FP + What we know and what we want to know

[UNCFanatik]

You just bemoaned the time before the changes in enforcement. Thanks for clarifying.

Wrong answer again. You never saw me on here saying that FP enforcement must be started prior to the announcement of the rollout. But thanks to adding to the discussion. Your Archie Bunker post really added something and was really pertinent to the discussion on hand. You are quite gracious to stop by and be so helpful.

 

[Rip]

And now we know that if you don't stay onsite, you're going to have to pay extra for it unless you have an AP. So offsite guests will (1) have reduced access to the regular fastpass system and (2) have to pay extra for the new system.

 

[doconeill]

And now we know that if you don't stay onsite, you're going to have to pay extra for it unless you have an AP. So offsite guests will (1) have reduced access to the regular fastpass system and (2) have to pay extra for the new system.

Where did you get that info from? I've seen nothing official about anyone paying extra for anything.

 

[Rip]

Where did you get that info from? I've seen nothing official about anyone paying extra for anything.

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."

 

[doconeill]

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."

They need to pay if they want the MagicBand itself. But the features listed will be available to them at no cost using an RFID-enabled MYW ticket.

I don't believe they need to pay to use "My Disney Experience", since it is part of the web site and a free app. Whether they can book FP+ in advance for free or fee isn't 100% certain yet.

 

[Rip]

They need to pay if they want the MagicBand itself. But the features listed will be available to them at no cost using an RFID-enabled MYW ticket.

I don't believe they need to pay to use "My Disney Experience", since it is part of the web site and a free app. Whether they can book FP+ in advance for free or fee isn't 100% certain yet.

Maybe I misunderstood it, but that isn't the way it reads to me.

 

[HM]

Maybe I misunderstood it, but that isn't the way it reads to me.

I think you misread it. "touch to pay" is for paying for purchases using your RFID bracelet or card. Offsite guests have to pay for the "bracelet" if you prefer to have than instead of the free "card" but no on has said anything about paying for the features it accesses.

 

[linzbear]

Maybe I misunderstood it, but that isn't the way it reads to me.

Everyone is going to RFID, mag strips will soon be antiquated.

 

[ampc3]

can anyone tell me (speculation I know) what would be the reason why you would get/purchase the magic band for offsite guests? The need to tie your room key to it would be null for offsite.... The whole FP thing can be done on apps and kiosk once there it sounds (doesn't look like at the moment you can do advance FP from what I am understanding) Feel like I am missing something as to why you would purchase one?

We have to stay offsite and starting to feel alittle bummed out..

 

[doconeill]

can anyone tell me (speculation I know) what would be the reason why you would get/purchase the magic band for offsite guests? The need to tie your room key to it would be null for offsite.... The whole FP thing can be done on apps and kiosk once their it sounds (doesn't look like at the moment you can do advance FP from what I am understanding) Feel like I am missing something as to why you would purchase one?

We have to stay offsite and starting to feel alittle bummed out..

As far as I know, you can get a MagicBand just because you want one. There doesn't appear to be any specific advantage other than having it on your wrist vs. having to take it out from whatever pocket/container you have it in.

 

[Gina]

And now we know that if you don't stay onsite, you're going to have to pay extra for it unless you have an AP. So offsite guests will (1) have reduced access to the regular fastpass system and (2) have to pay extra for the new system.

Even if that is partly true, why *wouldn't* onsite guests have perks that offsite guests don't have?? It has always been that way anyway -- EMH, earlier access to restaurant bookings, etc. Why should this be any different? If I'm not rewarded for staying onsite, why would I?

 

[estherhead]

can anyone tell me (speculation I know) what would be the reason why you would get/purchase the magic band for offsite guests? The need to tie your room key to it would be null for offsite.... The whole FP thing can be done on apps and kiosk once their it sounds (doesn't look like at the moment you can do advance FP from what I am understanding) Feel like I am missing something as to why you would purchase one?

We have to stay offsite and starting to feel alittle bummed out..

Don't feel bummed. Fp+ or FP will be available to you at no charge. Don't believe the naysayers. The only reason to purchase a magic band is for the convenience of having a bracelet and not a card.

 

[ThornXBL]

Don't feel bummed. Fp+ or FP will be available to you at no charge. Don't believe the naysayers. The only reason to purchase a magic band is for the convenience of having a bracelet and not a card.

Maybe I missed something, but wouldn't the cards lack RFID, making them unable to work for FP+?

Or are you able to trade in a paper ticket for a free RFID card as opposed to a non-free RFID band?

 

[mesaboy2]

Maybe I missed something, but wouldn't the cards lack RFID, making them unable to work for FP+?

Or are you able to trade in a paper ticket for a free RFID card as opposed to a non-free RFID band?

As I understand it, this one.

 

[ThornXBL]

Maybe I missed something, but wouldn't the cards lack RFID, making them unable to work for FP+?

Or are you able to trade in a paper ticket for a free RFID card as opposed to a non-free RFID band?

As I understand it, this one.

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!

 

[Boski]

I've tried to wrap my head around this but I just can't see how its beneficial and to me it really seems like a form of control. This is all of course based on hypotheticals (like most of these posts) as we don't know all of the facts but if they do intend to roll this out and then phase out the regular FP system it is really like Disney is asking you what days you will be in what parks, what you'll be doing, and when will you be doing them. From a business perspective I can see where this is hugely advantagoues but from a vacation stand point it stinks. They say its "optional" but if there is no regular FP system in place it essentially means you are going to have get there at RD to ensure you get on all the big name rides and then be stuck in lines for the rest of your day. Gone will be developing your vacation and park exploring organically. And to be honest I think it will have an opposite effect on what Disney wants, which is you spending less time in line and more time in shops etc. If I'm at Epcot I might not get a chance to stop in at Mouse Gears because I've got a FP at Soarin and if I miss it there are no more FP+ available for that day. Everyone knows that if you book a time at TSM and you want to change it that day you will not get another time slot, all will be taken. There is no flexibility for popular rides. What happens during a unforeseen closure? Will they honor that FP+ when the ride comes back on line? How much space and where is going to be allocated to viewing parades? Can 100 people fit in this area? 1000? Are some spots better than others? Will I get a chance to get a good seat if I do what is normally done and camp out and hour or two early or will the whole "front row" be blocked for FP+ users. Again all hypothetical but I believe Disney has to walk a very fine line when implementing this new system. If its only a tool that can be utilized it may have some pluses (such as planning half days at parks for example or late days, etc). But if its either FP+ or nothing, in its current form, its going to strenuous.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Tried to post this earlier but I dont think it posted? Does anyone know if you have an AP and you opt to do the FP+ on one day does it change the pass for the rest if its life so you then can never use the old FP system? Tia

 

[doconeill]

Tried to post this earlier but I dont think it posted? Does anyone know if you have an AP and you opt to do the FP+ on one day does it change the pass for the rest if its life so you then can never use the old FP system? Tia

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

 

[ryalluvdiz]

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."

So is the PHOTOGRAPHY PACKAGE the photpass +????

 

[Mkrop]

When I first read about FP+ I thought it would be great, now I am not so sure. I like to plan but I also like to maintain some flexibility, it is a vacation after all.

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.

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. 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????


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? 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.


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.


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