Here it is - Announcement re More FP+ Beginning 4/28

[Mad Hattered]

Or the well-reasoned, randomly selected, representative feedback they systematically collected since testing?

Like the well-reasoned systematically collected data that lead them to believe that people would be happy with 3 FP+s in the first place?

 

[Jennasis]

If by both you mean their surveying AND letters/complaints directly to Disney, we agree.

I will also throw in there the responses on social media. Their FB page has been inundated with feedback.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Like the well-reasoned systematically collected data that lead them to believe that people would be happy with 3 FP+s in the first place?

Does it not make sense that this just might have been a starting point based upon what an "average" park goer did? Averaging the super users and those who didn't use any?

In any case... I'm glad they're making these changes. Still not 100% what I'd want to see, but closer and responsive to feedback which is a good sign to me.

 

[morethananyonex]

So something doesn't make sense to me.

Before many people liked to claim that most people were absolutely fine with 3 FP+ except for the select few on the DIS, and that's why Disney chose that number. We heard all about average FP usage, and were told constantly that we were a very small group that did not matter to Disney. "For a first timer, 3 is MORE than enough" "For my family, 3 is WONDERFUL" "Anybody who needs more than 3 is entitled and should learn to wait their turn " etc.

So if all that is true, doesn't that completely contradict that this was the plan all along? Which is it? Why are so many people now saying it was the plan all along when that wasn't the tune people were singing before?

I'd also like to point out that many "haters" have also said from the start the system is going to change too. It's just that it didn't matter because the now really stank. I went in February, we won't be going for a couple years at least. We went right at that sweet spot with no legacy FP and no FP+ changes. Why wouldn't I care about my own vacation? After all, I don't see any FP+ lovers saying the system doesn't work for their family but they like it because it's better for other people.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I will also throw in there the responses on social media. Their FB page has been inundated with feedback.

Due to the nature of how social media is used, I think this would be weighted far less than the other sources, but since that was direct to Disney I'd expect that they at least considered it. JMHO based on some marketing projects I've been involved with.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Agreed on the first bit. My thinking on why the kiosk is to cut down on FP+ reservations that will go unused... Making you be in the park to get them would do that. Just a thought. But that said, I hope they change that so we can use MDE!

They could make you have to "be in the park" to use the app as well by requiring a GPS signal to prove you're in the park. They used that functionality on the previous Mobile Magic app (which only showed "short, moderate, long wait" if you were out of the park, but showed the actual official wait time if you were in the park).

I think clsteve is right...I think they know the app/wifi/infrastructure can't handle the traffic that would ensue if everyone could use the app for the 4th FP+ and beyond. Maybe they'll change this if they can fix those issues.

 

[DavidNYC]

Got a good laugh reading this thread just now! Awaiting all the "thank goodness we all complained for years on an unofficial Disney board... That's why they fixed it!" threads! Such an awesome understanding of how major corporations make significant business decisions...

Agree completely. Thread reads as if people think disney planning is 5 guys sitting around a table discussing what do. No concept of the number of people, the technical knowledge of IT, crowds, psychology, marketing, demographics, economics, etc. that go into a project of this size. No change being made now isn't something contemplated years ago. They have said from day 1 this would continue to expand. People can have their opinions if they like the system or not, but the pace of testing and expansion was exactly what you'd expect.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

They could make you have to "be in the park" to use the app as well by requiring a GPS signal to prove you're in the park. They used that functionality on the previous Mobile Magic app (which only showed "short, moderate, long wait" if you were out of the park, but showed the actual official wait time if you were in the park). I think clsteve is right...I think they know the app/wifi/infrastructure can't handle the traffic that would ensue if everyone could use the app for the 4th FP+ and beyond. Maybe they'll change this if they can fix those issues.

Here's hoping! Fingers always crossed wrt Disney IT...

 

[Jennasis]

People will find a way to spin things to agree with their viewpoints. ALL I really care about is being able to ride more rides without waiting LOL. I don't care about the why.

 

[wareagle57]

THIS. When I first heard this change I was worried. Coming on here tonight and seeing this post gave me the "ughhh" feeling...

While I am all for more FPs, I LOVED my precious RD time. I fear the advantage will be nonexistent, I will be watching for reports.

I wrote Disney back when this was announced a few weeks ago. A very sweet CM phoned me to ease my worries.
She did say no tiering after 3 are used, and she said no app access, anytime soon.
She told me she was in on a presentation showing the system at it's fullest potential, and reassured me that once this is fully rolled out it will be amazing...
I am always a skeptic, but she seemed pretty legit in her info.
We alll shall seeee...
I didn't ask about PH, as we never hop.
For now, I wish they'd start FP times slightly later in the AM...here is to wishful thinking...

Exactly. Why in the world would you offer a FP for 9 AM? Maybe for 2 or 3 attractions like TSMM, Belle, Anna and Elsa and other meet and greets, but anything else it just seems to do more harm than good offering them before 11 or 10 on a EMH day. That way you won't have people booking FP they don't REALLY need just to get to the 4th one first. Using your first 3 at 11, 12, and 1 seems much more reasonable and you'd still be "first" to get your 4th pass.

 

[PEC]

Well this is interesting. We will be there Monday, it's our 2nd park day of 7. I initially planned all afternoon/evening fast passes and I am not entirely sure I want to mess with them. What to do?

Not planning your vacation for you but I would say don't change this late. Later in the day at MK you should be fine. A few attractions will be out of FP+ but they were likely ones you already booked if you planned to do it. At the other parks, AK is not open very late so likely a non-issue for you. At Epcot and DHS you will not get a headliner (TSMM, TT, Soarin', etc) but you could possibly get a Maelstrom or Star Tours. With the headliners I don't think you could get a 4th one even if booking early morning.
Bottomline, you planned your trip. The headache of a last minute major change is not really worth it.

 

[ilovemk76]

So something doesn't make sense to me.

Before many people liked to claim that most people were absolutely fine with 3 FP+ except for the select few on the DIS, and that's why Disney chose that number. We heard all about average FP usage, and were told constantly that we were a very small group that did not matter to Disney. "For a first timer, 3 is MORE than enough" "For my family, 3 is WONDERFUL" "Anybody who needs more than 3 is entitled and should learn to wait their turn " etc.

So if all that is true, doesn't that completely contradict that this was the plan all along? Which is it? Why are so many people now saying it was the plan all along when that wasn't the tune people were singing before?

I'd also like to point out that many "haters" have also said from the start the system is going to change too. It's just that it didn't matter because the now really stank. I went in February, we won't be going for a couple years at least. We went right at that sweet spot with no legacy FP and no FP+ changes. Why wouldn't I care about my own vacation? After all, I don't see any FP+ lovers saying the system doesn't work for their family but they like it because it's better for other people.

Most of the haters said they would only be happy if the entire system was scrapped and the old one was reinstated without a care for the return window.

I know lots of 1st or infrequent timers who thinks this is a great system.

 

[wisblue]

Hopefully by the time October rolls around we will be able to do this via mobile. Seems like such a step back in tech progression to send everyone to the kiosk for FP+ beyond 3.

My guess is that they are doing this to make sure that people actually have to be in the park to get these extra FPs.

Just like you had to be in the park to get a paper FP.

The aignificant difference now is that you will be able to get any available FP at any kiosk instead of going to the machine located at the attraction itself.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Most of the haters said they would only be happy if the entire system was scrapped and the old one was reinstated without a care for the return window.

I'm pretty sure this is very inaccurate as it applies to most of those who have been given that label. Most of that group were the ones saying all along that paper fp were going away and not to expect them to remain.

 

[surferdave]

Agreed on the first bit. My thinking on why the kiosk is to cut down on FP+ reservations that will go unused... Making you be in the park to get them would do that. Just a thought. But that said, I hope they change that so we can use MDE!

It hardly seems necessary for them to make certain you are in the parks to schedule the additional FP's when by the time you can do it you've either been in the parks to use the three you had or you've let them expire and you could now reschedule them (from anywhere) anyway. If they had any concern for unused FP they wouldn't have went to such lengths to go from a system that did require you in the parks to reserve FP one that doesn't.

 

[Jennasis]

Most of the haters said they would only be happy if the entire system was scrapped and the old one was reinstated without a care for the return window.

I know lots of 1st or infrequent timers who thinks this is a great system.

No. Not most. Not by a long shot. But hyperbole is always fun for trying to make a point.

 

[Angel Ariel]

My guess is that they are doing this to make sure that people actually have to be in the park to get these extra FPs.

Just like you had to be in the park to get a paper FP.

The aignificant difference now is that you will be able to get any available FP at any kiosk instead of going to the machine located at the attraction itself.

As pointed out...the tech exists to make that requirement even using the app. Disney has used that tech themselves on a previous version of their app. I think the reason why they are saying kiosk only has far more to do with infrastructure needs than anything else.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Regarding using the kiosks only to get the additional FP+....does anyone else remember reading an article within the last 3 weeks where one of the main Disney dudes (sorry can't remember which one) said something about how they didn't have to have as many kiosks in the park b/c so many folks were using the app? I don't believe I dreamt that. Just curious because this would lead me to believe at some point in time additional ones can be booked via the app. I would guess like PP have said they know the system can't handle all that traffic right now.

 

[morethananyonex]

Most of the haters said they would only be happy if the entire system was scrapped and the old one was reinstated without a care for the return window.

I know lots of 1st or infrequent timers who thinks this is a great system.

No, many said they would be happy if that happened, but not only if that happened. Most recognize that Disney has not made this change simply to go back on it.

 

[morethananyonex]

Regarding using the kiosks only to get the additional FP+....does anyone else remember reading an article within the last 3 weeks where one of the main Disney dudes (sorry can't remember which one) said something about how they didn't have to have as many kiosks in the park b/c so many folks were using the app? I don't believe I dreamt that. Just curious because this would lead me to believe at some point in time additional ones can be booked via the app. I would guess like PP have said they know the system can't handle all that traffic right now.

It's gotta be coming eventually, it just doesn't make sense for them to decide this is kiosk only permanently. They have this app they've created to book FP+ on, and they have CM's manning the kiosks and even extras with iPads. You'd think if they eventually allow all FP+ bookings to be done on the app, they can reduce their kiosk workforce.

Like someone already said, they've used the technology before to ensure guests are in the parks. There shouldn't be too much of a difference between a guest using an in park kiosk vs a guest using their device in park in terms of FP+ usage. The main barrier (that a guest must be in the park) can still be in place. Maybe they just have as much faith in their app as many of us do