More updated Fastpass+ information

[Leeanne]

I also understand that some folks don't have data on a phone. Disney had a section on the bottom on the Halloween party parks maps a couple years ago where you could get information text to you. You would need a text plan or pay for the text but they text info all night long. Wonder if something like that could be possibility? I know a couple of years ago I could use Yahoo! messenger by texting, maybe the same thing could happen?? You could text when you enter the park and it give the "special" events (i.e. Right now, no wait for XXXXX!!) Similar to Monsters Inc text in a joke??

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

Where's CF with his boilerplate 'nobody knows nothin' post?

True that!

 

[doggydoc]

For a family of four from Nashville to Orlando, flights on Southwest run about 2k.

If you don't mind a drive to Memphis starting this fall you can fly direct for almost half that.

 

[bauer1168]

I suspect that those dissatisfied customers would be just as unhappy if they didn't have a FP for the parade that got cancelled.

Except, they would have potentially used/wasted a FP on a parade that was cancelled, as opposed to not potentially losing out on a FP at all

 

[Leeanne]

If you don't mind a drive to Memphis starting this fall you can fly direct for almost half that.

Of course they would. We lived an hour to Memphis and 3 to Nashville for years. We just moved to Nashville about a year ago. For years Nashville has been cheaper, we move and they switch to Memphis. <----PC equals head

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

I am in the "neutral" position right now (probably a little more on the negative side, but willing to see what the system becomes...), but have several thoughts:


2. I am a HUGE planner. We travel to Disney World 1-3 times a year, and for our next trip scheduled for next Thanksgiving, I already have created an in-depth itinerary. However, I also recognize that "things happen." What if I plan a trip to the water park, and wake-up to discover rain? This system seems to make it very difficult to suddenly make a major change to the itinerary. :, even know that they are missing out.

My anxiety is high - this is the first thread I read from beginning to end. I recognize that nothing is gained by worrying, but, as I already said, this is a SPECIAL trip. I just want to know, and keep planning.

Everyone's trip is SPECIAL, even those who are lucky enough to go once in a lifetime!

 

[hazlnut]

Correct. Just started doing so within the last 30 days, or so.

(In preparation of FP+ coming to California parks sometime after implementation at WDW.)

So this is the policy currently at the Disneyland (not WDW) resort.

If you are 16 minutes late to your FP time window, then your FP is worthless.

No exceptions?

How can they possibly account for everything that could go wrong with families trying to trek across the park?

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Why did Disney not also just go the pay-to-play route? I don't know. That's a very interesting question. Maybe, they finally are, though the VP of NextGen has said quite publicly that they do not plan to. I have a hard time believing that, but that's been the story so far.

Perhaps they are but thru the cost of your resort stay. Pay more to stay, you may get more to play.

 

[mesaboy2]

So this is the policy currently at the Disneyland (not WDW) resort.

If you are 16 minutes late to your FP time window, then your FP is worthless.

No exceptions?

How can they possibly account for everything that could go wrong with families trying to trek across the park?

This is the policy at both resorts now. WDW has been operating this way for over a year now. The only exceptions are guest recovery situations. You are expected to be able to plan well enough so that you do not cut it that close--the window is an hour long after all.

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

This is the reason that on MDE I am only adding favorites that are TRULY my favorites. If Disney is data mining my favorites in order to surprise me, it better not be one of my favorites that's a "once per trip" favorite. I am touching the little blue heart only if I truly want a surprise and delight FP for it...

Bingo

 

[chicagoshannon]

I also understand that some folks don't have data on a phone. Disney had a section on the bottom on the Halloween party parks maps a couple years ago where you could get information text to you. You would need a text plan or pay for the text but they text info all night long. Wonder if something like that could be possibility? I know a couple of years ago I could use Yahoo! messenger by texting, maybe the same thing could happen?? You could text when you enter the park and it give the "special" events (i.e. Right now, no wait for XXXXX!!) Similar to Monsters Inc text in a joke??

We don't have data or texting. Furthermore, we can never hear our phones in the park anyway. The only reason I'd have my phone out of my purse is if we split up and I was waiting for someone to call and let me know where they were.

 

[mom2rtk]

They way things appear at this point indicate that it will be a big advantage to have a smart phone or web-enabled device when touring the parks. There will be alternatives available for those without web access, but I'm really thinking that will involve waiting at a kiosk behind others trying to make group decisions. I can certainly see where this puts some at a disadvantage, but for whatever reason, Disney seems OK with that inequity for its guests.

Apparently the guests who had trouble with the old system complained enough that Disney was willing to try a new plan. All I can say is that anyone who doesn't like the new plan should do the same.

Either enough people will be happy with the new system to keep going. Or they won't. It will be what it is.

 

[dadddio]

Except, they would have potentially used/wasted a FP on a parade that was cancelled, as opposed to not potentially losing out on a FP at all

Just like with a ride that broke down, they can use the FP for something else.

 

[UNCFanatik]

They way things appear at this point indicate that it will be a big advantage to have a smart phone or web-enabled device when touring the parks. There will be alternatives available for those without web access, but I'm really thinking that will involve waiting at a kiosk behind others trying to make group decisions. I can certainly see where this puts some at a disadvantage, but for whatever reason, Disney seems OK with that inequity for its guests.

Apparently the guests who had trouble with the old system complained enough that Disney was willing to try a new plan. All I can say is that anyone who doesn't like the new plan should do the same.

Either enough people will be happy with the new system to keep going. Or they won't. It will be what it is.

There has always been some level of inequality at Disney.

AND, the "superusers" have benefited greatly from the inequality of knowledge by taking advantage of certain things that Disney allowed. "Superusers" never wanted true equality in practice because if there was then their advantage would disappear.

This is part of the angst you see in these multiple threads about FP+. They dont like having to play on a level playing field with the unwashed masses.

 

[Robo]

Praise be the inequality, for commerce, and life, would stand still if all were equal.

 

[hazlnut]

This is the policy at both resorts now. WDW has been operating this way for over a year now. The only exceptions are guest recovery situations. You are expected to be able to plan well enough so that you do not cut it that close--the window is an hour long after all.

Anytime I've not been back for the FP time window, it was NOT my fault.

**Other rides go down while you're in line, they don't tell you until you've been standing still for 15 minutes. But you've already waited 45!! (and the sign at the front said 30 minutes) So, now instead of missing one ride, you're going to miss out on two because the CM won't let you in the FP lane late.

**Sit down restaurant service is slow, or you're eating done but your server has gone missing. You finally give her your credit card and she's gone for another 5 minutes taking other orders. I guess you could sprint from the restaurant to the ride before your FP expires.

**You get into a show and it starts late and, unless you're a season pass holder how do you know how long the show is, or how many pre-show rooms there are etc.

**That theme park pizza your kid ate is giving him tummy aches. He needs to sit down and rest. Too bad about the FP you got earlier.

1 hour window might seem reasonable under perfect operating circumstances, but Disney is often the cause of delays or screwed up perfect plans.

There was a reason they never turned people away no matter what time the FP said -- it was 'Bad Show'. Former CMs know what I mean. The concept of 'Guest - Host' was something they used to teach at Disney CM school.

 

[hazlnut]

Even know Universal may only have two parks, if you stay on property, you never wait in line for anything except HP and that Rock and Roll Coaster.

Deluxe hotel guests, and concierge guests should be getting that perk at Disney.

The GF holiday/Spring Break concierge is over $900 night. When we first started staying there in 2001, it was $250 night. And there was some sort of unlimited FP option if you bought through AAA.

Disney is overcomplicating this.

 

[Planogirl]

Even know Universal may only have two parks, if you stay on property, you never wait in line for anything except HP and that Rock and Roll Coaster.

Deluxe hotel guests, and concierge guests should be getting that perk at Disney.

The GF holiday/Spring Break concierge is over $900 night. When we first started staying there in 2001, it was $250 night. And there was some sort of unlimited FP option if you bought through AAA.

Disney is overcomplicating this.

Most have said that there are way too many hotel rooms at WDW to offer the same. I can't see Disney doing something so egalitarian.

 

[Planogirl]

There is no inequality at the Disney parks. Everyone has the same opportunity to enjoy the same benefits as any other visitor. Ignorance isn't what causes true inequality.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

This is the policy at both resorts now. WDW has been operating this way for over a year now. The only exceptions are guest recovery situations. You are expected to be able to plan well enough so that you do not cut it that close--the window is an hour long after all.

We don't use FP anymore for this very reason. Watching a clock until our FP time opened up is (for us) a nightmare. We can't go too far in case we get held up on a ride, we can't grab counter service in case we get caught up in a long time, we can't get in line for anything in "case" we get held up. Looks like we'll be skipping FP+ too.