My simple yet Im too stupid to realize why FP+ question

[Mac4life30]

What would you say is Disneys way of fixing this at this point?

 

[redrosesix]

Thanks for the input! But beware....someone will probably be along shortly to tell you that didn't happen. They will argue it was only 40 empty seats.

lol probably. I should add... we did try doing PoTC SB a couple of times but after that we only did it as a FP. The FP boats were never full and we're not the kind of family that will wait 30 minutes or more for a ride we have done many many times if we don't have to.

But it was a really unique experience to be the only ones in the boat, going through the entire ride alone until near the end (where all the boats bump together). If you had never done the ride before and knew nothing about it, the first part of it would be pretty spooky. And then there's the drop that comes out of nowhere. Crowd levels got much higher after that first day so we were never completely alone again ie only ones in the boat, only boat going through. So I strongly suggest that if you're going during low crowd times you should FP it -- it changes the ride completely.

 

[leebee]

Can someone tell me ---is the fast pass plus system tiered at the Magic Kingdom?

Not yet…

I actually have no reason to think it will be tiered, but every "prediction" that the "FP Haters" have made seems to be coming about. Projections about wait time, line length, etc., are pretty much in line with what some anticipated. With the opening of 7DMT, some are predicting that MK will HAVE to go to tiering to manage the crowd… as well as maybe an additional FP+ for MK. Who knows? Disney is going to do whatever they want, regardless of what we think or do. Personally, my guess is that the big-time repeat visitor is pretty far off Disney's radar. They are focusing on the 1st time visitor, or families who go maybe 2 or 3 times, max. Those of us who have been to WDW 6, 10, 15, etc., times know how to get the most from our vacation dollar and may not be spending the uber bucks that those who think this is the "trip of a lifetime" will spend. I think Disney is most interested in attracting those visitors, and the rest of us are just along for the ride (or not, considering how FP+ has limited our ability to ride )

 

[redrosesix]

What would you say is Disneys way of fixing this at this point?

Just as a start, they need to treat each ride individually. Like PoTC which never had FP before and never needed it. They took something that was working well and broke it.

And the FP return has to be fixed -- the bands don't work as well as cards, but cards are no longer an option. Bands are great for when you're swimming etc but I would definitely prefer the card.

I really liked being able to check wait times through MDE but the wifi was dropping constantly or non-existant. If they can get that fixed, I can see MDE doing much the same thing as the old FP system, encouraging people to do attractions when wait times are slower (we actually did ETWB simply because there was a moment when the wait time dropped significantly and we were nearby). This has nothing to do with FP+ really, but I think guests would be happier if they could do more with shorter wait times. Doing attractions based on wait times fits our touring style much better than FP+.

 

[db57me]

What would you say is Disneys way of fixing this at this point?

Newbie here, so take this for what it's worth. If the scan speed of the Mickey readers was increased, and, they added additional readers (and CMs) to accommodate multiple FP+ lines, wouldn't that expedite the process?

 

[redrosesix]

Not yet…

I actually have no reason to think it will be tiered, but every "prediction" that the "FP Haters" have made seems to be coming about. Projections about wait time, line length, etc., are pretty much in line with what some anticipated. With the opening of 7DMT, some are predicting that MK will HAVE to go to tiering to manage the crowd… as well as maybe an additional FP+ for MK. Who knows? Disney is going to do whatever they want, regardless of what we think or do. Personally, my guess is that the big-time repeat visitor is pretty far off Disney's radar. They are focusing on the 1st time visitor, or families who go maybe 2 or 3 times, max. Those of us who have been to WDW 6, 10, 15, etc., times know how to get the most from our vacation dollar and may not be spending the uber bucks that those who think this is the "trip of a lifetime" will spend. I think Disney is most interested in attracting those visitors, and the rest of us are just along for the ride (or not, considering how FP+ has limited our ability to ride )

haha your post almost makes you sound like a "hater"

Unless they change it so that you can pull more than one FP for the same ride, I can't see them tiering MK for the 7DMT simply because this is the only one that is an issue. Although most people who can ride it will choose it I don't think they'll allow all of the potential rides to be FP'd.

Can you imagine showing up at MK and there being no possible SB spots for 7DMT? But even worse...what would happen if all available FPs had been given out for 7DMT before people's arrival dates? Would they cancel? Would they choose to go to the park on a different day? IMO they have sort of painted themselves into a corner on this one -- they really should have found a way to bring more rides online at the same time they brought in the new system. And a new meet and greet with the princesses doesn't count.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

What would you say is Disneys way of fixing this at this point?

No fast passes available until 945 for the popular rides. 11 for less popular rides. Limit the number of fast passes for each time slot like they were. When they are gone, they are gone. Within that limit, reserve a certain percentage for day guests that will only open for availability at rope drop. This was always supposed to be a selling point to stay on property, so there ya go.

What I'm dreading is when disney starts selling extra fast passes. The parks will be saturated and the average family will not want to buy in after spending money on park hoppers, which is already a sham since you are only in one park at a time. Am I a hater? No. Wdw is my favorite place to vacation. I just feel like its getting to be a bit much for an out of state family with a realistic budget. I can see it turning into an un enjoyable experience eventually for some family's like mine.

 

[Wendybird55]

Just my 2 cents..I think both Disney and guests need to adjust to the system and operate it more efficiently. As some PPs said, because they get 3 FP+ people feel obligated to use them...and just because they have a FP+ scheduled theyfeel obligated to use the FP+ line even if the SB line is moving just as well or maybe better or even if the FP+ line it too long.

I have not be a big FP user over the years - only for a few rides that I found it totally necessary like TSM. When we were there in Sept. it was first time for us using MBs and FP+. I schedule FP+ before we left because it was fun to do and I wanted to see how it worked. When we were actually in the park I found myself cancelling, changing or not using my FP+ selections because it wasn't convenient for us at time. If realized I didn't need a FP+ for a particular ride or a ride I thought wouldn't be busy was I just went to MDE and changed my FP+ selections...Yes, it wasn't always convenient and it did require common sense use on my part, but I found it worked and wasn't frustrated by the entire system.

YES, I was there when they were still testing FP+ so not as many people were using it and I was there during a less crowded time so I am sure that played a big role in my experience. I'll see what it's like when I go in August.

Most of us on the DIS have an understanding of FP+ and that along with our better understanding of WDW and experience can probably navigate around all these changes and make things work even if it's not as smooth as it was in past years. But we are a minority in people going to Disney and most are unaware of FP+ and Magic Bands and EMH and so on until they start looking into it a week or so before they leave or until they get there so that slows things down when a family doesn't realize that they can all use their MBs at same time when entering a park and not have to go in single file...

MY SIL and family are going down in April during Easter break and I don't think she knows much of anything about what's going on with FP+ and MBs and a good friend of hers is supposedly a Disney Travel Expert with her own agency and my SIL even signed on as an agent (and trust me my trips are better planned and my knowledge of Disney much better than hers which was proven when she booked a Disney Cruise for our families and my in laws). I bet she doesn't even know that she can be making FP+ selections now if she wanted and she's the type of person you don't offer advice to.

Anyway, after my long-winded opinion. Changes usually aren't fun for everyone. It's a new system everyone, like it not, will have to get used to. Maybe some modifications will be made. But in the meantime as guests and CMS get "smarter" in using the system and the newness of "we have to use it because we have it wears off" we all just have to make the most of it. Either go to Disney knowing there may be some hiccups, but still have the best time we can or stay away for awhile until it gets better.

Either way, all I can say, especially with a child, we've been to Disney 8 times with our son (he's now 7) and we've taken him on other trips as well and always try to plan a Disney and non-Disney trip a year - with all the changes and such, Disney is still far and away one of the best family vacation experiences. Even on their worst day, Disney is so much better than many other family vacation areas on their best day. And I guess that's why we keep going back despite all the changes...

 

[Missyrose]

Newbie here, so take this for what it's worth. If the scan speed of the Mickey readers was increased, and, they added additional readers (and CMs) to accommodate multiple FP+ lines, wouldn't that expedite the process?

Here's a frustrating tidbit I learned from a MM+ manager CM at the parks one day. As soon as you put your band up to the scanner, the CM can instantly see your. FP+, name, etc. The light up Mickey head is for show to make guests feel part of the process. The swirling light that ales up so much time? It's for show.

 

[db57me]

Here's a frustrating tidbit I learned from a MM+ manager CM at the parks one day. As soon as you put your band up to the scanner, the CM can instantly see your. FP+, name, etc. The light up Mickey head is for show to make guests feel part of the process. The swirling light that ales up so much time? It's for show.

Disney does like the flash. So there's the answer, forget the swirling light and let the CMs keep the line moving. Maybe the mouse just lights quickly.

 

[magicbob]

All of these discussions about the extra time it takes to scan MBs and how that is slowing down the lines reminds me of how J.K. Rowling wanted every guest to enter WWOHP individually through a magical portal after casting a spell and running through the wall.

I know that's a bit but it just goes to show that sometimes you need to sacrifice a tiny bit of the "magic" for efficiency sake.

 

[db57me]

All of these discussions about the extra time it takes to scan MBs and how that is slowing down the lines reminds me of how J.K. Rowling wanted every guest to enter WWOHP individually through a magical portal after casting a spell and running through the wall. I know that's a bit but it just goes to show that sometimes you need to sacrifice a tiny bit of the "magic" for efficiency sake.

I'm with you, there's is plenty of magic at WDW without the swirling mouse.

 

[Wendybird55]

In addition to "flash" maybe there's another reason for the twirling light...with MB up to 4 people can go through a main entrance area manned by only one CM at a time. Maybe the added twirl time gives the CM enough time to check all 4 stations to make sure tickets are valid...since the one-person-at-a-time entrance is no longer they need something to slow down people to prevent groups from just pushing through with non-valid or no tickets. Remember the time it took to go through the turnstiles or for a CM to open the gate to let in a stroller? I know it's a different situation for FP+ as I believe only one person can tap MB at a time, but maybe it's too costly or difficult to have one FP system for main entrance and another for FP+ entrances.

Just a thought...