AP's to get 20 FP+ per quarter

[linzbear]

I think that's a very accurate description. They see those A-B-C attractions as having underused capacity. If they can force the masses into those, they can clear more capacity at the D-E attractions. AND SELL MORE TICKETS.

Here's where it confuses me though. I've been in September, May, October, early December... all of the slow times except January, and I have had to wait in some line for at least 1 cycle on virtually everything good. I don't even see empty horses on the carousel or tea cups. The only good rides that I've ever seen running at a lower capacity than full are Mexico, Small World, Pirates, and the 3D shows (when people all go on one side, the other line is always backed up), and that's just because those are very high capacity attractions - they eat so many people that they can't keep up with the population.

Virtually everyone visiting goes in those attractions already, so where on earth are they planning pushing all those people? There are no high capacity A/B/C rides that people aren't constantly going on, unless the ride itself is outdated or terrible (Hi, Stitch). Is that really their strategy? Push people off of the good rides to ride the terrible ones?

 

[SaraJayne]

For me it is not just this one thing...it is a trend to having to plan my days at WDW three to six months out. That is not my idea of a vacation...I know it is what a lot of folks want but not me. And in 2012 I learned that there is a whole world outside of Orlando and I now want to see more of that world - Disney is not the vacation for us that it was in the past. We are not and never will be fanatic planners and I do not enjoy having no spontaneity in my vacation. I really do not know today what and when I want to ride something and where, when, and WHAT I want to eat in June 2013. Please!

Disney will not miss my money as there are hundreds of folks waiting to take my place but this is not about sending Disney a message...this is about making sure my family has the type of vacation we enjoy.

 

[Robo]

Is that really their strategy? Push people off of the good rides to ride the terrible ones?

In general, the only guests that will "bite" on that will be newbies.

And, yes, after the 3 minute ride on "attraction B-ticket,"
-POOF- that guest is back in the general population standing in whatever line they come across next.

Less than a fabulous FP+ experience.

 

[sunshine girl]

I agree with so many of these comments, especially the "hassle" comments. I'm a planner too, but this is no good.

It honestly sounds to me like they would rather make the day like a shotgun start golf tournament and force all guests to follow a prescribed touring plan through the parks, no deviations or slowdowns allowed.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[mom2rtk]

Is that really their strategy? Push people off of the good rides to ride the terrible ones?

I'm guessing they prefer to call them "underutilized attractions".

And maybe they want a short wait for those as well. Maybe if there's a line everyone will wonder what all the fuss is and join in!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

And while I am thinking about this mess, how do we know about the no-park hopping? Is that part of the rumor or an assumption based on the tests?

 

[mom2rtk]

And while I am thinking about this mess, how do we know about the no-park hopping? Is that part of the rumor or an assumption based on the tests?

You can park hop. You just apparently can't have FP+ in more than one park per day.

That is something I really don't care about, as we never buy park hoppers. But I certainly see why some folks would indeed care greatly. I could see them tweaking this before it comes out in its final form. But if their goal is to ration access to headliners, I could see allowing splitting of a day to run contrary to that goal. You could then skim off the top attractions in each park, defeating their goal of limiting your access.

 

[Missyrose]

And while I am thinking about this mess, how do we know about the no-park hopping? Is that part of the rumor or an assumption based on the tests?

In the terms of agreement for the new Disney Web site, there was a section on FP+. It said you would only be able to use FP+ in one park per day. So you can hop, but you'll be stuck waiting strictly standby at whatever park you didn't designate as your FP+ park that day.

 

[sunshine girl]

You can park hop. You just apparently can't have FP+ in more than one park per day.

That is something I really don't care about, as we never buy park hoppers. But I certainly see why some folks would indeed care greatly.

Definitely. I always park hop every day, and make use of FP at each park.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[mom2rtk]

Definitely. I always park hop every day, and make use of FP at each park.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Given the proposed diminished value of park hopping, maybe they'll drop the price.

 

[ftballfan7]

It sounds like we might not bother going back to Disney if FP+ goes into effect as the only FP system. We never make vacation plans that far in advance. Heck, one year we decided on a Tuesday evening to go to WDW and on Sunday we were in the MK! 4-6 weeks is usually our "advance" planning time. If we aren't going to be able to get FPs for headline attractions and have to stand in LONG lines at the "secondary" attractions, what's the point of even going to Disney anymore?

GO BLUE!!!!!

Okay so this has been a tough year. Sorry got distracted.

 

[HelenParr]

It seems that Disney has made some crazy assumptions, including that they can create demand for attractions that do not have (natural) demand, or that people will be able to keep e-track of ride return times (I can barely do this with the paper FP in my pocket), or that people will want to be cyber-changing FP during park visit.

When they tested the central FP distribution locations, or geographically disconnected ones, seemed like it failed entirely. Virtual seems even more difficult than that.

It doesn't matter what you call it, or how sparkly you make it, or how many fastpass+ reservations you make for it, an A, B or C ride is not an E ride. That's why the line is shorter. Basically a market force. But, markets correct and I believe the FP+ "market" will correct when it falls on its face. Mostly a question of when (and how many trips it affects before then).

 

[bauer1168]

It won't be THAT bad. I bet you can also get into the Stitch attracton.........

Yep, I'll be there with my FP+ slot at 9:15am for Stitch and Philharmagic!
Yes, it's still all speculation and we don't know how it will finally roll out but it does seem rather confusing for some parts.
If, they eliminate regular FP so first time visitors can only use FP+ or, they choose to use FP+ (because Stacey says its awesome), I can't imagine the level of confusion they will enter.
One of my favourite threads on here is the one about the funniest things you have heard people say at WDW.
"What do you mean the monorail doesn't go to Sea World?!!"
And there's pages and pages of it. If people can't do the proper, basic research before their trip to WDW. They could end up struggling and not having that great a time.
This FP+ is waaaaayyy more confusing/complex than knowing if Disney, Universal and Sea World are completely different places.

 

[WillAustin]

It seems that Disney has made some crazy assumptions, including that they can create demand for attractions that do not have (natural) demand, or that people will be able to keep e-track of ride return times (I can barely do this with the paper FP in my pocket), or that people will want to be cyber-changing FP during park visit.

I think they are making huge assumptions on that as well. Based on the technologically-challenged people I encounter all the time, it's hard to believe it will be a smooth process for most people.

 

[bauer1168]

To the people here on disboards who have been selected to do FP+, when choosing your rides/times, did you HAVE to choose 4 rides or, could you just pick 2 from the top tier attractions.
For example, on one day, could you just pick 2 FP+ slots for say, Space Mountain and the Parade? Or would you have to pick another 2 from the lower?
I think if it comes to a point where it's FP+ or standby, and you have to choose 4 slots, people will just pick random times for say, Stitch and not bother going, just so they have their 4 FP+ slots done. Which, wont help evenly distribute the crowds as they may feel they'd rather wait 60 mins for Space Monntain or get their parade spot early than ride one of the lower attractions

 

[larryz]

It honestly sounds to me like they would rather make the day like a shotgun start golf tournament and force all guests to follow a prescribed touring plan through the parks, no deviations or slowdowns allowed.

And if they change the park music to a nice rumba beat, we can all conga line from attraction to attraction.

That way, it's a feature and not a glitch...

 

[Laketravis]

Now I'm curious what percentage of visits to WDW are first timers versus repeats. Anyone know any facts about that?

If the vast majority are first timers, the probability of Disney getting away with anything ridiculous is very high.

But if they really depend on repeats, then misguided efforts such as FP+ could really impact them.

 

[sunshine girl]

I think they are making huge assumptions on that as well. Based on the technologically-challenged people I encounter all the time, it's hard to believe it will be a smooth process for most people.

Agreed. There are many people I know or work with who struggle to operate their computers, and this is not just the older generation... And many without smartphones, or with smartphones that they can't figure out. And whenever anything goes wrong, whether by user error or not, they're at a complete loss as to what to do! Hmm.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[glvsav37]

Ugh, this sounds like a mess. Fact is, too many people vacation in three own ways and with a resort the size and scope of WDW, there is no way you can expect everyone to confirm to one way of vacationing.

I know I hate making ADRs so far in advance, but I at least understand it. Everyone's gotta eat and there is only so much room. But the attractions are an experience that is personal to each person and family.

It is amazing to think that Diz management is ok with locking people into one park. I know they are not literally, but they are penalizing those who hop...and people hop for many reasons.

For us, we have small kids and they really dictate what we due on a given day....but you
Can't ask a 2 year old to plan his daily melt down 6 mos in advance bc daddy needs a FP+ for Space Mountain.

I hope Dis brass are reading these threads and are getting the initial reactions of their guests. I only hope they come out with an official announcement soon. All the speculating is making the plan worse.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

In my experience as a system administrator charged with a forklift upgrade between two entirely different networks, I tried to be the nice guy and give people a transition period of over a month to switch over.

At the 20-day point, I did a stat analysis and informal survey, and only 10% of the users had even logged in to the new system.

It quickly became obvious that the only way to get people to use the new system was to turn the old system off.

People hate change...that's just human nature. And Disney can't afford to support two FP technologies and systems indefinitely -- it costs people, bandwidth and paper supplies for the old FPs. I'd recommend, if I were doing it, to just cut over when the FP+ system's ready.

(How did I fix my issue? I gave them all 5 more days to move their stuff over and then did a hard uninstall of their workstations over the weekend.)

~Wow, this is fascinating stuff, it sounds like you should be working for Disney! But, can Disney afford you?!? In my experience, converting to an entirely paperless & wireless environment was a challenge for sure, but now that the learning curve has been conquered, you couldn't pay me to go back!!! And just five days??? Ouch, you are tough, lol!

~I just can't get worked up over all the rumors and opinions completely void of any facts. I have seen nothing credible or factual to suggest that FP+ is going to be this huge nightmare, not for me anyway.

~No one here has the facts or any of the real numbers needed to support these arguments and unsubstantiated claims. When I read posts that claim things like "this line is going to be longer and that line is going to do this", with no factual data, it just makes me cringe.

~Sorry, I just can't play that game. Especially, when I see people reading and reacting to what only can be described as a highly emotional opinion (or fear for a better word), by cancelling their vacations and getting all upset before any details have been released, it's really sad.

~Fortunately, the concept of Fastpass+ bodes well with me, because I would absolutely hate to be in the other camp. They sound truly miserable for like over a year now, I just couldn't do it. If I was that upset, I would leave Disney alone, altogether. I'm not judging, I feel really bad, it's just very unfortunate for them as Disney World fans. I do empathize with their disappointment.

~Regular fastpass since the time window enforcement is of little to no value to me -- so Fastpass+ is sounds FABULOUS! YES! I'm super excited and looking forward to my next Disney vacation. And, I can't wait to hear more details - the sooner, the better!

~Based on what you've written above it looks like mousermerf is spot on (again)! I still think that's harsh by Disney standards but sadly, it makes sense. I really can't wait for mousermerf to offer more insight on this transition!

GO BLUE!!!!!

Okay so this has been a tough year. Sorry got distracted.

~Yes!!!

~Thanks, I needed that!