All FP machines to be removed from Animal Kingdom by next week and....

[Planogirl]

Currently (not saying for the future) it might look like the folks staying at the Swan/Dolphin complex may have the best situation of all.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50253922&postcount=3183

Wow, that is nice. If they keep the Swan/Dolphin kiosks separate and continue to hand out the extra FP+ then staying at the Swan or Dolphin is going to be very appealing. I wonder if those resorts worked out a special deal with Disney?

 

[jimmysmom74]

Yes, we've been discussing this. The headliners do not have enough capacity. There have been numbers thrown around for the past week. Legacy FP's run out for them (TSMM, Soaring/TT, ETWB, 7DMT) fast. Pre-booking headliners, even if they limit it to one FP+ is not going to alleviate that problem. Sure, they may con newcomers into booking FP+ for Figment or Living with the Land or Muppets, but eventually the numbers are going to catch up with them.

I am not a newbie, but I do think with adjustments, the system can work. What is the difference if you book a FP on MDE in you hand or walk up to a FP machine and pull out a ticket, same thing. Lack of Headliners at DHS and Epcot are the problem, not FP+. Ak and MK are handling it well, we were there Thanksgiving and FP- and FP+ were available in these parks all the time. Epcot and DHS are a different story, FP- would be out at these rides long before FP+ existed, so the problem was here already.

 

[DebbieB]

I'm noticing a distinct lack of posts in this thread from those who claim that FP+ is wonderful and will enhance everyone's WDW experience in the most positive of ways. The rubber is about to meet the road.

I used it last month and loved it. Luckily I did not have any technical issues other than some confused CMs when I activated my AP. I loved being able to choose any time of the day, not being limited to the return time clock and not having to be at the ride to get a FP. I only pulled one FP- and that was for LM at MK. I made some changes on the fly, even changed my park for one day. Right now my attitude is wait and see, I don't have a trip until May. I don't think this is the final product, I think it will evolve.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Wow, that is nice. If they keep the Swan/Dolphin kiosks separate and continue to hand out the extra FP+ then staying at the Swan or Dolphin is going to be very appealing. I wonder if those resorts worked out a special deal with Disney?

Just my opinion, but obviously SD has a special marketing arrangement with Disney versus the other million non-Disney hotels. My theory is that SD got mad the their guests were getting shut out of FP+, and who knows, maybe there were legal issues involved as well, and Disney threw this together as a band-aid until everything is all rolled out. Just my theory!

 

[wisblue]

I'm noticing a distinct lack of posts in this thread from those who claim that FP+ is wonderful and will enhance everyone's WDW experience in the most positive of ways.

The rubber is about to meet the road.

Speaking for myself, I don't feel compelled to add my comments on every single thread like a lot of others do. I haven't felt any need to comment on this one because, if it is true, it is just another step toward the eventual elimination of paper FPs, something that most everyone thinks is coming eventually.

Plus, I can only shake my head at how some people think that there is no point in between "wonderful and enhancing everyone's experience in the most positive ways" and "this is so awful that this is ruining my WDW experience to the point that I won't be visiting until this mess is straightened out."

If you have REALLY read my posts like you claim you have, you would know that I can see the pluses and minuses of FP+ for us and for others, depending on how they tour. I have also made it clear that neither FP+ nor FP- is an important factor in my enjoyment of a visit to WDW. The fact that you and others have translated that into meaning that I think FP+ is the greatest thing ever to happen at WDW is your problem, not mine. My main objective has been to provide a counterbalance to the less frequent visitors who come to this board hoping to learn something to make their trips more enjoyable, not to be told that they are wasting their time and money even visiting such an awful place.

Finally, and most importantly, from some of the private messages I've gotten, I think it's apparent that a number of the people who have wanted to offer a counterpoint to the gloom and doom have simply given up and ceded the discussion to the usual group.

I would compare this to participating in a message board that is supposedly designed to discuss NFL football, but that ends up getting taken over by Bears fans. As much as someone might want to make a point about the Packers or Lions or another team, he's going to give up on that when the only response he gets is "Your team**** and you ****".

So, while you all count your numbers and congratulate yourselves on winning the debate, maybe you should think about whether you have stated a better case or simply shouted down the opposing viewpoint.

 

[Shaden]

Hmmm& CS just told me we would be able to use the old system in all parks for a January trip.

Buahahaha, The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing ? Or maybe the left hand just doesn't know anything ?

I don't think the right hand really knows what its doing either.

 

[wisblue]

Just my opinion, but obviously SD has a special marketing arrangement with Disney versus the other million non-Disney hotels. My theory is that SD got mad the their guests were getting shut out of FP+, and who knows, maybe there were legal issues involved as well, and Disney threw this together as a band-aid until everything is all rolled out. Just my theory!

Disney (like Universal, Sea World, and Busch Gardens) has arrangements with many, many of the other resorts and hotels in Central Florida that involve things like selling specially priced tickets to their guests, and Disney has a staff of people who service those resorts to make sure that Disney is meeting those needs. Disney is interested in meeting the needs of those resorts and their customers, but that isn't going to go all the way to feeling like they have to get the same perks as guests at the Disney owned resorts.

 

[rebbyparker]

Buahahaha, The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing ? Or maybe the left hand just doesn't know anything ?

I don't think the right hand really knows what its doing either.

Clueless.

 

[Shaden]

Of course I have no sources, but I have a very hard time believing that they would remove legacy FP from DAK right before the busy Christmas season. I feel like they would want a chance to test this out and work out the kinks during a slow season...not the busiest week of the year.

Hahahaha, I mean, I know you were just guessing. But MAN, its funny when someone makes a prediction or puts their faith in Disney so much and then its immediately proven untrue.


I am sure someone posted this already, but I am only on page 2 of the thread.


http://www.wdwmagic.com/other/mymagicplus/news/13dec2013-fastpass-open-to-all-guests-including-offsite-beginning-next-week-at-disney's-animal-kingdom.htm#.Uqr1QE3iWpU.twitter

 

[lugnut33]

Another potential advantage is that, with my rose-colored FP+ glasses on, I can make day-of FP+ reservations not only from the kiosks but from MDE. So theoretically, I could be having breakfast at Boma and make my day-of FP+ reservations there before heading to the park . . .

At least that's the way I'd like to see it work.

The chances of you getting TSMM, RnR, Test Track, or Soarin' day of will be slim unless you are there at a slow time of the year.

 

[Shaden]

OK, what I heard is that they borrowed a truck from a guy and he's only gonna let 'em have it next week, so they've gotta get it done while they can.



Oh, wait.

That's my brother-in-law's moving story.

HAHAHAHAHA OMG .... nearly lost it on this one !!!!

 

[Laketravis]

...If you have REALLY read my posts like you claim you have, you would know that I can see the pluses and minuses of FP+ for us and for others, depending on how they tour.

I have, and I can't recall any negatives you've offered in regards to FP+, only ambiguous positives and admonishments that those with negative viewpoints simply don't know what the final result could be or are part of a concerted effort to beat the opposition down.

What do you see as the negatives?

 

[wisblue]

The chances of you getting TSMM, RnR, Test Track, or Soarin' day of will be slim unless you are there at a slow time of the year.

Or, unless the release of FPs is controlled to ensure that some are available same day. According to The Hub, that is being done now.

 

[wordwitt]

The chances of you getting TSMM, RnR, Test Track, or Soarin' day of will be slim unless you are there at a slow time of the year.

See, this is the thing. How do you know this? I guess what I'm saying is, you don't think this is something Disney considered when they started the whole FP+ concept? This is very basic stuff. Yes, each ride has a particular capacity, but based on the metrics, they must have some idea as to how they can make FP+ work without completely hosing visitors making FP+ reservations on the day-of. I have a hunch that some of it is expected to be the result of improving the overall efficiency of the FP system, as well as some other management techniques, probably related to siphoning guests off at specific intervals to lesser attractions that traditionally didn't need FP, and maybe by tightening return times for day-of FP (this is a complete guess). Remember that a good number of the folks who are booking FP+ ahead of time will not be pulling that same FP the day-of.

I think the people who get "hosed" are those that want to pull multiple FP for the same attraction. My guess is that this is one of those things that won't be happening and is intended to improve FP+ capacity at headliners and "spread the wealth." So now people who want to ride headliners multiple times will have to rely on EMH or RD more often.

But again, all any of us are doing is speculating because none of us is privy to either Disney's data or Disney's master plan.

 

[kellyg403]

Or, unless the release of FPs is controlled to ensure that some are available same day. According to The Hub, that is being done now.

Yes, I do think this is a fact. There were plenty of times that we could get at any headliner in any park day of but the times were not optimal and the window of opportunity to book them was small. Often we would go to make the change to our fp for say a later time, get to the screen to change and we would get an error message, over and over and over again and by the time you could get to make the change the fp was no longer available. That happened to us for TSM and Soarin'.

Kelly

 

[lugnut33]

Or, unless the release of FPs is controlled to ensure that some are available same day. According to The Hub, that is being done now.

Realistically think about it? How can they hold back fastpasses for day of when demand far exceeds capacity for those rides? If they do that then somebody making their FP appointments a few weeks out may not get them. How do you think that will be perceived?

It's going to go the same way as ADRs, first come first served. If you miss out, then too bad. I cannot foresee it going any other way.

As for the current day of, it's completely possible that when that happened they took those from the allotment of FP- for the day and made them available to FP+. However, when there are no FP- to take from, then what does Disney do?

And FP+ being there the day of goes directly against EVERYTHING Rasulo said, which is you lock the guests in as far in advance as possible in order to get more money out of their wallet.

 

[lugnut33]

I think the people who get "hosed" are those that want to pull multiple FP for the same attraction. My guess is that this is one of those things that won't be happening and is intended to improve FP+ capacity at headliners and "spread the wealth." So now people who want to ride headliners multiple times will have to rely on EMH or RD more often.

What exactly would be wrong with spending money to build more headlining attractions that take pressure off the current headliners? Or, in the case of TSMM, what would be wrong with building more tracks? Instead we get his huge behemoth of a software and hardware package that is supposed to make things better, which clearly it doesn't for those wishing to ride a headlining attraction more than once. And the last time I checked those people's wants are just as important as those guests who don't mind sitting at Casey's eating hotdogs and people watching.

 

[Shaden]

See, this is the thing. How do you know this? I guess what I'm saying is, you don't think this is something Disney considered when they started the whole FP+ concept? This is very basic stuff. Yes, each ride has a particular capacity, but based on the metrics, they must have some idea as to how they can make FP+ work without completely hosing visitors making FP+ reservations on the day-of. I have a hunch that some of it is expected to be the result of improving the overall efficiency of the FP system, as well as some other management techniques, probably related to siphoning guests off at specific intervals to lesser attractions that traditionally didn't need FP, and maybe by tightening return times for day-of FP (this is a complete guess). Remember that a good number of the folks who are booking FP+ ahead of time will not be pulling that same FP the day-of.

I think the people who get "hosed" are those that want to pull multiple FP for the same attraction. My guess is that this is one of those things that won't be happening and is intended to improve FP+ capacity at headliners and "spread the wealth." So now people who want to ride headliners multiple times will have to rely on EMH or RD more often.

But again, all any of us are doing is speculating because none of us is privy to either Disney's data or Disney's master plan.

Hey Word,

We have hashed this out several times, but I will sum up the general consensus for you. (though some disagree, although some also disagreed when I as adamant that FP- would be going away ... )

Now we don't KNOW how they will roll the system out, but these are the thoughts.

If they are pushing FP+ and claiming people can reserve their favourite rides 60 days in advance, they are going to need to make as much capacity available for the prebooking. Imagine how people will react if they go online at their 60 day mark, or their 50 or 45 etc etc ... and try to book, but all FP+s are gone ? I for one, as well as many others, would cancel my trip, probably after some long and hostile conversations with Disney CMs.

The pressure is to make pre-booking available.

If a day visitor walks into the park and can't book FP+s because they are gone, well, they are already in the park, they will just ride standby.

Disney's whole goal (as stated by Disney Execs) is to have people LOCK in to their Disney vacations, to have their FP+ selections made as far out as possible so they spend more time at Disney and less at other places. They can only accomplish this if you are able to select your FP+s. In advance.

We KNOW, there isn't enough capacity for everyone to book the FP+s they want for everything they want (heck that's why they brought in tiering). If they are holding back FP+s, this leaves even less capacity for pre-booking. They can not achieve the goal of the system, if they are holding back FPs for the same day, and in fact, will encourage people to go to other places if they are holding back for same day FP booking.

Is it possible they will continue to hold out FP for same day ? Yes, it is. As was noted I think they are currently doing this, I think the Hub mentioned something. So maybe they will continue this, but it appears to go against the entire premise of the program.

 

[Dan Murphy]

The chances of you getting TSMM, RnR, Test Track, or Soarin' day of will be slim unless you are there at a slow time of the year.

It is relatively slower now, but I just went online and was able to get a TSMM FP+ (I did not follow through and confirm) for 4 different times of the day for today. As early as noon and as late as 7 tonight.

 

[rebbyparker]

Hey Word,

We have hashed this out several times, but I will sum up the general consensus for you.

Now we don't KNOW how they will roll the system out, but these are the thoughts.

If they are pushing FP+ and claiming people can reserve their favourite rides 60 days in advance, they are going to need to make as much capacity available for the prebooking. Imagine how people will react if they go online at their 60 day mark, or their 50 or 45 etc etc ... and try to book, but all FP+s are gone ? I for one, as well as many others, would cancel my trip, probably after some long and hostile conversations with Disney CMs.

The pressure is to make pre-booking available.

If a day visitor walks into the park and can't book FP+s because they are gone, well, they are already in the park, they will just ride standby.

Disney's whole goal (as stated by Disney Execs) is to have people LOCK in to their Disney vacations, to have their FP+ selections made as far out as possible so they spend more time at Disney and less at other places. They can only accomplish this if you are able to select your FP+s. In advance.

We KNOW, there isn't enough capacity for everyone to book the FP+s they want for everything they want (heck that's why they brought in tiering). If they are holding back FP+s, this leaves even less capacity for pre-booking. They can not achieve they goal of the system, if they are holding back FPs for the same day, and in fact, will encourage people to go to other places if they are holding back for same day FP booking.

Is it possible they will continue to hold out FP for same day ? Yes, it is. As was noted I think they are currently doing this, I think the Hub mentioned something. So maybe they will continue this, but it appears to go against the entire premise of the program.

Great post!