Cant schedule FP for March 16

[Planogirl]

For the people who just show up that we cannot do much for? Or what guest?

Here is the screen shot from the website where you start...

Just wondering what more they could do to make it more helpful.

I ordered my passes directly from Disney and do you know what the envelope contained? My passes and a suggestion that I order a gift basket. I think that they could do more than that.

 

[cakebaker]

Do we really know there are complaints from guests who got to WDW and had no clue fp+ existed? Or, maybe that's one of the perks of staying on site because if you stay on site, you'd have to work very hard not to know about FP+.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I ordered my passes directly from Disney and do you know what the envelope contained? My passes and a suggestion that I order a gift basket. I think that they could do more than that.

I do believe that, from reading experiences here and also comparing the experiences of my friend and I who traveled a week apart in November, that every guest does *not* receive the same communication.

For example, for my trip I received a Dumbo magnet that says "Your important dates to remember:" and goes on to list the date we could book FP+, the date we could begin online check-in, the date that was the last day to customize our magic bands, and the start date to the vacation. I received numerous e-mails about booking FP+. She did not receive the magnet at all, nor did she receive the amount of e-mails that I did. Even my friend that traveled with DH and I at the same time didn't receive a Dumbo magnet, nor did she receive the same number of e-mails.

I don't know why Disney is not communicating the same amount of information to all guests, but they don't seem to be based on what we experienced (and adding to that reports I've read here).

 

[Angel Ariel]

Do we really know there are complaints from guests who got to WDW and had no clue fp+ existed? Or, maybe that's one of the perks of staying on site because if you stay on site, you'd have to work very hard not to know about FP+.

Both of the friends I referred to in my previous post were onsite guests. The only difference between our reservation and the friend who traveled with us was that DH and I stayed at a deluxe hotel (Yacht Club) while she stayed at a moderate (Coronado Springs). The friend who traveled a week after us also stayed at a moderate (Port Orleans). Neither of them received the same amount of communication from Disney regarding their trip as we did, including about FP+. I'm not saying they didn't receive any communication about it - I believe they did - but it was nowhere near the "hit you over the head" level of communication that we received. They wouldn't have had to "work hard" at all to not know about FP+.

 

[prudence64]

Maybe it depends how you book. I wen through AAnand didn't get any magnet or reminders, etc

 

[Angel Ariel]

Maybe it depends how you book. I wen through AAnand didn't get any magnet or reminders, etc

I booked both my reservation at Yacht Club and my friend's reservation at Coronado Springs myself, both over the phone with Disney. The friend who traveled the following week and stayed at POFQ booked her hotel through a travel agent.

 

[cakebaker]

I still maintain that it your vacation, your job to know what to do and when. They send bands, they encourage you to create an account- if you call there's recordings about it. It doesn't take a lot of work to find out the details. I don't think it's a serious issue.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I ordered my passes directly from Disney and do you know what the envelope contained? My passes and a suggestion that I order a gift basket. I think that they could do more than that.

Do guests who have never been commonly preorder tickets? Do they order by phone or on line when they do?

Just curious as any tickets we ordered have been on line where links of plan your vacation are readily available.

So to improve it, you would suggest more literature in your package? Because you did not know about a website that features information prominently?

I know when I call, I go through a quite lengthy menu giving as much information as they ask for only to get to the operator who has no clue of anything I answered requiring her to re-ask the information.

I wonder if what you receive in the mail has any connection with your personal history with WDW.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Maybe it depends how you book. I wen through AAnand didn't get any magnet or reminders, etc

AAA?

We don't use travel agents. I am only guessing, but of you are using a travel agent and are provided no information or inaccurate information, then I would think that is an agent issue. Wouldn't it be?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I do believe that, from reading experiences here and also comparing the experiences of my friend and I who traveled a week apart in November, that every guest does *not* receive the same communication.

For example, for my trip I received a Dumbo magnet that says "Your important dates to remember:" and goes on to list the date we could book FP+, the date we could begin online check-in, the date that was the last day to customize our magic bands, and the start date to the vacation. I received numerous e-mails about booking FP+. She did not receive the magnet at all, nor did she receive the amount of e-mails that I did. Even my friend that traveled with DH and I at the same time didn't receive a Dumbo magnet, nor did she receive the same number of e-mails.

I don't know why Disney is not communicating the same amount of information to all guests, but they don't seem to be based on what we experienced (and adding to that reports I've read here).

Is she the one that booked with a travel agent?

Isn't part of the TA's job to keep the traveler up to date with the various aspects of the vacation?

 

[cakebaker]

I missed that part about it being thru a travel agency. That's the agent's responsibility. I've never used one, but I don't believe you have any direct contact with Disney if you go thru a 3rd party booking.

As far as ordering tickets- if you call, there are recordings telling you all about FP+ and gives directions on how to get more information. If you buy online, it's hard to miss the banners.

We have AP's but needed a ticket for my grandson. We ordered it thru Undercover Tourist. Even they have information on linking your tickets, on their website and the package comes with information about it and how to use fp+ as well. So even they give you a heads up there's steps you need to take.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Is she the one that booked with a travel agent?

Isn't part of the TA's job to keep the traveler up to date with the various aspects of the vacation?

My post was confusing...let me word it better.

Friend #1 - traveled with DH and I on our trip in November 2014. She stayed at Coronado Springs while we stayed at Yacht Club. I made her reservations over the phone with Disney directly(using her name, her contact information, her CC, everything...I was "her" on the phone with Disney, not me). She had a separate MDE account as well. She did not receive a magnet, and had very limited e-mail contact from Disney regarding FP+.

Friend #2 - traveled a week after DH and I. She used a travel agent to book her hotel only. They stayed at POFQ. The TA had nothing to do with her tickets at all (which is what FP+ is tied to). Her tickets, like ours, were AFS tickets that she purchased herself on base and linked herself to MDE. We actually bought our tx at the same place and linked them on MDE around the same time as well. She also did not receive a magnet, and also had limited communication from Disney (she also had her own MDE account, did Magic Bands there, I logged into it to book her FP+ for her, etc).

Friend #2, as I said, is the one who used a travel agent, but the TA did not book her entire vacation. I have never worked with a TA before, so I don't know what reasonable expectations are of them. I would be inclined to think, though, that since the TA had nothing to do with her tickets, which is what FP is tied to, that the TA would not have been responsible for updating my friend on anything relating to the tickets - including FP+.

ETA: I don't *know* why Disney contacted us more than either of my friends, or why they contacted us more than others here on the DIS have been contacted, but they did...so that leaves me in a place where I would not be so sure that every onsite guest is receiving "hit you over the head" levels of communication regarding FP+.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I still maintain that it your vacation, your job to know what to do and when. They send bands, they encourage you to create an account- if you call there's recordings about it. It doesn't take a lot of work to find out the details. I don't think it's a serious issue.

I'm not saying it's a serious issue. Just responding to the thought that increased communication was for onsite guests. That didn't prove to be the case for my friends.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I missed that part about it being thru a travel agency. That's the agent's responsibility. I've never used one, but I don't believe you have any direct contact with Disney if you go thru a 3rd party booking.

As I clarified, the TA booked hotel only, not tickets, and not her entire vacation.

As far as ordering tickets- if you call, there are recordings telling you all about FP+ and gives directions on how to get more information. If you buy online, it's hard to miss the banners.

None of which you get when you're buying the military tickets at your local base. I bought friend #1's ticket with DH and I's tickets, and linked them in the appropriate MDE accounts (hers was linked in her account, ours in ours). Friend #2 bought her own tickets, but also from the same military base I did (and linked in her own MDE account).

We have AP's but needed a ticket for my grandson. We ordered it thru Undercover Tourist. Even they have information on linking your tickets, on their website and the package comes with information about it and how to use fp+ as well. So even they give you a heads up there's steps you need to take.

At least as of September 2014, when we all bought our tickets, our military base ITT office had no information about FP+ anywhere.

 

[Cormoran]

Agree 100%. I do have computer access at work and usually get on at lunchtime to read the Dis, but I prefer not to sign in to anything, post, etc - and I tend to get interrupted a lot. I would not want to have to make FP+ from work. 5 am would be fine with me, too - in fact, that's when I may end up making mine anyway since I don't plan to be up at midnight (CT on a 1 am ET day).




1. But wouldn't there still be a problem with times changing based on later MK hours that aren't always set in stone in advance)? I guess if they made the start time 6 am like ADRs, it would work.

2. Totally agree with this one. I already know what I'll be shooting for on Tuesday and what times - and I know I'll have to take the best "package" of times I can get then go back and move stuff to where I want it. This could definitely be improved.

3. How many days out would be a good compromise between 60 and 180?

Genuinely curious.

1. If the FP+ and ADR window opened at the same time daily, there would be no problems. Let's say it opened at 6am EST daily ( since some objected to 10am). No relation to MK at all, just a predetermined time that never changed and was unrelated to MK opening or Closing times.

3. Why not make it 45 days for onsite guests and 30 days for off site guests for both FP+ and ADR's. Disney has a pretty good idea of what crowds will be like for a given day, they don't need to make people book ADR's 6 months out or FP+ 2 months out. It's really just plain silly, IMO.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My post was confusing...let me word it better.

Friend #1 - traveled with DH and I on our trip in November 2014. She stayed at Coronado Springs while we stayed at Yacht Club. I made her reservations over the phone with Disney directly(using her name, her contact information, her CC, everything...I was "her" on the phone with Disney, not me). She had a separate MDE account as well. She did not receive a magnet, and had very limited e-mail contact from Disney regarding FP+.

Friend #2 - traveled a week after DH and I. She used a travel agent to book her hotel only. They stayed at POFQ. The TA had nothing to do with her tickets at all (which is what FP+ is tied to). Her tickets, like ours, were AFS tickets that she purchased herself on base and linked herself to MDE. We actually bought our tx at the same place and linked them on MDE around the same time as well. She also did not receive a magnet, and also had limited communication from Disney (she also had her own MDE account, did Magic Bands there, I logged into it to book her FP+ for her, etc).

Friend #2, as I said, is the one who used a travel agent, but the TA did not book her entire vacation. I have never worked with a TA before, so I don't know what reasonable expectations are of them. I would be inclined to think, though, that since the TA had nothing to do with her tickets, which is what FP is tied to, that the TA would not have been responsible for updating my friend on anything relating to the tickets - including FP+.

ETA: I don't *know* why Disney contacted us more than either of my friends, or why they contacted us more than others here on the DIS have been contacted, but they did...so that leaves me in a place where I would not be so sure that every onsite guest is receiving "hit you over the head" levels of communication regarding FP+.

That is weird. I just don't know. Too many variables to really know one way or the other.

I would be more concerned if they has no information at all. But since it sounds like they had accounts, there was an avenue even if it wasn't being "hit over the head" with reminders as has been said.

The only thing I can see which may just be an inadvertent omission--if Friend 1 has no tickets, I am not sure reminders would be necessary if she didn't have them. But she quite likely had them since I recall you mentioning you did parks together.

 

[Angel Ariel]

That is weird. I just don't know. Too many variables to really know one way or the other.

I agree. I have no clue why the differences existed, just that they did.

I would be more concerned if they has no information at all. But since it sounds like they had accounts, there was an avenue even if it wasn't being "hit over the head" with reminders as has been said.

There was information when they signed in, as we all see. The lack of communication didn't matter for them since I was planning FP+ for both of them, but had I not been the lack of e-mails likely would have been a problem. It's easy for people to forget to sign into accounts they don't use frequently.

The only thing I can see which may just be an inadvertent omission--if Friend 1 has no tickets, I am not sure reminders would be necessary if she didn't have them. But she quite likely had them since I recall you mentioning you did parks together.

Sorry, I thought I said this in that post you quoted, but it was the one after - Friend #1 did have tickets linked in MDE. I bought her an AFS ticket when DH and I bought ours, it was linked in her account.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I agree. I have no clue why the differences existed, just that they did.


There was information when they signed in, as we all see. The lack of communication didn't matter for them since I was planning FP+ for both of them, but had I not been the lack of e-mails likely would have been a problem. It's easy for people to forget to sign into accounts they don't use frequently.



Sorry, I thought I said this in that post you quoted, but maybe not - Friend #1 did have tickets linked in MDE.

Yes, you likely did. I failed to scroll up to confirm, but pretty much assumed anyway.

Yeah, people do forget. I am not sure that Disney sending constant email reminders is the answer, though. Maybe an opt in instead of an opt out? Just seems a little bit much to believe Disney has to remind adults every step of the process. But if it is something you need or desire, clicking a box to say--yes, please remind me, might do the trick when you are setting things up and linking tickets in MDE.

 

[Madame]

Our first trip - this past Aug - we got our magnet 1 week before we left. I booked online through Disney in December, so 7-8 months out.

The magnet was supposed to have ADR & FP+ dates (the one we got for this March does). In August it said 'important dates! August 21 depart for your trip' (or something along those lines). I literally LOLed! Yeah, because I'm going to forget the date.

We did not get an e-mail about booking ADRs or FP+. I am an obsessive planner. I stumbled upon the DIS, but as crazy as it seems to me there are people out there that drop $$$$ & plan nothing & receive nothing from Disney either.

In Aug the family behind us in line for Barnstormer stopped to ask why people were forming 2 lines - no clue FP+ existed...

 

[Cormoran]

I stumbled upon the DIS, but as crazy as it seems to me there are people out there that drop $$$$ & plan nothing & receive nothing from Disney either.
In Aug the family behind us in line for Barnstormer stopped to ask why people were forming 2 lines - no clue FP+ existed...

IMO, if I hadn't researched WDW, I would've assumed it was like any other theme park where you just show up and buy a ticket. I would also assume there are a lot of people who have this same preconception and then arrive at WDW and are blown away by the whole experience.