FP+ Details Are Out!

[mom2rtk]

oking up! Here's your Nuggets!"

*insert hammer-throwing smiley here*

I told you mom2 was better at this.

LOL, you give me far too much credit. I'm ready to grab a hammer myself.

Thanks for the email address. I emailed my issues with the new system, mainly being the limit of 3 fast passes per day total. Gotta say, it's not looking promising. After receiving Disney's response, I'm more convinced that it absolutely will be a limit of only 3 fast passes a day (on top of that, they're adding more "attractions" parades, fireworks etc. to the fast pass list). From the email it seemed the Disney really wasn't interested in the repeat customer and much more about the one-timers. Their choice, and it sucks for us, but I really believe this will be the end of our annual Disney trips for us. On top of some other issues that we've been disappointed with in Disney, I think this will end up being the last straw. I just can't imagine standing in long lines for rides, when we haven't stood in a line longer than 20 mins. in decades. -We go in Sept. and always use 6-10 fastpasses a day. I think even my kids would rather do beach trips, or even other areas in the Orlando area then wait around in lines all day.

I'm posting WDW's response to my email concerning the 3 fast pass a day limit.

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback regarding MyMagic+.


We truly appreciate your taking the time to share your comments. Over
the next year, we will be rolling out a collection of tools at the
Walt Disney World called MyMagic+ to give guests more opportunities to personalize their visit. MyMagic+ will make it easier for Guests to create the Disney experience they want? from securing a visit to a favorite attraction in advance to a digital guide that simplifies how they move through our parks, to the touch of a MagicBand that seamlessly connects all their plans ? allowing them to enjoy each moment like never before.

We are very sorry to hear of your disappointments with the changes coming with FASTPASS+. In order to allow more Guests to partake in the new offerings, certain limitations have been put in place. Please know that your feedback has been taken seriously and shared with the appropriate leaders. Our Guests? feedback allows for our continual growth and the preservation of the magic Walt Disney dreamed about.
........., thank you again for your honest and constructive feedback.


Sincerely,

Aaron Miller
Guest Experience Services
Walt Disney World Resort
407-560-1160

Thanks for sharing that. In spite of that it has left me even less hopeful than before.

True, the "ratio" can change. However, why bother investing so much and heavily marketing a "pre-booking" system unless the intent is to maximize the "pre-booking." I can see a few "off-season" times of year when the ratio might be a little more liberal. But the whole point of this system is to heavily favor "pre-booking." If only half the guests or less pre-book, why bother making such a fundamental change to the system?

I agree. And remember part of the benefit to Disney is locking guests into a park selection 60 days out so they can anticipate their staffing needs. The greater they skew the ratio toward pre-booking, the greater their accuracy in predicting the crowds.



Not neccesarily. Remember you have to multiply those 3 FP+ reservations times 1000's of guests, many of whom didn't used to get FP, but now have had them served up on a silver platter when they book. Ride capacity cannot change. FP capacity can only change to a point (technically, up to the point that there's no standby line, just 100% FP per hour, but I don't think anyone envisions THAT happening). So, those FPs that WOULD have been available on the "day of" under the old system could potentially (and I maintain will likely) all (or at least most) be given out ahead of time to the guests as "pre-booked" FP+. IMO, same day FP+ will consist of the leftover scraps, assuming same day FP+ is even offered. I know my opinion is starkly pessimistic in that regard, but I'm trying to be realistic and base my opinion on facts and figures rather than hopes and dreams.

And there's the money answer. I think there is ONE thing everyone can agree on here. It is far preferable to be able to book a fastpass on a smartphone or a nearby kiosk instead of having to go across the park to the kiosk next to the ride you want to do. And the easier something is, the more it will be used.

I believe Disney could easily be tempted to use too much of the inventory for prebooking to get the most positive response when bookings start. But if that happens, it will only exaggerate the potential downsides of this system. Yes, it has the potential to be flexible (like if it's raining and you want to swap from BTMRR to Space or if your child is sick and you want to change park days) but it will only be as flexible as its same day fastpass inventory.

I'd like to read it too, because I haven't seen any statement or inference that same-day availability as we know it will remain. It seems they are purposefully being quiet about it, and I believe it's because they really have no idea how many same-day FPs will be available once FP+ is in full swing.

I think so too. Since this in such a new concept, there is no way to accurately estimate what the usage rates will be. Which makes this thing one big gamble on Disney's part. What a shame they didn't just use the $1B+ to build some new attractions. That would have been as close to a sure thing as you can get.

I believe the thought process is similar to this:

1. By limiting the "superusers" to 3 FP+s, it instantly makes many more available to everyone else and allow them to have plenty for advance booking and for same-day in the parks as well.

Don't forget the potential 1X per ride limit. That will leave more inventory as well.

Let's face it. Disney wants attendance to continue to rise. But they need ways to absorb more bodies in the parks. They had 2 directions they could go......... add more attractions or ration what they have. They went with ride rationing. And they called it FP+. For being a marketing person myself, I sure hate marketing people sometimes.

2. Only a relatively small group of uber-planner guests are even going to go through the trouble of booking advance reservations at 60 days out, leading to a sizable pool of same-day FP+s being available.

Sad, I know. But this is the option I'm hoping for. I actually do think that only a small group will pre-book to start. But I think word will get out and the numbers will grow.

I don't agree with either of those.

1. The group of guests currently using FPs is relatively small when compared to total park attendance. If FP+ works the way Disney says they want it to work, there will be a lot more guests using the FP+ system than ever used FPs before.

2. They will make it easy and push the advance FP+ reservations on guests as hard as they can (Allowing quick-picks during the reservation process). If I were in charge of it, I'd be linking to people with ADRs ("We notice you have Sci-Fi Dine-In scheduled for October 27th, wouldn't you like to reserve your ride on TSMM for that day?) and offering incentives ("If you book your 3 FP+s 45 days in advance, we'll give you another bonus FP+ to go with them").

I think this is where it is all headed. Which means in the short term that inventory for pre-booking will disappear quickly. What remains to be seen is the follow through percentages. If Disney asks them if they want some times and they say "sure, give me some" will they actually show up at the appointed time. It's going to take time for Disney to get reliable stats on the follow-through percentages. Although I'm sure that's part of what they are doing now with their tests, nobody can say if that's a true representation of what will happen on a large scale basis.

3. The math just doesn't add up. I believe the daily FP+ pool will generally be what the FP pool has been over the past year, as they've experimented with increasing the numbers they give out. If they make it easy enough to book in advance, there will be a relatively endless supply of guests willing to do it, if only to reserve their spots "just in case." A FP for TSMM will be just as hard to get as it is now, except you'll have to do it in advance instead of in the morning same-day.

I actually don't mind doing it in advance. I'll roll my eyes and just do it. We make a lot of ADRs so our schedule is usually pretty set by 60 days out. For us the issue is really about the limits. I would never trade a little bit of ease for fewer rides. I actually like when things are a little more challenging. It thins the ranks. I'd love it if the parks opened at 6 every day. Because we'd probably get up and go. And most others wouldn't.

For me, it's all about getting done what we'd like to get done. I wouldn't be excited about paying extra, but that is far better than spending 3-4 hours out of our day in standby lines.

If I was coming at this fresh, I wouldn't mind paying a little more for easier access. But when I had the easier access for free, then they take it away, but offer to sell it back, that sort of irritates me and messes with my warm fuzzy feelings about Disney.

The priority has to be directed to the new system they are spending so much money on rolling out.

So if you are an AP holder staying on property, do you get 6 per day?

I don't think so.

 

[mom2rtk]

Oh - wait... I now have the perfect thing...




But now in all seriousness... the only real answer is we don't know... but that strikes me as too big a difference btwn AP and non-AP just on the reserved FP.

Maaaaayyyyybe... something like AP+onsite could RESERVE 6, but would have fewer same-day FP+... assuming any FP+ are made available... which, again, I think they'd have to or risk alienating too many guests. All guesses at this point (not sure how educated this guess can be... )

As always, JMHO.

I think the FP reservations have to be tied to a ticket. And if you try to keep an AP separate to get extra FP+ slots, then there wouldn't be a ticket associated with the room reservation to trigger any more slots.

 

[magicbob]

So if you are an AP holder staying on property, do you get 6 per day?

Nice try. Survey says... X

Just thought this would be sorta funny...

And Saint Skaggs raised the FP+ up on high, saying, "O Lord, bless this thy FP+, that with it thou mayst blow Universal to tiny bits, in thy mercy." And the Lord did grin. And the people did feast upon the turkey legs and churros, and carp and anchovies, and orangutans and breakfast cereals, and Dole Whips and large chu...

Brother Maynard: Skip a bit, Brother...

Cleric: And the Lord spake, saying, "First shalt thou take out the Magic Band. Then shalt thou count to three, no more, no less. Three shall be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shall be three. Four shalt thou not count, neither count thou two, excepting that thou then proceed to three. Five is right out. Once the number three, being the third number, be reached, then collectest thou thy FP+ for one day two months from now, who, being clear and sunny in my sight, shall still have many other FPs available too...


Jason

It's still to be seen whether they will be able to "feed the multitude" with only 3 FPs.

 

[ExBellhop]

Just thought this would be sorta funny...

And it was. Nice work.

Unrelated to anyone's search for the Holy Grail... In the name of guest satisfaction, what are your (the group your, not just the Jason your) thoughts on allocating Fast Pass percentages to various time frames? In other words, 50% of all passes in a given time slot (1p-2p) are available for booking 60 days out. At about 10 days out, another 25% of slots are released for a day's (1p-2p) slot, leaving 25% of passes for that slot available for same day reservations. (this is all assuming a full implementation of FP+ with no paper option remaining). Eh?

 

[magicbob]

Another facet that's been "danced around" but I'm not sure we've really delved into.

For the "quick picks" that are assigned "late in the game" you would, logically, be getting less desirable attractions/times. The most popular attractions/times are going to be selected early, leaving the leftovers for the QP pool. (notice how I just invented a new DIS acronym there?)

But what if you are an early bird and actually set up your FP+ at the crack of dawn 60 days out, but you just take the pre-packaged QP option. Do you think the QP will include primo FP+ attractions/times if they are available? Or is it more likely that they will be pawning off less desirable choices to those opting for the convenience of a QP?

The QPer might think they've scored big because Space Mountain was included in their QP FP+ package. But they might not take into account that the TIME of their SM FP+ is 9am.

Time for some good, old-fashioned speculation and just plain ol' makin' stuff up... What do you think? Will FP+ QPs offer primo FP+ options or "junk?"

 

[doconeill]

3 wasn't just a number thrown on the wall for the last test. It was the announced number back in January, and has been true through subsequent tests. So it appears that 3 is the base number, and although it may be adjusted, I don't think that will change until after completion of the full rollout. And even then, I think any additional ones will be "bonus" based on whatever factors they choose - season, resort, phase of moon, etc.

As for "same day" FP+, I think there are two different things...

Getting FP+ the day of use: I think there will definitely be SOME FP+ availability the day of use - it is necessary to be able to accommodate changes. Whether there is availability for E-tickets is another matter entirely. Those that did not pre-book will be able to get FP+ the day of from what is available.

Getting more than 3 FP+ the day of use: This is where even if you pre-book 3 FP+, you can get more day of...this seems less likely to me at the point. Disney has not made any concrete public statement that anyone will definitively get more than 3 FP+...and statements from Guest Communications have been in direct conflict with each other

Just thought this would be sorta funny...

And Saint Skaggs raised the FP+ up on high, saying, "O Lord, bless this thy FP+, that with it thou mayst blow Universal to tiny bits, in thy mercy." And the Lord did grin. And the people did feast upon the turkey legs and churros, and carp and anchovies, and orangutans and breakfast cereals, and Dole Whips and large chu...

Brother Maynard: Skip a bit, Brother...

Cleric: And the Lord spake, saying, "First shalt thou take out the Magic Band. Then shalt thou count to three, no more, no less. Three shall be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shall be three. Four shalt thou not count, neither count thou two, excepting that thou then proceed to three. Five is right out. Once the number three, being the third number, be reached, then collectest thou thy FP+ for one day two months from now, who, being clear and sunny in my sight, shall still have many other FPs available too...

Jason

And you forgot:

Saint Skaggs: Thou shalt be given five...

Cleric: Three, Sir...

Saint Skaggs: Three FP+...

 

[KatieCharlotte]

Just a couple things I don't understand about the conversations going on throughout this thread, particularly from the FP+ hopefuls.

1) I have seen several of you, emphatically, write that there is NO WAY they will eliminate same Day FPs, and that if they did, well, that would upset you.

-EVERYTHING I have read, about this, yes all rumor and speculation so to speak, say they WILL be getting rid of same day FP's in the sense that we know them, you will get 3, at a single park, and that's it.
-I just don't understand where the optimistic clinging to this idea is coming from ? Have you guys read something I haven't ? Seriously if so point me to it, I'd like to read it and make myself more hopeful.

2) Associated to 1) - IF there are same day FPs, I don't understand you again, clinging to the idea that there will be some magic balance between pre-books and same day.

-As MANY people have pointed out here, we can read all sorts of stuff actually said by Disney folks about how this system is going to let you pre-book your most important attractions. Guess what, if they TRY to balance them out, and people log on and try to book their attractions, but they can't because 50% are reserved for same day passes, people are going to be PISSED. And, like many have suggested, might just opt not to go to Disney, or might search to change travel dates (but I imagine this will also end in people just not going).
-this would only be enhanced btw by what many of the Fp+ Optimists have pointed out - that Disney will be able to market this more directly to the average Joe, which might actually increase demand on FPs ...


3) I really can't believe that people are "excited" about the opportunity to pay for more FP+s. Seriously ? How is this a good thing ? I have been to a few amusement parks where you can, if you have the cash, pay for skip the line passes. And every time I see this I actually want to vomit. Because I look at the faces of the kid who's parents worked their butts off and can just barely afford to do those kinds of things for their kids, but the feeling that kid gets, sitting in line, watching other people get to just walk on, is so demeaning, diminishing, and depressing. I can't think of anything LESS Disney, in spirit if you will, then creating a system where people who can pay more, are treated in "more special" or "more magical" way than those who can't. - and for the record I get it, I am one of the people who are lucky enough to be able to afford those extra tickets, but I still think its completely wrong.

4) I still haven't seen a single defense of the some of the big issues here, like what happens when, after planning 60 days out, your kids don't want to go to that park, or there is bad weather that day, or heck you can't get your FP+s in the same park as your Dinner ressies, or the only time you can get your FP+ is at the SAME time as a dinner res (which if you try to change at 60 days out, well, good luck) ... etc etc. Basically no one has given me any suggestion of how to deal with the reality of a trip, when things don't go to plan, because lets face it, they don't.

Just honestly wondering, we are free to disagree of course, but I just haven't seen anything convincing on these topics yet. And as a Disney lover I WANT to love this, I WANT to be SUPER excited about my next trip. I have my DVC brochures sitting on the table in front of me .... but I am just SO put off by what we have heard so far ...

I also agree with everything here. I want to love everything Disney, but there are so many issues with FP+. I don't understand why they didn't spend the money on better promotion of FP for the average Joe and a new family ride at DHS and possibly Epcot to spread the crowds a little more. I feel bad for people who don't know about fastpasses. We've overheard many people who don't understand fastpasses and helped them understand. I don't mind if more people understand, even though that would mean I can no longer ride everything twice. I just want to know before I book an expensive vacation that I will be able to arrive at RD and use fastpasses and a little flexible planning to keep my lines short all day, and I will be able to adjust my plans if the weather is bad or my child is feeling sick.

For those who want to pay extra for more fastpasses -- We could stretch our budget and afford it, but I don't want another advantage over people who can't. I don't really mind this at other parks, because other parks are just places where you pay money to go on fun rides and the company gets as much money as they can from you. Disney World has always been something different to me. It's a place of magic. I don't care if it's just an illusion; I want to hold on to my illusion. I shed tears at the MK opening. I have so many special memories from childhood and adulthood. Whenever something has gone wrong on a trip, a Disney CM fixed it with amazing customer service. The private pay tours don't make enough impact for me to notice.

I feel the same way about those who stay onsite being given a head start or more fastpasses. Extra magic hours seems like a fair perk, but not too much of a burden for non-resort guests during most weeks of the year. We may actually stay onsite during our next visit for a few days if there's a good offer so the kids can experience it once, but the price difference between a Disney resort and a condo is significant for those with larger families and those who travel with extended family, not to mention those who can only come to Disney because they can stay with local relatives or friends. If the trip costs $200 more per night, this means shorter, less frequent visits.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I think the FP reservations have to be tied to a ticket. And if you try to keep an AP separate to get extra FP+ slots, then there wouldn't be a ticket associated with the room reservation to trigger any more slots.

Gotcha. Here was my thinking based on some official and probably some (good deal of?) speculation. They must have a way of adding additional FP to a band -- maybe ride breaks down, maybe special promotion, maybe redirecting traffic, who knows. So I was thinking some form of "tap to reload" like a metro card.

IF -- big IF -- this is a capability, could they not "add" 3 reserved FP to an AP once your ticket was associated to a room reservation? Or maybe add fabled same-day passes to a band by tapping it when a guest checks in.

Some of this assumes technical ability f the system -- which I'm obviously no expert on. The rest would be Disney's choice -- at any time -- for any reason.

Just some thoughts... Ie speculation...

 

[magicbob]

And you forgot:

Saint Skaggs: Thou shalt be given five...

Cleric: Three, Sir...

Saint Skaggs: Three FP+...

Or how about this variation on a theme:

Saint Skaggs: Thou shalt be given five...

(a gust of wind blows two FPs out of his hand)

Saint Skaggs: ...Three FP+

 

[doconeill]

I think the FP reservations have to be tied to a ticket. And if you try to keep an AP separate to get extra FP+ slots, then there wouldn't be a ticket associated with the room reservation to trigger any more slots.

I'm thinking it is actually three FP+ tied to a profile. Having a ticket tied to the profile enables the pre-book feature. Having a resort reservation tied to the profile enables the +10 window (if real). Having more than one ticket in the profile might enable booking more days, but not more FP+ per day.

Unless you set up a separate profile, and associated those tickets to that profile, and somehow kept it all straight, and then used both media to somehow enter the park and not get questioned, etc.

 

[Shaden]

And it was. Nice work.

Unrelated to anyone's search for the Holy Grail... In the name of guest satisfaction, what are your (the group your, not just the Jason your) thoughts on allocating Fast Pass percentages to various time frames? In other words, 50% of all passes in a given time slot (1p-2p) are available for booking 60 days out. At about 10 days out, another 25% of slots are released for a day's (1p-2p) slot, leaving 25% of passes for that slot available for same day reservations. (this is all assuming a full implementation of FP+ with no paper option remaining). Eh?

I think that that is an interesting Idea, but I fear it would be even worse then the current system sounds (IMO)

At least with the current system, if I go on 60 days out, and already can't get my FP+ ressies, (either things are booked, or they conflict with our ADRs, etc) I can say to hell with it, and cancel my trip. I would be insanely furious, but that's an option.

With a staggered system like this If I missed my FP+ Ressies at 60 days, then I have to nervously HOPE that I can get one at 25, I am pretty sure this system is going to put enough pressure and anxiety on our planning, I think adding "rounds" of FPs will only make it worse.

I think its an interesting idea, but I think the cure (to the possibility of FP+s being gone 60 days out) is worse than the disease so to speak.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Just wondering...this isn't a question about any particular comment on here...just in general!

Anyway, why is there this idea that any FPs that aren't prebooked have to be put back into some same-day FP bucket? They can just disappear into the ether. Then technically, that open spot becomes a spot for someone in the standby line to ride.

And I guess taking this further, why is there an idea that same-day FPs would still have to exist in some form? You can still ride the ride standby.

The way I see this system, there doesn't have to be any same-day FPs. You either prebook or ride standby, and WDW is moving all of those previously-available paper FPs into an electronic prebooking system.

Just curious if I was missing something.

 

[damo]

Just wondering...this isn't a question about any particular comment on here...just in general!

Anyway, why is there this idea that any FPs that aren't prebooked have to be put back into some same-day FP bucket? They can just disappear into the ether. Then technically, that open spot becomes a spot for someone in the standby line to ride.

And I guess taking this further, why is there an idea that same-day FPs would still have to exist in some form? You can still ride the ride standby.

The way I see this system, there doesn't have to be any same-day FPs. You either prebook or ride standby, and WDW is moving all of those previously-available paper FPs into an electronic prebooking system.

Just curious if I was missing something.

No, you're not missing anything. The suggestion was originally made that if someone missed their fastpass spot, the system could then send a smartphone message to someone walking by and offer a fastpass spot to them to fill that space that was created. It most certainly could otherwise get filled by someone in the current standby or fastpass lane.

 

[ford91exploder]

In last round of tests when I was there, You got to pick 1 ride, System selected the remaining 2 'attractions' for you, They were also clustered into a 5 hour window. Your choices were Morning, Afternoon and Evening

Disney will be seeing a lot less of our family after this system goes into place, Like the DVC resorts but definitely will be limiting park visits to 2-3 days out of 10 as opposed to current 4-7 days,

I'm a engineer with customer responsibilities as such tied to smartphone and hard schedule dates/times. We visit Disney to 'check out from reality' this new system is way too much like work.

I think Disney is about to do their version of 'New Coke' or Kodak's meltdown
as they've created a system only someone with OCD can could love.

Reminds me of a family I saw a few visits ago at Disney they all had color coded laminated cards with their touring plans on them in Gantt chart style. Saw them a few times and thie kids looked more miserable each time we saw them.

Disney used to be about letting your kid ride dumbo 10 times if that's what they really wanted to do. Not any more sigh...


This could have been wonderful, Go up tag FP machine with your RFID media get sent a text message or paper ticket for those without phones and be able to modify your FP somehow Kiosk/Phone/Computer/CM,

It would have been greener as a LOT of tickets would never be printed or require disposal and you could 'trade' available FP slots with other guests who's plans changed

Instead we get a system designed by a pasty IT guy with OCD which suits IT and no one else.

I'd like to read it too, because I haven't seen any statement or inference that same-day availability as we know it will remain. It seems they are purposefully being quiet about it, and I believe it's because they really have no idea how many same-day FPs will be available once FP+ is in full swing.



I believe the thought process is similar to this:

1. By limiting the "superusers" to 3 FP+s, it instantly makes many more available to everyone else and allow them to have plenty for advance booking and for same-day in the parks as well.

2. Only a relatively small group of uber-planner guests are even going to go through the trouble of booking advance reservations at 60 days out, leading to a sizable pool of same-day FP+s being available.

I don't agree with either of those.

1. The group of guests currently using FPs is relatively small when compared to total park attendance. If FP+ works the way Disney says they want it to work, there will be a lot more guests using the FP+ system than ever used FPs before.

2. They will make it easy and push the advance FP+ reservations on guests as hard as they can (Allowing quick-picks during the reservation process). If I were in charge of it, I'd be linking to people with ADRs ("We notice you have Sci-Fi Dine-In scheduled for October 27th, wouldn't you like to reserve your ride on TSMM for that day?) and offering incentives ("If you book your 3 FP+s 45 days in advance, we'll give you another bonus FP+ to go with them").

3. The math just doesn't add up. I believe the daily FP+ pool will generally be what the FP pool has been over the past year, as they've experimented with increasing the numbers they give out. If they make it easy enough to book in advance, there will be a relatively endless supply of guests willing to do it, if only to reserve their spots "just in case." A FP for TSMM will be just as hard to get as it is now, except you'll have to do it in advance instead of in the morning same-day.



For me, it's all about getting done what we'd like to get done. I wouldn't be excited about paying extra, but that is far better than spending 3-4 hours out of our day in standby lines.



The priority has to be directed to the new system they are spending so much money on rolling out.

 

[Mom-2-2Princesses]

I just got off the phone with the guest relations folks at Disney who called me after I sent an email out voicing my concerns. I left my phone number in the email message and they called me the next day.

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com is the email address.

I was polite in both the email and on the phone and got some good feedback. They did say that they just wrapped up a test and will be conducting another in July but didn't have the dates in front of him. He said they will be adjusting things based on feedback from guests who call/email in as well as those who participate in the tests. I volunteered to be part of a test if it falls during my visit in August. Not sure if that got noted anywhere or not, but it was mentioned and he asked if I had an MDE account setup and to look for emails at the address where my MDE account was setup at for invitations to test.

In regards to some of the concerns he did say that there will be same day FP available and that right now they don't predict FP will book up for an entire day since many will not pre-book. There will also be limits on AP holders that prevent them from simply booking everyday. Park Hopping is also being considered in the allocation process but for now it is limited to 3 per day in 1 park.

I'm pleased with the response that they are listening and are aware of concerns and most importantly that what we are hearing likely will not be the final product.

The bolding is mine. This was stated earlier in this thread, but no one has mentioned it. It is directly contrary to what was later reported in this thread about there not being same day FP's available.

It sounds like Disney isn't quite sure, or the guest communications cast members are un/mis-informed... but to be honest, I just can't see that Disney would so totally alienate their day guests (who make up a not insignificant portion of their total numbers, I believe) by doing away with same day FP altogether. I can see the paper version/current system going away and being replaced by the digital/virtual system, but if even I can see that totally doing away with same day FP's would be foolish, I have faith that Disney is well aware of this as well.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

This could have been wonderful, Go up tag FP machine with your RFID media get sent a text message or paper ticket for those without phones and be able to modify your FP somehow Kiosk/Phone/Computer/CM,

It would have been greener as a LOT of tickets would never be printed or require disposal and you could 'trade' available FP slots with other guests who's plans changed

Instead we get a system designed by a pasty IT guy with OCD which suits IT and no one else.

ITA with this. Disney is just trying too hard. I think they need to go back to the KISS principle...Keep It Simple, Stupid. I want to know who these guests were who said they'd like to book rides 60 days in advance, or who wished that guests could only use 3 FPs in a day. The virtual nature of the FP+ system doesn't bother me. All the controls put into place around it do.

 

[cuteinnocent]

Pre-booking tied to a ticket that far in advance is nuts. I book room reservations early since they can be cancelled, but I normally I don't buy tickets that far in advance in case something comes up and we don't end up going or something, plus it's a large cost to pay that far ahead of time when we normally don't need to until arrival or just before.

This time though we have an Orbitz voucher for our tickets (since before prices increased and non-expiring) for the end of the year that we cannot exchange for actual tickets until we get there. Does this mean that we won't be able to pre-book FP+??
Being a DVC member, I will NOT be happy if this means that we will not be able to get FP+ for the attractions we want if they are already booked up by that time. Makes NO sense!

 

[Stitch2007]

In last round of tests when I was there, You got to pick 1 ride, System selected the remaining 2 'attractions' for you, They were also clustered into a 5 hour window. Your choices were Morning, Afternoon and Evening

Disney will be seeing a lot less of our family after this system goes into place, Like the DVC resorts but definitely will be limiting park visits to 2-3 days out of 10 as opposed to current 4-7 days,

I'm a engineer with customer responsibilities as such tied to smartphone and hard schedule dates/times. We visit Disney to 'check out from reality' this new system is way too much like work.

I think Disney is about to do their version of 'New Coke' or Kodak's meltdown
as they've created a system only someone with OCD can could love.

Reminds me of a family I saw a few visits ago at Disney they all had color coded laminated cards with their touring plans on them in Gantt chart style. Saw them a few times and thie kids looked more miserable each time we saw them.

Disney used to be about letting your kid ride dumbo 10 times if that's what they really wanted to do. Not any more sigh...

This could have been wonderful, Go up tag FP machine with your RFID media get sent a text message or paper ticket for those without phones and be able to modify your FP somehow Kiosk/Phone/Computer/CM,

It would have been greener as a LOT of tickets would never be printed or require disposal and you could 'trade' available FP slots with other guests who's plans changed

Instead we get a system designed by a pasty IT guy with OCD which suits IT and no one else.

I totally agree! I'm on vacation to escape the real world. I don't want to have a schedule everything in advance.

 

[WillAustin]

And I guess taking this further, why is there an idea that same-day FPs would still have to exist in some form? You can still ride the ride standby.

The way I see this system, there doesn't have to be any same-day FPs. You either prebook or ride standby, and WDW is moving all of those previously-available paper FPs into an electronic prebooking system.

Just curious if I was missing something.

Because so many people are accustomed to years of using same-day FPs, I don't think they could entirely eliminate them. Now, they could slowly drive the system toward advance reservations only with only changes allowed on the same day, but it would take a long time.

As has been said before, completely removing same-day FPs will significantly hurt guests who don't plan in advance. I can't see them doing that.

 

[ExBellhop]

In last round of tests when I was there, You got to pick 1 ride, System selected the remaining 2 'attractions' for you, They were also clustered into a 5 hour window. Your choices were Morning, Afternoon and Evening

Can you speak a little to the ride selection? What did you pick? What were you given? Did you find that your pick influenced the quick picks you received? Are you bound by a Non-Disclosure Agreement and can't answer these anyway? Am I overbearing and compelling you to not want to answer these? Is it not me, it's you?

Thanks