AP's to get 20 FP+ per quarter

[OurDogCisco]

It's entirely possible that at times the FP+ lines could be longer than the Standby lines.

As was the case when we participated in the FP+ trials a couple of weeks ago - one of ours was for HM, and when we got up to the FP+ entry, there were more people in line at it than were in the Standby line. In fact, people entering the Standby line were in their Doom Buggies before we were.

And that's when I had a feeling much like the one's I've had before when I felt like I was wasting an FP because the Standby line didnt have a line.

Yep, some rides probably really don't need a fastpass but I think, Disney added some attractions and experiences to limit your options of getting a FP+ for those rides that you really need a FP. I bet next they will limit how many you can get during the holidays and peak times.

 

[OnlyDisney]

It's entirely possible that at times the FP+ lines could be longer than the Standby lines.

As was the case when we participated in the FP+ trials a couple of weeks ago - one of ours was for HM, and when we got up to the FP+ entry, there were more people in line at it than were in the Standby line. In fact, people entering the Standby line were in their Doom Buggies before we were.

And that's when I had a feeling much like the one's I've had before when I felt like I was wasting an FP because the Standby line didnt have a line.

I've only been to Disneyworld one time so I don't know if I'm missing something, but if the FP+ line is longer than the standby line why would you get in the FP+ line instead of the standby?

 

[Robo]

I've only been to Disneyworld one time so I don't know if I'm missing something, but if the FP+ line is longer than the standby line why would you get in the FP+ line instead of the standby?

This is just a bit of conjecture, projected into the future...

Since the GUEST has chosen these FP's (from anywhere from 2 weeks to 25 weeks in advance) and there may be no other FP's even available to choose...

it makes those FP's too "special and precious" to simply "blow off."

 

[linzbear]

I've only been to Disneyworld one time so I don't know if I'm missing something, but if the FP+ line is longer than the standby line why would you get in the FP+ line instead of the standby?

The lines don't go into the attraction equally in most cases. Generally it's something like 8 FP people per 1 standby person, so the FP line would have to be 8 times as long as standby before it's faster to go through standby.

 

[mousermerf]

The lines don't go into the attraction equally in most cases. Generally it's something like 8 FP people per 1 standby person, so the FP line would have to be 8 times as long as standby before it's faster to go through standby.

This happened recently at Test Track after a downtime. The FP line got so backlogged and the CMs at the ride weren't letting the standby design rooms cascade (backup and not run on schedule) so standby essentially continues at the "same rate as usual" while the number of FP returns was 3-4 or more times normal.

FP stuck out the front of the building while standby was marked at 90-mins or something but really only 20-30.

 

[pigletto]

Just spent the last hour reading this thread. Count.me.out.
I don't wait in lines over 20 minutes, and I will never, not one time, wake up 6 months in advance to schedule a ride on TSMM. That's not "magical", it's insane.
I don't even want to schedule it the night before I go. Sure I was swept up by the ADR madness and made those reservations well in advance but even that is a giant pain in the butt.

It will be interesting to see how this all plays out because it's still a lot of speculation. As of right now it just sounds unpleasant and confusing.

 

[BlovesC]

Once they changed the return policy, we stopped using FPs completely. We rarely needed them with how we tour, anyway.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Just spent the last hour reading this thread. Count.me.out.
I don't wait in lines over 20 minutes, and I will never, not one time, wake up 6 months in advance to schedule a ride on TSMM. That's not "magical", it's insane.
I don't even want to schedule it the night before I go. Sure I was swept up by the ADR madness and made those reservations well in advance but even that is a giant pain in the butt.

It will be interesting to see how this all plays out because it's still a lot of speculation. As of right now it just sounds unpleasant and confusing.

This is our worry also. It takes the Magic out of the Magic kingdom imo. We also found the ADR a pain. I want to decide that day what to eat not in March for October. For the odd treat like Cindreallas table or a chef mickeys breakfast etc fine but for the likes of the Rainforest Cafe etc. Now we just go and put our name down an hour or so before. Leave us some spur of the moment decisions! For example I have booked splash mountain but its colder than expected or raining etc.

 

[pinkerbell]

It's no longer a vacation, it's an assignment

I am done with Disney, not even looking forward to our next trip (which will probably be the last for a LONG time) in April. Wouldn't even go if it wasn't with a group of friends, and that will be the fun part, NOT the parks.

It makes me very sad, but thankful that we had the chance to enjoy it w/ our kids before all the ridiculousness.

Hoping that the FP doesn,t switch before our trip

 

[murphyjh]

I haven't seen this issue addressed. We have PAP vouchers and plan to start our passes when we arrive. Does this mean we can't use the advance FP+ reservation system (6 months or whatever) since we don't yet have AP numbers? Or will there be a way to connect our advance FP+ reservations to our room reervations?

 

[TDC Nala]

If you're an AP holder who visits often, just don't go the RFID pass and Fastpass Plus route, and use regular fastpasses.

Until the entire thing switches over to Fastpass Plus...If, from what the OP says, they want to limit our rapid access to the attractions in order to admit more first-time visitors, then that's going to happen eventually.

They've spent at least a billion dollars on this new system. they're not going to "leave it alone." It's coming.

 

[Robo]

They've spent at least a billion dollars on this new system. they're not going to "leave it alone." It's coming.

Yes.

However, if it backfires on them, they, like the Coca-Cola Company, may have to rethink their "New" ideas.

Something that is very interesting is that they had announced plans earlier this year
to stop the use of "late" same-day FP's at Disneyland.
So far, they have put off implementing this limitation in Anaheim.
Some say that it will finally happen this January.
Some say that it will be put off further. We'll soon see.
The fact that they have NOT made this change for Disneyland yet is
very interesting.
(And it is a major indication that the limiting "late FP" use was not due to "abuse.")

I hope that these discussions can continue, as I want Disney to see that their repeat customers
(at least the more vocal ones here on the largest Disney fansite on the planet)
by and large, are not so excited about the changes in FP.

Like anything, some will like it, some will not.
So far, for me... NOT.

 

[TDC Nala]

Disneyland is a very different animal from WDW. What is anticipated to work in Florida may not work in California.

This is part of the complaint that WDW visitors had that they hate waiting in lines. Interactive queues were part of that. Now with fastpass plus you can schedule all the major attractions in one day AND order your meals ahead of time, just grab them, eat and go, no lines. It's going to be huge. Not that I like it because it won't help me any. I"m more spontaneous than that.

 

[Robo]

Now with fastpass plus you can schedule all the major attractions in one day...

All indications are that's not gonna happen (or even be possible.)

 

[TDC Nala]

So a visitor would be allowed to schedule only one major attraction per park, since WDW wants to channel them to "lesser" attractions as well - no scheduling both Rockin Roller Coaster and TSMM on the same day. If I have 4 Fastpass + to use in MK I can't use all of them to ride the Haunted Mansion, they'll have a list I can choose from?

And you can't use the FP+ on a park hop.

In that case it's very obvious exactly what they're trying to regiment and I'm going with crowd distribution. Channel people away from the popular rides. Kind of like they've been channelling dining plan users to buffets.

I don't think Disney cares all that much what its fans think. I don't think they've cared about that for a long time.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

I want that too, but I want FPs for more than 2 good rides in a day.

~ I agree & I hope Disney will increase the number of FP's, but if they don't I'm still going to choose FP+, it looks so fabulous! Seriously, I cannot wait for Disney to finish Fastpass+ -- running around & criss crossing the parks just for FP's, especially in the August heat is such a huge waste of time, imo.

I understand not wanting to plan everything, however the current fastpass system doesn't seem to be without plannning itself, at least to me. I just don't plan ahead of time currently. Since fastpass enforcement we've used less fastpasses anyway because it does include a lot of crisscrossing the parks. I'm the fastpass runner and I'm pretty tired of it

~This post is EXCEPTIONAL!!! I totally agree! Disney vacations already require planning, so this is nothing. Several park goers are already paying for touring plans and utilizing the phone apps in the parks. At least with FP+, I can choose the time that compliments my touring style versus the crap shoot that you get with regular FP.

~Instead of planning to pull a FastPass, I'll be planning to head straight to the Fastpass line! Yay!

I have to plan to be at TSM early. By the time that I get to the front of the fastpass line, the return time is pretty far out and then I have to plan to be back in that area at a certain time. There's not a lot around TSM so I have to go someplace else and then plan to be back on time. I have to plan when to get another fastpass because to get a lot of fastpasses I have to get another as soon as the window opens. And I have to plan which fastpass to get next based on where I think I might be in the park by then, then go get them and them plan what I can do until the window opens but won't take longer than the window.

Thank you! This is exactly why I am so happy that Disney is finally addressing this, I don't enjoy running up and down all over the place, it's so inefficient to me.

As for technology, I already use a phone app so I can know what the fastpass return time is before I trek all the way over to Splash Mtn or something. That seems like a lot of planning What if I get stuck in a long line at the cash register or am simply not finished with my drink at the bar? To use fastpass, I have to plan around shopping and eating and drinking that day in the park.

~Excellent point. Whenever we pull a Fastpass -- we have to tour around the FP return window and the time to pull another FP. FP+ will elimate this! Yay!

Since enforcement, I have used less fastpasses but have still ridden my favorites multiple times. There will always be an advantage for people who research who know which rides are busy, know to get there early and stay late. There will also always been some kind of perk for staying onsite.

I'm not going to worry too much about the number of fastpasses yet. I think that's the thing that's probably most up in the air still. Especially for APs. I find it hard to believe that only one person knows how many fastpasses APs will get There are many posters and bloggers who seem to have inside information but never before has it been just one person who had all the information. Also from other comments, I don't think the OP is reliable, JMHO.

~I really like mousermerf! For the most part, I think he is credible, so I don't want to take away from that. I do have an issue with this "rumor" of his, but this is the only thing out of all of his other posts. I think you should give him a pass this time, lol. And, he is not hateful or malicious, nor does he ever try to personally tear people down just for kicks! If you tally up all of his posts, this is the only one that's questionable. Actually, I'm really missing mousermerf right now. I hope he comes back soon because he has a lot of great insider info, and offers plenty of insight in the majority of his posts!

~Anyway, thanks for sharing your thoughts on FP+, Melodious!

 

[Robo]

So a visitor would be allowed to schedule only one major attraction per park, since WDW wants to channel them to "lesser" attractions as well - no scheduling both Rockin Roller Coaster and TSMM on the same day. If I have 4 Fastpass + to use in MK I can't use all of them to ride the Haunted Mansion, they'll have a list I can choose from?

And you can't use the FP+ on a park hop.

In that case it's very obvious exactly what they're trying to regiment and I'm going with crowd distribution. Channel people away from the popular rides. Kind of like they've been channelling dining plan users to buffets.

I don't think Disney cares all that much what its fans think. I don't think they've cared about that for a long time.

Now, we seem to be singing from the same book.

There is lots of past data on companies attempting to TELL their customers
what things they are supposed to do (and what to "like") regarding their company's products.
Not pretty.

Today, there are many other opportunities for entertainment and vacations
competing with a guest's (too often dwindling) yearly budget.

It would be unwise to forcibly fly in the face of the preferences the those who have traditionally chosen to spend a goodly amount at Disney parks.
We'll see what (hopefully) cooler heads at Disney ultimately decide.

I'm still watching.
From HOME, that is...

 

[mom2rtk]

I think it's pretty clear that Disney look at any attendance below park capacity as growth potential. But to maximize that, they clearly do need to shift bodies around and adjust expectations. It's abundantly clear that's what they're up to here.

It doesn't matter if they wrap it up in a shiny package and sprinkle it with pink pixie dust, I won't willingly swap more rides (you know..... the ones of my choosing) for less FP running and a "cute" bracelet.

 

[Planogirl]

This just get uglier. So far I want nothing to do with Fastpass+. I want to pick my own rides.

 

[Missyrose]

It doesn't matter if they wrap it up in a shiny package and sprinkle it with pink pixie dust, I won't willingly swap more rides (you know..... the ones of my choosing) for less FP running and a "cute" bracelet.

I'm soooooo with you on this one.