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

[Love Tink]

It is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I used extra exclamation points to prove it so.

It's not JUST about the exclamation points, though!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is ALSO about how many emoticons you use. The more emoticons, the more seriously I take you.

 

[OtherScott]

Excellent post! I really do not like the fact that FP+s are magically appearing throughout the day. Is this the plan. So my fam of 6 can't change to Buzz but the fam of 6 behind me in line can b/c they asked at the magical time. At least with FP- everyone saw the same thing. Now we have no way of knowing. And if that is a goal for the system, fine...but at least be up front about it. Tell us what we're working with. I honestly don't think Disney knows the end plan tho. They' just keep testing and changing forever.

Disney could be populating your menu of FP choices based on expediency (quarter-hour increments as opposed to 5-minute increments), some sort of unadvertised tiering (based on resort class), and ever-changing availability (guest cancellation).

An alternative to FP cancellations being re-entered into the menu as available would be for FP+ to simply ignore and not re-issue, which I cant see as being good for Disney or their guests. An alternative to general availability would be to cram micro data out to everyone's smartphone, computer and kiosk and paralyze the consumers and the system.

While FP- was more transparent, it did require you go physically go to the ride. The trade off with FP+ is that you can see this from anywhere.

It's still April and "full implementation" occurred less than 4 months ago, following months of staggered implementation. Of course it is still being assessed, or "tested." Any system should be assessed for it's entire life.

I think what the PP was trying to get at is that capacity was built in from the start. It was statistically probable that additional FPs would be offered but Disney had to wait and see what the increase usage would be. Once their models were tested and proven, the next question was "how do you want your additional FPs?"

If Disney had the capacity to offer additional FPs but didn't until people complained, what were they going to do with those FP time slots? They have no value outside of guests using them, and that value expires at closing time every night.

And if they didn't have capacity from the start, how can they offer additional FPs in response to consumer complaints?

I think it's obvious that additional FPs were always in the plan (I dont have any friends in-the-know), with form and function TBD based on actual use. Can you imagine launching FP+ with 4, then having to scale back to 3?

 

[ArwenMarie]

I think it's obvious that additional FPs were always in the plan (I dont have any friends in-the-know), with form and function TBD based on actual use. Can you imagine launching FP+ with 4, then having to scale back to 3?

They did scale back since the test started. When the test started, there weren't tiers in Epcot or DHS, which is a massive form of scaling back. There was also a 4th FP in MK. The 4th FP in MK was technically a "bonus" FP but that went on for a while. If they end up tiering MK or AK or both, that will be another form of scaling back.

But you're right, scaling back is generally not well-received.

 

[magicbob]

Disney could be populating your menu of FP choices based on expediency (quarter-hour increments as opposed to 5-minute increments), some sort of unadvertised tiering (based on resort class), and ever-changing availability (guest cancellation).

You may have shined a light on the insidious underbelly of FP+. Perhaps it's no accident or glitch that causes some people to see only Stitch and CoP while others are seeing multiple offerings for A&E. Maybe it's because the program only shows those choice FPs to certain guests?!?!?!? But if it can be blamed on "glitches" and "testing" they have plausible deniability. How long will it be before guests staying at Deluxe resorts get texts announcing they've been "randomly" chosen to receive a "bonus" FP+? And it's not some worthless Captain EO FP+ but a Test Track FP+ when they already have Soarin' scheduled! Conspiracy theorists unite!

 

[OtherScott]

You may have shined a light on the insidious underbelly of FP+. Perhaps it's no accident or glitch that causes some people to see only Stitch and CoP while others are seeing multiple offerings for A&E. Maybe it's because the program only shows those choice FPs to certain guests?!?!?!? But if it can be blamed on "glitches" and "testing" they have plausible deniability. How long will it be before guests staying at Deluxe resorts get texts announcing they've been "randomly" chosen to receive a "bonus" FP+? And it's not some worthless Captain EO FP+ but a Test Track FP+ when they already have Soarin' scheduled! Conspiracy theorists unite!

To be fair, others (clsteve?) put the light on this. But, yeah, as long as people can cancel FPs up until time of redemption, miracles will happen everyday.

 

[CarlaLovesDisney]

 

[KatieCharlotte]

To be fair, others (clsteve?) put the light on this. But, yeah, as long as people can cancel FPs up until time of redemption, miracles will happen everyday.

I heard a CM telling guests that FPs going back into the system was the best part of FP+, but I still find it hard to believe that the supply changes as much as it seems to based entirely on guests cancelling FPs. I mean, who in their right mind would book and then cancel A&E?

Can someone please put together a scientific experiment to test whether people with different tickets and different resort reservations see the same thing at the same time?

 

[magicbob]

I heard a CM telling guests that FPs going back into the system was the best part of FP+, but I still find it hard to believe that the supply changes as much as it seems to based entirely on guests cancelling FPs. I mean, who in their right mind would book and then cancel A&E?

Can someone please put together a scientific experiment to test whether people with different tickets and different resort reservations see the same thing at the same time?

Scientific experiment, Schmientific experiment... what we need is some confidential, insider, whistle-blower information from a secret source. Let's ask a bus driver!

 

[OtherScott]

I heard a CM telling guests that FPs going back into the system was the best part of FP+, but I still find it hard to believe that the supply changes as much as it seems to based entirely on guests cancelling FPs. I mean, who in their right mind would book and then cancel A&E?

This board is replete with people talking about cancelling and changing FPs day of. I would think that the likelihood goes up somewhat proportionally to the amount of time between booking (30-60 days) and actual visit.

This is undoubtedly less pervasive with limited capacity attractions.

Given the array of variables and state of constant flux, trying to figure out why this happened versus that would be like trying to separate fly-dung from pepper.

 

[OtherScott]

Scientific experiment, Schmientific experiment... what we need is some confidential, insider, whistle-blower information from a secret source. Let's ask a bus driver!

 

[clsteve]

Scientific experiment, Schmientific experiment... what we need is some confidential, insider, whistle-blower information from a secret source. Let's ask a bus driver!

With Summer just around the corner, 7DMT opening, and the continued issue with A&E, I'll be very surprised if we don't see some interesting anomalies popping up on who can see what and at what available times.

Like "I'm off-site and was able to get everything I wanted in the morning but the only time I can get 7DMT is at 7pm....."

Followed by "that's funny I'm going to be staying at BC on the same day and just booked 7DMT for 10am...."

 

[2Tiggies]

Scientific experiment, Schmientific experiment... what we need is some confidential, insider, whistle-blower information from a secret source. Let's ask a bus driver!

With Summer just around the corner, 7DMT opening, and the continued issue with A&E, I'll be very surprised if we don't see some interesting anomalies popping up on who can see what and at what available times.

Like "I'm off-site and was able to get everything I wanted in the morning but the only time I can get 7DMT is at 7pm....."

Followed by "that's funny I'm going to be staying at BC on the same day and just booked 7DMT for 10am...."

I believe you are correct. With 6 weeks to go, I'm going to be paying careful attention to all reports posted here. I noticed some interesting 'trends' when I was booking my FPs for this trip too. All is not as it seems ...

 

[mom2rtk]

With Summer just around the corner, 7DMT opening, and the continued issue with A&E, I'll be very surprised if we don't see some interesting anomalies popping up on who can see what and at what available times.

Like "I'm off-site and was able to get everything I wanted in the morning but the only time I can get 7DMT is at 7pm....."

Followed by "that's funny I'm going to be staying at BC on the same day and just booked 7DMT for 10am...."

So you're thinking it would be more than just coincidence if off-site guests were only offered FP times over the dinner hour?

 

[Mad Hattered]

Come on, people!!! Someone blow through their 3 FP+s already and try to get more. We are waiting, ya know!

I can't wait until Shaden is there this week.

 

[Planogirl]

You may have shined a light on the insidious underbelly of FP+. Perhaps it's no accident or glitch that causes some people to see only Stitch and CoP while others are seeing multiple offerings for A&E. Maybe it's because the program only shows those choice FPs to certain guests?!?!?!? But if it can be blamed on "glitches" and "testing" they have plausible deniability. How long will it be before guests staying at Deluxe resorts get texts announcing they've been "randomly" chosen to receive a "bonus" FP+? And it's not some worthless Captain EO FP+ but a Test Track FP+ when they already have Soarin' scheduled! Conspiracy theorists unite!

Why would Disney stay quiet about this though? If one goal is to get more people to stay onsite why wouldn't they make it clear that the FP+ offerings could be better for onsite visitors?

Unless of course this is being tested right now...

 

[OtherScott]

With Summer just around the corner, 7DMT opening, and the continued issue with A&E, I'll be very surprised if we don't see some interesting anomalies popping up on who can see what and at what available times.

Like "I'm off-site and was able to get everything I wanted in the morning but the only time I can get 7DMT is at 7pm....."

Followed by "that's funny I'm going to be staying at BC on the same day and just booked 7DMT for 10am...."

Just hit me like a brick:

We were in Vegas a few years back (when tipping got you better seats at dinner shows) and I thought I was pretty generous when greasing the manager's palm upon arrival. The booth for 6 was merely okay, but not what I expected. I intended to complain - after I got a drink.

After about 10 minutes the manager comes and tells my wife and I (and only my wife and I) he thinks we'd be more comfortable at another table and escorts us to a much better booth (for 4), leaving behind the couples we were seated with.

Talking to the new couple, who look like extras in every Vegas movie you've ever seen, the husband tells me the manager makes a mental (and sometimes written) note of everyone's tip and adjusts seating according to how the tips are rolling in. His biggest fear is that someone will tell their friends that they got a good seat with a lousy tip.

Vic tells me that we were merely placed "on hold" in the first booth while they assessed this night's tip range. Interesting fact - Vic says if you're seated in the middle of a 6 person booth, you ain't moving up.

FP+ will be like a Vegas showroom manager.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

Come on, people!!! Someone blow through their 3 FP+s already and try to get more. We are waiting, ya know!

I can't wait until Shaden is there this week.

I was just thinking the same thing!

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Come on, people!!! Someone blow through their 3 FP+s already and try to get more. We are waiting, ya know!

That really can't happen until after 12:00 ET, since only 1 FP+ per hour can be booked. Even understanding that, I anxiously checked this thread anyway, since anyone who booked 9-10, 10-11, and 11-12 could conceivably be looking at FP+ #4 right now, if they rode a ride with FP #3 right at 11:00 ET...

 

[clsteve]

Just hit me like a brick:

We were in Vegas a few years back (when tipping got you better seats at dinner shows) and I thought I was pretty generous when greasing the manager's palm upon arrival. The booth for 6 was merely okay, but not what I expected. I intended to complain - after I got a drink.

After about 10 minutes the manager comes and tells my wife and I (and only my wife and I) he thinks we'd be more comfortable at another table and escorts us to a much better booth (for 4), leaving behind the couples we were seated with.

Talking to the new couple, who look like extras in every Vegas movie you've ever seen, the husband tells me the manager makes a mental (and sometimes written) note of everyone's tip and adjusts seating according to how the tips are rolling in. His biggest fear is that someone will tell their friends that they got a good seat with a lousy tip.

Vic tells me that we were merely placed "on hold" in the first booth while they assessed this night's tip range. Interesting fact - Vic says if you're seated in the middle of a 6 person booth, you ain't moving up.

FP+ will be like a Vegas showroom manager.

If only we could slip a Jackson to a CM here or there to get another Tier One FP.........

 

[crazyventures]

So glad I know about the Dis because FP+ has already changed a billion times since I started planning and I still have seven months left to go!

I can only imagine how confusing this new system is for people who don't plan.