More updated Fastpass+ information

[mom2rtk]

For some reason, when I read your post what flashed into my brain is that the ten-day non-expiring pass is believed to be going away.

If someone wants to buy a 10 day no-expiring park hopper and it's no longer available, they are likely to choose another sort of ticket to purchase. So I guess I'm missing where that applies here. Maybe it's the sugar rush from all that cake I had at lunch.

 

[dadddio]

I will be shocked if FP+ reservations can't be made the same day---and I'm sure there will be kiosks in the parks for those without smartphones.

However, I also suspect that the limit will be the limit: one "person" (really, ticket) can only have X per day, whatever X is, no matter when they are made. I could be wrong about that, we'll see.

I have no doubt that that is correct. They will have to set up rules not unlike the pull rules for the current FPs. Perhaps they will not allow FPs to be scheduled within say an hour of one another. Between this and a 'no dupes' rule, that may be all that is required.

 

[dadddio]

I could have sworn I saw something "Disney official" that said something to the effect of: To use FP+, you must enroll your ticket in MM+. If you do, the ticket can no longer be used for FP.

But, I can't find it anymore. Maybe it was a bad dream!

You did see that, but just because you can't slide your ticket into an old-school FP machine and have it spit out a FP doesn't mean that same-day FPs will not be available virtually.

 

[Brian Noble]

when I read your post what flashed into my brain is that the ten-day non-expiring pass is believed to be going away.

I'm not sure they need to. The per-day cost of the 10-day base NE ticket is already $63.15. That's a little bit less than the per-day cost of a 4-day ticket ($68.16), and a little bit more than the per-day cost of a 5-day ($57.08).

You did see that, but just because you can't slide your ticket into an old-school FP machine and have it spit out a FP doesn't mean that same-day FPs will not be available virtually.

Right---that's exactly what I said in the other post of mine you quoted.

 

[dadddio]

Here's the thing, though...the people who can't be bothered to know the rules about the current FP system aren't going to be bothered to know the rules of FP+ either.

We ran into a pair in WDW last week who thought they couldn't get FPs until they used the ones they had (regardless of when they got them). Turns out they'd gotten the FPs 2 hrs prior to when we ran into them, and they were able to get new FPs right then - instead of 2+ hrs later when the return time for the FP they were holding opened.

The time when you can get another FP is clearly stated on the FP ticket, and people can't be bothered to read them. I honestly don't see that ever changing, so in that way the "playing field" will always be a bit uneven, slanted to those who *do* read the rules and pay attention.

That is not at all surprising given that there are people who participate in these forums who don't understand that rule.

 

[dadddio]

More speculation. No one knows how aggressively Disney will market the FP+ system and make it more visible and a requirement when you make general reservations online or when a guest checks in.

Agreed. Also, travel agents have an interest in making sure that their clients get FPs prereserved.

 

[Angel Ariel]

It is irrelevant how much or in what way Disney markets FP. They could have commercials, billboards, banners over your online reservation, and some people will still be wandering around the park wondering what a FP is. At the end of the day, those of us who exercise even the barest modicum of thought and planning will make better use of what Disney offers to everyone.

It never ceases to amaze me that people will pay thousands of dollars, or maybe even just hundreds of dollars if they are local, on a WDW vacation and yet be unwilling to spend $15 on a guide book. Or even bother checking one out of the library at no cost.

Exactly. It's hardly speculation when you see it happening with FP now. FP is incredibly visible, and yet many don't know how it works or assume you pay for it now. My uncle went to WDW a year or so ago, and this fall was telling my dad all about FP and how you had to pay to use it. And this was *after* his trip. Thankfully I was standing there to let my father know the real story.

 

[mom2rtk]

Thankfully I was standing there to let my father know the real story.

But did you show him the secret handshake first?

 

[UNCFanatik]

Exactly. It's hardly speculation when you see it happening with FP now. FP is incredibly visible, and yet many don't know how it works or assume you pay for it now. My uncle went to WDW a year or so ago, and this fall was telling my dad all about FP and how you had to pay to use it. And this was *after* his trip. Thankfully I was standing there to let my father know the real story.

Yes, but that will change with FP+. Will be different ball game. Disney has a large financial incentive for people to use FP+. FP+ usage will be higher than current FP usage is

 

[Turn the Page]

That is not at all surprising given that there are people who participate in these forums who don't understand that rule.

That and because back in the day when they first started the fast pass system. The last time I was there, June 2000 if memory serves, you couldn't get another fast pass until the window for the one you already had passed.

Of course, if it's clearly printed on the ticket you get today when you can pull another then that's not really an excuse anymore. But I could see how someone who hadn't been to Disney World in 13 plus years when that was the rule could very easily make that mistake.

 

[doggydoc]

Yes, but that will change with FP+. Will be different ball game. Disney has a large financial incentive for people to use FP+. FP+ usage will be higher than current FP usage is

It has been stated numerous times here that the huge investment in RFID technology has very little to do with FP+. It is a small component of the larger program. What is the financial incentive that exists for FP+ that didn't with regular FP?

 

[Angel Ariel]

Yes, but that will change with FP+. Will be different ball game. Disney has a large financial incentive for people to use FP+. FP+ usage will be higher than current FP usage is

That is just as much speculation as saying it won't change.

 

[clareita]

There are many people who know that the earliest hours are the best for empty park touring but who still choose to arrive at 11:00am, because to them, vacation doesn't mean get up early.

There are people who wait 45 minutes to be seated at a restaurant, then another 90 minutes eating, losing hours of park time to have a meal that's as tasty as your typical chain restaurant yet twice as expensive...because to them vacation includes certain restaurants.

There are many people who spend up to $75 per person per day for a park ticket, yet spend hours by the hotel pool instead of in the parks. Somehow, those behaviors don't "amaze" anyone on here.

Not everyone wants to spend time planning or reading guide books. Some people - a lot of people - are just fine with showing up and letting the chips fall where they may. They may spend more time in lines, they may not eat at the restaurants you want would choose to eat at, but they still enjoy WDW.

I would argue that a great many of these people do not enjoy WDW. How many times have your heard people complain about how Disney is overpriced, too crowded, lines are too long, etc.? I know I have many times. I'm not suggesting that you need to be an obsessive planner and have a post count here in the thousands to be informed and have a great trip. However, spending a an hour or so looking at a guide book while you on the plane or in the car to Orlando will go a long way to helping you figure out the basics. Many people don't even do that.

 

[jade1]

It has been stated numerous times here that the huge investment in RFID technology has very little to do with FP+. It is a small component of the larger program. What is the financial incentive that exists for FP+ that didn't with regular FP?

Not following, you are saying FP+ is a small component of the new RFID system-but then ask what the financial incentive is for FP+?

 

[doggydoc]

Not following, you are saying FP+ is a small component of the new RFID system-but then ask what the financial incentive is for FP+?

The PP I quoted stated that Disney has a huge financial incentive to market FP+ and make it popular. I asked how the incentive was different for FP+ than regular FP. The RFID project Disney is implementing involves everything from RFID activated entrance to hotel rooms, hands free payment at Disney shops and of course FP+. The biggest part of the initiative is based in the data produced by Disney's ability to track purchases, dining and ride preferences, even movements around the park. That is the big payoff for Disney, FP+ is just a part of the implementation

 

[dadddio]

The more I think about it, the more I feel that it is mere assumption that FP lives on in any incarnation. I suspect, much like I think you do, that FP+ will be all we're left with and the default will be 3 for each day, for only 1 park that day.

Of course, that would leave a huge amount of unutilized FP capacity, go against the stated purpose of FP+, and ignore the product's very name.

 

[doggydoc]

Of course, that would leave a huge amount of I utilized FP capacity, go against the stated purpose of FP+, and ignore the product's very name.

I agree, if the limit 3/1 park scenario is in fact implemented "where's the plus?"

And wouldn't that make a great internet meme? Just add hashtag.

 

[Tekneek]

I disagree. From an in-park user standpoint, it's probably as easy or easier. As easy because instead of going to FP machines near each ride, they just go to the one FP machine and schedule multiple rides. Easier because if they have a smartphone, they don't have to go anywhere. A person could could join his wife and kid to eat lunch and schedule the FPs without ever setting down his sandwich.

Current FP didn't require as much documentation as there already is for FP+. I'm not saying it is very difficult or complex in itself, but when compared to the current system it is definitely a step up.

 

[Tekneek]

I agree, if the limit 3/1 park scenario is in fact implemented "where's the plus?"

You/we assume the plus is meant for us. That it is "plussing" our experience in obvious ways. Maybe that has never been the point at all.

 

[dadddio]

I agree, if the limit 3/1 park scenario is in fact implemented "where's the plus?"

And wouldn't that make a great internet meme? Just add hashtag.

I forgot to include in my list the thing that people keep using as a negative for FP+.

During every round of testing, same-day FPs were offered in addition to the preselected FPs. If testing is an indicator of how FP+ will work, as these people argue, then there should be same-day FPs offered in addition to the three preselected FPs.