FP+ questions... Really lost

[WillAustin]

In other words, say that a FP+ position that was "arranged" for 11:55AM, but was not used.
So, that FP+ holder could use that FP position (via changing it on her smart phone) at, say, 5:35PM without making much of a significant ripple in the FP continuum that day.

Almost like letting them return late.

 

[bcrook]

I don't really know how the Jedi training academy works right now, but being able to book that 60 days in advance sounds like something that will catch fire. Jedi Training Academy = 'Ohana in the ADR world? Those who snooze will lose? There can't be that many slots available per day?

I have to say this new app is both intriguing and maddening.

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

I don't really know how the Jedi training academy works right now, but being able to book that 60 days in advance sounds like something that will catch fire. Jedi Training Academy = 'Ohana in the ADR world? Those who snooze will lose? There can't be that many slots available per day?

Then We will be doing JTA on our upcoming trip in may... I'd been holding DD off until grandpa could come with us... O well

 

[UNCFanatik]

For speculation:

I can see that letting FP+ users "swap" their pre-arranged FP "openings" for a later time that day and/or for a different attraction that day (with certain restrictions) would have about the same affect on the FP line as did allowing FP holders to use their FP's any time later on the same day that they were issued.

In other words, say that a FP+ position that was "arranged" for 11:55AM, but was not used.
So, that FP+ holder could use that FP position (via changing it on her smart phone) at, say, 5:35PM without making much of a significant ripple in the FP continuum that day.

I agree. Swapping out FP+ ressies for later in the day would be the same as using FPs past their return window in the past.

But that reasoning runs contrary to the argument that Disney started the FP enforcement to get people accustomed to returning within their return window and not using an FP past that window. IF regular FPs are phased out and FP+ are only available then guests will have the same flexibility they had in the past during non-FP enforcement in the past. Again, this runs contrary to the line of reasoning used by those that suggest the sole reason FP enforcement started was because of nex-gen/FP+

 

[Robo]

Almost like letting them return late.

Yes.

That is exactly what I said in the paragraph above the one you quoted.

I can see that letting FP+ users "swap" their pre-arranged FP "openings" for a later time that day and/or for a different attraction that day (with certain restrictions) would have about the same affect on the FP line as did allowing FP holders to use their FP's any time later on the same day that they were issued.

 

[CarolynU]

Until last vacation Aug 2012 I was a micro planner, and wondered why I wasn't enjoying my WDW experience as much as I had done when my kids were younger back in the 90's, and then I suddenly realised that it's because I always seemed to have one eye on the clock. This was also made more difficult when they began enforcing FP return times.
My solution cut out all dining ADR's and either make do with counter service, try to get a walk up or leave the park and eat offsite.
Yay! Perfect, in August the magic returned. We were far more relaxed, and for us it worked so much better. We concentrated on rides/shows rather than eating, and accepted that if we had a FP return time then we would use that rather than getting stressed by hoping that the restaurant would be running to time, and that our server would be fast.
I stay onsite and will shortly be buying an annual pass, but will be declining FP+ and sticking to the old system of getting FP's on the day providing they keep that option, because the prospect of scheduling everything in advance is awful for me and my family. I like getting up on any given day and then deciding which park to visit and what to do. If the new technology driven system makes that a less enjoyable experience then eventually as sad as it is I'll still visit but far less frequently.

 

[doconeill]

Almost like letting them return late.

I agree. Swapping out FP+ ressies for later in the day would be the same as using FPs past their return window in the past.

But it's not the same if they have to choose another available later slot. AND their earlier slot hasn't come up yet. From the T&C, an expired "experience" counts toward your limit. So it's more like having gotten a FP, missing the window, and getting another FP for later. Which is not the same as letting them in late.

Many moons ago I explained that strict enforcement of the windows would be necessary for FP+ if you were able to select the windows in advance. Otherwise everyone would just get the earliest possible windows as early as they could get them, and use them any time, and then everyone else would be stuck with later times (much like the TSM situation now with late risers vs. rope droppers)

 

[UNCFanatik]

It's a small enough percentage that enables us to get several FPs in a day and ride what we want with the current system.

More people using FPs in a new system is likely a net negative for us and a lot of others. Combining that with a smaller limit on how many we can use makes it worse. If we end up facing longer lines at the less used attractions, that's worse too.

What would lead you to believe that people that previously would not use FPs would use them in this new system? A perk for staying onsite and you are forced to make a decision?

As I said, I can see how it benefits someone who might want to guarantee a ride on something when they arrive later in the day, but that's not us.

I still do have my doubts that those who can't figure out the existing FP system will have significantly more luck with the new one.

Yes, I could see how this would benefit those who want to arrive later in the day but I still think those that do rope drop would still be able to take advantage of the early, less busy times. But of course this would diminish if the regular FPs were phased out in favor of FP+. I would prefer to have the ability to use both FP+ and regular FPs.

And I wonder about non-FPs users now as well that cant figure out the system using the new FP+ system unless they are forced to choose at time of reservation or time of check in if it is a perk of an onsite stay

I know you weren't asking me, but I'm guessing it's likely they'll make FP+ available to resort guests, AP holders, and DVC owners.

I would hope they would make provisions as well to offsite guest to participate in FP+ especially if they do away with regular FPs. It may be a scaled down version of what onsite guests receive but they would still have opportunity to do so.

 

[UNCFanatik]

But it's not the same if they have to choose another available later slot. AND their earlier slot hasn't come up yet. From the T&C, an expired "experience" counts toward your limit. So it's more like having gotten a FP, missing the window, and getting another FP for later. Which is not the same as letting them in late.

Before I comment, I am not sure I am following you. Can you give an example with times?

Many moons ago I explained that strict enforcement of the windows would be necessary for FP+ if you were able to select the windows in advance. Otherwise everyone would just get the earliest possible windows as early as they could get them, and use them any time, and then everyone else would be stuck with later times (much like the TSM situation now with late risers vs. rope droppers)

At that time did you anticipate that the FP+ system would allow for flexibility on return times? Just curious

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I would hope they would make provisions as well to offsite guest to participate in FP+ especially if they do away with regular FPs. It may be a scaled down version of what onsite guests receive but they would still have opportunity to do so.

I honestly don't think this is going to happen. I predict it's going to be an on-site perk as EMH always has been.

 

[WillAustin]

Yes.

That is exactly what I said in the paragraph above the one you quoted.

I see that now. My reading retention level is low.

What would lead you to believe that people that previously would not use FPs would use them in this new system? A perk for staying onsite and you are forced to make a decision?

Yes, something along the lines of this: at 60, 90, or 180 days there would be an email informing you of your ability to make the advance reservations with a link to get going. Reminders would be sent regularly to make sure as many people as possible participate in the customized experience.

 

[doconeill]

Before I comment, I am not sure I am following you. Can you give an example with times?

If I pull a FP with a 10:00-11:00am return time, I take that slot out of the system. I then don't return until 5:00-6:00pm, and use my 10-11 FP, that's using it late, obviously.

If I pull a FP with a 10:00-11:00am return time, and then pull a second FP with a 5:00-6:00pm return time, and only use the 5:00pm-6:00pm FP on time, then I'm not using a late FP obviously.

The difference with FP+, is if you want the later time, you'll need to adjust your experience - BEFORE the existing experience time arrives (or ends, unclear). If it expires, it is lost and can't be rescheduled. At least now, according to the T&C. So, it's not being able to show up late - it is being able to reschedule - and in theory, possibly put a slot back into the system if it's not too close to be able to do it effectively (imagine the confusion if you walked up at 9:55am to get a FP showing 2:00-3:00pm, but then suddenly one for 10:00-11:00am pops out - but only one, and you were getting 4...)

At that time did you anticipate that the FP+ system would allow for flexibility on return times? Just curious

No. And I don't see this as "flexibility" in the sense that accepting late FPs was "flexibility". It still involves there being an available slot in which to reschedule. It could be that there are none.

 

[UNCFanatik]

I honestly don't think this is going to happen. I predict it's going to be an on-site perk as EMH always has been.

So you predict that regular FPs in their current form will go away?

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

I see that now. My reading retention level is low.

Yes, something along the lines of this: at 60, 90, or 180 days there would be an email informing you of your ability to make the advance reservations with a link to get going. Reminders would be sent regularly to make sure as many people as possible participate in the customized experience.

So why if FP- and FP+ are up together.. At some point wouldn't FP- end up having for tickets to give out?
Bc more people would be using FP+, but when they get to the park they would not be able to switch... Right?

 

[Cinderumbrella]

So you predict that regular FPs in their current form will go away?

I honestly don't know. I hope not but I just don't see how they can both run. If a ton of people schedule in advance, that would take a ton out of the FP "pool". The standby lines are already very long in popular FP rides (thinking specifically of TSM, Space Mountain etc). If they have the same number of regular FP's and add a whole new group of FP+ the standby lines would NEVER move. Therefore, the need to share from the same pool. Would they automatically release all the FP times into FP+ and only leave the "extras" to regular FP? I guess only time will tell... (no pun intended )

 

[WillAustin]

So why if FP- and FP+ are up together.. At some point wouldn't FP- end up having for tickets to give out?
Bc more people would be using FP+, but when they get to the park they would not be able to switch... Right?

It all ultimately comes out of the same pool of FPs, so the more FP+s booked, the less regular FPs or standby riders. And no, according to the Disney site, if you switch to FP+ you can't use regular FPs.

 

[angelmichelle]

Does anyone have an idea how FP+ will affect standby lines?

 

[doconeill]

Does anyone have an idea how FP+ will affect standby lines?

I'm sure someone knows. But they work for Disney and aren't talking.

Supposition is that is shouldn't affect standby lines at all, as it will come out of the same pool of ride "slots" that FP comes out of.

So if 50% of the ride capacity is allocated to FP now, then 50% of the ride capacity will be allocated to FP and FP+.

Some tweaking may be done.

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

Does anyone have an idea how FP+ will affect standby lines?

I think it will make them worse... My family normally gets 5-8 depending on time of year and crowds
So all those people like me will only get 4... Leaving lots of extra time to stand in those lines!

 

[UNCFanatik]

If I pull a FP with a 10:00-11:00am return time, I take that slot out of the system. I then don't return until 5:00-6:00pm, and use my 10-11 FP, that's using it late, obviously.

If I pull a FP with a 10:00-11:00am return time, and then pull a second FP with a 5:00-6:00pm return time, and only use the 5:00pm-6:00pm FP on time, then I'm not using a late FP obviously.

The difference with FP+, is if you want the later time, you'll need to adjust your experience - BEFORE the existing experience time arrives (or ends, unclear). If it expires, it is lost and can't be rescheduled. At least now, according to the T&C. So, it's not being able to show up late - it is being able to reschedule - and in theory, possibly put a slot back into the system if it's not too close to be able to do it effectively (imagine the confusion if you walked up at 9:55am to get a FP showing 2:00-3:00pm, but then suddenly one for 10:00-11:00am pops out - but only one, and you were getting 4...)

Thanks for example.

But doesnt the flexibility in rescheduling an FP+ have the same end result as returning late for an FP window pre-enforcement says. I know the mechanics are different but if i have a FP+ for 10am for TSMM for example and go in and change it to 7pm, it would be the same as previous using an FP for 10=11am for a 7pm time. Correct?

People could still get earlier FP+ and not plan to use them until later as they have in the past but now on a more limited basis because of the rumored 4 FP+ limit

No. And I don't see this as "flexibility" in the sense that accepting late FPs was "flexibility". It still involves there being an available slot in which to reschedule. It could be that there are none.

But the current verbiage doesnt read that you can reschedule "if" there is an open slot available later