FastPass Plus Version 2.0 (you can get more than 3-- STARTS APRIL 28!)

[limitdis]

those who want earlier slots so they can get their 4th early enough

if they allow us to use the 4th fastpass at ANYTIME as long as it is not within an hour or so of any of the 3 fastpasses, then what you are talking about will not be.

People will not have to schedule all 3 of their fastpasses in the morning or early, if they won't get punished for scheduling them later in the evening.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

if they allow us to use the 4th fastpass at ANYTIME as long as it is not within an hour or so of any of the 3 fastpasses, then what you are talking about will not be.

People will not have to schedule all 3 of their fastpasses in the morning or early, if they won't get punished for scheduling them later in the evening.

This is not what is being discussed at this point. Disney has not suggested that this will happen with the next "release".

 

[wisblue]

I would have to go along with a wait and see approach. If the 4th or 5th FP+ has nothing worthwhile available, then using your existing 3 early may not be the best thing to do.

I agree, but there are a lot of people here who seem to value quantity over quality. You can recognize them when they reduce their argument about why they hate FP+ to "6>3".

Personally, I would rather have 3 FPs at times that I can choose in the late afternoon or evening than 6 FPs beginning early in the day and continuing throughout the day that are subject to the unknown of what the return time is when I happen to be at the attraction to get the FP. Kind of like I would rather have 3 $50 bills than 6 $20s.

I'm not going to worry about it because I suspect that the next iteration will not be the last as Disney continues to test the operation of the various pieces of the system and makes it available to more guests. By the time you figure out the best strategy for the next iteration, they will have moved on to another one.

If the system is that you can only get a fourth FP after you use the first 3, I would still make mine for later. If and when the standby lines get unacceptably long within the first 3 hours after park opening, I will reconsider.

 

[limitdis]

This is not what is being discussed at this point. Disney has not suggested that this will happen with the next "release".

I know. And I think its just something that was overlooked. Or, at least I am really, really hoping. It makes so much more sense, and it doesn't punish anybody. I really hope and think they will do it this way.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

The main thing the 4th does is accomplish 2 big Disney goals: a big Marketing win, since "Only Three!!" is now out of the discussion, and those morning slots will now be filled.

What's actually available for the 4th once they get this rolling, is the $64,000.00 question- especially since everyone can pre-book now.....

I agree. I appreciate them allowing the option of the 4th and I get why they have the restriction of 3 in the first place. I don't see it changing my strategy too much, though. And I only really see it being useful in the MK anyway.

This is what I'm thinking I'll do: Book three super-headliners for 3, 4 and 5pm. Then see what's available for after dinner, just let the Magic happen But I won't be upset if it's nothing I want. Maybe that'll become the best strategy for using parade FP+.

 

[mom2rtk]

I agree, but there are a lot of people here who seem to value quantity over quality. You can recognize them when they reduce their argument about why they hate FP+ to "6>3".

You have not been paying attention if you think those who say 3<6 are fine with quantity over quality. They were NOT getting 6 junk fastpasses with legacy FP. In fact, back then there were far fewer junk fastpasses to be had. Most of the rides that had FP actually needed FP.

 

[Love Tink]

Personally, I would rather have 3 FPs at times that I can choose in the late afternoon or evening than 6 FPs beginning early in the day and continuing throughout the day that are subject to the unknown of what the return time is when I happen to be at the attraction to get the FP. Kind of like I would rather have 3 $50 bills than 6 $20s.

Personally I would rather have 6 whenever-they-may-be FPs for: Test Track, Soarin', Mission Space, Test Track, Maelstrom, and Test Track than 3 scheduled FPs for Soarin', Figment, and Nemo.

Sort of like I would rather have 6 $1 bills than 1 $1 bill and two bill-sized pieces of cardboard.

 

[FlipHipster]

If the system is that you can only get a fourth FP after you use the first 3, I would still make mine for later. If and when the standby lines get unacceptably long within the first 3 hours after park opening, I will reconsider.

definitely if you are traveling in peak season when you are not likely to get a decent 4th FP. Use the 3 you have wisely.

The irony is that the 4th FP is most beneficial to people traveling during peak times which is also when the 4th FP would most likely be for something less desirable so the burn your 3 quick strategy wouldn't work so well unless you plan to leave the park when your 3 are done.

It's also possible that Disney spreads your times out in a way that you would have to stay pretty much all day in order to burn your 3. They could implement a rule that says: If guest A books a FP for 9:30 and another for 10:30 then don't show any times for the 3rd FP that start before 2:30. Guest A really has no way of knowing whether or not there is FP available before 2:30 unless they compare with Guest B or C who gets earlier options.

 

[clsteve]

Exactly this, agree 100%. They are giving us more without actually giving you more and placing extra demand on the system. In addition they have acknowledged that some rides FP capacity will be sold out in advance. I think the always hold 3 FP option would have been difficult for them to implement especially if they remove tiers and allow park hopping for the extra FP's.

As far as SB strategy, seems like the only really good one at this point is to try and time your SB rides for the least popular FP return times. Unfortunately, not sure if we know those yet. You can guess, RD, parade times, right before closing etc. Ultimately if we had an app that would let you know how many FP slots are still available for a given ride at a given time, you would pick the time slot with the most FP still available to ride SB. Not sure Disney has any desire to offer that type of service but it would be nice for timing SB rides.

The big unknown in all of this is guest behavior. Don't think anybody even Disney is fully aware of how guests will use the new system yet and how they will prioritize FP times but they have a better picture than any of us I am sure. I expect one day when its all working and tuned, we will see much more consistent wait times across the board.

Yep, the thing to watch for us RD'ers will be the impact to early SB times. It's a good bet the early FP ressies were more made by the "have to take them" crowd. Meaning, there was a much higher chance of them no-showing. I mean, first-timers and casuals don't really know how early they need to get up, be at the bus, or even where the ride is in the Park. Guests who now "want" them so they can move on to their 4th, are more motivated- meaning, there's now a higher probability of the FP line reaching capacity earlier- impacting early SB times.

I agree with you and Bama that it's not going to change average guest behavior and fill up the Parks that much more in the morning. It's more a change in motivation for making and using early FP's and the impact on early SB that needs to be watched.

 

[wisblue]

You have not been paying attention if you think those who say 3<6 are fine with quantity over quality. They were NOT getting 6 junk fastpasses with legacy FP. In fact, back then there were far fewer junk fastpasses to be had. Most of the rides that had FP actually needed FP.

I have been paying attention, and a lot of the haters frequently use the "6>3" slogan as if it's the beginning and the end of the discussion.

 

[jcemom]

Personally I would rather have 6 whenever-they-may-be FPs for: Test Track, Soarin', Mission Space, Test Track, Maelstrom, and Test Track than 3 scheduled FPs for Soarin', Figment, and Nemo.

Sort of like I would rather have 6 $1 bills than 1 $1 bill and two bill-sized pieces of cardboard.

 

[wisblue]

Personally I would rather have 6 whenever-they-may-be FPs for: Test Track, Soarin', Mission Space, Test Track, Maelstrom, and Test Track than 3 scheduled FPs for Soarin', Figment, and Nemo.

Sort of like I would rather have 6 $1 bills than 1 $1 bill and two bill-sized pieces of cardboard.

True enough, but you could never have done that at a busy time of the year anyway, even if you arrived at opening and stayed at Epcot all day.

And the issue of tiering is something else again. We all understand why it isn't popular, but anyone who is open minded should be able to understand why Disney has put it in place in those parks to allow more people the opportunity to get ONE ride on the most popular attractions.

That is why the discussion is never as simple as "6>3". And I think that people who are driven to making their FP+ reservations first thing in the morning may be making the mistake of valuing quantity over quality and letting the ability to get additional FPs affect their touring strategy in a detrimental way. Burning FPs first thing in the morning when standby lines are at their lowest point of the day makes no sense to me. It really makes no sense for people who want to park hop and/or take a break in the middle of the day.

 

[WillAustin]

Sort of like I would rather have 6 $1 bills than 1 $1 bill and two bill-sized pieces of cardboard.

Yes, but if you gave 599 people 1 penny, it would obviously be better and more fair.

Our 60 days out was yesterday and it was hard picking the tiered parks. Basically, 2 throwaway FPs that we'll probably still need because standby lines will be longer across the board in June.

Setting up the A&E FP+ was ridiculous. We have 5 different times, all overlapping.

That is why the discussion is never as simple as "6>3".

It's also not as simple as "because everyone gets at least one" it's obviously better for most people.

 

[wisblue]

It's also not as simple as "because everyone gets at least one" it's obviously better for most people.

Right. The discussion about the pros and cons of FP+ depends on a lot of variables relating to touring styles, preferences about riding the same ride multiple times a day, etc. Which is why the "6>3" throwaway line is so stupid.

 

[clsteve]

Right. The discussion about the pros and cons of FP+ depends on a lot of variables relating to touring styles, preferences about riding the same ride multiple times a day, etc. Which is why the "6>3" throwaway line is so stupid.

Welcome back! it's been awhile!

While you've been gone, "hater" and "stupid" kinda fell out of favor on the boards, which has been quite pleasant...

 

[Kate and Family]

This thread has been quite interesting discussion of FastPass Version II.... until the same bickering FP+ has started again.

Wish you would carry on THAT discussion else where. Start a thread "Let's argue over pros/cons of FP"
Many of us do not want to hear it. PERIOD.

Please, Please, Please. Give. It. A. Rest.
Some of us would like to read a civil discussion regarding the actual topic of the thread.


Hopefully
-Kate

 

[jade1]

Right. The discussion about the pros and cons of FP+ depends on a lot of variables relating to touring styles, preferences about riding the same ride multiple times a day, etc. Which is why the "6>3" throwaway line is so stupid.

Prob most important is time of year. 6 may equal 6 in mid Dec.

 

[camille4750]

As Josh at easywdw pointed out, it will really penalize those who choose to use their fastpasses for Wishes or other nighttime entertainment if they have to wait until after they are all used before getting a 4th. I hope this gets worked out somehow because I'm sure many people (including me) will want to use a fastpass for Wishes, etc . . . and this change would make that hard to do.

 

[mom2rtk]

As Josh at easywdw pointed out, it will really penalize those who choose to use their fastpasses for Wishes or other nighttime entertainment if they have to wait until after they are all used before getting a 4th. I hope this gets worked out somehow because I'm sure many people (including me) will want to use a fastpass for Wishes, etc . . . and this change would make that hard to do.

I'm guessing it comes down to how popular those nighttime FPs are or will remain. I bet Wishes can withstand the penalty and still sell out. Fantasmic might be hopeless regardless of what they do. But then again, as a 4th or 5th FP, maybe it would gain in popularity?

 

[Love Tink]

True enough, but you could never have done that at a busy time of the year anyway, even if you arrived at opening and stayed at Epcot all day.

Absolutely untrue. Have done this, and others like it, many, many times. Have pulled two FP for TSM, two for Soarin', three for Test Track, three for Space Mountain. Test Track FP - at the times of year we visit (never mid summer or holiday times) were often available into the early evening.

And the issue of tiering is something else again. We all understand why it isn't popular, but anyone who is open minded should be able to understand why Disney has put it in place in those parks to allow more people the opportunity to get ONE ride on the most popular attractions.

I agree that tiering is necessary - so Disney can have enough FP available to sell "Lock in THREE experiences!" to unsuspecting people who don't know how many of those three FP are junk.