Any FP+ Changes Coming Up?

[jhaig]

Just wondering if the system is going to be tweaked any time soon, specifically:

1) adding the "tier" system to MK (please NO)

2) having the ability to split FP choices between parks (ie: 2 FP's for MK then another at EP) - which would be great for us park hoppers

3) being able to get FP's on your mobile device and not having to use a kiosk

4) increasing the number of FP's per day (dreaming, I'm sure)

 

[mesaboy2]

No one here has a clue.

 

[jhaig]

Well that's not very reassuring

Someone must have some ideas....

 

[DebbieB]

Well that's not very reassuring Someone must have some ideas....

I'm sure there are a lot of ideas, doesn't mean any will happen.

 

[jhaig]

I agree. Just wondering what those ideas might be, or are we stuck using useless FP's for Figment and Nemo forever?

 

[Laketravis]

I agree. Just wondering what those ideas might be, or are we stuck using useless FP's for Figment and Nemo forever?

Could be.

There was a lot of speculation early on that things like "just 3" or "tiering" or "same park" would be tweaked because "everything is still in testing".

Yet here we are now almost a couple of years later and the only thing that has changed was the availability of in-park kiosks where you could try to get additional FP's after you've used your first three. And that has proven to be a regressive benefit, meaning the busier the park is and the more you need an additional FP for something you want, the increasing likelihood that the only thing available is something like Figment or Nemo or Living with the Land.

My thoughts are that any beneficial changes to the current system will only be feasible once significant new capacity is added in each park.

 

[wisblue]

Yes, nobody knows for sure what, if any, changes might be coming in the near future, but it is likely that there will be some changes in the next year.

Last year at this time there were still paper FP machines operating in some of the parks. Since then, those machines have been removed, offsite guests with park tickets have been allowed to make FP reservations 30 days out (something some people were convinced would never happen), annual pass holders have been allowed to make reservations even without room reservations, the ability to get additional FPs after using the first 3 has been added, and those additional FPs do not have to be in the same park as the first 3. Also, recently cast members have been allowed to make FP+ reservations 7 days (I think) in advance.

So, the process continues to evolve and it's a good idea to keep up to date as your trip approaches.

 

[jhaig]

What would be the drawbacks of being able to choose additional FP on a mobile device?

And why don't they allow you to choose your three allowed FP's at different parks?

 

[mom2rtk]

What would be the drawbacks of being able to choose additional FP on a mobile device?

And why don't they allow you to choose your three allowed FP's at different parks?

The easier they make it to access the FPs the faster they go.

And if they allow you to split between parks, then tiering is defeated. Instead of choosing low level filler rides on your Epcot/DHS days, everyone would split between the 2 parks skimming off more of the few top tier rides.

 

[Dan Murphy]

....Someone must have some ideas....

Disney suits?

 

[livingthedream]

What would be the drawbacks of being able to choose additional FP on a mobile device?

Cost. I expect the costs of developing the ability for additional FP+ to be accessed by mobile would be very high - and I also suspect the suits feel enough has been spent for now on all the projects that are known under one umbrella as FP+. It might come with time, but I suspect they want to roll with what they have for now. They are incurring other costs related to FP+ that they didn't anticipate, so they are likely not investing in more changes in the near term.

 

[HiHoWeGo]

Cost. I expect the costs of developing the ability for additional FP+ to be accessed by mobile would be very high - and I also suspect the suits feel enough has been spent for now on all the projects that are known under one umbrella as FP+. It might come with time, but I suspect they want to roll with what they have for now. They are incurring other costs related to FP+ that they didn't anticipate, so they are likely not investing in more changes in the near term.

As a software guy I really doubt that the cost of a minor variation like the ability to reserve additions FP+ from a mobile device would be that much. But it does make sense that Disney is ready to sit on MyMagic+ for a while until they figure out what is making them more money and what is not. Once they have that figured out we may well see some changes.

 

[DebbieB]

Cost. I expect the costs of developing the ability for additional FP+ to be accessed by mobile would be very high - and I also suspect the suits feel enough has been spent for now on all the projects that are known under one umbrella as FP+. It might come with time, but I suspect they want to roll with what they have for now. They are incurring other costs related to FP+ that they didn't anticipate, so they are likely not investing in more changes in the near term.

You can make the original 3 on a mobile device, you can go to a kiosk and make an additional choice and then change that choice on a mobile device so how much more could it be?

Plus they are paying cm's to stand at the kiosks.

I suspect they want to make it slower so that more fastpasses go around.

 

[cmrdgrs]

We can only hope for improvements to FP+. I'm sure at some point we will see changes. Now whether we will like the changes is an entirely different topic

 

[Shaden]

As a software guy I really doubt that the cost of a minor variation like the ability to reserve additions FP+ from a mobile device would be that much. But it does make sense that Disney is ready to sit on MyMagic+ for a while until they figure out what is making them more money and what is not. Once they have that figured out we may well see some changes.

You can make the original 3 on a mobile device, you can go to a kiosk and make an additional choice and then change that choice on a mobile device so how much more could it be?

Plus they are paying cm's to stand at the kiosks.

I suspect they want to make it slower so that more fastpasses go around.

Yea additional FPs on mobile devices isn't a cost thing, its a capacity thing.

Disney is already aware that FP+ is increasing the SB wait times. By forcing people to use a kiosk this itself reduces the number of people using additional FPs, but this also creates a time sink, which reduces demand on the attractions.

 

[jhaig]

So how do we alleviate the need to have to use useless FP's in Epcot? You need FP's for Soarin and Test Track, that's it.

 

[bcrook]

Disney originally floated the idea that people could use their FP+ for reserving counter service meals. Even though it is a silly idea, it still might be better than wasting a FP on Nemo or Figment or Living with the Land.

 

[Laketravis]

Disney originally floated the idea that people could use their FP+ for reserving counter service meals. Even though it is a silly idea, it still might be better than wasting a FP on Nemo or Figment or Living with the Land.

Nice to see you around again!

 

[bcrook]

Nice to see you around again!

Hi Laketravis. My family has a bunch of trips coming up. I was hoping to see some kind of improvements. Sigh... not much. Looks like Fantasmic has reserved seating area again, but with it being a tier 1 slot... not much chance of using that. Epcot is a royal mess. Those two tier 2 slots are worthless. My daughter is taking a friend in March (and the friend has been to WDW dozens of times, but not seen Fantasmic.) We thought was a no brainer, but I guess they will have to go old school and wait in line.

I will get a chance to finally see DisneyLand in June. Then I am taking an extended family of 9 to WDW in July. I am not even going to try and book up FP+...simply too restrictive. I don't want to be locked in that much. We will make sure my 4yr old niece gets to do some things. Food and Wine in October will be all about the libations.

I still think FP+ for La Cava is a good idea.

 

[mom2rtk]

Hey Bcrook! Nice to see you posting again!