FP+ Details Are Out!

[dayvewc]

This is the email I've been working on for 3 days and just sent off. I'll return and let everyone know what I hear back (when/if I hear back).

Hello,

Let me begin by stating that I am highly impressed with the potential for all of the updates and changes coming to Disney in the form of the website and smart-phone apps. I have some concerns and issues with some of the changes that have occurred, but I do understand that here at the beginning of implementation rough patches may occur. So, I am writing to inform you specifically of problems I have encountered as well as to share my concerns for about some of the proposed changes.

Concerning the MDX phone app and website:
1) I use an Android phone (Samsung Galaxy S4). Whenever I open the application and sign in, it pre-populates with my email address. I can change that to my web-based username, but the problem is that the system feeding information to the phone app apparently interprets those as two (2) different accounts. So, when I plan and book things on the web system using my username (in which my profile is my email), those reservations are not viewable by me using the phone app (if signed in using my email). Does there exist a way in which the system can "merge" the two accounts into one?

2) More minor, but when signing into the phone app, the "sign in" and "cancel" buttons are placed at the very bottom of the sign-in screen and thus are hidden by the virtual keyboard. This becomes somewhat annoying having to close the keyboard in order to sign-in, and although as I said it is very minor it would be nice if the buttons were moved to a more accessible place on the screen.

3) The wish-list on the phone app does not keep more than two (2) items marked. If I go in and select items to add to the wish-list, it will keep the current item just added, and the last previous item, but any others disappear. For example: In MK if I select A Pirate's Adventure, all is good. I then select Astro Orbitor, the list shows both Pirate's Adventure and Astro Orbitor, all is still good. But if I then select Big Thunder Mountain Railroad the list shows Astro Orbitor and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, all is not good. I would like to be able to set my wishlist prior to going to the parks and have it remain so it is easier to identify where I need to head next to accomplish my touring plans for that day/trip.

4) More of an issue with the website, but when I search for reservations it resets the search to today's date. For example, I enter the web-site, check my reserved stay October 30 - November 3, go under my itinerary for November 1 and search for dining reservations, the website tells me there are no reservations available for July 2. I can then change the date to the correct date and search again, but shouldn't the system recognize that if I am adding plans for November 1, I don't need to know information for July 2?

Moving to FP+ questions and concerns
Before airing my specific concerns, let me state that I have heard many, many, MANY rumors about the possible implementation of FP+. Some favorable, but most against. (Did I mention that there were a lot of rumors floating out there?) While I will primarily ask about situations that would directly affect me, I also have questions raised by other users of the current FP system. I think some solid information will be a good counter to the misinformation and rumors that abound. (And I did mention that I keep finding lots of rumors, right?)

5a) Pre-booking FP+: on the surface, I like this idea that I can go in before my trip and schedule the specific rides that I really appreciate. Looking deeper, I am not sure how this would actually work. Granted, I do now know all the numbers (park attendance, ride capacity, FP+ allocation of ride slots) but it just seems as though there does not exist a method that will ensure every attendee at least one (1) ride on every headliner attraction. To borrow a phrase "the numbers just don't work."

5b) Also on pre-booking: If I schedule my desired rides in advance, what happens when I am at WDW and I find I need to shuffle my park days due to weather? Can I be guaranteed the rides I've already selected for different days? (I'm talking a straight swap, i.e. I have reserved Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, and Big Thunder Railroad in MK on Tuesday while at Epcot I reserved Soarin', Mission: Space, and Test Track on Wednesday. If weather indicates that I should go to Epcot on Tuesday and MK on Wednesday instead, would I have the option of keeping my chosen rides for both parks, or am I "locked" into that particular park on that particular day, regardless of the hurricane bearing down, or the sick child or parent?)

5c) Also on pre-booking: What happens to my FP+ if the ride I have scheduled is down for maintenance? Is there a guarantee that another comparable ride will be available? (Not asking if I can "upgrade" from the Barnstormer to Space Mountain, should the first be closed; but if I had Space Mountain would Splash Mountain be available should Space Mountain be down?)

6) I keep hearing three (3) as the magic number of FP+ available. I myself am not a "super user" of the current FP, most trips I probably obtain 4-6 FP for attractions, but will 3 be the total number of FP+ I can use per day? Or will there be some sort of same-day availability allowing me to pull additional FP's as desired, within limits (similar to the current 2-hour wait)?

6b) Based on a rumor recently heard, is the magic number of 3 FP+ simply what I can have reserved at any one time? Meaning, if I have scheduled FP+'s at 10, 11, and 12, after I use the 10 o'clock FP+ will I then be able to schedule another one later in the day? Maybe not at 1 (in keeping with my example of one FP+ scheduled every hour), but at some point later on in the day?

7) WiFi and/or cell coverage: I normally only use my phone to check the time to ensure that I am on track to redeem my FP's in their usage window. When I am having to check my phone multiple times a day, connecting to the MDX searching for wait times or available FP+'s (assuming some sort of same-day scenario) will the park WiFi be able to handle the up-surge of users? Or will the different cell providers increase their coverage of the parks? I know in years past, both WiFi and cell signal have been sketchy at times - usually proportional to the (observed) crowd levels in the parks.

8) AP / PAP (rumors again) - will Annual Pass or Premium Pass guests have the same availability as regular guests? Or will there be a limit on the number of FP+ they can schedule per week/month/quarter/year? If they are allowed the same as regular guests, is there anything to prevent them from going and scheduling (or attempting to schedule) 3 FP+ every day? This would probably be more of a concern to Florida residents, but something that has been mentioned in rumors.

9) Same-day / discount ticket holders - will there be a way to schedule FP+ for same day or discount ticket purchasers? In the past, I have bought tickets from Undercover Tourist and picked them up upon arrival. If I need the ticket information to schedule FP+ rides, how could that be done if I don't have the physical tickets yet?

9b) Similarly related, what about guests staying in the Swan or Dolphin as conference attendees who receive tickets at check-in?

I believe these cover most of my questions and concerns regarding the impending changes. I will say that while I don't foresee the FP+ being a "deal breaker" on my visits to Disney World (even in the worst and most restrictive cases) I can say that it might influence me to visit a bit less should it develop into an OCD pre-planning nightmare.

I appreciate the time and attention to address my concerns, and if you desire to contact me for clarification I can be reached through my email, or by phone (501) *** - ****.

Thank you again, and may your day be magical!!

David C*******


This one thing you must learn --- first you pillage THEN you burn!!!! (Old Viking mnemonic)

 

[d1gitman]

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.

Interesting comment because the advent of Fast Pass was actually an intrusion on all guest who toured parks without interference of fastpass on the flow of crowds. So to now state that those who want to tour without mastering a system that alters what was a one size fits all for decades is amazing. It really is about perspective because as long as i get what I want then all others be damned. I lke Fast Pass and the fact that i know how to get more than the average joe so too bad for him. Shame on disney for leveling the playing field for the majority of guest who spend their thousands of hard earned dollars. Lets cater to the DISrs

 

[mom2rtk]

Interesting comment because the advent of Fast Pass was actually an intrusion on all guest who toured parks without interference of fastpass on the flow of crowds. So to now state that those who want to tour without mastering a system that alters what was a one size fits all for decades is amazing. It really is about perspective because as long as i get what I want then all others be damned. I lke Fast Pass and the fact that i know how to get more than the average joe so too bad for him. Shame on disney for leveling the playing field for the majority of guest who spend their thousands of hard earned dollars. Lets cater to the DISrs

I wouldn't know because I was never blessed with the opportunity to step foot in a Disney park before the advent of Fastpass. But apparently I now need to pay someone back for what I took from them?

I look at things as quite even already. Life should be about equality of opportunity, not equality of outcomes. I somehow figured out fastpass without a computer, guide book, or smart phone. My first visit was in the early 90's. And yet I somehow figured it out.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I wonder how many of us fully understood the whole Fast Pass system the first or second time it was introduced to us.

What is there that's so difficult? I went to DL and WDW and experienced FP before I found the DIS, and managed to figure it out.

I think we take for granted how much we study share and learn about tricks and tips to better navigate disney.

I also think it's taken for granted on this board that everyone here somehow unfairly manipulates the system. We don't. We put little thought into getting FPs..just get them as we see them, and we manage 5-6/day easily. How is that not what Disney intended?

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.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Shame on disney for leveling the playing field for the majority of guest who spend their thousands of hard earned dollars. Lets cater to the DISrs

I keep hearing this "leveling the playing field" concept. What about FP isn't a level playing field? It's free. It's open to anyone in the park. It's been advertised throughout the park the same way for everyone. It's advertised on the Vacation Planning DVD the same way for everyone. The kiosks and return times are posted in the same place for everyone. There has been ample opportunity in the parks for one to learn about FP as it is now. Those who choose not to comprehend what's there now aren't going to comprehend a more complicated system any more than they do the very simple current one.

 

[wdwlver]

I wouldn't know because I was never blessed with the opportunity to step foot in a Disney park before the advent of Fastpass. But apparently I now need to pay someone back for what I took from them?

I look at things as quite even already. Life should be about equality of opportunity, not equality of outcomes. I somehow figured out fastpass without a computer, guide book, or smart phone. My first visit was in the early 90's. And yet I somehow figured it out.

 

[wishing4PA]

I keep hearing this "leveling the playing field" concept. What about FP isn't a level playing field? It's free. It's open to anyone in the park. It's been advertised throughout the park the same way for everyone. It's advertised on the Vacation Planning DVD the same way for everyone. The kiosks and return times are posted in the same place for everyone. There has been ample opportunity in the parks for one to learn about FP as it is now. Those who choose not to comprehend what's there now aren't going to comprehend a more complicated system any more than they do the very simple current one.

Agreed. When I first went back to WDW in 2009 after quite a long break, I had never heard of FP. Until I was booking the trip. I did a couple of searches that led me here and to allears etc., and wondered what this "fastpass" thing was all about. Didn't have a clue at first, but then it didn't take too long to figure it out (the current system.) Even if I had walked into the park on a whim, surely I would have wondered about the machines and asked someone. Or ... read the info printed on my park map. The only field leveling that I see was already done by taking away the late FP acceptance. That was something I wouldn't have known about if I had just walked into the park on a day trip without researching.
Now, whether the same can be said about FP+ after all the kinks get worked out ... remains to be seen.

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

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.

I don't actually have our tickets yet either, but since they were linked to our room reservation maybe that's why they showed up?

 

[jtowntoflorida]

If standby lines were really the issue, couldn't they alleviate that by, I dunno...changing the ratio of standby to FP riders? Haven't people been complaining that they let in 20 SB riders for every 80 FP riders? Why not just increase the wait time for the FP shortly (say, 10-15 minutes) by changing the ratio?

ETA: This is a rhetorical question only.

 

[d1gitman]

I keep hearing this "leveling the playing field" concept. What about FP isn't a level playing field? It's free. It's open to anyone in the park. It's been advertised throughout the park the same way for everyone. It's advertised on the Vacation Planning DVD the same way for everyone. The kiosks and return times are posted in the same place for everyone. There has been ample opportunity in the parks for one to learn about FP as it is now. Those who choose not to comprehend what's there now aren't going to comprehend a more complicated system any more than they do the very simple current one.

Yes it is open to all but by its very nature not all can participate. There aren't enough Fast Pass for all guests to have them. So i find it ironic that we have learned to use the current Fast Pass system to our liking so that we in the minority have the most access to the to attraction. Now that a system is being proposed to spread the passes out to the masses more evenly it somehow isn't fair to those of us who know the virtues of the current system that can be lopsided. Yes Fast Pass is actually quite simple but when dealing with all walks of life it is fully understandable to me that many people jus dont grasp the concept Think about it. If you book a trip and the agent or Disney Cast Member doesn't come out and ask you i you are familiar with the Fast Pass the. Realistically how is a guest going to grasp it. Its not like there is a barker on main st USA that's shouting it out to guests walking by. I've never had a Disney Cast Member in the park approach me to ask if i know about Fast Pass. So unless at time of bookin or if you stay onsite and at check in have it explained you you l, it s totally conceivable how people dont understand it as some as it is So the attitude of "its simple how hard could it be to get up early or to use fast pass" is quite an elitist point of view IMHO. Its not mathematically possible to grant everyone Fast Pass t all attractions s the Fast Pass system created a way t filter that. However it also is a system that can be lopsided in nature. So if fp+ can utilize live data to better spread the access across the board, i have no problem with it even though i have benefitted greatly from the current Fast Pass system. It is in disneys interest to appeal to the masses and if they can build a better mouse trap for all of us than I'm for it. Of course they have kind f opened pandoras Box with trying to implement s many features at once when they eventually roll Fast Pass+ to the masses

 

[mesaboy2]

Yes it is open to all but by its very nature not all can participate. There aren't enough Fast Pass for all guests to have them. So i find it ironic that we have learned to use the current Fast Pass system to our liking so that we in the minority have the most access to the to attraction. Now that a system is being proposed to spread the passes out to the masses more evenly it somehow isn't fair to those of us who know the virtues of the current system that can be lopsided. Yes Fast Pass is actually quite simple but when dealing with all walks of life it is fully understandable to me that many people jus dont grasp the concept Think about it. If you book a trip and the agent or Disney Cast Member doesn't come out and ask you i you are familiar with the Fast Pass the. Realistically how is a guest going to grasp it. Its not like there is a barker on main st USA that's shouting it out to guests walking by. I've never had a Disney Cast Member in the park approach me to ask if i know about Fast Pass. So unless at time of bookin or if you stay onsite and at check in have it explained you you l, it s totally conceivable how people dont understand it as some as it is So the attitude of "its simple how hard could it be to get up early or to use fast pass" is quite an elitist point of view IMHO. Its not mathematically possible to grant everyone Fast Pass t all attractions s the Fast Pass system created a way t filter that. However it also is a system that can be lopsided in nature. So if fp+ can utilize live data to better spread the access across the board, i have no problem with it even though i have benefitted greatly from the current Fast Pass system. It is in disneys interest to appeal to the masses and if they can build a better mouse trap for all of us than I'm for it. Of course they have kind f opened pandoras Box with trying to implement s many features at once when they eventually roll Fast Pass+ to the masses

Not that long ago, either by reading (park maps) or by watching TV (Stacy). Both are skills I was lucky enough to be blessed with.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I also think it's taken for granted on this board that everyone here somehow unfairly manipulates the system. We don't. We put little thought into getting FPs..just get them as we see them, and we manage 5-6/day easily. How is that not what Disney intended?

Yep. I agree. I think it is absurd to insist or insinuate that people are somehow unfairly manipulating the current FP system by having more than 3 per day. The fact that I can get a fistful of FPs on any given day is because I know how to use the system. I play by the same rules that are available to everyone else.

"Leveling the playing field" is a thoroughly shallow notion. If Disney wishes to level the playing field, then perhaps they could cut prices. Maybe charge admission and fix resort rates according to guests' income. Now wouldn't that level the playing field?

 

[mom2rtk]

Think about it. If you book a trip and the agent or Disney Cast Member doesn't come out and ask you i you are familiar with the Fast Pass the. Realistically how is a guest going to grasp it. Its not like there is a barker on main st USA that's shouting it out to guests walking by.

I only started staying onsite in recent years. Yet somehow I managed to figure out how to use fastpass. I'm thinking more than a few other offsite folks figured it out too.

So the attitude of "its simple how hard could it be to get up early or to use fast pass" is quite an elitist point of view IMHO.

I actually consider it pretty elitist to assume that the huddled masses vacationing at Disney don't have the ability to figure out fastpass.

 

[mom2rtk]

Not that long ago, either by reading (park maps) or by watching TV (Stacy). Both are skills I was lucky enough to be blessed with.

Well, there's another country heard from. Welcome back!

 

[mom2rtk]

"Leveling the playing field" is a thoroughly shallow notion. If Disney wishes to level the playing field, then perhaps they could cut prices. Maybe charge admission and fix resort rates according to guests' income. Now wouldn't that level the playing field?

Seems only fair. And it's all about fair, right?

 

[mesaboy2]

Well, there's another country heard from. Welcome back!

Merci beaucoup.

 

[doggydoc]

Yes it is open to all but by its very nature not all can participate. There aren't enough Fast Pass for all guests to have them. So i find it ironic that we have learned to use the current Fast Pass system to our liking so that we in the minority have the most access to the to attraction. Now that a system is being proposed to spread the passes out to the masses more evenly it somehow isn't fair to those of us who know the virtues of the current system that can be lopsided. Yes Fast Pass is actually quite simple but when dealing with all walks of life it is fully understandable to me that many people jus dont grasp the concept Think about it. If you book a trip and the agent or Disney Cast Member doesn't come out and ask you i you are familiar with the Fast Pass the. Realistically how is a guest going to grasp it. Its not like there is a barker on main st USA that's shouting it out to guests walking by. I've never had a Disney Cast Member in the park approach me to ask if i know about Fast Pass. So unless at time of bookin or if you stay onsite and at check in have it explained you you l, it s totally conceivable how people dont understand it as some as it is So the attitude of "its simple how hard could it be to get up early or to use fast pass" is quite an elitist point of view IMHO. Its not mathematically possible to grant everyone Fast Pass t all attractions s the Fast Pass system created a way t filter that. However it also is a system that can be lopsided in nature. So if fp+ can utilize live data to better spread the access across the board, i have no problem with it even though i have benefitted greatly from the current Fast Pass system. It is in disneys interest to appeal to the masses and if they can build a better mouse trap for all of us than I'm for it. Of course they have kind f opened pandoras Box with trying to implement s many features at once when they eventually roll Fast Pass+ to the masses

It's actually funny how the FP+ is so great argument always comes back around to "it's better for the average visitor, he/she couldn't figure out how to use FP like the uber planner/user". It's not an original thought I have read it over and over and over on these threads. My response is always that if the average user can't figure out FP how are they going to manage FP+? The response is always they'll market it. Well haven't they marketed regular FP? On the Disney Mom's panel, on the park maps, onsite cable shows, and they have had the benefit of free marketing on a myriad of sites like this one. If Disney themselves can't work out the specifics how can this "average visitor"? It's a far more complicated system, how is it going to be easier? How can they market it in a way they haven't tried with regular FP?

 

[mom2rtk]

Merci beaucoup.

And now we apparently know which country. No wonder you were gone so long.

 

[ExBellhop]

I actually consider it pretty elitist to assume that the huddled masses vacationing at Disney don't have the ability to figure out fastpass.

How many of the masses went to a Six Flags/Cedar Fair/Universal park first, though? Given the proximity and relative cost of a day at an amusement park, I would bet quite a few. And all of those places have fast pass. And it costs money.

So without research, since they already know what fast pass is (they saw it at six flags), they pass it up because it's not in their budget. They don't need to ask questions (well, they don't think they need to, anyway), so they head over to standby to wait out their vacations...

 

[mom2rtk]

How many of the masses went to a Six Flags/Cedar Fair/Universal park first, though? Given the proximity and relative cost of a day at an amusement park, I would bet quite a few. And all of those places have fast pass. And it costs money.

So without research, since they already know what fast pass is (they saw it at six flags), they pass it up because it's not in their budget. They don't need to ask questions (well, they don't think they need to, anyway), so they head over to standby to wait out their vacations...

And just how does this new system make that better?

If anything, it makes it easier to assume they would need to pay for it.