FP + What we know and what we want to know

[Reddy]

I'd go with at least a 3rd Generation.

thank you, thank you thank you

OK that is on my list of must gets - hmmm could find a game to go on it to keep boys happy in lines or waiting on parades (or maybe even their talking program so the younger one can tell us potty - non-verbal austic are fun - the younger one will turn 16 on our trip)

 

[Smuckles]

I am suspicious that I am misunderstanding this system or at least the information available regarding it.

So, you'll get three FPs per day and are limited to one park. This is an obvious disadvantage, as the current paper system allows you to have as many FPs you'd like in as many parks as you'd like. I even read that arrival windows will be enforced (or at least discretionary) instead of the current policy of FPs being valid for the rest of the day.

The advantage is you can schedule the reservations in advance, even prior to your arrival at WDW.

I can see this as a great thing for people who visit on really busy times and would likely be limited to three FPs anyway, but what about people like me who choose to visit when crowds are smaller? The last couple of visits have been in May and February and I have never had a problem getting FPs for the things we want to do.

We like to stay longer and get up early. We enjoy an early breakfast ADR, inside a park if possible, visit that park and grab some FPs. We'll ride a few rides and then get some more FPs before lunch. Lunch might be in the park or at a resort. Shortly after lunch, we head back to the resort and relax, swim, and then shower. We'll return to a park for dinner and then a leisurely evening at a park, possibly redeeming some overdue FPs.

Unless I'm misunderstanding the FP+ system, it seems that it won't suit my typical visit. Scheduling my FPs in advance doesn't seem worth it if I have to limit their number and can't use them in multiple parks. It also seems that the common strategy to grab some FPs before swimming and using them at night would be invalid.

In summary...
Pro's:
Reservations can be scheduled in advance.
No more mad dash to TSMM in the morning.

Con's:
Limited to three FPs per day.
Limited to one park per day.
Arrival windows are enforced.

Neutral's:
Handy wristband instead of paper tickets.

Do I have this wrong?

EDIT: For what it's worth, I am disregarding the other features/benefits of the system. ADR management, purchasing, room key, etc. I'm only wondering about the changes to the FP system.

 

[mesaboy2]

I am suspicious that I am misunderstanding this system or at least the information available regarding it.

So, you'll get three FPs per day and are limited to one park. This is an obvious disadvantage, as the current paper system allows you to have as many FPs you'd like in as many parks as you'd like. I even read that arrival windows will be enforced (or at least discretionary) instead of the current policy of FPs being valid for the rest of the day.

The advantage is you can schedule the reservations in advance, even prior to your arrival at WDW.

I can see this as a great thing for people who visit on really busy times and would likely be limited to three FPs anyway, but what about people like me who choose to visit when crowds are smaller? The last couple of visits have been in May and February and I have never had a problem getting FPs for the things we want to do.

We like to stay longer and get up early. We enjoy an early breakfast ADR, inside a park if possible, visit that park and grab some FPs. We'll ride a few rides and then get some more FPs before lunch. Lunch might be in the park or at a resort. Shortly after lunch, we head back to the resort and relax, swim, and then shower. We'll return to a park for dinner and then a leisurely evening at a park, possibly redeeming some overdue FPs.

Unless I'm misunderstanding the FP+ system, it seems that it won't suit my typical visit. Scheduling my FPs in advance doesn't seem worth it if I have to limit their number and can't use them in multiple parks. It also seems that the common strategy to grab some FPs before swimming and using them at night would be invalid.

Do I have this wrong?

Are you behind the times.

FP windows have been strictly enforced for ten months now.

 

[mousermerf]

The policy was never that FPs were valid for the rest of the day.

 

[Robo]

thank you, thank you thank you

OK that is on my list of must gets - hmmm could find a game to go on it to keep boys happy in lines or waiting on parades (or maybe even their talking program so the younger one can tell us potty - non-verbal austic are fun - the younger one will turn 16 on our trip)

There are literally thousands of games.

Many of the applications (games included) cost as little as 99 cents each... thousands of apps are absolutely free.

You can see all about the apps any time HERE at the iTunes App Store.

 

[Delilah1310]

I know there are still a lot of questions, but I think I am missing something fundemental about how it will work.

When I schedule a FP+, do I get to select my time window for using it?
Or is there not a return window ... meaning, a FP+ could be used at any time for the day of choice?

How would the system know at 60 days or 30 days what window to give me?

thanks in advance for any insight or explaination.

 

[dadddio]

But, now I am thinking the operating system probably won't run the MDE webpage.

My daughter's 3rd gen iPod touch runs the same OS as my iPhone 4S.

I agree that you should get at least a 3rd gen as it will work with the very important 'Where's my iPhone' app, while the 2nd gen will not.

 

[Reddy]

There are literally thousands of games.

Many of the applications (games included) cost as little as 99 cents each... thousands of apps are absolutely free.

You can see all about the apps any time HERE at the iTunes App Store.

I think I would be better off asking their teacher which ones to get there (too many choices - tho Bejewel most likely will make it to it)

 

[bcrook]

I am suspicious that I am misunderstanding this system or at least the information available regarding it.

So, you'll get three FPs per day and are limited to one park. This is an obvious disadvantage, as the current paper system allows you to have as many FPs you'd like in as many parks as you'd like. I even read that arrival windows will be enforced (or at least discretionary) instead of the current policy of FPs being valid for the rest of the day.

The advantage is you can schedule the reservations in advance, even prior to your arrival at WDW.

I can see this as a great thing for people who visit on really busy times and would likely be limited to three FPs anyway, but what about people like me who choose to visit when crowds are smaller? The last couple of visits have been in May and February and I have never had a problem getting FPs for the things we want to do.

We like to stay longer and get up early. We enjoy an early breakfast ADR, inside a park if possible, visit that park and grab some FPs. We'll ride a few rides and then get some more FPs before lunch. Lunch might be in the park or at a resort. Shortly after lunch, we head back to the resort and relax, swim, and then shower. We'll return to a park for dinner and then a leisurely evening at a park, possibly redeeming some overdue FPs.

Unless I'm misunderstanding the FP+ system, it seems that it won't suit my typical visit. Scheduling my FPs in advance doesn't seem worth it if I have to limit their number and can't use them in multiple parks. It also seems that the common strategy to grab some FPs before swimming and using them at night would be invalid.

In summary...
Pro's:
Reservations can be scheduled in advance.
No more mad dash to TSMM in the morning.

Con's:
Limited to three FPs per day.
Limited to one park per day.
Arrival windows are enforced.

Neutral's:
Handy wristband instead of paper tickets.

Do I have this wrong?

EDIT: For what it's worth, I am disregarding the other features/benefits of the system. ADR management, purchasing, room key, etc. I'm only wondering about the changes to the FP system.

other than the misunderstanding mesaboy cleared up, you have the basic idea and the trade offs involved. Don't forget there will be "special" FP+ offerings sent out during the day. If you are there in February, you could multiple e-ticket offers, but most likely bonus FPs for Star tours or PotC.

 

[bcrook]

I know there are still a lot of questions, but I think I am missing something fundemental about how it will work.

When I schedule a FP+, do I get to select my time window for using it?
Or is there not a return window ... meaning, a FP+ could be used at any time for the day of choice?

How would the system know at 60 days or 30 days what window to give me?

thanks in advance for any insight or explaination.

When you log into the My Disney Website or corresponding app, and link your tickets and you are within 60 days. You should be able to book specific times for your rides. They will definitely not be good for the day. You can change your selections as many times as you want even while in the park.

I am not sure I understand the bold part...but, when you log in to a park on a day you are visiting, you can click on an attraction, select a time and choose your FP+ Advanced Right Reservation (ARR).

 

[Delilah1310]

When you log into the My Disney Website or corresponding app, and link your tickets and you are within 60 days. You should be able to book specific times for your rides. They will definitely not be good for the day. You can change your selections as many times as you want even while in the park.

I am not sure I understand the bold part...but, when you log in to a park on a day you are visiting, you can click on an attraction, select a time and choose your FP+ Advanced Right Reservation (ARR).

Thanks ... this is what I was trying to determine.
The question I posed, which was confusing, was basically trying to see how it would know what time to generate as a window ... like the system does now, but clearly based on your understanding that visitors will book specific times, this is not a factor.

thanks!

 

[bcrook]

Thanks ... this is what I was trying to determine.
The question I posed, which was confusing, was basically trying to see how it would know what time to generate as a window ... like the system does now, but clearly based on your understanding that visitors will book specific times, this is not a factor.

thanks!

This is based on how the app works. Of course none of ths is live yet, and nobody has actually booked one of these mysterious FP+ yet.

 

[Delilah1310]

This is based on how the app works. Of course none of ths is live yet, and nobody has actually booked one of these mysterious FP+ yet.

I understand.
We're headed there the first week of April ... which I suspect might be the launch time -- after the Easter crowd.

I'd like to try it if I can ... but so far the app won't recognize my reservation. My dining reservations, yes, but not the hotel. The website has it, just not the app. It doesn't like my phone number associated with my reservation number.

 

[bcrook]

I understand.
We're headed there the first week of April ... which I suspect might be the launch time -- after the Easter crowd.

I'd like to try it if I can ... but so far the app won't recognize my reservation. My dining reservations, yes, but not the hotel. The website has it, just not the app. It doesn't like my phone number associated with my reservation number.

Did you try the website? Oh, it's not working for me either. I had four sets of reservations linked to my account, and now it says can't find them. Lucky for me, my trip is June. They have to get this straightened soon.

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

I understand.
We're headed there the first week of April ... which I suspect might be the launch time -- after the Easter crowd.

I'd like to try it if I can ... but so far the app won't recognize my reservation. My dining reservations, yes, but not the hotel. The website has it, just not the app. It doesn't like my phone number associated with my reservation number.

Same here!! I've been trying for days to get the app to find my room ressie..
The website was finally!! Able to find it last night!!

Does anyone know if you can type your tickets or AP passes in yet?

 

[phineasfan100]

My daughter's 3rd gen iPod touch runs the same OS as my iPhone 4S.

I agree that you should get at least a 3rd gen as it will work with the very important 'Where's my iPhone' app, while the 2nd gen will not.

The third gen is the earliest one supporting MDE as well.

 

[bcrook]

The third gen is the earliest one supporting MDE as well.

I have an old iphone 3G with ios version 4.2.1. Nobody is using it, and it doesn't have a data plan. This version of ios won't support the app. Do you think a 3G will handle an update and then run MDE app? I am not sure if that is the same thing you mentioned above, because I have never used an iphone.

 

[phineasfan100]

I have an old iphone 3G with ios version 4.2.1. Nobody is using it, and it doesn't have a data plan. This version of ios won't support the app. Do you think a 3G will handle an update and then run MDE app? I am not sure if that is the same thing you mentioned above, because I have never used an iphone.

It needs 3GS with iOS 3 or above. You can check for yourself by finding the app in iTunes and scrolling down to find the system requirements.

 

[bcrook]

It needs 3GS with iOS 3 or above. You can check for yourself by finding the app in iTunes and scrolling down to find the system requirements.

This 3G isn't going to cut it, I am guessing I will have to get DW a new phone and I will have take her hand-me-down.

 

[bcrook]

Magic bands and Disney benefits is explained well in this article. It's also linked on page 1.

"What’s so brilliant about these services, and about much of what Disney does, is that they appear to exist mainly to benefit guests, while they also undeniably boost the company’s bottom line. That’s quite a magical combo."