Is it just me?

[moscow]

I think giving a review of FP+ and in the same breath saying you used regular FP's as well and double-dipped, is pointless. It's NOT an actual review or representation of FP+ if you pulled ANY legacy FP's.

If you used ONLY your 3 FP+ reservations AND they were tiered at Epcot and DHS...and you are giddy about it...

more power to you.

Just don't tell me you love FP+ and how it works if you didn't actually work within those parameters, b/c those are the parameters of FP+.

Do you read Josh's blog over on easywdw? He has gone to both HS and Epcot and mapped out a touring plan for using the tiered FP+ system with no legacy FPs during busy times. And he changed his FP+ on his Epcot day, on the fly, with no issues just to confirm it could be done during busy times.

 

[vdoucet78]

Do you read Josh's blog over on easywdw? He has gone to both HS and Epcot and mapped out a touring plan for using the tiered FP+ system with no legacy FPs during busy times. And he changed his FP+ on his Epcot day, on the fly, with no issues just to confirm it could be done during busy times.

Do you have a link by chance? I love Josh's plans and was hoping he'd come out with one updated with the new FP+ strategy.

 

[morethananyonex]

FP+ does not level the playing field, FP+ makes it more uneven than it ever was even once everyone is using FP+ only. FP+ is there so Disney can lock people in 60 days out, and so they can attempt to move some of the crowds from the headliners to the less popular rides. Any effect both negative and positive on the guest was never the intention of the switch.

FP- was arguably the most level "line skipping" system you could get. Every single person entering the park had an equal chance of getting passes. They were first come, first serve. There was nothing preventing people from getting as many passes as you could under the rules. Now you need to have some Disney knowledge to get FP+ for desirable rides and times, you need to plan 60 days out, you need to have a smartphone, and you need to have a data plan to be able to make changes from spots where you cannot use wifi. There is nothing level about it. Giving everyone the exact same number of rides does not mean the system is fair and even.

It makes me laugh a little when people talk about how much better this will be for first time guests. It won't, if a simple system was "unfair" for them just think how much more unfair a complicated system that requires research and Disney knowledge is. If people couldn't manage the stick your ticket in out pops your time concept, what makes anyone think those same people are going to utilize FP+ to their advantage?

 

[moscow]

Do you have a link by chance? I love Josh's plans and was hoping he'd come out with one updated with the new FP+ strategy.

HS: http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorize...-tiered-fastpass-november-20-2013/#more-12425

Epcot: http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorize...world-days-at-epcot-with-fastpass/#more-12041

 

[rebbyparker]

As you can see, in my original post, I bolded and changed the color for that I was referencing. It seems as in your other thread about not returning, you essentially posted that you feel others shouldn't share their honest opinions about various subjects.

For the record, I speak negative about the direction The Walt Disney Company is heading whenever my area leaders make it seem MyMagic+ is the be it all, end it all, most amazing thing to ever exist. Plus, plenty more. I wasn't trying to make you look bad, this is as you said, a message board. I asked if you remembered what you said in that other thread about the items that were bolded/colored.

 

[Vidia2]

HS: http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorized/touring-hollywood-studios-with-tiered-fastpass-november-20-2013/#more-12425 Epcot: http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorized/planning-your-disney-world-days-at-epcot-with-fastpass/#more-12041

Thanks for this!

 

[wisblue]

Do you have a link by chance? I love Josh's plans and was hoping he'd come out with one updated with the new FP+ strategy.

I follow easywdw, especially when I have a trip pending, and I thought Josh said he wasn't going to try to do updated touring plans because the situation with FP+ is so fluid.

Right now there are 3 categories of guests using FPs:

1. Value resort guests who have access to FP+ only.

2. Other resort guests who have access to FP+ and FP-, and

3. Offsite guests who have access to only FP-.

Then throw in others who are double and triple dipping to get FP- with old KTTW cards and that puts more strain on the supply of paper FPs. And you could also consider Kenny the Pirate and his disciples who have figured out how to get extra FP+ reservations by careful timing of rescheduling, but still using, one reservation.

Because of all of this, current observations about the availability of FP+, how quickly FP- supplies run out, and the length of standby lines may be invalid from one day to the next, especially if Disney is tinkering with how it allocates FP capacity between the two parallel systems. A strategy that makes sense today may work completely differently as more of group 2 gets moved into group 1, and then when paper FPs are removed entirely.

Everyone has their theories and predictions about what this is going to be like 1, 2, 3 and 6 months from now. But, at this point that is all they are.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I follow easywdw, especially when I have a trip pending, and I thought Josh said he wasn't going to try to do updated touring plans because the situation with FP+ is so fluid.

Right now there are 3 categories of guests using FPs:

1. Value resort guests who have access to FP+ only.

2. Other resort guests who have access to FP+ and FP-, and

3. Offsite guests who have access to only FP-.

Then throw in others who are double and triple dipping to get FP- with old KTTW cards and that puts more strain on the supply of paper FPs. And you could also consider Kenny the Pirate and his disciples who have figured out how to get extra FP+ reservations by careful timing of rescheduling, but still using, one reservation.

Because of all of this, current observations about the availability of FP+, how quickly FP- supplies run out, and the length of standby lines may be invalid from one day to the next, especially if Disney is tinkering with how it allocates FP capacity between the two parallel systems. A strategy that makes sense today may work completely differently as more of group 2 gets moved into group 1, and then when paper FPs are removed entirely.

Everyone has their theories and predictions about what this is going to be like 1, 2, 3 and 6 months from now. But, at this point that is all they are.

I think I read somewhere that the KtP loophole was closed.

Anyway. I agree, we don't really know how it's all going to be in terms of availability once the final version is in place. That's why when people say they loved testing them (while having access to FP- and also less people on the FP+ system), they are saying just that. And vice versa.

Don't you think that it's going to get worse though when the other half of customers are brought on (everyone who is not a resort customer)? I can't imagine availability will get better?

 

[Tigger's ally]

Don't you think that it's going to get worse though when the other half of customers are brought on (everyone who is not a resort customer)? I can't imagine availability will get better?

Nobody knows. When the other half of the customers are brought on, they will end the OFP. So, if they alot the same amount of FP+'s that they saved in OFP. then it would seem to be a wash.

 

[clsteve]

Nobody knows. When the other half of the customers are brought on, they will end the OFP. So, if they alot the same amount of FP+'s that they saved in OFP. then it would seem to be a wash.

Until Disney begins to market it heavily, with every TA and reservation CM helping guests with their FP+ reservations 60 days out. For this to work the way they want it, they have to fire up the Marketing Magic. It's why they already pre-populate FP+ "suggestions" and make it easy to just click on what they offer.

So many guests had no idea about the legacy FP system. That's not going to be the case, going forward.

 

[Mad Hattered]

Until Disney begins to market it heavily, with every TA and reservation CM helping guests with their FP+ reservations 60 days out. For this to work the way they want it, they have to fire up the Marketing Magic. It's why they already pre-populate FP+ "suggestions" and make it easy to just click on what they offer.

So many guests had no idea about the legacy FP system. That's not going to be the case, going forward.

Exxxxxactly. Why can't people understand this part?

 

[Shaden]

Exxxxxactly. Why can't people understand this part?

They are just willfully ignorant. I mean, its one thing if they just don't realize, but when you explain it to them over and over again ...

 

[clsteve]

Exxxxxactly. Why can't people understand this part?

You would think that the one thing posters on both sides of this issue could agree on is the power of Disney Marketing.

And, they have an incredibly tough job.

I mean, would you want to have to justify Captain EO as a valid FP+ reservation.....?

 

[wisblue]

Exxxxxactly. Why can't people understand this part?

I understand that part, but, no matter how many notices Disney sends, it still remains to be seen how many guests will pay attention and react to them. It also remains to be seen how well they study what attractions most need FPs. In the end, the informed guests are still going to have an edge because they will plan better to make their FP+ reservations as early as possible and will know which attractions most need a FP.

Another aspect of this is that, if all Disney wanted to do was have people learn how to use the FP system, they could have accomplished that with better marketing too. And the net result would be the same; people who used their greater knowledge of FP to their advantage would find greater competition for those most desirable FPs. And the people who used FPs to get multiple rides on the most popular attractions would still be upset.

 

[Postal68]

Sending more guests through standby would probably not have a drastic increase in the wait time.

We have three phases. Not all attractions are the same, but most have the same ratios. Phase 1 is usually for every 1 guest from standby, send 4 guests from FastPass. Phase 2 is for every 1 guest from standby, send 4 guests from FastPass, then send an additional ten guests from FastPass. Phase 3, which has been much more common due to MagicBands creating a backup at FP Return is 1:4, add a zero. We usually send 10 guests from standby and 100 guests from FastPass.


On to your next point, a percentage of FastPass+'s will unlock within 5 minutes of the official park open time for same day FastPass+ reservations. They will not read available and can show completely booked 10 minutes before park open, but once it opens, they will magically appear. Same day changes will still be based on availability.

1- maybe policy, but you're not speaking about reality.

2- okay, because people have had so much success at changing them

 

[wisblue]

They are just willfully ignorant. I mean, its one thing if they just don't realize, but when you explain it to them over and over again ...

That is a totally uncalled for remark.

Just because someone disagrees with you and the others who are up in arms about how FP+ will play out does not make them "willfully ignorant".

 

[wisblue]

You would think that the one thing posters on both sides of this issue could agree on is the power of Disney Marketing.

And, they have an incredibly tough job.

I mean, would you want to have to justify Captain EO as a valid FP+ reservation.....?

Why do they have to justify that? All they have to do is tell people that they have an opportunity to reserve spots for 3 attractions. All of the information is out there to let guests learn about what attractions appeal to them and make their selections. If they just accept what Disney gives them, or select something that many would consider a waste, why would you care?

 

[clsteve]

I understand that part, but, no matter how many notices Disney sends, it still remains to be seen how many guests will pay attention and react to them. It also remains to be seen how well they study what attractions most need FPs. In the end, the informed guests are still going to have an edge because they will plan better to make their FP+ reservations as early as possible and will know which attractions most need a FP.

They don't have to pay attention, that's the point. Someone else, either a TA or automatic Disney will be making the selection for them. Then Disney will be able to do YM and CM, and the first timer will be able to to go "Wow, my whole trip is planned, meals, rides, everything!"

Another aspect of this is that, if all Disney wanted to do was have people learn how to use the FP system, they could have accomplished that with better marketing too. And the net result would be the same; people who used their greater knowledge of FP to their advantage would find greater competition for those most desirable FPs. And the people who used FPs to get multiple rides on the most popular attractions would still be upset.

Nope. FP- wasn't accomplishing any of the goals the C-levels have been using to justify the expenditure. This has never been about "leveling the playing field" or learning how to use FP. It's about Disney putting people where they want them, when they want them there and easing the planning for first timers. Their words, not mine.

 

[nkereina]

Didn't read all the replies but to respond to the OP, I would consider myself a proponent of FP+ but not giddy about it. I am practical and reasonable too. There are pros and cons to it, just like the original FP system, but I would say that I like it more than I dislike it.

My big thing with many of the posts on here are those who are criticize it before they have tried it. I admit I was skeptical before our trip but having used FP+ for 8 park days a few weeks ago, my opinion formed and it was generally a good one. I understand that it may be different when it's fully rolled out to all, but since none of us know the ramifications of that, we can't really worry about that yet.

 

[larryz]

Or do the proponents for FP+ who are sharing their experience seem unbelievably giddy about it?

Stockholm Syndrome.