FP + What we know and what we want to know

[GreenCntryGirl]

And don't forget Dynamic Pricing! This will help distribute people more equitably throughout the year.

I'm seriously considering this my last trip...I think I'm tired of being herded.

Please be respectful of my opinion...YMMV.

 

[JKDisney]

This will help distribute people more equitably throughout the year.

"All Guests are equal, but some Guests are more equal than others."

 

[bcrook]

What if...the hopping upcharge is eliminated altogether. This would be necessary if Disney wants to encourage people to change plans and flock to another park. If DHS is too crowded and Epcot is not, they could start flooding the DHS crowd with special offers to take the boat to Epcot??? Ah that is crazy sorry about the diversion.

 

[larryz]

I think it's time to add RFID Shield Bags to the trip packing checklist...

there will be some times you just won't want them to follow your movements (if you catch my drift...)

 

[bigAWL]

Like others, I'm wondering about the effect of this on regular FP availability in the near future. I'm guessing that after initial go-live of FP+ (sounding like sometime around March?) that the ratio of FP+s to standard FPs will slowly rise. I think it will take time for them to add all the potential types of users into the system. Starting with new package bookings for on-site guests, then moving though AP holders and DVC owners and offsite guests. Not sure how fast this ratio will ramp up, but I'm guessing that during the summer you will start to notice a decrease in regular FPs, but many will still be useable and for the most part useful - though maybe not for TSMM perhaps.

Just a look into my crystal ball.

 

[bcrook]

I added two posts about the potential experience on the first post. I like both of these so far...

Ninja mom talks from experience about meeting those pre arranged FP times.
MichiganDVC paints a very peaceful picture of how FP+ will work for him.

Any other nominees for good posts that describe potential experiences, I would like to add a few more scenarios.

 

[bcrook]

I think it's time to add RFID Shield Bags to the trip packing checklist...

there will be some times you just won't want them to follow your movements (if you catch my drift...)

 

[ses1230]

No new information here, but there is a short video that accompanies this story from NBC news.

http://www.nbcnews.com/travel/travelkit/disney-world-track-visitors-wireless-wristbands-1B7874882

 

[phineasfan100]

I completely disagree with FP+. The days of just walking in a park and riding attractions on the spot is over. I think FP+ is really a huge marketing scheme in search of more PROFIT. This is what I think Disney is trying to do...

-Charge for extra FP+ credits-$$$
-Control ADRs by making them count as a FP+ credit, causing people to buy more or stay on-site-$$$
-Keep people on property by filling up resort rooms by giving a premium to WDW resort guests-$$$
-Eventually phase out original FP, saving paper and ultimately $$$
-Give people a very small amount of FP+ credits, increasing sales of extra FP+ credits or rooms-$$$
-Discouraging guests to pay in cash, therefore create a false illusion of NOT spending, urging them to spend MORE (kinda like KTTW, but different, off-site guests included)-$$$
-Reserving parades and fireworks, lessening the need for crowd-control CMs-$$$
-Allow guests to stay in their rooms when they would have normally been at the park rushing for FPs, allowing guests to sleep in and stay until closing and/or go to DTD-$$$

 

[bcrook]

No new information here, but there is a short video that accompanies this story from NBC news.

http://www.nbcnews.com/travel/travelkit/disney-world-track-visitors-wireless-wristbands-1B7874882

I will add the link on the first page.

I didn't see any finger readers in that video. Hmmm.

 

[estherhead]

I completely disagree with FP+. The days of just walking in a park and riding attractions on the spot is over. I think FP+ is really a huge marketing scheme in search of more PROFIT. This is what I think Disney is trying to do...

-Charge for extra FP+ credits-$$$
-Control ADRs by making them count as a FP+ credit, causing people to buy more or stay on-site-$$$
-Keep people on property by filling up resort rooms by giving a premium to WDW resort guests-$$$
-Eventually phase out original FP, saving paper and ultimately $$$
-Give people a very small amount of FP+ credits, increasing sales of extra FP+ credits or rooms-$$$
-Discouraging guests to pay in cash, therefore create a false illusion of NOT spending, urging them to spend MORE (kinda like KTTW, but different, off-site guests included)-$$$
-Reserving parades and fireworks, lessening the need for crowd-control CMs-$$$
-Allow guests to stay in their rooms when they would have normally been at the park rushing for FPs, allowing guests to sleep in and stay until closing and/or go to DTD-$$$

Disney hasn't hidden that they like to make money. I like to make money too. That's why I go to work. Water parks (Great Wolf for example) already have RFID bracelets and there is real data that customers spend 15-20% more inside. And they don't have to charge extra to ride the water slides or admission. Disney hasn't hidden this agenda.

And I'm confused why it's bad and money grubbing to let guests sleep in. Do guests spend more at 1 am than they do at 8 am???

And I seriously, seriously doubt that Disney wants more complaints about the unfairness of life. They are trying to make customers HAPPIER and happy customers equals greater profit.

I like happy. I'm not saying I'm 100% on board for fp+ yet, there are too many unknowns. I just think it's silly to be mad at Disney for wanting to turn a profit.

 

[mmmhf]

We have a trip planned in June, off site (gasp) and all this fastpass+ is scaring me.
So question...how long before Disney started enforcing fast pass return times was the announcement made?

Looking ahead I'm hoping that any announcement about a total usage of fastpass+ (I'm assuming all onsite guests and no offsite because I talked to a CM who said off site guests would not have the option for fastpass+) would be in about that same window. Just hoping the longer they delay the announcement, the less likely to mess up my June trip.

CM also acted like traditional fastpass wasn't going away ever but I'm not sure how reliable he was.

Last question, if I'm purchasing photo pass I get a bracelet (if I understand correctly). However since I'm offsite I can't use fastpass+. How do I get my traditional fastpass with the bracelet? Will I have a ticket for entrance and a bracelet for photo pass?

Thanks!

 

[ryalluvdiz]

We have a trip planned in June, off site (gasp) and all this fastpass+ is scaring me.
So question...how long before Disney started enforcing fast pass return times was the announcement made?

Looking ahead I'm hoping that any announcement about a total usage of fastpass+ (I'm assuming all onsite guests and no offsite because I talked to a CM who said off site guests would not have the option for fastpass+) would be in about that same window. Just hoping the longer they delay the announcement, the less likely to mess up my June trip.

CM also acted like traditional fastpass wasn't going away ever but I'm not sure how reliable he was.

Last question, if I'm purchasing photo pass I get a bracelet (if I understand correctly). However since I'm offsite I can't use fastpass+. How do I get my traditional fastpass with the bracelet? Will I have a ticket for entrance and a bracelet for photo pass?

Thanks!

A CM told you that off site guests wouldnt be able to use FP+?

 

[mom2rtk]

A CM told you that off site guests wouldnt be able to use FP+?

Maybe it was a bus driver?

 

[ryalluvdiz]

Maybe it was a bus driver?

Bus driver..... Hehehe... Reliable!!!

 

[mmmhf]

Maybe it was a bus driver?

Yep. Actually I called disney today to find out if I had a pin code and that CM told me. I even said I'd heard that it would be available eventually to off site guests and he said he didn't think so that they would still have regular fast past. But he also told me the promotion for right now was Stay Play and Dine so....I was less than convinced of his accuracy.

 

[ryalluvdiz]

Yep. Actually I called disney today to find out if I had a pin code and that CM told me. I even said I'd heard that it would be available eventually to off site guests and he said he didn't think so that they would still have regular fast past. But he also told me the promotion for right now was Stay Play and Dine so....I was less than convinced of his accuracy.

I dont think the phone reservation people know more than we do....

 

[mmmhf]

I dont think the phone reservation people know more than we do....

That's good to know. I figured that anyway based on what he was saying.

 

[ryalluvdiz]

That's good to know. I figured that anyway based on what he was saying.

See ya in June! Hopefully on a short line for a few FP!

 

[bcrook]

Disney hasn't hidden that they like to make money. I like to make money too. That's why I go to work. Water parks (Great Wolf for example) already have RFID bracelets and there is real data that customers spend 15-20% more inside. And they don't have to charge extra to ride the water slides or admission. Disney hasn't hidden this agenda.

And I'm confused why it's bad and money grubbing to let guests sleep in. Do guests spend more at 1 am than they do at 8 am???

And I seriously, seriously doubt that Disney wants more complaints about the unfairness of life. They are trying to make customers HAPPIER and happy customers equals greater profit.

I like happy. I'm not saying I'm 100% on board for fp+ yet, there are too many unknowns. I just think it's silly to be mad at Disney for wanting to turn a profit.

I am not looking forward to F&W in October with a bracelet that is going to help me spend 15-20% more! I spent a fortune at my last F&W, it will only get worse after a visit to LaCava (maybe I can FP+ a seat there).