FP+ Details Are Out!

[mom2rtk]

There have been many, many threads about FP+ and the cellphone/device battery issues
have been discussed in quite a few.

There are to be (already are?) kiosks in the parks that allow guests to access
their FP+ files.

But if you have to sit and charge your phone, won't that keep you from your mission of 9 attractions for the day?

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

Someone mentioned above about IT bugs/issues...I was just checking a couple things for our upcoming trip and wanted to know when Wishes was a certain night during our trip. I had to click through 14 screens to get that information, all because the site kept defaulting to the wrong date.

I had 3 screens on my test.

I went to the website (screen 1) and in the upper right searched for "wishes".

Results were screen 2. I clicked the 3rd choice in the search result "wishes nighttime spectacular". Results were screen 3.

I clicked the calendar on the right hand side and selected August 8 and was told Wishes was at 10 pm.

 

[Robo]

But if you have to sit and charge your phone, won't that keep you from your mission of 9 attractions for the day?

I get your point (of course) but I wasn't talking about the "recharge stations."
I was talking about the interactive kiosks where guests can access their schedules.

 

[mom2rtk]

I get your point (of course) but I wasn't talking about the "recharge stations."
I was talking about the interactive kiosks where guests can access their schedules.

Gotcha. And I had seen the PPs comment about phones dying.

And yes, I'm quite sure I saw a kiosk or 2 in place when we were in the MK just recently. The test hadn't started though, so they weren't in use.

 

[DaisyDew]

I had 3 screens on my test.

I went to the website (screen 1) and in the upper right searched for "wishes".

Results were screen 2. I clicked the 3rd choice in the search result "wishes nighttime spectacular". Results were screen 3.

I clicked the calendar on the right hand side and selected August 8 and was told Wishes was at 10 pm.

Glad it worked for you. It didn't for me. Next time, I'll go to a reliable source.

 

[doconeill]

Glad it worked for you. It didn't for me. Next time, I'll go to a reliable source.

I have often found that you can get a very different experience, depending on how you get there. One way works great, but the other doesn't.

I've seen before where my "cookies" (the things the browser keeps track of to keep your credentials, selections, etc.) get invalidated and you have to enter them again, when you really shouldn't have to.

 

[squirrel4569]

From an IT side (Networking)

1) WiFi accessibility issues (in park), load issues, and overall poor performance from the network. Yes, this IS an IT issue as the network must be designed to handle the intended traffic and cover the areas that it's intended to cover. Since it doesn't, they failed at meeting their need.

2) Internal systems have had major network connectivity issues in the past, from the system "just not working" to data not being properly stored/transferred. This is a combination of Programming and IT issues, depending on the true cause (code/hardware)

3) Web Server infrastructure is very often throwing HTTP errors (500s are common, indicating server connectivity). This is a fail on IT's side like the WiFi, they did not design a powerful enough network to handle their needs. They need better load balancing and server routing/caching hardware/software. Web server performance also falls under this. The web sites for WDW (and other Disney companies) are notoriously slow. They absolutely know they're a very high traffic/demand application, as such, the system must be designed to handle it.

Not IT, but falling under the general umbrella that many call "IT"
4) Web Application functionality is always iffy. Many display bugs (see recent ADR count and ADR time bugs for examples) that simply should never be released. This is either Development or QA fail

4b) Mobile Application functionality is also iffy. Many of the same bugs with the web development side.

5) The MDX site cannot be accessed from Canada. It's supposed to be. This is a huge development/IT fail. The fact that they've let it go on this long is a Product Management fail.

6) There's a loading screen between each page. In 2013. This signifies that the back-end code is too slow for proper loading. This should not happen this day in age (or is it "day and age"...whichever is correct, use that one ). Development (if code-based), PM (if by design), or IT (if hardware-based) fail.

7) Constant failure at loading tables for restaurants before ADRs open up. Depending on where the delay is, this may be a Restaurant Management fail or a Data Entry/IT fail.

8) Software PM (Project/Product Management) and Software Design tending to add extra unnecessary bells and whistles (loading screens, fancy buttons, etc) while removing useful features (ADR date range, streamlined ADR process, etc)

Note that: "Sometimes it's slow" can very likely (depending on where the slowness comes from) be a failure on the part of IT. As described above, it is their job to design and maintain a network that is able to keep up with the server loads the web application demands. If it's an issue in routing to their datacenter(s), that's nothing they can help, but routing and server load issues within their datacenter(s) absolutely is their job.

There's more...but this should be a start.

Note that many people use the term IT loosely to cover all Web/App/Internal Software Development and Hardware needs. I tend to be a little more specific in assigning my blame, but the entire software engineering team as a whole has a ton of issues that present themselves every day.

2-4 & 6/7 are essentially the same issue. It's poor and/or bloated code. Why there is tolerance for it in any line of business is beyond me but I see it everyday. I also work in IT and have for many retail and financial institutions and issues like these listed are very common and it's largely due to poor code.

5 & 8 are poor planning/design as you've said. Making it "pretty" with some of the new coding tools are preferred over it being efficient. Everything is graphical, requiring more bandwidth, etc. The Canadian thing is somewhat bewildering why they haven't gotten that working.

I will say that I've only once had an issue with the website and that was partially due to using Internet Explorer. Accessing the same site at the same time with Firefox, Chrome and Safari resulted in no issues. The MDE app on my iPhone and iPads has worked flawlessly. Once one was released for my Android phone that worked well too.

Wi-Fi connectivity is another issue. Last year at Thanksgiving it was good except at MK, where it was completely useless. Cell signal was good, but the Wi-Fi was definitely lacking at MK. Capacity will need to be increased but I think that's an easy enough fix, just requires time and money. Money they have. Time, notsomuch. If major cities can throw Wi-Fi nets over the whole city then Disney can do it too.

Also, what many outside of IT fail to realize, is that many companies, and I suspect that Disney is one of them, outsource the bulk of their IT work. The Wi-Fi network I can almost guarantee is done by a third party. Their coding is also probably offshored. It's just the way things are done.

There's always room for improvement in the ever changing world of IT.

 

[cnjmom]

Here's my final word...do you think us Disney Planning crazies outnumber regular guests who still won't book FP+? come on - how many of us have seen countless people ignoring the Fast pass stuff or thinking it is extra $$ when it is right in front of their faces.

What makes you think they will go on a computer 60 days before and book their ride times?

I don't think Disney Planning crazies outnumber regular guests, but yet, we still can't get ADRs for some restaurants. And there are a lot more dining options than there are headliner rides...and many like to ride these rides more than once a day.

That is what I am worried about. My family goes to Disney every few years, and when we go, we know how to use the current FP to make it work for us. Because of family circumstances, it's unlikely we will stay onsite, so I worry that getting to ride the headliners will become next to impossible.

 

[magicbob]

I have many of the same concerns as the "pessimists" -- I'm just not FORECASTING that all these concerns WILL be in the final incarnation.

Head, meet sand.

Unless they are REALLY idiots, they HAVE to allow more same day passes like the way it is now - it would just be better electronically. Otherwise that makes no sense for park hopping and would basically make stand by lines be way worse than now since you can definitely use more than 3 a day currently. As long as you can get extra same day passes (they should just keep it the same like now, having a window until you get your next one) then I will love it and will like not having to run around everywhere collecting passes (since I'm the fp runner!).

One of the primary complaints about the current system was that RDers snagged all the FPs before late sleepers got to the park. Under the new system, people will be snagging them beginning 60-70 days prior, so even if they technically offer same day FP+, what do you think the availability will be for the most popular rides?

I've seen posts where people are writing, as fact, that same day FP+ won't be possible for specific rides. You do NOT know that.. it might be or might not be the case. But by posting it as FACT in your post, it makes other people believe it. Specially if you are seen as a senior member of a board with lots of posts under your belt.

Refer back to my Star Trek IV quote a few pages ago.

 

[squirrel4569]

I don't think Disney Planning crazies outnumber regular guests, but yet, we still can't get ADRs for some restaurants. And there are a lot more dining options than there are headliner rides...and many like to ride these rides more than once a day.

Keep in mind when comparing ADRs to FP+ that capacity is vastly different between the two. Restaurants can process far fewer guests per day than rides are capable of.

 

[White Rose]

WHAT???!!!??!?!?!1111!?

I already have a BOG ADR, but my kids LOVE PP! This is the kind of stuff that keeps happening ever since Darth Vader was made a VP and George Lucas sold Disney to Spielberg.

I'm going to Universal.

ExBellhop

adorable!

 

[White Rose]

So how is people posting their concerns about the system the same as making things up?

I have not seen a single thing posted here remotely close to the hyperbolic example you gave regarding BOG and PP.

If you wish I will review every post in this very long thread and find the exact post and it was actually Toy Story Mania ride, and BOG resturant...and they were wondering how to tell their kids that they both can not ride the ride/restaurant they want to ride/visit...When I have more time - I'll look back and find the post if you like. But these types of posts are around.

 

[White Rose]

Keep in mind when comparing ADRs to FP+ that capacity is vastly different between the two. Restaurants can process far fewer guests per day than rides are capable of.

Thank you.

 

[lugnut33]

The funny thing about averages...the average value can actually wind up representing absolutely nobody...

As an extreme example, let's say there are a bunch of easy going, half-day types. They get 5 attractions in, and are happy. Then there are and equal number of the more Robo-level people, who regularly get 13 attractions in. Anything less is not a good day.

The average is nine.

Now, Disney implements restrictions such that it is at least very difficult for anyone to do more than 9-10, because that's what the average was.

Who wins?

The easy-goers don't actually care. Their day is unaffected. And they were already happy.

The Robos, however, lose 3-4 attractions a day. They are not happy.

So what happened to your _average_ guest satisfaction?

And that plays out with the whole guest population, really. Among guests who are currently happy with what they get, half of them aren't going to care about the other half being restricted and still be happy, and the other half will be unhappy.

So, for this "Nine" to have any meaning, they must have at least as many guests who currently get less than nine per day and are being recorded as unhappy, and who at least being given a greater chance at reaching nine will make them happy, than they do who currently get more than that and will be unhappy to be reduced to nine.

At least, if this is all about guest satisfaction.

You have actually hit upon what the number 9 actually means. It is the minimum number of attractions a guest can visit in a day and still be satisfied. For Disney, that number is something they strive for even when the parks are packed because they know that most guests will leave satisfied with their visit.

 

[Shaden]

If you wish I will review every post in this very long thread and find the exact post and it was actually Toy Story Mania ride, and BOG resturant...and they were wondering how to tell their kids that they both can not ride the ride/restaurant they want to ride/visit...When I have more time - I'll look back and find the post if you like. But these types of posts are around.

I think there is some truth to the BOG/TSM issue.

Two reasons I think this is a valid point - it is possible that, depending on availability, you book your BOG (which lets face it, you get one, you are sticking to it), then you try to get your TSM ... but the only one you get conflicts with your BOG ressie, OR, simply conflicts with your park days.
-secondly, on a more general level, there are going to be a lot more of things that can not be done in combination with one another because of the scheduled nature of FP+. Adding an element that must be planned, and has restrictions will cause more conflicts with the already restricting elements at WDW.

Of course, you could solve the first problem with Park Hoppers, but other conflicts don't sound like they are going to be as easily resolved.

And of course some people can't afford the 240 or 300$ extra to add hoppers.

Keep in mind when comparing ADRs to FP+ that capacity is vastly different between the two. Restaurants can process far fewer guests per day than rides are capable of.

While this is certainly true, there is also a much higher expected usage rate/capacity of rides.

 

[mom2rtk]

If you wish I will review every post in this very long thread and find the exact post and it was actually Toy Story Mania ride, and BOG resturant...and they were wondering how to tell their kids that they both can not ride the ride/restaurant they want to ride/visit...When I have more time - I'll look back and find the post if you like. But these types of posts are around.

No need. I recall it.

How is that made up information? It was a hypothetical example of what could happen under this system. ADRs are made at 180 days. Ride reservations at 60. Once you hit the 60 day mark it is too late to go back and change many ADRs (Definitely BOG). So if you can only get TSMM on the same day you have BOG, I can certainly see where that would be very frustrating for someone planning a trip.

 

[mom2rtk]

And of course some people can't afford the 240 or 300$ extra to add hoppers.

...... or don't have the desire to spend so much of their park day going from one park to another. Some love hopping. Others prefer not to spend their potential park time that way. We never park hop. For me it's more about making efficient use of limited park hours in the off season.

 

[Rustyroo]

I can speculate about why they are setting it up as 3 per day in only one park now:

#1 The future possibility of paying to add more per day or additional parks per day

#2 The future possibility of promotions such as "Book Sept 2-30 for an additional 2 FPs per day"

#3 The future possibility of Deluxes getting more FPs than Mods or Values-thereby increasing the incentive to book higher category

Disney and web-based technology does not have a good track record. I can only imagine what it will be like when 30K+ people are surfing MDE trying to book/change FP's in the park and it crashes...the queues for the kiosks will be longer than the ride queues. No more quickly inserting a ticket-no you'll have to navigate several screens to "select" your preferred ride.

The timing of this is such that US and FLE final rollout will bring the guests no matter what-giving a time period for everyone to get "used" to these horrible changes.

I predict we will all be posting about the "good ole days" when you could actually get 5+ FPs in a day.

^ Um, this??

 

[Shaden]

I can speculate about why they are setting it up as 3 per day in only one park now:

#1 The future possibility of paying to add more per day or additional parks per day

#2 The future possibility of promotions such as "Book Sept 2-30 for an additional 2 FPs per day"

#3 The future possibility of Deluxes getting more FPs than Mods or Values-thereby increasing the incentive to book higher category


I predict we will all be posting about the "good ole days" when you could actually get 5+ FPs in a day.

I agree that these are ALL POSSIBLE, but, this is all total speculation, and nothing more.

And I am still not sure about the last point, getting conflicting reports about same day FPs in addition to your pre-booked. But, time will tell, but I also think its fair to say, that if we are truly limited to 3 per day, and no same day, I, and many others, will not be happy.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

Yes. Pretty sure that could happen a lot depending on the time of year.

Since we used to travel only in the "off-season" when the kids were young, we've had many times when we were going to grab a fastpass but jumped in a stand-by line instead because it was unexpectedly short.

We generally plan one fastpass to grab at RD for each day, then make decisions on the rest based on weather, the kids, and unpredictable crowds. We've been on a freezing day in January (40 degrees!!), when basically no one rode Splash Mountain all day and the park was practically empty after dark. Later the same week, it was 80+ degrees and sunny. I'm glad I could decide at the last minute which day to get a fastpass for Splash Mountain, and which day to let the kids fastpass Peter Pan and Winnie the Pooh all day long.

I agree with the comments that ADRs are simply different in terms of guest expectations. I see ADRs as something that enhance the Disney experience for some people but are not essential for most people. They are very different than major attractions that are included in an already-purchased very expensive theme park ticket. I think most people have a least heard of the concept of hard to get dinner reservations and aren't very surprised that Disney's most popular restaurants are that way. It will be interesting to see how FP+ is promoted in terms of creating expectations both for early reserving and last minute changes, how much guests are prompted to make their selections before their trip, and how it will play out in reality. I'm a little nervous about our first spring break trip next April. Maybe I'll scrap that and plan a cruise instead. Much less stress.