Frommer's Comes Out as Not in Favor of Paperless Fastpass

[BeentoallDParks]

That's not really how it's going to work for most people. Guests are now being actively encouraged by Disney to pre-plan. Jay Rasulo even said so!

"So if we can get people to plan their vacation before they leave home, we know that we get more time with them. We get a bigger share of their wallet." -- to Bloomberg Businessweek, 2013

 

[tjkraz]

That's not really how it's going to work for most people. Guests are now being actively encouraged by Disney to pre-plan.

How is this materially different than what guests have been doing via the DIS / Unofficial Guide / Passporter and dozens of other resources for decades now?

Do you really believe that most people were walking into Disney parks completely ignorant of what they would find? And if so, do you really believe those people had a higher satisfaction level than guests who did some advance research and planning?

 

[BeentoallDParks]

People had more of a choice not to plan. Now, if you want a shot at getting FPs for the best rides, you HAVE to start working weeks ahead. Good luck getting on the SDMT in less than 3 hours right now if you didn't get your Fastpasses a while ago! You sure can't get them the day of.

Look, this board has lots of complaints along these very lines. I know I'm not the only person.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

Most people I know pre-plan their major vacations to some degree whether it is going to Disney or going to Yellowstone. Most people when they invest that kind of time and money don't want to just "wing it."

The point of the article was that you HAD to plan 60 days out to get a ride. Most people will plan ahead, but you don't HAVE to. It turns out FP+ provides a great deal of flexibility that includes both advance planning and changes on the fly even the same day. Is it perfect? No. Is it better than paper FP and the huge limitations it provided? (Which we were all just familiar with.) - It appears most people think so. I think the positives out way the negatives here on the DIS boards for those that have actually experienced FP+. People like to reserve and they like NOT running.

I won't be surprised if, eventually, they do a new article grudgingly saying it isn't as bad as they thought.

 

[Epcotfan64]

My FP+ experience on Saturday (not good):

I had made 3 reservations for attractions at Epcot, completed those, then went to a FastPass+ kiosk by Mousegears to make one for the MK (either SDMT or SM). "Sorry," I was told, "you have to enter MK to make additional FP+ selections."

Huh? I thought the main concept behind this system was planning ahead. I mean, I can make dinner reservations at Sci-Fi Dine-in Theater while in Animal Kingdom, no?

So I go to MK, enter the My Magic Plus service center just to the right of the entrance, and log into my account on one of the tablets. I get nowhere fast. A cast member approaches me to assist. I tell her, "I used my 3 FP reservations in Epcot and now I want to make one for the SDMT." She replies, "Well, you'll have to do that at a FastPass+ kiosk." (Where was I, then, exactly?) "Where's the nearest one?" I replied. "Next to Philharmagic" she answered.

So, I go to that FP+ kiosk and get this, there's a line with a wait of about 30 minutes just to get a FP. (Yeah, I don't have a smart phone, just your basic clam shell model, so I have to stand in line.)

I walk over to the SDMT and the standby time is 2.5 hours. I pass on that and wait in line for SM, return to SDMT and the standby is now 2 hours. I end up waiting in that line for about 90 minutes before getting on the ride.

I have an AP. Any suggestions to make this type of experience better?

 

[mom2rtk]

My FP+ experience on Saturday (not good):

I had made 3 reservations for attractions at Epcot, completed those, then went to a FastPass+ kiosk by Mousegears to make one for the MK (either SDMT or SM). "Sorry," I was told, "you have to enter MK to make additional FP+ selections."

Huh? I thought the main concept behind this system was planning ahead. I mean, I can make dinner reservations at Sci-Fi Dine-in Theater while in Animal Kingdom, no?

So I go to MK, enter the My Magic Plus service center just to the right of the entrance, and log into my account on one of the tablets. I get nowhere fast. A cast member approaches me to assist. I tell her, "I used my 3 FP reservations in Epcot and now I want to make one for the SDMT." She replies, "Well, you'll have to do that at a FastPass+ kiosk." (Where was I, then, exactly?) "Where's the nearest one?" I replied. "Next to Philharmagic" she answered.

So, I go to that FP+ kiosk and get this, there's a line with a wait of about 30 minutes just to get a FP. (Yeah, I don't have a smart phone, just your basic clam shell model, so I have to stand in line.)

I walk over to the SDMT and the standby time is 2.5 hours. I pass on that and wait in line for SM, return to SDMT and the standby is now 2 hours. I end up waiting in that line for about 90 minutes before getting on the ride.

I have an AP. Any suggestions to make this type of experience better?

I'm sorry to say that as of now, even a smart phone would not have helped. You have to get your 4th and subsequent FPs at a kiosk. You can then change them on a smart phone, but you have to stand in line to get them.

 

[tjkraz]

People had more of a choice not to plan. Now, if you want a shot at getting FPs for the best rides, you HAVE to start working weeks ahead. Good luck getting on the SDMT in less than 3 hours right now if you didn't get your Fastpasses a while ago! You sure can't get them the day of.

I certainly cannot agree that the handling of one attraction is reason enough to throw out the entire system. Without FP+, SDMT would still be a very tough ticket. We're talking rope drop dash back to FP machines to stand in line for return tickets which cannot be used until hours later.

How would a non-planning guest ever know that they have to go immediately to the back of the park for a SDMT FP upon arrival? What if they visit Tomorrowland or Adventureland first? What if they are already holding FPs for another attraction when they arrive at SDMT? What if they don't arrive at the park until noon?

Look, this board has lots of complaints along these very lines. I know I'm not the only person.

Of course there are complaints. Any change is going to generate complaints, but that doesn't mean the complainers are in the majority. There is no "one size fits all" solution.

 

[johnsonet]

My FP+ experience on Saturday (not good):

I had made 3 reservations for attractions at Epcot, completed those, then went to a FastPass+ kiosk by Mousegears to make one for the MK (either SDMT or SM). "Sorry," I was told, "you have to enter MK to make additional FP+ selections."

Huh? I thought the main concept behind this system was planning ahead. I mean, I can make dinner reservations at Sci-Fi Dine-in Theater while in Animal Kingdom, no?

So I go to MK, enter the My Magic Plus service center just to the right of the entrance, and log into my account on one of the tablets. I get nowhere fast. A cast member approaches me to assist. I tell her, "I used my 3 FP reservations in Epcot and now I want to make one for the SDMT." She replies, "Well, you'll have to do that at a FastPass+ kiosk." (Where was I, then, exactly?) "Where's the nearest one?" I replied. "Next to Philharmagic" she answered.

So, I go to that FP+ kiosk and get this, there's a line with a wait of about 30 minutes just to get a FP. (Yeah, I don't have a smart phone, just your basic clam shell model, so I have to stand in line.)

I walk over to the SDMT and the standby time is 2.5 hours. I pass on that and wait in line for SM, return to SDMT and the standby is now 2 hours. I end up waiting in that line for about 90 minutes before getting on the ride.

I have an AP. Any suggestions to make this type of experience better?

now that is frustrating - and exhausting.

 

[oldtink]

To be honest, even the old way, if you ran to a ride and grabbed a FP, and then got in line (other the other way around), for the more popular rides, the FP were often gone by noon. This way I KNOW I have three pre-booked so I can run to a different ride first if I want to get more in. I realize the frustration, but anyone who spends the amount of money Disney asks for and doesn't plan it, read up on tips, or check threads wouldn't have much luck the old way either.

 

[jade1]

My FP+ experience on Saturday (not good):

I had made 3 reservations for attractions at Epcot, completed those, then went to a FastPass+ kiosk by Mousegears to make one for the MK (either SDMT or SM). "Sorry," I was told, "you have to enter MK to make additional FP+ selections."

Huh? I thought the main concept behind this system was planning ahead. I mean, I can make dinner reservations at Sci-Fi Dine-in Theater while in Animal Kingdom, no?

So I go to MK, enter the My Magic Plus service center just to the right of the entrance, and log into my account on one of the tablets. I get nowhere fast. A cast member approaches me to assist. I tell her, "I used my 3 FP reservations in Epcot and now I want to make one for the SDMT." She replies, "Well, you'll have to do that at a FastPass+ kiosk." (Where was I, then, exactly?) "Where's the nearest one?" I replied. "Next to Philharmagic" she answered.

So, I go to that FP+ kiosk and get this, there's a line with a wait of about 30 minutes just to get a FP. (Yeah, I don't have a smart phone, just your basic clam shell model, so I have to stand in line.)

I walk over to the SDMT and the standby time is 2.5 hours. I pass on that and wait in line for SM, return to SDMT and the standby is now 2 hours. I end up waiting in that line for about 90 minutes before getting on the ride.

I have an AP. Any suggestions to make this type of experience better?

What time did you enter MK and would you have gotten a 7DMT with FP-, doubtful-they would be gone by 11AM or sooner, prob SM as well.

But on the flip side there would be no kiosk line-it would be covered.

 

[Epcotfan64]

Thanks for all of the replies.

I find it odd that the lines for FP+ passes are even longer than with the paper fastpasses for which I had to wait only a few minutes max to get one.

 

[The Grays]

I feel they are longer because you have lees machines to use and you have to pick more than just one ride like with the paper ones were at the ride you wanted and only that ride. Now people have to look around and make a choice.

 

[tjkraz]

Thanks for all of the replies.

I find it odd that the lines for FP+ passes are even longer than with the paper fastpasses for which I had to wait only a few minutes max to get one.

Like the last poster said, the terminals are more complicated than the paper ticket machines. You have to choose three attractions AND your desired return time.

With the paper machines you're getting one ticket and the return window is a time of Disney's choosing. And you have to run around the park collecting those tickets, typically waiting 2 hours between each.

It's a bit of a trade off between functionality and speed.

Hopefully those lines will decrease as guests get more comfortable with the alternate FP+ options (smartphone, laptop) and the learning curve improves. Someone like yourself who just wants to quickly snag their 4th FP of the day shouldn't take long at all. The problem is people who approach the terminals which little idea of which attractions they wish to visit and preferred ride times.

 

[michellej47]

Has there been any talk of allowing the 4th FP+ (and so on) to be done on a smartphone instead of standing in line for a kiosk? Sounds like this would solve a lot of the gripes that still exist with the new system.

 

[rteetz]

Has there been any talk of allowing the 4th FP+ (and so on) to be done on a smartphone instead of standing in line for a kiosk? Sounds like this would solve a lot of the gripes that still exist with the new system.

Yes tom staggs said that would come in the future. But I think it makes more sense to get the extra FPs at the kiosks. You get your three planned ones now you can go make another one with what's available.

 

[BeentoallDParks]

Pre-FP+, I might get only one or two paper FPs a day. Now, I get 3. Everyone does. There's a contributing factor to longer wait times for second-tier attractions right there.

 

[Chuckers]

I got back from a commando vacation Wed-Fri before Memorial Day. FP+ Was amazing.

On Wednesday, I originally didn't have a park ticket, but got to my hotel early enough to add an extra day. Decided to go to AK for the morning... on the TRAM ride from the parking lot, I made 3 FP+ reservations for Everest, Dinosaur, and Whirl. One right after the other starting at 10am. Rode Everest twice and moved my FPs up in time. Hotel room was ready so I went back.

On Thursday, my goal was to meet my best friends.. they did their plans 2 months prior. I did my plans 1.5 weeks prior. I got my 3 fast passes to match theirs within 10 minutes of their start times for SM, Splash, and Thunder. When I went to dinner later, I noticed they had scheduled another FP for SM for us at 9:25.

On Friday, I did HS and the only FP I couldn't move was TSM (figured that).

Friday night I was at Rock Your Disney side and went to get a FP at about 8:30 pm. I went to the Jungle Cruise kiosk and the line was nothing. Every ride was available for times before midnight. I made an SM fast pass and left.. changed my mind and went back to the kiosk and changed it to PP for 11:30pm.

All in all, I loved the magic band and the FP+ system.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

I got back from a commando vacation Wed-Fri before Memorial Day. FP+ Was amazing.

On Wednesday, I originally didn't have a park ticket, but got to my hotel early enough to add an extra day. Decided to go to AK for the morning... on the TRAM ride from the parking lot, I made 3 FP+ reservations for Everest, Dinosaur, and Whirl. One right after the other starting at 10am. Rode Everest twice and moved my FPs up in time. Hotel room was ready so I went back.

On Thursday, my goal was to meet my best friends.. they did their plans 2 months prior. I did my plans 1.5 weeks prior. I got my 3 fast passes to match theirs within 10 minutes of their start times for SM, Splash, and Thunder. When I went to dinner later, I noticed they had scheduled another FP for SM for us at 9:25.

On Friday, I did HS and the only FP I couldn't move was TSM (figured that).

Friday night I was at Rock Your Disney side and went to get a FP at about 8:30 pm. I went to the Jungle Cruise kiosk and the line was nothing. Every ride was available for times before midnight. I made an SM fast pass and left.. changed my mind and went back to the kiosk and changed it to PP for 11:30pm.

All in all, I loved the magic band and the FP+ system.

Glad it worked out so well!

 

[kg66]

Ok, so this will be trip # 7 and our first real off site trip. Looks like I picked the wrong time to veer away from on-site So confused with how this will turn out. The kids are older and want to do Universal this time, so we are only doing 1 day in MK to see the new Fantasyland. There's no sense me pre-purchasing my tickets as it's only a 1 day MYW Base ticket and cheapest price is at the gate. How crazy will this be for us? The only thing I think saving us is we are going Sept 6-13 after everyone is back in school and we've chose a day when MK is not a EMH. I'd love some ideas from those that have experience the FP + .....

 

[courtbowling]

My family is a timeshare owner through RCI and has been for as long as I've been alive. Every trip we've taken to Disney we've stayed off site in a timeshare resort. Even though we could not use EMH we've been able to perfect the art of fitting everything in in one full park day. Fastpass was an important part to that and I don't like that we now have to wait until after on site guests to reserve fastpasses instead of it being first come first serve. I recently booked a trip for next year with 12 people and figured I could easily plan for all of us to effeciently ride the rides, see the shows, etc. just like I've always done but with the new fast pass I'm leaning more towards just going to Universal instead which makes me incredibly sad as i've grown up on disney and have always dreamed of working there and making it a happy place.