FP + What we know and what we want to know

[DVC4US]

I re-worked the first page summary. It might be better now.

If anybody sees anything wrong or missing let me know.

I have another question to add.

Will they have a number to call for large groups with multiple reservations to help book FP+ options for the group? Kind of like group dinning.

We have about 11-12 different reservations at BWV for approx 50 family and close friends for a wedding in June. This doesn't include guests staying at other hotels. I can't imagine the nightmare of trying to link all these people to my account so I can book FP+ for everyone to ride Soarin' one day.

Another question(haven't looked back at the first page so don't know if you have this one yet) - can Armed Forces tickets be converted to RFID? If you buy them before your trip you are given a voucher - can these be added to your account like an AP voucher?

On a normal everyday trip I am sure I can work with the new FP+ rules whatever they may turn out to be. But for my daughters wedding in June we have about 120 people coming with a lot of different circumstances so this could turn into a nightmare if this is rolled out by June. Even if it isn't fully rolled out trying to make sure everyone has the same kind of ticket media(RFID or Classic) is going to be a nightmare.

 

[Robo]

We have about 11-12 different reservations at BWV for approx 50 family and close friends for a wedding in June. This doesn't include guests staying at other hotels. I can't imagine the nightmare of trying to link all these people to my account so I can book FP+ for everyone to ride Soarin' one day.

FIXES!!

We need more FIXES!

 

[andyman8]

Just to summarize what I think WDW is doing with this whole FP+/MyMagic+ thing.

It seems like online check-in will be moved to 60 days in advance. At that point, resort guests will get to check-in (like they've been doing since it started), make any room requests, and now make FP+ selections. It seems like guests will have a maximum of three per day (though that does seem very low) that can only be used at one of the four theme parks. This information, along with park tickets, dining plan, PhotoPass pictures, and a charge card will be stored on a guest's MagicBand.

Days guests, at some point in this process, will also get to make FP+ reservations. They will use RFID-enabled tickets to enter the park, while Disney Resort Hotel guests will use their MagicBands to enter the park at RFID turnstiles.

These selections can be for rides, shows, parades, fireworks, or character greetings. Each one would take up one FP+ entitlement. Standard FASTPASS with not be available.

Anytime up until arrival or even upon arrival at one of theme parks, guests can change their FP+ selections with in-park kiosks or the My Disney Experience app on any smartphone or iPod Touch (or similar device with WiFi connectivity). Guests will have one hour return windows to use their FP+ for a specific attractions, which if missed, cannot be replaced by another attraction. While experiencing these attractions, guests using MyMagic+ will be congratulated regarding specific celebrations (like birthdays and anniversaries) by different elements in rides. For example, Mike from Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor could wish little Jimmy from Miami a happy tenth birthday without his mom or dad ever speaking to a CM or even having him wear a button.

Now, there are several problems with this system.

First of all, I'm left to assume that you cannot change or cancel your reservation after you've checked-in online 60 days in advance but what if Uncle Lou suddenly dies and you have to cancel even if you've purchased trip insurance? One is left to assume you won't get your money back if you've checked-in.

Next, if guests can only use it at one park per day, that would discourage park hopping, thus encouraging guests to spend LESS money.

Finally, without FASTPASS available, how can somebody not plan their trip? What about locals or those who plan their mini-trips one week in advance? Will there still be much desirable FP+ availability.

Ideally, Disney should offer 70% FP+ reservations 10 days in advance when any Disney Resort Hotel guest checks-in online. The service should offer at least 2 major and 2 minor attraction FP+ reservations. 30% of these reservations should be made available on the actual day. Standard FP should still be available. This service should also only be available for Disney Resort Guests only. I have nothing against offsite guests (I've been one many times) but at least at the beginning, they need to work with small numbers. Also, you don't have much room for regular FP when you're offering FP+ to everyone in the park. Also, it should be able to accommodate park hopping.

These are just my thoughts.

 

[mousermerf]

So this is what it looks like when a person is under your accoutn and you can "assign" them things:

Currently if you try to assign them anything it wont "stick" and you also can't do so between full-blown accounts either. It just forgets the choice, say for dining, immediately after you do it. Dining Reservations ask for each person but then promptly forgets who you chose other than the primary. On a full blown account this little bar indicating what they have reserved doesn't appear presently either - it's under My Profile - Family and Friends - Edit (whichever account you've added) in the pseudo-accounts.

But as you can see there's the all important "Virtual Ticket." APs, people with reservations, etc.. will have a ticket assigned to them. That will allow the FP+ to be assigned at 60 days or less.

 

[Missyrose]

I have another question to add.

Will they have a number to call for large groups with multiple reservations to help book FP+ options for the group? Kind of like group dinning.

We have about 11-12 different reservations at BWV for approx 50 family and close friends for a wedding in June. This doesn't include guests staying at other hotels. I can't imagine the nightmare of trying to link all these people to my account so I can book FP+ for everyone to ride Soarin' one day.

Another question(haven't looked back at the first page so don't know if you have this one yet) - can Armed Forces tickets be converted to RFID? If you buy them before your trip you are given a voucher - can these be added to your account like an AP voucher?

On a normal everyday trip I am sure I can work with the new FP+ rules whatever they may turn out to be. But for my daughters wedding in June we have about 120 people coming with a lot of different circumstances so this could turn into a nightmare if this is rolled out by June. Even if it isn't fully rolled out trying to make sure everyone has the same kind of ticket media(RFID or Classic) is going to be a nightmare.

When you have a group that big, is it really your responsibility to make sure everyone rides Soarin on a specific day? At that point, can't the other adults in the group create smaller touring groups and be responsible for making their own plans?

 

[DVC4US]

FIXES!!

We need more FIXES!

Robo - I am with you. LEAVE THE FP SYSTEM ALONE!!!!!!

 

[ryalluvdiz]

So this is what it looks like when a person is under your accoutn and you can "assign" them things:

Currently if you try to assign them anything it wont "stick" and you also can't do so between full-blown accounts either. It just forgets the choice, say for dining, immediately after you do it. Dining Reservations ask for each person but then promptly forgets who you chose other than the primary. On a full blown account this little bar indicating what they have reserved doesn't appear presently either - it's under My Profile - Family and Friends - Edit (whichever account you've added) in the pseudo-accounts.

But as you can see there's the all important "Virtual Ticket." APs, people with reservations, etc.. will have a ticket assigned to them. That will allow the FP+ to be assigned at 60 days or less.

I have mine saved with our dinning reservations for each person saved.... Some people in my group are arriving later so people are on different reservations.... Mine seems to have been "stuck" for a couple of days. Yes mine appear under my family and friends.

 

[Robo]

When you have a group that big, is it really your responsibility to make sure everyone rides Soarin on a specific day? At that point, can't the other adults in the group create smaller touring groups and be responsible for making their own plans?

Under the "Regular" "Unfair" "Tired" "Old Fashioned" FP system, a "director" of a tour group could take all of the passes of guests that WANTED to ride X attraction and get FP's.
OR- the guests who did want to ride X attraction could line up with the others in the group and get a FP.

AND- that whole group COULD ride "within a given period of time" so that the group could stay "together" at that attraction at (about) the same time.

This new system, with some MAYBE having their own "electronic connection" to the FP+ system on that day they are in the park (or at some earlier date,) may or may not (I'm thinking NOT) be able to get a FP for X attraction at (about) the same time.

It's another complex situation that was not very complicated before.

 

[sweetpea29488]

I haven't read everything yet so I'm a little confused. Has there been a date set for when this will begin?

 

[andyman8]

I haven't read everything yet so I'm a little confused. Has there been a date set for when this will begin?

No official word on that yet but rumors indicate that it will begin at Boardwalk in mid to late February.

Mousemerf, do you have info on when this will get to any other WDW resort hotels.

 

[bcrook]

Just to summarize what I think WDW is doing with this whole FP+/MyMagic+ thing.

I put a link on the first page to this. Thanks!

 

[DVC4US]

When you have a group that big, is it really your responsibility to make sure everyone rides Soarin on a specific day? At that point, can't the other adults in the group create smaller touring groups and be responsible for making their own plans?

No it's not my responsibility but most of these people have never been to WDW and I couldn't imagine trying to explain the FP+ system to them. How would the adults in the group creating their own profiles and making their own plans allow us all to book a FP+ for Soarin' at the same time? We would have to coordinate a time to be online so we could all book the same time(if even possible). Nightmare!! With the current FP system we just walk into EPCOT and if a FP for Soarin' is available then we take our tickets, pull a FP and wait for our time to ride.

In the past I have planned multiple trips to WDW and multiple cruises on DCL with 2 or 3 other families. They usually give me their reservation numbers and let me do all the planning. Works great with the current FP system and will probably work with the new FP+, but I don't see this being so easy with the group we have going in June.

 

[DVC4US]

Under the "Regular" "Unfair" "Tired" "Old Fashioned" FP system, a "director" of a tour group could take all of the passes of guests that WANTED to ride X attraction and get FP's.
OR- the guests who did want to ride X attraction could line up with the others in the group and get a FP.

AND- that whole group COULD ride "within a given period of time" so that the group could stay "together" at that attraction at (about) the same time.

This new system, with some MAYBE having their own "electronic connection" to the FP+ system on that day they are in the park (or at some earlier date,) may or may not (I'm thinking NOT) be able to get a FP for X attraction at (about) the same time.

It's another complex situation that was not very complicated before.

What he said!!

Thanks Robo! You always say it so much better!!

BTW - my nickname is "Tour Guide Barbie"!

 

[DeaverTex]

Others have said this before me, but it really is beginning to sound like New Coke. I miss WDW and I want to go back as soon as possible, but right now I'm glad that I've got a couple of years for this to sort itself out.

I just don't think that 3FP a day (yeah, FP+, but once you have 'em they're the same exact thing) is going to work out for the folks who have even an inkling of what FP are about. I do wonder, though, if the plan might be to run the FP and FP+ systems in parallel for a while, then shift it all to FP+ and increase the daily number? Too much speculation, I suppose.

 

[DVC4US]

The reports(rumors) keep saying it will be rolled out at the BWI in Feb or March. Does anyone know if this is only the hotel side or hotel and villas both?

 

[katdralion]

but for those who are unable to get there at rope drop there is not the same opportunity.

I'm not really sure where this idea came from that FP wasn't fair to people who wanted to sleep in! We never found this to be the case.

We never made rope drop (through choice) but felt we had the same opportunity to ride what we wanted as everyone else. We usually didn't arrive at the parks until mid afternooon and there were always plenty of FP available including FP for the headliners. TSM is the only exception.

 

[phineasfan100]

Again, this whole system gives RD no value at all. The old system worked fine, Disney is just catering to the lazy people who don't get up in time for RD and complain that there are no TSM FPs available.

 

[Squidgyness]

The more I think about this the more I come to the conclusion that...


1) many people will somehow find a way to remain in the dark about it
2) many people will most likely not use it out of a lack of interest
3) many people will most likely find it too complicated. I don't mean they wouldn't always figure it out, just in some cases they wouldn't be overly inclined to do so. People can use discounts and weird ways to save money, but sometimes they don't. I know people who couldnt be bothered to figure the old system out. Human nature and innate laziness. If it ain't simple, some people can't be bothered. I'd include myself here to some extent.
4) many people will most likely not utilise this properly anyway, I.e. booking fast passes for the wrong times of day, wrong rides etc, despite (or because of...) Disney trying to suggest alternatives.
5) many people will still stick to fastpass if they can, especially veteran visitors.
6) many people will not react well when told they can't use both systems, or their chosen reservation was booked up three weeks ago, or their chosen reservation was pointless since the ride was a walk on anyway. Lots of scope for cheesing off customers here tbh.

And finally...

7) I still think Disney has by far overestimated the number of people taking advantage of this new system and its effects. I really do think its flawed on a basic level in expectation and aims. We will have to see what the execution is like.

Worst case scenario, enough people use it to seriously affect times in standby and the number or availability of fastpasses but not enough or without enough impact to please Disney, whilst the support system for this new fastpass can't handle it.

Best case scenario, this fails to attract enough users, Disney quietly cancels plans for the removal of normal fastpasses and keeps plugging away with this new system as an alternative to normal fastpass for those who actually want it. Alternately, they manage to iron out the many many kinks after a few months and things run smoothly for everyone... Lets hope for one of these. I'd prefer the first.

 

[CandleontheWater]

Is there any indication that there will be charge for missed FP+ attractions? If they do institute that, like they did for dining, it will be the end of Disney trips for my family. I travel with a large and highly unpredictable group of people, if they decide to stop and have a few drinks at the ESPN club, then a Soarin' FP+ is not going to convince them to leave, even if there is a surcharge for missed reservations.

We have already stopped dining at signature restaurants because of this, I don't want rides and fireworks to be phased out of our vacations as well!

 

[bcrook]

The more I think about this the more I come to the conclusion that...


1) many people will somehow find a way to remain in the dark about it
2) many people will most likely not use it out of a lack of interest
3) many people will most likely find it too complicated. I don't mean they wouldn't always figure it out, just in some cases they wouldn't be overly inclined to do so. People can use discounts and weird ways to save money, but sometimes they don't. I know people who couldnt be bothered to figure the old system out. Human nature and innate laziness. If it ain't simple, some people can't be bothered. I'd include myself here to some extent.
4) many people will most likely not utilise this properly anyway, I.e. booking fast passes for the wrong times of day, wrong rides etc, despite (or because of...) Disney trying to suggest alternatives.
5) many people will still stick to fastpass if they can, especially veteran visitors.
6) many people will not react well when told they can't use both systems, or their chosen reservation was booked up three weeks ago, or their chosen reservation was pointless since the ride was a walk on anyway. Lots of scope for cheesing off customers here tbh.

And finally...

7) I still think Disney has by far overestimated the number of people taking advantage of this new system and its effects. I really do think its flawed on a basic level in expectation and aims. We will have to see what the execution is like.

Worst case scenario, enough people use it to seriously affect times in standby and the number or availability of fastpasses but not enough or without enough impact to please Disney, whilst the support system for this new fastpass can't handle it.

Best case scenario, this fails to attract enough users, Disney quietly cancels plans for the removal of normal fastpasses and keeps plugging away with this new system as an alternative to normal fastpass for those who actually want it. Alternately, they manage to iron out the many many kinks after a few months and things run smoothly for everyone... Lets hope for one of these. I'd prefer the first.

Initially I think most people were interested in the FP and the next generation connection to that. But it is apparent that the bracelet - the magicband is the most important thing. The FP+ is a hook to make people wear the bracelet. Maybe after the rfid system is common practice along with the next gen interactive queues and food reservation systems are established FP can revert back to a ride experience tool.

The only problem with 'hoping' that the system fails because people won't figure it out or bother to figure it out is that millions of people can easily navigate things like netflix or online airline reservations. If they can do that, this app isn't that much more difficult.

Except linking family and friends. Yuck!