FP+ Details Are Out!

[lugnut33]

So this means when we go in November, at which time we planned on activating our annual passes, we won't have access to any fast passes except in the old system.

 

[magicbob]

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.

Two words... Standby line.

 

[mom2rtk]

Two words... Standby line.

Or you split up.

We toured with friends back in December when they were part of the test and we were not. Giving part of the group easier ride access is just too tempting sometimes. It didn't make for the day we had planned so long for.

 

[Minnie824]

Is this going to be optional or mandatory in the future? Do we know if the regular way of getting FPs will still exist? Also, I really think the idea of one park is ridiculous...we love to park hop and they sell the park hopper option, so this would defeat that purpose.

 

[doconeill]

So this means when we go in November, at which time we planned on activating our annual passes, we won't have access to any fast passes except in the old system.

Do you have your vouchers? If so, those will likely be good enough to get started.

If you don't, you'll probably be able to call up and get the IDs.

Still to be seen.

 

[doconeill]

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.

The system allows you to link profiles with friends, and then be able to book FP+, ADRs, etc on their behalf. Still to be seen if you can do it for one FP+ a day, or it has to be all 3. But it appears that even if you have to book all three, they can then change their own individually. How it all works it in the end I'm not sure...linking the accounts seems to be a bit of a problem, as I can't even see the ADRs my wife has made...even though I'm on them.

I'm also not sure how it would work for "managed" guests - like children of a linked friend.

 

[doconeill]

Is this going to be optional or mandatory in the future? Do we know if the regular way of getting FPs will still exist? Also, I really think the idea of one park is ridiculous...we love to park hop and they sell the park hopper option, so this would defeat that purpose.

One of the most frequently asked questions...

As of right now, it is believed that the existing FP system will cease to exist shortly after rollout of FP+ is completed.

Whether there is an equivalent system that works like FP did as part of FP+ remains to be seen, but so far there has been no evidence of it.

 

[ohtomi]

I guess Disney should just admit that their next promotion should be titled "Every Man For Himself" instead of "Make Magical Memories w/ Friends and Family you only see once a year and plan to tour with at our parks.

 

[Buffalo2Disney]

Is this going to be optional or mandatory in the future? Do we know if the regular way of getting FPs will still exist? Also, I really think the idea of one park is ridiculous...we love to park hop and they sell the park hopper option, so this would defeat that purpose.

Make your selections for Fastpass+ at Park B for a time slot later in the day, when you will be there.

Go to Park A in the morning at rope drop and you can get plenty done without the use of any type of Fastpasses. Once you have had enough of Park A hop on over to Park B. Essentially there will be longer lines being later in the day, however, you already have Fastpasses for 3 of them.

So it could definitely still be beneficial with park hoppers. If you think about it, if park B is Hollywood Studios, you could have Fastpasses for Toy Story Midway Mania for later in the day, but not have to be there at rope drop to get them.

 

[wookiebeck]

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.

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

The 7-day ticket can be used within 14-day period. I take 10-day trips. So what if a tropical storm blows thru on the day I have my TSMM fp? I choose to not go to the park that day. And I also choose to lose my precious fp?

BTW, don't quote me the 'change kiosks' for my scenario. TSMM will be gone within the +10 days before I even get an offsite chance at one.

I think I will be a LOSER when fp+ rolls out.

 

[d1gitman]

forget about how FP+ is gonna work and fairness. i want Disney to have the same number of guests in the park everyday, 365 days per year. this is the only way for everyone to have the same, equal experience.

 

[xipotec]

What all this about FP+ !?!?!?!?!

What is this new stuff poppet????

 

[focusondisney]

So, now for my vacation, I will stalk:

-- Disboards for info on WDW room discounts/ seasonal promos

-- Southwest & Jetblue websites for good airfare

-- WDW dining for those elusive BOG & CRT adrs

--MDE for perfect fastpass times.



Gee, what a fun, relaxing way to plan a vacation!!











Seriously, I do have a few question: do we know if we can make more than 1 fastpass+ for the same ride? Ex: can I use my 3 fastpass+ all for TSM?

And if you can make more fast pass times when you get into the park, can those be for a ride you have a fastpass+ for? Ex: I have a fastpass+ for TSM for 10-11AM. Can I enter the park at 9 & get another TSM fastpass right away?

APs will get magicbands too? I can't even access the AP website with my RFID AP now. No need to worry about AP holders booking fastpass+ every day if they can't even register their AP on the website! And for the record, lots of AP holders are from out of town. I seriously hope they do not limit AP holders to 20 fastpass+ per quarter. I am 1500 miles away but have an AP. We will visit WDW 2 or 3 times within the year & stay for up to 7 nights/ 8 days each visit. If I have 8 park days, I would need at least 24 fastpass+ reservations & should be able to get them, just like anyone else.

And since we all know those popular ADRs go fast @ 180 days, what are the odds that good fastpass+ times will be gone @ 60 days & we'll have to keep watching for slots to "open up" as people change their plans? More Disney fun!!

 

[mom2rtk]

The system allows you to link profiles with friends, and then be able to book FP+, ADRs, etc on their behalf. Still to be seen if you can do it for one FP+ a day, or it has to be all 3. But it appears that even if you have to book all three, they can then change their own individually. How it all works it in the end I'm not sure...linking the accounts seems to be a bit of a problem, as I can't even see the ADRs my wife has made...even though I'm on them.

I'm also not sure how it would work for "managed" guests - like children of a linked friend.

But it's entirely possible that some of the group can book FPs at 60+10 while some of the group cannot. So do you ask those in your group paying the extra to stay onsite to hold off booking and hope for the best? It won't be a problem for most rides, but remains to be seen for TSMM Soarin.

One of the most frequently asked questions...

As of right now, it is believed that the existing FP system will cease to exist shortly after rollout of FP+ is completed.

Whether there is an equivalent system that works like FP did as part of FP+ remains to be seen, but so far there has been no evidence of it.

Whether old FP ceases to exist really doesn't matter. It can be there til the cows come home. But if too much of the headliner ride capacity is gone when they get to the park, it won't matter any more. The mere presence of FP+ has the potential to change it more than anyone likes.

Make your selections for Fastpass+ at Park B for a time slot later in the day, when you will be there.

Yes, but they are still giving up FP at one of their 2 parks for the day. We never hop, but I certainly get why this is a loss to many.

 

[Stasieki]

Not sure where the info exactly came from but a FB page called "Margaritas, Miles & the Mouse" just posted a few house ago a whole CM Manual about it and mentioned a Jan 2014 roll out??? here's the copy/paste. sorry it's long


(from FB page)

So what do you think of the #FPPlus plan- recently released to CMs? #WDW Coming Jan 2014 Here's what we have in store:

CMs have recieved training books for the My Magic + system. Here is a break down of the system based on the training book -

FP+ in a Nutshell:

-60 days from arrival, plus 10 days with resort reservation like dining. Guest selects park. Then their three preferred experiences (attractions, food, spectaculars, activities) and then the MyDisneyExperience (MDX) gives up to four groups (early, mid, late, all day) of their choices and/or substitutions. There will be activities that are FP+ only - no standby option. The immediate party then has the same set of FPs and from there the Guest can modify individuals if they want different experiences/times. You can also then copy with friends not traveling in the same reservation or under control of/created by the primary.

-One park per day.

-No paper (legacy) FP.

-Same FP return policies. Must return within time window, five minute early and fifteen minute late grace period.

-Guests can modify their park up until their first FP+ is used in park. Then they can only modify within that park.

-No MDX account or valid park tickets? No FP+. MDX allows legacy ticket conversion for some tickets by keyed in information and now barcode via camera. Partially redeemed tickets must have at least one day. Once converted, cannot be transferred. (This attaches demographics to tickets that wouldn't and encourages buying tickets directly from Disney. This won't completely devistate the 192 scalpers, but is aimed at them.)

-Special event tickets do not count at this time (nomenclature change from 'hard ticket' since most tickets are now hard...)

-FP+ downtimes are still being hammered out.

Low tech or no tech? Reservation Center can help, but they are being instructed to actively teach the Guest how to do this on their own by accessing the account via proxy. Front line cast actively encouraged to ask Guest to use their device (iDevices and Android) to show Guests how to do it themselves.

MagicBands:

-Nine Colors (Red, Blue, Green, Pink, Yellow, Orange, Iconic Gray, and NEW Purple...)

-Shipped to Guest's address (WORLDWIDE) within thirty to ten days of arrival.

-Shipped to resort if within nine days of arrival.

-Guest gets Iconic Gray if within five days of resort reservation arrival.

-MagicBands for non-resort or year long passes being determined.

-Replacement MagicBands will be Iconic Gray.

-MagicBands costs Disney roughly $4.50 each to produce, there's a world-wide shortage of RFID due to the 20k being produced daily.

-Waterproof, doesn't float.

-Three year battery, can be disabled.

-Multiple ticket entitlements can be loaded onto the MagicBand. No Tables in Wonderland or Cirque du Soleil at the moment.

Annual Passholders:

-First replacement MagicBand is free, $50 afterwards or RF plastic card alternative.

-Same FP+ rules (can book FP+ sixty days out, one park only, three selections, etc.)

-Benefits and discounts will be on a separate RF enabled card.

-Will have the ability to add a credit card to their MagicBand similar to Key to the World currently.

Parking/Toll Plaza:

-Touch Points have been added to verify resort and year long passes.

In Park Kiosks:

-Guest Relations in parks will have terminals for same day, same park FP+ and MDX registration.

-Sid's is likely closing and converting over for this.

-Old WorldKey booths by Epcot's lobby will be one location.

-MK is already open at Town Square Theater (Old Disney Visa location.)

-Downtown will be indoors adjacent to their Marketplace location.

-AK still being formalized.

 

[doconeill]

Not sure where the info exactly came from but a FB page called "Margaritas, Miles & the Mouse" just posted a few house ago a whole CM Manual about it and mentioned a Jan 2014 roll out??? here's the copy/paste. sorry it's long

OK, so this is apparently (not confirmed - can one of our resident CMs verify) internal CM information, and that's likely where wdwmagic got it from. It's pretty much the same information they posted, word for word.

It does use the term MDX, which someone else said is what CMs are calling it.

I like how it costs $4.50 to produce a MB, but it's $50 to replace. I'm sure Disney loves having that number out there Of course, they have to make up for all the free ones they are giving out.

Disney's causing a worldwide shortage of RFID?!? I actually find that incredibly unlikely at this point. There are different technologies, different chip manufacturers, etc. Possible it is limited to the particular parts they need.

 

[Shaden]

But it's entirely possible that some of the group can book FPs at 60+10 while some of the group cannot. So do you ask those in your group paying the extra to stay onsite to hold off booking and hope for the best? It won't be a problem for most rides, but remains to be seen for TSMM Soarin.

yes, amongst other problems scheduling multiple parties.

I don't know about others, but Its not likely I would be willing, or others are willing, to let someone else book all their FPs, for themselves and their children, especially if there are differences in children, height, tolerance for rides, etc. If not, then basically we have to send out emails, like ok so May 2, John and Cindy Space mountain, 7DMT, Splash @ MK, Mid day, 5 yr/o Grace can't ride Min train or Space, so they will FP Dumbo and Peter Pan and splash, 10yr/o Robbie will ride with Frank on SM, 7DMT, but doesn't like to get wet, so they will do Haunted mansion, Grand parents Lynda and John will Do Splash, and 7DMT but don't like SM, so they will get Dumbo, and Melissa and Paul will split their 6yr/o and 9 yr/o ... blah blah blah ....

Ok, now add into that the kids change what they want to do, who they want to do it with, etc etc. Now that's just for planning ONE day, trying to coordinate with a group, through a single person.

What happens when people want to do it themselves, then you are going to get all those groups getting different times, etc etc. And nothing is going to mesh up.

This just sounds like an absolute nightmare for planning.

Let ALONE that you are supposed to KNOW all this, who (which kids, adults, etc) are going to do which rides, what days, at what TIME, 60 Days out !?!?!?

 

[Stasieki]

OK, so this is apparently (not confirmed - can one of our resident CMs verify) internal CM information, and that's likely where wdwmagic got it from. It's pretty much the same information they posted, word for word.

It does use the term MDX, which someone else said is what CMs are calling it.

I like how it costs $4.50 to produce a MB, but it's $50 to replace. I'm sure Disney loves having that number out there Of course, they have to make up for all the free ones they are giving out.

Disney's causing a worldwide shortage of RFID?!? I actually find that incredibly unlikely at this point. There are different technologies, different chip manufacturers, etc. Possible it is limited to the particular parts they need.

I'm wondering where the Jan 2014 roll out came from? The rest of it seems already out there. Except the $4.50 cost and RFID shortage. That seemed funny to be mentioned.

 

[doconeill]

I'm wondering where the Jan 2014 roll out came from? The rest of it seems already out there. Except the $4.50 cost and RFID shortage. That seemed funny to be mentioned.

Iger says they plan for it to be out by the end of the year. So Jan 2014 seems like a good time to basically say it will be available to all...I'm sure the CMs know as well as we do how well Disney hits their targets

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

This whole FP+ thing is like using a sledgehammer to kill a fly. On at least some level, FP+ is about Disney trying to to cover up for inadequate ride capacity in the parks, specifically a lack of headliners. There is an obvious reason Soarin' and TSMM keep ridiculous lines from start to finish of every park day. Spending billions of dollars to create a new system to string along the wait times seems bizarre to me. I know there are other benefits for Disney (data collection; additional sales opportunities; etc), but surely adding some attractions would have been cheaper and made the masses happier.
I am sure that in time FP+ will be the norm and we will all have it figured out, but as of now it just looks like a hot mess. It is intimidating to regular guests, confusing to newbies, and is about as inviting and relaxing as an IRS form.

We are headed to WDW the last week of September. I actually wouldn't mind the chance to play with the FP+ system then because there is plenty of room for error since crowds will be relatively slimmer. But I would be mortified trying to learn FP+ and plan a proper vacation in a busier time of year. One thing we enjoy is maximizing the current FP system as part of our spontaneous days and nights of fun at WDW, but it would seem those times are quickly coming to an end.

One question, and this may be a dumb one... What about guests who do not have a smart phone? How are they to navigate the FP+ system?