Disney is listening RE: FP+

[Bluegrrl]

I am so surprised - they are actually listening!

Recently, I wrote a thoughtful message with specific examples of what happened during out last vacation over the marathon weekend. I detailed our vacation days, the difficulties we have, told them about our loyalty to Disney and why our family is disappointed with the new system.

After about 1 week, I got a friendly e-mail from a cm asking me to call her and discuss the situation. I did, and we talked about Disney's failings with the system. She did say that they are still testing it (Duh) and why Disney did the things they did. I'm not totally happy, but these are a few of the answers.

1. Why not AP testing first? They tested it on day guests/resort guest because they are more likely to "plan" and use the system vs AP who don't plan as much. Plus, they are still coming up with a way to have AP keep the bands longer (vs. day guests/resort guests who wouldn't expect to keep it forever like APs or CM who would)

2. Park Hopping: For this ticket, park hopping is seen as the benefit, not the ability to pull FP at multiple parks. The CM I talked to said that that was one thing that the execs failed to see, and it's being worked on.

3. FP+ For attractions that don't need it: I told her that attractions like the Mansion don't need FP usually, and that I was frustrated seeing a huge line for SB and a completely empty line for FP. I suggested that they make some of those FP+ lines seasonal. In the FP day, Mansion had a FP machine, but it was only used rarely if at all. Mainly during very busy times. I suggested that they turn off the FP+ during times that it wasn't warranted, and she that it was a good idea. We'll see what happens.

4. A MB watch! If they are going to proceed with this nonsense, then they should integrate a timer into the MB since it's a pain to keep opening the darn phone. She said that the idea was being considered and multiple guests were requesting watches.

5. Recyle! These bands CAN be melted down and recycled as well as the box that they come in, and I requested that there should be more information on this within the hotels and in the magic band box.

6. More charging stations: My phone started out with 100% power, only to get to 4% halfway during the day. If they want me to use the app, they need to have more charging stations or an app that is quicker to load and takes up less bandwidth and energy.

7. More FP: I told her that I hated the limit of 3 fp and the tiering system, and how annoying it was that we couldn't ride certain rides multiple times. She told me that many people are saying the same things and that Disney was working on that portion.

So, they are listening to the guests, and when you write, include examples of your experience. That's what worked for me, and I'm happy that at least she contacted me. I feel like I was heard, and hopefully my input will at least help a little.

 

[MichelleVW]

I am so surprised - they are actually listening!

Recently, I wrote a thoughtful message with specific examples of what happened during out last vacation over the marathon weekend. I detailed our vacation days, the difficulties we have, told them about our loyalty to Disney and why our family is disappointed with the new system.

After about 1 week, I got a friendly e-mail from a cm asking me to call her and discuss the situation. I did, and we talked about Disney's failings with the system. She did say that they are still testing it (Duh) and why Disney did the things they did. I'm not totally happy, but these are a few of the answers.

1. Why not AP testing first? They tested it on day guests/resort guest because they are more likely to "plan" and use the system vs AP who don't plan as much. Plus, they are still coming up with a way to have AP keep the bands longer (vs. day guests/resort guests who wouldn't expect to keep it forever like APs or CM who would)

2. Park Hopping: For this ticket, park hopping is seen as the benefit, not the ability to pull FP at multiple parks. The CM I talked to said that that was one thing that the execs failed to see, and it's being worked on.

3. FP+ For attractions that don't need it: I told her that attractions like the Mansion don't need FP usually, and that I was frustrated seeing a huge line for SB and a completely empty line for FP. I suggested that they make some of those FP+ lines seasonal. In the FP day, Mansion had a FP machine, but it was only used rarely if at all. Mainly during very busy times. I suggested that they turn off the FP+ during times that it wasn't warranted, and she that it was a good idea. We'll see what happens.

4. A MB watch! If they are going to proceed with this nonsense, then they should integrate a timer into the MB since it's a pain to keep opening the darn phone. She said that the idea was being considered and multiple guests were requesting watches.

5. Recyle! These bands CAN be melted down and recycled as well as the box that they come in, and I requested that there should be more information on this within the hotels and in the magic band box.

6. More charging stations: My phone started out with 100% power, only to get to 4% halfway during the day. If they want me to use the app, they need to have more charging stations or an app that is quicker to load and takes up less bandwidth and energy.

7. More FP: I told her that I hated the limit of 3 fp and the tiering system, and how annoying it was that we couldn't ride certain rides multiple times. She told me that many people are saying the same things and that Disney was working on that portion.

So, they are listening to the guests, and when you write, include examples of your experience. That's what worked for me, and I'm happy that at least she contacted me. I feel like I was heard, and hopefully my input will at least help a little.

Your problem number 6 really isn't a problem. Portable chargers are easy and cheap and much easier than wasting time plugging into an outlet and standing there.

I personally think that Fast Pass Plus makes it easier to Park hop...hit the headliners in the morning at one park and use your Fast Pass Plus in the afternoon/evening in another...but that's what worked for us in December.

Glad they seem to be listening though.

 

[Spriesty]

I am so surprised - they are actually listening!

Recently, I wrote a thoughtful message with specific examples of what happened during out last vacation over the marathon weekend. I detailed our vacation days, the difficulties we have, told them about our loyalty to Disney and why our family is disappointed with the new system.

After about 1 week, I got a friendly e-mail from a cm asking me to call her and discuss the situation. I did, and we talked about Disney's failings with the system. She did say that they are still testing it (Duh) and why Disney did the things they did. I'm not totally happy, but these are a few of the answers.

1. Why not AP testing first? They tested it on day guests/resort guest because they are more likely to "plan" and use the system vs AP who don't plan as much. Plus, they are still coming up with a way to have AP keep the bands longer (vs. day guests/resort guests who wouldn't expect to keep it forever like APs or CM who would)

2. Park Hopping: For this ticket, park hopping is seen as the benefit, not the ability to pull FP at multiple parks. The CM I talked to said that that was one thing that the execs failed to see, and it's being worked on.

3. FP+ For attractions that don't need it: I told her that attractions like the Mansion don't need FP usually, and that I was frustrated seeing a huge line for SB and a completely empty line for FP. I suggested that they make some of those FP+ lines seasonal. In the FP day, Mansion had a FP machine, but it was only used rarely if at all. Mainly during very busy times. I suggested that they turn off the FP+ during times that it wasn't warranted, and she that it was a good idea. We'll see what happens.

4. A MB watch! If they are going to proceed with this nonsense, then they should integrate a timer into the MB since it's a pain to keep opening the darn phone. She said that the idea was being considered and multiple guests were requesting watches.

5. Recyle! These bands CAN be melted down and recycled as well as the box that they come in, and I requested that there should be more information on this within the hotels and in the magic band box.

6. More charging stations: My phone started out with 100% power, only to get to 4% halfway during the day. If they want me to use the app, they need to have more charging stations or an app that is quicker to load and takes up less bandwidth and energy.

7. More FP: I told her that I hated the limit of 3 fp and the tiering system, and how annoying it was that we couldn't ride certain rides multiple times. She told me that many people are saying the same things and that Disney was working on that portion.

So, they are listening to the guests, and when you write, include examples of your experience. That's what worked for me, and I'm happy that at least she contacted me. I feel like I was heard, and hopefully my input will at least help a little.

I'm so glad they're listening and still seem to be working on making it better! I'm not a fan of the new system, but I'm still planning on going back in early 2015, and this has been my hope: That they take their ideas and make them better for the guests.

 

[tanyaandallie]

Fingers crossed many of these kinks are worked about before our next trip. I am a fan of being able to schedule with my phone rather than running across the park for a fp but would love to have the option of more than 3.

 

[pens4821]

I enjoyed the system last week. Are there a few things that will change? Yes. But I feel the system works well. Although I'm not a regular so maybe that's why it's ok with me. The one thing I disagree with is people wanting more if they want to hop parks. The limit per day (whether three or more) should be the same regardless of park hopping.

 

[shalom]

3. Mainly during very busy times. I suggested that they turn off the FP+ during times that it wasn't warranted, and she that it was a good idea. We'll see what happens.

That is a good idea. Or offering all the rides but eliminating the teirs offseason so people could use all three passes where ever they wanted. FP+, if it really works, should give Disney a lot of flexibility on that front.

I'm also intrigued by the rumors of varying the ticket pricing by date (where a Christmas Day ticket to the MK would cost more than a weekday mid-January, for example). That would be a clear signal to people of what kind of crowds Disney is expecting to that park that day. Although if Disney starts charging more for really popular dates, they'll need to do an ad campaign explaining that; otherwise Trip Advisor's going to flooded with, "The crowds were The WORST, and my tickets cost more money to boot!" kind of reviews.

The one thing I disagree with is people wanting more if they want to hop parks. The limit per day (whether three or more) should be the same regardless of park hopping.

Agreed. Although I haven't actually seen anyone argue that park hoppers should get more FPs that people who stay put, just that they don't like that you can't get FPs in two parks and that people should be able to get more than three with FP+.

 

[Robo]

The one thing I disagree with is people wanting more if they want to hop parks. The limit per day (whether three or more) should be the same regardless of park hopping.

But, as it stands now with the limit of 3, you can't even choose 1 FP+ in one park and 2 FP+ in the second park.

They all must be in one park.

 

[lugnut33]

I think they will expand the number of FP+ at the MK, but I can't see them doing that EP and HS due the lack of headlining attractions.

I would propose they move everybody up to 5 fast passes, but you get 3 FP from park open until 2 p.m., and then 2 more to use from 2 p.m. until park close. Don't get there before 2, then you only get 2. It would encourage more people to get out of bed and to the parks early, thus spreading out the crowds a bit more. You could also tier them.

 

[pens4821]

But, as it stands now with the limit of 3, you can't even choose 1 FP+ in one park and 2 FP+ in the second park.

They all must be in one park.

I was unaware of that. Then it makes sense to want to split up the fps.

 

[paxsarah]

I think they will expand the number of FP+ at the MK, but I can't see them doing that EP and HS due the lack of headlining attractions.

I would propose they move everybody up to 5 fast passes, but you get 3 FP from park open until 2 p.m., and then 2 more to use from 2 p.m. until park close. Don't get there before 2, then you only get 2. It would encourage more people to get out of bed and to the parks early, thus spreading out the crowds a bit more. You could also tier them.

I actually had a great time with my short, two-park-day trip during marathon weekend, but the bolded would have diminished my experience. We went to MK after I completed the marathon, and it was great to have three FP+ to use in the afternoon. It would have been a bummer if I'd run 26.2 miles and then they'd only given me two.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

A thanks to the OP for this post. Very helpful.

 

[Mad Hattered]

Excellent post, Blue! Thanks for sharing your experience and feedback.

 

[shalom]

I would propose they move everybody up to 5 fast passes, but you get 3 FP from park open until 2 p.m., and then 2 more to use from 2 p.m. until park close. Don't get there before 2, then you only get 2.

Right now, FP+ benefits those who, for whatever reason (age, infirmity, autism, small kids who need naps, unwillingness to get up...) can't spend the entire day at the park pulling FP-s. If that's intentional, then Disney has no interest in trying to "force" people to get up earlier and to spread out crowds that way. If some personality type theories I have seen hold true of Disney fans, then the people who sleep in will more likely spend the most, in which case Disney is definitely not going to set things up to benefit those who hit RD.

I do think they're going to reconfigure things, and that, one way or another, there are going to be ways to get more than 3 FPs per day. Whether than means staying Deluxe or paying extra some other way or more complicated tiers, I dunno, but I think there'll be something.

 

[magicbob]

A watch in the MB would be a terrific feature... even better, an automatic alarm to notify you that it's time for your FP. That way, you wouldn't have to keep checking the watch. The "PDAs" that Six Flags uses for their "Flash Pass" have an integrated alarm to notify you that you can now ride. I'm sure the technology would be possible.

 

[Ed J]

<snip>. It would encourage more people to get out of bed and to the parks early, thus spreading out the crowds a bit more.

Why is there this idea that people who don't get to the park till the afternoon are in bed?

I'd guess there are many people like myself who aren't daily rope droppers who are out of bed as if not earlier than the rope droppers. I go fishing on or off site, play golf on or off site, hit any number of things that aren't in the park and we are helping to reduce the standby waits.

Encouraging more people standing there for when the park opens with some kind of extra FP's will only put more folks in the park making for longer queues when the park opens .

 

[jesswindsor]

I'll keep my hope alive that they can work out this system or get ride of it. I know Disney is still doing tests on it, but it is just frustrating waiting to see what will happen in the end. I do like the idea of haveing a watch/band.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Blugrrl,

A wonderful and well written post. Your comments were intelligent, constructive and helpful to everyone, guests and Disney as well.

This type of post is what the Dis is about!

AKK

 

[MrsSilvaStrat]

Thank you so much for sharing!

 

[ciera321]

Good to know. I sent an e-mail last week and got the "Thanks for writing and we'll be getting back to you.....It's encouraging to hear that they're working on the PH and more than 3 FPs!!! Thanks for sharing!

 

[ilovemk76]

Great post.

I thought you were to tell them they "pooped the bed with this garbage" to get a reply.