FP+ and Hopping (need guinea pigs!)

[wordwitt]

I'm your perfect guinea pig.

I have FP+ booked today for the Studios. And I'm planning on hopping to MK later on, for the second day of Life With No FastPass.

And just as a bonus, I'm also scheduled today for Lunch With an Imagineer, which I'm sure will include some discussion of the progress and future of MyMagic+.

Very cool! Have a fun lunch!

 

[doconeill]

Maybe, unless tiering exists to ensure sufficient day-of FP+ availability. We've already been told that Disney is holding back FP+ times for the day-of and releasing them 5 min. after park opening.

I missed this at some point...so the people first through the turnstiles and try to get things lose out?

 

[wordwitt]

I missed this at some point...so the people first through the turnstiles and try to get things lose out?

Ha ha. I don't know. This was something posted a few weeks ago by the CM poster "The Hub."

 

[gwmort]

There is no flippin way you will be able to hop and get FP+ at both parks, unless you still only count to 3.

Do you really think they would allow uberusers to be able to get up to 12 FP+ reserved for a day? That would a massive INCREASE in ride availability. And that is absolutely not why FP+ was invented.

My guess is the paper FP+ forms aren't being totally checked against existing FP+ at this point, so if you know this, you can do 2 parks in a day, maybe. I will be shocked if this continues very long.

Jason

I don't think they are meaning to say anyone would ever be able to reserve fp+ in more than one park per day. I believe they mean to say you could have your reserved fp+'s in one park, but if you hop have access to more fp+ day-of availabilities.

It makes sense to me, as you hop park to park there would be less and less availability throughout the day from the pre-books and the people who were in that park before you, but you'd still get a shot at whatever may be left, much like the old system.

 

[wordwitt]

I don't think they are meaning to say anyone would ever be able to reserve fp+ in more than one park per day. I believe they mean to say you could have your reserved fp+'s in one park, but if you hop have access to more fp+ day-of availabilities.

It makes sense to me, as you hop park to park there would be less and less availability throughout the day from the pre-books and the people who were in that park before you, but you'd still get a shot at whatever may be left, much like the old system.

Exactly. And they'd probably sell more hoppers.

 

[rastuso]

That is in theory how it _should_ work. But also remember that the old Fastpass system did not communicate between parks...

These are just guesses based on a single report that lacks details...

FP+ has to communicate, or it completely falls apart. Unless Disney's data shows so few people park-hop. But if people found out that you could hit RD at MK for 3 FP+, then go to Epcot for lunch, and 3 FP+s, then the Studios for 3 FP+, including Fantasmic, then EVERYONE would park hop.

This may work for a short period of time, but no way no how it's in the master plan.

The folks saying MB are great, and are holding out on day of FP+ availability on anything but Hall of Presidents, and the ability to park hop for another trio of FP+ are simply refusing to accept that the fact is Disney wants to limit your ride experiences, simply because they have ran out of them, and blew their money on wristbands instead of E tickets.

Like another post said, imagine had Disney just got a contract with the company that patented RFID bands a decade ago for use at Great Wolf Lodge, and then spent a billion dollars on 2 D/E tickets for each park. Universal would still be languishing in the distance. And Star Wars land would already exist (remember, they did have SW rides before they bought it).

Some top executives need to be fired, but they already pillaged their millions from the stockholders, and will live in their mansions as their incredibly stupid idea ruins vacations for years to come.

Our trip to Orlando this year will probably be staying on property at Universal, with one day at the MK, with perhaps a park hop to somewhere else. Although since there are ZERO new rides anywhere, except the kiddie coaster, I have no real need to park hop.

Jason

 

[kmarie99]

FP+ has to communicate, or it completely falls apart. Unless Disney's data shows so few people park-hop. But if people found out that you could hit RD at MK for 3 FP+, then go to Epcot for lunch, and 3 FP+s, then the Studios for 3 FP+, including Fantasmic, then EVERYONE would park hop.

This may work for a short period of time, but no way no how it's in the master plan.

The folks saying MB are great, and are holding out on day of FP+ availability on anything but Hall of Presidents, and the ability to park hop for another trio of FP+ are simply refusing to accept that the fact is Disney wants to limit your ride experiences, simply because they have ran out of them, and blew their money on wristbands instead of E tickets.

Like another post said, imagine had Disney just got a contract with the company that patented RFID bands a decade ago for use at Great Wolf Lodge, and then spent a billion dollars on 2 D/E tickets for each park. Universal would still be languishing in the distance. And Star Wars land would already exist (remember, they did have SW rides before they bought it).

Some top executives need to be fired, but they already pillaged their millions from the stockholders, and will live in their mansions as their incredibly stupid idea ruins vacations for years to come.

Our trip to Orlando this year will probably be staying on property at Universal, with one day at the MK, with perhaps a park hop to somewhere else. Although since there are ZERO new rides anywhere, except the kiddie coaster, I have no real need to park hop.

Jason

Tell us how you really feel

 

[doconeill]

FP+ has to communicate, or it completely falls apart. Unless Disney's data shows so few people park-hop. But if people found out that you could hit RD at MK for 3 FP+, then go to Epcot for lunch, and 3 FP+s, then the Studios for 3 FP+, including Fantasmic, then EVERYONE would park hop.

It definitely communicates if you are using MDX...otherwise there would be even more problems.

But it is conceivable that for day-of purposes, they took a shortcut and each park's local system handles day-of stuff independently.

Again, I don't know for sure...I'm just speculating, if the report is even true.

Don't forget that someone found a huge flaw that allowed unlimited FP+ if you did things a certain way - and that's already been shut down.

 

[rastuso]

I don't think they are meaning to say anyone would ever be able to reserve fp+ in more than one park per day. I believe they mean to say you could have your reserved fp+'s in one park, but if you hop have access to more fp+ day-of availabilities.

It makes sense to me, as you hop park to park there would be less and less availability throughout the day from the pre-books and the people who were in that park before you, but you'd still get a shot at whatever may be left, much like the old system.

I'm sure if you want an FP+ day-of for O Canada, Imagibomination, Jungle Cruise, or the carnival coasters at AK, they'll give you one. I still think the anecdotal stories of day of FP+ changes involving E tickets will be just a memory once this is all in full swing.

The numbers haven't changed, as much as the pro FP+ crowd refuse to believe them.

Jason

 

[wisblue]

This could turn out to be one of those loopholes or gaps that have been coming up during this transition phase.

If it's true, it would give a perk to offsite guests with hopper tickets that could offset to some extent the fact that they cannot make FP+ reservations in advance. Like the issues with using old ticket media to pull paper FPs, it might not be worth it for Disney to try to close the loophole (if it exists) because of the relatively small number of guests who would know about it and be in a position to take advantage of it. The biggest potential beneficiaries would be local AP holders, and that could be intentional.

It will be interesting to see if there is anything to this. The most intriguing thing would be if at some point park hoppers would get a crack at whatever is left over when they visit their second parks. During busy times that may not be of much value because there wouldn't be much left, but at low crowd times it would give hoppers the chance to get FPs in both parks.

 

[gwmort]

FP+ has to communicate, or it completely falls apart. Unless Disney's data shows so few people park-hop. But if people found out that you could hit RD at MK for 3 FP+, then go to Epcot for lunch, and 3 FP+s, then the Studios for 3 FP+, including Fantasmic, then EVERYONE would park hop.

I don't think you are grasping the idea of the day-of fp+'s, they are the left overs after everyone prebooked for a couple of months, and then assuming they held back some capacity to have available for day-of, they will go first come first serve to the people in that park.

If you hop around that much you are going to lose a lot of park time in transitions, and by the time you get to the third or fourth park there won't be anything left but Hall of Presidents.

The worst I can see is if you pre-book in the second or third park and try to get to a different park early to grab premium fp+'s there too, but I doubt that would work for more than your first park. I don't really see making the pre-books at MK and trying to get in both TSMM and Soarin the same day too (maybe one or the other if you start in that respective park at RD).

 

[wisblue]

I'm sure if you want an FP+ day-of for O Canada, Imagibomination, Jungle Cruise, or the carnival coasters at AK, they'll give you one. I still think the anecdotal stories of day of FP+ changes involving E tickets will be just a memory once this is all in full swing.

The numbers haven't changed, as much as the pro FP+ crowd refuse to believe them.

Jason

That would make it just like the paper FP system.

At busy times you weren't getting FPs after noon for things like TSMM, RNRC, Soarin or TT.

At AK we have never needed FPs later in the afternoon because the park pretty much empties out.

Same day availability at MK still seems like a real possibility because of the variety of attractions.

The numbers may not have changed, but once you remove the potential for some people to get multiple FPs for the same attraction, more guests will be able to get one. It depends a lot on what the folks who didn't use FP before choose to select, and at MK especially, that may be tough to predict. There are a lot of guests, especially those with small kids in the group, who would prefer the parade, Wishes, a character greeting, or one of the Fantasyland rides to the mountains.

 

[rastuso]

I don't think you are grasping the idea of the day-of fp+'s, they are the left overs after everyone prebooked for a couple of months, and then assuming they held back some capacity to have available for day-of, they will go first come first serve to the people in that park.

If you hop around that much you are going to lose a lot of park time in transitions, and by the time you get to the third or fourth park there won't be anything left but Hall of Presidents.

The worst I can see is if you pre-book in the second or third park and try to get to a different park early to grab premium fp+'s there too, but I doubt that would work for more than your first park. I don't really see making the pre-books at MK and trying to get in both TSMM and Soarin the same day too (maybe one or the other if you start in that respective park at RD).

I don't think you grasp my feeling on FP+. I am well aware of the hopes of everyone getting left over FP+s, and what quality they will be. I don't think, during average and worse times, there will be ANY good FP+ left over, unless Disney intentionally holds them back, and releases them throughout the day for late arrivers buying tickets. But I would really think if Disney did hold them back, they would only hold them back for late arrivers, not park hoppers.

But what you say the worst is exactly what I'm talking about. If anyone can grab GOOD FP+ the day of, everyone will continue to go for those late FP+ in one park, then RD for 3 more good/decent FP+ at another park. I don't think Disney wants that, whether or not their terrible MM+ programmers can control it or not.

And remember, when us FP "abusers" USED to get lots of FP, we were grabbing them all day, and everyone else had a shot. If there is a new group of RD FP+ abusers, they would be gobbling up other people's ONLY chance for good FP+s. Disney would never let that happen for very long.

Jason

Jason

 

[rastuso]

That would make it just like the paper FP system.

At busy times you weren't getting FPs after noon for things like TSMM, RNRC, Soarin or TT.

At AK we have never needed FPs later in the afternoon because the park pretty much empties out.

Same day availability at MK still seems like a real possibility because of the variety of attractions.

The numbers may not have changed, but once you remove the potential for some people to get multiple FPs for the same attraction, more guests will be able to get one. It depends a lot on what the folks who didn't use FP before choose to select, and at MK especially, that may be tough to predict. There are a lot of guests, especially those with small kids in the group, who would prefer the parade, Wishes, a character greeting, or one of the Fantasyland rides to the mountains.

I don't know if I agree with that. Yes, there are plenty of kids there, but I see plenty of kids on the mountains, HM, and they will ALL be in line for the Super Awesome Dwarf Coaster.

Little kids, under 3, never needed FP.

Jason

 

[disneymom1229]

My hopes and wishes for FP+ and park hopping are that if you have your 3 booked for say MK and went and used them and then decided to park hop to Epcot then you should be able to book FP+ day of selections. You would, of course, still be left with what is left over by that time in the day. The catch would be that you would have had to have used the pre-booked ones first and be in a different park. All things that the system should be able to recognize based on your ticket.
This would still encourage people to park hop and not just book all their FP+ for the late afternoon/evening slots.
This is not much different than the old system. If I were to spend the morning at MK and park hopped to HS, I would still probably not get a FP to TSMM. But I might be able to get one for RR or TOT, even if it is a late time.
It seems like a win-win. Rope drop guests who are reserving day of selections still have first crack at availability, but then still feel encouraged to park hop knowing that they may be able to get a FP+ for an attraction in another park. Same with the people who pre-book. And Disney still keeps park hopping an attractive upgrade people will want!

I guess this would be too much to hope for.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

Someone recently told me that she has an inside source and is certain guests with park hoppers will eventually be able to book FP+ at multiple parks, once this stage of "testing" is done. I don't think Disney wants to give up the money they make from park-hopper passes (unless they think there's actually a net gain in reducing unpredictability for staffing levels and reducing transportation services). But, I'm not sure how tiers and park hopping will fit together. Maybe, like someone just suggested, pre-booking at only your first park, but I hope no one expects any FP+ for Soarin or TSMM to be left.

In the end, every possible solution for the most disliked aspects of FP+ comes down to user demand > capacity. More FP+ per day, FP+ at two parks/day, and no tiers? Well, that means even less day-of availability and flexibility, and good luck getting TSMM or Soarin. Increase day-of flexibility and make things better for offsiters by holding back fastpasses for day-of? Well that means less availability a month, week, or day before. Give offsite guests the same pre-booking ability? Again, less availability a month, week, or day before and less day-of flexibility. Legacy fastpass had the same kind of problems, but instead of increasing capacity, Disney has decided to increase the number of users. Oh, I'm sorry, they did increase capacity by making fastpass available for attractions no one ever wanted them for.

 

[gwmort]

But what you say the worst is exactly what I'm talking about. If anyone can grab GOOD FP+ the day of, everyone will continue to go for those late FP+ in one park, then RD for 3 more good/decent FP+ at another park. I don't think Disney wants that, whether or not their terrible MM+ programmers can control it or not.

I don't think how you feel is very difficult to understand.

What I describe as the worst case I don't think is a bad case at all.

If you pre-booked good fp+ at another park, you only have 3 fp+ set aside, you start your day at a different park, you try to get some day-of. there might be some decent ones available if Disney holds some for this purpose, but it won't interfere with all the on-site guests that already got the ones they want. You have to hope that the same day availables include the attraction you want and fall within the time window that will allow you to still hope to the other park for your reserved ones.

You could for instance set your 3 reserved at MK, then walk into Epcot at rope drop and see if you can get soarin, and see if you can get it in the morning. If you're lucky, maybe you do, great, if not maybe there are still some others you can enjoy before you hop over to your afternoon at MK.

If you did the reserved ones at HS or Epcot in the first place the tiering stopped you from getting multiple headliner fp+'s so you aren't clogging those systems, and day-of availability on the other headliners in those parks probably disappeared while you were in a different park trying to max your fp+'s.

I think that sounds like a good system. Get whats most important to you locked down so you don't have to worry about running all over tarnation, then see what comes with your day-of's with a first come first serve system.

 

[donnaf516]

I'm interested in hearing updates on this. As of Right now we are toying with the idea of skipping hoppers this year.

 

[mummabear]

I don't know if I agree with that. Yes, there are plenty of kids there, but I see plenty of kids on the mountains, HM, and they will ALL be in line for the Super Awesome Dwarf Coaster.

Little kids, under 3, never needed FP.

Jason

But their parents do. And as a mom to 3(well any day now) under 4 I can tell you meet and greets will be as high on our list as anything. The line for Merida or Tinkerbell can be as long as the line for anything else and one of the few things I like about FP+ is this addition (now if only they could fix all the awful parts of it!)

 

[Ashlotte]

I'm really looking forward to updates on this! The system now completely limits park hopping so I can't imagine it staying that way.

Exactly. The way the FP+ system is now, it make people less likely to park hop, which means less money for Disney. In fact, I was thinking for our upcoming trip in August, I was going to get single park tickets for the first time ever. Hopefully by August they will have figured this all out.