Curious how FP+ has changed your touring style, if at all?

[mesaboy2]

It could be. If it's a result of sitting around saying "Boy little Suzy sure would have loved to see A&E but we couldn't get a FP" or "Gee we didn't know about FP+ and now all we can get is Figment" then it's changed your style to be more creative in how to obtain things.

Certainly.

I didn't read the PP's post that way. I took it to mean they were getting extra FPs because of FP+, implying that they couldn't do the same before FP+. Nothing about FP+ specifically enabled them to get more FPs. That's why I asked initially if these extra FPs were gotten via MDX or not.

Did they change their touring style to go CL, tip well, and be kind to CMs so that they could get around certain limitations of FP+? I have no idea, but that would be one tactic that may help but would not be any kind of "guarantee".

 

[cakebaker]

I see your point.

Obviously you don't, but I don't intend to argue with you about it and derail this thread any further.

 

[mom2rtk]

Rather than spending $$$$ on Concierge, I'd just purchase extra tickets and reserve a second set of advance FPs every day. Then I'd still have the tickets for our next trip.

That's what I call "making my own magic!"

 

[itchin2go]

Rather than spending $$$$ on Concierge, I'd just purchase extra tickets and reserve a second set of advance FPs every day. Then I'd still have the tickets for our next trip.

That's what I call "making my own magic!"

Also, if these "CL extra" FP+s were the result of extra tips, appreciation and relationship building during a CL stay, how far in advance could they have been made anyway? In that sense, I don't know that they're THAT much more valuable than the same day FPs everyone can reserve with extra MBs (purchased, or from friends, or from previous trips).

It seems that FPs booked with extra tickets would be far more valuable, since you would be able to book them much farther ahead of time.

 

[mom2rtk]

Also, if these "CL extra" FP+s were the result of extra tips, appreciation and relationship building during a CL stay, how far in advance could they have been made anyway? In that sense, I don't know that they're THAT much more valuable than the same day FPs everyone can reserve with extra MBs (purchased, or from friends, or from previous trips).

It seems that FPs booked with extra tickets would be far more valuable, since you would be able to book them much farther ahead of time.

Great point.

Extra FPs lose value every day closer you get to your travel date. It's hard to garner goodwill until you actually arrive.

 

[Lisaloo]

My point is that you could have achieved extra FPs just the same as with legacy FP. FP+ didn't guarantee it--staying CL, tipping well, and killing CMs with kindness did.

I've been going to disney since the mid-80s. Staying CL, tipping well and killing CMs with kindness worked then and with legacy FP

Also, if these "CL extra" FP+s were the result of extra tips, appreciation and relationship building during a CL stay, how far in advance could they have been made anyway? In that sense, I don't know that they're THAT much more valuable than the same day FPs everyone can reserve with extra MBs (purchased, or from friends, or from previous trips).

It seems that FPs booked with extra tickets would be far more valuable, since you would be able to book them much farther ahead of time.

We didn't have to book the extra fast passes. They were added to our bands for any attraction, any park at any time.

 

[Lisaloo]

We monetized the new fast pass system with tips, VIP touring for two of our days and CL resort stay. That is how our touring has changed.

 

[mom2rtk]

I've been going to disney since the mid-80s. Staying CL, tipping well and killing CMs with kindness worked then and with legacy FP

So how is it that FP+ changed your touring style if it was the same deal with legacy?

 

[PurpleKomodo]

Fastpass+ made it where I had to schedule in character meetings. We used to just happen upon them in the parks, and if the line was reasonable, hop in line to meet them and get autographs. Now that so many characters have FP+ as an option, the lines are longer and I have to schedule in when to meet them. This is especially the case at MK. Although, the upside of this was being able to schedule a M&G for my DS while others when on rides that he was too little for. It helped the disappointment that he couldn't ride knowing that we were going to meet a character.

 

[dokey]

We monetized the new fast pass system with tips, VIP touring for two of our days and CL resort stay. That is how our touring has changed.

So you figured out a work around. You're not using FP+ as it was originally intended, since you have an unlimited supply of anytime FP's at your disposal. This isn't what most people experience.

If I had an unlimited supply of FP+'s, my family would love FP+ too.

 

[itchin2go]

So you figured out a work around. You're not using FP+ as it was originally intended, since you have an unlimited supply of anytime FP's at your disposal. This isn't what most people experience.

If I had an unlimited supply of FP+'s, my family would love FP+ too.

Yeah, but I wouldn't love the price tag that comes with VIP touring, or the price tag that likely comes with a CL level room. If FP+ has induced people to do those things, then I can see why Disney views it as a success.

 

[Lisaloo]

Yeah, but I wouldn't love the price tag that comes with VIP touring, or the price tag that likely comes with a CL level room. If FP+ has induced people to do those things, then I can see why Disney views it as a success.

I think spending more money on any vacation increases the amenities, experiences and level of service. It isn't just Disney and it isn't a new phenomenon.

 

[smellyia]

While there have been pros & cons, FP+ has relaxed our touring, but not our schedule.

Pros:
No more "running" anywhere. We have our FPs scheduled which we LOVE.
I never got more than 2-3 per day so the number limit is not an issue.
I rope drop less.
I TS less. This could be because of my kids' ages, but the time TS takes these days literally eating into park or pool time is just not good vacation money spent in my opinion. Subsequently I save money and have less annoyed kids to deal with. Scheduling TS with FP is a bit much.

Cons:
Less flexibility with overall schedule. If I want to go to another park due to park hour changes, weather, whim...then I'm limited by the FP+ system.
Having to schedule the 4th via kiosk at the park you want one in - ultimate convenience fail.

The only RD we still keep religiously is MK. The rest work out for us because we tend to do longer trips (10 days+) with all parks, except for AK, having multiple visits. We also do mostly half park days preferring to swim or enjoy one of WDW many other recreations. Overall FP+ is an improvement for my group, but we never structured our touring around FPs as being the central cog in the ride wheel. We also are not RD to Close people so we don't get bogged down in the crowds as much.

Also, a note on the CL FP+ discussion. I've stayed CL a few times since FP+. The only one that really went out of the way regarding FP's imo was GF. They did get us a couple "extra" ones that were A/E and 7D. It was one specific CM who we had dealings with multiple times last year in concierge and we built a rapport with. Several of the CL CM's had no idea they could even DO that. There was a level of convenience when CL CMs were making 4th FPs via text as that saved me leg work and a great addition to CL services. Did it enhance my touring? The CL text FPs did for sure, but the extras were just pixie dust not to be counted on but excited about if treated with.

 

[mom2rtk]

We monetized the new fast pass system with tips, VIP touring for two of our days and CL resort stay. That is how our touring has changed.

Since you got extra FPs from the Concierge staff under legacy, I'm still curious how FP+ has changed your touring style (the subject of the thread).

 

[Angel Ariel]

I think spending more money on any vacation increases the amenities, experiences and level of service. It isn't just Disney and it isn't a new phenomenon.

No it isn't just Disney, and the idea isn't new, but more $ = more fp opportunity is definitely new. I'm glad you found a way to make the system work for you. I'd like fp+ too if we could do it your way, but that's not likely.

 

[itchin2go]

No it isn't just Disney, and the idea isn't new, but more $ = more fp opportunity is definitely new. I'm glad you found a way to make the system work for you. I'd like fp+ too if we could do it your way, but that's not likely.

I would like the perks too, but if I have to pay for CL and VIP just to duplicate my experience under legacy FP, I'm probably going to decide to vacation elsewhere.

 

[LOL!]

I see your point but I have a hard time blaming guests for things disappearing because they didn't keep it a secret.

It's like the secret menu at some fast food places. Is it extra work? Sure. But in the end it's what the customers want so service-centric companies continue to provide it, even if it's not "official". And when demand is prevalent enough, they capitalize on that rather than eliminate it.

Obviously you don't, but I don't intend to argue with you about it and derail this thread any further.

I'm sorry if I rubbed you the wrong way or something because I don't think my post deserved a response like that.

 

[3DisneyFanz]

I see your point but I have a hard time blaming guests for things disappearing because they didn't keep it a secret.

It's like the secret menu at some fast food places. Is it extra work? Sure. But in the end it's what the customers want so service-centric companies continue to provide it, even if it's not "official". And when demand is prevalent enough, they capitalize on that rather than eliminate it.

Starbucks just did a massive marketing push around their "secret" menu. All of those drinks cost extra but people happily paid because they thought they were getting some kind of insider options.

 

[Lisaloo]

Since you got extra FPs from the Concierge staff under legacy, I'm still curious how FP+ has changed your touring style (the subject of the thread).

Before FP+ we didn't always stay CL and the fastpasses were not as critical for our park days, they were a nice bonus. Now, I know 60 days ahead of time what FP we will have and in which park so the anytime/anywhere passes are even more valuable. To us. So we will only book club level. And we will VIP tour again.

 

[LOL!]

Starbucks just did a massive marketing push around their "secret" menu. All of those drinks cost extra but people happily paid because they thought they were getting some kind of insider options.

Exactly. And my point was that FP+ can most definitely change folk's touring strategy if that strategy now involves uncovering ways to score additional FP's.

Previously, a touring strategy could involve ways to maximize paper FP's by pulling one, riding SB, pulling another, etc.

Now, a touring strategy may rely on non-obvious and less formal methods to obtain additional FP's. For instance, complaining about things one might not have complained about before to guest services because it might score them additional FP's. Or as another OP noted, tipping or otherwise soliciting special consideration from CM's in the hopes they might garner additional FP's.