Just back from WDW...my reflections on FP+

[cmurray234]

This was our 11th trip to the World, but our first with FP+.

First, let me say that our family had a good time as usual. We especially enjoyed the "enchanted with Belle" attraction. This is a Disney experience at its finest and made for the best photos of the entire vacation.

We were there the last Saturday and Sunday of presidents' week and were SHOCKED at how uncrowded the parks were. This was a DELIGHTFUL surprise for us. We got a lot accomplished in 2.5 days' time.

But I can't help but comment on the changes wrought by FP+. I have no problem with the technology itself. Someday it'll probably be great. I don't have a problem with change either...it's inevitable after all.

The problem is the roll-out. This was uncharacteristically clumsy on the part of Disney executives. I spent a fair amount of time observing guest frustration with the new system while I was there and I found:

-The largest source of frustration is that the new system requires a TON of research to be used properly. I saw guests complaining to the iPad-toting FP+ people because they'd chosen a FP for Mickey's Philharmagic or The Seas with Nemo and Friends...essentially a complete waste of a fast pass. This wasn't a problem with the "old" way of doing things, because as soon as you saw "wait time 5 minutes" you figured out that you didn't need FP for that ride and just walked on.

-The loudest complaints that I heard came from those well-used to the old FP system, who correctly wanted to know how they're supposed to predict whether Pirates of the Caribbean will need FP at 11:45 on a Tuesday morning or not.

-Cast members are obviously dealing with a higher-than-average number of disgruntled guests. The parks seem slightly more...militant than I can ever remember.

-Simple requests like "can I get a printout of my fast pass times for the day" cannot be fulfilled by Disney resort hotels (I tried this. The answer I got was "we can't do that at this time"). This is a glaring oversight that needs to be rectified. Yesterday, if possible.

-The tiered system is lousy and frustrating for all involved.

 

[Disneychix]

-The largest source of frustration is that the new system requires a TON of research to be used properly. I saw guests complaining to the iPad-toting FP+ people because they'd chosen a FP for Mickey's Philharmagic or The Seas with Nemo and Friends...essentially a complete waste of a fast pass. This wasn't a problem with the "old" way of doing things, because as soon as you saw "wait time 5 minutes" you figured out that you didn't need FP for that ride and just walked on.

-The loudest complaints that I heard came from those well-used to the old FP system, who correctly wanted to know how they're supposed to predict whether Pirates of the Caribbean will need FP at 11:45 on a Tuesday morning or not.

-Cast members are obviously dealing with a higher-than-average number of disgruntled guests. The parks seem slightly more...militant than I can ever remember.

-Simple requests like "can I get a printout of my fast pass times for the day" cannot be fulfilled by Disney resort hotels (I tried this. The answer I got was "we can't do that at this time"). This is a glaring oversight that needs to be rectified. Yesterday, if possible.

-The tiered system is lousy and frustrating for all involved.

I agree with this. My thoughts totally!

The 'hard-copy' of FP+ is a huge deal. I also had FP+ for Be OUr Guest and it ws all so confusing because I had to keep checking my phone. I had some people in our group with different FP+ so I had a buch of different times for everything.

I especially agree with rides like Haunted Mansion and Pirates. So not worth a FP+ if you only have one day but you never know when that line is going to be 30-40mins. And recently the stand by will be 30mins!

 

[nugov2]

I think that is the biggest problem on top of the tiering and limit of 3. People are going to feel duped when they have a FP(one of 3 precious FP) and it is for a ride with no wait. Especially in the summer where lines are long and those are even more valuable I'd be furious if that happened to me. Yes you can cancel and reschedule but what are the chances of getting much of anything during the busy season. I don't know why they don't nix the preschedule(or allow one top tier pre schedule) and let the rest go back to the way the old system worked. Adding the option to schedule one will make people more aware of the system(so those who thought they couldn't use it will) and you can get more bang for your buck by getting only necessary fp. The old system wasn't broken...just maybe needed a little more PR so everyone would understand it. Well, mission accomplished...now admit the system in it's current form doesn't work and go back to the kiosks linked to your mb. Still a green system, but requires less angst. I know some like it, but from my experience IRL and from all the reports seems like only a small amount like it and I think it will be even less after peak summer season hits.

 

[2Tiggies]

I saw guests complaining to the iPad-toting FP+ people because they'd chosen a FP for Mickey's Philharmagic or The Seas with Nemo and Friends...essentially a complete waste of a fast pass. This wasn't a problem with the "old" way of doing things, because as soon as you saw "wait time 5 minutes" you figured out that you didn't need FP for that ride and just walked on.

-The loudest complaints that I heard came from those well-used to the old FP system, who correctly wanted to know how they're supposed to predict whether Pirates of the Caribbean will need FP at 11:45 on a Tuesday morning or not.

Yes and yes. This sums up pages and pages of discussions so nicely. Before, the guests distributed (or didn't) themselves between the various attractions and FP'd or used standby as and when needed. People were able to adjust or change their minds on the fly. Now it feels like you are forced to choose months out, but you can't choose on the day. Many of us resent that.

 

[ciera321]

Well stated! It's just too darn restrictive, especially for those of us who know our way around, and felt the freedom of, the old FP system.....

 

[cmurray234]

We used fewer than half of our pre-selected fast passes. Epcot was particularly disastrous. I KNOW that Spaceship Earth doesn't need a FP, but thanks to the tiered system, I couldn't get FP for both Soarin' and Test track, so I chose SE, knowing that the odds of my actually using it were close to nil.

My family of 4 rode single-rider so we could get on Test Track, we didn't need the fast passes for Mission:Space or SE (as expected) and we couldn't get back in time from dinner to use the Soarin' FP that we scheduled. EPIC fail all the way around.

I saw some poor people using FP to get on the Living with the Land ride when the stand-by line was roughly 3 minutes long.

I think FP+ makes people feel like idiots. I know it made me feel like one.

 

[rock_doctor]

If you have time send your post to Disney at wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

I am no longer confident they play attention to DIS and they seem to be operating in a rose colored bubble... Thank you for your post.

 

[morethananyonex]

I agree with all the points you made. I just wanted to point out that we found this...

-Simple requests like "can I get a printout of my fast pass times for the day" cannot be fulfilled by Disney resort hotels (I tried this. The answer I got was "we can't do that at this time"). This is a glaring oversight that needs to be rectified. Yesterday, if possible.

to be untrue. The concierge at both BLT and CR was able to print our itinerary for us about a month ago. It was just a printed off version of what you would see on MDE, ghost FP+ and all, but they could do it. Might just be the CM you ran into. I heard some at the concierge desk talking about how they didn't have the ability to do anything with FP+.

 

[Meggysmum]

All very well observed.

Last week was our first FP+ trip and I was glad we knew the parks well enough to know that Test Track, TSM and Big Thunder would need FP and also were aware which rides would never need one (Captain EO?). It must be very difficult for first time visitors.

I am not keen on the system but believe it could work ok with a few tweeks but would love to be able to get a FP+ printout, maybe from a handy machine as you entered the park.

 

[ariane37]

This was our 11th trip to the World, but our first with FP+.

First, let me say that our family had a good time as usual. We especially enjoyed the "enchanted with Belle" attraction. This is a Disney experience at its finest and made for the best photos of the entire vacation.

We were there the last Saturday and Sunday of presidents' week and were SHOCKED at how uncrowded the parks were. This was a DELIGHTFUL surprise for us. We got a lot accomplished in 2.5 days' time.

But I can't help but comment on the changes wrought by FP+. I have no problem with the technology itself. Someday it'll probably be great. I don't have a problem with change either...it's inevitable after all.

The problem is the roll-out. This was uncharacteristically clumsy on the part of Disney executives. I spent a fair amount of time observing guest frustration with the new system while I was there and I found:

-The largest source of frustration is that the new system requires a TON of research to be used properly. I saw guests complaining to the iPad-toting FP+ people because they'd chosen a FP for Mickey's Philharmagic or The Seas with Nemo and Friends...essentially a complete waste of a fast pass. This wasn't a problem with the "old" way of doing things, because as soon as you saw "wait time 5 minutes" you figured out that you didn't need FP for that ride and just walked on.

-The loudest complaints that I heard came from those well-used to the old FP system, who correctly wanted to know how they're supposed to predict whether Pirates of the Caribbean will need FP at 11:45 on a Tuesday morning or not.

-Cast members are obviously dealing with a higher-than-average number of disgruntled guests. The parks seem slightly more...militant than I can ever remember.

-Simple requests like "can I get a printout of my fast pass times for the day" cannot be fulfilled by Disney resort hotels (I tried this. The answer I got was "we can't do that at this time"). This is a glaring oversight that needs to be rectified. Yesterday, if possible.

-The tiered system is lousy and frustrating for all involved.

We were there a few weeks ago........totally agree with your post.

 

[cmurray234]

I agree with all the points you made. I just wanted to point out that we found this...



to be untrue. The concierge at both BLT and CR was able to print our itinerary for us about a month ago. It was just a printed off version of what you would see on MDE, ghost FP+ and all, but they could do it. Might just be the CM you ran into. I heard some at the concierge desk talking about how they didn't have the ability to do anything with FP+.

Interesting. I suppose I can add "untrained CMs" to my list. Thanks for the info.

 

[Nhtonc]

We just returned too...second trip for me, first with kids. I did make some newbie mistakes of FPing rides early on a non-busy day BUT it was so easy to just use the standby line and just rebook the FP for something else later! So I don't really understand why people would be bothered if a line is unexpectedly short? We only used one of our 3 pre-booked FP in the morning. The second we used in the evening, and the 3rd we never got around to! We also changed times on ours on the fly on our second day and that also worked out fine.
DH and DS also decided on the fly that they didn't want to do Belle with me and DD, so I was able to jump online and switch their two FP to another ride right at that very moment. So easy!

 

[cmurray234]

We just returned too...second trip for me, first with kids. I did make some newbie mistakes of FPing rides early on a non-busy day BUT it was so easy to just use the standby line and just rebook the FP for something else later! So I don't really understand why people would be bothered if a line is unexpectedly short? We only used one of our 3 pre-booked FP in the morning. The second we used in the evening, and the 3rd we never got around to! We also changed times on ours on the fly on our second day and that also worked out fine.
DH and DS also decided on the fly that they didn't want to do Belle with me and DD, so I was able to jump online and switch their two FP to another ride right at that very moment. So easy!

From what I've observed, this will work on 3 conditions.

1. You are not in Epcot
2. You realize the problem in the morning
3. You know that you can change the times

I can guarantee that the people using their Haunted Mansion Fastpass when the stand-by line was walk-on didn't know they had more options.

 

[PaulaVonSchweetz]

I agree with all the points you made. I just wanted to point out that we found this...

to be untrue. The concierge at both BLT and CR was able to print our itinerary for us about a month ago. It was just a printed off version of what you would see on MDE, ghost FP+ and all, but they could do it. Might just be the CM you ran into. I heard some at the concierge desk talking about how they didn't have the ability to do anything with FP+.

I also had no problem getting fp printed itenarary pages at my hotels (AKL and bLT) as well as park guest relations.

 

[cmurray234]

I also had no problem getting fp printed itenarary pages at my hotels (AKL and bLT) as well as park guest relations.

I guess the folks at Wilderness Lodge need a crash course in FP+. That was the strangest part of the whole experience for me.

 

[Nhtonc]

I should also add that we had a FP for POTC and the ride was just reopening when we arrived a bit into our FP window. We walked on standby and the system automatically switch our FP to an 'anytime' FP for a small list of rides in the area. That's the one we never ended up using b/c I didn't realize it until later and then we didn't feel like walking back. So if a ride breaks down during your FP time, check your email!

 

[KatieCharlotte]

From what I've observed, this will work on 3 conditions.

1. You are not in Epcot
2. You realize the problem in the morning
3. You know that you can change the times

I can guarantee that the people using their Haunted Mansion Fastpass when the stand-by line was walk-on didn't know they had more options.

Also:
4. You are not an offsite guest who couldn't change a FP+ so easily.
5. You are not traveling during peak season.
6. You do not try to switch to an attraction that books up fastest, ie ETWB or TSMM

 

[flatlandcycle]

-Simple requests like "can I get a printout of my fast pass times for the day" cannot be fulfilled by Disney resort hotels (I tried this. The answer I got was "we can't do that at this time"). This is a glaring oversight that needs to be rectified. Yesterday, if possible.

We are like-minded. I hand swipe from the MDE app to obtain a screenshot of My Plans. I also take pics of the FP+ kiosk. Not paper but a copy, none the less.

 

[kehlyrsmom]

Today is my official 60 day mark and I am dreading the thought of trying to figure out my ride times. We have been going every year the past 8 years some years 2 and three trips. It's bad enough to plan dinning times for the few nights we are doing sit down dining let alone plan out my whole day. We do not enjoy having our days planned out down to the minutes like this.

 

[anniee882000]

Also:
4. You are not an offsite guest who couldn't change a FP+ so easily.
5. You are not traveling during peak season.
6. You do not try to switch to an attraction that books up fastest, ie ETWB or TSMM

This.

We were off site and the only way we could have changed fast pass times is to wait in a long fast pass kiosk line. At least to my knowledge.