FP+ is Live! Magic Bands in the park!

[joshsmom]

I would venture to guess that conservatively 95% or more of the CMs at WDW have, at the moment, no real idea of how the final product will operate.

It seems like we're all in the same boat there!!!!

 

[mesaboy2]

I just read the Terms and Conditions you were talking about and those do seem to indicate that once you go "paperless" you can't go back.

That's... a little frustrating.

I really hope that changes between now and the official roll-out.

Or that it hasn't started by the time I'm there.

I think most of us are torn on what to think about the impending FP+. I feel your pain.

 

[TheSilverTherapist]

There's no reason to think that you would have to use the regular magnetic strip FP machines to get fastpasses during the day. You could just get them from the new RFID touch kiosks. The trick will be whether they'll be available day-of for attractions or times you might want.

Of course none of us knows for sure how it's going to work now.

Wait, so there will be FastPass machines that you can wave your bracelet by to get a ticket similar to the old way when you stick your card in the slot?

If that ends up being the case, then you're right, you should be able to do both (pending availability, of course). The T&C, though, seem to indicate you need the old-fashioned mag-strip tickets to get a regular FastPass and once you get the new ticket... things... you have no way of getting the regular passes anymore.

It's possible the T&C will change, or that they apply to the testing for the FP+ and not for the system once everything's official.

But mostly, I'm just confused.

 

[mesaboy2]

Wait, so there will be FastPass machines that you can wave your bracelet by to get a ticket similar to the old way when you stick your card in the slot?

If that ends up being the case, then you're right, you should be able to do both (pending availability, of course). The T&C, though, seem to indicate you need the old-fashioned mag-strip tickets to get a regular FastPass and once you get the new ticket... things... you have no way of getting the regular passes anymore.

It's possible the T&C will change, or that they apply to the testing for the FP+ and not for the system once everything's official.

But mostly, I'm just confused.

That pretty much sums it up for all of us.

We don't know many of the specifics like TDC Nala mentioned, so we're all pretty confused. We just answer questions as best we can.

 

[TheSilverTherapist]

That pretty much sums it up for all of us.

We don't know many of the specifics like TDC Nala mentioned, so we're all pretty confused. We just answer questions as best we can.

I really hope the CM online was correct, but it almost seems too good to be true. It fits a little too well into mine and a lot of other smart people's strategies.

 

[mesaboy2]

I really hope the CM online was correct, but it almost seems too good to be true. It fits a little too well into mine and a lot of other smart people's strategies.

 

[TDC Nala]

Wait, so there will be FastPass machines that you can wave your bracelet by to get a ticket similar to the old way when you stick your card in the slot?

If that ends up being the case, then you're right, you should be able to do both (pending availability, of course). The T&C, though, seem to indicate you need the old-fashioned mag-strip tickets to get a regular FastPass and once you get the new ticket... things... you have no way of getting the regular passes anymore.

It's possible the T&C will change, or that they apply to the testing for the FP+ and not for the system once everything's official.

But mostly, I'm just confused.

I would think you would not get a paper Fastpass ticket. It would be electronic and stored on your account that you access with the RFID bracelet/card, and there would be no more paper involved. That would all be in the future, at some point where everyone has only RFID/compatible ticket media, be it a card or a bracelet. They won't be doing it now, or possibly anytime soon. Or maybe never. There's no way to know yet.

 

[BebopBaloo]

Just hypothesizing along w/ you. If all we had to do to get a FastPass w/ FastPass+ was to wave our magic band in front of a reader...how would we be able to look up the time for the FastPass after we walked away from the reader?
I know there is the app for smart phones, so techincally once it is loaded 'in your band' it would then be 'in your app'.. potentially...maybe.. and if you don't have the app can you still get a band? If so, what happens then once you load your FastPass?

 

[TheSilverTherapist]

Just hypothesizing along w/ you. If all we had to do to get a FastPass w/ FastPass+ was to wave our magic band in front of a reader...how would we be able to look up the time for the FastPass after we walked away from the reader?
I know there is the app for smart phones, so techincally once it is loaded 'in your band' it would then be 'in your app'.. potentially...maybe.. and if you don't have the app can you still get a band? If so, what happens then once you load your FastPass?

WHY COULDN'T THINGS JUST STAY THE WAY THEY WERE?!?!?!?

 

[Magpie]

We fear change.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

Mesaboy (always appreciate your input!) or anyone else - so, my question is, for those people that do NOT have a smart phone, I understand they will have kiosks throughout the park - but are they supposed to 'remember' their fastpass times throughout the day - without that traditional paper FP and no smart phone - how is that possible? Of course my DH and I have them, but my 14 year old doesn't, what if he is doing something on his own as he gets older and needs to check or change a time - how inconvenient is that. I guess I think it's pretty presumptuous of Disney to assume that everyone will have the technology to use this system (kiosks aside, that is what they are assuming). I realize it's hard for people with smart phones to realize, but there is a huge chunk of our population that still do not use them - and then they have to use the kiosks, won't there be lines there as well? I don't see how those without the tecknology will be able to use this. Does anyone else think this is an issue?

Last beef - I am confident Disney monitors these boards and other sights - I cannot believe the continue to allow all of this speculation to occur without some damage control from a PR stand point - it makes me think they are up a creek without a paddle. Let's just say I deal with Disney on a regular basis for business, and I have heard multiple different accounts of what, when, how this will work - why are they allowing their staff to misinform? Bad business. Bottom line - we have little to no idea what the final outcome is going to be and when it will occur - just trying to remain positive is getting old!

...cautiously optimistic

 

[TheSilverTherapist]

If what I heard is wrong, it would definitely be bothersome that their online CMs would so confidently give you incorrect information.

In the end it's not a big deal, just... bothersome.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

If what I heard is wrong, it would definitely be bothersome that their online CMs would so confidently give you incorrect information.

In the end it's not a big deal, just... bothersome.

I totally agree with you - like I said, bad business for so many to be giving different versions of what is happening. Big picture for all of us, we are talking about fast passes at a theme park, so this shouldn't ruin any of our lives or vacations, it's just a bummer to have it be such a mystery!

 

[geraghty]

It has been stated that FP+ will be able to be used by all park goers wheather they stay onsite or not.

I understood that those staying offsite could only get access to fastpass once they entered the park. If that's true, than they will not have access to the 60 day booking window. Those with room reservations and annual passes are the only ones with the 60 day advantage. But what about those that bought annual passes and don't plan on activating them until they go to the park for the first time?

 

[ArwenMarie]

I would think you would not get a paper Fastpass ticket. It would be electronic and stored on your account that you access with the RFID bracelet/card, and there would be no more paper involved. That would all be in the future, at some point where everyone has only RFID/compatible ticket media, be it a card or a bracelet. They won't be doing it now, or possibly anytime soon. Or maybe never. There's no way to know yet.

This is what I think. Same-day FP will really be the same as FP+, just not in advance. So using the same app, kiosk, bracelets, whatever, but not paper.

 

[livibug]

well if the pictures of the carousel of progress are "accurate".. fp + for it is the way to go Its kind of like convincing the new guy playing fantasy football to take a kicker first! Tell new folks that the carousel of progress is a must do fp + attraction.

To me it's also concerning that we might only be able to get a fastpass for one headliner if that and the rest might only be good for less popular attractions.

Of course all of this is just conjecture but I really don't see why the rides will be less crowded as a result of the new system as a few other posters said. I just see us possibly unable to get as many fastpasses as before.

 

[siskaren]

We fear change.

Seriously. I bet a lot of people reacted similarly when FP first rolled out. (Not me; I loved it. )

 

[ArwenMarie]

I think the new system is going to be good. I think the current system kind of stinks personally, so I am looking forward to the new one. If I don't have to get up at dark o'clock in the morning for rope drop anymore, I will be a happy camper.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

I read every fp + thread.. it's just good therapy and helps pass the time until our trip.. I look at it this way, every fp + thread gets us 1 day closer to disney and 1 day closer to not having to use fp +

hoping that

I agree - it's kind of 'fun' to speculate, and I realize that is all it is. It's still talking about Disney! I know some people are REALLY upset, but I just see these threads as a discussion on something that interests many of us.

 

[mesaboy2]

Mesaboy (always appreciate your input!) or anyone else - so, my question is, for those people that do NOT have a smart phone, I understand they will have kiosks throughout the park - but are they supposed to 'remember' their fastpass times throughout the day - without that traditional paper FP and no smart phone - how is that possible? Of course my DH and I have them, but my 14 year old doesn't, what if he is doing something on his own as he gets older and needs to check or change a time - how inconvenient is that. I guess I think it's pretty presumptuous of Disney to assume that everyone will have the technology to use this system (kiosks aside, that is what they are assuming). I realize it's hard for people with smart phones to realize, but there is a huge chunk of our population that still do not use them - and then they have to use the kiosks, won't there be lines there as well? I don't see how those without the tecknology will be able to use this. Does anyone else think this is an issue?

Last beef - I am confident Disney monitors these boards and other sights - I cannot believe the continue to allow all of this speculation to occur without some damage control from a PR stand point - it makes me think they are up a creek without a paddle. Let's just say I deal with Disney on a regular basis for business, and I have heard multiple different accounts of what, when, how this will work - why are they allowing their staff to misinform? Bad business. Bottom line - we have little to no idea what the final outcome is going to be and when it will occur - just trying to remain positive is getting old!

...cautiously optimistic

Yes.

I agree - it's kind of 'fun' to speculate, and I realize that is all it is. It's still talking about Disney! I know some people are REALLY upset, but I just see these threads as a discussion on something that interests many of us.

I agree.

A very few others see these threads as an opportunity to argue.