FP+ Details Are Out!

[DisneyFreaks]

My 2 cents...The thread title should be changed or the thread closed since the details are NOT out.

I totally agree!

 

[WillAustin]

My 2 cents...The thread title should be changed or the thread closed since the details are NOT out.

FastPass+ Page in My Disney Experience

and

FastPass+ FAQ

Directly from Disney.

A number of details are out. Not necessarily all, but quite a bit of them, and definitely a lot more than when the thread was started.

 

[Lindy Loo]

Friends of ours in mk today. They text back to the uk to say they got 6 fp tickets today and only did rides with fps due to heat and kids etc. Sb queues too long. .. 40 min plus. Rest of time they ate and shopped. Without fps or with only three pre booked ones they said they would not do disney as they would not feel it gave value for money
Yesterday their kids loved everest the fp it three times! !!
Hoping our aug trip will still be the "old way " !!!

 

[magicbob]

You know something that so many people are overlooking when they say they are going to be okay with this new fastpass system is how it is going to affect the other rides that never used to need fastpasses. I can see the possibility that because people can't get FP's for the rides they want (which will happen for the more popular rides) they will opt for them for other rides, which will make the FP line at say for example Pirates much longer than it has ever been. This will then result in the standby line taking forever as they let FP holders through at a greater rate.

I am also really concerned how they keep saying that guests can get a set of FP's and there is the possibility that you won't be able to make your 3 or 4 choices from say the headliners pool instead you might only be able to choose 1 biggie like Big Thunder and then 3 others for lesser rides. I would want 4 FP's for whatever I want, Big Thunder, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain & Buzz not one for Big Thunder, then one for Its A Small World, Liberty Belle & Teacups. Gee I wish they had of left things the way they were.

That aspect hasn't been overlooked by everyone. Some of us have been shouting this from the rooftops for months.

 

[larryz]

The way I understand english, up to 4 means you can reserve 4. You do not have to reserve 4 but you are guaranteed 4 (based on availability, your mileage may vary , etc.)

"Up to four" means if there are four available, you can reserve up to that many. No guarantee, with the 60-day-out reserved FP+s that there will BE four available when you get to the parks.

But like others have said, if there ARE four available, they'll likely include such popular attractions as HoP, CoP, TTA, that big stone globe on the plaza in Tomorrowland, and, of course, Stitch's Great Escape.

No one has mentioned this one yet:

Q. Will FastPass+ service make the attraction standby lines longer?

A. We do not anticipate that the attraction standby queues will be any longer than they were before FastPass+ service. ...

In other words, we don't know.

Really? See post #1678. I had a slightly different conclusion.

 

[vinotinto]

We are one of the two people being referred to here... We arrive on the 23rd and will jump right into it that afternoon. We will be happy to post what we find. So many people have contributed useful information to us over the years. We are excited to be able to repay the favor.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoard

I'll be looking forward to your report!

 

[d1gitman]

Friends of ours in mk today. They text back to the uk to say they got 6 fp tickets today and only did rides with fps due to heat and kids etc. Sb queues too long. .. 40 min plus. Rest of time they ate and shopped. Without fps or with only three pre booked ones they said they would not do disney as they would not feel it gave value for money
Yesterday their kids loved everest the fp it three times! !!
Hoping our aug trip will still be the "old way " !!!

for me , the + part of the 40 min wait would be the key. for us 40min is not a terribly long time to wait for many of the attractions, particularly if it's not slow season. the heat, well, not even Disney can control that.

 

[vinotinto]

I had sent an email to guest experiences. My main concern is for those of us that have not purchased a package - but rather have a room-only reservation, will we have access to FP+ in advance through our room only reservation?

The answer is no - we would need to have a ticket purchased by that time to access FP+ in advance. So, if you are planning to purchase tickets onsite/on arrival, it seems you will not be eligible for FP+ advance planning. Direct quote: At this time, tickets are required to select FASTPASS+ options prior to arrival.

I know this was well-known and shown in multiple FAQs, but I wanted to confirm. So, if you are interested in FP+ and don't have a package, you will have to purchase tickets in advance and link them in MDE.

But, I was most interested in the flip scenario. Can I stay at a WDW and still have access to the old system, specifically when we visit in January 2014? The answer is yes, at least for now:

Dear Ms. Vinotinto,

Thank you for your reply.

At this time, there are no plans to discontinue our current FastPass
System. Therefore, you can plan on using it in January 2014.
Ms. Vinotinto, thank you again for your comments. I hope this is helpful.

So, it seems the two FP systems will be happening simultaneously, at least for the next 6-7 months. Assuming they continue rolling this out, for those of us that do not have a package, we will have to decide whether to purchase tickets in advance in order to be "eligible" or to not link tickets and keep using the old FP system. I am very interested in the reports of those testing FP+ in the next few months and those using the old FP system. What will be most interesting will be to see how FP+ and FP - availability is affected as the number of FP+ users increase.

My personal bias is that right now, the old FP system works better for us. We can always beat 3 FPs especially since my DS likes riding his favorite attractions multiple times. We also go to Disney roughly once per year, so if we don't ride an favorite attraction multiple times, we won't get to ride again until the next year or so.

 

[Robo]

So, it seems the two FP systems will be happening simultaneously, at least for the next 6-7 months. Assuming they continue rolling this out, for those of us that do not have a package, we will have to decide whether to purchase tickets in advance in order to be "eligible" or to not link tickets and keep using the old FP system. I am very interested in the reports of those testing FP+ in the next few months and those using the old FP system. What will be most interesting will be to see how FP+ and FP - availability is affected as the number of FP+ users increase.

My personal bias is that right now, the old FP system works better for us. We can always beat 3 FPs especially since my DS likes riding his favorite attractions multiple times. We also go to Disney roughly once per year, so if we don't ride an favorite attraction multiple times, we won't get to ride again until the next year or so.

BUT-

What will the "current" FP system LOOK LIKE after they have been offering FP+ reservations for up to 60 days in advance?

If the current FP's for TSM run out at 11-11:50AM now, when will they run out after FP+ is in operation?
If the current FP's for Soarin' run out at 12-1:50PM now, when will they run out after FP+ is in operation?
If the current FP's for Safari run out at 12-1:50PM now, when will they run out after FP+ is in operation?

 

[mom2rtk]

I had sent an email to guest experiences. My main concern is for those of us that have not purchased a package - but rather have a room-only reservation, will we have access to FP+ in advance through our room only reservation?

The answer is no - we would need to have a ticket purchased by that time to access FP+ in advance. So, if you are planning to purchase tickets onsite/on arrival, it seems you will not be eligible for FP+ advance planning. Direct quote: At this time, tickets are required to select FASTPASS+ options prior to arrival.

I know this was well-known and shown in multiple FAQs, but I wanted to confirm. So, if you are interested in FP+ and don't have a package, you will have to purchase tickets in advance and link them in MDE.

But, I was most interested in the flip scenario. Can I stay at a WDW and still have access to the old system, specifically when we visit in January 2014? The answer is yes, at least for now:

Dear Ms. Vinotinto,

Thank you for your reply.

At this time, there are no plans to discontinue our current FastPass
System. Therefore, you can plan on using it in January 2014.
Ms. Vinotinto, thank you again for your comments. I hope this is helpful.

So, it seems the two FP systems will be happening simultaneously, at least for the next 6-7 months. Assuming they continue rolling this out, for those of us that do not have a package, we will have to decide whether to purchase tickets in advance in order to be "eligible" or to not link tickets and keep using the old FP system. I am very interested in the reports of those testing FP+ in the next few months and those using the old FP system. What will be most interesting will be to see how FP+ and FP - availability is affected as the number of FP+ users increase.

My personal bias is that right now, the old FP system works better for us. We can always beat 3 FPs especially since my DS likes riding his favorite attractions multiple times. We also go to Disney roughly once per year, so if we don't ride an favorite attraction multiple times, we won't get to ride again until the next year or so.

I'm really not surprised by any of that. I think they will roll this out over a period of time, and I'd be surprised to see it done by January. And until it's done rolling out, FP- has to be available.

Of course, as you know, FP- is only as good as what is left in the system after the ones with access to FP+ prebook. And there's no way of knowing how that will go.

But I do agree with the PP who said they just won't allow guests with FP+ to feel like the ones without it have a better deal. So I expect them to highly skew the odds in favor of the ones with FP+ access. They need people out singing its praises. Not bemoaning the fact that the people on the old system have a better deal.

 

[mom2rtk]

BUT-

What will the "current" FP system LOOK LIKE after they have been offering FP+ reservations for up to 60 days in advance?

..........always with the details? Sheesh, let up already.

 

[Shaden]

But, I was most interested in the flip scenario. Can I stay at a WDW and still have access to the old system, specifically when we visit in January 2014? The answer is yes, at least for now:

Dear Ms. Vinotinto,

Thank you for your reply.

At this time, there are no plans to discontinue our current FastPass
System. Therefore, you can plan on using it in January 2014.
Ms. Vinotinto, thank you again for your comments. I hope this is helpful.

So, it seems the two FP systems will be happening simultaneously, at least for the next 6-7 months. Assuming they continue rolling this out, for those of us that do not have a package, we will have to decide whether to purchase tickets in advance in order to be "eligible" or to not link tickets and keep using the old FP system. I am very interested in the reports of those testing FP+ in the next few months and those using the old FP system. What will be most interesting will be to see how FP+ and FP - availability is affected as the number of FP+ users increase.

.

Verrrrrry interesting, I share some the PP concerns, what will be left, is this just part of the roll out phase, etc.

I do think its interesting though, brings us right back to theory crafting about how this would function with FP+ still running ...

Which ultimately brings us back to not having a clue how this is going to roll out, and what its going to look like by 2014.

Gee, can't wait to make my May Reservation and give Disney a few thousand dollars for my "Mystery Vacation 2014", I will know where it is, just not WHAT its going to be like ! *please detect sarcasm*

 

[mom2rtk]

Gee, can't wait to make my May Reservation and give Disney a few thousand dollars for my "Mystery Vacation 2014", I will know where it is, just not WHAT its going to be like ! *please detect sarcasm*

You mean you don't want what's behind door #1? Maybe you want what is under the box being shown by the lovely Carol Merrill?

 

[fabulousfive]

So all this popped up on my reservations too. When can I start booking fast pass plus? 60 days before our trip? I don't feel like messing with it all now, but don't want to miss out.

 

[doggydoc]

BUT-

What will the "current" FP system LOOK LIKE after they have been offering FP+ reservations for up to 60 days in advance?

If the current FP's for TSM run out at 11-11:50AM now, when will they run out after FP+ is in operation?
If the current FP's for Soarin' run out at 12-1:50PM now, when will they run out after FP+ is in operation?
If the current FP's for Safari run out at 12-1:50PM now, when will they run out after FP+ is in operation?

Probably about the same time just 30-60 days earlier.

 

[wilkeliza]

So all this popped up on my reservations too. When can I start booking fast pass plus? 60 days before our trip? I don't feel like messing with it all now, but don't want to miss out.

You may not be able to book but keep checking back. I spoke with a guest relations CM when it popped up on my but wouldn't let me do anything. He said the system is being updated so that it will be used as "live" for all the upcoming tests (previously you were sent a link that you went to that took you to the website through a direct approach) so that guests offered to test can just log into their MDE to make selections. So as of right now it should just give you information about FP+ but not let you book unless you are apart of a test.

 

[Shaden]

You mean you don't want what's behind door #1? Maybe you want what is under the box being shown by the lovely Carol Merrill?

I like the girl on the new Lets make a deal ....

 

[COsarah]

I am planning my very first trip to WDW, please excuse my lack of knowledge. I am studying up as fast as I can and I get the impression this is an odd time with the new technology. We are traveling 1/5/14.

Assuming it is all live by then: If FP+ reservations can be made 60 days out but I don't pay off my balance on my trip until 45 days before my trip then I am assuming I won't have my ticket yet to make FP+ reservations. In MDE I can see where I link my ticket info in when I get it. Should I pay off vacation package total earlier so that I can make FP+ reservations or wait until the 45 day limit in case of special offer discounts???

As always thank you for your expertise, I would be lost without these boards.

 

[wilkeliza]

I am planning my very first trip to WDW, please excuse my lack of knowledge. I am studying up as fast as I can and I get the impression this is an odd time with the new technology. We are traveling 1/5/14.

Assuming it is all live by then: If FP+ reservations can be made 60 days out but I don't pay off my balance on my trip until 45 days before my trip then I am assuming I won't have my ticket yet to make FP+ reservations. In MDE I can see where I link my ticket info in when I get it. Should I pay off vacation package total earlier so that I can make FP+ reservations or wait until the 45 day limit in case of special offer discounts???

As always thank you for your expertise, I would be lost without these boards.

If you bought the package through Disney the tickets should be linked to your registration already. No one is sure if your package has to be paid off to book because Disney is clear it will be linked to tickets not to hotel stays etc.

No one really knows for sure what the rules will be when it rolls out.

 

[magicbob]

What will be most interesting will be to see how FP+ and FP - availability is affected as the number of FP+ users increase.

My personal bias is that right now, the old FP system works better for us. We can always beat 3 FPs especially since my DS likes riding his favorite attractions multiple times.

FP- availability will go down as FP+ users increase.

BUT-

What will the "current" FP system LOOK LIKE after they have been offering FP+ reservations for up to 60 days in advance?

If the current FP's for TSM run out at 11-11:50AM now, when will they run out after FP+ is in operation?
If the current FP's for Soarin' run out at 12-1:50PM now, when will they run out after FP+ is in operation?
If the current FP's for Safari run out at 12-1:50PM now, when will they run out after FP+ is in operation?

Exactly.

Of course, as you know, FP- is only as good as what is left in the system after the ones with access to FP+ prebook.

As FP+ is rolled out and fully implemented, I don't see any way there will be much (if any) FP- availability for popular rides. As Robo illustrated, those FPs already run out quickly, but under FP+, people will be able to get them 60 days early while sitting in their pajamas at the computer instead of having to make it to a park at RD and hike around to the various FP kiosks every 1-2 hours.

Probably about the same time just 30-60 days earlier.

I'm standing by my prediction that, once FP+ is fully implemented, popular rides will be "sold out" at day 59 (if not day 60).