FP + What we know and what we want to know

[SRUAlmn]

Yes, Yes they would.

And isn't "Spring Break" and "Mid-March" synonymous?

I guess I was thinking Spring Break would be the last week of March since that's when Easter is. Therefore, they'd have a week or two to work out the kinks first. I guess I know Disney better than that, though!

 

[danceintherain]

So you would still use it, on MSEP if you could only have 3 FP+ per day? And could not grab any other FPs..

Would you use all 3 for non headliners?.. And on things like fireworks.. Just wondering..

And how and where were you seated for MSEP?

Would you chose it if you are not able to use regular FP? And limited to only 3 FP+ per day ? If so what would your three be?

Are you actually prepared to spend $90 just for a morning at USO/SW?

I agree with this. Comparing our Dec 2011 trip with our Dec 2012 trip, we definitely did less rides in 2012 then in 2011 all because we couldn't stockpile FP for use in the evenings.

Honestly, I can't remember a trip where I got more than 3 FPs in a day. We just don't tour like that. It's possible that my memory is faulty, but because we tend to get there at rope drop, we don't tend to get many FPs first thing in the morning. Even if we did, the new enforcement of return times is more problematic in our touring as we take breaks at Disney EVERY DAY (DH's rule). In this respect, FP+ may actually work better for us. We could do Rope Drop in the morning sans Fast Pass, but plan all our FPs for the evening.
Regardless, even on long days, we only tend to spend maybe 8 hours in the parks, so if we WERE to get 1 FP per 2 hours we were in the parks, our max would likely be 4.

It's also not a guarantee that when they roll out FP+ officially that 3 will be the limit. It's possible that they may end up increasing the limit based on park hours and the number of FPs the average person gets on such a day.
In any respect, it stands to reason that if they have figured out that FP+ will make them more money, they will very likely end up making it at least equivalent to regular FP in it's benefits.... eventually.

We shall see. If they do end up implementing it this spring, I'll be able to make my judgement then, though I'm not sure I'll be willing to wrap all my FPs up in something that hasn't been put through the ringer yet.

 

[dadddio]

So Disney spent $1billion on this project right? So...where are they expecting to recoup that money? This isn't being done out of the kindness of their hearts. There has to be some moneymaking component to it that they feel will bring them a return on their investment (and I don't see that being people spending money on "special" magicbands).

There is another shoe to be dropped still.

Making a greater number of people happy will have a positive effect on their bottom line. Also, less time standing in standby lines results in more time to spend money.

 

[Planogirl]

We would most likely spend the day at SW with the kids.. And book ADR for MK around 6:30 with FP+ to follow..

I like that idea. We could do the same except that we would be at Universal. Universal usually closes earlier so we could spend the day there and then eat and ride our three rides that nights in one of the Disney parks.

We do this sometimes anyway. I enjoy hopping between Universal and Disney.

 

[monorailrabbit]

I am just really stuck on the limit of 3 ESPECIALLY since it includes shows and parades! Last year we used at least 5 fast passes during the day and spent over an hour trying to find a seat for the MSEP. I would SUPER love to get reserved seating for parades but that means less rides! I feel like I am whining, but I don't think it's fair.

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

I like that idea. We could do the same except that we would be at Universal. Universal usually closes earlier so we could spend the day there and then eat and ride our three rides that nights in one of the Disney parks.

We do this sometimes anyway. I enjoy hopping between Universal and Disney.

I think this could back fire on disney.. Depending on how guests will look at it..

Some guests will book that extra day.. But some will just park hop to SW or US..

Guess we will see if disney bet on the right won..

 

[Planogirl]

I think this could back fire on disney.. Depending on how guests will look at it..

Some guests will book that extra day.. But some will just park hop to SW or US..

Guess we will see if disney bet on the right won..

I might even add Seaworld. My biggest problem is a lack of time and if this frees up more time then why not?

It'll be interesting to see what people decide to do.

 

[BeccaG]

There was a FP+ web site we used to select which FPs we wanted prior to arriving. We could login during our trip and switch them around as our plans changed. It was really easy and GREAT when visiting during a busy time.

We loved it because we didn't have to race around the park for FPs and hope the times fit our schedule (especially now that the return time is being enforced). Of course, we never got to use our regular BTMR FPs because it was down most of the day (as was Splash, Space, Small World, and Little Mermaid). It will be interesting to see how Disney manages days like this when guests have reserved FP+s only to find they are unable to use them.

Disney did send us a survey to complete after our experience.

Thanks for sharing! And that brings up an interesting question re fast pass + and ride down time... Not sure it will change that much in application but another interesting facet.

 

[BeccaG]

Hrm... what?

Are you saying that you don't think it'll be implemented by my April trip?

Only at one or maybe a few resorts. They have been clear it will be a gradual ramp up... But people are reporting rumors to the contrary... I just don't bye it, you have to switch every single door lock! But I am willing to admit I, nor many of us if any know for sure!

 

[BeccaG]

We tested FP+ in December & LOVED it...

But...

FWIW...I was just advised that it should be in place & functional by our Mid/Late March trip.

And would you mind sharing where you are staying? It has sounded out along that they are rolling it out one or two resorts at a time....

 

[Tink10]

And would you mind sharing where you are staying? It has sounded out along that they are rolling it out one or two resorts at a time....

In December I was at BWV and they had just installed the little RFID machines where you could pay with your room key by holding your card over...

In March I'll be at AKV & YC

 

[monorailrabbit]

Lets be honest, it doesn't really matter whether you can book 3 or more fp+'s in advance, TSMM, Soarin', Expedition Everest et al will be ridiculously booked up for fastpasses almost as soon as the window opens regardless, thus damaging the value of your pre-bookable passes anyway.

I'm sure Disney is convinced that limiting the number of big rides you can book will help, but just look at the ADR system and the rate fastpasses run out now. Assuming that their expectations of a high rate of use are met, do they seriously think the headliners won't be booked up weeks in advance during busy times? Even with only one headliner FP+ per day, you can guarantee no one using the system will let that baby go to waste. It'll be the first thing they do.

If they give you 2 FP+ headliner reservations, you can guarantee Soarin and TT will be booked faster than you can blink during busy weeks. This won't change a thing beyond making it so those who turn up on the day to book their fastpass+ in the morning, or the night before, will stand less chance.

I just realized that now I am going to have to count down the days to not only make sure I get the ADRs I want but also the rides. Lovely.

 

[mom2rtk]

Thanks for sharing! And that brings up an interesting question re fast pass + and ride down time... Not sure it will change that much in application but another interesting facet.

I think they have the "We're sorry but we won't do anything about it" language covered in the fine print.

FWIW, they would probably let you hop on your phone and make a change, but that will be subject to availability of course.

Did someone say Stitch?

 

[monorailrabbit]

Maybe I missed this somewhere but will all the parks have FP+? I know in testing it was only MK and HS. So if I want a FP for Dinosaur in AK will that be an option for FP+? The way I am reading things is once you opt in for FP+ you can't use regular FP anymore. So will all the parks have this?

 

[doconeill]

Maybe I missed this somewhere but will all the parks have FP+? I know in testing it was only MK and HS. So if I want a FP for Dinosaur in AK will that be an option for FP+? The way I am reading things is once you opt in for FP+ you can't use regular FP anymore. So will all the parks have this?

Yes.

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

Since all this supposely to do with being fair to those that don't want to do RD and to curb my "super-using", should I complain that those with smart phones will have an unfair advantage over my family since we do not own one. They will be able to change or get new FPs will waiting in line for another ride, eating their lunch, before they leave their room or even going to the bathroom in the park. My family will have to search out a kiosk to do the same things. I mean that is so unfair! Can you imagine thinking it was fair that anyone that wanted a FP to TSM had to get up early!!

 

[bcrook]

And another elephant in the room is that a lot of people who didn't use the FP system well before will be better with changes.

I am not sure people who didn't ride e-tickets before will start riding them now. Those people could take advantage of the character meets, parades and fireworks priority advantages.

When can you start reserving your FPs?
Is this going on now? Can't find my answers.

We are booked for Feb 9th-14th and want to know if we can start reserving now or is it not happening during out trip thanks.

There isn't a clear date yet for booking, but all signs indicate soon!

Actually, I've been arguing (I think) that it's not the behavior of the small minority that Disney is trying to change. It's the bahavoir of the great majority. The small minority is just a casualty of war.

Even if all the FP-savvy guests all decided to take only 3 FPs per day... or if Disney reprogrammed the FP machines to only issue 3 per ticket per day... the people who didn't use FP before STILL would not use FP. That is what FP+ is meant to fix. IMHO.

I think you have figured this out. This is not about punishing FP abusers, it is not about filling resorts, it's not about creating a better touring experience - this is about redefining the experience at Disney. It's about "surprise and delight" and personalized experiences. This is about crowd management. This is about re marketing the existing rides and attractions. I think a lot of first timers are going to love it, give it the big thumbs up! Everyone will be connected Facebook and posting their pictures like crazy! Did you see that Luna park example on page one? Disney may be able sell advertising through their app live updates sent directly to our phones. This is a slick one billion dollar investment and data gained from this is pure gold.

We don't know that. The tidbit you are referring to is we can only pre-book 3 fp+'s in advance at one park per day.

You are assuming there will be no additional fp+ available without prebooking for day-of guests in addition to the pre-booked ones. That assumption may or may not be correct, no one knows.

It is possible that the system will allow you to pre-book 3 fp+s in one park but add additional ones in multiple parks as you move about.

Everything clearly states 3 a day. There is absolutely no mention of same day acquisition. At this point that hope is wishful thinking. But we can expect lots of Disney offered fastpasses!

OK - NEXT TO nothing. We still know very little -- certainly not enough to justify some of the way-out-there conclusions that some are drawing. And Disney can obviously change T&C and ANYTHING ELSE about the new system at any time. They are very early in their communications about this.

I very much appreciate the initiative to put this thread together. As of right now, though, with the little bit of OFFICIAL info available, the 99 pages here are probably about 99% conjecture! That's fine for now, obviously. But I find the doomsday stuff by some to be silly at this stage given how little we actually know for sure.

I know exactly how this is going down. You will too soon. It is a brilliant strategy, and I hate it! I don't think there is any chance of this ending up like "new coke".

 

[freediverdude]

Oh, it was pretty big business.

It used to be easy to print fake FPs...then Disney added features to the tickets themselves to put an end to that.

It used to be easy to pass a FP from a previous day - and then Disney make the date bigger and put it with the time to make it easier for the CMs to verify.

And there was a "company" that somehow managed to get FPs for given times for that day and deliver them to you at your resort - before the park opened. Must have been some inside job...I think they eventually disappeared as well.

FP+ eliminates all of that. Too bad about the collateral damage...

Wha...wha.....what?? Really?? I must be totally naive I guess. Printing fake fastpasses, really?? This is just blowing my mind. It's just a theme park people, lol.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

You do realize in CM-speak "Have a Magical Day!" is code for "Go *bleep* yourself!" right..?

They've been doing it for.. well.. forever and it's considered by most here to be just as magical as ever.

That's funny! I worked with an older lady who was very soft spoken, from LA who gave people who gave her a bad tiime a purple bow on their gift wrap packages because that was a funeral color AND if she was upset with them, she would say "how nice" which meant what you just said!

 

[bcrook]

I do not know what more you expect.

It is written on the ticket. Non-transferable. Mousemerf explained how other people were being affected by FPs being collected with the expressed purpose of redistribution.

Of course, if the same people were selling their FPs in the past, you would be all over the non-transferable verbiage on the ticket.

I am just being honest, but the back of that paper fastpass has been discussed to death. Fastpass + has a different set of terms and conditions. Lets move on. There isn't any punishment involved in the new system.

But yet you and the other "gloom and doom" FP+ predictors have zero problems projecting your concerns on the general WDW guest population at to why this whole thing will fail.

I would be interested in reading your idea of how all this going to happen, what is your understanding? I have decisions to make and I need models to consider. So far, all I have read from you is nit picking at others ideas. Articulate what you are thinking.

Actually, no, I've said if they limit it to 3 FP+s per day, it will be a net negative for our family. Yes, that sucks for us.

I've never said it will fail, and have even said it's probably a better option for the people who didn't use FP before. Again, it sucks for us if it is what it appears to be. This is a discussion forum. I like discussing the possibilities. We have a lot of money on the line for upcoming trips and I'm a Disney stockholder, and probably one of the biggest Disney addicts and proponents you'll ever see. The net effect for us, specifically, is really important in our planning.

We are definitely on the same page.

So, wait a second...by this statement, are you in fact admitting that you are a manager or executive with Disney? Seems unlikely you'd be in such a meeting otherwise...

Anyways, I don't think anyone here claims that booking multiple simultaneous ADRs wasn't abuse...why Disney couldn't deal with it earlier just shows their disdain for the very technology they are now hoping changes their guest demographic...

Nice job quoting that. It can be archived forever.

Makes good common, logical and business sense.

But wait: that's business -- not magic... they must not care about anyone who stays past 5 days... or is it less than 5 days... wait... who should be angered by this?!?! Please clarify ASAP.

Once again, I think the point of the thread is for vacationers to figure out how it affects our vacations. Anger really doesn't have anything to do with it. Most of us are weighing our options. I am not finding many positives. Sorry, these changes are being made for an imaginary median customer. That simply isn't me. I am disappointed.

For now, I expect "business as usual" for Rider Switch passes. They probably still have plenty of Fastpass stock they'll need to burn through - remember when they converted to the current Fastpass stock at the kiosks, the Rider Switch passes were still printed backstage on the old printers using the generic Fastpass stock. They'll probably do something similar, or at least keep one kiosk around for it.

Technologically, there is no reason they couldn't somehow do it with the MagicBands/RFID cards. The CM verifies the need, then the stay behind parent swipes their RFID, and it grants them an admission to the FP+ line any time later that day (and maybe after a certain minimum time - cut down on abuse?) How they'd handle the "+2" I'm not sure, but they could just allow two more with them - the FP+ kiosk would need to indicate it was a Rider Switch.

Should this question go on page one?