FP+ Details Are Out!

[g-dad66]

Going back to the original wdwmagic.com link, I don't understand this item:

•AP holders will have the same FASTPASS+ rules as resort guests, with 60 days out reservations, for one park only per day, and three selections per day.


If FP+ is tied to tickets, I'm presuming that you will only be allowed to select FP+ for as many days as you have tickets for. In other words, if my ticket is a 7-day ticket, I can select FP+ for any 7 days (during the next 60 days), but no more than 7 days.

Since an AP holder can potentially use his/her ticket every day, can he/she reserve FP+ for ALL of the next 60 days (if he/she wants to take the time to do that)? And then tomorrow, he/she could reserve FP+ for the day that is currently day #61, then the following day, do the same for the current day #62, etc.??

I must be missing something here, and will appreciate any help for my poor befuddled brain.

 

[doconeill]

But to someone who lives in Orlando, it could very well be a decent option. Carry two APs, one to your home, and one to a PO Box or friends address. Yes, you'll have to leave and re-enter, but that doesn't trigger anything bad... YET.

Disney wouldn't want this to happen. Although now that I think about it, rich people can easily buy multiple tickets for FPx2 or 3. Again, what are E-ticket FPs worth? if you can get 5 for $100 now, that's a pretty simple decision for many well to do visitors. We paid about $2 for them in the 70s, and we weren't well off. With 3 FP+, daily tickets would cost about $30 an E-ticket, but an extra AP if you visit every week would make a whole lotta sense. wonder if Disney would close that loophole, or just let it be. They could eventually catch you, if they checked the logs close enough.

I've heard of folks getting Universal rooms purely for FOTL access, and would assume it's done A LOT for large families. One night gives you two days of FOTL for your family, and can easily be less than buying the in park Express tickets, and those are one per ride, not one per whenever you want.

Jason

Hmm..."Hey Dave, have you noticed that everyone in this linked family has the same exact biometric code? ..."

 

[mom2rtk]

But to someone who lives in Orlando, it could very well be a decent option. Carry two APs, one to your home, and one to a PO Box or friends address. Yes, you'll have to leave and re-enter, but that doesn't trigger anything bad... YET.

Disney wouldn't want this to happen. Although now that I think about it, rich people can easily buy multiple tickets for FPx2 or 3. Again, what are E-ticket FPs worth? if you can get 5 for $100 now, that's a pretty simple decision for many well to do visitors. We paid about $2 for them in the 70s, and we weren't well off. With 3 FP+, daily tickets would cost about $30 an E-ticket, but an extra AP if you visit every week would make a whole lotta sense. wonder if Disney would close that loophole, or just let it be. They could eventually catch you, if they checked the logs close enough.

I've heard of folks getting Universal rooms purely for FOTL access, and would assume it's done A LOT for large families. One night gives you two days of FOTL for your family, and can easily be less than buying the in park Express tickets, and those are one per ride, not one per whenever you want.

Jason

I actually don't know why Disney would CARE about someone buying double of their product. If I was selling tickets and could come up with a way to sell doubles to everyone, I'd be thrilled. So I imagine they would look the other way.

And if Universal can sell a room that never gets slept in because of the FOTL benefit, I doubt they care either. They are selling their product.

 

[mom2rtk]

Since an AP holder can potentially use his/her ticket every day, can he/she reserve FP+ for ALL of the next 60 days (if he/she wants to take the time to do that)? And then tomorrow, he/she could reserve FP+ for the day that is currently day #61, then the following day, do the same for the current day #62, etc.??

I must be missing something here, and will appreciate any help for my poor befuddled brain.

It would seem so. I'm sure Disney assumes people won't go to this length, but I'm quite sure many will. I wonder how long before they figure out they need to do something about it. Sort of like the people who booked ADRs in every park, for every meal, for every day of their trip.

At least when we go we'll have the 10 day advantage over the APs since we stay onsite. Because I think once inside the 60 days with complete unfettered AP access....... well, it's going to be interesting.

 

[doconeill]

Hmm...browser won't quote now, but g-dad66's post:

Going back to the original wdwmagic.com link, I don't understand this item:

•AP holders will have the same FASTPASS+ rules as resort guests, with 60 days out reservations, for one park only per day, and three selections per day.


If FP+ is tied to tickets, I'm presuming that you will only be allowed to select FP+ for as many days as you have tickets for. In other words, if my ticket is a 7-day ticket, I can select FP+ for any 7 days (during the next 60 days), but no more than 7 days.

Since an AP holder can potentially use his/her ticket every day, can he/she reserve FP+ for ALL of the next 60 days (if he/she wants to take the time to do that)? And then tomorrow, he/she could reserve FP+ for the day that is currently day #61, then the following day, do the same for the current day #62, etc.??

I must be missing something here, and will appreciate any help for my poor befuddled brain.

They haven't really said how AP holders will be handled. There was that wacky rumor from a person-who-shall-not-be-named that said AP holders would be allowed 20 days of FP+ per quarter, but there is very little stock in that.

They could very well allow AP holders to book every day. But if there is abuse (i.e. booking every day and never showing up), they could place limits on those particular abusers if they wanted.

I doubt too many AP holders would want to get up at the crack of dawn each day just to take a bunch of e-tickets out of the system "for fun"...

 

[Disney_Princess83]

Exactly. I wonder what will happen if we just have an AP voucher? We be purchased our AP online, it could be months before we activate it at the park. Does that possibly mean we won't be able to prebook FP's?

Hmm...browser won't quote now, but g-dad66's post:

They haven't really said how AP holders will be handled. There was that wacky rumor from a person-who-shall-not-be-named that said AP holders would be allowed 20 days of FP+ per quarter, but there is very little stock in that.

They could very well allow AP holders to book every day. But if there is abuse (i.e. booking every day and never showing up), they could place limits on those particular abusers if they wanted.

I doubt too many AP holders would want to get up at the crack of dawn each day just to take a bunch of e-tickets out of the system "for fun"...

 

[mom2rtk]

I doubt too many AP holders would want to get up at the crack of dawn each day just to take a bunch of e-tickets out of the system "for fun"...

Probably not. But they could do it on a break from work later that morning. And they probably won't want to do that every day. But if they're thinking about visiting the parks in December, maybe just book all the rides they want for all the days they might possibly decide to make their visit.

I mean, nobody would have thought people would book ADRs for every meal in every park every day of their trip. It sounds like too much hassle. But apparently it was enough of a problem that Disney had to address it.

 

[DebbieB]

I'm shocked that the "Resort guests can reserve 10 days before everyone else" isn't getting more discussion.

THAT'S HUGE!!!!!!!!!

So, FP+ is absolutely being monetized. IT is essentially making Everest and Toy Story "Resort Only" rides. There are 25000 resort rooms, holding about 75,000 guests, holding 225,000 FP+s. Everyone else better be enjoying Country Bears and Hall of Presidents.

Is this truly from Disney? This makes FP+ nothing but a money grab.

Also, I have still yet to see anything from Disney saying current ticket holders, or non-resort guests will be able to use the new system for FP+ in advance. They absolutely say you can use the app, but anyone can do that. Everything Disney says is read by a hundred lawyers. There is a reason this hasn't been explicitly said.

But the 10 day thing...WOW! Good thing Universal is building a new E-Ticket damn near every year!

Jason

I don't understand why this is shocking. Of course Disney is going to give extra benefits to people who spend hundreds if not thousands staying at their resorts. I'd be shocked if they didn't. Supposidly this cost a billion dollars (which I can't believe), they have to recoup the money. Everything Disney does is to make money and maximize profits. If they wanted to "money grab", they would charge for early access or even to use it at all.

 

[Senor_Jorge]

I'm withholding judgement, until we've seen broader deployment than the limited tests have used.

One scenario I've considered, and experienced in the past. Wife loves TSM, so we are there for RD at least twice per visit. Having spent 12 yrs. in the army, under a heavy pack and on jump status I'm not thrilled about racing the leaders of multiple Large Tour Groups to pull passes The mind and spirit are willing but the lower back and knees protest too much!

The proposed system, as I understand it, would give me the ability to take a look 60 days out to see if a given day was already at capacity and save us the trip and make other plans.

The new system comes with restrictions and options. I recognize that it can't be all things to all people. I'll just wait and see, and that includes making a DVC purchase which we'd been actively persuing last fall.

 

[g-dad66]

It would seem so. I'm sure Disney assumes people won't go to this length, but I'm quite sure many will.

They could very well allow AP holders to book every day. But if there is abuse (i.e. booking every day and never showing up), they could place limits on those particular abusers if they wanted.

Thanks for reassuring me that my thinking wasn't totally messed up.

You know, if I were a local AP holder, I just might make a TSM FP+ reservation (and maybe a Soarin FP+ reservation) for every possible day that I might decide on a whim to go to WDW within the next 60 days....

I really think those are the only two rides for which a reasonably prompt FP+ reservation may turn out to be vital.

 

[rastuso]

Probably not. But they could do it on a break from work later that morning. And they probably won't want to do that every day. But if they're thinking about visiting the parks in December, maybe just book all the rides they want for all the days they might possibly decide to make their visit.

I mean, nobody would have thought people would book ADRs for every meal in every park every day of their trip. It sounds like too much hassle. But apparently it was enough of a problem that Disney had to address it.

You would think they'd expect this. ESPECIALLY on Fri and Sat night, and holidays. But, my guess is they won't, and Christmas this year will be a fiasco, then next year they'll impose caps for active FP+ reservations on each AP.

Jason

 

[KatieCharlotte]

I am strongly opposed (not that that matters) to offsite people being shut out of the most popular rides and it's not only because we often stay offsite. Onsite people already get a lot of extras including that "magic" that so many people go on about. Offsite visitors spend a lot on passes and the idea of them not being allowed equal access to the big rides is just a bit too much IMO.

I agree that Disney has likely done their research and would be satisfied if this approach led to more onsite visitors. (Do they need more?) I just picture people who can't afford onsite or have larger families or locals or whoever standing in two hour lines just for the privilege of riding TSM or Soarin'.

We'll have to see if the 10-day aspect completely shuts out the off-site guests from getting FP to certain rides, but I will not be happy if it does. This may mean we stop going to Disney because it is a magic-killer for me. Yes, other theme parks charge for front-of-the-line passes or give them to resort guests but I like to keep the illusion that Disney is different. I don't get choked up and start crying when I enter other amusement parks.
I'd love to stay on-site but it's not affordable. Because we have three children, if we don't want the youngest in a small trundle in Port Orleans Riverside, we must book an expensive suite in the newest budget level resort or get two rooms. This would be at least double the cost of a three-bedroom condo with a kitchen.

One major question I have is how this will affect stand-by lines, especially in the hour or two after rope-drop. I don't need a FP to TSM if I can still walk right through the line by arriving well before the park opens. OTOH, I'm not sure how to manage both Soarin' and Test Track without fastpasses. Even if I can get a FP+, I will miss the tradition of walking the kids to Test Track while dh walks speedily to Soarin for fastpasses and then meets us at Test Track as we enter the stand-by line.

 

[doconeill]

I mean, nobody would have thought people would book ADRs for every meal in every park every day of their trip. It sounds like too much hassle. But apparently it was enough of a problem that Disney had to address it.

But they did. And they've already partly addressed it with FP+ - one park, no duplicates.

In addition, AP holders are the only ones capable of reasonable abuse - and unlike ADRs (where anyone could call up and book with little information provided, until the credit card holds), it's right in the system what they are doing so it is easy to track.

And AP holders might want to keep hold of those APs...Disney could always revoke them as a last resort...

 

[mom2rtk]

But they did. And they've already partly addressed it with FP+ - one park, no duplicates.

In addition, AP holders are the only ones capable of reasonable abuse - and unlike ADRs (where anyone could call up and book with little information provided, until the credit card holds), it's right in the system what they are doing so it is easy to track.

And AP holders might want to keep hold of those APs...Disney could always revoke them as a last resort...

And like a big game of "whack-a-mole" the abuse will pop up in another way. (By maximizing another area where people think they can find an advantage). Unfortunately it takes a big ship like Disney a while to right its course, and it could be a while before it's all put in the proper balance.

I just don't want my vacation to happen during that time where Disney allows AP holders to book TSMM every day 60 days out leaving nothing for me. Even if they do figure it out and fix it eventually.

 

[doconeill]

And like a big game of "whack-a-mole" the abuse will pop up in another way. (By maximizing another area where people think they can find an advantage). Unfortunately it takes a big ship like Disney a while to right its course, and it could be a while before it's all put in the proper balance.

I just don't want my vacation to happen during that time where Disney allows AP holders to book TSMM every day 60 days out leaving nothing for me. Even if they do figure it out and fix it eventually.

It remains to be seen if it is broken to begin with

 

[ohtomi]

I don't post much but in reading about the new FP+ one thing I wonder about is how will we be able to tour the parks with others not staying with us. We are going to meet up with 3 to 4 different groups of friends on our next trip. One set of 3 will be staying off site, 2 different friends live in the area, one has an AP the other was just going to get a single day pass and another group is unsure if they are able to go until they get their work schedules. With this new system we will be unable to get fastpasses for all of us to ride together and that would really mess with our plans to enjoy our time together.

I can see a huge mess for anyone who isn't the "typical" guest staying on site and heaven forbid you associate with anyone not staying on site.(said tongue in cheek)

Another thought, if the comment is made just register everyone on one person's account how would that work for the locals, with AP passes, who want to go at a different time when we aren't there. Will they then be able to register for their own fast passes to use or will the system say "oops, already registered, sorry!"?

Way too many variables to see an easy solution.

 

[mom2rtk]

It remains to be seen if it is broken to begin with

Agreed.

 

[Shaden]

I don't post much but in reading about the new FP+ one thing I wonder about is how will we be able to tour the parks with others not staying with us. We are going to meet up with 3 to 4 different groups of friends on our next trip. One set of 3 will be staying off site, 2 different friends live in the area, one has an AP the other was just going to get a single day pass and another group is unsure if they are able to go until they get their work schedules. With this new system we will be unable to get fastpasses for all of us to ride together and that would really mess with our plans to enjoy our time together.

I can see a huge mess for anyone who isn't the "typical" guest staying on site and heaven forbid you associate with anyone not staying on site.(said tongue in cheek)

Another thought, if the comment is made just register everyone on one person's account how would that work for the locals, with AP passes, who want to go at a different time when we aren't there. Will they then be able to register for their own fast passes to use or will the system say "oops, already registered, sorry!"?

Way too many variables to see an easy solution.

Good question, this will be the case with us as well, we will likely be going with 2 other families possibly 3 other families for our next trip.

How in the hell do you coordinate this ? They might not want to do ALL the same FPs as us, heck some of their kids might not be able to ride all the rides that everyone else can ...

I can just see the email chains now, back and forth and all over the fricken place. This is just going to be stupid.

 

[kenny]

I agree with you that the system was GREAT for me. But I do understand that it didn't work for everybody. A family that can't make RD gets severely hampered as by the time they get to the park the FP times are way out until the middle of the day. Yet they pay the same price.

IMHO, Disney's enforcing the expiration date of FP is the first step in a multi step process. The second step is to allow customers to get good FP tickets with FP+ without having to actually go to the machines at the ride site. I believe that Disney will allow people to choose one FP system or the other for at least a couple of years. The advantages for Disney is that then when people come to the park later in the day, they will be assured of getting to ride on some popular rides.

Next step will be for Disney to limit FP tickets that can be pulled by person by day. Disney might even adjust the limit based upon the times of the year.

Who wins/loses.

Winners - Those who can't make it to RD will be able to get FP+ tickets

Losers - The RDers. Already there is less incentive for them to pull FP tickets because the have expiration dates. They will be further disadvantaged when Disney puts a hard limit that can be pulled.

What Disney gets - It will free up more tickets for the best rides at the end of the day for conventions that end at 4pm.

Overall impact to DISers - Not a whole lot. There will be less incentive to make RD as you will be able to order your FP+ tickets online. That would make the RD marginally less crowded and more time for customers to enjoy it. They just won't be pulling FP tickets all day long to just use them at the end of the day. Capacity is not changing, demand might slightly increase with more coming in at the end of the day. And some FP tickets get allocated from the RDers to people who arrive late.

I disagree that rope droppers will be losers. How is that the case? Today a rope dropper would go to the park and get FP's for later in the day. With FP+. You just book your FP online for later in the day. Supposedly you will have choice of times which is better than now where it tells you when and only when you can return I know there are times when I don't think i will be near that ride at the FP return time so I pass it up

I am not a rope dropper but don't see it as a disadvantage

We get to the park late. Or inks say between 10-11. I think it has a. Disadvantage to people like. Yes it will help Irish TSM. But otherwise while we would get 3 fp's. for later the standby lines are usually longer and if they don't give notion of getting more in park passes you would be waiting on lines for every ride except 3. Getting tithe parks now attain time we can generally get more than 3 fp's at mk

Also not a fan of having to plan not only what park to visit what day but what time to ride a ride. 60 days out. Aside from 1st and last days we never know what park we are doing until the night before. Kind of play it by ear. Can no longer do this. Also having gone many times we don't tour by plan or do every ride in one land then move to next. We go on what we want hen we want even if it means trekking back and forth. Again we go by what we want at that moment. Now we need to know 60 days out which land do we want to hit when

Takes all the spontaneity out of trips

I know you can alter plans but have a feeling if you alter plans the day before good luck getting any good FP rides. No way of changing to HS or Epcot and getting TSM or soarin

FP+. Also takes away the park hopper in that all fp's need to be in one park. So you can't get fp's at one of the parks. Again that is a disadvantage to what people can do today.

So far not a big fan but will wait and see what they do. If they provide 3 planned fp's and additional in park passes that would be ok. 3 only off the entire day, not a fan

 

[HelenParr]

I don't post much but in reading about the new FP+ one thing I wonder about is how will we be able to tour the parks with others not staying with us. We are going to meet up with 3 to 4 different groups of friends on our next trip. One set of 3 will be staying off site, 2 different friends live in the area, one has an AP the other was just going to get a single day pass and another group is unsure if they are able to go until they get their work schedules. With this new system we will be unable to get fastpasses for all of us to ride together and that would really mess with our plans to enjoy our time together.

In the case described, you will tour together with fewer FPs...as will most folks who now rely on FP.