. This is a big complaint about the system itself.

I think it would be nice, for those who do not own Smartphones, if Disney offered the ability to rent a smartphone or device for the day (for a price obviously) like a stroller rental (only for in the park and then turn it back in). They could be configured just for using the app and the wifi in the parks so that those who are complaining about being at a disadvantage could either use the kiosks or rent a device for the day. That would be a nice option until however many years pass and nearly everyone has a smartphone (at least that's the way I think the world is going). I do understand however that many people still do no own them so, it might be a nice perk for Disney to offer that. Just an idea...

I'm sorry, I know you mean well, but I do not see being able to pay to rent a smartphone as a benefit to me. I was previously able to use the entire FP system without the requirements of any technology at all. Now, in order to get the most benefit from FP, I have to pay to rent a device. I don't see how that's a benefit. I realize that I am the one causing myself to be at a disadvantage, but I do not think that the new system is benefitting me or others like me when a system that used to be completely accessible just by attending the park is now a system in which the best advantages are reserved only for those who have smartphones or will pay to rent them (having used the kiosks, I do not see them as an advantage, or even an equal option to what we used to have for FP). This also does not address the large population of those who may have the app, but cannot do anything with FP+ in the app, like some off-site guests, passholders, and locals who have not stayed on site and do not have access to that part of the system.

 

[JimmyV]

HAHA .....honestly I don't think this is a new thing...

I've waiting in tons of lines to get a paper FP- in my time at the parks, and those were from "self service paper distributing kiosks." This isn't any different than the old system.

Other than TSM, the typical wait for a paper FP was between 0-3 minutes. And unless a person was pulling passes for a huge group, the average time it took for each person at a machine was under 30 seconds. Insert card....pass spits out. Repeat. Now, people are spending up to 10 minutes to get passes linked, pick out FP times, then change all those computer-generated times to ones that better suit them. There is no comparison in time here. Yes, TSM had 30 minute waits for FPs. But that was it. Now, at 10:00-11:00, many kiosks in all parks have 30 minute waits.