I got an e-mail from Guest Communications...UPDATE Post 58

[B.B. Sots]

My suggestion on FP+ is to have 3 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon. This can be done a few different ways, but based on what is current with the tiered system is to have 1 tier one for AM and PM.

This would also work to allow for park Hopping as guests could pick a different park for the PM FP options.

All Pipe dreams at this point... But if Disney has taught me anything is that a dream is a wish your heart makes.

 

[wisblue]

I tried asking questions about what the system would look like in the future, and they were all dodged around. No real answers given on anything

The people you are talking to on the phone probably don't know what is going to happen in the future and would be prohibited from telling you if they did know.

So, I wouldn't expect to get any useful information that way.

 

[CAHarwell]

My suggestions would be:
- 3 FP+ per park per day in advance
- once reserved FP+ are used, additional FP+ can be reserved (1 at a time) in that park.

So, in a nutshell, up to 12 FP+ per day can be pre-booked, but no more than 3 per park. Upon arrival, you can start reserving them 1 at a time at any park where you have used your pre-booked FP+.

Not too difficult, really

 

[Angel Ariel]

JMO, but if I were the one speaking to you and you could not offer real examples of how each of your complaints negatively impacted your vacation, I would dismiss them out of hand.

I wrote to Disney and started off with how much i love Disney, how often we visit, how we've created many lifetime memories there over many milestones, and how we are excited to pass that tradition down to our daughter. I followed up with concerns that I have. In discussing the concerns, I illustrated our experience with the previous system and what exactly about the new system concerns us given previous experiences. I followed that up with possible solutions to the concerns I listed, and closed with emphasizing that all of the uncertainty surrounding the system was making us hesitant to book another trip until this is all worked out (not that we would never go again, but that we were postponing in a situation we otherwise wouldn't).

If Disney just wanted to dismiss me out of hand because I haven't actually booked FP+, they wouldn't have called me. Many other posters here reported sending in negative feedback and never hearing back from Disney. A 20 min personal phone call to follow up is not what I would call dismissing out of hand

The CM on the phone was not dismissive with me as I was talking to her either. on the contrary, she was very understanding and appreciated the situations I brought up and sincerely listened to the possible solutions I gave. Now, I'm not naive enough to think that that means anything I said will necessarily go anywhere - but I wouldn't think that even if I had had FP+ before writing the e-mail.

 

[GigiDisneyfreak]

I don't mind the sound of fp+, so I would just ask to be able to use in more than one park, end the tiering, and add a 4th. Otherwise, I like the idea.

I agree these are my biggest concerns. I also agree with someone else who said MK needs more than the other parks.

 

[Angel Ariel]

The people you are talking to on the phone probably don't know what is going to happen in the future and would be prohibited from telling you if they did know.

So, I wouldn't expect to get any useful information that way.

I wasn't expecting to get any useful information. Like Amy said, I was asking just to see if I could get any hints at all. She suggested the OP do the same, so I thought I'd share my experience.

 

[dayvewc]

LOL, well not that I think it would happen, but hey, I'll go for that. LOL


OP, are they calling you for suggestions or to answer your questions? I'd be asking some questions as to the current status of the system and how different it might look in the future according to the plans they already have set in place. See if you can get some semblance of an answer out of them.

Love this idea. Please, please, please let there be something even if it is only "we would hope to be able to do ___________ eventually"

As for my suggestions,

1) allow fewer than 3 pre-booking. The only things I enjoy riding in Epcot are Maelstrom and Soarin'. Why do I have to book something else when I know for a fact I won't be riding? That just takes a potential slot away from someone else who may want to ride it?

2) allow me to adjust the times for my pre-bookings more exactly. Instead of offering me only "on the hour times" (9-10, 10-11, 11-12, etc.) allow me to specify that I want 1:25 - 2:25 for a ride.

3) definitely allow there to be a total of 3 reservations at a time. Once I've used 1, I can select another if it is available.

3.a) on the continuing selections, allow re-rides. Even if you keep the tiers, this works. I select TSMM, Star Tours, and Muppets at HS, after I ride TSMM, I can select it again OR I could select RnRC.

4) do away with tiers, although I can understand how this may not be possible until massive capacity are added to some parks (HS and EP).

5) allow reservations in multiple parks, even if they keep the 3 per day and/or add a delay between times to allow for travel. So I could reserve Soarin' at 9 am (9-10 time slot), then ToT but not until 11:30 (11:30 - 12:30), then EE at 2 pm (2 - 3) (allowing 90 minutes between parks).

5.a) obviously, I'd like to see the limit of 3 per day go away, but I also believe that part of the imposition is a tacit acknowledgement from Disney that the capacity simply does not exist to allow each guest to have 12 FP+ a day (one scheduled every hour).

 

[3LittleMouses]

I too talked to a Disney Guest service last week. She was very nice and understood. I explained I thought it was great Disney was looking to better the experience. So I hope they will listen to feed back. I told her I had 3 children and thought 3 FP was very limiting (specially for MK) . I gave her an example of us standing in long lines*Stand By) and this is what children will remember. They will be come fussy and tired. They will end up going back to the hotel instead of enjoying the parks and of course shopping.
I told her I really liked the ideal of scheduling it but 3 FP is not worth money we would pay to stand in line.
She did mention, executives are looking at feed back and she was looking to determine when the Last official date of testing to make changes. She did not know when that was.

 

[jennyerin]

Option for texts instead of email for ride notifications.

Kiosks should be able to do everything the APP does- when you are in the park and want to change parks for FP+ you can't do it on Kiosks.

Improved wifi, many people are from other countries or are using other types of devices that rely on wifi, the app is unusable on wifi.

I would love texts as my e-mail isn't always as quick!

If they still do tiering, at least allow more headliners for HS and EPCOT. I can't do a lot of rides due to motion sickness but my family would choose RNR over TSM if they could only choose one (and I'd have to ride TSM alone.)

 

[ougrad86]

Tiering has upset me more than anything. The lack of FP's, especially in MK is another issue. And if you could make more FP+'s - if there are any remaining after your originals are used up - that would be nice, including rides you have already been on.

I would love being able to double up on headliners at 60 days, but I do understand what a PP said about not being able to ride those once they get in the parks if they were all pre-reserved.

Looking forward to here how it went

 

[Shaden]

Remove tiering (not that they will)
Allow more than 3 (4 even would be much better)
Allow people to pull more FPs from those unused once they have used all 3 of their pre-scheduled FPs

Just to name 3really quick.

 

[RhodyJim]

Why does the phone app need access to my phone's camera, network communications, Phone calls, location, and Battery/shutdown? I am not sure the benefits of the new system outweigh the intrusion on privacy.

Wait until you find out how they are tracking you through the park with access to information about all of your reservations and all purchases you made. See the terms and conditions.

 

[Ravenne]

I don't mind the sound of fp+, so I would just ask to be able to use in more than one park, end the tiering, and add a 4th. Otherwise, I like the idea.

This exactly.

I'd like to see some sort of resolution to allow people cancel a FP+ late in the day and still have other FP+s to get.
I'd also like for them to fix the MDE while in parks. Make it functional and be a LOT LESS of a battery drain on devices.

 

[Disneychick75]

I also think DVC OWNERS, (not people renting points), should get unlimited, all parks FP. I'm not even a DVC owner, and I firmly believe this. With the excessive amount those people pour into WDW property, they deserve it. The ability to pool hop just isn't enough of a perk for them. They deserve more.

I love you!

I agree with:
6 FPs for MK
Also like the idea of starting with 3 and then allowing for more. Some people might book in advance and then not show up for some reason.

No tiering or if they have to tier, let guests choose 2 top rides at least at DHS because of RnR, ToT, and TSM.
3 is fine for Epcot.

I would have added allowing offsite guests to book in advance but I just saw Disney is about to start allowing this.

Tuffcookie, thanks for including our input.

 

[Bluegrrl]

I got the same email from Disney. I created a list of issues from my recent visit as well as possible solutions. I thought everything through and then called and spoke with a nice cm. You can find my post on "Disney is listening" thread.

Most concerning to me were rides with fp on them that have historically never needed fp+ (mansion/pirates), lack of recycle info on box for mb and the mb in general, and tiering of rides (Maelstrom = test track? Really?).
We talked about others as well. Be kind, tell them what Disney means to you, use real-life examples, and why fp+ made your vacation a living hell.
You may be graded on this! (Can you tell I'm a teacher?)

 

[andrewilley]

I've just been writing up a small and somewhat overdue FAQ on this whole subject for my own Port Orleans website (see http://www.portorleans.org/mymagicplus.php for what I've come up with so far). If anyone wants to help check my facts and/or shoot me down in flames, please feel free!

I've not personally used the whole MDX system as yet, so have had to rely on various other sources of information, but the one thing that surprised me the most is how hard it was to come up with any real positives for the FastPass+ system! Apart from the obvious 60-day pre-book facility (which IMHO is a debateable pro anyway, as I don't really want to be forced to plan my park touring route that far out) all I could think of is that the central terminals are easier on-the-day than having to go all the way into The Land to book for Soarin'.

My suggestions, for what they are worth, would be:

• Remove all tiering restrictions - all these do is show that the system doesn't work properly for real-world guest needs.
• Remove the one-park-per-day restriction. Same reason as above.
• I'm OK with the limit of three FP+ for pre-booking, and for three different attractions, HOWEVER once you've used your first FP+, on-the-day you should be able to book for more attractions, within the rolling limit that you can only have three 'in hand' at any given time.
• Re-booking for the same attraction should be allowed once you have ridden it for the first time (the limit should only be to prevent people from hogging three rides on Toy Story Mania in advance).
• Add more in-park terminals, including at least one at every FP ride, ideally where the old Fast Pass machine were located. So far the lines have apparently been pretty bad during quiet days, so I shudder to think what's going to happen during President's Week.
• Make the MDX booking system simpler, ideally much closer to the ADR workflow - i.e. you select an attraction from a list, enter the number of people and your desired time, and it gives you the closest available results before and after the time you've asked for. Choose one, then repeat (but only if wanted!) for your remaining two booking slots. In short, Keep It Simple!
• Keep the pre-bookable slots to a maximum of around 50% of each ride's FP+ capacity, the rest being held back for on-the-day guests (perhaps another 25% released at midnight on the day, and the remainder at park opening time?).
• Ideally (personal note only here) I'd suggest removing the pre-booking facility completely and make it work properly in-park first, but if they are determined to make it stick then I'd prefer 7 or 14 days maximum.

I suspect the real test of how this all works will be during President's Week. I'm prepared to bet that all the FP+ slots for the headliners will be gone much more quickly than they would have been under the old system, and the Standby lines for normally quieter attractions that now have FP+ available will increase significantly.

Andre

 

[Shaden]

I've just been writing up a small and somewhat overdue FAQ on this whole subject for my own Port Orleans website (see http://www.portorleans.org/mymagicplus.php for what I've come up with so far). If anyone wants to help check my facts and/or shoot me down in flames, please feel free!

I've not personally used the whole MDX system as yet, so have had to rely on various other sources of information, but the one thing that surprised me the most is how hard it was to come up with any real positives for the FastPass+ system! Apart from the obvious 60-day pre-book facility (which IMHO is a debateable pro anyway, as I don't really want to be forced to plan my park touring route that far out) all I could think of is that the central terminals are easier on-the-day than having to go all the way into The Land to book for Soarin'.

My suggestions, for what they are worth, would be:

• Remove all tiering restrictions - all these do is show that the system doesn't work properly for real-world guest needs.
• Remove the one-park-per-day restriction. Same reason as above.
• I'm OK with the limit of three FP+ for pre-booking, and for three different attractions, HOWEVER once you've used your first FP+, on-the-day you should be able to book for more attractions, within the rolling limit that you can only have three 'in hand' at any given time.
• Re-booking for the same attraction should be allowed once you have ridden it for the first time (the limit should only be to prevent people from hogging three rides on Toy Story Mania in advance).
• Add more in-park terminals, including at least one at every FP ride, ideally where the old Fast Pass machine were located. So far the lines have apparently been pretty bad during quiet days, so I shudder to think what's going to happen during President's Week.
• Make the MDX booking system simpler, ideally much closer to the ADR workflow - i.e. you select an attraction from a list, enter the number of people and your desired time, and it gives you the closest available results before and after the time you've asked for. Choose one, then repeat (but only if wanted!) for your remaining two booking slots. In short, Keep It Simple!
• Keep the pre-bookable slots to a maximum of around 50% of each ride's FP+ capacity, the rest being held back for on-the-day guests (perhaps another 25% released at midnight on the day, and the remainder at park opening time?).
• Ideally (personal note only here) I'd suggest removing the pre-booking facility completely and make it work properly in-park first, but if they are determined to make it stick then I'd prefer 7 or 14 days maximum.

I suspect the real test of how this all works will be during President's Week. I'm prepared to bet that all the FP+ slots for the headliners will be gone much more quickly than they would have been under the old system, and the Standby lines for normally quieter attractions that now have FP+ available will increase significantly.

Andre

Very nice list.

I am not sure just how much of a test Pres' day weekend will be for FP+ availability. Its going to be A significant test I think, BUT, since off siters will still have to book their FPs in the parks, and that will deter some and slow the process down considerably for others, it will take longer for them to run out.

Apparenlty offsite guests will be getting the ability to Pre-book coming in April, if that's the case, we will see the just how this shakes out towards the end of May or the middle of June I would think. It depends how long it takes for the word to spread and for people to really start booking.

There is also the concept that this might take a little time, just like ADRs, word has to spread, first people will let this slide and then try to pre-book only to find they can't a week before their vacation, they will tell their friends who will try to book at a month, and that will be ok until it more people catch on and then that will become difficult so then people will book even earlier etc etc ... until people are booking at the 60 ...

 

[Tuffcookie]

OP here,

I talked to Leanna tonight in Guest Communications.
This was in response to an e-mail I sent to WDW and a letter I sent, as well.

As I suspected, she said even she doesn't know where Disney is headed with the FP+.

She has been put in the position of answering calls and letters, for which I sympathize.

I brought up a lot of the concerns about FP+ and even mentioned this web site. I made suggestions, of which she said she was making notes of and she was going to report to her bosses.

One of the things I mentioned was the MDE web site and how DISers had speculated on whether off-site guests would be able to book 60 days away from their WDW trips in the near future. That there were rumors pre-booking was going to open up to off-site guests early in April. She said she had no knowledge that that was going to happen. I logged onto my MDE web site, while I had her on the phone, and asked her where they are coming up with the day count on my home page. Because I am not able to register my hotel stay (off-site), the only other way they can be identifying my vacation date is thru my ADRs. She said she is uncertain as to how the web site is working.

I did selfishly share the suggestion that off-site guests should be granted the ability to choose FP+ options, before entering the parks, the weeks before & after Easter, or the FP+ kiosk lines are going to be huge, inside the parks!

I complained that S/D guests are not being considered for MB or being able to pre-book, when, in reality, they are located on Disney property!

I told her no one wants to come to WDW, go to the parks, wait for RD, and then have to immediately move to another line, just to make their selections.

I mentioned the cons of FP+, such as only 3 FP+ attractions per park, per day and the fact that more should be available for MK. That tiering was too restrictive. That by limiting FP+ to only 3 selections in one park, there was really no reason to purchase park hoppers.

I told her my biggest problem with the FP+ program was the way it was rolled out. There have been no official statements to communicate what is going to be implemented and when. We would appreciate better communication from the top!

I came away from my conversation with no real questions being answered but felt Leanna was truly going to send my concerns and suggestions to her bosses, who will, hopefully, improve the FP+ experience for everyone.

FWIW, Leanna and I had a good conversation. She loves Disney as much as we do, as I'm sure most CMs do. Please don't vent anger towards the CMs for this new program when you visit WDW. I'm sure they are just as unhappy with it as we are!

Continue to e-mail/write WDW guest Communications with your opinions:

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

WDW Guest Communications
P.O. Box 10,040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040



TC

 

[3happydancers]

OP here,

I talked to Leanna tonight in Guest Communications.
This was in response to an e-mail I sent to WDW and a letter I sent, as well.

As I suspected, she said even she doesn't know where Disney is headed with the FP+.

She has been put in the position of answering calls and letters, for which I sympathize.

I brought up a lot of the concerns about FP+ and even mentioned this web site. I made suggestions, of which she said she was making notes of and she was going to report to her bosses.

One of the things I mentioned was the MDE web site and how DISers had speculated on whether off-site guests would be able to book 60 days away from their WDW trips in the near future. That there were rumors pre-booking was going to open up to off-site guests early in April. She said she had no knowledge that that was going to happen. I logged onto my MDE web site, while I had her on the phone, and asked her where they are coming up with the day count on my home page. Because I am not able to register my hotel stay (off-site), the only other way they can be identifying my vacation date is thru my ADRs. She said she is uncertain as to how the web site is working.

I did selfishly share the suggestion that off-site guests should be granted the ability to choose FP+ options, before entering the parks, the weeks before & after Easter, or the FP+ kiosk lines are going to be huge, inside the parks!

I complained that S/D guests are not being considered for MB or being able to pre-book, when, in reality, they are located on Disney property!

I told her no one wants to come to WDW, go to the parks, wait for RD, and then have to immediately move to another line, just to make their selections.

I mentioned the cons of FP+, such as only 3 FP+ attractions per park, per day and the fact that more should be available for MK. That tiering was too restrictive. That by limiting FP+ to only 3 selections in one park, there was really no reason to purchase park hoppers.

I told her my biggest problem with the FP+ program was the way it was rolled out. There have been no official statements to communicate what is going to be implemented and when. We would appreciate better communication from the top!

I came away from my conversation with no real questions being answered but felt Leanna was truly going to send my concerns and suggestions to her bosses, who will, hopefully, improve the FP+ experience for everyone.

FWIW, Leanna and I had a good conversation. She loves Disney as much as we do, as I'm sure most CMs do. Please don't vent anger towards the CMs for this new program when you visit WDW. I'm sure they are just as unhappy with it as we are!

Continue to e-mail/write WDW guest Communications with your opinions:

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

WDW Guest Communications
P.O. Box 10,040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040



TC

Thanks for taking the time to gather all concerns/suggestions and relay them to Disney. I am not surprised that the CM could not give direct answers to your questions but at least you had a good conversation. The best we can all do is to contact guest communications, as you suggested, with our concerns and/or possible solutions as well as letting them know what you do like about the new MB and FP+ system. I have!

 

[BuckeyeBama]

To the OP, you have done what you can do - the rest is up to Disney.

A point to consider - if Disney's desire is to get more off-site guests to book on-site, you have confirmed to them that FP+ creates a meaningful differentiator. In other words, you may be giving them the ammo that they need to keep FP+ pre-trip reservations exclusive to Disney Resort guests.