FP+ prebookable for offsite guests from April?

[DLPDreams]

On another board there are a few people who are staying offsite this Spring saying they've been sent a message in MDE about pre-booking their FPs .

I was under the impression that only onsite visitors will get prebookable FPs? People are assuming that by April this will have changed and become available to everyone, even offsite visitors from the 60 day point?

Anyone heard or seen proof of this? There are always so many rumours flying around .

Tbh the perks to staying onsite and paying Disney's extortionate prices did seem more appealing to me knowing we'd have the pick of FPs before the date (not saying it's a great idea to book 60 days in advance btw but just that having the facility to do it earlier is good). If this changes I am really not so sure! I am not saying I won't book onsite, but I think Disney had an opportunity to give real added value to staying onsite for once....

 

[Elise79]

I am kind of hoping this isn't true - I would really like them to get AP holders sorted first with Magic bands and pre-booking FP+.

All the rumours I have read is the AP holders will only be able to hold 7 days FP+ at one time which puts us at a diadvantage over regular guests who with MYW tickets can have 10 days or UK tickets that can currently get 14 days.

I also think pre-booking at 60 days should stay an onsite perk - I have no objection to a shorter window say 30 days but i do think onsite should get first chance.

I enjoyed FP+ in December (and we only used FP+ despite being able to use legacy passes in addition had we wanted to) but with everyone being able to pre-book and me not wanting to military plan every day we won't have such a good trip again with it. I will wait and pass judgement until I try however I am not hopeful

 

[wilma-bride]

I am kind of hoping this isn't true - I would really like them to get AP holders sorted first with Magic bands and pre-booking FP+.

All the rumours I have read is the AP holders will only be able to hold 7 days FP+ at one time which puts us at a diadvantage over regular guests who with MYW tickets can have 10 days or UK tickets that can currently get 14 days.

I also think pre-booking at 60 days should stay an onsite perk - I have no objection to a shorter window say 30 days but i do think onsite should get first chance.

I enjoyed FP+ in December (and we only used FP+ despite being able to use legacy passes in addition had we wanted to) but with everyone being able to pre-book and me not wanting to military plan every day we won't have such a good trip again with it. I will wait and pass judgement until I try however I am not hopeful

I completely agree. Our trip in March will be our first using FP+ (since we were staying at the S&D in October so were not eligible). I honestly think that the way we tour the parks will change with FP+ and I am looking forward to trying it. However, with 11 days at Disney in October coming up (and 5 of those days staying at the S&D) I am really hoping they get the MB and FP+ for Passholders sorted soon too (although I'm relatively happy about only getting 7 days worth since you can book another day as soon as you use your first).

I must admit to being surprised that they are going to offer pre-bookable FP+ to offsite guests (if, indeed, the rumours are true) as I thought the main purpose of it was to encourage people to stay onsite

 

[DLPDreams]

Hmmm - it's a funny one.

I only post on this board so haven't posted on the other site but see it has turned into an 'offsite v onsite' debate! Rightly so, some people are saying what is the difference, it puts everyone back to a level playing field i.e. before FP+ was introduced everyone had to just collect FP on the day etc. So, I suppose looking at it like that, it isn't different, just you do it earlier rather than in the park. One advantage is having to walk to get FP then walk back again to use!

BUT, I am with you both, a) they should sort out AP holders first and b) I too thought it was a way to encourage onsite stays - some are saying that was never the intention - it was more of a way to try and manage crowds better and a JIT exercise for Disney to ensure they had staff levels correct during heavy usage.

Whatever the reason for the change, I do think they have missed a trick if they open it to offsite at 60 days. But it appears that is what they are doing - 8th April is being banded as DD day. A tiered timing would work as you mention Elise.

I know neither of your are lovers of free DP but if they don't continue that (as per rumours) and now this, I do think it could harm their onsite stays - unless they have something else up their sleeves . And don't get me wrong, I am a 'stay in the magic bubble' supporter . But really, not sure where this is all heading (if all true).

Having said all that, it's only been a small window of time where onsite visitors have been able to access this 'perk', so perhaps it will all be long forgotten once FP+ terms are finalised . Nice while it lasted type of thing...

Only time will tell.

 

[marypoppins81]

How would they know when an off siter is visiting though? This could lead to tout type people snapping up the headline rides at best times and selling for a huge premium surely?

Counting down to 14th May!

 

[Grumpy John]

I really hope this is not true. People who stay on site pay premium rates for the privilege and in all honesty the only real perks are EMH and free parking. Fastpass+ would be a nice addition and would mean getting on some of the more popular rides at a decent time rather than getting to the parks and having to wait 4 or 5 hours.

If Disney do open it up to off site guests then surely it will discourage people from staying on site, especially as there are hotels near Disney where the cost is an awful lot less than an on site hotel. All that would be needed is an AP which comes with free parking. The EMH for a lot of people are not really a perk, just means getting out of bed a lot earlier than normal

We don't stay on site so we are in the so called 'Disney bubble'. We like the more relaxed environment and freedom to relax with a nice stroll.

Really hope Disney have not made a big mistake!

 

[DLPDreams]

Have a read of this: ATD seems to know more than Disney do....

http://www.attraction-tickets-direct.co.uk/orlando/latest-news/atds-definitive-guide-my-magic-plus

 

[2Tiggies]

I also think pre-booking at 60 days should stay an onsite perk - I have no objection to a shorter window say 30 days but i do think onsite should get first chance.

Much as I'm looking forward to going back in June, and despite considering booking next year as soon as the offers are released (if they are any good -just to secure any good discount) this could be the deal breaker for us. Already, cost is a consideration now. But with so many onsite perks being reduced over the years, this was possibly the only thing I did like about FP+
Giving us onsiters an advantage for the premium we pay was a small consolation for the ****ing headache this whole MDE experience is causing. Off site is not an option for us and I think if there is no benefit to onsite guests by the time we go, this will be the end of our Disney stays for a while. I will look into a cruise perhaps, but everyone has a breaking point and I think I've ignored the fact that we have possibly already crossed ours some time back.

Time will tell.

 

[marypoppins81]

Much as I'm looking forward to going back in June, and despite considering booking next year as soon as the offers are released (if they are any good -just to secure any good discount) this could be the deal breaker for us. Already, cost is a consideration now. But with so many onsite perks being reduced over the years, this was possibly the only thing I did like about FP+
Giving us onsiters an advantage for the premium we pay was a small consolation for the ****ing headache this whole MDE experience is causing. Off site is not an option for us and I think if there is no benefit to onsite guests by the time we go, this will be the end of our Disney stays for a while. I will look into a cruise perhaps, but everyone has a breaking point and I think I've ignored the fact that we have possibly already crossed ours some time back.

Time will tell.

I agree. I last went in 2000 and so much has changed. Having to schedule every last minute was softened by thinking that at least we paid way over the odds for a Disney hotel to save standing waiting for a kiosk.
Per my last point. .....how can they know when an off site guest is visiting?
Also why install all the kiosks in the parks?

Counting down to 14th May!

 

[DLPDreams]

Much as I'm looking forward to going back in June, and despite considering booking next year as soon as the offers are released (if they are any good -just to secure any good discount) this could be the deal breaker for us. Already, cost is a consideration now. But with so many onsite perks being reduced over the years, this was possibly the only thing I did like about FP+
Giving us onsiters an advantage for the premium we pay was a small consolation for the ****ing headache this whole MDE experience is causing. Off site is not an option for us and I think if there is no benefit to onsite guests by the time we go, this will be the end of our Disney stays for a while. I will look into a cruise perhaps, but everyone has a breaking point and I think I've ignored the fact that we have possibly already crossed ours some time back.

Time will tell.

I hear you .

I think the way Disney has dealt with this isn't ideal. If it were the case that this FP+ roll out to onsite only (60 day thing) was only temporary then really they should have said so at the beginning. Then I think, no-one would feel cheated maybe? That is because no-one presumed it was on onsite perk being able to prebook. And to be fair, Disney has not said anything either way really so it was a lot of people's assumptions that the 60 day window was an onsite perk to stay. It could have been, and looks to be, part of the trial roll out.

On the other board (haven't checked today), people are saying it's no different to before - level playing field, only you prebook now. I get that point, but I also get the point that onsite guests were excited to receive a new perk for their $.

As you say, time will tell. Perhaps there will be a clause like the dining - securing 60+10 days for onsite?

I read in the Unofficial guide (and it was just hearsay) that when all is ironed out, onsite guests may get more prebookable FPs and this may be tiered on the level of accom they are staying at i.e. value less than deluxe etc.

There has to be more to come on this - or a blumming good offer coming in April if free dining isn't reappearing. I actually think the way the Unofficial guide described it as above would be a fairer way maybe?

We will stay onsite next year as it's our first trip and we want to be immersed. But would reconsider for any future trips, if there were any . And I can certainly see how repeat visitors would want to rethink if no good offers come out April time.

I also read that the UK market visitor no's have dropped significantly over the last few years (perhaps due to growing flight prices maybe?). South Americans have overtaken - not sure of their stay patterns - do they do 2-3 weeks immersing themselves onsite like a lot of Brits do, or a short stay? Perhaps Disney is rethinking its European marketing model....?

I agree. I last went in 2000 and so much has changed. Having to schedule every last minute was softened by thinking that at least we paid way over the odds for a Disney hotel to save standing waiting for a kiosk.
Per my last point. .....how can they know when an off site guest is visiting?
Also why install all the kiosks in the parks?

Counting down to 14th May!

I agree. I don't think I have ever been on a holiday which is so stressful to organise and takes so long - it's like a military operation . I find that sad for somewhere that should bring such happy memories and times (and I am sure it will bring them when you are there - if you follow a plan committed 6 months or so (or 2 months) in advance ). I really had no idea what was involved with a trip to WDW - I have planned for DLP several times (and other non Disney hols), but never to this scale. Perhaps I am being too OTT about it, but as we are going at a very busy time and going to be paying top $ due to silly priced flights etc, I feel I have to ensure we plan. Wandering round aimlessly in August won't cut the mustard I don't think?

I guess that the FPs are linked to your park tickets. So, if you were to book and then try and sell on the slot, I don't think you could. It wouldn't be transferable without that person's ticket (bit like magic band if staying onsite - you'd have to have their MB).

I think the whole point is, they will know when an offsite guest is visiting as they will have prebooked their FPs. In some ways it is very clever of Disney - as a JIT model it is a great idea - costs could be significantly cut on staffing if it becomes more efficient. Knowing 60 days out (if people book then), traffic flows etc. It's like herding sheep and Disney is the shepherd!! This has a huge element of 'big brother is watching you' about it.

Perhaps we should all stamp our feet and make a stand and not book our FPs until the night before for each day . That would put a spanner in the works (not only in their plans, but probably ours too ).

 

[2Tiggies]

How would they know when an off siter is visiting though? This could lead to tout type people snapping up the headline rides at best times and selling for a huge premium surely?

Counting down to 14th May!

Well they've tiered the FP+ at Epcot and Hollywood Studios so you can only get ONE headliner attraction and then the other two have to be 'lesser' ones.

They can tell if you are onsite or not by the information in your Magic Band/KTTW card (if you dont want the band); the tickets for offsite are now RFID. If your tickets are not linked to an onsite reservation, then you will be treated by the system as offsite by default. That would include onsite guests who bought tickets separately and didn't link them to their reservation.

 

[marypoppins81]

Well they've tiered the FP+ at Epcot and Hollywood Studios so you can only get ONE headliner attraction and then the other two have to be 'lesser' ones.

They can tell if you are onsite or not by the information in your Magic Band/KTTW card (if you dont want the band); the tickets for offsite are now RFID. If your tickets are not linked to an onsite reservation, then you will be treated by the system as offsite by default. That would include onsite guests who bought tickets separately and didn't link them to their reservation.

If I book a trip to stay in a villa though and buy tickets from a random agency how do disney know when I am planning to visit the parks to allow me to schedule fp+?

Counting down to 14th May!

 

[edinburghlass]

If I book a trip to stay in a villa though and buy tickets from a random agency how do disney know when I am planning to visit the parks to allow me to schedule fp+?

Counting down to 14th May!

Provided you have signed up for MDE have tickets that you can link to on MDE and input your plans on MDE then they would know when you plan to visit.

I received a letter from WDW, Introducing MyMagic+ saying everything you need to take your next WDW visit to an incredible new level. We leave on 5 May, this may be in place of a USB stick that US folk have been receiving?

 

[DLPDreams]

Provided you have signed up for MDE have tickets that you can link to on MDE and input your plans on MDE then they would know when you plan to visit.

I received a letter from WDW, Introducing MyMagic+ saying everything you need to take your next WDW visit to an incredible new level. We leave on 5 May, this may be in place of a USB stick that US folk have been receiving?

That's the key - you must link up your tickets. Otherwise Disney has no idea and you won't be able to prebook FPs. Once you do all this, they will know exactly when you are visiting and where you intend to be.

Like I said 'big brother is watching you'..... Clearly, someone somewhere in Disney towers has spent a lot of time thinking about how they are going to use this to their advantage. Clever really - if it ever all works properly!

 

[Ciorsdah]

This is going to be our first year of offsite, and with only 1 day allocated to MK (going with others who arn't keen on Disney, so getting my 1 day at MK was a negotiation!) this is a bit troublesome!

We did FP+ last year and it worked a treat, even when we were in the parks it was so easy to change things etc.

Once can only hope that if it is opened up to Offsites as well as Onsites, that the data is used to perhaps notify people of "hot spots" and maybe even a wee notification through MDE that such and such a park is looking busy today, have you got your FP+? Or why not consider XXXX park.

I would be happy for WDW to let me know that a park is super busy (based on current FP choices etc) and perhaps even suggest another park and other FPs to me.

However, I suspect thats just a wee dream of mine!

 

[zippy99]

I think the important thing to remember is the system is still being tested and who knows what the final model will be?

In reality - booking in advance with FP+ is a new perk being given to people staying on site, nothing is being taken away from an offsite visitor. One would imagine that if there were say 5000 FP+ a day for a particular ride a % of these would be made available on the day. As an offsite visitor getting to the park early to queue at a central kiosk in order to select your fast passes is actually an improvement on running all over the park to do so - or in actual fact having to wait an hour before you can get your next one.

I am not too keen on the tiering and hope this will be addressed - hard if you only have a few days to visit the parks, I would also like to see the number of FP+ increased according to the resort e.g. 5 Deluxe, 4 Moderate & 3 Value with advance booking and 3 for offsite book on day.

By the time we visit in October, I trust that many issues will have been ironed out. I actually think with clever & logical use the FP+ can work really well. Eg:

We might head over to MK in the morning for rope drop do 3-4 rides/attractions in the standby line - have a spot of lunch. Head back to AKL for an afternoon swim and chill then head out to Studios and ride our pre-booked FP+ attractions before an evening meal.

 

[2Tiggies]

If I book a trip to stay in a villa though and buy tickets from a random agency how do disney know when I am planning to visit the parks to allow me to schedule fp+?

Counting down to 14th May!

Ah, sorry I misunderstood what you were asking when you said "how would they know...."

They don't. It seems from the reports that presently, once you have an ADR linked to you MDE account as an offsite guest, this serves as a trigger for a 'start date' Of course this is not going to be very consistent. I have no idea how they are going to do this. I can only comment on reports from those who have tried. I haven't - and I'm not offsite so like you, there are many questions going around my mind now.

 

[nugov2]

I hear you .

I think the way Disney has dealt with this isn't ideal. If it were the case that this FP+ roll out to onsite only (60 day thing) was only temporary then really they should have said so at the beginning. Then I think, no-one would feel cheated maybe? That is because no-one presumed it was on onsite perk being able to prebook. And to be fair, Disney has not said anything either way really so it was a lot of people's assumptions that the 60 day window was an onsite perk to stay. It could have been, and looks to be, part of the trial roll out.

On the other board (haven't checked today), people are saying it's no different to before - level playing field, only you prebook now. I get that point, but I also get the point that onsite guests were excited to receive a new perk for their $.

As you say, time will tell. Perhaps there will be a clause like the dining - securing 60+10 days for onsite?

I read in the Unofficial guide (and it was just hearsay) that when all is ironed out, onsite guests may get more prebookable FPs and this may be tiered on the level of accom they are staying at i.e. value less than deluxe etc.

There has to be more to come on this - or a blumming good offer coming in April if free dining isn't reappearing. I actually think the way the Unofficial guide described it as above would be a fairer way maybe?

We will stay onsite next year as it's our first trip and we want to be immersed. But would reconsider for any future trips, if there were any . And I can certainly see how repeat visitors would want to rethink if no good offers come out April time.

I also read that the UK market visitor no's have dropped significantly over the last few years (perhaps due to growing flight prices maybe?). South Americans have overtaken - not sure of their stay patterns - do they do 2-3 weeks immersing themselves onsite like a lot of Brits do, or a short stay? Perhaps Disney is rethinking its European marketing model....?



I agree. I don't think I have ever been on a holiday which is so stressful to organise and takes so long - it's like a military operation . I find that sad for somewhere that should bring such happy memories and times (and I am sure it will bring them when you are there - if you follow a plan committed 6 months or so (or 2 months) in advance ). I really had no idea what was involved with a trip to WDW - I have planned for DLP several times (and other non Disney hols), but never to this scale. Perhaps I am being too OTT about it, but as we are going at a very busy time and going to be paying top $ due to silly priced flights etc, I feel I have to ensure we plan. Wandering round aimlessly in August won't cut the mustard I don't think?

I guess that the FPs are linked to your park tickets. So, if you were to book and then try and sell on the slot, I don't think you could. It wouldn't be transferable without that person's ticket (bit like magic band if staying onsite - you'd have to have their MB).

I think the whole point is, they will know when an offsite guest is visiting as they will have prebooked their FPs. In some ways it is very clever of Disney - as a JIT model it is a great idea - costs could be significantly cut on staffing if it becomes more efficient. Knowing 60 days out (if people book then), traffic flows etc. It's like herding sheep and Disney is the shepherd!! This has a huge element of 'big brother is watching you' about it.

Perhaps we should all stamp our feet and make a stand and not book our FPs until the night before for each day . That would put a spanner in the works (not only in their plans, but probably ours too ).

I haven't read all the posts, so if it is a repeat I apologize. The thing is that is exactly what WDW said. They have said from the beginning this was a park perk(like it always has been), but they tested it for onsite for since it was easier to control.

I don't see how people can sell their FP. It would be tied to the name of the person booking it. So lets say Joe Schmoe books all the top level must have FP how could he sell them to Jane Smith. You won't be able to transfer them and you need your id to use your tickets or your fingerprint that is linked to your name. Everything is locked in to names. You don't need them they cannot be transferred and you lose them. There is no benefit to booking FP if you don't plan to use them unless you are doing it to be a jerk and I doubt many people would take the time to do that.

 

[DLPDreams]

OK, a few people (on another board) have now confirmed they have been able to book their FPs when staying offsite - seems to be from April onwards - 4th seems to be date pushed around .

ETA - OK, sorry. Someone else has reported they booked theirs, only to go back in later and find they were cancelled. Someone rang Disney and was told that at 'present, this facility is not open to offsite guests'...

Some official line from Disney would be nice I guess!

 

[2Tiggies]

OK, a few people (on another board) have now confirmed they have been able to book their FPs when staying offsite - seems to be from April onwards - 4th seems to be date pushed around .

ETA - OK, sorry. Someone else has reported they booked theirs, only to go back in later and find they were cancelled. Someone rang Disney and was told that at 'present, this facility is not open to offsite guests'...

Some official line from Disney would be nice I guess!

The official line from Disney, or as close as we're going to get to that, is that they are now beginning testing for AP holders staying offsite. It seems that MDE is having some technical issues with the changes. My MDE account has some irregularities and some of the features are not showing at the moment; others are displaying incorrectly and some information is inaccessible. From the reports, I am not the only one, so I'm taking it they are tweaking the system right now and we are going to have to wait and see. They are attending to the AP holders first though, as they should, before they get to the onsite guests. At least the priorities are somewhat in order in that regard.