Anyone there now that can comment on FP enforcement

[siskaren]

That really is a drag that you're just learning that now - right when they changed things! I would be frustrated too but look at it this way - you're caught up with the learning curve now!

And really as long as I have been reading dis boards I am still always learning new things.

Actually, I was being sarcastic. I'm confident that I was maximizing my days even though I didn't know about being able to use FPs after the return window. It doesn't bother me a bit that they're now enforcing the return windows because they always worked great for me the way I used them.

 

[kaytieeldr]

If you chose to always use your FP within the window (either because of ignorance of the leniency or because of bullheadedness), you would experience less attractions throughout the course of the day and wait longer in line.

I'm sure it wasn't your intention, but that's a fairly offensive statement without the inclusion of "or by choice".

 

[CandleontheWater]

Well, silly me for thinking that I was maximizing my day even though I didn't know I could use FPs outside the return window.

I do not mean this in any negative way, but by using a touring plan (that sometimes included using FP outside of the window) , you could have done more. If you are fine with the number of attractions that you are able to do in a day, than great, you will have no problem.

I go to Disney for rides, I don't care about hidden mickey hunts, eating dole whips and staring off into space, or smelling the roses. I can smell roses at home, however, I cannot ride Space Mountain at home. My days have always been geared towards getting on as many rides as possible, and now the empirical evidence (presented by Len Testa who uses algorithms to determine wait times) indicates that I will have to wait more and accomplish less.

If I was accomplishing less from the get-go, I wouldn't notice any change. Those of us who are most upset about this change are those who prioritize maximizing ride time.

ETA: I'm talking about strict numbers here, I'm not insinuating that your day wasn't maximized with fun or with magic, this is all about number of rides and attractions per day.

 

[mom2rtk]

I do not mean this in any negative way, but by using a touring plan (that sometimes included using FP outside of the window) , you could have done more. If you are fine with the number of attractions that you are able to do in a day, than great, you will have no problem.

I go to Disney for rides, I don't care about hidden mickey hunts, eating dole whips and staring off into space, or smelling the roses. I can smell roses at home, however, I cannot ride Space Mountain at home. My days have always been geared towards getting on as many rides as possible, and now the empirical evidence (presented by Len Testa who uses algorithms to determine wait times) indicates that I will have to wait more and accomplish less.

If I was accomplishing less from the get-go, I wouldn't notice any change. Those of us who are most upset about this change are those who prioritize maximizing ride time.

ETA: I'm talking about strict numbers here, I'm not insinuating that your day wasn't maximized with fun or with magic, this is all about number of rides and attractions per day.

Not necessarily. I like rides and love doing them at Disney. But I like doing the rides with the least hassle and waits so I can go off and watch parades and shows and meet characters at the limited and very specific times they are available. I would typically ride one or two rides in the morning, then collect FP's in between character and show schedules, then circle the park late in the day when most of the characters are gone and shows are over.

 

[larryz]

I go to Disney for rides, I don't care about hidden mickey hunts, eating dole whips and staring off into space, or smelling the roses. I can smell roses at home, however, I cannot ride Space Mountain at home. My days have always been geared towards getting on as many rides as possible, and now the empirical evidence (presented by Len Testa who uses algorithms to determine wait times) indicates that I will have to wait more and accomplish less.

I hear ya!

Allow me to speculate that NexGen (Xpass or whatever they will call it) will give you the option -- at a price -- to regain some flexibility.

But before they can move to NexGen, they need to recondition the masses to expect longer waits and consistent FastPass™ experiences. Only then will the true "value" of NexGen become apparent and worth additional $$$ to purchase.

One of the biggest complaints I've seen is that preselecting your ADRs 180 days out without knowing what to expect FP™-wise 180 days out limits your expected benefit -- conflicts between the free FP™ and the ADR (with the attendant no-show fee) will result in missing one or the other, with most patrons sure to chose the ADR over the FP™ due to the penalty. If however, as is frequently rumored, NexGen gives you the option of preselecting a ride time, you can deconflict your ADRs and FP™ rides at the time you schedule them, making those late afternoon returns totally unnecessary and alleviating that stress of having to decide between food and fun.

I, for one, can't wait to see how the new system will play out. I usually stay Deluxe anyway, so I expect I'll see some benefit from it.

But as so many have stated, it is what it is. So we'll deal with it when we get there.

Disclaimer -- I'm not there right now. I'm kinda glad I'm not there right now. Spring break crowds are pretty daunting to an off-season dweller.

 

[mom2rtk]

Disclaimer -- I'm not there right now. I'm kinda glad I'm not there right now. Spring break crowds are pretty daunting to an off-season dweller.

Spring break crowds are even more daunting to an off-season dweller without the aid of using late fastpasses. You wouldn't catch me there!

 

[kt_mom]

We are home from our trip now but I thought I would report again on our FP experience last week. We used FP mostly for SM, ToT, and RnRC. We never encountered any backups at SM using FP. And as I posted a few days ago we were given a FP to use later when a ride breakdown caused us to miss our FP time due to an ADR at CP.

At RnRC we walked through the FP cue all the way up to where they merge with standby at the recording room each time. There were no backups there at all for us.

At ToT we did have a small line in the FP line on friday when we used our FP each time but it moved very quickly and the wait was less than 10 minutes so I had no issues with that.

On friday we got FP for ToT and headed over to see what TSM looked like. The posted wait time was 60 minutes and we had about 100 minutes until our FP window closed. So figuring a 15 minute grace period we had about 55 extra minutes if the line was longer. Well, the line ended up taking about 2 hours and we were 20 minutes late when we got back to ToT. DD was very upset with me (I wanted to ride TSM, she didn't) so I went to the CM at the FP line and explained what happened and he took our two FP, gave me a rider switch pass and sent us on through teasing DD that mom had made a bad choice choosing to ride TSM anyway. He was very nice about it and it was a quick process and caused no hang ups in the FP line.

I didn't see anyone arguing with any CM's all week over FP. The times were late to use them we explained and were allowed on through. We did do a lot of crossing the park, especially at DHS which was a pain, but we managed.

At TSM there did seem to be a line in the FP line almost all the time and there were periods when the standby line didn't seem to move at all. I assume due to the FP line being backed up. But you get to a point in line where you can't see the FP line any longer so I don't know for sure that was always the case.

 

[larryz]

Thanks for that example of EXCELLENT guest recovery.

Obviously, you encountered a well-trained cast member!

 

[Balt ravens fan]

Posted wait time of 60 minutes at TSM - and it took 2 hours

That is crazy, being that inaccurate at my job gets you fired. Of course an amusement park wait sign will not be held to such scrutiny, but really.

 

[mesaboy2]

At RnRC we walked through the FP cue all the way up to where they merge with standby at the recording room each time. There were no backups there at all for us.

At ToT we did have a small line in the FP line on friday when we used our FP each time but it moved very quickly and the wait was less than 10 minutes so I had no issues with that.

I'm just back as well and encountered the opposite with these two. RnRC was our longest FP wait at about 15-20 minutes (did FP only once), and ToT was a virtual walk-on (both times we FP'ed).

I think this just re-enforces that all of our single experiences are anecdotal and no large grand conclusion can be made from them for quite a while yet.

 

[robinb]

Posted wait time of 60 minutes at TSM - and it took 2 hours

That is crazy, being that inaccurate at my job gets you fired. Of course an amusement park wait sign will not be held to such scrutiny, but really.

I thought the same thing. So much for the new FP enforcement making the standby wait times less.

 

[mom2rtk]

I thought the same thing. So much for the new FP enforcement making the standby wait times less.

Well, since everyone contended that most of us were hoarding our FP's to use late in the day, it would follow that standby waits HAVE to go up earlier in the day when all the hoarders have to use them in the window.

 

[skater]

So, NexGen will cost me more money?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Posted wait time of 60 minutes at TSM - and it took 2 hours

That is crazy, being that inaccurate at my job gets you fired. Of course an amusement park wait sign will not be held to such scrutiny, but really.

It was explained in one of these threads that the wait time displays how long it took the latest guest with the "time" tag to get from the entrance to the loading area.

If a large influx of guests then enters either line, it's going to affect the ultimate wait - but there's no way to know that until the next time badge is deployed.

 

[kaytieeldr]

So, NexGen will cost me more money?

Apparently.

 

[KellyNY]

We are home from our trip now but I thought I would report again on our FP experience last week. We used FP mostly for SM, ToT, and RnRC. We never encountered any backups at SM using FP. And as I posted a few days ago we were given a FP to use later when a ride breakdown caused us to miss our FP time due to an ADR at CP.

At RnRC we walked through the FP cue all the way up to where they merge with standby at the recording room each time. There were no backups there at all for us.

At ToT we did have a small line in the FP line on friday when we used our FP each time but it moved very quickly and the wait was less than 10 minutes so I had no issues with that.

On friday we got FP for ToT and headed over to see what TSM looked like. The posted wait time was 60 minutes and we had about 100 minutes until our FP window closed. So figuring a 15 minute grace period we had about 55 extra minutes if the line was longer. Well, the line ended up taking about 2 hours and we were 20 minutes late when we got back to ToT. DD was very upset with me (I wanted to ride TSM, she didn't) so I went to the CM at the FP line and explained what happened and he took our two FP, gave me a rider switch pass and sent us on through teasing DD that mom had made a bad choice choosing to ride TSM anyway. He was very nice about it and it was a quick process and caused no hang ups in the FP line.

I didn't see anyone arguing with any CM's all week over FP. The times were late to use them we explained and were allowed on through. We did do a lot of crossing the park, especially at DHS which was a pain, but we managed.

At TSM there did seem to be a line in the FP line almost all the time and there were periods when the standby line didn't seem to move at all. I assume due to the FP line being backed up. But you get to a point in line where you can't see the FP line any longer so I don't know for sure that was always the case.

Thanks for report. I'm glad to hear CM still let you ride. I must say 2 hours wait to TSM is crazy, honestly I would just leave and not because of another FP but because it is simply crazy that time was so off. I must say the only time I used SB line at TSM it turned much longer then it was posted. Something is not right with this ride, when I rode, it stopped several times, last time right before we were suppose to be off and we were waiting for goog 15 min till it moved again. One of the reasons we do not do TSM, not worth all the waiting.

 

[skater]

Apparently.

Wow. I love Disney, but this may be the deal breaker for us. Free dining is still a huge draw (with a hungry 14 DS), but for us, it may not be worth it. We have truly grown to love the spontaneity of the old system. Paying for the privilege of something that I may not even like as much will probably bug me. I don't think I would ever give up Disney completely, but more time at the Outer Banks sounds good. We may even try Universal (my boys would be thrilled) I'm just glad I didn't buy into DVC,.

 

[KellyNY]

Wow. I love Disney, but this may be the deal breaker for us. Free dining is still a huge draw (with a hungry 14 DS), but for us, it may not be worth it. We have truly grown to love the spontaneity of the old system. Paying for the privilege of something that I may not even like as much will probably bug me. I don't think I would ever give up Disney completely, but more time at the Outer Banks sounds good. We may even try Universal (my boys would be thrilled) I'm just glad I didn't buy into DVC,.

I must tell you that NextGen scares me as well but I am waiting to see what kind of animal it will actually be. Very possible it will worth money spend, I do not think they will charge for something not appealing, nobody will buy then. Anyway, time will show.

 

[skater]

I must tell you that NextGen scares me as well but I am waiting to see what kind of animal it will actually be. Very possible it will worth money spend, I do not think they will charge for something not appealing, nobody will buy then. Anyway, time will show.

You're right. I'll try not to panic or throw out the Disney luggage tags yet . I'm just grieving the way we've enjoyed the parks these last few years.

 

[Thumper Fan]

Personally, I think you are all planning it all wrong using FP's to begin with.

Firstly, on the very rare occasion I use FP's, I always come back at the alloted time. I make sure I don't stray too far from it. For example, yesterday, I went to DAK, got a FP for Kilimanjaro Safari. There were signs there saying clearly to return within the time window. I was surprised, 'cause it never occurred to me people had to be told <.< So while I had about an hour, I went to the Pangani Forest Trail, and enjoyed reading, and taking pictures, and asking CMs questions about the animals.
I got back at 11.20am, my FP was for 11.30am. I sat on a bench right next to it and waited. I noticed a couple people had arrived early and were not allowed in. I figured that's normal, it never occurred to me as I said that CMs never enforced time frames for being early or late. At 11.30, I went up and she looked at the time, and let me through. The second CM merely took the ticket and never checked.

Now like I said, I rarely ever take FPs, and when I do, I actually end up giving them away. And in all honesty, the only time I take FPs, it is when I hit DAK or Epcot. DHS, I wait for Fantasmic to happen. The Park clears out and I end up doing ToT and RnRC at that time. The best part is MK. I always go to the park around 8pm. Depending on when Wishes plays, it'll depend on when I do the rides. I have noticed the best time to go to MK is after Wishes. I get at least 6 to 8 rides done in a couple hours once Wishes has gone by. The park clears out so quickly that there are hardly any lines.

But back to the original posting about FPs, I do believe it is the right thing to enforce the time frame. I mean what was the point of having the time frame to begin with if it was never respected. Like I said it never occurred to me that people would actually deliberately come later in the day when their FPs are 5 hours past due time. In a way I'm glad it's enforced. Cause I make the effort to be on time, so should others <.<