FP+ Work Around, how to get more FP in a day thread?

[wisblue]

They do keep track when a FP+ has been scanned and used. If you go to one of the in park kiosks, it will show your 3 reservations with check marks next to them. The check marks are green if the FP+ has been used and black if it hasn't (or vice versa, I forget).

The issue seems to be how long it takes for that scan to be reported AND for it to prevent completion of any pending change to the reservation that has been used.

 

[clsteve]

They do keep track when a FP+ has been scanned and used. If you go to one of the in park kiosks, it will show your 3 reservations with check marks next to them. The check marks are green if the FP+ has been used and black if it hasn't (or vice versa, I forget).

The issue seems to be how long it takes for that scan to be reported AND for it to prevent completion of any pending change to the reservation that has been used.

This isn't going to be as easy of a fix as it looks since they're going to have to make some decisions on the workflow. They are locking the account (Kenny's) while it's in edit and also don't look like they're considering a FP+ completed until a period of time after the 2nd scan. There are good reasons for both, so they're going to have to really think this through as to where in the workflow they fix it.

 

[wisblue]

This isn't going to be as easy of a fix as it looks since they're going to have to make some decisions on the workflow. They are locking the account (Kenny's) while it's in edit and also don't look like they're considering a FP+ completed until a period of time after the 2nd scan. There are good reasons for both, so they're going to have to really think this through as to where in the workflow they fix it.

I know from my experience in the financial services industry that I don't always have a good feel for which fixes to systems are easy and which aren't. There were always things that I thought would be simple that the designers would tell me would take thousands of man-hours to accomplish, and things that I was afraid would be complicated that turned out to be as simple as changing a variable that was already built into the system.

But, your description of this should serve as a reminder to people who complain about details of how the system works that it may not be as easy as they assume for certain things to be accomplished without affecting other things. There may often have to be tradeoffs between flexibility on the one hand and closing loopholes on the other.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I read through Kenny's guide, and honestly it looks like waaaay too much work for me.

ITA. Plus, one of my complaints about FP+ is that it ties you too much to your phone and leads you to spending more time playing on your phone on vacation. I can't imagine being on my phone so much while on a trip, especially while on rides or in ride queues. It seems like it would take you out of the experience completely to be playing on your phone to book your next ride. And how much downtime would you need to charge your battery if you run it down completely by constantly being on the phone?

Plus, this system seems to be contingent on same-day slots being available, which I'm not sure will always be the case, but we'll see. Kenny says he's been testing this for the last 3 weeks, which are extremely low crowd times. I'd like to see how this works next week, over Christmas, or in the summer (if the loophole still exists then).

 

[amylevan]

Well, I think people staying at POP should be encouraged to do this.

This.

We've got so many layers of what is/isn't happening with FP+/FP right now, that the whole system is a mess. We've got offsiters/AP visitors who can only pull FP-, we've got onsite visitors who can use FP+ (and some made their reservations before tiering, some after) in combination with FP-, and poor POP guests who are restricted to 3 FP+ reservations (tiered if they didn't make those reservations in time).

And I'm guessing that you can probably keep using that FP+ as many times as you can get thru the ride within 30 min. since that seems to be when the system marks it as used.

 

[maxiesmom]

This.

We've got so many layers of what is/isn't happening with FP+/FP right now, that the whole system is a mess.

That would be because it is not an official system yet. Disney is still doing all sorts of testing and fooling around with the system. Apparently to see what will work and what won't.

I will give you that the Pop guests seem to be getting the worst of it. But then I guess they have a tough choice to make--stay and make the best of it, or switch resorts.

 

[amylevan]

But then I guess they have a tough choice to make--stay and make the best of it, or switch resorts.

Except that Disney didn't bother telling Pop guests this was the case. Only Disers are aware.

Nothing like being a guinea pig after paying thousands of dollars.

 

[maxiesmom]

Except that Disney didn't bother telling Pop guests this was the case. Only Disers are aware.

Nothing like being a guinea pig after paying thousands of dollars.

I'm not arguing that. But now a choice has to be made: Either stay and accept that you can only pull 3 FP+s a day, or switch resorts. No need to be both a guinea pig and a bitter person.

Trust me, I have shown up at my chosen resort before only to have a nasty surprise sprung on me. 3 times to be precise. It isn't a good feeling, but you need to accept what is, or try and do something that will make your vacation better.

 

[wn01aa]

Except some POP guest have free dining and have been refused changing resorts. If they had known about this, they might have chosen one of the other value resorts offering free dining at the time (ie. All Star Resorts).

 

[Woodmnky]

Kudos to Kenny for figuring this out. I doubt this will cause much of an issue based upon the number of people who will just not be willing to put the time, effort, and gamble into trying to get an extra FP+.

 

[xfiles3010]

Have all the FP machines been removed from all the parks? Our trip is in May, wondering if FP+ will be rolled out by then.

 

[wisblue]

ITA. Plus, one of my complaints about FP+ is that it ties you too much to your phone and leads you to spending more time playing on your phone on vacation.

I completely agree about not wanting to spend so much time staring at a phone while in the parks. But, in my case, that isn't even an option because I don't have (and don't want) a smartphone. FP+ does not make you spend any time on your phone at all if you just make your reservations and go with them.

The flip side of this argument is one of the reasons that I like FP+. I like knowing in advance what FP return time I have instead of having to show up at the attraction and hope that the FP return time isn't too soon or too late to be useful to me. If you get a FP- that you can't use you have no option to try to change it to something else. You just have to wait until your FP window opens up again

 

[wisblue]

Have all the FP machines been removed from all the parks? Our trip is in May, wondering if FP+ will be rolled out by then.

No, they are all still there and what will be happening in May is anyone's guess.

 

[lauradis]

This is a great idea for people who have no problems whatsoever with lying and cheating to gain an edge.

And what a great lesson to teach your children! Don't worry about playing by the rules as long as you can get away with cheating. So what if I don't really have a disability that keeps me from standing in lines? Just get that GAC card and jump to the head of the line in front of all of those saps who play by the rules.

Remember the words of Jiminy Cricket: "Always let your conscience be your guide".

Wow grumpy much. Lol never said I think it's good idea it just something that popped in my head after the malfunction of dd band.

Wow relax

 

[shannon006]

I sure wish Disney would let guests know about these changes with the resorts. We are staying at AKL in January. However are adding 2 nights prior to the AKL stay. We love the POP, however with these changes only to the POP we are not sure what to do. Perhaps by then all the resorts will be the same

No one knows and things seem to change overnight

 

[Sammie]

Waaaay to much effort to do this, but I do think they should ask Kenny to test and send feedback,

 

[wisblue]

Wow grumpy much. Lol never said I think it's good idea it just something that popped in my head after the malfunction of dd band.

Wow relax

Maybe you didn't say it was a good idea, but based on how a lot of the people (including several on this board) will try to drive a tank through any loophole, I have no doubt that some people will try it and rationalize it because Disney has screwed them out of a few rides.

 

[kennythepirate]

I sure wish Disney would let guests know about these changes with the resorts. We are staying at AKL in January. However are adding 2 nights prior to the AKL stay. We love the POP, however with these changes only to the POP we are not sure what to do. Perhaps by then all the resorts will be the same

No one knows and things seem to change overnight

The changes to Pop is just part of the rollout that many are referring to as a "Test." The plan is to move other resorts to the same system of no paper FP one at a time or a few at a time. You may have a booking for a resort that currently offers KTTW with active magnetic stripe right now, but later it may suddenly, unannounced by Disney, change. You'll only know by reading forums and blogs to get that information.

 

[wn01aa]

The changes to Pop is just part of the rollout that many are referring to as a "Test." The plan is to move other resorts to the same system of no paper FP one at a time or a few at a time. You may have a booking for a resort that currently offers KTTW with active magnetic stripe right now, but later it may suddenly, unannounced by Disney, change. You'll only know by reading forums and blogs to get that information.

Kenny, would you know if a room-only KTTW card will access the FP- machines. I am staying at POP (just my luck) and want the same access as all the other resorts have. If I book a room-only the first day I am there at another resort that is giving KTTW cards and go and get those KTTW cards, would those work in the FP- machines for my stay? Wouldn't think of doing this normally, but I want to try to have equal access as the other resort guests. I wouldn't also do it if by mid-December most of the resorts are not giving cards anymore.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

That would be because it is not an official system yet. Disney is still doing all sorts of testing and fooling around with the system. Apparently to see what will work and what won't.

I will give you that the Pop guests seem to be getting the worst of it. But then I guess they have a tough choice to make--stay and make the best of it, or switch resorts.

I'm one of those with that tough decision. Believe me...been on my mind since Nov12. I have never stayed at pop but wanted d the dedicated bus and have heard the food court is better too. No dining plan so planning on bfast at pop every morning. Also thinking if I tried switching to all stars I'd be way in the back with a long walk to transportation. I've thought how it will impact my touring as well. Obvi I know I'm getting the shaft and I do feel I'm at a disadvantage. But I really think it will mean I might ride a headliner a couple times less. I'm planning on being at RD every morning and then hopping to another park where I have my FP+ ressies made. FP- would more than likely be gone in the 2nd park so I'm just missing out on first park. But figure I can still ride a.couple times before it gets.too crazy by getting there before RD. It will not ruin my.trip though. I am so excited to see the Christmas decorations and you don't need a FP for that.