FP + What we know and what we want to know

[mom2aandj]

So how bad is it that I have to be happy not to have an upcoming trip planned????

you and me both!! The only thing I know for sure right now is that I am very relieved we are not going anytime soon! Want to just watch and see how this all shakes out before I have to commit to anything.

 

[doconeill]

"I've just had an apostrophe." "I think you mean an epiphany." "Lightning has just struck my brain." "Well, that must hurt.."

I think I know how Disney thinks this will keep people on site more...

They don't WANT you spending just one day in the park. It will take a couple days in the parks in order to ride everything now (AK excepted, of course...)

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Thanks for explaining. I went back to look at other posts after he posted that and didn't see what he was talking about. That at least gives me hope that I'm not losing it.

So how bad is it that I have to be happy not to have an upcoming trip planned????

No problem. I am sure a ton of people were very by reading these posts today.

I wouldn't say that I am not happy about my upcoming trip, because I am. I just wish we knew more concrete details and not so much speculation (no ride duplicates, possible headliner groupings). And most of all, I just want to know WHEN this is happening. We are traveling early summer, so potentially, one of the guinea pig groups for trying to use this in peak crowds (I am not confident at all that this will be in full implementation in time for Spring Break/Easter crowds).

Plus, I still need to purchase our tickets, either from UT and doing an AP upgrade on site or just buying an AP direct from WDW in advance. I am not doing anything until we know for certain when FP+ is coming on line to everyone and how the advance reservations will work.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I would say that out of all of this I'm hoping that ALL lines are shorter because of the HOARDS of DISers who will no longer go to WDW, but my guess is that figure will be too small to chart.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

"I've just had an apostrophe." "I think you mean an epiphany." "Lightning has just struck my brain." "Well, that must hurt.."

I think I know how Disney thinks this will keep people on site more...

They don't WANT you spending just one day in the park. It will take a couple days in the parks in order to ride everything now (AK excepted, of course...)

I'm sure that has something to do with it. 4 day trips will now need to be 7 to accomplish the same amount of things (theoretically).

 

[mom2rtk]

"I've just had an apostrophe." "I think you mean an epiphany." "Lightning has just struck my brain." "Well, that must hurt.."

I think I know how Disney thinks this will keep people on site more...

They don't WANT you spending just one day in the park. It will take a couple days in the parks in order to ride everything now (AK excepted, of course...)

My husband doesn't follow any of this. But when I told him about this, that's exactly what he said. They want you to need more days to get the same things done.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I would say that out of all of this I'm hoping that ALL lines are shorter because of the HOARDS of DISers who will no longer go to WDW, but my guess is that figure will be too small to chart.

Like I said before, just give us some time.... we WILL figure out a way to maximize the new system!

 

[WillAustin]

I wonder if anyone will ever buy two tickets. On top of an AP for example that has been linked to FP+ they buy a paper ticket. FP plus FP+ lol.

I remember someone discussing using two tickets to double up on FPs with the current system quite a while ago. I think that's a bit extreme.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I remember someone discussing using two tickets to double up on FPs with the current system quite a while ago. I think that's a bit extreme.

I wonder if the new RFID bracelets would even let you link more than 1 active ticket in that manner? Perhaps two different MYW, but an AP and a MYW?

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Like I said before, just give us some time.... we WILL figure out a way to maximize the new system!

I'm counting on it!! That's why I'm still following this thread even though we essentially know NOTHING at this point!

 

[mom2rtk]

No problem. I am sure a ton of people were very by reading these posts today.

I wouldn't say that I am not happy about my upcoming trip, because I am. I just wish we knew more concrete details and not so much speculation (no ride duplicates, possible headliner groupings). And most of all, I just want to know WHEN this is happening. We are traveling early summer, so potentially, one of the guinea pig groups for trying to use this in peak crowds (I am not confident at all that this will be in full implementation in time for Spring Break/Easter crowds).

Plus, I still need to purchase our tickets, either from UT and doing an AP upgrade on site or just buying an AP direct from WDW in advance. I am not doing anything until we know for certain when FP+ is coming on line to everyone and how the advance reservations will work.

I think I'd be feeling and doing exactly what you are. Keeping your powder dry, so to speak.

A year ago I probably would have said they'd never roll something like this in the midst of spring break. But then I would have said that about starting enforcement of FP return times and they did. So they're apparently not afraid to try new things out on big crowds.

I sure hope you and others get some answers soon.

I would say that out of all of this I'm hoping that ALL lines are shorter because of the HOARDS of DISers who will no longer go to WDW, but my guess is that figure will be too small to chart.

I have seen an awful lot of posters say they are not excited about this, and holding off scheduling their next trip until it shakes out later in the year. I hope it all works out great and we can all schedule something very soon. But I really haven't seen many folks at all say they were just done with it. Yet.

I do find it amusing that people here on the DIS say "If you don't like it, then don't go". Then they ridicule them for putting their money where their mouths are and following through.

 

[doconeill]

I wonder if the new RFID bracelets would even let you link more than 1 active ticket in that manner? Perhaps two different MYW, but an AP and a MYW?

Doubtful. How would the system know which entitlement to use, especially when entering the park?

Using two tickets, you'd have to exit and re-enter (and not get noticed and questioned...) Theoretically, you could still do this with two separate magicbands/RFID tickets.

Pretty expensive anyways...especially if they are equally limited with FP+. Some will probably still do it though.

 

[mom2rtk]

Doubtful. How would the system know which entitlement to use, especially when entering the park?

Using two tickets, you'd have to exit and re-enter (and not get noticed and questioned...) Theoretically, you could still do this with two separate magicbands/RFID tickets.

Pretty expensive anyways...especially if they are equally limited with FP+. Some will probably still do it though.

But if I booked 2 separate rooms with 2 separate sets of tickets, I could TOTALLY make this work. I'll show those Disney accountants! Of course I might have to commit identity fraud. But I MUST beat the system!

 

[doconeill]

But if I booked 2 separate rooms with 2 separate sets of tickets, I could TOTALLY make this work. I'll show those Disney accountants! Of course I might have to commit identity fraud. But I MUST beat the system!

Oh, let's not resurrect the FW campground issue...

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I think I'd be feeling and doing exactly what you are. Keeping your powder dry, so to speak.

A year ago I probably would have said they'd never roll something like this in the midst of spring break. But then I would have said that about starting enforcement of FP return times and they did. So they're apparently not afraid to try new things out on big crowds.

I sure hope you and others get some answers soon.

But in terms of the actual implementation of enforcing FP return times, there wasn't any infrastructure change. It just merely required the CM's to alert everyone (and thus grow some pretty strong backbones to listen to the inevitable arguments that were going to ensue). So starting it in a heavily traveled time didn't need much.

This is a HUGE change. Installation of the new RFID readers, issuing the bracelets, putting out the technology to advance book (which as we have seen just in the initial roll out of the basic My Disney Experience has been a nightmare) and more.

Even if Jim Hill is right (is he ever? J/K) that they start this at BWI next month, I still think there will be too many kinks to work out (or as Robo says, it will need more fixes to fix the fix) that it won't be going resort wide by then end of March/early April (ie peak Sprink Break crowds).

But that gives them the rest of April and all of May, somewhat lower season, to tweak and continue rolling out in time for the big summer crowds that start right around Memorial Day.

 

[Planogirl]

First, how do you know? Second, can't it be both?

Disney has a pretty good track record when it comes to creating and enhancing a great experience for guests. I guess I don't get where all this negativity comes from. I'm left wondering: why do these people still LIKE Disney and WDW?? With all these nefarious motives an horrible management, why keep coming back for more??

Of course then there is the other extreme. You certainly see those that agree with everything that Disney does and continually ridicule those who are unhappy or uneasy.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I do find it amusing that people here on the DIS say "If you don't like it, then don't go". Then they ridicule them for putting their money where their mouths are and following through.

Not ridiculing anyone - at least not for ACTUALLY FOLLOWING THROUGH and not going! It's been said on here a million times, so I'll make it a-million-and-one: fewer people go, shorter lines for me!

I am mocking (there - I've said it) those who SCREAM about Disney not investing in the parks or being innovative with technology, and then ALSO SCREAM when they do, do something in this vein.

The baseless assumptions about "guests don't want this!" or "this will cost them business" -- just silly at this stage. Or any stage until RESULTS come in -- they have NO DATA. These statements are divorced from the reality that the sum of Disney's management decisions makes it the wildly successful business that it is. They seem to act as though with every decision / change, Disney has to start from scratch to earn any credibility with them.

Strikes me as fear of change and the possible loss of "an edge up" on other park goers. As others have said, there will just be new (maybe fewer) ways for DISers to game the system. Stay tuned, and at least until implementation, try not to forecast the end of a Disney vacation as we know it -- that's all I'm saying with my meager two cents.

 

[mom2rtk]

Oh, let's not resurrect the FW campground issue...

Ahhh... great analogy.

But in terms of the actual implementation of enforcing FP return times, there wasn't any infrastructure change. It just merely required the CM's to alert everyone (and thus grow some pretty strong backbones to listen to the inevitable arguments that were going to ensue). So starting it in a heavily traveled time didn't need much.

This is a HUGE change. Installation of the new RFID readers, issuing the bracelets, putting out the technology to advance book (which as we have seen just in the initial roll out of the basic My Disney Experience has been a nightmare) and more.

Even if Jim Hill is right (is he ever? J/K) that they start this at BWI next month, I still think there will be too many kinks to work out (or as Robo says, it will need more fixes to fix the fix) that it won't be going resort wide by then end of March/early April (ie peak Sprink Break crowds).

But that gives them the rest of April and all of May, somewhat lower season, to tweak and continue rolling out in time for the big summer crowds that start right around Memorial Day.

That is all very true. But for whatever reason, they do seem to be in a big hurry to move forward with this.

My big hope in all of this is the same as yours. That reality will rear its ugly head when it goes live. I wouldn't be at all surprised though to see some surprises along the way, like them "forgetting" to turn off regular FP for the first group or two, so they get the best of both worlds like the test groups. Because we ALL know that's where push meets shove.

So that all gets you nowhere in terms of making decisions on your own tickets. Just keep that powder dry.

 

[UNCFanatik]

A year ago I probably would have said they'd never roll something like this in the midst of spring break. But then I would have said that about starting enforcement of FP return times and they did. So they're apparently not afraid to try new things out on big crowds.

These admitted failed predictions of yourself and other nay-sayers on this board in the past in situations like this is why people shouldnt put much stock in your current predictions on what will happen with FP+ especially in light that all the final details of the FP+ system has not been released.

No system will be able to answer all the "what ifs" that are being floated out there. I find all the angst amusing.

These "superuser" reveled in the past when they were able to take advantage of something that relatively few people knew about but now when it appears that the playing field will be leveled, they dont like it one bit.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Of course then there is the other extreme. You certainly see those that agree with everything that Disney does and continually ridicule those who are unhappy or uneasy.

I see that. By all means, be "unhappy or uneasy" -- I'm "uneasy" with it at this stage, with as little info as we have. I like DATA -- LOTS OF IT -- and we don't have much yet ---> me, uneasy.

But I won't act like I DO have negative DATA, or that I KNOW this is terrible! That's all.