has a FP+ strategy been determined yet?

[Mom2Stitch]

I may or may not have done that already.



After reading that article you linked to earlier, it sure does make sense.

keep that to yourself! And put on your suit.

I hope you know that I wasn't flaming you at all....matter of fact, to date I think your strategy is the one to beat . And until the loophole is closed as a PP stated, one that I will likely be using if I'm offered to test and/or it's live by the time I go in September.

 

[estherhead]

Do you really believe that? (no sarcasm or aggression meant at all)

Regarding the issue of adrs and the 60 day booking of fp+
The long term solution is incredibly simple for Disney - but first, they want you to start booking fp+at 60 days out.

Question for old timers - when ADRs first started, how far in advance could you book them? 60 days? I dont think they started at 180- it was a much smaller window to swallow, wasnt it? I could be wrong on this though.

Questions for planners: Are you happier that ADRS are 180 days now, compared to 60 days or 90 days (cant remember how they all flipped around, I know the rule increased the advance number of days, and then decreased, and then increased, but cant remember the timeline at all- and too lazy to look it up) But, for PLANNERS- it seems to me to be a lot easier to get 'hot' ressies at the 180 mark, then it was at the 90 mark. Im going to guess, the same will hold true for fp+

Strategic planning: Booking only fp+ for mk and DHS is BRILLIANT, and doing it for every day of your trip, so you can decide later when you want to go to these parks. No need for AK or Epcot, you are right (if you are rope droppers).

However, how unwise to state this very canny strategy on a public forum Barry. How very unwise. You can be sure this loophole will be eventually closed- and I am sure the Disney forcasters and bean counters thank you for your work!

I agree. I have a strategy in mind as well, that I initially intend to keep to myself. Don't worry, I will share once FP+ truly rolls out. No need to say it up front only to have it snatched up, abused, and ruined. ;-)

 

[Jewel3k]

I'm thinking rope drop will still take care of the big rides for us in the morning. Maybe a post of pre dinner repeat of favorites followed by fast passes for parades, fireworks ... Nothing I dislike more than staking out a seat for a parade with three kids who don't want to sit still.

 

[UNCFanatik]

My posts have been about strategy.

oh really...I guess you forgot about these posts

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=49029679&postcount=28

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=49029734&postcount=29

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=49034375&postcount=51

Can you point to where you were talking about ACTUAL strategy?

Your post isn't though. So lets hear it.

As I said...strategies will evolve because the final version has yet to be implemented and tweeked along the way.

 

[bcrook]

I hope you know that I wasn't flaming you at all....matter of fact, to date I think your strategy is the one to beat . And until the loophole is closed as a PP stated, one that I will likely be using if I'm offered to test and/or it's live by the time I go in September.

. I know!!! I wasn't referring to you. But when FP reservations get hard to obtain, it will be a problem.

For this test, I can't believe it would be an issue.

In all honesty, I hop, and end up going into DHS most days, especially if I am staying at Boardwalk. I could legitimately book TSMM everyday and use them each day. I don't spend much time MK outside of early morning or super late. I spend most of my time riding that boat back and forth between DHS and Epcot. And in those two parks. They seem like one giant park to me.

Btw - for UNC, this is still strategy talk.

 

[Tinker_Belle]

Well your concern could be legitimate. If you purchased through Disney your tickets are in the system and linked. If you used online check in, you may be locked in to FP+. I read your posts and the FAQ that way.

But, I think a manager or somebody can reverse it at the resort. It might be a hassle, but in this case you will most likely be ok.

In the future, this is one way Disney fades out the legacy. It makes it clear in the terms and conditions that the goal is to get everybody linked.

Thank you. This makes sense. I am going to suck it up and try to figure out the best strategy. Fortunately, DS and I are going to MK and DHS without DH, so we can use FP+ where it would be most useful and be sure to hit Soarin' at rope drop.

They give you an hour window to use each FP+, and we only have one ADR per day. It SHOULDN'T be necessary to use FP+ during the first hour or two, so after lunch would theoretically be the best "window." I'm a major planner, but it doesn't seem fun to stare at a map and try to guestimate how much time everything will take.

 

[Tinker_Belle]

Do you really believe that? (no sarcasm or aggression meant at all)

Regarding the issue of adrs and the 60 day booking of fp+
The long term solution is incredibly simple for Disney - but first, they want you to start booking fp+at 60 days out.

Question for old timers - when ADRs first started, how far in advance could you book them? 60 days? I dont think they started at 180- it was a much smaller window to swallow, wasnt it? I could be wrong on this though.

Questions for planners: Are you happier that ADRS are 180 days now, compared to 60 days or 90 days (cant remember how they all flipped around, I know the rule increased the advance number of days, and then decreased, and then increased, but cant remember the timeline at all- and too lazy to look it up) But, for PLANNERS- it seems to me to be a lot easier to get 'hot' ressies at the 180 mark, then it was at the 90 mark. Im going to guess, the same will hold true for fp+

Strategic planning: Booking only fp+ for mk and DHS is BRILLIANT, and doing it for every day of your trip, so you can decide later when you want to go to these parks. No need for AK or Epcot, you are right (if you are rope droppers).

However, how unwise to state this very canny strategy on a public forum Barry. How very unwise. You can be sure this loophole will be eventually closed- and I am sure the Disney forcasters and bean counters thank you for your work!

How would Disney know you weren't planning on going to only those parks? I'm sure there are people out there who only go to MK and/or DHS.

 

[DougEMG]

We don't normally make ADR, food isn't a big thing for us, so we just eat wherever, so no having to match up ADR and FP+. Most of the time we stay at BWV, so I'm thinking that we'd use most of our FP+ in the afternoon/evening at MK and then just do RD at the other parks.

Of course that assumes one will be able to get late afternoon early evening FP+ and that RD doesn't change that much.

 

[Rileygirl]

Transitions can be awesome for savvy or educated disney goers.

This is going to be one big 'freakin' transition. Its rolling out so slowly, and with none of the big sticks, it can be absolute gravy for the disboarder in the next year or two.

Strategic planning threads are going to be amazing, people sharing ideas on how to 'maximize' the system.

Lets talk about one big stick that is currently missing from this whole scenario right now. No Tiers. Its possible to get TSMM, RnR and TOT on the same day with this testing Thats GRAVY! enjoy! If enough buy into the system, it will disappear - but this could take more then a year, maybe a couple of years to happen. Eventually, with demand, the tap is going to be dialed back.

Using old Fp system and new fp+ simultaneously - its probably going to be possible for savvy users in the next 6 months, and that is GRAVY! Enjoy. How nice to have all three big rides prebooked, with the possibility of grabbing several more on the day of! This tap will shut off soon though, so be ready for that.

Easily changing the 'bonus' fp+ to something so much better: thats gravy: 4 guarenteed fp+. Enjoy!

So few people on the grid, and even fewer who know how to maximize the grid, makes is simple for our testers to get what they want, when they want it. (relatively speaking). Thats gravy! Eat it up.

Do you realize we are currently living in the 'good old days'? When the hammer starts to come down, and Disney starts to 'enforce' rules, or implement 'rules' as stated by the T&C, we cant complain. We have been drinking gravy. How much, how fast, and how soon? I think it depends on how quickly Disney can bring the average vacation goer 'into the fold'.

I was really a little tongue in cheek when I scolded Barry for sharing his stategies. I do think the mouse reads these threads, and I do believe they will do a lot of troubleshooting, and loophole closing, simply based on comments on threads like these. But they wont for some while, I wouldnt think, until it becomes an 'issue'.

But it provides them with great information. Like, I bet, under the current testing, they will see how many of the test group goes back the next day (or any day at all) to modify or change their fp+ times and dates. They seem to be providing very specific time frames, and then changing the availibilty and timeslots as the days go by (based on some comments I have been reading).

Now, the disboarders will be in there massaging the times and attractions until they get what they want. But a lot of test subjects could be the average vacation goer, and I really wonder if they EVER go back and change ANYTHING. In which case, wont that be easy for Disney to sell the park, the attraction, or the time slot that they want - if they limit the availibity on the first use of the consumer. Nice. Brilliant. Would it occur to Joe Consumer that something better might be offered a week later? A day later? Would they think to go back and check. Doubt it. It will be hard enough to get them to login the first time maybe.

They can probably look at thier data base right now, and know exactly who is a savvy disboarder test subject and who is joe blow, simply by looking at what people modified the POC bonus fp+. So simple.

I guess I am guilty as charged, Unifanatic

Mom2rtk: I agree, the further out the better on Adrs. Going to say the same thing about FP+ the further the better, once you swallow the pill of prebooking in the first place.

 

[Magalex]

We are planning a Sea World vacation next year. But we are planning on a few days in the Disney parks. Staying off-site and buying WDW tickets on UnderCover Tourist. Is FP+ for all ticket holders? I am not looking forward to all these new ways being mentioned. We are planning an extended family vacation in 2015 on WDW property with first-timers and relatives who are not technically inclined and ones who will want to to do things last minute. I can't imagine how I am going to get all these people on board with all this planning. I am the WDW expert in the family so I want to be flexible with the crew I will have with me. They are going to look at me like I am a lunatic if I say we can arrange our parade seating 6 months in advance.

 

[larryz]

My 2014 strategy is to go visit Yosemite and Yellowstone.

2015: Visit the Grand Canyon.

2016: Visit Japan.

2017: Visit Alaska.

2018: Be among the first guests to experience the new FastPass Plus Plus Minus with MagicNoose"

Slogan: Why hang around in lines, when you can hang around in the trees?!?

 

[campbell95]

We are AP holders from another state, and we visit 4-5 times a year. We generally book our trips 4-6 weeks ahead of time, and we don't even make ADRs because we do not like being tied down to plans. Weather, young kids, ride closures, and crowd shifts easily change our plans, and we can hop around as needed. I guess once FP+ comes out we'll find a way to make it work, but I'm already dreading it. We will probably continue to rely on rope drop and getting whatever FP+ we can. I don't know. I'm hoping a real strategy will come out once this is rolled out in full, because I don't think these tests represent any kind of reality, with the limited participation overall, and the ability to use regular FP and FP+. I just don't see that transitioning to the real roll-out.

 

[MainStreetPrincess]

"Green" piffle.

If the fragile planet will spiral into oblivion because Disney issues paper FP's, it's too far gone to worry about.

Amen!! And I wish these hippies would put Avatarland to rest!!

 

[magicbob]

You can (theoretically) change your FP+ reservations to Epcot that morning, if you so desire. However, I have to believe the availability of desirable FP+ attractions and timeslots would be rare if not impossible to get. You might be able to get FP+ reservations at less desirable spots...

Those are assumptions and not facts. Why all the negativity when we don't know what the final product will look like? Don't make stuff up and stop being a hater!

 

[magicbob]

Here I was thinking this was a thread about FP+ strategy and not just another thread for the same people to spread the same disdain about the FP+ system.

Why can't this thread stay on topic?

"Has a FP+ strategy been determined yet".

Arent their enough other threads filled with people telling us how horrible the FP+ system will be and causing people anxiety?

So...lets talk strategy....

It will evolve over time. I suspect the first version of FP+ will not be the final version. Hopefully, Disney will weigh the feedback and make some adjustments along the way.

The new FP+ strategy: wait in the standby line.

 

[glammadiva]

I'm a tester for August. The first 2 days of my trip I have tours so I did not pull FP+ those days. On the other days, I pulled FP+ to fit my touring style. Rope drop in the morning and pulled mine for when I go back in the late afternoon. When.I take my kids, it will be the same way. The ones who I think are going to have issues are the newbies who don't have a touring style or know the rides. I am also going to attempt to pull passes on my two tour days on the fly to see if it truly works.

 

[mistysue]

My "strategy" is to get fp+ for the rides I want fastpasdes for, then get them as close to when I want to be in that part of the park as I can. For the 7 days I have booked them everything has come out exactly how I want it. Now I dont have to rush to get them or get annoyed that the return time for something is too early or too late. This year my kids will actually get to stop and look at the oasis or ride the MK trolly if they want to without me having a little panic attack. If we show up 30 minutes late one day it wont ruin the day and make us sad, we can relax and still have a good time.
I was concerned but now that I have booked things Im excited.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

I just realized today that we are eligible for our trip (8/13). Unfortunately, when I read through the info about it, it said we are not eligible for traditional FPs because we are ELIGIBLE for FP+....even if we chose not to participate. The problem with this, for us, comes when my husband meets us for the second part of our split stay (8/17), because he is NOT eligible for FP+. This basically means that we can't use any type of FP when we go to the parks together.

Crazy! You'd have to switch resorts or go off site to ride together.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[bcrook]

My "strategy" is to get fp+ for the rides I want fastpasdes for, then get them as close to when I want to be in that part of the park as I can. For the 7 days I have booked them everything has come out exactly how I want it. Now I dont have to rush to get them or get annoyed that the return time for something is too early or too late. This year my kids will actually get to stop and look at the oasis or ride the MK trolly if they want to without me having a little panic attack. If we show up 30 minutes late one day it wont ruin the day and make us sad, we can relax and still have a good time.
I was concerned but now that I have booked things Im excited.

Do you think we all might gain a little extra weight now because we won't have to run all over the parks getting FPs? . And there will be more time for tasty treats.

I look forward to sitting on my balcony watching the giraffes at Kidani and changing my fastpass+ reservations instead of running all over the park. This is a definite positive. This assumes there passes to switch around.

 

[jerivera]

You know, considering that we don't really know how FP+ will work, I don't really understand the negativity.

Will FP+ "tickets" be all gone 6 months in advance? Maybe. Who knows.
Will FP+ "tickets" be changeable day-off? Maybe. Who knows.
Will FP+ "tickets" only be a small % of all FP tickets available for that day? Maybe. Who knows.
Will FP+ "tickets" be limited to 3/4/5 per day? Maybe. Who knows.
Will FP+ "tickets" be the cause of the end-of-days? Maybe. Who knows.

You need to have some faith here that Disney knows how to work the system in a way that will be good for both their paying customers and their pocketbook. Personal opinion, but if you don't think Disney can get this right, well, I think that's more on folk who think that way than on the reality of Disney being able to deliver.