Misled by fastpass plussers

[Etherflyer]

Why not do.all updates on the app and have kiosks for those that need help or don't have a smartphone. Then no line waits for kiosks.

 

[GreatLakes]

Why not do.all updates on the app and have kiosks for those that need help or don't have a smartphone. Then no line waits for kiosks.

I suspect that is the plan, it just hasn't come to fruition yet.

 

[Lucius Best]

From what I've "heard" and again, I have not experience the new FP+ system yet, is that MORE people are now using fast pass than ever before. I've also heard that Fast pass holders have priority over standby people, which means as long as people keep coming through the fast pass line, the standby line will sit there stagnant..... with the line growing longer with every passing minute. Once there's a break in the fast passers, then the standby line can start to filter in, but only until the fast passers start up again and then it's back to a halt.

Yes, the FP return line has a priority over the standby line. But CMs will not completely stop the standby line until the FP return line is empty. With more people using FP+, there are more people in the FP return line, CMs will stop the FP line to let some number of standby guests merge in to keep both lines moving. We had lots of 15-20 minute waits with FP on our trip. Some of it was delays scanning MagicBands, but mostly it just seemed like there were just more people in the FP return line than we were used to.

 

[ELSA711]

If we are speaking about just the technology, yes, they could if they wanted. They could also limit you to the park you are in only if you didn't use a park hopping ticket to enter the park.

They also may roll it out in phases. At first you can only use the app to secure a 4th FP+ from the same park your other 3 were in and use a kiosk to hop. Then, after any bugs or issues are worked out, open it up based on the media you used to enter the park.

oh right, because your band is scanned to enter a specific park so they already are tracking you..lol

 

[MrInfinity]

Why not do.all updates on the app and have kiosks for those that need help or don't have a smartphone. Then no line waits for kiosks.

I think this is a natural evolution and it'll get there... maybe not just wide open. I see the potential for allowing extra FP's on a phone, to turn into essentially the old FP- problem. That is, he who optimizes the system the fastest, rides the most. That is not likely a design goal, to enable one to... pull FP, ride a ride... pull a FP, ride a ride... over and over. That benefits the people who will find the most optimal path around the park that let's them maximize pulls, like before. Rather, if this comes to be, I think it will have some sort of throttle, like pull FP, ride a ride ... but then you can't pull another for 2 hours, so that other people who are wandering more aimlessly will have the option to pull some, too. Or if the remaining supply is scant enough that you can only pull 1 anyways before they're gone, then perhaps the throttling isn't needed. In some form or another tho, I think the dependency on kiosks will be reduced. There is no reason to not further utilize the technology we all carry in our pockets already.

 

[jsmla]

I see the potential for allowing extra FP's on a phone, to turn into essentially the old FP- problem. That is, he who optimizes the system the fastest, rides the most. That is not likely a design goal, to enable one to... pull FP, ride a ride... pull a FP, ride a ride... over and over. That benefits the people who will find the most optimal path around the park that let's them maximize pulls, like before. Rather, if this comes to be, I think it will have some sort of throttle, like pull FP, ride a ride ... but then you can't pull another for 2 hours, so that other people who are wandering more aimlessly will have the option to pull some, too.

I would LOVE to be able to book 4th, 5th, 6th, etc. FPs on my phone! I do feel however that if I spend hours figuring out the logistics of the system I should be able to benefit from that. I mean, when you thoroughly prepare for, say, a physics final should the guy who rarely went to class and spent the night before at Lucy's Surfer Bar get the same grade that you do because that's more equitable?

 

[NavyDad]

Oh my...

Our family of 5 went in late June for 8 days. Each day was an 8 or 9 crowd level.

We followed the cheat sheets on Easy WDW. We were prepared with a plan to be ahead of the crowds and had good intel on when the waits start to back up on which rides. The only ride we got caught in a longer than usual line was The Land around lunch time one day. We had tons of availability for 4th+ FP on major attractions until late afternoon and for the "secondary attractions" pretty much all day until close.

I have to say we tried to use our time in the smartest way possible. Took breaks during the busiest parts of the day. Did most of our rides the first 3 hours and last 3 hours of the day. In the middle of the day we watched shows, used FP+, or took a break to eat inside in the AC and/or go back to our resort and rest.

I think you may be doing it wrong...

Have you read Mesa's FP+ thread or gone to Easy WDW to get advice from Josh?

 

[bookgirl]

what a crock people who defend fast plus+. I had numerous fears about fp+ but was hopeful because of all the people who said "oh it's great". It's great if u want to sweat in long lines at rides like haunted mansion that should never need a fastpass. 60 minute wait right now at 3:30. Ariel ride at noon-I couldn't believe how many people were doing fp+ for it. It's fast loading, why on earth would you fp it???? People actually fp small world. It's madness. all the stories of how great it is are "misleading" at best.at worst well.........

Sorry you had a bad time. However FP does work for people (me included) and I'm not going to say it doesn't just so others can justify their not so great experience. Most people do say that they like it based on their experiences. I've never seen anyone say that it works 100% of the time for everyone.

 

[NavyDad]

I would LOVE to be able to book 4th, 5th, 6th, etc. FPs on my phone! I do feel however that if I spend hours figuring out the logistics of the system I should be able to benefit from that. I mean, when you thoroughly prepare for, say, a physics final should the guy who rarely went to class and spent the night before at Lucy's Surfer Bar get the same grade that you do because that's more equitable?

You have hit the nail on the head in regards to many long time WDW fans who don't get as much advantage from their high levels of WDW knowledge.

The issue lies in the fact that Disney Parks is not at all interested in giving people "good grades" for having lots of WDW knowledge. They have completely different motives that are mostly driven by their business model.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Oh god another one?

Fast pass plus is awesome and it's not going anywhere - sorry you had a bad time, but don't blame those who get it and enjoy it

 

[Jennytoon]

From what I've "heard" and again, I have not experience the new FP+ system yet, is that MORE people are now using fast pass than ever before. I've also heard that Fast pass holders have priority over standby people, which means as long as people keep coming through the fast pass line, the standby line will sit there stagnant..... with the line growing longer with every passing minute. Once there's a break in the fast passers, then the standby line can start to filter in, but only until the fast passers start up again and then it's back to a halt.

Yes, the FP return line has a priority over the standby line. But CMs will not completely stop the standby line until the FP return line is empty. With more people using FP+, there are more people in the FP return line, CMs will stop the FP line to let some number of standby guests merge in to keep both lines moving. We had lots of 15-20 minute waits with FP on our trip. Some of it was delays scanning MagicBands, but mostly it just seemed like there were just more people in the FP return line than we were used to.

One of the things that we really noticed when we were there in mid-late August was a significant change on some rides in how much standby line equates to what standby time. That is, we went through the FP line on Kali River Rapids and we could see where the standby line was -- it was stopped at a point that we know previously corresponded to about a 30 minute wait. The posted wait and the Lines expected wait were both 75 minutes. Similarly on a different day, we waited about 35 minutes from a point on the same ride that we know to have previously corresponded to about a 15 minute wait. Although we didn't see this on every ride, the only reasonable explanation I can think of is that more people were going through the FP line, so the standby line was moving slower, and this would be a totally expected difference.

That said, we also saw that the FP line was stopped and managed to keep the standby lines moving. My daughter spoke to a line CM at one point while waiting (grain of salt because I have her translation), and according to her the CMs run the two lines at different ratios in order to try to keep the FP line fast. So if the FP line is moving / under five minutes, they will let the standby through freely or at least at 1-1 from the two lines. If the FP line is backed up, they will change the ratios in stages all the way up to 6 FP to 1 standby in order to clear the FP line. If true, they never completely stop the standby line, but it is definitely a goal to keep the FP line moving well, prioritizing that over moving the standby line, but never to the point of stopping the standby line completely.

 

[Robo]

As long as we're predicting...
I predict no change in the method of booking of the 4th (etc.) FP+.

 

[jsmla]

You have hit the nail on the head in regards to many long time WDW fans who don't get as much advantage from their high levels of WDW knowledge.

The issue lies in the fact that Disney Parks is not at all interested in giving people "good grades" for having lots of WDW knowledge. They have completely different motives that are mostly driven by their business model.

Right now I do feel like I benefit. I know which attractions to get FPs for and what times to schedule them for. I know how the kiosks work and where they are located. I have always done a lot of research each time the system changed be it from no FP to Paper FP to FP+. I really don't see the point in some of the tearing of hair and gnashing of teeth that goes on whenever something changes. My philosophy is forget about what was and learn how to maximize the current system.

A friend's daughter and granddaughter went to WDW in July for a dance competition. Their only day to spend in the park was July fourth yet they were able see and do all of their big priorities because they listened when I offered to help. Most people just roll their eyes.

They had an early reservation for BBB, met Anna and Elsa, rode the Mine Train and had dinner at Be Our Guest on a day when the MK closed due to capacity.

 

[mesaboy2]

As long as we're predicting...
I predict no change in the method of booking of the 4th (etc.) FP+.

I agree, at least not anytime soon. Even Disney IT could have managed changing the app a while ago if they wanted to.

 

[GreatLakes]

I would LOVE to be able to book 4th, 5th, 6th, etc. FPs on my phone! I do feel however that if I spend hours figuring out the logistics of the system I should be able to benefit from that. I mean, when you thoroughly prepare for, say, a physics final should the guy who rarely went to class and spent the night before at Lucy's Surfer Bar get the same grade that you do because that's more equitable?

FP+'s are a limited resources, grades are not. You can have a whole class of students who get A's regardless of the effort they put into studying. There isn't an A quota.

For every FP+ a person gets that is one not available. While I don't think it is the main reason for the change to FP+ I do think spreading the number of FPs around more equally was one of the goals of the change.

As long as we're predicting...
I predict no change in the method of booking of the 4th (etc.) FP+.

I think it will be a little while but I think within the next 5 years they will move everything they can onto the app.

 

[mjallemand]

I'm kind of at a take-it-or-leave-it place right now. It's not getting worked up over because life is too short.

In general my girlfriend and I like to get to the parks when they open but otherwise wing it, because of this, I rather miss the old fastpass method because it allowed a bit of spontaneity, instead of having to plan what attractions you're gonna hit two months in advance.

On the flip side, Fastpass+ at least guarantees you'll be able to pick out three of your favorites and ride those, with possible exceptions being the ultra-popular stuff like the Seven Dwarves Mine Train and Anna & Elsa's Meet, obviously.

Lines are a thing at Disney World. They happen. The parks are more popular now than they've ever been. You can't and shouldn't ever expect to "just walk on" a ride. Learn to live with lines or go elsewhere, really.

 

[jsmla]

FP+'s are a limited resources, grades are not. You can have a whole class of students who get A's regardless of the effort they put into studying. There isn't an A quota.

For every FP+ a person gets that is one not available. While I don't think it is the main reason for the change to FP+ I do think spreading the number of FPs around more equally was one of the goals of the change.

Okay, how about another analogy. Black Friday is coming up and I want to buy a big screen TV. I research the best deals online weeks ahead of time and camp out at Best Buy hours before they open. There are a limited number of TVs available. Should the person who sleeps in and heads over to the store on Friday afternoon have a TV held for him?

(Actually, I've never done this, DH is in charge of all electronic purchases. I haven't done Black Friday since DD grew up and moved away. It's just something that came to mind.)

 

[Robo]

I think it will be a little while but I think within the next 5 years they will move everything they can onto the app.

As long as we're predicting...
I predict that within the next 5 years (heck, 2 years) FP+ will be vastly different than now.
A major change.

 

[GreatLakes]

Okay, how about another analogy. Black Friday is coming up and I want to buy a big screen TV. I research the best deals online weeks ahead of time and camp out at Best Buy hours before they open. There are a limited number of TVs available. Should the person who sleeps in and heads over to the store on Friday afternoon have a TV held for him?

(Actually, I've never done this, DH is in charge of all electronic purchases. I haven't done Black Friday since DD grew up and moved away. It's just something that came to mind.)

Personally I don't think so but if the store wants to limit how many they sell each person or how many they sell an hour that's on them.

It is what it is.

 

[slickpoetry]

To me, it only makes sense that Disney would eventually allow the extra FP to be booked through the app. That way they can reduce staffing at the kiosks/saving $$