FP + What we know and what we want to know

[Sammie]

*** Spoiler Alert *** a little doom and gloom ahead ***
Unless there's still something we're missing (and there very well could be), Disney had to know that WDW veterans who have spent years perfecting their FP maximization strategies were going to HATE this FP+ idea. But I think they view that demographic as such a small part of their revenue stream, that they are willing to lose some good will there, and maybe completely lose a few loyal fans altogether. But you know what? There will be thousands more to replace us, as new parents start bringing their kids - parents who never knew there was an old version of FP. And they're going to LOVE FP+ (maybe because of marketing as much as anything else), and they're going to be the new die-hard fans who want to keep coming back.

Exactly and this is why they came up with Fastpass+. Disney always has a mindset as to how they 'want' things to run. When that does not happen, they slowly change it to what they want it to be even to not allowing you to come back after the designated time. That was never the way the program was suppose to work. Did they allow it, sure, because Disney hates aggressive enforcement of anything. So they have now come up with something to eliminate the "super" fast pass users without being actively aggressive about it.

From the beginning they probably wanted no one to have more than 3 per person per park.

And as you say, they don't have to please everyone, just enough to be profitable.

As the saying goes, "we have seen the enemy and he is us"

 

[gwmort]

(probably) You would save the bracelet. That bracelet will continue to let you into the parks as long as there are admissions remaining on the ticket loaded onto it. That bracelet would not open any room doors and would not let you charge any meals or purchases. You may or may not be issued another bracelet for the latter functions. You will be allowed to transfer the remaining admissions onto the second bracelet provided that there were no admissions from a new package ticket already on that second bracelet.

Remember there is NOTHING on the bracelet but a link to your account, you wouldn't have to save an old bracelet with tickets on it, just have them issue you a new one when you showed up the next time wanting to utilize any tickets left in your account, only the account matters, not the bracelet.

 

[bcrook]

Three fastpasses in advance. No cap on total fastpasses has been officially given.

Has this been stated explicitly? I know that FP+ 3 in advance has been given. AND if you are not using FP+ no cap on FP-. But, if a customer choses FP+, 3 is the limit (with a few surprises here and there).

 

[mom2rtk]

Has this been stated explicitly? I know that FP+ 3 in advance has been given. AND if you are not using FP+ no cap on FP-. But, if a customer choses FP+, 3 is the limit (with a few surprises here and there).

That's a pretty critical piece of this. And I have yet to see anything on it.

My guess is that they don't want to commit. Maybe during low crowd times, they will offer additional FP's, but that's when you don't really need them. My guess is that when you need them most, they won't offer additional ones.

 

[sbevione]

I haven't the time to wade through the whole thread, but I've scanned as much as I can. Has Disney stated a for-sure date when this will be started for everyone? I know it is in limited use now, but we are going to be there April 2-8 - will we definitely be getting the wristbands? Also, how far in advance can you book your FP+ if you choose to participate?

Thanks!

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

That's a pretty critical piece of this. And I have yet to see anything on it.

My guess is that they don't want to commit. Maybe during low crowd times, they will offer additional FP's, but that's when you don't really need them. My guess is that when you need them most, they won't offer additional ones.

I think they are going offer surprise FP for those on FP+... You get to the park, at RD but your 1st FP is not until 3pm...
Then boom FP for buzz or another non- headliner from 9-10am

 

[doconeill]

Has this been stated explicitly? I know that FP+ 3 in advance has been given. AND if you are not using FP+ no cap on FP-. But, if a customer choses FP+, 3 is the limit (with a few surprises here and there).

Did you watch the video with the SVP in charge of NextGen? He specifically says they will let guests choose 3 FP+ in advance, but they have the expectation to be able to give "additional" surprises and FP+ as they go along. But I'm notsure if that means them making adjustments, or guests as they go through the day in the park, or whatever.

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

I haven't the time to wade through the whole thread, but I've scanned as much as I can. Has Disney stated a for-sure date when this will be started for everyone? I know it is in limited use now, but we are going to be there April 2-8 - will we definitely be getting the wristbands? Also, how far in advance can you book your FP+ if you choose to participate?

Thanks!

No release date yet.. They said spring 2013...
You should be able to book up to 60 days in advance..

But the real question is what happens if they roll it out on April 5..... Will you get an email 60days before hand to let you have the time to set up FP+ or will you have to make them on the fly after its rolled out?

This is my big fear....

 

[sbevione]

No release date yet.. They said spring 2013...
You should be able to book up to 60 days in advance..

But the real question is what happens if they roll it out on April 5..... Will you get an email 60days before hand to let you have the time to set up FP+ or will you have to make them on the fly after its rolled out?

This is my big fear....

Yes exactly! This is my fear as well - that and being the "guinea pig" for this new system.

 

[mom2rtk]

So do you guys have visions of them announcing something saying everyone within 60 days of their trips can log on next Monday at 7 AM (or whatever dayt) to reserve their FP slots?

I hope none of you remember the fiasco that went on when they opened BOG ADRs. It might give you nightmares.

 

[sbevione]

So do you guys have visions of them announcing something saying everyone within 60 days of their trips can log on next Monday at 7 AM (or whatever dayt) to reserve their FP slots?

I hope none of you remember the fiasco that went on when they opened BOG ADRs. It might give you nightmares.

I've heard about it... it is part of the reason I am worried...

 

[asmit4]

I'm new here- haven't been on the threads in a long time....this FP plus thing will offer 3 FPs in advance with possibility for more upon arrival....but if you go that route you can't get any regular FPs? I can stack FPs all day no problem. We are very good at planning it out and arriving early. I can ride TSM 3 times in 1 day all by 11am!

Seems like the regular FPs might be the way to go for our commando family.

 

[dadddio]

(probably) You would save the bracelet. That bracelet will continue to let you into the parks as long as there are admissions remaining on the ticket loaded onto it. That bracelet would not open any room doors and would not let you charge any meals or purchases.

As long as you had a credit card linked to your profile, you could still charge with the bracelets.

 

[doconeill]

So do you guys have visions of them announcing something saying everyone within 60 days of their trips can log on next Monday at 7 AM (or whatever dayt) to reserve their FP slots?

I hope none of you remember the fiasco that went on when they opened BOG ADRs. It might give you nightmares.

Rumor is that they will roll it out slowly, first to guests at one resort, then another, etc. and along the way probably pick up AP holders, PhotoPass+ purchasers, and non-resort guests. They can accelerate the rollout as they work out the kinks and resources are available.

I'm new here- haven't been on the threads in a long time....this FP plus thing will offer 3 FPs in advance with possibility for more upon arrival....but if you go that route you can't get any regular FPs? I can stack FPs all day no problem. We are very good at planning it out and arriving early. I can ride TSM 3 times in 1 day all by 11am!

Seems like the regular FPs might be the way to go for our commando family.

I expect FP to be gone within a year, once FP+ is available to everyone.

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

So do you guys have visions of them announcing something saying everyone within 60 days of their trips can log on next Monday at 7 AM (or whatever dayt) to reserve their FP slots?

I hope none of you remember the fiasco that went on when they opened BOG ADRs. It might give you nightmares.

I didn't hear.. Go ahead a tell me... :-(

 

[mom2rtk]

I didn't hear.. Go ahead a tell me... :-(

It was an ugly feeding frenzy. I didn't even get a phone line to RING until mid-morning.

First they announced it would be August 20th at noon. Then at the last minute they changed to 7 AM. Here's how I prepared:


IMG_5818 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

Not that it did any good. I dialed. And I dialed. And I dialed. Then I dialed some more. I didn't even get a phone to RING (let alone be put on hold) until mid-morning.

To top things off, their automated ADR system (the one that answered if you finally got through) did not have an option for entering a CC guarantee, which everyone believed would be required. But then word went out from on high that any ADR without a CC hold would be dumped that night. So the feeding frenzy of trying to get in on the phone lines started anew (to add a CC guarantee).

After all that, many folks still came up empty. The ones that got through had all been calling alternate numbers (DVC, BBB, PL, even the Disney Store).

Bottom line: Poor planning + poor Disney technical infrastructure = One very frustrating morning for a lot of folks.

 

[bcrook]

Did you watch the video with the SVP in charge of NextGen? He specifically says they will let guests choose 3 FP+ in advance, but they have the expectation to be able to give "additional" surprises and FP+ as they go along. But I'm notsure if that means them making adjustments, or guests as they go through the day in the park, or whatever.

Yes, I watched the video. And I am very confident those extra surprises and FP+ surprises will be targeted options as others have said. They could still be very cool. When I am there in June and I have been limited to my 3 FP+ per day, and I get a message from My Disney Experience that says I have a new FP+ to order QS from BOG right now, I might take them up on it. But this is far from getting additional e-ticket ride options.

 

[mom2rtk]

But this is far from getting additional e-ticket ride options.

Maybe they could refer to those as "Consolation FPs".

 

[bcrook]

I'm new here- haven't been on the threads in a long time....this FP plus thing will offer 3 FPs in advance with possibility for more upon arrival....but if you go that route you can't get any regular FPs? I can stack FPs all day no problem. We are very good at planning it out and arriving early. I can ride TSM 3 times in 1 day all by 11am!

Seems like the regular FPs might be the way to go for our commando family.

...the possibility for more... I wouldn't count on that option. Disney is clearly not saying this anywhere. As mom2trk has said, this would make the FP situation even worse - a feeding frenzy.

If you use the regular FPs, the advanced FP+ may drain the availability of the regular FP. IF you are not going during the Peak season, you should be fine with Commando.

Sammie does a nice job of explaining how we got to this stage...

Exactly and this is why they came up with Fastpass+. Disney always has a mindset as to how they 'want' things to run. When that does not happen, they slowly change it to what they want it to be even to not allowing you to come back after the designated time. That was never the way the program was suppose to work. Did they allow it, sure, because Disney hates aggressive enforcement of anything. So they have now come up with something to eliminate the "super" fast pass users without being actively aggressive about it.

From the beginning they probably wanted no one to have more than 3 per person per park.

And as you say, they don't have to please everyone, just enough to be profitable.

As the saying goes, "we have seen the enemy and he is us"

 

[phineasfan100]

So do you guys have visions of them announcing something saying everyone within 60 days of their trips can log on next Monday at 7 AM (or whatever dayt) to reserve their FP slots?

I hope none of you remember the fiasco that went on when they opened BOG ADRs. It might give you nightmares.

What is BOG?