FP + What we know and what we want to know

[mousermerf]

Well, if Disney is as good at sending personalized FP+ offers as they are at sending me PIN codes, then I'm not holding my breath. I am the self-appointed president of the "NO PIN" club. So I suppose I might have to branch out and take over the "NO Special FP+ Offers" club as well.

So here's my latest question. If Disney is shunning their loyal fan base in favor of first timers, can we expect fewer "special offers?"

And honestly, if the first timers spend more money, then what the heck is Disney doing sending them special offers? If you keep them too busy with rides, they won't have time for shopping any more. Maybe the only reason they spent more money in the first place is because they had so much time on their hands when they passed on waiting in all those long lines, but couldn't figure out how to get to the parks in time to get FPs?

You have to not visit to get a PIN code. It's not a freebie, it's incentive to visit. I had another person in my household under my account get sent a PIN code because he hadn't been to WDW (according to the system) since we stopped going together. I never got one.. because I had continued to go with other people.

 

[doconeill]

It's not GPS. It's a signal your RFID band emits - it has two radios btw.. one for close range (transactions, room key) and one for long range (the one that would tell Disney where you are - roughly). It needs to "ping" a sensor. Disney's terms say they retain the right to put sensors anywhere they want and not have them be visible or tell you where they are. The terms explicitly state this.

Right, there are two separate things in the band - one is the standard passive RFID sensor - you need to put it in the receiver's "field" for it to induce the current to transmit the info. It has no power source of it's own, and is short range - typically inches.

The second was mentioned in the FCC filing and is apparently the one they refer to as being used when you are "close" to a sensor. Early on it was reported as being Wi-Fi (and thus one of the reasons Wi-Fi was rolled out in the parks), although I'm not so sure of this. It does operate at 2.4GHz though, and can use some of the same radio equipment.

It does not have any sort of GPS receiver. Position would be determined by the receiving station(s).

From my re-reading of the FCC docs, it sounds like it is a transmitter only (so much for the idea of it having a notification light), powered by a non-replaceable battery. I'm not sure of the expected lifetime of the band for this "feature", but I have doubts it would be terribly long - perhaps not a full year for an AP - and might require replacement.

I'd also be annoyed if I shelled out big $$ for a customized one, and then not be able to use it on a second trip...

You think the Wi-Fi is bad now - now add 50k+ of these things wandering around the park...

 

[mom2rtk]

You have to not visit to get a PIN code. It's not a freebie, it's incentive to visit. I had another person in my household under my account get sent a PIN code because he hadn't been to WDW (according to the system) since we stopped going together. I never got one.. because I had continued to go with other people.

I do understand that helps the odds, but is not always the case by any means.

Not to worry though. Depending on how all this pans out, I might be increasing my odds in the near future.

But I am curious whether these same frustrations will show up in how "special offers" are distributed.

 

[Melodious]

There has been much talk about this. It is a never ending circle of problems. If you save FP+ for day of guests, then there won't be any FP+ for the guests who log in at 10 days to book their FP+, because everybody before them has used up the "allotment" of the advance passes. That would most assuredly cause people to howl about the new Disney Experience. People would buy tickets in advance, link them to their My Disney Experience, and log in to book rides. Their choices are Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, Buzz Ranger Spin, and maybe Little Mermaid. Then they could read a disclaimer that says, but "plenty of passes will be available the day of your visit if you get there early enough."
.

People do not currently howl when they can't get an ADR ahead of their visit (at least people not on this board don't). Disney gives you alternate suggestions and tells you that you can change your selections up until your first selection starts. And you are still basing all of this on the idea that all patrons want the same rides. I refute this idea. The mountains in MK are not the top priority for my traveling party and I can imagine other parties that might feel the same. And it has always been 'if you get there early enough' so I don't see how this new system changes that part and makes people upset. And MK has a lot more visitors per day than the other parks and MK has the most e ticket attractions or attractions that can be billed or sold by WDW as eticket

I'm mostly saying that neither of us knows exactly how this will roll out so we should keep an open mind

 

[doconeill]

I'm not sure of recently, but in the past S/D had their own room keys and they looked nothing like KTTW - same for Hilton on Hotel Plaza - but CMs know what they look like.

If their cards are incompatible, then I'd guess that MagicBands will be an upcharge, like they will be for anyone else.

 

[phineasfan100]

If their cards are incompatible, then I'd guess that MagicBands will be an upcharge, like they will be for anyone else.

But then, SD could use an upgrade with room entry. Wishful thinking.

 

[mousermerf]

People do not currently howl when they can't get an ADR ahead of their visit (at least people not on this board don't). Disney gives you alternate suggestions and tells you that you can change your selections up until your first selection starts. And you are still basing all of this on the idea that all patrons want the same rides. I refute this idea. The mountains in MK are not the top priority for my traveling party and I can imagine other parties that might feel the same. And it has always been 'if you get there early enough' so I don't see how this new system changes that part and makes people upset. And MK has a lot more visitors per day than the other parks and MK has the most e ticket attractions or attractions that can be billed or sold by WDW as eticket

I'm mostly saying that neither of us knows exactly how this will roll out so we should keep an open mind

Again, most guests in the test chose Characters, Parades, and Fireworks.

 

[doconeill]

Again, most guests in the test chose Characters, Parades, and Fireworks.

But they also still had the regular Fastpass option to use as they normally would. I would have made the exact same choices in that case.

I don't know how I'd use it yet given no regular FP. Might hope TouringPlans gets it figured out quickly...

 

[cheesemouse]

Again, most guests in the test chose Characters, Parades, and Fireworks.

Really? Hmmm...that's interesting. I would not have guessed that. Altough I guess some of the character meets might have wait times approaching those of the headliners.

Any idea where the parade FP+ spot is/was? I would think if it's anywhere in the Main Street area that it would also be a good fireworks viewing spot, and thus no need for a fireworks FP+.

 

[bcrook]

People do not currently howl when they can't get an ADR ahead of their visit (at least people not on this board don't).

I am not sure about that. There was lots of howling about people booking multiple ADRS for the same meal and making up their minds later. Now with the $10.00 fee per person that has been alleviated some. But, If people couldn't get ADRs for LeCellier on line, but could get them if they showed up in the park first thing to grab them, that would lead to further unpleasantness.

Disney gives you alternate suggestions and tells you that you can change your selections up until your first selection starts

.

That is what I am expecting for the day of FP+. Show up to the park and look at your MDE APP, click on Splash! Sorry no FP available, but there are plenty of spots for Jungle Cruise, POTC, and Little Mermaid.

And you are still basing all of this on the idea that all patrons want the same rides. I refute this idea. The mountains in MK are not the top priority for my traveling party and I can imagine other parties that might feel the same.

Based on the current FP system, the Mountains are the hardest rides to get a FP. So that would seem to hold true, unless Mousermerf is correct and everybody uses their FP+ on meet and greets and parades. But typically Space Mountain and Splash Mountain would be the most difficult to get. I also think the physical barrier of actually walking all the way back to BTMRR keeps people from booking that one (they grab Splash first if they walk back there.) BUT if I can book Splash and BTMRR on my phone I would do both.

Enchanted Tales with Belle might be the hottest ticket now!!!

And it has always been 'if you get there early enough' so I don't see how this new system changes that part and makes people upset.

Its not changing, Early bird now though is 60 days before check in.

And MK has a lot more visitors per day than the other parks and MK has the most e ticket attractions or attractions that can be billed or sold by WDW as eticket

I'm mostly saying that neither of us knows exactly how this will roll out so we should keep an open mind

You do bring up a good point. IF people are limited to 3 FP+ and regular FP goes away. AND most people burn their FP+ on meet and greets, Belle's tales, Parades, and quick service meals. Then FP+ availability for the e-ticket rides could theoretically be in surplus! And then the bonus passes would be sent to select people in the parks. People other than those linked to Mom2trk!

 

[SaraJayne]

Really? Hmmm...that's interesting. I would not have guessed that. Altough I guess some of the character meets might have wait times approaching those of the headliners.

Any idea where the parade FP+ spot is/was? I would think if it's anywhere in the Main Street area that it would also be a good fireworks viewing spot, and thus no need for a fireworks FP+.

They made those choices because regular fastpass was still an option for them and they didn't have to pick and choose between riding rides or seeing a parade/character meet and greets.

 

[SRUAlmn]

It seems like people without Smart Phones (me) will be at a disadvantage. I know they said there will be kiosks in the parks, but if you have the app, you can make changes/get bonus FPs/etc... from anywhere. That part of it seems so cool to me.... maybe it's time to get a smart phone? I just can't handle the data cost!

 

[mom2rtk]

And then the bonus passes would be sent to select people in the parks. People other than those linked to Mom2trk!

Yep. You can add that to the list of "things we know".

 

[serene56]

Somebody gave a great example of how "extra" FP+ could be given out. You are standing in a 110 minute standby line at Space Mountain and you get a text from My Disney Experience. Click here for your bonus FP+ to Buzz Ranger Spin. No Waiting right now. We will be waiting for you. Then you leave the line, and head over. You scan your bracelet, and the CM says Hi, Barry, we have been waiting for you. Enjoy your ride.

There have been hints that people will get these bonus or "surprise" FP+ to move people around the park.

that would suck for people like me who do not take phones etc on vacation. I have a hard enough time keeping up with my stuff. I can only imagine the encounters we will have by people who are too busy looking down crashing into my kids

 

[disneyfantotheend]

Plus, they've been testing it out in their actual parks since 2011. And lots of end users have had a chance to try it out and comment.

I agree with most of your post. However, in all fareness, they have not tested it to the extent they intend to use it now. For the testing, the people were allowed to use regular FP. I think at least 85% or more of us would agree that is great. An added perk! But it isn't an added perk, it is actually eliminating one of the biggest perks Disney ever had, the regular FP system. Not eliminating it for everyone, just for those who use the FP+ system. The problem with just sticking to the regular FP system and not getting the FP+ is we have absolutely no idea how limited the regular FP is going to be when they make this huge change.

 

[Kimi313]

The more I read the more uncomfortable I am getting about going to the restroom there.

 

[bcrook]

It's not GPS. It's a signal your RFID band emits - it has two radios btw.. one for close range (transactions, room key) and one for long range (the one that would tell Disney where you are - roughly). It needs to "ping" a sensor. Disney's terms say they retain the right to put sensors anywhere they want and not have them be visible or tell you where they are. The terms explicitly state this.

So they'll have no idea who you are or what you're doing unless you're near a sensor. They obviously will only have sensors on their property.

OK I will give you that. But that NYtimes stated that Disney wants to keep people from cruising over to Universal. So, If I am staying 10 days at the Kidani, and I have FP+ scheduled for days 1-4 and 7-10. And 5-6 are my Holy Land Experience days. I could get blitzed on the 5th morning with bonus FP+... maybe?

Yep. You can add that to the list of "things we know".

I knew you would like that one.

that would suck for people like me who do not take phones etc on vacation. I have a hard enough time keeping up with my stuff. I can only imagine the encounters we will have by people who are too busy looking down crashing into my kids

I am still rocking the 2006 Razor! My camera doesn't even work anymore. I hear you!!!

The more I read the more uncomfortable I am getting about going to the restroom there.

Get a FP+ for the Rapunzel Meet and Greet, apparently it is going to be housed in a restroom.

 

[Sammie]

Really? Hmmm...that's interesting. I would not have guessed that. Altough I guess some of the character meets might have wait times approaching those of the headliners.

Any idea where the parade FP+ spot is/was? I would think if it's anywhere in the Main Street area that it would also be a good fireworks viewing spot, and thus no need for a fireworks FP+.

If you had booked a parade Fastpass+ and not a Fireworks one, you would not be allowed to stay in that area.

 

[Kimi313]

Get a FP+ for the Rapunzel Meet and Greet, apparently it is going to be housed in a restroom. [/QUOTE]

 

[mousermerf]

Omg, why would you go to Holy Land? That thing is awful - not for subject matter but sheerly what it is. It's like "South of the Border" type awful.