Just Returned and despise Fastpass +

[kittyab]

When I booked our reservations I used chrome with no troubles. I was able to make changes with our android devises. My hubbie was able to view our selections with his Ipad while we were there. But I had to make the changes with my android tablet.

This is not a uncommon issue. At my work some things will only with with IE, some will only work with Chrome. Its a pain but sadly this will not go away.

 

[kbmets]

...someone previously mentioned that the FastPass kiosks were beiing removed...now, am I understanding this correctly - if you are not staying at a WDW resort, you would then not get a band? And, if that's the case, then you threfore cannot get any FastPasses since the kiosks are no longer there?

Just got this email:


MagicBand
"Once you arrive, you can access your FastPass+ selections with your handy MagicBand† (a card option is also available). With an all-in-one MagicBand on your wrist, you'll travel lighter throughout your vacation as you use it to enter your Disney Resort hotel room, buy food and merchandise, and enter the Walt Disney World Parks."

 

[kimmar067]

Just got this email:


MagicBand
"Once you arrive, you can access your FastPass+ selections with your handy MagicBand† (a card option is also available). With an all-in-one MagicBand on your wrist, you'll travel lighter throughout your vacation as you use it to enter your Disney Resort hotel room, buy food and merchandise, and enter the Walt Disney World Parks."

....yet ANOTHER thing that I did NOT get from Disney.go.com.....I am convinced that Disney is trying to boycott me.....

 

[iheartjuppy]

. As far as the "extra" selections; he wasn't able to remove those! He told me they were valid FPs so, I am taking that as pixie dust! He said the magic bands are a reflection of whatever is on the Disney website when I'm logged into our account. I am NOT holding my breath that they will remain ~ I'm sure Disney will have a fix for that and as long as my requested times are honored, I don't care.

I had been reading that the "ghost fast passes" (the ones left in the system after IT helps - still can't fathom how they can't remove them on the back end!) won't work when you try to use them - they cause the "blue Mickey" - has anyone successfully used a "ghost FP"?

 

[Eldon_Brasche]

I think, and could certainly be wrong, that if you are the type of guest who took full advantage of Fast Pass - arrived at rope drop, used upwards of 6 fast passes a day (and more at MK since they had the detached fast pass rides), used multiple fast passes for a ride, etc. - you aren't really going to be a fan of FP+. Now, if you are the type of guest who enjoys sleeping in, leisurely arriving at the park at 11:00 or later, you often enjoy FP+. My family happens to fall into the former category and we found that FP+ did negatively impact our touring 2 weeks ago. I kept getting assurances that they had't finalized FP+ and that they were still taking feedback to make changes, but all of the FP machines seem to be gone. So, unless they are going to really change how you do FP+ in that you can have 10 a day and multiples for the same ride, I don't see it really being a better system for my style of touring than the legacy fast pass.



Edited to add: We were told on multiple occasions that a study was done that found that the average guest only used 1.3 Fast Passes per day. Now, I don't doubt this to be true, but I'd be willing to bet that that average is because there were people using 6, 7, and 8 and then MANY people who used none due to believing you had to pay for it. I don't think it is in the best interest of Disney to limit it to 3 since the average was 1.3 per guest. That average means that there were plenty of guests who used fewer, which means that they won't care that the limit is 3, but also that there were many who used more who would be angered by the limit.

"IF" the study included all guests, and not just those utilizing legacy FP, the data is skewed. A more accurate study would result from excluding non FP users.
Say you get data from a population of 10 users. 7 don't use FP and 3 use it.
Of the 3 that use it:
1 uses 7 FP’s,
1 uses 4 FP’s,
1 uses 2 FP’s
Total fast passes used = 13
The total used by the three users averages 4.33 (13/3=4.33)
The total used by all members of the study population averages 1.3 (13/10=1.3)

Now Disney is making available 3 FP’s for each member of the population for a total of 30 FP’s available.

If all 10 people took advantage of it, that would increase demand by 230% (13/30X100 = 230%) which can only be accomplished by increasing capacity by adding FP to more attractions in order to redistribute the number of passes in use. What they have done is create an artificial demand where demand did not previously exist.

This must have been dreamed up by the same people that believed putting RFID chips in all of the drink cups would save money by preventing the minority of abusers from drinking too much soda.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I had been reading that the "ghost fast passes" (the ones left in the system after IT helps - still can't fathom how they can't remove them on the back end!) won't work when you try to use them - they cause the "blue Mickey" - has anyone successfully used a "ghost FP"?

I haven't heard of anyone who did.

 

[kimmar067]

....I have a question...we had some MAJOR problems during the beginning of our stay at ASM last year. I called [when we returned home] to complain about it. Long story short, the CM offered me a FastPass for each member of my family for our next WDW visit, which will hopefully be in October. Sooooo, with the introduction of the Mickey bands, are those FPs moot point?

 

[Missyrose]

....I have a question...we had some MAJOR problems during the beginning of our stay at ASM last year. I called [when we returned home] to complain about it. Long story short, the CM offered me a FastPass for each member of my family for our next WDW visit, which will hopefully be in October. Sooooo, with the introduction of the Mickey bands, are those FPs moot point?

You'll be able to use them. I don't know if Guest Relations has gone paperless yet. But if they haven't you'll go to GR and give them your name and they'll write you an anytime FP based on what is noted in your file. Then you just hand that FP to the CMs in the FP+ queue.

 

[cinmell]

I have an IMac, Ipad, and Iphone and have not had any problems with Safari at all. We have made dining, fastpass plus, linked 4 different hotel ressies dvc and regular,linked AP's, and picked our magic band colors. Two trips are done, Dec and Jan and we were lucky enough to have everything work on the magic bands and the MDE website.

My only issue is the way fastpass plus's are chosen. It takes a while to go through all the steps changing times.

I am NOT a cheerleader for MDE, but I want Safari users to know it works just fine, in my experience.

Same here. We have a Mac, iPads, iPhones and a MacBook Pro. No problems with Safari on MDE site on any of those. My problem is with the app. I have old expired tickets associated with MDE (but only on the app, they don't appear on the site) that I can't delete. They do not appear when I look on my MDE account on my Mac, MacBook Pro or iPad. I called IT to ask about it b/c we'll obviously have to use the app while in WDW and the tech said he would remove them because they shouldn't be there and said they should be removed to make sure the old tickets don't associate with our new reservation and mess things up. He put me on hold and when he came back he couldn't figure it out and told me they would eventually fall off don't worry about it. So he went from saying they should be removed b/c they could potentially mess up our new tickets to don't worry, they "should" eventually fall off my MDE account.

 

[kimmar067]

You'll be able to use them. I don't know if Guest Relations has gone paperless yet. But if they haven't you'll go to GR and give them your name and they'll write you an anytime FP based on what is noted in your file. Then you just hand that FP to the CMs in the FP+ queue.

...fair enough...

 

[2Tiggies]

I had been reading that the "ghost fast passes" (the ones left in the system after IT helps - still can't fathom how they can't remove them on the back end!) won't work when you try to use them - they cause the "blue Mickey" - has anyone successfully used a "ghost FP"?

I think they are pretty much the same as the ghost tickets and phantom guests that appear in MDE. Sometimes they go away / display correctly on their own later on and other times it takes 6 weeks and four hours of calls to IT to get it sorted out. It must have something to do with the software but it's been going on since last year and clearly they are no closer to resolving the issue. My MDE account has now decided to show up some ADR's I have not made. When I started to think about it I was prompted to check what we had done on our previous trips and sure enough, those are the ones. Only thing is they are scheduled within our dates for this year I'm not sitting on the already strained phone system to them now but if they still show before we go I will have to call them and just make sure that I don't have to cancel anything to avoid charges. However I am becoming quite well acquainted with MDE's Grim Grinning Ghosts and I'm learning to just let them appear and disappear of their own accord

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

You don't have to use FP+. You can have a great time at Walt Disney World on your own time using standby lines.

 

[Kate and Family]

I have not yet been to WDW since FP+ (hope to be there this fall). Nor have I booked a ressie yet, so I have not had to deal with MDE yet as well. Putting aside the IT problems for a moment, I would like to mention a touring type that I do not see often mentioned here.

Some days we have a short day at the parks and 2 FP may be all that we need. Other days, we are there from RD to closing and 3 FP are no where near what I would like to see. If Disney is going to limit the allowable FP to 3 per ticket, I wish that the system would work like meal credits on the dining plan. If you had a 5 day ticket, you can use 15 FP. As with Disney Dining, how many you use on any particular day, is up to you as long as you do not go over the limit. In that way, a two day ticket would let me use 2 FP for Epcot and 4 for MK.

 

[Planogirl]

I have not yet been to WDW since FP+ (hope to be there this fall). Nor have I booked a ressie yet, so I have not had to deal with MDE yet as well. Putting aside the IT problems for a moment, I would like to mention a touring type that I do not see often mentioned here.

Some days we have a short day at the parks and 2 FP may be all that we need. Other days, we are there from RD to closing and 3 FP are no where near what I would like to see. If Disney is going to limit the allowable FP to 3 per ticket, I wish that the system would work like meal credits on the dining plan. If you had a 5 day ticket, you can use 15 FP. As with Disney Dining, how many you use on any particular day, is up to you as long as you do not go over the limit. In that way, a two day ticket would let me use 2 FP for Epcot and 4 for MK.

That would interfere with Disney's desire to lock you into the parks each day of your visit though. If Disney wants to make sure that you go to a Disney park every day then they can use the 3 guaranteed FP+ as a lure.

I'd LOVE your idea though. It would be amazing to get more than 3 at MK.

 

[SpringSprite]

I have an IMac, Ipad, and Iphone and have not had any problems with Safari at all. We have made dining, fastpass plus, linked 4 different hotel ressies dvc and regular,linked AP's, and picked our magic band colors. Two trips are done, Dec and Jan and we were lucky enough to have everything work on the magic bands and the MDE website.

My only issue is the way fastpass plus's are chosen. It takes a while to go through all the steps changing times.

I am NOT a cheerleader for MDE, but I want Safari users to know it works just fine, in my experience.

Thank you for the encouragement! I was worried :O

 

[lugnut33]

My family and I just returned from our annual trip to the World 2/2-2/7. First off I had a horrible experience with the MDE website. I spent HOURS and HOURS on the phone with Disney pre trip. I understand that this system in new and that there are going to be "kinks" but I would also expect that each department within Disney to all be on the same page. I spoke with IT, Website assistance, guest relations, and finally those who had the power to actually help me. Mind you that regardless of the FACT that I spent no less that 30 hours on hold and I have no idea how many different departments I spoke with. The problem I was having was that when I would go to confirm a dining reservation and instead of receiving a confirmation I would be greeted with the very annoying Stitch announcing that he had indeed eaten my page. The same thing would happen with Fastpass selections. I would try repeatedly, restart my computer, and give it another go. I was told by IT my problem was that I had a MacBook and the program was designed for Internet explorer and not Safari. He suggested that I install google chrome or Internet explorer on my Mac. NO WAY! Then I had a tech help me with my "selections". After two hours on the phone with IT all I had was one fast pass for Nemo and it was not even in my Parties name. Moving on...This time of year is considered to be one of the slowest times to go to disney. Touringplans.com predicted our trip with 1,2,&3. Not even close. The park and resorts were busy. Disney makes it sound so easy to change your plans with your MDE app but here is the thing...you may or may not be able to change it at all. Most times there were no longer any experiences available or your choices where grim. The lines for the FP kiosks had long lines, the rides had long lines, and I can only imagine what spring Break or Christmas will be like. Personally we do not like planning every moment of our trip and prefer to chill and relax and use the FP as it use to be. This new system made us feel rushed and times. A 100 minute wait at test track on a Wednesday four days into Feb is a big sign that something isn't working. A 35 minute wait for Figment...which is one of the few FP choices you can not get a fast pass for both TT and Soarin'. All in all it made us feel rushed, and like we were on Disney's schedule and not our own. I hate the no park hopping with FP+. This system is awful. I love the Magic Bands but I could do without all the unchaperoned cheerleaders and the chanting of the lovely Tour groups.

Good! You didn't spend enough money anyways. You probably like to ride attractions more than once and therefore Disney doesn't want your business. Iger is pleased.

(Look, what I said in in jest and directed at those who think Disney wants to alienate guests because they aren't first time visitors willing to spend 20K on souvenirs. What I'm trying to point out is it's impossible to know who those guests are that Disney wants to alienate or eliminate. OP might have been a first time visitor who had a miserable experience, or a Disney veteran who was prepared to spend 30K on souvenirs but didnt' because of her MDE problems).

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

Good! You didn't spend enough money anyways. You probably like to ride attractions more than once and therefore Disney doesn't want your business. Iger is pleased.

(Look, what I said in in jest and directed at those who think Disney wants to alienate guests because they aren't first time visitors willing to spend 20K on souvenirs. What I'm trying to point out is it's impossible to know who those guests are that Disney wants to alienate or eliminate. OP might have been a first time visitor who had a miserable experience, or a Disney veteran who was prepared to spend 30K on souvenirs but didnt' because of her MDE problems).

Or a yearly vistor that had been thinking of purchasing a DVC and are now changing their mind.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Or a yearly vistor that had been thinking of purchasing a DVC and are now changing their mind.

Yeah, I wonder if FP+ will dampen sales. It seems like someone who would buy DVC would be the kind of person who wouldn't like FP+ either (not a first-time user). Or at least a portion of the potential buyers anyway. Interesting.

 

[lugnut33]

Yeah, I wonder if FP+ will dampen sales. It seems like someone who would buy DVC would be the kind of person who wouldn't like FP+ either (not a first-time user). Or at least a portion of the potential buyers anyway. Interesting.

We own DVC, and honestly FP+ will allow us to spend more time back at the resort enjoying the pool and other free activities.

 

[2Tiggies]

Yeah, I wonder if FP+ will dampen sales. It seems like someone who would buy DVC would be the kind of person who wouldn't like FP+ either (not a first-time user). Or at least a portion of the potential buyers anyway. Interesting.

It's a very valid point. I came so close to signing up in 2009 and ended up not going through with it. About a year ago I suddenly started having serious regrets about my decision and felt I would have been better off if I had bought. Roll on 2014 and I feel like I've dodged a bullet. While it's hard to say that it will cause sales to drop, it certainly will make some people who are on the fence about it sit it out a little longer or decide against it completely (at least for now).