Disney holding back FP+s for day-of

[stairstepmom]

It was mentioned in another thread that some weren't sure if FP+s were being held back for day-of, so I thought I'd check. Yesterday afternoon there were only 4 available time slots for TSMM today. Last night there were 2. Checked again at 8:58am and only 1 alternative time slot was available. Checked again at 9:05am, 5 min after official park opening, there are now 17 available slots ranging from 9:10a to 8:30p. So they definitely are reserving for day-of.

I wonder if this is true for all attractions? Do they hold back FP+s for MSEP, Wishes, A&E?

Granted, this is for 1 person so may be different for a larger party, and I find it frustrating that you must fit into one of two categories in this system - very early pre planning, or very last-minute planning. If weather/illness/other circumstances have you changing your mind on a park the night before, you have to wait until park opening (really, 15-20 min after park opening for early-opening HS) to see what kind of FP+s you can get. The ADR cancelation policy necessitates plan-changes a day in advance, but the FP+ system prevents you from assessing a potential plan change until day of.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Why does planning a trip have to be so stressful now?

 

[ArwenMarie]

I don't think that necessarily means Disney is holding any back. I think it could just be people changing their plans around the night before and there is some sort of data load when the park opens, like something updates then in the system.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I don't think that necessarily means Disney is holding any back. I think it could just be people changing their plans around the night before and there is some sort of data load when the park opens, like something updates then in the system.

Interesting thought. I have always had best luck getting dinner ressies at Wdw if I stalk the site first thing each morning. Maybe something similar happens with cancellations for dining and rides.

 

[stairstepmom]

I don't think that necessarily means Disney is holding any back. I think it could just be people changing their plans around the night before and there is some sort of data load when the park opens, like something updates then in the system.

Interesting possibility, although here it is about an hour later and the EXACT same 17 time windows are all still available. If those were composed soley of cancelations from the day prior, you'd think at least one of them would be booked by now, wouldn't you? It makes me wonder if Disney blocks out specific windows with X number slots. Plus if cancelations for the next day are not uploaded until park opening, what does that mean for slots canceled on day-of? Are those put back into the system immediately, or since the system refreshes at park opening are they just lost in the abyss? It would be inefficient to have 2 separate feeds refreshing data, one for same day cancelations and one for next day.

 

[AmyB2006]

I don't think that necessarily means Disney is holding any back. I think it could just be people changing their plans around the night before and there is some sort of data load when the park opens, like something updates then in the system.

Really just curious, why do you think this is more of a possibility than Disney holding back FPs? They have been doing this for a while now. All of a sudden within 5 minutes of park opening, many more options pop up.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I'd love for a family of 4 to check availability.

Until it is confirmed by a CM or Disney itself I am skeptical. I don't see the wisdom for doing it that way.

It may be a matter of people changing plans the night before and WDW world and everything uploaded at 7AM.

 

[stairstepmom]

10:13am and there were 6 slots left. 10:20am and it says there are no alternate times (I have an 8pm booked). That's for 1 person. Geez, so much for changing on the fly, huh?

 

[ArwenMarie]

Really just curious, why do you think this is more of a possibility than Disney holding back FPs? They have been doing this for a while now. All of a sudden within 5 minutes of park opening, many more options pop up.

Is that still true? And even if it is, I don't think we know why. It could be something like I said above.

As far as reasoning, I think now that everyone can prebook, there is no reason to hold any back for same-day. If it's between locking someone in who wants to prebook and keeping spots for same-day, I think they are going to let the spots go to the prebookers.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Interesting possibility, although here it is about an hour later and the EXACT same 17 time windows are all still available. If those were composed soley of cancelations from the day prior, you'd think at least one of them would be booked by now, wouldn't you? It makes me wonder if Disney blocks out specific windows with X number slots. Plus if cancelations for the next day are not uploaded until park opening, what does that mean for slots canceled on day-of? Are those put back into the system immediately, or since the system refreshes at park opening are they just lost in the abyss? It would be inefficient to have 2 separate feeds refreshing data, one for same day cancelations and one for next day.

Hmm, that is interesting. Maybe they do keep some back to keep some flexibility in the system.

I think it could be either, the day-of cancelations could go right back in the bucket or not.

 

[stairstepmom]

Since the available slots were gone by 10:20 - for one person - it's hard to say. Maybe it really was only cancelations, or Disney holds a very tiny number back? It's pathetic though that they try to say the system still allows for flexibility - obviously, that's a completely misleading statement. Sure, for attractions that never needed FP you can probably make same-day changes, but for some headliners that is impossible.

And clearly, people who have said they had no same day availability for some rides are NOT lying, as some have suggested

 

[CT Disney]

Is that still true? And even if it is, I don't think we know why. It could be something like I said above.

As far as reasoning, I think now that everyone can prebook, there is no reason to hold any back for same-day. If it's between locking someone in who wants to prebook and keeping spots for same-day, I think they are going to let the spots go to the prebookers.

Everyone can't pre-book yet...CMs and their guests still need to book their FP+ on the day-of. They can't pre-book yet. Since that's the boat we're in I hope that they are holding at least a few slots for day-of bookings.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

I don't think Disney will ever come out and say they hold some back. One of those things we'll never know for sure and we'll just have to make assumptions on others experiences. I say this b/c I would imagine there would be lots of backlash from folks that tried to plan ahead and weren't able to get what they wanted but then others that checked afterwards could get those prime times. Yes it is happening that way now but no one knows for sure if this is be design.

 

[JimmyV]

Warning: Conjecture ahead!!
If you have an attraction like TSM that is going to "sell out" of its times, you are naturally going to have to disappoint (or anger) one of two groups of people: Early bookers or last minute bookers. If you hold back FP slots for the day of, you disappoint the former. If you don't hold any back, you disappoint the latter. While there can be an element of "fairness" to holding some back, why would Disney want to disappoint early bookers when the whole selling point of their shiny new toy is to "lock it in"? If early bookers cannot get what they want, they will have very sour feelings for FP+ and blame the system. If the last minute booker cannot get what he wants, he can blame himself for not acting sooner. All of this points to not holding back slots. But who knows?

 

[stairstepmom]

Warning: Conjecture ahead!!
If you have an attraction like TSM that is going to "sell out" of its times, you are naturally going to have to disappoint (or anger) one of two groups of people: Early bookers or last minute bookers. If you hold back FP slots for the day of, you disappoint the former. If you don't hold any back, you disappoint the latter. While there can be an element of "fairness" to holding some back, why would Disney want to disappoint early bookers when the whole selling point of their shiny new toy is to "lock it in"? If early bookers cannot get what they want, they will have very sour feelings for FP+ and blame the system. If the last minute booker cannot get what he wants, he can blame himself for not acting sooner. All of this points to not holding back slots. But who knows?

Very true, but I think Disney has overlooked one important fact - the early bookers BECOME the last minute bookers when they are in the park and want or need to change plans. So they will be angering some of both groups. They have been careful to advertise flexibility as part of the system - make changes on the fly! - but it's just a deception. When people realize that, many of those happy early bookers won't be so happy. The FP+ supporters might argue this is no different than FP-, because those return times might not work out, but there is no wasted effort or unmet expectations. If the return time won't work, you don't get it. If you can't make the return time you pulled, there's no expectation that Disney should take responsibility. When you had to toy with their app or website months on advance, plan every moment of the day all while being assured you can change on the fly, it's extra disappointing to see your time and energy wasted and the promise of flexibility an empty one.

 

[minniemous]

Is that still true? And even if it is, I don't think we know why. It could be something like I said above.

As far as reasoning, I think now that everyone can prebook, there is no reason to hold any back for same-day. If it's between locking someone in who wants to prebook and keeping spots for same-day, I think they are going to let the spots go to the prebookers.

Well, I would imagine local people who just decide on the day of to go to the park would need the ability to book some fast passes so I would imagine they would open some up the day of. There are many season pass holders who live local who probably go spur of the moment. I know I would if I lived in Orlando and had the ability to go whenever I wanted. Just a thought.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Well, I would imagine local people who just decide on the day of to go to the park would need the ability to book some fast passes so I would imagine they would open some up the day of. There are many season pass holders who live local who probably go spur of the moment. I know I would if I lived in Orlando and had the ability to go whenever I wanted. Just a thought.

This sounds harsh, but I don't think Disney cares about that. Plus they are giving them 30 days to prebook.

 

[stairstepmom]

I agree, I don't think they care. I do wonder if they hold any back at any time? An AP holder going on at 30 days out to find no 7DMT or A&E might reconsider renewing. Will they ever reach a point where their demand exceeds supply and someone can't get their 3 FP+ "entitlement"? What then? LOL

It almost seems if they cared to advertise flexibility they needed to hold back a small amount and slowly trickle them out over the day - maybe not enough people are flat out canceling to give any pool for same day changes.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I agree, I don't think they care. I do wonder if they hold any back at any time? An AP holder going on at 30 days out to find no 7DMT or A&E might reconsider renewing. Will they ever reach a point where their demand exceeds supply and someone can't get their 3 FP+ "entitlement"? What then? LOL

It almost seems if they cared to advertise flexibility they needed to hold back a small amount and slowly trickle them out over the day - maybe not enough people are flat out canceling to give any pool for same day changes.

I don't think they care about APs getting what they want either whether local or not. They care about onsite. Hence the 30 days versus 60 days.

I think the mine train will be a good test of all of this! I guess Anna and Elsa are too...are any popping up day of for that I wonder.

 

[clsteve]

Warning: Conjecture ahead!!
If you have an attraction like TSM that is going to "sell out" of its times, you are naturally going to have to disappoint (or anger) one of two groups of people: Early bookers or last minute bookers. If you hold back FP slots for the day of, you disappoint the former. If you don't hold any back, you disappoint the latter. While there can be an element of "fairness" to holding some back, why would Disney want to disappoint early bookers when the whole selling point of their shiny new toy is to "lock it in"? If early bookers cannot get what they want, they will have very sour feelings for FP+ and blame the system. If the last minute booker cannot get what he wants, he can blame himself for not acting sooner. All of this points to not holding back slots. But who knows?

We'll never truly know if they are holding for same day since there's nothing gained by them in saying so for the very reasons you point out. But, if they really are moving to just kiosks for the new "get your 4th after using three", it's a strong indicator that they will be if they aren't already.

There are many strong technical and business process reasons for doing so...