Is anyone else hugely entertained by the FP+ tier system test?

[metzgardesign]

Fun!

It's as if the WDW leadership (and I use that term very loosely, at this point) said "Hey....this whole FP+/MagicBand rollout isn't going quite badly enough. What can we do to FUBAR it just a bit more? Wait.....I know....."

 

[Planogirl]

Universal does have more headliners to spread people out more than some of the Disney parks. Notice how MK isn't having the same issues as Epcot or DHS.

As for comparing a Disney resort to a Universal resort, I only commented because the Universal resort wasn't described correctly. It is possible for other resorts to be as nice or even nicer than Disney resorts. Of course that part is irrelevant if the goal is to stay onsite.

 

[bcrook]

Fun!

It's as if the WDW leadership (and I use that term very loosely, at this point) said "Hey....this whole FP+/MagicBand rollout isn't going quite badly enough. What can we do to FUBAR it just a bit more? Wait.....I know....."

I agree with your sentiments, but having tiers is how this program was introduced last December. Disney went away from it temporarily. There simply aren't enough headliners to go around outside of MK when everyone gets on board. This really isn't a new development.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

But I thought the FP+ system is tied to tickets and not hotel reservation. You would need two weeks worth of tickets to reserve FP+ for the following week. Unless someone goes to the expense of adding NE option to the ticket, this seems an unlikely practice. But I'm sure if there's a loophole to exploit, we'll be the ones to figure it out.

It depends on how the final version of this measures the window for onsite guests -- 60 days before the first day you plan to use a ticket or 60 days before the first day of your resort stay. (Or whatever the length of the window they end up using.) Even if people can only book 60+10, similar to ADRs, that still provides a significant advantage.

It will be interesting to see how this all turns out. I honestly can't wait to find out how many people actually start booking at the exact moment they can, and how well Disney informs the average guest.

 

[AmyB2006]

It depends on how the final version of this measures the window for onsite guests -- 60 days before the first day you plan to use a ticket or 60 days before the first day of your resort stay. (Or whatever the length of the window they end up using.) Even if people can only book 60+10, similar to ADRs, that still provides a significant advantage.

It will be interesting to see how this all turns out. I honestly can't wait to find out how many people actually start booking at the exact moment they can, and how well Disney informs the average guest.

Is this a joke?

 

[metzgardesign]

I agree with your sentiments, but having tiers is how this program was introduced last December. Disney went away from it temporarily. There simply aren't enough headliners to go around outside of MK when everyone gets on board. This really isn't a new development.

Ahhh....my Disney Fu failed me.

So, if'n you get a FP+ to, say, Soarin', then you're kinda screwed for a FP+ to, say, Test Track, for that day?

This plan is asinine. An absolute messed up mess.

 

[disneyerin]

Ahhh....my Disney Fu failed me.

So, if'n you get a FP+ to, say, Soarin', then you're kinda screwed for a FP+ to, say, Test Track, for that day?

This plan is asinine. An absolute messed up mess.

Yeah, and if/when they do away with FP-, you're kinda "screwed" for ANY FPs other than that one.

 

[metzgardesign]

Well....I guess I am a bit of a moron, then. As I just don't see how this new-fangled system is really going to solve any issues.

Ultimately, it is a just a high-dollar shell game. The same numbers of visitors (or more) will be visiting the parks. Ergo, they same numbers of people will still be jockeying for the same number of attractions (or in WDW methodology.....SLOWLY increasing numbers of attractions). But instead of pulling FastPasses at the park for an attraction (or if they want to be all hi-techy 'n' stuff, use the new fangled MagicBands to swipe a head thingy and get a return time....maybe without....GASP....a printed pass....it could go to relatively working, almost connected to wifi smartphone, if you want....and if the battery has poohed the bed yet).

But now.....the same number of people will be jockeying for online attraction reservations, or.....joy.....standing in an insanely stand-by line if they don't think to make reservations (or, if they stay off-site, or are locals, whatever....at least as it is now).

Can they justify it with number crunching? I am sure they can, but it doesn't change the fact that a certain amount of traffic will be going to a certain number of attractions.

Makes no sense to me.

 

[robpa]

If you can even get soarin

 

[ArwenMarie]

But now.....the same number of people will be jockeying for online attraction reservations, or.....joy.....standing in an insanely stand-by line if they don't think to make reservations (or, if they stay off-site, or are locals, whatever....at least as it is now).

Can they justify it with number crunching? I am sure they can, but it doesn't change the fact that a certain amount of traffic will be going to a certain number of attractions.

Makes no sense to me.

Yep. Just moving stuff around.

The idea is to move the FPs in a way to create more profit. Therefore, they transform a previously "free" service into a monetized one. I don't know how they plan to do that, but I bet they do.

 

[robpa]

It will probably be free for resort guest and a ticket add on for everyone else

 

[robpa]

It will probably be free for resort guests and a ticket add on for everyone else

 

[skriegerjr]

Oh yeah everyone who stays onsite should get the exact same experience as someone staying offsite. *not*.

Oh yeah when you pay $500/nt to stay at the Poly it's for a nicer room. Hah. Have you seen the Poly rooms? They look like -- oh yeah. A hotel room. With housekeepers who make animals out of your towels. You are not paying for just a room.

If you feel the off-site is enough of a savings that it's worth it to you to do so, given you wont get on rides as fast, that is your CHOICE. If you want the fast passes, then pay the extra $100-$300/nt to stay on property. But certainly don't complain that Disney won't give you something for free that others paid a premium for.

Of course Disney is going to offer perk after perk - some of them being things that ARE REALLY VALUEABLE like FPs - to entice guests to spend big bucks and stay at their resorts.

This is business. Disney's goal is to maximize its own profit while killing off all the competing business. Remember those competing Holiday Inns and HoJos only exist there because they are leeching off the Disney attractions in the first place... now, they will have one more obstacle in their way while they attempt to suck Disney guests offsite by offering cheaper rooms.

I can't help but think all the new changes are AWESOME. It is progress -- picking your FPs from the convenience of your home. No rush for Kiosks. Less abuse by FastPass Runners / Masters. More money spent by most guests. More profit for Disney = more capital investment. There may be some volatility during the mmHg rollout but that happens w everything new, leading to much better later.

...

It's just... too funny to read some of these rants.

This...exactly. Others may view the resorts/parks as separate entities, unfortunately for them, however, Disney does not, as evidenced by park specific perks they offer their on-site guests...such as EMH, and right now, access to FP+ (which has been amazing so far...)

Sent from my rooted Samsung Galaxy SIII using the DISBoards app

 

[bcrook]

Well....I guess I am a bit of a moron, then. As I just don't see how this new-fangled system is really going to solve any issues.

Ultimately, it is a just a high-dollar shell game. The same numbers of visitors (or more) will be visiting the parks. Ergo, they same numbers of people will still be jockeying for the same number of attractions (or in WDW methodology.....SLOWLY increasing numbers of attractions). But instead of pulling FastPasses at the park for an attraction (or if they want to be all hi-techy 'n' stuff, use the new fangled MagicBands to swipe a head thingy and get a return time....maybe without....GASP....a printed pass....it could go to relatively working, almost connected to wifi smartphone, if you want....and if the battery has poohed the bed yet).

But now.....the same number of people will be jockeying for online attraction reservations, or.....joy.....standing in an insanely stand-by line if they don't think to make reservations (or, if they stay off-site, or are locals, whatever....at least as it is now).

Can they justify it with number crunching? I am sure they can, but it doesn't change the fact that a certain amount of traffic will be going to a certain number of attractions.

Makes no sense to me.

I have Lots of summary articles on the page in my signature. Disney wants people locked into rides 60 days in advance to keep them in the parks. If FP+ are valuable people won't want lose them and the treat them like gold. Or golden carrots.

But I think your analysis is missing one important piece... A much higher percentage of people will be using fastpasses, so there are far fewer per person. And that is why the tiers are necessary.

Disney has said they do not plan on holding any back for the day of attendance.

 

[skriegerjr]

Oh yeah everyone who stays onsite should get the exact same experience as someone staying offsite. *not*.

Oh yeah when you pay $500/nt to stay at the Poly it's for a nicer room. Hah. Have you seen the Poly rooms? They look like -- oh yeah. A hotel room. With housekeepers who make animals out of your towels. You are not paying for just a room.

If you feel the off-site is enough of a savings that it's worth it to you to do so, given you wont get on rides as fast, that is your CHOICE. If you want the fast passes, then pay the extra $100-$300/nt to stay on property. But certainly don't complain that Disney won't give you something for free that others paid a premium for.

Of course Disney is going to offer perk after perk - some of them being things that ARE REALLY VALUEABLE like FPs - to entice guests to spend big bucks and stay at their resorts.

This is business. Disney's goal is to maximize its own profit while killing off all the competing business. Remember those competing Holiday Inns and HoJos only exist there because they are leeching off the Disney attractions in the first place... now, they will have one more obstacle in their way while they attempt to suck Disney guests offsite by offering cheaper rooms.

I can't help but think all the new changes are AWESOME. It is progress -- picking your FPs from the convenience of your home. No rush for Kiosks. Less abuse by FastPass Runners / Masters. More money spent by most guests. More profit for Disney = more capital investment. There may be some volatility during the mmHg rollout but that happens w everything new, leading to much better later.

...

It's just... too funny to read some of these rants.

This...exactly. Others may view the resorts/parks as separate entities, unfortunately for them, however, Disney does not, as evidenced by park specific perks they offer their on-site guests...such as EMH, and right now, access to FP+ (which has been amazing so far...)

Sent from my rooted Samsung Galaxy SIII using the DISBoards app

 

[metzgardesign]

I have Lots of summary articles on the page in my signature. Disney wants people locked into rides 60 days in advance to keep them in the parks. If FP+ are valuable people won't want lose them and the treat them like gold. Or golden carrots.

But I think your analysis is missing one important piece... A much higher percentage of people will be using fastpasses, so there are far fewer per person. And that is why the tiers are necessary.

Disney has said they do not plan on holding any back for the day of attendance.

Well....that all sounds lovely.

But, at the end of the day, our trips have always resulted in being able to (pretty easily actually) do pretty much all attractions (without using many FastPasses....save for the odd, super-strong draws) and no REAL long lines.

But, it would seem (speculatively, on my part, of course), that the FP+ system with its tiered makeup, will limit the accessibility, across the board. So, one would be (at this point) limited to three attractions in one park per day that can be reserved. The rest will need to be accessed by stand-by lines, yes? Lines, that by the law of averages will be longer (due to limited FP+ accessibilities and longer waits to accommodate those who DO have a FP+ for that attraction).

As my wife stated when I was trying to explain the tiered dealio to her, "So....we could get a FP+ thing for Soarin' but not TT? And if we want to ride TT we'll have to wait in line....like a potentially REALLY long line? Getting a FP will no longer be an option? Yeah....we're not paying $4,000 - $5,000 for that privilege."

Have to agree with her.

And I am sure, as I mentioned, this probably makes sense to the number-bangers in Disney corporate cubicles, somewhere. But, I think it will result in frustration for many visitors. Hopefully not. And I am sure many people will have splendid, albeit VERY regimented vacations.

But, I think we probably won't be some of them.

 

[rebbyparker]

Well....that all sounds lovely.

But, at the end of the day, our trips have always resulted in being able to (pretty easily actually) doing pretty much all attractions (without using many FastPasses....save for the odd, super-strong draws) and no REAL long lines.

But, it would seem (speculatively, on my part, of course), that the FP+ system with its tiered makeup, will limit the accessibility, across the board. So, one would be (at this point) limited to three attractions in one park per day that can be reserved. The rest will need to be accessed by stand-by lines, yes? Lines, that by the law of averages will be longer (due to limited FP+ accessibilities and longer waits to accommodate those who DO have a FP+ for that attraction).

As my wife stated when I was trying to explain the tiered dealio to her, "So....we could get a FP+ thing for Soarin' but not TT? And if we want to ride TT we'll have to wait in line....like a potentially REALLY long line? Getting a FP will no longer be an option? Yeah....we're not paying $4,000 - $5,000 for that privilege."

Have to agree with her.

And I am sure, as I mentioned, this probably makes sense to the number-bangers in Disney corporate cubicles, somewhere. But, I think it will result in frustration for many visitors. Hopefully not. And I am sure many people will have splendid, albeit VERY regimented vacations.

But, I think we probably won't be some of them.

I'm just hoping that somehow the corporate cubicles and the creative minds can meet halfway in the middle to somehow straighten out this mess. I have my fingers crossed.

 

[bcrook]

Well....that all sounds lovely.

But, at the end of the day, our trips have always resulted in being able to (pretty easily actually) do pretty much all attractions (without using many FastPasses....save for the odd, super-strong draws) and no REAL long lines.

But, it would seem (speculatively, on my part, of course), that the FP+ system with its tiered makeup, will limit the accessibility, across the board. So, one would be (at this point) limited to three attractions in one park per day that can be reserved. The rest will need to be accessed by stand-by lines, yes? Lines, that by the law of averages will be longer (due to limited FP+ accessibilities and longer waits to accommodate those who DO have a FP+ for that attraction).

As my wife stated when I was trying to explain the tiered dealio to her, "So....we could get a FP+ thing for Soarin' but not TT? And if we want to ride TT we'll have to wait in line....like a potentially REALLY long line? Getting a FP will no longer be an option? Yeah....we're not paying $4,000 - $5,000 for that privilege."

Have to agree with her.

And I am sure, as I mentioned, this probably makes sense to the number-bangers in Disney corporate cubicles, somewhere. But, I think it will result in frustration for many visitors. Hopefully not. And I am sure many people will have splendid, albeit VERY regimented vacations.

But, I think we probably won't be some of them.

Lovely is not the word I have been using.

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

Disney wants people locked into rides 60 days in advance to keep them in the parks. If FP+ are valuable people won't want lose them and the treat them like gold. Or golden carrots.

Then wouldn't it make sense to include off-site guest in the pre-booking too? The way I see it on-site guest are already more committed to being in the park. How are they going to get the off-site guest to commit? It is hard for me to believe that they are losing high numbers of on-site guest to other theme parks. Sure, maybe a day or 2 here and there but why would someone pay the higher rate for a Disney room to visit other parks?

 

[robpa]

Then wouldn't it make sense to include off-site guest in the pre-booking too? The way I see it on-site guest are already more committed to being in the park. How are they going to get the off-site guest to commit? It is hard for me to believe that they are losing high numbers of on-site guest to other theme parks. Sure, maybe a day or 2 here and there but why would someone pay the higher rate for a Disney room to visit other parks?

I can speak from my experience, when we went we spent 2 days @ Universal, 2 days @ Seaworld(only because of the 2nd day free thing they had) and 5 days in the Disney parks. My thinking was if we are flying down to Fla and spending money we might as well do and see as much as we can. So I spent 4 days giving my money to someone other than Disney. That was the 1st 2x we went. The 3rd trip was a little different.