FP + What we know and what we want to know

[bcrook]

I also wonder how we will be affected in DVC, we always book our room and then buy tickets through AAA.

We do this also, it is a concern for me too! We don't know yet how that AAA thing is going to work, but we might be able to link our AAA tickets through the website and all is good.

 

[dadddio]

It's in the USA Today, today. I'll see if I can find the link.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/dispa...ld-wireless-wristband-tickets-travel/1816151/

"Annual passholders, those staying at Walt Disney World Resort hotels and guests who buy a photography package will receive a band, writes Disney Parks and Resorts chairman Tom Staggs on the company's blog. Visitors who stay at non-Disney hotels "will receive a ticket with features of touch to enter the park, touch to redeem FastPass+ and touch to pay. These guests can participate in My Disney Experience and purchase a MagicBand if they wish," he adds."

"Touch to pay" means that they will be able to buy things with this card if they link a credit card to it.

The reported comment clearly states that they will be able to use the card for FP+. It merely states that they can buy a magic band instead of using the card, if they wish.

 

[erineab]

I'm not sure if someone has posted this as a possibility already, but isn't it quite likely that the limit of 3 fastpasses under the new fp+ system is just for advanced reservations? In other words, you could book a parade viewing, a specific ride and perhaps a dining experience at the 60 day mark, and then once you arrive at the park and activate your ticket for that day, you could still have access to the fastpass+ system and whatever availability there is at that point for additional rides. In that situation you could still park hop and use the fastpass+ system, you just wouldn't have any bookings made months in advance. The "3" limit may just be Disney's way of ensuring that pre-bookings don't gobble up ALL of the availability. Sorry if I'm not being clear. I know what I mean in my head, but when I'm reading this back I'm not sure if it's lost in translation.

 

[dadddio]

Ahh, yep:

"“Guests staying at Walt Disney World Resort hotels, and Annual Passholders will receive a band, as well as those guests who purchase a photography package. Guests who stay at non-Disney hotels will receive a ticket with features of touch to enter the park, touch to redeem FastPass+ and touch to pay. These guests can participate in My Disney Experience and purchase a MagicBand if they wish.”"

So offsite guests have the option to keep their paper Tyvek tickets and use standard FASTPASS and forgo the new stuff, or exchange for an RFID ticket and gain the new stuff in exchange for losing standard FASTPASS. Thanks!

I don't believe that the bolded bit is correct.

The off-site guests get a 'ticket with features of touch'. This would be an RFID card, not a tyvek card. In my mind, statements like this make it pretty clear that the old FP system is going away pretty quickly.

 

[Robo]

I'm not sure if someone has posted this as a possibility already, but isn't it quite likely that the limit of 3 fastpasses under the new fp+ system is just for advanced reservations? In other words, you could book a parade viewing, a specific ride and perhaps a dining experience at the 60 day mark, and then once you arrive at the park and activate your ticket for that day, you could still have access to the fastpass+ system and whatever availability there is at that point for additional rides. In that situation you could still park hop and use the fastpass+ system, you just wouldn't have any bookings made months in advance. The "3" limit may just be Disney's way of ensuring that pre-bookings don't gobble up ALL of the availability. Sorry if I'm not being clear. I know what I mean in my head, but when I'm reading this back I'm not sure if it's lost in translation.

Your post is perfectly clear.

The problem is that with X number of FP+ "reservations" being taken in advance, it may be that there will be very few NON-advance FP's available on the day-of at the parks.

Certainly the later in the day that you arrive, the fewer will be available
(just as it is now.)

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

According to the information we have so far, once converted, you can't go back. Not 100% certain though.

Thanks! I also wonder if FP+ is a separate line into the ride like it is now with another stand by line for those turning up without reservations. If so then I cannot see that the new system would prevent people turning up and riding TSM for example if they are willing to wait like now as I would think Disney will limit numbers available to pre book so that there is still room for others.

 

[Robo]

Thanks!

1- I also wonder if FP+ is a separate line into the ride like it is now with another stand by line for those turning up without reservations. If so then I cannot see that the new system would prevent people turning up and riding TSM for example if they are willing to wait like now as

2- I would think Disney will limit numbers available to pre book so that there is still room for others.

1- It looks like there will be a FP line (for all FP's) and a Standby line.

2- That is one of the PRIMARY reasons for these discussions.
The rides can only seat so many guests per day, at a maximum.
The new FP+ advance positions MUST come from SOMEWHERE.
Some thing(s) must be slowed or eliminated ("taken over") to compensate for the
advanced FP bookings.

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

It's in the USA Today, today. I'll see if I can find the link.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/dispatches/2013/01/08/disney-world-wireless-wristband-tickets-travel/1816151/

"Annual passholders, those staying at Walt Disney World Resort hotels and guests who buy a photography package will receive a band, writes Disney Parks and Resorts chairman Tom Staggs on the company's blog. Visitors who stay at non-Disney hotels "will receive a ticket with features of touch to enter the park, touch to redeem FastPass+ and touch to pay. These guests can participate in My Disney Experience and purchase a MagicBand if they wish," he adds."

We are planning on buying AP, stay at the resort, pre-order the photo pass cd..
So we should get a bracelet?
But since we do not have tickets or dinning on our room only ressie..

How can you get online to book FP+?????

As of right now I still have not be able to pull up the FP+ in the my disney experience app, or website!!!

 

[UNCFanatik]

1- It looks like there will be a FP line (for all FP's) and a Standby line.

2- That is one of the PRIMARY reasons for these discussions.
The rides can only seat so many guests per day, at a maximum.
The new FP+ advance positions MUST come from SOMEWHERE.
Some thing(s) must be slowed or eliminated ("taken over") to compensate for the
advanced FP bookings.

My question that I posed in another thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=47134621&postcount=27

Basically, are the rides/attractions currently at their maximum capacity? Could changes be made to increase capacity. Especially in experiences that could easily be modified like TSMM or Soaring by just decreasing the length of time of these.

Do you foresee them shortening some of the attractions to put more people through the attraction?

 

[bcrook]

My question that I posed in another thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=47134621&postcount=27

Basically, are the rides/attractions currently at their maximum capacity? Could changes be made to increase capacity. Especially in experiences that could easily be modified like TSMM or Soaring by just decreasing the length of time of these.

Do you foresee them shortening some of the attractions to put more people through the attraction?

yikes, I hope that doesn't start a riot and shut this thread down. Could you move that question to new thread? Please.

 

[dadddio]

I first thought I could book some FP online and then they would still have the regular FP. That seems not to be the case.

FPs as they currently are administered will likely go away, but if they are replaced with same day FP+s, I don't have a problem.

I complained about this when they started charging for no show ADRs. What about WEATHER and how that can change the whole gameplan? Say today is the day you are suppose to be at AK with your FPs reserved for EE and KR, it is now either pouring or freezing. AK is no longer a desirable park, you either want to hang out at your resort or go to another park. But you are now out of luck if you choose to don your poncho and go to Epcot, bc all the FP+ were already chosen for Soarin and TT.

Why wouldn't you simply relinquish your AK FP+s and see about getting some same-day FP+s for those Epcot rides? Sure, they may no longer be available, but that's exactly the same situation that you would be in with the old FP system.

What if tomorrow is going to rain and that was going to be the water park day or the pool day and now you want to go to MK? Once again are you out of luck on FPs bc they have all be taken????

You would go into the app and see about getting MK FP+s. If they were none available, you'd check again tomorrow or feel good in the knowledge that the rain will likely chase goobs out of MK so the lines won't be too long or you would go to MK and ride your preferred rides during periods that they aren't typically scary busy.

What about locals who do not have APs? They already get screwed out of many ADRs now they might get screwed out of FPs bc they decide to take the kids on a day off to the parks?

This is one of the reasons that I believe that there must be a plan for same-day FP+s. The spur of the moment visitor would singinto the app or go to a kiosk and score some same-day FP+s, not terribly unlike how they currently get FPs.

Is FP+ a bigger benefit for those that plan their WDW vacation in advance? Of course it is. That doesn't mean that there's no benefit for last minute visitors, however.

My aunt and uncle come from Tampa sometimes when we are there, sometimes they buy a one day ticket and join us. Now we wont be able to ride rides with them bc we got a Soarin FP before we went and they decided to join us at the last minute.

If they aren't able to get same-day FP+s in teh same window as your FP+s, you will have to choose between riding without them for those three rides or relinquishing your FP+s. For me, that wouldn't be such a big deal. It isn't like I wouldn't be able to spend the great bulk of my time with my friends. It shouold also be noted that it isn't extraordinary for part of our group to ride a ride and part of it to not simply because everyone doesn't enjoy every ride.

Or even someone in the party gets sick, well there is no other day we can go on TSMM bc all the FP+ are gone, so we will drag Johnny to the park even though he isnt feeling well bc otherwise we wont get on the ride.

This is another argument in support of same-day FP+s.

I also wonder how we will be affected in DVC, we always book our room and then buy tickets through AAA.

You would just enter your ticket numbers into your online profile.

 

[Robo]

My question that I posed in another thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=47134621&postcount=27

1- Basically, are the rides/attractions currently at their maximum capacity?

2- Could changes be made to increase capacity. Especially in experiences that could easily be modified like TSMM or Soaring by just decreasing the length of time of these.

3- Do you foresee them shortening some of the attractions to put more people through the attraction?

1- TSM, absolutely. Soarin', yup.
Space Mtn., Yup.

3- If they do that for the headliners, it would be contrary to Disney tradition.
And, there is a "killing the Golden Goose" aspect to tampering just to increase rides per day.
At a certain point, they actually would no longer need to worry about too many riders.
They could kill all interest.

2- Adding a second Dumbo spinner, on the other hand, fits very nicely into
a positive Disney solution.

 

[doconeill]

Ahh, yep:

"“Guests staying at Walt Disney World Resort hotels, and Annual Passholders will receive a band, as well as those guests who purchase a photography package. Guests who stay at non-Disney hotels will receive a ticket with features of touch to enter the park, touch to redeem FastPass+ and touch to pay. These guests can participate in My Disney Experience and purchase a MagicBand if they wish.”"

So offsite guests have the option to keep their paper Tyvek tickets and use standard FASTPASS and forgo the new stuff, or exchange for an RFID ticket and gain the new stuff in exchange for losing standard FASTPASS. Thanks!

I don't believe that the bolded bit is correct.

The off-site guests get a 'ticket with features of touch'. This would be an RFID card, not a tyvek card. In my mind, statements like this make it pretty clear that the old FP system is going away pretty quickly.

To begin with, offsite guests will operate business-as-usual. At some later date, they will be able to convert to RFID. This is going to take time and done in stages. How "optional" it will be remains to be seen, but I'm betting at some point, it will not be optional at all.

We are planning on buying AP, stay at the resort, pre-order the photo pass cd..
So we should get a bracelet?
But since we do not have tickets or dinning on our room only ressie..

How can you get online to book FP+?????

As of right now I still have not be able to pull up the FP+ in the my disney experience app, or website!!!

You are REALLY jumping the gun. NO ONE can do it yet. It is not live, and we don't know exactly when it will be. And when it starts, it will likely be limited to guests staying at a certain resort, and possibly only those with packages, and then increase the audience as it goes on. Some are saying it can be up to a year.

 

[dadddio]

Your post is perfectly clear.

The problem is that with X number of FP+ "reservations" being taken in advance, it may be that there will be very few NON-advance FP's available on the day-of at the parks.

Obviously, the number of 'advance' FPs will reduce the number of total FPs available, but this doesn't mean that same-day FPs won't be offered. They could, for instance, hold back a certain percentage of FPs for same-day use. They could even stagger when those were made available throughout the day, if they wished.

 

[UNCFanatik]

yikes, I hope that doesn't start a riot and shut this thread down. Could you move that question to new thread? Please.

It is a valid question when people talking about FP+ and attraction capacity.

Are there plans for Disney to expand guest capacity through one method or another to correspond with the projected standby line problems that people are presenting?

Not sure how that would cause a riot or get this thread shut down.

 

[Robo]

Obviously, the number of 'advance' FPs will reduce the number of total FPs available, but this doesn't mean that same-day FPs won't be offered.


They could, for instance, hold back a certain percentage of FPs for same-day use. They could even stagger when those were made available throughout the day, if they wished.

Sure, they could.
But, why would they want to?

If the FP+ system is to be successful, they have to make as many desirable FP+ positions available as possible.

Otherwise, what's all the hype about?

 

[doconeill]

2- Adding a second Dumbo spinner, on the other hand, fits very nicely into
a positive Disney solution.

considering that they've been shortening the ride time on Dumbo prior to doubling it up...

Shortening the time of an attraction might only provide minimal increases...they add up over time, but it is still likely only a small increase.

TSM reportedly actually suffered a year or so ago when they changed the loading/unloading area gates and actually ended up with a reduced capacity.

Changing Soarin' is a bit difficult due to the film itself. It would require an edit of the film, which would be expensive. If/when they move to digital projection technology, then they can adjust it any way they want. To increase capacity, they'd need to increase loading efficiency.

 

[dadddio]

We are planning on buying AP, stay at the resort, pre-order the photo pass cd..
So we should get a bracelet?
But since we do not have tickets or dinning on our room only ressie..

How can you get online to book FP+?????

As of right now I still have not be able to pull up the FP+ in the my disney experience app, or website!!!

As I understand it, once you buy your tickets (from UT, AAA, wherever), you will enter the ticket number (or voucher number) into your online profile. Then, you will be able to book your FP+s. When you check in at the hotel, you will receive your magic bands. Since you already entered your ticket info on the website and scheduled your FP+s, it would all be linked to your reservation and be accessible via your magic bands.

Of course, until MyMagic+ is actually rolled out, we won't know how this looks or works.

 

[doconeill]

I'm not sure why there are so many assumptions about FP+ causing standby lines to get longer. FP+ does not change the capacity of the attraction. The same number of people will go through the attraction.

Whether a position is taken by FP or FP+ doesn't really matter.

Presumably the first people who use FP+ would have used FP anyways. Difference being is they can (at this point) only do it once, whereas before they may have done it two or more times. If they want to ride twice, sure, they now need to stand in the standby line - but it means someone else got a FP/FP+ instead and ISN'T in the standby line.

 

[UNCFanatik]

1- TSM, absolutely. Soarin', yup.
Space Mtn., Yup.

3- If they do that for the headliners, it would be contrary to Disney tradition.
And, there is a "killing the Golden Goose" aspect to tampering just to increase rides per day.
At a certain point, they actually would no longer need to worry about too many riders.
They could kill all interest.

2- Adding a second Dumbo spinner, on the other hand, fits very nicely into
a positive Disney solution.

Thanks for the response.

So on Space Mountain and TSM, they couldnt add more ride vehicles on the track? And the other mountains? no more room to add more ride vehicles on track?

Would people actually notice if they shaved some small amount of time from a ride like the amount of time you get to spend at each station in TSMM?

Seems they could make small variances on timed attractions that could have a net result of increasing capacity that would go virtually unnoticed by a majority of the park guests especially those that do not make frequent visits.