FP+ MagicBands etc

[Jesobelle]

I've just been reading this (rather terrifying) post http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3087656. It seems that the Ts&Cs are suggesting that anyone with 'package tickets' will be forced into FP+ rather than regular FP when it's rolled out.

I'm just wondering how that could work for those who booked packages via Virgin etc. I've made all my ADRs without linking to resort/ticket booking, as MIL has booked the package in her name. So I don't have the US Disney reservation number to link to our MyDisneyExperience account.

Do you think the tour operators (in my case Virgin) will arrange for everyone to be sent the RFID Magic Bands and info about the MDE app/site and the US reservation number so we can make 60 day reservations? (Wishful thinking!)

Or do you think it's more likely that it'll be US customers only for the Magic Bands and we will be able to use our KTTW cards, providing we make effort to get res. no. out of Virgin ourselves?

If people don't know to sign up for FP+ (which Brits are far less likely to, esp those who don't book via Disney) I fear it potentially means no access to FP at all.

Any guesses???

 

[chmurf]

Or do you think it's more likely that it'll be US customers only for the Magic Bands and we will be able to use our KTTW cards, providing we make effort to get res. no. out of Virgin ourselves?

there's really no difference.
You'll get your magic band at the resort instead of a KTTW.
It's just the shape that changes. You don't need your magic band until you've arrived and do check in at the hotel.

You'll still need to retrieve your US confirmation number through your TA in order to book DME, ADRs, and FP+

But there is nothing scary about this thing. They've just changed the shape of the KTTW, and added a few perks.

 

[Jesobelle]

there's really no difference.
But there is nothing scary about this thing. They've just changed the shape of the KTTW, and added a few perks.

The Magic Band is just an added extra - no real worry on that. It's more that 'package guests' are not entitled to use regular FP any more, therefore those that aren't aware of FP+ and aren't savvy enough to demand their US reservation number 60 days in advance won't get *any* FP entitlement.

I was just wondering if we thought Virgin (and other tour operators) would announce this to customers who otherwise would not know. Or whether it would be like Dining where loads of people who don't know they need ADRs end up stuck eating counter service on their free DDP. (Although if CS needs FP+ too, as is being mooted, they may not even get that!)

 

[chmurf]

Or whether it would be like Dining where loads of people who don't know they need ADRs end up stuck eating counter service on their free DDP.

This

 

[paulh]

one thing we wont be getting is a highly coloured wrist band.
why should we have to wear park tickets
An RFD chip in a KTTW would surfice
Wearing them will spoil photos ect and having to wear them for 2 weeks would drive me mad
We have tickets from a couple of years ago which will last at least a few visits, so hopefully no issues there
Paul

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

The main issue I have with the FP+ situation is that it seems to take away all the spontaneity out of the holiday.

To start with you have your evenings planned 6 months before you arrive as you make your ADR's ...... and I'm fine with that, but now you have to plan your day time activity 60 days out

There have been many times when we've decided which park we wanted to go to whilst we've been getting dressed and there have also been many times when we've decided that we wanted to go to park "A" and then been left waiting for ages for a bus only to decide to go to a different park when a bus for park "B" turns up. Now if we've got FP+ for a particular park then all that impulsiveness will be out the window

 

[mackay_j]

After the treatment I got last year about not allowing my dd's 19 and 15yrs to come back to OKW after late opening (1am ) on their own - I have stayed off the US part of this site so haven't really kept up to date with FP+ stuff.


When is it coming into play.

Are FP for non Disney guests now gone (or will be going).

How many FP do you get for 7/14N stays

Is it linked to your ARD booking (we usually don't link them to our booking- never had much luck using ref numbers on the wdw web site)

 

[chmurf]

go to park "A" and then been left waiting for ages for a bus only to decide to go to a different park when a bus for park "B" turns up. Now if we've got FP+ for a particular park then all that impulsiveness will be out the window

well, yes and no. Because you still have the ability to alter your "experience" and change your FP+ for the new park, granted that there are still free FP slots, and there will be, just like you can get walk ups to restaurants today even though it is "highly recommanded" to book in advance. (of course, there is little chance to get the headliners ...)

All you'd need would be a smartphone or a tablet/ipad and do that on the bus ... and have your phone data plan explode in a minute ...) or stay at the resort and use the free WIFI ... and ... by the time you're done Bus A has arrived and you need to switch back to the original park
(let's say that the above is absolutely unacceptable in my book)
I'd absolutely hate it to have to spend half my holidays glued to my phone to manage my experience.
I agree with you that it takes away all of the spontaneity and impluslveness.

But I have to admit that I've often said "never gonna work", or "gonna be a PITA" for many new things, or change in policies, and I have often been proven wrong ... I don't like the new "+" system, I think it's going to change my experience too much, and require too much planning (on top of all of the planning that's already required), but I sure hope Disney is going to prove me wrong again.

 

[scoobydooby]

I just read all the terms and conditions and my DD, 11, is now skipping because it says all guests aged 10 plus will have charging privileges on their wrist bands!!!!!!!!! I know this can apply to KTTW cards now but I have never allowed it. I also know I can disable this feature by going to the front desk, but it has made her skip with delight anyway!

Until I see the combinations of passes you can get I am reserving judgement on this FP+ stuff. I do think only been able to get FP for one park a day is particularly rubbish though

 

[OhanaSam]

Apparently it won't even be starting to be used properly until the end of the year so it won't affect most people going this year.

And I really don't see how a little wristband is going to ruin photos :/ plus you can always take it off and put it in your bag

 

[disneyholic family]

ok - reading this thread just scared me to death...

i haven't been keeping up with anything so please take me by the hand and explain what you're talking about...

did i understand correctly that people staying in the resorts aren't going to have regular FP available to them anymore?
everything has to be scheduled in advance?
i'm confused!!!!

 

[wilma-bride]

ok - reading this thread just scared me to death...

i haven't been keeping up with anything so please take me by the hand and explain what you're talking about...

did i understand correctly that people staying in the resorts aren't going to have regular FP available to them anymore?
everything has to be scheduled in advance?
i'm confused!!!!

Beth, I wouldn't panic just yet. Disney are bringing in a new FP system (FP+) where you will be able to book Fastpasses for particular rides in advance but there is a lot of speculation at the moment as to how many FPs will be allowed and whether you might be limited to only being able to schedule them for one park per day. On the plus side, if you miss your slot, you can (reportedly) reschedule it for another time/day.

There is some information here about the testing but it hasn't been introduced yet and there is really no need to worry too much at the moment as a lot of the information being bandied around is based on rumour, not fact. People are guessing about how many FPs you might be allowed per day/park and suggestions have been made that AP holders will only be allocated a certain number of FPs per month.

To be honest, I don't even know much more than this as it is so hard to tell what is fact and what is scaremongering that I have stayed away from a lot of the threads on the subject. I am sure we will all know more soon.

 

[disneyholic family]

Beth, I wouldn't panic just yet. Disney are bringing in a new FP system (FP+) where you will be able to book Fastpasses for particular rides in advance but there is a lot of speculation at the moment as to how many FPs will be allowed and whether you might be limited to only being able to schedule them for one park per day. On the plus side, if you miss your slot, you can (reportedly) reschedule it for another time/day.

There is some information here about the testing but it hasn't been introduced yet and there is really no need to worry too much at the moment as a lot of the information being bandied around is based on rumour, not fact. People are guessing about how many FPs you might be allowed per day/park and suggestions have been made that AP holders will only be allocated a certain number of FPs per month.

To be honest, I don't even know much more than this as it is so hard to tell what is fact and what is scaremongering that I have stayed away from a lot of the threads on the subject. I am sure we will all know more soon.

thanks!!!!! i started breathing again!!

we'll be there for a few days in august and i was just trying to think about ADRs, and even that is too much for me....with so few days, trying to come up with a park schedule is more than i can handle (even factoring in EMH hours isn't helping)..
we'll only be there for 3.5 days before our cruise and 2 days after....crazy crazy!! and in august...even crazier!!!