I am beginning to lose hope...

[mom2rtk]

My opinion on this is that the FP+ system will always be changing/improving, Disney isn't going to just sit idle especially since they're leading the way with this technology in the first place. Will it happen as quickly as we want? Likely not. I am also waiting on the ability to add additional FP on my phone, to me that would make a good system great. And as a previous posted said, if that change is still long term, then more kiosks would be really nice.

I do agree with that. They might have a great desire to make refinements right now. But if they don't have the capacity, that really limits what they can do for some time.

 

[JanaDee]

My opinion on this is that the FP+ system will always be changing/improving, Disney isn't going to just sit idle especially since they're leading the way with this technology in the first place. Will it happen as quickly as we want? Likely not. I am also waiting on the ability to add additional FP on my phone, to me that would make a good system great. And as a previous posted said, if that change is still long term, then more kiosks would be really nice.

RFID isn't new.

 

[Laketravis]

The kiosks serve their intended purpose as speed bumps.

Hidden in alcoves and behind walls they are not readily visible. The long lines sometimes hide the temporary signs pointing to them. Navigating the selection process is slow and cumbersome. The CM's attempt to speed up novice users and slow down advanced users. They promote lame choices as desirable and encourage you to take what is first presented. They often greet the next guest with the question "What do you want?" and often diffuse expectations by replying that the chances of getting that are slim to none.

Moving this process to an efficient self-serve app would deplete all available attraction inventory by noon.

 

[MrInfinity]

This is an interesting point. The Dis Board poll from 2 weeks ago revealed that 39 percent of responders believe that FP+ currently is not good but could be good if changes are made. I would guess that many of the changes that people would like to see are the changes that you have discussed here. But there really is no indication that any of these changes are on the horizon. It will be interesting to see how all of this onfolds.

The changes people out here really want are to have a system more like FP-, which they were able to use more extensively at the expense of other guests using it little or not at all. Essentially, "to be able to ride more rides repeat times even if other guests get to not ride at all" like we could before, is not going to happen.I do think we'll see the SDFP+ come to the phones. This to me is inevitable progress.

I have one day hoppers coming up. I have my first three initial FP+. I assumed once they were used I would be able to use MY PHONE/the app (because this seems like a no-brainer) to either check for more FP+ in the first park, or line up new FP+ for another park to hop to. It sounds like am wrong on both counts?

Correct, Fastpass has never worked this way, and it was not possible under FP- to pull passes to a ride you were not at, let alone a park you were not in, because you had to go to the ride first. Now you need go only to the nearest kiosk. As to pulling more passes in a day, it actually works pretty well. If you don't let yourself be swayed by the disboards, when you get to the parks, you find the kiosks are convenient, and especially at the MK, have availability for many popular rides well into the day. The pulling on your phone should be developed eventually, it's just not there yet.

Making people go to the kiosk is a time sink, it ultimately reduces demand on rides, and spreads the capacity further. This is the entire point of FP+.

Exactly. Already you don't have to go to the Kiosk any more for your first 3, and they'll get there w the rest of them. As you point out this is not so much a coding issue, (tho it is more than the 30 min you trivialize it as)... it's more an issue of planning and marketing. Dis marketing probly has had many a meeting over the best way. There are tradeoffs. Like you don't want to create a system that is like FP-... that is, one that allows people to get an edge by doing it better or faster than the next guest.

I have to fall back to... if people are waiting for Disney to make a change to the system that allows an individual to pull more than the average guest by being faster or knowing the system better (like FP-), I think you'll be disappointed going forward, cuz I've got no indication they're angling toward that.

 

[mom2rtk]

The kiosks serve their intended purpose as speed bumps.

Hidden in alcoves and behind walls they are not readily visible. The long lines sometimes hide the temporary signs pointing to them. Navigating the selection process is slow and cumbersome. The CM's attempt to speed up novice users and slow down advanced users. They promote lame choices as desirable and encourage you to take what is first presented. They often greet the next guest with the question "What do you want?" and often diffuse expectations by replying that the chances of getting that are slim to none.

Moving this process to an efficient self-serve app would deplete all available attraction inventory by noon.

.......... and there is no quick fix for that.

 

[cakebaker]

My opinion on this is that the FP+ system will always be changing/improving, Disney isn't going to just sit idle especially since they're leading the way with this technology in the first place. Will it happen as quickly as we want? Likely not. I am also waiting on the ability to add additional FP on my phone, to me that would make a good system great. And as a previous posted said, if that change is still long term, then more kiosks would be really nice.

I agree- it's the one thing I'd love to see happen. Tiers are no fun- but the cure for that isn't quick and I'm not sure we'll ever lose them completely in Epcot. That's ok with me, I don't see Epcot as a ride park anyway, it's more of an experience rather than just hopping from ride to ride.

 

[Dis703]

I think it's likely to continue to change, but as for the tiers I don't see that happening. Like others have said there just aren't enough headliners for people to ride in HS or Epcot. I do agree it would be nice to be able to use the app to add the additional FP though. I'm not quite sure why they require the use of the kiosks for that.

 

[lugnut33]

Good thing they are bringing this to Disneyland.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

Hmm, it sounds like I might have assumed some things that aren't true, and I'm sorry if I'm about to ask dumb questions, but I'm only about two weeks into 'studying' Disney for the first time in years and years.

I have one day hoppers coming up. I have my first three initial FP+. I assumed once they were used I would be able to use MY PHONE/the app (because this seems like a no-brainer) to either check for more FP+ in the first park, or line up new FP+ for another park to hop to. It sounds like am wrong on both counts?

Once you get your 4th FP, you can change it on the app though. It's important to note that may people have reported seeing FP+ choices on the app that they were not given at the kiosks.

I guess that would be okay, but have you ever seen the lines for the kiosks??!! They are alway crazy long. Seems like such a waste of time to me. And it still doesn't explain why they won't allow you to park-hop and get a 4th FP.

They definitely need to add more kiosks in the Magic Kingdom. The 4 locations that they have available are not enough.

The kiosks serve their intended purpose as speed bumps.

Hidden in alcoves and behind walls they are not readily visible. The long lines sometimes hide the temporary signs pointing to them. Navigating the selection process is slow and cumbersome. The CM's attempt to speed up novice users and slow down advanced users. They promote lame choices as desirable and encourage you to take what is first presented. They often greet the next guest with the question "What do you want?" and often diffuse expectations by replying that the chances of getting that are slim to none.

Moving this process to an efficient self-serve app would deplete all available attraction inventory by noon.

I am not a fan of FP+, but the few times I used the kiosks, I found CMs to be very helpful. I certainly didn't get the impression that they were misleading anyone.

The changes people out here really want are to have a system more like FP-, which they were able to use more extensively at the expense of other guests using it little or not at all. Essentially, "to be able to ride more rides repeat times even if other guests get to not ride at all" like we could before, is not going to happen.I do think we'll see the SDFP+ come to the phones. This to me is inevitable progress.



Correct, Fastpass has never worked this way, and it was not possible under FP- to pull passes to a ride you were not at, let alone a park you were not in, because you had to go to the ride first. Now you need go only to the nearest kiosk. As to pulling more passes in a day, it actually works pretty well. If you don't let yourself be swayed by the disboards, when you get to the parks, you find the kiosks are convenient, and especially at the MK, have availability for many popular rides well into the day. The pulling on your phone should be developed eventually, it's just not there yet.

I think there are plenty of people who would be happy with some of the changes previously discussed; especially the removal of tiers and the ability get 4th FP via app. I personally would like to see the resrevation window shortened so that I don't need to make so may decisions 60 days out, but I can live with the booking window the way it is now. Personally, I did not find the kiosks convenient. There are only 4 sets of kisosk in the Magic Kingdom, which led to more backtracking for us and the lines there were long. This would be an easy thing for Disney to fix since I know they had more kiosks open before.

I agree- it's the one thing I'd love to see happen. Tiers are no fun- but the cure for that isn't quick and I'm not sure we'll ever lose them completely in Epcot. That's ok with me, I don't see Epcot as a ride park anyway, it's more of an experience rather than just hopping from ride to ride.

I am hoping that if they really are building a 3rd theater for Soarin and another track for TSMM (have those been confirmed?) that it will help with capacity. I just wish Disney would build stop spreading their projects out over such long periods.

 

[Laketravis]

I am not a fan of FP+, but the few times I used the kiosks, I found CMs to be very helpful. I certainly didn't get the impression that they were misleading anyone.

I don't think they are purposely trying to mislead anyone either but when I hear them recommend to a guest that they go ahead and take that FP for Figment I can't help but chuckle

 

[mom2rtk]

I am hoping that if they really are building a 3rd theater for Soarin and another track for TSMM (have those been confirmed?) that it will help with capacity. I just wish Disney would build stop spreading their projects out over such long periods.

Or maybe they could innovate and come up with something new?

I mean, those attractions are great and all, but part of their demand is the lack of other rides in those parks.

 

[cakebaker]

I am hoping that if they really are building a 3rd theater for Soarin and another track for TSMM (have those been confirmed?) that it will help with capacity. I just wish Disney would build stop spreading their projects out over such long periods.

Soarin is in desperate need of an update- we haven't even bothered riding it the last couple of trips. An update and a 3rd screen would be nice. No matter one's opinion on Frozen coming to Epcot, I look for that to draw a huge crowd for a while at least- who can predict when and if that particular craze will slow down.

 

[jlundeen]

Just weighing in with my 2 cents worth, (late to the party again). I have had mixed results using FP+. Sometimes, I get exactly what I want, and sometimes, not...but the I usually go to WDW when the crowds are low, never during crazy packed times. And, I guess my main goal is not to get on all the rides numerous times...I really enjoy just being in the parks and people watching, and of course, shopping. I've often missed my FP+ time because I was doing something else, or couldn't get back in time, and (just talking about myself here), often it didn't really make a big difference to my overall happiness that day. If I can hit my favorite rides a couple of times during my visit, I'm a happy camper.

This past trip, we also did a day at Universal...and while I was there, it struck me how different these experience are. Universal is really a RIDE park, more of an old fashioned "amusement" park kind of place...Disney is a "immersion experience" kind of place - with rides. Universal SELLS express passes so you can go to the front of the line...if you want to hit lots of rides, you buy the pass. Disney gives the FP+ away as fairly as they can so everyone has a chance to get them...not really working as they envisioned, I'm sure, but there it is.

So, my question is, would you rather PAY for a front of the line pass like at Universal? I know sometimes, I probably would, and sometimes I wouldn't... But I can hear critics saying that offering a "Paid Express Pass" to the mix would just makes it more elitist...

Seems to me that there is no easy answer...how can you ensure that everyone (all gazillion of the visitors each year) has the chance to have a vacation where they can do most of what they really came there to do?

I don't know....

 

[mom2rtk]

Seems to me that there is no easy answer...how can you ensure that everyone (all gazillion of the visitors each year) has the chance to have a vacation where they can do most of what they really came there to do?

First come, first served?

Nah, it would never work.

 

[Laketravis]

Just weighing in with my 2 cents worth, (late to the party again). I have had mixed results using FP+. Sometimes, I get exactly what I want, and sometimes, not...but the I usually go to WDW when the crowds are low, never during crazy packed times. And, I guess my main goal is not to get on all the rides numerous times...I really enjoy just being in the parks and people watching, and of course, shopping. I've often missed my FP+ time because I was doing something else, or couldn't get back in time, and (just talking about myself here), often it didn't really make a big difference to my overall happiness that day. If I can hit my favorite rides a couple of times during my visit, I'm a happy camper.

This past trip, we also did a day at Universal...and while I was there, it struck me how different these experience are. Universal is really a RIDE park, more of an old fashioned "amusement" park kind of place...Disney is a "immersion experience" kind of place - with rides. Universal SELLS express passes so you can go to the front of the line...if you want to hit lots of rides, you buy the pass. Disney gives the FP+ away as fairly as they can so everyone has a chance to get them...not really working as they envisioned, I'm sure, but there it is.

So, my question is, would you rather PAY for a front of the line pass like at Universal? I know sometimes, I probably would, and sometimes I wouldn't... But I can hear critics saying that offering a "Paid Express Pass" to the mix would just makes it more elitist...

Nice post. I think charging for something in order to control demand is just smart business. Disney is the only park system that doesn't charge for it's line-bypass queuing system; while that's noble and benevolent in some regards, it introduces the same issues one would see with anything else that is "free" - increased demand.

Do I think Disney should introduce a charge for some or all of FP? Yes.
Would I pay for it? Probably not.

Seems to me that there is no easy answer...how can you ensure that everyone (all gazillion of the visitors each year) has the chance to have a vacation where they can do most of what they really came there to do?

I think the answer is easy but the effort required immense. Disney simply needs more for all of those guests to do. And not just "more" but more things those guests want to do. Some will respond that's too expensive or takes too long, but this problem didn't manifest itself because nobody goes to WDW and spends money - the problem is that so many people DO go and spend money. Lot's of it. So instead of returning that money to shareholders in the form of dividends or using it to fund massive IT endeavors, it probably would have made sense to reinvest those profits into the parks by building many more attractions and that should have started years ago. You brought up Universal and made some good points about it being a "ride" park - and they are demonstrating that they can do a pretty good job building some very popular rides quickly and relatively inexpensively to keep up with demand.

And a large portion of those gazillions of visitors to WDW actually like to partake in a few rides while they are there

 

[MrInfinity]

I think there are plenty of people who would be happy with some of the changes previously discussed; especially the removal of tiers and the ability get 4th FP via app. I personally would like to see the resrevation window shortened so that I don't need to make so may decisions 60 days out, but I can live with the booking window the way it is now. Personally, I did not find the kiosks convenient. There are only 4 sets of kisosk in the Magic Kingdom, which led to more backtracking for us and the lines there were long. This would be an easy thing for Disney to fix since I know they had more kiosks open before.

Right, this would be awesome. No tiers. a.k.a. "I want two". "Give me fast passes to Soarin and Test Track and I'll buy in." That's just not going to happen. It is hoping for the impossible. Disney has no incentive - whatsoever - to ever give one guest -- two fast passes to TT/Soarin, and another guest none. Save for maybe giving the resort guests two and offsite guests one. If Disney had to pick, they would angle it this way, and off-siters would be more outraged than they already are. Disney just will not make it such that a savvy traveler can get an extra before every guest has gotten one. And by the time every guest gets one, there are none left.

If you suggest removing Tiering, such a suggestion HAS to be paired with WHO you would say should not get Fast Passes at all. Should it be first come first serve? Should it be a lottery system? Should it be based on rope drop?

I am hoping that if they really are building a 3rd theater for Soarin and another track for TSMM (have those been confirmed?) that it will help with capacity. I just wish Disney would build stop spreading their projects out over such long periods.

This will help... but it will take time. We'll see when Star Wars is done, if the combination of TSMM/SW/RR has enough capacity to give each guest a 2nd FP in tier 1. But we're talking 3 years or more out.

 

[HopperFan]

Moving this process to an efficient self-serve app would deplete all available attraction inventory by noon.

Totally agree with this.

I am hoping that if they really are building a 3rd theater for Soarin and another track for TSMM (have those been confirmed?) that it will help with capacity. I just wish Disney would build stop spreading their projects out over such long periods.

Soarin is in desperate need of an update- we haven't even bothered riding it the last couple of trips. An update and a 3rd screen would be nice. No matter one's opinion on Frozen coming to Epcot, I look for that to draw a huge crowd for a while at least- who can predict when and if that particular craze will slow down.

Soarin' is happening. Permits started filing in November for it. It's called Project 87 (each screen has capacity for 87 guests). The new movie is in process and is said to be the same being produced for Disneyland Shanghai - Horizons, a global view movie. The movie will start when the new screen opens. Screens will be dedicated to either FP+ or Standby. Completion date September 30, 2016.

I don't think they are purposely trying to mislead anyone either but when I hear them recommend to a guest that they go ahead and take that FP for Figment I can't help but chuckle

Was there MLK weekend and we got in the Standby line - it was all the way out the door!!! Was certainly a new experience for us.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

Right, this would be awesome. No tiers. a.k.a. "I want two". "Give me fast passes to Soarin and Test Track and I'll buy in." That's just not going to happen. It is hoping for the impossible. Disney has no incentive - whatsoever - to ever give one guest -- two fast passes to TT/Soarin, and another guest none. Save for maybe giving the resort guests two and offsite guests one. If Disney had to pick, they would angle it this way, and off-siters would be more outraged than they already are. Disney just will not make it such that a savvy traveler can get an extra before every guest has gotten one. And by the time every guest gets one, there are none left.

If you suggest removing Tiering, such a suggestion HAS to be paired with WHO you would say should not get Fast Passes at all. Should it be first come first serve? Should it be a lottery system? Should it be based on rope drop?



This will help... but it will take time. We'll see when Star Wars is done, if the combination of TSMM/SW/RR has enough capacity to give each guest a 2nd FP in tier 1. But we're talking 3 years or more out.

I had a bunch of replies typed up, but they got lost.....

Well they could try building more attractions. I find it frustrating that outside of Avatarland, Disney hasn't even announced any other plans for expansions (that don'tinclude shoopping or eating.) There have been hints and rumors, but nothing solid. And I honestly don't know why it takes them so long to complete something new.
I feel like Disney has been resting on laurels for the last few years. I think they may finally be realizing that they need to catch up, but they seem to be in no hurry to do so.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

Soarin' is happening. Permits started filing in November for it. It's called Project 87 (each screen has capacity for 87 guests). The new movie is in process and is said to be the same being produced for Disneyland Shanghai - Horizons, a global view movie. The movie will start when the new screen opens. Screens will be dedicated to either FP+ or Standby. Completion date September 30, 2016.

Thank for the update.

 

[cakebaker]

Soarin' is happening. Permits started filing in November for it. It's called Project 87 (each screen has capacity for 87 guests). The new movie is in process and is said to be the same being produced for Disneyland Shanghai - Horizons, a global view movie. The movie will start when the new screen opens. Screens will be dedicated to either FP+ or Standby. Completion date September 30, 2016.

Glad to hear that! It used to be one of my favorite rides and can't wait to see the new and improved version!