FP+ experience - very few times to choose from

[Eclpz314]

We had the experience a few weeks ago of different time choices showing up on two computers side by side. Two of us were doing FPs reservations on our own separate accounts ( don't ask why we didn't just link our APs....whole other problem the first time we tried that last year and IT was never able to resolve it) and trying to get the same time frames. My account (on laptop) showed very little choices while the other person's (tablet) had almost every hour from open to close available. After several log outs hoping to get the wide variety of the other's, I finally went to a different (desktop) computer to try. Sure enough, the whole hourly list was available to me, so I booked through that. I went back to try on my laptop and still only got the short list of available times. I have no idea why the two sources showed such different availability, but it's worth a try if you can't get a full available time list to show on one source (computer, tablet, phone)

 

[mom2rtk]

We had the experience a few weeks ago of different time choices showing up on two computers side by side. Two of us were doing FPs reservations on our own separate accounts ( don't ask why we didn't just link our APs....whole other problem the first time we tried that last year and IT was never able to resolve it) and trying to get the same time frames. My account (on laptop) showed very little choices while the other person's (tablet) had almost every hour from open to close available. After several log outs hoping to get the wide variety of the other's, I finally went to a different (desktop) computer to try. Sure enough, the whole hourly list was available to me, so I booked through that. I went back to try on my laptop and still only got the short list of available times. I have no idea why the two sources showed such different availability, but it's worth a try if you can't get a full available time list to show on one source (computer, tablet, phone)

Yet more insanity. And probably what I fear most about this system. Under legacy FP if you showed up and FPs were gone for the day, that was it. No second guessing, no checking back repeatedly, no posting on the DIS to find out the super secret back door method.

 

[OtherScott]

We had the experience a few weeks ago of different time choices showing up on two computers side by side. Two of us were doing FPs reservations on our own separate accounts ( don't ask why we didn't just link our APs....whole other problem the first time we tried that last year and IT was never able to resolve it) and trying to get the same time frames. My account (on laptop) showed very little choices while the other person's (tablet) had almost every hour from open to close available. After several log outs hoping to get the wide variety of the other's, I finally went to a different (desktop) computer to try. Sure enough, the whole hourly list was available to me, so I booked through that. I went back to try on my laptop and still only got the short list of available times. I have no idea why the two sources showed such different availability, but it's worth a try if you can't get a full available time list to show on one source (computer, tablet, phone)

The system probably offers a representative sampling of what's available for the sake of expediency. I'm no geek but I would imagine that whatever is showing on your screen (and the screens of 1,000s of others) has to be "held" (if that's the right word) momentarily while you decide whether to accept or not.

Ticketmaster at least has a clock telling you that you have X minutes to accept or decline.

 

[OtherScott]

Yet more insanity. And probably what I fear most about this system. Under legacy FP if you showed up and FPs were gone for the day, that was it. No second guessing, no checking back repeatedly, no posting on the DIS to find out the super secret back door method.

Don't forget how great it was to get be at the back of the RD mob, running to TSMM while your husband ran to JTA with the kids, and finding out your return time was 4:30...

Good times.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Yet more insanity. And probably what I fear most about this system. Under legacy FP if you showed up and FPs were gone for the day, that was it. No second guessing, no checking back repeatedly, no posting on the DIS to find out the super secret back door method.

I don't think it requires any kind of secret back door method. I really think that being able to manipulate the MDX website or app to get the times and selections you want really boils down to how "techie" someone is or how willing they are to play with the options. In my experience, there are people out there who aren't comfortable with these kinds of websites. They are going to pick an option they like and that will be it. There are also types like me who enjoy playing around and learning how these things work. The MDX website is set up for the average guest. But it can also be manipulated to give the user almost exactly what they want. I agree that the program could be designed better. But those things take time.

By the way, have you been to WDW since the fp+ system came out? I'm wondering if you had a chance to use it yet.

 

[clsteve]

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

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

It is a percentages game. If they can get they majority to auto select with minimal changes, They'll be more than happy.

But, there's a chance that the more people post their experience on the board, something might come out as a workaround that's very beneficial to everybody here.

It's rare that a new system like this doesn't have a lot of workarounds. They can't think of everything in the beginning.

Painful, definitely- but you never know what might turn up.

 

[FlipHipster]

We had the experience a few weeks ago of different time choices showing up on two computers side by side. Two of us were doing FPs reservations on our own separate accounts ( don't ask why we didn't just link our APs....whole other problem the first time we tried that last year and IT was never able to resolve it) and trying to get the same time frames. My account (on laptop) showed very little choices while the other person's (tablet) had almost every hour from open to close available. After several log outs hoping to get the wide variety of the other's, I finally went to a different (desktop) computer to try. Sure enough, the whole hourly list was available to me, so I booked through that. I went back to try on my laptop and still only got the short list of available times. I have no idea why the two sources showed such different availability, but it's worth a try if you can't get a full available time list to show on one source (computer, tablet, phone)

Browser caching maybe? Your post underscores one of the big challenges with trying to understand why one guest gets A, another guest only gets B and yet someone else gets neither. Is it a bug? rules Disney implemented? User error? none of the above?

I think Disney is entering a new realm of CS they may or may not be prepared for, especially with the mobile app.

CS: How can I help you today?
Guest: I can't get the app to work.
CS: Do you have a Wifi signal?
Guest: How can I tell?
CS:Hmmm, what type of phone do you have?
Guest: A black one. Its bigger than the one I used to have but smaller than my grandson Jimmy's. He's into the games ya know.
CS:OK... wow.. uhhh lets see, what model is your phone so I can look it up?
Guest:Verizon
CS:

 

[mom2rtk]

Don't forget how great it was to get be at the back of the RD mob, running to TSMM while your husband ran to JTA with the kids, and finding out your return time was 4:30...

Good times.

Seriously, that ride needs to be banished from all of these discussions. It's not the "be all, end all" of rides. And so often it seems like they blew up the old system to solve that one problem.

That said, we never did the running of the bulls. We were always at rope drop, and yes we rode TSMM. But we usually just did something else for the first 30 minutes, then sauntered over and pulled FPs with only 5 or 10 people ahead of us in line.

I don't think it requires any kind of secret back door method. I really think that being able to manipulate the MDX website or app to get the times and selections you want really boils down to how "techie" someone is or how willing they are to play with the options. In my experience, there are people out there who aren't comfortable with these kinds of websites. They are going to pick an option they like and that will be it. There are also types like me who enjoy playing around and learning how these things work. The MDX website is set up for the average guest. But it can also be manipulated to give the user almost exactly what they want. I agree that the program could be designed better. But those things take time.

By the way, have you been to WDW since the fp+ system came out? I'm wondering if you had a chance to use it yet.

It's not always about being techie or not. Most people don't have endless amounts of time to invest in learning the ins and outs of a system they will use 1 week a year at best. Yet they still want to have as many options open to them as possible.

 

[OtherScott]

It is a percentages game. If they can get they majority to auto select with minimal changes, They'll be more than happy.

But, there's a chance that the more people post their experience on the board, something might come out as a workaround that's very beneficial to everybody here.

It's rare that a new system like this doesn't have a lot of workarounds. They can't think of everything in the beginning.

Painful, definitely- but you never know what might turn up.

Totally agree. "This happened to me and this is what I did" are extremely useful.

Anything that has potential to be great has potential to fail. I like what I see this being, even if it isn't that now.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

...I think Disney is entering a new realm of CS they may or may not be prepared for, especially with the mobile app.

CS: How can I help you today?
Guest: I can't get the app to work.
CS: Do you have a Wifi signal?
Guest: How can I tell?
CS:Hmmm, what type of phone do you have?
Guest: A black one. Its bigger than the one I used to have but smaller than my grandson Jimmy's. He's into the games ya know.
CS:OK... wow.. uhhh lets see, what model is your phone so I can look it up?
Guest:Verizon
CS:

Bravo!

 

[OtherScott]

browser caching maybe? Your post underscores one of the big challenges with trying to understand why one guest gets a, another guest only gets b and yet someone else gets neither. Is it a bug? Rules disney implemented? User error? None of the above?

I think disney is entering a new realm of cs they may or may not be prepared for, especially with the mobile app.

cs: how can i help you today?
guest: i can't get the app to work.
cs: do you have a wifi signal?
guest: how can i tell?
cs:hmmm, what type of phone do you have?
guest: a black one. Its bigger than the one i used to have but smaller than my grandson jimmy's. He's into the games ya know.
cs:ok... Wow.. Uhhh lets see, what model is your phone so i can look it up?
guest:verizon
cs:

+1

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I love this one:

"Disney Technical support; may I help you?"
"Yes, well, I'm having trouble with MDE."
"What sort of trouble?"
"Well, I was just typing along, and all of a sudden the words went away."
"Went away?"
"They disappeared."
"Hmm. So what does your screen look like now?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing?"
"It's blank; it won't accept anything when I type."
"Are you still in MDE, or did you get out?"
"How do I tell?"
"Can you see the application on the screen?"
"What's an application?"
"Never mind. Can you move the cursor around on the screen?"
"There isn't any cursor: I told you, it won't accept anything I type."
"Does your monitor have a power indicator?"
"What's a monitor?"
"It's the thing with the screen on it that looks like a TV. Does it have a little light that tells you when it's on?"
"I don't know."
"Well, then look on the back of the monitor and find where the power cord goes into it. Can you see that?"
…..”Yes, I think so."
"Great! Follow the cord to the plug, and tell me if it's plugged into the wall."
....."Yes, it is."
"When you were behind the monitor, did you notice that there were two cables plugged into the back of it, not just one?"
"No."
"Well, there are. I need you to look back there again and find the other cable."
....."Okay, here it is."
"Follow it for me, and tell me if it's plugged securely into the back of your computer."
"I can't reach it."
"Uh huh. Well, can you see if it is?"
"No."
"Even if you maybe put your knee on something and lean way over?"
"Oh, it's not because I don't have the right angle-it's because it's dark."
"Dark?"
"Yes-the office light is off, and the only light I have is coming in from the window."
"Well, turn on the office light then."
"I can't."
"No? Why not?"
"Because there's a power outage."
"A power... A power outage? Aha! Okay, we've got it licked now. Do you still have the boxes and manuals and packing stuff your computer came in?"
"Well, yes. I keep them in the closet."
"Good! Go get them and unplug your system and pack it up just like it was when you got it. Then take it back to the store you bought it from."
"Really! Is it that bad?"
"Yes, I'm afraid it is."
"Well, all right then, I suppose. What do I tell them?"
"Tell them you're too stupid to own a computer."

 

[surferdave]

There is no IT system more fundamentally flawed than the one that the intended users are too stupid to use.

 

[lugnut33]

Seriously, that ride needs to be banished from all of these discussions. It's not the "be all, end all" of rides. And so often it seems like they blew up the old system to solve that one problem.

That said, we never did the running of the bulls. We were always at rope drop, and yes we rode TSMM. But we usually just did something else for the first 30 minutes, then sauntered over and pulled FPs with only 5 or 10 people ahead of us in line.

It's not always about being techie or not. Most people don't have endless amounts of time to invest in learning the ins and outs of a system they will use 1 week a year at best. Yet they still want to have as many options open to them as possible.

Disney could have used a few hundred million of the 1.5 billion they have spent on FP+ to build an additional 2 or 4 tracks for TSMM and once and for all solved the capacity problem that ride has. Just saying.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I just booked my FP+ 60 days out. I was very disappointed in the choices of times. After choosing my options between A, B, and C, I tried to change them manually one at a time. I was only given about 6 choices for each. I really thought there would be many more options. One item only had choices for first thing like 9am and then the rest were all later than 5pm. I guess I wrongly assumed that getting on right at 60 days and at midnight when I was eligible would really make sure I had lots of options. Thought I'd make the most efficient touring plan - NOT!

Kinda disappointed in the choices, but glad it's done and I don't have run all over the park to get them.

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.

This is true. Disney is holding back quite a few fastpasses. In my opinion, I don't see how resort guests have any advantage like this. For someone to try to book 60 days out at midnight and still not be able to get what they want is ridiculous. Yet a day guest can go to a kiosk or can book what they want 30 days out because Disney kept fastpasses from the resort guest.

This is absolute insanity.

Agree

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...

Agree with you too!

Yet more insanity. And probably what I fear most about this system. Under legacy FP if you showed up and FPs were gone for the day, that was it. No second guessing, no checking back repeatedly, no posting on the DIS to find out the super secret back door method.

It used to be so much simpler. What really drives me nuts is the tiering. I basically have to chose between Test track or Soarin at Epcot and HAVE TO wait standby for the other even tho I won't know which ride will have the longer line until I get there. If I wait to use up my 3, and then try to get a fp to the other ride, will there be any left? Will I have a really late time in which I cannot get another fp until I use that one?!! This has turned into a complete nightmare

 

[Cheert789]

Right now even if you only want 2 rides it will automatically pick a 3rd for you. But you can change any of the rides and times to another within that same park. On my last trip not even a month ago I was able touchable and still get good times 24 hrs out and for most I was able to change same day and still get a time that worked. I agree with the tier though that part was frustrating. I have been told just from talks to CM on the phone they are working on allowing park hops for FP+ so that's a plus

 

[Marshypooh]

Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I actually had alot of fun choosing my FP+ selections. I didn't have any problems and I got all the rides I chose and the times I wanted. Everything worked around my ADR's, too. I did go back about 4 weeks later and changed my TT and ToT times, but that's because I have never rode either of those after dark and I wanted to see if there were late evening times available, which there was. So that worked out well for me, too.

I like the fact that I won't have to run around grabbing fastpasses everyday and worrying about them being gone or at the same time as my ADR's. I do worry that there could be very bad weather or a ride breaks down. Never know what's going to happen this far in advance. However, there have been times with the old system that happened to me, most notably TT or Splash.

I'm OK with the 3 options per day, but do wish the system allowed a 4th selection for MK since it does have the most rides, parades, and meet and greets.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I'm OK with the 3 options per day, but do wish the system allowed a 4th selection for MK since it does have the most rides, parades, and meet and greets.

It was just announced that you will be able to get more than 3 per day. We just don't know the date when this will start. Once you use up your 3, you can go to a kiosk in the park and get another and once you use that one, you get another...and so on. However, there are a lot of questions regarding the rules to this new system. One of the questions I have is what if you get a fp for Wishes (right before closing)? Does that mean that you can't get any more fp during the day before Wishes? I am wondering if they are going to allow overlapping at all.

 

[RachaelA]

I feel like I'm reading another language with this thread and others like it. The whole scheduling on MDE is really confusing to read. We don't book our FP+ for our next trip for months, but I feel like I need to take a really long class on how to schedule everything (with all the manual edits, copy and pasting times to get Anna + Elsa, etc).

Is it just confusing to read about, but really not that hard to do?

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I feel like I'm reading another language with this thread and others like it. The whole scheduling on MDE is really confusing to read. We don't book our FP+ for our next trip for months, but I feel like I need to take a really long class on how to schedule everything (with all the manual edits, copy and pasting times to get Anna + Elsa, etc).

Is it just confusing to read about, but really not that hard to do?

When you actually do it in the app, it all makes sense. It is easy. I now book FP+ for a given day, with all of my adjustments and waiting for the MDE site (still slow), in only a minute or two.