FP+ Details Are Out!

[cmjensen]

Does anyone wonder if when FP+ goes live that it will be 60 days out from the announcement to allow booking 60 days out or that it will just start that day and anyone less than 60 days will have less time to book before their trip? And if the second is true, that they will be notified so as not to lose any opportunity.

 

[Disneylover99]

Does anyone wonder if when FP+ goes live that it will be 60 days out from the announcement to allow booking 60 days out or that it will just start that day and anyone less than 60 days will have less time to book before their trip? And if the second is true, that they will be notified so as not to lose any opportunity.

Nobody knows. This is the dilemma that some of the people travelling next month are facing. Some people travelling in August (myself included) have discovered they have the ability to customize, order and book fast passes right now.

Should we do it??? I don't know. I haven't received an email. But I would hate to check in next month and be handed magic bands and told I can make fast pass reservations immediately, knowing there's a possibility that all the more popular rides are already booked.

 

[Bob NC]

We had this experience just this June. We were there June 9 to 16 with crowd levels of 7 and 8s. We never waited more than 30 minutes to ride anything on our MK day. We picked up 9 FPs and did a total of 19 rides and 1 M&G. This day also included a early dinner ADR in the park. We never ran for a FP, never pushed anyone out of the way to get a FP and only crossed the park twice to get a FP. Our family only has 1 day to do MK. FP+ will be a major downgrade for us. It seems many of the ones that claim we are being to hard on Disney and this new system, travel to Disney during off-peak seasons, take more than one trip a year and spend more than one day in the park while there. It is easier to not be concerned when the times you visit the waits are hardly ever more than 30 to 45 minutes, if you don't get a ride done one day you can come back another day in the same trip, or you will be back in less than 12 months to do it all again.

I have been to WDW so many times that I now know how to go the parks even during busy times and get done what I want to get done with minimal waits.

You have to understand, the uber planners HAVE to have a justification for the hours and hours and hours of planning that go into their theme park visits. They HAVE to be able to justify the money they spend on touring plans and Passporters and everything else.

Just like they have to be able to justify the effort it takes to make ADR's 180 days out and plan plan plan what they want to have for lunch 6 months from today. All this planning would just feel foolish if they admitted to themselves that when Bob NC goes to WDW with no ADR's he eats pretty much where and when he wants. (Realizing that there ARE a few exceptions where ADR's may be necessary.)

The superplanners just can't LET themselves believe there is another way except their own to plan a WDW vacation.

 

[Missyrose]

I have been to WDW so many times that I now know how to go the parks even during busy times and get done what I want to get done with minimal waits.

You have to understand, the uber planners HAVE to have a justification for the hours and hours and hours of planning that go into their theme park visits. They HAVE to be able to justify the money they spend on touring plans and Passporters and everything else.

Just like they have to be able to justify the effort it takes to make ADR's 180 days out and plan plan plan what they want to have for lunch 6 months from today. All this planning would just feel foolish if they admitted to themselves that when Bob NC goes to WDW with no ADR's he eats pretty much where and when he wants. (Realizing that there ARE a few exceptions where ADR's may be necessary.)

The superplanners just can't LET themselves believe there is another way except their own to plan a WDW vacation.

I'm genuinely curious about how you feel about the new FP system. If you hate to plan and spend your Disney vacations going with the flow, are you okay with having to book your attractions two months ahead of time?

 

[ammag]

I did a lot fo planning, trip was awesome. I Only did CRT ADR but regretted ot doing another...Epcot was full to the brink and we really wanted to sit and relax..it was fine, we got tacos and sat by water but DH and I went to almost every TS and it was booked. Oh we'll...this time I am trying to look at the food a little more, making 2 ADRs. I was surprised that during food and wine Epcot was so packed in restaurants, I thought most people were eating from the stalls! Maybe they all did both .

And for me, when things are hard, or boring in real life I like to plan, dream, read things here....and things have been pretty rough lately! It's wonderful to have something this special to look forward to

I am also a planner in regular life.,not too rigid but I have to know options and what's going on....this being said I am mostly ignoring this FP thing until I don't have to

 

[mom2rtk]

Does anyone wonder if when FP+ goes live that it will be 60 days out from the announcement to allow booking 60 days out or that it will just start that day and anyone less than 60 days will have less time to book before their trip? And if the second is true, that they will be notified so as not to lose any opportunity.

When they are ready, they will just go.... and anyone in a covered group 60 days out or less will start booking. But I believe they will go one group at a time. They'll start with certain resorts, then add some more, then add DVC, then AP, then offsite. That sort of thing.

Expect bumps, issues and things that don't make it "fair". You need to keep an eye on the boards and look out for yourself. Disney will probably post something on Facebook, maybe send some emails, maybe put a pop-up message on MDX.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Sometimes when me and DW go to a park ( we go in very early ) we might ride an attraction early and get a FP for later. I have health issues and sometimes I get tired or just feel unwell. It's unpredictable. When we have to leave we always stop and give our FP's to somebody if we haven't used them and they are always delighted. A couple of times it's been for TSM imagine the sheer delight! it makes me feel like my illness has purpose! i am pixie dusting others! I am going to be open minded about the new system I do have a GAC card but I hope in the event I don't use all my options of FP+ because I can't plan in advance I can gift them to somebody else when I don't use them. I hate the thought of them going to waste! I probably won't bother booking till the day. If I don't book anything I guess they will just go unused which is a shame.

 

[mom2rtk]

Which would not have ended up working for our family, as my brother's family was added to the trip with less than 60 days to go and TSMM will likely be gone fast at 60 days out

That is likely to be a fly in the ointment for many.

I wonder how many trips currently get booked within the 60 day window. Once people start to catch on to how FP+ works, I'd say that number will nosedive. Who would book a trip within that window without knowing at all if they can get FP slots for the headliners at all? Will the FP reservation system even be visible to people without linked tickets? How would you even KNOW if there are openings on the headliners within that 60 day window? I think it will take a bit for people to figure this all out but once they do, I really expect some fallout.

I do feel sorry for the CMs in the parks who will have to explain to the people who just but tickets at the gate that they have absolutely no means of getting a FP for TSMM.

 

[EllieF]

Why is it so hard to believe that's just how it was? We didn't do any uber planning or strategizing. We paid attn to EasyWDW and TP's best days, got there early, and did what we wanted. If a line was too long, we got a FP for later. The only ride we made sure to go to first for fps was TSMM. got 11:30fps easily for that. We also managed to ride it again after we were done with maybe a 30 min wait or so.

anyone else who was there when we were could have had the same experience easily.

I don't have any trouble believing this at all. We go at spring break regularly and have a fantastic time every year. We know Disney and we use the crowd calendars to determjne which parks to visit. We use the fastpass system wisely. Aside from that, there isn't much planning involved. We see everything we want to see and ride all the rides we want (usually more than once) with minimal wait times.
We've got it down pretty well...so of course, along comes FP+ to throw us off. LOL!

 

[mistysue]

Sometimes when me and DW go to a park ( we go in very early ) we might ride an attraction early and get a FP for later. I have health issues and sometimes I get tired or just feel unwell. It's unpredictable. When we have to leave we always stop and give our FP's to somebody if we haven't used them and they are always delighted. A couple of times it's been for TSM imagine the sheer delight! it makes me feel like my illness has purpose! i am pixie dusting others! I am going to be open minded about the new system I do have a GAC card but I hope in the event I don't use all my options of FP+ because I can't plan in advance I can gift them to somebody else when I don't use them. I hate the thought of them going to waste! I probably won't bother booking till the day. If I don't book anything I guess they will just go unused which is a shame.

One time we had to leave for my daughter. We had fastpasses and we kept trying to give them to people- who were walking away like we were trying to sell them something! They were even the GAD cards so you could use them wherever! It was surreal. Usually people take them happily, but I don't know if I will ever forget that.

 

[rastuso]

You mean like accepting a "bonus" FP for POTC and finding out you can switch it to Splash? You can bet a fair number of us made mental note of that.

But loopholes aren't what they used to be..... you know.... since that fancy new-fangled internet thing started.

If Disney is smart, they'll have some intern monitoring these boards to keep them addressing the loopholes as they pop up..... like one big game of whack-a-mole.

Yep, I definitely noted that, but that's still during test phase, so it's hardly something I would expect to be possible after full rollout. Yeah, you might be able to change the Pirates FP+ to Country Bears or something.

It was different back in the awesome days of "here's my non valid ticket from 2 years ago, Mr. FP machine, give me a FP!" Those machines weren't easily reprogrammed. Just like when some machines would be off the grid. Heck, DL JUST brought Roger Rabbit into the loop.

With FP+, all of that is instantly fixable by an IT person (assuming a competent one is around, and they don't create 2 problems when solving one).

Jason

 

[Seeker615]

You make it sound like the only 2 options are unprofitable parks that are half empty and FP+ with ride reservations 60 days out. Is there nothing between those extremes?

It's not the advance planning that bothers me about this. I mean, we live far enough away that I get at least a year to plan each trip, and I sort of enjoy that part in between actual visits. What I don't like is the loss of an spontaneity once we get there. They had a system that allowed for spontaneity. That still allowed a family to do their headliners if their child gets sick and they have to change park days at the last minute.

I'm still trying to figure out what to advise my friend going the end of October. So far it has just been to pray for FP+ not to be ready yet. Sounds like a great plan, huh? Her daughter is having hip surgery very soon and should be much better by then, but they just aren't sure. She plans to ask the doctor right before they go what the girl is cleared to ride. 60 days out she won't have any idea what they will be able to do. The trip is the daughter's motivation to get through this very difficult time.

I agree!
When you have small kids it is harder to pin down times and parks. When mine were little we got up and decided that day what park we wanted to visit. It was simple and fun. We had a touring plan for the most part but we also had time to absorb the parks and the magic as well.

With this new system it seems you have to have a schedule and stick with it. Where is the fun in that? It seems like you would have to plan every day and every minute. That sucks the joy out of just absorbing the magic of seeing the castle, or re-riding the carousel or playing in the splash areas longer because you have to rush to the next attraction.

With older kids it would not be such a problem but when you bring in kids under 8 they like to do things over and over or they stop to see something or want to play in one of the play areas. My youngest loved the carousel and loved Honey I shrunk the kids Play area. We spent a lot of time there. I think a trip with the new system would not be as magical for young families.

 

[rastuso]

Shirley, you jest! "Line socialism!?" Your extra FP tickets?

Everybody pays to ride the rides and Disney is trying to ensure everyone gets to ride the rides they paid for. Sounds like good ol' capitalism to me. Actually I think both disney FP+ and Universal are capitalism, it is just that Universal is the old class system where only those with the extra money to buy, or stay at their expensive hotels, can use FP, where FP+ is fair and free for all who pay to enter the parks.

You didn't' explain what the other kind of capitalism was. I'm dying to hear about the kind of capitalism Disney's FP+ is that doesn't include those with more money getting more things.

FP allowed those willing to work harder for more FPs to get them. FP+ puts a hard limit on everyone, and gives them away. It is absolutely line socialism. If you don't think so, you need to consult a dictionary.

Jason

 

[mom2rtk]

you might be able to change the Pirates FP+ to Country Bears or something.

Loophole duly noted. Can't wait to try that one!

 

[doggydoc]

I have been to WDW so many times that I now know how to go the parks even during busy times and get done what I want to get done with minimal waits.

You have to understand, the uber planners HAVE to have a justification for the hours and hours and hours of planning that go into their theme park visits. They HAVE to be able to justify the money they spend on touring plans and Passporters and everything else.

Just like they have to be able to justify the effort it takes to make ADR's 180 days out and plan plan plan what they want to have for lunch 6 months from today. All this planning would just feel foolish if they admitted to themselves that when Bob NC goes to WDW with no ADR's he eats pretty much where and when he wants. (Realizing that there ARE a few exceptions where ADR's may be necessary.)

The superplanners just can't LET themselves believe there is another way except their own to plan a WDW vacation.

Wow that's pretty good, you should take that mind reading act to Vegas. I think the ancient Greeks may have called such an attitude hubris.

Maybe some people LIKE to plan. It gives them a way to pass the time until their next trip while maintaining a "Disney" mindset. Some people have emotional or physical limitations that make planning a necessity. I haven't seen any comments that make me think planners are trying to justify planning. They are just trying to get all the information they need to plan.

Why does this thread turn so judgemental at the drop of a hat?

Some people like the idea of FP+, some hate it. Why can't each side present their case supporting their opinion and refutation against those comments. It doesn't have to get personal.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

We genuinely are not looking forward to the new FP+ system. We plan our ADR's 180 days out and then tweak them here and there as we start to get closer. We only make breakfast or dinner so that we can park hop if we feel like it. We have AP's and last trip, we had a CRT breakfast reservation for 8:15am and then went straight to AK because that's where we really felt like going that day. Then we hopped back to MK that night to watch MSEP and Wishes and stayed late for evening EMH.

Aside from the first few days of our visit and our last few days, we tend to go with the flow. We get to the park when we feel like it. If we want to sleep in, we do. If we feel like doing rope drop, we do. We almost always close out the parks but we rarely know in advance exactly where we will go. In the above example, we would have made mid afternoon FP+ reservations for MK, which would have been wasted, since we decided on the spur of the moment to head for AK.

The idea of having to know what rides in advance AND even what time, is a terrible idea for us.

I'm genuinely curious about how you feel about the new FP system. If you hate to plan and spend your Disney vacations going with the flow, are you okay with having to book your attractions two months ahead of time?

 

[mom2rtk]

We genuinely are not looking forward to the new FP+ system. We plan our ADR's 180 days out and then tweak them here and there as we start to get closer. We only make breakfast or dinner so that we can park hop if we feel like it. We have AP's and last trip, we had a CRT breakfast reservation for 8:15am and then went straight to AK because that's where we really felt like going that day. Then we hopped back to MK that night to watch MSEP and Wishes and stayed late for evening EMH.

Aside from the first few days of our visit and our last few days, we tend to go with the flow. We get to the park when we feel like it. If we want to sleep in, we do. If we feel like doing rope drop, we do. We almost always close out the parks but we rarely know in advance exactly where we will go. In the above example, we would have made mid afternoon FP+ reservations for MK, which would have been wasted, since we decided on the spur of the moment to head for AK.

The idea of having to know what rides in advance AND even what time, us a terrible idea for us.

Bottom line....... Disney as you have known it will cease to exist. Or are you willing to give up fastpass for spontaneity?

We usually plan our days out, but I do remember one trip when our son (who usually doesn't come to Disney) was along and we ditched our last day plans and told him to just pick a park. He chose Epcot, but we never would have done that knowing we couldn't get fastpasses for TT and Soarin. It's one of those memories that just make me smile. And makes me sad knowing that sort of thing just won't happen again for us.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

For us, I think we would give up FP for spontaneity. But we have an advantage that when we go, we go for 2-3 weeks at a time so we can always try another day for certain rides ect. Some of our best memories are those last minute choices (a favourite memory of our last trip was ditching HS because we suddenly really wanted to see Celebrate A Dream Come True Parade. We just made it (the music started as we were going through security check) but it was the best memory. I'd hate to be thinking "Oh no, we should stay because we have a FP scheduled for ToT.

For people who plan their days out in advantage, I can see FP+ having advantages. You could go to HS at 11am and know that you have a FP for TSM at 2pm.

The ADR's don't worry us that much since we have our "favourites" and "must do's" and just start our plans from there. That being said, we are usually tweaking them up to a few weeks before we leave. I'm not sure how this would work with FP+ since I imagine there will be limited availability for headliners (but we should be able to FP Mickey's Philharmagic the day before right? ) It also wouldn't be great because if we made FP bookings for MK, then decided to do EPCOT at the last minute, people might miss out on the timeslots we had booked, even if we cancel them using the app or in park kiosks.

Bottom line....... Disney as you have known it will cease to exist. Or are you willing to give up fastpass for spontaneity?

We usually plan our days out, but I do remember one trip when our son (who usually doesn't come to Disney) was along and we ditched our last day plans and told him to just pick a park. He chose Epcot, but we never would have done that knowing we couldn't get fastpasses for TT and Soarin. It's one of those memories that just make me smile. And makes me sad knowing that sort of thing just won't happen again for us.

 

[golf4miami]

Bottom line....... Disney as you have known it will cease to exist. Or are you willing to give up fastpass for spontaneity?

We usually plan our days out, but I do remember one trip when our son (who usually doesn't come to Disney) was along and we ditched our last day plans and told him to just pick a park. He chose Epcot, but we never would have done that knowing we couldn't get fastpasses for TT and Soarin. It's one of those memories that just make me smile. And makes me sad knowing that sort of thing just won't happen again for us.

You have been taking the words out of my mouth this whole time. Keep it up!

I'm one of the biggest fans of the current FP system simply because I can only get to the parks once every 2,3,4 years and it allows me to maximize what we can do while we are there. Not being able to get more than 3 FP+ for any single day is really going to put a hamper on our excitement.

Not to mention the fact that we pick a park, or two if we hop, for a day and just go with the flow from there. I worked in an amusement park and can read crowd levels and wait times pretty well in order to maximize our time in the parks. FP+ will be taking these tools right out of my hands.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Other than not having to make rope drop (which you probably will still have to do to try to ride the other rides that you didn't get FP+s for), there is no benefit to FP+ that I can see. And I am not an uber-planner or a turbo user etc. Just a regular person who goes to Disney with her family about once a year.

I bet in one year these boards will be filled with people complaining about how Disney is way too much work now and how their trip got sort of ruined because they couldn't move a day around and their kid got sick etc etc

JHMO of course