Confessions of a FP+ Kiosk Newbie

[mesaboy2]

I spent probably 10 minutes at a FP+ Kiosk in City Hall yesterday afternoon drilling down to my ultimate, less-than-ideal, choices of It's a Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Under the Sea. I could not help but think the people behind me were mumbling "newbie" to themselves. (Yes, I am aware of how my choices were limited due to the time of day.)

But my point is that this process is far more cumbersome than I expected it to be. My career is in IT, and I think I'm pretty sharp at it if I humbly do say so myself. I also studied a priority list that some DISer posted to speed the process. And it still took me 10 minutes, using the actual kiosk.

I noticed a line 30 people deep at about 7:30p in the Adventureland/Frontierland breezeway waiting for FP kiosk access (or CMs with iPads). That is not something I would ever have seen before the advent of FP+.

My bottom line advice: avoid this method of scheduling FPs if at all possible for you.

 

[JimmyV]

Now imagine what it was like back on President's Day weekend when ALL off site people had to book their FPs at kiosks the day they were in the park. It was so frustrating reading the "Get over it. FP+ is great" admonitions from people here. Unless you experienced, you have no idea what a time and money killer this was and how much it impacted your day. 10 minutes per person to use a less-than-intuitive system multiplied by 30 people ahead of you in line. Do the math. Hopefully the next "fix" will be to allow the 4th-10th FPs to be booked through the app. (Although the app ain't any great shakes either.)

 

[sunkissed4]

We were at MK yesterday afternoon as well and thankfully pre-booked our FP. Had a good morning, but when I wanted to try to get a 4th FP, I couldn't believe how long the kiosk lines were. Checked 4 different places and then decided I'd rather just have a dole whip and watch the parade.

I'm assuming the true newbies might get a bit overwhelmed choosing which FP to get causing even longer lines.

 

[juliebug1997]

Yowzers.

Mesaboy,
Do you think it might be better at the other parks?

What I dislike most about FP+ is that they have put a FP+ on everything. I had only seen a 30+ min wait for Small World at Christmas time. Now it seems to be a common occurrence.

 

[mesaboy2]

Yowzers.

Mesaboy,
Do you think it might be better at the other parks?

What I dislike most about FP+ is that they have put a FP+ on everything. I had only seen a 30+ min wait for Small World at Christmas time. Now it seems to be a common occurrence.

I would put yesterday's MK crowd at maybe a 6 or 7, completely subjectively. Upped maybe by the rains on Saturday I'm guessing.

But the root problem to me is how long it seems to take to choose things at a kiosk. I'm of course extrapolating from my experience, but I think that experience is pretty good and at least representative of an average time if not faster than many others. It made me long for the days of picking my FP by walking to the attraction, walking right up to the machines and walking away in maybe two minutes time (and that's assuming I wait behind one or two other parties most attractions at most times of day). Rinse and repeat. It was simple.

I didn't do my favorite yesterday, HM, because it had posted 55 minute standby waits all afternoon long. Roughly twice what I would expect on a similar date with similar crowds in the past.

 

[clsteve]

I would put yesterday's MK crowd at maybe a 6 or 7, completely subjectively. Upped maybe by the rains on Saturday I'm guessing.

But the root problem to me is how long it seems to take to choose things at a kiosk. I'm of course extrapolating from my experience, but I think that experience is pretty good and at least representative of an average time if not faster than many others. It made me long for the days of picking my FP by walking to the attraction, walking right up to the machines and walking away in maybe two minutes time (and that's assuming I wait behind one or two other parties most attractions at most times of day). Rinse and repeat. It was simple.

I didn't do my favorite yesterday, HM, because it had posted 55 minute standby waits all afternoon long. Roughly twice what I would expect on a similar date with similar crowds in the past.

Did you happen to notice what language options are available for the Kiosk?

I'm just interested to see how far they've gotten for the International Guests. Not that there are that many of them, of course.

 

[mesaboy2]

Did you happen to notice what language options are available for the Kiosk?

I'm just interested to see how far they've gotten for the International Guests. Not that there are that many of them, of course.

I did not notice, sorry. But I did read somewhere last week that a Spanish option is available (or soon to be). If true, then I suspect that's the first second-language option.

 

[juliebug1997]

B]It made me long for the days of picking my FP by walking to the attraction, walking right up to the machines and walking away in maybe two minutes time (and that's assuming I wait behind one or two other parties most attractions at most times of day). Rinse and repeat. It was simple.[/B]

I am now wondering why they couldn't convert the old FP machines into kiosks for FP+ at all the original FP rides. You could walk up, scan your wrist band, see what was available, pick one that worked, scan your bad again and then walk away knowing what time to be back. If you need a FP+ for anything else, then you go to the kiosks or see a CM with an iPad.

 

[Laketravis]

But..but....I thought those lines moved very quickly????

 

[clsteve]

I did not notice, sorry. But I did read somewhere last week that a Spanish option is available (or soon to be).

Thanks- I'll post it to Shaden to take a look, if he gets a chance. We really noticed a huge variety in languages, last time. Lots of Slavic/Eastern Euro, Portuguese (of course), most of the romantics and several Far Eastern (Korean, Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese).

It makes a big diff in waits if you can't read the kiosk.

 

[DonaldDuck77]

Personal example:

My MIL (funder of upcoming vacation) has fastpass request for parade, parade, and wishes for both MK days (this Friday and Saturday). If day 1 goes without issue (weather, etc.), we can change FP+ for day 2. Day of FP+ reservations (or possible late night day before), better off scheduling whatever is available for afternoon to avoid kiosk situation? This seems to be the suggestion in this thread.

 

[mesaboy2]

Personal example:

My MIL (funder of upcoming vacation) has fastpass request for parade, parade, and wishes for both MK days (this Friday and Saturday). If day 1 goes without issue (weather, etc.), we can change FP+ for day 2. Day of FP+ reservations (or possible late night day before), better off scheduling whatever is available for afternoon to avoid kiosk situation? This seems to be the suggestion in this thread.

You can schedule/reschedule 3 FPs using either MDE/MDX or you can do it at the kiosks. I highly recommend using MDE/MDX over kiosk. At the moment, you have no choice but to use the kiosk for additional FPs.

 

[SuperRob]

I am now wondering why they couldn't convert the old FP machines into kiosks for FP+ at all the original FP rides. You could walk up, scan your wrist band, see what was available, pick one that worked, scan your bad again and then walk away knowing what time to be back. If you need a FP+ for anything else, then you go to the kiosks or see a CM with an iPad.

I suspect that this is exactly what will happen at some point.

 

[clsteve]

I am now wondering why they couldn't convert the old FP machines into kiosks for FP+ at all the original FP rides. You could walk up, scan your wrist band, see what was available, pick one that worked, scan your bad again and then walk away knowing what time to be back. If you need a FP+ for anything else, then you go to the kiosks or see a CM with an iPad.

They were '90s technology. None of the capability necessary was there. They were closer to a ticker tape machine than a kiosk.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

Oh my..................the OP's post has me concerned. Those waits for FP 4 or maybe even 5 at the kiosks has me concerned. We arrive in a few weeks and this whole Kiosk for Number 4 thing will be new to us.

 

[mesaboy2]

Oh my..................the OP's post has me concerned. Those waits for FP 4 or maybe even 5 at the kiosks has me concerned. We arrive in a few weeks and this whole Kiosk for Number 4 thing will be new to us.

At least in that case, you're only picking 1 attraction and not 3. That should make it go faster.

Not my intention to concern anyone, just report what I noticed and how it can impact others' day.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

But all those people will be ahead of me in line doing their 3 (or maybe only one) while I am waiting on my turn......usually between about 230 and 330pm each day.

 

[mesaboy2]

But all those people will be ahead of me in line doing their 3 (or maybe only one) while I am waiting on my turn......usually between about 230 and 330pm each day.

Some will be doing 3, some will be doing 1. Everyone's in the same boat with using the kiosk for the 4th for now.

 

[bcrook]

Informative post. Thank you.

 

[mesaboy2]

I should add that I would expect repeat uses will reduce everyone's average time there. But then we know the relatively large number of first-time and occasional visitors at WDW....