Just Back from A week at the World

[brerrabbit]

Had to take a few minutes to comment on our latest trip. Just the wife and I and we had a great time. There are a few things that were disappointing but for the most part it was a great trip.

Issues:

Seems that there are currently a ton of projects going on. Disney must be doing okay financially because it seemed they were working on everything. Downtown Disney was going through some serious renovations as well as MK. The are near the hub by Tomorrow Land was all torn up and there was a facade over the area next to IASW. Even at our hotel PO French Quarter we returned one day to find a wall had been built just outside the food court area to do work there. I understand that the facilities are aging and need updating and repairs but so many all at once seemed to take something away from the overall feel. I would have been really upset had we booked the POly as they are doing major work there with walls completely blocking the center court area with all the plants in it and all the construction of what appears to be DVC villas. One of our favorite rest and take it easy rides that is never crowded was also down, the People Mover.

The FP+ worked well but we booked late and did not get all of our FP's early so some days we had to wait a while to use our three before we could get another. The one day (Monday June 16) we booked them early enough to get more and rode rides with 9 FP's in one day. After the first three we would just go back to a kiosk and get one that basically allowed us to walk to the ride and get on. No big ones, but we did Buzz, Haunted Mansion, Pooh, IASW, Space Mountain and a couple more. One of the reasons we could was also one of my complaints. Too few FP Kiosks and never the chance to do it yourself. They had tons of CM's working them and they insisted on doing it for you. Granted they are still in the rollout phase and many needed help but those of us who did not were getting a lesson on it's use whether we wanted it or not. My two go to loactions because there were no CM's at them were in City Hall (one machine) and at the International Gateway in the gift shop, (one machine). There were never anyone using them the whole trip except us.

Last issue and it may not be an issue for long. We waited standby for Seven Dwarves Mine Train and were in line with a a local who had Ap's. She had them linked to her Magic Bands but said they still could not get the ride on FP+ early enough because their window is shorter. However she did open her backpack and show me about ten Magic Bands from friends who have AP's. Apparently she said that since you made the FP's on line you could book them all even if you were not going to be in the park. I said well don't you have to scan the band to get in and if so would that not activate the FP's. She said they had been doing it this way since the FP+ system started so they were able to book three times the the number of bands she had in FP's every day. She said they had rode several rides that day with other peoples bands. She was in line by herself but had her daughter and three friends with her and they were out riding other rides while she waited in line.

Likes:

Everything, we love WDW so it is hard to find a lot of fault. Even though we did not like all the construction it was good to see they are still spending the money to update. The growth in the number of rooms on site is disturbing because it adds to crowding.

 

[matt&jakesmom]

Nice to hear that you had a good time. We are going in August and looking forward to it.

I don't like the fact that the lady was with all those bands. I personally don't think that is fair to do. That is taking away ride times from other people who are actually in the park.

 

[mcconnellfam96]

Last issue and it may not be an issue for long. We waited standby for Seven Dwarves Mine Train and were in line with a a local who had Ap's. She had them linked to her Magic Bands but said they still could not get the ride on FP+ early enough because their window is shorter. However she did open her backpack and show me about ten Magic Bands from friends who have AP's. Apparently she said that since you made the FP's on line you could book them all even if you were not going to be in the park. I said well don't you have to scan the band to get in and if so would that not activate the FP's. She said they had been doing it this way since the FP+ system started so they were able to book three times the the number of bands she had in FP's every day. She said they had rode several rides that day with other peoples bands. She was in line by herself but had her daughter and three friends with her and they were out riding other rides while she waited in line.

It actually surprises me that Disney hasn't modified the system for situations like this. You should have to be inside the park for FPs on your band to be redeemed. The solution could be you make a reservation but the FP+ is actually enabled for use until the MB is scanned and fingerprinted in to the park. There is always a way to abuse a system!

 

[kneedeep]

It actually surprises me that Disney hasn't modified the system for situations like this. You should have to be inside the park for FPs on your band to be redeemed. The solution could be you make a reservation but the FP+ is actually enabled for use until the MB is scanned and fingerprinted in to the park. There is always a way to abuse a system!

Yes, with legacy FPs, your park ticket had to be scanned at the turnstiles in order to enable you to get FPs. I can't believe that MBs/RFIDs aren't capable of being "programmed" in such a way ...

 

[juliehoey]

It actually surprises me that Disney hasn't modified the system for situations like this. You should have to be inside the park for FPs on your band to be redeemed. The solution could be you make a reservation but the FP+ is actually enabled for use until the MB is scanned and fingerprinted in to the park. There is always a way to abuse a system!

And it was thought the paper system was abused! IMHO and not to rain on a parade, but I would have to report that to someone...write a letter, make a call, send an email. How many FP+'s did she take up for the day that others couldn't use? It has to be a matter of time before that is rectified.

 

[puffkin]

Yes, with legacy FPs, your park ticket had to be scanned at the turnstiles in order to enable you to get FPs. I can't believe that MBs/RFIDs aren't capable of being "programmed" in such a way ...

While I don't think its right either....my only question is will it make a difference? Because once those FP's are made, they are basically taken out of inventory. The only way they go back in inventory is if someone cancels or changes their FP experience/time. You can't really free up those FP's for someone else because there is no way to know when someone will enter a park. So there is really no way to release them back into inventory for others to use. The only thing they could do is prevent people from "conning" the system like this person is apparently doing and not let them ride by saying you aren't in the park....but I doubt it is happening enough to warrant that level of programming (you would be talking millions and millions of dollars for a programming change like that).

It definitely is a flaw in the system, but I don't really see it being fixed anytime soon.

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

We have multiple MBs; but they are (1) all our own and (2) we still only make 3 FP+ reservations per person. We do sometimes switch bands if I don't want to ride something and DS wants to ride twice then he will ride once with his MB then I'll give him mine to ride again. I either wear his or use one of our extras (all linked to same MDE, so cheating for extra FP+s is not an option) to get into our resort if the teens are still in the park or to buy a beer while I'm waiting. My family sharing MBs would work as long as we kept which bands were used to get into the park and which were not separate. So I would be fine if MBs only worked at rides if they were first scanned as entrance into the park. Are there people who buy MBs for FP+s but don't use them for park entry? I expect that WDW is working on a solution - it is in their own best interest as well as that of the guest willing to play by both the rules and the intent of the rules... Right?

 

[brerrabbit]

I am certain that the issue is contained to AP's only. I say that because I logged on to My Disney Experience and tried to reserve a FP and was told I had no active ticket (we don't have AP's) so I could not get one. Since an AP is active for the whole year the system does not know when you will be there and you have an active ticket so it allows you to reserve the FP.

I am sure at some point they will resolve the issue but till then I guess any one with an AP and friends that have AP's can still get around the system but I think it will probably not be that big of an issue,

 

[ArwenMarie]

Nice to hear that you had a good time. We are going in August and looking forward to it.

I don't like the fact that the lady was with all those bands. I personally don't think that is fair to do. That is taking away ride times from other people who are actually in the park.

Yeah, they need to close that loophole. Seems like it would be easy enough to do.

 

[csmith041177]

Thank you for the update!

 

[AngiTN]

I am certain that the issue is contained to AP's only. I say that because I logged on to My Disney Experience and tried to reserve a FP and was told I had no active ticket (we don't have AP's) so I could not get one. Since an AP is active for the whole year the system does not know when you will be there and you have an active ticket so it allows you to reserve the FP.

I am sure at some point they will resolve the issue but till then I guess any one with an AP and friends that have AP's can still get around the system but I think it will probably not be that big of an issue,

You know, it doesn't bother me at all that they can do that either. They have a much shorter window to book their FP, only 30 days unless they are staying on site. I think it's unfair to punish your AP holders so I'm glad to hear they found a way to make it work. They give Disney a lot of money and are not treated very special at all. I think they should get the same 60 day window and then I'll be for their closing the loophole that lets them use MB that didn't scan in to the park.

 

[ArwenMarie]

You know, it doesn't bother me at all that they can do that either. They have a much shorter window to book their FP, only 30 days unless they are staying on site. I think it's unfair to punish your AP holders so I'm glad to hear they found a way to make it work. They give Disney a lot of money and are not treated very special at all. I think they should get the same 60 day window and then I'll be for their closing the loophole that lets them use MB that didn't scan in to the park.

I agree they should get 60 days. I still think the loophole should be closed (and not just for APs but you can also do this by buying a ticket, linking it to a new acct, picking FPs and using it for that but not using the ticket for entry.)

 

[mcconnellfam96]

If making people feel special was determined by the amount of money spent at WDW, I would expect to be riding a float in FoF Parade! LOL

(This is a joke, I am not trying to start an argument - I also think it would be nice if they got 60 day FP+ windows.) But, in all honesty, I would spend CONSIDERABLY less at WDW if I lived in closer proximity and could function with an AP. One day, we will be permanently Florida-bound!!

 

[AngiTN]

If making people feel special was determined by the amount of money spent at WDW, I would expect to be riding a float in FoF Parade! LOL

(This is a joke, I am not trying to start an argument - I also think it would be nice if they got 60 day FP+ windows.) But, in all honesty, I would spend CONSIDERABLY less at WDW if I lived in closer proximity and could function with an AP. One day, we will be permanently Florida-bound!!

I get what you are saying. I guess what I mean is when I buy an annual pass to various attractions locally, like our Children's Museum, Zoo or Aquarium we get perks like special member only events, early purchase access to special events, stuff like that. We don't get less than day trippers get. Our continued patronage is rewarded. If that makes sense.

 

[11290]

Yes, with legacy FPs, your park ticket had to be scanned at the turnstiles in order to enable you to get FPs. I can't believe that MBs/RFIDs aren't capable of being "programmed" in such a way ...

Ticket validation will be "turned on" in a few months (possibly by early Sep.) and then FP's will only work is the ticket has been used for park entry. There are some other bugs to work out of the system first and then more features / functions will be coming online.

 

[DisUniversal]

While I don't think its right either....my only question is will it make a difference? Because once those FP's are made, they are basically taken out of inventory. The only way they go back in inventory is if someone cancels or changes their FP experience/time. You can't really free up those FP's for someone else because there is no way to know when someone will enter a park. So there is really no way to release them back into inventory for others to use. The only thing they could do is prevent people from "conning" the system like this person is apparently doing and not let them ride by saying you aren't in the park....but I doubt it is happening enough to warrant that level of programming (you would be talking millions and millions of dollars for a programming change like that).

It definitely is a flaw in the system, but I don't really see it being fixed anytime soon.

It makes a difference in the standby lines. I'm sure they will fix this because imho, it's only a matter of time before Disney starts selling extra FP+ slots. ie, 1-3 are free and then you can buy up to 3 additional for $10 each.

 

[mcconnellfam96]

I get what you are saying. I guess what I mean is when I buy an annual pass to various attractions locally, like our Children's Museum, Zoo or Aquarium we get perks like special member only events, early purchase access to special events, stuff like that. We don't get less than day trippers get. Our continued patronage is rewarded. If that makes sense.

Yep, makes total sense! Hopefully they do have some sort of perks they are offering them.....maybe merchandise/food discounts?

 

[JimmyV]

While I don't think its right either....my only question is will it make a difference? Because once those FP's are made, they are basically taken out of inventory. The only way they go back in inventory is if someone cancels or changes their FP experience/time. You can't really free up those FP's for someone else because there is no way to know when someone will enter a park. So there is really no way to release them back into inventory for others to use. The only thing they could do is prevent people from "conning" the system like this person is apparently doing and not let them ride by saying you aren't in the park....but I doubt it is happening enough to warrant that level of programming (you would be talking millions and millions of dollars for a programming change like that).

It definitely is a flaw in the system, but I don't really see it being fixed anytime soon.

100% correct.
As long as people can make FP+ reservations in advance and not be in the park when they make them, there is no workaround for this. The system cannot differentiate between a person who makes a FP+ reservation 7 days in advance for 10:00-11:00, and enters the park at 10:55 and uses the FP, versus the person who makes a FP+ reservation 7 days in advance for 10:00-11:00, and never enters the park. The system cannot "cancel out" that FP slot until 11:01 whether the person is in the park or not. And by 11:01, it is too late to go back and fill the slot.

The only solution would be for the system to keep track of people who make FP reservations and who do not redeem them. Do that too many times and they could take away your privileges. Disable your MDE account or disable your MB.

 

[FINFAN]

It makes a difference in the standby lines. I'm sure they will fix this because imho, it's only a matter of time before Disney starts selling extra FP+ slots. ie, 1-3 are free and then you can buy up to 3 additional for $10 each.

and that could possibly be the straw to my camel, lol. $10 each would be pretty harsh, but I could see $10 a day per person happening. If there's a way to ca$h in, Disney will do it.

 

[JimmyV]

It makes a difference in the standby lines.

How? It would actually make the SB line shorter. If 100 people book FP times for 10:00-11:00 and none of them show up, then the people in the SB line between 10:00-11:00 will board the attraction faster. Indeed, it is in the best interest of the people in the SB line that people who made FP reservations do not show up.