FP+ Details Are Out!

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I think Disney is hoping to push Joe to book FP+s when he used to not do anything.

Then he'll be "trapped" in the park, spending $ when he might ordinarily leave if lines got too long (and him being unaware of regular FP).

This is what they said. Not me, them.

While I understand the theory, and that it might work with some people, no way I feel trapped in a park because of a free FP - pre-booked or not. And forced in some way to spend money because I'm "trapped", nope.

Wonder what % of people they expect to follow this behavior pattern, if in fact they expect this? And how many are necessary for this to be profitable at this price tag, and over how many years? So many questions I wish I had the data to answer! LOL!

I still think a major motivation is to improve on park experience for most guests. More happy guests = more repeat business = more positive word of mouth, etc. That's consistent with the company's mission statement, strategy statements, history of management, etc.

This doesn't mean they'll get it all right, and right away. But I can't imagine what evidence suggests to some that maximizing guest satisfaction would not be their motive -- it is indirectly a profit motive.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Except that Disney is now making this involve pre-planning, as opposed to same day, in park planning. We do not know that there will be a same day FP+ like there is current FP. I do not want to have to pre-plan every aspect of my vacation, down to which ride I want to ride and when. I go on vacation to get away from that kind of scheduling, not embrace it.

... Yup... Hear that... Which is why I said "ASSUMING SAME DAY FP AVAIL".

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Then why even change it in the first place. I much rather have Disney spend the money on new E-ticket attractions instead of messing around with a working system.

I don't agree with the premise of PP. I think it WILL encourage some who don't use current FP to use FP+. Satisfying more of those guests.

I see it as a net positive (ASSUMING SAME DAY FP AVAILABILITY IN SOME FORM) for most guests.

My point was just that IF pp was right and no more people will use FP+ than currently use FP, and IF they keep some form of same day FP+, no big diff, IMO.

ETA: no big diff EXCEPT the benefit of pre-booking some FP+ IF you choose to. A big plus for the afternoon headliner FP+ for someone on the ball 60+10 days out.

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

I don't agree with the premise of PP. I think it WILL encourage some who don't use current FP to use FP+. Satisfying more of those guests.

I see it as a net positive (ASSUMING SAME DAY FP AVAILABILITY IN SOME FORM) for most guests.

My point was just that IF pp was right and no more people will use FP+ than currently use FP, and IF they keep some form of same day FP+, no big diff, IMO.

ETA: no big diff EXCEPT the benefit of pre-booking some FP+ IF you choose to. A big plus for the afternoon headliner FP+ for someone on the ball 60+10 days out.

Well yeah, of course it would be no big deal if you add those 2 ifs. Because you aren't changing anything!

It's precisely because both of those are thought to be NOT happening that people get troubled.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Well yeah, of course it would be no big deal if you add those 2 ifs. Because you aren't changing anything!

It's precisely because both of those are thought to be NOT happening that people get troubled.

Understood! I'm not troubled by more people using FP. But I'm not in the camp using 9 FP per day, either - I get that.

Re: same day FP... I just don't see how they can't offer some form of same day FP - as I've said before. Too restrictive otherwise, IMO.

Pre-booking as an option? FANTASTIC! Pre-booking as your only way to use FP? Too restrictive and disruptive to too many guests, IMO.

 

[Angel Ariel]

... Yup... Hear that... Which is why I said "ASSUMING SAME DAY FP AVAIL".

I don't have any reason to assume same day FP will be available right now, so I'm not factoring it in to how I'm responding to what we're hearing.

IF same day is available, it will end up being a nice surprise. But I don't want to assume it will be and then be doubly-let down if it isn't.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Which, as we've been told, it still is...

True, still is free....for now

 

[Cafeen]

Yes...being able to buy (or include extra with resort stays) is an option they may explore down the road, but I don't think it is coming in the short term. They need to get this out there and judge the impact first.

And by impact, you mean how much they can milk out of people . (Yes, tongue-in-cheek cynicism/sarcasm there!)

Then why even change it in the first place. I much rather have Disney spend the money on new E-ticket attractions instead of messing around with a working system.

The foundation change... I can't help you there.

However, moving it to a paperless/RFID system DOES make sense. It ties it in with MyMagic+ and the MDX app/website. It also lowers overhead in both materials (fewer KTTW cards and no paper FPs) and CMs (fewer kiosk locations means fewer CMs manning said locations).

Remember that the entire system is costing ~$1bn, not just the FP+...at least, I think that's the case. Most of the system has sound fundamentals (RFID entry to parks/rooms, "Touch to Pay", MyMagic experiences, etc). The FP portion is what most people here are having a tough time swallowing/believing in. (IT issues notwithstanding, since most of that is also linked to FP usage than the other bits)

Understood! I'm not troubled by more people using FP. But I'm not in the camp using 9 FP per day, either - I get that.

Re: same day FP... I just don't see how they can't offer some form of same day FP - as I've said before. Too restrictive otherwise, IMO.

Pre-booking as an option? FANTASTIC! Pre-booking as your only way to use FP? Too restrictive and disruptive to too many guests, IMO.

And those two points are what many people fear will happen. If FP+ pre-booking becomes truly an addition to FP as we know it (from a basic level, the RFID stuff notwithstanding), then it will be a net positive. I agree with that.

I, personally, don't see that as necessarily being the case, and I'm planning on the worst-case being true (no same day FPs (or rather, "same day" counts toward the cap of 3) and low "same day" availability for headliners). If it turns out it's not true, then it can only be better. If I planned for those things to not be true and they are, then the trip would be worse.

Then again, after this upcoming Oct trip, I'm not planning to return to WDW for a couple years. Planning DLR for 2014, and some other places that I want to go for 2015 and maybe 2016 (Yellowstone and DC being two of the bigger ones). This has nothing to do with FP+ and more to do with me burning out on WDW solo trips (this year would have been DLR if the family wasn't going down.)

 

[Redcon1]

I think the optimal way of adding FP+ to the guest experience allowing a certain percentage of FPs to be pre-booked with the majority still reserved for the day-of park visitation.

This way the current FP system is not disrupted too much and those who wish to pre-book still have the opporturnity ahead of arrival.

Actually, this is what I thought Disney had in mind when they first announced FP+, not the either-or scenario that seems to be in the plans.

 

[squirrel4569]

True, still is free....for now

I think it will stay free. It's kinda like Southwest Airlines not charging for luggage when the other airlines are. They've rolled it into the price but the perception from the public is more positive than with the other airlines. With Disney's overall focus on customer service I think they want to keep that perception. A trip to Disney is expensive enough as it is and the last thing they want to have is yet another charge the public can complain about.

Touring strategies will change and I'm pretty sure the power users will find new ways of maximizing the system. I also think it will be a bit more fluid than most do. Time will tell though.

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

I agree in principle with what you said although I don't believe this will work dandy for "Joe Tourist". Joe Tourist has had what, 15 years or so to learn about regular FP and many still don't know about it, much less how to maximize usage of the system. I don't see FP+ being any easier to use for them. Instead, I think not only will this not be much of a benefit for those non-DISers, but as what we know now, seems to be a negative adjustment to make for those of us who are knowledgable FP users.

My main question is: What was so wrong with original FP that someone(s) felt like it needed to be "upgraded"?

And also I don't think joe tourist is going to want to/know how to select the park they'll be in 60 days out. This fp+ seems like it will diminish everyone's experience to me.

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

9 FP's a day? Really? I can understand why Disney wants to change the system!

And yet, not once did we run, push anyone out of the way or cut in front of anyone anywhere especially at a FP kiosk. Everyone in the park that day had the same chance as me to get FPs. Did I mention that we were in the park for 14 to 15 hours? We got no where near that many at EP and DS because we were unable to. The FP times were much more spread out making it much harder to get many FPs. Sooo...again, how is Disney going to get those that I seem to be taking FPs from to use this new FP+ system?? Oh, I know, with the quick picks that have been talked about. Lets take some FPs away from some and give some them to guest that don't know or want to use them. I say shouldn't Disney just do a better job at getting everyone to use the current system and then I wouldn't be able to get 9 FPs in MK anyway.

 

[DisneyFanSince71]

I think it will stay free. It's kinda like Southwest Airlines not charging for luggage when the other airlines are. They've rolled it into the price but the perception from the public is more positive than with the other airlines. With Disney's overall focus on customer service I think they want to keep that perception. A trip to Disney is expensive enough as it is and the last thing they want to have is yet another charge the public can complain about.

Touring strategies will change and I'm pretty sure the power users will find new ways of maximizing the system. I also think it will be a bit more fluid than most do. Time will tell though.

This is what Disney wants to do, make more FP available in the evening for a different clientele. If a customer is 20 minutes from the park at 5:00 and they are assured they can buy a ticket with 3 pretty good rides they are much more likely to come. I don't think FP+ is for 180-day planners (though they can use it). Its for people who are thinking of making a quick trip to the park near the end of the day, who in the past have been blocked by all those "Pac-men" who have gobble up all the fast passes during the day. Now those new customers are assured of both availability and convenience.

I do think that DIS executives are enjoying this hand ringing so when they announce the FP+ along with a limit of 5 FP tickets per day (for those who want to use the current system) everyone will be happy/relieved.

 

[WillAustin]

This is what Disney wants to do, make more FP available in the evening for a different clientele. If a customer is 20 minutes from the park at 5:00 and they are assured they can buy a ticket with 3 pretty good rides they are much more likely to come. I don't think FP+ is for 180-day planners (though they can use it). Its for people who are thinking of making a quick trip to the park near the end of the day, who in the past have been blocked by all those "Pac-men" who have gobble up all the fast passes during the day. Now those new customers are assured of both availability and convenience.

I predict a zero percent chance that guests coming in on a whim at 5pm will be able to FP+ headliners during a busy time.

I feel pretty secure in my guessing that it's not going to work like that.

 

[doconeill]

I predict a zero percent chance that guests coming in on a whim at 5pm will be able to FP+ headliners during a busy time.

I feel pretty secure in my guessing that it's not going to work like that.

Same here. My gut tells me that FP+ slots will be eaten in the reverse of how it happens now with the first-in-first-out system - guest will reserve slots later in the day, and only get earlier ones when they aren't available. This is based on how many have said in the past how they liked to collect them to use at the end of the night, and those that say they only go at rope drop because it was the only way to maximize FP use...

Late FP+ slots will go first, and creep towards earlier in the day, until it reaches the current time and then it's done...

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

This is what Disney wants to do, make more FP available in the evening for a different clientele. If a customer is 20 minutes from the park at 5:00 and they are assured they can buy a ticket with 3 pretty good rides they are much more likely to come. I don't think FP+ is for 180-day planners (though they can use it). Its for people who are thinking of making a quick trip to the park near the end of the day, who in the past have been blocked by all those "Pac-men" who have gobble up all the fast passes during the day. Now those new customers are assured of both availability and convenience.

I do think that DIS executives are enjoying this hand ringing so when they announce the FP+ along with a limit of 5 FP tickets per day (for those who want to use the current system) everyone will be happy/relieved.

I will not be a happy camper if I learn that my family was unable to get a FP for lets say TSM because we are off-site and won't have the extra 10 days to work with(IF this turns out to be true) to only hear that "Bob" rolls in with his family at 5:00 p.m. and scores one of these FPs. Not a good thing!

Also, we were there the 2nd week of June and only say 3 rides that run out of FPs before early evening....like 6 or 7. And I bet everyone can guess which 3!! (I have to note that we didn't do AK).

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I think the optimal way of adding FP+ to the guest experience allowing a certain percentage of FPs to be pre-booked with the majority still reserved for the day-of park visitation.

This way the current FP system is not disrupted too much and those who wish to pre-book still have the opporturnity ahead of arrival.

I agree. Not sure about optimal ratio of reserved:same-day, but a "proper balance" of these -- infinitely adjustable given how it sounds the system works.

Same here. My gut tells me that FP+ slots will be eaten in the reverse of how it happens now with the first-in-first-out system - guest will reserve slots later in the day, and only get earlier ones when they aren't available. This is based on how many have said in the past how they liked to collect them to use at the end of the night, and those that say they only go at rope drop because it was the only way to maximize FP use...

Late FP+ slots will go first, and creep towards earlier in the day, until it reaches the current time and then it's done...

ITA. This is what I'd guess as well, given what's floating around so far. But again, that is for the more savvy user... not sure what % WE (yes, I'm including all of us here!) make up of a typical day in the parks...

 

[mom2rtk]

I will not be a happy camper if I learn that my family was unable to get a FP for lets say TSM because we are off-site and won't have the extra 10 days to work with(IF this turns out to be true) to only hear that "Bob" rolls in with his family at 5:00 p.m. and scores one of these FPs. Not a good thing!

Also, we were there the 2nd week of June and only say 3 rides that run out of FPs before early evening....like 6 or 7. And I bet everyone can guess which 3!! (I have to note that we didn't do AK).

I really feel sorry for anyone staying offsite when the new Mine Train opens. Those FP slots are going to be long gone every morning by the onsite folks using their +10 in the days preceding them. All the presence of FP+ will do for that ride is make it HARDER for them to get on. It will be like trying to get a BOG dinner ADR without a +10 benefit.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I really feel sorry for anyone staying offsite when the new Mine Train opens. Those FP slots are going to be long gone every morning by the onsite folks using their +10 in the days preceding them. All the presence of FP+ will do for that ride is make it HARDER for them to get on. It will be like trying to get a BOG dinner ADR without a +10 benefit.

Silver lining, maybe: easier for them/anyone to book all other headliners for a time? It becomes the TSMM of MK. And again... this doesn't stop anyone staying offsite from rope drop, standby (and I say HOPEFULLY - if they're smart IMHO - some form of same-day FP - I know... not officially announced or anything ).

 

[mom2rtk]

I will not be a happy camper if I learn that my family was unable to get a FP for lets say TSM because we are off-site and won't have the extra 10 days to work with(IF this turns out to be true) to only hear that "Bob" rolls in with his family at 5:00 p.m. and scores one of these FPs. Not a good thing!

So can you imagine the decision making process when you don't get what you want at 60 days, then have to decide if you need to change your trip dates to assure that you can really do the attractions you want? Not fun. But then who said vacation was about fun?

That might not happen a lot with the current ride selection, but if I were scheduling a trip to see New Fantasyland after the Mine Train opens and I didn't score advance spots for FP+, I wouldn't like not knowing if I had a realistic chance at same day FPs or not. Walking into the park knowing they were starting the day with far fewer slots available than in the pre-FP+ days would just add stress to the day that really has no place in a vacation.