FP+ Window reduced to 30 days for non-resort guests

[doconeill]

That may be a function of transitioning. The way I read it, under the new rule if you were checking in onsite 60 days from now you should be able to book during the next 30 day (because you're an AP holder), there would be 29 days you couldn't book, and all of the day of your vacation would be available to book. The question would be are you still limited to 7 total days or is it 7 days + onsite days.

I am still more than 30 days from check in, and I don't have any holes. However, I don't think I'm getting an additional 7 days beyond my resort stay...I think I'm limited to 7 in total (at least I was last week - my stay is less than 7 days).

Disney screwing over FL Resident AP holders...as expected.

So...we have friends that come at all times of the year and they plan way in advance...when we would have a chance to finally start making FP reservations (for a whopping 1 major ride per day and a couple of other rides), then odds are greatly reduced that we can plan the same times.

Feeling less and less cognitive dissonance about dumping the APs.

Not just FL AP holders, all AP holders. Lots of people with APs travel to Orlando and stay offsite.

I'm still not sure this isn't just a temporary situation. And it's more than you had before, so how that it is screwing over AP holders right now I don't understand...not to mention the reports that there were plenty of choices still open.

 

[ucfknight]

I used the fastpass system in January when staying onsite. Yes I made my fast passes 60 days out, but when I actually got there I used my smartphone to change several fast passes on the day I was there and had no problems changing times for the headliner rides... I honestly don't think it makes any difference whether you book 60 days out or hours out. I think people are comparing fast passes to let's say dinner reservations, if you don't book at 180 days on the dot you won't get that character meal... I think the fastpasses are so much more flexible.

Was that before or after they turned off the old paper FastPass machines in mid-to-late January? Before everyone was on the new system, it was easy for those using the new system to change even the headliners during the day. Once they disabled the paper FP machines and moved EVERYBODY to using FP+, many of the headliners have had all of their slots distributed early in the day. That makes changing to a different time impossible.

 

[JDUCKY]

I'm still not sure this isn't just a temporary situation. And it's more than you had before, so how that it is screwing over AP holders right now I don't understand...not to mention the reports that there were plenty of choices still open.

This is *more*?! What is this? Bizarro World??

Under the FP system, we could get as many FPs as we could collect (given the time constraints) when staying all-day at a park. We could even usually get FPs for big rides like Space Mountain, Peter Pan, ToT, EE even after arriving in the evening (after school/work). Note that even meant multiple FPs in *multiple* parks on the same day.

Now, under FP-, we are limited to 1 major ride FP and 2 other ride FPs (all within the same park) in any given day. And, arriving at any time other than rope drop means another long line to wait to even make a FP- reservation and probably will then find out the times that we'd like won't be available (esp. if we arrive in the evening...as happened recently to my wife when some friends were in town and she went to meet them in the parks)

 

[ucfknight]

Now, under FP-, we are limited to 1 major ride FP and 2 other ride FPs (all within the same park) in any given day.

Tiering is only in effect at Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios.

At DHS, even though tiering is in effect I would still consider tier 2 rides Star Tours and Tower of Terror as "major rides".

Epcot is the one where the tiering really sucks since Test Track and Soarin' always have lines that dwarf any other line in the park.

The other 2 parks do not have tiers. At Magic Kingdom you can pick Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain, and Space Mountain if you want. At Animal Kingdom you can pick Kilimanjaro Safaris, Expedition Everest, and Dinosaur if you want.

 

[JDUCKY]

Tiering is only in effect at Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios.

At DHS, even though tiering is in effect I would still consider tier 2 rides Star Tours and Tower of Terror as "major rides".

Epcot is the one where the tiering really sucks since Test Track and Soarin' always have lines that dwarf any other line in the park.

The other 2 parks do not have tiers. At Magic Kingdom you can pick Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain, and Space Mountain if you want. At Animal Kingdom you can pick Kilimanjaro Safaris, Expedition Everest, and Dinosaur if you want.

I suppose that's *something* but it's still a FAR CRY less than what we used to have available under the FP system. And even that is subject to change on a Disney profit-oriented whim.

As for ST at DHS, that rarely needs a FP except for really crowded times of the year (which we avoided anyway). Test Track is now worthless to us since the redo...Disney completely ruined the ride.

As for the rest, well, unless I'm with the family, there is no smartphone access to the Disney app (we don't have personal smartphones...just my work phone...and I travel a lot for business so my wife would be stuck w/original choices - or waiting in a long FP- kiosk line if she wanted to try and change times to match up with friends/neighbors who may be in the parks)

FP- is definitely designed for those coming to WDW as a major trip and plan to stay on-site. Otherwise, it's a huge step backwards.

 

[mm1971]

Those are just some of the counter-arguments, some more persuasive than others.

And very well thought out they are. I guess I just think that Disney is looking to fill those moderate rooms up since we know the expense of staying Deluxe will always be prohibitive fast pass or not. The values are filling up quickly. In my opinion, that is why they changed the FD plans to all CS for values. Trying to get those vacationers to move over to the moderates. I guess I just don't see the window as being an issue at any times other than Christmas and July 4th. Everyone I know that has used the system has been able to get passes the day before and some on the way to the attraction.

It will be interesting to see the final result of all this. At this rate, the final system should be in place by 2042.

I wonder how Disney will prevent AP Holders from scalping certin hard to get FPs. We know that supply cannot equal demand, so there absolutely will be lots of people staring down 180 minute Standby waits for the Mine Train this Spring and Summer. If all it takes is handing someone your MB near the ride entrance and collecting it again at the ride exit, I have to believe that people will be doing the ol' switcheroo in exchange for $$$. Hidden security cameras, perhaps? But that won't stop exchanges in the rest rooms.

This is tongue in cheek, right? Why would Disney care either way even if we assume you are correct? You have a band, made a FP reservation and someone is using that reservation. Not sure how that effects anything.

We've been around this block once or twice. Now that Disney is operating 25,000 rooms, it shouldn't have expectations of occupancy levels greater than 85%. It just isn't feasible to sell out every room on every night. And with Values booking at 95%, that means that most of the extra 1,500 rooms that need to be filled to boost 79% up to a very ambitious 85% would have to come from the Moderates and Deluxes. Just how many FPs would they have to provide to a family each day to convince them to move from a $100 off site hotel, (or $160-$220 Bonnett Creek or Swan and Dolphin hotel) to a smaller, $240 Moderate or $550 Deluxe? Fast Passes have no actual monetary value, but when tries to price it out, there is no way that a single extra ride on Soarin' is worth $300+ per night. They might be able to fill some Moderate rooms by linking them to FP+. But not many people are going to jump from Hilton Main Gate to the Grand Floridian on the promise of an extra FP.

Yes, and I think that is the ultimate goal. They know they can always fill those values. If they think they can get more to upgrade and fill those mod's then that is a plus for them. I wouldn't be surprised if the final system tiers the number of FP based on the level of resort stay. I hope that's not the case and not sure it would really matter, but would not be surprised. Good discussion.

 

[doconeill]

This is *more*?! What is this? Bizarro World??

Under the FP system, we could get as many FPs as we could collect (given the time constraints) when staying all-day at a park. We could even usually get FPs for big rides like Space Mountain, Peter Pan, ToT, EE even after arriving in the evening (after school/work). Note that even meant multiple FPs in *multiple* parks on the same day.

Now, under FP-, we are limited to 1 major ride FP and 2 other ride FPs (all within the same park) in any given day. And, arriving at any time other than rope drop means another long line to wait to even make a FP- reservation and probably will then find out the times that we'd like won't be available (esp. if we arrive in the evening...as happened recently to my wife when some friends were in town and she went to meet them in the parks)

You had nothing two days ago...

 

[JDUCKY]

You had nothing two days ago...

In the sense that having two pennies to rub together vs empty pockets, yeah, this is more

 

[ArwenMarie]

I am still more than 30 days from check in, and I don't have any holes. However, I don't think I'm getting an additional 7 days beyond my resort stay...I think I'm limited to 7 in total (at least I was last week - my stay is less than 7 days).

I'm still not sure this isn't just a temporary situation. And it's more than you had before, so how that it is screwing over AP holders right now I don't understand...not to mention the reports that there were plenty of choices still open.

Not sure if you are talking to me or JDucky, but I don't have a Disney AP. I was just saying that its not just locals affected.

 

[sretav]

I used the fastpass system in January when staying onsite. Yes I made my fast passes 60 days out, but when I actually got there I used my smartphone to change several fast passes on the day I was there and had no problems changing times for the headliner rides... I honestly don't think it makes any difference whether you book 60 days out or hours out. I think people are comparing fast passes to let's say dinner reservations, if you don't book at 180 days on the dot you won't get that character meal... I think the fastpasses are so much more flexible.

We have 6 day MYW's and a 1 day camp site (that we actually plan to sleep at for that 1 night) and then off-site at WBC for 12 days for April 5th to 18th. Decided yesterday to change a couple park days around to try and avoid all but one day of crowd level 9 pre Easter crowds and had zero trouble rebooking 3 different character meal ADRs and changing 6 FP+ for a family of 6. Maybe it's just because that first week of April will be slow-ish but all of our new times for both the ADRs and FPs were almost exactly the same as our old ones.

Must have Tinkerbell herself sitting on my shoulder because MDE also worked flawlessly for everything with no noticeable lag.

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

DisneyMountainWoman, I wonder if you're my other twin! What you have said I totally agree with but especially what is in bold. I have had this thought ever since I read about the new FP program.

I know I'll only get 3 FPs. I'm dealing with it. I know I won't have as much available to me as far as pickins' as an onsite guest. Got it. Dealin'. I know I'll never tour the parks like I did before. I'm swallowing it.

But could I go somewhere, like DTD, the night before we go to the parks just to get this nonsense out of the way so we can just start enjoying the parks like everyone else gets to do once they walk thru the turnstiles?!!!

That is exactly how I feel.

 

[oneprincessjo]

Was that before or after they turned off the old paper FastPass machines in mid-to-late January? Before everyone was on the new system, it was easy for those using the new system to change even the headliners during the day. Once they disabled the paper FP machines and moved EVERYBODY to using FP+, many of the headliners have had all of their slots distributed early in the day. That makes changing to a different time impossible.

It was about a week after they disabled the paper fastpasses. I was able to change all mine except for soarin, I was able to change but not to a time that worked bettee so I stuck with my original fp.

 

[doconeill]

Not sure if you are talking to me or JDucky, but I don't have a Disney AP. I was just saying that its not just locals affected.

Both actually, in referring to the fact that as far as AP holders being affected, they are essentially being affected in a positive way now (going from 0 to 30 days now), but also I haven't seen anything to believe that this is a permanent situation either, but just another stage of testing. It makes sense as well - limit the "rush" by not suddenly inviting 60 days worth of guests who now have access that didn't have it yesterday. Limit to 30 days, let it smooth out, then expand the window.

 

[oneprincessjo]

We have 6 day MYW's and a 1 day camp site (that we actually plan to sleep at for that 1 night) and then off-site at WBC for 12 days for April 5th to 18th. Decided yesterday to change a couple park days around to try and avoid all but one day of crowd level 9 pre Easter crowds and had zero trouble rebooking 3 different character meal ADRs and changing 6 FP+ for a family of 6. Maybe it's just because that first week of April will be slow-ish but all of our new times for both the ADRs and FPs were almost exactly the same as our old ones.

Must have Tinkerbell herself sitting on my shoulder because MDE also worked flawlessly for everything with no noticeable lag.

Nice!!! It's always a possibility, especially now with the credit card guarantee... I did get into Chef Mickey one night in January, made the res around noon that day and happened to snag a 7pm... I think someone cancelled simultaneously... haha. Sometimes things work out nicely

 

[mieuxmew]

We are AP holders and go on a Disney vacation about 2 times a year (1 week each time). APs for non Florida Residents are $675 dollars each (and no monthly payment plans!). Sometimes we stay onsite and sometimes offsite.

We just had an onsite stay last month, so we could experience Fast Pass+ and have Magic Bands for our next trip, as the rumor was AP holders weren't getting Magic Bands until this Fall. (We mostly enjoyed FP+). Disney left AP holders guessing about when and if they would be included in Fast Pass +/Magic Bands. We knew Disney's rules ahead of time and planned accordingly. Disney wants guests to plan in advance. Now Disney just announced AP holders are getting Magic Bands this month. It a good thing, but I learned it from the DisBoards and not from any communication from Disney.

What we are finding difficult is the lack of communication from Disney, making it very difficult to plan our next vacation. The 60 day window was just taken away and changed overnight now to 30 days! The rules are being made up as they go along. 30 days should be fine, but a little advanced notice would have been appreciated.

Disney spent a billion dollars on this Next Gen. The execution and planning of Fast Pass + has been very difficult for most guests (onsite, offsite, APs, etc) because of lack of communication and disorganization from Disney. Every day on this board I come here to learn about the next shoe to drop. If Disney wants onsite guests to have special treatment it is their choice, as it is their corporation. Please clearly communicate in advance what the perks of staying onsite are so that guests can make an informed choice to stay onsite or not. Also, as on offsite AP guest please communicate with us and let us know when we will receive Magic Bands, when we be able to book Fast Pass+, how many days in advance can we begin to book and for how many days out. Please also do the same for offsite Magic Your Way ticket holders. If adjustments need to be made, please give us an advanced heads up so we can adjust and not freak out about plans that were made months ago.

Most guests probably do not invest this amount of time and research planning their Disney vacation. I may need a beach vacation just to recover from planning my Disney trips!

 

[ArwenMarie]

We are AP holders and go on a Disney vacation about 2 times a year (1 week each time). APs for non Florida Residents are $675 dollars each (and no monthly payment plans!). Sometimes we stay onsite and sometimes offsite.

We just had an onsite stay last month, so we could experience Fast Pass+ and have Magic Bands for our next trip, as the rumor was AP holders weren't getting Magic Bands until this Fall. (We mostly enjoyed FP+). Disney left AP holders guessing about when and if they would be included in Fast Pass +/Magic Bands. We knew Disney's rules ahead of time and planned accordingly. Disney wants guests to plan in advance. Now Disney just announced AP holders are getting Magic Bands this month. It a good thing, but I learned it from the DisBoards and not from any communication from Disney.

What we are finding difficult is the lack of communication from Disney, making it very difficult to plan our next vacation. The 60 day window was just taken away and changed overnight now to 30 days! The rules are being made up as they go along. 30 days should be fine, but a little advanced notice would have been appreciated.

Disney spent a billion dollars on this Next Gen. The execution and planning of Fast Pass + has been very difficult for most guests (onsite, offsite, APs, etc) because of lack of communication and disorganization from Disney. Every day on this board I come here to learn about the next shoe to drop. If Disney wants onsite guests to have special treatment it is their choice, as it is their corporation. Please clearly communicate in advance what the perks of staying onsite are so that guests can make an informed choice to stay onsite or not. Also, as on offsite AP guest please communicate with us and let us know when we will receive Magic Bands, when we be able to book Fast Pass+, how many days in advance can we begin to book and for how many days out. Please also do the same for offsite Magic Your Way ticket holders. If adjustments need to be made, please give us an advanced heads up so we can adjust and not freak out about plans that were made months ago.

Most guests probably do not invest this amount of time and research planning their Disney vacation. I may need a beach vacation just to recover from planning my Disney trips!

It's just a test.

(I'm kidding. But that's what Disney is still saying )

 

[*disgal*]

That is exactly how I feel.

Well, we are there before you (and at a busier time) so I will let the boards/you know how it goes. If we get some pixie dust sprinkled on us, I'll save some for you and your trip.

Most guests probably do not invest this amount of time and research planning their Disney vacation. I may need a beach vacation just to recover from planning my Disney trips!

So with you on that one.

Earlier I got off the phone with my sister who's going with us next month and after explaining FP+, tiering at Epcot, the mess at DTD... my brain is fried. Again. Although, we did laugh our heads off because now it's just so comical to me. I think a beach trip is indeed in order.

 

[Planogirl]

To me, anyone who buys a pass of any kind should have some type of access to FP+. They don't discount the passes when someone stays offsite so why should those people get less of a park experience during regular operating hours than anyone else? I say this as someone who stays onsite as much as offsite. I don't think it's fair for me to get more fastpasses just because I stay onsite.

I see nothing wrong with the longer booking window though. Let onsite get first choice and then offsite can go for whatever is left. I do wonder if anything will be left of things like Anna/Elsa or the new dwarves ride though.

 

[aubriee]

Doesn't bother me as I have been able to book even headliners at much less than 60 days out. In fact I do most of my FP+ the night before and it's worked fine. And it's still 60 if you have a resort stay, right? I don't go down there without a resort stay anyway.

Will have to see how Mine Train works out because while it's new, it will be in great demand.

We are annual passholders. We are staying offsite March 21-31st. I was finally able to customize our bands this past weekend and have been checking every day (several times a day in fact) to see if we could start making fast pass reservations. At 5:30am yesterday morning I was still locked out, but about 10:30am was finally allowed to book our FP+. I was able to get morning fast passes for Soarin on two days, a morning FP for Expedition Everest and the Safari, an early afternoon FP+ for all three us for Toy Story one day and then a morning FP+ for Toy Story for me and my mom one day, while getting a morning FP for RnR for my husband for the same time. I was also able to get FP for the afternoon we arrive for Big Thunder, Space Mountain, and Buzz, then on a second day was able to get morning FPs for all three MK Mountains. We are only nine days out and our trip is during spring break. I was very pleasantly surprised. The only thing I didn't like is that our trip is for eleven days and passholders are only allowed to book for seven days, so we have nothing for our last four days (which really isn't that big a deal because we are spending two of those days over at Universal and probably one at a beach). I still hate FP+ and feel like we are getting alot less than what we were getting even last spring, but feel better than I did just a few days ago, when I didn't think we'd be able to book any FP+. I do feel like I wasted our money this year on our annual passes and for the first time in almost ten years will not be getting new ones for next year. Between the price increases for APs and getting alot less for our money, we've decided this is going to be our last trip to WDW. I usually go down there 4-6 times a year, but have no desire to go back with all this FP+ mess and longer lines.

One thing I noticed yesterday when I was booking our FP+, is that AP holders staying offsite still can't book a FP+ for lunch at Be Our Guest. I went to the website posted here on the DIS and also checked all over WDW's site. When using the site posted here on the DIS, it asks for a resort confirmation number.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I was going to subscribe to one of those touring plans websites but I think I will hold off. If it's based on historical data I think now all bets are off! We can't know till everybody is online to book FP+ I think.