BIG change to FP+ today

[Rosanne]

I don't believe I said this, but a question…. what else can you do? Disney is changing the way things are done. In a way, this is your only option. What else do you suggest?

You can let your voice be heard, but it isn't going to make Disney go, 'ya know… let's just scrap this whole thing and go back to regular FP'.

Except that it might. Maybe it should. There used to be a fine chocolatier kiosk in my town that had key lime truffles. I took to those truffles like a moth to a flame. All my "mad money" went to those key lime truffles. Then, they stopped carrying them at my location unless you bought them in a box with 11 other truffles. I have not had a key lime truffle since the 8 or 9 years when they made that switch. Now I eat strawberry shortcakes from the grocery store for my sweet fix. Exponentially cheaper than the truffles were. Not as satisfying but it wasn't worth paying for the other 11 truffles to get the one truffle I wanted (at about $36 a pound)

The same thing is happening with Disney. All my mad money was going to Disney since the truffle debacle but these FP+changes are enough to make me go, "eh" and switch to other vacation opportunities.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I don't believe I said this, but a question…. what else can you do? Disney is changing the way things are done. In a way, this is your only option. What else do you suggest?

You can let your voice be heard, but it isn't going to make Disney go, 'ya know… let's just scrap this whole thing and go back to regular FP'.

"this whole thing" isn't about FP+. "This whole thing" is about MM+ and RFID technology. Most people don't have an issue with that. They are taking issue with *how* FP+ is being implemented using that technology.

Disney does not have to restrict FPs to 3/day in one park only in order to use the MM+ technology. They could have the MagicBands and RFID technology use the same restrictions as current FP if they wanted to, and it wouldn't be "scrapping the whole thing." Those are software/programming changes, not infrastructure changes, and *are* capable of being changed without having to "scrap the whole thing."

 

[robpa]

Except that it might. Maybe it should. There used to be a fine chocolatier kiosk in my town that had key lime truffles. I took to those truffles like a moth to a flame. All my "mad money" went to those key lime truffles. Then, they stopped carrying them at my location unless you bought them in a box with 11 other truffles. I have not had a key lime truffle since the 8 or 9 years when they made that switch. Now I eat strawberry shortcakes from the grocery store for my sweet fix. Exponentially cheaper than the truffles were. Not as satisfying but it wasn't worth paying for the other 11 truffles to get the one truffle I wanted (at about $36 a pound)

The same thing is happening with Disney. All my mad money was going to Disney since the truffle debacle but these FP+changes are enough to make me go, "eh" and switch to other vacation opportunities.

This thread is making me hungry, before someone was talking about pizza, now truffles and strawberry shortcake.........yum

 

[bcrook]

"this whole thing" isn't about FP+. "This whole thing" is about MM+ and RFID technology. Most people don't have an issue with that. They are taking issue with *how* FP+ is being implemented using that technology.

Disney does not have to restrict FPs to 3/day in one park only in order to use the MM+ technology. They could have the MagicBands and RFID technology use the same restrictions as current FP if they wanted to, and it wouldn't be "scrapping the whole thing." Those are software/programming changes, not infrastructure changes, and *are* capable of being changed without having to "scrap the whole thing."

This is the ideal situation! Simple too.

But it doesn't lock people into rides months in advance and deter them from leaving. Once people are rationed to a few measly FP and everyone is playing. Those gems will be priceless.

 

[robpa]

This is the ideal situation! Simple too.

But it doesn't lock people into rides months in advance and deter them from leaving. Once people are rationed to a few measly FP and everyone is playing. Those gems will be priceless.

But is it really keeping people in the parks? I have noticed a few posts where people said they used their fastpasses then left. This may be because with the limited amount of guests currently using the system they have been able to lump their fastpass times together. That probably won't be so easy when everyone is on board.

 

[Angel Ariel]

But it doesn't lock people into rides months in advance and deter them from leaving. Once people are rationed to a few measly FP and everyone is playing. Those gems will be priceless.

Exactly. If you're not at WDW for the rides and the ride rationing doesn't bother you, that's great for you. But it doesn't diminish the fact that ride rationing does take away part of the experience for those who do go to Disney to ride the headliners.

 

[Angel Ariel]

But is it really keeping people in the parks? I have noticed a few posts where people said they used their fastpasses then left. This may be because with the limited amount of guests currently using the system they have been able to lump their fastpass times together. That probably won't be so easy when everyone is on board.

If Disney gets the feedback in large numbers that people aren't staying in the parks, my guess is that then you'd see them play with the rules again, and potentially go back to the same rules as legacy FP (just with the ability to book from the app/website)

 

[robpa]

If Disney gets the feedback in large numbers that people aren't staying in the parks, my guess is that then you'd see them play with the rules again, and potentially go back to the same rules as legacy FP (just with the ability to book from the app/website)

That may be but I really think they are going to try their darndest to make this a perk for resort guests and a pay to play ticket add on for everyone else. I guess it will take awhile for them to get a large enough sample size of data though to make that dertermination.

 

[famy27]

So now I don't know what to think. We just returned from WDW on October 25th, and I posted a positive review of our experience with FP+. This new development, however, is a game changer for me. The thing we loved about FP+ was not having to be at the park at RD. With only being able to reserve one headliner per day, we'll be back to RD again. So frustrating! I am e-mailing customer service right now to express my displeasure. I hope everyone else will do the same.

I am really hoping this is just some sort of temporary test. Even if it is, it stinks for the November and December visitors.

If this ends up being permanent, I am trying to work through how we'll be able to do our favorite rides without waiting 90-120 minutes. I guess we'll have to make multiple trips to each park. This will make touring exponentially more difficult. I would just say no June trip, but I bought my APs when we were there two weeks ago since we were so happy with FP+

 

[robpa]

So now I don't know what to think. We just returned from WDW on October 25th, and I posted a positive review of our experience with FP+. This new development, however, is a game changer for me. The thing we loved about FP+ was not having to be at the park at RD. With only being able to reserve one headliner per day, we'll be back to RD again. So frustrating! I am e-mailing customer service right now to express my displeasure. I hope everyone else will do the same.

I am really hoping this is just some sort of temporary test. Even if it is, it stinks for the November and December visitors.

If this ends up being permanent, I am trying to work through how we'll be able to do our favorite rides without waiting 90-120 minutes. I guess we'll have to make multiple trips to each park. This will make touring exponentially more difficult. I would just say no June trip, but I bought my APs when we were there two weeks ago since we were so happy with FP+

You may have uncovered the money making plan. If a guest wants to ride all the headliners they will have to lengthen their stay and buy more days for their tickets. More days in WDW=$$$$$$$ for WDW

 

[bcrook]

So now I don't know what to think. We just returned from WDW on October 25th, and I posted a positive review of our experience with FP+. This new development, however, is a game changer for me. The thing we loved about FP+ was not having to be at the park at RD. With only being able to reserve one headliner per day, we'll be back to RD again. So frustrating! I am e-mailing customer service right now to express my displeasure. I hope everyone else will do the same.

I am really hoping this is just some sort of temporary test. Even if it is, it stinks for the November and December visitors.

If this ends up being permanent, I am trying to work through how we'll be able to do our favorite rides without waiting 90-120 minutes. I guess we'll have to make multiple trips to each park. This will make touring exponentially more difficult. I would just say no June trip, but I bought my APs when we were there two weeks ago since we were so happy with FP+

Honestly, there is no way around tiers. Think about this way. The reason there was enough fastpasses for you and I to get both soarin and test track is because people like Jade don't show up until 4:00 when they are gone. Now everyone will book them in advance. People waiting until 4 and people at rope drop.

The problem really is the lack of headliners. That can't be fixed very easily. They are trying to sell priority seating for illuminations, maelstrom, and character meets as headliners. It just doesn't work. Eventually they are going to add quick service fastpass+ options to skip lines with food. They are trying to find creative ways to absorb those fastpasses. Epcot, AK, and, DHS just doesn't have the rides. Although DHS might be the next best behind MK. Fantasmic could absorb a lot. You might not get into the show without one.

 

[Sheilby]

But is it really keeping people in the parks? I have noticed a few posts where people said they used their fastpasses then left. This may be because with the limited amount of guests currently using the system they have been able to lump their fastpass times together. That probably won't be so easy when everyone is on board.

Well if it stays limited to 1 headliner it won't keep people in the park even if they are spread out, I'm not going to care if I miss my FP+ time for Stitch, KWIM?

 

[bcrook]

You may have uncovered the money making plan. If a guest wants to ride all the headliners they will have to lengthen their stay and buy more days for their tickets. More days in WDW=$$$$$$$ for WDW

I think so.

But their biggest score is getting people to go to their minor attractions and better utilizing their existing infrastructure without engaging in an arms race with universal.

The itinerary feature on the app is deceptively good at this.

But, you can only fool them once with the old Stave Church trick.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

Honestly, there is no way around tiers. Think about this way. The reason there was enough fastpasses for you and I to get both soarin and test track is because people like Jade don't show up until 4:00 when they are gone. Now everyone will book them in advance. People waiting until 4 and people at rope drop.

The problem really is the lack of headliners. That can't be fixed very easily. They are trying to sell priority seating for illuminations, maelstrom, and character meets as headliners. It just doesn't work. Eventually they are going to add quick service fastpass+ options to skip lines with food. They are trying to find creative ways to absorb those fastpasses. Epcot, AK, and, DHS just doesn't have the rides. Although DHS might be the next best behind MK. Fantasmic could absorb a lot. You might not get into the show without one.

I read a post a few days ago (can't remember which thread at this point). The poster had purchased the Fantasmic dining package. They showed up to Famtasmic 40 minutes in advance and were turned away because the reserved section was full with the FP+ people. They couldn't sit in the regular section either because that was full too. Paid for the Fantasmic package and didn't even get to see the show!

 

[bcrook]

But is it really keeping people in the parks? I have noticed a few posts where people said they used their fastpasses then left. This may be because with the limited amount of guests currently using the system they have been able to lump their fastpass times together. That probably won't be so easy when everyone is on board.

I was one who said I used my three passes in 90 minutes. Then I went Epcot. But what if I left to go to downtown Disney. Then needed another day in DHS to ride the headliners again.

I do know this, the people in my travelling party were not going to waste fastpasses. If we booked them, they were using them. So in essence, we were locked into going each day.

 

[WILDERNESS FAN 55]

I agree 100%. We go for the rides. If I were going for the education and cultural experience, there are lots of other interesting places in the world I might want to see. Any of us pays as much as anyone else for the experience of going to Disney world. To be perfectly honest, I think that I could wait in line for my 3 favorite ride at any given park. Generally, we don't get more than 3 fast passes per day at any park, and we usually try to time things so that we don't need them.

There was a person on another board who was expressing a related attitude that "somebody" has to get the rooms with the crummy views. Well,that would be dandy, if one weren't taking time off work for his only vacation this year, and the cost were discounted by a fair amount. But, unfortunately, that's not the case. Therefore, guests complain, and rightfully so, when their savannah view at AKV is a dusty trail and a chain link fence, or the woods view is a tree outside their balcony, or any view of dumpsters or roof tops. Or, there was the time that at All Star sports that I think that my room was right next to the loading dock for the main building, and I could hear the truck backing signals all night. There was no view, and no quiet at all in that room, but, at least it was cheap. I didn't want to move, because it was on the second floor, with no elevator, and I was alone with my then 5 year old son.

Lots of people get the crummy views......it's called Bonnet Creek ...

 

[bcrook]

I read a post a few days ago (can't remember which thread at this point). The poster had purchased the Fantasmic dining package. They showed up to Famtasmic 40 minutes in advance and were turned away because the reserved section was full with the FP+ people. They couldn't sit in the regular section either because that was full too. Paid for the Fantasmic package and didn't even get to see the show!

Wow, that would have set my dw off. She would have made her own fireworks.

 

[robpa]

Honestly, there is no way around tiers. Think about this way. The reason there was enough fastpasses for you and I to get both soarin and test track is because people like Jade don't show up until 4:00 when they are gone. Now everyone will book them in advance. People waiting until 4 and people at rope drop.

The problem really is the lack of headliners. That can't be fixed very easily. They are trying to sell priority seating for illuminations, maelstrom, and character meets as headliners. It just doesn't work. Eventually they are going to add quick service fastpass+ options to skip lines with food. They are trying to find creative ways to absorb those fastpasses. Epcot, AK, and, DHS just doesn't have the rides. Although DHS might be the next best behind MK. Fantasmic could absorb a lot. You might not get into the show without one.

Jade doesn't ride the headliners but now that she(I am assuming that Jade is a she sorry if I am wrong)can score a fastpass or 3, depending on the park,for one she will most certainly take advantage of it. So that is 1 or 3 fastpasses that were previously available that will no longer be available.

 

[Sheilby]

I read a post a few days ago (can't remember which thread at this point). The poster had purchased the Fantasmic dining package. They showed up to Famtasmic 40 minutes in advance and were turned away because the reserved section was full with the FP+ people. They couldn't sit in the regular section either because that was full too. Paid for the Fantasmic package and didn't even get to see the show!

Seriously? Last I heard FP+ didn't have a reserved section anymore, how long ago did this happen?

 

[robpa]

I think so.

But their biggest score is getting people to go to their minor attractions and better utilizing their existing infrastructure without engaging in an arms race with universal.

The itinerary feature on the app is deceptively good at this.

But, you can only fool them once with the old Stave Church trick.

Exactly smoke and mirrors will only work for so long, maybe buying time until Avatarland and Pixar place are online?

I was one who said I used my three passes in 90 minutes. Then I went Epcot. But what if I left to go to downtown Disney. Then needed another day in DHS to ride the headliners again.

I do know this, the people in my travelling party were not going to waste fastpasses. If we booked them, they were using them. So in essence, we were locked into going each day.

Yes human nature is if you perceive that you are getting something for free you are going to take full advantage of it. That is why I believe what a lot of others on here have been posting that this is really aimed at the first time visitors