Josh is the voice of reason on FP+

[twinsouvenirs]

We have started planning all our trips Valentine's week in February and the week following Labor Day in September. Honestly, the crowds are so low I had been worrying about Disney's finances. We were able to walk on so many rides it was shocking. Obviously when our kids hit school age this will not be an option like it is now but I absolutely think his experience is typical of low traffic times. I'm surprised that more people don't try to find a way to swing a trip in these windows.

 

[Mkrop]

I know, right?

Some people would faint over "snark" on other forums. Ever try a birth board, PP? Or another Disney (sort of Disney) board that you get banned here for mentioning? If you think the Dis is bad, don't venture anywhere else for your own sake.

Ugh yeah love that site(where's that sarcasm sign)

Yes, doable is different than wanting to do something.

I know that I really liked the concept when I first heard about it because I hate rope drop. But now I have to go to rope drop anyway if I want to ride more than 1 or 2 or maybe 3 rides? So what exactly has improved here?

This was me when it first came out, thought the concept was cool, never imagined tiering, a limit of 3, I thought it would be like the FP- system where you could schedule another after one expired.

 

[lugnut33]

I'm sorry, but something isn't adding up. I just popped on Lines to check out wait times at the MK and they are similar to or higher than they were the day Josh was there. I don't get it? There is no way the parks are as full today at 4.30 pm than it was when Josh was there because I doubt this is a top 16 busiest day.

 

[larryz]

Is there some algorithm or formula I'm not aware of that lays out how many rides you are entitled to ride per dollars spent?

Yes. "If you stay on site, you get your choices. If you don't stay on site, you get what's left," expressed as R=((E/H)-(E-(E/H))), where R is the number of rides you can expect, E is the number of rides, and H is the number of visitors who stay on site.

 

[morethananyonex]

I'm sorry, but something isn't adding up. I just popped on Lines to check out wait times at the MK and they are similar to or higher than they were the day Josh was there. I don't get it? There is no way the parks are as full today at 4.30 pm than it was when Josh was there because I doubt this is a top 16 busiest day.

Didn't he say something about ride times being low balled more frequently than normal? Or was that for a different day?

 

[wdwfreak]

I'm sorry, but something isn't adding up. I just popped on Lines to check out wait times at the MK and they are similar to or higher than they were the day Josh was there. I don't get it? There is no way the parks are as full today at 4.30 pm than it was when Josh was there because I doubt this is a top 16 busiest day.

Did you check TP.com's Lines app or the MDE app? Josh was using MDE. The Lines app usually varies from that.

 

[vicki_c]

Didn't he say something about ride times being low balled more frequently than normal? Or was that for a different day?

Yes, Josh said he thought times were under exaggerated that day. And I believe he also said "strange times". I don't think there is an explanation at this point.

 

[3happydancers]

You can keep an eye out here: http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/ipod/ipod_touch

You might pay a bit more here but it will be supported by apple. Keep an eye out for the 8GB model as it will be the cheapest.

Thanks for the info!

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Any of you familiar with Josh and easyWDW.com know that he is funny, insightful, sarcastic, and, during these uncertain (and mostly negative) FP+ times, the voice of reason. He tried the MK out with FP+ and, if you scroll down to the bottom of the piece (although I highly recommend you read the whole thing) you may feel a bit better about your upcoming trip. I know I do. We need Josh in times like these. Read on...

http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorized/magic-kingdom-cheat-sheet-day-1-with-fastpass/#more-12783

Thanks for posting -- "We can do this."

Love it!!

 

[Sammie]

Yes. "If you stay on site, you get your choices. If you don't stay on site, you get what's left," expressed as R=((E/H)-(E-(E/H))), where R is the number of rides you can expect, E is the number of rides, and H is the number of visitors who stay on site.

That is not accurate.

A percentage of Fastpasses are not released until the day off.

 

[Sammie]

yes if an AP holder has a previous resort reservation they can then go to the parks and use FP+. The guys from the dis unplugged podcast all have APs and they also have test resort reservations in their account this allows them to book FP+ without that resort reservation they would not be able to have FP+ yet.

As do I. Which is why I say the info I was given about a percentage held for day books has been proven to be true.

On any given day, even during the busy, busy holiday week, when Disney resorts were completely sold out, I was able to book headliners at all parks on the day off.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I like his posts and his crowd calendars, but I agree with you, he definitely goes overboard on the contempt for the Disboards.

In my experience, he spreads the contempt and disdain around!!

And don't try to disagree with him on twitter... in the dictionary next to "cranky"...

I still like his crowd calendars... and Josh on his occasionally moderate-snark setting... ...

 

[flateacher]

So, if I link tickets to bands I have previously used on a prior trip (this make them active?) and use these to book FP+ and enter the park on them, I am good to go? If so, how far in advance of going to the park can I book FP+?
Thanks!!

Sorry... missed this last night! Went to bed! But I linked my AP's. I am not sure about regular tickets. BUT I am going to try it with my parents for our trip in May. I hope it works. If anyone else tries it - let us know!

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I don't mind snark, myself. I rather enjoy it. But to condemn snark with snark seems funny and somewhat ironic to me.

Feels like something politicians do... "I condemn the uncivil tone of my good - yet woefully misguided and clearly evil - friend, the senator-from-that-other-party..."

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

That was a great read! And very comforting. Between the fact that I'm very change resistant and we don't have another trip planned for the foreseeable future, I've kind of buried my head in the sand when it comes to FP+. But when I think of when our next trip might be, the whole thing kind of strikes fear in my heart like I won't know what the heck I'm doing . So this was reassuring!

 

[larryz]

That is not accurate.

A percentage of Fastpasses are not released until the day off.

Oh, so this has been confirmed by official decree from WDW?

Irregardless, I maintain that it IS accurate -- the formula says you get whatever hasn't been reserved, and because you can't reserve them until you get there, effectively, you still "get what's left."

(and if you actually tried plugging numbers into the formula, let us know how it comes out -- I just made that up from scratch to make it sound more mathy and scientific and all)

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

(and if you actually tried plugging numbers into the formula, let us know how it comes out -- I just made that up from scratch to make it sound more mathy and scientific and all)

Another victory for science!

(I quite enjoyed your formula. Resisting the urge to open up excel and do some testing...)

 

[JaimeA]

Yes. "If you stay on site, you get your choices. If you don't stay on site, you get what's left," expressed as R=((E/H)-(E-(E/H))), where R is the number of rides you can expect, E is the number of rides, and H is the number of visitors who stay on site.

See kids... You will use algebra in real life!

 

[Planogirl]

Besides, even if some are held back for day of who's to say if there is enough to go around? AP holders might even get preferential treatment over the other offsite visitors. Hey, it could happen.

 

[Mkrop]

That is not accurate.

A percentage of Fastpasses are not released until the day off.

That was not our experience in Dec, we tried to change our FP+ for TSMM from the time we woke up until the time we got to the park and then found out that FP- were gone by 9:25am. We could not change FP+ on the fly.

My BFF just got back on Tues, I finally talked to her today (dealing with the storms and kids home we hadnt had time to chat) and she said they tried to change a few in the mornings and there were none available.

Why are you stating that as fact vs your experience???