FP+ is Live! Magic Bands in the park!

[mom2rtk]

Don't get too excited yet folks. 100 spread throughout the parks is a tiny sample. It's just a test. But it's a sign this is things are ready to move forward again soon. For now though..... just pretend it's not there.

 

[Sphinx610]

I think its making people nervous bc we are all used to the current system and know how to do the workarounds so we can make the most out of it. No one knows the entire story or how it works out in real life and there is that "fear" of the unknown...
For example, what impact will it have on the availability of FastPass for people that don't want to pre-plan their vacation to include ride times? (how would you even use old FP if you don't have a ticket. You can't) I like making my ADR's ahead but how do I know which park and ride I will feel like doing on a specific date 180 days away? Will we be forced into doing that? We just don't know yet.

I do like the idea of the band, 3 fastpasses per day kind of stinks, especially if the rumor about only being able to use them in one park whether you hop or not is true.

Just my two cents...

 

[mom2rtk]

Can anyone tell us how this is working? Are they giving out bands at check-in and allowing those selected to make advance FP+ reservations then? Or are people being selected prior to arriving? We'll be there in a few weeks and curious as to how this is going to affect wait times with FP+, regular FP and stand-by options.

Anything you see in the test may or may not apply when it goes live for the masses.

 

[AngiTN]

Can anyone tell us how this is working? Are they giving out bands at check-in and allowing those selected to make advance FP+ reservations then? Or are people being selected prior to arriving? We'll be there in a few weeks and curious as to how this is going to affect wait times with FP+, regular FP and stand-by options.

Actually, no, no one can tell because it's not working yet.
There are lots of guesses

 

[AngiTN]

I am putting out my guess in that they'll maintain something for those who are last minute guests. I have no idea what or no inside knowledge other than an assumption they won't want to piss off the last minute people. Every guest is not a planner and they have to know that.

 

[ThurlFan]

I agree there is much that we don't know and that's part of the problem. For example, will the same-day FP only be available once you're in that park? Or can we line them up on the bus ride to the park? Will all nine of us each have to have our own login for a smartphone app, or will it book everyone in a room at once? And how about multi-room groups?

On another note, as the designated FP runner for our family this could save me a lot of steps!

And one thing I will miss: We have traveled in a group where only half of us want to do the thrill rides, so we will use all six tickets in the FP machine for ToT, and then three of us would get to ride via FP twice. That will become more cumbersome if we have to trade wristbands in order to accomplish the same thing...

Our upcoming trip is in just a couple weeks so we won't really be affected until the next visit after that which will be a while, by which time there should be plenty of information on how it actually works for us to make the best of it.

 

[Sphinx610]

Will there still be walk-ups? For example, if we are riding BTMRR and notice that the FP return time for Splash works well for our schedule can we go the a kiosk and get FP on the spot? If it works the way it does now with the main difference being an electronic 'ticket' instead of a paper one, that's a pretty manageable change. Or would that be something we do via smartphone if we're already in the park that day?

It is rumored that you can access your FP+ via the MDE app for your phone or by a centrally located kiosk for those wo a smart phone/data plan. So I think you'd be able, in theory, to make them day of but your point below is key...

Also, how far in advance people can book will be key. In theory you can book table service dining the day of, but good luck getting a seat at CRT if you're not 180 days out. I think the concern on many peoples' part is that - like popular dining spots - popular attractions will have to be booked way in advance or FP will not be available.

I read somewhere it will be 180 days and I think the point you are making here is what is freaking/stressing everyone out...

Would like to see them strike a good balance between day-of and advance reservations. My hope is that they hold a significant number of reservations for walk-up type distribution like they have now with the paper system.

I hope so too. There is enough planning involved w/o having to decide what ride I want to go on at what time in what park 6 mos before I travel. I love planning, but that's a bit much for my taste.

My next trip isnt for another yr and a half so I am interested to see how it works out. Hopefully the impact will be realized by then and there will be manageable work arounds...we'll just have to wait and see...

 

[mesaboy2]

It is rumored that you can access your FP+ via the MDE app for your phone or by a centrally located kiosk for those wo a smart phone/data plan. So I think you'd be able, in theory, to make them day of but your point below is key...



I read somewhere it will be 180 days and I think the point you are making here is what is freaking/stressing everyone out...



I hope so too. There is enough planning involved w/o having to decide what ride I want to go on at what time in what park 6 mos before I travel. I love planning, but that's a bit much for my taste.

My next trip isnt for another yr and a half so I am interested to see how it works out. Hopefully the impact will be realized by then and there will be manageable work arounds...we'll just have to wait and see...

"Only" 60 days in advance is specifically mentioned in the Terms and Conditions. I disregard all other rumored numbers as long as that is there.

 

[BuzzBelleMom]

Every guest is not a planner and they have to know that.

I forget that there are people out there who just wing it when it comes to Disney - then I read about or run into them. I really do hope that the solution for them is easy.

 

[hollygolitely93]

Thank goodness it is being tested again...clearly it isn't going away and the sooner they get tests done the sooner we will all know what this system entails. A rollout plan would be nice

 

[Sphinx610]

"Only" 60 days in advance is specifically mentioned in the Terms and Conditions. I disregard all other rumored numbers as long as that is there.

Oh cool. Its still 2 months though... I don't even know what I want to eat for dinner tonight yet. lol

 

[Redcon1]

Not necessarily true. One theory is that you will get 3 attractions per day that you can FP+ in advance, and in addition to those 3 you will be able to "pull" (virtually) FPs the day of from the attractions just like before. No one knows if this is true or not, just speculation.

This is what I was thinking. You'll be able to reserve up to 3 FP+ in advance per day, then complement these with in-park acquired FP's using the same guidelines as the current FP procedure(no new FP's until arrival time on the FP you're holding, etc).

One thing I haven't really seen mentioned is the possibility of scoring a FP for an attraction later on in the day that now is hard to get after a certain time. For instance, TSMM FPs are usually gone early, but if guests cancel an FP for say 7pm thru My Disney Experience, maybe it'll go into an inventory queue to be re-distributed to someone else searching for a FP for that evening for TSMM.

It may pay to re-check for unused FPs throughout the day instead of giving up like currently when the FP system shows they're all gone.

Now I haven't heard anything to this effect, but to me, it seems feasible with guests changing and cancelling their FPs on the run as this new system seems to be able to allow.

 

[cheer25mom]

Not necessarily true. One theory is that you will get 3 attractions per day that you can FP+ in advance, and in addition to those 3 you will be able to "pull" (virtually) FPs the day of from the attractions just like before. No one knows if this is true or not, just speculation.

This would be a totally workable system for me. 3FP per day that i have to plan 6 months in advance just doesn't cut it for me. If the system esentially stayed the same, but added the advance FP's that would be great but based on much of what I am seeing in the patent applications from Disney that have been shared here, the point is to get people OFF the rides and in the shops. I read something that said that the idea was to limit people to one FP ride per day for headliners. More than that and you will have to wait for it.

 

[Sphinx610]

One thing I haven't really seen mentioned is the possibility of scoring a FP for an attraction later on in the day that now is hard to get after a certain time. For instance, TSMM FPs are usually gone early, but if guests cancel an FP for say 7pm thru My Disney Experience, maybe it'll go into a queue to be re-distributed to someone else searching for a FP for that evening for TSMM.
It may pay to re-check for unused FPs throughout the day instead of giving up like currently when the FP system shows they're all gone.

Now I haven't heard anything to this effect, but to me, it seems feasible with guests changing and cancelling their FPs on the run as this new system seems to be able to allow.

That would be cool...

Mesa- are the terms & conditions online?

 

[UNCFanatik]

Wasn't there an "Official" Speculation FP+ thread that covers all this already posted?

Yes, please dont get excited because nothing good can come of the new FP+ system. It is just designed by Disney to get people to spend more money in the parks. It is also designed to reward the person that doesnt rope drop and can in the future will be able to get an FP+ without having to get to DHS an hour before it opens.

This will drive people away in droves to other vacation destinations because it will decrease the value of a Disney vacation. Just like the implementation of the FP return time enforcement decreased the value and drove scores of people away.

And any Terms and conditions you read about the FP+ are set in stone. Disney is bound by those previously released T&C. Nothing can change when all the testing is completed.

Disney's IT is totally inept and will not ever be able to get all the systems on the website and mobile app to work on a consistent basis. People will not be able to use the system and any FP+ that they make will be lost by the poor IT designers and system.

People will be forced to carry smart phones or tablets with them all day. people will leave their ringers on and disrupt every ride because they dont want to miss any texts from Disney. Provided that the incompetent IT can make that part of the system work.

People will not be able to figure out any of the proposed kiosks that are setup for FP+

And those bracelets. UGGHH. Nothing to get excited about there. People will have to wear those around. And beware, Disney will track your every movement while wearing one. People will be able to steal your credit card info from those magic bands. Thieves will be everywhere trying to capture info from those bracelets.

Please dont get excited about anything regarding FP+. Nothing good will come from it.

 

[ghtx]

Wasn't there an "Official" Speculation FP+ thread that covers all this already posted?

Yes, please dont get excited because nothing good can come of the new FP+ system. It is just designed by Disney to get people to spend more money in the parks.

True, but so was the original FP system. In fact, so is everything that Disney Parks has ever done (they are a for-profit company, so their business is to get people to spend money )

Just because something is designed to get you to spend more money doesn't mean it's not a good thing.

 

[NYDisneyKid]

For real? I'm suspicious. For starters, May 12th isn't a Monday.

Thats what I said and guess what?

 

[UNCFanatik]

"Only" 60 days in advance is specifically mentioned in the Terms and Conditions. I disregard all other rumored numbers as long as that is there.

Yes, cause now Disney is bound by those previously released terms and conditions and can not modify them in any way.

Not sure why people think that these terms and conditions cant be changed.

Maybe things are changed and Disney just hasnt released new terms and conditions yet because they are waiting of release of full rollout.

I would wait until a firm rollout date is in place and see where it all falls into play at that time

 

[Albytaps]

Is this not stressing anyone else out? I am not fond of the idea of fp+ at all and don't want to have to so intensely plan my trips! Can someone offer some of the positives of this system for people other than over planners?

Don't let it stress you out. Since we don't know exactly how it works, you may just be over thinking about it. My guess is that this system will make everyone's lives easier on their WDW trips. But, if you don't have a smart phone, now would be a good time to get one.

It's stressing a lot of people out. There's no way of knowing just what the ups and downs of the system will be (for certain) until it is up and running outside of the testing. All we can really do is wait...and wait..

Stress is such a harsh word when talking about a WDW vacation, especially when talking about such a small part of the trip such as FP's. There's enough stress when planning and going through traveling etc. When you get there, the stress should be gone. I'm sure the FP+ will reduce stress instead of add to it.

Presumably the FP runner would have to carry everyone's wristbands (just like now the runner has to carry everyone's ticket).

I highly doubt that with the advance in technology, this will be the case. This would just not make any sense. As someone mentioned, the bands will probably be linked and maybe a touch screen will allow you to pick how many FP's you want instead of touching each band to the scanner.

Not necessarily true. One theory is that you will get 3 attractions per day that you can FP+ in advance, and in addition to those 3 you will be able to "pull" (virtually) FPs the day of from the attractions just like before. No one knows if this is true or not, just speculation.

I agree with this speculation. However, I would not doubt that it will cost money to get FP's in the future... would it be that hard to believe? I don't like it, but I would not be surprised.

 

[chasgoose]

Wasn't there an "Official" Speculation FP+ thread that covers all this already posted?

Yes, please dont get excited because nothing good can come of the new FP+ system. It is just designed by Disney to get people to spend more money in the parks. It is also designed to reward the person that doesnt rope drop and can in the future will be able to get an FP+ without having to get to DHS an hour before it opens.

This will drive people away in droves to other vacation destinations because it will decrease the value of a Disney vacation. Just like the implementation of the FP return time enforcement decreased the value and drove scores of people away.

And any Terms and conditions you read about the FP+ are set in stone. Disney is bound by those previously released T&C. Nothing can change when all the testing is completed.

Disney's IT is totally inept and will not ever be able to get all the systems on the website and mobile app to work on a consistent basis. People will not be able to use the system and any FP+ that they make will be lost by the poor IT designers and system.

People will be forced to carry smart phones or tablets with them all day. people will leave their ringers on and disrupt every ride because they dont want to miss any texts from Disney. Provided that the incompetent IT can make that part of the system work.

People will not be able to figure out any of the proposed kiosks that are setup for FP+

And those bracelets. UGGHH. Nothing to get excited about there. People will have to wear those around. And beware, Disney will track your every movement while wearing one. People will be able to steal your credit card info from those magic bands. Thieves will be everywhere trying to capture info from those bracelets.

Please dont get excited about anything regarding FP+. Nothing good will come from it.

People can already steal your info from the RFID cards that are rapidly becoming the norm if they were so inclined... Also most credit cards have the same technology so it's not like the bands are going to make you any less secure than you already are.