FP+ questions... Really lost

[mbrittb00]

We were part of the test run in early December. We were able to choose different rides and available times. For MK - it worked out fine. We did not use the Splash Mountain FP. It just did not work out for where we were in the park.
The second day was supposed to be at HS. The night before we decided to go to a different park so did not use any of the FP's.

I can see where it has advantages. We know what rides we want to go on well before we head to Florida. The disadvantage is if you change your mind last minute on what park you are visiting and lose the advantage of the FP.

It was nice to just "show up" at the ride and not have to hit the ride with your tickets to get the FP.

There were special viewing areas for fireworks and parade (I think parade was in it.) We did not select any of those so can't say how that would have worked out.

I am looking forward to seeing how this all turns out.

If you don't mind, I would like to ask a couple of questions to help us understand your experiance:

1) What FP+ selections did you make?

2) At MK you were still able to use the regular FP system correct? What other FPs did you pull and use?

3) What would your MK experiance if you had had to wait in 1 hour (possibly longer) lines instead of the FPs that you pulled in the park?

 

[mom2rtk]

There has been a lot of farily positive feedback about the system thus far. However most of what I've heard is cavieted with "plus you can still use the regular FP as well". I wonder how enthueastic people will be if all they have is their 4 FP+ reservations and can't use the regular FP system. I wouldn't want to participate unless it only effect one day of my trip (and not even 100% sure about that), but I'm not even sure how they could work that.

Yep.

I ask again.... what was there NOT to like about the system as it was tested? Here.... we're going to let you choose some attractions to set up when you're at Disney next week. Wanna do it? No angst over park days as everyone's schedules were probably set that late in the game. No loss of other FP priveleges. It was all an "extra". As I said, sort of like the Dream Team tapping you on the shoulder and giving you a set of fastpasses. Even if things came up and you only used 2 f the 4, no big loss. It was all just gravy.

Want me to save a place for you at the MSEP on a level 9 crowd day? No giving up other ride FP's, no getting up at the crack of dawn months in advance. Just boom. There it is.

Of course people loved it.

Which is why I said I hope those were operational surveys and not opinion surveys. Because doing an opinion survey without all the critical details in place would be sort of useless.

 

[bcrook]

I feel really bad for those people that sign up without reading the details... And the get to the park to find out they will only get those 4 FP+ and no FP

And some of those FP+ options will have to be used on things that don't need FP. I guess people who don't know the old system won't know what they are missing, and just won't care. But there have to be millions of patrons who do know how FP works.

 

[mickyzzzzz05]

If you don't mind, I would like to ask a couple of questions to help us understand your experiance:

1) What FP+ selections did you make?

2) At MK you were still able to use the regular FP system correct? What other FPs did you pull and use?

3) What would your MK experiance if you had had to wait in 1 hour (possibly longer) lines instead of the FPs that you pulled in the park?

We were traveling with 4 children under the age of 8.
1. For MK we selected Peter Pan, Jungle Cruise, Splash Mountain(not used) and Dumbo.
2. We did not use the regular FP system while we were there. I can't say that we couldn't have but we never tried to so I don't know.

3. We arrived at rope drop and never got in any line over 20 minutes long. Our group headed directly to Fantasy Land and spent the majority of our morning there with the exception of Buzz, Pirates and Jungle Cruise.

We were there Dec 9th through the 15th so we had low crowd levels. We usually do not get in any line longer than 30 minutes and very few over 15 minutes.

 

[mom2rtk]

We were traveling with 4 children under the age of 8.
1. For MK we selected Peter Pan, Jungle Cruise, Splash Mountain(not used) and I can not remember the 4th one!
2. We did not use the regular FP system while we were there. I can't say that we couldn't have but we never tried to so I don't know.

3. We arrived at rope drop and never got in any line over 20 minutes long. Our group headed directly to Fantasy Land and spent the majority of our morning there with the exception of Buzz, Pirates and Jungle Cruise.

We were there Dec 9th through the 15th so we had low crowd levels. We usually do not get in any line longer than 30 minutes and very few over 15 minutes.

Just curious what day you did FP+ in the MK?

That week in general really was a fairly low crowd week in the MK. We were in the MK 12/7, 12/9, 12/12, 12/13, 12/14, 12/15 and 12/16. The only day we really would have needed a FP (other than New Fantasyland and Peter Pan) was 12/15.

 

[mickyzzzzz05]

Just curious what day you did FP+ in the MK?

That week in general really was a fairly low crowd week in the MK. We were in the MK 12/7, 12/9, 12/12, 12/13, 12/14, 12/15 and 12/16. The only day we really would have needed a FP (other than New Fantasyland and Peter Pan) was 12/15.

We did our MK Fast Passes on the 12th. The HS ones were set up for the 14th but we went back to MK that day. We also went there the 15th and the morning of the 16th.

We would not have needed fast passes for the rides but it was offered so we set them up.

We always left between 11:30 am and 1 pm to head back to the room. The first day that grandkids arrived we went to MK about 3 pm and left around 7 pm when the MVMCP was starting and that was the biggest crowd that we dealt with during the week.

I think on Saturday evening (it may have been another night) I took my 5 yr old granddaughter and 7 yr grandson in to MK to see the parade. We walked in, got popcorn and soda and sat on the curb for 45 minutes right to the left of the train station. It was very crowded but with our location we were out of the gate before the crowd became an issue.

 

[mom2rtk]

We did our MK Fast Passes on the 12th. The HS ones were set up for the 14th but we went back to MK that day. We also went there the 15th and the morning of the 16th.

We would not have needed fast passes for the rides but it was offered so we set them up.

We always left between 11:30 am and 1 pm to head back to the room. The first day that grandkids arrived we went to MK about 3 pm and left around 7 pm when the MVMCP was starting and that was the biggest crowd that we dealt with during the week.

I think on Saturday evening (it may have been another night) I took my 5 yr old granddaughter and 7 yr grandson in to MK to see the parade. We walked in, got popcorn and soda and sat on the curb for 45 minutes right to the left of the train station. It was very crowded but with our location we were out of the gate before the crowd became an issue.

I agree. The 12th was surprisingly slow for a non-party day.

Saturday the 15th was a complete zoo. My daughter is used to Disney fireworks crowds, but I think she was a little freaked out that night. It's the first time we've ever been in the MK on a night they had to open the back entrances behind Main Street. But we had been back at Be Our Guest for dinner and had to make it all the way to the exit.

If that's the night you were there (probably was since Thursday and Friday were party nights) then you were very smart to stay by the entrance and make a quick getaway..... I mean exit.

 

[mickyzzzzz05]

This was the second time the two older grandchildren had been there so it changes our touring plans.
In the distant past (15 years ago) we went several years in a row during Christmas week. I was younger then and had more patience.

Most trips prior to those Christmas trips were made in Jan or Feb. Because I loved the Christmas dec and entertainment most of our recent trips have been during the 1st or 2nd week of Dec.

Because most of our trips are at low crowd level times we do not usually wait for many rides. When it is just DH and myself we get a FP for Soaring just to ride it twice without waiting.

If the Fast Pass plus system is too confusing or until it shakes out and we see how it works, I think that I would continue doing what we do now!

 

[DVC Daisy]

As an AP holder that only makes 2 long trips a year, if it is limited to 20 per qtr I will have a REALLY big problem with that. We do stay onsite, so it may not matter. As it is all rumors anyway, it is just speculation at this point. But I will say, if it did turn out that way, this will absolutely be the last time we purchase APs

And even though I am a super planner, I absolutely cannot wrap my head around making ride reservations 60 or even 30 days in advance, even if they were UNLIMITED. I just don't get it. I have no idea what I am going to want to do at 10:00AM on the 2nd day of my vacation 2 months from now.

I love Disney - absolutely, but I just can't understand what their logic is with this system.

 

[bcrook]

As an AP holder that only makes 2 long trips a year, if it is limited to 20 per qtr I will have a REALLY big problem with that. We do stay onsite, so it may not matter. As it is all rumors anyway, it is just speculation at this point. But I will say, if it did turn out that way, this will absolutely be the last time we purchase APs

And even though I am a super planner, I absolutely cannot wrap my head around making ride reservations 60 or even 30 days in advance, even if they were UNLIMITED. I just don't get it. I have no idea what I am going to want to do at 10:00AM on the 2nd day of my vacation 2 months from now.

I love Disney - absolutely, but I just can't understand what their logic is with this system.

There are some obvious benefits to this. If you go during a low crowd time and you don't have to use many FP, then scheduling a few at your leisure each day would be fun. I would like to hand pick my times for FP for rides on a given day instead of just getting the next time period available. Wake up, decide to go to DHS, go to your app and schedule a few times that are convenient. When you get to the park, you can change them if you want to.

But that is for low crowd times.

Another example which may work for me. During F&W I will have booked up my days with wine tastings, cooking demos, and ADRs. At that point, I might as well book the e-ticket rides that fit my schedule and plan a few special events like preferred viewing at Illuminations. So food and wine might work.

I don't think this will work very well at Star Wars weekends or during peak times.

 

[SouthernExplorer]

Who wants to plan their vacation down to the ride times?

Danny Tanner

Clipboard of Fun

He also had a itinerary when they went to WDW, which the entire family promptly threw in the garbage.

The House Meets the Mouse

Well, DH and I would like to go to WDW someday, but with the direction Disney is headed we'll opt for Hawai'i instead.

 

[Robo]

And some of those FP+ options will have to be used on things that don't need FP.


I guess people who don't know the old system won't know what they are missing, and just won't care. But there have to be millions of patrons who do know how FP works.

Just making the numbers very simple:

Figure MK alone gets approx. 15 Million visitors per year, give or take.
FP was introduced in late 1999,
so let's just say that there have been (at least) 10 years of FP use.

150 Million guests, ballpark, who have been to at least MK during the time of FP.

Even if 2/3 of those guests had not the slightest idea how FP worked,
we still have a hard core of 50 Million (likely more) who used FP before.
(Yes, some of those ARE "repeat customers," but I've really rounded very, very low.)

So, that's a lot of past guests who DO have a recollection of FP...
and the way it worked.

Now, here come the changes.

 

[bcrook]

Just making the numbers very simple:

Figure MK alone gets approx. 15 Million visitors per year, give or take.
FP was introduced in late 1999,
so let's just say that there have been (at least) 10 years of FP use.

150 Million guests, ballpark, who have been to at least MK during the time of FP.

Even if 2/3 of those guests had not the slightest idea how FP worked,
we still have a hard core of 50 Million (likely more) who used FP before.
(Yes, some of those ARE "repeat customers," but I've really rounded very, very low.)

So, that's a lot of past guests who DO have a recollection of FP...
and the way it worked.

Now, here come the changes.

That is a rather large number. . So somebody at Disney is predicting that the 50 million will either get over it or be replaced by a steady influx of new first time visitors. Not a particularly good growth model, but maybe growth is not the goal.

 

[joelkfla]

Just throwing this out there, as I haven't seen it mentioned --

Has anyone considered the possibility that FP+ opportunity availability could be tiered by type of guest?

I'm thinking like phased closings due to capacity: when a park reaches a certain level of fullness, day ticket holders are excluded; as it fills further, multi-day ticket holders are excluded; etc.

They could do something similar with FP+ opportunities. For example, when 50% of a day's opportunities for a particular experience are taken, they could show no availability to MYW ticket holders. When 70% are gone, they could block out APs. At 90%, only deluxe resort guests would see it.

The guest wouldn't have to know that they were denied a FP+ based on their class; they would just assume that all slots were taken. And 4 Seasons & Golden Oak guests could be given access to all experiences, regardless of how full.

Disney could choose to publicize this as a selling point, or just keep it low-key.

 

[Robo]

Just throwing this out there, as I haven't seen it mentioned --

Has anyone considered the possibility that FP+ opportunity availability could be tiered by type of guest?

I'm thinking like phased closings due to capacity: when a park reaches a certain level of fullness, day ticket holders are excluded; as it fills further, multi-day ticket holders are excluded; etc.

They could do something similar with FP+ opportunities. For example, when 50% of a day's opportunities for a particular experience are taken, they could show no availability to MYW ticket holders. When 70% are gone, they could block out APs. At 90%, only deluxe resort guests would see it.

The guest wouldn't have to know that they were denied a FP+ based on their class; they would just assume that all slots were taken. And 4 Seasons & Golden Oak guests could be given access to all experiences, regardless of how full.

Disney could choose to publicize this as a selling point, or just keep it low-key.

I think that it would need to be brought into play using guests-in-parks numbers not known far in advance.
And, even with "Phased Closings," they relax the restrictions as the guest-level drops that very day.

I'm thinking that this would be so astoundingly incomprehensible (to guests and CM's) that I don't see how it could be managed.

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm sure the Disney IT folks could do it.

 

[pigletto]

Danny Tanner

Clipboard of Fun.

ROTFL!!!!

Yes!! That is exactly what this reminds me of!!

 

[jade1]

As an AP holder that only makes 2 long trips a year, if it is limited to 20 per qtr I will have a REALLY big problem with that. We do stay onsite, so it may not matter. As it is all rumors anyway, it is just speculation at this point. But I will say, if it did turn out that way, this will absolutely be the last time we purchase APs

And even though I am a super planner, I absolutely cannot wrap my head around making ride reservations 60 or even 30 days in advance, even if they were UNLIMITED. I just don't get it. I have no idea what I am going to want to do at 10:00AM on the 2nd day of my vacation 2 months from now.

I love Disney - absolutely, but I just can't understand what their logic is with this system.

We are similar, but if FP is eliminated, we will reserve ahead. If we were going that week-I would grab this (took about 10 minutes).

Mon 4-22
AK Early entry (EE, Safari, FOTLK, Dino, Bugs)
FP+ for DHS Afternoon- TSM, RNR, B&B, VOTLM-intend to do TOT and RNR again, maybe TSM during late night EE and Fantasmic.
Tues 4-23
Early entry EPCOT (Soarin, TT, SE, Norway etc)
MK afternoon FP+ Space, Splash, Belle, POC, stay for parade and Wishes (maybe wait for BTMR)
Wed 4-24
DHS Early entry (TSM maybe twice even, RNR, TOT, TGMR,Muppets)
EPCOT Eve FP+ Soarin, TT, SE, Illuminations
Thurs 4-25
Early entry MK-Space, BTMRR, Splash, POC, Philhar, BOG lunch.
DHS FP+ evening TSM, TOT, TGMR, B&B, wait for RNR, maybe Fantasmic again.

Rinse and repeat.

 

[bcrook]

We are similar, but if FP is eliminated, we will reserve ahead. If we were going that week-I would grab this (took about 10 minutes).

Mon 4-22
AK Early entry (EE, Safari, FOTLK, Dino, Bugs)
FP+ for DHS Afternoon- TSM, RNR, B&B, VOTLM-intend to do TOT and RNR again, maybe TSM during late night EE and Fantasmic.
Tues 4-23
Early entry EPCOT (Soarin, TT, SE, Norway etc)
MK afternoon FP+ Space, Splash, Belle, POC, stay for parade and Wishes (maybe wait for BTMR)
Wed 4-24
DHS Early entry (TSM maybe twice even, RNR, TOT, TGMR,Muppets)
EPCOT Eve FP+ Soarin, TT, SE, Illuminations
Thurs 4-25
Early entry MK-Space, BTMRR, Splash, POC, Philhar, BOG lunch.
DHS FP+ evening TSM, TOT, TGMR, B&B, wait for RNR, maybe Fantasmic again.

Rinse and repeat.

Awesome hopping!

 

[pigletto]

We are similar, but if FP is eliminated, we will reserve ahead. If we were going that week-I would grab this (took about 10 minutes).

Mon 4-22
AK Early entry (EE, Safari, FOTLK, Dino, Bugs)
FP+ for DHS Afternoon- TSM, RNR, B&B, VOTLM-intend to do TOT and RNR again, maybe TSM during late night EE and Fantasmic.
Tues 4-23
Early entry EPCOT (Soarin, TT, SE, Norway etc)
MK afternoon FP+ Space, Splash, Belle, POC, stay for parade and Wishes (maybe wait for BTMR)
Wed 4-24
DHS Early entry (TSM maybe twice even, RNR, TOT, TGMR,Muppets)
EPCOT Eve FP+ Soarin, TT, SE, Illuminations
Thurs 4-25
Early entry MK-Space, BTMRR, Splash, POC, Philhar, BOG lunch.
DHS FP+ evening TSM, TOT, TGMR, B&B, wait for RNR, maybe Fantasmic again.

Rinse and repeat.

Forgive me if I'm wrong but isn't it only one of your fast passes that can be a headliner? For example are you going to be able get Test Track and Soarin' on the same day for fastpass+? I really don't know but thought I had read it's going to be one of the big rides and then 2 of the rides nobody actually ever needs a fastpass for, and then a show or experience.