FP+ Details Are Out!

[whatsarahsaid]

Wow.

I hope they had a WHOLE LOT of focus groups if they were getting this small a number of participants per group.

I think I read that 3000 participated in this last test, so 2 people out of 3000 isn't a great response rate, is it?

Anyway, thanks again for all your great reports.

Apparently they were having multiple focus groups between both AKL and the Contemporary guests who were participating in the test. For some reason only my husband and I showed up for our scheduled focus group.

 

[mom2rtk]

ETA: I'm not sure how better crowd control (on its own) can be seen as much of a benefit for Disney UNLESS it increases guest satisfaction overall. Just in staffing levels by attraction (staff distribution, if you will)? Doesn't seem like much of a benefit to Disney at all. It's increased satisfaction that begins the wonderful cascade for Disney of more repeat business, better word of mouth, new/increased business for their other-than-parks SBU's, etc.

The benefit to Disney is this. They saw how the headliners are in huge demand but the B attractions are underutilized. If they can increase utilization of those B attractions and free up capacity on the headliners, they can still increase attendance without needing to build more headliners. I honestly think that's what this is about.

 

[Shaden]

Ok just had a nice 20 minute conversation with someone who called me back re: my email with worries about FP+.

The sum of my conversation was this: They have no idea what the system will look like on final roll out. There will be fewer FPs available, they think. So standby lines should be shorter.

Seriously. We talked for 19 minutes, it was a really good conversation. But basically they don't really have a clue, they are responding to tester's feedback and other's feedback. (So, I guess send your feedback)

But yea, I asked Do you know if there will be Fast passes available same day: Don't know.

I asked if they knew how much capacity there will be for prebooks, pointed out the inherent contradiction in offering same day FPs, and pre book Fps, if their goal is to both allow people to pre-book for certainty, and still shorten standby times: Not sure how they will balance, but recognize its an issue.

Asked about the fact that plans change, things happen while on vacation, kids might get sick, rain might come in, what do you do when your FPs were missed, he doesn't really know how they will handle that, but he recognizes that booking everything 60 days out will be restrictive.

He seemed pretty adamant about the 3 FP's per day, because they want to shorten standby lines, thus couldn't see them offering more, but said it was "possible" but he was unsure if it would happen.

There were several other questions, like I said it was almost a 20 min conversation, and generally his answers were: we don't know.

I then pointed out how unrealistic it is to expect people to book flights, vacation time, etc, a year in advance and when they don't know the conditions of the trip they are booking ... he admitted that they need to be more clear with the system, but since they don't really know the details yet, its difficult for them to release the details.

 

[mom2rtk]

yet our own usage (probably over usage by Disney's calculations) of the current system is actually unfair to those who aren't as blessed as us to know how to maximize it.

How "blessed" do you have to be to walk over to a FP machine and pull a ticket? How "blessed" do have to be to get yourself out of bed and get to the park for rope drop?

 

[Jennasis]

Ok just had a nice 20 minute conversation with someone who called me back re: my email with worries about FP+.

The sum of my conversation was this: They have no idea what the system will look like on final roll out. There will be fewer FPs available, they think. So standby lines should be shorter.

Seriously. We talked for 19 minutes, it was a really good conversation. But basically they don't really have a clue, they are responding to tester's feedback and other's feedback. (So, I guess send your feedback)

But yea, I asked Do you know if there will be Fast passes available same day: Don't know.

I asked if they knew how much capacity there will be for prebooks, pointed out the inherent contradiction in offering same day FPs, and pre book Fps, if their goal is to both allow people to pre-book for certainty, and still shorten standby times: Not sure how they will balance, but recognize its an issue.

Asked about the fact that plans change, things happen while on vacation, kids might get sick, rain might come in, what do you do when your FPs were missed, he doesn't really know how they will handle that, but he recognizes that booking everything 60 days out will be restrictive.

He seemed pretty adamant about the 3 FP's per day, because they want to shorten standby lines, thus couldn't see them offering more, but said it was "possible" but he was unsure if it would happen.

There were several other questions, like I said it was almost a 20 min conversation, and generally his answers were: we don't know.

I then pointed out how unrealistic it is to expect people to book flights, vacation time, etc, a year in advance and when they don't know the conditions of the trip they are booking ... he admitted that they need to be more clear with the system, but since they don't really know the details yet, its difficult for them to release the details.

Mayhaps you spoke to the same guy I did?

 

[mom2rtk]

Using the highways and streets to drive to lots of different stores to shop for the lowest prices and favorite items is manipulating the highway and road system to the advantage of those who aren't blessed with the know-how to choose the stores with good discounts or be able to drive to that many stores.

Besides, I'm sure it's considered "over-driving" and causes traffic jams.

If only we could decide 60 days in advance at which three stores we were going to shop. The stores could stock up in anticipation of those days.
The state and cities could allocate better traffic control and dispatch more patrol staff to those higher travelled areas.

Much better for shoppers.

I need some milk and bread.
See you in 60 days!

Pencil me in for a gallon of milk on 8/15. Can I sign up for another date too or do I need to use that one first?

 

[mom2rtk]

I think it means that once you've used one of your three, you can then get another.

That's a new twist.

That's how I read it. Now that I think about it, that might really twist things around and make the morning slots a bit more appealing.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Interesting. I'm surprised (impressed?) that people are getting called back from emails and having these lengthy conversations!

Sounds like they are just going to start with the 3-a-day and see what happens from there. Makes sense.

As far as people booking vacations, as long as people can get 3-a-day and hit most of their favorites during their stay, I think that most (not all!) people will be happy enough. At least the 60 day booking period is before the final payment due date.

 

[doconeill]

He seemed pretty adamant about the 3 FP's per day, because they want to shorten standby lines, thus couldn't see them offering more, but said it was "possible" but he was unsure if it would happen.

OK, one thing this is telling me now is that they see that Fastpass was a dismal failure in keeping people out of lines and putting them into shops/restaurants, and so now they want to limit its impact.

But this also goes with Jennasis saying there will be less Fastpasses...if they want the standby lines to flow faster, they need to reduce the number, not increase, the number issued. Which might make it even harder to get them, regardless of the 3FP+ limit.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

The benefit to Disney is this. They saw how the headliners are in huge demand but the B attractions are underutilized. If they can increase utilization of those B attractions and free up capacity on the headliners, they can still increase attendance without needing to build more headliners. I honestly think that's what this is about.

This may just come down to our individual views on this company. I don't believe this is consistent with Disney's historical M.O. I don't think it's what drives them at the core -- let's just get more $$ out of what we already have so that we don't have to innovate, create, build. Doesn't fit for me.

Agree to disagree?

 

[mom2rtk]

OK, one thing this is telling me now is that they see that Fastpass was a dismal failure in keeping people out of lines and putting them into shops/restaurants, and so now they want to limit its impact.

But this also goes with Jennasis saying there will be less Fastpasses...if they want the standby lines to flow faster, they need to reduce the number, not increase, the number issued. Which might make it even harder to get them, regardless of the 3FP+ limit.

But I'm still convinced they were adding FP to the system over the past year, so I just don't get how that would translate now into fewer FPs. Unless of course they really are just making this up as they go along. And we all know that would just never happen.

And I just don't believe they would cut back. Fastpass is the currency of the new system. And I think they will be sorely tempted to "print" more currency. QE5..... Here we come!

 

[mom2rtk]

This may just come down to our individual views on this company. I don't believe this is consistent with Disney's historical M.O. I don't think it's what drives them at the core -- let's just get more $$ out of what we already have so that we don't have to innovate, create, build. Doesn't fit for me.

Agree to disagree?

I have no problem with that.

I see your point. But it's still my personal working theory.

 

[momof2n2]

Waaaaaaahhh.

I hate this. Every time I revisit this thread I'm more dismayed.

I don't go to MK to see Tiki Room or HoP. I go (in May or Oct) fully anticipating riding each mountain 2-3 times and managing to secure pretty awesome spots for WISHES on my own. I RD Rapunzel last trip ('11) and still didn't miss our mountain quota. Why? I'm blessed to understand FP and go with it.

Now, some guys at Disney are working to make sure I don't miss tea cups or Speedway? Thanks, but no thanks.

So, like, 6 of us on this thread have contacted Disney with concerns? I'm guessing we have a ways to go to really get them to blink.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I have no problem with that.

I see your point. But it's still my personal working theory.

Gotcha - fair enough!

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

Okay, so TheSilverTherapist is relieved now. But the convention guest who is obtaining tickets via the convention at registration time (as opposed to getting them early possibly directly through Disney Meetings) is going to be left out in the cold?
I have this situation this summer. We pick up our tickets on the day we arrive. We would be left out of FP+ early booking, if that were an option. I'm glad right now that it's not fully implemented yet. We were able to get our 180+10 ADRs, and I can't see that changing, but if we would have had to have tickets in hand to get 60 day advance fastpasses, we'd have been out of luck.
Does WDW want to make convention attendees unhappy?
Or should they just be happy with their coveted ADRs and forget coveted attractions? After all, they are there to work, not to have fun!

We have convention tickets for August and I linked them to my mde account. It can be done!

 

[agavegirl1]

Well, I just fired off an email expressing my concerns over Magic Bands and Fast Pass+. We will see if I get a response. It seems like they are interested in feedback. Where is that "fingers crossed smiley"?

 

[wishing4PA]

We have convention tickets for August and I linked them to my mde account. It can be done!

Our convention doesn't provide them until we register with them at WDW. It's a student convention with student and companion tickets, which could account for the difference, I don't know. But there is nothing for me to link at this point.

 

[d1gitman]

How "blessed" do you have to be to walk over to a FP machine and pull a ticket? How "blessed" do have to be to get yourself out of bed and get to the park for rope drop?

I wonder how many of us fully understood the whole Fast Pass system the first or second time it was introduced to us. Or that every Disney Cast Member who explained either by phone or in person had adequately articulated the whole Fast Pass thing to us. Or what percentage of guests are as obsessed with all things disney as many of us DISrs are. I think we take for granted how much we study share and learn about tricks and tips to better navigate disney. That some how those who want t just show up at the park and experience it as it happens are lesser than those of us who know it all.

 

[momof2n2]

I wonder how many of us fully understood the whole Fast Pass system the first or second time it was introduced to us. Or that every Disney Cast Member who explained either by phone or in person had adequately articulated the whole Fast Pass thing to us. Or what percentage of guests are as obsessed with all things disney as many of us DISrs are. I think we take for granted how much we study share and learn about tricks and tips to better navigate disney. That some how those who want t just show up at the park and experience it as it happens are lesser than those of us who know it all.

I don't think they are lesser. But I want to think that anyone who is dropping $1000s on a trip there takes a moment to ask a CM what a FP is. I don't buy appliances without reading up. I'm shocked people don't spend some time trying to figure FP out. But it's like anything else that I'm used to; I'm upset when it changes and takes away what I've enjoyed.

Some posters have suggested that they doubt that people would take their vacation dollars elsewhere over this. I think there is a real set of us who would. This IS a game-changer if the first order.

 

[mom2rtk]

I wonder how many of us fully understood the whole Fast Pass system the first or second time it was introduced to us. Or that every Disney Cast Member who explained either by phone or in person had adequately articulated the whole Fast Pass thing to us. Or what percentage of guests are as obsessed with all things disney as many of us DISrs are. I think we take for granted how much we study share and learn about tricks and tips to better navigate disney. That some how those who want t just show up at the park and experience it as it happens are lesser than those of us who know it all.

I know it's been said before but it bears repeating. If they had a hard time with the old system, they're gonna have a really hard time with the new one.

I have absolutely no problem with someone wanting to show up and experience Disney as it happens. My problem is with someone wanting to alter my experience to make way for that.