FP+ Details Are Out!

[doconeill]

Find that hard to believe.. CM say anything

Downtown Disney hotels (I'm assuming they mean the boulevard hotels like the Hilton) are not operated by Disney and they aren't Cast Members.

However, what they say is likely true in a sense. They won't be getting MagicBands, so that's not relevant to them specifically. But offsite guests will likely be among the last to be able to do any of the MM+ stuff, and if they still hope to complete rollout by January 2014, that's when they'd have access.

 

[Robo]

Find that hard to believe.. CM say anything

Seeing the kind of complexities and difficulties they encountered with the website, the app, the RFID readers at the gates, the weak, sporadic and slow WiFi in the parks, the haggard CM's trying to straighten out the problems during testing, the hitherto unthought-of problems with different "kinds" of tickets, ticket upgrade situations, and inability to link AP vouchers (just to mention a few,) I'd think that a Jan. rollout would not be farfetched at all.

Maybe even January 2015.

 

[MIChessGuy]

I am in agreement with those posters who noted that offsite guests are going to be in the doghouse when FP+ is fully implemented. As I understand it, all the desirable FP+ times will be taken up by resort guests utilizing the 60+10 option, leaving day guests to settle for the "scraps" (unwanted attractions, unwanted time of day, etc.). Is that an unfair assessment? Based on what I've read thus far, it doesn't seem like it.

 

[doconeill]

I am in agreement with those posters who noted that offsite guests are going to be in the doghouse when FP+ is fully implemented. As I understand it, all the desirable FP+ times will be taken up by resort guests utilizing the 60+10 option, leaving day guests to settle for the "scraps" (unwanted attractions, unwanted time of day, etc.). Is that an unfair assessment? Based on what I've read thus far, it doesn't seem like it.

"Offsite guests" is a broad category...there are plenty of people who plan WDW vacations but stay offsite. As long as they have a MYW or other acceptable ticket registered, they'll be able to utilize it like anyone else (except the +10 - which is still nothing more than a rumor).

"Day" guests in the sense of those people who just go for the day without planning in advance are likely the most affected, depending on availability of FP+ on that day, which depends on acceptance and utilization of FP+ reservations in advance, whether a reserve is held back, etc.

 

[Arsenal1982]

I am in agreement with those posters who noted that offsite guests are going to be in the doghouse when FP+ is fully implemented. As I understand it, all the desirable FP+ times will be taken up by resort guests utilizing the 60+10 option, leaving day guests to settle for the "scraps" (unwanted attractions, unwanted time of day, etc.). Is that an unfair assessment? Based on what I've read thus far, it doesn't seem like it.

No. People on this board fail to realize that not everyone who goes to Disney is obsessed with ADR's, Reservations, and planning everything to the T. A lot of folks are first timers and/or people who simply want to relax. You think these guys are going to book Toy Story Mania @ 2pm 60 days out? Get real.

 

[doconeill]

No. People on this board fail to realize that not everyone who goes to Disney is obsessed with ADR's, Reservations, and planning everything to the T. A lot of folks are first timers and/or people who simply want to relax. You think these guys are going to book Toy Story Mania @ 2pm 60 days out? Get real.

Umm...I'm on this board. And I don't fail to realize it. I've got plenty of friends who go to Disney occasionally, and like to take it easy...but Disney is also pricing them out. I just had friends down there who went to Downtown Disney twice, but never stepped foot in the parks.

But this doesn't have to do with them not planning 60 days out. It has to do with them possibly not having any options at all other than to stand in a standby line for every major attraction, because they don't plan far enough out - and it's because Disney made it that way.

 

[Arsenal1982]

Umm...I'm on this board. And I don't fail to realize it. I've got plenty of friends who go to Disney occasionally, and like to take it easy...but Disney is also pricing them out. I just had friends down there who went to Downtown Disney twice, but never stepped foot in the parks.

But this doesn't have to do with them not planning 60 days out. It has to do with them possibly not having any options at all other than to stand in a standby line for every major attraction, because they don't plan far enough out - and it's because Disney made it that way.

What about the current people who sleep in and don't get to the parks until noon? FP's for TSM are gone so what exactly are these folks doing other than standing in the regular line?

 

[doconeill]

What about the current people who sleep in and don't get to the parks until noon? FP's for TSM are gone so what exactly are these folks doing other than standing in the regular line?

Well, if eligible they have the opportunity now to try and book it in advance.

If not, then it is life as usual...except now they might not even be able to get ToT, RNRC or Star Tours either...and wait in a longer line for GMR, maybe not get in to the Indy stunt show, etc.

 

[bcrook]

No. People on this board fail to realize that not everyone who goes to Disney is obsessed with ADR's, Reservations, and planning everything to the T. A lot of folks are first timers and/or people who simply want to relax. You think these guys are going to book Toy Story Mania @ 2pm 60 days out? Get real.

I understand your view for most rides. I always think there will be FP available each day for some rides.

But think about this. Peter Pan only has about 7000 slots available a day for FP. It wouldn't be hard to imagine that booking up in advance. It doesn't take that many people (7000/50,000=13%). Toy Story Midway Mania maybe 10000 slots available.

Even if people don't book online ahead of time, people who show up on for a 7 day vacation are going to figure out real quickly that they have a huge advantage by grabbing FP+ for each day of their stay. People booking a week or two in advance should be a given.

All the tour groups are going to take advantage of this.

Travel Agents will use this as a marketing tool - and actually - it makes me want to get a travel agent to manage it for me.

Also, when people link their tickets - the Disney program is going to encourage people to grab the fast picks.

Everyone who is staying on site is going to get emails letting them know it is time to login and check in 60 days in advance, and they can start booking FP+ reservations, link tickets (or buy tickets), and send out MagicBands.

Even if people resist the initial login and settle for ordering their magicbands, and pass on the recommended Fastpicks. When that box shows up with the magicbands - people will go online then and start booking.

Locals with APs will figure this out quickly and they will definitely be booking rides.

Their wasn't a real connection to profits with the old FP (legacy), thus the casual atmosphere about it.

BUT, this FP+ is linked to magic bands which is linked to serious data collection and incentives to keep people on site. The goal for Disney is to get 100% of the customers on the Magic Band. Disney marketing will be aggressive.

AND - the commercials haven't even started yet. Wait until that hits along with the full court press of the media. Mercy. I will find it difficult to believe anybody won't know.

 

[Angel Ariel]

What about the current people who sleep in and don't get to the parks until noon? FP's for TSM are gone so what exactly are these folks doing other than standing in the regular line?

We were there in march during spring break and our first fps for TSMM were for 11:30. We rode again standby after that, but there were still FPs past noon. They were for much later..like 7pm, but they were there.

 

[LGTD]

Sorry If this seems like a really dumb question but I haven' t had time to catch up on all the posts. We are going the first week in December 2013. What are the odds FP+ will be active (AOA suite) and will there be the choice of old or new FP at that point or strictly FP+. I know it is speculation but opinions greatly appreciated.

 

[doconeill]

Sorry If this seems like a really dumb question but I haven' t had time to catch up on all the posts. We are going the first week in December 2013. What are the odds FP+ will be active (AOA suite) and will there be the choice of old or new FP at that point or strictly FP+. I know it is speculation but opinions greatly appreciated.

It's a complete guess, but given how they seem to be pushing August testing, it seems they'd at least like on-site guests using MagicBands by Food & Wine start, so it seems increasingly likely December it will be available. Opt in/out is questionable...it seems likely that old FP will still be available, but how easy it will be to opt-out completely of MM+ is uncertain.

 

[tink20]

Is FP+ going to be for WDW resort guests only? (or is this still an unknown)

 

[Disney_Princess83]

Find that hard to believe.. CM say anything

As others have pointed out, the Downtown Disney hotels are not run by Disney and don't have "cast members"

I didn't think January is that far fetched, given that they're still testing and it's almost August. People staying at WDW resorts and AP holders will be the first to get them it seems and then it will be rolled out to everyone.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

What about the current people who sleep in and don't get to the parks until noon? FP's for TSM are gone so what exactly are these folks doing other than standing in the regular line?

We are those people We often don't get into the parks until 10am-11am. For TSM we either just don't ride it (it's alright but we don't love this ride) or we line up 15 minutes before the park closes and ride then

 

[doconeill]

Is FP+ going to be for WDW resort guests only? (or is this still an unknown)

Everything at this point says no, it will be available (eventually) to everyone with a ticket.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Is FP+ going to be for WDW resort guests only? (or is this still an unknown)

disney has stated it will be linked to your ticket media, not your resort stay.

 

[LGTD]

It's a complete guess, but given how they seem to be pushing August testing, it seems they'd at least like on-site guests using MagicBands by Food & Wine start, so it seems increasingly likely December it will be available. Opt in/out is questionable...it seems likely that old FP will still be available, but how easy it will be to opt-out completely of MM+ is uncertain.

Thanks! I don't think we'll want to opt out of FP+ unless there are a lot of technical problems being reported. With 3 young kids I like the idea of not having to go get ticket FP's. most touring plans seem to have a lot of backtracking with the old FP. Also our week is projected to be lower crowds.

 

[Robosalad]

But this doesn't have to do with them not planning 60 days out. It has to do with them possibly not having any options at all other than to stand in a standby line for every major attraction, because they don't plan far enough out - and it's because Disney made it that way.

Well you have to also consider that Disney World opened in October of 1971.
Fast passes didn't exist until they were released late in 1999.

So for 28 years there were no fast passes, just standby lines.

I don't see a problem with a system that worked for 28 years, when fast passes have only been around for 14. You just have to go with the flow.
A wise man with dread locks once said, "Don't worry about a thing, cause every little thing is gonna be alright."

 

[doggydoc]

Well you have to also consider that Disney World opened in October of 1971.
Fast passes didn't exist until they were released late in 1999.

So for 28 years there were no fast passes, just standby lines.

I don't see a problem with a system that worked for 28 years, when fast passes have only been around for 14. You just have to go with the flow.
A wise man with dread locks once said, "Don't worry about a thing, cause every little thing is gonna be alright."

You might want to consider the increase in attendance since 1999. Standby is now a completely different experience than it was for those 28 years.

Mr Marley also said "The good times of today are the sad thoughts of tomorrow."