Can't do that with a paper FP

[bruhl1j]

The new FP+ makes the paper FP a thing of the past for me. On our recent trip to the MK, we had FP+ for the POTC ride. We were in Adventure Land and noticed the ride was shut down. We had only about 30 minutes to our FP+ window. We pulled out the smart phone to make changes. We were able to book new FP+ for Space Mountain in the same time window as our POTC. AND we only switched my two DS to SM so my DW and I could try for POTC again. With a paper ticket, all options would be over. We waited for the POTC but it stayed down until our FP+ time was up. No worries. The FP+ got my 2DS on another ride and we still made our reservations at the BC.

Overall, the FP+ and ADR system is working without many issues for us. We had a few issues that made us change the itinerary a few times on the trip - weather and college son could not leave with the original time. FP+ and technology let us adapt to rides, ADRs, etc. We made numerous changes without issues.

I believe the FP+ is going to make trips better. We hit the hard to get on rides like TSM and others, then jumped on rides with little or no waits as we had time to kill between FP+ selections. Another thing we tried was looking at the wait times, then switch FP+ while we in the park. Things like cold weather and Splash Mountain means the plans change overnight. With FP+ we could drop one ride for another or move a time to accommodate a snack.

Plus the mouse is adding more choices and things to to on the list all the time. Gotta love technology.

 

[mesaboy2]

With a paper FP, you can come back at any point later in the day when a ride is down, not "all options are over". Your premise is a bit flawed.

Many of the additional FP+ choices are a joke.

 

[bauer1168]

Have to agree with Mesa, from my own experience of having a FP and a ride being down during my window, cms were more than happy to let me on the ride when it was back up and running, even if my window had passed

 

[bcrook]

Here are some cool ideas on how to make a technology enhanced fastpass system.

See this thread.

Most people don't mind Disney getting innovative and using new technology. It really depends on how it is developed. This current model is suffering from an unending list of problems, glitches, and flaws.

 

[Palendat]

We are going for a quick 2 day trip in February. We haven't used FP+ yet, but are staying off site for the first time in 12 years.

This changing your FP using your cell phone, etc. SOUNDS LIKE TOO MUCH for this 51 yo (used to be techno-file). I could not be bothered with this. If this is what Disney has become, count me out.

 

[baileybrad]

Using a FP+ for POTC doesn't make much sense. The ride is a walk-on if you understand how to tour the park.

As others have said, when a ride breaks down for an extended period....FP access on rides that currently have FP- is allowed outside of your window.

The real test of FP+ is if this happens on an E ticket ride and you want to shift to an attraction that has no availability. The option could be good but the execution might not.

 

[sonofanarchy]

Everything you described could be done before, just with less hassle.

 

[morethananyonex]

I get you're trying to be positive OP, but nothing you did is impressive or new. In the past if rides went down, you could use your FP when the ride started working or they would give a FP good for the entire park. Much less hassle than trying to find FP+ availability at the last minute. Don't think that will be so easy when everyone (onsite, offsite and passholders) is on the FP+ system and especially if it's a busy time of year. That's assuming the technology is working properly.

You could always adapt and change your plans. The old way of touring is arguably much more flexible, even with the inability to change the time on a paper FP. Flexibility and choosing 3 rides in one park 60 days in advance do not mix.

 

[Planogirl]

I would have thought that the ability to reschedule was a great advantage too if I wasn't aware that much the same could be done before. If you have the right phone, it can be nice to reschedule from elsewhere though, I'll give you that.

 

[mesaboy2]

I would have thought that the ability to reschedule was a great advantage too if I wasn't aware that much the same could be done before. If you have the right phone, it can be nice to reschedule from elsewhere though, I'll give you that.

Yeah. In fact you never had to schedule in the first place, much less reschedule. That is a sea change from legacy FP.

 

[Planogirl]

Yeah. In fact you never had to schedule in the first place, much less reschedule. That is a sea change from legacy FP.

It only happened to us while we were already waiting in line. For example Space Mountain went down during our last trip just before we were set to board (thank goodness we hadn't yet) and the CM's just cheerfully handed out any-time-of-day fastpasses. I still can't imagine having to worry about riding something before getting to the park.

 

[Sandy Fisher]

Never once needed a fast pass for something like Pirates. And the others that posted you could come back if the ride was down are 100% correct. Of course they know more about Disney in general than I do, and I'd just be reassured when I saw their replies!!
Also, we have gotten a paper fast pass when a ride was down and FP were available -- Thunder Mtn. comes to mind.
We used FP so rarely that I don't think all this hullaballoo about the FP plus would impress me. People are talking about using FP and reserving fast pass for rides we never needed one.
And as one who isn't a real techie (just ask my sons) I can't see walking around with my phone making changes to rides and fast pass schedules!! We take our cell phone with us in case of emergencies. Don't have a smart phone (???) and don't want one.
Glad it worked for you, but I can see lots of time spent on phones ---- I see that in the parks and wonder (before all this FP plus business) who these people are that they're so important and have to be on their electronic gadgets while enjoying a day at Disney.
Okay, I'll duck now and get out of the way...............Everyone have at it. You do Disney your way, I'll do it mine.

 

[Love Tink]

OP, your post is well written and thought out; you are obviously intelligent. So surely you must realize that your experience - where you were easily able to shift FPs around - was heavily reliant on the fact that:

1) You were there during one of the lowest-crowd times of the year.
2) FP+ is still in a "testing" phase and only available to some guests
3) Many guests don't even know about FP+ yet

When literally 5 to 10 times as many people are using FP+ each day, I don't think that you'll be able to just scoop up new Space Mountain passes with ease in the middle of the day.

I'm glad the technology worked out for you. I actually think right now is a "sweet spot" when FP+ might be kind of fun even for someone like me who thinks it is a terrible change. But realize that those of us who are gloomy about FP+ are not looking at the current experience, but rather thinking logically about the long term - what will FP+ be like when you have 75,000 people trying to use it on the same day.

 

[sonofanarchy]

When literally 5 to 10 times as many people are using FP+ each day, I don't think that you'll be able to just scoop up new Space Mountain passes with ease in the middle of the day.

I'm glad the technology worked out for you. I actually think right now is a "sweet spot" when FP+ might be kind of fun even for someone like me who thinks it is a terrible change. But realize that those of us who are gloomy about FP+ are not looking at the current experience, but rather thinking logically about the long term - what will FP+ be like when you have 75,000 people trying to use it on the same day.

This is exactly it. We have to go in the summer, July to be specific. No way would this work in July.

I will say, being able to switch FP's on your phone is cool, no doubt. But again, during busy season, picking will be slim. Not to mention, I don't even like bringing my phone to the parks, especially in the summer, when there are torrential downpours daily.

 

[MouseMomx2]

With a paper FP, you can come back at any point later in the day when a ride is down, not "all options are over". Your premise is a bit flawed.

Many of the additional FP+ choices are a joke.

But if the ride does not re-open that day you are out of luck. With the new system you can still come back at any point to ride that ride...or you can change it (when possible)...or you can ride a number of other rides instead. When we experienced this we were able to choose from almost every other MK ride. We were not given the option to do the character meet & greets, but we could ride any of the mountains, Buzz, Jungle Cruise (had a 35 minute wait that day) and others.

 

[morethananyonex]

But if the ride does not re-open that day you are out of luck. With the new system you can still come back at any point to ride that ride...or you can change it (when possible)...or you can ride a number of other rides instead. When we experienced this we were able to choose from almost every other MK ride. We were not given the option to do the character meet & greets, but we could ride any of the mountains, Buzz, Jungle Cruise (had a 35 minute wait that day) and others.

The bolded is completely false. We've gotten FPs that are good for any ride in the entire park for the remainder of the day when rides have had issues.

I would much rather be handed a ticket good for any ride at any time than have to scramble and change a FP+. I hope I'm proven wrong, but I don't think there will be tons of options available to switch last minute once the whole system has been rolled out and everyone's using it.

 

[DOOM1001]

Using a FP+ for POTC doesn't make much sense. The ride is a walk-on if you understand how to tour the park.

As others have said, when a ride breaks down for an extended period....FP access on rides that currently have FP- is allowed outside of your window.

The real test of FP+ is if this happens on an E ticket ride and you want to shift to an attraction that has no availability. The option could be good but the execution might not.

You beat me to that point,people are getting FP+ for rides that rarely if ever need to be fastpassed.I understand the point of being able to make a switch but between the tiers,only 3 FP+ per day,and getting FP+ for rides that don't need it the system is worse than the old legacy FP.Sure making switches and not having to run around the park to reach the FP machines is good but overall it's not as good.I've never felt the need to FP Pirates.

 

[mesaboy2]

But if the ride does not re-open that day you are out of luck. With the new system you can still come back at any point to ride that ride...or you can change it (when possible)...or you can ride a number of other rides instead. When we experienced this we were able to choose from almost every other MK ride. We were not given the option to do the character meet & greets, but we could ride any of the mountains, Buzz, Jungle Cruise (had a 35 minute wait that day) and others.

Mr. Sulu, raise the nonsense shields! How are you not totally screwed with FP+ also if the ride is down the rest of the day?

-----------------

"I'm sorry ma'am, the ride's down for the rest of the day."

"But I have FastPass Plus!"

"You're right ma'am, what was I thinking? Good thing you have the Plus, those standby and people with regular FP are just out of luck, but you can go right on in. Hey Norm! Fire up the ride for these folks here please!"

 

[jkahne9]

Wow!!!!!! There are a couple of Grade A, rude, nasty people in here today.

 

[kaybird]

The new FP+ makes the paper FP a thing of the past for me. On our recent trip to the MK, we had FP+ for the POTC ride. We were in Adventure Land and noticed the ride was shut down. We had only about 30 minutes to our FP+ window. We pulled out the smart phone to make changes. We were able to book new FP+ for Space Mountain in the same time window as our POTC. AND we only switched my two DS to SM so my DW and I could try for POTC again. With a paper ticket, all options would be over. We waited for the POTC but it stayed down until our FP+ time was up. No worries. The FP+ got my 2DS on another ride and we still made our reservations at the BC.

Overall, the FP+ and ADR system is working without many issues for us. We had a few issues that made us change the itinerary a few times on the trip - weather and college son could not leave with the original time. FP+ and technology let us adapt to rides, ADRs, etc. We made numerous changes without issues.

I believe the FP+ is going to make trips better. We hit the hard to get on rides like TSM and others, then jumped on rides with little or no waits as we had time to kill between FP+ selections. Another thing we tried was looking at the wait times, then switch FP+ while we in the park. Things like cold weather and Splash Mountain means the plans change overnight. With FP+ we could drop one ride for another or move a time to accommodate a snack.

Plus the mouse is adding more choices and things to to on the list all the time. Gotta love technology.

I share your excitement and enthusiasm! Love the changes, and the options, and excited for more of the same. Loved FP-, Love FP+ even more. And by the way, thanks for a positive post. I realize everyone is entitled to their opinion, but just because I like the changes, doesn't mean I'm stupid, or don't get it.