All The New Developments

[MichiganDVC]

Forcing you? No. Strongly encouraging, yes, but not forcing. The fastpass doesn't cost extra and you're not out money or anything else if you don't show up for it. Yes, it's possible that someone will skip their TSM fastpass to go somewhere else.

The current fastpass system in fact has guests showing up at 9 AM to grab a TSM fastpass and then the fastpass turns out to be for 2 PM. So they spend all that time in the park. Whereas if you've already booked your fastpass for 7 PM you might not go to the park until 6:30 - and spend most of that day swimming at the resort or even at Sea World.

"Forcing" was meant to imply "encouraging."
And although it is possible that someone might go to Sea World during the day and HS at night....they're getting you there at night, aren't they? When they may not have gotten you there at all. I think it's brilliant.

 

[Pinkdiamond816]

Just FYI, it has been confirmed that current FastPass or "legacy FastPass" as it's now being called, is going away. There will be day of FastPass+, but the number of FP+ will be significantly limited compared to the availability we see now. The exact amount will depend on what is "withheld" for day guests compared to how many slots are given away in advance. And that will all depend on trial and error....so I suspect it will take a while to get smoothed out. So it may very well be that TSMM books out Xmonths in advance.

We are going to be seeing a lot of trial and error coming around. They are smart at what they do, so I'm and hoping they are not silly enough to put every FP+ available for TSMM on Christmas Week into the FastPass+ system 60 days in advance, because there will be a lot of ticked off guests who can't get a FP+ when they arrive. (They also learned from their experience with the ADR system, which is why there is an undisclosed amount of tables held in the system, and released here and there to be booked.) They don't want to alienate the people who don't know to book these things early.

Personally, I an not at all thrilled with the book in advance, or the 3 FP limit, or the one park per day this system is bringing with it. I don't do it still, because my trips aren't planned that far in advance anymore and I am not OCD about my dining plans, but I hated the pressure to call at 7am or be online all night waiting for that window to open to get my ADR's. I really hope getting a FP+ on the day you want it, for the headliners doesn't become that madness. I also don't like the packages FP+ are organized into, meaning I can't get a FP for TSMM and TOT and RnR on the same day, which I easily do on legacy FP. And if I didn't have a SilverPass I would be really annoyed and probably wouldn't be paying for Park Hopper privileges if I knew I couldn't get FP's at both parks I hit up in a day.

It's also been hinted by CM's that there will be a structured FP+ system, meaning if you are DVP or an AP you may be entitled to more FP+ options than say an offsite day guest. The combination for how FP+ privileges are endless (Deluxe Guest vs Value, FL resident vs CM, 1st Timer VS Annual visitor) who knows what that will end up being, but my money is on seeing some kind of tiered FP+ system once the program fully rolls out.

Also remember, this is still testing. The final program may look very different to what the testing is today.

My silent prayer is that only 10% of FP+'s will be available for booking in advance, and I will be able to happily stroll through the gate and get my ToT FP, and then book another one after my window opens for another one, just like we do today. I love using FP to multiple ride my favorites in one day, and for me its a total bummer that this new program isn't designed for that.

But yeah, old FP is totally going away, no more paper tickets, and the day of FP availability is a total shot in the dark right now.

There is a great article on the Touring Plans Blog with a mini-interview one of their writers had with a CM while she participated in the testing with more info. (including confirming what's been published in the CM info packets, that "Legacy FastPass" is not long for this earth, at least at WDW.

 

[momof2n2]

Dude, that title is just not cool.

 

[MichiganDVC]

Just FYI, it has been confirmed that current FastPass or "legacy FastPass" as it's now being called, is going away. There will be day of FastPass+, but the number of FP+ will be significantly limited compared to the availability we see now. The exact amount will depend on what is "withheld" for day guests compared to how many slots are given away in advance. And that will all depend on trial and error....so I suspect it will take a while to get smoothed out. So it may very well be that TSMM books out Xmonths in advance.

I think the new day-of FP+ is just referring to the digital aspect of it, bit the structure. Plus, they can easily see if you are in the park or not. So if you're not in the park, you can't get a FP....just like now.

We are going to be seeing a lot of trial and error coming around. They are smart at what they do, so I'm and hoping they are not silly enough to put every FP+ available for TSMM on Christmas Week into the FastPass+ system 60 days in advance, because there will be a lot of ticked off guests who can't get a FP+ when they arrive.
This is already the case if you arrive after 12:00pm. My hope is they are trying to make an attraction like TSMM more accessible to more guests.
(They also learned from their experience with the ADR system, which is why there is an undisclosed amount of tables held in the system, and released here and there to be booked.) They don't want to alienate the people who don't know to book these things early.

Personally, I an not at all thrilled with the book in advance, or the 3 FP limit, or the one park per day this system is bringing with it. I don't do it still, because my trips aren't planned that far in advance anymore and I am not OCD about my dining plans, but I hated the pressure to call at 7am or be online all night waiting for that window to open to get my ADR's. I really hope getting a FP+ on the day you want it, for the headliners doesn't become that madness. I also don't like the packages FP+ are organized into, meaning I can't get a FP for TSMM and TOT and RnR on the same day, which I easily do on legacy FP. And if I didn't have a SilverPass I would be really annoyed and probably wouldn't be paying for Park Hopper privileges if I knew I couldn't get FP's at both parks I hit up in a day.

Whoa....is it 100% for certain that there will be tiers? So you could only get FPs for TSMM or ToT or RNRC?! Unless you were able to get day-of FPs to those the same day, I wouldn't be cool with that. And I don't even ride those rides. But that would be terrible planning on Disney's part to restrict you to just one E-ticket FP per day with no hope of getting another that day.

It's also been hinted by CM's that there will be a structured FP+ system, meaning if you are DVP or an AP you may be entitled to more FP+ options than say an offsite day guest.
Since it is kind of a running joke here about how much weight we should put on information from CMs, I'm not sure I'm going to worry about who gets what FPs.... But, as a DVC member AND AP holder, I'd be just fine with that Seriously, though...it would help make my decision to renew my AP this December, which in turn would encourage me to take another trip to WDW next spring....

The combination for how FP+ privileges are endless (Deluxe Guest vs Value, FL resident vs CM, 1st Timer VS Annual visitor) who knows what that will end up being, but my money is on seeing some kind of tiered FP+ system once the program fully rolls out.

Also remember, this is still testing. The final program may look very different to what the testing is today.

My silent prayer is that only 10% of FP+'s will be available for booking in advance, Totally agree and I will be able to happily stroll through the gate and get my ToT FP, and then book another one after my window opens for another one, just like we do today. I love using FP to multiple ride my favorites in one day, and for me its a total bummer that this new program isn't designed for that.

But yeah, old FP is totally going away, no more paper tickets, and the day of FP availability is a total shot in the dark right now.

There is a great article on the Touring Plans Blog with a mini-interview one of their writers had with a CM while she participated in the testing with more info. (including confirming what's been published in the CM info packets, that "Legacy FastPass" is not long for this earth, at least at WDW.

See, and this is the problem. You have mentioned things as though they are fact, and they might be.... but through the constant stream of speculation and "I know someone who knows someone, etc.." it is so hard to remember what has been confirmed and what is likely, but unknown, and what is whild speculation, ya know?

We probably need a sticky that is 100% confirmed information. Of course, it would be basically a three-line post and otherwise empty

 

[bjakmom]

By "old tickets" are you referring to pre-MYW tickets? If so, it does not appear that they have plans for online support for anything prior to MYW (or at least prior to use of those ticket codes).

Old MYW tickets should be able to be entered online.

As for a unique situation, in some respects it is no different that people who won't get tickets until they arrive.

Thanks for that info - my oldest tickets appear to be 2003 and 2004 - they are mostly tickets with no park days left - just water park days and maybe 1 or 2 DQs. I have quite a few with park days from 2009 on, but I know who they belong to and they just haven't made a trip with us for a while.
From what date are tickets considered MYW? I don't remember. And does anyone know exactly when they started attaching tickets to the finger scans? Most of these old ones have no names or initials on them.
By unique I meant that I have such a stockpile of old tickets with 1 or 2 days on them left over from old trips - since they were nonexp I never worried that they would not get used - someone always wants to come along or meet up for a day or two - and I always get AP (before they did the great DVC PAP discount anyway) and just bring along a couple old tickets for the water parks.
I do disagree with those that seem to feel same day FPs will be held back and readily available if you don't want to preschedule. I just don't see Disney doing all this hype and advertising and then limiting the FP+ early-booking availability and possibly disappointed many many guests before they even get to the park because they couldnt get FP+ for their "one favorite ride" as they have said. I suspect that booking FPs at 60 days will usually be very important in the long run - once people get the gist of all this. Of course, we'll see ...

 

[doconeill]

Thanks for that info - my oldest tickets appear to be 2003 and 2004 - they are mostly tickets with no park days left - just water park days and maybe 1 or 2 DQs. I have quite a few with park days from 2009 on, but I know who they belong to and they just haven't made a trip with us for a while.
From what date are tickets considered MYW? I don't remember. And does anyone know exactly when they started attaching tickets to the finger scans? Most of these old ones have no names or initials on them.
By unique I meant that I have such a stockpile of old tickets with 1 or 2 days on them left over from old trips - since they were nonexp I never worried that they would not get used - someone always wants to come along or meet up for a day or two - and I always get AP (before they did the great DVC PAP discount anyway) and just bring along a couple old tickets for the water parks.
I do disagree with those that seem to feel same day FPs will be held back and readily available if you don't want to preschedule. I just don't see Disney doing all this hype and advertising and then limiting the FP+ early-booking availability and possibly disappointed many many guests before they even get to the park because they couldnt get FP+ for their "one favorite ride" as they have said. I suspect that booking FPs at 60 days will usually be very important in the long run - once people get the gist of all this. Of course, we'll see ...

MYW tickets started in early 2005. New finger scans started in mid-2006 I believe.

 

[gwmort]

I agree, this is going to be a huge value add that everyone is going to love! It will be more carefree than commando touring with no downsides at all. God Bless Disney and fp+.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I can't see a scenario where they only let 10% (or any set number really) of FPs prebook...If there is someone with a vacation planned with a resort stay etc, and they can't get the rides they want at 60 days, they can still cancel without fees. The priority is going to be those guests.

Now it might turn out that demand for prebooked FP+ isn't that high, and there does end up being same-day FPs for the high-demand rides. But it won't be because Disney orchestrated it to cover day guests or off-site guests, imho.

And as they said in those FAQs recently, over and over, Standby will still be available

 

[MichiganDVC]

I can't see a scenario where they only let 10% (or any set number really) of FPs prebook...If there is someone with a vacation planned with a resort stay etc, and they can't get the rides they want at 60 days, they can still cancel without fees. The priority is going to be those guests.

Now it might turn out that demand for prebooked FP+ isn't that high, and there does end up being same-day FPs for the high-demand rides. But it won't be because Disney orchestrated it to cover day guests or off-site guests, imho.

And as they said in those FAQs recently, over and over, Standby will still be available

I am hoping that whatever they do causes standby lines to go down.

And yes, I can already hear other saying that "if they build more attractions..." And then I mention 7 dwarfs mine ride and they scoff. And I mention Star Wars Land and Avatar, and they scoff and say either "it'll never happen" or "sure, by 2020!"

But to eliminate any chance for a FP to the e-ticket rides to day-of people, AND keep stand by lines at a perpetual 120 for TSMM and 60+ for Pan with equal many unhappy guests. I'm fairly confident Disney knows this and wouldn't have that scenario be the end result.

 

[MichiganDVC]

I agree, this is going to be a huge value add that everyone is going to love! It will be more carefree than commando touring with no downsides at all. God Bless Disney and fp+.

Every change must equal a downside for some, of course. But the value-add must be for "most" not "all."
The speculated down-side of FP+ doesn't enhance the guest experience and doesn't do anything to put more money in Disney's pocket. So I can't understand why they would intentionally screw their customers without a huge profit incentive for themselves... ??

 

[UNCFanatik]

I don't agree with the assertion that all the rides are all full capacity and nothing can be done by Disney to increase capacity. People act as if ride capacity is a fixed constant. I think they can increase capacity by different methods on certain attractions to accommodate more FP+s in the future.

Again, my opinion and speculation just based on ride mechanics and ride times

 

[ghtx]

I don't agree with the assertion that all the rides are all full capacity and nothing can be done by Disney to increase capacity. People act as if ride capacity is a fixed constant. I think they can increase capacity by different methods on certain attractions to accommodate more FP+s in the future.

Again, my opinion and speculation just based on ride mechanics and ride times

You mean like make the rides move faster?

 

[MichiganDVC]

I don't agree with the assertion that all the rides are all full capacity and nothing can be done by Disney to increase capacity. People act as if ride capacity is a fixed constant. I think they can increase capacity by different methods on certain attractions to accommodate more FP+s in the future.

Again, my opinion and speculation just based on ride mechanics and ride times

Good point...hadn't thought of that...

I have heard about "Both sides operating" on rides like Space Mountain? Is it quicker to have both lines open at POTC? Sometimes they are, sometimes they're not.

Just wondering.

 

[UNCFanatik]

You mean like make the rides move faster?

Like adding or opening additional ride vehicles in some cases. All the rides do not operate at full capacity at all times even during busy times. Star Tours is good example.

They could also reduce ride times a small amount that would be transparent to guests but would increase capacity by a certain % over a whole day of operation

 

[ghtx]

Like adding or opening additional ride vehicles in some cases. All the rides do not operate at full capacity at all times even during busy times. Star Tours is good example.

They could also reduce ride times a small amount that would be transparent to guests but would increase capacity by a certain % over a whole day of operation

But why wouldn't they have already done this, even without FP+?

 

[UNCFanatik]

But why wouldn't they have already done this, even without FP+?

Who is to say they havent?

Again, look at Star Tours. Even a peak times, they rarely run every ride vehicle.

Now, why is that? Staffing is one reason to be sure...but why else?

 

[ghtx]

But why wouldn't they have already done this, even without FP+?

Who is to say they havent?

Again, look at Star Tours. Even a peak times, they rarely run every ride vehicle.

Now, why is that? Staffing is one reason to be sure...but why else?

No, what I meant was: why haven't they increased capacity, sped up rides, etc., to increase capacity already? What is so special about FP+ that will make them take advantage of all of these opportunities to increase capacity?

 

[UNCFanatik]

No, what I meant was: why haven't they increased capacity, sped up rides, etc., to increase capacity already? What is so special about FP+ that will make them take advantage of all of these opportunities to increase capacity?

Again, for example Star Tours. Why havent they increased the ride capacity per hour when they could have easily done so.

And how would we know if they reduced the time of some rides. This could easily be done without the guests knowledge.

As people point out, they are concerned about the supply of FP+s but they always use ride capacity as an unchangeable constant in their formulations and theories. Disney has more incentive now to increase ride capacity to meet the projected FP+ demand.

 

[MichiganDVC]

But why wouldn't they have already done this, even without FP+?

Makes me think of Josh at EasyWDW when he does his Timing My Ideal Hollywood Studios Morning-type blogs. He will take a picture of Legend of Cp. Jack Sparrow's line (empty), then another picture a bit later when there are people in line and say "Once a long line develops, it tends to stay long. Tourists love a good line."

It also makes me think of a nightclub. Who wants to go on something that has no line? As Josh says, "And people equate longer lines with increased desirability. After all, if its worth a strangers time, its probably worth mine."

Even though I know better, there are times when I see that POTC has a 20 minute wait and I think, "I'd better get on that before the wait goes up." And then I notice that they only have one line open. No wonder it is a 20 minute wait. It SHOULD be a 5 minute wait.

 

[hakepb]

No, what I meant was: why haven't they increased capacity, sped up rides, etc., to increase capacity already? What is so special about FP+ that will make them take advantage of all of these opportunities to increase capacity?

$$$ would cause Disney to increase capacity.