FP+ questions... Really lost

[M5ward]

This is not for us. We go to whichever park we feel like visiting on any given day; sometimes we decide that morning. I do plan ADRs at 180 days but have no problem hopping to another park for a meal. We don't get fastpasses very often now, so we wouldn't miss them at all.

 

[heyitsmejosh]

i'm not a big fan of fast pass plus all this planning 60 and 180 days away really hurts us florida residents! we can decide to go on a day or two notice. it pretty much keeps us from being able to do a lot of things someone whos been planning their vacation for a year. not to mention there is no way i can tell you what i want to eat 6 months out... nevermind what ride i feel like going on

 

[Bephus]

... the interesting option for those questioning how park hopping will fit in is to make all your FP+ reservations for your second park of the day.

I am not sure, but what I saw of the testing you had to pick your FP+ times from different time blocks. Like one in the morning, one in the afternoon, one in the evening. So I am not 100% sure you could get time slots all in the afternoon, but it is a thought.

 

[UNCFanatik]

There is more angst about the unknown facets of the FP+ system than an 80s John Hughes movie. And much of it is coming from the same group of people who predicted gloom and doom when Disney started enforcing FP return time windows.

 

[mom2rtk]

There is more angst about the unknown facets of the FP+ system than an 80s John Hughes movie. And much of it is coming from the same group of people who predicted gloom and doom when Disney started enforcing FP return time windows.

Just proof positive that something can always be worse.

We just had our first trip post-enforcement. And it changed things for us. We definitely downgraded the number of rides we can do on a given day. And it changed how much criss-crossing of the parks we had to do. No surprises there.

But I'll take that system over the proposed new FP+ system. Doesn't mean I like enforcment. It just means I dislike FP+ more.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Missyrose was saying to ONLY get FP+ at what will be your SECOND park of the day.
That would only be one park with FP+ reservations that day.

Memo to self, reading glasses now required during late hours...lol. Woops.

Change brings anxiety for a lot of people.. Just change the channel line up on a cable system and watch the complaints roll in.

In this case, enforcement didn't affect my touring the parks much.

FP+ has tremendous likelihood of changing the whole experience, in favor of deep planners....and ruining it for many others.

I will reserve final judgment for the final product, but I see NOTHING about FP+ for me to like thus far... that was not the case with the original FP or even the eventual proper enforcement of same.

I respect others may feel differently... for them.

But not for me.

 

[addicted2dizney]

Ok, so day three, you had scheduled the Studios, but now its pouring rain out with hurricane winds. You can't rebook for the next day, cause that's Epcot... And oh yeah, since you are already there, there are no FP+s available to book if even you were willing to deconstruct the rest of your bookings..

This has all the potential of exactly the kind of vacation I never want to take.

And I don't book my meals at 180 days out and I will never book rides that way.

Ding ding ding!!! we have a winner! EXACTLY what I was thinking. If anything comes along to make you have to change your plans then what?

For example, I woke up at 7am August 20th and was on the phone for 2 1/2 hours to obtain a dinner ressie for BOG for January 7th. I got it!! However, my mom needed emergency appendectomy last week so now we can't go till the end of the month. Sad we can't go this week but very HAPPY we are going at all! Guess what? No BOG ressies available. Now believe me, I get it for ADR's, I'll live, it's not the end of the world. However, I can't imagine having to plan out every FP on each day of my trip! I don't think I've had a single trip that I follow my exact tour plan to the letter. And believe me, I'm a planner!

only plus side I can think of is perhaps all those no shows in FP will make stand by waits less?

 

[UNCFanatik]

Just proof positive that something can always be worse.

We just had our first trip post-enforcement. And it changed things for us. We definitely downgraded the number of rides we can do on a given day. And it changed how much criss-crossing of the parks we had to do. No surprises there.

But I'll take that system over the proposed new FP+ system. Doesn't mean I like enforcment. It just means I dislike FP+ more.

yup, i am sure things did change for you. You chose to use FPs in the past in a way that Disney didnt design them to be used. Of course, Disney allowed this and by some amazing coincidence, CMs selectively told the ardent FP late users on this board that they could come back past the return window. While other long time park goers on the DIS had no idea that FPs could be used late. I am still amazed about that coincidence.

You ran the risk of Disney deciding to go back to enforcing the time window on FPs as they first did when the program was rolled out. You counted on Disney being slack in their enforcement.

And as I am sure it will be the case in the gloom and doom predictions for the FP+ system, all the angst and predictions on this board regarding the enforcement of FP return windows did not come true. I would remind people that as well.

People are getting all worked up over tests and the final details of the FP+ system have yet to be released.

Rest assured, I am sure that people will find a way to game the FP+ system the way they have gamed other policies and procedures that Disney has put into place....

 

[Missyrose]

yup, i am sure things did change for you. You chose to use FPs in the past in a way that Disney didnt design them to be used. Of course, Disney allowed this and by some amazing coincidence, CMs selectively told the ardent FP late users on this board that they could come back past the return window. While other long time park goers on the DIS had no idea that FPs could be used late. I am still amazed about that coincidence. ...

Rest assured, I am sure that people will find a way to game the FP+ system the way they have gamed other policies and procedures that Disney has put into place....

Using FPs late wasn't gaming the system, it was an official policy that Disney employed. There have been many (probably hundreds) of Disers that reported being told by CMs directly that the FPs were good all day. Heck, I had heard CMs make announcements at attractions that said people could use their FPs any time before the end of the day.

So the conspiracy theories about the "coincidence" of people using FPs late are nothing but sour grapes. Trust me, if late FPs had truly been messing with Disney's crowd control system, they would have begun enforcing return times almost immediately. But instead they figured out that they would need more precisely timed crowd control for the Next-Gen system they have been working to roll out, so the first step toward that was enforcing the previously unenforced return times on FP.

And for everyone wringing their hands over people on this board showing too much angst over the proposed changes, perhaps you could realize that this is a discussion board where people will voice concerns and help each other figure out solutions (especially when Disney throws a curveball). If you do not wish to read discussions about the new system or people's concerns, simply move on to other threads.

 

[mom2rtk]

You ran the risk of Disney deciding to go back to enforcing the time window on FPs as they first did when the program was rolled out. You counted on Disney being slack in their enforcement.

Risk of what? I enjoyed it while I could. It's over now and I accept that. It's not like I sold my soul for it.

And as I am sure it will be the case in the gloom and doom predictions for the FP+ system, all the angst and predictions on this board regarding the enforcement of FP return windows did not come true. I would remind people that as well.


Rest assured, I am sure that people will find a way to game the FP+ system the way they have gamed other policies and procedures that Disney has put into place....

I'm sure you're happy with how it all worked out. For me, it did indeed work out to be every bit as bad as I feared. Was there some sort of satisfaction poll I missed on how happy everyone is with FP enforcement? The fact that many of us would take FP enforcement over FP+ is not an endorsement of enforcement. It's an indictment of just how much worse FP+ appears to be.

 

[addicted2dizney]

Using FPs late wasn't gaming the system, it was an official policy that Disney employed. There have been many (probably hundreds) of Disers that reported being told by CMs directly that the FPs were good all day. Heck, I had heard CMs make announcements at attractions that said people could use their FPs any time before the end of the day.

So the conspiracy theories about the "coincidence" of people using FPs late are nothing but sour grapes. Trust me, if late FPs had truly been messing with Disney's crowd control system, they would have begun enforcing return times almost immediately. But instead they figured out that they would need more precisely timed crowd control for the Next-Gen system they have been working to roll out, so the first step toward that was enforcing the previously unenforced return times on FP.

And for everyone wringing their hands over people on this board showing too much angst over the proposed changes, perhaps you could realize that this is a discussion board where people will voice concerns and help each other figure out solutions (especially when Disney throws a curveball). If you do not wish to read discussions about the new system or people's concerns, simply move on to other threads.

Amen!

 

[SaraJayne]

Ok, so day three, you had scheduled the Studios, but now its pouring rain out with hurricane winds. You can't rebook for the next day, cause that's Epcot... And oh yeah, since you are already there, there are no FP+s available to book if even you were willing to deconstruct the rest of your bookings..

This has all the potential of exactly the kind of vacation I never want to take.

And I don't book my meals at 180 days out and I will never book rides that way.

 

[hookedonears]

I do not see a down side for FP+ at all. People are going to plan like they've always done (some a little more, maybe) with an incredible added bonus. If you don't like planning, don't. Nobody's forcing you to. If a meteor happens to hit DHS on the day you were planning to visit and you miss out on your FP+ reservations, no big deal. Life goes on. FP+ reservations will not be activated until you enter the park anyway. If you want to change your plans and tour a different park, no problem. You do it the old fashion way with regular FP's and the stand-by line. No big deal.

 

[SaraJayne]

I do not see a down side for FP+ at all. People are going to plan like they've always done (some a little more, maybe) with an incredible added bonus. If you don't like planning, don't. Nobody's forcing you to. If a meteor happens to hit DHS on the day you were planning to visit and you miss out on your FP+ reservations, no big deal. Life goes on. FP+ reservations will not be activated until you enter the park anyway. If you want to change your plans and tour a different park, no problem. You do it the old fashion way with regular FP's and the stand-by line. No big deal.

Ahhh, there's the catch. Once you choose a fastpass sytem to use (until "old" fastpass is completely phased out), you are locked into that ~ no going back and forth.

 

[UNCFanatik]

Using FPs late wasn't gaming the system, it was an official policy that Disney employed.

Acceptance of late FPs was a guest recovery matter. The official policy of Disney was that people use FPs in the window printed on the ticket. I will not rehash all the old arguments but will remind you that if Disney wanted EVERY guest to use FPs late, they would have changed the FP ticket to read "return anytime after "x" time and widely pubilicized this

There have been many (probably hundreds) of Disers that reported being told by CMs directly that the FPs were good all day. Heck, I had heard CMs make announcements at attractions that said people could use their FPs any time before the end of the day.

And there have been many Disers that reported that they did not know that they could use FPs past the posted return time that was posted on the ticket. I again wonder how all these Disers somehow missed all these CMs telling people and announcing that FPs could be used late. Of course, no one would EVER lie about a CM telling them about late FP use just to bolster their argument because they hate the FP enforcement..no..would never happen...

So the conspiracy theories about the "coincidence" of people using FPs late are nothing but sour grapes. Trust me, if late FPs had truly been messing with Disney's crowd control system, they would have begun enforcing return times almost immediately.

Ah, but they did enforce return times "immediately". When FPs were first rolled out, the return windows were enforced. But over time, they allowed late FP usage as a matter of guest recovery. And it is not "sour grapes". Just another example of guests taking advantage of something that Disney allows and then Disney responding and those people getting mad. Now that is sour grapes...same thing happened with CRT ressies in the past..i.e..the Breakfast "angels" who thought that Disney needed a secondary distribution channel.

But instead they figured out that they would need more precisely timed crowd control for the Next-Gen system they have been working to roll out, so the first step toward that was enforcing the previously unenforced return times on FP.

Pure conjecture on your part. There was a memo released to the CMs when FP enforcement began that stated it was partly due to late FP usage. I know people like to dismiss this as Disney spin but still the memo was distributed. But it may be a part of the Net Gen prepping but no one knows this for a certainity

And for everyone wringing their hands over people on this board showing too much angst over the proposed changes, perhaps you could realize that this is a discussion board where people will voice concerns and help each other figure out solutions (especially when Disney throws a curveball). If you do not wish to read discussions about the new system or people's concerns, simply move on to other threads.

Yup, I realize all this. And realize that some of the Dis "solutions" actually create problems in the long run and then people begin their hand wringing once again when Disney closes any loopholes. Wash...Rinse...Repeat...

 

[hookedonears]

Ahhh, there's the catch. Once you choose a fastpass sytem to use (until "old" fastpass is completely phased out), you are locked into that ~ no going back and forth.

I don't know where any of these supositions come from? No one has said anything about phasing out the old system completely, or being locked into one system or another.

 

[SaraJayne]

I don't know where any of these supositions come from? No one has said anything about phasing out the old system completely, or being locked into one system or another.

Disney has ~ from the new My Disney Experience terms and conditions ~

You are required to convert paper tickets and passes in order to make and use FastPass+ selections. Once you convert a ticket or pass you will no longer be able to participate in the standard FASTPASS service upon arrival at the parks.

 

[UNCFanatik]

Risk of what? I enjoyed it while I could. It's over now and I accept that. It's not like I sold my soul for it.



I'm sure you're happy with how it all worked out. For me, it did indeed work out to be every bit as bad as I feared. Was there some sort of satisfaction poll I missed on how happy everyone is with FP enforcement? The fact that many of us would take FP enforcement over FP+ is not an endorsement of enforcement. It's an indictment of just how much worse FP+ appears to be.

I was in the parks the first of June and I was very happy with how it all worked out. I was able to ride all the rides I wanted multiple times with minimal wait through the use of proper planning, rope drop, EMH, and utilization of FPs.

As far as FP+ is concerned, what it appears to be now may not be what it ends up being. And though you would never admit it, I doubt your experience with FP enforcement was as bad as your multiple doomsday scenario posts projected it to be when FP enforcement was first announced.

 

[bcrook]

I do not see a down side for FP+ at all. People are going to plan like they've always done (some a little more, maybe) with an incredible added bonus. If you don't like planning, don't. Nobody's forcing you to. If a meteor happens to hit DHS on the day you were planning to visit and you miss out on your FP+ reservations, no big deal. Life goes on. FP+ reservations will not be activated until you enter the park anyway. If you want to change your plans and tour a different park, no problem. You do it the old fashion way with regular FP's and the stand-by line. No big deal.

According to the terms and conditions you won't be able to use both systems.
And if I decide to use FP+, what time slots and rides will be available if I plan late? Also, I don't think much will be available the morning of a visit either. If I log into My Disney Experience app and look for splash Mountain FP+ for the afternoon, I will probably get, "no time slots available for that ride how about using a FP+ for Jungle cruise".

 

[mom2rtk]

I was in the parks the first of June and I was very happy with how it all worked out. I was able to ride all the rides I wanted multiple times with minimal wait through the use of proper planning, rope drop, EMH, and utilization of FPs.

I expected nothing less. Glad you had a great trip.

But as I said, you being happy with enforcement does not equate to others feeling the same.

And as I have said many times, it is what it is. Accepting it and liking it are 2 different things. And disliking FP+ more is not the same as liking enforcement.