FP+ questions... Really lost

[SaraJayne]

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".

Oh, I'm sure there will be plenty available for the Tiki Room and Stitch ~ you know, the things no one wants to ride/see?

 

[mom2rtk]

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".

May I interest you in the Tiki Room? We could sprinkle some water on you at the end. And it will be *almost* like Splash........

 

[UNCFanatik]

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.

As I expected nothing less from your reports of your trip. And yes, it was a great trip.

As far as my happiness with enforcement. Truth be told, I would have preferred non FP enforcement during my trip. But I am happy to see the abuse of the FP system stopped like the hoarding and secondary FP distribution.

My point remains the same, FP+ may turn out differently than projected at the current moment.

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

My biggest problem with FP+ is what about small kids...which disney seems to have more then enough to go around!

Have a 6 year old and and infant..
Not to mention we have be dealing with new sensory issues...
Should my DD start melting down, why we are in the FP+ line... Can we still leave?

Normally a CM at the end of FP line would hand us a FP, so we could come back... At least this is what happen in Disneyland...
Knowing this was there, I did not plan on getting a GAC... ( I feel some people abuse the use of these)

I can just see the FP+ line full of kids having full blow meltdowns... And mom saying.. "We can't leave bc this is our time!"
Since FP+ is done by electronic check in, I guess this is our new normal...

Even with ADRs all I had to do is walk up to the CM an explain we need another 30min, to let DD cool down..
I feel like they are taking the human judgement out of the FP system...


FYI: I do plan our rides out, ONLY bc I have a child who needs a schedule to avoid meltdowns...
And I still think this is a bad idea...

Because most people I have run into do NOT plan rides out..
They walk in the park and turn to their kids and say " what do you want to ride 1st!"

 

[bcrook]

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.

I was there for the first two weeks of June last year too. I also had a great time. Our strategy was to get into EMH morning and enjoy as much as we could and then hop to another park. For example do TSMM (fastpass), grab a FP for RnR, do standby for Star Tours. Standby for ToT, and head to non EMH like Epcot at noon for the rest of the evening. There we could eat lunch, grab fastpasses for Soarin (as you know, TT was closed), but we would have got fastpasses for that too. We could enjoy Epcot.

With the new system there will be limits on the number of fastpasses, we won't be able to grab fastpasses in two parks on the same day. With the elimination of the extra hour of evening EMH that curtails our experience too. That third hour in the evening was the best time for rides. I believe these two events are connected.

It definitely has a negative impact on my touring style.

I was extremely optimistic about the FP+ system before I read the terms and conditions. I was hoping that FP system would remain the same, but we would be able to pick our times for FP on the day we were touring. For example go to breakfast at kouzzinas at 8:00 am and grab a few fastpasses for dhs while eat. I would like a TSMM pass at 11:00am, and RnR at noon, and ToT at 2:00.

I don't think it is going to be that laid back. And now we know for sure it is one system or the other not both. So once I choose, splash mountain and space mountain, I am standby the rest of the day at MK, and if I hop, I am standby there too.

 

[CanadianGuy]

UNC -- Seriously? The 420,000 members of the DIS are some how responsible for the changes in Fastpasses? Really? REALLY? The Magic Kingdom had 17 million visitors in 2011 alone.. but somehow... the 420,000 members of the DIS, many of whom never travelled in 2011... are somehow responsible? Get real.

Come on brother.. let's be realistic. The NextGen concept has been in development for years and Disney closed the loophole when they did because they needed get folks in the habit of arriving on time for the next stage of the roll out. FP never resulted in the increase in shopping and merchandise that Disney forecast. That's the primary reason we're seeing it change today. I'm not happy about it, but at least I understand the real reasons why it's being done.

That's it. That's all.

For the DIS to be responsible ... all 420,000 members would have to each visit once a week.

Sorry .. the math, it is against you.

And ... pretty much since FP was implemented ... it WAS Disney policy that last FP's could be used after the window stated on the paper ticket. They would tighten that up at busy times occasionally.. but generally that was the rule. I'm sorry you don't believe that.. but it actually was Disney policy, not DIS policy.

 

[hvanes]

I noticed while playing on the My Disney Experience app last night that every. single. attraction. in the Explore section has a "Select FastPass+" button. Of course, when you tap it nothing happens (for now)... but it has piqued my curiosity. What would be the benefit of using FP+ for the World Showcase galleries, or Innoventions, or an Off Kilter performance?

Or is this (FP+ buttons on every single "experience") just another example of an app and site that weren't ready to be launched?

 

[WillAustin]

So once I choose, splash mountain and space mountain, I am standby the rest of the day at MK, and if I hop, I am standby there too.

That's where I see problems for us as well.

 

[SaraJayne]

I was there for the first two weeks of June last year too. I also had a great time. Our strategy was to get into EMH morning and enjoy as much as we could and then hop to another park. For example do TSMM (fastpass), grab a FP for RnR, do standby for Star Tours. Standby for ToT, and head to non EMH like Epcot at noon for the rest of the evening. There we could eat lunch, grab fastpasses for Soarin (as you know, TT was closed), but we would have got fastpasses for that too. We could enjoy Epcot.

With the new system there will be limits on the number of fastpasses, we won't be able to grab fastpasses in two parks on the same day. With the elimination of the extra hour of evening EMH that curtails our experience too. That third hour in the evening was the best time for rides. I believe these two events are connected.

It definitely has a negative impact on my touring style.

I was extremely optimistic about the FP+ system before I read the terms and conditions. I was hoping that FP system would remain the same, but we would be able to pick our times for FP on the day we were touring. For example go to breakfast at kouzzinas at 8:00 am and grab a few fastpasses for dhs while eat. I would like a TSMM pass at 11:00am, and RnR at noon, and ToT at 2:00.

I don't think it is going to be that laid back. And now we know for sure it is one system or the other not both. So once I choose, splash mountain and space mountain, I am standby the rest of the day at MK, and if I hop, I am standby there too.

There is also speculation that headliners will be limited in FP+. So if you're unable to find an open FP+ time on the day you want to visit that park, you're either waiting stand by or bypassing the attraction altogether.

 

[minerva78]

I've been off and on planning a Disney trip and I think we may finally have a solid plan for a trip in June 2014 with our 2 girls, my in-laws, and several of my husband's nieces. I must say that coming back to these boards and reading about this FP+ stuff is just about making me regret mentioning a Disney trip to my MIL. Even though I am planning this trip a year and a half in advance, and even though I LOVE doing trip planning, whatever FP+ turns into is making me want to cry. I haven't been to Disney since I was a preteen in the early 90s and none of my husband's family has ever been, so how in the world am I supposed to even KNOW what one ride I want to choose each day to use FP+? According to one of the rumors we'd only get one FP+ ticket per day since we'd be staying at a rental house, and who knows, by the time this rolls out they may just eliminate FP+ for offsite guests completely. My biggest hope is that they will still have the existing FP system going, so I can ignore FP+ all together, yet still get on some of the rides without waiting an eternity. More and more I'm starting to get annoyed that I have to plan out every second of my vacation in advance (I'm only planning on 1 or 2 ADRs because I can't take trying to figure out any more), when I logically know there is no way most of this will go as planned. Really, I do love to plan my vacations, and I get a kick out of budgeting for them, but this is starting to push my type-A planning brain to the limit as well. It really makes me not want to go at all, and I hate to feel like this already! Some of this "magic" is deflating for me, and I wonder if any other first time planners are feeling this way too.

 

[hookedonears]

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".

That would still be fine. If you want to participate in the plan, fine. If not, fine. Obviously, everyone who participates will be making their FP+ reservations as soon as possible (180 days prior, or what ever the window is), meaning FP+ time slots will more than likely be open for them. I'm sure there'll always be extenuating circumstances like park closures for crowds, storms, etc. in which guest will be aloud to deviate from their plan.

 

[Missyrose]

UNC -- Seriously? The 420,000 members of the DIS are some how responsible for the changes in Fastpasses? Really? REALLY?

Come on brother.. let's be realistic. The NextGen concept has been in development for years and Disney closed the loophole when they did because they needed get folks in the habit of arriving on time for the next stage of the roll out. FP never resulted in the increase in shopping and merchandise that Disney forecast. That's the primary reason we're seeing it change today. I'm not happy about it, but at least I understand the real reasons why it's being done.

That's it. That's all.

For the DIS to be responsible ... all 420,000 members would have to each visit once a week.

Sorry .. the math, it is against you.

And ... pretty much since FP was implemented ... it WAS Disney policy that last FP's could be used after the window stated on the paper ticket. They would tighten that up at busy times occasionally.. but generally that was the rule. I'm sorry you don't believe that.. but it actually was Disney policy, not DIS policy.

So once I choose, splash mountain and space mountain, I am standby the rest of the day at MK, and if I hop, I am standby there too.

That's where I see problems for us as well.

And don't forget, there's every indication that FP+ will only make all those standby lines you have to stand in even longer than they currently are. Think about it, but adding FP+ entrances to attractions that don't currently have FP, you will inevitably slow down the flow of what used to be a standby-only line.

 

[WillAustin]

I noticed while playing on the My Disney Experience app last night that every. single. attraction. in the Explore section has a "Select FastPass+" button. Of course, when you tap it nothing happens (for now)... but it has piqued my curiosity. What would be the benefit of using FP+ for the World Showcase galleries, or Innoventions, or an Off Kilter performance?

Pretty sure it's Disney's way of attempting to distribute the crowds. People on their first visit may have no idea what attractions normally don't need a FP so they'll "waste" them, and it brings people to "underutilized attractions".

 

[bcrook]

I noticed while playing on the My Disney Experience app last night that every. single. attraction. in the Explore section has a "Select FastPass+" button. Of course, when you tap it nothing happens (for now)... but it has piqued my curiosity. What would be the benefit of using FP+ for the World Showcase galleries, or Innoventions, or an Off Kilter performance?

Or is this (FP+ buttons on every single "experience") just another example of an app and site that weren't ready to be launched?

Can I ask what device you are using. I don't see any of that with my iPad yet.

I think it is a clever way to move people around to see things they may have skipped. Instead of rushing from TT to soarin and possibly waiting standby again for TT for two hours, people could pre book to see off kilter. If it is on your itinerary, maybe you will get out of that TT line and see it. They could have preferred seating I guess.

 

[pigletto]

In the end I am pretty sure the fastpass enforcement came as a step to tighten up ship in preparation of the significant changes of Fastpass+ and nothing more.
IMO, the fastpass enforcement issue is a done deal, has been for some time, and really doesn't have much bearing on a conversation about the NEW changes coming down the line. Those are what I am expressing my displeasure with.

Does that mean I have it all figured out and know exactly how it will work? Of course not. But since this was a discussion about POTENTIAL changes, the signs pointing towards those changes, and the things we know currently, I don't feel it's over reacting to share my opinion of said topic.

If it all turns out to mega fantabulous I will be pleased. I don't anticipate mega fantabulous.

 

[Missyrose]

Can I ask what device you are using. I don't see any of that with my iPad yet.

I think it is a clever way to move people around to see things they may have skipped. Instead of rushing from TT to soarin and possibly waiting standby again for TT for two hours, people could pre book to see off kilter. If it is on your itinerary, maybe you will get out of that TT line and see it. They could have preferred seating I guess.

I have the iPad app and it got an update sometime last week and the new FP+ buttons appeared on the attractions pages. Try going into the App Store to see if your app needs an update. Hope this helps!

 

[UNCFanatik]

I was there for the first two weeks of June last year too. I also had a great time. Our strategy was to get into EMH morning and enjoy as much as we could and then hop to another park. For example do TSMM (fastpass), grab a FP for RnR, do standby for Star Tours. Standby for ToT, and head to non EMH like Epcot at noon for the rest of the evening. There we could eat lunch, grab fastpasses for Soarin (as you know, TT was closed), but we would have got fastpasses for that too. We could enjoy Epcot.

With the new system there will be limits on the number of fastpasses, we won't be able to grab fastpasses in two parks on the same day. With the elimination of the extra hour of evening EMH that curtails our experience too. That third hour in the evening was the best time for rides. I believe these two events are connected.

It definitely has a negative impact on my touring style.

I was extremely optimistic about the FP+ system before I read the terms and conditions. I was hoping that FP system would remain the same, but we would be able to pick our times for FP on the day we were touring. For example go to breakfast at kouzzinas at 8:00 am and grab a few fastpasses for dhs while eat. I would like a TSMM pass at 11:00am, and RnR at noon, and ToT at 2:00.

I don't think it is going to be that laid back. And now we know for sure it is one system or the other not both. So once I choose, splash mountain and space mountain, I am standby the rest of the day at MK, and if I hop, I am standby there too.

it will be interesting to see if it holds true that FP+ usage negates regular FP usage in the parks and IF regular FPs will eventually be phased out.

Hard for me to judge until it all sorts out and Disney finalizes the FP+ program.

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

I have the iPad app and it got an update sometime last week and the new FP+ buttons appeared on the attractions pages. Try going into the App Store to see if your app needs an update. Hope this helps!

I also can not find it... I found the fastpass under the filter.. Is that what you mean?
It's not FP+

 

[Missyrose]

I also can not find it... I found the fastpass under the filter.. Is that what you mean?
It's not FP+

If you click on explore and then attractions, it should give you an option to click on specific attractions. It's on each attraction's page that I see the "Select FP+" button.

 

[UNCFanatik]

UNC -- Seriously? The 420,000 members of the DIS are some how responsible for the changes in Fastpasses? Really? REALLY? The Magic Kingdom had 17 million visitors in 2011 alone.. but somehow... the 420,000 members of the DIS, many of whom never travelled in 2011... are somehow responsible? Get real.

I NEVER said the DIS members were responsible for anything. And keep in mind that guidebooks beyond the DIS advocated late FP usage in the past as part of a touring strategy. So it goes beyond the DIS. So there is some "realness" for you.

Come on brother.. let's be realistic. The NextGen concept has been in development for years and Disney closed the loophole when they did because they needed get folks in the habit of arriving on time for the next stage of the roll out. FP never resulted in the increase in shopping and merchandise that Disney forecast. That's the primary reason we're seeing it change today. I'm not happy about it, but at least I understand the real reasons why it's being done.

Though its a logical guess on your behalf...it is still just conjecture on why FP enforcement was done. Disney could have just as easily changed the system "cold turkey" without any FP enforcement. If you believe the late FP usage proponents, a small fraction of people were using FPs late. If that is the case, then Disney could have easily skipped the FP enforcement and moved right into FP+ program after a marketing campaign. There POSSIBLY could be reasons that you dont know about why FP enforcement started.

For the DIS to be responsible ... all 420,000 members would have to each visit once a week.

Sorry .. the math, it is against you.

And ... pretty much since FP was implemented ... it WAS Disney policy that last FP's could be used after the window stated on the paper ticket. They would tighten that up at busy times occasionally.. but generally that was the rule. I'm sorry you don't believe that.. but it actually was Disney policy, not DIS policy.

Sorry, but I never said that the DIS members were responsible for this so the basis of your assertion against me is flawed from the start.

And...FPs were enforced when the program first started. The Disney policy and intention has always been that guests use the within the printed window. People confuse guest recovery matters with policy. Again, without restating old arguments, if Disney didnt want people to follow the return times printed on the FPs, they would have widely publicized that fact AND changed the FP tickets and signage. Simple as that.