BIG change to FP+ today

[AmyB2006]

Right now it is a good test to see how clunky their software is. I hope they are getting a LOT of feedback about that. Changing times for rides is ridiculously convoluted system.

I had no problems changing times on rides several times throughout the day. Even for TT and Soarin'.

 

[WillAustin]

I had no problems changing times on rides several times throughout the day. Even for TT and Soarin'.

It's still a clunky process that takes too many steps. The software interface and flow is very poorly designed.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I had no problems changing times on rides several times throughout the day. Even for TT and Soarin'.

And many people have said the exact opposite on this board as well...both experieneces are valid.

 

[wisblue]

This. I get that its a test and things change. What I don't get is why the software forces guests to have to choose 3, and why it makes it so difficult to change or cancel existing fp+s.

To me, the clunky design for choosing fp+s is just a reflection of the clunky website and clunky app. Disney doesn't seem able to design streamlined, easy to navigate web programs. That is a major concern of mine, given the scope of this system.

I think part of the inefficiency is a result of trying to avoid making the FP+ too intimidating for people who know nothing or very little about what attractions to choose and how the parks are laid out. So, they offer the options as a path of least resistance to those who would be clueless, or who don't really care that much. For those who know what attractions and times they would like, the site is not as efficient as we would like it to be. But, even then, it doesn't take that long to pick attractions and change the times to fit our schedule. Hopefully, it will get more efficient for informed users in the future.

 

[bcrook]

I had no problems changing times on rides several times throughout the day. Even for TT and Soarin'.

If I want great movie ride, TSMM, ToT at 10, 11, 12. I can't schedule that.

I have to accept whatever they give me. Move them all to 7, 8, 9 and then move them to 10, 11, 12 in the order I want. That is silly design.

It's still a clunky process that takes too many steps. The software interface and flow is very poorly designed.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I think part of the inefficiency is a result of trying to avoid making the FP+ too intimidating for people who know nothing or very little about what attractions to choose and how the parks are laid out. So, they offer the options as a path of least resistance to those who would be clueless, or who don't really care that much. For those who know what attractions and times they would like, the site is not as efficient as we would like it to be. But, even then, it doesn't take that long to pick attractions and change the times to fit our schedule. Hopefully, it will get more efficient for informed users in the future.

I do hope that it becomes more efficient, but based on the issues that the website and app have, plus the clunkiness of the photopass site compared to other major photo sites, I don't have a lot of faith that it is something Disney really cares about.

 

[bcrook]

I think part of the inefficiency is a result of trying to avoid making the FP+ too intimidating for people who know nothing or very little about what attractions to choose and how the parks are laid out. So, they offer the options as a path of least resistance to those who would be clueless, or who don't really care that much. For those who know what attractions and times they would like, the site is not as efficient as we would like it to be. But, even then, it doesn't take that long to pick attractions and change the times to fit our schedule. Hopefully, it will get more efficient for informed users in the future.

With 10 people in my travel group i had to set up different experiences for 5 days it was messy. Changing anything on the day of was much more difficult because of availability.

I do agree that it is designed for the people who don't know any better. It is also easier for Disney to fill up the the Land, primeval whirl, and pirates of the Caribbean.

 

[disney1990]

Does anybody know, if you cancel your room reservations, does it automatically cancel your FP+ reservations?

 

[Tekneek]

So, they offer the options as a path of least resistance to those who would be clueless, or who don't really care that much.

The biggest issue with this is that it does nothing to explain why you would want or need an FP+ for a particular attraction. It treats most attractions as if they are on equal footing, when knowledgeable guests know better.

 

[AmyB2006]

And many people have said the exact opposite on this board as well...both experieneces are valid.

Of course both are valid. But I think it's all in your expectations and perceptions as well.

I agree that the system itself is "clunky", if that's the word some want to use.

ETA... How about if I said instead, "I didn't have any problems working within the confines of the system". ?? Would that be better? ITA that Disney's website needs help. I always swear their IT department is Monkeys with rubber bands.

 

[AmyB2006]

Does anybody know, if you cancel your room reservations, does it automatically cancel your FP+ reservations?

This is a good question. I know someone on the DVC board had a waitlist that went through, and when her old reservation was cancelled and the new one rebooked, she lost everything.

But I don't see how it's tied together, because if you have days left on your ticket or an AP, you can currently make FP+ reservations without any room reservation. ?? So I don't know.

 

[wisblue]

It would be interesting to separate out the complaints about the CONCEPT of FP +, the DETAILS of how it is being implemented ( number of FP available, tiering, ability to make FP+ reservations in more than one park,etc.)' and the SYSTEM for making reservations.

I suspect that people who don't like the concept are more likely to be unhappy with the system, whereas, people who are happy with the concept are more likely to be tolerant of the system.

Here is how I classify myself:

Concept: I am somewhere between indifferent and happy about the concept. We have never been big FP users; we get to a park early, take a break, and usually hop to another park. But, because we often have to visit at busy times because of family schedules, I think FP+ will allow us to do some more attractions at our second park of the day.

Details: A limit of 3 is fine with me and, although I would love unlimited availability, I can understand why tiering is necessary to give more people a shot at the biggest headliners. I would also like the option of choosing to make reservations in more than 1 park in a day. But, I also understand that the details will always be subject to change, so I'm not going to get too worked up about them.

System: The system for making reservations is not as efficient as I would like but, because I generally like the concept, I will deal with the inefficiencies and hope for them to be improved as the system develops.

 

[bcrook]

The biggest issue with this is that it does nothing to explain why you would want or need an FP+ for a particular attraction. It treats most attractions as if they are on equal footing, when knowledgeable guests know better.

That is obviously a perk for Disney in regards to new guests. But it will end up being one of those"fool me once shame on you" type of things. I call it the stave church trick. When you look at the Epcot offerings on attractions screen of the app, you will definitely want to wander over there and see it. It is marketed well. But that only works once.

The people I saw walk up to living with the land - a totally empty ride (not one person in line) - scan their magic bands and burn a FP+ won't fall for that again. Or if they do, "shame on them".

 

[AmyB2006]

It would be interesting to separate out the complaints about the CONCEPT of FP +, the DETAILS of how it is being implemented ( number of FP available, tiering, ability to make FP+ reservations in more than one park,etc.)' and the SYSTEM for making reservations.

I suspect that people who don't like the concept are more likely to be unhappy with the system, whereas, people who are happy with the concept are more likely to be tolerant of the system.

It would be, and ITA. I've been saying that as well.

I love the concept of FP+ and magic bands. So naturally I am more tolerant of it's implementation.

 

[wisblue]

The biggest issue with this is that it does nothing to explain why you would want or need an FP+ for a particular attraction. It treats most attractions as if they are on equal footing, when knowledgeable guests know better.

I wouldn't expect that kind of information to be included in the reservation system. Disney is only going to provide general information about an attraction and let guests decide what appeals to them. If you want information about what attractions draw the biggest lines, that is going to come from guidebooks and other websites, just like it always has.

 

[clsteve]

I wonder what the motivation was to force three on the customer to begin with?

The software makes you take three and then for the most part requires all times to be changed in a complicated way.

Maybe the three are designed to keep people committed to a park day and to highlight the minor attractions?

If I only wanted one ride fastpass+, I think I would use mine for fireworks and parades or a meet and greet. Eventually you will be able to prebook counter service meals with it.

This. Take a closer look at the CFO's comments. I can see how they might expect this to extend stays - especially for 1st or 2nd timers. For example, perhaps get those 3 day ticket folks expecting to do MK in one day, EP another, then split DHS and AK into half days, now decide to purchase a 4 day ticket, with one full day at each park based on FP+ reservations and the inability to split FP's between Parks.

Also, many of the 1st and 2nd timers don't know Captain EO and Figment don't warrant reservations. It makes some Parks look more "robust" than they perhaps are.

 

[wisblue]

It would be, and ITA. I've been saying that as well.

I love the concept of FP+ and magic bands. So naturally I am more tolerant of it's implementation.

We should also separate discussions about magic bands from those about FP+.

Especially now that I tried it for a couple of days, I like having the magic band for park entry, MDE, charging to the room, Photopass, etc., totally apart from FP+. I wore the band right below my watch and didn't think anything about it, and it was nice not to have to fumble through pockets or bags for MDE booklet, park and FP tickets, room key cards, Photopass card, etc. I also find the RFID technology to be more efficient for park entry than the old magnetic stripe, which tended to wear out.

FP + is just one feature that is being implemented through the MB. It isn't a necessary feature of MB and could be implemented (albeit less efficiently) without a MB.

 

[Sheilby]

If I want great movie ride, TSMM, ToT at 10, 11, 12. I can't schedule that.

I have to accept whatever they give me. Move them all to 7, 8, 9 and then move them to 10, 11, 12 in the order I want. That is silly design.
:

While ITA that the website and app are ridiculously clunky, I just choose the option that is either furthest away time wise from what I want, or that at least has one or two time slots correct so I have to do the least amount of moving. I've never had to move all 3 attractions to a new time just so I could then move them to the correct time. After all they do give you 4 choices to start with.

It would be interesting to separate out the complaints about the CONCEPT of FP +, the DETAILS of how it is being implemented ( number of FP available, tiering, ability to make FP+ reservations in more than one park,etc.)' and the SYSTEM for making reservations.

I suspect that people who don't like the concept are more likely to be unhappy with the system, whereas, people who are happy with the concept are more likely to be tolerant of the system.

Here is how I classify myself:

Concept: I am somewhere between indifferent and happy about the concept. We have never been big FP users; we get to a park early, take a break, and usually hop to another park. But, because we often have to visit at busy times because of family schedules, I think FP+ will allow us to do some more attractions at our second park of the day.

Details: A limit of 3 is fine with me and, although I would love unlimited availability, I can understand why tiering is necessary to give more people a shot at the biggest headliners. I would also like the option of choosing to make reservations in more than 1 park in a day. But, I also understand that the details will always be subject to change, so I'm not going to get too worked up about them.

System: The system for making reservations is not as efficient as I would like but, because I generally like the concept, I will deal with the inefficiencies and hope for them to be improved as the system develops.

I really like the concept but I do have a real problem with their implementation and the needless complications in the booking and changing of things. Their desire to make it idiot proof has severely limited the functionality. I don't mind being limited to 3 or even tiering the choices IF and ONLY IF that only applies to prebooking them and they offer more choices the day of based on availability. Heck limit me to 2 in advance but allow me to pull more electronically the day of with the same restrictions as the previous FP system and I will be a very happy camper.

 

[robpa]

The biggest issue with this is that it does nothing to explain why you would want or need an FP+ for a particular attraction. It treats most attractions as if they are on equal footing, when knowledgeable guests know better.

They need something for people to schedule when those who figured they could book a headliner a couple days before they leave can't because they are all booked up.

 

[Tekneek]

I wouldn't expect that kind of information to be included in the reservation system. Disney is only going to provide general information about an attraction and let guests decide what appeals to them. If you want information about what attractions draw the biggest lines, that is going to come from guidebooks and other websites, just like it always has.

If they want you to book them that far in advance, refusing to provide any kind of guidance is a recipe for angering guests. Even if you have no guidebook or planning experience, you can gauge demand when on-site under the previous system. 60 days out, with nothing beyond what MDE spits out, is guaranteed to cause irritation. Poorly designed program if the purpose is to satisfy guests.