FP+ experience - very few times to choose from

[sethschroeder]

Would that not qualify as "cheating the system"?

Not even close. Cheating the system is prebooking 4+ FP+ or having all the FP+ overlapping.

He is intentionally making sure no FP+ times overlap with his final times. The system is built for the masses who just want their 3FP+ but don't really care about the times. They still need to give two options when you start a simple guided option like now and a custom option where you select exactly the rides and times.

 

[mom2rtk]

It works because of the way that the system is designed, and it is designed that way to help people who are very much unlike folks on the Dis.

Oh, I understand why it works. I'm just saying it's insanity that you have to know all of this inside information to get the times you want.

And people complained that the old system was "unfair".

There had to be a better way.

So here's my question........ Is Disney really worse at all this IT stuff than even I thought............. or did they do it this way to allow the greatest manipulation of guest itineraries? (i.e........ it's too complicated, so the guest just goes with the "suggested" times"?)

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Oh, I understand why it works. I'm just saying it's insanity that you have to know all of this inside information to get the times you want.

And people complained that the old system was "unfair".

There had to be a better way.

So here's my question........ Is Disney really worse at all this IT stuff than even I thought............. or did they do it this way to allow the greatest manipulation of guest itineraries? (i.e........ it's too complicated, so the guest just goes with the "suggested" times"?)

Actually, they did it the right way. If they let everyone pick the exact times that they wanted with no regard for things like ADRs of other FP+ times, too many would be missed because patrons don't understand how far apart the rides are or how long it takes to ride, etc. Those patrons would then get upset with Disney and blame them. This system is "idiot proof".

 

[wisblue]

Actually, they did it the right way. If they let everyone pick the exact times that they wanted with no regard for things like ADRs of other FP+ times, too many would be missed because patrons don't understand how far apart the rides are or how long it takes to ride, etc. Those patrons would then get upset with Disney and blame them. This system is "idiot proof".

I agree. Maybe someday they can have two options for "I want help making selections" and "I don't need help making selections." But, in the meantime, this system caters to the lowest common denominator.

 

[Laz]

If you have very specific times that you want, here's what I would do:

1. Select an option that doesn't include ANY of the times you want.

2. After the original reservations are made, change the reservation time for each attraction, one by one, putting it into the time slot you want.

For example, if I want 3 reservations between 5 and 8 PM, I select an option that has all of the reservations in the morning or early afternoon and then change them one by one into the 5-6, 6-7, and 7-8 slots. It's a little tedious, but once you get familiar with how the website works you can complete a day's worth of reservations in less than 5 minutes.

I haven't been seeing any reports of times being unavailable 60 days out, even for the most popular attractions, so if you are able to book at the 60 day mark you should be able to get exactly what you want and then forget about it until your trip. My daughters were able to do that for a trip they have planned for the busy week before Easter.

Not unlike filling out your yearly tax forms.

 

[mom2rtk]

Actually, they did it the right way. If they let everyone pick the exact times that they wanted with no regard for things like ADRs of other FP+ times, too many would be missed because patrons don't understand how far apart the rides are or how long it takes to ride, etc. Those patrons would then get upset with Disney and blame them. This system is "idiot proof".

I must have read wrong. I thought the OP said the problem didn't come from ADR times or other FP times.

And I didn't think ADRs were a problem. I thought they popped up a warning note but still let you book it?

 

[OtherScott]

It was so much easier when all we had to do was show up...

at rope drop...

and stick to a touring plan all day...

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I must have read wrong. I thought the OP said the problem didn't come from ADR times or other FP times.

And I didn't think ADRs were a problem. I thought they popped up a warning note but still let you book it?

Time limitations in the system are based on your current FP+ reservations and FP+ availability. Those are facts. If you do not have something booked from 9-12 am and there are FP available during that time period, you will get options during that time period.

My advice about the ADRs is to avoid confusion.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

It was so much easier when all we had to do was show up...

at rope drop...

and stick to a touring plan all day...

I agree, but I just don't see the point in harping on the negatives. If you learn to use this system, it can be pretty awesome, too.

 

[mom2rtk]

I agree, but I just don't see the point in harping on the negatives. If you learn to use this system, it can be pretty awesome, too.

Oh, come on. Even you have to see the lunacy of a system where the first piece of advice given is to book something the polar opposite of what you really want.

And people said it wasn't fair that not everyone knew they would take late FP's. It seems like every step of the way with this system requires knowing some sort of "secret handshake".

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Oh, come on. Even you have to see the lunacy of a system where the first piece of advice given is to book something the polar opposite of what you really want.

And people said it wasn't fair that not everyone knew they would take late FP's. It seems like every step of the way with this system requires knowing some sort of "secret handshake".

You are thinking of this backwards - you assume that the average person touring the parks is like you. They are not. They know nothing about the parks or the rides.

For us, it is absurd - for the masses, it is well designed. It was designed for the masses - as most systems are.

 

[WillAustin]

It seems like every step of the way with this system requires knowing some sort of "secret handshake".

That's only if you want to "optimize". If you just take what they give you, it's easy, but I wouldn't have been able to book A&E at all for our trip.

Actually, they could have made the time selection interface much easier using a visual representation of the time blocks. It would be far simpler for people to see why the times don't fit together when they overlap.

For us, it is absurd - for the masses, it is well designed. It was designed for the masses - as most systems are.

"Well designed" wouldn't necessarily be the term I'd pick for anything Disney IT has done. I have a lot of experience in software, databases, and interface design. It could be done a lot better, even with the multiple back-end systems that have to communicate.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

That's only if you want to "optimize". If you just take what they give you, it's easy, but I wouldn't have been able to book A&E at all for our trip.

Actually, they could have made the time selection interface much easier using a visual representation of the time blocks. It would be far simpler for people to see why the times don't fit together when they overlap.



"Well designed" wouldn't necessarily be the term I'd pick for anything Disney IT has done. I have a lot of experience in software, databases, and interface design. It could be done a lot better, even with the multiple back-end systems that have to communicate.

Good points, and I love the visual representation idea. Show blocks fully booked, blocks with other FP+ reservations, blocks with ADRs. Really make it idiot proof.

 

[FlipHipster]

It could be done a lot better, even with the multiple back-end systems that have to communicate.

Somewhere in a dusty corner of Buena Vista is a big box of SOA.

Good points, and I love the visual representation idea. Show blocks fully booked, blocks with other FP+ reservations, blocks with ADRs. Really make it idiot proof.

Agree on that, like most calendar/appt apps

 

[gumbo1009]

According to a CM here on the forum, Disney does not release all FP+ at 60 days out. They are holding back up to 40% of all availability.

Does the CM know what TIME this "inventory" is released? Midnight? 6am? Park Opening?

I was thinking that each morning (during our trip) I might try to change FPs if we had decided to do something different that day. If I knew what time these "hold backs" were released, that would help with "day of" planning.

 

[mom2rtk]

That's only if you want to "optimize". If you just take what they give you, it's easy, but I wouldn't have been able to book A&E at all for our trip.

So you're saying it's a good system for this new "Magic THEIR Way" program?

 

[KYDisneyDad]

Like so many other areas of technology, it seems they have simplified it so much that it has actually become more complicated and less user friendly and intuitive.

 

[lugnut33]

Does the CM know what TIME this "inventory" is released? Midnight? 6am? Park Opening?

I was thinking that each morning (during our trip) I might try to change FPs if we had decided to do something different that day. If I knew what time these "hold backs" were released, that would help with "day of" planning.

He did not indicated when exactly they are released. It seemed to me, and I could be totally wrong, that they are released at different times leading up to and including park opening.

 

[clsteve]

You are thinking of this backwards - you assume that the average person touring the parks is like you. They are not. They know nothing about the parks or the rides.

For us, it is absurd - for the masses, it is well designed. It was designed for the masses - as most systems are.

So you're saying it's a good system for this new "Magic THEIR Way" program?

It's very simple and well designed---- as long as you choose what they most want you to choose.

 

[OtherScott]

If 10% of users hated it, that would be >10,000 daily.

Can't help but notice all the dogs that aren't barking.