AP's to get 20 FP+ per quarter

[aubriee]

Before you make any quick decisions based on rumor and speculation, wait and see how this all plays out in actuality.

I'm a PAP who goes to a park once a week. I completely understand how you feel. We did not renew our Tables in Wonderland card this year due to the price increase. We have already changed our eating habits and in just these few weeks of January have eaten more off property than on. We also have been making less impulse purchases since we lost our 20% merchandise discount.

In addition, there are a large number of us AP holders and many of us locals have Universal 2 park passes, Busch Gardens, Sea World and Legoland passes. I'm sure Disney has these competitor parks in mind too and would not want to lose us to them.

Oh, I'm not making any decision until I see how this plays out for AP holders. I'm just thinking about other options. As you said there is alot to do down there, besides WDW.

I too did not renew my TiW that expired in Oct and have no intention of doing so. Since some of my trips are solo every year and we can eat so much better and cheaper offsite, the price increase made it so TiW was just not worth it for us this year. I'll just be eating offsite more. I've always said I would never stay offsite, but this past Oct did so for the first time. We loved it so much that I'll be at Bonnet Creek in May and if I go back in Sept like I usually do will be there again. I can get alot more space for alot less money and will still physically be on the property. Disney finally priced me out. Why the heck should I pay Disney $149.00 a night (with a discount) for a moderate when I can get a much larger one bedroom villa with a fully equipped kitchen in a deluxe resort for $89.60/night and be closer to some of the parks than the WDW resorts? I love Disney, but am not happy with them at the moment. I just wished they'd give out all the details on this fastpass plus, so we could make informed decisions.

 

[Robo]

OK, even though I swore I would stop trying to "what if," all this AP talk has me wondering.

Currently you can renew your AP within 30 days of its expiration to get the discounted renewal rate and not effect the anniversary date. Correct?

Say my AP is due to expire on June 1. My trip starts on June 5. To keep my June 1 anniversary date, and still get the discounted renewal rate, I need to renew on May 2 or later.

You can renew the AP in your question at any time between May 2 and July 1.

Even if there was a problem like this (which I suspect may not be the case)
a possible simple workaround could be...
to buy a regular MYW ticket at any point before your trip, and book "off of" that ticket.

Then, when you arrive at WDW, you could use the value of that ticket to help pay for your AP renewal.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Even if there was a problem like this (which I suspect may not be the case)
a possible simple workaround could be...
to buy a regular MYW ticket at any point before your trip, and book "off of" that ticket.

Then, when you arrive at WDW, you could use the value of that ticket to help pay for your AP renewal.

Right, but how many days would I get to pre-book for, the same number of days as the ticket? My trip coming up is 15 days. WDW doesn't offer a 15 day ticket. So how many days would I be able book in advance for?

 

[Robo]

Right, but how many days would I get to pre-book for, the same number of days as the ticket? My trip coming up is 15 days. WDW doesn't offer a 15 day ticket. So how many days would I be able book in advance for?

I swore I would stop trying to "what if,"

Words to live by.




(And, read my signature.)

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Words to live by.




(And, read my signature.)

I know

But since mousemerf seems to know ALL the answers maybe he can weigh in on this sort of unique dilemma...

 

[doconeill]

I know

But since mousemerf seems to know ALL the answers maybe he can weigh in on this sort of unique dilemma...

Given his most recent response on the original topic, I expect even the people in charge are still trying to figure it out.

Put simply, they need to change the way they handled APs, renewals and vouchers.

 

[bcrook]

Oh, I'm not making any decision until I see how this plays out for AP holders. I'm just thinking about other options. As you said there is alot to do down there, besides WDW.

I too did not renew my TiW that expired in Oct and have no intention of doing so. Since some of my trips are solo every year and we can eat so much better and cheaper offsite, the price increase made it so TiW was just not worth it for us this year. I'll just be eating offsite more. I've always said I would never stay offsite, but this past Oct did so for the first time. We loved it so much that I'll be at Bonnet Creek in May and if I go back in Sept like I usually do will be there again. I can get alot more space for alot less money and will still physically be on the property. Disney finally priced me out. Why the heck should I pay Disney $149.00 a night (with a discount) for a moderate when I can get a much larger one bedroom villa with a fully equipped kitchen in a deluxe resort for $89.60/night and be closer to some of the parks than the WDW resorts? I love Disney, but am not happy with them at the moment. I just wished they'd give out all the details on this fastpass plus, so we could make informed decisions.

I am trying to figure out how this all will work during the different seasons. How important is FP+ in September? I have never been in September. There has to be less demand for FP for the major rides, so those precious FP+ could theoretically be used on preferred seating or some other non ride event. So, FP+ in September is based more on be Personalized experience.

On the other hand during peak season, the limitation of the FP+ would be stifling.

When would be the optimum time of the year to get the most of this FP+?

 

[mousermerf]

Up until now, having the voucher only got you access to the Passholder web site. That was glitchy whether it was a voucher or a live pass.

I don't expect much to change, except that you'll be able to pre-book FP+ using the voucher codes. I also expect that if people abuse the use of vouchers, say by using a voucher to book FP+s and then never actually activating the AP, penalties will be instituted - such as the AP not being able to book FP+s when finally activated, etc.



You turn them in for the "new" tickets. Eventually you will not be able to use them directly.

You cant abuse the voucher - if that voucher doesnt become a ticket it wont be valid for admission and the FP+ for that day cant be on the RFID card/band/whatever you intend to use that day. Don't redeem, don't get the FP+.

 

[bcrook]

I think they're working on a plan to sell them tickets, then not let them in the gates. But they're still working out some of the details. It didn't test well in focus groups..........

And selling tickets to DVC and resort guests and encouraging them to plan more RESORT days.

 

[mousermerf]

OK, even though I swore I would stop trying to "what if," all this AP talk has me wondering.

Currently you can renew your AP within 30 days of its expiration to get the discounted renewal rate and not effect the anniversary date. Correct?

Say my AP is due to expire on June 1. My trip starts on June 5. To keep my June 1 anniversary date, and still get the discounted renewal rate, I need to renew on May 2 or later.

IF we are allowed to book FP+ at 60 days (which I am speculating will be the case based on on-line check in for resort guests being at 60 days), for my trip that would be on April 6. Would the website let me book FP+ for all of the days of my trip on April 6 with my current active AP, even though it would show in the system as expiring on June 1, 4 days before I arrive? Or would it require me to wait until May 2, the earliest day to renew my AP to keep my anniversary date and still get the renewal discount...

(FWIW, this scenario doesn't affect me personally since my AP expired in November. We were planning on upgrading our MYW tickets purchased from UT on our first day.)


This also leads me to wonder, as a PP did either on this thread or another, will WDW package payment dates stay at 45 days or will it move up to 60? Will My Disney Experience let you do on-line check in when you haven't paid the balance yet? And if it will (as it should, since room-only guests pay their balance on arrival) will it be programmed correctly to allow FP+ reservations at that time as well?

AP Renewal is 60 days prior or 30 days after to maintain your date and discount.

April 1st is more than 60 days prior to June 5th.

You're fine, stop worrying.

 

[mousermerf]

First, you may need to make FP+ reservations before then.

Second, you should still be able to enter the ticket info from the KTTW cards. If they forget that some people still have valid tickets on "expired" KTTW cards, there will be lots of phone calls to WDW Ticketing to get the correct codes.

They've stopped using the ABC XXX XXX XXXX type number for passes and using the barcode. The barcode that's on KTTW and most other tickets.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

AP Renewal is 60 days prior or 30 days after to maintain your date and discount.

April 1st is more than 60 days prior to June 5th.

You're fine, stop worrying.

I'm trying!!!

In all seriousness, when did AP renewal change to 60 days prior?

 

[mousermerf]

I know

But since mousemerf seems to know ALL the answers maybe he can weigh in on this sort of unique dilemma...

Solution: Don't go.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Solution: Don't go.

And there's that charming personality again

 

[mossy1]

This is all very interesting. I have been out of the Disney loop for awhile since my last trip and am just gearing up for my next trip in April. I would never trade my existing AP for their new system. I know eventually you won't have a choice in the matter and that stinks. I was really hoping when this all would work itself out you could pull regular FP in the AM with your tickets and I could use my reserve FP+ for a park hop later in the day. I am surmising there is no chance for such a scenario. It will be interesting going forward to say the least. I really think this is a game changer in the FP world. Have a great day friends!!

 

[lovethattink]

We're PAP too and ours are due up in March. I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet. I'm mostly bothered because the parks have felt so full this year. I'm contemplating dropping Disney all together and upgrading Universal for the after 4 express pass. I'll have to see if it slows down between now and March. We let our TIW drop this month as well. Just wasn't worth it anymore.

It's already slowed down, unless you are only going on Saturdays. I would expect a big pick up come Presidents week in February.

Oh, I'm not making any decision until I see how this plays out for AP holders. I'm just thinking about other options. As you said there is alot to do down there, besides WDW.

I too did not renew my TiW that expired in Oct and have no intention of doing so. Since some of my trips are solo every year and we can eat so much better and cheaper offsite, the price increase made it so TiW was just not worth it for us this year. I'll just be eating offsite more. I've always said I would never stay offsite, but this past Oct did so for the first time. We loved it so much that I'll be at Bonnet Creek in May and if I go back in Sept like I usually do will be there again. I can get alot more space for alot less money and will still physically be on the property. Disney finally priced me out. Why the heck should I pay Disney $149.00 a night (with a discount) for a moderate when I can get a much larger one bedroom villa with a fully equipped kitchen in a deluxe resort for $89.60/night and be closer to some of the parks than the WDW resorts? I love Disney, but am not happy with them at the moment. I just wished they'd give out all the details on this fastpass plus, so we could make informed decisions.

I wish we had more details too. I'm in the process of deciding whether or not to cancel my Pop reservation for May but it's not based on FP+. It is based on $s though. $116/night at a value is too high for me when I deal with the inconvenience of driving to and from home.

They've stopped using the ABC XXX XXX XXXX type number for passes and using the barcode. The barcode that's on KTTW and most other tickets.

We've had a barcode on our passes for ages. Makes for easier entry when the standard machines don't want to read it.

I could handle 20 per quarter as long as the times we do resort stays bumps up that number.

We had resort stays in Sept, Oct, Nov, and Dec. That has the potential to use those 20 in no time.

 

[Planogirl]

Solution: Don't go.

Now this is the type of response that drives me crazy. If everyone who had question quit going then it would be a mighty empty resort. I know that some would like that but not Disney.

 

[mousermerf]

Now this is the type of response that drives me crazy. If everyone who had question quit going then it would be a mighty empty resorts. I know that some would like that but not Disney.

But these aren't basic questions - these are very personal "what if" theories that are mostly already covered if the person asking the question bothered with 3 seconds worth of research.

Instead they want to be alarmist about the new system and post their 2 cents knocking it and showing the world how it wont work and they're the poor unfortunate one who it is going to be leaving out.

I'm not falling for the charade and don't suggest anyone else does either.

 

[doconeill]

You cant abuse the voucher - if that voucher doesnt become a ticket it wont be valid for admission and the FP+ for that day cant be on the RFID card/band/whatever you intend to use that day. Don't redeem, don't get the FP+.

So you are saying that constantly booking FP+s as much as I want and then not showing up wouldn't be abuse? That's what I'm referring to. They need to count them against you somehow, or say you can't do it for a while if you never show up (and thus activate your AP).

Since the cap is still in question, we don't know how they'd handle it.

AP Renewal is 60 days prior or 30 days after to maintain your date and discount.

April 1st is more than 60 days prior to June 5th.

You're fine, stop worrying.

Mostly in answer to a post afterwards that I forgot to quote - but although the web site says 60 days prior (or at least used to), it seems that at the parks, and even online the last time I looked, it didn't allow renewing until 30 days prior. It's been a long-standing discrepancy and hopefully this will finally rectify it.

They've stopped using the ABC XXX XXX XXXX type number for passes and using the barcode. The barcode that's on KTTW and most other tickets.

I was referring specifically to KTTW cards, since the PP said they have a bunch of tickets still on them. Are there not still codes on the KTTW cards? I know they aren't the standard codes with the issuing location, terminal number, etc. but there was still a string of numbers and maybe letters that essentially worked the same way - and the barcode was the encoding of that string.

But as far as I know, there are still the standard human-readable ticket codes on all the ticket media, in addition to the barcodes.

 

[GreenCntryGirl]

The reservations are only for 60 days in advance. If you can't or wont commit to a theme park ticket 60 days out you don't get to make a FP+ reservation.

How does it work for those, like me, that have a package plan that only needs to be paid 45 days out? Hmmmm.