Curious about walking up and buying tickets

[AngiTN]

We have never walked up and bought tickets and went to the parks. What, if anything, do they tell guests about FP+?

I ask because while there last week a guest overhead DH and I discussing our 2nd ride on ToT. They were amazed that we had ridden it twice and asked how we did that. Well, in our case we had both our FP and the FP for our DD and DGD (all have AP) so we told them that. They said "oh, you have AP so you get FP. We just have regular tickets, no FP" When I told them they could get FP too they said they had no idea. They were not staying on site and did not purchase tickets in advance and had no idea they got FP with their tickets. I told them where they could go to make some FP and gave them a brief overview but it really made me wonder did they miss the information when buying the tickets or do they not give them any info?

 

[RedAngie]

We have never walked up and bought tickets and went to the parks. What, if anything, do they tell guests about FP+?

I ask because while there last week a guest overhead DH and I discussing our 2nd ride on ToT. They were amazed that we had ridden it twice and asked how we did that. Well, in our case we had both our FP and the FP for our DD and DGD (all have AP) so we told them that. They said "oh, you have AP so you get FP. We just have regular tickets, no FP" When I told them they could get FP too they said they had no idea. They were not staying on site and did not purchase tickets in advance and had no idea they got FP with their tickets. I told them where they could go to make some FP and gave them a brief overview but it really made me wonder did they miss the information when buying the tickets or do they not give them any info?

We were staying offsite and bought one day tickets at the AK booths soon after they lifted the limit of 3 FP+. We were aware of FP+ and were curious if the ticketing CM would mention it. She did, but not until the transaction was completed. She didn't say much, just to ask the gate CM for directions to a FP+ kiosk, where they would explain everything and help make reservations.

We were prepared to ask if the ticketing CM hadn't mentioned it.

But I have no idea if ticketing CMs regularly inform buyers about it.

Edit: The FP kiosk CM did NOT say anything about obtaining addition FPs after the first three were used. We had to go back and ask.

 

[BrianL]

It seems there has long been a knowledge gab regarding FastPass and FP+ at Disney Parks. It seems like a lot of people think it costs extra, and they sometimes resent those zipping up the FP line. Of course a little about how FP works is that they don't expect 100% of people to use it. When FP+ came about at WDW the increased awareness led to a need to increase capacity, thus them adding FP to rides that didn't have it before (and didn't need it). I guess there's alwasy been an edge to those "in the know" when it comes to touring, and FastPass is no exception.

 

[mom2rtk]

If I was standing in line waiting to buy a ticket, I would not be very happy to be waiting behind a lot of people needing a FP+ education.

 

[RedAngie]

If I was standing in line waiting to buy a ticket, I would not be very happy to be waiting behind a lot of people needing a FP+ education.

That could be why our ticket booth CM said to go to a kiosk for info.

 

[gmboy95]

I have always been fascinated bu the folks who buy the one day pass upon arrival....it seems like you are paying a serious premium while not being able to avail yourself of all the FP and ADR things that the rest are able to in advance.....its crazy how disney has become so difficult for someone just wanting to make a day of it

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I have always been fascinated bu the folks who buy the one day pass upon arrival....it seems like you are paying a serious premium while not being able to avail yourself of all the FP and ADR things that the rest are able to in advance.....its crazy how disney has become so difficult for someone just wanting to make a day of it

You could make ADRs without tickets. Those aren't linked to resorts or tickets. But not much will be available to those that suddenly decide to go to Disney.

 

[mrzrich]

Lots of people are clueless about FP. They think it is only for onsite guests, or people who pay a premium. I was at AK on Sunday and Kali had a 60 minute wait. I couldn't help thinking why? I mean there are really only 3 things worth FP right now at AK, so it is beyond me why anyone would stand in a 60 minute line for anything at AK.

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

I generally don't mention it unless the guest asks, if they're buying a one day ticket.

If they buy multiple days, I tell them about linking to MDX and how to book the rest of their days ahead of time, and then tell them where the kiosks are for the current day in case they don't want to fuss with the app right away.

Most "walk up" purchases are one day tickets.

 

[AngiTN]

This guest did have a multi-day ticket, they mentioned other parks. I didn't fully gather how many days they were in to their trip, this was mid day at HS when we had our conversation.
I guess there is no obligation for anyone to give the info to buyers about FP but did make me curious what exactly was SOP.

As for availability to those who walk up, there was quite a bit of same day FP available. Now, it wasn't really crowded during this particular trip but even on our trip in July we were very successful in moving park days around on several different instances. But for a few rides (we all know what they are) it's not hard to find a few FP every day.

It's been a long time since we looked at a map but don't they also mention FP+ on the map too?

If I was standing in line waiting to buy a ticket, I would not be very happy to be waiting behind a lot of people needing a FP+ education.

There could be a hand out that goes along with the purchase. That puts the onus on the buyer to read but at least they are given the info.

 

[Tomh]

My mother decided to come along with us very much at the last minute this summer. We had purchased tickets well in advance for everyone else from a discounter, but wound up buying hers at the TTC on our first day. From what I remember, I don't recall the CM telling me anything about FP+. Of course, she might have just figured that if a party of 5 were only buying one ticket, we probably already knew what we needed to know, but I don't remember her even mentioning FP+ during the transaction.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

We have never walked up and bought tickets and went to the parks. What, if anything, do they tell guests about FP+?

I ask because while there last week a guest overhead DH and I discussing our 2nd ride on ToT. They were amazed that we had ridden it twice and asked how we did that. Well, in our case we had both our FP and the FP for our DD and DGD (all have AP) so we told them that. They said "oh, you have AP so you get FP. We just have regular tickets, no FP" When I told them they could get FP too they said they had no idea. They were not staying on site and did not purchase tickets in advance and had no idea they got FP with their tickets. I told them where they could go to make some FP and gave them a brief overview but it really made me wonder did they miss the information when buying the tickets or do they not give them any info?

Some close friends just got back Saturday from a week vacation in Orlando. They were staying offsite and bought their tickets about a week before their trip, direct from Disney's website, and had no idea about FP+ before I told them about it three days before their trip.

 

[bumbershoot]

It's been a long time since we looked at a map but don't they also mention FP+ on the map too?

I know I've seen the symbol on the maps so I'd say that yes it's covered. Just like FP was explained. And still people missed it.

 

[Robo]

It's been a long time since we looked at a map but don't they also mention FP+ on the map too?

Below is the top of the MK map-

(Other park maps are similar)

 

[Cayaco]

We were staying offsite and bought one day tickets at the AK booths soon after they lifted the limit of 3 FP+.

The FP limit has been lifted? Did I miss something or am I reading this wrong?

 

[Robo]

1. The FP limit has been lifted?
2. Did I miss something
3. or am I reading this wrong?

1. Nope.

2. Not in that regard.

3. I don't know.

You can initially book up to 3 FP+ at one time, then, after you use them (or let them expire,)
you can book additional FP+ that day, (depending on availability) one-at-a-time.

 

[Cayaco]

You can initially book up to 3 FP+ at one time, then, after you use them (or let them expire,)
you can book additional FP+ that day, (depending on availability) one-at-a-time.

Ohh... same day extra passes, okay, then yes I did read it wrong.

Oh well, there goes that excitement.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I have always been fascinated bu the folks who buy the one day pass upon arrival....it seems like you are paying a serious premium while not being able to avail yourself of all the FP and ADR things that the rest are able to in advance.....its crazy how disney has become so difficult for someone just wanting to make a day of it

On the DIS there's a tendency to forget that many people go to Orlando for BUSINESS trips.

Most business visitors don't expect to visit a park unless/until something unexpected happens: a flight cancelation (weather), a meeting gets canceled, or they find they feel far more energetic than they expected, especially when last day plans end earlier than expected.

I personally have visited a ticket booth a few times in the past few years. In one case, we had an old unused ticket. On some past trip, we'd bought a WDW package. As part of the package, we had to buy a ticket that we didn't need. It was only a one or two day ticket, so when we got to WDW we converted it to a longer ticket. another trip, we didn't buy new tickets, but we had to convert an old ticket to new RFID tickets.

Another trip, we arrived in winter. The weather was unseasonably, near record-breakingly HOT. We could not have predicted six months in advance that our arrival day would be so nice. We decided on the spot to try a water park.

On a US visit, we were having so much fun that we started joking about returning. On a whim, I stopped by GS to ask if -and the $ -of changing our hoppers into AP's. We've been US AP holders ever since!

I'm approaching my 10,000th post, so I hardly think I'm uninformed or naïve about WDW!

 

[KrazeeK120]

There are a lot of people who do little to no planning before going to Disney.

Sometimes, Disney attempts to help. I was at DHS on the first day of FP+ only (no paper FPs). There were CMs handing out fliers prior to bag check about the new system. One tried to hand a flier to me and I politely declined, explaining that I had scheduled my FP+ already. She told me, no, there's a new system. I said, yes, I know, I've got them on my account already. She tried to disagree with me again, and I just walked on. Upon entry to the park (I was the first at my tapstile), I booked it straight to TSMM (I'd picked RnRC for my tier 1). A CM stopped me and asked if I was headed to TSMM. I said yes, and she said, there's no paper FPs there. I said...I know, I'm trying to get on the ride ASAP. They really assumed that not a single person entering the park knew that paper FPs no longer existed. Interestingly, I also went to Epcot the first day of FP+ only and no one made mention of it whatsoever.

It amazes me that people don't even do a cursory glance at a place before they go. I went to Nashville for the first time this year and to Vegas for the first time 2 years ago, and did (probably overly) extensive research about the area where I would be and what I could do there. It's so easy with smartphones these days to spend 10-15 minutes at least giving yourself an overview of a place, and I think that most folks probably decide more than 15 minutes in advance that they're going to head to a Disney park.

At this point, FP+ has been around long enough that Disney likely doesn't feel the need to "educate" everyone buying a ticket about it. The ticket booths are busy enough as it is. They have information about it in the park map, which I'm assuming a first-timer would be consulting frequently. Heck, after 7 trips, I STILL can't find my way around the Studios without a map.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I think there are a lot of things that WDW offers that, unless you dig really deep on their website, scan these Boards daily or subscribe to the parks blog, people probably know nothing about when they arrive at the resort. Things like EMM, dessert parties and fireworks cruises, tours, dining with an Imagineer, etc. I have NEVER seen them advertised anywhere, but, again look to these boards and subscribe to the parks blog for the latest info. If you are just a casual traveler who decided to vacation there and didn't obsessively plan beforehand, there is a lot you will probably miss. I do know that when we have an onsite reservation, I always get an e-mail reminding me to make my FP+ reservations, however, I assume you have to have an account on MDE with a reservation linked in order to prompt that e-mail. If during the reservation process with WDW (or a TA or third-party seller), MDE isn't mentioned, then the guest probably won't know to create the account. Also, the pre-arrival booklet that is sent mentions FP+, however, who knows how many people read it. And, if you aren't staying onsite, then, yes, your first contact with WDW will be that ticket CM. Would it be too much for them to simply mention FP+ and direct them to a kiosk?

I, too, feel WDW has become so complicated and creates information overload. We are lucky that we go often and we know how to navigate the system, but for those first-timers or those who just show up one day to enjoy the park, I would imagine it's very overwhelming