FP+ questions... Really lost

[mom2rtk]

And, that is leaving out the fact that they are ADDING a FP+ setup to attractions that do not now have any FP at all.

The standby lines for those will have to be affected (at least a small amount) due to FP+ guests boarding
(at a certain rate) and further delaying the standby line guests.
Again, depending on the attraction, it may or may not have much affect.
Remains to be seen on attractions like (for instance) Haunted Mansion, Astro Orbitor, and Pirates.

I may never do Astro Orbiter again. It's not worth choosing as a FP+ attraction.... and having that standby line slow down even a little is a dealbreaker for me......

 

[UNCFanatik]

If it came from the T&C, then it's already been rewritten to say you can't just skip your time and book another one.

Because it is covered in the earlier section:



If availability is limited, period, it doesn't take a huge leap of logic that you might not be able to reschedule the same experience for later in the day, or even for a different experience. They don't actually say you are guaranteed to be able to reschedule for the same attraction, or at all. They say you can "modify" it - which allows for a changing to a different experience, etc.

But I'm sure that Disney will somehow work in an "unlimited" experience - like a ride on Carousel of Progress, that will always be available no matter what. So you can't complain that you couldn't book an experience...

I understand what your saying. But availability could just mean that at the time of your initial Fastpass+ selection but not apply to any changes after you have secured the FP+. Just like availability regular FPs in the old system where if you were able to get an FP before they ran out then you could return at any time. The language is definitely vague and your logic may not be the same of the logic used by the Disney decision makers.

 

[doconeill]

I understand what your saying. But availability could just mean that at the time of your initial Fastpass+ selection but not apply to any changes after you have secured the FP+. Just like availability regular FPs in the old system where if you were able to get an FP before they ran out then you could return at any time. The language is definitely vague and your logic may not be the same of the logic used by the Disney decision makers.

That may be true...but by them switching to a strict enforcement to FP return times, it seems likely that they would not in turn be lenient of FP+. "One rule to rule them all", or something like that

 

[skater]

This fp+ system would be exciting if I hadn't already been "spoiled" by the convenience, flexibility, and great customer service I've received with the old fp system.

 

[bcrook]

The possibility still remains that the current FP system would all be upgraded to use the RFID chips and thus would be come FP+, yet still function as the current system does.







Most estimates I see is that there are approx 8 FP riders for each stand by rider on the FP attractions. Unless they add FPs to the FP/FP+ system the standby waits should remain relativelly unaffected. In theory the waits at the "premier" attractions could actually drop.

Consider the following. The way it is now, some get multiple FPs for one particular attraction, say RnR. While others just care to ride it once. Under the FP+ system each person would only be able to get one FP for RnR (both those who want to ride it multiple times and those that want to only ride it once). So now those that only want to ride it once are in the FP line rather than the stand-by line. Unfortunatlly those who want to ride it more than once are forced to go through the stand-by line for their return visits, which all things being equal would keep the stand-by line unaffected from what it currently would be. However, there is human nature to consider. While some people are willling to do FP multiple times for a particular ride, not all of them would be willing to wait in the stand-by line wait the same number of times, thus the number of people in the stand-by line will drop, and thus the waits will drop.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking forward to a time when the current FP system goes away (I keep going back and forth as to whether or not I think it will). Our family typically gets to the parks at RD and takes full advantage of the FP system by getting 5-7 FPs each day, mostly (or entirely) for the high profile attractions.




Here is how I see this all working.

1) Onsite guests will be able to make their FP+ advanced reservations ~60 days in advance. (The 180 days that is rumored is just way to far in advance, it is possible to make a few dining reservation that far in advance, but deciding exactly which parks you are going to be in every single day of your 7-14 day stay is something completley different. Plus you can change your dining reservations. You may not get the restuarant you want, or have to eat counter service, but you can still change. The attractions are the reason most people go to WDW. Having to miss out on an attraction becasue you planned park changes, won't go over very well).

2) Offiste guests holding a MYW ticket will be able to start making FP+ advanced reservations 30 days in advance.

3) For each park you will get 1 or 2 selections for the "E" ticket rides, and another 2 for the "D" - "A" ticket rides.

4) The current FP system will be modified to use the RFID scanners and "reservations" and be convered to "FP+ (in park)"

5) No one will be able to make a FP+ reservation (in advance combined with in park) for the same attraction more than once in a day. Meaning that you could make advanced FP+ reservation for say TSMM and RnR, then once you get to the park, you can get a FP+ (using the same FP system we are acustom to , but with the RFID technology) for ToT, but not another one for RnR or TSMM.

The whole benefit of FP+ is to be able to book fastpasses with your phone or electronic device via the apps. So you are suggesting Disney will allow guests to only book four options with electronic device and then still run all over parks collecting fastpasses the old way too? Seems odd to me. It makes more sense for me to just go to my app and buy extra FP+ for those e-ticket rides I want by clicking a button.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Here is how I see this all working.

1) Onsite guests will be able to make their FP+ advanced reservations ~60 days in advance. (The 180 days that is rumored is just way to far in advance, it is possible to make a few dining reservation that far in advance, but deciding exactly which parks you are going to be in every single day of your 7-14 day stay is something completley different. Plus you can change your dining reservations. You may not get the restuarant you want, or have to eat counter service, but you can still change. The attractions are the reason most people go to WDW. Having to miss out on an attraction becasue you planned park changes, won't go over very well).

2) Offiste guests holding a MYW ticket will be able to start making FP+ advanced reservations 30 days in advance.

3) For each park you will get 1 or 2 selections for the "E" ticket rides, and another 2 for the "D" - "A" ticket rides.

4) The current FP system will be modified to use the RFID scanners and "reservations" and be convered to "FP+ (in park)"

5) No one will be able to make a FP+ reservation (in advance combined with in park) for the same attraction more than once in a day. Meaning that you could make advanced FP+ reservation for say TSMM and RnR, then once you get to the park, you can get a FP+ (using the same FP system we are acustom to , but with the RFID technology) for ToT, but not another one for RnR or TSMM.

I don't think off site guests will be able to make any in advance at all. To help compensate, perhaps only 50% of the FP's will be made elgible for advance reservations with the other 50% available in the park, the day of.

Where I have a problem with this only being able to ride a ride 1 time per day using FP+. If I want to spend all 4 (or whatever the number will be) on TSM then I should be allowed to. The current FP system lets me spend them on wherever I chose (so long as there is availability after the 2 hour window is up). If I log on at the 180 day (or 90 or 60 or whatever day) mark and there is availability for 4 TSM rides, then I should be able to do it.

And don't even get me started on the other rumor of only 20 FP+ for AP holders per quarter...

 

[Leona Fishback]

I may be a crazy dreamer (a starry-eyed Disney fan? No way!) but I don't think all the terrible scenarios people are suggesting will come to pass. I just don't see Disney being dumb enough to ruin the park experience for the large number of novice visitors, families with kids, etc. Somehow I think they'll iron out kinks.

I'm surprised to see so much FP+ hate on a board like this though -- by definition, aren't we all the Disney nerds who should love this? In real life I'm a disorganized procrastinator, but for whatever reason, part of Disney fun for me happens on the day(s) I start booking ADRs and looking at crowd calendars and figuring out what first-for-us stuff we're going to do this trip. Since I already know way in advance that I'll be at BOG at a certain date & time, or Via Napoli, well, really it's just a bonus for me to be able to line up access to Soarin' or Splash Mountain in a way that's compatible. That of course assumes I have the ability to choose convenient times, but I bet I will. I made reservations for Cinderella's Castle and Le Cellier without resorting to crazy 7:00 am rapid redialing schemes, why can't I also score a desirable time to try the new Test Track? I bet it'll be better than people are fearing.

Maybe it's because I am sorta lazy, and belong to a family of the profoundly lazy. I'm enough of a Len Testa follower that I'd set an alarm for Rope Drop, but my husband and kids -- not a chance! So for us, this makes TSM that much more of a possibility. Finally, Disney is looking out for the late sleepers!

 

[mom2rtk]

This fp+ system would be exciting if I hadn't already been "spoiled" by the convenience, flexibility, and great customer service I've received with the old fp system.

LOL. I think that's the other reason they stopped taking late FP's last March. They were hoping we'd forget how good we had it and be begging for help long about now.

 

[mom2rtk]

I may be a crazy dreamer (a starry-eyed Disney fan? No way!) but I don't think all the terrible scenarios people are suggesting will come to pass. I just don't see Disney being dumb enough to ruin the park experience for the large number of novice visitors, families with kids, etc. Somehow I think they'll iron out kinks.

I'm surprised to see so much FP+ hate on a board like this though -- by definition, aren't we all the Disney nerds who should love this? In real life I'm a disorganized procrastinator, but for whatever reason, part of Disney fun for me happens on the day(s) I start booking ADRs and looking at crowd calendars and figuring out what first-for-us stuff we're going to do this trip. Since I already know way in advance that I'll be at BOG at a certain date & time, or Via Napoli, well, really it's just a bonus for me to be able to line up access to Soarin' or Splash Mountain in a way that's compatible. That of course assumes I have the ability to choose convenient times, but I bet I will. I made reservations for Cinderella's Castle and Le Cellier without resorting to crazy 7:00 am rapid redialing schemes, why can't I also score a desirable time to try the new Test Track? I bet it'll be better than people are fearing.

Maybe it's because I am sorta lazy, and belong to a family of the profoundly lazy. I'm enough of a Len Testa follower that I'd set an alarm for Rope Drop, but my husband and kids -- not a chance! So for us, this makes TSM that much more of a possibility. Finally, Disney is looking out for the late sleepers!

Your answer was given 2 posts above yours:

This fp+ system would be exciting if I hadn't already been "spoiled" by the convenience, flexibility, and great customer service I've received with the old fp system.

 

[doconeill]

The possibility still remains that the current FP system would all be upgraded to use the RFID chips and thus would be come FP+, yet still function as the current system does.

But reading the T&C, it appears that they have no immediate plans for that, since once you convert to RFID, they specifically say you can't use regular FP.

I don't think off site guests will be able to make any in advance at all. To help compensate, perhaps only 50% of the FP's will be made elgible for advance reservations with the other 50% available in the park, the day of.

They don't make any distinction for onsite or offsite, but do say that MYW ticket holders can make FP+ selections 60 days out. Anyone can get a MYW ticket...however, you'd have to tell them when you are visiting, unless they do restrict it to Resort guests (in which case they already know). That's still a big unknown.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

They don't make any distinction for onsite or offsite, but do say that MYW ticket holders can make FP+ selections 60 days out. Anyone can get a MYW ticket...however, you'd have to tell them when you are visiting, unless they do restrict it to Resort guests (in which case they already know). That's still a big unknown.

And this is why I haven't bought any tickets from anyone yet until we have a better idea of what is going to happen.

As an AP holder (albeit one with an expired pass ) its the MYW verbiage in the T&C that concerns me...

 

[angelmichelle]

I wonder if FP+ can be used on certain days of your stay and not others? Or is it all or nothing like I imagine it would be - FP+ all week and no FP or FP all week and no FP+.

 

[mbrittb00]

The whole benefit of FP+ is to be able to book fastpasses with your phone or electronic device via the apps. So you are suggesting Disney will allow guests to only book four options with electronic device and then still run all over parks collecting fastpasses the old way too? Seems odd to me. It makes more sense for me to just go to my app and buy extra FP+ for those e-ticket rides I want by clicking a button.

I think you will be able to manage your "advanced" FP+ reservations via your phone, but would have to actually go to the attraction to collect a new one. yes still running all over the park to some degree, except for the 4 that you are able to prebook.

I don't think off site guests will be able to make any in advance at all. To help compensate, perhaps only 50% of the FP's will be made elgible for advance reservations with the other 50% available in the park, the day of.

Where I have a problem with this only being able to ride a ride 1 time per day using FP+. If I want to spend all 4 (or whatever the number will be) on TSM then I should be allowed to. The current FP system lets me spend them on wherever I chose (so long as there is availability after the 2 hour window is up). If I log on at the 180 day (or 90 or 60 or whatever day) mark and there is availability for 4 TSM rides, then I should be able to do it.

And don't even get me started on the other rumor of only 20 FP+ for AP holders per quarter...

Sorry, the one FP+ ride per day is coming. I don't think there is anything we can do to stop it.

I really hope that ultimatlly offsite guest will be able to participate. If not and we are not able to reasonably use FP in the parks, it may be a long time before we return. As a family of 6 is is nearly financially impossible for us to stay onsite (we have to get two rooms). So we typically stay offsite. True we could stay in the value resorts for $200 a night (two rooms). In fact the last two nights of our last trip we did stay in two value resort rooms to see what it was like now. What we discovered was that the rooms were very dirty / dusty / musty smelling. Our youngest son and my wife had an alergic reaction makeing those two days even worse. Honestly it was like a 20 year old hotel (which is is) that was only lightly cleaned between resort guests.

by definition, aren't we all the Disney nerds who should love this?

We can really love Disney without loving what they are doing to a favored vacation spot.

 

[mbrittb00]

But reading the T&C, it appears that they have no immediate plans for that, since once you convert to RFID, they specifically say you can't use regular FP.



They don't make any distinction for onsite or offsite, but do say that MYW ticket holders can make FP+ selections 60 days out. Anyone can get a MYW ticket...however, you'd have to tell them when you are visiting, unless they do restrict it to Resort guests (in which case they already know). That's still a big unknown.

I'm speculating that they would convert the current FP system to FP+ (in park reservations) so techincally it would be FP+ not FP. But I agree that is a long shot considering the verbage in the T&C

I wonder if FP+ can be used on certain days of your stay and not others? Or is it all or nothing like I imagine it would be - FP+ all week and no FP or FP all week and no FP+.

All or nothing based on the T&C. Once you conver to a FP+ RFID pass, you won't have anything that is compatable with the current FP kiosks.

 

[doconeill]

And this is why I haven't bought any tickets from anyone yet until we have a better idea of what is going to happen.

As an AP holder (albeit one with an expired pass ) its the MYW verbiage in the T&C that concerns me...

They mention passholders and other ticket types, just without the specifics. Not sure why they are specific about one and not others.

There was another thread that was temporarily shut down that was about a rumor that AP holders would get 20 FP+ per quarter...but it is not know if that applies only if you are offsite, so if you book a room you get access like any resort guest, etc. It's only a rumor at this point.

I wonder if FP+ can be used on certain days of your stay and not others? Or is it all or nothing like I imagine it would be - FP+ all week and no FP or FP all week and no FP+.

You don't HAVE to use FP+ on a day. But you can't use FP if you convert your tickets to use FP+, which is very specifically stated.

 

[angelmichelle]

You don't HAVE to use FP+ on a day. But you can't use FP if you convert your tickets to use FP+, which is very specifically stated.

Oh okay. I understand now. Thanks!

Any speculation when an official announcement will be made?

 

[doconeill]

Oh okay. I understand now. Thanks!

Any speculation when an official announcement will be made?

I've got nothing. I wasn't even expecting the info we have now

But my guess is given past experience that they might be crazy enough to start with Spring Break.

 

[jade1]

Which attractions do you think will FP+ max out before arrival date?
TSMM, story time with belle, Jedi academy? Others? I am guessing the affection station at planet watch won't be at risk!

I think your right and many will.

But as vacations are cancelled-all of the those slots will open even if just the day before. Or as folks change plans on which parks to visit leading up to arrival date-that would open slots as well.

EX Guest has next wed TSM reserved, but realize Fantasmic isn't that night. They search and find Space FP+ ressie avail for wed and grab that instead. So now TSM opens 4 afternoon slots for anyone paying attention. Obviously the original guest making the change would need to give up the other 3 FP+'s at DHS and pick 3 new ones at MK, but maybe they are OK with adding a Wishes viewing and POC or whatever. But the guest that grabs the 4 TSM FP+'s will have to cancel ("modify") one of the attractions they have.

If it works like this-I can see a lot of daily checking up to arrival date for late planners. Some will think its fun-others will hate it.

 

[mbrittb00]

I think your right and many will.

But as vacations are cancelled-all of the those slots will open even if just the day before. Or as folks change plans on which parks to visit leading up to arrival date-that would open slots as well.

EX Guest has next wed TSM reserved, but realize Fantasmic isn't that night. They search and find Space FP+ ressie avail for wed and grab that instead. So now TSM opens 4 afternoon slots for anyone paying attention. Obviously the original guest making the change would need to give up the other 3 FP+'s at DHS and pick 3 new ones at MK, but maybe they are OK with adding a Wishes viewing and POC or whatever. But the guest that grabs the 4 TSM FP+'s will have to cancel ("modify") one of the attractions they have.

If it works like this-I can see a lot of daily checking up to arrival date for late planners. Some will think its fun-others will hate it.

I think that most will hate it. Having to either micro manage your vacation months in advance or having to "troll" the FP+ reservation system daily (multiple times) just to get the reservations you want / need in order to have a successful vacation, just doesn't sound like fun to me.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Sorry, the one FP+ ride per day is coming. I don't think there is anything we can do to stop it.

I agree that it is probably coming, but I still don't have to like it!