LOVE or HATE FP+ Anyone's mind been changed ??

[MrInfinity]

25:35 Kathy: I think back to how it was on vacation with my kids, and I would ask them "what's the one attraction that you want to ride?", and then we would make sure that we did those. Well now if you only have three, I mean it was easy for me, I only had three kids, so I would get those three. But what if you have 4 or 5 or 6 people in your family that want to ride different things in the park. Now, how do you say to little Johnny "hey, we're going to do space mountain instead of carousel of progress?". (Let's ignore the fact you can split up groups.... CoP isn't a FP+ attraction!)

29:04 Rino: I'm not 100% sure that you can book all three fastpasses for 3 major rides though.
Craig: You can't.
Rino: You get like one big, one medium, and the smaller one. (What are they talking about?!)

30:13 Kathy: Even the joke used to be or the story with spaceship earth. You don't want to ride spaceship earth first thing in the morning because everybody would hit it. But now, there isn't a downtime for spaceship earth. (SSE had a 5 minute posted wait as I wrote this at 6:00 1/25)

This is absurd! Did they really say that? One big, one medium, and one smaller one?

Man. This is why podcasts are useless. They are just trying to sound like an average person expressing discontent.

Really I have to figure these ppl have actually been to WDW and did not just pick up some flyer and do a cursory glance as to what FP+ is, and even if they did so, they never would have picked up the words "small, medium and big". So they know the general complaint, much more precisely than they are letting on, and they are just deliberately appearing unknowing to lend some credibility w the non-uber follower, or to incite folks into correcting them?

What it comes down to is if you have a podcast, you need commenters. Period. FP+ is kind of dying down now, and so they're just making random sentences to drive chatter, which will in turn drive them getting found in more search results.

BTW just trying to catch up on this thread... what's the current point being made?

 

[flicx]

I have decided it is time for me to add my 2 cents to this discussion. I have not chimed in before because of all the less than civil discussion on the subject of FP+. I am not a fan. But, my situation is different from most on this board. I am 61 years old and usually do not travel with children. I do solo trips and trips with other adults. I usually visit 4-5 times per year and visit during the slower times. I don't do the headliners and rarely used FP-. Maybe for Soarin or TSMM. I like to wander around and do the lesser attractions and shows that usually never had much of a wait. FP+ has changed that for me, especially at the MK. FP+ has done well at redistributing the crowds and my tried and true method of touring no longer works. BUT my major complaint is that I am tired of being a guinea pig for this new system. From the different experiences Dissers have reported, it is pretty obvious that WDW is still tinkering with how and how many FP+ are distributed. WDW trips cost too much to be a test subject!! I believe that the technology will eventually evolve into something that is much better than it is now. At least I hope so!! In the meantime, I do not like attractions being FP+ when there is no need for FP at all as it makes the standby longer. I don't like being locked into Epcot for the day just because I have a Soarin FP and don't know if I can luck up and get one for another day. I don't like seeing families grouped around Dad's cell phone trying for that elusive FP for SDMT. I know that everyone's situation is different, but I feel there are many like me on this board. They don't really care for FP+, but are not speaking up because their opinion will be shot down. I am taking a break from WDW this year and am hoping that things settle down in the future.

This poster makes so many good points. I truly wonder what number of regular park goers have either quit or really scaled back their Disney world trips due to the new system. I truly believe the 50% like and 50% hate number. I work in a place where I get to talk to a lot of customers in a day. Disney has come up over the past few months with quite a few of them. While not scientific the opinions I heard were not glowing for the new fast pass plus system. I truly wonder what long term effects this system will cause.

 

[Angel Ariel]

So because they were wrong about some things, they must be doing it intentionally? I'm not debating whether or not they made inaccurate statements. They did. And would I expect them to know the accurate answers? Yes, I would. Not debating that at all.

But again - I get misinformation from *Disney itself* all the time. It's like a running joke on the DIS that you can't really believe what you hear from Disney CMs, or even policies that are posted on their website because it's wrong more often than it's right. But podcasters being wrong about something = being intentionally misleading? I'm sorry, I wholeheartedly disagree with that.

 

[ckelly55]

I had the same problem with times changed on one of my days for Fast Passes. We had earlier times for Splash mountain, Seven Dwarfs and Space Mountain. Last night when my daughter checked they were changed to late in the evening with the last one being 9:40-10-40pm. On another day our Star Tours was gone and replaced with Twilight Towers. We never were going on Twilight. The cast member corrected the Star Tours but could not do anything about the ones that the times were changed because Seven Dwarfs was no longer available. I called today to see what had happened and all they could say was that it was modified but they did not know by whom. I told her we did not modify anything. I awhile gone in to look but always back out. Even if I had changed one by mistake I would not have done that with all three rides. We leave in 2 weeks and I hope it doesn't happen again. I printed the rides and times out this time. I had forgotten to do it the first time. They did give me a Choice of Experience for the one day so that we can go on the rides at the time we want. They must have those for when mistakes happen. You get 3 choices for each party and she promises that is will be good on Splash, Seven Dwarfs and Space Mountain.

Has anyone else had any problems with their fast passes being changed without their approval? She told me that if Disney has to change them, they send you an email which I never received. She doesn't think it was changed on their end but I know I didn't do it and my daughter hasn't been on the site since Christmas because she is having problems with her internet.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I don't think there was ever availability to offer a 4th FP+. Guests were complaining about only having 3 FP+ reservations, so Disney threw out getting the 4th through the kiosks. Disney knew the 4th FP would be limited or non-existent but it appeased the guests. It was a PR move and it worked.

IMO lack of 4th FP's availability is the reason Disney won't make it available on the app. If that info were on the app, everyone would know what was available to most guests for the 4th FP. People who arrived at the parks without booking any FP's would possibly be shut out of booking their first 3 FP's. I realize some people are getting a good 4th FP + selections, but some are not. Disney offered 3 FP+ reservations because that was the maximum ride capacity of their parks.

Yes, and what I'm saying is that in order for FP+ to work as originally envisioned by Disney (as described in the My Magic Plus patents) there needs to be more availability. If you read the patents, the system that Disney describes there sounds great--the ability to pre-reserve rides, the ability to make changes on the fly using a mobile device, the ability for Disney to offer surprise/bonus FPs to move crowds around the park, the ability to line up ride after ride--just doesn't exist in reality. I was so excited when I read the patents because the system sounded a lot like legacy FP without the paper. But the reality is that the system doesn't live up to its potential because there is too little ride capacity. This isn't about Disney offering the 4th FP+ and the reasons for it, it's about a system that doesn't work to its full potential in the environment where it was placed, because the environment doesn't offer the resources to allow the system to work to its fullest potential.

Love or hate FP+, I'd think we could all agree that it would work better if there were more rides. That's all I'm trying to say.

 

[WillAustin]

Love or hate FP+, I'd think we could all agree that it would work better if there were more rides. That's all I'm trying to say.

Or if they'd just lower the limit on how many people can be in a park.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

I think it is good but they do need to add being able to get a fourth from the app. The kiosk lines were longer than the rides.

 

[Disneylover99]

I have decided it is time for me to add my 2 cents to this discussion. I have not chimed in before because of all the less than civil discussion on the subject of FP+. I am not a fan. But, my situation is different from most on this board. I am 61 years old and usually do not travel with children. I do solo trips and trips with other adults. I usually visit 4-5 times per year and visit during the slower times. I don't do the headliners and rarely used FP-. Maybe for Soarin or TSMM. I like to wander around and do the lesser attractions and shows that usually never had much of a wait. FP+ has changed that for me, especially at the MK. FP+ has done well at redistributing the crowds and my tried and true method of touring no longer works. BUT my major complaint is that I am tired of being a guinea pig for this new system. From the different experiences Dissers have reported, it is pretty obvious that WDW is still tinkering with how and how many FP+ are distributed. WDW trips cost too much to be a test subject!! I believe that the technology will eventually evolve into something that is much better than it is now. At least I hope so!! In the meantime, I do not like attractions being FP+ when there is no need for FP at all as it makes the standby longer. I don't like being locked into Epcot for the day just because I have a Soarin FP and don't know if I can luck up and get one for another day. I don't like seeing families grouped around Dad's cell phone trying for that elusive FP for SDMT. I know that everyone's situation is different, but I feel there are many like me on this board. They don't really care for FP+, but are not speaking up because their opinion will be shot down. I am taking a break from WDW this year and am hoping that things settle down in the future.

Thanks for sharing your perspective.

 

[dayvewc]

Yes, and what I'm saying is that in order for FP+ to work as originally envisioned by Disney (as described in the My Magic Plus patents) there needs to be more availability. If you read the patents, the system that Disney describes there sounds great--the ability to pre-reserve rides, the ability to make changes on the fly using a mobile device, the ability for Disney to offer surprise/bonus FPs to move crowds around the park, the ability to line up ride after ride--just doesn't exist in reality. I was so excited when I read the patents because the system sounded a lot like legacy FP without the paper. But the reality is that the system doesn't live up to its potential because there is too little ride capacity. This isn't about Disney offering the 4th FP+ and the reasons for it, it's about a system that doesn't work to its full potential in the environment where it was placed, because the environment doesn't offer the resources to allow the system to work to its fullest potential.

Love or hate FP+, I'd think we could all agree that it would work better if there were more rides. That's all I'm trying to say.

This is me exactly. I still like FP+, it hasn't impacted my touring significantly, yet. But the idea as originally presented was so much more than what it is now. I'm still hopeful for future changes that bring it more in line with what the idea was.

 

[Suvadoo]

This is me exactly. I still like FP+, it hasn't impacted my touring significantly, yet. But the idea as originally presented was so much more than what it is now. I'm still hopeful for future changes that bring it more in line with what the idea was.

the only way this can happen is for Disney to add a lot more attractions or for them to limit the amount of guests in each park. I really don't see either of these things happening in the near future.

Yes, they are building Avatarland, but AK seems to be the park with few FP+ availability problems. I know everyone is anticipating the DHS facelift, but all I see are attractions being closed. Epcot is the other problem park and there is nothing planned at this point. I don't think the Frozen attraction counts since it's an attraction re-do.

 

[Shaden]

No doubt input like that indicates a need for a company (or a bunch of geeks like us on a discussion board) to look at things more closely. However, you seem to be an intelligent data guy......do you really want to hang your hat on an unscientific FB poll? Not sure many people would dispute the likely reality that 9 out of 10 unhappy people will likely respond to such a poll, where 9 out of 10 happy people will probably never see the poll, much less respond to it. Unhappy people (in the minority or otherwise) always tend to be more vocal than the happy people, and the neutrals just don't care. So it's hard to draw an absolute 51% conclusion from that 'data', no?

We have actually been trying to make the point repeatedly that the poll is really meaningless .... Fuzzy on the other hand has been treating it like the gospel, all the while arguing people who didn't like FP+ if they saw a poll that agree with them would do the same ...

 

[DisneyKidds]

We have actually been trying to make the point repeatedly that the poll is really meaningless....

Who's this we? Really, I'm losing track of the camps! Lake (I thought you were in his camp) doesn't seem to be poo-pooing the poll as meaningless. According to him it shows an appallingly low "acceptability" rate that portends disaster down the road for WDW!

 

[Angel Ariel]

Who's this we? Really, I'm losing track of the camps! Lake (I thought you were in his camp) doesn't seem to be poo-pooing the poll as meaningless. According to him it shows an appallingly low "acceptability" rate that portends disaster down the road for WDW!

So agreeing with someone re: FP+ in general (pro or anti) means you must agree with them on every aspect/discussion?

 

[WillAustin]

So agreeing with someone re: FP+ in general (pro or anti) means you must agree with them on every aspect/discussion?

Aren't we all just citizens of Bitter Town now?

 

[DisneyKidds]

So agreeing with someone re: FP+ in general (pro or anti) means you must agree with them on every aspect/discussion?

YES!

And if you don't completely agree or disagree with me you can leave right now! Go on, go to your room!

 

[Planogirl]

the only way this can happen is for Disney to add a lot more attractions or for them to limit the amount of guests in each park. I really don't see either of these things happening in the near future.

Yes, they are building Avatarland, but AK seems to be the park with few FP+ availability problems. I know everyone is anticipating the DHS facelift, but all I see are attractions being closed. Epcot is the other problem park and there is nothing planned at this point. I don't think the Frozen attraction counts since it's an attraction re-do.

They could be hoping that adding Avatar will lure some people away from MK. I think that it's likely that the Frozen mess will lure some people in that direction which could help MK.

We might instead end up with nothing but crowded parks of course.

 

[Laketravis]

Aren't we all just citizens of Bitter Town now?

Gotta make a move to a
Town that's right for me
Town to get me moving
Keep me grooving with some energy

Well, I'll talk about it, talk about it
Talk about it, talk about it
Talk about, talk about
Talk about moving

Gotta move on
Gotta move on
Gotta move on

Won't you take me to
Bitter Town?
Won't you take me to
Bitter Town?

Won't you take me to
Bitter Town?
Won't you take me to
Bitter Town?

 

[PACVII]

Love it

 

[WillAustin]

Gotta make a move to a
Town that's right for me
Town to get me moving
Keep me grooving with some energy

Well, I'll talk about it, talk about it
Talk about it, talk about it
Talk about, talk about
Talk about moving

Gotta move on
Gotta move on
Gotta move on

Won't you take me to
Bitter Town?
Won't you take me to
Bitter Town?

Won't you take me to
Bitter Town?
Won't you take me to
Bitter Town?

We will always make the best of our trips and have fun, but I still don't like FP+.

 

[edk35]

Standby lines: My dd is at Disney right now. She and BF arrived MK before rope drop. They were at Mine Train before 9:00 when she texted me. It took them 30 min. to get thru and ride. THEN they went straight to Peter Pan and it took them 40 min. before they got on. So this is LOW CROWD preferred park day at MK and they waited for 20-30 min. for rides that included Pooh, Tea Cups, Small World in the first 2 to 2 1/2 hours of the day. SHOOT they ONLY rode 2 rides in the first 1 hour 10 min. of the day. Before FP+ when we went in late Jan. like this..... we could literally RIDE PETER PAN 3-4 times after park opening. That was before Mermaid and Mine Train so there were less Fantasy Land rides/attractions to choose from.

Something tells me.... FP+ has screwed this up. JUST SAYIN!!