Got PAP with DVC offer, now with FP+ maybe regretting

[Greysword]

It is my understand that the FP+ system will work like this:

1) Just like it does now, except with an RFID card/bracelet vice your paper ticket. You can collect one fastpass at a time until your ride window or two hours after this one.

2) In addition to the above, select guests are able to reserve a fastpass time to certain attractions, parades, fireworks, and other events prior to vacation arrival. Of course if a guests choose a Space Mountain fastpass for 10:15am, then that one ticket is removed from the availability queue, but otherwise this has no other effect on the current FP distribution system.

I will look for the documentation for this online, but this is my understanding how the system is supposed to work. As such, the OP may run around like a crazy person if they desire and have the relatively same outcome. However, I would recommend taking advantage of the reservations and getting that SM fastpass before arriving at the park, so a trip to Frontierland is all that's needed to start the touring and no double tracking.

 

[tjkraz]

It is my understand that the FP+ system will work like this:

1) Just like it does now, except with an RFID card/bracelet vice your paper ticket. You can collect one fastpass at a time until your ride window or two hours after this one.

2) In addition to the above, select guests are able to reserve a fastpass time to certain attractions, parades, fireworks, and other events prior to vacation arrival. Of course if a guests choose a Space Mountain fastpass for 10:15am, then that one ticket is removed from the availability queue, but otherwise this has no other effect on the current FP distribution system.

I will look for the documentation for this online, but this is my understanding how the system is supposed to work.

I will be very curious to see if you can find anything.

When we were 100% in the speculative stages 6+ months ago, many theorized that the systems would run in tandem. I once believed that myself.

But since Disney began officially releasing information, there has been no indication that resort guests would receive any preferential treatment beyond the ability to reserve FPs in advance. Stories printed in the Disney Parks Blog and circulated through the media play-up the ability to reserve FP+ return times in advance and make changes on-the-fly while in the theme parks, but there is no mention of being able to secure additional ride times once inside the park.

 

[keishashadow]

It is my understand that the FP+ system will work like this:

1) Just like it does now, except with an RFID card/bracelet vice your paper ticket. You can collect one fastpass at a time until your ride window or two hours after this one.

2) In addition to the above, select guests are able to reserve a fastpass time to certain attractions, parades, fireworks, and other events prior to vacation arrival. Of course if a guests choose a Space Mountain fastpass for 10:15am, then that one ticket is removed from the availability queue, but otherwise this has no other effect on the current FP distribution system.

I will look for the documentation for this online, but this is my understanding how the system is supposed to work. As such, the OP may run around like a crazy person if they desire and have the relatively same outcome. However, I would recommend taking advantage of the reservations and getting that SM fastpass before arriving at the park, so a trip to Frontierland is all that's needed to start the touring and no double tracking.

imo this is a reasonable way to implement the program while not alienating those who are content with current FP system.

Curious as to how GACs will eventually be handled.

 

[Sammie]

Actually while the Net forums can be great for planning a trip this is case of a little info can be a dangerous thing.

Most everything you can read about Fastpass+ right now is pure rumor and speculation.

Until, it is completely released, up and running and then tweaked I would not even give it a second thought.

Nothing official has been released as to how it will actually work, until then I would not worry about it at all.

We enjoyed the parks prior to Fastpass, we have enjoyed them since Fastpass and we will continue to enjoy them with Fastpass+ or whatever the future brings.

I honestly just do not get the hue and cry over this program, if one can not adapt to change, I have to wonder if Disney World is really the best choice for a vacation.

 

[Greysword]

That's right Sammie, but this is all we have to go on at this time.

I wouldn't get real upset about what may/may not happen months down the line, since this system will likely be implemented pretty soon. Plus if FP+ people don't have access to the traditional system while FP regular people do, then this part of the NextGen will be a pretty big flop, and it is very likely (in my estimation) that Disney management will make the decision to allow FP+ people to have access to regular FP as well.

 

[dbs1228]

If the FP+ is only good at 1 park a day we could go back to getting the MYW passes instead of PH and save some money! I am not a big fan of park hopping anyway we have been to WDW so many times that a few hours a day is good for me love the resorts - DH on the other hand wants to rush off to another park in the late afternoon/evening it may work for me

 

[tjkraz]

As soon as FASTPASS+ has been rolled out to all groups, the legacy, paper ticket FASTPASS system will be discontinued.

 

[WildernessMickey]

Question for those who were in the trial group - how did you know when your FP+ times were since you only had a wrist band and not a printed ticket with times on it?

 

[bobbiwoz]

Question for those who were in the trial group - how did you know when your FP+ times were since you only had a wrist band and not a printed ticket with times on it?

We got the times on line and there were kiosks where you could check. We didn't have a wrist band, I was in a group with the green fast pass cards. We just put the card next to the reader when getting in line.

 

[Shellandscott]

Tim- Most of the big rides usually have more then a 30 minute wait during the day. I know I can get one in first thing, but after the first hour wait times increase. I assume the wait times will be the same or worse at the times of year we go as they have been in the past.

Greysword- I guess based on what is speculated my fear is that if I have a FP+ for 10:15. The system will not allow me to get another FP for Space Mtn. I hope it works at you stated, as it does now. The other fear is what if BTMRR does not have a FP+ available for advance booking until 1:30pm, does that block me when I am in the park from getting any FP in the morning? I understand I will have to wait until it comes out.

awilliams4- Before fastpass we would go during the slow times. Now Disney has done a great time to fill in those times. F&W in the fall, Marathon around the 9th of Jan has turned into a 1/2 week event not just one day, ect. It is really difficult to do disney with out fass pass and not wait in line over 30 minutes. Hope it is possible, but the last few years have shown crowds getting bigger.

 

[lilpooh108]

It is my understand that the FP+ system will work like this:

1) Just like it does now, except with an RFID card/bracelet vice your paper ticket. You can collect one fastpass at a time until your ride window or two hours after this one.

2) In addition to the above, select guests are able to reserve a fastpass time to certain attractions, parades, fireworks, and other events prior to vacation arrival. Of course if a guests choose a Space Mountain fastpass for 10:15am, then that one ticket is removed from the availability queue, but otherwise this has no other effect on the current FP distribution system.

I will look for the documentation for this online, but this is my understanding how the system is supposed to work. As such, the OP may run around like a crazy person if they desire and have the relatively same outcome. However, I would recommend taking advantage of the reservations and getting that SM fastpass before arriving at the park, so a trip to Frontierland is all that's needed to start the touring and no double tracking.

This is my understanding of it as well.

To the OP---Who said that they're getting rid of the regular FPs? Was that announced somewhere? The only discussion I had seen was that FP+ would cut into the regular allotment of FP-passes. Does someone have a link to where they said that regular FP machines are going to be retired?

My understanding is that FP+ "guarantees" you a pre-chosen slot in the more major attractions/fireworks/parades, as an added perk to the regular FP program. I don't think this is a bad idea at all if they're NOT eliminating the regular FP program. If my ADR is at Be our guest at 8pm, and I can reserve (for example) Voyage of the Little Mermaid at 7pm and a reserved area to view fireworks at 10pm, doesn't that make my day alot easier and decreases the "stress" of having to hit all the things I want to see? It also decreases my running around. I'm not sure why this is a bad idea. Someone explain that to me.

Also---if they keep the regular FP program and FP+ is an additional perk, can't you simply choose not to use it if you don't like it? What's the big deal?

 

[tjkraz]

This is my understanding of it as well.

To the OP---Who said that they're getting rid of the regular FPs? Was that announced somewhere? The only discussion I had seen was that FP+ would cut into the regular allotment of FP-passes. Does someone have a link to where they said that regular FP machines are going to be retired?

I don't have a link handy but it's been reported pretty far and wide that the paper ticket machines will be discontinued when FP+ is fully rolled-out. They aren't spending all of this money on the RFID-enabled system, only to continue running two nearly identical systems in tandem for years to come.

What they COULD do is allow people to make the three advance reservations and still get more electronic FPs after entering the park. However, the FP+ advance reservations will be available to all Passholders and guests staying in nearly 30,000 Disney-owned hotel rooms and villas. Making some assumptions about average occupancy, you're probably looking at 75,000+ hotel guests alone who will be eligible to claim 3 FPs each before the gates even open.

I have my doubts as to whether Disney would allow people to claim the 3 FPs in advance--over 200,000 FPs across the four parks--and then start collecting even more at 9:01am. But admittedly it could go either way.

Disney has had opportunity to clarify their plans but they haven't commented either way. The Parks Blog announcement touts the ability to keep families together in the parks (no more running from machine-to-machine collecting tickets) by reserving in advance, but at no time does it state that you'll be able to secure additional ride times once inside the park.

 

[RachaelA]

This is my understanding of it as well.

To the OP---Who said that they're getting rid of the regular FPs? Was that announced somewhere? The only discussion I had seen was that FP+ would cut into the regular allotment of FP-passes. Does someone have a link to where they said that regular FP machines are going to be retired?

My understanding is that FP+ "guarantees" you a pre-chosen slot in the more major attractions/fireworks/parades, as an added perk to the regular FP program. I don't think this is a bad idea at all if they're NOT eliminating the regular FP program. If my ADR is at Be our guest at 8pm, and I can reserve (for example) Voyage of the Little Mermaid at 7pm and a reserved area to view fireworks at 10pm, doesn't that make my day alot easier and decreases the "stress" of having to hit all the things I want to see? It also decreases my running around. I'm not sure why this is a bad idea. Someone explain that to me.

Also---if they keep the regular FP program and FP+ is an additional perk, can't you simply choose not to use it if you don't like it? What's the big deal?

They are not changing the old machines to work with RFID. There are a bunch of threads on the Theme Park board that list why the regular FP system is going away. I think it's pretty much guaranteed.

 

[bobbiwoz]

So, people staying off site cannot get fastpasses? I do not stay off site, but I know people who do, and I would like to have a discussion with them about what they could do. Or is this something that hasn't been mentioned at all?

 

[tjkraz]

So, people staying off site cannot get fastpasses? I do not stay off site, but I know people who do, and I would like to have a discussion with them about what they could do. Or is this something that hasn't been mentioned at all?

People staying off site cannot secure their ride times prior to arrival in the parks. They still will have access to Fastpass, but not until they are physically inside the gates. And with Disney resort guests and Passholders able to schedule in advance, it remains to be seen exactly what options will remain when the parks open.

 

[bwang123]

People staying off site cannot secure their ride times prior to arrival in the parks. They still will have access to Fastpass, but not until they are physically inside the gates. And with Disney resort guests and Passholders able to schedule in advance, it remains to be seen exactly what options will remain when the parks open.

not sure how you can state that "people staying offiste cannot secure their ride times" when everywhere i have read, it will be available to all guests. either way, no one knows exactly how it will work yet people are spreading these rumors like they have an inside with Disney.

 

[tjkraz]

not sure how you can state that "people staying offiste cannot secure their ride times" when everywhere i have read, it will be available to all guests. either way, no one knows exactly how it will work yet people are spreading these rumors like they have an inside with Disney.

You did not quote my entire sentence. What I said was: "People staying off site cannot secure their ride times prior to arrival in the parks."

This is a very well known aspect of FP+. If you have a confirmed Disney hotel reservation OR are a Passholder, you will be able to use the My Disney Experience / My Magic+ web apps to schedule FP+ ride times up to 60 days prior to arrival.

Day guests--those with no AP or Disney reservation--will have no access to FP+ until they enter the park gates. Once inside the park they will be able to use smartphone apps (using GPS locators) or FP+ terminals in the parks to obtain their ride times.

 

[erionm]

You did not quote my entire sentence. What I said was: "People staying off site cannot secure their ride times prior to arrival in the parks."

This is a very well known aspect of FP+. If you have a confirmed Disney hotel reservation OR are a Passholder, you will be able to use the My Disney Experience / My Magic+ web apps to schedule FP+ ride times up to 60 days prior to arrival.

Day guests--those with no AP or Disney reservation--will have no access to FP+ until they enter the park gates. Once inside the park they will be able to use smartphone apps (using GPS locators) or FP+ terminals in the parks to obtain their ride times.

The Disney Park Experience Terms & Conditions says the following in the Disney FastPass+ Section:

Magic Your Way ticket holders may make FastPass+ selections beginning 60 days prior to day of use. The selection window may vary for other admission tickets or passholders.

It does not state that the MYW ticket holder has to be a WDW Resort Guest.
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/media/park-experience-terms-and-conditions.html

 

[tjkraz]

The Disney Park Experience Terms & Conditions says the following in the Disney FastPass+ Section:


It does not state that the MYW ticket holder has to be a WDW Resort Guest.
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/media/park-experience-terms-and-conditions.html

Interesting. Thanks for pointing that out.

That's not consistent with what I have been reading all along but I guess time will tell.

How would Disney ever dole-out FP+ reservations fairly if they allow guests to make those reservations without any sort of gatekeeper? Once the system is live, what's to keep me from locking in times on TSM and Soarin 60 days out, without really having any firm plans to visit on those dates?

 

[JaimeA]

How would Disney ever dole-out FP+ reservations fairly if they allow guests to make those reservations without any sort of gatekeeper? Once the system is live, what's to keep me from locking in times on TSM and Soarin 60 days out, without really having any firm plans to visit on those dates?

That is a great question. I wonder if there will be a $10 no show charge

I really hope some more information is coming soon because I don't believe all the pieces fit yet. So many what ifs...