FP+ Kiosks and additional FP's

[jade1]

Sounds like there are a lot of ways they could make the current process of obtaining additional FP's easier, if they wanted to.

Opening Frozen, Pandora and Star Wars (and more) would help the most.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I know nothing about apps or IT-related stuff in general, really, but I do wonder whether adding the 4th FP+ functionality to the app or website is really as easy as we think it should be. I mean, I think we all can agree that MDE is generally pretty below average as far as stability goes, and I wonder if there are just too many pieces to it already to be able to add another one easily?

I am pretty sure there have been 1 or 2 Disboarders who have said that they were involved in very limited tests of getting the 4th with their phones, but that was ages ago (maybe a year? right after the legacy FP machines were removed and Disney went to exclusive FP+) but I could be remembering wrong. I wonder if the platform was just too unstable so the idea was backburnered for awhile?

 

[Laketravis]

I know nothing about apps or IT-related stuff in general, really, but I do wonder whether adding the 4th FP+ functionality to the app or website is really as easy as we think it should be. I mean, I think we all can agree that MDE is generally pretty below average as far as stability goes, and I wonder if there are just too many pieces to it already to be able to add another one easily?

I am pretty sure there have been 1 or 2 Disboarders who have said that they were involved in very limited tests of getting the 4th with their phones, but that was ages ago (maybe a year? right after the legacy FP machines were removed and Disney went to exclusive FP+) but I could be remembering wrong. I wonder if the platform was just too unstable so the idea was backburnered for awhile?

No, you're right. I do remember those tests you are referring to, maybe they figured out just how quickly all the FP's could run out and deemed the ability not feasible?

Other user devices already have the capability (kiosks and CM iPads, for instance) and they are running on the same software platform. Different wi-fi node but same platform.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Back in the beginning of testing, there was a bonus FP feature that was tested. It was a 4th FP, I think it was in MK. It self-generated, but then you could change it. So they do have that functionality built, should they want to use it. Not quite the same as a rolling FP, but anyway.

As far as the texting to the concierge, that has to be a test as well. Whether it's worth it or not, I think it might be a sign that there might be access to a different set of FPs, not just the old kiosk bucket. Now that could be very desirable depending on the circumstances. If they could build it into the app, even more so.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Aren't you guys DVC?

 

[MermaidMommy]

I am pretty sure there have been 1 or 2 Disboarders who have said that they were involved in very limited tests of getting the 4th with their phones, but that was ages ago (maybe a year? right after the legacy FP machines were removed and Disney went to exclusive FP+) but I could be remembering wrong. I wonder if the platform was just too unstable so the idea was backburnered for awhile?

I can confirm the 4th FP. For me, it was back in August 2013, when they had the first "real" test of the whole system, but while legacy FP was still around. I wasn't using the app to book (because it was even buggier then), but, on the website, you would choose three rides like usual, and then when you got to the final page, you were assigned a time for a FP at a specific ride (kind of like the old surprise FP- for Philharmagic, etc.). You could then change the attraction or the time to any other ride.

It only happened at MK, and I always got rides like POTC, HM, and JC. Of course, at the time, only four resorts were testing, so availability was pretty much unlimited, and those rides didn't have the waits that they do now.

 

[jade1]

Aren't you guys DVC?

Yes, but only part of our stays (just too great of a deal DVC), the rest are deluxe, although we have stayed at S&D and really like the location when the BC/YC/BWI are full.

But if WDW plans to offer more services to CL/Deluxe etc we will gladly stay there and blend in DVC stays.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I can confirm the 4th FP. For me, it was back in August 2013, when they had the first "real" test of the whole system, but while legacy FP was still around. I wasn't using the app to book (because it was even buggier then), but, on the website, you would choose three rides like usual, and then when you got to the final page, you were assigned a time for a FP at a specific ride (kind of like the old surprise FP- for Philharmagic, etc.). You could then change the attraction or the time to any other ride.

It only happened at MK, and I always got rides like POTC, HM, and JC. Of course, at the time, only four resorts were testing, so availability was pretty much unlimited, and those rides didn't have the waits that they do now.

I'm pretty sure there was an additional test--I think with BLT guests only, and only for a very short period--that didn't involve these "bonus" FP+s (which I remember clearly) but rather the ability to use the app to schedule a 4th FP+ after your first three were used. I believe this test occurred during the period immediately after rollout when they only allowed three FP+, period.

I only ever saw literally one or two people post about it. It was a very limited test, much more limited than the bonus/surprise 4th FP+ was.

 

[MermaidMommy]

I'm pretty sure there was an additional test--I think with BLT guests only, and only for a very short period--that didn't involve these "bonus" FP+s (which I remember clearly) but rather the ability to use the app to schedule a 4th FP+ after your first three were used. I believe this test occurred during the period immediately after rollout when they only allowed three FP+, period. I only ever saw literally one or two people post about it. It was a very limited test, much more limited than the bonus/surprise 4th FP+ was.

Wow, that really was a limited test if it was just one DVC property. I didn't hear about that one. Thanks!

 

[Laketravis]

I know nothing about apps or IT-related stuff in general, really, but I do wonder whether adding the 4th FP+ functionality to the app or website is really as easy as we think it should be. I mean, I think we all can agree that MDE is generally pretty below average as far as stability goes, and I wonder if there are just too many pieces to it already to be able to add another one easily?

You know, I didn't think that was the case earlier but after just reading another thread and the difficulties that others are continuing to encounter with the app, some issues seem to be chronic and systemic so there might very well be truth to that if they can't get the core functions to work reliably.

 

[BSmithington]

Is it just me or does texting your concierge for a 4th FP seem a like too much work for too little reward? I really look at the 4th FP in much the same way. Based on my experiences, trying to obtain a FP for a 2nd or 3rd tier attraction seems pointless.
When I was at the MK, I didn't even bother with a FP for Dumbo, Teacups or Philharmagic. I like these attractions, but if the wait is longer than 5 minutes we just move on, it's just not worth it.

It really wasn't work at all. We were enjoying dinner outside the MK and were able to secure a 4th FP by simply typing what's available around 8ish. We were able to leisurely finish dinner and head over to BTMR.

 

[jade1]

It really wasn't work at all. We were enjoying dinner outside the MK and were able to secure a 4th FP by simply typing what's available around 8ish. We were able to leisurely finish dinner and head over to BTMR.

Love that.

Then hit the parade and Wishes.

Odd thing is, for us-this example alone is a great improvement, not even considering having done 3 earlier somewhere.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

I think they should allow you to have six fp+. However sorta like a tier thing. I also think if i want to hop to another park I should be able to say I want this fast pass here and not have to use all in the same park.
2 top rides
1 Character meet
2 low rides (such as HM, Pirates, space?)
1 show or parade after 4pm

 

[clsteve]

You know, I didn't think that was the case earlier but after just reading another thread and the difficulties that others are continuing to encounter with the app, some issues seem to be chronic and systemic so there might very well be truth to that if they can't get the core functions to work reliably.

I think the largest reason it's still kiosk based for beyond your third FP is the location issue.

They still haven't the ability to know where you are. So, the only way to keep people who aren't in that Park (but have used their three) from checking availability is to limit it to the kiosk.

It would be a huge mess as guests not in the park started checking, reserving, hopping, not hopping, reserving but not showing, not to mention all the additional real time db queries. They aren't ready for it. The kiosks give them the ability to manage in park in park, if that makes sense. A manageable physical solution to the prob.

Once they get a handle on the long range RFID, get a handle on who's actually left, get some real bandwidth, and mature on their db optimization, they'll be in a better spot to put business rules and business process around it and get rid of those kiosks.......

 

[ArwenMarie]

I don't think they need to know where you are though for a 4th FP. I mean, if you used 3 already and have entered the park with a ticket/pass, you're kind of in it for the day.

I think it's just another way to ration them so they don't run out really early.

 

[Laketravis]

I think the largest reason it's still kiosk based for beyond your third FP is the location issue.

They still haven't the ability to know where you are. So, the only way to keep people who aren't in that Park (but have used their three) from checking availability is to limit it to the kiosk.

That could very well be. I know the USO app won't show Wait Times unless it determines you are on-site via smartphone GPS, but then there are ways to spoof that.

 

[Suvadoo]

It really wasn't work at all. We were enjoying dinner outside the MK and were able to secure a 4th FP by simply typing what's available around 8ish. We were able to leisurely finish dinner and head over to BTMR.

I think it depends on what's available. If BTMR were my 4th I'd be happy too.

 

[Laketravis]

The kiosk areas themselves give no indication of what is currently available unless you actually access them and navigate the screens, so it requires engagement in at least part of the process just to determine what is.

Isn't there a website or two that show what FP's are still available and for what times? I've seen this one but I don't know how up-to-date it is in terms of real time.

Could that prove more useful if they can be accessed via your phone's browser? It's certainly interesting to compare current Wait times, FP+ availability, and crowd "levels" at any time during the day, any day. Which could also prove useful for some discussions that previously relied on what happened. Now we can all see what IS happening, real time.

Just not in one unified app.

For instance, today was a "6" per EasyWDW. At 7:45pm there are no FP's available in any of the parks still open (probably to be expected) and wait times for such things as Space Mountain (95 minutes), Buzz (55 minutes), It's a Small World (25 minutes), Mission Space (40 minutes), and others can be easily determined and not based on any one person's account.

It would be interesting to pick a particular day based on it's particular crowd level and then pull the actual Wait times and FP+ availability at various times throughout the day using those websites. The results could certainly prove helpful for anyone planning a park on that sort of crowd level day and answer such questions as what time of day is best, how long really are the lines, what FP's could still be available later in the day, etc.

 

[SmithSmith]

Not sure if this happens regularly but a few times I witnessed the kiosk CMs standing out front telling people what was still available.

 

[clsteve]

I don't think they need to know where you are though for a 4th FP. I mean, if you used 3 already and have entered the park with a ticket/pass, you're kind of in it for the day.

I think it's just another way to ration them so they don't run out really early.

They really do need to know where you are for it to work. I'll give you a couple of good examples. You and your family are staying at one of the Monorail resorts. You use your three reserved FPs, you decide to head back to the resort for pool time. While the kids are swimming, Mom or Dad (or both)grab a cocktail and an iPhone, log on the app and start pinging the database over and over trying to score a 7DMT ressie.

Multiply that by all the Mono Resorts, plus the EPCOT Resorts doing the same thing (incl for DHS)...

You can start to see the issue. Compound that by guests scoring that FP, reserving it, but not making it back in time or just deciding the pool is more fun after all.

Too much variability, no control

That's just not how they want this whole thing to work. And they just aren't near mature enough with this - technically or business process-wise - to manage anything but the in Park kiosk